Chapter 29: Take Me Back To Tokyo
The hot sun was still beating on the desert land as Link and the others emerged just outside the entrance to the Arbiter's Grounds with Nabooru in tow. No sooner than did they take a step did they see Aveil running towards them obviously overjoyed to see that Nabooru was alive.
"Hey, you're all alive, thank the goddesses!" exclaimed Aveil.
"Thanks to Link and the others, that is true," replied Nabooru.
"I'd say Alex deserves most of the thanks here, he's the one that defeated Stallord," commented Link.
"Hey, no need to thank me, I'm just glad you're alive and well and that we kept another Secret Text out of Ganondorf and Urien's hands," chimed in Alex.
"I wish to see how the others are doing right now," said Nabooru.
Not wasting any time, Link and company headed back down the camp where the Gerudos were. There they saw a group of Gerudos pointing their spears at familiar red skinned man.
"Hey, I was trapped inside that crazy dungeon myself, I'm not gonna hurt you ladies!" exclaimed Hakan.
"How do we know that you're telling the truth?" asked the Gerudo.
"Hey, it's all right, he's a friend!" called out Link as they saw what's going on. Hearing that, the Gerudos immediately lowered their spears.
"Phew, glad you're here to back me up, I'm not looking to be an oily shish kabob," said Hakan with a sigh of relief.
As the Gerudos looked up, they all cheered wildly at seeing their leader alive and ran up to hug Nabooru. Sagat walked out of the one of buildings as well to see what was going on, and stood with his arms folded as a grin formed on his face at seeing Link and the others alive.
"Sagat, how have things been with the Gerudos while we've been dungeon crawling?" inquired Ryu.
"Things have been quiet since that initial assault. I see you succeeded in rescuing the leader of this tribe, good job," answered Sagat.
"For all your hard work, you are free to come and go from here as you please, and any friend of yours will be a friend of us too," commented Nabooru to Link and company.
"We are truly grateful for your kind gesture," commented Chun-Li.
"Hey Sagat, Hakan, now that this crisis has been averted, what do you two intend to do now?" inquired Ken.
"I myself am gonna find a way to get back to Turkey so I can see how my wife and daughters are, oh I hope they're all okay," answered Hakan.
"I will be returning to Thailand myself after I procreate with some of this tribe. Hopefully this will produce a strong future generation for these women," responded Sagat.
"I see, best of luck in your journeys you two, we must be off on our own as well," stated Zelda.
"Hold on, before we go off searching about aimlessly, where exactly should we go now?" asked Alex.
"We were covering old ground last time I remembered, I think we should go back to Japan and see if anything is going on over there," suggested Ryu.
"That's a good idea buddy, we don't know what antics may have taken place since we picked you up," remarked Ken.
"Then that's where we'll head to next," stated Link as he pulled the Teleport Orb out from his pouch.
"Best of luck on your journey, maybe I'll see you around somewhere down the line," commented Sagat.
"Same to you my friend, and again thank you for helping us in that onslaught against this camp," replied Zelda.
"To Tokyo, Japan!" exclaimed Link as he rose the Teleport Orb into the air.
Within seconds, Link and company were engulfed in a bright blue light and they found themselves being teleported away from the hot Gerudo Desert while Sagat, Hakan, and the Gerudos waved goodbye to the heroes. Soon, Link and the others found themselves standing in a forest on the outskirts of the area as they walked out to a clearing, they saw that they were indeed back in Ryu's homeland of Japan.
"Time to see if we can find any clues that may lead us to the next Secret Text," commented Alex.
"As well as make sure that everything has been ok over here," added Ryu.
Wasting no time, the heroes started to traverse down the streets of Tokyo. Everything seemed to be somewhat normal, as the heroes surveyed their surroundings, they saw a flyer promoting a sumo wrestling match between faces familiar to the others.
"So E. Honda has a sumo wrestling match coming up against...a Goron?" said Ken.
"Gorko the Goron is what the flyer says, I wonder when the match is taking place exactly," commented Chun-Li.
"It says it's going on tonight, I wonder if we'll be able to even get tickets to watch the show at this time," mused Alex.
"Beats me, either way, we should get ourselves to the Kokugikan as fast as possible. Maybe either Edmond or Gorko might know something we don't," suggested Ryu.
"I agree, you lead the way Ryu since this is you know the area best," said Link.
Ryu nodded to show he understood Link and started to lead the others towards the Kokugikan, the premier dohyo in Tokyo. As they traversed the streets, they continued to keep their eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary. After a while of walking, Ryu spotted a large old fashioned looking building with many people waiting to enter the building and even some sumo wrestlers were in attendance.
"So this is the Kokugikan, I suggest we see if we can get seats into the event," commented Zelda.
As the six made their way towards the large crowd they saw a familiar face walking towards the arena to prepare for his match. He had the traditional topknot hairstyle as well and his face was painted with red stripes, he was wearing a large blue pinstriped robe and wooden sandals as he walked. He was a well known Ozeki in the sport of sumo wrestling, Edmond Honda.
"Hey Edmond! Over here!" yelled Ryu to his fellow countryman.
Hearing Ryu's voice, E. Honda turned his head in the direction he heard the voice coming from and saw Ryu and the others waving at him, he let out a grin as he waved back while making his way towards the crowd.
"Hey Ryu, good to see you again my friend, you've come to show some support for a fellow countryman I see, that makes me happy," remarked E. Honda.
"Yeah, I see you're competing against a Goron, they're some of the best sumo wrestlers from my world, I know you're in for quite a challenge," stated Link.
"Hmm, you're travelling with a large group. Is there something going on that I'm not aware of?" inquired E. Honda.
"That's what we were gonna ask you, if you knew of any strange occurrences that may have happened around here. From the looks of it though, it's been quiet though," responded Ken.
"I can always ask my opponent after the match if he knows of anything, but it'll have to wait until after the match," replied E. Honda.
"Speaking of which, it's good to see some fellow countrymen of my own here as well! Link, what brings you to these parts?" asked a familiar voice.
Link and Zelda whirled around and saw a Goron waving at them, he had all the traditional tribal tattoos that most Gorons had once they came of age, he also was carrying a large backpack stuffed with numerous trinkets on his person and was clothed in a traditional mawashi. He was E. Honda's opponent in the sumo match taking place, Gorko.
"Gorko, nice meeting you again, I'm on yet another adventure with Zelda and some of the folks of this world, my journeys have brought me back here to see if we can find clues as to where to go next," answered Link.
"This world is huge, it's a place I would love to travel to learn some of it's mysteries. So far, I'm liking this world though. And I'm looking forward to facing a champion sumo of this world in my tribe's favorite pasttime," replied Gorko.
"Do you know of anything out of the ordinary that we should investigate?" asked Chun-Li.
"I've heard rumors of a large tower sitting out on the ocean south of this country. I'm not sure how far south though, but we can talk more on this after my match," responded Gorko.
"Speaking of which, do you guys need seats, I can get you guys front row," chimed in E. Honda.
"You'd really do that for us?" inquired Alex.
"Sure I would, anything for Ryu and his friends," answered E. Honda.
"We thank you for you generosity, and best of luck to the both of you in your competition," chimed in Zelda.
"Yes indeed, good luck to you my competitor," said Gorko extending to E. Honda.
"And the same to you my fellow sumo," added E. Honda as him and Gorko shook hands before they walked off to prepare for their match. Link and company then made their way to the ring as well where they were shown to their seats and promptly sat down as they waited for E. Honda and Gorko's match to start.
"The sport of sumo sure has a lot of customs in your world from what I'm seeing," remarked Link.
"Yes, it's origins stem from the Shinto religion in my world and many of those rituals still carry over to the sport today, such as purifying the ring with salt among many other things," responded Ryu.
"I must say I find these customs quite interesting, and makes me more excited to see the upcoming match," said Zelda.
After a while of waiting, an announcer came out to the ring and after checking his microphone began to speak to the audience in attendance.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Kokugikan welcomes you to this match as sumo wrestlers of two worlds come together in one place to challenge each other to a bout to see who is the greatest in this newly fused world. First, hailing from a place known as Death Mountain, he's a wrestler who is as solid as rock, which fits since his diet consists of rocks, let's show some appreciation for Gorko!" exclaimed the announcer.
Gorko walked out to the dohyo and threw salt down as a group of Gorons sitting the audience as well as a few Hylians began to cheer for the Goron that was representing their world. Gorko stood determined as he waited for his opponent to come out.
"And hailing from Tokyo, Japan is one of our homeland's premier Ozeki who has a hundred hands of fury and they're all aiming to show who is the best in sumo. Give it up for Edmond Honda!" shouted the announcer.
E. Honda then walked out to the dohyo as well to thunderous cheers from his pupils as well as many natives of Japan as he also threw salt down and took a ready stance as Gorko did the same and the two stared at each other as the referee made his way over to the two large bodies. But before the ref could give the signal to begin the match, a group of Ganondorf and Urien's minions stormed into the arena and began to attack some of the members of the crowd. Large pink bodied Moblins carrying shields and spears lumbered about along with smaller red and blue skinned creatures wearing leather wraps around their heads in a addition to loincloths and unusual underwear as well as all of them carrying small swords with them as they growled hoarsely.
"Moblins and Bokoblins! What brings them here?" wondered Link.
"Never mind that dude, let's just make sure that no one here gets hurt badly!" commented Ken.
"Wanna call it a draw for now?" asked Gorko.
"We'll resume our match another time, right now, let's help our friends," answered E. Honda.
Zelda transformed herself into Shiek as she darted towards a Bokoblins with a kick hitting one square in the back, the Bokoblin whirled around as Shiek threw out a series of needles, the Bokoblin stuck his blade up, blocking the little needles. At that moment, E. Honda appeared from behind the Bokoblin and slammed the creature on the ground and leapt into the air sitting on him. The sheer power of E. Honda's Oicho Throw made the Bokoblin disappear in a puff of smoke. Shiek then flipped out of the way of an arrow that was shot at her by a Bokoblin Archer. Link picked the arrow up off the ground and launched it back at the archer as it was grabbing a new arrow and hit the red skinned creature between the eyes and it promptly fell over.
"Kikoken!" shouted Chun-Li as she threw out a projectile at a Bokoblin making it hold its blade in front, the projectile knocked the Bokoblin's sword out of its hand as it ran to pick it up, Alex grabbed the little monster and leapt into the air with a Power Bomb making the Bokoblin go up in smoke. Ryu and Ken both leapt at a group with a kick, the Bokoblins jumped back to avoid being hit. Both fighters threw out Hadokens making a couple of Bokoblins drop their blades and Ken rushed towards them afterwards and nailed the two blue skinned monsters with a fiery Shoryuken.
"Is this all these little guys are capable of?" asked Ryu.
At that moment, a Bokoblin ran towards the group carrying a bomb, as he got close, the bomb exploded, blowing the heroes back into the Moblins who smacked the heroes with blunt end of their spears knocking the heroes down.
"Stupid little kamikaze monster," grumbled Alex.
Just then, Gorko rolled into a ball and charged directly at the Moblins and knocked one back in addition to shattering the shield it was carrying. E. Honda also flew at one with his Sumo Head Butt and the force behind made another Moblin stagger back as it also lost its wooden shield.
"Let's show them the true power of sumo Gorko!" exclaimed E. Honda.
"I agree with you there Edmond, let's go!" exclaimed Gorko.
E. Honda and Gorko both began to deliver rapid fire palm strikes into the bellies of the Moblins making them fall onto their backs and the two sumo wrestlers leapt into the air and dropped their bulk onto the Moblins as the two large pig like creatures disappeared from existence. From a distance, they could see a Bokoblin blowing into a large horn and even though Link dispatched of the Bokoblin promptly with his bow, more reinforcements stormed in, this time, the Moblins had steel reinforced shields which would make it harder to get past the Moblins' defense.
"Well this is just great, more of these guys," groaned Zelda.
"Link, you and the sumos take care of the Moblins, we'll handle these little piggies!" called out Ken.
"I got it!" responded Link as he rushed forward with his shield out as E. Honda and Gorko followed suit behind Link. Link fired an arrow at one of the Moblins and hit it square in the face making the Moblin give off an annoyed growl as Gorko rolled forward in an attempt to bowl over the Moblin. Another Moblin swung its spear smacking Gorko and making him stagger backwards as E. Honda delivered a hard chop to the Moblin as Link followed up with another sword strike. The Moblin retaliated by pushing the two back with his shield. The Moblin then swung the spear at Link who thrust his shield forward parrying the attack and making the Moblin stagger from the sheer force as Link started to lay numerous slashes into the Moblin.
"Wow, how many of these guys are there?" asked Chun-Li as she used her Spinning Bird Kick to clear out a cluster of Bokoblins.
"They're persistent little bastards, but thankfully they aren't too bright," remarked Ken as he spun through a cluster with his Tatsumakisenpuukyaku.
At that moment, as a group of Bokoblins pulled out arrow to attempt to fire at the heroes, a flurry of kunai flew threw the air and nailed all the Bokoblins in the neck making them fall over dead.
"Hmm, looks like we're getting some help, that's always a good thing," stated Alex as he Flash Chopped another Bokoblin into oblivion.
From out of the shadows leapt a female ninja of slender build, she was wearing a dark brown ninja outfit with a brown wrap on her head as three long strands of her black hair poked out of it, she did a series of somersaults in the air and landed perfectly on her feet upon her descent.
"Ibuki on the scene!" shouted the ninja as she threw another set of kunai at the Bokoblins, hitting some of them in vital areas. Zelda and the others continued their work on the Bokoblins as they slowly dwindled their numbers down to nothing as Link and the sumo wrestlers and disposed of most of the Moblins. One charged foward and as Link and the others dove out of the way, Link fired a Bomb Arrow at the Moblin making it crash to the ground as E. Honda leapt into the air with his Sumo Smash and slammed down butt first onto the Moblin making it shriek out in pain as Gorko also emulated E. Honda to the best of his ability making that Moblin go up in smoke. Another Moblin roared as it attmepted to strike the three in the back and Ibuki quickly threw a kunai into the Moblin's back making it yelp out in pain as Link quickly charged forward and started to slash away at the Moblin until it finally collapsed and hit the ground before going up in smoke.
"Hey there cutie, you're quite skilled with that sword of yours," said Ibuki as she turned to Link.
"Uh, thank you...what's your name?" replied Link.
"Oh, I'm Ibuki, I come from Kyoto and live in a village of ninjas. I've been sent here to investigate anything weird that may be going on, but really I just want to meet some cool guys, and luckily I found you," answered Ibuki.
"Hey Ibuki, it's good to see you again. So you say that your elders sent you on a mission, we're doing the same ourselves. Do you think they'd be willing to tell us what they know?" inquired Alex.
"Well hello there stud, you know, it's worth a shot, if you're willing to follow me to my village, maybe they will tell you," answered Ibuki.
"What do you say, should we take up Ibuki's offer?" asked Zelda.
"I see no harm in it, besides it's one of the only leads we have. Let's go with her," answered Ken.
"I'm glad that you agree you handsome man, bring all your friends along too," commented Ibuki.
"She's quite the flirtatious one isn't she," whispered Zelda to Chun-Li.
"You have no idea," replied Chun-Li.
"I suppose we'll come along too, I'm curious as to what's going on with those attacks," stated E. Honda.
"Me too, also I'd love to see more of these people that you all call ninjas," added Gorko.
With that, Link and company, along with E. Honda and Gorko began to follow Ibuki as she decided to lead them back to her village in the Glade to see if they were willing to share any information that Link and the others could possibly use.
Author's Note: Well folks. I finally find time to write another chapter and I must say it feels good to do so. On another note, The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia is finally being released in the U.S. although it doesn't come out until January 16th, but I'm gonna buy it. I also am starting to save up for a Wii U and hey, how can you go wrong with Zelda costumes in Tekken Tag 2? I also do intend to the Super Street Fighter graphic novel that UDON comics is gonna release this fall. Anyways, in terms of sumo terminology, a dohyo is the ring where sumo matches take place and the mawashi is of course the loincloth they wear in those matches. The Kokugikan is also an actual sumo arena in Tokyo just so you know. Now I'm off to go plan the next chapter, but until then, please read and review.