Operation: MASKED, Chapter 2

Hel-lo, everybody. Now the saga officially begins… well, sort of. Anyhoo, before I begin, I’m gonna tell you what I sort of wanna do for this fic: Obviously, I am going to incorporate action stages into this story, otherwise it’s pretty much sh**. But since I want this story to have sort of a Zelda feel, since it’s a retelling of Majora’s Mask, I wanna try and make the levels feel a little Zelda-ish. So, my objective is to create some relatively long stages, namely the dungeons, throw in the usual Zelda material like mini-bosses, dungeon keys, etc., and also a few sidequests every now and then. All in my attempt to recapture the spirit that was the old Majora’s Mask, only with Kids Next Door, but we’ll see how that turns up. Let’s just watch!

Chapter 2: Bright Idea’s Big Mistake

Crystal Household

Centuries passed since that day. The mask which had struck terror amongst the mortals and the shadows was now seated upon a nightstand in the dark of a young girl's room. It only alit by the weak daylight from the open window, the sky grey and gloomy. The girl sat quietly on her bed, staring blankly at the wide-eyed mask. For hours each day, she sat there doing nothing else. Her blank eyes focused on the mask, which only stared back. Miyuki was just as motionless as the mask.

The silence was finally ended when someone knocked on Miyuki’s door. Her eyes directed away from the mask at long last when she heard her mother speak. “Miyuki? It’s Mom. Can I come in?”

Miyuki gave a quiet, muffled sigh. That was her mom’s cue to come in.

“Just wanted to come and say good morning. How long have you been up?”

“About as long as the mask...” She spoke hoarsely.

“Oh...” Olive glanced questioningly at the mask. “You’ve sure spent a lot of time with that thing... where did you say you got it?”

“The new mask shop that opened in Virginia. I was... called to go there.”

“Well... that’s great. Maybe you can wear it for next Halloween. By the way, you have a visitor.”

Miyuki’s little sister, Suki Crystal, suddenly ran in and yelled, “Your boyfriend’s here!” She laughed, running away.

“Suki!” Olive yelled. She sighed and continued, “Anyway, yes. The Unos’ son is here. You should come down and talk to him.”

Miyuki fell into silence at his mention. Cheren Uno was Supreme Leader of the Kids Next Door, and one of the few people Miyuki felt any emotion for. He was the only one that wanted to willingly speak to Miyuki. However, she felt there was something about him that wasn’t totally honest.

In a minute, Miyuki was downstairs at her living room table, seated across from Cheren Uno. “Hey, Miyuki. I wanted to check up on you.” He said.

Miyuki muffled a sigh, staring blankly.

“So… is everything all right down here? I’d like to know if my words are getting to you.”

“Often words become dust in the wind. To all humans, some things mean nothing to them.”

“Well, I can’t disagree with you on that. But you can trust what I say is true. If you spent a little more time with your friends, and ignored what everyone else says, you’d see that they care about you, too.”

“Mmmmm…” Miyuki only gave another sigh. Cheren’s words seemed to be lost to her.

Cheren only frowned seeing his friend so depressed. He glanced around the room before his eyes focused on the mask, which Miyuki had brought down and placed on the table. “…Cool mask.”

“Mm?” Miyuki looked up slightly.

“What is it?”

“A friend…”

“Hehehe. Like, an imaginary friend?”

“You mock me for it?”

“No! Having an imaginary friend is cool. Kaleo and his dad have one, and don’t forget about that Johnny 2x4 guy. They say it’s a natural thing for shy people to have. And inventive people, too.”

“My friend is all but imaginary…”

“Hehehe.” Cheren grinned. “Okay, Miyuki. …Have you ever put it on?”

“The need hadn’t arised…”

“Well, put it on! Here, lemme help.” With that, Cheren grabbed the mask and slipped it onto Miyuki’s face.

Miyuki’s vision went black once the mask was on her face, but her vision returned shortly, though having become red as she looked at Cheren. “Hm… there aren’t any holes for your eyes. Can you see through that okay?”

“My vision has never been clearer…”

“Hehe! Okay.” Cheren grinned. “It looks cool! Fancy designs.” He said as he lightly rubbed his hand against the mask. “I wonder what it’s made from? Almost looks like something Dr. Facilier would design.”

“Facilier’s magic means nothing…”

“Heh, come on, Miyuki, he’s pretty cool. You should show it to your friends. They’d probably like it.”

Just then, something under Miyuki’s sleeve started beeping. She rolled up her sleeve and stared at the wristwatch communicator on her wrist. “Numbuh 6:00 a.m., we need your help.” Someone yelled on the other side. Explosions were also heard. “Bright Idea is attacking Sector N and they called for assistance. Grab your S.C.A.M.P.E.R. and get down here fast!”

“Heh, speaking of which.” Cheren said. “Well, you should probably get going. I mean, they are your friends, too.”

Miyuki sat in silence for a few moments, staring blankly at the reassuring smile on Cheren’s face through the red vision of her mask. Something inside of her told her to listen… and she did. She stood up from her seat and left outside, heading to the S.C.A.M.P.E.R. in her garage.

“Is she feeling better?” Miyuki’s mother asked as she walked in.

“I think so. I’m hoping she’ll hang out a little more with her friends after she’s done. Anyway, I have work to do up on Moonbase. I’ll see you later, Mrs. Crystal.”

With that, Cheren stood up and walked toward the front door. Just as his hand touched the knob, a sound rang through his head. His entire vision became blurry as the image of a dark figure waved around in the blurriness. A dark, sinister voice made itself known as it sang, “Rooock a-bye Cheeerry, ooon the Earth top. Wheeen the darkness blooows, the moooon will rock. Wheeen space breeeaks, the moooon will fall. And theeen kiiill you aaall.”

Cheren flinched, his eyes widening. “Did you… hear something just now?” he asked.

“Oh? Not… that I’m aware of.” Mrs. Crystal said.

“Okay… bye.” With that, Cheren left and walked to his parked R.O.A.D.S.T.A.R..

Sector N Treehouse

“Come awn, pardners! This bulb-head an’ ‘is Bulbots ain’t any stronger ‘an a middle-aged lady liftin’ up her husky son.” Numbuh 14.1589, leader of Sector N, screamed as she and her sector blasted robots, designed like huge, glowing lightbulbs with robotic tentacles.

“What’s taking Sector IC so long?” her nerdy, bucktoothed brother yelled. “You’d figure a couple of timebenders would have this guy wasted by now.”

Outside the treehouse, the Sector IC team, consisting of George King, MaKayla King, Terry Stork, and Lola Stork, fought a series of Bulbots while an even bigger Bulbot, hovering in the air, used lasers and tentacles to lay siege against the treehouse. The massive bulb turned and faced the Sector IC operatives down below. Bright Idea sat in the cockpit. “The technology Dr. Light gave me served wonders. Soon, I will have revenge on that Mary-Lou brat by taking out her precious children and their friends! But just so this doesn’t end too quickly, I’ll happily deal with you benders first.”

The Big Bulbot fired missiles at George King, but he slowed them down in time as he ran out of the way, letting the missiles crash on nothing. Terry Stork used Shadow Glide to fly onto the deck around the cockpit bulb, while Lola transformed into a bat and flew on with him before changing back. “Lights out, bright boy.” Terry said before blowing Shadow Breath around Bright Idea’s bulb, trying to blind his vision. The supervillain merely activated the ginormous light and blew the shadowy fog away, forcing the Stork kids to shield their eyes.

“Can’t you think brighter than that, shadowbenders?!” Bright Idea exclaimed.

“Dude, one more ‘bright’ pun, I’m gonna nip his neck.” Lola said, still covering her eyes.

“MaKayla, throw a Time Bomb at that generator.” George ordered.

MaKayla put her hand behind her back as she charged a ball of blue energy in her palm. Once it was as big as her hand, she hurled it at the electrical generator below the machine, causing a sphere of the blue energy to expand around it. The robot seemed to slow slightly as the huge lightbulb switched off.

“Crud! Leave it to Dr. Light to leave an extremely exposable generator.” Bright Idea complained.

Having regained vision, Terry used Shadow Shockwave to take out one of the metal straps holding the bulb, while Lola threw spanking hands to take out the other one. Both twins worked together to wipe out the third one, causing the giant glass bulb to come off, exposing Bright Idea’s cockpit.

“You may have busted my bulb, but I’m still in enough control to stump you!” the villain yelled as two lightbulbs rose up in front of his cockpit and alit as they fired electrical rays at the two siblings, stunning them in place. “Hahahahaha!...” His laughing slowly faded when the machine started to malfunction, the electrical rays shorting out. “Argh, Dr. Light, you are the worst inventor ever…” he mumbled.

Lola regained composure as she turned into a bat and flew around Bright Idea as he tried to fix up his machine. “Ouch!” he screamed when Lola bit his neck from behind. “Yow! Hey! Get off you stupid-” he wobbled around the deck of the ship before falling over the edge. “Waaaaah!” He landed with a thud.

Lola flew off and changed back as Bright Idea got to his feet, seeing the two timebenders approach him. He drew out a lightbulb staff and exclaimed, “It’s time your bulbs were fixed.”

“Oh, haha, a double pun.” MaKayla remarked.

“Huh? Oh yeah, I guess it was…” Idea mumbled, realizing what he said. “It’s lights out, kiddies!”

Before the operatives tried to fight him, they looked to see another S.C.A.M.P.E.R. coming down for a landing. When the ship touched the ground, they watched as Miyuki Crystal stepped off the ship, still wearing her mask.

“Oh, you called for backup!” Bright Idea noticed. “Just another snot-nosed kid to learn.” He said as more Bulbots appeared by his side. “So, little girl. Are you ready for your first lesson?”

Miyuki said nothing as she calmly walked past her teammates and approached the villain. “Miyuki!” George reached out for her, but she said nothing.

Bright Idea put on a look of curiosity as the operative approached him, stopping just a few feet away. Miyuki reached her right arm out and opened her hand. “Huh?... Hur!” Bright Idea began shaking, feeling some kind of strange force overcome him. “Hurrrrrr! Haaaaaah!” Miyuki’s teammates gaped as Idea’s body shook more and more, the villain falling to his knees. The mask glowed and shook with a dark energy, and that same energy was engulfing Bright Idea. “AAAAAHHH!” A light expanded and blinded everyone.

When the light vanished, all that was left of the villain was his lightbulb mask, which fell to the ground before Miyuki’s feet. The Bulbots fell unconscious, and the four other operatives remained speechless, shocked. Miyuki turned around at them and said, “I made him suffer for his… crimes…”

The four operatives exchanged horrified glances.

KND Moonbase

“Well-p, that about wraps things up.” Cheren said as he finished the last bit of paperwork. “I’ll bring these to Larry later.” The 9-year-old Supreme Leader got up from his desk and walked out to the bridge. He saw his Global Tactical Officer, Panini Drilovsky, working at her usual station as he walked over and greeted her. “Hey, Panini. Any news to report?”

“Oh, Cheren! Sector N just called and said they resolved the problem with Bright Idea.”

“Great! Was Sector IC able to help them?”

“Oh, ya. In fact, they said they’re comin’ up here for a more detailed report. Sounds urgent.”

“Hm. Well, at least I’ll get to see Miyuki again.”

“Ya’ve sure spent a lot of time with that girl.” She said half-suspiciously.

“Well, yeah. I’m just trying to make sure she feels at home with everyone. I only want her to be happy here.”

“Riiight. Anyhoo, I did a little research, ya know what I found? Taday’s sort of the anniversary of when your dad left for GKND all those years ago.”

“Oh yeah! Hehe, one of the greatest stories in KND history! He ended up saving the universe from an evil black hole.”

“Hm-hm, right! Ah wonder if some top secret kid organization might just come and take YA away?” she smirked playfully.

“Heheh, good thing Nebula’s GKND isn’t like that. But if that did happen, I don’t think I’d wanna leave. Not unless there was a promise I could come back here. There’s so much I wouldn’t wanna leave behind.”

“Hm-hm, right. If ya weren’t here, I’d have no one ta play with. Yer the only one that challenges me. Except fer my idiot brother.”

“Hm, right.” Cheren chuckled one last time.

“Yo, dudes.” Zach Murphy greeted the two commanders as he approached them. “The freaks are here.”

Cheren rolled his eyes, “Numbuh 59+58, what do I keep telling you?”

“Okay, okay. Sector IC is here. And they brought their creepy goth friend, too.”

Cheren gave a light smile at that last part. A few moments later, Sector IC was walking in, escorted by Maddy Murphy. “Great job, you guys.” Cheren congratulated. “How was the mission? Was Bright Idea apprehended?”

George King stepped forward and said, “Yooou… better have a look at this.” With that, he tossed the lightbulb mask before Cheren’s feet.

The Supreme Leader picked up the mask and observed it. “Okay… what happened to the villain?”

“He just sort of… vaporized, or something. That’s all that was left…” MaKayla said.

“But… how did that happen?”

The four operatives stepped aside and shot stares at Miyuki, wearing her mask.

“Miyuki… you did this?”

“I was reported for not pulling weight for the mission… I pulled weight, by making him suffer.” Miyuki said, emotionlessly.

“But, Miyuki, death isn’t the way to stop criminals. If anything, it should only serve as a last resort, if nothing else can stop them. But I don’t think Bright Idea had the potential to do anything that would leave us to kill him. I mean, did he?”

“Nothing but invade a treehouse in attempt to destroy some operatives out of revenge.” MaKayla replied. “Nothing we haven’t dealt with before.”

“Huhuhu… death? Death means nothing. I have done something far steeper…” Miyuki said.

“Well, this doesn’t look like something that could be accomplished through timebending, could it?”

“Noo. What she did didn’t look like any timebending I’ve seen.” George said. “In fact, when she did it, her mask sort of… glowed. And it was sparking, too.”

“That mask?” Cheren asked.

“Where did she get it?” Panini asked.

“I think she got it from that mask shop in Virginia.” Terry replied. “But we’ve never seen her wearing it until this morning.”

At this, Cheren slouched a little, glancing back and forth in a nervous fashion.

“Dude, I’m up for goth stuff, but that mask looks a little too creepy.” Lola said.

“Ya think it was made by the Underworld?” Panini asked.

“I’m not sure. But I feel like we should study it.” Cheren said. “Miyuki, hand us the mask.”

As Cheren reached his hand out to take the mask, Miyuki quickly backed away. “No.”

“Miyuki, please.” Cheren said with pleading eyes. “There’s something unnatural about that mask, and I think you might be in danger.”

“There are many unnatural things around here, Cheren. Why not take them away?”

“Yeah, why don’t you.” Maddy remarked.

Cheren rolled his eyes at the decommissioner. “Because this is an evil unnaturality. And I’m worried about you, Miyuki. Please, take the mask off.”

“But I have found a friend… you wanted me to make friends… didn’t you, Cheren?”

“I don’t think this is the type of friend you should be associating with. If you don’t take the mask off, I’m gonna have ta take it from you myself-”

“NO!” Miyuki sent an energy blast that blew Cheren across the bridge.

“SIR!” Panini cried.

Zach and Maddy grabbed Miyuki’s arms and tried to cuff her as Maddy said, “All right, mask girl, you just earned yourself a-” Before she could finish, the twin decommissioners felt the same force overcome them. Miyuki held her arms out toward both of them as the mask started sparking and shaking. The dark aura surrounded the Decommission Troops as they struggled to fight the strange force. In mere seconds, light swallowed the area, and when it cleared, the helmets of the twin decommissioners dropped to the floor, their bodies vanished.

Everybody watching made a loud gasp.

“Geh!” Miyuki’s body started to shake itself as she drifted away from the other operatives. “Hnn! Hrrr-nnnn!” A dark aura surrounded the operative. The eyes of the mask started to glow as Miyuki’s head shook painfully.

“Miyuki, please! Take off the mask-” Cheren tried to say.

“NO!” Miyuki threw her arms out, emitting an explosion of the dark force. Her body stopped shaking as it levitated into the air. “All of you… selfish humans… biased in all of your decisions.” She spoke in a strange, monotone voice of her own, and something else’s. “You favorite people over others. You make fun of those you don’t like. And even those you DO like. Grrrrrrr!” Her body shook some more. “Why do I continue to linger with these mortals? Why, knowing they are so corrupt in all their ways?? IIII have more important things to do… than to waste time with these so-called ‘friends’. I will ensure… that you ALL pay… for your impudent sins!”

“Miyuki! Come back here!” Cheren yelled, trying to chase her.

“Maybe if I Rewind her, we can-” George said as he tried to channel his power on Miyuki.

“No.” MaKayla spoke up suddenly, grabbing her brother’s wrist.

“What?” George looked confusedly at his sister. “MaKayla? Why?”

“Relax, George.” She said, her eyes glowing an unrealistic blue as she looked away from her brother. “Things will be resolved in time…”

“Uuuh…”

Her blue eyes returned to normal as she looked at her brother with a positive grin. “Come on! Be a little more positive!”

“…” He stilled questioned his sister’s ways.

Meanwhile, Miyuki had hurried into the Moonbase hangar, Cheren on her tail as she dashed into her S.C.A.M.P.E.R.. “Miyuki, stop!” Cheren called.

As Miyuki activated her ship, a dark aura from her body transferred onto the ship’s controls. Cheren stopped and watched in amazement as the ship lifted off the ground, engulfed in the dark aura. In a second, the ship flashed, becoming a black-painted color with purple streaks across the sides, black spiked wings along the top and sides, and engines that emitted purple flames. Cheren only stood there as the ship turned towards the hangar entry and shot out to Planet Earth.

By the time the ship was a long ways from the Moonbase, Panini and the Sector IC operatives made it downstairs. “Where’s Miyuki?” George asked.

“She took her S.C.A.M.P.E.R. and left.” Cheren stated.

“Well, what do we do?? We can’t let her go running around with an evil mask on her face.” Terry shouted.

“You’re right. I’m going after her.” Cheren decided. “Panini, you’re in charge until I get back. Go ask Numbuh 65.42 what the S.C.A.M.P.E.R.’s flight path was.”

“But, Sir! By yerself? Ya can’t expect ta take on Miyuki all on yer own.”

“If anyone can get through to her, it’s me. Besides…” Cheren smirked as he walked to get in his R.O.A.D.S.T.A.R., “I’m bringin’ someone along.”

“Well… OK.” Panini still felt worried for her leader, but decided to trust what he says.

Sector V Treehouse; Numbuh Zero’s Chamber of Coolness

Cheren entered the secret chamber below his parents’ house and approached the Sacred Casket that lay under the dim shining light. The Uno child smacked the purple gem on the box, and it flashed open, instantly equipping him with the Mirror Shield, Light Arrows, and Master Sword. “Don’t worry, Miyuki. I’m comin’.” He said with a confident smirk.

Somewhere over the ocean

In just a few moments, Cheren was flying in his R.O.A.D.S.T.A.R. overseas, his tiny screen making a beeping sound as he answered a call from Panini. Her image appeared on the small screen as she spoke, “Larry just tracked the coordinates. He says that Miyuki’s landed in some forest in Japan. In fact, I think it’s-”

“The Forest of Light.”

"Yah. …How’d ye know?”

“Had a feeling.”

“O-kay… are ye sure ya don’t want any of us comin’ ta help ya?”

“It’s better that no one else gets hurt. And if I’m lucky, I won’t need to use violence to get through to Miyuki.”

“If you say so. I hope ye know what yer doin’…”

Cheren gave an assuring smile before ending the transmission. “Heh heh… I hope so, too, Panini…”

Mysterious Underground

After landing her ship, Miyuki appeared inside of a dark cave, only dim rays of light piercing through the surface. “Hmmm…” She looked over at a single gravestone beside the wall. The masked child approached the gravestone, the eyes of her mask still alit as they viewed the inscription: Here lies Gekko, our favorite frog-loving minion.

Miyuki placed her hand against the gravestone, channeling the dark power. “Gekko, you lazy slime. Get up here.”

The ground below the gravestone appeared to be thumping as a sound was heard. “Sdiqoop-sdiqoop-SI-DAAAAAH!” Immediately, an orange, black-striped lizard monster, with sharp teeth in purple lips, claws, and thin spikes on its back shot up from the ground, coming down with a thud. “Dur-dur! Mashter, Mashter!” it yelled excitedly. “It’sh been agesh! How have you been? Me, it’sh been AWWful! I haven’t had froggiesh in eonshes! I’m STARVING, Mashter! I need FOOOD! I need-” Miyuki snapped his lips shut with her fingers.

“Quit croaking, Toady. You’re lucky I woke you up at all. Not leaving you to starve…”

She pushed him away, spinning the lizard around. “Oh, it was jusht so AWful, Mashter. Having been beaten by that foresht boy. I think I have me cutsieses from his shword. …But pleashe, enough about me. Lookie at you.” Gekko grinned as he crawled around the girl. “Your new body looksh sho PLUSH!”

“Yes. My new body feels far more powerful, than that lifeless puppet. This girl… so sad and rich with delicious hatefulness… is just the vessel I need… to take my revenge on the other realm. Tell me, Gekko. Is the entrance to the other world still intact?”

“Jusht how we left its’! Uhh, I thinks… No-no! We should definitely be able to come in theresies!”

“I hope… you are right. I will look for it myself. Why don’t you be a good minion… and round up the rest of the hordes? The demons will be partying well tonight.”

“Mashter, Mashter! I’m misshing my friendsh! I go now! Ha-daaaaah!” At his cry, a giant turtle popped up from beneath the ground. The Gekko hopped on it and waved his fist, and the turtle burrowed beneath the ground with the excited monster on its back.

Miyuki’s monotone voice sighed as she continued further in the cave.

Forest of Light; outside the cavern

After a while of flying, Cheren’s R.O.A.D.S.T.A.R. touched the surface of the forest, parked just a few feet away from Miyuki’s ship. He looked around this section of the forest, which seemed much darker compared to the rest of the woods, but still had a calm, peaceful aura about it. “Feeling rested today, Fi?” As Cheren spoke, the blue spirit, Fi, jumped out of his sword.

“I am well-rested today, Master. How are you this fine day?”

“Feeling good. But we have a mission on our hands.”

“I have analyzed your concern for the Miyuki girl. I project an 89% accuracy she is inside this cave for unverified reasons. May I presume extreme caution when tracking her whereabouts in the darkness ahead.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Cheren playfully rolled his eyes. “Come on, Fi. Let’s get in there and help Miyuki before something bad happens. If this is Underworld work at hand, I’ll need you by my side.” With that, the sword-wielding child entered the cave ahead, with Fi drifting close behind him.


Stage 1: Mysterious Underground

Mission: Track Miyuki through the cave.

When Cheren entered the first room of the cave, they already found a series of platforms leading to a door on a ledge. Before he proceeded, Fi jumped in front of him. “Master, I am sensing a series of minor hazards up ahead. Since these puzzles should be of no challenge to you, Master, I project they make the perfect course for you to remember your skills.”

Cheren looked toward the camera and said, “I know this is based off of Zelda, but do we really need tutorials for stuff we already know how to do?” He looked at Fi and said, “Okay, do your stuff, Fi.”

“Very good, Master. To start off, these platforms before you are too out of range for simple walking. You should easily be able to navigate over them if you jump.”

“Right, jumping. Wouldn’ta guessed that.” Fi flew across the platforms as Cheren did as she said and jumped over the simple platforms. He made it to his spirit friend, who waited beside the door.

“Master, this door is a different model than certain house doors you’re used to. However, it can just as easily be opened by grabbing the bottom end, and pushing it upward to allow yourself entry.”

“Ooh, opening doors.” Cheren sarcastically remarked as he pushed the door up from the bottom, walking under it. “My brain is already succumbing to these challenging puzzles.”

In this next room, there was another door on the other side that had metal bars in front of it. In the center of the room was an open floor with a large block and a blue switch, each baring a symbol of Miyuki’s mask. “Master, entry into this door seems impossible unless we can find a way to remove the metal bars shielding it. I project the switch will serve this purpose, however, the bars will seal the door again once your weight has been removed from the switch. Therefore, I suggest using an alternate weight to hold the switch for you. This block appears heavy enough, but it can be easily pushed by you, Master.”

“Yay, I’m learning how to push things.” He remarked once more. He pressed his hands against the block and used his strength to push it across the flat floor. He pushed it straight ahead until it was beside the switch, then had to push the block from the side to get it onto the switch. Just like that, the metal bars opened, and Cheren was allowed inside. The next room appeared similar, only this time the door was shut with metal chains with a lock in the middle.

“This door, Master, appears to be locked. To open it, I presume we-”

“LET ME GUESS, we have to find a freaking key somewhere and use it to gain access to the next room.”

“Your humorous sarcastic remark is accurate, Master. Signs indicate that the key is rested on the ledge above you.” Cheren looked up and saw a small ledge just below the ceiling. “The wall under the ledge looks climbable, Master. You can easily reach the key using this rugged surface.”

Cheren did so and gripped the rocky wall before him, using it to climb his way up. It didn’t take long until he reached the ledge up top, stepping off to find a small, silver key on the ground. He grabbed the Small Key (as it is aptly named) and jumped down to the lower floor. He stuck the key into the keyhole, and the chains broke apart in seconds, allowing Cheren entry. The next room was a lot longer, but more straight. On the other side was an entryway sealed by metal bars, and a crystal switch on the floor before Cheren.

“This is a Crystal Switch, Master. They serve a similar purpose to regular switches, but can be activated when struck with any force. I can conjecture it will open the barred archway ahead of you, but there is a 90% chance the gate will begin closing in seconds. I suggest you run in order to make it under the bars in time.”

“If you have time to worry, then run, I guess.” Cheren said as he struck the switch with his sword. It flashed and caused the metal bars to open up. The Uno son ran as quick as he could to get into the next room as the bars began closing. When he was getting close, the bars were just inches away from closing, so he wasn’t able to run in. However, he was easily able to get in using a- “YOUTH ROLL!”, rolling and slipping under the bars just before they closed.

After getting to his feet, Cheren watched as a bunch of green and red blobs dropped from the ceiling. The Red and Green Chuchus revealed their eyes and wide grins as they wobbled toward Cheren. “Now is time to test your combat skills, Master. Vanquish the enemies using your knowledge of the sword.”

Cheren grabbed the blade in his left hand and charged at the jelly blobs. Using the skills he was taught by his mother, he sliced the bunch of blobs into pieces, with vertical slices, horizontal slices, and diagonal slices. At one point, a bunch of blobs dropped from the ceiling and surrounded him. As they all leapt at him, Cheren wiped the blobs out with a simple spin attack. He then watched as another group of Chuchus formed up into a slightly bigger Chu. Cheren merely smirked, readied his blade, and leapt in the air, cutting the blob in half with a jump attack.

Cheren sheathed his blade as he went with Fi into the next room. They appeared atop a ledge over a bottomless chasm, their only way seeming to be a rocky ledge along the wall. “You already know how to climb across rugged surfaces, Master. Still, beware of your footing and be cautious as you navigate across the endless abyss.”

Cheren gulped, terrified at how high he was. “No kidding.” He grabbed the side of the rocky wall and carefully began to move sideways over the dangerous pit. The rocky ledge continued downward, so Cheren had to glance below him to see where he was stepping. The path continued sideways again, so Cheren had an easier time seeing his way. Eventually, he came to a stop on a small platform, still hanging over the chasm.

“Master, there is a slight, grabable ledge sticking from this wall.” Fi said, noticing the tiny ledge that went further across the chasm. “It is possible to grab and hang on as you make your way across. A slightly more dangerous action than climbing, so I’d advise extreme caution.”

Cheren did so and gripped the tiny ledge, holding on tight as he dangled over the abyss. As he made his way across, there was a hole in the wall above the ledge ahead of him. When he drew close, a blue creature with a long mouth and huge teeth stuck out and tried to snap him, scaring Cheren. Thankfully, the boy was a few inches too far.

“Snapdragons are a common enemy in some areas, Master. They dwell inside the walls, awaiting their prey. If you grip your sword in your free hand, you can strike it.” At this, Cheren released his left hand’s grip on the ledge and grabbed his sword. He swung and sliced the Snapdragon, causing it to retreat. Cheren sheathed his sword and quickly grabbed the ledge again before his right arm would get tired. Finally, he was able to make it over a ledge with a cave, where it was safe to let go.

The two proceeded into the cave, where they came to a chamber where the cave split into five paths. Cheren noticed a small, heart-shaped locket on the ground. He picked it up and opened it. It revealed a beautiful picture of the crescent moon in the starry night sky. Little gears below the picture started turning, playing a peaceful, relaxing, jingly tune. Cheren stared at the music device in his hand for a few moments. The peaceful tune seemed to calm his mind after the stress of making his way through this cave, and having almost fallen down a dark abyss. Soon, the music stopped, and Cheren snapped it shut.

“This is the music box I gave to Miyuki on Valentine’s Day.” He said. “My mom used to play it for me to help me get to sleep. And I gave it to Miyuki because…’cause I thought it would make her feel better.”

Fi drifted in front of him and spoke, “Master, I sense that the caves ahead of us are split into a labyrinth. I am also detecting an aura from this box that may be similar to the one Miyuki emits. Using this information, I project I am able to track her using dowsing. Would you like to know how dowsing works?”

“Yeah, yeah, I aim the sword around until it starts beeping, and I go in that direction.”

“Your basic, idle summarization is once again accurate, Master. Track Miyuki’s whereabouts through the maze using this ability.”

Fi jumped into the sword as Cheren held it out. It glowed slightly as Cheren aimed it around. When he pointed it at the left cave, it started to beep and blink. He followed the signal down that direction and came to another split in the path. There were four directions, but Cheren aimed his sword as it started beeping in the top-right cave, following that direction. He came to three separate paths, but the sword beeped toward the middle one. He then came to a room with 10 different paths. His sword pointed to one of the left caves, but when Cheren entered that one, it stopped beeping when he walked further. He aimed his sword around and saw that it beeped toward a round rock by the wall. He shoved the rock out of the way, revealing a secret hole.

Cheren sheathed his blade as he climbed a ladder down the hole, continuing through the underground passage. He held his sword out and followed the signal straight ahead. “Ugh, my arm’s tired.” He said, sheathing the blade again. “Meh, it looks pretty narrow to me. …Wait, what’s this?” Cheren glanced down and saw something on the ground. He walked over and bent down, finding what looked like a dead Kateenian’s body. He scooped the body in his hands and looked at it more closely. “This is… disturbing. I wonder what coulda happened to this guy?” He placed the body back on the ground and said, “Oh well. I better catch up to Miyuki.”

Cheren walked a little further, the cave growing darker with each step. He eventually came to a dead end, feeling around the rocky wall in search of a clue. “Hm… This place feels familiar. And at the same time… not familiar. What could Miyuki be-” His sentence was cut short when he felt the ground crumple beneath his feet. In an instant, the floor collapsed, sending him falling and screaming into the dark abyss. “Aaaaaaaahhh…”

As his screams echoed through the darkness, colorful, blurry images passed his eyes. One looked like some kind of flute, one of a pirates’ skull, one of a headband with a swirly symbol, one of a banana, one of Miyuki’s mask, and several other images as well.

“GYAAAH- UUH!” Cheren slid down a rocky slope at the bottom and collided with the ground below with a thud. The Uno son weakly stood up and brushed the dirt off of him, then grabbed his sword and shield as he pressed forward. Cheren struggled to see his way across the pitch-black cavern. He heard splashing sounds beneath his feet, and realized he was walking across some shallow water. Cheren flinched when spotlights suddenly flashed on in the room. Cheren stared across from him as someone appeared to be feeling around a dead-end wall. It was Miyuki Crystal. (Play Majora’s Theme from Majora’s Mask.)

“Miyuki!” Cheren called out.

The child ignored him and felt around the wall. “This is strange… they have sealed the entrance to this place long ago. The only entrance linking this world to the other… gone.”

“What?” Cheren was baffled.

After she was finished, the child levitated in the air and turned and approached Cheren. The mask was still on her face as her limbs hung dry, and her head tilted sideways. “What a strange turn of events that I would end up here again. Same place… different time… but same people.” She spoke in her monotone voice.

“Huh?” Cheren stared creepily as Miyuki drifted closer, circling and observing his form.

“But what is this? You are a different mind… different form… and yet… you possess the spirit of the fierce warrior who vanquished me long ago.”

“Link?” Cheren said lowly.

“How appropriate that we would meet upon my return. …It can only be called fate. That I would have to settle my life-long score with you. Oh, but what is this?” Miyuki studied him closer. “There is another scent about you. Your soul… smells like the queen. That foolhardy queen who acted as my ruler. I had hoped to vanquish her when I was freed the first time. But as a legacy lives on, it seems I will have my chance.”

Terrified, Cheren jumped backward. “Who are you?! What’ve you done with Miyuki?”

“The child’s soul was a must for my survival. It serves me well, better than the other soul I once overpowered. And yet… it is no substitute. I hope not to keep it for long. And I do not wish to waste precious energy on you. So, Child… I promise not to destroy you… if I am promised one thing: Tell me how to reach the Termina Dimension.”

“The… Termina Dimension?”

“Yes. The dimension that intersects with your Hyrule. My dimension of origin.”

“I… don’t know what you’re talking about…”

Miyuki… or rather, the being that was controlling Miyuki, released a sigh. “Very well. It would be a danger to let you linger around longer. And so, I am forced… to show you a piece of my power.” An eerie cracking sound echoed across the caves as Miyuki’s head shook. The mask brimmed with a dark energy, and Cheren felt a strange force overcome him. Pain began to flow through his body. He fell to his knees and shut his eyes tight, struggling to break free of the painful force.

Cheren began to have a vision around him. Thousands of Kateenian souls surrounded his body in the pitch-black darkness. Cheren desperately tried to smack them away as they began piling onto his form, but to no avail. The more he smacked away, they just kept piling onto him, and soon, his body vanished under the piles of souls.

“Oooh…” Cheren groaned, holding his throbbing head as he looked up dizzily at Miyuki. Cheren now seemed only half as tall as Miyuki, having been placed in the body of a Kateenian.

“HAA ha ha! This look is far more suited for you. You’ll stay here looking like that forever!” Cheren’s mind slowly fell into subconsciousness as Miyuki vanished into the darkness. (End song.)

As Cheren’s shortened body lay in the puddle of water, slight ripples flowed from the darkness as another figure made steps through the liquid. The shadowed being bent down and picked the unconscious Cheren up in his arms. His light giggle echoed in the caverns as a pearly white grin showed on his face.


Well-p, this ends this part. Lol can’t have a Zelda game without a boring tutorial stage. XP Anyway, I know we haven’t officially been introduced to George and MaKayla King yet, but they are going to have their own story soon (MaKayla at least). Also, this story is actually the beginning of more complex storytelling in the Nextgen Series, and it will have significance with future stories. You’ll soon see. Well-p, next time, we’re going to have some plot stuff, and another stage. Then we can get into more exciting stuff. Later.