Mask Madness
Chapter 8: Recovering
Breathing heavily, out of exhaustion and immense pain, Ganondorf gradually limped up the stairs, one of his massive arms wrapped around his chest.
"Damn stairs..."
Ganondorf reached a bathroom, then quickly and clumsily set up a circle of powder. When he finished preparing the spell, he began to chant, and soon afterwards a hoarse voice replied hastily, "Yes, Master?" There was the sound of a large amount of water being sprayed in every direction, as if some enormous legendary monster had risen from the bottom of the ocean. SCREECH!
Ganondorf covered his ears as the horrible sound reverberated throughout the bathroom. After cautiously removing his hands, the gerudo listened to the sharp noises in the background.
"What's going on? Why can I not see you?"
A bit out of breath, Dark Link answered, "You're spell must be weak, but I am here fighting this horrible creature who has interrupted my mission of retrieving the necklace of the golden thief."
There was a screech of pain, and Ganondorf asked, "You do not have the necklace yet?"
Dark Link replied, "No, Master. It is very difficult to retrieve."
Ganondorf growled, "Hurry then! I need that necklace by at least tomorrow night!"
Dark Link answered, "Yes, Master."
The spell was broken, and Ganondorf stomped away furiously. "I better have that necklace by tomorrow, or I'm going to have to destroy that insolent creation of mine."
Late Afternoon
Slowly, painfully, a blurry white object came into sight. Link forced his eyes open, then gradually came to realize that what he was staring at was one of the white walls of the medical wing.
Link turned his head to the left, but only saw an empty chair. He tried to sit up, but it was simply too difficult and too painful to move, his body aching all over. He winced and clenched his eyes shut, then felt a gentle pressure on his chest, "Not-a so fast! You-a need to get a lot-a more rest first!"
Link looked up into Dr. Mario's face tiredly, "How long has it been? What about everyone else?"
Dr. Mario smiled, "Why, it-a has only-a been a few hours! And everyone-a else that was-a injured is in here!" Sure enough, when Link turned his head to the right, he saw many of the Smashers bandaged up, some talking and some sleeping. It was then that Link realized that he himself had also been heavily bandaged up.
Dr. Mario took off, and Link looked over at Young Link, who was watching Ness like a hawk. Link raised an eyebrow, and was about to ask, when Ness gave off a particularly loud snort and promptly rolled off of his bed, landing on the floor with a THUMP! and an, "Ouch!"
Young Link laughed lightly to himself, "Four and still counting."
"Glad to see you so amused."
Young Link swiftly turned towards Link, then smiled, "Oh, hello! How are you feeling?"
"I've been better. What about you?"
Young Link shrugged, "Not too bad. I just wish Dr. Mario would let me leave already!" Link smiled, "Well, he should let you out soon then. Where's Zelda?" Young Link shrugged, "She left a little while ago."
"Okey-dokey, Link. Time for your-a medicine!"
Link frowned in response, while Young Link laughed, "Ha! Now you get to suffer at the hands of the disgusting concoctions!"
Dr. Mario hesitated as he looked over Link, "Hmmm, this is-a bit complicated. Hold-a on." When Dr. Mario left, Young Link asked, "What is he talking about?"
Link groaned, "I can't sit up yet."
Young Link's eyes widened, "And I thought he was being strict with me!"
Link opened his mouth to reply, but then Dr. Mario returned with Luigi and Mario, "Okey-dokey, lift him nice-a and easy." Link's eyes widened at this news as Mario and Luigi stood on either side of him, slipped their hands underneath his back, and lifted.
Link gasped in pain and closed his eyes, and suddenly felt a horrible liquid being poured down his throat. He coughed a bit, then felt himself be laid back down on the bed.
"Faore." He felt his head sink back down into the pillow, then glared up at Dr. Mario, "What was that?"
Dr. Mario smiled pleasantly, "Medicine." He then walked away as Mario rolled his eyes, "Trust-a me, you don't-a want to know."
Link yawned, then looked over at Young Link, "Any idea when Zelda will be back?" "No, why?" "I want her to place that shield over me to protect me from Dr. Mario." Link felt his eyelids droop, and the white medical wing became black.
Down the Hall
"So this Majora guy just disappeared?" Zelda, Fox and Falco were walking down a hallway discussing the battle. Zelda turned toward Fox, her eyes tired but concerned, and replied, "It seems that way. There was a blinding light, then he was gone."
Fox frowned, "That's strange. Usually there are some kinds of remains." Falco yawned widely, "At least those horrid masks are gone. I plan on sleeping solid tonight." Fox nodded in agreement, "Same here. Where did the masks go though?" "Did they just disappear as well?" asked Zelda.
Fox answered, "Yeah, same as Majora did."
There was silence as everyone walked down the hallway deep in thought. Their footsteps echoed, and they turned around yet another corner. Falco frowned, "What about Ganondorf? Why did he fight against Majora?"
Zelda shrugged, and sighed, "I don't know. He's not been making any sense lately." "Where is he anyways?" asked Fox. Falco smiled, "Maybe he's ran away."
Zelda rolled her eyes in amusement, "I doubt it." Falco shrugged, then yawned again, "How much farther is the medical wing?" Zelda replied, "Not far."
Falco frowned at her, "That's what you said two stairways ago." Fox shook his head in amusement, "You don't have to worry about hurrying away from the mummy anymore, you know."
Falco glared at Fox, "I'm tired, okay! Besides, constantly escaping a mummy is not easy!" "Atleast you only had one of them to worry about." replied Fox smoothly. Falco threw his hands up in the air in exasperation, "Oh, please! You were being chased by some chickens! That's nothing!"
"Hey, it wasn't easy getting them stuck up in the tree!"
"How did you get them up there anyways? Throw them?"
"No, they flew up there."
Falco raised an eyebrow, "And they didn't just come back down because...?"
Fox shrugged, "I don't know, I guess it's because they're stupid."
Falco smirked, "So you were busy running away from stupid, possibly harmless chickens."
"Harmless? Ha! Do you not see the missing fur? As for you, you barely got a scratch, just running away from some dummy wrapped in toilet paper!"
Zelda rolled her eyes as the two once again argued, and entered the medical wing, where she sat down in her chair and gazed at Link's peaceful, sleeping face.
Morning
Link groaned as he gradually opened his eyes, squinting against the sunlight. "Why, good morning sleepy head." Link turned his head to the left to see a smiling Zelda. "Mmmm, good morning. Did you sleep well?" Zelda nodded, "Looks like you did too."
Link replied, "Yeah, sure did." Link moved around a bit, testing his body. He no longer felt unbearably heavy, but it was still uncomfortable to move. Even so, he pressed his hands flat on the bed, then pushed himself up with a groan. Zelda quickly propped up his pillow, then he sank back into it with a soft sigh.
When he looked up at her, he was surprised to see Zelda staring at him with concern. His smile faded, and he asked, "What's wrong?"
Zelda seemed to snap back to reality, then turned her head away as she sighed, "Well," she looked back at him, "I'm just, um, really glad that you're okay. I mean..."
Link smiled back, understanding, "Everything's okay now, Zelda. Though, I have to thank you. That shield of yours really helped."
Zelda blushed a bit, "Well, I suppose it's about time that I saved you for once. Besides," she smiled at him widely, "I was starting to get tired of being the damsel in distress."
Link laughed, "I don't blame you! Besides, I was getting tired of having to climb mountains, navigate forests, and --"
"Okay, I understand!" interrupted Zelda.
Just then, Young Link entered the room. "Hello! Finally awake, huh?"
Link raised an eyebrow, "When is it that you get to leave the room?" Young Link replied, "This morning, along with everyone else." Link blinked, "Oh. So I can go as well?" "Well, no. I think Dr. Mario still wants you to stay here another night."
"What? Why?" "You still haven't gotten out of bed!" perked up Zelda. Link faced her, "I can! In fact..."
Link went to swing his legs to the side of the bed, but Zelda pushed him back, "Oh no you don't!" "Hey! Come on, Zelda! You're not my mother!"
Zelda raised an eyebrow, and was about to retort, when Dr. Mario entered the room, "Hey! Good-a morning! Glad your-a finally up!" He hurried off to the side of the room, then returned with a bottle of red liquid.
Link moaned, "Oh no..."
"Here-a you go!"
Link took the bottle, glared at it, then sighed and quickly gulped it down. He coughed a bit, "Blech! Can't you put sugar in this or something?"
Dr. Mario shook his head, "Nope. The worst-a it tastes, the better-a it works! Well, I have-a to go. I'll be-a right back." Dr. Mario left the room, and Link mumbled as Young Link fingered something on his belt, "So, do you know where Majora has gone?"
Link looked up, then shrugged, "No idea."
"Oh. Well, I found something when he disappeared, but I'm not sure if it's safe to open." Young Link handed Link a small, brown sack, who observed it with a frown. "This actually looks familiar."
With this in mind, Link opened the bag, then peered inside and discovered that it was exactly what he thought it had been. "It's the masks that I gathered in Termina." He pulled out the top one, which was the bunny hood.
Zelda looked at it wearily, "Is it safe?"
Link shrugged, "I'm not sure. Though, the curse should be off of them now that Majora has been defeated."
"Let me test it." said Young Link.
"But..." started Zelda.
"Dont worry, the worst that it'll do is make me slow."
With this, Young Link swiftly grabbed the bunny hood, and placed it on his head. He started to walk around the room, then took off at an impossibly fast sprint, shouting, "This is awesome!"
Link smiled, "Great! They're back to normal!"
"Does this mean that Majora is actually gone?" asked Zelda hopefully.
"Possibly." Link looked back into the bag, and pulled out a second mask. Zelda looked at it curiously, "Isn't that the mask that Samus was wearing?" Link nodded, "Yeah. Though, the wearer should be able to stop dancing when they want to now."
Link pulled out another mask, one known as the "Bremen Mask." "Isn't that the mask that caused the chickens to chase Fox?" asked Zelda. Link nodded, "Now, it should let the wearer lead them."
Zelda raised an eyebrow, "Lead chickens? Why would anyone want to do that?"
"Well,"
Young Link zipped into the room, "This is so cool! What else is there?" He spotted the Bremen Mask, then picked it up. "Hmmm..." He then ran quickly back out of the room as Link shouted, "Hey!"
Zelda laughed, "All well. What harm can he do leading chickens?" Link simply stared back, then said, "I'm sure he'll find something."
Link returned his attention to the sack, then pulled out a mask in the shape of the face of a wooden creature with glowing orange eyes. He frowned at it, thinking to himself, 'Will this work? Is it safe? Will I be able to return back to normal?"
Zelda looked at Link with concern, "Is there something wrong with that one Link?" He snapped back to reality, then turned to Zelda, "Sorry. This is the Deku Mask, and it can transform the wearer into a deku scrub."
Zelda's eyes widened, "Really?" She looked at Link a bit hesitantly, "Could I try it?" Link looked over at her, "Well, I don't know if it will work properly... I would rather you didn't. Trust me, you don't want to get stuck being a deku scrub."
Zelda frowned a bit, "I suppose so." She looked out the window, where she saw a blur of green with bunny ears. "I wonder what Young Link is up to."
Around the SSBM Mansion
As Young Link sped down the hallway, around one corner after another, and sliding down the handrail of the stairway, he received funny looks from the Smashers. After rounding yet another corner, he ran into Fox and Falco. Literally.
"Omph!" "What the hell?" As all three of them got to their feet, Young Link apologized, "Sorry, I guess I got a bit carried away."
Falco began to glare at him, but then smirked as he spotted the bunny hood. "Nice bunny ears. So where's the rest of the costume?" Young Link rolled his eyes, as Fox asked, "Wait... Isn't that one of the masks from earlier?"
Falco blinked, and observed the bunny hood again, this time exclaiming, "Damn it! Where did you get those? Hurry, take them off!"
Young Link smiled, "Don't worry, the masks are fine now! The curse is off!"
"Wait, you have all of the masks?" asked Fox in surprise.
Young Link nodded, "I think so." As Fox and Falco stood staring, Young Link started to become impatient, "Well, I'll see you later. Bye!"
He took off down the hallway, then went through the huge oak doors that led outside. Fox and Falco looked at each other, then followed.
Ness and the Ice Climbers were talking over by the water fountain, and Young Link came up to them, "Hello! Are you guys feeling better now?"
Ness was going to reply, but when he spotted the bunny hood, he pointed and laughed, "What are those? Did your Mom send them and place some glue on the inside or something?"
Young Link frowned, "No, it's --"
On a roll, Ness shouted, "Why don't you hop like a bunny for us!"
Young Link rolled his eyes, "Okay, ha ha, but --"
Ness laughed even harder, "Come on! Little bunny foo foo, hopping through the forest,"
Young Link narrowed his eyes, then quickly snatched Ness' cap and took off. Ness stopped laughing immediately, shouting, "Hey! Give that back!"
When he saw how fast Young Link was running, though, he gaped over at the Ice Climbers, who gaped back at him.
"Good luck catching him."
"Oh, come on! I just need you guys to help me trap him!"
"Well..."
"Please?"
The Ice Climbers sighed, "Okay, so how are we going to do this?" "It'll be too hard to corner him, and even if we managed it, he would probably just slip by us." explained Ness. "So an actual trap?" asked Popo. Ness nodded, "Here's my idea..."
Medical Wing
Link frowned at the checkerboard, "I don't like this game."
Zelda smiled at him, "You're just saying that because you're losing."
Link frowned, "No, I don't like it because it's a stupid and boring game."
Zelda rolled her eyes, "Well, what should we do then?" Link shrugged, "I don't know..."
He looked over at the Deku Mask that sat on the side table, and Zelda followed his gaze, saying, "You really want to know if it works, don't you?"
"Well, sort of..."
"It should be okay. If the other masks are working fine, why shouldn't this one?" asked Zelda. Link looked over at her in thought, "You want to know as badly as I do, don't you?" Zelda blushed a bit, "Well, yes... If it works, then there is an even better chance that Majora is actually gone."
They both stared at each other, then Zelda finally picked up the mask. She looked over at Link, who was watching her carefully. "Okay, but keep in mind that it is painful to transform. When you want to return to normal, just pull back behind the sides of your face." explained Link.
Zelda nodded, then closed her eyes as she lifted the mask to her face. She felt the cold surface touch her skin, and she braced herself. She held the mask up for a bit, but nothing happened.
She brought it down from her face and frowned at it, "Then, does this mean...?"
Link started, "It may have nothing to do with Majora, Zelda." However, the princess looked unconvinced, and Link continued, "Maybe you weren't doing it correctly. Here, let me try."
Zelda handed it to Link, though she didn't believe that anything would happen. Link peered at the mask for a little while, a bit apprehensive, then lifted it quickly to his face. He felt the cold surface of the mask touch his skin, then grab it.
Suddenly, pain coursed through his body and he yelled out loud, frightening Zelda. "Link!" There was a flash of light, and Zelda couldn't believe her eyes. Sitting in the bed where Link had been was a tiny deku scrub with blonde hair and a green outfit. He blinked a couple of times, then looked at his hands.
He made strange, hollow squeaky noises, then turned to Zelda and spoke with his new strange voice, "I wonder why it only worked on me..." Zelda only stared back, and Link asked, "Um, Zelda?" She shook her head, then said, "Um, wow. That's..."
Dr. Mario entered the room looking at his clipboard, "Okey-dokey, now-a --" he spotted Link, and his eyes widened, "Mama mia!" As Link saw Dr. Mario rush over to a side of the room and grab a broom, he hurriedly pulled off the mask, appearing once again as a hylian.
When Dr. Mario turned around and saw Link there, he paused, and gaped, then looked around the room for the deku scrub. "What-a is going on-a?"
Before Link could say anything, Zelda spoke up, "Nothing! What are you talking about?"
Dr. Mario blinked, "But-a, I mean-a, didn't you-a...?"
Link and Zelda only looked back at him, and he sighed, "Nevermind..." He put the broom down, then brought over another bottle, "Well, here you-a go!"
Link glared at the medicine, then took it from Dr. Mario and quickly gulped it down. He coughed a bit, "Yuck! I'll never get used to this!"
Dr. Mario glanced around the room one final time before shaking his head and declaring, "I'm-a going to go-a lie down."
Link looked over at Zelda, "Why did you want to lie to him? He probably thinks he's going crazy now."
Zelda shrugged, "It was instinct."
She looked down at the side table, then picked up a deck of cards, "Want to play?" Link nodded, "Sure." As Zelda dealt out the cards, Link yawned.
He picked up his hand, but started having a hard time focusing his eyes. He shook his head to get rid of the sleepiness, but ended up yawning again, not really looking at his cards.
"Link? Do you need some rest?"
Link looked up at Zelda and shook his head, "No! I'm fine! Go ahead and take your turn."
Zelda raised an eyebrow, "I just did."
Link blinked, "Oh."
Zelda rolled her eyes, "Come on, you should sleep. Don't be so stubborn."
Link frowned as Zelda put the cards away. "I'm not going to sleep."
Outside the SSBM Mansion
"Okay, are you guys ready?" asked Ness.
The Ice Climbers nodded, then Ness left in search for Young Link. He left the group of trees and went out into the open. Ness passed by the fountain, and continued down a slope. At the bottom, he spotted Young Link, who was running toward a chicken.
Ness ran down after him, then shouted, "Hey! Come here!"
Young Link looked up at Ness, then frowned, "I'm not giving you back your hat."
"Oh really?" asked Ness tauntingly.
Young Link raised an eyebrow, "Yes..."
Ness then hunched over, and sent a ball of electricity toward Young Link. Young Link's eyes widened, and he quickly dodged the attack. He then faced Ness with narrowed eyes as the kid laughed, "Ha! You should have seen the look on your face!"
Young Link frowned at Ness, but then glanced at the chicken, and smiled. He took off the bunny hood, then put on the Bremen Mask.
From a little ways away, Fox gasped in alarm, "What is he...?" Falco elbowed him, "Shush!"
Ness looked utterly confused, and simply stared. Young Link brought his ocarina up to his lips, then began to march to the beat. The chicken seemed to perk up when Young Link neared him, and began to follow him. Chickens started to appear from across the field, and Young Link marched around, gathering them behind him in a straight line.
Ness finally found his voice, "Okay, so you can lead chickens. I'm not supposed be afraid of them, am I?"
With this insult, Young Link faced Ness, then stopped playing. All of the chickens looked at Ness, then as one giant flock flew after him. Ness' eyes widened, then he quickly turned around and ran, "Oh, crap!"
Young Link cracked up, practically rolling on the ground as Fox and Falco gaped at him. "How the hell did he do that?" asked Fox. Ness and the chickens disappeared from sight, though they could still be heard, and Young Link put on the bunny hood before running after them.
"Wow, Ness can run fast when he's motivated." When Young Link caught up, he saw Ness suddenly zip up out of sight. As Ness dangled from inside a net, the chickens hopped up and down trying to reach him.
"Aaaahhh! Call off the stupid things already!"
Young Link laughed lightly, then placed the Bremen Mask on his face once again. When he started to march, the chickens lined up behind him immediately, and when he stopped, they were once again calmly walking around the grass.
The Ice Climbers snickered a bit as Ness yelled, "Get me down from here!"
Ness was lowered to the ground, and his face was as red as a cherry. He faced Young Link, "How did you do that?"
Young Link smiled, "I can show again if you like."
Ness' eyes widened, "No!"
Young Link continued to smile at him, and Ness sighed, "Look, I just want my hat back..." Young Link raised an eyebrow, "What do I get in return?"
"Um, an apology?" said Ness.
Young Link looked thoughtful, "That would be nice, but how about some candy as well?" Ness frowned, but agreed, "Okay, fine. But no more chicken attacks then, okay?"
"For today."
Ness raised an eyebrow, "And tomorrow."
Young Link shrugged, "Fine."
Ness nodded, "Okay, let's shake on it." Young Link and Ness shook hands, then Ness said, "Stay here, and I'll go get some candy."
Ness ran off, then the Ice Climbers faced Young Link, "So... How did you do that anyways?" Young Link smiled, "It's a secret."
Medical Wing
Link blearily opened his eyes, and turned to the left to see Zelda reading a book. She looked up when he moved, then smiled at him. "Hello again."
Link frowned, "What...? When did I fall asleep?"
Zelda casually replied, "A couple of hours ago." She grinned at him, "I knew you were tired."
Link rolled his eyes as he sat up in bed. "Have you been here the whole time?"
Zelda nodded, "Dr. Mario brought some food up not too long ago. He said that you should eat."
Link frowned, "I'm not hungry."
Zelda narrowed her eyes at him, "Don't make me force it down your throat..."
Link raised an eyebrow, "You have got to be kidding me. Besides, I'm not hungry because I've just been in this stupid bed all day."
"No, it's because your body is just too tired to realize that it needs food." retorted Zelda.
Just then, Young Link entered the room with a small, white stick coming out of his mouth, and mumbled a "Hello." Zelda looked at the white stick, "What is that you're eating?"
Young Link took the candy out of his mouth, and said, "A lollipop. It's really good." "Where did you get it?" "From Ness, along with some other stuff."
Zelda looked suspicious, "He just gave it to you for no apparent reason?"
"Well, it was an exchange for his hat." "His hat?" asked Link. Young Link nodded, "Ness made fun of the bunny hood, so I stole his hat."
"And so then he offered you candy?" asked Zelda.
"Well, yeah, after I attacked him with the chickens." Zelda gaped, and Link smiled over at her, "And you said that no harm could come from leading chickens."
Young Link's eyes widened, "Are you joking? Those birds can get nasty! When you make them mad..." He shivered, and Zelda shook her head in amusement, "I'm not even going to ask..."
Zelda turned back toward Link, "Will you eat now?" Link frowned, "No..." Zelda groaned, "Why are you so stubborn when you're ill?"
"Because it sucks to be stuck in bed." answered Young Link.
Zelda looked over at him, but then looked thoughtful, "Okay, how about this: If you can stand without any support, then you don't have to eat."
Link smiled, "Deal! I've been dying to get up all day! See, I'll show you, I'm fine."
Link threw the blankets off of himself, the shifted to the side of the bed. He planted his feet on the floor, and Zelda came over by his side as he stood up. Immediately, Link became dizzy as the room whirled about. He swayed as his legs shook, waving his arm around for something to grasp.
He collapsed in the next second, Zelda catching him awkwardly. She slid him back onto the bed, and he lied across it, panting. After a little while, Link scowled, "This is ridiculous! Why am I the only one still stuck in bed?"
Zelda said quietly, "Because you were the most badly injured."
"But to this extent?" Link groaned as he turned in the bed, sitting the right way around. Everyone remained silent for a bit, until Zelda spoke up, "So... Would you like some soup?"
Link sighed, "And you call me stubborn."
Zelda smiled, then when to retrieve the food as Link looked over at Young Link, "Never date."
Young Link smiled, "Zelda's as bad as Saria is."
Link nodded, "True. But it's easier to deal with one than two."
Young Link nodded, then held out some candy, "Here, try some." Link sighed, "Might as well." He took the wrapper of off the lollipop, then licked it. "Hmmm, not bad..."
Late at Night
Ganondorf gave off a great snort as he woke up. He stretched his stiff body, then looked out of the window to see that it was night. He sat up, mumbling, "Dark Link better have finished the job by now..."
He got to his feet, then walked out of the room and toward the stairs, thinking out his plan, 'At least I'm feeling a lot better now, though a bit sore. I just hope that Link hasn't recovered already... If Dark Link has retrieved the necklace of the golden thief, then I can go ahead and finally have…'
He smiled momentarily, then thought back to the present, 'Stealing that luphira stone from Master Hand was easy, now that he's preoccupied with the result of the last battle.'
Ganondorf entered the bathroom, and set up his usual circle. The spell was stronger this time, "Yes, Master?"
"Do have the necklace?"
"Yes, Master." answered Dark Link.
Ganondorf smiled widely, "Excellent. Now, set up your side of the spell while I do mine over here."
Dark Link nodded, and they both went to work with more powder and chanting. The item was sent through the spell, and in only a little bit of time Ganondorf had the necklace sitting in his hands.
"Good work, Dark Link."
The spell was then cut off, and Ganondorf admired the dark black necklace, which had many, large black spikes pointing toward the center. On the outside of the necklace, there was a small, triangular and golden stone that glittered with the moonlight.
Ganondorf got up to his feet, then left the bathroom, laughing lightly, "Now, I have some work to do..."
A/N: And still more unanswered questions… A lot of things should come together in the next chapter. Anyways, once again, thanks for the reviews! Please keep it up, I love to hear your input!