There came a slight rap at the door to the room, but Link noticed. He was on his feet in an instant, the Master Sword in his hand. Navi buzzed overhead, also awake. Link opened the door with his left hand while holding the Master Sword with his right.

Link found himself staring face-to-face with someone he'd not expected in the history of Hyrule: the Happy Mask Man. The Happy Mask Man giggled and said, "Can I come in, troubled one?"

Link nodded curtly. He led his visitor to the small table within the room. The Happy Mask Man set his large backpack filled with masks down on the table and pulled up a chair. Everyone else was sleeping, but the Happy Mask Man paid them no heed.

"How and when did you get here?" Link asked.

The Happy Mask Man let out another giggle. "I came here just now. I came with the Mask of Traveling. It allows me to go pretty much anywhere that I know of. That's how I returned to Hyrule so quickly after our little ordeal with Majora's Mask."

Link nodded. The Happy Mask Man always had a mask that would do as he wanted. "What brings you to Termia, or, more precisely, to me?"

The Happy Mask Man smiled his goofy smile and said, "I am here to help you on your quest. You will need as much help as you can get, and I can give you much."

"Why don't you travel back to Hyrule," Link grumbled curtly. He did not trust the Happy Mask Man, despite his kindly attitude. If it hadn't been for the Happy Mask Man, Link wouldn't have gotten involved with Majora's Mask.

"Why not?" the Happy Mask Man speculated. "I could return to my mask shop, but where's the fun in that. I think the both of us could benefit from me joining your number."

"I'll think about it," Link murmured.

The Happy Mask Man giggled, grabbed his sack, and left. Link sighed. Perhaps he would need the man's help. He did know one person whose help he would need.

Link looked up at Navi. "Well, old friend. Let's go for a walk."

*****************

Link and Navi left the Stock Pot Inn, left East Clock Town, and entered South Clock Town. Link stopped at the stable to pat Epona's nose, and they left South Clock Town too, entering the great expanse of Termina field.

They were in the southern region of Termina field and Link gazed at the familiar surroundings. There were two roads that exited the southern area of Termina field: one that went to the Southern Swamp, and Milk Road. In between the roads and Clock Town were several tree stumps and flowers, as well as a hollow tree that was on its side and sunk into the ground.

Navi landed on Link's shoulder as he walked up to the hollow tree. He knocked on the side and a short creature that looked like a scarecrow continued to snore. Link walked forward and the creature stirred, looked up and stood.

"Link!" it said, throwing its arms around Link's waist.

Link returned the quick embrace and smiled. "I told you that I'd be back, Skull Kid."

The Skull Kid was a good friend of Link's, always loyal and true. And so were two other mutual friends of theirs.

Tael and Tatl flew out from under Skull Kid's hat angrily. "What is it Skull kid?" Tatl asked lazily. Then she saw Link. "Link!"

She rushed over to him and they both spun happily. She then landed on Link's shoulder next to Navi. "Hi, I'm Tatl. Who are you? Pleased to meet ya!"

Navi glowed brighter than usual. "I'm Navi. Pleased to meet you, too." She addressed Link. So this is the one you told me about? Hyper."

Link chuckled as the Skull Kid, Tael, and Tatl introduced themselves to Navi, and vice versa. He was glad to be reunited with old friends. Once everyone was introduced, however, he got down to business. He explained to Skull Kid Hyrule's predicament. Skull Kid listened intently; he owed Link a debt of gratitude ever since Link had saved him from Majora's Mask. But he was afraid, and he showed it.

Once Link was done Skull Kid said, "I'll help you, if I can. I know the giants, and am a servant and friend to them. I hope they still like me after what I did to them with Majora's Mask, but at least I can help you."

Link nodded. "Thanks. I—"

Suddenly a large crunching sound echoed through the tree. Link looked up to see a Stalfos staring at him. He spun and another Stalfos was holding the other end of the tree. Link cursed.

"Skull Kid, you handle that Stalfos, I'll handle this one!" Link cried, gesturing with his hands.

Link spun, unsheathing the Master Sword, all in one smooth motion. He charged the Stalfos, Hylian Shield up. "For Hyrule and for Glory!" he cried.

He struck the Stalfos' shield with the Master Sword to let it know he meant business. He struck again and again until the Stalfos strafed to avoid the attacks. He held his shield up in a mirror of it. He sneered evilly.

The Stalfos leapt high into the air to attack Link. Navi flew right by it, holding Link's attention with her magical abilities. Link jumped to the side and stabbed at its skeletal rib cage when it landed. It cried out, but ignored the blow. Link matched its every pace, but advanced slowly. Their shields touched, and when they did Link struck the Stalfos again in the ribs, his advasary unable to block the blow.

The Stalfos leapt back a few feet, but Link kept coming. He spun The Master Sword about in an arc that forced the Stalfos to block it with its sheild. He then ducked its sword thrust, spun the Master Sword about, and stabbed it in the groin. The Stalfos screamed in pain.

Link whipped the Master Sword upwards, standing up in one swift, deft motion. The Stalfos was cut in two by the blow.

Link spun about, looking for Skull Kid. He found his friend, plastered against the wall by the other Stalfos, a knife helplessly in his hand and trying to conjure up some magic to loosen the Stalfos' grip.

Link was about to charge into the fray when another Stalfos errupted from the gorund in front of him. Link cursed, and barely had time to block a lethal blow to the heart with his shield. The sideways motion of the block scraped the Stalfos' sword across his shoulder, and Link cried out in pain.

Navi stayed by the Stalfos' head, keeping Link's attention there. If not for her Link probobly would have blacked out. But he held through, ignoring the pain. The new Stalfos was about to bring its shield up but Link knocked it aside with his sword. He then used his own shield as a weapon, whacking the Stalfos in the head several times before it brought its sword to bear and knocked the Hylian Shield aside.

Link stepped back and circled around the Stalfos. He spat at it and lunged. The Stalfos raised its shield to block the attack but Link knelt on one knee and severed one of its skeletal legs. It fell to the ground.

Link stood and backed up. He pulled out his bow and loosed several shots into it until it stilled, dead.

Link turned to fight the remaining Stalfos but as soon as he did a beam of light from an unknown origin smashed into it, cutting it into millions of pieces. Skull Kid fell to the ground, unconsious.

Link ran to his friend, Tael and Tatl using fairy power to try and recover Skull Kid. Link put his head to Skull Kid's chest, listening. There was a heartbeat, but faint. And breathing. Link sighed in relief. Navi joined in the healing and soon Skull Kid opened his tiny eyes and the fairies fell to the ground, exhausted from using their power.

A voice from behind caught Link's attention and he spun to find the Happy Mask Man standing there, a mask on his face that looked like a crossbow and a crystal put together. That must be where the beam had come from.

"If not for me your friend would probobly be dead, and you injured even worse," the Happy Mask Man said in a stoic voice, putting his mask into the jumble on his back.

Link nodded. "Thank you."

"Have you considered my joining your party? I want Hyrule to be safe as much as you."

Link smiled. "After this? You can join!"