AN:

Well, if you were waiting for a change, here it is. This is a new side chapter of mine, which is completely original and has no part in the game. If you read the last chapter, you should now know that Link is inside the palace and is crashing in a safe spot for the night. It isn't quite morning yet, and everything is quiet and dormant…except for Link's mind.

Chapter 6 – A Brother of Time

Link looked around. He appeared to be standing in an abstract abyss. He quite frankly did not know where he was or what was going on.

"Hey, Tatl."

For some reason, Tatl was gone. But where on earth could she have gone to? This worried Link. But he continued to look around the abyss. It was very interesting.

No, it wasn't just a gigantic, white or black abyss of nothingness. There seemed to be waves of some sort flying around the place. Link could also see that he was standing on a solid platform. He didn't want to jump into the waves. He was afraid, because they could do anything.

"Tatl! Where are you?"

No response.

"Where am I?"

Link saw lights moving about in the distance. Beautiful lights flying around like fireflies, just like in Kokiri Forest.

"Is there anybody out there?"

Link's calls echoed far and reverberated off of the invisible walls, but no one responded.

"Someone answer me! Is anyone out there? Tatl! Skull Kid! Zelda! Anyone!"

"You don't have to yell so loud, Link," said an unknown voice.

"Who are you! Where am I! How did I get here!"

"Relax, Link. Everything is okay. You're dreaming right now. It isn't morning yet. Your dream has become so intense it feels this real to you, and you cannot awaken until the dream is over."

"So this is some sort of prison?"

"Not at all, Link."

"Well, what is the purpose of this?"

"You. You are the purpose of this."

"What? Who are you?"

"Link, you do not know me, but I know you."

"How?"

"I've been watching you, Link. Ever since you set foot in Termina."

"Are you… are you stalking me?"

"No, Link."

"Well, who are you then! Show yourself, damn it!"

"Relax, Link."

There was a silence.

"Link, I am Gabourri."

"Who?"

"I think you know who I am. You've heard my legend before."

"Have I?"

Link had heard of Gabourri before, he just could not recall…until he thought harder and remembered way back when he saw the Happy Mask Salesman.

The terrified mask salesmen knew what was going on, and had to find a way to get rid of the mask so it could no longer torment innocent and lonely souls. One mask salesman, by the name of Gabourri came up with a solution to banish the mask in the gap between dimensions and seal it in a chamber of fire forever, so it could fall into the hands of evil no more. A team of mask cast the mask into the Hyrulean Black Hole, hoping it would never be seen again.

The Hyrulean Black Hole is a bottomless pit which leads to the depths of nowhere. The salesmen thought cursing the mask into this hole would do away with it forever.

But they were wrong.

"You…you were the first man to discover the mask?"

"I was."

"So…what are you now?"

"An eternal spirit. After doing away with the mask, I retired my life as a salesman and began training to be a warrior. After I mastered my skills as a Terminian Warrior, I went up to battle Majora. It wasn't an easy battle, but I defeated him, and Termina was ridded of evil for good…until Majora's mask found a hole in the dimension and eased its way back into the land. On that day, Majora was revived, and he seeks revenge."

"Well, what now?"

"Link, I cannot do anything right now. It is up to you to save the land of Termina. I know you are capable of doing so."

"How do you know me so well?"

"Link, you are the one. You are the Hero of Time."

"You know about Hyrule?"

"Of course. I know that you were responsible for the defeat of Ganondorf."

"Really?"

"Never underestimate my knowledge. I know about your legacy. You were born to a troubled mother in Kakariko Village. When you were very young, your mother passed away and you were taken into custody within the forest by the Great Deku Tree. That was when your fate was chosen, Link."

Link stood on the platform, amazed.

"This is probably new knowledge to you. I know you are somewhat shocked, which is expected. Listen to me... I want to tell you a story."

A congregation of fairies were gathered in Kokiri Forest around the Great Deku tree, not even a day before Link met Navi, his first fairy.

"The bi-monthly convention of the Fairies of Hyrule has commenced!" said the Great Deku Tree.

A fairy named Kiadki fluttered up to the small fairy's podium to address the first issue to be dealt with in Kokiri Forest. She recited the words on the Kokirian governmental document:

ISSUE NUMBER ONE: Expected Turmoil in Hyrule

We have just been informed by the Hyrule Castle Ambassador of the Lost Woods that a new threat has emerged in the country of Hyrule and trouble is expected to brew within the next seven years. The embassy did not release any names, but we were informed by princess Zelda that a Gerudo man living at the castle and working for the king is secretly planning to overthrow the monarchy of Hyrule and establish a new government under his authority.

As of now, the Gerudo man is in search for the three spiritual stones: The Kokiri's Emerald, in possession of the Great Deku Tree; The Goron's Ruby, in possession of Darunia, the leader of the Gorons of Death Mountian; and The Zora's Sapphire, in possession of Princess Ruto of Zora's Domain of Hyrule. We must take drastic measures to ensure that this evil man does not obtain our precious emerald. The Emerald Safety Commission will meet immediately following this conference.

SUBPOINT ON ISSUE NUMBER ONE: The Great Deku Tree's Health

This evil Gerudo man snuck out of Hyrule Castle in the middle of the night roughly two years ago and put a small parasite inside the Deku Tree's mouth while the tree was dormant. The parasite has grown into a monstrous arachnid and is beginning to reproduce. If this parasite is not eliminated soon, the Deku Tree will most likely die.

All of the fairies began to fret and ramble with one another.

"Order, order!" yelled Kiadke.

It is essential that an able warrior, preferably a well-known Hylian warrior exterminate the arachnid as soon as possible. The embassy is already searching for a warrior. If the warrior exterminates the parasite soon enough, the Deku Tree will survive. This curse must be lifted at once.

ISSUE NUMBER TWO: Kokiri Lacking a Fairy

It has been brought to our attention that there is a resident of Kokiri Forest, named Link, who has lived her for approximately eight years, does not have a fairy companion like the other Kokiri children. If this child does not find a fairy companion within ten days, we will have no choice but to put him into foster care in Kakariko Village. Under Kokirian law, all Kokiri children of Hyrule are required to have a fairy companion. As of now, we are not sure if any of the fairies in the forest are without a child companion.

If there is any fairy in this congregation without a child, please speak now!

- There was silence across the crowd of fairies. One fairy, who longed to have a child companion fluttered into the air above the other faries. It was Navi.

"I do not have a child companion, and I would like one," said Navi.

"Good. Good," said Kiadke, "We will assign him to you at once.

SUBPOINT ON ISSUE NUMBER TWO: Potential Warrior

Due to the issues stated previously, we are in desparate need of a person to exterminate the beast inside the Deku Tree. The Kokirian embassy has been searching all throughout Hyrule and has not been able to locate a warrior. If the Kokiri child without a fairy is willing to risk his life for the greater good of the forest, Kokirian law will make amends to let the child perform the heroic deed and be rewarded the treasure of the forest upon completion of the task.

"Navi, are you willing to ask your child if he can be the hero of the Kokiri people and even further, the protector of the three spiritual stones?"

"I am willing to do so," responded Navi, reluctantly.

END OF CURRENT ISSUES

"It is established," exclaimed the Great Deku Tree, "the Hylian authorities shall be notified at once of the recent amends of Kokirian Law. Fate has been chosen on this day. Go, Navi. Awaken the new hero of the forest. Be his companion and strengthen him in all that he does, and by the power of the three goddesses, we hope that this heroic deed shall go on as it is destined to do so!"

"That is where it all started, Link. While you were sleeping in your treehouse in the forest of Hyrule. That is when your destiny was chosen."

Link was shocked, and amazed.

"Link, come down from that platform. I want to show you something."

"What? Are you crazy? I can't even see you!"

"Link, there is something you must see. Please come down."

"I'm having mixed feelings."

"Link, you've got to have faith. In a way, I am your Brother of Time."

"What's that mean?"

"You are the hero of Hyrule. I was the hero of Termina. Link, this is fate."

Link was amazed about what he was hearing.

"Link, step down. I promise you, it will be okay."

Link closed his eyes and walked forward. He took a step off of the platform, and fell down.

He was falling. Falling through the unknown abyss, screaming.

"Do not scream, Link!" said Gabourri.

His voice followed Link, and seemed to be coming from every direction. Suddenly, Link ceased falling and just simple floated.

"We can't go down any further. You'll just have to look. Look down, Link."

Link looked down.

"I don't see anything!"

"Look harder, Link."

Link looked as hard as he could, but he still could not see anything.

"There they are," said Gabourri.

Then Link could see them. They were the four large, lanky giants, all reaching upward as if they were trying to…escape from something. But they couldn't budge from where they were. They were stuck, until someone or something could free them. They were helpless. They needed someone to free them. They were locked up.

"F…fr…free…us…" said one of the voices, "free us."

"You need to free them, Link, and I will help you," said Gabourri.

"But…how?"

"Swamp…Mountains…Ocean…Canyon. They are there, waiting for someone to help them. That someone is you, Link. Save them."

"But…is saving them all that easy?"

After that, Link was back up on the platform and could no longer see the four giants.

"You decide, Link. If you think they are easy and try simply walk through it, they will just get more difficult. If you see this as a challenge, nothing will be able to break through your determination. Nothing."

"Well, how do I release the giant of the South?"

"He is imprisoned within the Woodfall Temple, which is obviously located in the center of Woodfall."

"Okay…where's Woodfall?"

"Behind the waterfall."

Link knew the second he saw the waterfall that it would have some significance.

"There is also a legendary beast inside the temple, which has been revived by Majora after 200 years at rest."

"That's a long time."

"Indeed it is…Here, take a look at him now. Step off of the platform."

Link, now trusting Gabourri, stepped off the platform.

He was falling again. But it was different from his fall when he saw the four giants. He could feel it. He then saw an image of what looked like a boss's lair, since he already knew what a typical one would look like.

It was a dark, round room, with moss and dried algae on the floor and walls. There was a yellow Deku flower in the center of the room. Then, Link could hear a drumbeat.

For some reason, so many elements Link had encountered in Termina thus far seemed to remind him of something back in Hyrule. There were so many similarities, yet so many differences. The drumbeat reminded him of his battle against Bongo Bongo in the Shadow Temple.

This time it was more than just a solitary drumbeat. It was also the sound of a tambourine.

JINGLE JINGLE JINGLE.

Then, a massive warrior-like monster fell from above. He was wearing a mask which seemed to resemble ancient Indian tribes. He had a large, powerful samurai's blade, and a green shield. He hefted the blade and swung it angrily, just waiting to claim his next victim…

Unlike most bosses Link had battled in the past, this one unusually intimidated Link. He did not know why.

The monster let out a sinister, melodic battle cry. He did it again. And again; and he continued to repeat it. It seemed as if he knew Link was watching, and couldn't wait till he showed up so he could slash him to bits.

"Stop it. I don't want to look anymore."

"That is Odolwa, the Masked Jungle Warrior who rules the Woodfall Temple. As soon as you defeat him and take his mask, it will instantly unlock the door to the prison where the giant of the south is."

Link didn't say anything.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't want to do this, Gabourri. I'm exhausted enough from my huge Hyrulean quest. I only came to Termina to get away for a little while."

"I know you may not desire any of this, Link…but if you try to battle fate, you will lose, 100 of the time. That goes for everyone. This is meant to be, Link. You are retracing my steps to save the land of Termina. Only you are capable of this. I would actually think that this would be simple for you, since you've already completed an even more difficult quest."

"Nothing's as easy as it looks…or sounds."

"Link, you'll just have to listen to me. If you go on just as fate has decided, you won't be walking alone. You already have your own companion with you, Tatl. I will also be there with you in spirit. You may not always feel it, but I will be there."

That actually made Link feel better and more relaxed, and once again, he suddenly reappeared back on the platform.

"So, what do I do now, Gabourri?"

"Continue going on the path you are on now. Go release Knabb from his cell. I know for a fact that he will be of some help."

"I will do that."

"After that, the wind will blow you where you are destined to go next. Until next time, Link."

"Wait, Gabourri! Don't leave yet! I haven't even seen the real you!"

Gabourri did not respond.

"Gabourri!"

Silence.

Link knew Gabourri was gone, so he just sat down on the platform.

But…something was wrong. He was just sitting on a platform in the abyss and Gabourri was gone. Wasn't his dream supposed to be over by now?

No…the dream apparently wasn't over yet. He still had more to go. But what was it? Just sitting on the platform?

Then he saw something in the distance. This time it was up, not down. It was moving. They were moving. They were spheres of light. There were…one…two, three, four, five, six of them.

Six. What was so peculiar about that number? It just seemed to stand out. They began to come into a better view, and Link saw that they all had different colors. Green, Red, Blue, Purple, Orange, and Yellow.

Then it clicked! It was the six sages! Had they come to visit Link, in his dream? Then, the spheres swooped down right in front of Link and aligned, but the sages themselves did not appear, he just heard their voices. They seemed to correspond with their own color.

First was Saria's voice. Oh, how wonderful it was to hear her voice again! It was as if Link was back in Kokiri Forest talking to her face to face. Then Darunia spoke, and it went down the line of sages.

Link, keep the liveliness of the forest.

The energy of the mountains.

The purity of the water.

The immortality of the shadows.

The spirituality of the desert.

And the power of the eternal light.

Did they follow Link? Did they know? Or was it all just a message in a dream? After those rather short messages, the sages vanished, after only presenting one line each to Link. The shortness of their appearance didn't matter. The quality of their messages did.

"Termina's fate depends on you, Link. Go, Link, and leave your mark."

This time Link did not recognize the voice, and it wasn't Gabourri's. But before he could ask, all blacked out.

After that, Link awakened at the Deku palace, perfectly remembering the dream.

"Rise and shine," said Tatl.

The sun had risen, but it was cloudy. Not only that, but it had also begun to rain.