"Okay...think we're coming to a...whoa!" Oshawott said as they stood within a large lit up arena with a number of treasures set up in the rafters as Chi Ta stood in the center.
"Welcome...to the final arena." Chi Ta said.
"It is quite fitting." Ash said. "If you all don't mind, allow me to participate next."
"Hold it. I haven't had one fight in this place." Goku said.
"Hmm...okay...how about this? I did have something else planned but...this works just fine. The final fight will be...you two...facing...each other." Chi Ta said.
"I see no problem with that." Ash said. "Do you monsieur Goku?"
"However...the rules still apply. Loser will be banned from this arena for life." Chi Ta said.
"Uh...just curious but...what do we get for whoever wins in this arena?" Mark asked.
"You have three options for prizes: every single gold and jewel in this arena, ownership of this arena, or the right to start your own fighting league." Chi Ta said.
"Whoa… All of those sound really nice." David said.
"Yes, however you can only pick one." Chi Ta said.
"As much I wasn't sure what to say about this turn of events… I am quite curious as to how Ash and Goku stack against each other without their powers." Sojiro said.
"Uh… I'd think about who you're trying to compare, Sojiro." Bassam said.
"Yeah, I mean… Goku's strength is millions of times stronger than a normal human. We've pretty much seen it for ourselves at points." Mayumi said.
"And despite how Ash appears, he's quite strong as well while employing an acrobatic style combined with his flames." Ace said.
"Now then….since this is a match…" Chi Ta said. "The super powered alien has landed in the arena! Forever on the search for powerful foes, he is now ready to show the Fight Universe what he is worth! He's a new face here. The Original Super Saiyan! Welcome...Son...Goku!" she said as the audience cheered.
"Oh yeah…" Hope said.
"And his opponent! A young man shrouded in total mystery, he made the ultimate sacrifice to save his own world from total destruction. But now, he is here, standing in this very arena, ready to make his grand return! A King of Fighters veteran, and a new face in this universe. The Mocking Firelight! Ash...Crimson!" Chi Ta said.
"Bonjour." Ash said with a small wave. "My apologies Goku, even though we know each other already, it's sort of a force of habit."
"Eh, it's okay." Goku said. "It's not a bad habit, being friendly. So, are you ready?" the Saiyan asked, getting into a battle stance.
"Of course. A chance to face off against you, one of the strongest in the multiverse is a great honor." Ash said, emitting flames. "Although, I cannot use my flames and you cannot use your ki attacks. So, the only thing we can do here is use our fists."
"I don't mind that at all, really. I'm quite fluent in speaking combat, regardless of what I can and can't use." Goku said.
"In that case, show me that power of yours." Ash said in Japanese at the end before getting into a fighting stance.
"You may….BEGIN!" Chi Ta called.
(Cue: DoA Colosseum *Sisters*- Dead or Alive 6)
Goku made the first move, leaping towards Ash with a fist pulled back, which the latter immediately cartwheeled out of the way of. The Saiyan didn't rest, however, keeping Ash on the move with a forward offense.
"Very impressive, I expected no less from someone of your caliber." Ash said before he ducked under the next attack and countered with a somersault kick in a dragon punch-like fashion.
Goku blocked the kick, before responding with a kick to Ash's side, sending the KoF fighter back before he reorientated himself, then raced back to Goku, the two trading blows.
"Not bad, Ash!" Goku complimented as he blocked a punch aimed at his face. "I can see why you're a veteran of King of Fighters."
"Yes, though my team was one of two to never win a single tournament, but we did put on quite a show for the viewers." Ash said, executing a twirl kick with his right leg out.
The kick was stopped, however, when Goku caught it with his left hand, holding it in place. "I've enjoyed fighting you, Ash, but only one of us can win. So… I'm going to have to end it here. Don't worry, you did well." the Saiyan from Earth said as he nailed Ash in the stomach with his right hand with much more force than before, knocking the wind out of the Mocking Firelight.
"Oh...it looks like the fight has reached its conclusion. The winner...Son Goku!" Chi Ta declared.
"Looks like I lost. And that I won't be fighting here anytime soon." Ash said with a small smile.
"(Hmm…)" Goku thought to himself before he had an idea. "Hey, Chi Ta! I know what I want to pick for my prize! I chose the second option!"
"Goku, what're you-?" Eddy started before Mark put his hand on the younger boy's shoulder.
"Hold on Eddy, I think Goku knows what he's doing." Mark assured.
"Option 2 is that we take ownership of this whole arena, right? So that means, as the owners, we can come back whenever we want to to stage tournaments and fight whoever is up to fighting us." Goku said. "And since Ash is part of the team, it means he's an owner too, so he can't be banned! So then, as I'm the winner, I want this arena to be taken under the ownership of the Hero Alliance!"
"Goku, you would… You would really do that for someone like me?" Ash asked.
"Of course I would." Goku said. "We're friends right? Also, I want to fight my opponents at their best. It's no fun if we can't go all out. Now that won't be a problem here anymore."
Ash smiled. "I should expect nothing less of you, Son Goku. Fighting not for money or for glory and fame. You fight because you want to fight the strongest you can find."
Chi Ta nodded. "Very well. In accordance with Son Goku's wishes, the Fighter's Arena will now be under ownership of these nine teams. You will be free to return here to fight images of the fighters from this universe whenever you please without fear of a ban if you lose." she said.
"All right!" Goku said.
"And I shall remain as the announcer and commentator for these fights to come. We hope to welcome you back sometime." Chi Ta said as she bowed.
"Merci, Mademoiselle." Ash said, returning it.
The group then exited the arena, claimed prize money in tow.
"Why am I not surprised you wanted to choose an option where everyone wins?" Hope asked Goku. "You're always so easy to read, Goku."
"Hehe, I guess so." Goku chuckled. "I like fighting, and it just didn't seem right for people to get banned from here just because they lost. If I enjoy fighting someone, I wouldn't want to not be able to fight them again."
"Guy's got a point. I actually feel like fighting some of those Kengan and Purgatory fighters myself someday." Hope said. "Along with whatever else this place has to offer."
"I think we all would. But for now, we'll trade fists for swords." Erza said.
"Right...we'll go to Shinto and then to Adventure." Theo said.
"Looks like you're heading home, Kabuki." David said.
"We definitely are…" Kabuki said.