I do not own any of these characters; they all belong to Nintendo, With the exception of one more, which I will point out at the end of this chapter.

Response to a random review: I know that Fierce Deity is a boy, but I decided to make him a girl. I have a reason, and you'll see why. If you want a small clue, then look back to the legend that the mask salesman told and who find the person who stopped Majora.

Chapter 4: The Deku Palace

Link approached the castle entrance, as the small baby Dekuscrub he had transformed to, and Tatli was safe under his hat. Link felt getting in should be no problem.

His plan was he was going to merely try to walk past the guards. Link was sure this wouldn't work, but this way he would see just how tight these guys were on security. The more he knew about them, the better.

The two Dekuscrubs just stood there like statues. They looked like big baby Dekuscrubs, except they had autumn leaves coming just out of the top of their heads like a palm tree. Each one carried two crudely made spears. They stood at attention, there eyes staring at Link as he walked through.

They didn't even try to stop him.

Kinda stupid since I've never even been here before, Link thought. However, Link should have paid more attention to them. The moment that the two guards disappeared from the corner of his eye, something covered Link's eyes and blinded his hands. Link struggled, but there was nothing he could do.

He was captured.

Link was jabbed in the back with what he thought was the handle of the guard's spear. Link was forced to walk on. Twice Link tripped over his own feet.

After about five minutes of tripping and being jabbed, it finally stopped. The guards took off the blindfold, and color poured into Link's eyes.

He was in what appeared to be a throne room. A large throne with a large Deku king, stationed at the far end of the room. The throne was carved badly out of a log. The Deku king looked worse. He looked old and wizened. His bark looked like someone who didn't know what a chisel was had carved it.

He was very fat, and had two short, stubby, wooden legs. A ring of bright green leaves was the only evidence of hair.

Positioned in front of him, were four more guards with spears, and icy stares. Dancers and a minstrel were located to Link's right. They were playing on a set of pipes that looked exactly like Link's when he played as a baby Dekuscrub, with the slight exception that they had markings all over it.

The dancers were dressed in a dress of autumn leaves, and were doing a bunch of hip movements. To Link's left were two ordinary Dekuscrubs that seemed to be writing things down. In the very center of the room, up high on the ceiling, was a large Torch, strung up by three metal chains, spreading the light over the room like butter on bread.

The guards then spoke to their Beloved King, "We caught him trying to enter the palace. He never stated his business to us, and we fear he is an assassin."

The King gave a short chuckle, and in a wheezy voice replied, "How can a mere Baby Dekuscrub be an assassin?"

"We decided not to take chances my lord."

"Free him, he can't hurt me. I have four guards here, and baby Dekuscrubs are weak. Release him immediately." The guards weren't quick to do so. They untied him roughly, nearly twisting Link's arm off, and hurried back to their posts.

"Now my child," the king said kindly to Link. "What business do you have here?"

"Umm-I-umm," Link faltered. "I came t-to speak with one of your prisoners."

"Really?"

"Yes. I have a message from the monkey's brother."

"WHAT!" the King said, bursting out with rage. "HOW DARE YOU! GUARDS, TAKE THIS FILTH OUT OF MY SIGHT! THROW IT OUT OF THE PALACE!" And before Link could protest, he was bound and blinded again.

* * *

Link was unbound, only when he was outside of the premises. They threw him out, and the only thing Link could do was walk away. Frustrated, he ruffled his hat, waking Tatli, and telling her he was transforming.

"What did I do to offend him?" Link asked Tatli after he was Hylian again.

"I don't know. He seemed like such a nice guy when you first met him," she answered. "Maybe it was the fact that he thought that he thought the monkey kidnapped the princess. That's what the monkey's brother said."

"That sounds logical."

"But how are we going to get in now?"

"Were going to have to sneak in. We strike at Dusk."

* * *

When night came, it gave the swamp a whole new perspective. The water looked like a blackened void. There was no moonlight. The trees looked like shadows. The wind swept through the trees and bushes. Making it look like they weren't the only ones sneaking up to the palace.

Link had hidden in one of these shadows, taking shelter from the fumes. He watched the guards. Then at dusk, they closed the gates to the palace.

Link emerged from the shadow and ordered Tatli, "Go and see if you can get that gate open. Tatli flew off and over the wall.

She came back and informed Link, "There's a pulley, but it's too heavy for me to pull."

"Could you tie a knot with a vine?"

"Nope."

"Then we're screwed already."

"Yeah, your right abo-Hey. Is that a flower?" Link turned around. Behind was a flat pink flower. Just like the one he used to fly as a Dekuscrub.

Link put on the mask, then hopped in the flower. He jumped up, and hoped that it would propel him high enough.

It didn't propel him high enough, but he was able to fly up the totem pole. He grabbed onto the Statues large nose. From there, he swung himself, and then flipped on top of its head. He then took off his mask, and was able to jump high enough to reach the wall. He kept the whirling flowers, and when he reached the top of the wall, he realized it was too high for him to jump.

So he put the Deku Mask on again, and used the Flowers to float down to the ground. Once down, he took the mask off again.

"Whew. I never thought I'd be putting the mask on and off this much," He said to Tatli.

"Yeah. I'm getting used to you Transforming now. I no longer vomit."

"So where do-."

"Link! Behind you!" Tatli shouted.

Link whirled around, bringing his shield up just in time to block a blow. A guard had spotted Link and was not happy about it.

Link brought out his sword, but the guard seemed unfazed. He just glared icily at Link.

"Bring it on," Link taunted. The guard charged at Link, his spear aimed straight at Link head.

Link easily blocked the blow with his shield, but the Guard quickly swung the spear around, trying to trip Link. Link stomped on the spear quickly. Then he used his other foot to kick the guard swiftly in the chest.

The guard flew backwards. The spear was ripped from his hands due to Link's weight. Link picked up the spear, and snapped it over his knees. He quickly ran up to the guard, and grabbed it by the scruff of his neck.

"Alright, I need answers, and I want'em now," Link whispered fiercely at the guard. "Where is the captured Monkey?" The guard cowered at Link's rage, but didn't speak. Link shoved the Guard up against the wall.

"I said talk," Link threatened again. The guard remained silent. Link brought out his sword. The Dekuscrub cringed, but Link merely stabbed the sword into the hair of the Dekuscrub.

Still holding the guard's weight, Link asked the Guard fiercely again, "Where is the Monkey?"

The guard finally spoke, "I-I-I c-cant's t-tell you." Link then let the weight of the guard go. The guard was only hanging by his hair. He screamed in pain but was muffled as Link was covering his snout. Link let him hang for a few moments, then held his weight again.

The guard was panting from the pain of his hair being pried.

"Where is the monkey?" Link said one more time.

"Alright I'll show you! I'll show you!" Link pulled the sword out of the wall, and let the guard fall.

"Show me," Link said in his fiercest voice yet, with his eyes narrowed, and his sword pointed straight at the guard.

The guard realized that Link wasn't messing around, so he silently led the way through the maze-like passages of the palace. Link wasn't sure if he was leading him the right way, but was forced to trust him.

Link's hunch wasn't correct because five minutes later, Link was standing in front of a room full of jail cells with wooden bamboo poles for bars.

"Alright, I-I'll just be g-going now," The guard stuttered while inching away. Link bopped him on the head with the hilt of his sword. The guard slumped on the floor, unconscious. Link then hid him in one of the empty Jail cells.

"Hey. Over here," A shrill voice shouted at Link. Link turned around to eye another cell. However, this one wasn't empty.

Inside, was a Monkey.

"I've found you."

"You've been looking for me?"

"I'm trying to get to the temple. Your brother said you could help me."

"Oh goody. Hurry, get me out then." Link took his sword, and began hacking away at the tough bamboo. Fortunately, the sword would never lose its edge thanks to a special magic it possessed. After about twenty chops, the bar came free, and the monkey was able to fit through.

"Oh thank you for getting me out."

"Can you show me to the temple?"

"Yes I can. Lets go."

"Wait a second. Before we go, can you teach me the song to open the temple?"

"But-Oh alright, but let's make it quick." Link then pulled out his ocarina. "Oh no. That little thing will never do."

"What? Why?" Link asked.

"It's not loud enough."

"Just teach me the song. I'll find a louder instrument later."

"Fine. It's called the Sonata of Awakening."

"Let me guess. It awakens heavy sleepers."

"Yup." The little monkey then took in a deep breath, and sung the song.

Even though the monkey was singing softly, Link could see it was well named. As the notes bounced a long, Link's eyes were widening, and becoming more alert. His muscles began twitching, and felt restored. His throat was opening, allowing more Oxygen to come through. His nostrils flared, awakening to the song.

Link was suddenly wide-awake. Even the sleeping Tatli who was snug under Link's hat awakened, and came out of her nutshell.

When the monkey finished the song, Link put the Ocarina to his lips, and began to play the song that made him feel alive.

However, it awakened someone else.

The guard that Link had knocked out began to awake from Link's hit. The same effects happened to him. His whole body was alert, and ready. The sap (his blood) flowed through him, coursing through his wooden veins.

He sneaked out of his cell, and made a silent dash for the door. Neither Link, nor the Monkey took notice.

Link finished the song; satisfied that he had memorized it.

"Well, that's quite a song," Link said in surprise as he slipped his ocarina back into his tunic. "So how were you planning to play the song yourself? Your voice is hardly louder then my ocarina."

"Oh I can sing pretty loudly," The monkey said with a smug voice. "Now let's get out of here."

"Umm, guys," Tatli half-shouted. "I don't think we're gonna get out of here anytime soon."

"Why is-Oh damn," Link cursed. For standing at the doorway to the cells, were four Dekuscrub guards armed with spears, which were pointed directly at the small trio. The guards all had their luminous eyes narrowed, and their body rigid, waiting for Link to make his first move.

Link stared at the guards, almost forgetting how to react. How did they know I was here? Link asked himself. As if on cue, the guard he had knocked out earlier made an appearance. He was holding a blowgun, which seemed to be aimed directly at Link.

Link pulled out his sword and shield. He ordered the monkey to get behind him, and began glaring at the guard with the blowgun.

FOOOT!

The guard fired his needle. Link easily blocked the blow with his shield. He then dropped his sword and shield, and as quick as a flash, whipped out his bow and arrow.

The guard was feverishly trying to prepare another needle. Two guards armed with spears charged at Link before he could ready his Bow.

One tried to stab Link, but Link leaned out of the way. He then hooked his bow around the spear, and wrenched it from the Dekuscrubs grasp. Before the Dekuscrub could react, Link whirled his bow around, with the spear, and slammed the spear into the Dekuscrubs head.

The Dekuscrub flew six feet, before sprawling to the ground. Link the whipped the spear out of his bow and slammed the Spear on top of the other guard. The guard quickly brought his spear up to block the blow. The guard with the blowgun had loaded his needle, and fired it. Link simply leaned to his left to dodge it.

The guard with the spear tried to take advantage of this by swinging his spear around and hit Link in the knees, but Link took his spear and stuck it in the ground, blocking the deadly blow. Link wasn't finished yet though.

Using the spear for momentum, Link began swinging around it, and swiftly kicking the Dekuscrub. The other two guards rushed at Link, their spears aloft. Link unstuck his spear, and waited for them to attack.

Both swung their sticks on either side of Link, trying to hit his ribs, but Link jumped up, and stuck the spear into the ground, so he was doing a handstand on the spear. Using the spear for momentum again, he propelled himself upward and leapt from his hands, coming down with his feet on the two guards heads.

The two guards Link had knocked down earlier had recovered and went to attack Link. One crouched down while the other hopped on his back and sprung up, his spear reaching for Link's face.

As quick as lightning, Link knocked the spear away from his face then swung it around and hit the guard in the back. Sending him crashing against the wall, rendering him unconscious.

The other guard, who had crouched down, charged at Link, accompanied by the other two guards. They circled around Link.

Meanwhile, Tatli began joining into the battle by distracting the guard with a blowgun. Tatli grabbed a needle from the guy with the blowgun and stuck it in the Dekuscrubs neck. He gasped for air for a moment, and then he fell in a heap, asleep.

One guard went to Jab Link's legs, but Link stomped on his spear and kicked in the head, sending him flying against the wall, and knocking him unconscious to join his buddy.

Another guard dropped his spear, and tried to pick up Link's sword to see if he could use it. Link knew when to take advantage of an enemy's stupidity. In the split second pause when the guard tried to switch weapons, Link thwacked him over the head, knocking him out cold.

Link then turned to the last guard. The guard backed up slowly, slightly shaking. His spear was his only protection. Link merely kicked the spear out of the way, and using his momentum from the kick, spun around and tripped the guard so hard that he flew before hitting the ground.

That is, if he got the chance to hit the ground.

Link kept on spinning, and kicked the flying Dekuscrub. The guard hit the wall with a sickening thud, and slowly slipped into unconsciousness.

Link lowered his spear, and relaxed.

"Wow, you were great," the monkey praised. "Where did you learn all that?"

"Let's just get out of here. Coming Tatli?"

"Yup. But I think more guards are coming. We better hurry."

"Do you know your way around here little guy?"

"Yup. The princess showed me around."

"Good then let-ouch." Link reached up to his neck, and pulled a small needle out from the back. He looked at it, and then fell to the ground in a heap.

* * *

Link sat up, his head, swelling with pain from a chronic headache. He woke up, almost forgetting all that had happened. A needle with some sort of sleeping drought was shot at Link and it hit his neck.

He took a look around. His eyes were a bit blurred, but he could make out that he was in one of the cells. He had been stripped of his weapons, and they lay by the doorway, leading out into the maze-like passages of the Deku palace.

Not good, he thought.

"Tatli, where are you?" He shouted.

"Oh. You're awake. I'm under your hat."

"Why do you always hide under there?"

"I can't help you right now Link."

"Why?"

"They broke my wings," she sniffed.

Slowly, Link took off his hat and gently wrapped his hand around Tatli's fragile body. Indeed, her right wing was bent, but not ripped. Link took his finger, and tried to straighten it out. Tatli immediately retaliated.

"Don't touch them. You'll just damage them more," She shouted while smacking his finger.

"Tatli, I know what I'm doing," He said forcefully. "If I don't straighten your wing, you'll never be able to fly again."

"And you've done this before?"

"Yes. Navi didn't just sit under my hat the entire time you know," He said more harshly then intended. He then softened his voice and said, "Now this might hurt a bit, just don't move." He reached daintily for her wing, and began to straighten it.

Tatli cringed slightly, but otherwise remained perfectly still. When Link was finished, he set her down on the ground.

"Hey," she shouted at Link. "How come my wing still hurts a bit?"

"What? Did you expect it to heal instantly? It still has to heal. I just straightened your wing so it would heal properly."

"Oh."

"Can you walk?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Cause then you can get a few things for me."

* * *

"God these arrows are heavy," Tatli said panting. She had already retrieved Link's bow, and was now working on the arrow. It took her what seemed like hours to do so.

She also informed Link that the monkey was not anywhere in the prison cells, and that it was morning.

Only two more days left to get to the temple.

After she retrieved the arrow, she set it beside Link's cell. Link picked up the arrow through the bars, and began to put his plan into action.

Setting Tatli back under his cap to rest, he went to work.

First, he took the arrow, and scraped a little piece of bark off of the bamboo. Then, he pulled on the piece of bark, and it peeled of to make a long string. He did this several times so he had a bunch of strings. Then, when he thought he had enough, he tied them all together to make one really long piece of string.

Then he tied one end of the string to the arrow. And set the arrow in his bow.

THAWING!

A perfect shot, Link thought.

Link's plan was to fire his arrow at the set of Keys. He knew if he hit the inside of the ring of keys, it would be jerked off its hook. The arrow would stick into the wall, leaving the set of keys to travel down the string, and into Link's awaiting hands.

It was the only plan Link could think of since Tatli couldn't fly to the keys, but it didn't matter so long as it worked.

Link grabbed the keys, and inserted them into the lock. He immediately sprung out of his cell, finally free.

He quickly went over and picked up his supplies. He picked up his bottle with the red potion, His sword and shield, his Quiver of arrows, his flask and bag of nuts, and finally his ocarina.

Oh no. Where's my Deku mask?

Link ran out into the hallway, wondering where it could be. He wondered the passageways of the Deku palace for about fifteen minutes. Twice he passed the main gates, but he knew that he would need his mask, and therefore, didn't go through them. That's when an odd thought struck him.

Where are all the guards?

As if on cue, he passed a room, with a large crowd of guards. Link recognized it immediately as the throne room where the guards had taken him to when he first entered the palace as a baby Dekuscrub. He sneaked in, and darted behind a pot to see what was going on.

He peered around the pot to see what was going on.

In the center of the room, was a large wooden stage, with a pile of logs on it. In the center of the small stage was a stake. Tied to the stake, was a helpless little monkey.

Link's ticket into the temple was about to be burned.

The Deku King stood up from his chair holding a burning torch, and proceeded towards the Stage. The monkey struggled helplessly against the wall of ropes he was trapped in.

Thinking fast, Link pulled out his bow, and fired an arrow at the burning torch.

"Yeigh," the king shouted in surprise as the torch dropped to the ground, and extinguishing as it burning side down. The King quickly picked up the torch, and looked at the arrow.

"WHO DID THIS?" the king boomed. A cloud of whispers quickly fogged up the room

"I did," Link shouted over the haze of murmurs, as he stepped out from behind the pot. Everyone's attention immediately turned to Link. The guards closest to him immediately put up their spears in defense.

"Ah. It's the boy who can change into a Dekuscrub," The king said.

"So you have my mask. Is it alright if I can have it back, I kind of need it you know."

"No. I'm in the middle of punishing a monkey who has kidnapped the princess."

"He did not kidnap the princess."

"Yes he did."

"What proof is there that he did?"

"He knows the Forbidden tune that opens the temple. He has forced the princess to teach the song him and sealed her inside the temple."

"That's not true," the monkey shouted in protest. "I never even asked her. She taught me herself. I was a good friend of hers. She even showed me around the palace, and I'm quite sure the guards can say they did see me."

"Ha. You probably did that just to get her to teach you the song," The king retorted fiercely.

"Tell you what, I'll make you a deal," Link said.

The King bewildered at this offer, asked, "And what would this deal be?"

I challenge your best fighter to a duel of Bo staffs. If I win, I get my mask back, and you set the Monkey free."

"And if you loose?" These words seemed to hang in the air forever, but Link replied to them never the less.

"You get to keep my mask, all of my possessions, and you can burn me."

"Deal." The King said.

The guards immediately stood back against the wall, to give room for the fight. Four guards moved the stage to the side. The King sat back down in his chair for what looked like a promising battle.

"Tatli, get out from my hat," Link hissed, while putting his hand to his forehead.

"Why?"

"Because the only way to win this battle is to knock the other man out, the target main target, will be my head."

"Oh all right," she said as she slipped into Link's hand. He then placed her on the stage with the monkey.

"Now which of my guards shall I summon?" The king asked no one in particular as his eyes swept around the room, analyzing the guards. "Alright, Nosca, step forward." At the king's command, a Guard stepped forward. He was a little taller then most guards, and looked a lot sterner.

Another guard brought forward two Bo staffs. He handed one to Link and the other to Nosca.

"May the best man win," Nosca said politely.

"Good luck to you as well, and may you promise me a fight to remember," Link replied just as politely back.

They each bowed to each bowed to each other, and took a few steps back.

The King stood up and shouted the words that would begin the deciding of fate: "BEGIN!"

Link and Nosca both charged at each other, their Staffs a loft. Link however, had a much different strategy then Nosca.

Just before Nosca tried to strike Link, Link leapt up in the air, using the Pole for leverage. Doing a handstand for a split second, he leapt over Nosca, springing of the stick like an extended aerial flip.

The move was so effortless, that it looked more like art than a daredevil stunt. The poetry of it couldn't be captured with mere words.

A confused, and Surprised Nosca didn't have enough time to react, as he obviously underestimated Link.

As Link came down from his acrobatic feat, he brought the pole upon Nosca's woodenhead. Nosca fell to the ground in a heap. Nosca tried to retaliate, by swinging his staff at Link's legs, but Link stomped on the staff.

Nosca pulled his staff as hard as he could from under Link's foot. A groove in the staff caught in one of the grooves of Link's boot. Link stumbled backwards, caught off guard. Nosca took advantage of this by swinging his stick around and rapping Link's kneecaps. Link fell down on his back.

Nosca quickly leapt to his feet, and tried to do an overhead smash attack. Link quickly brought his staff above his chest to block the blow. The sound of wood on wood echoed through the air. Nosca swung the other rend of the staff around to hit Link in the ribs, but Link's staff was there to meet it.

Nosca jumped above Link, attempting to spear Link with his staff, but this turned out to be a big mistake.

Link lifted his boot to meet the staff, sending it off course. It hit the ground just an inch from link's ribs with Nosca being above it. He fell sideways into Link's awaiting staff.

THWAK!

The sound echoed among the room as Nosca went flying. Soaring for what seemed like ours before he crashed Ten feet from Liftoff.

Link quickly got up, waiting for Nosca to rise. Nosca quickly got up, shaking his head from the brutal blow. He narrowed his eyes at Link.

He was not a happy Dekuscrub.

He charged at Link, Staff outstretched. He attempted to strike Link.

THWAK, THOK, THWAK, THWIK, THOK, THWOK, THWAK, THWAK!

It all sounded like one throbbing beat. The two staffs were a blur of Movement as they each tried to reach their targets, only to find the other staff blocking the way.

Finally, Nosca jabbed at Link's gut, and no stick blocked his path. Link bent down on his knees. Nosca tried to bring his staff on Link's head, but Link quickly brought his stick to meet it. Link then stuck out a sneaky foot, and tripped Nosca.

Nosca keeled over, landing on his stomach, and facedown, his nose meeting with the ground. Link then let Nosca's nose be more acquainted with the ground by bashing the top of his head. Nosca, reeling in pain, rolled sideways to avoid another savage blow from Link.

On the third attempted strike, Nosca used his staff to knock Link's sideways. Then he did the cheapest move in the History of fighting.

He hit Link in the groins.

Link bent over, clutching his ____, groaning with pain, and dropping his staff. Wasting No time, Nosca hit a long awaited target: Link's head.

Link keeled over on the ground. He quickly grabbed his staff, and tried to stop the next blow, but was to late. Link's lung was hit, and hit hard. Link clutched it.

Nosca then prepared for the final blow.

"You're a very good fighter, and I shall weep for you when you burn, but it is my duty," Nosca apologized. He stepped back, and ran full speed towards Link. Three feet away, he soared higher then any Dekuscrub could soar, and outstretched his staff to meet Link's head for the last time.

"Not today," were the last words Nosca heard before Link did something extraordinary. Link stuck his staff in the air, and stuck it in the most unlikely target: Nosca's very large nose.

Nosca didn't even have time to react, for Link slammed his staff into the ground as hard as possible with Nosca's head hanging along for the ride.

THUNK!

Nosca lay in a heap on the ground, unconscious. The battle was over, and Link victorious.

Link pulled the staff out of Nosca's nose, then slowly got up, panting from all the effort he put into that last move, and using his staff for support.

Everyone in the room stared with silent eyes as Link got up and walked towards, the King.

Link walked forward, hands outstretched.

"A deal's a deal," he said softly, a grin coming across his bruised face. The Deku King was just as stunned as everybody else, and almost forgot what he meant. Then his eyes narrowed, and he pulled what Link fought for so hard out from behind his throne.

"Be gone then, and you better not show up here again," He shouted, fueled by anger, as he practically threw the Deku mask into Link's outstretched hands. "Guards, release the monkey and throw these two out of the palace." A guard stepped toward the stage and used his spear to cut the monkey free.

The Monkey immediately ran, and climbed up onto Link's shoulders. Two guards then escorted him to the front gates.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next chapter: Finding the temple will be more difficult then Link thought.

Disclaimer: I own Nosca! Bwahahaha!

Author's note: tell me what you think of the battle in your reviews. Was it to short? Not descriptive enough? Etc.

Word Count: 5 176!
Word count for story so far: 19 126!