*Well it's been a long 3 years since I last did a Nintendo HQ instalment. You could say life got in the way! Anyhow so much has changed in 3 years, what with a brand new SSB, the sad passing of Satoru Iwata and my lack of memory over how the battle was supposed to pan out- but here's the long-awaited instalment…sorry about the wait!

The beautiful glint of the sun, Hyrule castle just noticeable in the dark distance…the setting certainly looks convincing- and familiar. Link was briefly lost in his own thoughts, as he remembered the real place, where only a few years ago he'd travelled into the world of twilight…

"Aether!"

Link barely has time to leap out of the way when Ike's Ragnell strikes the ground in a burst of flame. With this one blow Link comes to his senses; this swordsman wants a real fight and wasn't going to let up for a moment of nostalgia. He pulls out his own sword- one that had served him for decades- and let loose on Ike. The two parry, barely acknowledging the war horn blown in the distance. Link has Ike in his sights; he fires an arrow to make him flinch before using his spin attack. Ike lets out a groan in pain, but he was not about to let this cocky hero get to him; no sooner had he recovered from Links attack than he lashes out at Link, slamming his sword into his chest with staggering power. Link was sent flying, crying out in pain but he knows something Ike doesn't; an old enemy was about to crush the very place Ike was standing in. He lies on the stony ground pretending to be severely hurt; in the meantime he prays to Eiji Aonuma the resurrected King would deliver the crushing blow…

What was taking the kid so long? Ike watches him in triumph, confident of victory, but his warrior senses are tingling with warnings of danger- yet there is no danger in sight. Ike tingles. He thought he could hear something above him, but knows there is no time to wait. With a cry he throws himself out of the way just as an explosion rocks the centre of the bridge. Rocks and dust fly everywhere, hitting Ike all over so harshly he feels himself falling, paralysed by the impact. He thought he saw Link smirk in an irritating manner just as his foot slips and he falls into the new crater in the bridge, still clutching Ragnell in the shock.

Link hurls himself up to dodge the debris flying his way. Before long the commotion had died down; it seemed that Link had won the battle. Yet there was no signal from the gaming studio, no narration announcing his victory. Which could only mean one thing…

King Bulblin rides steadily; ready to take his long-awaited revenge. Link seemed distracted and alone this time, especially now his blue-haired nemesis had apparently been taken care of. Nice shot Bulblin, now take your chance! He lifts his club in the air and advances towards Link. At that very moment a yell rises up from the hole in the bridge, alerting Link to arm himself once more. Only the King was now upon him; with a roar he strikes Link hard in the back, sending him flying upwards in pain and utterly helpless to the return of Ike. This is my chance! Ike shot upwards, Ragnell blazing with searing flames, ready to strike Link. The King takes the opportunity to ride away, confident his deed is done (and clearly unaware Link can't die in this demo).

Hey, listen! You can't give up now Link, Ike's coming! Come on, up! Can the future of Hyrule really depend on such a lazy boy?

Shut up Navi…please…I'll get up. Anything to shut you up…here goes nothing!

"Hyaaaaaa!"

"Argh!"

Link unleashes his full might with a powerful strike from his Master Sword, knocking Ragelle out of Ike's hand. Ike plummets to the ground at an incredible speed; but there was no time to admire Link's handiwork. The final blow needed to be struck. Link hoists his sword downwards, ready to strike the fallen Ike. Ike was helpless, unable to move with the impact of hitting the bridge; he knew this battle was lost. He sees Link falling towards him, sword pointing directly at him. He closes his eyes and braces for impact.

Gotcha! Link strikes Ike with an effort, sending him flying with a yell upwards and out of the stage. The upper portion of the stage lights up and shakes violently before disappearing and leaving Link alone, battered but victorious. With a narrator's yell of "Success!" the battle was over. Link slumps to the ground with a groan, relieved but exhausted. Nurse Kirby's are sent to take him back to the medic centre, but not before he receives a round of applause from the HQ staff and in particular, Sakurai himself.

"よくできました! よくできました!"

Erm..thanks? I guess?

Link didn't have the energy to try and guess what the staff was saying. He simply blacks out with exhaustion; leaving four nurses to have to carry him to the medic room.

"Poor Ike. I heard he hit the back of the green screen with such force he knocked himself out for a second time! Poyo! That can't have been nice for him…"

"なぜゴシップ？仕事に戻る！"

"Erm..can you say that in English please, Mr Iwata?"

"Why the gossip? GET BACK TO WORK!"

"(Gulp) ye-yes Mr Iwata-San!"

Kirby quickly ran out of his room in search of something to do. He'd already demoed a new stage, a simple battlefield which the HQ decided would be appealing as a simple, gimmick-free stage, but now the pink puffball has no idea what to do. In the end he chooses to go and visit Ike, who now lay humiliated and angry in the medic room. Apparently he now wants to take revenge on Link…the hard way.

*RIP Satoru Iwata (1959- 2015) a true legend. And also remember he probably was nothing like the way he is shown in Nintendo HQ, nor are the other characters based on their true personalities. Sorry again about the wait!