At first his dreams were filled with home, the children he played with the friend he had made, even the some memories of the parent he never knew. They faded past and Link was standing in the village, it was burning around him, the youngest children had arrows in there backs the adults butchered in the streets. Could this be vision of things to come or perhaps one of things happening? He screamed and cried as a volley of arrows rained down, directly on top of him. He jolted awake shortly after dawn laying in soft bed, silk sheets covering him, it was bliss to his aching muscles however his aching stomach called out next. He looked up to see three women, maids staring at him, each just poking there head through the door, the dispersed as soon as he spotted them however. He first looked around Ciela before his stomach called out once more, he sighed and set about finding the kitchen. After that he would get Epona, then he needed to leave head out towards the forest, towards home.

Ravio sighed as the foreigners left. That was not at all who he meant. It seemed she was dodging his questions, and was less trustworthy than originally thought. He would treat her as an ally, but he would get confirmation from the Hero, once he woke up. Speaking of waking, Ravio was just a tad bit tired. He would have a big day ahead of him, most likely, what with the princess gone. The town seemed... oddly familiar. The colors and symbols were off in most situations, but still, the layout was oddly familiar. He found his way to an inn with relative ease. He read the sign. 'Magtail Fort.' This was the inn that the foreigners were staying at, if he had heard them right. With a stroke of luck, he would be able to follow them unnoticed. He didn't want them to realize they were being followed. He slowly and quietly opened the inn's door, trying his hardest to stay still enough so that his bag of items made little noise. A small jingle, and he was in. He suddenly realized if the two had even gotten a glimpse at him, he'd be caught. He mentally cursed himself for wearing such bright and extravagant garb. Being well known was good in most cases, but while trying to enact espionage? Not as awesome. He took a quick glance around. He hadn't spotted anything bright orange, so he was fine in this room, for now. He walked up to the innkeeper. "Hello, I'll take a room for a night." Ravio said, nervously glancing at the few patrons still downstairs. Everyone must have still been at the square, and he couldn't tell if this was a blessing, or a curse. "80 rupees, sir." They said. Ravio couldn't really discern any features of the person due to the limited visibility of the hood's pupils. Still though, it sounded female enough to convince him to say "Thank you, ma'am." as he placed the gems on the counter. She handed him a key, and directed him to the stairs. "Fourth room on the right." She directed. Ravio walked up the stairs before glancing around the corner to see if Zant and... had the female said her name? Someone had, but he couldn't remember it. Started with an M, maybe? He'd just call her Miss M, for now.

The Happy Mask Salesman quickly and absentmindedly unlocked the door to his shop and threw it open. He'd calmed down a bit since the events in the Square, but there was still anger in the action. He dropped his pack on the floor and sat at his working station. He folded his hands and rested his elbows on the table, thoughtfully placing his chin on the tangle of fingers. No one ever cared what he had to say. No one cared that he ever did anything but make and sell masks. Wouldn't it be ironic if he was to save Zelda? If he overthrew Ganondorf? If he shrugged Midna off as she had him? He smirked at the thought. Her pretty foreign face distorted in a hurt expression as he refused her the throne she so desired. But the idea was unrealistic. He was no match for any of the forces in this picture. He was nothing more than a mere man with a strange hobby and an almost eternal smile. Almost, because now it was turned downward in a angrily thoughtful frown. But then there were the special masks. Masks endowed with magic. Majora's Mask. NO! He jumped out of his chair and slammed his hands down on the table, staring determinedly at nothing. He couldn't go after the legendary mask of destruction. It would be a repeat of history. A person who felt unappreciated seeking revenge and almost killing everyone to get noticed. It was immoral. But there were other options. One's that wouldn't blacken his soul. He looked down at his hands, his long fingers digging into the table's wood. He relaxed a little. He would show everyone he was something no one should ignore. He walked to the counter and dug down into one of the drawers and drew out a mask. It was creepy. Blues, purples and blacks outlined the unmistakable features of the Twilight Princess' assistant. He grinned an almost evil grin and held the mask up to the light. A quiet chuckle gurgled in his throat. He would *definitely* show them all. He put the mask on and screamed in pain as the world went dark for a moment. He held his head to assure himself that it wasn't going to explode. Then he opened his eyes. Everything looked just a little smaller, but the reality of it was that he was just taller.

Midna's response when it came was impetuous and rather rude but when Navi heard here talk of it not being her doing and that Zant was the one to bring 'it' here, Navi momentarily thought the Twilight Princess was speaking of the age of Twilight. For if course it had been Zant and not Midna who had been acting under Ganondorg's instruction. That Midna though had been an outcast separated from the Realm of Twilight. A very different story from the Midna that stood before Navi. It became clear after a few seconds that Midna was referring to the monster and that she still didn't accept the idea that her beloved people had once come to Hyrule to conquer. She even went so far as to call what Navi had said an untruth. Navi caught the rest of what the Twilight Princess said vaguely. The fact that Misna dismissed her like she was Link's maidservant made Navi angry but not so much as the fact that Midna had called her a lier. In fairy culture lying was considered a severe offence. The only time it was considered acceptable was in defense of a beloved, brother, sister, mother, father or lover. Of course rouge fairies had no problem commuting this crime as they were already banished from the fairy realm. Navi supposed she fell into that category but the only time Navi lied was when it was of the upmost importance or concerned her identity. It was an affront to her honor and dignity as a fairy that Midna would think her to lie about something so serious. For the triviality that was politics, especially considering the nature of the event that Midna had so casually dismissed. The Hylean people had remembered the Age of Twilight for centuries as many things, a disgrace that Hyrule had fallen so easily, a tragedy at the destruction it had caused but none remembered it the way the Fair Folk would never forget, as a massacre. The twilight that had descended on the land was widely regarded by the legends as a banishment of the land's light. No one truly realized exactly what had been taken. Twilight meant the absence of a certain type of life energy. Without it people wasted away to spirits. But the fairies this life energy was all that sustained them in the mortal realm and without it each and every fairy caught in the Twilight had fallen there light snuffed out. The Kokiri and there fairies had been lucky protected from the Twilight within the Great Deku Tree but the rest. Thousands died before it was realized what was going on. When they had the fairies had fled, taking refuge with Titania, there queen the great fairy in the depths of the Cave of Ordeals, by that time though fairy blood had stained the land of Hyrule unseen by all. It was a massacre, it was genocide. And Princess Midna thought Navi could casually lie about something like that. Navi's face was contorted in a scowl, she let out a shuddering breath before a blinding light filled the square and when it died down the fairy girl had vanished replaced by a fluttering winged ball of energy. Navi decided she would go check on Link. The last few days could not have been easy on him. She flew quickly to the courtyard of Hyrule Castle before she realized that she did not know where it was Link was resting. The fairy girl quickly asked a maid which room the hero of legend was recuperated in. The startled girl gave Navi rather flustered directions and Navi was off. When she arrived at Link's room she regained human form her pale feet making no noise and her white dress sliding across the floor. If the maids saw her in the Hero's room what would they think. Navi didn't look older than twelve or thirteen. Would they think her some servant's child over come with curiosity? Navi smiled at that a little. She imagined what it would be like to just be an ordinary girl. To only live for seventy or eighty years, to fall in love, get married, have children. But she was not an ordinary girl. It was her destiny to walk among the mortals and yet to outlive them all. That was the punishment the fairy realm had imposed upon her, doomed to be alone. Navi shook herself from depressing thoughts and walked over to Link. One of the maids had stripped him of his chain mail and tunic, now he only wore a stiff shirt and trousers no doubt suited to farm work. The maids had had Link's tunic cleaned which was a good thing given that it had become matted with the blood and fluids of Arrghus. Navi ran a hand over Link's forehead. He was running a fever and his sleep seemed fitful. Navi wished she could help him and though she knew songs to quiet wicked dreams she also knew that none would have an effect on the Hero of Legend when evil pervaded his nightmares. It had been the same with the Hero of Time. Saddened Navi went to examine Link's tunic, it had been expertly cleaned but that could not hide the fact that it was shoddily made. Cheap fabric and low cost labor, no doubt Link had bought it in the market place where they were selling many such souvenirs. Slightly annoyed that something such as commercialization of the Hero would be allowed by the Royal Family, Navi left the room. This time she had more of a purpose. She knew the Royal Family kept a vault dedicated to the Hero. It had relics related to him, some of the items and swords he'd used through the ages and if she was lucky at least one of the tunics he'd worn. Navi had never been in this version of Hyrule Castle before and as such she had no idea where this vault might be. However she did know the habits and traditions of the Royal Family quite well, using those she could find someone who knew. Navi asked a maid for directions to the Chamber of the King of Hyrule and once they were given made her way there swiftly. Once she’d reached the door the fairy girl reached for the handle having no intention of actually going in. Before she could open the door Navi heard a quiet thump of someone hitting the floor. A normal human wouldn’t have noticed the sound but since every fairy carried a natural grace and silence of foot they also had impeccable hearing so that they might know when one another was near. Navi turned around smiling. She as she’d thought one of Impa’s spies and protectors of the royal family was standing right behind her. The girl’s sword was drawn. “Tell me,” the spy asked. “What business does a stranger like you have with the King of Hyrule?” Navi smiled and put her hands up to assure the spy she was not armed. “Nothing in the least, I was looking for you actually or at least one of the hidden protectors of this Castle. I am the fairy guide to the Hero of the Goddesses who is currently resting inside the Castle.” No doubt the spy already knew this but Navi thought it was best not to make assumptions. “He has need of a particular piece of equipment residing in the Royal Family’s Vault of Legend. I trust you know where it is?” The spy eyed Navi suspiciously before turning around; Navi took this as a sign that she was being led to her destination. They arrived at the vault and as Navi entered the spy kept her eyes firmly on the fairy girl never lowering her sword. Navi was amazed at the collection that stood before her. So many items she recognized though they were clearly very old. The Hookshot appeared to no longer function and it was clear several of the swords had long lost their edge but it contained things she remembered fondly like the Redead Mask and the Claim Check for picking up the Big Goron Sword. What she wanted though was displayed prominently on a stand, a tunic; green as the forest. It couldn't be the one her Hero had worn but it was well made which was the important thing. She took it from where it sat and brought it to Link's room replacing the cheap one he'd been wearing. The spy had vanished somewhere on her trip between the vault and Link’s room but Navi couldn’t quite pinpoint when. Then she turned back into fairy form. She had a score to settle. Midna had told her she would be at the Magtail Fort and it didn't take long to find the Princess's room. Navi fluttered in through the window and landed in her human form. "My Lady Midna," Navi said giving a mock bow. "We need to talk."

Navi's entrance was both unexpected and somewhat awkward for Midna; after a long day spent traveling around the city followed by a messy skirmish in the fountain plaza square, she had wanted nothing more to retire somewhere private and relax. In the process of doing so, she had removed her dirtied cloak and half-dress and placed them aside for her to wash later. While she would have preferred someone else to do such a mundane task, she had nobody else but Zant, and the maintenance of clothing seemed a task uniquely unsuited for him. As such, when Navi dropped through the slightly-open shutters and assumed human form, Midna was -at least in the human sense- naked. Not quite, though. When Navi, keen to say her piece and get the meeting over with, first spoke, Midna froze in surprise. Instinctively, the thin, cloth-like shadows that covered her spread out to envelop her completely, turning her normal black-and-white visage into one of complete inkiness. Only her eyes and hair retained their usual warm hues. Beneath the shadowy folds, her pale cheeks reddened with embarrassment. Midna recognized Ciela, though, and was slightly more at ease. The shadows retracted to their usual positions, revealing an indignant expression on the face of the Twilight Princess. “So much for relaxing. I could have sworn that Hylians, like Twili, had etiquette concerning privacy. What is it you need to talk to me about...miss?”

The Happy Mask Salesman went out that night carrying only a small bag and a walking stick. In his bag was food, water and a few choice masks. After all, what is a mask salesman without his merchandise? He covered up in a cloak and slung the bag over his shoulder. He made sure his money was safely stored away and his masks were somewhere they would stay dry before walking out the door and locking the shop door. He placed a sign upfront that read "On holiday" in bright red Hylian script. He silently crept to the city gate where he found one guard sleeping and another chatting with a lady. Happy shook his head. If anyone is to blame for the kidnapping of the Princess, it was her lazy guards. He ran behind an abandoned house and picked his way over the wall on the crates he had so carefully stacked earlier. He took the bag off of his shoulder and tossed it on the grass on the far side of the moat, knowing he wasn't going to get by without getting wet first. He threw a rope over and used it to climb down the wall quietly and into the water. He swam across the moat with ease as it wasn't really that deep. Another reason why it wasn't really the Princess' fault for being kidnapped. Once all the way across, he hefted himself out of the water picked up the bag. He slung it over his shoulder again and made his way for the Gerudo desert. He figured he'd be there by nightfall of the net day, provided he made as few stops as possible. He'd calculated a little less than a full day's walk. That wouldn't be too much for him. He was used to walking. It's in the nature of being a merchant. Especially one that tended to sell exotic things. It's hard to sell those things if one does not go out of his way to *get* them in the first place. It also helped to learn about other cultures. Then he could use that information to convince a buyer. Sometimes, also in the nature of a merchant, lying was also necessary. In which case, knowing one's history was, again, useful. He could cover a lie up with history and proven truth. Bend it to say exactly what he wanted it to, even if it wasn't totally authentic. He trudged along at a reasonable pace, determined to keep his energy reservation at the highest possible level. It would be a shame if he went out into the desert and collapsed before he even reached his destination. Almost as shameful as letting Midna have her way. At the thought of the Twilight Princess, anger flared within him and his casual smile turned downward in a fierce frown. He would show her. She wasn't as high and mighty as she carried herself. He would prove that even a simple merchant could carry more ferocity, power and courage then the most noble of royalties.

Ravio sneaked down the hall with as much deftness as possible so as not to disturb the tranquility of the area. Luckily, his quietness payed off, as he heard the thump sound of bare feet hitting wooden floor. He quickly speed-tiptoed up to the door of which he heard it, and took a peak through one of the few small holes door... and promptly averted his gaze. His hood was up, but Ravio was at least 90 percent sure that Ms. M wasn't wearing anything. A quick glance couldn't discern anything else because of his preoccupation on a certain figure, so he decided listening in on the conversation would be the much less embarrassing option. He took down his hood and crouched down, placing his ear against the door and setting his sack down gently. He heard... was that the fairy from earlier? Hm. She regarded- Midna! That was her name, yeah, Midna. Anyways, she and Midna needed to talk, and Midna insulted her before getting down to business, seemingly. Interesting. Ravio assumed Zant was in another room, so he needed to watch out. He carefully rooted through his bag to see if there was anything good for espionage. Various rods, a boomerang, a hammer, a bow, some arrows, bombs and matches, a hookshot... Hm. The boomerang could incapacitate the target, if he was quick enough. Ravio grabbed the boomerang out of his inventory. He was sure he wouldn't need it Zant was surely asleep by now, or at least in a state of relaxation that would allow him to ignore these small noises- but still, couldn't hurt to be safe. Ravio once again resumed spying on the Twilight Princess an the Fairy.

The Happy Mask Salesman had been at it for hours now. There was a thin line of pink on the horizon. His bag banged against his back for every step he took, the masks inside clattering softly. His walking stick bobbed and weaved as he moved forward across the surprisingly calm desert. The Gerudo Desert had a reputation for being cruel. The sand amplified whatever the weather threw at it. If it was windy, it was a sandstorm. If it was sunny, it was unbearably hot. Today looked like it would be sunny with not a single cloud in the sky. He wasn't too concerned about it. There was a mask in his bag that would keep him in good condition. There were still stars in the sky. The view was utterly breathtaking, but Happy's mind was churning with ideas and possibilities, too lost in thought to notice it. He was making plans and back-up plans and back-up plans for his back-up plans. He'd spent several months in the Gerudo's capital city throughout his years as a merchant. It was big and noisy. People there were more open with shop owners and fellow merchants approaching visitors with huge smiles and fine silks. Beautiful women dressed in pale colors and bright gems. It was easily twice the size of Castle Town. Despite all the time he'd spent in the capital, He'd never been within more than one-hundred feet from the castle. It honestly scared him. Knowing that the grand sandstone building had been the home of many a great villain had only ever sent waves of fear through the salesman. However fear-inspiring the castle was, it was still *very* impressive. Definitely not easily forgotten.

**Navi** Navi almost laughed at the hurried way Midna dressed herself in shadows when the Twilight Princess realized she had company and the urge to laugh presented itself again when Midna mentioned rules of etiquette. No doubt the remark was meant to be insulting but Navi was not Hylean, and this remark merely served to demonstrate Midna's ignorance of the Fair Folk. In the Fairy Realm there was almost not emphasis on privacy. It was generally thought that if there was something you were doing in the privacy of your dwelling that you couldn't do in public then something was very wrong. Navi smiled openly at Midna's remark. "I am sure the Hyleans do have some such etiquette however I am not one of there number, my people do not adhere to those courtesies that are held with regard here and I am unaware of any form of civility that applies to the people of Twilight. Regardless, I did not come here to trade jibes. I wish to know the truth and full extent if your people's arrogance." Navi paused for a moment, she wasn't rightly sure where to go from here, Midna had insulted her pride and honour as a fairy and denied the occurrence of her people's worst tragedy. The best place to begin would she sop posed be with the smallest issue, she could then build up to her main point. "You called me a liar." After saying it Navi realized that the full impact of what this statement meant to Navi would not be apparent to Midna. If Navi said this to another fairy they would immediately recognize that a most serious matter was about to be argued and if severe enough may even go before the Counsel of Great Fairies. To a person like Midna however to whom falsehood was commonplace and belonged to a people used to trying to determining truth from lies this statement no doubt sounded petty and childish. This thought made Navi anger for though she looked no older than twelve she had seen more than most could ever dream. "I realize to one such as you who uses words like tricksters and throw falsehood as often as breathing this must sound inconsequential however to my people that is a most serious accusation. A criminal charge in fact, it cannot go unanswered." As Navi spoke she slowly circled the Twilight till the fairy was standing by the door. Navi was well aware that Midna could teleport, moving to the door ensured that if anyone approached she would hear them coming. "So tell me Twilight Princess, since you obviously put no faith in the words of others I wish to hear from your very lips, tell according to the people of shadow when was the last time the Twilight Realm intersected with the World of Light." Navi leaned back against a table that was right near the door. She crossed her arms over her chest and raised her eyebrows waiting for an answer. --- **Zelda** Zelda awoke abruptly, the last thing she remembered was an enormous monster falling in Castle Town Square then... nothing. Zelda stood up and it became apparent very quickly that she was in a prison. Her cell had four walls, three made if stand stone and the last forged from sturdy caste iron bars. There was a locked door also made from iron bars. Outside her cell was another room also made of light brown sandstone which narrowed into a hallway further down. Wherever she was there were no windows. Instead torches hung in high brackets in the walls. Zelda could smell the burning tar used to keep them lit. It was awful but she supposed her captor didn't truly care about the comfort if his prisoners. Outside Zelda's cell where four woman all dressed in purple silks and carrying curved scimitars at there sides. All the color drained from Zelda's face. Of course she herself had never been to the Gerudo Desert but her spies had reported descriptions of the Gerudo guards as well as all Zelda had learned from the ancient legends about the King of Evil and his people. Zelda was caught right in the middle of enemy territory. Her family would of course attempt to rescue her but from what she knew Ganondorf's lair was a venerable fortress, the only one in history said to have penetrated it's deepest layers which likely was where she was now was the Hero of Time. Of course, Link he had awakened as the Hero and he wielded the Master's Sword. Could he in fact rescue her even with Ganondorf sitting somewhere nearby. As Zelda thought this the ground beneath her feet began to shake. The quake was so violent the Princess could not keep her feet. She fell and as she did so the Triforce on her hand began to glow bright, brighter than Zelda had ever seen it. So bright it filled the whole cell with pure light, Zelda was blinded. The quake ended and with it the light of the Triforce died. Though the cell appeared no different Zelda was left with some she'd previously been without, hope. She would get out of here. She couldn't wait for Link to save her. Hyrule was not known for its earthquakes if the ground was shifting under foot something much greater than anyone realized must be going on. Zelda stood facing the door and held her arms out. Her Triforce glowed again though much more sombrely. When it had died down she was holding the mythic bow of light in her hands. She aimed the legendary weapon at the lock on the door and fired. For a moment it appeared as if it had worked. The arrow sliced right through the iron leaving a hole in the lock. All to quickly though black smoke that reeked of enchantment poorest from the damaged iron and coveted it completely. When the smoke dissipated the lock was again intact. Zelda collapsed on the hard bed. Who was she kidding, these cells had likely held hundreds of Zeldas through the ages. She should have realized they would be warded against anything she was capable of. It appeared she was back to plan A, wait for rescue. --- **Saria** Saria raced through Faron Woods and back into more familiar territory. She remembered everything Faron had said but what rung most clearly was 'the deku tree is silent' it couldn't be that the quake which had disrupted Faron's connection to Hyrule had also done away with the Great Deku Tree. He'd been there forever. He couldn't simply die. But then she'd thought the same all those years ago when Link told her the First Great Deku Tree had passed. Saria tore through Kokiri Village ignoring the surprised hellos from her fellows. The entrance to the Deku Tree's grove was guarded. "Ah hello Saria." Midi said pleasantly. "Midi, get out if my way, I must speak with the Lord of the Forest. Saria pushed pasted Mido. "Geez," he muttered "Ever since that Link guy turned out to be mortal she hasn't given anyone else a second thought." He said grumpily sitting down by a tree. Saria ran into the grove relieved to see the Deku Tree still there. "My Lied thank goodness I feared you were gone." Saria realized something wasn't right. The Deku Trees mouth hung open, which only ever happened if he was admitting entrance to his interior or the fairy realm. Birds and bugs swirled around him, his magic usually kept them at bay and there were Deku babas growing in various areas around the grove. "Deku Tree?" She asked trying to keep the fear from her voice. There was no response. She ran up to him knocking on his bark. "Please, don't be gone." Saria started to sob. She may have been as old as the trees but she was still a child. "Please, don't be gone. I need someone to guide me. Please just tell me what to do." Saria sobbed crying as she ran her hands over bark from a Tree that no longer housed the spirit of the Great Deku Tree.

A guard saw the princess' movements. She called out to the guard at the far end of the hall in the throaty language of the Gerudo people. She requested a message be sent to Lord Ganondorf himself. --- Ganondorf stood, flustered. He held a hand to his face, trying to massage away the headache that played at the edge of his mind. A formal knock sounded. He grunted an acknowledgment and the door opened. A frantic guard ran into the room. "The princess is awake, My Lord." She said as she bowed low to the ground. "Wonderful." He sent her off and paced the room a few times before leaving himself. He came to the hall that Zelda was being held in. He walked with a determination that only a man with the intent to rule the world cold display. His strides were long and his presence was stifling. I t was almost as if evil itself emanated from him. He found her cell and stood in front of it. He glared through the bars. "Welcome to my humble abode, Princess. I trust you are enjoying your stay." Sarcasm dripped from his words.

Link sighed, he walked around his work clothes having not yet bothered to put on his armor and Hero's clothing. He wandered the halls until he meet a maid who quickly ordered him back to the room, saying they servants shouldn't wander. He sighed the maid following, she froze as he entered the bunk of the Hero, Link turned to say something but she had run off. Link rolled his eyes entering his room, he walked over to the tunic. Gently he reached out and touched it, this seemed a much more... Radiant garment then what he had been wearing. He smiled, wondering Ciela had gotten it for him, a knock on the door interrupted him the kings chamberlain walked in holding a ornate suit of chain mail. "The king gifts you this, his illness goes more severe, please return Zelda to us young Hero." He placed the armor and fresh Hylian shield on the bed before turning to leave, the maids entering behind brought in a table, a chair, and a four course breakfast. Link smiled thanking each of them personally before sitting down to eat grabbing a book from the shelf, it was one on past Hero's. He ate slowly, pouring himself a glass on Lon-Lon ranch milk as he read, it seemed that past Links had been able to contact the Princess using the tri-force, he wondered if he could to. He could ask Ciela later, that fairy was so helpful, maybe the princess could contact him? Either way he first goal was to go find Epona then go find Ciela. He pulled on his armor then his tunic, it was a little big, the Hero who wore must have been taller than he was.With that he carefully took his dishes to the servants kitchen, after asking for directions... Twice. Then he headed out of the castle, only to find Epona stabled and groomed, two young boys, stable hands were brushing her down and feeding her sugar cubes when he arrived.