"So… Since we're heading to the Fight Universe, I want you all to level with me." Rayleigh said. "About this King of Fighters that you guys were talking about earlier… What exactly is it about?"
"It's a fighting tournament where contestants compete in groups of three. It's been a staple for 14, going on 15 years." Hope said.
"It's not all that popular like Street Fighter or Tekken...but it's well known enough." Ranma said.
"Yes, and there were evil forces behind the scenes in some of them." Ash said as he walked in, now wearing a red winter jacket with a black feather collar and a feather cuff on the right sleeve, along with red pants and black boots, having the same pattern design as his previous outfit. "How does it look?"
"It looks fine, darling." Rarity said.
"Okay...get ready. That is where the...whoa." Jet said as they saw a massive arena floating high in the sky.
"That...is the dungeon?! It's a huge fighting arena." Theo said as they landed on the edge of it.
"Hmm...looks like this place may have multiple arenas inside." Twilight said.
"You have guessed correctly!" a voice called out as a figure appeared. "Welcome to Fighter's Arena. I am Chi Ta. I am the announcer and commentator for this monument to fighting." the woman said.
"So...what do we have to do?" Hope asked.
"It's simple. You must fight. Fight until you reach the center. Each battle you win will earn you some of the treasure inside. However, lose or break the rules and you'll be barred from entering for all eternity." she said.
"Uh...rules?" Jexi asked.
"Yes...each match will be one on one. Killing is prohibited and punished by disqualification and banning. Outside weapons and magic are also prohibited." she said.
"Well...what about…" Cheetah said, showing her claws.
"Since the claws are part of your body, those are permitted." she said.
"So we'll have to rely solely on hand-to-hand combat. Sounds interesting." Rayleigh said.
"Indeed." Ash said.
"Well, a little bit hand-to-hand combat, a little bit wit." David said.
"So we just need to win to the very center right? No worries." Hope said.
"Then without further delay, you all may enter the arena." she said before vanishing as the doors opened wide.
They headed on inside as the doors shut behind them. They continued walking for a bit before arriving in the first arena.
"The first arena has been reached! So...who will be sent out to fight?" Chi Ta asked.
"Wait...so we won't know who gets to fight before we pick someone?" Bow asked.
"No...but it's fine. All the fighters here are copies created by the arena, each with the strength, power and skill of their originals. Be they living or dead. But most are alive." she said.
"So there's a sense of mystery to everything even when we choose who to fight." Hope said. "I'm liking this."
"Well, since outside weapons and magic are prohibited, anyone mind if I volunteer for the first bout?" Rayleigh asked.
"Not at all. It'll help us get a better angle on this." Jexi said.
"All right." Chi Ta said as the lights dimmed as a spotlight shined on Rayleigh. "Raised in the swampland for as long as he has lived. He's devoured all who have crossed his path. He's the swamp like terror who has come to show his might in these matches. He's a new face. The Killer Croc of the Swamplands! Welcome...Rayleigh...Scaletail!"
An audience roared in applause at the sound of this.
"Oh wow. He's getting quite the reception here." David said.
"And now...his opponent!" Chi Ta said. "He enters the battleground! In fact, he might just be the biggest name in the place! The revolutionary in the boxing world and a master of the human body! The greatest boxer enters the arena! With a match record of 2+ wins and 1 lose. Welcome...the Thai God of War! Kaolan Wongsawat!"
The light shined to the other side as walking in was a man in a boxers robe with a calm expression as he punched his fists together.
"I've heard of him, he's the bodyguard to Rama the XIII." Spade said.
"If both fighters are ready...you may begin!" Chi Ta said.
"This guy? Hmm…" Rayleigh pondered before being struck by a series of strikes. "The heck?"
"What happened?" Ethox asked.
"He got in the boxer's range and got hit by a number of jabs." Ranma said.
"What? That's crazy isn't it?" Hope asked.
"Not really...the fastest move in boxing is a jab. And from what I've heard...this man can throw 13 in a single minute." Spade said.
"Yikes… Good thing he's got a tough hide." Kokoro said.
"Yeah but…" Captain Cold said as Rayleigh recoiled in pain a bit.
"My skin took some of the blows but...I still felt all of that. This man has put in a lot to reach this height." Rayleigh said. "It's clear that I can't take any chances with this guy… He clearly knows his stuff."
Kaolan just moved closer as he threw a number of jabs as Rayleigh was on the defensive before grabbing the boxer's arm and pulling him to the ground.
"Now...let's…" Rayleigh said before getting punched to the side as Kaolan was shown to have fired the punch. "From such an unusual position?!"
"What the heck? How is he damaging Rayleigh so easily?" Revali said in surprise.
"Tell me. Have you ever heard of Muay Thai?" Ranma asked.
"Yes, we have. We did encounter Sagat, after all." Jude said.
"It makes sense that Kaolan would incorporate Muay Thai considering where he's from." Hope said.
"And combine it with western boxing...you have a master of striking." Ranma said.
Rayleigh was backtracking from Kaolan, taking some damage through his skin.
"(This isn't good… if he keeps hitting me like that, I'll be knocked out for sure.)" Rayleigh thought. "(I just gotta make sure he's the one going down.)"
Kaolan continued to attack with jabs before Rayleigh managed to use his tail to trip the boxer up before going for a side strike.
"And it looks like Rayleigh has finally started to find his mojo!" Chi Ta called out.
"Nice! He found an opening. Now the tables are starting to turn." David said.
Both fighters continued to battle one another, both just dealing blows to the body before standing across from one another.
"It is nice...to face a true warrior." Kaolan spoke.
"I agree." Rayleigh said as both went with two final blows to the bodies as they both collapsed to the ground.
"So...who won?" Theo asked.
"Well, Kaolan hit the ground first, so the crocodile wins." Chi Ta said.
"Heh… To be evenly matched against a legend like him…" Rayleigh said with a grin. "I guess this isn't so bad."
"And there are lots of other fighters in this universe about as strong as him, perhaps even stronger." Ranma said.
"Makes you wonder what they're all like." Rhatla said.
"I know one person that's probably excited about this." David said.
"And with that, you may continue forward. Just be aware, there are multiple other arenas ahead. So be cautious." Chi Ta said as a new door appeared and opened.
"Well take that warning to heart." Kokoro said, helping Rayleigh up. "Up and at 'em, big guy."
"Here you go, First Aid!" Rutee said, raising Atwight as a green light washed over Rayleigh.
"Ugh...this place...even though I had thick scales, he figured out the weak points and struck them." Rayleigh groaned as he got up.
"He isn't the Thai God of War for nothing, that strength he showed is what made him Rama's personal bodyguard." Spade said.
"So many strong fighters here…" Goku said before he smiled. "Now this is really gonna be something."
"Well...let's not keep them waiting." Jexi said as they proceeded further inside.