Moving On

Lulu stood in front of her mirror adjusting her earrings for the fifth time while humming a soft melody. The curtain call for the Indigo-Go's was mere moments away and she suddenly felt very nervous. She had been on stage dozens of times before, and every time was the same. She would stand in her dressing room staring at her jewelry and clothes while her stomach did flip-flops. She smiled at herself. It was silly for her to be nervous, but at the same time, it excited her. She loved the feeling of excitement that filled her when they stood on stage and everyone shouted and applauded. She wouldn't give it up for the world.

But this time was different. This time she had seven children waiting for her back home. She smiled and glanced down to her dressing table. Sitting on the corner was a pictograph of her and her babies sitting with the old man at the research laboratory in Great Bay. She missed them very much but she knew that they would be alright. Looking back up to the mirror, another thought crossed her mind.

Where is Mikau?

He always came to her dressing room just before the show to wish her luck and give her a kiss. He hadn't done that yet. She had been worried with Toto informed them that they were heading to Clock Town without him. Toto was sure that he would meet the band there, ready for the show, but he still wasn't here.

Lulu turned and walked to the door. She opened it and peeked out. Japas and Tijo were standing nervously by the stage talking in hushed tones. She left her room and joined them.

"Are you as nervous as I am?" She asked.

Japas sighed and slumped against the wall. "I wouldn't be if Mikau would show up." He said frustrated.

Tijo nodded. "Yes, he's never been this late before. Usually he's the one who gets here first."

Lulu nodded. "I know. It's not like him."

They're conversation was interrupted when Toto came wobbling down the hall. He smiled warmly at them.

"Are we ready?" He asked.

Lulu shook her head. "Mikau still isn't here."

Toto nodded. "I know. Come everyone, into this conference room over here. I have something to tell you." He said and led them into a nearby room.

They walked in to find Evan already sitting at the table. Everyone else joined him around the large conference table and looked up at Toto who sat at the head. It was then that they noticed a young man standing just behind Toto with his hands behind his back. Lulu leaned over to get a better look at the lad. He was young, no more than 13, and had bright blond hair and blue eyes. He was handsome enough and wore a green tunic and a green hat. She thought him slightly odd but decided to wait before asking any questions.

Toto settled down in the chair at the head of the table and looked his bands mates over.

"I'm afraid I have some bad news for all of you." He said and looked over at Lulu briefly. "I'm afraid that Mikau won't be joining up tonight."

The band members exploded in a frenzy of questions and shouts.

"Why do you mean/Why won't he be here/Where is he, that slacker/What's happened?"

Toto raised his hand to calm them and then continued. "As you all know now, Lulu's eggs had been taken by the Gerudo Pirates, yes?"

They all nodded.

"Well, what you don't know, with the exception of Evan," They all glanced at him. "is that Mikau went after the Gerudo, determined to return the eggs to Lulu."

Lulu gasped and covered her mouth. "But I told him not to do anything rash!"

Toto nodded. "Well, he did." He took a deep breath before continuing. "I'm afraid they tore him up pretty badly and left him to die on the beach."

Lulu felt tears welling up. She glanced at her band mates, who all looked to be in the same condition.

"It was there, that he was found by this lad, here." He said and nudged the boy forward. "This is Link."

Lulu turned to look at him. "Did he…I mean…Was he…" She wasn't even sure she could finish the sentence.

Link looked down and sighed. "He…He didn't last long. By the time I had found him, he was already on his last breaths."

Lulu bowed her head as tears dripped into her lap.

"I made a grave for him." Link continued. "It's on the beach just off of Great Bay."

The band members exchanged saddened and confused looks with each other.

"When…When did it happen?" Evan asked.

"Three days ago." Link said sadly.

Suddenly Japas stood up and pointed an accusing finger to Link.

"Wait, that can't be right!" He walked around the table and looked at Link. "I saw him just yesterday. He was on his way out of the laboratory in Great Bay."

Link sighed and pulled out his Zora mask. He looked up at the group. "That wasn't him…not really."

The all looked confused, so he continued. "When Mikau was dying, he asked me to heal his soul. So I played a song that had magical properties to it. It is designed to heal the souls of the weak in spirit and it reduces their troubled pieces to a mask." He said and held up the mask.

"That…" Lulu leaned forward. "That is a mask of Mikau's suffering?"

Link nodded. "I…I used this mask to take on the appearance of a Zora so I could get into Great Bay Temple."

Japas eyes widened. "You're the one that made the ocean normal again?"

Link nodded.

"Then…" Lulu stood up and walked to the boy. "You must be the one who returned my eggs to me too."

Link nodded again.

Lulu smiled and knelt in front of him.

"I don't know how I can thank you." She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

Link blushed furiously and shifted his feet slightly. "Yu-You're welcome." He stuttered.

Tijo, who had remained silent until now, stood up and walked over to Toto. "But…if Mikau is…dead…" He cleared his throat. "Then…what about the concert?"

Toto smiled. "Ahh! That's the good news!" He pat Link hard on the back, nearly knocking the boy over. "Link here has offered to pose as Mikau for the show! That way we don't have to cancel."

The mood in the room suddenly lightened. The band was pouring around Link with thanks and praise for the "Hero of Bands" (as he was affectionately named by Japas). Link smiled and joked around with them until a stage hand showed up at the door.

"Five minutes!" He yelled and was gone again.

"Oh! We have to hurry!" Evan shouted and ran back to his room to finish getting ready.

Japas and Tijo were soon to follow but Lulu lingered. She looked down at Link.

"Will it take long for you to…" She trailed off, not sure of the proper name.

He smiled at her. "No, not at all." He lifted the mask to his face and then looked at her once before he placed it over his face. Lulu watched as the figure of the young Hylian changed before her eyes and soon, standing before her, was a tall and very handsome Zora. She looked at him tentatively.

"You know…I suppose you really don't look like Mikau…when you look closely…" She smiled sadly.

Link walked to her and gently laid his hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry about him. I did what I could."

She smiled and nodded. "I know. And I am grateful for all that you have done." She gently touched his cheek with her palm before leaving the room so she could adjust her earrings one last time.