After the events of Ocarina of Time, Link leaves the Lost Woods on Epona and is attacked by Skull Kid, an imp wearing a mysterious mask and accompanied by the fairies Tael and Tatl. Skull Kid transforms Link into a small plant-like Deku Scrub and takes his horse and magical ocarina.

Tatl later joins Link and agrees to help him return to his original form. A meeting with a wandering mask salesman reveals that Skull Kid is wearing Majora’s Mask, an ancient item used in hexing rituals.

The mask summons a threatening moon over the land of Termina, and Link has exactly three days to stop it.