Chapter 7:

Masks! Masks! Masks! (Say that three times fast)

The Legend of Zelda Series is owned by Nintendo, and Fairy Tail is owned by Funimation.

"Talking"

"Thoughts"

"Demon/deity speech"

Line Break

Link and his companions just stared at the creepy man in front of them. Well, Link stared; the others were doing their best to avoid his gaze, though Tatl was able to at least look in his direction. "So…" Link began, "What brings you here?"

The Happy Mask Salesman, almost instantaneously, looked up to the sky, a hand cupping his chin, "Well, this is one place in which I have not visited, ever. I was quite shocked when I found out, for that meant that I had not spread the joy of masks to these people," another almost instantaneous movement, and he was looking straight at them, arms spread, "And I could not just stand by and let that happen". Link nodded his head slowly in response, "And what about you four?" The Happy Mask Salesman was wringing his hands again, "For what purpose are you wandering these lands?"

Link shrugged, "No reason in particular. Looking for some form of employment before we decide on anything permanent". The Happy Mask Salesman bobbed his head in response.

Tael, still shaking like a leaf, then spoke up, "U-u-uh, L-L-Link," he gulped, "Wh-wha-what ar-are y-y-you d-d-doing?" Link just looked at the fairy on his shoulder with a raised brow, "I m-m-mean, wh-why ar-aren't y-you f-f-f-freaking o-out r-r-r-right n-n-now?"

"Why should I?"

Tatl answered for her brother, "He means…that, by all means, this guy should be, you know, dead, or at least, not here".

Link just hummed in thought, "Well, I would think that, except for the fact that he once conjured up a massive piano from nowhere to teach me a song, and then put it away just as fast". Tatl blinked as she remembered the event, "Not to mention that he disappeared right in front of us as he was leaving". The boys had stopped shaking at this point, as they could accept Link's logic, but they still hid behind him. "Plus, I've seen so many strange things in my long life, and death, that this meeting isn't really that shocking".

Evan, whose fear was ebbing away, turned to the Happy Mask Salesman, "Okay, so…you're here, and I'll roll with that. It's just…are you…angry at us-er, uh, me, still?" Evan seemed to shrink in on himself at the question.

The Happy Mask Salesman had stopped ringing his hands, "Am I…angry?" His eyes opened to reveal angry, bloodshot orbs, his grin instantly became a frown "Am I angry that you knocked me out cold in the forest?! Stealing a mask that I had spent years trying to collect, and used its dark and malicious powers to try and destroy a world?!" The Happy Mask Salesman was looming over the quartet, Link's arms spread protectively over the fairies and Evan. Then the Happy Mask Salesman's eyes snapped shut, and his faced gained its jovial expression once more, "Of course not," Evan and the others were looking on in worry, "In the end, everything worked out for the best, and I got my mask back".

Evan and Tael blinked at the sudden change in mood, but Link, and Tatl to an extent, took it in stride. Link then asked, "Well, would you like to travel with us? Its safer to travel in a group".

The Happy Mask Salesman nodded his head, "That would be fine, thank you".

Link nodded in response, and led the way. After a few minutes of walking, he turned to look at the Happy Mask Salesman, "By the way, what's your name? I don't want to always have to refer to you as 'the Happy mask Salesman'".

The Happy Mask Salesman thought on the subject, as if trying to remember if he had any way to identify himself other than by his occupation. He nodded before grinning to Link, "You can call me Moto".

Link smiled in response, "Well, it's nice to see you again, Moto". Evan and the fairies were still using Link as a shield, but did greet the newly named Moto. They then continued on their way, heading deeper into the forest.

Line Break

The sun had set a few hours ago, and though all of them could go for days without rest (Link especially, if his countless days tirelessly fixing Termina were any indication) they decided to set up camp for the night, if only to avoid aggravating the local wild life.

They were next to the fire, Link sitting up, Evan lying on a log with Tatl and Tael, and Moto propped up by his massive backpack. All were gazing at the serene flames, enjoying the soft crackle of the burning wood. Moto broke the silence, "If it is no trouble, might I see the newest masks you have in your collection?" Link and Evan looked at the man, then at each other, before shrugging and pulling out their three new masks and handing them to Moto. Moto began appraising the Skull Kid mask, "Ah! What a delightful mask, brimming with the mischievousness of childhood, not knowing or caring for right or wrong". He moved on to the Golden Wolf mask, "Ooh, a very serious mask, yes indeed! Its lone, watchful eye seeks out those it can protect and guide". He finally reached the Stalfos mask, "Hmm! This is a very peculiar mask. Its looks very menacing, of that there is no doubt. Yet, it seeks only to teach, and wants nothing more than to be used for good". He reached for another mask, then frowned, "…Now Link, I am sure I asked for all your new masks, did I not?" Evan and the fairies were confused, but Link understood, and reached into his bag. He then pulled out a mask with a striking similarity to his own face, save for the white hair, white eyes, and markings on its face. Moto held the mask, "Oh my!" His grin grew large, "This is a very powerful, and very dark mask. Certainly not to be taken lightly, no, that would be your downfall". He looked to Link, the dim glow of the fire shadowing all but his grin, "Be careful my friend, you were very lucky when you used this mask to save Termina, otherwise even you might have fallen to its might". He handed the masks back to Link, who stared at the Fierce Deity mask for a while, gazing into its almost dead eyes, before putting it, and the others, away.

Link cleared his throat, "Speaking of Termina. How is…that mask?" Evan stiffened at the turn the conversation was taking.

Moto's grin shrank a bit, but he began to rummage through his backpack. He then pulled out a large ornate box, with various markings etched on its sides. He reached into his shirt and pulled out a key, and stuck it into the box's keyhole. It opened to reveal a smaller box with spikes on the top. Moto pressed his hand on it, and as his blood seeped into the smaller box it glowed red, before clicking open. He pulled out a bundle of cloth, and unraveled it, to reveal Majora's mask, in all its unholy glory.

Evan was beginning to shake at the sight of the mask, with Tatl and Tael trying to comfort him. Link broke the silence that permeated the camp, "You…keep it with you?" Moto nodded. "Why?"

Moto frowned, still looking at the mask, "Safety I suppose, pride filling in the gaps. I spent so much time and effort, among other things, to have this mask in my possession, and could not bear to part with it, even after all that occurred because of it. Besides, I…worry…" Link's eyes narrowed, "Though I said the evil in the mask had vanished, I cannot help but feel I was wrong; that to this day it is biding its time, waiting to wreak havoc once more," Moto gave a shuddering sigh, before he put the mask back into its cage. "…Why don't we all get some sleep, hmm?" The others were all too willing to comply, and pushed the conversation away from their minds.

Line Break

As the sun rose the group had cleaned up their camp and continued on their way. Evan had a restless sleep, the memories of Majora haunting his dreams, but he stayed silent, taking comfort in the fact that his friends would keep him safe.

They continued on for a few miles, when they heard someone shouting from behind them. They turned around to see a man in simple brown and white clothing run towards them, "Hello! Can I ask you something?" They stopped to let the man catch up. He slid to a stop, hands on his knees, and looked at Link, panting, "You there, *whew* would you be willing *huff* to lend a hand to my *pant* village? We are in *huff* desperate need of assistance". Link was about to say that he would, but then remembered that he was with company. Tatl and Tael were resting in his hat, but he felt them tap his head twice, indicating they were okay with helping out. Evan just shrugged his shoulders, content to follow Link where he went. Moto just grinned, saying, "Ah well, it would appear that this is where we part. Of course, it need not be forever. Besides, I have places to go, masks to sell, and happiness to spread!" Moto began to walk deeper into the trees, but he looked back, "And always remember-"

"Believe in our strengths" Link finished with a smile.

Moto grin grew in response. He then moved forward, disappearing into the forest. Evan then said, "No matter what happens, that guy will always be creepy".

Link smirked, "Yeah…" He then turned to the man that ran up to them, who had regained his breath. "Lead the way".

A/N: I have always liked the Happy Mask Salesman. There are just so many questions and mysteries surrounding his character. BTW, the name Moto was not chosen at random, just so you know. Some of you may be able to discern why I have chosen to call him that. Be sure to leave a review. Later.