"Special matches? Are you saying that there's more to this tournament than just one on one fights?" Hope asked.
"Indeed I am, spectator!" Mon Ki said. "I believe my co-worker said that there would be some special matches in play. Well...the excitement has ramped up to this point! So...let's start...the Swordfighter Free For All!" he called out as the audience cheered.
"Swordfighter? Wait, Lloyd's in that category!" Genis said.
"Hehehe...indeed. Let's go over the rules. The swordfighters from the wild cards will face swordfighters selected from the competing teams. Each of the opposing teams will pick one swordfighter of their choice. They'll battle until all of one side has been defeated!" Mon Ki said.
"I get it… this is like a massive battle against a certain type of fighter." G. Aqua said. "Instead of fighting a Mii fighter who takes on a certain look of a fighter, we're fighting all the personified fighters at once in a big team."
"That's right. Speaking of...let's introduce our swordfighter wildcards." Mon Ki said. "In order, we have the driver, Rex! The Dwarven Hero, Lloyd Irving! The Silver Haired Samurai, Yu Narukami! The venturer of Tartarus, Makoto Yuki! The Luminary Mage, Veronica! The Mystical ninja, Goemon! The Maverick Slayer, Zero! The Samurai Ninja, Nakoruru! The timeless assassin, Altair! The Babylonian knight, Gil! The No More Hero, Travis Touchdown! The young mage in pink, Aerith Gainsborough! The Armored Knight, Arthur! The One-armed swordsman, Dunban! The Timeless Swordsman, Takamaru! The Slayer of Monsters, a Monster Hunter! The villainous lord, the Black Knight! The Goddess of Nature, Viridi! The Red Witch, Ashley! The Artist Extraordinaire, Vince! The Magical Girl, Lip! The Golden Sun, Isaac! And the Devil Hunter, Dante!" he said, introducing them all.
"It really is Gil out there." Stahn said in surprise.
"He's the one you're fixated on?" David asked. "Still… Nakoruru is here too. That's even more of a surprise."
"Not to mention Makoto Yuki as well." Mari added.
"Even Yu made it in." Jexi said.
"We ran into Galeem and Dharkon while we were in Runeterra. They sure went above and beyond to gather up this crew." Alphamon said.
"Wow, well it's good to know they're doing well." Ace said. "Looks like we're gonna need our best sword fighters for this one."
"Wait...will you guys be alright?" Theo asked Team Revival. "Last I checked…"
"Oh, no worries. We sorta enlisted some people to join us during the reprieve yesterday." Connor said.
"Hope your hired help knows what they're doing." David said.
"Don't worry about that." Connor smiled.
"And now...we begin welcoming fighters from the opponents' side. From Team Revival, this one is a newbie...emphasis on new since they joined only yesterday. They're the strongest sword of the desert and the ruler of their own nation. She's the Queen of the Gerudo. Welcome...Urbosa!" Mon Ki said as Urbosa walked in.
"Wait, Urbosa?! You wanted in on this?" Revali asked.
"After seeing you all fight yesterday, my interest was piqued." Urbosa said.
"Next, for the Wanderers, this lone warrior fights with his sword and against his accursed sword hand. He is the Mystical Seeker of Mystery...seriously? That's what we went with? Well...welcome...Owain!" Mon Ki said.
"It is a pleasure to be here." Owain said as he entered.
"And from the Neo Dimensional Heroes! He's the three sword style swordsman with the heart of a poet and the spirit of a warlord! He is the Sakura Samurai! Welcome...Kenshin...Flux!" Mon Ki said as Kenshin stepped into the arena.
"Then...for Spectra Force, this warrior brings the dead under her command with her sword by her side. She's the Samurai Slayer of the Jaegers! Kurome!" Mon Ki said as Kurome entered next.
"Now...for Mythos Hearts, this warrior steadily guards the 5th Floor of Nazarick. None can stand against this warrior of ice and a true warrior. He is the Ruler of the Frozen Glacier! He is...Cocytus!" Mon Ki said as Cocytus entered the arena.
"Damn, we've got quite the team so far." Koenig asked. "Who should we send out?"
"Definitely not Darkness." Kazuma said. "And I can't handle so many OP guys in one spot."
"...I'll go, then." Goblin Slayer said, heading out.
"You sure, G-Man? It's not exactly your usual style." DJ asked.
"Maybe, but it's better for all of us if our stronger fighters are saved for the tougher battles. And I don't stand a chance against foes one on one without preparation. In a team, I'm better suited to combat. This match is perfect for me." Goblin Slayer said.
"Alright then, go get 'em!" Kazuma said.
"You can do this Big G, we believe in you!" Ethox said as Goblin Slayer made his way out.
"Representing the Fatebreakers, a restless adventurer who will not stop until all goblins of his world are dead! He's trained for most of his life to take on the hordes, his true name just as mysterious as his real face! The Man All Goblins Fear! The Goblin Slayer!" Mon Ki said as the man himself entered.
"Okay, who should we send out for this?" SE asked the rest of Team Chronicle.
"Hmm… it's a Swordfighter free for all, so we need to send out a member from our team who's good with a blade. We should save sword fighters like Saber and Shirou in case we get paired up with a really strong Smash Fighter, so that leaves two candidates: Sir Saiyan and Connie."
"I'm not sure how good I'll be fighting against these fighters, even with my training. I'm used to handling corrupted Gems, but not guys like Lloyd or Dante. You should go, Sir Sayain." Connie said.
"Yes, that is the wisest course of action." Sir Saiyan agreed, standing up. "You will one day stand alongside these warriors, but not today. I shall take to this battle, and fight with honor!"
"Alright then. We wish you luck, knight." Asgore promised as Sir Saiyan marched to the arena.
"Representing Team Chronicle, a member of the Knights of Blood, who managed to take down a Saiyan invader and gained their power through means of their name. Able to turn golden like a Super Saiyan, this noble warrior marches into battle! The Knight of Virtuous Blood! Sir Saiyan!" Mon Ki said as the knight himself entered.
"So, who are we going to send?" Alphamon asked.
"It's not even worth debating. I'll represent myself." David said.
"Whoa, Dave. Are you sure that's a good idea?" Jesse asked.
"Of course I am. We've got Lloyd and Dante in this match. It's not the way I wanted our match with Lloyd, but at this point, I'll take what I can get." David said.
"Next...we have from the Brave Adventurers! This man is a warrior through and through. He's gone through a number of trials and come to this point. With a match record of 1 win and 0 losses. He's the Ice Devil! He is...David...Ishihara!" Mon Ki said as David walked in waving to the crowd on his way in.
"Emil, you up for this?" Simon asked.
"Yeah, I'll give it everything I've got." Emil said.
"Now...from Spirit Force, we have a warrior who was once a major coward now standing here as a full-grown swordfighter! Stood with a band to face incredible evil! He is the Remade Swordsman! Emil...Castagnier!" Mon Ki called out as Emil entered.
"Now...from the Dimensional Heroes! We have a strong warrior who has collected a number of swords from the opponents he defeats in honorable duels! He is the Man of Many Swords...Tetsu!" Mon Ki said as Tetsu entered.
"Okay, we're the last ones up. Who's going?" Vashyron asked.
"Me!" Gemini said. "I'll round out the team perfectly with my brand of offense. It also gives me a chance to test out how good I've perfected my Mifune Ryu Style of Flame Breathing."
"Then go ahead." Hope said. "Show em what you've got.'' Gemini smiled as she headed out.
"And finally, from the Shining Hope Squadron! She is a cowgirl swordsman who hails from the Wild West of Texas, trained under the blazing sun! She holds two souls in her one body, and carries the New York Combat Revues symbol on her back! She is the Western Samurai! Gemini...Sunrise!" Mon Ki announced as Gemini appeared last, putting her hat on.
"Alrighty, it's showtime!" Gemini said.
All the swordfighters then faced each other eye to eye.
Dante whistled. "Man, is this quite the lineup or what? So many faces gathered all in one spot. Ironically, we're the biggest wild card group out of all three. 23 fighters. Hope that's not too much for the 11 of you."
"Not really. We each get two apiece and the last one… Well, we'll see how things go when we get there." David said.
"Don't hold back, Lloyd." Emil said, drawing his sword.
"Now...our battlefield of choice is...The Big Battlefield!" Mon Ki said as the fighters appeared there. "You all may...begin!"
(Cue- The End of a Thought- Tales of Xillia Arrangement)
"Let's get it on!" David said as he soon locked blades with Lloyd and Dante.
"Seems he's already taken the first move. Then let's not fall behind." Tetsu said as he blocked against Takamaru and Goemon.
"Let's begin!" Emil said as he clashed against Zero and Travis Touchdown.
The swordfighters then started to clash with their enemy fighters all across the battlefield.
Viridi and Ashley were using their magic to try and knock Goblin Slayer off the battlefield.
"Guess I'm a prime target…." Goblin Slayer said.
"You're the weakest of the bunch considering you're just an average human. That makes you easy to beat!" Viridi said as she sent vines Goblin Slayer's way.
"Maybe." Goblin Slayer replied before he cut through the vines. "But I don't intend to make things easy." he added before moving out of the way of one of Ashley's blasts.
"Hey, just stand still." Ashley said, deadpan, her expression neutral. "It'll hurt less if you let us knock you off."
"I'm not afraid of pain." Goblin Slayer said while he thought quickly in his head. "(The blonde uses plants, while the other one uses darker magic…)"
The silver-ranked adventurer scanned the rest of the battlefield, catching sight of Gemini, in the process of fighting Arthur and Black Knight.
"(...That'll do.)" Goblin Slayer concluded before he turned and ran straight towards his two opponents.
"That's the worst thing you could've done!" Viridi declared, summoning more vines that reached to grab the slayer. However, instead of trying to avoid them, Goblin Slayer simply pulled out a few bottles and threw them at the vines, covering them in their contents, before the tendrils took hold of him. "And instead of trying to avoid them, you only threw some slick liquid at them?"
"It's not just liquid." Goblin Slayer said. "Gemini, over here!"
Gemini deflected her two opponents before looking over at Goblin Slayer and rushing to help. "Got yer back, Gobby! Let's switch, too!" she leaped into the air as her sword caught fire. "Flame Breathing, Mifune Sword Style! Star 3: Trailblazer!"
Gemini then instantly rushed forward at lighting speed, passing through the vines and everything, seemingly not cutting anything.
"Hah! What was that supposed to…" Viridi started before smelling something. "What smells like...rotten something?"
"Ah...he duped you." Ashley said. "That liquid he poured...it was oil."
The exact moment this was uttered, the vines holding Goblin Slayer caught on fire, the oil causing the inferno to spread rapidly across the plants.
"Aaaah! You tricked me!" Viridi shrieked as Goblin Slayer was set free.
"Not very bright for a Goddess of your caliber. Your arrogance blinds you." Goblin Slayer said as he dashed straight at the Goddess of Nature. "Your pride makes you a fool!"
Goblin Slayer took the chance to swing his sword as he snagged both Viridi and Ashley as he sent them flying, eliminating them.
"That's two." Goblin Slayer counted by habit, before he went to help Gemini in her battle with the knights.
"Hmm...that one seems good." Kurome said as she stood over the defeated Vince and Lip. "Wish I had gotten better opponents than these two."
"Hahaha. Well, they were brave warriors in their own right. Nothing too bad about them." Owain said, having finished his battles with Isaac and Veronica.
It wasn't long before David and Cocytus were standing back to back against Lloyd, Dante, Nakoruru, and Aerith.
"It would seem this Smash has picked many worthy warriors to compete." Cocytus said.
"Tell me about it. These guys are making the most of the time they're given." David said.
"And through it all, we have been reunited on the field of battle." Cocytus said. "Let us not disappoint them then." Cocytus said as he drew three more swords, holding one in each hand.
"He's no ordinary enemy. Don't let your guard down." Aerith said to Nakoruru.
"Don't worry. I don't intend to lose to a demon like this." Nakoruru said as her falcon companion Mamahaha gave a nod. "Mamahaha!" she called as the falcon swooped in to attack, Nakoruru following as both combated Cocytus, blade to blade and talon.
"I won't fall behind either!" Aerith said. "Ray of Judgement!" she called, levitating into the air and pointing her staff forward as it released a beam of light.
"Yes! Wait...what?" Nakoruru said seeing Cocytus all right.
"I should tell you now...all the guardians have items or acquired skills that render ranged attacks ineffective." Cocytus said.
"My attacks don't hurt him?" Aerith said.
"Leave this to us, Aerith!" Nakoruru said continuing to combat Cocytus with Mamahaha.
"So I'm the one that gets hit with three-on-one, huh? Guess it's time I finally kicked it up a notch." David said as he underwent Sapphire God: The Honorable.
"You're finally gettin' serious, huh?" Dante asked.
"Don't worry. This is exactly what I was expecting from him." Lloyd said. "Now we can go all-out."
"Come at me any way you all like." David said as he held his sword to his shoulder waving towards him.
"Alright then… let's crank it up!" Dante said as he transformed into his Devil Trigger state and clashed with David again, the two of them exchanged Billion stabs as Lloyd and Aerith followed behind.
"That boy has got to be out of his mind to try to tackle them three-on-one like that." Kareem said.
"That's David for you." Ace smiled.
"Arctic Tornado!" David said as he spun around, creating a tornado of ice around him.
"Don't worry. I can…" Aerith said.
"Ice Pillar!" Cocytus called out as a pillar of ice surrounded the mage. "Have you forgotten...you picked your fight with me." he said, holding the defeated Nakoruru.
"We're going to have to do this together, Lloyd." Dante said.
"Right." Lloyd said as they got close to David.
"Let's do this." David said as his blade glowed a bluish hue before sending icy spikes towards them.
"Guess I'll have to cut us an opening. 108 Caliber Demon Fang!" Lloyd said as he sent a very powerful shockwave towards David's tornado.
"Hey wait a second, that's like Zoro's phoenix move!" Frosta realized.
Lloyd's move managed to tear a hole in David's tornado.
"Whoa… What ridiculous strength…! I guess picking up on Zoro's technique really did pay off." David said. "But… 108 Caliber? This one was a lot stronger than last time." he said as he started charging. "Breath of Ice, Second Form: Ice Spires!" he said as trails of ice started coming towards Lloyd and Dante.
Both attempted to raise their blades in defense only to be quickly frozen over.
"This is the end!" David said as he readied his blade. "This blade of frigid ice...will be engraved upon your soul!" he said as he rose to the air. "Celsius Calibur!" he said as he slashed right at Lloyd and Dante's frozen forms.
"Whoa...things are getting frosty in the ring as the swordfighter wild cards are falling like flies!" Mon Ki said.
"I am not gonna end here!" Emil said, holding his sword pointed toward the ground with both hands clasped around its hilt while he closed his eyes to focus his thoughts, with several flower petals falling around him. When he opens his eyes, he creates a field of dark energy around himself, granting himself with a large burst of strength. He then charged forward with a battle cry and unleashed a flurry of sword strikes onto Zero and Travis. "I'm not gonna lose!" he called, slamming his sword down from behind them, causing pillars of fire to rise and engulf them as they were then knocked out.
Meanwhile, Sir Saiyan was in the process of dueling with Gil and the Monster Hunter near the edge of the battlefield, having transformed into his Golden Knight form.
"Haha, you two are fine warriors indeed! Truly, I have been blessed with luck on this day!" Sir Saiyan complimented as he clashed swords with Gil, while using his shield to keep the Hunter's Knife Sword at bay. "However, know that I have no intention of failing here!"
"That was well said, knight." Urbosa said as she clashed with Rex and Dunban. "Know of my fury!" she said rapidly slashing at them before snapping her fingers as lightning came down and struck the two down.
"The time to end this duel has come." Sir Saiyan said as he pushed his two opponents away, then jumped up and over them. "Sword Spirit Swing!"
With his attack called, the Knight of Blood whipped around and swung his blade at Gil and the Monster Hunter, sending them over the edge of the battlefield. "Farewell, for now, noble opponents. I look forward to a day where we duel once more." Sir Saiyan promised.
"It seems things are finishing up rather quickly." Kenshin said as he slashed through Yu and Altair as he sheathed his blades.
"I know what you mean." Tetsu said, putting his blades away as he walked away from the fallen Takamaru and Goemon.
"I'm almost done over here!" Gemini said as she had defeated Arthur, but she and Goblin Slayer were still fighting Black Knight.
"That only leaves…" Owain said as they looked to Makoto.
"Hmm...I surrender." Makoto said, holding his hands up in surrender.
"Wow, I didn't think they'd pull through. But somehow they did." Mon Ki said.
As Black Knight was tossed over the stage, Gemini and Goblin Slayer put away their swords.
"And that's all 11." Goblin Slayer said.
"I thought it was 23...oh right. 11 of us." Gemini said.
"Well...I shall call it now. Winners of this match are...the Hero Alliance!" Mon Ki said as the audience cheered.
"All the same, that was a great match. It'll be the same thing for the Brawler and Gunner fights, I bet." Gemini said.
"Probably. Sorry that this is pretty much the end of the line, Lloyd." David said.
"There's nothing to apologize for." Lloyd said. "You all fought so well all this time we traveled together. I may not have made the main draw, but just being on this field, fighting with the support of my friends from the stands… That was more than enough for me."
"Well said, Lloyd. You all have truly gotten a lot stronger since we left." Yu said.
"Indeed. No shame in losing when you've grown so much." Arthur said.
"Speak for yourselves. Hey, Pittoo! You better make that Goblin Slayer's team pay!" Viridi called to the stands.
"That's not my name!" Dark Pit called out.
"Watch out, Gobby. Looks like Viridi's calling you and the Fatebreakers out." Gemini nudged the Slayer.
"...We can handle it." the Fatebreaker member responded.
"Well done, all of you." Dunban said.
"And I am not out just yet. I've got more chances for a comeback than you might think." Rex said.
"Ah, that's right. If I recall, Pyra made the main draw, right? She is your partner, after all, from what Nia told us." David said.
"That's right. I lend her and Mythra a hand during their Final Smashes. So I'll be seeing you guys when they're on." Rex said.
"Come to think of it, the same could be said for Dunban too." Emil said.
"That's right there. Riki, Fiora, and I have been itching to get in there too. When Shulk makes the call, we'll come running." Dunban said.
"Either way...you people aren't done with us yet." Rex said as he and the other Swordfighters headed to the infirmary.
"Now, if you'll excuse me… I gotta get to someplace warm before I end up catching frostbite." Lloyd said.
"Yeah...so do some of us." Dante said.
"Hmm...fair enough." Tetsu said. "Besides...this may have been the largest fight but the better ones are just down the road."