Okay, it's been way over a month, but we have a really good excuse this time, as is explained in the next posting which isn't really a chapter, or it won't be until we take it off and post a real chapter. The next posting will be of all the plot holes we found, and they're all doozies. Rather amusing actually.
LectaElf: We certainly did take our time, but hopefully our fill ins were worth it, and we're glad you like the pairing of Aura and Damien, they are rather odd together, adding some humor, and they may or may not be together even at the end of the story, gasp! We'll let you find out in time. And, your theories on Aura will be proved true of false in approximately two more chapters. Thank you for your wonderful reviews, action scenes are hard to write, we're so glad that that one was able to keep your interest, it means we're getting better.
Bluenavydragon: We're glad you think it's cool, and you will certainly see lots more, if you can wait that long… lol. (making fun of how long it takes us to post).
Kuchiku: Thank you for your continued reviews and the wonderful encouragement.
Fanfic-Lover: Referring to what you wrote on chapter 27, we glad Amy had you fooled, you kinda felt what Link felt- 'what? This can't be happening', which hopefully also allowed you to sympathize with him when he pushed her back in. Lol, so glad you are reviewing though, everything and anything makes us feel great.
Crimson-88: If you see any more plot gaps other than the ones in the next posting PLEASE help us out. Your eye has been wonderful and very helpful. We are very glad that you enjoy the story despite that and hope that our future work will continue to be pleasing.
Laura Jella: I'm still waiting for you to run to my house….
Anyway, thank you all for reviewing. All Chapter that do not have a Chapter # at the top are ones that we have not re-posted with this one. It just means we haven't read over them for grammar mistakes etc. again. Okay, here it is, though you may want to read through the plot gaps before this, since it starts with information from the corrected version of one--sorry!
Chapter 30: Revival and Renewal
Skull kid shuddered as he stood before his master within the fortress of the Pirates. Aveil had joined their company, and stood near Jabono with a similar curse laid over her eyes. Devoren, still in Link's form, had done what he could to change his appearance. His clothes were now armor and his hair now as black as his heart. His very presence could petrify you, which was why skull kid did not want to present the terrible news to him, but it appeared that his master already knew.
"Fear, my pet Vereor, has been defeated." Devoren stated with arms crossed. "For now." Skull kid couldn't believe that he knew, but was slightly relieved that he didn't have to bring this disappointing news.
"The idiot Gaft has also failed." Devoren's tone grew darker. "I suppose I should have expected that, but Vereor has never failed me before. We must have underestimated them." Jabono, still being the worried old man, spoke outright.
"What of my daughter? She is still with them, is there no way to separate them now?"
"Silence!" Devoren snapped in frustrated fury. Jabono did as he was told. "I have already begun to separate them. Vereor worked his magic on the one already corrupted by the Dark Sword." He laughed, musing to himself. "The key that locked my cell for one thousand years became inscribed with my magic, it now poisons the one who bears it. That was just a precaution I conjured while trapped, one that turned out to be a necessity, since there doesn't seem to be any reliable subjects around anymore." He finished with clinched teeth.
"However, this time I will not come unprepared. I will slowly weaken their defenses and surround them, then attack with a might they have never known." Devoren was almost speaking to himself now, he walked out through the doors of Aveil's chamber, his new throne room. Now, resting within the belly of the fortress, were great beasts, dragons. Devoren looked back to Jabono.
"While you were failing to get your daughter yourself, I was busy finding these creatures. It appears Sakon the man was more useful than we thought. By stealing their precious stone he incurred the worry of the modern Draconians, dragon riders, who I caught searching for their jewel." He explained to Aveil so she could admire his cleverness.
"We shall put them to good use, master." She bowed. Her loyalty pleased him while it made the small child behind them grow bitter.
"Dragons, where did he find them? I didn't see any dragons when I was out." Skull kid complained quietly to himself, but Devoren was able to hear his childish rants. With a wave of his hand, Devoren sent Skull kid crashing into several barrels within the chamber, Devoren stepped towards him again.
"Draconians can not be found by anyone who is not trained to spot them. Their dragons are intelligent, and can change colors to blend in with their surroundings. Had I not anticipated their search, I would not have found them, but now, thanks to my genius, we can add dragons to our army. Gaft was able to build a fairly nice one for me, and now I will create a real army." He turned back to Aveil, leaving skull kid in a whimpering pile. "You shall receive the honor of taking these beasts back to their island, where there ought to be more. I want you to destroy their homeland, kill everyone in sight, and take all dragons you can catch." Aveil nodded and gave him a salute as she and her pirates formed ranks. The dragons were all still, a black stone was placed within the center of their foreheads, darkening their color.
"And you." Devoren turned back to the Skull kid. "You failed me once, but you will not again. Go and fetch my loyal servant Vereor from the caves above Ikana Canyon."
"Wh-where master?" Skull kid had never been there before. Devoren rolled his eyes, searching the air surrounding him.
"Where is that accursed fairy when I need her…" He mumbled to himself. "Nit!" He called out hesitantly, not wanting to say that ridiculous name, but upon hearing her name, the little black fairy shyly came out from behind some pots on the shelf. Though she had been traveling with them, she had begun to hide herself, not wishing to face anymore abuse.
"Come here Nit, we have use for you…" Devoren said. This did not make the light-hearted fairy feel any better. "I want you to take Skull kid back to the caves. Find some other body for Vereor to take so that he may leave those spelled caverns, and do not return to me without him." Nit silently flew to Skull kid's side. The small scarecrow creature looked up to this little fairy, feeling some reminiscent comfort, and quickly headed out the door to their destination.
The dragons took flight, many pirates rode upon their backs, ready for battle as they headed to the unsuspecting island.
The night was setting on the eve of the Festival of Time and, in the kitchen, Anju and the others waited rather impatiently for the arrival of Link. Amy and Aura sat with Damien at a table while Naomi and Arian sat together on a crate near a boiling pot of red liquid. Anju paced on the kitchen floor.
All sat in silence, glancing from one to the other, wanting to relate their individual adventures, but none wanted to break Anju's anxious quiet. The front door creaked open and Anju stopped her pacing. Link walked in with Tatl and Navi, looking a little more ragged then when he had left. He held up the final root, which appeared as a block of green and white, brown bark covered one side. It seemed the temple itself had been one enormous root to a very small plant.
"Sorry it took so long…" He said with some embarrassment as he looked to each of his companions. "the poison in the swamp brought a few complications… and made a few plants rather irritable." Tatl snorted as Navi chuckled.
"Yeah, he got eaten by a giant flower!" Navi screamed out as the two burst into laughter.
"You should've heard him scream!" Tatl added between her snorting laugh. Link glared at them after handing the root to Anju, who then let Naomi take care of the brew, considering she had proven to be more talented in the kitchen.
Naomi chopped the root up, as if it were some sort of vegetable to be added to a soup, and then added it to the red liquid. The new ingredient sizzled as it adjusted to the heat, leaking out juices that turned the concoction a violet color. It smelled strong, like onions and garlic, but it seemed bearable enough.
Naomi drew some up with a ladle and poured it into a bowl, setting it aside to cool. She stared at it with a sigh and turned back to Damien.
"Are you sure the instructions didn't say anything more?" she asked. "Like if we can or can't add salt, or let him take this with something that has a good taste? I feel terrible about making him take this straight, but I don't want to mess up the magic."
"All it says," Damien started in reply, fidgeting with the paper the old man had given them. "… is to brew it like a stew, something about how the power of the four masks had seeped into these herbs, giving them power. Therefore, the power of the four combined will have the ability to reverse that done by the one, Majora's Mask." He ended.
"Such strange tales." Amy shook her head. Everyone else seemed to agree while Link rolled his eyes and silently sat near Arian. Naomi heaved another sigh.
"Alright." She said. "It seems to be cool now, so tell him to come on in. We won't add anything. I don't want to take any chances, it would be awful to have to feed him this strong stuff on a full stomach." Anju nodded and went to fetch Kafei.
The boy came in hesitantly, for he had donned his adult garments that draped over his small body. He held up his pants with hands that were completely covered by his sleeves.
"Nobody laugh…" He said scornfully when he realized that everyone was staring at him. "Just give me the potion so I can get this over with." He ordered. Naomi handed him the bowl with a friendly smile. Kafei, holding it up with his covered hands after tucking his large pants under his arms, drank eagerly. He had to take a breath, during which he grimaced due to the strong taste, but he went back into drinking, closing his eyes and holding his nose. All watched in anticipation, Anju especially nervous.
There was a short moment when everyone doubted its success, after Kafei had finished his bowl and had set it down on the counter, but suddenly there was a small burp that seemed to set off the reaction.
Kafei began to grow, his arms filling the sleeves and waist filling the leggings. The childish sparkle remained in his eyes, but his face grew stronger, more adult features. He was a man again, and stared in disbelief at his arms and hands, looking up to the overjoyed Anju with a laugh. She returned his laugh and ran to his arms. Everyone grew a small smile and Amy was the first to decide that it would be a good time to leave the room. Damien and Aura followed her, and soon followed the others. Tatl flew close to Link's ear as they exited.
"I remember when you helped them the first time, they looked just like a mother and son… Now they truly look like a happy couple." She whispered. Link's smile grew larger as he drifted into thought.
The girls ran upstairs to get ready for the festival.
Naomi sat in a chair, after donning a beautiful dress and powdering her already pale face, and began working on a mask. Aura was busy pinning up Amy's hair when she noticed Naomi's odd behavior.
"What are you doing?" She asked curiously. Naomi looked up from pinning ribbons to the bottom of her moon's mask.
"Anju told me that everyone made a mask for this festival, and I thought it'd be fun. I told Arian about it too, but I highly doubt he made one."
"That reminds me." Amy laughed. "Link said he used to wear all kinds of masks when he was little, can you imagine him wearing a mask?!"
"So you guys actually talked on your journey?" Aura shook her head.
"Well, on the way the way there. He seemed a lot quieter on the way back… I wonder if he's angry."
"Why would he be angry?" Naomi asked, holding her mask up to her face, making a comical appearance. Amy grinned.
"He seemed rather upset… um…" Amy suddenly realized that she ought to explain the story, or at least give a brief summary. Aura and Naomi listened intently. Amy was then able to finish her previous thought.
"I think he was upset about Sakon's death… I didn't kill him, but he did attack me. I don't know what happened actually, but I know that all I was trying to do was defend myself. Link has been cold ever since." Naomi shrugged.
"Well, I know that Arian and I took care of the General that Link had spoken about. He attacked us and killed Gangor, so I have no regrets." She said with a strange twist of anger and intense sorrow. Aura looked from one sad face to another.
"Well, we took care of something that was already dead." She said, trying to add humor to their conversation. "This poe infested a giant, dead boar that attacked me and Damien, and Damien killed it with this new sword that gives off light… it kinda creeped me out."
"He got a new sword?" Naomi asked conversationally, switching out of her melancholy.
As Aura began explaining, Damien was busy showing the other guys his new sword. He held out Sol Reprisal.
"Apparently this is meant to weaken the evil incarnate, and your sword is meant to seal it." He said to Link. The Hylian nodded and examined the new weapon with much interest. Arian looked up from his project and then busily went back to work. Damien and Link took notice of his peculiar behavior.
"What are you doing?" Damien asked. He arched a brow. Arian looked back up with an innocent expression.
"I'm um…" He held up his work. "Making a mask…" There was an awkward silence. Link and Damien shared a confused glance, looking to the other in hopes that he would know more, but both were befuddled.
"It's Naomi's idea…" Arian said with a shrug and set it down on the bedside table. Damien's brow was still arched in unbelieving reproach. Link, however, nodded his head, rubbing his chin as he delved into his memories.
"Yes, I remember that this festival is known for its masks. It's kind of an obsession they have. I think I'll just buy one if I want to fit in, but good for you Arian, maybe you could sell it before we leave." He suggested. Arian looked up in dismay.
"No! I mean… I think Naomi might want it." The boy quickly responded. Link grinned.
"Naomi's making one too, isn't she?"
"Yes…" Arian sighed, looking down to his chest. Link glanced at Damien with a mischievous look.
"You know what that means, right, making masks for each other?" He asked Arian. The boy looked to both of them.
"Anju told Naomi that… it's, um… a festival thing?" He replied. Link grinned, but remained silent. Damien had no idea what was going on, but he could tell that Link knew something that Arian didn't.
"What?" Arian finally asked. Link didn't respond, instead he changed the subject.
"So, you do realize the festival lasts all night, right?" He asked.
"You are going to have some beastly problems, aren't you?…" Damien added. Arian shook his head, changing his train of thought.
"Oh, um, yeah." He began pulling some clothes out from under the bed. "I can wear these gauntlets and big boots along with a cape and mask. I even have this hat!"
"You know…" Damien said. "The hat isn't necessary."
"I don't care, I like the hat." Arian put it on indignantly. Damien laughed as Arian adjusted the broadly brimmed hat.
"Where did you find this stuff?" He held up the cape.
"Some guy is letting me borrow it."
"Some guy?"
"I'm going to return it all." Arian put on the large boots. "I just need it to keep Aura, and basically everyone in town from finding out that I'm a monster." He finished dressing himself just as the moonlight peered into the window. Damien and Link watched him transform. Arian smiled at them after checking to make sure his claws didn't force themselves through his gauntlets or boots. He put on his mask. "See, perfectly concealed." Damien laughed.
"I can't let you do this…" He shook his head. Arian shrugged.
"I have no choice." The boy answered. "If I want to join you guys, I must dress up." Damien smirked and rolled his eyes.
"Won't the girls be a little suspicious that you are the only one out of us three that dressed out?" The Ikanyan asked. The yellow mask continued to smile blankly while Arian's mannerisms exhibited the fact that he was thinking.
"You guys can dress up too." He answered. Damien laughed harder, grabbing his gut.
"You can't be serious."
Arian crossed his arms and while tapping his foot said, "Do I look serious?" The mask continued to smile. Damien and Link were both very amused.
"Okay," Damien said in between his breathy laugh, much to everyone's surprise. "But mind you, you'll owe me."
"Thank you?" Arian replied through his mask.
The girls were waiting downstairs, all dressed for the celebration. Naomi was particularly excited since Lulu had said she would be there with a special surprise for her.
Amy and Aura wore half masks, made at the last minute, while Naomi merely held her finished mask. She eyed the other girls nervously and looked back to her mask, wondering if Arian was going to be able to make it, since he did have an issue that he didn't want the others to discover, but just before her worries could truly blossom, the boys made their way down the stairs.
"Sorry, ladies." Damien said from behind a mask. "We didn't realize that this was a dressy occasion." He too had gotten a cape and made quite an entrance with it. Aura laughed and crossed her arms. Arian followed behind him and held a flower out to Naomi.
"For you." He said, Naomi blushed and accepted it as she took his hand. She looked at his mask, knowing that the beast was hiding behind it. Link came down last, he had donned the Keaton mask, which caused Amy to choke on her own spit. Aura and Naomi were also rather shocked, but smiled at the tone set for the night.
Kafei and Anju also made an entrance, wearing the masks they had swapped at their wedding.
"Where to first?" Naomi asked Anju, who she assumed would be accustomed to the practices of this festival.
"It is nearly midnight on the eve of the festival, the top of clock tower should be opening soon, and the festival activities will begin. Let's go and wait for the fireworks!"
The group made their way out, joining a throng of townspeople gathered in South Clock Town. A thousand stars lit the night sky just before a birth of fireworks flashed before everyone's eyes. There was a small moon, new to the night sky, for Link had been forced to destroy their original moon a long time ago, but that is another story all together (one that Link actually did not look very fondly on.)
As the Clock Tower opened with the beginning of the festival, Arian and Naomi, who had taken a spot near the outer edge of the crowd, looked about to see many couples sharing a loving moment. Naomi looked up at Arian's smiling mask with a blush, and he could tell what she was thinking by the look in her eyes. Arian heaved a big sigh.
"I do long to kiss you now, if only I could remove this stupid mask." He said, pulling her closer. Naomi looked up at his broad hat with a grin. She grabbed the brim.
"Maybe you can…" She said slyly, pulling the hat down to block them from the view of the crowd. He quickly removed his mask, keeping it in his hand as he wrapped his arm around her. He met the sweet caress of her lips.
Amy and Aura held sweet deku-seeds on a stick, looking back to see a large hat blocking their friends' faces. Aura looked to Amy with a laugh.
"Gee, I wonder who's sharing a moment back there." She said sarcastically. Amy laughed and blushed red when she saw Arian's hand run over Naomi's back. She quickly looked away and broke into hysterical laughter.
The moment continued until a member of the crowd took notice of the hat, instantly recognizing it. It was a tall, lean man who had been clamped around one young woman until he went to seize his belonging. Naomi and Arian felt the pull of the hat, being torn back into the present reality. As their cover was nicked, Arian looked into Naomi's shoulder just as she shoved her own mask on his fanged face.
The angry man took a glance at the two and went very quickly from reddened fury to smiling jovially. He stopped amid his bantering claims and went into a wonderful gasp, turning quickly to the crowd to announce his findings.
"Here is a couple to be wed tomorrow!!!" He proclaimed, turning back to the very surprised Arian and Naomi. The crowd cheered in response and the man proudly brought the two onto the Clock Tower steps while Arian secured the mask. Naomi stole the yellow mask from the boy's grip and covered her embarrassed face while Aura spit Lon Lon milk across the table upon seeing Arian and Naomi standing in front of the town. Their four friends stared with some embarrassment and mouth agape, watching the scene play out before their eyes.
"Is that what swapping masks means?" Damien asked Link, who had been forced to close his eyes due to the uneasiness about the situation. He nodded in reply while Damien mused over it.
"Well, don't they make the cutest little couple." He laughed. "We ought to buy them a wedding present."
"They would kill you." Aura laughed, coming to pull Damien's arm. "Come on, let's go save them from this. Tell the crowd that we have wedding shopping to do or something."
"Alright, so long as Arian knows that I'm the first man." He joked again. They disappeared into the joyful crowd, making their way up to the tower.
Amy still sat at the table she and Aura had shared and looked to Link who was still leaning on a wooden rail surrounding the small patio. It had been built specially for the festival in the back of the market square.
Link was now holding his Keaton's mask, having removed it after the first few comments. Navi and Tatl danced above his head, and enjoyed the other lights within the festival. It was then that Link decided to leave the crowded area, to view it from a more secluded spot, on top of the Stock Pot Inn. Amy, not wanting to be left alone, hesitantly followed with high hopes that his strange coldness had left him.
Though it had, momentarily, there was still something about him that felt strange, even to Link. He had been rather upset that a man had been killed under his watch. Never had that happened before, and now he wasn't sure what to think of Amy. Link had destroyed Ganon, but Ganon was no longer a man when that happened, he had become a beast, but Sakon was left as a pathetic, little man, one whom Amy had destroyed with some strange, destructive power.
Link reasoned with himself as he silently made his way to the top of Stock Pot Inn. He wondered why he held a fear of Amy, when Arian also had a mysterious power, or curse depending upon how you looked at it. Link obviously didn't fear Arian, but Amy's destructive power seemed to disturb Link far more than Arian's wolf-like characteristics and capabilities. Still, it was more than this minor disturbed emotion. He had begun to feel a tumult of anger swell up inside him, a feeling he had only grasped momentarily when he struggled with his old enemy, Ganondorf. However, now it seemed to well up when Amy was near, which also disturbed him. He didn't understand why, but he also didn't want to go against his instincts, considering how they had saved his life on many occasions, but there was something wrong with the placement of this emotion.
He reached the top, finally. It had been a long climb, since it seemed Anju had built several more floors since his visit seven years ago. However, it had been worth it. Link found himself on a covered balcony, overlooking the town's beautiful festival. He had a clear view of the fireworks and the amazingly colorful festivities below, lit with glowing firelight.
Link was able to leave his disturbing thoughts momentarily to enjoy the scenery, until another member joined him and the fairies. Tatl, unaware of the complex between the two, quickly flew to Amy in a friendly greeting, telling her how beautiful it looked from the top and bringing her to Link's attention. He turned, seeing her and feeling his stomach drop and the confusing anger began to well up. He fought it, for his senses told him that she had done nothing deserving of such thoughts, but it seemed to be out of his control. Link silently turned to look back at the fireworks.
Amy noticed his strange behavior and silently approached his side. She felt as though she were approaching an untrained dragon. Training for such creatures begins at a very young age, before they comprehend speech. They are beasts that won't hesitate to attack when threatened, so any sudden movement could very well be your last, but once you gained the beast's trust by allowing it to come to you, it could become a friend for life. It seemed that way with Link. Her heart pounded with anxiety as if she were approaching a great and dangerous creature, but she also felt the allure to try and win him over, gain this valuable friend. Amy looked at Link, half expecting smoke to curl from his nostrils just as did the young dragons, but the only smoke was from the fireworks and Link's piercing blue eyes continued to stare into the distance.
A stiff silence remained between them, one that not even the fairies felt comfortable breaking. Amy bit her lip and tried to breathe regularly, making a quick glance over to Link who had turned his head away from her.
"A-are you still… angry?" She asked in a quiet voice. Link shuddered at the sound, but let out an answer.
"No." He continued to look away from her.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing… I'm just thinking about what I'll need to do next… to take care of Hyrule's new enemy." Link replied easily. He still had the cold tone, one that he couldn't seem to get rid of. Amy nodded, a relieved smile grew on her face, for now they had a topic to talk about.
"Ah yes, I think we should review what the old man said. He had some pretty important information concerning that guy, and we need to converse with Damien and figure out all the steps we need to take in order to get this evil…"
"Amy." Link suddenly became so frustrated by her babble. Her use of the word 'we' brought out an anger he didn't know he had. His mind shut off and something else took over.
"What is it?" Amy asked after the silence. Link suddenly turned to look at her. His brow creased and his anger came through in his eyes.
"We?" He asked. "What 'we?' You found your stone, so now you can leave." He asked coldly. His questions were more statements than answerable queries. Amy's mouth dropped, she was speechless. "I don't need your help. I've saved Hyrule once without your help, and I did it without killing any bystanders."
"He wasn't a bystander!" Amy finally choked out. Tears that she couldn't explain welled up in her eyes.
"You're right, he was just a pathetic man, obviously overshadowed by something. I've saved someone from that too, without killing them, you can't control yourself and who knows who it'll be next. Just go home."
Amy felt smaller than she had ever felt before. She looked to her feet, allowing a moment for her to think things through. Tatl and Navi huddled near each other, away from the feuding two.
"You're right…" Amy said finally. Link's stern face showed no sign of change or surprise. He merely stared at her, or through her. "I'll leave…" She walked to the door, heading back to their room. Link watched her leave. Navi and Tatl both whimpered quietly, their wings drooped in sorrow. Navi flew closer to Link.
"What's wrong Link?" She asked. Link breathed out, his anger was slowly fleeing him.
"Nothing…" He looked back to the festival.
"Nothing?" Tatl came in, daringly hovering near his head. "You were more cross to her than you ever were with me, and I deserved it!"
Link didn't say anything. He looked down, and put his Keaton mask back on.
A/n: Thank you all for your patience. The next posting is a listing of all the plot holes we changed and the chapters they are in (we also corrected some grammar, but there are probably plenty more of those mistakes, I catch another one every time I read through this story.) Anyway, please review so that we know you are still with us.
And yes, this was a very sad chapter, but Link's issues will be explained and resolved very soon.