Chi Ta entered the main stage of Fighter's Arena. With a smile on her face, she looked to the darkened stands before turning on the mike. "Ladies and gentlemen...welcome to...the Ultimate Smash Battle!" she called out as the unseen audience roared in excitement. "Now...I feel like we need a bit of an explanation about how all this will unfold." she said as a chart was shown. "This will be a two sided battle. The Smash Fighters against the heroes who saved the worlds. Going against one another in one on one battles. I know what some of you may be thinking. Aren't some of the smashers members of those groups? Well, for this tournament, they've been removed from the heroes rosters and moved to the Smashers side. Just so there are no disadvantages. Now...it's time...we asked a number of the groups who participated...and have a good number of them here with us today. Now...let's welcome our groups!"
Fireworks went off as the groups entered one by one.
"Our first five are from that charming group known as the Hero Alliance: Dimensional Heroes, Shining Hope Squad, Brave Adventurers, Spirit Force and Team Chronicle!" Chi Ta introduced.
The five groups came out together, each bearing flags with their team symbols.
"It's finally time. The Ultimate Smash Battle. This is gonna be one of the greatest tournaments ever." Jonah Ginova, better known as Hope the Victor, smiled. He was wearing a light blue shirt under a black vest with grey sleeves, black combat pants and black platform shoes, his ring tied around his neck. He was combing his blue streaked hair smoothly out with a switchblade style comb. "Man, am I pumped!"
"Yeah...I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited." Jexi said.
"I think we all have been looking forward to this for quite a while now. I can't wait to see what kind of matches we'll have!" David said.
"Same here." Mark agreed. "After the World of Light incident, it's nice to have a chance to battle the Smash Fighters without the fate of the Multiverse hanging in the balance."
"Yeah, and not having to fight clones of them either is a plus." Ace added, also sporting a new outfit while he had a bandage on the side of his head.
"Next...we have the guild that has been making a name for itself all over. Mythos Hearts and its most productive inner team, the Fatebreakers!" Chi Ta called out.
"Well...first goblins, then Dark Dungeon, then beastmen...and now Smash...a heck of a month." Theo said.
"Yeah...but we're finally here…" Ethox said.
"Here and ready to go! I love tournaments!" Ultra said, looking excited.
"Now...the mercenary group that always takes on the dark jobs. Spectra Force!" Chi Ta called out.
"Hahahahaha...so the time has finally come to bring Smash down to its knees." Spectra said as he walked in with his group.
"Spectra Force is competing too, huh? It's been awhile, since the Tokyo Olympics if I recall." Vashyron said.
"Don't remind us." Akame said.
'Now...next in...the small ragtag group who wanders from world to world without a care….the Wanderers!" Chi Ta called out.
"Perhaps here...we can show them all how much we've changed since then." Volt said.
"Yeah...and show all of you how better the Wanderers are!" Shadow Prove said.
"Hasn't changed a bit." Al said. "Hardheaded as always."
"Next up...the lone gunslinger and his small posse...Team Revival!" Chi Ta called out.
"Well, if it isn't Connor. It certainly has been a while." Revali said.
"Come on. It hasn't been that long." Connor said. "This cowboy is ready to show his stakes here."
"Now...the defenders of New World and promote protection of all species...Neo Dimensional Heroes!" Chi Ta said.
"Hello...Fighter's Arena!" Zexi called out as he jumped in as the rest of them followed.
"Our fearless leader...already embarrassing us." Leonis said.
"Oh come on. It's been a while since we went out to the field, so why not enjoy it?" Harumi asked.
"Ha. You said it, sis." David said.
"By the way, David. How's… How is Daddy, after all of that happened?" Harumi asked.
"He's… He's taking Rain Bow's death as well as one would expect. It's shaken him up quite a lot, and I had to spend the last few days comforting him in his time of need." David said.
"I see…." Harumi said.
"And now...we bring you our smashers!" Chi Ta called out as on the opposite side of the arena, the smash fighters emerged from the other side as the audience was going wild at the sight of them.
"So...that's all the teams taking place?" Rimuru asked.
"Yes. Shadow Strikeforce was disbanded. Phantom Thieves rejected the chance as did Dragon's Fang and Freedom Seekers. And the last group hasn't been heard from in a long time." Chi Ta said.
"Yeah… The combined force of the Doomsday Legion and Heroic Vanguard have gone completely dark." Hope said. "I hope nothing bad has happened to them…"
"Uh...I think you're forgetting someone." Mayumi said.
"No...we've listed all the participating teams." Chi Ta said.
"What about Reformed Society?" David asked.
"They weren't invited." Chi Ta said. "This tournament is reserved only for those that took part in the World of Light."
"Ajna said she and the others would be here eventually." Simon said.
"Well they are eligible to be your competitors until the last battle." Chi Ta said.
"I'm sure they'll be here soon." Scarlet said. "After all, we all know how Ajna is. Nothing's going to stop her from seeing us again."
"Yeah, she said she would come back after she took care of business with Kala." Ace said. "And participating in this tournament is a good way to ease the tension from what happened in Devaloka too."
"We will not explain how the matches will be carried out. Other than some special cases, most of the matches will be one on one. Competitors will be picked at random. Smashers on one side and teams on the other. When a team is selected, they will send out a fighter of their choice to battle. The battle will end when one side admits defeat or have fallen out of bounds of the selected arena." Chi Ta said.
"Sounds fair." Y'shtola said.
"Right, it's just like how the Smash tournament works normally." Sakura said.
"Uh...kinda sorta. You'll get a better understanding once the battles begin." Chi Ta said. "Now...all the pieces are in play, and the fighters have appeared. So...we're going to have a very interesting tournament."