If the enemy thinks of the mountains, attack like the sea; and if he thinks of the sea, attack like the mountains.

- Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings


Boulders rolled and crashed, ceaselessly shaking Death Mountain. The immense rocks had a new adversary. Hooves thumping, Epona carried Link and Luna uphill, the legendary mare charging through hopping Red Tektites. She then effortlessly leapt atop each incoming boulder and kicked off each to propel herself.

Bruce hurried on foot, cartwheeling past boulders, sometimes lifting himself by pushing his ax against the ground then flipping over the tumbling geology. Whatever Red Tektites went in his way were axed down.

The mouth of Dodongo Cavern came to view, clogged with boulders.

Epona swerved past the corner and jumped over a boulder. After passing a large post with a red flag, a Goron rolled, Epona hopping over.

Luna looked back; the Goron collided into Bruce, knocking him over the ledge tho rolling on as if nothing happened.

"He'll just have to run back up," Kibou remarked.

"That happened to me as a kid," Link admitted.

Epona cantered to the entrance of Goron City, wooden gate wide open as always. They reappeared inside the mountain, the Goron home consisting of tiered roundabouts spiraling a vast, hollow center.

Link and Luna dismounted.

A nearby Goron lifted his head. "Hmm? Ohmm, mmrrmmm?" He stood, scratched his side, then sat back down. "Mrmm, mmh!" He slammed his face into the ground, curling up into a ball.

Luna blinked once, twice.

"Mrmm, mmrmm?" The Goron got back up.

"People here are weirder than in the village..." the albino mumbled.

"Shh."

The Goron just stared while scratching his side, a permanent smile on his face. "Ohh... I'm really, really hungry..." Despite his starvation, he was still plump and smiling. "Because we can't enter our quarry, Dodongo's Cavern."

"Yeah, I noticed the entrance was blocked with boulders," Link commented.

"We tried copying what you did seventeen years ago, but not even the Bomb Flowers could blast the boulders away."

"Everyone knows Gorons eat rocks," Kibou said, "so why don't you just eat your way in?"

"We've remained such gourmets that we can't eat rocks anywhere else, only rock sirloin from Dodongo's Cavern."

Luna cocked her head. "And when rock sirloin runs out, then what will you eat?"

The Goron needed a second. "Then we'll have to just stick with whatever we can."

"Then get started on that now?" Luna suggested.

"Well, the rock sirloin isn't depleted..."

Someone dryly chuckled as they entered Goron City. "Picky eaters, hunh?" Bruce commented.

Link peered over the roped pedestal hanging down the central hollow—nothing shiny. "I take it Link hid the Goron's Ruby in his room so nobody would lick it?"

The Goron shrugged. "I guess so..."

Luna stared at the pedestal. "How did you even get the platform roped up like that?"

The Goron shrugged.

Kibou's wings tilted. "I guess they attached the ropes...then raised the platform with a suspended pulley?"

Again the Goron shrugged.

"Well," Link said, peering over the ledge, "let's pay Link a visit." The Hero of Time leapt, rolling upon landing, then jumping off the next ledges, a few Gorons rolling along.

Luna needed a couple seconds. "He sure can jump..."


Down below, Luna, Bruce and Kibou caught up with Link, who was playing a lullaby before a Goron statue.

As the statue slid aside, a Goron stepped out his shop. "Link, it's been a long time! Welcome! How have you been? I still haven't given you that nice, big, Goron hug!"

This time, Link couldn't run. Just as the Ocarina of Time slid out his mouth, the Goron scooped him up. Link couldn't even shout, but his round friend put him down.

Luna chortled. "Ha, cute..."

The Goron Shop Owner patted Link's shoulder. "To commemorate your return, let me fill your Bomb Bag! It's the least I can do!"

Bombs avalanched upon Link.

Luna uncomfortably put her hands together. "People don't seem very careful with explosives..."

"Welcome to Hyrule," Bruce remarked.

Link somehow stuffed all the bombs into his bag. "Thanks, friend! These'll come in handy."

The Goron Shop Owner nodded. "Come back anytime!"

Link entered the inner sanctum. The bigger Link had grown into a fine Goron, though not as rough as his father, more like Goron Link without the green.

Darunia's son's eyes widened. "The Savior of the Gorons!?" Laughing heavily, Link lumbered over, giving the Hero a heavy pat across the shoulders. "I almost didn't recognize you! How've you been, uncle?"

Hylian Link chuckled while Bruce, Luna and Kibou appeared.

"And I see you made a few new friends!"

Bruce nodded.

Happiness faded from the son of Darunia. "I can tell things are not as good at they should be."

"Hyrule Castle is lost," Luna said, "everyone's taken by shadowy monsters."

"And new threats came," the Hero of Time warned. "Once again, I must gain access through the Door of Time."

"Well, why didn't you say so? The Gorons are sworn allies to the King of Hyrule, and you are the sworn brother of my father. Now that I am grown up, it's time for me to prove I am like you..." The young Goron chieftain gripped his father's spear in his left hand, Megaton Hammer in his right. "Let's get going to the castle right now! I'll organize my boys!"

Link made a single, vigorous nod.

"What about the blocked Dodongo's Cavern?" Luna asked.

"Your people will starve," Bruce cautioned.

"Hmm, kinda forgot about that... Ah-hah! Although blades are his specialty, Medigoron mentioned he was making something new..."


Kibou flew out Goron City alone. Epona snorted then reared, neighing...

Gears clacking, hull shaking, a giant Bombchu drove out the entrance to Goron City, escorted by a dozen helmeted Gorons, the bombardier sitting atop the mousy yet great explosive.

"Onward, lads! We'll blast the cavern open in one go!" the Bombchu Operator excitedly stated. "Just keep those boulders away, Link! Otherwise they'll damage our Bombchu!"

"I'm on it!" The Goron chief smashed boulders with his Megaton Hammer, each blow hurling rocky chunks everywhere. "Ha! This'll be easy!"

"Easy..." the Hero of Time said, "don't get that too often." Epona walked alongside Link, the friends heading down.

The Goron who liked rolling downhill before blowing up didn't notice the commotion. He tumbled along before detonation, getting up and turning around as the giant Bombchu drove. "Now that's a bomb I'd like to roll with!"

"Do it now!" the Bombchu Operator encouraged, so that was done.

It was not long until the giant Bombchu neared Dodongo's Cavern.

"Alright everybody! Clear the way!" The Bombchu Operator slid off, he and the other helmeted Gorons keeping their distance while the rolling Goron...rolled alongside the giant bomb.

The Bombchu's whiskers shivered—a crushing explosion shook Death Mountain itself, the echo so mighty Biggoron got up, wondering what the hell just happened.

The helmeted Gorons raised their arms, cheering.

As dust and smoke settled down below, the rolling Goron stood as if nothing happened, scratching his side. "Ohhhhhhhh! What a great ride! Now I can go inside Dodongo's Cavern and eat to my heart's content!" He happily waddled forth—giant jaws swallowed him whole.

The helmeted Gorons paused, their arms motionless mid-air.

Thump!

Thump!

Thump!

Thump!

THUMP!

Everyone stood still, paused halfway in their initial movements, Kibou flying behind Luna.

A giant reptilian face emerged from the darkness. Nostrils billowed smoke, burnt scales mapped with cinders, eyes like embers. King Dodongo's mighty maw hung open as he groaned, flames growing.

A bomb arched into his mouth.

The old king's head raised, the beast choking on a bomb before it exploded. King Dodongo reared as the blast went out his mouth. He toppled limply, head hitting the ground. His mouth moved, something emerging from within.

"Oh, hey guys," the Goron who had been swallowed moments ago commented, crawling out the giant Dodongo's jaws. He lumbered off as if nothing happened. The helmeted Gorons watched him go...

The Goron chief charged, Megaton Hammer raised high. "Hwwaahhh!" Heaving, he slammed his hammer upon King Dodongo's big dumb head.

The great reptile flinched, tail flicking against the cavern walls behind him. Link and Bruce leapt to action, striking scales. They were followed by several helmeted Gorons, pummeling their hefty fists into the monster's hide.

King Dodongo gasped, gulping a groan. He swung his head to and fro, knocking his attackers back. He turned his head back, howling heavily.

From the depths of the cavern, a cacophony of screeches reverberated. Few by few, Dodongos charged from the shadowy cave, their big jaws salivating. Upon the Dodongos' backs rode Dinolfos, each reptilian rider wielding an isizenze.

While running, the Dodongos and Dinolfos inhaled, flames building around their mouths as the mounts climbed their king. The Dodongos leapt off the monarch's back, beasts and riders blasting flames as they descended! Bruce and Epona reared, swiping her front hooves as flames billowed. A few Dodongos landed upon Gorons, immense claws pinning them to the ground.

The Links and Gorons were mostly untroubled by flames, though. The Gorons shuffled forth, helmets bumping against one another, pushing on the attack to help their downed comrades.

A few Dodongos writhed towards the Hero of Time. He positioned himself into a Spin Attack, then he slid forth at great speed, green Magic swirling about. Farore's Fury propelled Link powerfully; he collided into his foes, sonic boom erupting as a green flash, a few Dodongos flipping over their tails, riders overthrown. Blade shimmering, Link took the advantage and charged...

"Can you handle this!?" The Goron chief swung his mighty hammer, each blow staggering a Dodongo which sometimes hurled the rider off. The chief's spear thrust into Dodongos' mouths and Dinolfos' chests, his hammer shattered Dodongos' knees and Dinolfos' ribs, yet the reptiles kept coming even as fallen Dodongos exploded after death. The fallen Dinolfos stood, breathing fire and swinging their blades...

Bruce rolled around a Dodongo then swung his Dane ax, which was long enough to reach the rider. His ax broke through the the Dinolfos' block and he fell down, the Dodongo spinning while whipping its tail and staggering Bruce. The Dinolfos got up, growling out a mouthful of flames. Bruce darted past him and the Dodongo as it loudly inhaled...

Bruce rolled underneath the Dinolfos' blasting fire. He sprang to his feet, blocking the incoming blade with his shaft. The Dinolfos raised his isizenze—Bruce hooked his ax around the Dinolfos' ankle and tripping him. The Dinolfos hiccuped, flaming breath ceased. Bruce whirled his ax then slammed it upon the lizard's sternum. Red spurt out, the beast exhaling blood and smoke before expiring.

Bruce ripped his ax out and darted off as the Dodongo blasted flames. The Goron chief noticed. He brought the Megaton Hammer down upon the beast's head. The Dodongo's chin smacked into the ground, shutting him up as the hammer cracked his skull. The monster whined and went limp, ensuing explosion hurling a few Dinolfos back.

The melee intensified. Dinolfos beaten off their mounts regained their footing, jumping about wildly while breathing flames and swinging their hafted blades. When able, Link shot arrows from Epona's back, sometimes shooting Dinolfos down, but the phalanx of Dodongos and stomping feet of their king prevented aim.

Meanwhile, King Dodongo straightened his front legs, shaking his head to regain his senses. His underlings fought, though the monarch could not actually do much less risk harming his own brethren—Epona neighed, kicking against the cliff side and leaping forth, Link on her back, sword in hand.

"HHYYAAHH!" He slashed across the great beast's face, cracking apart some scales. The king grunted. While Epona descended, Link threw a bomb one-handed, the king headbutting it aside where it exploded against the cliff.

Epona landed atop a Dodongo, impact pressing him to the earth while throwing the rider off. Epona kicked her back legs high, knocking another Dinolfos off his Dodongo while Link exchanged slashes against other mounted Dinolfos.

The Gorons rushed their advantage, dogpiling the fallen Dinolfos while their chief engaged with King Dodongo face-to-face, Megaton Hammer clanging against teeth and chin, spear jabbing eyes. Yet, more Dodongo-riding Dinolfos galloped out the cave, flames billowing upon the Gorons and suppressing their advance.

"If only we had another giant Bombchu!" the Operator complained, grabbing a Dodongo's leg and tripping him then headbutting the rider out.

"Someone run up and throw Bomb Flowers from the lookout!" the Hero of Time yelled, Epona swiping her front hooves and shutting up a Dodongo while her rider engaged the Dinolfos. Epona spun, back hooves kicking a few Dodongos before she leapt away from voluminous flames and King Dodongo's hefty feet. The battleground was too narrow and compact to risk staying put, after all!

Sure enough, a Bomb Flower fell, King Dodongo hearing the fuse and distracted—a spear whizzed through the air, hitting the king's nose. He snorted, piercing pain even reaching his brain.

Bruce's head appeared from the lookout. "I'm susceptible to fire, I'll stay up here!"

The Links gave him a thumbs up.

While the melee raged, Kibou hovered close to Luna. "Yo, Luna! Maybe use some of your shadowy magic? I think they'd be useful right about now!"

She clenched her fists. "Can't! I can only manipulate them if they're already summoned!"

"So that Mikey guy has to use it first, then?"

"Basically, yes."

"Wait, then that means—"

Amid the brawl, one of the Dinolfos wriggled past, nearly stepped on by his king, a Bomb Flower blowing up behind him. The Dinolfos cocked his head, reptile eyes sharpening as he noticed Luna fade in. Eager at such easy prey, he charged, isizenze glimmering, flames fluttering from his teeth.

Luna unsheathed her Kokiri Sword, looking so petty compared to the big reptile.

"Luna!?"

She glared at her guardian. "I'm not a baby!"

"Just because Link let you win, doesn't mean you should fight a battle!"

"Just watch me!"

Kibou flew in front of her face. "Since when can you fight monsters!?"

"Since I came back from the future!"

"What!? When did you do that!?"

"Shut up!" She waved Kibou aside.

The Dinolfos charged uphill, head low, teeth clacking.

"Luna!" Kibou flew past her, tackling the beast's eye, the reptile growling and swinging his ax wildly at the pesky flying thing.

Luna leapt forth, twirling mid-air—finishing her revolution, she evaded the isizenze while slashing the Dinolfos' fingers gripping the handle. He cried aloud and jumped high. He landed, looking around.

Luna hung upside down from the Dinolfos' front, her legs wrapped around his neck. He flinched, wondering how Luna got there. One hand gripping the Kokiri Sword handle and other pushing against its pommel, Luna thrust between the beast's chin and throat. The blade entered hilt-deep, piercing the Dinolfos' brainstem. He limply fell, Luna rolling to her feet.

Kibou rang aloud. "Whoa! Holy hell, Luna! How did you pull that off!?"

She got up, pushing her hair back. "I knew his future, so I knew what to do."

King Dodongo roared, Luna gasping, dropping the Kokiri Sword.

Kibou hovered by Luna. "So, did you see that coming?"

"No..."

At the mouth of Dodongo's Cave, the melee between Gorons and reptiles became crammed. Gorons tried overwhelming the monsters, but the tight ranks of Dodongos billowed flames and snapped their jaws, the mounted Dinolfos easily hacking at the Gorons' heads and arms, only to blast more flames upon them.

The Goron chief focused on the king, Megaton Hammer frequently clanging against the Infernal Dinosaur's feet and chin. Whenever King Dodongo tried biting Link the Goron Chief, he simply grabbed the spear stuck in the king's nose, pain alone preventing any biting.

The chief gripped the spear, pulling on it to hoist himself up. "How about this!?" Mid-air, he slammed his hammer into the king's head, dazing the big dinosaur.

Bruce kept throwing Bomb Flowers from above, helping spread apart the reptiles, but they always reformed. Link's horseback archery helped suppress the Dinolfos, too, but more and more kept coming. Yet, the Gorons kept their feet firm, bulky fists knocking back monsters, no matter how much flames burned them.

Link rode Epona, both fighting their numerous foes. Epona kicked and headbutted, Link slashed and parried; Epina stomped upon Dodongos' mouths to prevent them breathing fire; Link shot arrows into Dinolfos' mouths to shut them up of their fire-breathing. But, whenever flames neared, Epona leapt away, easily outpacing the Dodongos while Link threw bombs from horseback, explosives arching overhead Gorons and blasting Dinolfos off their mounts.

Despite the Gorons' vigorous efforts, the Dinolfos jumped back atop their mounts, flames billowing with every exhale.

"Getting too hot!" the Operator complained, the compact situation preventing much evasion for such burly fellows.

"Not one step back, boys! We can do this!" the chief encouraged, a Bomb Flower helping clear the area.

Epona reared, Link slashing down a Dinolfos. He made eye contact with King Dodongo. If he doesn't breathe fire, I can't throw bombs into his mouth. He's patiently taking his time. Hmm...

Flames flowed overhead Gorons, Epona leaping away, her tail a little smoky. Link nocked an arrow, blue Magic swirling. He shot—the arrow shattered against the king's face, crackling ice forming.

Mouth and nose filled with ice, King Dodongo soon suffocated. He reared, throat bulging as his lungs heaved for air. He swung himself to and fro, smashing his icebound head into the cliffs, ice gradually shattering. Once his maw broke free, he desperately inhaled for oxygen—and got a bomb instead.

Darunia's son looked back at Link. "Ahh hah ha! Good thinking, uncle!"

Choking, lungs feeling like they wanted to rip out his ribcage, King Dodongo waited for the shrapnel and smoke to burst out his nose.

Although used to fire-breathing and the occasional magma bath, a bomb going off in his throat was unpleasant. King Dodongo retched, collapsing to the ground, crushing a dozen reptiles underneath. Eager to protect their king, the Dinolfos reared their Dodongos inward, mounts and riders blasting flame in unison over a wide area.

Epona carried Link away from the flames, the mare panting heavily, her coat singed.

Most Gorons at least winced, some staggering, reptilian jaws snapping at their arms. "I don't think we can take much more of this!"

The Goron chief stepped into the wall of fire, swinging the Megaton Hammer two-handed back and forth, cracking Dodongos' jaws with each swing. Soon, several Dodongos fell limp, flames fading in their unconscious jaws. He raised his hammer as King Dodongo's dazed paw swung over, the two locked against each other's strength.

Link got an idea, withdrawing his ocarina and playing the Song of Storms. Lightning and thunder came, followed by a downpour.

The Gorons cheered as refreshing waters rinsed their heated helmets. Although the rainfall didn't do much, it was better than nothing. Some reptiles snorted disapproval.

At once, many Dinolfos jumped off their rides, attacking the relieving Gorons from all directions. With their help, King Dodongo managed to strike the chief off his feet.

The chief landed heavily. "Ooff!"

"Link! Are you OK?" the Operator asked, shoving aside some Dinolfos then punching a Dodongo out cold.

"I'll be fine, thanks for asking!"

Growling, King Dodongo picked himself up, inhaling with great force.

"Oh, look out!" the chief warned, the Gorons preparing themselves.

Link threw a bomb; a Dinolfos jumped off up and kicked it away. Bruce threw a Bomb Flower, but a Dinolfos caught it and threw it at Link, who easily escaped the blast.

Darunia's son got up, jumping high, Megaton Hammer glinting. "Hyhiiah!"

King Dodongo headbutted the chief, excessive mass smashing him down.

He landed with a thud. "Ow, that's gonna leave a mark."

King Dodongo headbutted downward upon the chief, giant skull slamming with such force the shockwave hurled Gorons and reptiles alike away.

The Goron chief coughed, dust settling. "That'll leave a mark, too..."

The Infernal Dinosaur reared, filling with air.

Body sore, the Goron chief picked himself up. "Here comes a big one, boys!" He gripped his hammer defensively, the Gorons bracing themselves.

Epona reared, Farore's Fury swirling around her rider...

The Dodongos and Dinolfos simultaneously inhaled, flames swirling in their mouths. King Dodongo's head swung down, all reptiles' flames joining together into a volcanic blast.

Undeterred, Link spurred Epona. "HaaaAAAHHH!"

Farore's Magic intensified around Epona. She charged through the inferno, plumes of fire flowing aside. Epona rammed her shoulder into the king's chin, his entire jawbone shifting backwards, crack! He reared, flames roaring skyward.

Epona bounced off the king, Link Hookshotting the dinosaur's forehead, his blade glowing with reddish energy. "HYYAAAHHH!" His Spin Attack was perpendicular, mightily whirling into the king's forehead. Scales and blood broke free. Link backflipped very high, Hookshotting the monster again, retracting chain pulling Link, where he thrust between the beast's eyes heavily.

King Dodongo howled.

Link backflipped off, withdrawing his bow mid-air and shooting a Light Arrow, intense Magic blinding the king. As he fell, Link rammed his sword down as he landed upon a Dodongo, blade driven through its neck. Link cartwheeled past a few Dodongos as the one he killed erupted, pulling himself atop Epona then trampling through reptiles, flames hot on their backs.

A few Dodongos shoved through the Gorons and chased after Link, Dinolfos swinging blades from their backs. Link turned Epona, slashing madly at his foes, hitting their forearms and faces then galloping uphill while shooting arrows to avoid flames. One arrow hit a Dinolfos' head, arrow sending him off the Dodongo and over the cliff.

Link saw a Goron rolling downhill. He pulled Epona's reins, she rearing and neighing as the Goron rolled underneath. While the Hero of Time dealt with the monsters nearby, the rolling Goron went past them and didn't stop.

"Look!" the Operator said, "here he comes again!"

"Quick! Let's form a ramp!" the chief said, he and his comrades piling one another, overlapping backs forming a rudimentary incline.

The Dodongos and their king prepared to breathe fire while their riders attacked the vulnerable Gorons. The rolling Goron drove over his brethren and, spinning through the air, landed inside King Dodongo's mouth…and exploded.

Retching out the blast and Goron, the king collapsed on his chest, squishing a dozen reptiles. It was not long until Dodongos began blowing up underneath him. Link rode down, throwing bombs while Bruce tossed Bomb Flowers. A chain reaction ensued all around King Dodongo.

Eyes rolling, body twitching, the Infernal Dinosaur raised his head. All around him were blown up lizards.

The Gorons unraveled from their ramp, rolling on the spot as rocks and dust fluttered. The Gorons unleashed their momentum, avalanching into the king, combined mass staggering him. They then stood, pummeling the king with their fists.

The Goron chief approached. "For the Megaton Hammer, your head's just a nail!" He swung many great blows into the monster's face, cracking scales and breaking off a fang.

King Dodongo wobbled from so much damage, legs going sideways and his chin hitting the ground. Twitching, he picked himself up as fists bounced off his veritable skin. He jumped, curling up into a ball and rolling over his attackers.

The Gorons sat up, wondering where the king went.

King Dodongo rolled downhill...

...towards Kakariko Village.

The chief blinked. "Uh-oh."

King Dodongo's rolling scraped alongside both cliffs, slowing him down until halted.

After a few awkward seconds, the king unraveled, stuck upside-down in-between the cliffs of Death Mountain Trail.

He haplessly kicked his legs, tail swaying, unable to wriggle free.