Disclaimer: Laughing straight to the bank

Day 3, Morning, Stock Pot Inn

Sunshine greeted Link and Tatl through their room's "first-class" window, announcing the beginning of a new day. The clock struck 6 o'clock perfectly, officially stating that Day 3 had begun.

The only thing that people seemed not to remember was that…

"AHHH! LINK! LINK! WAKE UP!" Tatl screamed, jumping out of Link's hat and floating madly about.

"Huh… what…?" A groggy Link answered.

"IT'S THE FINAL DAY!"

"Huh… final… WAIT! YOU'RE RIGHT! I FORGOT ALL ABOUT IT!" Goddamn it, you stupid dork! The salesman told you that you had three days to save Termina from total destruction!

"We have to find a way to get into that tower and SOON!"

"You know," Link pondered, then dashed for the door, "your bossy mode sometimes is really useful!"

"W-Wait!" Tatl followed suit.

Out on the hallway again, our heroes decided to ask around for a way to open the door. The people they still hadn't talked to were few, but luckily, some were pretty close…

Day 3, Morning, Guest Room

Link and Tatl entered the only other room on the inn; and it was even more of a sham than the Knife Chamber. The room was spacious, sure, but that was it. No windows, a wooden floor with no carpet, a single small round table and two cheap-looking bunk beds. There, a girl wearing a dancer's collant paced back and forth, pondering a lot. Sitting on a chair by the lone table, a bald man spun the lever on a music box that emanated a familiar sound…

T-This is… the Song… of St—

"LLLLLLLADADADADADAAAAA…"

"WAH!" Link snapped out of his thoughts by the "cry".

"What can do for you?

I see you helpless, don't know what to do

I wish I can help you in some way

So please, ask away!" the music box man sang.

Oh brother. "Um," Link started, "Me and my partner here are looking for a way to get into the top of the Clock Tower…"

"The Clock Tower, you say?

There is no easy way

It only opens at midnight

When the fireworks take flight!"

"'Fireworks take flight?'" Tatl asked.

"When 12 P.M. strikes the clock

The gate will unlock

You see, it is meant to only open at all

By the time we begin the Carnival!"

"C-Carnival?!" Link asked, hollow wooden eyes wide, "Please! Tell me more!" This is it! I'll finally get some info on this goddamn Carnival of T—

A creaking noise was heard, followed by a snap.

The lever broke and came off of the music box, luring its owner into total silence, staring blankly at the wall, only the sound of his rhythmical breathing being heard now.

"…"

"…"

"…"

This has got to be a bad joke or something. Every fucking time I approach this topic, something happens and I end up unable to learn anything at all. Even Tatl won't tell me about it. I'm not one for conspiracies, but…

"He won't say a word if his music box isn't spinning," the dancer girl told Tatl, who was already speaking with her.

"And you can help us in his place?" Tatl asked.

"No." the girl replied, looking at the wall.

That's one more moody girl for the Temper-Temper Inn. "… Not even a lead?" Link asked.

"Look," the girl replied angrily, "I'm busy here. I have some dance steps to figure out by tomorrow."

Link and Tatl looked at each other, no one wanting to ask the obvious question regarding the "tomorrow" bit of the girl's statement, and left the room sulking.

"Is there really no one aware of the moon growing above them other than me, you, the Skull Kid and that creep salesman?" Tatl pondered.

"That is one strong kind of denial if that's true," Link replied, "besides, the moon gets bigger and bigger with every passing hour. They can't just be ignoring this!"

"Well, let's try and find a way to get into that tower. Then we can sort out the mental issues of the people here."

"I'd rather not, this town is full of 'special cases'."

Day 3, Afternoon, Clock Town – East

Out on the open again, our heroes were quickly taken by surprise.

A tremor shook the ground around them, loud earthquake noises startling them as everything vibrated like a hole was about to bust open below their feet… However, after a few seconds, the tremor subsided, luckily not harming them or the town itself.

"What in the name of god was that?!" Tatl screamed.

"I don't know, it felt like an earthquake, but it went away so quickly…" Link answered, then trailed off, "… uhhh…"

"What?"

Link pointed up, and Tatl was knocked for a loop, figuratively… and almost literally.

The moon was certainly bigger than last time. The scary face it had was now even more recognizable, zoomed in, features in huge detail. The wide, creepy eyes, the open mouth with putrid, yellow teeth crunching together in an expression of utter rage and pain… as if…

… The person who made this is reflecting their own feelings…

"…Wow." Tatl managed to say, in awe of the huge monstrosity above them, fear creeping in the back of her mind as she ran out of words to use.

"We are SO dead if we let this thing fall," Link stated the obvious, "it will take the whole world with it and who knows w-what else…"

Still with a lot of questions floating on his mind, Link shrugged after finishing speaking and headed for the South, Tatl right behind him.

Day 3, Afternoon, Clock Town – South

As soon as the two went down the stairs and stepped foot into the south side of Clock Town for what felt like the billionth time, Tatl stopped in front of Link and floated slowly around.

"Link… don't you feel something is different here?"

"Well, I haven't been approached by any 'interesting' characters or heard any innuendos so far," Link replied.

"I'm serious, dorkhead! Look around!"

"Dorkhead"? Is that the best you can come up with? "Hmmmm… now that you mention it…" Link looked around, slowly piecing things together.

"Yeah…"

"… The town seems… emptier, I think. I can only see a couple of those carpenters that were here yesterday."

"Maybe most of the townsfolk are seeking shelter?"

"From the moon? But weren't they in complete denial?"

"Well, denial can only last so long, you know," Tatl answered matter-of-factly, "besides, the guards here have been encouraging people to leave town."

"What do you mean?"

"Look over there," Tatl said, floating around a poster on a nearby wall.

"It says… 'Looking for some action? Check out these babes on www.2girls1c-'"

"THE BOTTOM ONE!"

"Oh, ok," Link said, then crouched a bit to read the poster, "'We encourage you to flee and find refuge out of town!' What?"

"There's more."

"I know… it goes on to say that the moon will fall and such… But are they so dense to think that fleeing will prevent anything at all? They can't be possibly telling people that the moon crash will only affect the town!"

"It's signed by the Clock Town Defense Unit," Tatl stated.

"How can a defense unit suck so badly at, well, defense?!"

"We ARE talking about the town where all sorts of bizarre things happen."

"Huh. True." The town where arms come out of toilets…

"Well Link, do we have any time left?"

"We're close to evening," Link replied, looking at the Clock Tower's, well, clock, "maybe if we go exploring outside we can find some of the fleeing people and get them to talk to us?"

"Sounds good to me…" Tatl pensively replied, then continued. "But we'd better act quick. We can't wait until midnight for the gate to open! We need as much time as we can to stop the Skull Kid, especially now that he's powering up with that mask…"

"Yeah, well, let's get going then," Link answered, then moved towards the gate that linked South Clock Town to Termina Field. The guard stood still, looking up, not moving but displaying a look of mild terror and disbelief on having the moon, of all things, about to flatten his entire being into oblivion. However, as soon as he took notice of Link, there he was, just like the other guards; moving sideways to block his way.

"Are you kidding me?!" Link blurted out, not getting any reaction from the guard.

"Can you please get a move on?! We are trying to flee! Like you told us to in that poster!" Tatl angrily lied.

But the guard stood there, motionless. Not saying a word.

I seriously hate those fuckheads. "Alright Tatl. There's only one way to sort this."

"What do you mean?"

"I feel that the Carnival of Time is strongly linked to this. I have to learn about the story behind this event. And I'm going to find it even if I have to waste time until midnight!"

"Link…"

"If you don't want to help me, fine, stay here and go find yourself a hole to crawl into," Link hissed, starting to lose it, "but I am going to listen to some Carnival stuff right now!"

He, then, left, completely angry, leaving Tatl behind.

Day 3, Evening, Stock Pot Inn

As Link entered the Inn, something caught his attention; Anju wasn't there. Instead, a fat lady with red hair and green overalls stood by the desk.

"Um, who are you?" Link asked.

"Who are YOU?! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TO ASK ME THIS?!" The lady snapped.

Jeez! Not another one! I'm never staying in this inn again! "I'm sorry! I'm the person staying in the Knife Chamber, my name is Link! It's just, I haven't seen you around…"

"Well that's because I'm usually not here, idiot!" she bellowed. "I'm Anju's mother, and the owner of Stock Pot Inn!"

I know now where Anju got her unique mood from... "I'm sorry."

"Whatever. Whaddya want?"

"I was wondering where she was?"

"We are about to skip town. Going to the ranch. Moon's falling."

"Ranch?" And why do you think you're going to save your ass from the moon crash?

"Romani Ranch, near the swamp."

"Ah, that one." Don't have the slightest clue.

"Anyways, Anju and my mother are about to leave too. If you have some business with her, make it quick."

Her mother… the old lady! That's it! "Thank you very much."

"Whatever. Just be quick."

Link dashed for the back room, where the old lady still sat on the same place she was the other day. As soon as she noticed him, she was already starting the same old dialogue:

"Oh, Tortus, are y—"

"Yes yes I am doing whatever you think I am doing and my name is absolutely Tortus whatever PLEASE CAN I LISTEN TO THAT STORY AGAIN ABOUT THE CARNIVAL OF TIME?!"

"Oh, sure, Tortus. But I can read it to you on our way to the United Kingdom."

First of all, you're going to the ranch. "No! Please! I have to listen to it now!"

"Well alright then, Tortus. Here we go…"

This is it! Nothing's gonna make me sleep now! I am awake, wide open eyes, like a night owl! Caffeine Central, right here!

"A long time ago, the land of Termina…"

".. Yes?!"

"… What was it again..."

"No, please, don't forget it! Don't trust your memory! Read it straight from the book!"

"Ok, Tortus. Calm down. You're not going to get any candy from the Great Fairy if you misbehave!"

"Alright, alright, I'm sorry, really, go on."

"Ok. Now then…"

…

Day 3, Evening, Stock Pot Inn

"…"

No… this can't…

"NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Link screamed, but to no one, as the old lady had already left with her family.

This is a conspiracy! I can't believe this! Why is this happening to me?! I am the Hero of Time! I am not to be taken lightly! I have slain demons with my bare han—

"Link?!" Tatl barged in.

"What?!" Link replied, annoyed.

"It's midnight…"

"W-what…"

As Link searched for words to say, fireworks burst into the skies above, the noises throwing his train of thought completely off track.

"LET'S GO!" Tatl screamed, dashing to the door, Link following suit.

Day 3, Midnight, Clock Town – South

As Link and Tatl reached the south one more time, they could catch a glimpse of a carpenter, different from the others, older, with white hair and all – probably the leader – fleeing from the town with tears falling from his eyes.

They could barely comment on the scene, though. Another noise, coming from the tower, caught their attention.

The top portion of the tower rose a few meters, then fell down perpendicularly like a lever, halting to a stop when it found its reach. Now pointing forward, the "lever" seemed to activate something, because the closed door Link and Tatl were so worried about these past days opened. Behind it was another door. And another. And another. One by one, doors opened, a part of their top halves sticking out, forming a very cleverly hidden set of stairs.

"This must be it…" Link muttered.

"The stairway to the top…" Tatl followed suit, both at a loss for words.

"Okay, we have to get up there!"

"How?"

"What? Have you forgotten? I have the land deed for the yellow flower!"

"Oh yeah! Can I see it again please?" Tatl asked.

"Sure, h—" Link stopped suddenly and pretended to be in a rush, "Now's not the time! Let's go, I can show it later!"

"O-OK!" Tatl said, floating by Link as he dashed for the Deku Flower.

I am NOT telling her what happened to that land deed…

Link burrowed under the flower and launched himself upwards, this time, not even caring about the height or anything at all, adrenaline flowing through him. After all, it was midnight. They had only six measly hours – which seemed to pass by very quickly in Termina – to put a stop to world destruction.

A minute later, they were already in front of the newfound stairway. They exchanged looks and went up, not saying a word to each other, taking in the responsibility and seriousness of the moment.

Skull Kid… your pranks end here!

Day 3, Final hours, Clock Tower – Top

Link and Tatl reached the top, and, a moment later, the exit was already closed.

"Damn it!" Link whispered.

"T-That's…" Tatl trailed off, and Link was about to say something, but when he looked up..

The top floor looked like a huge observatory of sorts. The flooring was weirdly colored, with strong hues flashing everywhere, contrasting with the grey composition of the floor itself. The walls, also not colored by nature, were hued variously, surrounding a huge glass panel that took about half the room, showing a direct view of the moon – now closer than ever.

And, hovering above, as small as Tatl herself…

… The Skull Kid… and Tael, the purple fairy.

"S-Sis!" Tael exclaimed.

"Tael!" Tatl replied excitedly.

"Swamp. Mountain. Ocean. Canyon. Hurry… the four who are there… bring them here…"

Where have I heard that before?

Before Link could voice his thoughts, the Skull Kid floated next to Tael… and punched the boy-fairy, pushing him backwards.

"Don't speak out of line! Stupid fairy!" he snapped.

Coward!

"Noo!" Tatl screamed, "what are you doing to my brother?! Skull Kid, do you still think you're our friend after that?!"

What, you were still considering him a friend when he was PLANNING TO DESTROY THE WORLD?

Skull Kid, however, didn't seem fazed by Tatl's venom-filled words. He stood calmly in the air, legs crossed, throwing Link's Ocarina of Time up and down.

"…Well, whatever," the Skull Kid finally said, "Even if they were to come now, they couldn't handle me… hee hee."

"What?!" Link replied.

"Just look above you…"

"T-The moon…" Tatl muttered, trembling.

"…If it's something that can be stopped, then just try to stop it!" Skull Kid voiced strongly, and Link had a flash.

T-These words… phrases… that dream!

While Link was busy forming sentences coherently, the Skull Kid let out a loud banshee scream and unleashed a magic wave that shook the entire place…

…And the moon started falling faster than before.

Now with much less time, Link had to act fast.

That dream wasn't for nothing… Zelda was in it… I just know she did something magical again… she's trying to send me a message… I need that Ocarina back, and now!

"Link, do something!" Tatl screamed, then screamed again when Link ran towards the Skull Kid. "Link, what are you doing?! LINK, GET BACK HERE!"

But Link didn't listen. He looked up and saw the Skull Kid still all stretched out, letting out his magic, speeding up the moon…

… And let out a bullet bubble from his nose.