After defeating the Lynel on Polymus Mountain, the group of heroes took a side trip to collect the other two pieces of Zora Gear for Link to maneuver better in the water. They found the Zora Helm in a sunken Chest at Toto Lake, and received the Zora Greaves from the secretary Laflat in exchange for a picture of the Lynel (which Link was able to take before they engaged the creature).
And so at last, it was finally time to meet Sidon at the East Reservoir Lake, which they did.
It was there that they finally laid their eyes on their first divine beast, Vah Ruta. It was a massive Elephant machine made out of what looked to be stone, red lights illuminating all over its body to signify its ownership to Calamity Ganon, and as Dorephan explained, it was spraying water into the sky via its trunk raised into the air.
"Ah, glad to see you've made it, my friends!" Sidon said, happy to see them still alive and punctuating it with his smile. "Are you all prepared with the Zora armor and enough shock arrows?"
"You bet." Raimundo nodded.
"Wonderful! You never cease to amaze!" Sidon exclaimed. "Now, let us go and appease that Divine Beast as one!"
"Alright, how are we gonna do this?" Chase asked as Sidon dove into the water.
"Gaze upon the divine beasts back," Sidon said as they saw four glowing orbs on it. "Do you see those orbs? You will have to hit them with Shock Arrows to cut off the flow of water. With the Zora Armor, Link can ascend waterfalls, so I shall lead him to the sides of the beast to get him there. Meanwhile, the five of you shall distract the divine beast, and lead its attacks away from us. I know we all can do our parts, I believe in you!"
"Uh…yeah, there's one small problem with that." Ace spoke up. "Devil fruit users have a pretty glaring weakness…. See, those who have eaten those fruits can't exactly swim."
"You cant?" Katara asked.
"Nope." Ace answered.
"Well, then why didn't you say anything earlier?!" Raimundo asked in irritation.
"I didn't think it'd be a big issue, but seeing as how this thing's whole motif is water, I'm at a big disadvantage." Ace said.
"It's no problem at all, my friend. I do not bear ill thoughts towards your weakness," Sidon said. "I still believe we can do this."
"Your sense of positivity is pretty impressive," Chase said. "Alright, so how are we supposed to distract the thing if Ace can't swim?"
"I have an idea. Luck can fly using his equipment magic, so he can distract Ruta. Once it'sdisabled, I can make an ice bridge to get us and Ace over to the beast safely." Katara said.
"You can do that?" Chase asked.
"Of course I can. Skilled Waterbenders can turn water into ice, and before I came here, I got plenty of training." Katara nodded.
"Well then, guess we got our game plan, let's roll!" Raimundo said.
"Indeed! Link, hop on my back! Are you ready?" Sidon asked.
"Yes, I'm ready." Link answered.
"Good answer! Let's go!" Sidon said as Link got on the Zora prince's back as they both sped off to the beast. "Ha! I am unstoppable in the water!"
As soon as Link and Sidon got close, Ruta sensed their presence and let out a mighty trumpet.
"Okay, it spotted them!" Raimundo said. "You're up Luck, take the heat off em'!"
"Don't you mean, 'cold'?" Luck joked as he donned his Thunder God armaments and took off laughing.
"That's not funny!" Raimundo called out to him.
"It's kinda funny." Ace said to Katara.
Katara held in a laugh. "Yeah."
(Cue: Crystal Mountain Zone Act 1- Sonic Rivals)
Divine beast Vah ruta then summoned forth multiple ice blocks as it charged up, and shot them towards Link and Sidon. Luck was able to smash some of them, and Link broke the last two by using Cryonis.
"Nows the time to strike!" Sidon declared, swimming towards one of the waterfalls as he launched link upwards as he swam up the waterfalls and splashed into the air. He then aimed his bow with shock arrow ready as he directly hit one of the pink nodes on Rutas back, making it cry in pain.
"Hey, don't leave me out of the fun!" Luck said avoiding some more ice as he went around to the other side. "Lighting Magic: Thunderbolt Destruction!" he said blasting a lighting ball at another note and hitting it.
Vah Ruta trumpeted in anger as it created a bunch of Ice blocks and fired them one after the other.
"Careful now!" Sidon said as Link was able to shatter some of the blocks, luck as well, but there were a few too many.
"Heat Haze!" Ace called from the docs as he blasted fireballs at the others.
"You have our thanks, Ace!" Sidon called.
"I may not be able to swim, but blasting ice I can do from here." Ace said.
"Let's finish this now!" Luck said as he and Link each took one of the final two power nodes and hit them dead center.
"WOW! That was astounding, an absolute thrill!" Sidon cheered as Ruta cried out as its waterfalls stopped. It then slammed its trunk into the ground as the rain finally let up somewhat, the skies clearing.
"They did it! The flow of water from Ruta is slowing down!" Katara noticed as Ruta ascended higher in the water.
"It's surfacing more, too." Ace said.
"Cmon, get over here guys! We gotta get inside it, right?!" Luck called.
"That's true, this is a good chance as any," Chase said. "Katara, get us over there."
"I'm on it," Katara said using her Waterbending to make an Ice bridge to Ruta so the others could get there.
Sidon carried Link to the entranceway they were targeting.
"Well Link, this is where the real work starts," Sidon said. "Best of luck to you and your allies."
Sidon launched Link up to where the others were, Luck joining them as he landed on the ground.
"Show the enemy no fear," Sidon encouraged. "I'll see you all back at Zora's Domain. Farewell."
Vah Ruta rumbled as it climbed more out of the water inside the reservoir as Sidon swam away.
"Finish the job, everyone…" Sidon encouraged before he dove backwards and swam back to Zora's domain.
On the base leading to the inside of Divine Beast Vah Ruta, Link scanned his Sheikah Slate on a terminal, activating a warp pad like the ones found at the shrines and Sheikah Towers as it activated.
"Travel Gate registered to map." the slate spoke.
"Nice, we can get back to this place easy on the off chance we have to resupply," Raimundo said.
"Gotta hand it to the Sheikah, they really make it easy to get around." Chase said.
"Youre here…"
The voice that came suddenly, and so calmly shocked the five individuals, as they suddenly raised their guard.
"What was that?!" Katata said.
"Dont you mean 'who was that?"?" Raimundo asked.
"Wait, is whos speaking to us actually…" Ace started.
"Mipha." Link nodded.
"My apologies for startling you all… I didnt think anyone else was with Link." Mipha communicated to them. "Regardless, i must say… that i am so happy to see that this day has finally arrived. Now, Ruta can be freed of Ganons control."
"Uh… okay," Chase said, admittedly nervous that a spirit of a champion trapped in a divine beast was talking to them. "So uh, what do we do to reclaim this thing exactly?"
"First, you will need a map to prevent you from getting lost," Mipha spoke. "There is a Guidance Stone nearby that will contain the information you need."
The group headed inside Ruta to see another terminal akin to the ones in the Sheikah towers. Using a combination of shooting eyeballs that were anchoring down malice, and cryonis to open the gate, the group got the map to Vah Ruta and some slight control over the things trunk.
"Okay, we've got the map. Now what?" Raimundo asked.
"You will now see five glowing points on the map which represent the terminals that control Ruta," Mipha said. "Take Ruta back by activating all of the terminals."
"Go all over its body and activate each terminal, huh?" Chase said. "Nothing like a bit of a workout."
The group then moved to venture all over its body to activate the four terminals inside its body and one on the tip of its trunk. They used control of Ruta's trunk to use the water it was still spouting to maneuver gears, put out fires, and get them to higher ground to paraglide from. It took some time whilst gathering up items and relics. Once all the terminals were activated, Mipha spoke to them again.
"You activated all of the terminals! Now you can start the Main Control Unit," she said. "There should be a new glowing mark on the map, head there. Be careful not to let your guard down."
(Cue Music: Shatterhail-Killer Instinct)
The five of them ventured to the rear of ruta, inside of a room full of water where they saw another terminal with a flashing bulb. Link ran his Shiekah slate over it, causing a massive wave of Malice to come out of it, surrounding the main unit. Energy then surged behind them, making something take form as it turned into something… monstrous.
Completly forming in front of them now was a large abomination. Its left arm ended in a large spear made of energy, the rest of it completely made of sludge-like malice fused with Sheikah machinery, with no legs to speak of as malice dripped from its bottom. The face of it was akin to the front of a hammerhead shark, with one single glowing eye and a fiery red mane. It then let out a piercing shriek as water spouted from the ground.
Scourge of Divine Beast Vah Ruta
Waterblight Ganon
"Sweet naked Romans on stilts, what is THAT?!" Chase asked in complete shock and slight fear.
"I dunno… but it looks pretty strong!" Luck smiled.
"Please take care. That…thing is one of Ganon's creations," Mipha spoke to them as the monstrous figure raised its spear. "I put up as much of a fight as I could, but it proved to be my demise 100 years ago…"
"And now we've gotta fight this thing?!" Raimundo asked.
"Don't think we've got much of a choice, kid." Ace said.
"Regardless…I believe that you are all well prepared for this moment," Mipha said. "I have faith in all of you!"
"Well, here goes nothing!" Katara said as everyone stanced up.
Link and Summoned Heroes
Vs
Waterblight Ganon
FIGHT!
Waterblight Ganon started by thrusting its spear at the group, making them dodge.
"Whoa!" Chase gawked, barely avoiding it.
"Careful! That spear has a long reach." Mipha spoke.
"Now she tells us!" Raimundo complained.
Luck went in to attack Waterblight, but it turned into energy and teleported to another side of the room.
"It moves around a lot, let's try to pin it down!" Katara said.
Waterblight aimed to attack again, but this time Link used Cryonis in the shallow water at just the right time to block the attack and make its spear shatter.
"Good thinking, link!" Chase said.
Luck was then able to get a few hits in as its spear reformed. Ace sent out a Heat Haze to try and do more damage, but it teleported again.
"Why won't it stay still?!" Luck asked.
"I guess it just doesn't like being smacked around!" Ace said.
Link combated the blight, sword on spear as he was able to keep it on its toes if it had any. Chase got in the game and shot at it, directly hitting it in its eye as it stumbled a bit.
"That stunned it for a bit! I think you found its weak point, chase!" Katara said.
"Yeah, I think so! Link, aim for its eye!" Chase called as Link got in two more shots with his bow, making the Blight crumple to the ground.
"Nows our chance, let's kick its metaphorical butt!" Raimundo said as they all went in and executed an all-out attack on the thing before it screeched, blasting them all back.
It then teleported back to the main control unit and then raised its hand as invoked some kind of magic. At this, the water level started rising in the chamber.
"Aw, no!" Ace said.
"Ace, get to one of the platforms!" Katara urged the pirate commander, knowing his glaring weakness to deep water. Ace did so just in time as the platforms raised up, Waterblight hanging upside down.
"Careful… not much room to operate," Mipha warned.
The group now had to effectively fight from each of the four floating platforms as Waterblight Ganon continued to attack with its spear and even a few Cryonis blocks. They put up a good usual fight, but it was hard to move around on the water, especially with Ace now drastically handicapped.
"Chase, now would be a really good time for that trump card of yours!" Raimundo said as he dodged a spear strike and countered with his Blade of the Nebula.
"We dont need it, we can still beat this guy!" Luck confidently said as he rushed at Waterblight, only to get stopped by a cryonis block before he was swatted aside with his spear and slammed into the wall.
"Luck!" Katara called.
"Katara, watch out!" Ace called as Waterblight teleported to another block position and threw his spear again, barely impaling her but blowing her back as she cried out.
Chase only watched as the four summoned heroes were struggling.
"They… they cant be loosing, right? Theyre supposed to be great heroes. And im not even…" Chase said as all of them were being knocked around. "What kind of leader am i supposed to be to these guys?"
As waterblight continued to smack around the heroes and down them, it then turned its attention to link, as he was fighting the beast all on his own. For hyrules champion, he was fighting well, but… he was knocked into the water, in a vulnerable position as Waterblight rased its spear.
It was in that moment, something happened. Every great hero from Chase's world would say that instinct would kick in to start their journeys as heroes, that their bodies moved before they had the chance to think.
And that's exactly what happened. Without even thinking chase ran in front of link, as his eyes glowed for a second and the whole world flashed, the action around him pausing, water blight and Link phasing out of reality.
Chase then threw his right arm up in the air with a fist highly raised.
"Guys, huddle up!" he shouted, as he took a knee, and all four summoned heroes ran to him, some of them in squatted positions.
(Music Shift: Talk- Persona 5)
"It feels like that thing is everywhere, laughing at us!" Katara spoke up.
"Yeah, and we can't even run away! Not that id want to, anyway!" Luck said.
"Nobody wants to run sparky, but I gotta say, it's pretty freakin' scary out there, Chase!" Raimundo said.
"Laughing at us!"
"Scary"
Those words were viewed along with the others in Chase's field of vision. He didn't really know if these four would come to him when he activated his quirk, but they did, and they needed motivation. So Chase spoke up to give some good damn words of encouragement. It was time to see if his quirk would really turn the tide.
"Giant ugly creepazoid on the field? Danger on all sides?" Chase asked. "Then it's time we stand and face it, and make sure that thing's nullified! Are we heroes summoned just to be laughed at? NO! I'll laugh at it instead! Whos with me?!"
"I got your back, Chase!" Ace noted.
"YES!" Katara said, clapping her hands as she was clearly re-energized.
"Lets kill this thing!" Luck said as he and the others charged back into the fray.
"Great speech, dude!" Raimundo said last as chase put on his headphones, raised his right arm up to view a playlist, and cued up a song as the world timed back in.
(Music Change: Ice Mountain Laps 1-2- Team Sonic Racing)
With time back in play and the music blasting, Waterblight was caught off guard by a lighting fast kick to the face by luck, knocking its spear aim off balance and saving link. Katara got him out of the water as Link healked up with some food.
"Oh my!" Mipha gasped, suprised at what just happened.
"Alright, were back in the game!" Raimundo said slashing the blight with blade. "And were finally doing some real damage!"
"Not just that, i feel way stronger!" Luck called, slicing up Waterblight.
Waterblight Ganon recovered and try to attack from another, Position, but ace got him in his sights.
"CrossFire!" Ace said firing a southern cross made out of fire and directly hitting the abomination. "I think you're underestimating yourself Chase, this quirk of yours is one big game changer!"
Chase blasted the Blight with his guns. "I guess its true what they say about speech being powerful, persuasive, conversive, and compelling!"
Chase Ryder
Quirk: Invigoration
He can call anyone on a team with him together for a breather to recover, and restore their fighting spirit with a good rousing pep talk! If he says the right words, he and everyone with him get a big boost in power for a short while! They always say that words are the most powerful weapon in one's arsenal!
Togther with Chases quirk empowering them all, the group of heroes and link entered fierce combat with Waterblight ganon as he swung his spear to try and counter them all, dueling with the group as he also tried to use Ice blocks to take him down, but they powered through everything the monster tried to use.
Link took this chance in the battle to stun the Blight again with three well-placed shots to its eye, making it drop to the ground.
"It's down! Let's finish this!" Chase said.
"It's all over!" Katara called out as the six of them bum-rushed Waterblight and attacked it from all directions, cutting and beating it up before finally, Waterblight gave into the pain, screeching as malice was leaking from its body. Katara then landed on the ground, doing some Waterbending motions before finally ending in a Waterbending pose. "You're all washed up."
That was the final nail in the blights coffin, letting out a death scream as it exploded.
(Ending music: Stage Clear- Sonic and the Black Knight)
"Alright! Victory!" Luck cheered.
"Nice job, everyone!" Katara said as they high-fived all around.
"Divine Beast Vah Ruta, purified," Chase said vindictively, before he and link Fistbumped to round out.
Link then walked over to the Main Control terminal and scanned it one more time, turning it blue.
"Hello, Link." the voice of Mipha came, no longer finally phantasmal. "Because of you and your companions, my spirit is now free, and Ruta as well. Thank you." a female Zora, red and dressed in regal clothing, glowing spiritual green with fireballs around her came through the wall and into the chamber. "For am now allowed by this freedom… to be with you once again."
Mipha
Zora Champion
"Chase Ryder, because of your inspiring words, you led your comrades to victory. Had you not done that, all of you would have perished at Waterblights hands as I did. Your courage… Is very admirable."
"Uh… hehehe… thanks, Lady Mipha. I dunno what to say." Chase chuckled in a blush, rubbing the back of his head.
"There is no need for you to return thanks. However, I do have something to give you," Mipha said. "Since I am now a spirit, my healing power is of no use to me. I have no need of it. Therefore… I would like some of you to have it. Link, Katara, and Chase. Please accept….Mipha's Grace."
Mipha put her hands together in a prayer stance before summoning three blue orbs and sending them towards the three mentioned, going inside their bodies as they radiated with the elemental energy of water. Now all three of them have Miphas healing power at their disposal. And for chase… he got a little something extra.
The energy from Mipha's gift radiated into his guns, as they turned blue. Chase looked at them after the energy stopped flowing and then fired off in a few directions as his energy bullets now had the elemental properties of ice, freezing on contact with something.
"Wow! Your guns have ice properties now!" Luck said.
"That's an upgrade…" Chase marveled.
"Yesterday, I was awash in a pool of tears. I had nearly given up hope and resigned myself to being trapped here, as a spirit, for the rest of eternity. But now you're here. All this time, my hope...was to see you one more, Link. Promise me that you will not hesitate to call upon my power if you ever find yourselves in need of it. Knowing that, will let my spirit rest in peace." Mipha said as the group started to vanish.
"Hey, what's happening to us?" Ace asked.
"Do not worry, I am sending you all back to Zoras Domain so that I may position Ruta to fire upon Hyrule castle. Both of us have our roles to play. We are both honored to play the role of support. We'll annihilate Ganon together. Farewell. Save her, please. Save the princess." Mipha said as the group was all transported back to Zora's Domain.
Soon after the group was transported away, Divine Beast Vah Ruta rose out of the eastern reservoir lake and started climbing up a mountain, trumpeting all the way. As soon as it got into position, it lowered itself, rose its trunk, and extended its tusks to set up a targeting laser, which charged up and shot straight at Hyrule Castle, locking on to it in the distance.
"Ruta, we've found a way to be useful to Link. And to the other Champions as well. Our job will be to help Link inside the castle as he fights Ganon, however we can. Using your ability to drain Ganon of his power is the key to our success. This is it. This will be our last chance and everyone's last hope. If we seal him away, we can restore peace to Hyrule. And both your duty and mine can finally be fulfilled. Father, are you well I wonder? I want you to know, I have always followed my heart. I am sorry I made you worry. I wish I could see you again. Even just once more." Mipha said to herself as she stood atop Ruta.
"Haha! Well done, all!" Dorephan congratulated the group inside the throne room of Zora's domain with all the residents there. "Because of you're efforts, Divine Beast Vah Ruta is now back on our side and the endless rains have ceased! I can't thank you enough."
"Chase deserves most of the thanks," Katara said. "We would've died inside Ruta if he hadn't inspired us back into the fight."
"Ah-ha! I knew you were special, my friend!" Sidon smiled at chase.
"I don't know what happened in there, but seeing you all in danger made me step up," Chase explained. "I moved before I thought, and it paid off."
"So, do you still think you're not ready to be a hero?" Raimundo asked.
"I'm not sure, exactly. But I guess I have gotten a bit of confidence back." Chase said.
"Now then, as a reward for saving our realm, I would like you, Katara, to have this," Dorephan said as Muzu came forward with a silver trident adorned with regal jewels. "This is the Lightscale Trident. The fabled weapon of my dear Mipha."
"Miphas treasured weapon…. You're giving it to me?" Katara asked, taking it.
"Indeed. Take good care of it, and use it well." Dorephan said.
"I dont understand, why not give it to link since he's the last champion alive?" Chase asked. "Erm, no offense…."
"None taken. The reason she is receiving it is that she is the one that is attuned to the element of water, the source of the Divine Beast's ability. As you all are summoned heroes, that makes you champions as well."
Chase was confused before Raimundo came up to him. "Im sure it'll make more sense as we go along." he assured.
"Besides, Link himself already has his own weapon. The famed sword that seals the darkness," Dorephan said. "ANd yet… i do not see it with him. Link, where is that sword?"
"I dont know what youre talking about." Link mentioned.
"Whatever this sword is, maybe link Lost it 100 years ago." chase guessed.
"That could likely be it. It must be waiting somewhere for its master to return," Dorephan said. "I'm sure the time will come for it to be pulled again."
"Anyway, this is no time for us to be standing around," Ace said. "We still got three more Divine Beasts to free from Calamity Ganon's control."
"You're right Ace. Where do we go from here?" Chase asked.
"To Death Mountain, in the Eldin Region," Link said, checking his sheikah slate. "Goron City, which lies near the mountain itself, is our next destination."
"A word of caution," Dorephan said. "Once you cross into the area that harbors Death Mountian, you will be at the mercy of the mountains heat, which is so intense that those who aren't prepared or not of the Goron race, will catch fire."
"Seriously? That would make the place a freakin' oven." Chase said.
"Guess we need to do some prep work before we go." Katara said.
"Yes, but for now, a celebration to honor our revived and summoned champions!" Sidon called as the Zora cheered.
"Eh, guess it couldn't hurt." Raimundo shrugged as everyone agreed.
The celebration lasted well over a day, and the five summoned heroes enjoyed themselves. But soon, the next hurdle in their journey would come, with things quite literally about to heat up.
A/N: If you would like to listen to the Music that Chase plays over his headset during the battles in this and the previous chapters, check out a playlist on youtube called "Chase's Music Mix". It'll be available for all chapters onward too!