"All right, the betting is still open on which of the remaining smash fighters will actually prevail against a hero." one guy running the betting pool said. "Big money is on Cloud and Mario...with some going to Kazuya and Ryu as well. We're still taking all bets." they said as people were flocking to make one.

"Looks like some people are gambling on the remaining fighters now, huh? They must be really desperate." Spade said.

"Not really. The gambler gets to keep all the money made by the ones betting on the smash participants." Vector said. "It's like saying, "Step right up and give us your money on a pointless bid.""

"Isn't that something you do from time to time?" Spade asked.

"Oh you little…" Vector said, preparing to choke him only to hold himself back. "Haa...someday...but not today."

"Speaking of pointless, my attempt was a lost cause from the start, wasn't it?" Sectonia asked.

"Probably. But you should take solace in the fact that you conveyed your desire in that match the only way you knew how. The rest depends on him now." David said.

"I suppose you are right. I did everything I could on my end." Sectonia said. "By the way, what was with all that talk about an investment? Is that why Miu asked how many arenas there are here?"

"Well, partially. You guys remember what Terry and Koren said about the upcoming KOF tournament, right?" David asked. "Well, I figured that when I form up a team for that tournament, I would lay out plans for an arena of our own."

"What did you have in mind?" Mayumi asked.

"Well, you guys know about my rock star background." David said. "So, my idea for my team's KOF arena would be like an outdoor concert venue at night, with a band playing on the stage and the fight taking place in a sort of cage 70 feet away from the stage, with a Wheel of Death in the background as well."

"I'm not one for semantics, but...why 70 feet?" Shuichi asked.

"Because there are people that might want to see the concert as well. So, with 70 feet, there would be a lot of space for audiences in both shows." David said.

"Another question, probably obvious, but what would the band be playing?" Emo asked.

"Don't worry. It's gonna be all instrumental. Gotta play something to liven up the match, you know?" David asked.

"Good point." Emo concurred.

"Still, that's gonna be quite a hefty budget. Lightings, pyrotechnics… That's not even getting to what the stage is going to look like. That's pretty ambitious of you." Leopardmon said. "No wonder you mentioned some of the Smashers having construction expertise."

"Yeah, and even they may not be enough." ZS said. "We might need to call in some favors for that job."

"Well, it was only an idea. I know how ambitious it is. Heck, I don't even know if it would even finish in time." David said.

"No...it needs...nay...it must be done." ZS said.

"Wait, ZS? You have something in mind for this?" Scott asked.

"No but...they probably do." ZS said, pointing to the workers already constructing what David had asked.

"Whoa, that is fast." David said.

"Well, the tournament is going to start sometime after the Beijing Olympics, so better start early than wait until the last minute." Leopardmon said.

"Yeah. This arena is just full of surprises." Zexi said.

"Speaking of which, have you put consideration as to who your partners are going to be?" Nesma asked.

"I'm still thinking about that. The roster barely stays the same between tournaments. Some teams stay the same, but others tend to mix it up a little bit." David said.

"Hmm… This may sound crazy, but…" Leopardmon said. "Maybe you should mix it up too."

"Really?" David asked.

"Yes. I really believe that you should mix things up a bit for this tournament. I can be one of your partners, if you wish." Leopardmon said.

"I appreciate the offer, but who's going to be our third? Not to mention that someone will have to fill in for you in Team Royal Knights." David said.

"There are 13 of us. I'm sure my spot can easily be filled by say… Alphamon or Gankoomon." Leopardmon said.

"I wouldn't mind taking it." Gankoomon said.

"Thank you, Gankoomon. That would be most appreciated." Leopardmon said.

"As for your third… Well, I'm not usually one for suggestions outside our own group, but…" Sectonia started.

"You're...not serious about this, are you?" Cheetah asked.

"You're suggesting that Cheets here becomes his partner for the next KOF tournament?" Rayleigh asked.

"It's only a suggestion. After all, there are a lot of combinations that can pop up." Sectonia said.

"That is an interesting idea, though." Cheetah said.

In another part of the break area…

"We're coming around to some of the more tougher fighters on the smash roster." Hope said. "Aside from a few old school vets, there are still some heavy hitters left. Most people are placing their bets on guys like Ryu and Kazuya to get a win for the Smash team."

"Nervous at all that if you fight Kazuya and lose, you're gonna make people rich?" Alice asked.

"Not really. People bet on fights here in this universe all the time." Hope said.

"Easiest money that gambler is going to make in his life, regardless of who wins." Sachiko said.

"By the way Eddy, I haven't seen you going up to the betting table and wagering money on anyone." Zephyr said.

"What, you think I'm crazy? I already know who's going to win, and if I did place a bet, with my luck, I'd get a buncha sore losers trying to mug me." Eddy said. "Yessir, Kazuya doesn't stand a chance."

"It's nice that you have a lot of confidence in me, Eddy." Hope said.

"Hey, we've all seen you in action, Hope. You're not exactly a pushover, even if you look before you leap sometimes." Mark pointed out.

"Yeah, I've had my fair share of wins here and there. And thanks to a little special training I did here in the Fight Universe with a certain someone, I'm more than prepared. I'll show Kazuya a whole new me he isn't expecting. I've changed since the last time he's seen me." Hope said.

"Well...I hope so. We aren't gonna be sitting there to watch him win." Jexi said.

"Yeah, he isn't the most likable of guys as far as popularity goes." Vashyron said.

"That little dip when he hosted the second King of Iron Fist tournament didn't exactly help with that either." Sachiko said.

"Either way, we know you'll be more than a match for Kazuya, Hope." Gemini said.

"He'd better be, otherwise he'll be thrown off a cliff after it's all over." Ibuki joked.

"What's with the Mishima family and cliffsides? Like...seriously." Crusadermon said.

"I dunno, a test of strength maybe?" Moltar suggested. "'If you climb back up, you're strong enough to be worthy of attention', or something."

"Talk about a messed up family dynamic." Amethyst said.

"Anyway, we'd better be ready for tomorrow's matches. Who knows when any of us will fight… or who." Hope said.