Time Stop: Chapter five already! Whoo!

Shadow: Only five hundred more to go.

Wang: Whaaaaaaa?

Static: We don't own Legend of Zelda

Chapter 5: End of the World

The Bomber leader arrived just as the sun was setting on their first day in Termina. Link got up from the slide where he was dangling his feet. Nadai sat up on the ground next to him.

"You're late." She said.

"It was hard to convince the guys and get away from me parents." The Bomber smiled. "But I did it."

"Just to be clear," Link said, "No buildings or anything like that."

"They can be in, under, on top of, or around." The boy answered, ticking them off on his fingers. "But not inside buildings."

Nadai nodded. "And there are ten of them."

The boy nodded again. "They all are wearing a red bandana on their arm, like mine." He pointed to the bandana on his arm tied tight to his bicep. "All ye have to do is catch him and tag him."

"And if we find all ten, then we can join the Bombers?"

"And only if ye find all of them." The boy said. "But no one we ever challenged to do this could win."

"We're not like anyone else." Link stretched, his wooden body creaking.

"Well, I'll be here, I guess."

Nadai shot him a look. "You don't have to go home?"

"Me parents are used to us being out all night." The boy shrugged. "And I'm part of a gang, so it's all good."

Nadai looked about. "Alright then."

They headed out. Nadai led the way, Link only a few steps behind. They glanced about, as if expecting to see a boy here or there.

"We've got less than twenty-four hours to find ten boys." Link muttered. "In a city this big."

"So split up?"

"Split up." Link nodded. "And we take sections?"

"Sound good." Nadai stretched out her shoulders. "From north to south?"

Link kept his eyes wide open, staring at everything and nothing at once. "That works."

"I'll take the rooftops?" Nadai glanced behind her to look at her friend.

"Then I'll take the streets."

Nadai ran to the wall, jumped up and kicked off from it. She reached to the side and grabbed onto a windowsill. She clambered on it and jumped again, nabbing the edge of the roof. The game was on.

Link scoured the streets, checking each boy as he passed. He checked under benches and hidden in the shadows. He went into the darkest of alleys and every side street he saw. Each and every movement cause him to twitch slightly as he trained his eyes on it.

Up above, Nadai had a slightly easier time. Most of the roofs were slanted, but not overly slanted. She could hold her footing easily as she hopped from rooftop to rooftop. She kept her eyes wide open, seeing everything at once. Occasionally she would check below at Link who was keeping up with her speed.

However, Clock Town wasn't built with straight, even roads and streets and buildings. While the buildings were similarly built, the roads themselves were rather like a maze. There were pockets here and there of open space, and some wider streets; but for the most part, the streets were almost haphazardly placed. If they were looking from above, they could see that the town itself was laid out similarly to a clock.

Link spotted the first Bomber. He was peeking out from under a box. As soon as Link saw him the box closed with a bang. Link ran at the box and hit it with his body. The box tilted and the boy slipped out from under the box and made a run for it. Link snapped out his arm and caught the boy's shirt.

"That's one."

"One?" The Bomber stood up, dusting his hands. "I'm the first! Dang!"

"It's been less than an hour." Link glanced at the sky. "We're making good time."

"It's only been that long?" The Bomber looked impressed, but hid it behind a scowl quickly. "Well, everyone else won't be that easy to find!"

Link smiled, "Not if I have anything to say about it."

He ran off, his eyes peeled once more. Finding all of the boys took the better part of the night, and dawn of their second day in Termina came up as they slowly made their way back to the northern bit of Clock Town. Some boys had given them a harder run for their rupees than others had. Persistence and patience paid off for Link and Nadai in the end. Their experience led them to guess correctly the boys running patterns, and allowed them to intercept their quarry.

Tatl was impressed, even if she didn't say it. The two children in front of her were skilled, she had recognized that even before they started their hunt, but she hadn't realized just how skilled they actually were.

When they arrived at the northern exit, the Bomber Leader was wide eyed with amazement despite how bloodshot his eyes were.

"You actually did it!" He couldn't help but cheer. "No one's ever done that!"

"So we're in then?"

The Bomber Leader nodded vigorously. "Of course! Of course!" He started pacing. "The other person who got into the Bombers isn't anywhere as cool as you two!"

"And who was the other person?" Link asked.

The boy didn't even glance at him. "Skull Kid." He continued, ignoring the shock on their faces. "He's a nice guy, if a bit shy. Ye should meet him one day."

Link composed himself. "Where is he?"

"Who?"

"Skull Kid." Nadai looked about, as if Skull Kid would appear.

The boy pointed up to the visible Clock Tower toward the southern end of town. "Up there."

Link and Nadai trained their eyes to the south. They could almost see a small figure on top of the tower.

"Why, ye want to meet him?"

"Very much."

"Well, ye can't."

"Can't? Why not?" Their eyes returned to the boy.

"The tower is off limits for us." The boy smirked. "They didn't like our firework display last year."

"So?" Nadai shrugged. "How do we get in?"

The boy looked nervous. "Well, ye still can't get in, even if I show ye."

"So why don't ye show us and we'll go from there."

The Bomber looked about, his eyes scanning as if looking out for danger. "Alright, fine." He started out at a walk. "I'll show ye. I mean, I can tell ye to stop since I'm yer boss now, but I don't think that that would do nothing."

Nadai nodded. "You'd be right."

"Well," the boy went south, leading them through back alleys that Link and Nadai hadn't used before, "they started doing things differently since we set off the fireworks last year."

"How differently?"

"They blocked off the tower." The boy answered simply. "We tried last week, but found that the doors were locked. And they won't open the tower for the public until tomorrow at sundown."

"So what's this festival?" Link asked.

"Ye don't know?" The boy gave him a dirty look. "I thought that even scrubs knew about the moon festival."

"Well, I don't know, so tell me."

"The moon festival celebrates the moon." The boy said, as if it was obvious. "For a whole week we celebrate the moon and the giants."

"Giants?"

The boy shrugged. "Giant gods that serve Termina. No one's seen them in years." He pointed up above, where the moon was visible even in the morning. "But we still celebrate the moon. It's an old tradition."

"So how does that relate to the tower?"

"The tower is used by these ceremonial dancers. At sundown the tower will be opened up and the dancers do their dance. After that we party for a week. But things are all wrong this year." The boy trailed off.

"How so?"

"I-I really shouldn't tell."

"But we're one of you guys now." Nadai said. "Shouldn't we know?"

The boy hesitated a bit then spoke quickly and softly, as if someone would overhear. "Normally the other races would be here already."

"They're not here?"

"The Zora's normally arrive by tomorrow anyway, but they're not coming. The Gorons should be here and even the Deku Scrubs should be here already. There's something fishy going on. Me dad even had to resort to using soldiers to build the necessary platforms instead."

"Your father?"

The boy swelled up with pride. "Me dad is the General for Clock Town. He's as important as the mayor."

Link nodded slowly. "So that's why you don't want us to know. You overheard your dad."

"Sh!" The Bomber shushed him. "Not so loud!"

"I get it, I get it." They entered the plaza by the southern exit. "So how do we get in?"

The boy pointed to a door. "There's a door up there, halfway up the tower that leads straight up to the top. The way up to it from the inside has been locked. But, they are making a platform that the dancers use."

"What platform?"

The boy pointed to where the soldiers were. "That platform is built high enough so that a bridge can extend to the tower. The dancers walk across it for the ceremony."

Nadai nodded slowly. "I see."

"What?"

"We'll have to wait until tomorrow then." Link clarified. "At sundown."

"What! To climb up there!"

"We need to see him." Link answered.

"Can't ye wait until he gets down?"

"I have a good feeling he won't come down for anything." Nadai said. "You feel that?"

The boy glanced between the two of them. "Feel what?"

"It's cold." Tatl whispered. "I feel something sinister."

The boy glanced between the two of them. "What do ye mean?"

"It's fine." Link answered after a moment. "We'll take care of it."

"In the mean-time," Nadai asked. "Is there a place we can stay?" She yawned for effect.

The boy nodded, but his eyes were wary. "There's our hideout. None of the adults go there."

"Can ye take us?"

"I'll have someone take ye. I've got something to do." The Bomber waved his hands, catching the attention of a boy. "Hey, Johnny? Can ye take them to the base for me?"

The boy looked at Link and Nadai hesitantly. "Them?" He asked.

"They're cool." The Bomber Leader said. "Pass the word around, if they need anything, help them out."

Johnny nodded. "Got it boss." Without a word to the outsiders, the boy started out.

They traveled for a few minutes back into the center of town in silence. They went to a building with a few boys sitting on the stairs in front of the entrance. Instead of going inside, they went around the side down a small alley. The alley was so thin that no adult could have gotten in easily. Halfway down the alley they came to a small grate. The boy lifted the grate up and was stopped by another boy.

"What's the password?" The guard asked.

"Fireworks." Johnny answered.

The other boy moved out of the way. Link and Nadai squatted down and slipped into the cellar of the building. Dark and grimy lights hung from the ceiling. There was something scurrying in the corners of the darkness. Johnny led them further into the gloom, and found themselves in a low tunnel just the right height for a kid. It was brighter in here, and cleaner too.

"Where are we?"

"The sewer." The boy answered. "Or at least, an abandoned part of it." He pointed to one wall where a whole bunch of hay and blankets were. "Ye guys can sleep there if ye want. If ye want grub, just holler."

The boy left, and the gloom swallowed him back up. Link and Nadai settled themselves down in the hay. It was slightly damp and moldy, and the blankets were threadbare, but it worked for them.

"I guess we wait for tomorrow's sundown." Nadai whispered.

"I guess so." Link answered. "Just one more day."

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

"I know." Link answered. He closed his eyes, and settled in to sleep.

The rest of their second day passed with them dozing in and out of consciousness. On the third day they went back outside, and bought bread and cheese. The atmosphere was strained. The city was obviously trying to be merry for the celebration that night, but it was subdued due to the confusing lack of attendance. As for Link, Nadai, and Tatl, they had their own thoughts to deal with. For the two outsiders: they were used to sitting around and waiting, but not when they were on the job; and for the fairy: there was a problem of not being with Skull Kid.

Their anticipation grew and grew as sundown neared.

"Is it just me or is the moon getting bigger?"

Link followed Nadai's eyes. "It is." He answered. "It's bigger, is that normal?"

Tatl shook her head. "No." She answered. "It's never gotten bigger."

"Do you think —"

"I do."

"What?" Tatl asked. "What?"

"Skull Kid."

"That he's doing this? That's impossible!"

Link shook his head. "I don't think so. I think he is planning something."

"Then let's hurry," Nadai set out, leading them through the crowd.

Link nodded, and hurried up.

At the southern exit, the platform was built. The bridge had been extended, and the square was packed with people. Nadai pushed her way through the crowd, aiming for the platform. Link was held back as the crowds closed in around him. He glanced about, and saw the older Deku Scrub that had helped him on the first day waving him down. He hurried to him.

"Came to see the ceremony?"

"Something like that." Link answered.

"Shame, this year isn't that good." The Deku said sadly. "We were supposed to have a huge delegation this year, but alas! There was trouble back home."

"Trouble?"

"Yes, the—" The Deku was cut off as gasps came out from the crowd around them.

On the bridge stood Nadai, the few Termina Dancers behind her. In front of her stood a tall man in full armor, his sword out and pointed at her. Link's eyes widened.

"Isn't that yer friend?" The older scrub turned to Link.

Link nodded. "She needs me."

"She needs to get off that bridge. She's ruining the ceremony!" Someone nearby grumbled.

Link glanced about. His eyes fell upon the flower beneath the other scrub. "I need that."

"What?"

"Move!"

Link shoved the other scrub out of the way. Surprised, the other scrub gave way. Link jumped into the flower, Tatl right behind him. A second later he was out, shooting into the air. He shot up high, higher than the bridge. He swung his arms and legs, going forward. As he did he watched Nadai.

Whatever had been said he missed when he was in the flower. She was fighting the man in armor. She ducked and weaved around the much longer sword that was being used at her. She jumped in and out, nicking at the armor. But she didn't draw blood.

Link landed on the bridge, on the far end of it. Nadai took her opportunity and dashed around the man. He swung, overextended himself and sent himself careening towards the edge. He gathered himself quickly, but by that time both Link and Nadai were going through the door.

"What happened?" Link asked as they ran up the stairs.

"That boy told his dad on us." Nadai hissed back. "He told the General and he tried to stop us himself."

"At least it wasn't the whole army." Link pointed out. "And you didn't even hurt him."

"I didn't feel like killing him." Nadai shrugged. "I was waiting for you to come up but you never showed."

"Caught a flower."

"I've noticed." Nadai smiled. "Though next time, let's just climb the building."

"Easier said than done." Link smiled.

Up above them, Tatl was silent. She wanted to see Skull Kid more than any of them.

They burst through the last door, and onto the roof of the tower. In mid-air, surrounded by swirling energy was Skull Kid. Tael hovered closeby. He saw them first.

"Tatl!"

"Tael!"

"Help me!" The dark clothed fairy shouted. "Skull Kid, somethings wrong!"

"What?"

"Help me!"

Skull Kid looked down at them so suddenly that his body jerked. "You are here?" He asked so softly that it was hard to hear. "Are you here to ruin my fun?"

Link shook his head. "I just need that mask back."

Skull Kid shook his head. "I can't do that."

"Yes you can. I need it more than you."

"It's too late. It's too late." Skull Kid whispered. "You can't stop it."

"Stop what?" Nadai looked about. Her eyes fell on the moon up above. It was even bigger than before.

"You can't stop it!" Skull Kid shouted. "Time to say goodbye!"

"Tatl! Help me!"

Link narrowed his eyes. Whatever was happening right now, he saw one thing that he did want. It was in Skull Kid's hand, and it was precious to him. He focused his energy, and a thick mucus started to stick to his mouth.

Up above, the moon was slowly getting bigger. Nadai gripped her daggers. "He's bringing the moon down on us!" She shouted. "How the hell do we stop that!"

Tatl shivered. "What do we do? What do we do?"

"Tatl! Please!"

She looked at her brother. "Tael! I'll find a way to stop this, I'll find a way!"

"And just how will you do this?" Nadai shot at her.

"I don't know, can't you think of something?"

Nadai held up her daggers. "What? Throw these? Try stopping the moon with these?"

"Maybe? I don't know! You know how to fight. Can't you stop Skull Kid?"

"Just how am I supposed to reach him?"

As Nadai spoke Link fired his bubble. It flew through the air and hit Skull Kid in the hand. He didn't notice or flinch, but the Ocarina did fall out of his hand to the ground some twenty feet below. Link rushed for it.

"Tatl! Help me! He won't listen to me!"

Tatl flittered about helplessly. "Skull Kid! Stop!"

Link examined his Ocarina. It wasn't damaged at all. Good.

"I don't think he's listening to me!" Tatl shouted.

Before Link's eyes the Ocarina shifted and changed. It elongated and stretched, the Fairy Wood turning darker. When it was done it resembled a saxophone, however it was still wooden and not brass like he had seen before.

Nadai threw her daggers, but they were stopped by some barrier and they fell to the ground by Link. She ran to retrieve them. Tatl flew in closer.

"We need more time! If we only had more time!" She shouted.

Link's eyes went wide. "That's it!" He shouted. He brought the Saxophone to his lips. "Nadai! We need more time!"

Catching on, Nadai brought out her flute. Tatl looked at them as if they were insane. "What are you doing! This is no time for music!"

They played in sync, their fingers rolling over the notes in a familiar pattern. The Song of Time played out for them.

Tatl flew down to hit Link. "Help me!"

"Tatl!"

She looked up as she hit Link.

"I love you." Her brother closed his eyes and went still, falling to the ground.

"Tael!" Tatl shouted.

But she couldn't move. Link and Nadai glowed a soft white, and with Tatl's hand still on Link's head, she too glowed white. One second they were there, and the next they were gone. A few seconds later a man clad in armor arrived to the top of the tower. Behind him were several men all armed. They took one look at the moon as it hurtled to them, and shouted in terror.

Then the moon crashed into Clock Town, and everything was destroyed.

Time Stop: Wang, we don't literally have five hundred chapters left to write.

Wang: Oh.

Shadow: It's only really forty eight and four fifths.

Wang: Whaaaaaaaa?

Static: Please Review!