Author's note: The next chapter in The Legend of Konoka! It's time I move away from the seriousness of the story (ha, what seriousness?) and fool around a bit. The characters belong to their rightful owners.
Edit: I am editing. Yes.
Get Happy!
When Setsuna came to she found herself tied up in what looked to be a storage room. Her neck hurt like crazy, Ugh, man. I can't believe I let myself get captured so easily... Now it's time to find a way outta here... Setsuna moved her back against the wall until the hilt of her sword was ready to slide out. She hunched forward so that her face was on the ground. Once her sword slid out she managed to pick it up with her teeth. Quickly, she worked her way out of the rope.
Once free, she grabbed her sword and looked around for a place to leave, Wait, I'm forgetting something...Where's Negi-sensei?
"So you think you can leave that easily?" a creepy voice suddenly said.
Setsuna couldn't pinpoint the exact location of the voice. It seemed to be coming everywhere, "Who are you? Show yourself!"
Suddenly, the figure of a short man appeared materialized in front of her. The man rubbed his hands together and wore a creepy smile. He stared at her though silted fox-like eyes, "Hello!" he said cheerfully.
Setsuna was momentarily caught off guard by his sudden mood change, but stood her ground, "Why did you kidnap me?"
The man "tsked" her, "Youth these days...always wanting to get to the point...I am the owner of this proud store. I am called the Happy Mask Salesman, but my friends, and my mother, call me Happy."
"Um, hi. I'm Setsuna. Tell me why you brought me to your store."
"Well, you see. I'm on a mission to spread happiness to the world through my masks! If everyone is happy, then I am happy, too!" He gave her a wide smile, "But alas, I cannot go out and spread happiness...I have a store to run...mouths to feed... That's where you come in."
"What? Why me?"
Happy shrugged, "Why not? You seemed like someone who would agree to help me."
"And what if I disagree?" Setsuna asked.
"I was hoping you would say that." Happy walked over to a curtain and pulled the rope. There was Negi in a cage suspended above a pit full of moblins.
"SETSUNA-SAAAN! HELP ME!"
"Negi-sensei!" Setsuna tried to run to him, but Happy blocked her way.
"Now do you see what's at stake? Do as I say and your friend will be fine."
Setsuna gritted her teeth, "Fine...what is it that you want me to do?"
Happy shoved a sheet of paper in her hands, "I want you to go to deliver these masks to customers who have ordered them!" He handed her a sack full of masks, "That sheet has the names and addresses of all of the people who ordered a mask."
Setsuna skimmed the sheet, "'The Skull Kid in the forest by the stump, the kid in the graveyard-HOW THE HECK WILL I KNOW WHERE THESE ARE?"
"I believe you will find them all. Just have faith..." Happy clapped his hands and suddenly Setsuna was outside in Hyrule Field.
"Sigh...oh well...I might as well do this..." Setsuna checked the first name on the list, "The guard posted by Death Mountain Trail...UGH! How am I gonna find these people?"
Setsuna remembered that Kakariko Village had a trail that led up to Death Mountain so she figured that this was the trail she needed to find. It was a short walk to the village and Setsuna looked around for the trail. When she found it, thanks to the help of a kind carpenter, she found a guard right by a gate.
"Excuse me, but did you by any chance order a…," Setsuna glanced at her sheet, "Keaton mask?"
"Oh yes, not for me though, for my boy. He has been begging and pleading for that popular mask, but I never had the chance to go out and buy it. Thank you, young man."
Setsuna found the urge to smack him into next Tuesday and dug into her bag, "Is this the one?"
"Yes, thank you." The guard put the mask on his face and dug into his pocket, "Here's twenty rupees. Buy yourself something nice."
Setsuna said thank you and was on her way to the next person on the list, "Okay...who's next...ah the Skull Kid in the forest by the stump. At least I may have an idea where that could be."
It took Setsuna half a day to trek back to the Kokiri Forest. By the time she got there, she was beat. The Kokiri by the entrance jumped a foot and exclaimed, "Link! You're still alive? You didn't leave the forest after all, did you? Anyway, Saria's looking for you."
"Saria?"
The Kokiri rolled his eyes, "You know, your best friend! This tall, green hair..."
Oh, her...what does she want? "Where is she?"
"She said she would be in the usual spot," Setsuna's face was blank, "In the woods... Geez, Link. Did you eat Deku Nuts again?"
Setsuna decided not to answer and somehow found her way into the forest. The locals called it the Lost Woods because you can easily get lost. A girl told her that those without fairies turn into Stalfose. Setsuna figured that she had no choice and went on in. She now regrets this decision because by the time she entered the Lost Woods the sun was setting. Setsuna stumbled blindly though the forest. "Geez it's dark out here!" she mumbled.
Suddenly, a soft tune could be heard off into the distance. The closer Setsuna got to the sound, the louder it got. I'm saved! I'm saved! Soon she found herself in a meadow, the sound that now sounded like music, seemed to get closer and closer. Finally, she found herself at the end of the meadow. Setsuna squinted her eyes in the darkness, "Hello? Is anyone there?" she called out.
Then the music stopped. Moving closer she discovered Saria sitting on a stump, "Oh, Link! It took you long enough, silly!" Saria scooted over and patted the space next to her, "Come here and sit with me."
Setsuna stumbled over a root and fell into her seat. Saria giggled. She almost sounds like Ojou-sama... Setsuna realized that she missed Konoka and Mahora Academy. She even missed the annoying Negi who was dangling for his life right at that moment.
"Link, play a song with me!" Saria said cheerfully.
"Um, okay..." Setsuna took her ocarina out of her pocket and held it to her lips.
"Okay, repeat after me," Saria played a cheerful sounding song with her ocarina. The song made Setsuna feel happy and uplifted. Setsuna joined in and the meadow was filled with song.
"That was fun," Setsuna said, "I don't feel all tense anymore."
"I'm glad! That was a song I created. It's called Saria's Song. Play this song and we can talk any time."
"Really? Thanks, that's cool!" Setsuna said, looking at her instrument with wonder, "I really need to get going, there's stuff I need to do." Setsuna got up to leave, but turned around to face Saria, "I hope I see you around."
Saria smiled. "I'd like that."
Setsuna sprinted back into the woods. She needed to make up for lost time. Who knows what that Happy freak was doing to Negi. Finally, Setsuna found a boy dancing on top of a log. She checked her list and concluded that this was the next person on the list, "Hey! Excuse me! Are you the one who ordered a mask?"
The kid did a back flip then materialized in front of her. "Yep! That's me! You got my mask?"
"Yeah, hold on," Setsuna dug into the back and pulled out a mask.
The Skull Kid snatched it out of her hand, "Yes! Now my friends will think I'm tougher! Here, keep the change."
The Skull Kid gave her ten rupees for the twenty rupee mask. "Hey! You owe me more money!" But Setsuna was yelling at thin air because the Skull Kid vanished. Stupid hooligan, ripping me off... I hope I don't see him again...
Next on the list was a little boy at a graveyard. Setsuna thought that either this kid was dead or severely depressed. By noon the next day she found a cute little boy that was very well alive and seemed to be mentally sane.
"Hey little boy," Setsuna said as she approached the boy, "Did you order a mask?"
"OMIGODDESSES! STRANGER DANGER!" The kid screeched. He sprinted off and hid behind a gravestone. "Get away from me!"
"What? Oh..." Setsuna realized her mistake. "I'm not a stranger, I'm a friend-ow!" The kid had thrown a rock at her and prepared to throw another. "Listen you! I-ow! I'm here to deliver your-ow! mask-ow! Stop that!"
The boy finally came out of his hiding place, "Oh, why didn't you say so?" The boy ran up to Setsuna.
Setsuna rubbed the spot on her forehead where the boy had got her good, "Here, take your mask and go..."
The boy squealed with delight, "Yeah! I'm gonna dig just like Dampe!"
Ugh, I'm so glad that's over... Only one more mask. Setsuna thought that the last mask would be the easiest to deliver, but once again she under estimated the size of Hyrule Field. "Ugh! This is the worst! How am I ever gonna find one guy in this field?" Suddenly, Setsuna saw a figure on the horizon. It was a man jogging. Is this the guy? "Hey sir! Sir!" She ran up to the jogging man, "I have your mask!" But the man ignored her, "Hey, excuse me? Sir? Sir!" But the man jogged on.
The man continued to run until the moon came up. Finally, he sat down, "You know, this field used to be filled with wild rabbits, but not anymore due to over hunting. I just wish I could run like that..."
Setsuna sat next to the man, "You know, I have a mask here that I believe you ordered..."
"My mask? It's here? Oh thank you! Thank you!" The man gave Setsuna a crazy amount of rupees.
"No, thank you sir," Setsuna said, grinning. She finally sold all of the masks and had an awesome amount of cash that she didn't have to share. Now she can save Negi and get on with her life. Things are finally starting to look up!
But unfortunately for poor Setsuna, she wasn't aware that the monsters of the night like to pop out of the ground. As she turned to leave, six stalchildern surrounded both her and the running man. Setsuna quickly drew out her weapon, "Damn! It's always when I have hope!" She jumped at the stalchild in front of her and slashed at it, making a gap in the circle, "Run!" She told the running man, but he stayed put, "What the hell are you doing? Your life is at sake! RUN!" But he still wouldn't move. Great, now I have to protect this fool.
She blocked a claw with her shield and stabbed the stalchild in the chest. Another stalchild lunged for her back, but she sensed it coming so she crouched at the last moment, the stalchild flying in front of her. She took this chance to slash it while it was still airborne. Setsuna heard a cry to her left. The stalchildern decided to go after the running man. Quickly she drew her slingshot and shot at the one closest to the man. The nut took off its head. Setsuna charged after it to finish the job.
The melee continued until the first rays of dawn shone on the horizon. Setsuna was sweating profusely. Every muscle in her body was sore and demanded rest, "Thanks for protecting me," the man said, "Well, it's time I get going! Good bye!" He waved and sped off, leaving a trail of dust behind him.
Once Setsuna caught her breath she headed to Happy's shop, "Oh? You're back so soon?" Happy sounded surprised when Setsuna came in all sweaty and tired, "It's early in the morning for Pete's sake. Can't a guy enjoy a nice big bowl of Cornflakes?"
"I've sold all of your masks...give me back my friend..."
"Oh! You have?" he pushed his cereal aside, "Very good! Did selling all those masks bring happiness to your heart?"
"Sure, I guess..."
"Well now, there's no reason to have your friend all tied up now is there?" Happy clapped his hands and Negi poofed before them.
"Setsuna-san! You saved me!" Negi flew over to Setsuna and hugged her cheek.
"I'm glad you're safe, Negi-sensei. Let's get out of here."
"Hold it!" Happy extended out his hand, "My money?"
"Oh! Hold on a moment..." Setsuna dug into her pockets, "It's here somewhere...um...crap."
"You mean to tell me that you don't have my money...?"
"Um...it would seem as such..."
Happy's face took on an angry, demonic form, "YOU DON'T HAVE MY MONEY? YOU BITCH! DO YOU KNOW WHAT I DO TO PEOPLE WHO STEAL AND DECIVE?"
"Wait! Wait! I have you money right here!" Setsuna finally found her wallet and handed out his money.
"Oh, that's good!" Happy's face turned back to normal, "As a gift you can have any one of these masks on the shelves."
Setsuna's heart started to work again, Note to self: have Happy's money out and ready at all times.
Negi flew over to the Bunny Hood, "How about this? Get it for Konoka-san!"
Setsuna's eyes glowed at the thought of her Kono-chan, "Yeah, she would love this!"
Negi picked it up and flew over to Setsuna, "Wear it till we get to her."
Setsuna took it from Negi and placed it on her head, "It looks kinda stupid on me..."
"Nonsense! It's fine!" Happy said, "Now that your service is done, GET OUT OF MY STORE! YOU'RE TAKING UP SPACE!"
Setsuna got herself out of there, Negi by her side again, "Setsuna-san, now we're ready to go!"
"Yeah, let's get a more on before something else queer happens..." Setsuna left the Market with Negi again by her side, the real adventure begins here.
END
Ah yes, Negi is back! I hope you liked this one. More to come! Also, always imagine Setsuna with the Bunny Hood from now on until I say so, 'k?
