"We've now entered the final round of the Ultra Hero Battle! Now to start things off, this round is going to be a bit different than the last few." Magenta Voice said as a stadium rose up. "Instead of everyone going in at once, each team will send their strongest battlers into the field and whoever is left standing will win."

"So its a team free for all battle with our strongest members." Hope said. "Last man standing wins."

"Now...please select your strongest fighters and send them in!" Magenta Voice said.

"Okay." Hope said talking with his team. "They want the strongest from each team. So that's me, Fransisca and Mark for our team so far. Who else qualifies?"

"You gotta include Jimbei, dontcha think? Warlord of the Sea, packs a punch?" Mermista asked.

"Warlord of the Sea? Wow...didn't think people would still use that term." Magenta said.

"What?" Mermista asked.

"You haven't heard? The Warlord systems been disbanded." Magenta Voice said.

"My world doesn't know about other affairs, sue me." Mermista grumbled.

"It's not just you. It's been disbanded?" Hope said.

"Yep. It was reported recently in the Multiverse Economical Journal. The system was revoked during this years Reverie." Magenta said. "Supported by Alabasta and Dressrosa."

"Wow...uh...guess we'll just see who's going into…" Hope said as he saw David and Yuno enter the arena.

"I will still go." Jimbei said.

"Okay, we need one more." Mana said.

"Hard to decide this one." Hope said. "Hmm, we need efficiency and speed too… Lloyd, you want in?"

"To be honest, I've been wanting to clash swords with David for a while now." Lloyd said. "Not exactly the way I was hoping to have it, but at this point, I'll take what I can get."

"Well...okay. Lloyd is in." Hope said.

"Okay...both sides fighters have been determined! Now...let the final battle...begin!" Magenta said.

Both fighting teams took their positions.

"I would ask why it's just you two." Hope said. "But considering the powers you both possess, I'm thinking the both of you is all your team needs."

"Honestly, I'm kind of surprised neither Jexi or Cheetah stepped up. I mean, I will admit, I am pretty strong, but in terms of physical combat, I'm not as strong as those two." David said.

"Don't sell yourself short. You have taken on stronger. At least that's what they've told me." Yuno said.

(Cue- Theme of Kratos- Tales of Symphonia)

"So, Lloyd. It really is true, huh? You've really been wanting to cross swords for a while now?" David asked.

"Yeah, but…Unfortunately, it didn't go the way I had hoped. I've been meaning to fight you alongside my friends from back home. Like in the old days." Lloyd said. "I would've had you fight as a group of eight as well, just to be fair."

"Hehe…You know me so well, Lloyd." David said.

"Hey, I've been with you since the beginning. And that's why I'm not like any opponent you've faced before. I know all of your strengths, and all of your weaknesses." Lloyd said. "I know just the techniques to defeat you."

"Lloyd…You're…You're very serious about this, are you?" David asked.

"I am. I've been wanting to see your strength for myself." Lloyd said.

"Lloyd…" David said before he nodded. "Very well. If that is your request, then I will face you with all I have." he said drawing his sword. "Get ready!"

(Shift- The End of a Thought- Tales of Symphonia)

"I'm not going to hold back, Dave." Lloyd said drawing his blades.

"I know...I won't either." David said pointing his sword at Lloyd.

"Sonic Thrust!" Lloyd said as he deals a powerful thrust at David.

"Shining Fang!" David said as he spun his blade as Lloyd drew closer. "Dragon Swarm!" he said as he dealt a flurry of kicks and slashes.

"72 Caliber...Demon Fang!" Lloyd said as he sent a powerful shockwave at David.

"What the…What was that? Did he learn that from Zoro as well?" David asked.

"You should know David, that Zoro is the strongest swordsman that we have." Lloyd said. "All of us swordsmen learn alot from him, especially when my style of swordplay is Twin Sword Style."

"So Zoro set the bar for everyone. I can't afford to let down my guard." David said. "Crescent Strike!" he said as he slashed to create an image of a moon, before slicing again, slicing the image in half.

"Not gonna stop me!" Lloyd called jumping into the air to avoid the slash as he flew higher above David. "Gotcha! Falcon's Crest!" he called diving down and clashing with David as they both crashed to the ground.

"Gh…To be using his Mystic Arte this early…He's really pushing me to transform." David said.

"We've all gotten stronger David. Because we don't want you to bear all the burdens alone." Lloyd said. "As long as you have us by your side, you won't ever have to fight alone!" he said charging forward.

"(That's right…It's because of them that I've made it this far. Because these people are more than just fighters to me. They're like...family. I can keep going because I have all of them lending me their strength. In which case…)" David said as he invoked Sapphire God: The Honorable. "You want to see me at full power? You've got it. Here I come, Lloyd!"

"I'm ready for you!" Lloyd said as he and David charged to clash again.

"Wow...this is getting intense with these two. But let's look at...Oh!" Magenta said seeing Jimbei out of the ring with Yuno floating there. "Seems while they were fighting, contestant Yuno has already managed to win his match."

"Dang it, we missed it." Jexi said.

"This is the end!" David said as he blew a cold wind at Lloyd. "This blade of frigid ice...will be engraved upon your soul!" he said as Lloyd was encased in crystal as David leaps into the air, blade charged in ice. "Celsius Calibur!" he said as he slashed through the crystal, shattering it. "It's over."

Lloyd stood in the smoke as he stared at David.

"As strong as ever, David. Thats why youre one of the leaders." Lloyd said.

"Holy cow! Lloyd is still standing!" ZS exclaimed.

"Still up after all of that, huh? I expected no less from you." David said.

"I knew you would. And you also know I don't ever give up." Lloyd said. "That's not the Dwarven way. Nor is it mine or any of ours."

"Heh. I knew you would say something like that. It was that determination that carried you through the Journey of Regeneration, after all. Many organizations would benefit from someone like you." David said.

"I know." Lloyd said. "It's a miracle my determination even helped me survived your Celsius Calibur."

"But all the same, I can't give an inch either. Because you all have given me something to fight for too." David said.

"I'd better step this up then. You're not the only one with more than one secret technique." Lloyd said. "Let me show you!"

After images of Lloyd's arms appeared in pairs of 2 on his left and right side.

"Ascending Six Sword Style!" Lloyd said as his flapped his arms as they formed wings, Lloyd's eyes glinting as he resembled a Falcon. "Valiant Falcon!"

"Whoa…Took it a step further." David said as he got into a position with an afterimage of a panther behind him.

"This will decide the match!" Lloyd said dashing to David. "These Great wings of freedom that soar through the sky, will pierce the heavens!"

"Clad in warrior's garb with the fangs of the panther, I'll pursue you to the ends of the earth! There's no escape!" David said winding up.

"This is the end!" Lloyd said taking to the air and spinning in a cyclone. "Brave Falcon Punisher!"

"Radiant Hunter Fang!" David said as he slash, creating a shockwave as the panther image leaps at Lloyd.

The two then clashed as they passed each other in a climactic passing slash, both of them landing on the ground on opposite sides.

"So...who is going to be the fallen? Will it be the Dwarven Hero, Lloyd? Or the Demon Slayer David?" Magenta Voice said.

Lloyd could feel himself giving out, trying to stay upright, while breathes heavily trying to keep his feet up.

"Damn… You've...got me good." Lloyd said as he collapsed.

"And the battle has been decided! The winner of Ultra Hero Battle is...BLUE TEAM!" Magenta Voice shouted as the audience cheered.

"Man, I can't believe we lost." Mermista said.

"Yeah, but even though I have a losing streak, I don't beat myself up about it." Hope said. "I enjoy these tournaments because it's fun to see how far we can go and test our strength. To me, it's not really about winning so much as having fun."

"Yeah. Besides, we didn't do too bad." Mark added. "We managed to get to the finals, that's gotta count for something."

"Yeah...it does." Carrot said.

It was later, that everyone gathered for the award ceremony as each member of Blue Team had a photo taken for the currently building hall of fame.

"So...let's sign this off with a big hardy…" Magenta Voice said before time seemed to freeze around the heroes and contestants.

"What the…? What's going on?" David asked.

They soon found themselves in a large dining room with some sort of fancy exterior.

"Ah...Dimensional Heroes, Shining Hope Squad, Brave Adventurers, Team Chronicle and others...so nice we get to meet like this." said a figure sitting at the head.

"Of course this was your work." Sheer said. "Hello, Mammon."

"Mammon? Hey, that's the guy who was running that casino we ended up fighting in!" Kaito said.

"Hmm? Oh yes. Well...let's forget about that." Mammon said.

"What do you want? Judging by your motives, nothing good, I'd bet." David said.

"Come now, must we really go wild? Why not start civilized with some tea, maybe a treat?" Mammon asked but getting silence. "Sigh, you people are all the same. Very well. I'll get to the point...we'd like to start a war with humanity."

"I knew it. That's all it comes down to, is it?" David asked. "And by we, you mean the other Demon Lords are in on it as well, right?"

"No. Just me." Mammon said. "Though they may as well be since you humans went and violated our treaty."

"Could you blame us? Beelzebub was running a very sick operation." David said.

"Sick operation? Oh, you're referring to the farms in his territory. That is not something of concern. It's part of our promise." Mammon said.

"But still. Your guys came at us first." Kaito said.

"He's right. True, humans aren't the saints we think we are, but that doesn't mean you can just blame everything on us." David said.

"Yeah! I mean, would it hurt to show a little compassion to people?" Scarlet spoke up.

"Look, look, I know you humans like to see demons as an easy scapegoat but you did this to us. As the treaty states with the other universes that should any resident, outside the Demon Universe, slay a demon lord, retribution must be made." Mammon said.

"But you guys sounded more than happy to see Beelzebub go. Did something happen that changed your mind?" David asked.

"No. We still think he's an idiot for doing as he pleased. I mean, he went and moved that thief up the wanted list just for a few children." Mammon said.

"Hey, don't you talk about my brother that way! He did what he thought was right!" Hope said.

"Yeah, not my problem." Mammon said. "Hmm...though...maybe there is another way we can work things out."

"What do you suggest?" David asked.

"I'll be honest. We're having a bit of trouble, well I am. Because a certain someone is abusing something I gave them." Mammon said showing a photo of Shin.

"Shin Flux? Wasn't he who you cursed?" Jexi asked.

"Yes...but." Mammon said making a screen appear.

"Hello, viewers at home! If you feel weak and powerless, well fear no more with Dr. Shin's Miracle Drink. One drink and you shall be indestructible. I shall prove it." Shin said drinking from a bottle as he approached a guy. "Hey." he said before kicking them.

"Oh you are dead." he said going to punch Shin before being hit back and Shin unharmed.

"See? Totally works! And it's yours for a modest price of 5.99." Shin said before the video paused.

"I gave him that curse and he turns it into a gold mine." Mammon said. "So...here is the deal. Find him and bring him to this location and we can forget this war nonsense."

"That...that's it? Just find him and bring him back." Jexi said.

"Yes, that's right." Mammon said.

"Something tells me it's not as easy as it seems." David said.

"Yeah...why care about some con?" Dan asked.

"It's really none of your concern. Now, do we have a deal or not?" Mammon asked.

"Not like we have much of a choice." Zoro said.

David sighs, not feeling comfortable at all about doing this job. "Fine. We'll do it."

"Splendid. Now, I don't know where he is but...these are a few places he has been sighted." Mammon said passing along a small list. "Happy hunting." Mammon said as they vanished.

"Lord Mammon, are you sure you want to rely on some humans to get some conman?" asked a succubus walking in.

"It's fine, Succubus. This is just a diversion so I can work on the real plan." Mammon said.

"Though as stunning as he is, Ishihara concerns me. He doesn't exactly trust us very much, and his senses are pretty sharp." the succubus said.

"I know. But with the threat of war, he needs to be kept occupied, least until the time is at hand." Mammon said. "I do have an obligation to keep up. There will be a war...though who starts it is all up to me." he said as he started laughing.

Dimensional Heroes: Demon Family Saga

To be continued...