Characters: Arbiter, Teba, Link, Zelda, Mario, Master Chief, Samus and Doom Slayer

Settings: Hyrule Castle

The cool night air hit Link's face like a train, as he breathed it in. While he was used to staying inside of his house, due to wanting to avoid admirers in Hateno, he could not deny that he fared better in the wild.

However, as his lungs embraced the air, his eyes embraced the sight that had caused him to bolt out of the castle, sprint through castletown, and make his way into Hyrule Field in the first place. In the sky, attempting to land, was some sort of aircraft. Against the black of the night sky, it was hard to make out, but Link could tell that it was a dark shade of green, and that it was rather large, and most definitely housing a large amount of cargo, which could only mean one thing. There was a great number of people entering Hyrule's domain. Could these have been the attackers from the day prior? There could be no other explanation for them being here surely?

No, they had to be the attackers. 2 rather odd incidents in the span of mere days was not a coincidence.

As he drew withing a 5 yard radius of the craft, he stopped to unsheathe his Master Sword and Hylian shield. If whatever was in this ship, was hostile, Link would cut it down where it stood.

Arbiter was in the cockpit sitting next to his old friend and comrade 117, the Master Chief, looking through the glass, to observe what this kingdom...Hyrule, had in store for the crew.

The scenery was rather pleasant, he reflected. There was a large, obviously old, castle, with a large town directly in front of it. The houses, were dimly lit, due to the population probably being asleep at this hour, yet the castle still was full of light, as lanterns glowed through it's windows.

We must have missed the attack then... Well, at least that speaks in favor towards the warrior Mario has notified us about.

It was as that thought crossed through his mind, that he noticed something out of the cockpit window, that was not a part of the scenery. It was a man. A man in a blue tunic, with tan trousers, and brown boots. He had shaggy blond hair, and in both of his hands, were weapons, one being an oddly majestic looking sword, and an emblazoned shield.

Warrior found, it seems. Arbiter turned his head, catching the gaze of 117 next to him, who turned to him. "Hostile?"

Arbiter looked back at the man in front of the ship, before turning back to 117. Arbiter had already come to the conclusion that this was the warrior Mario had told them about. "I don't believe so... Do you think that this could be the warrior our new comrade mentioned?"

Chief also looked at the man before responding. "Possibly. We should ask him."

Arbiter nodded. "Indeed."

Teba sat in the bed of his quarters in basic insomnia.

Since the attack on Hyrule, he had not slept, he barely ate, and his eye...

Since his eye was practically sliced out of his head, healers had worked diligently to repair it, so he'd have full range of his vision, and, being an archer, having both eyes was essential.

The current report from the healers had stated that they were unsure if his eye would fully recover, a prospect that concerned the Rito deeply.

If his eye was to stay destroyed, would he be removed from the Champions, and replaced by another? Surely not, as, he had the most military experience out of the group. But...if his impaired sight, impaired his skills as well, his position as a champion was in jeopardy.

He'd thought about asking Zelda about the matter, however, showing any kind of weakness, especially in a position where he could get retired at any moment, was out of the question.

I mean, look at what happened to Link. He killed all of the Blights, freed the Divine Beasts, killed, Ganon, then went on the quest against Galeem and survived, and out of nowhere he was retired. If that happened to him of all people, what hope is there for me?

And then, outside the topic of his possible demotion, there was the prospect of the portals themselves.

Hyrule had no knowledge of their origin, no knowledge of if they would continue, or how to stop them.

The only thing that they did know, was that they were capable of producing creatures that had the ability to injure a Champion, Hyrule's finest class of warrior.

These thoughts were enough to keep anyone awake.

It was a shock to Teba, that his door burst open in a flash, revealing the out of breath form, of none other, than Princess Zelda.

"Teba!", she called wheezing. "Hyrule Ca-Castle is under at-attack! Link is alone facing whatever's out there, and you need to hel-help him!"

There was too much in her decree to mull over. Hyrule castle was under attack again? Was it going to be easier or harder to fight than the last time. And most importantly, Link was here? He'd been retired for what felt like forever, and he was just...back all of a sudden? Teba assumed that Link would have showed up due to hearing about the attack, but he didn't think that Zelda would have just allowed him to join the fray as though the past 2 years hadn't transpired.

Teba immediately stood up out of his bed and nodded. He would ask questions later, but right now, he needed to fight. He grabbed his Falcon Bow, and flew out of the room, and into the night.

Mario walked into the cockpit of the ship, due to his summoning. Arbiter turned towards him, and pointed out of the window.

"Would this be the warrior you mentioned?"

Mario walked towards it, and peered out of the large window.

Standing outside the craft, was a Hylian, with an all too familiar sword, shield, and tunic. This was most certainly Link. The sight of his old friend warmed Mario's heart a little.

"That's-a him."

"Can you give any insight on what kind of warrior this is."

Mario grinned. There was a lot that he could go over about this particular Hylian. However, he decided to keep it brief. "He's-a a swordsman named Link. He's-a over 100 years old, and killed-a demon known as Ganon. He-a helped me on a quest a few years ago to to defeat-a a god known as Galeem.

Arbiter nodded. This was a promising find indeed. However, he noticed something. This warrior's stance had not wavered. He was still holding both weapons, and gave the ship a stare that did not invite benevolence. It was clear to the Arbiter that this man thought their ship an attacker. He walked out of the cockpit, and called for the crew to follow.

The Doom Slayer was polishing a shotgun and Samus was watching attentively. Mario and the Master Chief simply stood awaiting instruction. The Slayer and Samus apparently caught on the the Arbiter's presence, and also turned towards him.

"We have located a new warrior to bring into our midst. However, be warned. He is under the impression that we are invaders on his land" - this line rewarded Arbiter with a smirk from Samus - "In the event he proves to be hostile, we must gear up to combat him" - the Slayer deployed his arm blade, his eyes eager. Arbiter gave him a glare and decided to add on, "However, we will also make sure to emphasize that we come in peace. Therefor, I will speak with him, alone, to start with."

The crew nodded. Arbiter, satisfied, turned towards the exit, and proceeded on into the night.

Link was puzzled at the ship. It had not moved since it landed, and it had already been about 10 minutes.

Some attack party...

It was as that thought came into his mind, that a hatch on the back of the ship opened, to reveal a ramp. And on this ramp, was a creature he'd never seen before.

It was tall, very tall, with silver armor, black reptilian skin, and 4 mandibles on its face.

The creature looked down at Link's form, and studied him, as though he was some sort of science experiment. What is this thing.

The creature's eyes then met Link's, he finally spoke up.

"Greetings Hylian, I have come to discuss the recent attack on your kingdom."

If Link wasn't puzzled before, he definitely was now. So this...thing wasn't the attacker? What was even more puzzling was that he knew of the attack. He'd never seen such a creature in Hyrule, and he'd know if it was native, having traveled every inch of the kingdom. Seeing as it wasn't native, how did this creature know that Hyrule had been attacked?

This creature seemed to notice Link's confusion, as he spoke up again. "I am told by a comrade of mine, that you are the protector of this land. Is this correct?"

Link now was even more confused. So this thing not only knew of an attack he was not present for, but also knew a Hylian he'd never met?

"You know me?"

The creature seemed relieved at the fact he'd received a response. "I cannot say I do. I have been given a small portion of information about you from a comrade of mine."

"Show me this comrade of yours."

Arbiter studied Link for a few more seconds, before nodding, and walking back into the ship. Link stood for what he counted as 50 heartbeats, before he heard noise coming from the entrance of the ship. Walking off the ramp, was the creature from before, and next to him, was a man in a red hat he knew all too well...

"Hello Link", Mario said smiling.

Link nodded to him in acknowledgement, dumbfounded. If Mario was here, then this "attack" was more than an isolated incident. And Link remembered all too well what transpired the last time Mario showed up in his kingdom.

It was viscerally embedded in his memory. Mario had shown up in a ship called the Halberd, with a large assortment of warriors, including a few of which, of whom would become friends of his. A small party of them, including, Mario, Meta Knight, Captain Falcon, Shulk, and Fox, came to the gates, to proclaim a need for his service against some being known as Galeem.

He'd not seen the Mushroom Kingdom resident since then, and his arrival could only mean that a similar threat had risen. The thought sent a chill down Link's spine. He looked directly into his old friend's eyes. "Why are you here?"

Mario's expression became grave. He opened his mouth to speak, but he was interrupted by a sound in the wind.

Teba soared through the night sky, his eyes on the mysterious object laying in Hyrule field. He could see figures in the distance, however, he could only make out small portions of their form. One was wearing some kind of silver armor, indicated by the way the moon shined on it. One looked to be wearing red, or at least, he had something red atop his head. And the third, he was familiar with completely. He wore the same Champion blue color that Teba had on his garb. It was Link.

As Teba grew closer, he could see that Link had his weapons drawn, however, he was not attacking the 2 figures. Was he...talking to them.

There was no time to contemplate. Should Link be forced to engage in combat, Teba had to be ready to aid his old Champion colleague, and having just fought creatures not native to Hyrule, seeing these outsiders did not bode well with him. He was atop the 3 figures now, and proceeded to start his descent. He pulled out his Falcon Bow, and landed right next to Link, pointing it at the 2 trespassers, earning a relatively dramatic response.

The taller of the 2, who was reptilian, with silver armor, pulled out a hilt, and ignited it, revealing a blade made out of blue energy. The one in red, held his hand forward threateningly, as fire surrounded his fingertips.

Teba did not waver however. "State your business."

Author's Note: Sorry for being late on this chapter. In order to maintain a cohesive storyboard, I am writing other chapters in tandem with this one. In order to get this one out in a more timely manner, however, I am splitting it's events into 2 parts. The next chapter will finish this one's events, and then the one after will take out story back to Dreamland.

Also, I've found out how to add proper section spacing, and as such, all chapters have been edited with it. If you want, you can check that out.