HYRULE's
FIGHTING TOURNAMENT First
off, I would like to thank you all for taking your time to read my
story. It is a piece of work I have contemplated on for the longest
and now I am finally bringing it to life. The support is always
appreciated. I would also like to thank all the people involved in
the creation of the wonderful Legend of Zelda series. They deserve
nothing but respect and admiration for bringing such a beautiful
piece of imagination to life. Without them, none of this would be
possible. I would also like to thank my best friend D.J. Thomas for
always being there for me and pushing me to always strive for the
best in all that I do. I would also like to thank my family for their
continual support of me through all my life endeavors. Last but not
least, I would like to thank my tenth grade English teacher Ms.
Klussmann for opening the wonderful world of writing to me. Thank you
from the bottom of my heart because if it weren't for your gracious
efforts as a caring instructor, I would never have found the interest
to write. God bless you.
The young man dressed in green Kokirish clothing grabbed his sword from it's sheath and took two back flips away. He knew he only had a split second to act or it would be too late. A quick move forward followed by a deceiving side jump and the young blond haired blue eyed teen took a leaping slash. "Wow! Impressive Link, but I think you need to improve your speed by about a step or two." said the Teenagers long time friend Saria. The tree stump now had a deep dent in it thanks to Link's devastating jump attack. "What do you mean by that Saria? You're killing me out here!" replied the young man named Link. Link was no ordinary teenager. Six years ago, as a ten year old child, he embarked on an epic quest through time that led to him becoming a heroic legend in the land of Hyrule. He was respected and loved by Hyrule's Royal Family. He was also known as the Hero of Time because six years ago, he used the time key within the legendary Master Sword to travel back and forth between time seven years apart. Ultimately, he unlocked and awakened the six sages, saved Hyrule, saved Princess Zelda, and successfully sealed the once Great Evil King Ganondorf in the Dark Realm for all Eternity.
"Well Link, I really want you to be at the top of your game for the big tournament." replied Saria. Saria was a Kokiri girl. She raised Link since he was a baby and was always there for him. She was a beautiful girl with green hair and played the ocarina quite well. Unfortunately, the Kokiri never grew up. They remain children until the day they die. Link was now 16 years of age and was growing into a fine, strong, fast, and athletic young man. He was a Hylian who was raised by Saria and the Great Deku Tree who was the guardian of the Kokiri. "Well Saria, I don't think it should be all that difficult to win this tournament. I have battled Stalfos, Dinalfos, Iron Knuckles, spirits, and even the King of Evil Ganondorf. I should be able to take this." said Link as he put his sword back in it's sheath. "Link, the thing is, preparation is always key. You never know who will show up. Remember, for the first time in the tournament's history, competitors from other worlds outside of Hyrule will be eligible for entry. It is good to be prepared!" commented Saria. "Yeah, you're right Saria. I apologize. Want to grab a bite at my place?" asked Link. "Sure, you've worked very hard today. Let's go!" replied Saria with a smile. They began walking to the entrance of the Lost Woods. Link had been training very hard for a long time. The tournament was Hyrule's very own "Fighting Champion" tournament. It was a special competition held once every two years. Link was finally eligible to enter finally being sixteen years of age.
The two life long friends took a seat on Link's bed to eat their sandwiches. "Did you know that a Hylian hasn't won this tournament since the King of Hyrule was a child?" asked Saria. "Well, I am hoping to change all of that starting tomorrow." replied Link. "Those Goron competitors are no joke! They have won seven straight tournaments in a row." informed Saria. "Well, they certainly are big and strong, but could be outsmarted." replied Link with an impish smile. "Don't get flattened by one though!" replied Saria with a laugh. "Very funny." replied Link as he threw an olive at Saria. Saria laughed and threw one back.
There was a sound coming from outside. Link quickly leaped to his feet and grabbed a fishing spear from off his wall and approached the entrance to his house slowly. "Who goes there!?' called out an angry Link. "Relax! It's only me the bunny eared mailman!" replied the intruder. "Oh, my apologies sir." replied Link. "Thank Din it wasn't some monster!" added Saria. The mailman handed Link a pink envelope and left. "Who is it from?" asked Saria. "It's from Malon!" replied Link. "Oh, I see. Why don't you open it up?" asked a gleeful Saria. Link smiled and began to open the letter up. He had this thing for Malon for a couple years now. Malon was a close friend of his that he met at the beginning of his epic time journey six years ago. He had met her back in Hyrule Castle Town when she couldn't find her dad who had fallen asleep at the castle while delivering milk to the Royal Family. Link helped her to find her father. After that, he had visited her at Lon Lon Ranch and their friendship began. Link would go on to save Malon, her father, Lon Lon Ranch, and Malon's beloved horse Epona while in his adult form during the quest. Malon was grateful and let Link use Epona to aid him in his quest. Since the end of that epic quest, they grew a strong bond that has resulted in Link growing a love for her. It was a pure love. He had seen her grow into the beautiful teenager she was now. She had beautiful red hair and a sweet singing voice that could put anyone to slumber. Link began reading the letter. Saria watched Link as he read the letter. "So, what's up?" asked Saria. "Malon said she will be coming to the tournament tomorrow to support me." replied Link with a smile. "Awww, that is so sweet!" replied Saria with a smile. Saria used to have deep feelings for Link but knew Link had feelings for Malon. She changed her mind set over the years to be a better friend to Link. She knows she will always be a child and cannot be a love interest to Link, but she wanted him to be happy. She was going to support him all the way.
"Think you are going to ask her out when the tournament is all said and done?" asked Saria. "Maybe." replied Link. "I think you should. You two would be cute together." replied Saria with a smile. Link laughed and patted his friend on the back. "I am so sorry I can't come to the Castle arena tomorrow Link." said Saria. "It's alright Saria, I understand." replied Link. Kokiris could never leave the forest. They would die if they did. "Well Link, it's getting late. I think you should get some rest and get ready for tomorrow. I am going back to my house to hit the hay now too." said Saria. "Alright Saria, good night!" replied Link. "Good night Link." replied Saria as she made her way out his house. Link laid down and stared at his Hylian shield that was leaned against the wall by his Kokiri sword. This forest was the one place he knew he could sleep with his sword across the room from him. The Great Deku Tree kept evil from entering this forest. Link began to lose himself in thoughts. He couldn't believe he was one year away from being seventeen. Whenever he would pull up the Master Sword from the pedestal as a child, it took him seven years in the future to the time that would be next year. He also knew that soon he would have to leave the Kokiri Forest and find a place of his own out in Hyrule. It was a decision he made out of respect for the Kokiri and the Great Deku Tree. Saria always told Link he could stay here for as long as he would like, but Link knew it just wasn't the way things were meant to be. He knew he was a Hylian and that the time was approaching soon that he'd have to leave the peaceful forest he loved. Word had it that the grand prize for the tournament champ would be a special champion's shield, a trophy, and 50,000 rupees. For Link, he knew the 50,000 rupees would be real helpful for him when the time would come that he would move on. He always figured he could tell Princess Zelda the situation with him moving in about a year and the Royal Family would quickly give him financial assistance, but it was not in his nature. Link was a tough gritty Hylian raised by the Kokiri in a forest. He never had anything simply handed to him on a silver platter. He was determined to earn the money he would need for his move, that is why he never told Princess Zelda his moving plans. Gerudos, Gorons, Zoras, it didn't matter to him who would show up tomorrow. He knew victory would have to be his.