Legend of Zelda, The Mask of Majora

The Skull Kid's Curse

(Many Years Ago)

"Any sign of her", Link asked, navigating through a foggy forest, being careful of their surroundings, even Epona was walking carefully

"...No, I can barely see anything", Kate said

"Where could she have gone", Link muttered

"I miss her too, but we'll find her", Kate reassured as Link nodded his head; Epona was then spooked by something, sending the two falling off Epona and to the ground, unconscious; when they came too, both saw a Skull Kid and two fairies, one was purple and the other was yellow, not the familiar blue of Navi; the Skull Kid soon turned around, he was wearing a mask and held the Ocarina of Time in his hand

"The Ocarina", Kate muttered, attempting to take it back, but the Skull Kid jumped onto Epona

"NO", Link shouted, both grabbing Epona as she took off running, their grips slipped, and both tumbled off as the Skull Kid rode away into a cave

"You alright", Kate asked, getting up off the ground

"Yeah, come on", Link said, getting up and both took off running after the Skull Kid, into the cave and making their way through, only to reach a dead end; stopping too late, both fell down, landing on something soft, a flower; a small lake was right in front of them, as well as the Skull Kid and the two fairies, Epona was gone, and the Skull Kid was floating

"What's wrong with that stupid horse of yours, it doesn't listen to a word that's said to it", the Skull Kid stated, his voice sounding off

"What did you do with her", Link asked, glaring at the Skull Kid

"There's no point in riding a thing like that, so I did you a favor and got rid of it", the Skull kid said, laughing, leaving both Link and Kate shocked, "Aww, boo-hoo, why the sad faces, I just thought I'd have a little fun with you",

"You seriously call that fun", Kate asked in anger as Link glared at him

"Oh, come now... do you really think you can beat me as I am now, fool", the Skull Kid taunted, his head shaking, magic coming off him which alerted the two; not long after, Kate held her head

"Kate", Link called out, worry in his voice, Kate grunted in pain until a light enveloped her, as it died down, a Deku Scrub was in her place, Link was in shock as the Deku looked at its reflection in panic

"W-what happened to me", Kate asked in shock, her voice was different, she was smaller, and her skin was now wood.

"Now, that's a good look for you", the Skull Kid stated with a laugh, "You'll stay here looking that way forever",

"WAIT", Link shouted in anger, grabbing Kate's small form and began chasing after the Skull Kid who was fleeing, only to be stopped by the yellow fairy

"S-Sis", the purple fairy called out, only for a door to close behind them, leaving the yellow fairy trapped with Link and Kate

"Whoa, Whoa, Skull Kid, wait for me, I'm still here", the yellow fairy called out, "Tael, you can't leave without me", the yellow fairy began banging on the door, but it wouldn't budge, she then turned around toward Link and Kate, "YOU, if I wasn't dealing with you two, I wouldn't have gotten separated from my brother... well, don't just sit there, boy, Deku Girl, do something", both Link and Kate starred at her curiously, "why are you looking at me like that, what, is there something stuck on my face; will you stop staring and just open that door for me, please, C'mon, a helpless, little girl is asking you... so hurry up",

"She's a bit bossy", Link mumbled, putting Kate down as Kate nodded her head

"Ohhhh, Tael... I wonder if that child will be alright on his own", the yellow fairy muttered, Link and Kate approached the door and opened it with ease, making their way forward, after the Skull Kid, the yellow fairy flew up to them, fast, "hey, wait, don't leave me behind",

"We didn't think you'd want to come along with us", Kate stated

"So, um... that stuff back there... I... um... apologize, so... so take me with you", the yellow fairy asked, "you wanna know about that Skull Kid who just ran off, right",

"Yeah", Link said

"Well, I just so happen to have an idea of where he might be going", the yellow fairy said, "take me with you and I'll help you both out, deal, please",

Both Link and Kate looked at each other, seeing what each other thought, but both nodded their heads in agreement and turned back to the fairy

"Alright", Kate said

"Good, so then it's settled, now then, I'll be your partner... or at least until we catch that Skull Kid", the yellow fairy explained, "my name's Tatl, So, uh, it's nice to meet you or whatever",

"I'm Link and she's Kate, nice to meet you too", Link said

"Now that we've got all that straightened out, can we stop messing around and get moving", Tatl asked as Link and Kate nodded their heads and began moving forward, through the cave, past a strange tree with a sad face, and into a stone building, the door closing behind them; looking around, there were gears around the place, and a wooden walkway leading up a floor; climbing up, they soon found another door, approaching the door...

"You've met with a terrible fate, haven't you", a voice asked, the three turning around to see a man, he has a smile on his face, a backpack on his back with masks attached to it; his appearance scaring Tatl as she hid behind the two

"Who are you", Link asked

"Just a humble salesman, I own the Happy Mask Shop, I travel far and wide in search of masks", the man explained, "during my travels, a very important mask was stolen from me by an imp in the woods; so here I am at a loss... and now I've found you; now don't think me rude, but I have been following you... for I know of a way to return your friend to her former self",

"Wait... seriously", Kate asked, a bit unsure 

"If you can get back the precious item that was stolen from you, I will return you to normal", the man stated, "in exchange... all I ask is that you also get back my precious mask that the imp stole from me",

"Link, I don't know about this... I mean, I want to return to normal, but this seems shady, and we don't even know where the Skull Kid is", Kate explained

"What, is it not a simple task", the man asked, "why, to someone like you two, it should by no means be a difficult task... except...",

"Except", Both Link and Kate asked in confusion

"The one thing is... I'm a very busy fellow... and I must leave this place in three days", the man explained, "how grateful I would be if you could bring it back to me before my time here is up... but yes... you'll be fine, I see you both are young and have tremendous courage, I'm sure you'll find it right away; well then, I am counting on you",

"A new adventure... I don't know if I'm even ready for another", Kate muttered

"Me either, but I want you to return to normal", Link said

"I know you do... but after what we went through... are you sure about this", Kate asked

"All we're doing is getting the Ocarina of Time back along with a mask", Link stated, "I think we can handle this, it won't be like last time",

"At times, I kinda miss being an adult", Kate said

"Me too... are you ready", Link asked

"Ready as I'll ever be", Kate said as the two opened the door, walking outside and into a strange town...

(Dawn of the First Day, 72 Hours Remain)