The Day of Becomming...
It was a tradition among the Kokiri children that on the fourth day of the 6th month of each year a festivle would be held. This day was known as the Day of Becomming. During this festivle, the youngest of the kokirir would go through the trials of the forest, a competition of acceptance into the Kokiri society that each Kokiri boy and girl must complete to become a "man" or "woman".
And, it was this fourth day of the 6th month of the year that a young kokiri named Link was to take his test. Link was eight years old then, and the average kinda of rough-and-tumble Kokirish boy for the most part, innocent, sweet, and young from the tip of his forest green, socklike cap all the way down to the leather clad soles of his feet. Link had only very recently moved into his own private treehouse in the forset, a large circular structure mounted around a towering oak, with a ladder out front leading up to a small wooden porch. Inside, everything was wooden, Link's little oak table had actually been carved from the innards of te tree, forming a permanent natural mold with the floor of the building. Links bed was a hollow half-log stuffed with straw and blankets, with a genuine Cuccoo feather pillow. Links other personal assets included a small chest filled with all the little treasures of sweet, undying childhood that a Kokiri boy could hope to collect, a whicker basket (usually full of sweet Kokiri apples), and some basic cleaning supplies (rags, a bucket, and a broom) which rarel y saw the light of day unless Saria had decided that she wouldn't be visiting anymore until someone cleaned that place up (even though someone usually ended up being Saria). This was of course quite a responsibility for a young Kokirish boy, having a treehouse, especially seeing as he had lived the prior years of his life with his friend, Saria. Saria had tought him everything, and he was ready for the competition. As the other Kokiri's watched, Link, and the other Kokiri who were still growing, would take the test.
As the festivle outside roared, Link sat in his house on his little half-log bed with Saria, getting ready for everything. "Okay!" Link said, strapping his deku staff to his back. He was ready for the competition. First would be the test of wisdom, where Link would have to outwit an older Kokiri, then would come the maze, where link would have to use his dexterity, and superior speed to overcome obastacles, and then the dueling competition, where Link would face of of the older Kokiri's in a sparring match with his deku staff. The test were meant to prepare a Kokiri child for all the dangers he or she would face later in life, in the lost woods and incase outsiders ever came to harm the sacred wood.
"Hee hee... you remind me of Mido when he took the test." Saria giggled, watching Link.
"Hey!" Link glared at her. "I'm not Mido."
"I know... you're much cuter!" Saria smiled, laughing at Link, who made himself look angry as he could.
"Cute? Stoppit! I'm tough! Tough, and ready to pass these tests!" Link insisted, placing his fists on his hips. "I'm gonna show them. I don't need a fairy to do anything!"
"Of course you don't, you'd have one if you needed one. You'll do great on your own." Saria said, hugging Link. "I'm proud of you."
"Uh..." Link put his arms around Saria. She had been acting weird lately. She would always get all touchy around him. He understood though, he thought. One of the girls had told him once that it was only natural for friends as close as Saria and he to hug a lot and junk... cause of a bond between them or something. Saria pulled away from link, looking at him lovingly. The fairy boy smiled. "You okay, Saria?"
"I'm just happy." She said, a tear rolling down her cheek. "I'm very happy."
"Why are you crying if you're happy?" Link asked, wiping the tear rolling down Saria's face. "Don't cry. It's the festivle day!"
"I know." She said, smiling wider. "You had better get out there, they are starting soon."
"Okay!" Link jumped up, and ran for the door. "Woo-hoo!"
"Link, wait!" Saria said, running up to him. "Link, don't you... don't you think you oughta kiss me? For good luck?"
"Kiss you? Like on the lips?? Ewwww..." Link said, sticking his tongue out.
"LINK!" Saria said. "Just for luck. It's not so gross! Not like you've done it before."
"Well... I guess, if it will help my luck." Link said. Saria leanedin close to him, pressing her lips on his. They were warm nd wet, and she closed her eyes as she did it. Link was a little scared, but Saria seemed happy, and her lips did feel nice, so he just let it go. After a few moments, their lips broke apart, and saria leaned away. She was crying still, but she looked incredibly happy, her face almost a contadiction of itself in her mix of joy and tears. "Good luck, Link. That wasn't so bad, was it?" She sniffled, wiping her eyes. She wasn't bawling, but the little beads of liquid dripping down her cheeks were apparent.
"Nope! Okay! I'm off, see you Saria, wish me luck..." Link scurried out the door, leaving his friend there.
"Maybe we could..." Link was gone before she could finish. "Maybe we could do it again sometime." Saria sighed to herself, and followed Link out of the treehouse.
Outside, Link slid down his ladder that led up to his front door. The entie Kokiri forest was a wonder in itself, lush, and green... the small enclosure of land the Kokiri themselves called home was a little valley of sorts cut into the land, a safe haven that provided shelter from just about everyehere else in the world. The real secret to the Kokiri forest was that you couldn't find it unless you had either been there before, or someone who had been there before was with you. This made it extremely unlikely to see any outsiders, because only the Kokiri themselves had ever been to the forest, and no Kokiri would ever dare venture far enough away from the forest to lead someone there. However, some speculate that the force field around the Kokiri forest that deters outsiders (simply by making it impossible for them to locate the entrance) can be broken by a person with a very strong will.
The meadow in the center of the little Kokiri village was decorated with flowers and banners. Tents were set up where some children were selling things like Deku sticks, and food and such to the other kids. In the center of it all, on a stage made from deku wood, the other four kids taking the trials were. Link ran to join them. Kevi and Mija, Mindy and Maxine, Roman and Kelcy, Bruce and Devi, and lastly, Link all alone, without his fairy, cause he didn't have one.
"Finally, you're here! Where have you been?" Kevi asked, the fairy Mija circling his head.
"Yeah, we were about to start without you!" Mindy added.
"I was with Saria. She was giving me some last minute tips." Link explained. "And some luck."
"Well, I hope you're ready for all this!" Roman added, sneering at Link. All the Kokiri kids pretty well wore the same outfit, a green tunic and brown Kokiri boots. Roman was a little tougher looking than the others, and his thick brown hair coupled with his cap kept his eyes hidden.
Mindy was a beautiful Kokiri girl with blonde hair, and a sweet smile. Her fairy, Maxine, was known as a beauty among fairys as well.
Bruce was a quiet one, he didn't really say much to anybody. He was a tough kid, but not big and tank-like, like Roman. Devi, his girl fairy, was about the exact opposite of him, and about the only thing that could understand him. Devi seemed to know what Bruce was thinking even when he hadn't said anything, or changed the look of his expressionless face.
Lastly, Kevi, the other contestant, was an opinionative boy. Once more, it seemed his fairy was the perfect counter, a more reserved being. Mija was able to restrain Kevi before his opinions got him beaten up... usually.
It was a motley lot competing that year.
"Late, Link?" Mido hissed huffily from a podium near the end of the stage. Link smiled at Mido, who sneered scornfully back. "It's not funny... if I were a judge this year, I would have deducted points."
"Oh, come off it, Mido!" Saria's voice entered the convorsation, as the green haired girl trotted across the stage, and over to Link. "You forgot this!" Saria slipped a note into Link's palm, and winked at him. Link looked down at the note in his hand, a bit confused. Saria then turned, and leapt from the stage, scattering off somewhere in the audiance. Link opened the note. It read:
Dear Link,
Good luck, once again! I hope you not only pass, but win! Hey, if and when you DO win, well... then come over to my place tonight and we could celebrate or something. Okay? Sounds good? YAY! Well, I'll see you then! You had better make me proud.
Your friend, Saria.
Link closed the note, and smiled. Celebration? Maybe Saria was making a cake or something? That'd be great. Suddenly, Link's attention was caught by Mido, who began to clear his throat loudly.
"Attention, fellow Kokiri! Attention!" Mido yelled. The crowd of Kokiri children began to settle down, and Mido smiled to himself for his superior authority. "I, Mido, do declare this the 13th annual Kokirish Day of Becomming!" The crowd clapped and cheered for a moment before Mido hushed them again. "This year, these five of our young Kokiri will go through the Trials of Adulthood! During this ceremony, as you all do know, these Kokiri children will become full-fledged Kokiri!" More cheering. "Yes, a very exciting time! Now, with no further to say, let the games begin!"
The crowd whooped and hollared. Another Kokiri boy stepped up on stage, and called for silence. "First will be the test of wisdom." The boy said, "Each of these Kokiri taking the trial will have to use their own cunning to outwit an older Kokiri. The test will be a race of wisdom. To pass, each Kokiri must outwit the older Kokir assigned to them by being the first done with the Three Tasks of Wisdom, the puzzle, the riddle, and the test of knowlege. The WINNER of the round will be the Kokiri who manages to do this the fastest, but remember... you do not have to win to pass the test. First will be Mindy and Maxine, and they are up against Bruno and Rex!"
Bruno, a stalkish Kokiri, and his fairy, Rex, both stepped onto the stage. Mindy had most definitely gotten off easy, as Bruno wasn't the smartest Kokiri out there. He HAD passed the test once though. "Good luck, Mindy."
"Thank you, Bruno. Good luck to you." Mindy said, winking. Bruno blushed, and the beautiful Kokiri girl giggled.
"Allright!" Called Mido, from the podeum, "Here it is, the puzzle for this year!" A skinny Kokiri boy pulled a cart out from behind a large curtain near one of the treehouses, having a lot of trouble making it go. On the other end of the cart, another skinny Kokiri was pushing, but it didn't look like he was getting much done. The cart had a white sheet over it, but whatever was in it was almost as tall as the treehouses. The two little Kokiri finally managed to bring the puzzle up onto the stage, and then Mido whisked the sheet off. The crowd cheered. Under the sheet, there was a large wooden thing, with two squares of stone cut and molded into it. Below the squares were two baskets, and in the baskets were peices of puzzles. Mido called for silence once more. "Okay, okay! Settle down! Yes, this years puzzle, and each one of these Kokiri must figure it out within a set limit of time... EVEN BRUNO... or they will have to wait to next your to ear, (or reclaim) their titles as adults. Okay? Good! Now, let's start the timer.
The two Kokiri rushed up to the puzzle and began. Mindy had already fit two peaces in, and Bruno was still fumbling through the box of parts. Link looked on at the puzzle... it wasn't SO hard. IT could be MUCH more difficult... right? He hoped so. Saria and him had put together a couple puzzles of their own to help Link study. He was sure he could do it.
Link kept seeing Maxine rush to Mindy's ear, and whisper in it. How he wished he had a fairy sometimes... things were a lot easier for those kids and their fairys already, without Mido picking on him for being different. Saria had always said that poor Link was stronger without a fairy. That he didn't need one, and that's why the Deku Tree hadn't given him one. Link would get on just fine, fairy or no! That's what Saria said.
Link had to admit, with all the faith Saria had for him, it sure was hard not to have faith in himself. It was like she was his guardian angel. She was the first thing he remembered, every time he had ever tried to think back. It was all Saria... and then there was Mido. Mido was 'Boss' of the forest. He SAYS the Deku Tree appointed him leader, but Link had always doubted that. Why would the wise, old Deku Tree ever appoint a little snot like that as Leader of the Kokiri? t didn't make sense to Link at all...
Link watched as Mindy finished. Bruno was catching up, having fitted several pieces in place. Mindy danced around for joy, Maxine circling her head. Link only hoped his partner was as slow as Bruno. That'd make it a whole lot harder to lose. As Bruno finished (mere seconds before time was up) Mido stepped back up to the podeum, and announced that Mindy had passed the first part of the test. They then moved on to the riddle.
It had been an hour already, and it STILL wasn't Link's turn. Everyone had gone except Roman, who was finishing the last part of the first test, so Link was next. Finally, as Roman finished with impeccable time, Link gulped and stepped forward. "And lastly... Link." Mido said, less than enthusiatically. The cheers were out of courtesy, for all Link knew, but he was certain that he could hear Saria cheering the loudest. She would mean it, too. Link smiled. He was ready.
"Link will be going against... Myself and my fairy Dabu!" Mido announced. "I'm ready when you are, Link, let's start the timer!"
Link was taken aback by this. He was paired with Mido? Ooooh, how much more drive to win did he need. Link rushed forward to the puzzle. Mido had already started, and was trying to force a peice into place. Link lookd down and studied the little stone pieces. Blue, green... what was this puzzle depicting? Something blue and green... and red! There was red. With teeth? Ah! Understanding dawned on Link, and he quickly began to piece the puzzle together, overaking Mido's two piece lead in seconds. With minutes to spare, Link finished. It was a large mosaic of a Deku Baba, the large, carnuverous plants that took up a home in the forest. Mido groaned, and worked on to finish his own puzzle, which came out as a picture of the Deku Tree.
"On to the next part of the test..." Mido groaned, walking across the stage. A Kokiri boy sat there on a little wooden chair. He was one of the Kokiri forest's reputable "Know-it-all Brothers" twin genuises in... EVERYTHING. Link so many of the Kokiri children, though, they had given themselves this title. The boy cleared his throat and leaned forward.
"Okay," said the Know-it-all Brother in the chair, "The beginning of eternityThe end of time and space
The beginning of every end, And the end of every place. -- what is it?"
"That doesn't even make sense!" Mido shouted.
"You have 12 minutes." The Kokiri boy responded, smiling keenly. Mido cursed under his breath. Meanwhile, Link was lost in thought.
The beginning of eternity. The end of time and space. The beginning of every end, and the end of every place. Hmm... what could that be? Eternity... time... space... end place... Link was thinking hard. He ran the words through his mind over and over. The beginning of eternity? The end of time and space? Beginning of every end... the end of every place... "GOT IT!!" Link shouted.
"Don't say it aloud!" The boy in the chair said. "You'd give him the answer. Whisper it to me."
"Aw, he can't possibly have it right! This is a tough one..." Mido whined, tapping his foot and thinking. "Is it a meteor or something?"
"NO! And please, don't answer aloud. Now, Link, what is your answer?" Link leaned in close to the boys ear to whisper his answer. The Know-it-all Brother nodded, and turned to Link, a wide smile on his face. "Yes, that's right! You can go wait for Mido to finish. Amazing time!" Link smiled wide, and trotted off the stage. Saria approached him, smiling with glee. "You got it? Wow! What was the answer?"
"It was the letter e." Link responded. "Hehehe... cool, huh?"
"Oh, wow... wonder if Mido will figure that out." Suddenly, there was a buzz of light by Links head, and it rushed away towards the stage. Dabu the fairy.
"Grr... that Mido! He's cheating." Link growled, as the fairy landed near Mido's ear. Mido sprung up, suddenly, and shouted the answer.
"Oh, yes... it's the letter 'e', that's right! I knew that, I just didn't want to make it TOO hard on Link. Yeh." Mido said. The Know-it-all brother chuckled, and said,
"Okay, Mido, now we can moe on to the test of Knowlege. Come back up here, Link."
"Okay!" Link said, walking back up on stage.
"Now," The Know-it-all brother said, clearing his throat. "This question will be harder than any riddle, so get ready. Here it goes. (you have all the time you need to answer) -- Once every 100 years, in this forest, the spirits of Hyrule culminate and come before the altarr in the Sacred Forest Meadow n the Lost Woods to celebrate the new centennial anniversary of the creation of the land. During this time, the sky arounf the forest darkens, and beautiful moonlight illuminates the fairy mists floating through the lost woods. It is said to be the most romantic tome of the year, and people from all over Hyrule come into the Lost Woods on this special occasion, for just a little while, and celebrate. Hoever, no one knows when the next centennial aniversary of the Triforce is, because the records were lost. Why were all the centennial records lost?"
"Wow! That's WAY to hard. Give us a new one!" Mido whined, not sure exactly how to answer. Link was thinking silently again, next to Mido.
"I think I know." Link stated, stepping up to the Know-it-all brother. "Saria once told me that the records of the Triforce were kept in six temples around the world, and one in the sacred realm. However, around 8 years ago, Hyrule was laid seige by forces of evil, and the records were lost. No one knows exactltly how close we ARE to the next centennial now. Is that right? Is it?"
"That's correct!" The Know-it-all Brother announced, congratulating Link. "You've answered right, and passed the test of knowlege."
"What about Mido?"
"Grr... what about me? Huh? I knew that, you just didn't give me a chance to think of it before you blurted out ananswer!" Mido yelled, stepping back to the podium. "Let's move on to the next trial."
"Hey, Mido... wouldn't that mean that you lose your title as a man - since you didn't answer?" The Know-it-all Brother asked, meekly. Mido groaned.
"I'm the boss, so I say it doesn't count. Got it?" Mido spat. "If it weren't for me, this festivle wouldn't even happen."
"Saria and the others planned it all! You just sat and watched, and crunched on Deku-cherries." A kid called from the audiance.
"Silence!" Mido yelled, his face glowing red. "Listen, we're moving on now! As you all know, there is a maze in the Lost Woods, which we only go to for special occasions like this one. For this next test, each Kokiri must travel through the maze and make it to the exit. The faster each Kokiri manages to exit the maze, the more points that Kokiri will be awarded. Now, let's all move to the forest maze!"
The kids all headed up the hill behind Mido's treehouse, to the big, hollow log that led into the Lost Woods. Not so far into the woods, there was a secret little thicket, where no one ever went unless something particularly interesting (like the festivle) were occuring. In this thicket was a large stone maze, inscribed with ancient runes, and ridden with clever traps and snares. Nothing deadly, but a great little training ground.
Link was feeling confident as he and the other Kokiri children neared the maze. He was ready, he'd be the first one out. It seemed like he had prepared super-well. All was going smooth. "Hey, Link." Link turned as he heard Mindy's voice. She was running to catch up with him. He stopped for a moment, and let her catch up so she could walk next to him. "I just wanted to wish you good luck in the maze. It'll be a tough time, what without a fairy an all."
"I can manage fine, fairy or no." Link said, sounding a bit indignant. "That's what Saria says, and she knows."
"Well, yes... I know you can." Mindy said. "I know, you do a whole lot of things without a fairy, and I couldn't even imagine getting up each day without Maxine. It's just, there are a lot of elements in this Maze that are designed specifically for use of your fairy. Traps and what not."
"Are there?" Link asked, suddenly feeling his confidence drop.
"Yes, lots." Mindy said, counting on her finger, "Snare traps, Deku Baba's, levers, pressure plates, and..."
"Okay, I get the point!" Link snapped. "Oh, I'm sorry. You're just making me nervous... he he..."
"It's okay. I'm pretty nervous too... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel that way." Mindy said, placing her arm on Link's shoulder.
"Yeh, that's fine. Good luck yourself, Mindy... Maxine." Link trodded on with the rest of the Kokiri to the Maze.
Upon reaching the great maze, the crowd gathered up in the ancient stone stands made by whatever race had created the maze. Down on the ground on another wooden stage, Mido and the contestants stood. Mido called for silence once more, and then bellowed over the crowd in his best bellowing voice. "Everybody, listen up! Listen up! Hey! Okay! Now, this, as you ALL should know, is the Kokiri maze. The entrance is far on the other side of the feild, out contestants will be going there shortly. The exit is right here!" Mido turned to point to a large, gaping portal in the side of the wall. Inside, Link saw stone walls, overgrown with vines. From the stands, it would have been easy to see over the wall, and down on the whole maze, but from this angle, Link couldn't make out much useful from anything. "Now, let's get the contestants to the entrance so we can begin!" Mido yelled. One of the small, skinny Kokiri who had brought out the puzzle before scampered up.
"Come, follow me. Entrance this way!" He said, sounding more cheerful than your average guy. This struck link as odd, he couldn't have possible handled being one of Mido's lackeys with such glee. The boy took the five of them to the entrance to the maze on the other side of the field from the stands. "Okay, now, line up in a nice even line facing the entrance, and get ready." They did so, each of the five Kokiri standing side to side, and poised to enter the maze. "Ready? Set. GO!"
Link darted forward into the maze along with the others. There were two options presented immediately, right, or left? Link chose the right, and began running. He soon founf he was accompannied by Roman, who hulked along silently beside him. They reached another fork, and both stopped. "I guess this is where we split up. Right or left?" Link asked.
"I'll go left." Roman said, simply, and he and his fairy darted down the left passage. Link continued right. It wasn't long until Link came to a considerablysized hole in the floor, which he leapt with ease. Not so hard! Link came round a corner, and his eyes met a large boulder, rolling towards him with some force. Link grimaced. No where to run! He cold go back over the hole, but then the passage would be blocked, and Link would have to backtrack. He'd be too far behind. Link drew his staff from his back, and gripped it tight. The boulder was closing in.
"What's he doing?" Mido asked, gazing on from the stands at the large rock nearing Link. "He'll be squashed."
"Just wait!" Saria said, and no sooner had the word come from her mouth than did Link charge forward at the oncoming mass of spheric rock. Three feet in front of the quickly paced stone ball, Link shoved his staff into the ground, and launched himself upward, catapulting him over the boulder, and onto the other side of the hallwa. The rock hit the corner of the hall, and lodged itself there. Link latched his staff onto his back once more, and continued on through the maze. "I tought him that one!" Saria bragged.
"I wonder how the others are fairing..." Link said to himself, continuing onward. IT wasn't long before he came to another large gap cut in the floor, this one far too long to jump. On the other side, Link saw a pressure plate raised up a little ways from the stone floor. It was a fairy switch... darn. Link stood in thought, not sure what to do.
"HA! See? He can't do it, he doesn't have a fairy!" Mido laughed, pointing down on Link, who was still pondering how to handle the hinderance of the large hole gaping in the ground.
"Oh no..." Saria said, looking on. There was no way Link could jump it, and he couldn't double back. What could be done?
Link suddenly had an idea. He took a few steps back from the gap, and stood near the righ hand wall. Pressing off the wall, Link charged to the left side, and jumped up over the abyss in the floor, hitting the left wall hard with his boot, and kicking of of it. Link kicked from wall to wal across the gap, landing gracefully on the other side. "Ha! Fairy my boot."
"Woo-hoo, yeah! GO LINK!" Saria cheered from the stands. Mido folded his arms across his chest, and let out a loud 'hmmph'.
Link continued on his path, soon coming to a long hallway with a pool of water in the middle. The pool was dotted with tiny stepping stones that led across. Testing, Link placed a foot on one. Seemed solid. He tapped it with his foot... nothing. He stomped on it... no changes. Link stepped out onto the stone, fonding little room for both his feet. He slipped and his leg hit the water. Gasping, Link recoiled, and fell back onto the stone before the pool. The water was like ice, cold to the touch. Link stood back up, and dashed from one foot to another across the small stepping stones until he reached the opposite shore of the pool. Link ran down the rest of the hall, coming round another corner. When he rounded the next turn, he came to face a large Deku Baba plant, snarling and snapping at none other that Mindy and Maxine. Link scaned the hall, and saw Mindy's Deku Staff lying to close to the large creature for comfort. Link dre his own staff, and ran forward, clubbing the Deku Baba on its purple forehead.
"Link!" Mindy gasped, surprised to see her fellow contestant. Link smiled, and continued to punish the rogue plant. Eventually, the snapping plant subsided, and slumped to the stone floor, clearing the way down the hall. Link reached under it, and grabbed Mindy's staff, tossing it to her.
"Be more careful, next time!" Link said, before sprinting off to keep a lead over Mindy. Mindy stood, dazed, and began to follow on down the path.
Link kept moving. The maze was not so big, and he could estimate he was nearing the exit. Link came around one final corner, to find himself staring down a super-long hall. He cold see light filtering in from an arched portal in the center of the right hand wall of the hallway. Before Link, on the other side of the hall, was Kevi, who sneered, and sprinted forth. Link's legs sent him flying forward too, catapulting down the hallway. Link and Kevi both skidded, trying to round the corner out the door at the same time, and collided with one another, landing side by side on the stone floor. Just as both boys were about to get up off the ground, a pair of long, slender legs stepped over them and out the mazes exit.
"First out, it's MINDY and MAXINE!!!" Mido shouted, rushing down to the stage. Kevi looked on, bewildered, but Link managed to scramble out the doorway to come in second. Kevi, finally snapping out of it, rushed out in third, and Roman and Bruce followed suit shortly after. What an event!
"Allright, FINAL TEST!" Shouted Mido. They were back in the center of the Kokiri realm once more, standing there in on the large Deku Stage laid out in the meadow. The warm summer breeze was ruffling Links messy blond hair, and causing his cap to flail around more loke a wind sock than a hat of any kind. "This last test is the test of strength! Each Kokiri competing will have to duel the champion Kokiri fighter, none other than myself, of course, and last for at least three minutes. Each minute they last after three will award them 10 more points. The winner is whoever can gain the most points by going to longest over three minutes. Of course, to really win, you'd have to beat me! And I haven't been beaten in ages! So, without further to do... who wants to go first?"
Mido stepped out to the center of the stage, and hos two skinny little Kokiri lackeys removed the podium from its place, and then rushed up to present Mido with his Deku Staff. "Each match will last until one of the players gives up, understood? Good."
First, Roman stepped forward, drawing his Deku Staff. The timer started, and Mido rushed up to Roman, who immediately attacked. The smaller Kokiri dodged, and parried Roman's vicious assaults with the staff with more grace than Link knew Mido had in him. Roman slashed low with his staff, and Mido easily backflipped over it. They didn't call him the champion Kokiri fighter for nothing. Definitely not a title Mido gave himself, like his many other names.
Roman brought his staff down over Mido's head, but the smaller Kokiri boy rolled out of the way. This dodging and rolling went on for moments, until finally Mido heard the three minute buzzer tell him it was now fair to use everything he had. With a swift, simple motion, Mido tripped Roman to the ground, where he lay flat on his hulking back. Mido kicked the fallen Kokiri's staff away, and laughed. "My game!"
"Rrrr..." Roman stood up, and nodded. He looked happy just to have completed the test. Who could REALLY expect to beat Mido, though?
The other children took there turns, taking Mido on one at a time, and all falling not long after three minutes. Link stood near the sidelines, twirling his staff, and readying his mind. He had to try hard, because if he didn't want to dissapoint Saria, he'd have to do his best. Link finally heard his name being called by one of Mido's skinny Kokiri lackeys, and jumped up and trotted over to the stage.
"I'm ready!" Link said, standing in the middle of the stage, his little Deku staff poised between his sweaty palms, and his hat fluttering around haphazardly behind him. Mido snickered, and drew his own staff from the strap on his back.
"You so sure, no-fairy?" Mido sneered, eyeing Link up and down. He wasn't going to go easy on this non-Kokiri! Oh, no way, he would give this match all he had from the get go, not like with the other four kids. Ah, at last Mido would have his chance to teach this fairy-less punk some respect.
DING! A bell rang, indicating the timer had been started, and Link immediately took a defensive position. Mid swept forward and struck with his staff, but Link parried easily, and stepped to Mido's left, counterattacking with his own staff from the Side. Before Link's blow could meet its target, Mido had swiveled around and put his own guard in front. There was a loud 'THWACK' as the two peices of Deku Wood smacked together.
Link recoiled, taking two large steps back, and regaining the same defensive stance as before. Mido hopped up and attacked again, this time low. Link blocked easily once more, and Mido swept the staff back the other direction, aiming for Link's head. Link ducked, and Mido spun the staff, swepping down Low once more. With a marvellous show of agility, Link flipped backwards, over Mido's strike, and landed about a foot away on his feet. Mido stood, awestruck, for just a moment, before lunging forward to continue his assault.
Link sidestepped as Mido jabbed his staff out, trying to knock Link down. Link swung to Mido's vulnerable left side and the Kokiri boy cought the staff in his hands, pulling Link down on the ground. With all the force he could muster, Mido pryed the long wooden shaft from Link's weakening grasp, and backpeddled a bit.
Link pushed himself up from the floor of the stage, weaponless, and looked across the small wooden arena at Mido, who now held both staffs in a readied position in either hand. Link scowled, and Mido chuckled. "Had enough, no-fairy? This isn't over until you give up, you know!"
"Not on your life!" Link said, standing ready. "I don't need a stick to beat you!"
"Beat me? You make me laugh, you know that?" Mido said, sweeping forward once more. Mido spun with both weapons, making a vicious little whirlwind of bludgeoning wood. Link flipped backward once more, and regained his stance. Mido attacked once more with one of the staffs, but Link dodged to the right. Mido raised his other arm, and brought his second staff right below Link, tripping him to the ground. "Give up!"
"NO!" Link yelled, and Mido raised both staffs high into the air, ready to bring them down on Link. Finally, Link saw his openning. As the two staffs came down, Link came up, catchin the weapons in his palms. Pulling downwardly on the two staffs, Link brought his knee up to meet Mido's gut, and pushed off of him, yanking both staffs out of the Kokiri leaders hands. Mido toppled backwards over himself. "HA!"
"What?" Mido yelled, standing back up. "That's not fair!"
"Oh no? It was when YOU had both! So, give up?" Link said, smiling widly. Mido was fuming, the rage glowing hotly in his eyes.
"Not a chance!" Yelled the Kokiri boy. Link began advancing on him with both staffs, a look of triumph in his crystal blue eyes. Mido shook with fear, and uttered, "Okay! Okay, I give! I give!"
"Link did it!" One kid yelled from the crowd of onlookers, and pretty soon the entire meadow was buzzing with voices and applause. Mido stood, crossing his arms huffily, and snatching his own staff from Link's grasp. Link winked at Mido, which only angered him further.
"Silence!" Mido called over the crowd. The unruly bunch of Kokiri's stopped in their tracks, turning their attentions to Mido, who grimaced and swallowed loudly before finally managing to speak, "And the winner is... Link." Another cheer erupted from the wily crowd. As dissapointed as Mido was at his defeat, rules were rules, and Link had won. The Kokiri leader hobbled over to the other side of the stage and grabbed the wooden trophy that had so long adorned his own shelves, and shakily handed it to Link, who held it high over his capped head.
Link, quite contrary to his oponent, was about as happy as one could be. HE had done it. HE had won against Mido, the former champion! What a day! Link could only imagine how happy Saria must have been. She had, after all, tought him most of those tricks that got him where he was. Links canned the crowd, but Saria was no where to be found.
Link wanted to go look for his green haired friend, but before he even had a chance to speak, a wave of Kokiri kids overtook him, gathering around him and pummeling him with questions. Link was dragged by his very tunic off into the center of the meadow where a large celebration ensued in his honor. Quite a day indeed.
-End Segment-
It was a tradition among the Kokiri children that on the fourth day of the 6th month of each year a festivle would be held. This day was known as the Day of Becomming. During this festivle, the youngest of the kokirir would go through the trials of the forest, a competition of acceptance into the Kokiri society that each Kokiri boy and girl must complete to become a "man" or "woman".
And, it was this fourth day of the 6th month of the year that a young kokiri named Link was to take his test. Link was eight years old then, and the average kinda of rough-and-tumble Kokirish boy for the most part, innocent, sweet, and young from the tip of his forest green, socklike cap all the way down to the leather clad soles of his feet. Link had only very recently moved into his own private treehouse in the forset, a large circular structure mounted around a towering oak, with a ladder out front leading up to a small wooden porch. Inside, everything was wooden, Link's little oak table had actually been carved from the innards of te tree, forming a permanent natural mold with the floor of the building. Links bed was a hollow half-log stuffed with straw and blankets, with a genuine Cuccoo feather pillow. Links other personal assets included a small chest filled with all the little treasures of sweet, undying childhood that a Kokiri boy could hope to collect, a whicker basket (usually full of sweet Kokiri apples), and some basic cleaning supplies (rags, a bucket, and a broom) which rarel y saw the light of day unless Saria had decided that she wouldn't be visiting anymore until someone cleaned that place up (even though someone usually ended up being Saria). This was of course quite a responsibility for a young Kokirish boy, having a treehouse, especially seeing as he had lived the prior years of his life with his friend, Saria. Saria had tought him everything, and he was ready for the competition. As the other Kokiri's watched, Link, and the other Kokiri who were still growing, would take the test.
As the festivle outside roared, Link sat in his house on his little half-log bed with Saria, getting ready for everything. "Okay!" Link said, strapping his deku staff to his back. He was ready for the competition. First would be the test of wisdom, where Link would have to outwit an older Kokiri, then would come the maze, where link would have to use his dexterity, and superior speed to overcome obastacles, and then the dueling competition, where Link would face of of the older Kokiri's in a sparring match with his deku staff. The test were meant to prepare a Kokiri child for all the dangers he or she would face later in life, in the lost woods and incase outsiders ever came to harm the sacred wood.
"Hee hee... you remind me of Mido when he took the test." Saria giggled, watching Link.
"Hey!" Link glared at her. "I'm not Mido."
"I know... you're much cuter!" Saria smiled, laughing at Link, who made himself look angry as he could.
"Cute? Stoppit! I'm tough! Tough, and ready to pass these tests!" Link insisted, placing his fists on his hips. "I'm gonna show them. I don't need a fairy to do anything!"
"Of course you don't, you'd have one if you needed one. You'll do great on your own." Saria said, hugging Link. "I'm proud of you."
"Uh..." Link put his arms around Saria. She had been acting weird lately. She would always get all touchy around him. He understood though, he thought. One of the girls had told him once that it was only natural for friends as close as Saria and he to hug a lot and junk... cause of a bond between them or something. Saria pulled away from link, looking at him lovingly. The fairy boy smiled. "You okay, Saria?"
"I'm just happy." She said, a tear rolling down her cheek. "I'm very happy."
"Why are you crying if you're happy?" Link asked, wiping the tear rolling down Saria's face. "Don't cry. It's the festivle day!"
"I know." She said, smiling wider. "You had better get out there, they are starting soon."
"Okay!" Link jumped up, and ran for the door. "Woo-hoo!"
"Link, wait!" Saria said, running up to him. "Link, don't you... don't you think you oughta kiss me? For good luck?"
"Kiss you? Like on the lips?? Ewwww..." Link said, sticking his tongue out.
"LINK!" Saria said. "Just for luck. It's not so gross! Not like you've done it before."
"Well... I guess, if it will help my luck." Link said. Saria leanedin close to him, pressing her lips on his. They were warm nd wet, and she closed her eyes as she did it. Link was a little scared, but Saria seemed happy, and her lips did feel nice, so he just let it go. After a few moments, their lips broke apart, and saria leaned away. She was crying still, but she looked incredibly happy, her face almost a contadiction of itself in her mix of joy and tears. "Good luck, Link. That wasn't so bad, was it?" She sniffled, wiping her eyes. She wasn't bawling, but the little beads of liquid dripping down her cheeks were apparent.
"Nope! Okay! I'm off, see you Saria, wish me luck..." Link scurried out the door, leaving his friend there.
"Maybe we could..." Link was gone before she could finish. "Maybe we could do it again sometime." Saria sighed to herself, and followed Link out of the treehouse.
Outside, Link slid down his ladder that led up to his front door. The entie Kokiri forest was a wonder in itself, lush, and green... the small enclosure of land the Kokiri themselves called home was a little valley of sorts cut into the land, a safe haven that provided shelter from just about everyehere else in the world. The real secret to the Kokiri forest was that you couldn't find it unless you had either been there before, or someone who had been there before was with you. This made it extremely unlikely to see any outsiders, because only the Kokiri themselves had ever been to the forest, and no Kokiri would ever dare venture far enough away from the forest to lead someone there. However, some speculate that the force field around the Kokiri forest that deters outsiders (simply by making it impossible for them to locate the entrance) can be broken by a person with a very strong will.
The meadow in the center of the little Kokiri village was decorated with flowers and banners. Tents were set up where some children were selling things like Deku sticks, and food and such to the other kids. In the center of it all, on a stage made from deku wood, the other four kids taking the trials were. Link ran to join them. Kevi and Mija, Mindy and Maxine, Roman and Kelcy, Bruce and Devi, and lastly, Link all alone, without his fairy, cause he didn't have one.
"Finally, you're here! Where have you been?" Kevi asked, the fairy Mija circling his head.
"Yeah, we were about to start without you!" Mindy added.
"I was with Saria. She was giving me some last minute tips." Link explained. "And some luck."
"Well, I hope you're ready for all this!" Roman added, sneering at Link. All the Kokiri kids pretty well wore the same outfit, a green tunic and brown Kokiri boots. Roman was a little tougher looking than the others, and his thick brown hair coupled with his cap kept his eyes hidden.
Mindy was a beautiful Kokiri girl with blonde hair, and a sweet smile. Her fairy, Maxine, was known as a beauty among fairys as well.
Bruce was a quiet one, he didn't really say much to anybody. He was a tough kid, but not big and tank-like, like Roman. Devi, his girl fairy, was about the exact opposite of him, and about the only thing that could understand him. Devi seemed to know what Bruce was thinking even when he hadn't said anything, or changed the look of his expressionless face.
Lastly, Kevi, the other contestant, was an opinionative boy. Once more, it seemed his fairy was the perfect counter, a more reserved being. Mija was able to restrain Kevi before his opinions got him beaten up... usually.
It was a motley lot competing that year.
"Late, Link?" Mido hissed huffily from a podium near the end of the stage. Link smiled at Mido, who sneered scornfully back. "It's not funny... if I were a judge this year, I would have deducted points."
"Oh, come off it, Mido!" Saria's voice entered the convorsation, as the green haired girl trotted across the stage, and over to Link. "You forgot this!" Saria slipped a note into Link's palm, and winked at him. Link looked down at the note in his hand, a bit confused. Saria then turned, and leapt from the stage, scattering off somewhere in the audiance. Link opened the note. It read:
Dear Link,
Good luck, once again! I hope you not only pass, but win! Hey, if and when you DO win, well... then come over to my place tonight and we could celebrate or something. Okay? Sounds good? YAY! Well, I'll see you then! You had better make me proud.
Your friend, Saria.
Link closed the note, and smiled. Celebration? Maybe Saria was making a cake or something? That'd be great. Suddenly, Link's attention was caught by Mido, who began to clear his throat loudly.
"Attention, fellow Kokiri! Attention!" Mido yelled. The crowd of Kokiri children began to settle down, and Mido smiled to himself for his superior authority. "I, Mido, do declare this the 13th annual Kokirish Day of Becomming!" The crowd clapped and cheered for a moment before Mido hushed them again. "This year, these five of our young Kokiri will go through the Trials of Adulthood! During this ceremony, as you all do know, these Kokiri children will become full-fledged Kokiri!" More cheering. "Yes, a very exciting time! Now, with no further to say, let the games begin!"
The crowd whooped and hollared. Another Kokiri boy stepped up on stage, and called for silence. "First will be the test of wisdom." The boy said, "Each of these Kokiri taking the trial will have to use their own cunning to outwit an older Kokiri. The test will be a race of wisdom. To pass, each Kokiri must outwit the older Kokir assigned to them by being the first done with the Three Tasks of Wisdom, the puzzle, the riddle, and the test of knowlege. The WINNER of the round will be the Kokiri who manages to do this the fastest, but remember... you do not have to win to pass the test. First will be Mindy and Maxine, and they are up against Bruno and Rex!"
Bruno, a stalkish Kokiri, and his fairy, Rex, both stepped onto the stage. Mindy had most definitely gotten off easy, as Bruno wasn't the smartest Kokiri out there. He HAD passed the test once though. "Good luck, Mindy."
"Thank you, Bruno. Good luck to you." Mindy said, winking. Bruno blushed, and the beautiful Kokiri girl giggled.
"Allright!" Called Mido, from the podeum, "Here it is, the puzzle for this year!" A skinny Kokiri boy pulled a cart out from behind a large curtain near one of the treehouses, having a lot of trouble making it go. On the other end of the cart, another skinny Kokiri was pushing, but it didn't look like he was getting much done. The cart had a white sheet over it, but whatever was in it was almost as tall as the treehouses. The two little Kokiri finally managed to bring the puzzle up onto the stage, and then Mido whisked the sheet off. The crowd cheered. Under the sheet, there was a large wooden thing, with two squares of stone cut and molded into it. Below the squares were two baskets, and in the baskets were peices of puzzles. Mido called for silence once more. "Okay, okay! Settle down! Yes, this years puzzle, and each one of these Kokiri must figure it out within a set limit of time... EVEN BRUNO... or they will have to wait to next your to ear, (or reclaim) their titles as adults. Okay? Good! Now, let's start the timer.
The two Kokiri rushed up to the puzzle and began. Mindy had already fit two peaces in, and Bruno was still fumbling through the box of parts. Link looked on at the puzzle... it wasn't SO hard. IT could be MUCH more difficult... right? He hoped so. Saria and him had put together a couple puzzles of their own to help Link study. He was sure he could do it.
Link kept seeing Maxine rush to Mindy's ear, and whisper in it. How he wished he had a fairy sometimes... things were a lot easier for those kids and their fairys already, without Mido picking on him for being different. Saria had always said that poor Link was stronger without a fairy. That he didn't need one, and that's why the Deku Tree hadn't given him one. Link would get on just fine, fairy or no! That's what Saria said.
Link had to admit, with all the faith Saria had for him, it sure was hard not to have faith in himself. It was like she was his guardian angel. She was the first thing he remembered, every time he had ever tried to think back. It was all Saria... and then there was Mido. Mido was 'Boss' of the forest. He SAYS the Deku Tree appointed him leader, but Link had always doubted that. Why would the wise, old Deku Tree ever appoint a little snot like that as Leader of the Kokiri? t didn't make sense to Link at all...
Link watched as Mindy finished. Bruno was catching up, having fitted several pieces in place. Mindy danced around for joy, Maxine circling her head. Link only hoped his partner was as slow as Bruno. That'd make it a whole lot harder to lose. As Bruno finished (mere seconds before time was up) Mido stepped back up to the podeum, and announced that Mindy had passed the first part of the test. They then moved on to the riddle.
It had been an hour already, and it STILL wasn't Link's turn. Everyone had gone except Roman, who was finishing the last part of the first test, so Link was next. Finally, as Roman finished with impeccable time, Link gulped and stepped forward. "And lastly... Link." Mido said, less than enthusiatically. The cheers were out of courtesy, for all Link knew, but he was certain that he could hear Saria cheering the loudest. She would mean it, too. Link smiled. He was ready.
"Link will be going against... Myself and my fairy Dabu!" Mido announced. "I'm ready when you are, Link, let's start the timer!"
Link was taken aback by this. He was paired with Mido? Ooooh, how much more drive to win did he need. Link rushed forward to the puzzle. Mido had already started, and was trying to force a peice into place. Link lookd down and studied the little stone pieces. Blue, green... what was this puzzle depicting? Something blue and green... and red! There was red. With teeth? Ah! Understanding dawned on Link, and he quickly began to piece the puzzle together, overaking Mido's two piece lead in seconds. With minutes to spare, Link finished. It was a large mosaic of a Deku Baba, the large, carnuverous plants that took up a home in the forest. Mido groaned, and worked on to finish his own puzzle, which came out as a picture of the Deku Tree.
"On to the next part of the test..." Mido groaned, walking across the stage. A Kokiri boy sat there on a little wooden chair. He was one of the Kokiri forest's reputable "Know-it-all Brothers" twin genuises in... EVERYTHING. Link so many of the Kokiri children, though, they had given themselves this title. The boy cleared his throat and leaned forward.
"Okay," said the Know-it-all Brother in the chair, "The beginning of eternityThe end of time and space
The beginning of every end, And the end of every place. -- what is it?"
"That doesn't even make sense!" Mido shouted.
"You have 12 minutes." The Kokiri boy responded, smiling keenly. Mido cursed under his breath. Meanwhile, Link was lost in thought.
The beginning of eternity. The end of time and space. The beginning of every end, and the end of every place. Hmm... what could that be? Eternity... time... space... end place... Link was thinking hard. He ran the words through his mind over and over. The beginning of eternity? The end of time and space? Beginning of every end... the end of every place... "GOT IT!!" Link shouted.
"Don't say it aloud!" The boy in the chair said. "You'd give him the answer. Whisper it to me."
"Aw, he can't possibly have it right! This is a tough one..." Mido whined, tapping his foot and thinking. "Is it a meteor or something?"
"NO! And please, don't answer aloud. Now, Link, what is your answer?" Link leaned in close to the boys ear to whisper his answer. The Know-it-all Brother nodded, and turned to Link, a wide smile on his face. "Yes, that's right! You can go wait for Mido to finish. Amazing time!" Link smiled wide, and trotted off the stage. Saria approached him, smiling with glee. "You got it? Wow! What was the answer?"
"It was the letter e." Link responded. "Hehehe... cool, huh?"
"Oh, wow... wonder if Mido will figure that out." Suddenly, there was a buzz of light by Links head, and it rushed away towards the stage. Dabu the fairy.
"Grr... that Mido! He's cheating." Link growled, as the fairy landed near Mido's ear. Mido sprung up, suddenly, and shouted the answer.
"Oh, yes... it's the letter 'e', that's right! I knew that, I just didn't want to make it TOO hard on Link. Yeh." Mido said. The Know-it-all brother chuckled, and said,
"Okay, Mido, now we can moe on to the test of Knowlege. Come back up here, Link."
"Okay!" Link said, walking back up on stage.
"Now," The Know-it-all brother said, clearing his throat. "This question will be harder than any riddle, so get ready. Here it goes. (you have all the time you need to answer) -- Once every 100 years, in this forest, the spirits of Hyrule culminate and come before the altarr in the Sacred Forest Meadow n the Lost Woods to celebrate the new centennial anniversary of the creation of the land. During this time, the sky arounf the forest darkens, and beautiful moonlight illuminates the fairy mists floating through the lost woods. It is said to be the most romantic tome of the year, and people from all over Hyrule come into the Lost Woods on this special occasion, for just a little while, and celebrate. Hoever, no one knows when the next centennial aniversary of the Triforce is, because the records were lost. Why were all the centennial records lost?"
"Wow! That's WAY to hard. Give us a new one!" Mido whined, not sure exactly how to answer. Link was thinking silently again, next to Mido.
"I think I know." Link stated, stepping up to the Know-it-all brother. "Saria once told me that the records of the Triforce were kept in six temples around the world, and one in the sacred realm. However, around 8 years ago, Hyrule was laid seige by forces of evil, and the records were lost. No one knows exactltly how close we ARE to the next centennial now. Is that right? Is it?"
"That's correct!" The Know-it-all Brother announced, congratulating Link. "You've answered right, and passed the test of knowlege."
"What about Mido?"
"Grr... what about me? Huh? I knew that, you just didn't give me a chance to think of it before you blurted out ananswer!" Mido yelled, stepping back to the podium. "Let's move on to the next trial."
"Hey, Mido... wouldn't that mean that you lose your title as a man - since you didn't answer?" The Know-it-all Brother asked, meekly. Mido groaned.
"I'm the boss, so I say it doesn't count. Got it?" Mido spat. "If it weren't for me, this festivle wouldn't even happen."
"Saria and the others planned it all! You just sat and watched, and crunched on Deku-cherries." A kid called from the audiance.
"Silence!" Mido yelled, his face glowing red. "Listen, we're moving on now! As you all know, there is a maze in the Lost Woods, which we only go to for special occasions like this one. For this next test, each Kokiri must travel through the maze and make it to the exit. The faster each Kokiri manages to exit the maze, the more points that Kokiri will be awarded. Now, let's all move to the forest maze!"
The kids all headed up the hill behind Mido's treehouse, to the big, hollow log that led into the Lost Woods. Not so far into the woods, there was a secret little thicket, where no one ever went unless something particularly interesting (like the festivle) were occuring. In this thicket was a large stone maze, inscribed with ancient runes, and ridden with clever traps and snares. Nothing deadly, but a great little training ground.
Link was feeling confident as he and the other Kokiri children neared the maze. He was ready, he'd be the first one out. It seemed like he had prepared super-well. All was going smooth. "Hey, Link." Link turned as he heard Mindy's voice. She was running to catch up with him. He stopped for a moment, and let her catch up so she could walk next to him. "I just wanted to wish you good luck in the maze. It'll be a tough time, what without a fairy an all."
"I can manage fine, fairy or no." Link said, sounding a bit indignant. "That's what Saria says, and she knows."
"Well, yes... I know you can." Mindy said. "I know, you do a whole lot of things without a fairy, and I couldn't even imagine getting up each day without Maxine. It's just, there are a lot of elements in this Maze that are designed specifically for use of your fairy. Traps and what not."
"Are there?" Link asked, suddenly feeling his confidence drop.
"Yes, lots." Mindy said, counting on her finger, "Snare traps, Deku Baba's, levers, pressure plates, and..."
"Okay, I get the point!" Link snapped. "Oh, I'm sorry. You're just making me nervous... he he..."
"It's okay. I'm pretty nervous too... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel that way." Mindy said, placing her arm on Link's shoulder.
"Yeh, that's fine. Good luck yourself, Mindy... Maxine." Link trodded on with the rest of the Kokiri to the Maze.
Upon reaching the great maze, the crowd gathered up in the ancient stone stands made by whatever race had created the maze. Down on the ground on another wooden stage, Mido and the contestants stood. Mido called for silence once more, and then bellowed over the crowd in his best bellowing voice. "Everybody, listen up! Listen up! Hey! Okay! Now, this, as you ALL should know, is the Kokiri maze. The entrance is far on the other side of the feild, out contestants will be going there shortly. The exit is right here!" Mido turned to point to a large, gaping portal in the side of the wall. Inside, Link saw stone walls, overgrown with vines. From the stands, it would have been easy to see over the wall, and down on the whole maze, but from this angle, Link couldn't make out much useful from anything. "Now, let's get the contestants to the entrance so we can begin!" Mido yelled. One of the small, skinny Kokiri who had brought out the puzzle before scampered up.
"Come, follow me. Entrance this way!" He said, sounding more cheerful than your average guy. This struck link as odd, he couldn't have possible handled being one of Mido's lackeys with such glee. The boy took the five of them to the entrance to the maze on the other side of the field from the stands. "Okay, now, line up in a nice even line facing the entrance, and get ready." They did so, each of the five Kokiri standing side to side, and poised to enter the maze. "Ready? Set. GO!"
Link darted forward into the maze along with the others. There were two options presented immediately, right, or left? Link chose the right, and began running. He soon founf he was accompannied by Roman, who hulked along silently beside him. They reached another fork, and both stopped. "I guess this is where we split up. Right or left?" Link asked.
"I'll go left." Roman said, simply, and he and his fairy darted down the left passage. Link continued right. It wasn't long until Link came to a considerablysized hole in the floor, which he leapt with ease. Not so hard! Link came round a corner, and his eyes met a large boulder, rolling towards him with some force. Link grimaced. No where to run! He cold go back over the hole, but then the passage would be blocked, and Link would have to backtrack. He'd be too far behind. Link drew his staff from his back, and gripped it tight. The boulder was closing in.
"What's he doing?" Mido asked, gazing on from the stands at the large rock nearing Link. "He'll be squashed."
"Just wait!" Saria said, and no sooner had the word come from her mouth than did Link charge forward at the oncoming mass of spheric rock. Three feet in front of the quickly paced stone ball, Link shoved his staff into the ground, and launched himself upward, catapulting him over the boulder, and onto the other side of the hallwa. The rock hit the corner of the hall, and lodged itself there. Link latched his staff onto his back once more, and continued on through the maze. "I tought him that one!" Saria bragged.
"I wonder how the others are fairing..." Link said to himself, continuing onward. IT wasn't long before he came to another large gap cut in the floor, this one far too long to jump. On the other side, Link saw a pressure plate raised up a little ways from the stone floor. It was a fairy switch... darn. Link stood in thought, not sure what to do.
"HA! See? He can't do it, he doesn't have a fairy!" Mido laughed, pointing down on Link, who was still pondering how to handle the hinderance of the large hole gaping in the ground.
"Oh no..." Saria said, looking on. There was no way Link could jump it, and he couldn't double back. What could be done?
Link suddenly had an idea. He took a few steps back from the gap, and stood near the righ hand wall. Pressing off the wall, Link charged to the left side, and jumped up over the abyss in the floor, hitting the left wall hard with his boot, and kicking of of it. Link kicked from wall to wal across the gap, landing gracefully on the other side. "Ha! Fairy my boot."
"Woo-hoo, yeah! GO LINK!" Saria cheered from the stands. Mido folded his arms across his chest, and let out a loud 'hmmph'.
Link continued on his path, soon coming to a long hallway with a pool of water in the middle. The pool was dotted with tiny stepping stones that led across. Testing, Link placed a foot on one. Seemed solid. He tapped it with his foot... nothing. He stomped on it... no changes. Link stepped out onto the stone, fonding little room for both his feet. He slipped and his leg hit the water. Gasping, Link recoiled, and fell back onto the stone before the pool. The water was like ice, cold to the touch. Link stood back up, and dashed from one foot to another across the small stepping stones until he reached the opposite shore of the pool. Link ran down the rest of the hall, coming round another corner. When he rounded the next turn, he came to face a large Deku Baba plant, snarling and snapping at none other that Mindy and Maxine. Link scaned the hall, and saw Mindy's Deku Staff lying to close to the large creature for comfort. Link dre his own staff, and ran forward, clubbing the Deku Baba on its purple forehead.
"Link!" Mindy gasped, surprised to see her fellow contestant. Link smiled, and continued to punish the rogue plant. Eventually, the snapping plant subsided, and slumped to the stone floor, clearing the way down the hall. Link reached under it, and grabbed Mindy's staff, tossing it to her.
"Be more careful, next time!" Link said, before sprinting off to keep a lead over Mindy. Mindy stood, dazed, and began to follow on down the path.
Link kept moving. The maze was not so big, and he could estimate he was nearing the exit. Link came around one final corner, to find himself staring down a super-long hall. He cold see light filtering in from an arched portal in the center of the right hand wall of the hallway. Before Link, on the other side of the hall, was Kevi, who sneered, and sprinted forth. Link's legs sent him flying forward too, catapulting down the hallway. Link and Kevi both skidded, trying to round the corner out the door at the same time, and collided with one another, landing side by side on the stone floor. Just as both boys were about to get up off the ground, a pair of long, slender legs stepped over them and out the mazes exit.
"First out, it's MINDY and MAXINE!!!" Mido shouted, rushing down to the stage. Kevi looked on, bewildered, but Link managed to scramble out the doorway to come in second. Kevi, finally snapping out of it, rushed out in third, and Roman and Bruce followed suit shortly after. What an event!
"Allright, FINAL TEST!" Shouted Mido. They were back in the center of the Kokiri realm once more, standing there in on the large Deku Stage laid out in the meadow. The warm summer breeze was ruffling Links messy blond hair, and causing his cap to flail around more loke a wind sock than a hat of any kind. "This last test is the test of strength! Each Kokiri competing will have to duel the champion Kokiri fighter, none other than myself, of course, and last for at least three minutes. Each minute they last after three will award them 10 more points. The winner is whoever can gain the most points by going to longest over three minutes. Of course, to really win, you'd have to beat me! And I haven't been beaten in ages! So, without further to do... who wants to go first?"
Mido stepped out to the center of the stage, and hos two skinny little Kokiri lackeys removed the podium from its place, and then rushed up to present Mido with his Deku Staff. "Each match will last until one of the players gives up, understood? Good."
First, Roman stepped forward, drawing his Deku Staff. The timer started, and Mido rushed up to Roman, who immediately attacked. The smaller Kokiri dodged, and parried Roman's vicious assaults with the staff with more grace than Link knew Mido had in him. Roman slashed low with his staff, and Mido easily backflipped over it. They didn't call him the champion Kokiri fighter for nothing. Definitely not a title Mido gave himself, like his many other names.
Roman brought his staff down over Mido's head, but the smaller Kokiri boy rolled out of the way. This dodging and rolling went on for moments, until finally Mido heard the three minute buzzer tell him it was now fair to use everything he had. With a swift, simple motion, Mido tripped Roman to the ground, where he lay flat on his hulking back. Mido kicked the fallen Kokiri's staff away, and laughed. "My game!"
"Rrrr..." Roman stood up, and nodded. He looked happy just to have completed the test. Who could REALLY expect to beat Mido, though?
The other children took there turns, taking Mido on one at a time, and all falling not long after three minutes. Link stood near the sidelines, twirling his staff, and readying his mind. He had to try hard, because if he didn't want to dissapoint Saria, he'd have to do his best. Link finally heard his name being called by one of Mido's skinny Kokiri lackeys, and jumped up and trotted over to the stage.
"I'm ready!" Link said, standing in the middle of the stage, his little Deku staff poised between his sweaty palms, and his hat fluttering around haphazardly behind him. Mido snickered, and drew his own staff from the strap on his back.
"You so sure, no-fairy?" Mido sneered, eyeing Link up and down. He wasn't going to go easy on this non-Kokiri! Oh, no way, he would give this match all he had from the get go, not like with the other four kids. Ah, at last Mido would have his chance to teach this fairy-less punk some respect.
DING! A bell rang, indicating the timer had been started, and Link immediately took a defensive position. Mid swept forward and struck with his staff, but Link parried easily, and stepped to Mido's left, counterattacking with his own staff from the Side. Before Link's blow could meet its target, Mido had swiveled around and put his own guard in front. There was a loud 'THWACK' as the two peices of Deku Wood smacked together.
Link recoiled, taking two large steps back, and regaining the same defensive stance as before. Mido hopped up and attacked again, this time low. Link blocked easily once more, and Mido swept the staff back the other direction, aiming for Link's head. Link ducked, and Mido spun the staff, swepping down Low once more. With a marvellous show of agility, Link flipped backwards, over Mido's strike, and landed about a foot away on his feet. Mido stood, awestruck, for just a moment, before lunging forward to continue his assault.
Link sidestepped as Mido jabbed his staff out, trying to knock Link down. Link swung to Mido's vulnerable left side and the Kokiri boy cought the staff in his hands, pulling Link down on the ground. With all the force he could muster, Mido pryed the long wooden shaft from Link's weakening grasp, and backpeddled a bit.
Link pushed himself up from the floor of the stage, weaponless, and looked across the small wooden arena at Mido, who now held both staffs in a readied position in either hand. Link scowled, and Mido chuckled. "Had enough, no-fairy? This isn't over until you give up, you know!"
"Not on your life!" Link said, standing ready. "I don't need a stick to beat you!"
"Beat me? You make me laugh, you know that?" Mido said, sweeping forward once more. Mido spun with both weapons, making a vicious little whirlwind of bludgeoning wood. Link flipped backward once more, and regained his stance. Mido attacked once more with one of the staffs, but Link dodged to the right. Mido raised his other arm, and brought his second staff right below Link, tripping him to the ground. "Give up!"
"NO!" Link yelled, and Mido raised both staffs high into the air, ready to bring them down on Link. Finally, Link saw his openning. As the two staffs came down, Link came up, catchin the weapons in his palms. Pulling downwardly on the two staffs, Link brought his knee up to meet Mido's gut, and pushed off of him, yanking both staffs out of the Kokiri leaders hands. Mido toppled backwards over himself. "HA!"
"What?" Mido yelled, standing back up. "That's not fair!"
"Oh no? It was when YOU had both! So, give up?" Link said, smiling widly. Mido was fuming, the rage glowing hotly in his eyes.
"Not a chance!" Yelled the Kokiri boy. Link began advancing on him with both staffs, a look of triumph in his crystal blue eyes. Mido shook with fear, and uttered, "Okay! Okay, I give! I give!"
"Link did it!" One kid yelled from the crowd of onlookers, and pretty soon the entire meadow was buzzing with voices and applause. Mido stood, crossing his arms huffily, and snatching his own staff from Link's grasp. Link winked at Mido, which only angered him further.
"Silence!" Mido called over the crowd. The unruly bunch of Kokiri's stopped in their tracks, turning their attentions to Mido, who grimaced and swallowed loudly before finally managing to speak, "And the winner is... Link." Another cheer erupted from the wily crowd. As dissapointed as Mido was at his defeat, rules were rules, and Link had won. The Kokiri leader hobbled over to the other side of the stage and grabbed the wooden trophy that had so long adorned his own shelves, and shakily handed it to Link, who held it high over his capped head.
Link, quite contrary to his oponent, was about as happy as one could be. HE had done it. HE had won against Mido, the former champion! What a day! Link could only imagine how happy Saria must have been. She had, after all, tought him most of those tricks that got him where he was. Links canned the crowd, but Saria was no where to be found.
Link wanted to go look for his green haired friend, but before he even had a chance to speak, a wave of Kokiri kids overtook him, gathering around him and pummeling him with questions. Link was dragged by his very tunic off into the center of the meadow where a large celebration ensued in his honor. Quite a day indeed.
-End Segment-
