Disclaimer: I don't own Zelda, I never have owned Zelda, and unless something drastic happens, I probably never will own Zelda. But I can dream.
The Great Duct-tape War
by Skye Dragon
Skye's rambling spot: Yea!! Chapter two!! I love this stuff. Anyway, I realized that I forgot to say something last chapter. You see, this story has a rather messed up time line. It occurs after OOT, but before MM. Yet somehow Link is a 10 year old in this story. How that happens I don't know, it just does. That's why it's an AU. Get over it. And on with the story!
*~*~*~*
Several hours later, Link sat cross-legged on his bed as Saria pulled the last of the duct-tape from his back.
He flinched, and then turned to look at her over his shoulder. "Is that all?" There was a note of hopefulness in his voice.
Saria looked at his face and noticed that there were pools of tears in his eyes and she could see where at least one painful tear had left tracks down his left cheek. She nodded, her emerald hair dancing in her eyes. She turned away from him and slapped the last strip of tape on an unbelievably huge roll of used tape. She herself was tremendously surprised by just how much tape the faeries had used. There were now ugly red marks on Link's skin wherever the tape had actually touched him. That meant that his arms, legs, and neck looked sunburned, while his torso, and face where the normal shade.
"That's all of the tape, but as for your hair . . ." Saria let her sentence trail off.
Link scowled, his clear blue eyes becoming clouded with intense anger. "I'll get it out." His voice was dangerously quiet.
Saria's eyes widened slightly. She knew Link was very fond of his hair, it was one of his quirks, and the tone of his voice promised pain for whoever had messed with it. "Why . . . why don't you go and see if you can't wash it out at the stream?" She asked nervously.
Link gave her an odd look and then nodded. "Yeah, I'll do that." He sat there silently for several more minutes, the look on his face telling Saria he was deciding just what he'd do when he came across the faeries again. She hastily excused herself and then left Link alone in his tree house.
*~*~*~*
Several moments later, Link cautiously stuck his head out his door. After seeing that no one was around, he stealthily snuck from his home and slipped down to the stream where all the Kokiri did their washing and bathing. Link hid himself behind a bush for several moments. There was no way he was gonna let anyone see him with pink hair.
After several moments without anyone coming, the Hrulian decided that the cost was clear, and he came out from behind that bush. Quietly he made his way down to the waters edge, and then paused looking into the crystal clear water. He could see his reflection, and he studied it intently.
Link was thoroughly disgusted with what he saw. Not only was his hair pink, but it was HOT pink, almost a day-glo color. A sneer found it's way onto his lips. Finally, Link pulled a small leather bag from his belt, and from it produced a bit of soap. Clutching it in his hands, Link dipped his head beneath the water and then began scrubbing furiously.
*~*~*~*
A good while later, Link sat back against a large shade-tree with a hateful look etched into his face. He'd been scrubbing non-stop for at least an hour and a half, and his hair was still the same bright shade of pink. It hadn't even faded a few shades!
His sulking was interrupted then by the sound of leaves being crunched underfoot. Panic arose in Link. He couldn't let anyone see him now. Hurriedly he scrambled up the thick trunk of the tree he'd been laying against. Thanking the goddesses that his tunic was the same shade green as the leaves, he hid in a clump of leaves and prayed that his bright pink hair wouldn't make him noticeable.
A few moments later he heard a voice calling out.
"Link! Link!!"
The speaker came into view then. "Link? Where is that boy?"
"Saria! Psst, up here!" Link called in a low voice.
Saria blinked and then looked up into the tree. "Link? What are you doing up there? I thought you were washing your hair!"
Link winced. Did she really have to yell and announce his presence to all of Kokiri? Slowly the young Hero of Time climbed back down from the tree. "I did wash my hair."
"Did it come out?" Saria asked, watching as he descended from the large oak. "Oh. . ." A frown appeared upon her face when she clearly saw the bright color. "I see . . ."
Link snorted. He jumped down from the bottom branch and then slumped moodily to the ground, his lower lip sticking out in a rather childish pout.
"I think there's something else I'm suppose to do to get it out." Link paused, his pout turned into a thoughtful frown. "You know, girls dye their hair all the time." Another long pause. "Saria, you're a girl . . ."
The Sage of the forest looked at him, something akin to amusement filling her eyes. "Yes, I am a girl. I hope this isn't the first time you've noticed that." Link blinked and then made a face at her. Saria laughed and then continued. "But Link, you know we don't have dye here in Kokiri."
Link's frown deepened. Saria was right, he did know that. The only dye in the Lost Woods was made from natural things, such as berry juices and such. But that dye was only used on clothing; if put in hair, it would wash off the second it touched water.
"Maybe someone else would be able to help you." Saria was still going on. "What about one of those girls you know from other places. Like Zelda or that Malon girl? And I'm sure at least one of Nabooru's girls uses hair dye."
Link looked up at her horrified. "But I can't go into public with pink hair!!!"
Saria looked at him with pity in her eyes. "If you don't go, then you'll just have to stay here until your hair grows long enough for the dyed parts to be cut out."
Link scowled again. "I want this dye out now." A sigh and then a defeated look came to his face. "I guess I'll go talk with Malon. . ."
"If you'll wait to go until tomorrow, I can get you a cloak with a hood to hide your hair." Saria offered.
Link nodded. "Thanks."
Saria smiled, "My pleasure. Now are you going to come back with me or not?"
Link shook his head vigorously, the pink strands flying up in a fury. "I can't. I'll go back on my own."
Saria sighed, shook her head, and then left.
*~*~*~*
Crouched down in a small copse, he watched the two Kokiri talking.
" . . . a cloak with a hood to hide your hair." Saria was saying.
"Thanks." The misfit responded.
He scowled. Why was Saria talking with him. Him! Link! Link the faerieless Kokiri, Link the misfit, Link the outcast, Link the pest.
Anger built up in the boy's body. How come Saria never talked to him like that? She never offered to do anything for him. Him. Mido the great, Mido the strong, Mido the protector of Kokiri.
The green-haired Kokiri girl turned and walked away, seemingly disappearing into the shadows. Mido growled. Saria never seemed to notice him. Didn't she know that was what he wanted? For her to pay attention to him? The way she did with Link?
Another surge of anger hit Mido at the mention of his enemy's name. Link wasn't really Mido's enemy, not truly, but that was how Mido saw it. If Link was out of the way then Saria would notice him.
Link. A smug smile appeared on Mido's lips. He didn't know who had dyed Link's hair, but he was glad they had done it. Link deserved to be humiliated a bit. Actually, Mido thought Link should be humiliated a lot. With these thoughts in his head, Mido stood up and came out of the copse. It didn't take long for Link, who was absorbed in his own thoughts to notice the new intruder.
"Mido!" Link yelped, startled. "Wha, What are you doing here?!" The faerieless Kokiri demanded.
Mido ignored the question. "I see someone finally gave you what you deserve, eh pink boy?" A cruel laugh followed this comment.
Link gritted his teeth, fighting back a crude comeback. "What's it to you?"
The smug smile never left his face as Mido answered. "I'm just looking after my own interests. But you know, I don't think they did such a good job."
Link didn't have time to respond as Mido suddenly rushed him. The breath was forced out of his lungs as Mido slammed Link into the tree he'd climbed earlier.
For one brief moment, Link saw stars dancing in his eyes. Then he fell over on his knees, gasping for breath.
Mido took a step back, watching his victim with a cruel grin on his face.
"You . . . You shouldn't . . . have done . . . that . . ." Link gasped.
"Oh really? What are you gonna do about it, pink boy?" Mido taunted.
Anger rolled over Link in waves, and the Triforce of Courage reacted accordingly, filling Link with it's power. Mido noticed the mark on the back of Link's hand suddenly start glowing, and then he saw nothing as Link swiftly jumped up and elbowed him in the back of the head. Mido collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Link took a deep breath, the Triforce mark on his hand dimmed and then went out. Link shook his head, looking at the still body before him. He was a ten-year-old, but he still knew how to fight from the days of Ganon, when he'd been an adult.
Eyeing the body, Link was about to just turn and walk away, when another idea hit him. Mido had picked on Link for all of his life, now it was time to have a little revenge.
Now Link usually isn't the type of person who would seek revenge, but then he also usually won't get angry enough at one little taunt to awaken the Triforce within him. But today was far from normal, and he was already very upset. So right now, revenge was a very tempting idea. And even the Hero of Time can fall prey to temptations.
So it was with a evil gleam in his beautiful blue eyes, that Link set about to evening up the score with Mido.
*~*~*~*
The next morning found Epona patiently waiting at the foot of Link's tree house. Finally her master emerged from his home. Link was clad in his usual forest-green tunic, with leggings and leather boots, but on top of all this he wore a dark green cloak that hung down to his calves. There was a single button at the neck, and a hood that was pulled up over his head. The hood was large and cast a dark shadow over Link's eyes. All in all, it was a very disturbing effect, making Link look mysterious and dangerous, instead of a disgruntled boy with a bad hair day.
Epona snorted and shifted her hooves restlessly. Link climbed down the ladder and petted her nose. "Shh, girl. It's alright, It's only me."
Epona tossed her head, her fur seemingly glowing in the morning light. Link quickly mounted her, and then the two took off, out of Kokiri and headed towards Lon Lon Ranch.
*~*~*~*
It wasn't for a long while after Link left on Epona, that one of the Kokiri happened to notice a large mass of gray clinging to the underside of a log that served as a bridge over the stream. After a bit of poking and prodding, the gray mass came loose and fell into the water. The young Kokiri fished the thing out of the water and was startled to hear Mido's furious voice coming from inside all the duct-tape.
*~*~*~*
Give to the needy! Review! You can boost an author's ego! And it's FREE! Just fill in the little box below with encouragement, words of wisdom, or anything else you feel like writing! It's great! Just give it a try! You can make a difference!
The Great Duct-tape War
by Skye Dragon
Skye's rambling spot: Yea!! Chapter two!! I love this stuff. Anyway, I realized that I forgot to say something last chapter. You see, this story has a rather messed up time line. It occurs after OOT, but before MM. Yet somehow Link is a 10 year old in this story. How that happens I don't know, it just does. That's why it's an AU. Get over it. And on with the story!
*~*~*~*
Several hours later, Link sat cross-legged on his bed as Saria pulled the last of the duct-tape from his back.
He flinched, and then turned to look at her over his shoulder. "Is that all?" There was a note of hopefulness in his voice.
Saria looked at his face and noticed that there were pools of tears in his eyes and she could see where at least one painful tear had left tracks down his left cheek. She nodded, her emerald hair dancing in her eyes. She turned away from him and slapped the last strip of tape on an unbelievably huge roll of used tape. She herself was tremendously surprised by just how much tape the faeries had used. There were now ugly red marks on Link's skin wherever the tape had actually touched him. That meant that his arms, legs, and neck looked sunburned, while his torso, and face where the normal shade.
"That's all of the tape, but as for your hair . . ." Saria let her sentence trail off.
Link scowled, his clear blue eyes becoming clouded with intense anger. "I'll get it out." His voice was dangerously quiet.
Saria's eyes widened slightly. She knew Link was very fond of his hair, it was one of his quirks, and the tone of his voice promised pain for whoever had messed with it. "Why . . . why don't you go and see if you can't wash it out at the stream?" She asked nervously.
Link gave her an odd look and then nodded. "Yeah, I'll do that." He sat there silently for several more minutes, the look on his face telling Saria he was deciding just what he'd do when he came across the faeries again. She hastily excused herself and then left Link alone in his tree house.
*~*~*~*
Several moments later, Link cautiously stuck his head out his door. After seeing that no one was around, he stealthily snuck from his home and slipped down to the stream where all the Kokiri did their washing and bathing. Link hid himself behind a bush for several moments. There was no way he was gonna let anyone see him with pink hair.
After several moments without anyone coming, the Hrulian decided that the cost was clear, and he came out from behind that bush. Quietly he made his way down to the waters edge, and then paused looking into the crystal clear water. He could see his reflection, and he studied it intently.
Link was thoroughly disgusted with what he saw. Not only was his hair pink, but it was HOT pink, almost a day-glo color. A sneer found it's way onto his lips. Finally, Link pulled a small leather bag from his belt, and from it produced a bit of soap. Clutching it in his hands, Link dipped his head beneath the water and then began scrubbing furiously.
*~*~*~*
A good while later, Link sat back against a large shade-tree with a hateful look etched into his face. He'd been scrubbing non-stop for at least an hour and a half, and his hair was still the same bright shade of pink. It hadn't even faded a few shades!
His sulking was interrupted then by the sound of leaves being crunched underfoot. Panic arose in Link. He couldn't let anyone see him now. Hurriedly he scrambled up the thick trunk of the tree he'd been laying against. Thanking the goddesses that his tunic was the same shade green as the leaves, he hid in a clump of leaves and prayed that his bright pink hair wouldn't make him noticeable.
A few moments later he heard a voice calling out.
"Link! Link!!"
The speaker came into view then. "Link? Where is that boy?"
"Saria! Psst, up here!" Link called in a low voice.
Saria blinked and then looked up into the tree. "Link? What are you doing up there? I thought you were washing your hair!"
Link winced. Did she really have to yell and announce his presence to all of Kokiri? Slowly the young Hero of Time climbed back down from the tree. "I did wash my hair."
"Did it come out?" Saria asked, watching as he descended from the large oak. "Oh. . ." A frown appeared upon her face when she clearly saw the bright color. "I see . . ."
Link snorted. He jumped down from the bottom branch and then slumped moodily to the ground, his lower lip sticking out in a rather childish pout.
"I think there's something else I'm suppose to do to get it out." Link paused, his pout turned into a thoughtful frown. "You know, girls dye their hair all the time." Another long pause. "Saria, you're a girl . . ."
The Sage of the forest looked at him, something akin to amusement filling her eyes. "Yes, I am a girl. I hope this isn't the first time you've noticed that." Link blinked and then made a face at her. Saria laughed and then continued. "But Link, you know we don't have dye here in Kokiri."
Link's frown deepened. Saria was right, he did know that. The only dye in the Lost Woods was made from natural things, such as berry juices and such. But that dye was only used on clothing; if put in hair, it would wash off the second it touched water.
"Maybe someone else would be able to help you." Saria was still going on. "What about one of those girls you know from other places. Like Zelda or that Malon girl? And I'm sure at least one of Nabooru's girls uses hair dye."
Link looked up at her horrified. "But I can't go into public with pink hair!!!"
Saria looked at him with pity in her eyes. "If you don't go, then you'll just have to stay here until your hair grows long enough for the dyed parts to be cut out."
Link scowled again. "I want this dye out now." A sigh and then a defeated look came to his face. "I guess I'll go talk with Malon. . ."
"If you'll wait to go until tomorrow, I can get you a cloak with a hood to hide your hair." Saria offered.
Link nodded. "Thanks."
Saria smiled, "My pleasure. Now are you going to come back with me or not?"
Link shook his head vigorously, the pink strands flying up in a fury. "I can't. I'll go back on my own."
Saria sighed, shook her head, and then left.
*~*~*~*
Crouched down in a small copse, he watched the two Kokiri talking.
" . . . a cloak with a hood to hide your hair." Saria was saying.
"Thanks." The misfit responded.
He scowled. Why was Saria talking with him. Him! Link! Link the faerieless Kokiri, Link the misfit, Link the outcast, Link the pest.
Anger built up in the boy's body. How come Saria never talked to him like that? She never offered to do anything for him. Him. Mido the great, Mido the strong, Mido the protector of Kokiri.
The green-haired Kokiri girl turned and walked away, seemingly disappearing into the shadows. Mido growled. Saria never seemed to notice him. Didn't she know that was what he wanted? For her to pay attention to him? The way she did with Link?
Another surge of anger hit Mido at the mention of his enemy's name. Link wasn't really Mido's enemy, not truly, but that was how Mido saw it. If Link was out of the way then Saria would notice him.
Link. A smug smile appeared on Mido's lips. He didn't know who had dyed Link's hair, but he was glad they had done it. Link deserved to be humiliated a bit. Actually, Mido thought Link should be humiliated a lot. With these thoughts in his head, Mido stood up and came out of the copse. It didn't take long for Link, who was absorbed in his own thoughts to notice the new intruder.
"Mido!" Link yelped, startled. "Wha, What are you doing here?!" The faerieless Kokiri demanded.
Mido ignored the question. "I see someone finally gave you what you deserve, eh pink boy?" A cruel laugh followed this comment.
Link gritted his teeth, fighting back a crude comeback. "What's it to you?"
The smug smile never left his face as Mido answered. "I'm just looking after my own interests. But you know, I don't think they did such a good job."
Link didn't have time to respond as Mido suddenly rushed him. The breath was forced out of his lungs as Mido slammed Link into the tree he'd climbed earlier.
For one brief moment, Link saw stars dancing in his eyes. Then he fell over on his knees, gasping for breath.
Mido took a step back, watching his victim with a cruel grin on his face.
"You . . . You shouldn't . . . have done . . . that . . ." Link gasped.
"Oh really? What are you gonna do about it, pink boy?" Mido taunted.
Anger rolled over Link in waves, and the Triforce of Courage reacted accordingly, filling Link with it's power. Mido noticed the mark on the back of Link's hand suddenly start glowing, and then he saw nothing as Link swiftly jumped up and elbowed him in the back of the head. Mido collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Link took a deep breath, the Triforce mark on his hand dimmed and then went out. Link shook his head, looking at the still body before him. He was a ten-year-old, but he still knew how to fight from the days of Ganon, when he'd been an adult.
Eyeing the body, Link was about to just turn and walk away, when another idea hit him. Mido had picked on Link for all of his life, now it was time to have a little revenge.
Now Link usually isn't the type of person who would seek revenge, but then he also usually won't get angry enough at one little taunt to awaken the Triforce within him. But today was far from normal, and he was already very upset. So right now, revenge was a very tempting idea. And even the Hero of Time can fall prey to temptations.
So it was with a evil gleam in his beautiful blue eyes, that Link set about to evening up the score with Mido.
*~*~*~*
The next morning found Epona patiently waiting at the foot of Link's tree house. Finally her master emerged from his home. Link was clad in his usual forest-green tunic, with leggings and leather boots, but on top of all this he wore a dark green cloak that hung down to his calves. There was a single button at the neck, and a hood that was pulled up over his head. The hood was large and cast a dark shadow over Link's eyes. All in all, it was a very disturbing effect, making Link look mysterious and dangerous, instead of a disgruntled boy with a bad hair day.
Epona snorted and shifted her hooves restlessly. Link climbed down the ladder and petted her nose. "Shh, girl. It's alright, It's only me."
Epona tossed her head, her fur seemingly glowing in the morning light. Link quickly mounted her, and then the two took off, out of Kokiri and headed towards Lon Lon Ranch.
*~*~*~*
It wasn't for a long while after Link left on Epona, that one of the Kokiri happened to notice a large mass of gray clinging to the underside of a log that served as a bridge over the stream. After a bit of poking and prodding, the gray mass came loose and fell into the water. The young Kokiri fished the thing out of the water and was startled to hear Mido's furious voice coming from inside all the duct-tape.
*~*~*~*
Give to the needy! Review! You can boost an author's ego! And it's FREE! Just fill in the little box below with encouragement, words of wisdom, or anything else you feel like writing! It's great! Just give it a try! You can make a difference!
