4. The Good, the Bad...

Two days. We waited around for two whole days. There was nothing to do but wander around, listen to rumors, and watch the moon get closer and closer. People started leaving, fleeing to some ranch outside of town. But I wasn't leaving. No way. I had to get to Skull Kid, and I wasn't going to risk being gone when the door opened. I missed my height, my mouth, recognizing my reflection...no way I was going to miss my shot.

So I hung around, slept under a bench, and waited.

On the third day, nearly everyone was gone. Including the carpenters.

I stared at the partially-completed tower-bridge-thing.

"Hey, Deku kid," the head carpenter greeted me. "You waitin' for us to finish the bridge from the festival tower to the clock tower entrance up there?"

"Yeah."

"Sorry," he shrugged. "My apprentices panicked and ran away, so this is all we get for a festival tower. It's not quite tall enough, is it? Sheesh!" He shook his head. "Even if we went to the top of the festival tower, we wouldn't be able to get up to the clock tower entrance. I apologize for all this. I wish I could scare that moon away!"

"Aren't you afraid?" I asked.

"Me?" he snorted. "I ain't afraid of nothing. If the moon was gonna fall, it would have done it by now."

"You don't think it's going to fall?"

"Moons don't fall."

I looked up at the glowering face in the sky. "I wish I had your confidence."

"And I wish I had your youth." He clapped me on the shoulder. "We're even kid."

"Guess so."

The fireworks went off as scheduled at midnight. I didn't notice at first, lost in thought, and Tatl had to remind me.

"Did you hear those fireworks? I think the clock tower door has just opened!"

I knew she had to be good for something. Everyone is.

Sure enough, the tower wasn't tall enough and I couldn't reach the door. But Tatl's idea about the Deku Flower worked, and soon I was inside.

The moon was huge and menacing, and getting closer every second. I knew I didn't have much time.

We reached to top of the tower to see the Skull Kid and Tatl's dark-hued brother silhouetted against the moon.

"Sis!" the purple fairy exclaimed.

"Ah! Tael! We've been looking for you two," Tatl said, surprisingly calmly. "Hey, Skull Kid, what if you gave that mask you're wearing back now?" Skull Kid said nothing, staring at the moon. "Hey, c'mon, are you listening?"

Tael glanced at Skull Kid, then turned back to us. "Swamp. Mountain. Ocean. Canyon. Hurry...The four who are there...Bring them here..."

Skull Kid turned. "Don't speak out of line! Stupid fairy!" he smacked the little fairy several times, hard.

"No! What are you doing to my brother?" Tatl screamed. "Skull Kid, do you still think you're our friend after that?"

"Well, whatever," Skull Kid said, completely ignoring her. "Even if they were to come now, they wouldn't be able to handle me..." He giggled. "Just look above you..." he gestured to the ominous moon. "If it's something that can be stopped, then just try to stop it!"

"Tael! Get away from the Skull Kid!" Tatl ordered. "You'll be hit!"

Skull Kid laughed and smacked her brother again.

Tatl was trembling with rage. "I've had enough...You hit my brother over and over... I'll never forgive you!"

I wanted to draw my sword more than anything, but I couldn't, so I gathered my magic instead.

"That won't do you any good," Skull Kid laughed. The moon was drawing even closer now.

"Why are you just standing around!" Tatl shouted at me. "Th-there's no time. You've gotta do something now!"

"I am!" I charged at the Skull Kid and he dodged, still laughing.

"Oh, come now...Do you really think you can beat me as I am now? Fool!"

I shot a stream of bubbles at him, and he was so busy laughing at me that I hit him. Skull Kid yelped and jumped away, and he dropped something.

Almost stunned, I walked over to the object and picked it up. The Ocarina of Time, though it turned to pipes in my hands. I barely heard Tatl as she flew up to me.

"Huh? When did you get that instrument?

"Zelda..." I heard myself say. I could almost hear her voice.

"You are already leaving this land of Hyrule, aren't you?" she seemed to say. "Even though it was only a short time, I feel like I've known you forever. I'll never forget the days we spent together in Hyrule... And I believe in my heart that a day will come when I shall meet you again... Until that day comes, please...take this..."

The Ocarina. It meant so much between us. Especially after all that had happened because of it.

"I am praying...I am praying that your journey be a safe one. If something should happen to you, remember this song..."

The Song of Time. The first song she had ever taught me.

"The Goddess of Time is protecting you. If you play the Song of Time, she will aid you..."

I saw Zelda's smile, and was not surprised to feel tears spring up in my eyes.

How could I almost have forgotten her? Damn my wooden skull!

"Snap out of it!" Tatl shouted. "What are you doing lost in memories? Get yourself together! Getting that old ocarina back isn't gonna help us!"

"The Goddess of Time will," I said. Then I help the pipes up to my mouth and blew.

The Song of Time. That familiar-but-never-missed warping sensation. I knew what had happened, but I didn't know what to do.

"W-What just happened!" Tatl exclaimed. "Everything has..." She looked around. "...started over..."

She turned to me. "Wha...What are you, anyway? That song you played...That instrument..." She did a double-take. "That instrument! Wait! That's it! Your instrument! The mask salesman said that if you got back the precious thing that was stolen from you, he could return you to normal! Did you completely forget or what?"

"No I didn't forget," I snapped. "Let's go!"

We ran all the way back to where the Happy Mask Salesman waited, looking creepy as ever.

"Were you able to recover your precious item from that imp?" he asked.

I brandished it.

"Oh! Oh! Ohhh!" He started freaking. "You got it! You got it! You got it! You got it! Then listen to me. Please play this song that I am about to perform, and remember it well...This is a melody that heals evil magic and troubled spirits, turning them into masks. I am sure it will be of assistance to you in the future."

He played a song then, a soothing melody, and I followed along. And then...

It felt like a costume was being lifted off of me, but the costume had soaked into my skin and had to be pulled out. But it came off safely, and I was myself again!

"Whoo!" I couldn't help shouting, throwing my completely human hands in the air. It felt sooo good to be back to normal.

"Ah, yes. I give you this mask in commemoration of this day." He handed me a mask that looked like a sad little Deku kid. Like me, as a Deku Scrub. "Fear not, for the magic has been sealed inside the mask. When you wear it, you will transform into the shape you just were. When you remove it, you will return to normal."

"Wow, cool. Thanks." I couldn't really think of anything else to say.

"Now, I have fulfilled my promise to you...So, please, give me that which you promised me..."

"Uh..."

"Don't tell me..." He stared at me. "My mask...You did...get it back...Didn't you?"

"Not...exactly..."

"What have you done to me!" he screamed. "If you leave my mask out there, something terrible will happen!"

"What could be so bad about it?"

"The mask that was stolen from me is called Majora's Mask. It is an accursed item from legend that is said to have been used by an ancient tribe in its hexing rituals. It is said that an evil and wicked power is bestowed upon the one who wears that mask. According to legend...the troubles caused by Majora's Mask were so great... the ancient ones, fearing such catastrophe, sealed the mask in shadow forever, preventing its misuse. But now, that tribe from the legend has vanished, so no one really knows the true nature of the mask's power..." He looked up at the top of the Clock Tower. "...But I feel it. I went to great lengths to get that legendary mask. When I finally had it...I could sense the doom of a dark omen brewing. It was that unwelcome feeling that makes your hair stand on end. And now...that imp has it..." He turned back to me. "I am begging you! You must get that mask back quickly or something horrible will happen!"

"Like the moon falling?" I sighed. "Yeah, okay, I'll do it."

"I'm counting on you."

"I know..."

Tatl followed me outside. "Feeling better?"

"Sort of..."

"That mask..." she said. "The Skull Kid uses the power of that mask to do those terrible things. Well...whatever it takes, we've gotta do something about it."

"You're right."

"The swamp, mountains, ocean and canyon that Tael was trying to tell us about... I bet he was referring to the four areas just outside town. There's one in each compass direction. But what do you suppose he meant by 'the four who are there?' I have no idea. He always skips important stuff. I guess we should just go and find out..."

"I guess."

"If we go through that gate straight ahead, we'll be heading in the direction of the swamp."

"Kay."

"Where are you going?"

"The inn. I'm gonna see if I can get a room."

"Why!"

"I need to regroup, okay?"

"Oh...Okay."

I hadn't spent much time in the Stock Pot Inn in during the previous three days, so I wasn't sure if it was all booked up or anything. There were some people hanging around inside, but not too many, so I approached the front desk.

"Hi there," the woman (who looked exactly like that cucco-lady from Kakariko) smiled distractedly at me. "Welcome to the Stock Pot Inn. How may I help you?"

"I'd like a room please."

"All righty, what's your name?"

"Link."

She flipped open a large notebook. "Link, ah yes. You're in the Knife Room."

"I...am?"

"Second room on your right," she handed me a key. "Enjoy your stay!"

"Uh, thanks?"

I headed up the stairs. "Did that seem odd to you?" I asked Tatl.

"How so?"

"That lady-"

"Anju."

"Whatever. She acted like she was expecting me."

"Maybe, um, you go back in time even further and make a reservation! Like, years in the future!"

I stared at her. "You read too much."

"Do not."

"Then you listen to too many stories."

She was silent for a moment. "Shut up."

The room was small, with a big crack in one wall, but it had a bed and that was enough. I flopped onto it and buried my face in the pillow.

"Liiiiink..." Tatl whined. "Come ooooon... You've got to save the woooorld..."

"It's not the world," I mumbled. "It's Clock Town."

"Are- are you crying?"

"Yes. Yes I am." And I was too. Not sobbing, but there were tears.

"Oh..." She settled on the nightstand. "Why?"

"Because. I almost forgot Zel. And I think I've forgotten a bunch of other stuff too."

"Who's Zel?"

"She's my... We're... I'm... I don't know what to call her, but I love her dammit!"

"Woah. You're serious."

"Damn straight."

"How old are you?"

"Why do people keep asking me that?"

"You don't often meet kids who say they're in love. And mean it. Most boys your age think girls are icky."

"I'm...older that I look."

"So you're like...thirteen?"

"No, I'm probably eleven."

"Probably?"

"It's a long story. Basically, I've had a hard life. And Zel's been through some stuff too."

"Oh. Are you done crying yet?"

"Will you please shut up?"

"Fine! But you suck!"

I sighed. "Look...Just give me a few minutes, okay? I'm homesick and lonely. I'm allowed to be sad."

"Are you allowed to cry? I thought boys didn't cry."

"There aren't rules about crying."

"Do you need a hug?" She teased.

"Yes, but you don't have arms."

"Oh...right."

Blissful, blissful silence for a couple of minutes.

"I'm gonna go eavesdrop, okay?"

"Yes, fine, whatever."

She left.

And came back thirty minutes later.

"Let's go!"

"All right."

"What, really?"

"Yes, really." The best way to break out of a funk, I've found, is to throw yourself into an activity. In this case, saving Clock Town and stopping Skull Kid.

Tatl led me to the south gate, where the guard stopped me.

"Stop right there! Have you some errand in the swamp? It is dangerous outside the town walls, so I cannot allow a child like you to-"

I drew my sword and pointed it at his crotch.

"A sword?" He gulped.

"Damn right it's a sword!"

"My apologies, sir," He backed up involuntarily. "It was wrong of me to treat you like a child. The southern swamp at Woodfall lies in this direction. Be careful."

"Whatever."

"Goddess, Link," Tatl said, once he was out of earshot. "You didn't have to threaten the man. He was concerned for your safety."

"I am missing chunks of my memory," I said through clenched teeth."I do not care right now, okay?"

"Okay, sheesh."

"So..." I looked around. "Where we going?"

"The swamp. In the south. Where the Deku Kingdom is."

"Deku Kingdom?"

"Duh."

"Okay..."

"What makes you think you're missing chunks of your memory anyway?"

I pulled out the Ocarina and fingered it. "I...can't remember some songs. Songs I know I knew. Like when you forget someone's name, but you can remember having know it, having called them by it, but can't remember it."

"I hate that."

"So do I." I stared at the Ocarina. "I can't remember Epona's Song..."

"Epona's Song?"

"The song I use...used...to call my horse."

"Ooh...bad."

"Yeah."

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Author notes

Urg...don't expect an update for a while. The Woodfall temple is...urg. It will be a long chapter when I get it done. But there's work. And fatigue. And my fictionpress account (TheNinjitsuSister) that still has no stories...urg. And fanfictiondotnet seems to hate letting me on late at night. Which is when I update. Because I put it off until the last minute. Because I suck.

Sorry for ranting at you guys. I will update as soon as I can. And I do love you people. :sob-because-it's-midnight-and-I-can't-update-when-I'm-writing-this:>