The Clock Tower is a structure located in South Clock Town. It is a cultural centerpiece of Clock Town that Link first visits while chasing the Skull Kid.[2] As Link passes through the Sealed Room, he finds himself at the bottom level of the Clock Tower's interior. A river runs through this basement level, turning a waterwheel that powers the Clock Tower itself. A spiral staircase leads up to the base level of the Tower's interior, where Link encounters both the Happy Mask Salesman and the Sheikah Stone.[note 1]
The interior of the Clock Tower from Majora's Mask
The Salesman explains that he has been trailing Link because he knows of a way to return him to his Human form.[3] He proposes a deal for Link to retrieve items that the Skull Kid stole from them, Majora's Mask and the Ocarina of Time, and he will restore Link's Human form in return.[3] However, he warns that he must leave within three days' time but assures Link that he can accomplish the task in that time.[4] Before bidding farewell, he calls Link's attention to the Sheikah Stone, which can show him the way forward should he ever find himself lost or confused.[5]
The south-facing exterior of the Clock Tower bears a massive Clock which displays the current Time, as well as whether it is daytime or nighttime. In contrast, Time does not advance when Link is inside the Clock Tower. Similarly, any Songs that Link plays on the Ocarina will have no effect inside the Tower.
Link is able to return to the Happy Mask Salesman inside the Tower at any point to consult him for advice and show him any Masks he has collected. A large brick ball sits at the top of the Clock Tower. This ball rotates and emits light like a lighthouse. A Piece of Heart can be found on the platform above the entrance to the Clock Tower. Once it has been collected, it will be replaced with a Heart. Along the north side base of the Tower, Link can find the Clock Town Bank.[note 2]
According to Anju's Granny, the Clock Tower is the centerpiece to the Carnival of Time where the four peoples of Termina pay homage to both nature and Time.[6][2] The Carnival is held annually when the Sun and Moon are in alignment.[6] At the eve of the Carnival, people gather to the top of the Clock Tower to call to the four Guardian Deities with a Song, the "Oath to Order", to ask the Deities for a bountiful harvest in the coming year.[2]
As Anju's Granny describes, the brickwork ball and the circular discs that surround the Tower rise at midnight on the eve of the Carnival of Time. The ball will fall to the north as it reaches its highest point, carrying the south-facing Clock to its top and creating a temporary platform for people to gather. The doorway to the top of the Tower will also open, allowing Link to confront the Skull Kid at its rooftop.
At the rooftop, Tael addresses Link and Tatl to ask them to bring the four Guardian Deities to the Clock Tower.[7] The Skull Kid strikes Tael in anger but recollects himself to dismiss the idea that the Deities could do anything to stop him from bringing the Moon down onto Termina.[8][9] The Skull Kid taunts them by using the power of Majora's Mask to hasten the descent of the Moon to five minutes.[9] In order to avoid being crushed by the Moon, Deku Link must fire a bubble at the distracted Skull Kid to force him to drop the Ocarina of Time. Upon picking the Ocarina up, Link remembers the time that Princess Zelda gave it to him as he was sent away to prevent anyone from opening the Door of Time and claiming the Triforce.[10][11] At this point, she taught him the "Song of Time" to help protect him if he should ever encounter any danger, claiming that the Goddess of Time would protect him.[12]
Tatl snaps Link out of his distracted state to remind him that the Moon is getting closer.[13] She pleads for the Goddess of Time to give them more time.[14] In order to avoid certain death, Link must play the "Song of Time" on his Ocarina. However, when he attempts to use it, he finds that it has transformed into the Deku Pipes.[15] Nevertheless, if Link plays the "Song of Time", he and Tatl will be carried back in time three days to the moment they first exited the Clock Tower.[16] At any point after this, Link will be returned to this same moment when he plays the "Song of Time".
While coming to terms with traveling through Time, Tatl remembers the agreement with the Happy Mask Salesman, who promised to restore Link's body to normal once he regained the Ocarina of Time.[17] Inside the Tower, the Happy Mask Salesman notices that Link has the Ocarina and promptly teaches him the "Song of Healing" to restore him to a Human.[18] This causes the evil Magic affecting Link to be sealed within a Deku Mask,[19] which the Salesman gifts to Link as commemoration of such a happy day.[20] However, the Salesman quickly notices that Link did not bring Majora's Mask as promised and loses his mild-mannered demeanor.[21][22] He anguishes over the potential harm that the powerful Magic inside the Mask could cause if left unchecked.[22] He explains the history of the Mask as a powerful tool used in hexing rituals for an ancient tribe and pleads for Link to retrieve it as quickly as possible.[23]
After Link agrees to help retrieve Majora's Mask, the Salesman thanks him and gives him the Bombers' Notebook to help keep track of the Events happening in Termina over the course of its three-day cycles.[24][25][26][note 3] He supposes that the Skull Kid might have dropped it, as the local children also use Notebooks like it.[25] He then assures Link that he will surely achieve his goal and that he must have faith that he can do it.[27]
Link can gaze at the Clock Tower from the Astral Observatory to witness the Skull Kid at its top. The Skull Kid will look to the Moon as a Moon's Tear falls from its left eye. As the Telescope returns to the Clock Tower, the Skull Kid childishly spanks and shakes his rear in Link's direction. If Link views the Skull Kid on the Third Day this way, the Skull Kid will be much more somber, simply ticking his head in time with the Clock. Professor Shikashi will be puzzled as to how the Skull Kid made his way onto the top of the Tower, as it only opens on the eve of the Carnival of Time.[1]
Upon saving each of the Guardian Deities across Termina, Link must return to the Clock Tower and confront the Skull Kid once more. By playing the "Oath to Order" that they taught him, he is able to summon them to the Clock Tower where together they are able to stop the Moon from falling.[28] The call from the Deities also incapacitated the Skull Kid,[29] allowing Tatl and Tael to reunite.[30] In their moment of peace, the sibling Fairies discuss the Skull Kid's actions as Tael defends him.[31] Tael explains that the evil Mask was affecting the Skull Kid's behavior, but Tatl dismisses him as a weak-willed fool.[31]
Majora's Mask unexpectedly responds to Tatl's dismissal of the Skull Kid, affirming him as a useless puppet that was too weak to be used and dropping his unconscious body as it floats in the air.[32] It then flies into the Moon's mouth, granting it sapience and an impulse to consume everything.[33] Tatl frantically begs Link to play the "Song of Time" to return them to the past to avoid the danger, but reluctantly agrees to go inside the Moon with Link after Tael offers to stay and fight.[34]
After Majora's Mask is defeated inside the Moon, the Clock Tower returns to its normal position as the Carnival of Time commences.
The following section is not part of the Zelda canon and should not be taken as such.
In Chapter 2, "Link the Deku Scrub", Tatl guides Link through a magical portal to the Clock Tower after the Skull Kid steals Epona and the Ocarina of Time. Link rushes out of the Tower into Clock Town where he meets Anju. However, he is quickly found by the Skull Kid, who flees to the top of the Tower after taunting him. Atop the Tower, the Skull Kid wishes to Majora's Mask for the Moon to fall.
In Chapter 3, "The Happy Mask Shop", Tael frantically tells Tatl to bring four people from the Woodfall, Snowhead, Great Bay, and Ikana Regions. The Skull Kid nearly drops the Ocarina of Time while striking Tael, but successfully manages to bring the Moon down upon Termina. However, Link watches as Time rewinds to just before the Moon fell.[35] Tatl orders Link to do something or get someone who can help, even if it is the Goddess of Time.[36] This inspires Link to retrieve the Ocarina of Time and play the "Song of Time". Upon doing so, Link wakes up inside the Clock Tower as the Deku Mask falls from his face. Before he can return to Clock Town to check whether it has been destroyed, he is interrupted by the Happy Mask Salesman. The Salesman explains that Majora's Mask is a legendary Item that brought disaster to their ancestors, who sealed it away to save the world. He begs for Link to retrieve Majora's Mask, though Link is defiant at the request. He agrees to the task after Tatl also begs for him to save her brother, Tael.
Link returns to the Clock Tower in Chapter 8, "Stop the Moon!!". To prevent the Moon from falling any further, Link calls to the four giants with his Ocarina. Kafei accompanies Link and pleads for the Skull Kid to revert his curse so that he can face his girlfriend, Anju. However, the Skull Kid finds this humorous and mocks him. They are interrupted by Anju's arrival, as Tatl sought her out believing Kafei's appearance to be irrelevant. The couple embraces atop the Clock Tower as the four giants arrive, causing the Skull Kid to lose consciousness.
In Chapter 9, "Fierce Deity Link", the Skull Kid regains consciousness and apologizes for his behavior. He explains that he was acting out as his friends, the four giants, left him behind without a word. As he believes nobody likes him, he finds solace in Majora's Mask being his only friend. Majora's Mask suddenly speaks, laughing at the Skull Kid and calling him a fool. As the Skull Kid no longer wishes to play with the Mask, it asks Link to play tag with it instead. As part of the rules, the person who is "it" in their game must wear the Fierce Deity Mask. Link accepts the terms and dons the Mask as Majora's Mask runs into the Moon, beginning their game.
After Majora's Mask is defeated, Fireworks are set off surrounding the Clock Tower as Anju and Kafei are married.
↑ 1.01.1But I wonder how that troublemaker got on top of the Clock Tower... The only way up there is through the clock door, and that opens only on the eve of the carnival. — Professor Shikashi (Majora's Mask 3D)
↑ 2.02.12.2For ages, people have worn masks resembling the giants who are the gods of the four worlds. Now, it has become a custom for each person to bring a handmade mask to the Carnival of Time. It is said that if a couple unites on the day of the festival and dedicates a mask as a sign of their union, it will bring luck. The centerpiece of the carnival is the Clock Tower. On the eve of all the festivities, the door to its roof is opened... From atop the Clock Tower roof, a ceremony to call the gods is held, and an ancient song is sung. All of these festivities for the Carnival of Time are held so that we may ask the gods for a rich harvest in the year to come! — Granny (Majora's Mask 3D)
↑What? Is it not a simple task? Why, to someone like you, it should by no means be a difficult task. — Happy Mask Salesman (Majora's Mask 3D) Except... The one thing is... I'm a very busy fellow... And I must leave this place in three days. How grateful I would be if you could bring it back to me before my time here is up... — Happy Mask Salesman (Majora's Mask 3D) But yes... You'll be fine. I see you are young and have tremendous courage. I'm sure you'll find it right away. — Happy Mask Salesman (Majora's Mask 3D)
↑Oh, and one more thing! Please be so kind as to direct your gaze over there for a moment... — Happy Mask Salesman (Majora's Mask 3D) That strange stone over there...do you see it? It's called a Sheikah Stone. When the world has weighed you down with worry, crawl inside and let it show you the way. If ever you find yourself lost on your grand adventure, seek the council of this wise, old stone. It will surely help you on your noble quest. — Happy Mask Salesman (Majora's Mask 3D) Well then, I am counting on you... — Happy Mask Salesman (Majora's Mask 3D)
↑ 6.06.1[The Carnival of Time(2 hours)] The Carnival of Time, is it? The carnival is almost here, so it's good for you to learn its meaning. It's a little long, but I'll read it with some enthusiasm. Ahem... "The Carnival of Time." Each year, the season of harmony begins when the sun and moon are in alignment. Paying homage to the way that both nature and time are tirelessly in the process of progressing... the Carnival of Time is when the peoples of the four worlds celebrate that harmony and request fruitfulness for the year. — Granny (Majora's Mask 3D)
↑Swamp. Mountain. Ocean. Canyon. Hurry... The four who are there... Bring them here... — Tael (Majora's Mask 3D)
↑You got the Ocarina of Time back! Princess Zelda gave you this precious instrument. Take it out with , and use , , , and to play it. Press to stop. ...Suddenly, memories of Princess Zelda come rushing back to you... — N/A (Majora's Mask 3D)
↑The Goddess of Time is protecting you. If you play the Song of Time, she will aid you... — Princess Zelda (Majora's Mask 3D)
↑Snap out of it! What are you doing lost in memories?!? Get yourself together! Getting that old ocarina back isn't gonna help us!!! — Tatl (Majora's Mask 3D)
↑Somebody! Anybody!!! Goddess of Time, help us please! We need more time! — Tatl (Majora's Mask 3D)
↑Wha...what are you, anyway? That song you played... That instrument... — Tatl (Majora's Mask 3D) ...That instrument!!! — Tatl (Majora's Mask 3D) Wait! That's it! Your instrument!!! The mask salesman said that if you got back the precious thing that was stolen from you, he could return you to normal! Did you completely forget or what? — Tatl (Majora's Mask 3D)
↑This is a melody that heals evil magic and troubled spirits, turning them into masks. I am sure it will be of assistance to you in the future. — Happy Mask Salesman (Majora's Mask 3D)
↑Ah, yes. I give you this mask in commemoration of this day. Fear not, for the magic has been sealed inside the mask. When you wear it, you will transform into the shape you just were. When you remove it, you will return to normal. — Happy Mask Salesman (Majora's Mask 3D)
↑ 25.025.1Oh, my! I nearly forgot! While you were gone, I found one of these... It appears to be one of those fancy notebooks the local brats carry around. Perhaps the imp dropped it? I have no use for things like this, so please consider it a gift. I insist. No, really. Take it. Use it. Now. Only good things could come of it! — Happy Mask Salesman (Majora's Mask 3D)
↑From now on, events you see and people's schedules will be added to your notebook automatically. Hopefully you'll find it useful. — Happy Mask Salesman (Majora's Mask 3D)
↑I'm confident you'll have no trouble handling the most urgent matter of this menacing task. The fate of this land rests in your capable hands! — Happy Mask Salesman (Majora's Mask 3D) You'll be fine! Surely, you can do it. Believe in your strengths... Believe... — Happy Mask Salesman (Majora's Mask 3D)
↑ 31.031.1Hey, Skull Kid! Do you realize what you've been doing to everyone?!? — Tatl (Majora's Mask 3D) Wait... Sis... Don't... Don't be so hard on the Skull Kid. — Tael (Majora's Mask 3D) Tael! Why are you protecting him?! Aren't you mad at him for hitting you so much? — Tatl (Majora's Mask 3D) He was lonely... ...the Skull Kid. — Tael (Majora's Mask 3D) He was trying to destroy everything around him! That is not the same as a lonely child! We can't allow that! — Tatl (Majora's Mask 3D) The power of the mask made him do it. It was too much for the Skull Kid to handle. — Tael (Majora's Mask 3D) It's 'cause he doesn't know his place! On top of having a weak will and no strength of heart...he's a fool! — Tatl (Majora's Mask 3D)
↑Waahhhhh! This isn't good! Let's go back! Let's go back! Hurry! The Song of Time! The Song of Time!!! — Tatl (Majora's Mask 3D) Aw, no... You've got to be kidding. Don't tell my you're going up there... — Tatl (Majora's Mask 3D) I won't do it! I'm staying here with Tael. You go by yourself! — Tatl (Majora's Mask 3D) I'll go!!! — Tael (Majora's Mask 3D) What?! What are you saying, Tael? Is something wrong with you? — Tatl (Majora's Mask 3D) I don't want to always be running away! If only I had been stronger, the Skull Kid wouldn't have... — Tael (Majora's Mask 3D) I understand. I'll go! — Tatl (Majora's Mask 3D) After all this time, Tael, you've gotten really stubborn... Just like someone else I know... — Tatl (Majora's Mask 3D) You know, you guys are really stupid... — Tatl (Majora's Mask 3D)
↑Acude a la piedra sheikah, en la torre del reloj, y te revelará pistas que te ayudarán a progresar en la aventura. (Majora's Mask 3D manual, pg. [which page?])
↑Da war doch am Fuße des Uhrturms ein Dekuhändler, der eine Mondträne haben wollte... (Offizieller Spieleberater: The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, Nintendo of Europe, pg. 20)
