Chapter 2
I stuck the cartridge into the Nintendo 64. I grabbed the controller, walking over and sitting on the chair. The cord was tangled, but I was too excited to play to really bother with it at the moment. I turned on the TV, surprised to see that the game actual worked fine. I went to make a file, then noticed there was already one saved. It was titled 'BEN'. My eyebrows furrowed as I pursed my lips. Was the old creepy guy named Ben? Or possibly a relative that had owned it previously? Ah well. I just created a new file, leaving 'Ben' alone. I did, however, check out his file.
It turned out that Ben was almost finished with the game. He had collected nearly every one of the masks, and the remains of the bosses. Heh. I would have finished easily if I were that far into it. Pity. I went back to making my file, labeling it Winnie. I began playing, and was pleased to see it running normally, just like every game. When I began to interact with the NPCs, however, they referred to me as Ben.
"Name's not Ben," I mumbled to myself. Must be a minor glitch. I could live with that, I suppose.
Although the farther I got, the more it got on my nerves. Impulsively, I went and deleted Ben's file. I mean, the game was mine now… I could delete an old file that wasn't going to be used anymore. Smiling to myself, I continued to play my game. A thick scowl formed on my face when an NPC referred to me as nothing. Just a blank space. Hmph… guess it's better than Ben.
I continued to play, up until the point where I decided to use the 4th day glitch. Looking up cheats and hacks online, I found the glitch and decided it would be useful the first time I played Majora's Mask, long ago. Might as well use it now and have an extra day to finish what I was doing… It took me four tries, but I finally succeeded in activating the glitch. I found myself at the very end of the game in the boss fight room.
I guess this game did have a lot of glitches after all. What a shame… but I might as well try to finish. That is, if I could. Random text boxes began to appear, along with Skull Kid floating around. I blinked, trying to remember if he appeared at this part of the game… but couldn't recall. How strange. Dismissing it, I wandered around, until I was sent to Clock Town. Although, it was quite different. There were no NPCs what so ever. Empty, other than the buildings. Music began to play, and I noticed it was a song I had never heard before… no… it was the Song of Healing. But backwards?
Who is the sicko that hacked this game? Obviously it wasn't a normal Majora's Mask; I had been stupid to think so. But, what was the point in just shutting it off? Might as well keep going to see what other stupid glitches there were. Not like I had anything better to do. I continued to wander around, but I ended up not letting me go anywhere. Anytime I left Clock Town the screen would fade to black, then I'd just wind up in Clock Town once more. How lovely. Getting frustrated, and bored, I was just about to get up and turn off the game. But that's when I noticed something behind Link. I turned, seeing the Link statue from the Elegy of Emptiness.
Ha, how interesting. I walked around, seeing it was following me! I began to laugh, running, jumping and doing various odd things while watching the statue try to keep up behind me. A grin was plastered on my face, and I honestly had no clue why. Suddenly, Link dropped to the ground, convulsing before bursting into flames. I stared, shocked for a moment, before reeling back in hysterics once more. Was this hacker trying to scare me or something? Because I've played plenty more fucked up games than this.
All of a sudden, the screen went black. Then, a white text box appeared. It read, You shouldn't have done that… Done what? Laugh? Or was it just a glitch? Stupid game. I could then hear what sounded like Skull Kid's scream play in the background, barely heard over the reverse Song of Healing. Then, the Link statue was facing the screen once more. I stood up, prepared to turn the TV and game system off, before another text box appeared. You have met with a terrible fate, haven't you?
"Yes, I'm just trembling with terror right now," I mumbled, rolling my eyes before turning off the TV.
I yawned, stretching out my arms. Well, that was quite a waste of my time. I walked back over, plopping down in my chair. I grabbed my cell phone, dialing Darren's number. He answered on the third ring, his usual hyper self ready to talk at the whim.
"Hey, Winnie, what's up?"
"Just wanted to let you know that the game's glitched," I sighed, adjusting my glasses.
"Ah, damn. Like, how bad?"
"I don't know… I mean, it looks like it's hacked, to be honest. Like, it's based off of Majora's Mask, but a bunch of other dumb stuff happens. You can't win, basically. Songs play backwards, Link bursts into flames at points. Skull Kid appears out of no where, all the NPCs disappear. You are stuck in Clock Town. Point black, the cartridge belongs in the trash," I replied.
"Crap! I was so ready to play, too."
"Calm down, bro, we can go on Amazon and order one that works right. It's no big deal," I chuckled.
"Very true. I'm holding you to that," he sighed, his disappointment easily heard.
"M'kay. Talk to ya later."
"Laters."
I shoved my phone into my pocket, pulling myself up from the chair. I left the game room, walking upstairs. I wandered into the kitchen, prepared to make a sandwich. I then noticed a note on the fridge.
Winnie,
We are currently on a business trip, and shouldn't be back within the month. Had to leave ASAP, and we are sorry we couldn't tell you goodbye in person. Stay safe and look after the house!
Love,
Mom and Dad
When were they not on a business trip? I barely saw them anymore. When they were here, they were usually ignoring me. It wouldn't be any different, really. I finished my sandwich, hurriedly eating it while I made my way upstairs, into my room. I swiped my now empty hands together, opening my door. Making my way to my bed, I came to an abrupt stop. My computer was on… Why? Darren and I had been in the game room all day after school, plus I always shut it off.
I walked over, sitting down in the swivel chair. My computer's screen was bright, and already connected to the internet. It was on Cleverbot… huh? That weird chat site that never made any sense? That was strange… Plus, a conversation was already started. Didn't you have to start the conversations?
Hello.
I decided to play along, my curiosity getting the best of me.
Hi.
You have met with a terrible fate, haven't you?
My mouth was a solid line, now knowing that the hacker of the game must have some how wormed their way into my computer.
Who are you?
Ben.
You're a pretty good hacker, Ben.
Thank you, Winter.
My blood ran cold. Okay, it was one thing to mess with the game, and magically hack into my computer. But how did he know my name? Not to mention my real name, not the nickname everyone calls me. I just stared at the screen, dumbfounded.
Care to reply?
You couldn't do two comments in a row on Cleverbot… What exactly am I dealing with?
How did you know my name?
Heh, I know quite a lot about you, Winter Knightly.
You must have gone through my files or something. Get out of my computer, sicko!
That had to be it, right? He hacked into my files. Yeah. That's it.
I haven't hacked into any of your files, Winter. By the way, I like your shirt. Matches your hair color. Very different. Why are you wearing shorts, anyway? Its cold out, ya know.
Could he see me through my damn computer? Okay, this is too far. What the hell is going on here?
You must be a very talented hacker, being able to see me and all.
I reached down, prepared to pull the plug on the computer. If it turns off, and I don't reply, this weirdo can't bother me anymore. I yanked it out, the screen going black. I let out a sigh of relief, slumping back in my chair. I hadn't relaxed for thirty seconds before the screen lit up once again, still on Cleverbot. Ben had replied.
You shouldn't have done that.
Before I could reply, the screen turned into static snow. I stared in utter horror as fingers began to slowly pull out of the screen, followed by a hand, and arm. Random pixels connected where the break in the screen was, making odd shapes and lines. Water slowly began to leak out of the computer and keys, my desk soaking wet. The electronic device began to spark due to the water, the sparks shooting out, dangerously close. I backed away, my mouth dropped open. What I figured to be Ben continued to pull himself out of the computer, his face coming into view.
His mouth was turned up into a malicious smile, his teeth sharpened to points. His eyes were demonically black with crimson pupils. Blood poured mercilessly down his cheeks, flowing from his eyes. His blonde hair was shaggy, some strands falling into his face. As he continued to pull himself out, I noticed what he was wearing. His outfit looked exactly like Link's from Zelda. The same green hat, only darker and saggy due to the water that dripped down. The same green tunic and brown belt. Everything was the same, only darker. More sinister.
Sparks flew forward, still, not seeming to effect him in any way. A hate-filled chuckled escaped his lips, then turning into a crazed laugh. The entire time his red pupils were focused on my shocked form.
"Still 'trembling with terror'? Or now do you truly believe you have met with a terrible fate? Haven't you, sweet cheeks?"
Please review if ya want more :P