Work Text:
Link screamed as he saw his reflection, skull kids' laughter pierced his ear drums. The warped and cracked wood that was contorted in a solumn expression stared back from the water. Skull kid escaped but one of the fairies with him got left behind for bullying him. Trying to reorient himself around having short legs and a large head for such a small body. He stepped into the water and was surprised when his foot didn’t break the surface of the water but he also bounced off the still liquid.
Getting used to this form was much more difficult than getting used to walking around in his older body, but it was quite the learning experience. Especially having to learn how to dive into flowers and hovering over large gaps in the floors. The great fairy’s gift was also something unusual to learn but he managed. When the Happy Mask Salesman taught him the Song of Healing he felt his body return to normal with the clattering of wood on stone.
The sadly-faced mask looked more like a toy than anything, but when he tried it on again he was once again in the form of a Deku Scrub. When he finally made it to the Deku Palace the other Deku people looked at him with suspicion and concern. Even the Princess looked at him with alarm.
The next mask he gained was from the ghost of a Goron warrior, Darmani. The spirit begged him to revive him so he could save his people. In hindsight, he’d done exactly what was asked of him while wearing the mask. The Goron people looked at him with bewildered expressions, but they expressed their joy that he, Darmani, was alive.
Getting used to Darmani’s large, heavy body and long arms was difficult. Trying to control himself while rolling was also difficult. Thankfully the Goron’s thick skin, heavy punches, and immunity to lava allowed much room for errors. With Darmani and the Deku Scrub’s help he was able to free the next giant, the mountains were beautiful when they weren’t covered in snow. I was unfortunate that the snow would be back the moment he played the Song of Time again.
Then he watched as Mikau died, he lost count of how many times he’d played the song of time in an attempt to save the zora. He got a mask from Mikau too, getting used to his body wasn’t too different from moving around in his older body. Swimming however was a whole different experience. Zora regarded him with friendliness but expressed constant concern for him, even Lulu attempted to stop him from going to the Great Bay Temple.
Each mask allowed him to take the form of another and he was able to navigate with the gentle assistance of the spirits that slept in the wooden husks. He welcomed their aid because he wouldn’t be able to understand their different forms without them. He had never really thought about what he’d looked like in the other’s forms, he’d figured that he just looked like himself but as a Goron, Deku Scrub, or Zora. Then he played the Elegy of Emptiness for the first time and he saw the statues of what he truly looked like in each form.
The Deku Scrub had the same sad expression that he’d seen when he stared at his reflection in clear water, but his face was shrouded in shadows and three leaves stuck out of his head. His legs were small withered stumps attached to a round torso. He looked like a less distorted version of the tree Link had seen prior to entering the cloak tower.
Darmani’s statue looked exactly how his spirit had minus the blue-grey pallor to his skin. He had a large scar across his stomach and empty white eyes. If Link looked past the wooden texture of the statue then he figured the statue would look exactly like Darmani had before his death.
Mikau’s statue held his guitar in both hands, he had tattoos up his arm and on his head. His face was locked in a pained grimace and his eyes were solid white. Link suddenly understood the amount of concern that others expressed toward him while borrowing their forms.
He was surprised when he didn’t have to take up another face while exploring the stone tower temple but he was thankful that he didn’t have another form to get used to while traversing the confusing temple. He defeated Twinmold with barely enough time to quickly play the song of time once more. He helped a few more people around clock town before the final day and ended up resetting the clock a few more times as he gained a few more masks. Helping them was pointless but he did it anyway, even if it pained him to see his work undone with the reversal of time.
Link stopped the moon from crashing down onto Termina and found himself humoring the four children playing around the tree in the center of the landscape within the moon’s mouth. It was difficult to simply hand over the masks that he’d gone through the trouble of collecting but he played the games of all the children, till he was left with the Deku Scrub, Darmani, and Mikau. The questions the children asked him stung his mind, but the three spirits eased his doubts.
Then it was just him and the child sitting beneath the tree, the one wearing Majora’s mask. The child offered another game, this time a game of hero against a demon. He was offered a mask with a face similar to his own but the hair was white and black eyes. It had a large blue diamond on his forehead and two red stripes under each eye. He found himself in a large room with Majora waiting on one wall.
Link placed on the new mask and found himself easily grounded in the large form that was similar to his adult self. Then he was overwhelmed but the anger and fear the spirit within held, it wasn’t directed toward him however but was targeted at Majora. Then he heard the Deku Scrub start playing his trumpet in the tune that soothed his own soul, followed by Darmani’s drums and Mikau’s guitar. The spirit settled enough for Link to move himself and fight Majora.
When he struck the final blow against the demon, he felt a sigh of relief as the mask slipped off his face and his body returned to normal. He managed to catch the mask before it hit the floor of the moon that was now disappearing. Then he was in Termina Field with Skull Kid in front of him, the child asked to be his friend and he smiled in response. Then he frond when the Happy Mask Salesman began to speak.
“The masks you have are filled with happiness.” The man said with his trademark smile and Link felt him gazing hungrily at the mask in his hands. He looked at the quieted mask before storing it carefully away with the other spirits. He heard cheering at the entrance of the Clocktown and he was surprised to see Anju and an older Kafei in wedding attire getting married.
He’d reset time, so how..? He got on Epona and visited every area in Termina only to find that everything he had done was no longer erased by the reversal of time. Link found himself sitting on the alcove of the clock tower with a skull kid timidly next to him astounded. Tatl was surprised too and was reassuring him that it was a good thing that everything he’d done was now real. He was just shocked that his actions actually held meaning after his adventure was over, unlike the last had ended. He heard an unfamiliar voice whisper to him in response to his confusion.
“You freed me from Majora’s grasp and I saw your deeds as the others eased my frustrations, so I solidified your actions. There were things that I could not fix, in the deaths of those you carry with you and the shadow of the tower that looms over Ikana Valley. Your deeds however are real now, as they should be.” The mask whispered before becoming silent again, Link smiled to himself in response to the mask's words.
“Can I ask what your name is?” Link asked and the mask was silent for a long moment.
“I’m afraid I no longer remember it, little one.” Link hummed in thought, only recalling how tall he’d felt in the other’s body.
Then he had an idea, “what if I call you Alder?”
“I wouldn’t mind that little one.” The mask chuckled.
Link spent a few weeks in Termina before deciding to return home to Hyrule. Link was on the way back to Hyrule when he stopped at a pool for Epona to rest. He looked into the clear water and pulled out Alder’s mask so he could see what the man looked like. Link initially thought the man would look quite like his older self had.
Alder had long white hair and solid white eyes, his face framed by the same markings that the mask had. He was significantly larger than Link had been in his grown up body. He wore decorative silver armor and had a massive helixed blade that Link remembered using to defeat Majora.
“Is something wrong, little one?” Alder asked.
“No, I was just wondering what you looked like.” Link said in response as he pulled the mask off. Alder hummed in response and the other spirits took the opportunity to complement Alder on his appearance.
“You seem to hold a degree of familiarity with my form despite being a child still, little one. The other’s said you needed aid with handling their forms. May I ask why that is?”
Link thought for a moment, he didn’t like recalling that no one in Hyrule remembered him. He hadn’t saved the Gorons or Ruto, all he was known for was being the Kokiri child with knowledge of the future Ganondorf made. “I had to save Hyrule,” Link choked on his words. “But I was too young, so the sword made me sleep for seven years. I had to save Hyrule that way, then I was sent back in time…” Link choked on his words. Darmani comforted him quietly, while Mikau trilled softly in song to soothe him. He felt Alder become angry, but not at him.
Before Link managed to make it back to Hyrule a dark portal dropped him in the middle of a war. He met two other people named Link and the older of the two was called “Captain” because of his status as a knight and the other was nicknamed “Toon” for his large range of expressions. He got the nickname “Mask” which was fairly self explanatory. It mildly hurt that Darunia and Ruto did not recognize him.
He was in the middle of rescuing Captain from running ahead of the battle when a dark figure stood over him, his mind shuddering at the thought of the vast lake with an island in the center and a figure that mimicked his every move. Cia stood bhind the shadow controlling its movements.
Cia’s voice broke his thoughts, “poor lost child, unfortunately you’ll have to die if you try protecting Link. His soul will be mine no matter what and even you will perish if you stand in my way.” He felt a surge of protectiveness from the spirits and decided to test something.
“Let me ask my dad.” He said. Darmani let out a despondent “kid” and Mikau started cackling.
Cia faltered, “that’s not how this works!”
Link ignored her and pulled out Alder’s mask, “hey, Dad is Cia allowed to kill me?” He could feel the Captain’s confused gaze on his back and a loud no echoed in his head. The other spirits added to Alder’s denial.
He looked up at Cia as he moved to put on the mask, “sorry, but he said no.” Whatever Cia planned on saying was drowned out as he put on the mask and Alder gently took control. He was now looking down at the startled sorceress and he let Alder take his anger out on the woman, having no interest in fighting her himself.
After the battle was over Alder was quiet which worried Link, “I’m sorry if calling you my dad upset you, Alder.” Link felt a chasm form in his heart at the thought that Alder hadn’t thought they were that close. It felt similar to when the Deku Sprout had told him that he wasn’t Kokiri. It should have been obvious when he woke up in a grown up body, but some part of him refused to accept that he was anything but Kokiri.
“That’s not it, little one. I was merely contemplating on a proper nickname to give you, my child.” Link was shocked and when the words registered he couldn’t help himself from buzzing with excitement. The other spirits also waited at attention for what Alder may say. “I think Tadpole suits you well, child.” Mikau cheered and Link giggled but accepted the name.
Link continued to aid in the war and enjoyed meeting people from different eras. Link often found himself tugging on the Captain's long scarf when he wanted to get his attention. He cried when he had to say farewell to the man and everyone else he’d met.
He was back with Epona and he continued on his way back to Hyrule. He’d just entered Hyrule Field when Epona stumbled and twisted her ankle. Link startled and dismounted, he started to panic but the Deku Scrub interrupted his panic by speaking. “Is there a ranch somewhere that could help her?” He nodded to himself and began to lead his limping horse to Lon Lon Ranch. The ranch was in sight when night fell and he put on Keeta’s mask so that the stalchildren would ignore him.
When he entered Lon Lon Ranch, he didn’t want to disturb Malon or Talon so he thought it would be best to take Epona to the stable and sleep with her there. Before he could make it past the house on the ranch, the door opened causing light to illuminate the darkened ranch. Link winced and covered his face to protect his eyes from the sudden light. Talon’s figure stood in the doorway holding a rake.
Link froze and internally panicked at the thought of being run off. Talon squinted at him for a moment then looked surprised, “Well I’ll be! Is that you Fairy Boy?” Link nodded stiffly, still weary of what the man might do. “What brings you out here so late there lad?” The man questioned setting the rake against the wall of the ranch.
Link thought for a moment on how to respond before looking to Epona. “Epona twisted her ankle while I was traveling… I thought that this would be the best place to get help for her… If that’s alright, that is…” He couldn’t bring himself to look the man in the eyes out of fear of being turned away and not being able to care for Epona. Talon rushed over and took Epona’s injured foot in hand to examine it.
“It’s not too bad, thankfully, but she’s gonna need some rest.” Talon said after a moment of looking over the injury and Link let out a breath of relief. “I’ll take her to the sable kid, why don’t you go inside and make yourself comfortable.”
“That’s not necessary, I can sleep out in the stables with her.” Link didn’t want to take advantage of the man’s kindness, the spirits’ disagreed with his refusal.
“Nonsense boy, you look like you need a good rest. Now get moving or I’ll drag you into the house myself!” Link bristled at the threat and complied with Talon’s orders. He walked through the open door and almost sunk to the floor at the pleasant warmth that penetrated his chilled skin. He opted to quietly shut the door behind him, he observed the quaint living room and saw Malon sitting on an old couch with her legs tucked under her skirts, her eyes focused on the fireplace. He shuffled timidly for a moment before Darmani insisted that he got closer to the fire to warm himself. He hadn’t realized how cold it had been out until he entered the house. The Deku Scrub helpfully reminded him to take off Keeta's mask and Link startled at the thought that Talon had recognized him with the mask on.
He cautiously approached the couch where Malon was sitting and after a moment she took notice of him. Her brown eyes lit up with delight, Link felt himself unconsciously scratch the back of his head while shuffling nervously under her excitement. “Fairy Boy! It’s been a long time since you’ve visited!” She looks like Romani Mikau supplied with a curious tone. A lot of people in Hyrule look like the people in Termina Link replied. The spirits hummed in response.
Malon interrupted their conversation, “what caused the sudden visit?” She said as she patted the space next to her in invitation. He took the opportunity to think of a reply as he quietly sat down.
“Epona twisted her ankle, Talon said it wasn’t too bad, but I figured bringing her here was the best idea.” Link said as he stared at his hands in his lap.
“Well you're not wrong, we’ll definitely help her get better.” Link felt relief that she was going to be alright, he couldn’t imagine being separated from her again. “Say, what happened to the fairy that was always with you?” Link froze, his words solidified in his throat. He didn’t know how to explain why Navi had left, he didn’t even understand why she left. He didn’t realize that he’d started crying when Malon wrapped her arms around him and forced his face into the crook of her neck. “Hey you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, it was a dumb question anyways.”
Link shook his head and started crying harder, Alder cooed at him in an attempt to comfort him. Link didn’t notice when Talon reentered the house until the man tapped his shoulder and offered him a warm bottle of milk. Link sipped the warm liquid between hiccups and eventually he told the two everything that had happened to him. He explained how he had to gather the spiritual stones to gain access to the Master Sword, how the sword had made him sleep for seven years so he could fight Ganondorf, how he was sent back to have a childhood that he couldn’t visualize anymore. How Navi left and wasn’t a Kokiri, how he no longer had a home to return to.
Malon absorbed every word he said without a hint of disbelief, however, Link could tell that Talon was having a harder time believing everything. Link couldn’t blame him, some of the things he experienced in both adventures were hard for him to even believe. Eventually the man stopped his tirade and wrapped a blanket over his shoulders and told him to sleep. He pulled out Alder’s mask, Talon looked at the mask with confusion and caution, Link pulled the mask close to himself as he laid down on the couch to sleep.
For once he wasn’t awake at 6 am in the morning, rather the internal clock he’d made for himself told him that it was 12 pm. Link looked around the empty house, Alder still tucked in his arms, eventually he made his way outside. He heard Malon singing the ever familiar tune closeby, he followed the song until he found Malon sitting beside Epona and brushing the young mare.
“You took really good care of her didn’t you?” Malon asked as if she already knew the answer and Link froze in place. “Good thing you did, otherwise I’d be pretty angry with you.” Link floundered for a moment before deciding to change the topic.
“Is there anything I can help with?” Malon looked at him with surprise. She almost looked as if she was going to insist that he didn’t need to help before deciding against it.
“Well, we could use some help getting all the cuccoo chicks together.” Link thought for a moment before digging in his bag for the Bremen Mask, Malon giggled at the sight of it and asked what he was planning to do with it. Link decided to put the mask on and place his ocarina to his lips before he started playing while marching to the tune. The cuccoo chicks started following him to the beat, he heard Malon laughing and saw an astounded look on Talon’s face as he marched by the man. Malon ran up alongside him and led him to where the chicks were supposed to be, she shut the door after the last chick entered the barn. Link stopped playing and Malon looked at him with excitement.
He quickly got used to life around the ranch and feared that they may decide to force him to leave after Epona recovered. That never happened, he had stayed with them for nearly a year before Alder asked something of him. Link was startled by the request but after the spirits cheered him on for a while, Link decided to do as Alder asked. He told Malon and Talon that he would be gone for a short time and they told him that he was always welcome at the Ranch.
Link mounted Epona and rode to Kakariko Village to head to Death Mountain. He entered Goron Village and Darmini was amazed by the difference from his own home. Link spent the day rekindling his friendship with Darunia but decided to travel further up the mountain before leaving.
He thankfully found Volvagia outside the heat that was the inside Death Mountain. The young dragon chirped with excitement and tackled him to the ground, curling its serpentine body around Link. Link informed the young dragon where he was living now and the two spent the night under the stars enjoying each other's company. Volvagia joined him part way down the mountain in the morning before they said goodbye.
Link didn’t visit Impa’s house in Kakariko figuring that the woman would be looking after the Princess. He met Epona and rode to the entrance of Zora’s domain. Meeting with Ruto again was an odd affair, she was angry with him for having the Hyrulian Royal family return the Zora Sapphire. Link took the time to explain to her why he’d asked for the sapphire in the first place and the fact that at the time, having been raised by immortal children, he had no idea what marriage was.
Ruto apologized for her attitude while rescuing him and he was glad the two of them could continue to be friends. Mikau was in awe at the young princess, he’d seen that older Ruto looked like Lulu so Link questioned his amazement. Mikau then explains how he thought one of his and Lulu’s children could end up with a similar appearance to Ruto. Link winced at the thought that he hadn’t been able to save Mikau, Alder scolded him for that thought.
Link ignored Kokiri forest and instead moved on to Gerudo Desert. It took a few escape attempts to finally meet Nabooru again, he forgot what a fun person she was. Twinrova brainwashed her and fighting her as the iron knuckle had distorted his memory of her. He found himself telling her how he’d fought Ganondorf in the future that would never come and she believed him. He was startled until she commented on how his spirit and the spirits he carried with him hadn’t wavered during the tale. They had proved that he was telling the truth.
The spirits managed to convince him to visit Kokiri Forest before he made for Castle Town. The Deku Scrub and Alder offered him their protection as he ventured through the forest. He entered the woods and walked through them with ease that came from his memories of going through the forest growing up. When he entered Kokiri Forest he was overcome with nostalgia and anxiety, the little village in the woods was silent. Link walked to his house in the woods and collected the items that he’d gathered as an adult and couldn’t use because of his small size.
A familiar voice yelled at him from outside, Link peered out of his house to see Mido glaring at him from the forest floor. “Oi, thief you better think otherwise if I’m gonna let you leave without a fight!” Mido said while waving around a Kokiri sword and stamping his foot in familiar fashion. Link sighed and exited his house causing Mido to gasp in surprise at the sight of him. “Link!” He exclaimed loudly and the forest came alive as the Kokiri appeared to see him. Link climbed down the ladder that led to his house and he was quickly surrounded.
Link was overwhelmed by the plethora of questions that the other children had for him but a voice cut through the noise and Saria made her way through the small crowd. “Link you’re back. You’ve grown too.” She said with a smile and Link quickly realized that he was looking down at her rather than being at the same eye level. He spent the entire day with the Kokiri, explaining to them that he was in fact Hylian and that Navi had left him.
The forest was quiet at night, he laid in his bed that was a little too small now, when two fairies made an appearance above his head. The skull kid’s head appeared upside down from the top of his window. The two talked through the night, trying to keep their voices down out of fear being caught. The two of them eventually tired themselves out and fell asleep together on the floor. The next morning he left for Castle Town.
Castle Town was loud and bustling as always, Link easily snuck past the royal guards in a similar fashion as before until he reached Princess Zelda. She was startled to see him, but the two eventually had a conversation while sitting in the grass, Impa overlooking them. He offered to return the Ocarina of Time but she refused, saying it was better left in his hands. The king eventually interrupted their visit and Link was told to leave, the king’s eyes locked onto Alder’s mask causing a warriness to overcome Link.
Link was thankful for Alder’s idea of visiting the places he’d traveled too as he returned to Lon Lon Ranch. Talon and Malon welcomed him home and many of his masks ended up decorating their walls, his collection of items going into storage. Years passed and he asked Malon to marry him, he gave her the Great Fairy Sword from Termina as a gift, and many of his friends came to their wedding. Volvagia visited occasionally and was very taken with caring for the cuccoos. He told Malon and Talon about the spirits in four of his masks and about his adoptive father Alder.
Things were peaceful for several years until guards came to evacuate Lon Lon Ranch due to the threat of Ganondorf’s return. Link knew something was wrong when the guards separated him from Malon and Talon but a sharp pain exploded at the back of his head before he could argue with the guards.
He woke up in a place that appeared similar to the surface of the moon, but he wasn’t scared. Mikau, Darmani, and the Deku Scrub stood in the field while Alder sat beneath the tree. He walked up to the large man and was quickly pulled into his lap, the other spirits came closer. “Forgive me, Tadpole, but it seems that my mask was placed on you while you were unconscious. I don’t have complete control over our body but I promise that I will protect you from harm.” Link could barely grasp what was happening outside the space but the spirits kept him company. Mikau, Darmani, and the Deku Scrub informed him of what was happening.
The king had sensed Alder’s power and knocked him unconscious, forcing the mask into place so he could be used as a weapon against Ganondorf. Alder himself had little control over their body and only moved if there was a significant threat to the both of them. He was forced into the middle of the battlefield and Link knew from experience what bloodshed was being done. Mikau shouted in alarm, Nabooru was fighting them. Link curled into Alder’s lap out of fear of losing his friend.
Nabooru fought as if she knew not to harm the two of them, she was distracting the spirit. A wrong movement sent pain flaring across his eye, he curled in on himself and Alder placed a hand on his back to steady him. Nabooru had cut across his eye, he couldn’t blame her. Then arms wrapped around their neck from behind and began to tug the mask of his face. It was painful and Link tried not to fight the sensation in hopes that the mask would come off easily. The world began to whiten out around him and Alder curled over his back in protection.
He came to Malon's face above him, a sharp pain stung his eye but a hand stopped him from touching the injury. Link looked to see Nabooru holding him in place, her other arm or what was left of it wrapped tightly in a bloodied cloth. He attempted to apologize but Nabooru stopped him.
“None of that boy, we were both injured. What happened to you wasn’t your fault and anyway I took your eye in return.” Malon ran her fingers through his hair and he allowed himself to relax back into her lap.
She traced a finger over his forehead, “you have Alder’s markings now.” Nabooru made a questioning noise but Link felt himself drifting off in exhaustion before he could converse further.
The king attempted to charge him of treason for leaving battle but Princess Zelda overruled him on his decision. He was allowed to recover within the walls of Castle Town, Nabooru was allowed to stay with them since she had saved him from the king’s plan. After Ganondorf was captured they were allowed to go back to Lon Lon Ranch and Nabooru left for Gerudo Desert to take control after Ganondorf was executed.
He was able to have several more years of peace before he woke up one morning with two travelers at his door. Both were armed to the teeth, one had pink hair and the other had curly brown hair. Another adventure, the spirits tucked safely in his bag, he bid Malon and Talon goodbye. It wasn’t long before he was reunited with the Captain and Toon again, this time under the names Warriors and Wind, while he gained the nickname “Time.” They didn’t seem to recognize him however.
It wasn’t long before he gave Twilight the nickname “Pup” and Wild the nickname “Cub.” Alder was delighted that he had “grandbabies” much to Time’s embarrassment, he didn’t argue with his father though considering his fondness for the two boys. Their travels took them to various Hyrules in various eras, but occasionally the portal took him to his own home. The boys were startled when he was attacked by Volvagia upon his return to his own time.
When they eventually found the source to the threat that was plaguing all Hyrules, Dark Link managed to get ahold of Alder’s mask. “What a powerful item, I think it would be best if you weren’t able to use it.” Dark Link said as he began to break the mask in half. Time screamed as he watched cracks form in the wood of the mask, he attempted to run and save his father. A loud snap sounded as the wood split in two, a white light flooded the area blinding Link. Mikau, Darmani, and the Scrub cried out in mourning too. When the light cleared enough for Time to see, he saw Alder’s large figure standing before a fearful Dark Link.
“I must thank you for freeing me, but I cannot forgive you for causing such trouble for my son.” Alder lifted his large sword and Dark Link decided to retreat in favor of continuing to fight. The monsters were fairly easy to defeat with Alder’s help. The chain expressed their surprise at seeing the man, Time immediately ran up to him and hugged him. Alder picked him up to hold him close, “it’s fine Tadpole, I’m alright.” Time pressed his face into the crook of Alder’s shoulder.
Muffled laughter interrupted his quiet moment, “did he just call you Tadpole?” Time glared at Warriors and the rest of the chain.
“I did call my son, Tadpole. Is there something wrong with that?” The chain shook their heads, not wanting to anger the tall deity. Alder didn’t bother to set Time down and Time didn’t want to be away from his father after finally being with him physically. Then Time realized, how was he going to explain this to Malon?