Vaati is a Minish that once lived in the Minish World as Ezlo's apprentice.[2][3] Over time, Vaati became fascinated with the evil in the hearts of men and began to desire power.[4] He learned the legends of the Picori Blade and Light Force, two gifts that the Picori gave to the humans. These gifts were used by the Hero of Men to seal away the evil terrorizing Hyrule. Vaati decided to go to Hyrule and look for the Light Force, a relic said to be the source of unlimited magical power.[5]

Since the portal between Hyrule and the Minish World was about to open, Ezlo created a gift for the humans. He fashioned a powerful magical cap that was able to grant the wishes of the one who wears it. Vaati put on the cap without permission and transformed into a sorcerer.[6][7] In order to spite his master and show off his new power, Vaati cursed Ezlo, turning him into a living cap.[8] Before leaving, Vaati revealed his plan to cross into the human world through the Minish Door and obtain absolute power.[9]

Vaati learned that the Picori Blade was being used to seal a chest, which he thought contained the Light Force.[10] He decided to enter a competition in the Picori Festival because the winner had the honor of touching the blade.[11][12] As he approaches it, he blows away the guards protecting it and breaks the Picori Blade, releasing all the evil contained in the chest. Zelda is guarded by a mysterious power which Vaati recognizes, and he turns her to stone to prevent her from interfering with his plans.[13] To his surprise, the chest didn't contain anything other than the monsters, but he vows to continue searching for the Light Force.[14]