Answer-- First, go from where you found the Compass (on the First Basement) and then go south. Keep going south until you enter a room with a stairway (inside a door) that leads upward. Go up the stairs. Go south through both rooms, then to the east. Fall through the hole. (Just make sure you fall in at the right place.) You should be standing next to a treasure chest. Open it. You now have the Big Key.

Answer-- Go to the warp tile in the middle of the big circle (on Death Mountain). Once you are in the Dark World, go to where Spectacle Rock would be in the Light World. Then go back to the Light World, by using the Magic Mirror. You will end up on top of Spectacle Rock. Get the Piece of Heart, then go north and then east. You will be right in front of the Tower of Hera.

Answer-- The best answer I can give you is to survive as long as you can and write down the apprentice's pattern of attack so you'll know how to plan for your next fight.