Operation: MASKED, Part 24

hapter 24: Miyuki Smiles

Sector V's neighborhood. Yes, it's still Termina.

A few days passed, and Miyuki finally woke up. Bird chirps sounded through the air, and the cool spring winds breezed across the trees and grass (in case you forgot, this story was started in Spring =P). Tiny trickles of sunlight poured to her eyes through the breezing leaves as Cheren Uno stood smiling over her face. "Hey." He said friendly. "You awake, sleepy?"

"Mmmmm…" Miyuki lightly moaned, rubbing her forehead. Sector V, Merida, Panini, and Nerehc and Pablo were watching them, too, and afterwards directed their attention to the towering Giants looking down on them.

Miyuki frowned still, a look of sadness in her eyes. The Giants' tiny, beady eyes stared down at her, no emotion clear on their blank faces. "…Is this… my judgment?..." Miyuki spoke.

"Oooooom."

Miyuki stood up and faced her body towards them. Her head slumped downward, and her hands shook furiously. "I…I just want to say…" Her head shot up, eyes flowing with tears, "I'M HAPPY FOR HELPING HIM! !" (Play the "Giants' Exit" from Majora's Mask.)

"RAAAWWWWRRR, raawwrr-rooorrr-rooorr-ROOOR-RAAARR." The earth quaked under the stomping of their giant feet as the colossal beings began to walk away. Miyuki fell to her knees and cried, and the kids ducked as one of their feet flew overhead, caught within the Giant's shadow. The six stomped in different directions, walking farther and farther until they vanished into the distance.

"HEEEY." Thomas yelled out. "CAN ONE OF YOU, um, CRUSH MY SCHOOL OR SOMETHING?"

One of the Giants squished a chunk of Gallagher Elementary and continued walking.

"OKAAAY. THAANKS."

The stomping echoed in the distance. They watched until the Giants were no longer visible over the horizon. Soon, they were gone, and everything fell to silence as Miyuki still cried.

Later… (Play "Gold and Oden (the second part)" from One Piece.)

The sky couldn't look more blue over Cleveland of Termina. The demons had cleared away from the land, and any houses that were crushed during the Moonfall were repaired. The Happy Mask Man hugged Majora's Mask warmly to his chest, his joyous eyes filled with hope and love. "Ahhh… the dawn of a new day." He spoke, voice hoarse from the tears that nearly formed. "Such a wonderful feeling." He lightened his grip on the mask, turning to face Cheren. "Well… now I finally have it back. …I knew you would. Ever since… that day…"

The Happy Mask Man was taking a calm stroll through the fields of DunBroch, his huge, heavy pack strapped tight to his back. Just then, the young brown-haired boy dashed by him, stopping in surprise. "Happy Mask Man!"

"Ooh?" the grinning man looked curiously at him. They spoke for a while. And then: "You rescued the Giant, have you? Such a task does not come small… Only one with vast courage would want to even try. It seems this land is safe now… thanks to you."

The Mask Man smiled at the memory. He never expected to see that kid hundreds of years later.

"Nnnck! Nnnck!" Young, seven-year-old Cheren swung and smacked his sword fast and hard as he could against the standing log in his front yard, his mother relaxed on the lawn chair. The Mask Man was just taking a casual stroll through the neighborhood, when the little boy caught his attention. The brown hair on his head. The chestnut eyes behind his thin, red glasses. He looked so familiar. He expressed a fire in his soul, similar to what he's seen before. He immediately knew… he wanted to know more about this kid.

The Mask Man kept his smile, staring off into space. He couldn't be more proud of the decision he made.

Cheren stared oddly at the smiling man. He was wondering what he was thinking about. But decided not to ask.

The Mask Man stashed the mask away and looked at Cheren. "It's like I told you before. Whenever there is a meeting, a parting is sure to follow. But that parting need not last forever. …And… it hasn't."

Cheren looked confused. He doesn't remember him telling him that.

The Mask Man grinned tearfully. "And now we must part again. Whether this parting be forever or merely a short time… that is up to you. …But I know… we'll see each other again." The Mask Man turned and began to walk away. He stopped and turned around, speaking again. "Oh yes. You seem to have made quite a number of people happy. The masks that you have are filled with happiness. This is truly a good happiness." Silence. "…But. While the world is saved from catastrophe… I am sure there are plenty more people out there who still desire happiness. If you are to leave… please come back sometime."

The Mask Man turned and pulled out a mask of a strange bird person, and slipped it on his face. Before their eyes, long, white wings sprouted from his back, and he soared across the heavens, vanishing on the horizon. (End song.)

As he left, Cheren turned back at Miyuki, her head still down, but she stopped crying. "Miyuki…" he spoke calmly, approaching and taking her hands. "I know you really wanted to help him. But I…I had to stop him. And the truth is, I am trying to be like my mom. But that's not the only reason I wanted to save you. I really do like you as a friend, Miyuki. And Sector IC likes you as a friend, too. You just have to give them a chance." She didn't look up. Her eyes glanced away. "…I just… wanted you to know that." Cheren let go, and was about to walk off.

Miyuki suddenly touched his shoulder, and he flinched lightly. "No…" He turned around as she still kept her head down. "I realize now… that no matter what anyone does… will be based on selfish reasons. …But…" Cheren listened intently. Miyuki looked up and faced him. "I guess it depends… if their selfishness… can be good, or not." She walked in front of him, the sadness seeming to have left her frowning face. "My decision to help Majora… his decision to destroy the world. …Your decision to be like your mother. …I will try to see… the good side in them." And to Cheren's surprise, Miyuki sported a light smile. "I would like to spend time with Sector IC now."

Cheren gave a happy smile. "Eh heheh!"

At that moment, a strange Brown Chuchu and a Blue Chuchu wobbled their way over. The Sector V kids readied their weapons, putting on serious looks. "Think these guys need one more lesson?" Melissa asked.

"Hold on." Cheren stopped them. The Uno boy stepped closer and observed them. There was a particular look about them. "…Zach? Maddy?"

The twin blobs frowned grumpily. Behind them, a simple, skinny Stalfos wobbled its way over, grinning confusedly. Cheren stared in disbelief. This was Bright Idea. "…Ehh… I'll fix them when I get back."

Delightful Mansion From Down The Lane

The kids entered Father's throne room, staring up at the wide, circular portal device. "So THIS is what both Fathers used to travel between dimensions?" Melissa asked.

Truman walked over to the portal's controls and pressed the big, red button, and the portal immediately sparked to life. "It seems that way. And it looks like it's already marked for 'Hyrule.'"

"Heheheh!" Cheren chuckled. "I'm afraid I do. But hey, I'll come to see you again."

Kellie grinned cheerfully.

"Oh yeah!" Melissa beamed. "We got you a little parting gift!" she reached into her rear pocket and pulled out a bottle with a tiny, dizzy Father inside it. "You kinda dropped your bottle, and I figured, what better way to hold him? We made sure he was yours, so don't worry."

"Mmmmnn, don't take the rocky ROOOAD, Mommy…"

The kids burst into excited, joyous laughter.

Cheren took the bottle and asked, "Oh yeah, what about your Father?"

"Well, since we were in the Decommissioning Room, anyway, we decided to erase his memory of the whole Majora thing." Thomas explained. "By tomorrow, he'll be back to his regular plans."

"We should hide this portal somewhere safe, though." Celeste suggested.

"Heheh, yeah." Cheren agreed.

"So, THIS is a TV?" Merida asked, curiously observing the rectangular device by Father's throne. "It looks like a magic mirror." She glared into the black screen, seeing her dim reflection. "That doesn't reflect very well."

"Man, what year is this girl FROM, anyway?" Thomas remarked.

Cheren shook his head playfully. Miyuki approached the Scottish time-traveler and handed her a bag of light-blue dust. "Here. You might need this to get back."

"Hm-hm! Thanks!" Merida smiled.

Nerehc sighed, "All right, are we done with the farewells? I want my mom to kill me as less as possible. Unless I can blame it on Arorua." The Zach and Maddy blobs jumped, saying that they agree.

"Yeah, I guess we should." Cheren said. (Play "To the Grand Line" from One Piece.)

Cheren, Nerehc, Panini, and Miyuki, as well as the Zach, Mad, and Bright Idea monsters, stood before the spiraling gateway, the brightness reflecting off their gaze as the way back home stood before them. The four kids turned back at the smiling, waving Terminan Kids Next Door. "Take caaaaare!" Truman called.

"Come back sometiiiiime!" Melissa called.

"Come and play RAINBOW MONKEYS with meee!" Kellie grinned cheerfully.

"And let's go to the park!" Celeste called.

"We could train together sometime!" Thomas said.

"Time Gates are always open, sorta!" Merida called.

"Justo así, señor Nerehc! Ven a verme otra vez! (Fair well, Mister Nerehc! Come and see me again!)"

"GOOD luck with that, buddy." Nerehc smirked, not understanding a word.

"And, guys, you know we're only a few inches away?" Cheren mentioned, questioning their yelling.

"Well, just in case you can't hear us through the portal." Celeste stated.

"Heheheheh!" Cheren laughed.

"Dude, I will NEVER forget that laugh." Melissa retorted.

"Heheheh!" Cheren laughed again. "I DO use it a lot."

"Hm hm hm! I don't wanna forget it."

"Heheheh! Thanks." Zach and Maddy impatiently bumped Cheren from the sides, their eyes furrowing. "Okay, okay, we'll go!"

Zach, Maddy, and Bright Idea were the first to enter the portal, shrinking into the pinkness. The four remaining kids faced their Terminan friends one more time. "Hm…" Cheren smirked. "I'll come back."

"I hope you do." Harry said.

"He'll have to talk with me about that." Nerehc stated.

"Ahhh, make it a surprise!" Melissa grinned.

"Hm…" Cheren really didn't want to leave these kids. Despite the little drama that's happened, he really enjoyed his time in this world. The whole adventure was exciting. And traveling with them made it even better. He hoped to see them again. And he could tell, they felt the same way, too.

The four kids stepped into the spiraling vortex, smiling and waving as they slowly shrunk into the pinkness. The seven operatives and Pablo waved and waved and waved, long after the operatives had vanished from sight. They didn't want to say good-bye. But maybe, they didn't have to. They would see each other again. They knew it… After all, they would leave the portal open when they could.

End transmission.

(Play "Ending 15" from One Piece.)

Sharon Mann as Cheren Uno, Nerehc EiznekCm Onu, and Harry Uno

Jennifer Hale as Panini Drilovsky

Upon their return to Hyrule Dimension, Cheren was met with hugs from his brother, his sister, and especially his mother. Panini, on the other hand, was facing a storm of angry shouts from Francis, whom hadn't let go of the fact that Panini dumped the job of Supreme Temporary Leader on him.

Melissa Fahn as Miyuki Crystal

Scott McGregor as George King

MaKayla Rogers as MaKayla King

Dee Bradley Baker as Terry Stork

Tom Kenny as Zach Murphy

Tara Strong as Maddy Murphy

Sector IC was very happy to see Miyuki returned safely to them, getting hugs from Lola and MaKayla. And for the first time ever, she was glad to be back.

Rachael MacFarlane as Rachel Uno, Aurora Uno, Arorua Onu, and Lehcar EiznekCm

Matt Levin as Thomas Drilovsky and Francis Drilovsky

Arorua's hair and clothing were a mess, near the edge of insanity if she failed to find her brother. Nerehc suddenly walked up behind her downtown and greeted, and Arorua gave a blood-hurdling scream. She embraced her brother in an excited, crazy, relieved hug, as Nerehc questioned what was wrong. Arorua, in a very calm, relieved voice, said nothing, and calmly walked home with her brother.

Tony Goldwyn as Tarzan

Lance Henriksen as Kerchak

Robin Atkin Downes as Captain Slag

Wally Wingert as Rusty Pete

Cheren had given Slag's Mask to Rusty Pete before leaving. The skinny first mate was happily slow-dancing around the deck of the ship, holding Slag's Mask romantically. From his room, Sprocket rolled his eyes in disgust, muttering "Sissy," before returning to water his plants.

Lauren Tom as Kellie Beatles, Lola Stork, Celeste Stork, and Terezi Pyrope

Ted Lewis as Truman Kirman

Kelly Macdonald as Merida DunBroch

Grey DeLisle as Mikaela Dimalanta

A strange, shiny white mask with a fancy design hovered and spun slowly onscreen. This was a sidequest that had yet to be completed.

Mark Hamill as Majora

Maurice LaMarche as Father A and Father B

Aaron Spann as Zanifr Mimchi

Ahmed Best as Gekko

Chopper Bernet as Karkat Vantas

Kari Wahlgren as Vriska Serket

KND by Mr. Warburton

Original Majora's Mask by Nintendo

OCs by :icongamewizard-2008:, :iconPsychicbender-Mika:, CodeLyokoIsTheBest, and others.

Published by deviantART

Presented by :icongamewizard-2008:

…

…

Cleveland Beach; Hyrule Dimension

The sun was nearly set over the horizon. Waves brushed against the sands and jagged rocks as Majora's Mask lay on its back, the waves washing across its face. Zanifr Mimchi, in his normal, grey-skinned form, felt around his heart-shaped face. He was back in his pale purple pants and black shirt with a purple heart symbol. He was normal again.

Footsteps were heard behind him. Stepping across the sand, another grey-skinned being, with horns that formed a heart, silky, raven hair, and a shirt with a curvy, smiley face, held the mask of the Happy Mask Man in his hands, his grin matching the grin of the salesman's.

Zanifr still couldn't believe it himself. He couldn't find the words. "…I'm back."

"yoU are!" ^U^

"…It still feels… so weird." ovMvo

:D "yoU have very strange type." C=

"Hm hm. It is not great, but it's MMine."

The two stood in silence for a few moments, staring at the setting sun under the dark blue sky. "…yoU maDe a Deal with Vriska?"

"Yes…"

"I tolD yoU not to talk with her."

"She is MMisunderstood."

^__^

More silence. The waves sounded nice to their ears.

"The air in this world is very strange." ovMvo

"it's lovely, thoUgh."

"…Are there others, do you think?"

"there jUst may be. …if there are… I woUld like to see them." ^D^

"I MMay, too."

A few more moments of quiet.

"…yoU maDe GoD Tier." Sanula smiled happily.

"Hmmmm. Not the way I expected."

"bUt still… yoU shoUld feel mUCh better."

"That all depends…"

The two left the beach after awhile. Their two masks were left in the sand, Majora's creepy stare and Sanula's joyous grin, as the waves washed over their faces.