"They say that after the Hero of Time left to find a friend he had lost, he accidentally stumbled upon a land not a part of this world but made entirely in the mind of evil. Not much is known about this land or the evil the Hero of Time had to face given that it was on an entirely different plane of existence but the Oracles have called this land Termina." Sidon turned the page of the ancient book as Link listened intently. As usual, Link was leaning against the Zora Prince. His eyes were closed and he was at ease. It was nice listening to Sidon read, Link thought his voice was very...soothing. Comforting? Whatever it was Link liked listening to it.

"The evil was said to be placed in a mask shaped like a heart with two vibrant yellow eyes that glowed when it expelled its horrendous magic. They say the mask, Majora's Mask it was called, was powerless on its own but with a vessel it was something to be feared. Unfortunately for the Hero of Time he had met a forest child who had been possessed by the mask. The wearer then, with the help of the mask, turned the hero into a Deku (said to be an ancient relative of the forest children "Koroks") and took his Ocarina and beloved steed. From there the Hero of Time faced many more challenges. Some of which being turned into several more races of Termina such as a Goron and a...a Zora." Sidon paused for a moment, partly because he could feel Link's discomfort with this Hero and partly because he was somewhat shocked that at one point in time Link had become an actual Zora...technically.

"Shall I continue?" Link hesitated but he nodded. Sidon cleared his throat and continued. "The Oracles described the peril this Hero faced as "something too dark for a child that age, even if he had already fought for life and death". Majora's Mask had the power to possess the good protectors of the different corners of this land and torment its poor inhabitants. The masks the Hero collected (Deku, Zora, Goron, etc.) were described as the faces of the dead. A Deku Scrub who had the caught the heart of the Deku Princess had died so his spirit (and essentially his face) had become a mask for the Hero to wear and transform himself into a Deku Scrub whenever he pleased. This same detail applies to other masks. In the end, the masks were all used to obtain a final mask to stop the moon from falling and killing all of those in Termina. That was Majora's Mask ultimate plan."

Link put his hand on the book, memories of the horrific dream he had the night before his  coronation came flashing into his mind. The poor boy...the poor Hero. His story was the most terrifying he's heard so far, being transported to another realm of existence only to be forced to wear the faces of the dead to stop the moon from killing all those who lived there.

"Shall we head back up the Castle, My King?" Sidon murmured as he placed on hand Link's back. Link shook his head and instead stood up, going back to the shelf. He pulled a black book off the shelf, once the light hit the cover luminous green designs began shining. "Are you sure you want to continue? It's perfectly fine if you wish to stop and take a break, in fact we can break right now and return in a bit to continue if you'd like." Link thought for a moment and nodded. A break could be nice, he hasn't had a snack in a while. "I shall meet you back here in two hours then. Enjoy yourself out there." Link smiled, quickly signing a thank you before he sped up the stairs.

His first stop was, of course, the kitchen. A chef was already in there preparing dinner. Link casually strolled in and sneakily grabbed a fruit pie left on the table closest to the door. In its place he left a silver rupee. With a pie in his hand he walked to his room and began chowing down.

The fruit pie was nice, but the food didn't distract him from the horrible knowledge of knowing the Heroes before him had to endure horrific things. To think that a child, a child, only went off to find a fairy friend got caught up in the evil plans of a mask. To think that this child had to save everyone in three days and to do that he had to wear the faces of the dead. And that same child was himself. It made Link sick to his stomach.

He began thinking about that Hero again, how his dream had showed him. The mask on him, the way his voice in the dream sounded so horrifying and excited yet scared at the same time. How he was twitching uncontrollably, how he just seemed unstable. That mask was definitely something to be feared if it could cause so much chaos.

The King of Hyrule set aside the empty plate and shook his head. He wasn't going to dwell on the mask, he didn't want to think about how that Child Hero had probably been traumatized over something as terrifying as Majora's Mask. He attempted to distract himself, eyes darting around the room for any kind of distraction. They landed on the small rusty sword he had hung up.

Link smiled and stood, slowly taking the sword off its plaque and held it tightly. The last time he held that sword it had been when he had recovered a memory of his own, not about Zelda or his duty. Since then he's had no luck in finding areas where he could recall something of his childhood or even himself as a knight. He had even prayed to the Goddesses for more memories! Nothing.

Link stared at the sword for a second, as if expecting it to begin glowing and lead him to another memory. As expected it didn't happen and the Hylian sighed, returning the rusty sword to its place on the wall. Oh well. So much for that theory. As he returned to his bed (hoping to get a little nap in) he heard something...familiar. It sounded like hollow wood hitting each other because of a breeze. It sounded like...trees rustling. Wait, was that a laugh?

It was a Korok.

The Hylian swung his window open and poked his head far outside to try to get a better clue at where the sound was coming from. Luckily for him he didn't have to use too much brainpower because two Koroks dropped out the sky, they were right above Link's window, and onto the Castle's path down below. The two seemed to be running (as much as they could with their incredibly short legs) and this only made Link more curious as to why they were here. Without skipping a beat Link jumped out his window and made an attempt to paraglide over to the two Koroks. A thick, white fog enveloped Link and all he could hear was the taunting laugh of the forest children.

When his feet touched the ground the fog lifted. He was in the Lost Woods 

Link stood still for a second. This seemed a bit too convenient. He was just thinking about how he hadn't regained any of his personal memories and now he's been suddenly transported from Hyrule Castle to the Lost Woods? It felt like the Goddesses were trying to mess with him, just a bit. Nonetheless Link sighed and took out his Sheikah slate to transport instantly to the shrine that rested at the Great Deku Tree's side. Just his luck, the Sheikah slate picked up no sign of any shrine nearby. Looks like he had to walk.

As he attempted to make his way back into the Korok Forest he wondered what kind of memory this would be. A good one like before, or maybe a bad one? Would it have his family? His old friends (if he had any as a child that is)? Would it involve backstory on himself and just himself? Whatever the case may be he was just happy he'd get a piece of himself back.

It took days, hours, minutes to get through the thick fog and trees. The dead and dying trees with the faces carved on them smiled down at Link as he finally reached the small clearing that led straight into the Korok Forest. Link couldn't run fast enough, he nearly tripped over his own feet as he sprinted away from the fog and into the comforting sight of the Koroks playing around with sticks and leaves. 

"Ah, I see you've made it here." The Great Deku Tree spoke softly , a hint of sadness in his voice. Link didn't remember the last time he had visited his ancient friend, he couldn't even remember if he had told him of Zelda's passing but he was sure he knew somehow. "I assumed this ring of light was meant for you." Link nodded as he approached the same glowing light he had seen before, this time it was placed just in front of where the Master Sword stood for a hundred years. "Go on then, I'll be waiting for you to come to." The Hylian nodded again and hesitantly stepped into the glowing circle.

-

"Go on then, Link." Link blinked and looked up to see a man standing next to him, holding his hand. He was a young boy and this man, this man with piercing blue eyes and dirty blond hair, appeared to be his father. Link smiled up at his father and his father smiled back but there was a hint of sadness in the smile. "Go on, son. The King would like to see you do this one task. He wants to...test something." 

"Did I do something wrong?" Link asked, his own voice surprising himself just a bit. His father chuckled lightly and knelt down, placing both hands on his shoulders. 

"Not at all. But when you saved the princess the other day he has something he wants to see."

"Does it have to do with the triangle on my hand?" Link tilted his head and looked down at his right hand. The Triforce glowed dimly on his skin. "It's cool, isn't it? The Princess and I have matching ones. The whole Kingdom has this thing on every banner. Does this make me important?" His father smiled sadly again and nodded.

"Yes, very important. But before he says you really are important he needs to test you. Now the test is simple, just get through the forest. There will be someone...special waiting for you at the end. They'll take you back to the castle and I'll be waiting there for you, I promise." Link nodded and let go of his father's hand, walking to the edge of the forest. "I'll see you soon, Link." Link turned around to wave to his father but the fog blocked his vision and he was forced to walk straight ahead where it was a bit clearer.

He was scared but something told him that there was no reason to be afraid, so he swallowed his fear and bravely began walking. The tall trees towered above him and cast spooky shadows on the ground. The air made the thin branches move and creak. For some reason Link heard giggling too...

"Master, I am here waiting for you." Link yelped and turned around. No one was behind him so where did the voice come from? "I will guide you to me if you allow me to do so."

"Who...Who are you?" Link shouted a bit too loud. His tiny hands were balled up into fists as he desperately tried to find the source of the voice. 

"It is I, Fi. I see you require my assistance to find me." He realized the voice came from no where and everywhere at once. He couldn't tell if she was good or bad but from the sound of her monotone voice she only wanted to help him. 

"Okay, come out and help me!" Link grabbed a stick off the floor and held it out like a sword, just in case. 

"While I can no longer leave the sword," Fi floated into view of the amazed child, "I can offer you this projection of how my physical form once looked." Link's eyes were wide and his mouth was agape. Fi looked like a ghost, a beautifully monochromatic, nearly transparent ghost. "You are not my master yet, but I can sense him it in you so therefore I will call you Master. Please, follow me." She floated backwards, keeping her eyes on the child as he followed her.

"Are you dead?" Link asked quietly.

"While I am living nor dead, I am a spirit." The child's eyes widened even more as an excited giggle escaped the hand he had clasped over his mouth. "I inhabit a special sword. Your sword."

"I have a sword?!" Fi nodded, turning to the left. "That's so cool! I already have a sword but it's made out of wood and kind of useless." He followed her as she turned again. "Is the sword really mine?"

"Yes. Only you can wield it." She floated down to the ground, out on the clearing where the fog couldn't touch them. "I will be waiting for you just in there, Master." Fi pointed to a path that seemed to be leading through a hollowed out tree trunk into another forest. She disappeared and Link was left alone again. 

He followed the path through the hollow tree and into another forest. This one was different than the one he had just been in. Light shone through the leaves of the trees and playful laughter came from every corner. Something in the middle glowed. Link squinted and immediately recognized it as the sword Fi spoke of.

"Hello there, young one." A loud yet gentle voice boomed out as Link got close enough to the sword. The Hylian child jumped in surprise and looked up to see the Great Deku Tree for the very first time. "I see you have made your way through the forest. Did someone help you?"

"Yes..." Link pointed at the sword. "She did. She said her name was Fi." The Great Deku Tree chuckled.

"So she did. I suppose I should tell you my name as well. I am the Great Deku Tree and this is the Korok forest. That sword right there is the Master Sword." Link repeated the name of the sword in awe, placing a small hand on its handle.

"Fi said it was mine. Can I take it?" 

"Yes. In your situation taking it is a must." Link stood closer to the sword and placed both hands on its handle. "Before you pull it, I must warn you. Pulling this sword means your life may change. I cannot say whether it is for the better or for worse, that is up to you." 

"Great Deku Tree," Little Link looked up at the gigantic tree in front of him with innocent eyes that knew nothing of what would lay ahead of him once he pulled that sword out of its pedestal, "Am I important? The triangle- triforce on my hand is the same as the princess and the spirit lady said that this sword is mine...am I really really important?" 

"Yes. You are very important. Just like how the heroes before you were important." There was more excitement on his face upon hearing those words. "It is now time for you to claim your weapon, child. I pray to the ancient Goddesses that you receive a fitting reward for what you will do."

Link didn't struggle when he pulled out the sword. Sure the sword stood taller than Link himself but it felt like pulling a stick out between two rocks. It weighed nothing and Link could've sworn it was floating out of his hand. 

"Until we meet again, young hero." Link looked at the Deku Tree as a holy, golden light covered his view. The light began to fade a moment later and Link gripped the Master Sword tightly. He noticed a certain piece of the Triforce on his hand was glowing nearly as brightly as the light surrounding him. Both lights died down and Link was standing in front of the King, his father, the Princess, and practically the whole royal court. The sword glowed a bright blue and Link held it up triumphantly before he collapsed, all the energy in his small body draining at once.

-

"Welcome back." The Deku Tree smiled warmly. Link looked down to see he was no longer three feet tall. "You were such a unique child, so full of life." The Deku Tree sighed nostalgically. "Often I regret allowing you to pull the sword that day. I could have turned you away and you would be forced to come back another day. Maybe if I had done that you would have lived a pleasant childhood..." 

"It's fine." Link signed with a smile. "Whether I pulled the sword that day or five years from then, I never would've had a normal childhood. I'm at peace with that."

"That truth saddens me." The Koroks began crowding around Link, offering him acorns. He looked pale since he regained his childhood memory. "However, while I do not wish to remember the things you had to endure as a child I am glad it shaped you into the man you are today. You are making a suitable King. I must say I am quite proud of you." Link smiled, taking every single acorn given to him. "I am also glad the Goddesses are giving you an opportunity to remember yourself. And I'm glad you've taken it upon yourself to learn your history as well." 

"It is getting late, I believe you have somewhere to be. You have yet to learn about the Twilight Realm." Link nodded, unhooking the Sheikah Slate from its spot on his hip. He waved a final goodbye to the Great Deku Tree before he selected the tower that resided in Central Hyrule and was transported away in a lazy blue light.