Chapter 4: The Minish Elder

(Unknown area)

Link and Ty woke up after on the ground after the last thing they remembered was being sucked into that door Vaati opened up. They both rose to their feet, but while Link was looking for Vaati and the Quinking, Ty was looking around their environment.

Link- Where did Vaati and the Quinking run off to?!

Ty- Uh…mate…I think we got bigger problems on our hands…

Link- What do you mean by that, Ty?

Ty- Just look around us, Link. I believe this is part of Hyrule Castle Town market, but…

As soon as Link examined his surroundings, he realized that they were in Hyrule Castle Town, but both Link and Ty were now tiny. So tiny that they could've fit inside a thimble.

Link- Did we just shrink?!

Suddenly, a looming shadow appeared over both Link and Ty. When Ty and Link looked to see what was behind them, they saw a cat. And unlike the other Hylians, the cat could see them while they were that small. But it was looking at them like they were mice, ready to pounce.

Link- Why is that cat looking at us like that?!

Ty- Uh…nice kitty!

Just as the cat was about to pounce at them, someone had grabbed the cat by the neck and lifted the cat up to his face. Turns out, it was Kyrin who grabbed the cat. And like everything else to Link and Ty, Kyrin was giant compared to them. Skull Kid was also with Kyrin and was giant as well.

Kyrin- Sorry about that little kitty, but those aren't rodents for you to snack on.

Then Kyrin pulls out a fish and gives it to the cat.

Kyrin- Here. Have this instead.

After the cat took the fish, Kyrin set the cat back to the ground and the cat walked away.

Kyrin- You both need to be more alert while you're at that size. You're at a…small…disadvantage at the size of a Minish.

Link- Wait…you can see us?

Skull Kid- Are you talking to Link and Ty? Because I can't see or hear them.

Kyrin- Well, being a god has its advantages. Similar to how I wasn't turned to yarn when I entered Patch Land to get Kirby and Sonic out of Patch Land.

Then Kyrin looks down to look at Ty and Link.

Kyrin- But yes, I can see you both, even though you've shrunken after crossing through the Minish Door.

Link- The Minish Door.

Kyrin- I guess I should explain from the beginning. That door that Vaati opened up in the castle courtyard was called the Minish Door. Once every 100 years, a celestial alignment in Hyrule occurs. The door that links our world with a race called the Minish opens up and allows people to cross over. That's actually why you Hylians have this festival at this time.

Link- But how did Vaati and the Quinking know about that door? Did Tabuu tell them?

Kyrin- You really don't know much about Vaati's past, do you? Because truth is, Vaati was originally from the Minish Realm. The reason why Vaati knew about that door and how to open it is because that was how he was able to cross over to Hyrule long ago.

Ty- That's great and all, but do you think you can fix our size, mate?

Kyrin- Sorry mate, but I don't think I should return you to normal size. At least not yet.

Link- What do you mean?

Kyrin- I don't know why Tabuu sent Vaati and the Quinking to Hyrule, but I'm guessing Tabuu wants something in the Minish Realm. Beings can only cross between the Minish Realm once a century and today is that day. And if I return the two of you to normal size, you won't be able to find where Vaati or the Quinking are.

Ty- Are you saying…

Kyrin- That's correct. They're in the Minish Realm too. And are just as tiny as both of you are now. And they're too small for me to pick up unless they use my brother's power. The only reason I was able to find you before that cat could get you is because I was able to barely pick up the signal of Hylia's magic from the Master Sword.

Link- Ok, but what do you suggest we do, Kyrin?

Kyrin then placed his hand on the ground so Link and Ty could walk onto it.

Kyrin- I would suggest seeing Ezlo, the Minish Elder. He's actually the Minish who crafted most of the magical artifacts from the Minish Realm. He lives in a tiny Minish village in Minish Woods south east of Castletown. I should probably bring you both there since it will take you all day to walk there at your current size.

Skull Kid- Should I go too?

Kyrin- No. I need you to inform Zelda about what happened. Besides, even if I shrink you, you still be in the Minish Realm like Link and Ty are. You'll have to cross through the door to enter. But let's save that for when these two really need it.

(In the trees near Hyrule Castletown)

Standing on a tree branch was Vaati as he was looking there a telescope as the Quinking was standing behind him in the form of a bird big enough for Vaati to ride on.

Vaati- You've got to be shitting me! Kyrin of all people?!

Quinking (in the form of the bird)- This could make things more difficult. Epscially since Kyrin can see us while in the Minish Realm. And it is best that we keep out distance from Kyrin as we stand no chance against him while at the size of a grain of rice.

Vaati- Yes, but we should still stay on their trail.

Quinking (in the form of the bird)- Why?

Vaati- After reading Kyrin's lips, he's taking Link and that Tasmanian Tiger to where Ezlo is. Tabuu wants the Celestial Sundale Ezlo has in his workshop. We just follow them to the Minish village.

Quinking (in the form of the bird)- Uh…shouldn't you know where the village is since you once lived there as Ezlo's apprentice?

Vaati- Well…as embarrassing as this might sound…I forgot where the village is…

Quinking (in the form of the bird)- You idiot…

Vaati- Hey! I haven't been in the Minish Realm in over 200 years! But follow them, but also keep our distance until Kyrin leaves.

(Minish Woods)

Kyrin had arrived in this foggy and damp forest while still holding Link and Ty in the palm of his hand. Kyrin walked over to a tree stump with a tiny hole in the center of it.

Kyrin- Ok, this is as far as I can take you since I'm big. But the Minish village where you can find Ezlo is in that patch of grass over there. Hopefully, I can send help through the Minish Door before you get attacked by Vaati or the Quinking. Good luck you two.

Then Kyrin drops Link and Ty through hole in the tree stump before vanishing. Luckily, there where three mushrooms inside the tree stump that broke there fall like a trampoline. After Link and Ty walked out of the tree stump, Link and Ty saw how much bigger the forest seemed at their size.

Ty- Now this is starting to feel like that movie from the 80's called "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids."

Link- Let's just hope we won't have to be at this size for much longer.

(The Minish village)

Link and Ty couldn't believe it, but there they were. A village that was so small, the naked eye couldn't see them and they were full of beings that were also too small for most creatures to see. Most of the houses looked like mushrooms and the Minish people looked like little gnomes with they way they were all dressed.

Link- I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see if for myself. A race of tiny people living among Hyrule without anyone knowing.

Ty- But which of these houses belongs to Ezlo? Let's try asking around, mate.

Ty approached a group of Minish.

Ty- Excuse me, mates, but could you…

Before Ty could finish, the three Minish he tried talking to got scared and ran away from Ty.

Ty- What was that about? I wasn't gonna hurt them.

Link- I think I know. The Minish must not get many visitors from outside their realm. Because of that, they must be afraid of anything that isn't a Minish. I know this, because the Kokiri race that raised me as a child are the same way. This is going to be harder than I thought.

As Link and Ty walked around the Minish village trying to find someone who'd be willing to talk to them, an elderly Minish got a brief glimpse of Link through his window.

Elderly Minish- Wait…those green clothes…that blonde hair…and that sword on his back…could it be him?

Then the elderly Minish walked out of his house and called out to Link.

Elderly Minish- Excuse me!

Then Link and Ty turned around to face the old Minish that called out to them.

Elderly Minish- Oh, I'm sorry. You're not the Hylian who I thought you were. Yet your outfit looks just like his. And that sword…I recognize the workings of the goddess, Hylia. Although, it's strange to see a Hylian such as yourself in the Minish Realm.

Link- You know I'm a Hylian?

Elderly Minish- I can tell by your sink. You smell like a human. However, I don't know what your orange friend it.

Ty- I'm a Tasmanian Tiger, mate. But you're not afraid of us?

Elderly Minish- I know that not all beings from the human world are bad, since I did work with a Hylian once during a time of crisis.

Link- Then you won't mind if we ask you something?

Elderly Minish- Fine, but make it quick. I don't like talk to humans that much.

Link- We're looking for the Minish Elder, Ezlo. Do you know where we can find him?

Elderly Minish- Actually, I'm the Minish Elder.

Ty- You're Ezlo?

Ezlo- Um…maybe we should discuss this somewhere more private. Why don't you both step into my workshop.

(Ezlo's Workshop)

Link and Ty followed Ezlo into the workshop. On the shelves were several magical items that seemed familiar to Link.

Link- These items…they feel…similar to others artifacts I've encountered throughout Hyrule.

Then Link looked at the back of his hand and saw his Triforce of Courage light up.

Link- And my Triforce is reacting to them?

Ezlo- Yes, many of the magic treasures in Hyrule were actually gifts crafted by the Minish, or Picori as you used to call us. In fact, I even assisted Hylia in sort parts of crafting the Master Sword. And you being that sword's master is the only reason I know you are trust worthy…um…sorry but I don't think I got your names.

Link- I'm Link. And he is Ty.

Just then, Ty noticed on Ezlo's desk was what appeared to be a sundial. However, it wasn't showing the correct time. In fact, there was no light shining on it, yet it was casting a shadow on the dial as if there was.

Ty- What's up with this sundial? It's not on the correct time. Which is strange, because sundials use sunlight to tell the time instead of being manually set like on a clock.

Ezlo- That's because this sundial doesn't tell the time. This is the Celestial Sundial. And instead, it counts down to alignments between realms. Indicating when specific portals will be opening or being able to predict the perfect time to open portal to other realms. And what you're currently seeing is the countdown to when the Minish Door is supposed to open. But since you two are here, that means someone must've momentarily opened the Minish Door before it was supposed to open. (Sigh)…something like that hasn't happened since my former apprentice…Vaati…betrayed me.

Link- You knew Vaati?!

Ezlo- Vaati…(grunts)…that is a name I had hoped I would never hear again.

Ty- Is something wrong, mate?

Ezlo- Vaati was once my apprentice. I found him as a baby, abandoned on my doorstep one stormy night. I took in the young Minish and raised him as if he was my own son…but he repaid my kindness by betraying me. Over time, Vaati became fascinated by the wickedness in the hearts of men and began to desire power. About 200 years ago, I had created the Mage's Cap that would grant the wishes of the one who wears it. Intended to be a gift to the Hyrule royal family. But Vaati snuck into my workshop the night before the Minish Door opened and put the Mage's Cap on. But by the time I had realized what Vaati had done, he had already used the cap to grant his wish to become a powerful sorcerer.

Link- So that explains how Vaati got his powers.

Ty- You didn't know that about Vaati, Link? Isn't he your foe?

Link- He is, but I didn't know anything about Vaati before he attacked Hyrule and I cut his head off. I'd say I learned more about him after Tabuu brought him back to life to serve him and his cause.

Ezlo- Perhaps me and that other Hylian swordsman should have finished Vaati off then and there.

Link- Pardon?

Ezlo- After Vaati used the Mage's Cap to grant his wish to become a sorcerer, he turned me into a hat. But I was still able to make my way into Hyrule to try and stop him. However, I met a young boy who also wielded that sword you carry.

Link- Tell me, was he wearing the pelt of a gray wolf?

Ezlo- No, but what does that have to do with anything?

Ty- Link, Ezlo said this happened 200 years ago, not a 1,000 years ago. So it couldn't have been Wolf, mate.

Ezlo- I'll admit, he wore the same outfit as you, but he looked much younger than you. Like he was 14 years old. And he was much shorter than you. And he didn't have the Master Sword yet when I first met him. But he was able to claim it eventually during our quest to defeat Vaati. He wore me like a cap and used my magic to travel between Hyrule and the Minish World. And with the Master Sword, or Four Swords as he called it, Vaati was defeated and trapped in a stone statue of himself. But how do you know Vaati?

Link- At first, he was just a sorcerer who popped out of nowhere from a stone statue in Hyrule. But when he tried to attack Hyrule and kidnap Princess Zelda, I decapitated him and brought an end to his reign of terror. But truth is, Ty and I are actually part of a team of heroes. And there are many more of us, not just Ty and myself. The reason this team was formed is because there is this mad god named Tabuu who seeks to destroy our worlds like he attempted to do in the days of old.

Ty- While none of us can best Tabuu individually, Tabuu can't best all of us when we unite as a team.

Link- And that's why Tabuu used his powers to revive several of our enemies to back to life to serve as his minions. Including Vaati.

Ty- And a shapeshifting foe of mine called the Quinking came here with Vaati after Link and I caught them opening the Minish Door. Which is how Ty and I entered this realm.

Ezlo- So Vaati is actually working for someone else now? That is strange, because when Vaati stole the Mage's Cap, he told me he felt like he was a meek, minuscule, nothing as my apprentice. Even though I treated him as if he was my own son.

Ty- Actually mate, a lot of those bad guys that Tabuu recruited…not all of them are happy with their position. Based off of our banters with them after they were recruited by Tabuu, Tabuu has been very abusive towards them. Both physically and mentally. Tabuu treats them like slaves more than servant. But they also have a right to fear him. Not only is Tabuu more powerful than any of them, but Tabuu can also put them back in their graves where be plucked them from is they do so much as disobey the slightest command. Chances are, Vaati is afraid of what Tabuu will do to him is he doesn't do what Tabuu orders.

Link- Actually, based off what I remember Vaati saying during our fights, he's more interested in getting payback for when I cut his head off. But Ezlo, do you have any idea as to why Tabuu would send Vaati and the Quinking into the Minish Realm?

Ezlo- Well, most of greedy humans want to enter the Minish Realm for the magical artifacts we Minish have crafted. However, none of our creations can match the strength of the Master Sword. And from what you've told me, this demonic god has even more power that that sword. I'm afraid I don't know what magical artifact would interest this Tabuu…unless…

Ty- Unless what?

Ezlo- It's not an item of power Tabuu is looking for.

Then Ezlo briefly glances over at the Celestial Sundial on his desk.

(In a random Minish house)

Two Minish were tied up and gagged as they were thrown into a dark closet. The two Minish looked over towards the doorway where Vaati was standing.

Vaati- Please…remain seated…

Then Vaati closed the closet door and left the two Minish to struggle against their ropes in the closet. Vaati walked downstairs where the Quinking was waiting for him while taking the form of a Minish.

Vaati- Just handled those two before they could inform Ezlo that I'd returned to the Minish Realm.

Quinking- (in the voice of a Minish)- You weren't kidding when you said every Minish knew your face.

Vaati- After what I did 200 years ago, I was branded as an evil traitor.

Quinking (in the voice of a Minish)- And with you being easily recognized, we need to avoid the crowds as much as we need to avoid Kyrin.

Vaati- Well not all of us are as good at shapeshifting as you, Quinking! But we need to get back to our task of getting the Celestial Sundial from Ezlo's workshop.

Quinking (in the voice of a Minish)- Yeah…that's not going to be so easy anymore…

Vaati- What do you mean?

Quinking (in the voice of a Minish)- Ty and Link have already found Ezlo and are at his workshop as we speak. They've probably already told Ezlo about us opening the Minish Door.

Vaati- Damn! Hang on! I think I have an idea. Quinking, can you turn into Kyrin?

The Quinking attempted to take the form of Kyrin, but when the transformation was half complete, bursts of energy erupted from the Quinking's body and he immediately changed back into the form of the Minish he was in earlier.

Vaati- Quinking, what were you doing?!

Quinking (in the voice of a Minish)- (Gasp)…not my fault…(Gasp)…the power…(Gasp)…too much for me to handle…

Vaati- What do you mean?

Quinking (in the voice of a Minish)- When I transform into someone else, I don't just take on their appearance and voice. I also take on their skills and some of their powers. Shortly after Tabuu brought me back from the dead, I tried to take Tabuu's form. However, the power from trying to take Tabuu's form overwhelmed my body and almost destroyed it from the inside. And apparently, the same thing just happened when I tried to turn into Kyrin.

Vaati- ****! We need to get that sundial! Because I believe if we fail Tabuu this time…you and me will be terminated! And I don't mean Tabuu will end out employment.

Quinking (in the voice of a Minish)- I agree. Tabuu stated this was vital to whatever he's planning. But tell me Vaati, is there another form, someone less powerful than Kyrin, I can turn into to make your plan still work?

Vaati- Hmmm…Actually, I think there is.