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Skull Kid is a unique antagonist in The Legend of Zelda series, as he isn't a malevolent evil like other villains such as Ganondorf. It's revealed in Majora's Mask that Skull Kid, tempted by its power, donned the Mask and was unwittingly used as a puppet for Majora's true goal - manipulating Skull Kid's emotions to its advantage.
Despite playing such a big role as the villain of this game, Skull Kid's true nature is more childish, as he plays pranks on the people of Termina and is generally known for his mischief. Skull Kid also has a more tragic side to his story, as he was abandoned by his friends.
What Are The Skull Kids?
First appearing in Ocarina of Time, the Skull Kids are first found within the Lost Woods and then in the Sacred Grove of Twilight Princess. It's stated in Ocarina of Time that Skull Kids are children who became lost in the forest and were transformed into this imp-like form.
The Skull Kid from Majora's Mask is just one of these Skull Kids, who was once likely a young Hyrulean child who wandered into the forest and never returned home.
Before The Mask
Prior to the events of Majora's Mask, Skull Kid most likely found his way to Termina in the same way Link did. Here, Skull Kid met and befriended the Four Giants, who ultimately had to leave him behind to fulfill their duty as guardians of Termina.
Saddened by the loss of his friends, Skull Kid took out his grief on the people of Termina, resulting in them calling on the Four Giants to stop him. The Four Giants then banished Skull Kid from the land of Termina for his actions, threatening to kill him if he ever returned.
Distraught, Skull Kid fled Termina, presumably back to Hyrule, where he eventually crossed paths with the Happy Mask Salesman, who was in possession of Majora's Mask. Skull Kid stole the mask and returned to Termina to get revenge on those who had wronged him - his intentions only amplified by the power of Majora's Mask.
Why Did Skull Kid Want Majora's Mask?
Although it's never stated in the game what led Skull Kid to steal Majora's Mask from the Happy Mask Salesman, both childish curiosity and the power of the Mask could both be reasons.
There's evidence in the game to suggest that Skull Kid always had a mischievous nature, so it wouldn't be out of character for him to steal the Mask, not knowing the power it truly holds.
However, it's also possible that this power called out to Skull Kid, taking advantage of his strong emotions. Majora's Mask itself even refers to Skull Kid as a puppet in the game's climax, implying that it was the Mask's plan to use Skull Kid from the start and that Skull Kid was just a helpless victim in its villainous scheme.
Is The Skull Kid In The Lost Woods The Same Skull Kid?
In Ocarina of Time, Link enters the Lost Woods as a child and can encounter a Skull Kid who gifts you a Piece of Heart in return for playing Saria's Song. At the end of Majora's Mask, Skull Kid says, "You have the same smell as the fairy kid who taught me that song in the woods…".
This confirms that the Skull Kid from Majora's Mask is the same one Link meets in Ocarina of Time.
Skull Kid, despite being the antagonist of Majora's Mask, is revealed at the end of the game to merely be a conduit for the Mask's power. Due to the betrayal of the Four Giants, Skull Kid longed to be remembered by them and would do anything to have friends - a wish that was sadly manipulated by Majora's Mask.