(The Arena)

The booming laugh from Master Hand and the deranged cackle from Crazy Hand were the only things the eight fighters in the ring could hear. No one dared move, because they didn't know what was going to happen to the arena next. Everyone was too busy looking up that they didn't notice the hole in the canvas close up again.

In the air, the two hands shook…Uh…Hands and flew away from each other. When they each reached a corner of the ring, both hands lifted into the air, each of them preparing to deliver a massive Karate chop.

Both hands came down hard. The force from the double chop caused the whole arena to shake.

Then, it happened.

Two huge, perfectly straight, cracks started forming on the two corners of the arena. As soon as the two cracks connected, the whole arena split into two perfect triangles, which slowly moved away from each other. When the two pieces stopped moving, there was a good gap in between the two.

"Folks, this is getting serious!" SSBFreak said. "That gap is small enough for the average fighter to jump, but it's also big enough for anyone to fall through and get eliminated!"

Knowing that the next fighter was due to come out by now, everyone looked at the entrance curtain.

"BALROG!" (SFA3)

The original black boxer pounded his fists together and ran down to the ring to do some serious bone-breaking.

Balrog leapt into the arena, ran towards the gap and made a leap of faith, sailing over the gap and landing on the other piece of the arena.

The banned boxer quickly slammed his rock-hard fist into Raiden's cheek, but quickly felt one of Watari's ninja stars dig into his back.

(Announcer's Booth)

"Hey, SSBFreak?"

"Yeah?"

"Have you noticed that Balrog has a few extra bruises?"

SSBFreak looked at Balrog, suddenly saw that the boxer looked a little beat up, and scratched his head.

(The Arena)

"NIGHTCRAWLER!" (MC)

Rather than run down to the arena, Nightcrawler teleported into the ring with his trademark 'bamf!' and purple smoke.

The German mutant instantly leapt into the air and planted his feet into the square of Bruce's back, then vanished. He reappeared again at Bruce's feet and tripped him, then vanished and reappeared overtop the black kick-boxer and planted his feet into his chest.

Suddenly, Nightcrawler sensed something coming at him. Vanishing for a split second, Nightcrawler appeared to see a ninja star fly straight into Mario's stomach. Nightcrawler turned to see Watari.

"Vat vas zat about?" The German asked.

"Vanishing should be reserved for ninjas only." Watari said. "I'll show you for stealing our trademark."

"HEAVY D!" (KOF)

"It hardly seems like a year ago"

"That I packed my bags and some money I'd saved"

"I had a yearning to find myself"

"And to see this land of the free and the brave"

With Farrell and Farrell coming through the speakers, the tall boxer walked down the ramp to a positive crowd reaction, waving to the crowd. Now that he was back in the action, he could prove to everyone that he could do well.

However, now that this plot had come up, Heavy D! would have to make proving himself a second priority. The only thing he could worry about while he was in the ring is that Lucky, Ryoko and Bridget could find extra help as well.

"I saw my first mountain sunrise"

"From an appellation range"

"I felt a heavenly presence"

"And a rushing wind of change"

However, D! was unaware that Reed was also trying to find allies. If they could meet and explain to each other about the plot, they would be able to join forces, thus making their groups outside of the ring twice as numerous.

"I am an American man"

"I'm made of American dreams"

"I am an American man"

"Returning to the things I once believed"

Unfortunately, Balrog had seen D! come into the arena, and raised his fist. "Heavy D! I'll teach you for copying my style!"

D! scratched his head as Balrog threw himself over the gap and ran at him. "Who the heck is this guy?"

(Hotel; Bison's Room)

"Boss!"

Bison turned to see Vega coming into the room. "Whatever you're here for, it had better be to deliver some good news." He said as he walked over.

"It is, sir." Vega said. "Mel Masters and Junior Maximum have been apprehended."

Bison nodded. "Good. That's a start."

Vega rubbed the back of his head. "Uh...There IS some bad news. Gannondorf, Yuber and Valgas have been beaten in some battles outside of the arena."

"No great loss if they can recover." Bison said. "However, we WILL need some more help." After thinking for a few seconds, he looked at Vega again. "Vega."

"Yes, sir?"

"Get Ash Crimson on the phone."

(Dome; Gym Room)

Gozu and Mezu, the ninjas from the Kizuna Encounter node, walked into the gym to work out for their respective entrances into the ring. However, they had also received orders from King Lion to help out in this plot M. Bison was leading. Although reluctant at first, Gozu and Mezu agreed to work.

Mezu sighed. "Gozu, do you think it was wise for the Kizuna Encounter node to come to this tournament?" He asked. "Max Eagle didn't do very well. I mean, the one to eliminate him was the small robot with the malfunction."

"Don't worry, Mezu." Gozu replied. "There's a chance that at least one of us can get an elimination."

"Well, what about this plot?" Mezu asked. "I have this uneasy feeling that we're going to get our butts kicked if we go along with it."

"Not to worry, Mezu." The red-clad ninja said. "We're ninjas. We can accomplish things like this."

"You two? Ninjas? HA!"

Gozu and Mezu turned to see a new figure drop from the ceiling banisters. This new figure was dressed in a purple ninja suit and, strangely, had a mullet.

"Sorry, pal. The 80's is that way." Gozu said, pointing to the right. Mezu chuckled.

"Save it, chowder-head." The new ninja said. "I am Eiji Kisaragi, and I know true ninjas when I see them." He glared at the two. "You two are NOT ninjas."

"You DARE say that about us?" Mezu asked, getting into his stance.

Eiji looked at Gozu and Mezu running at him together, and prepared himself for a fight.

(The Arena)

"LILLY PENDRAGON!" (S3)

The boos were almost deafening as Lilly, the biggest brat within twenty different nodes, came out from behind the curtain. The aristocrat heard all of the boos directed at her and was incredibly offended.

"How DARE these people! They're booing the one that's going to win this stupid tournament! Ohhh, I'll show them!" Lilly said.

Lilly ran headfirst down to the arena and quickly picked a fight with Captain Kidd. The pirate captain quickly picked her up and threw her over the gap, sending Lilly flying straight into Nightcrawler.

The instant Lilly got into the arena, however, Reed hid behind Raiden, cowering. "Don't let her find me. Don't let her find me. Don't let her find me. Don't let her…"

"YOSHI!" (SSB)

Coming out to the traditional Yoshi theme, everyone's favourite green lizard cheerfully ran down to the arena as a good amount of people cheered. Yoshi jumped into the arena, ran to the gap and flutter jumped over it.

Mario turned in time to see Yoshi flutter over the gap, towards him. "Hey! A-Yoshi!"

"Yoshi!" The green dinosaur greeted as he jumped up and down.

"Yes, I a-know this is a-great tournament so a-far!" Mario replied.

Bruce came over. "You can actually understand that thing?"

Yoshi's response was to eat Bruce and turn him into an egg.

Raiden heard some new music and looked at the entryway, where all of the spotlights were shining on.

"And now…Mystery Fighter…Number…FOUR!"

"MAXI!" (Soul Calibur 3)

Twirling his nunchucks in his hand, Maxi, dressed in his white outfit, appeared on the ramp. Seeing the audience cheering for him, Maxi smirked and waved. Looking down towards the arena, Maxi walked forward in hopes of getting an elimination.

He got about three steps when he heard his theme music. Like Sonic before him, Maxi froze, and looked up at the Sound Booth. He didn't know what it was, but this song was DEFINITELY not the one he had requested. The song that was now playing was "Hound Dog" by Elvis.

Everyone in the audience quickly started laughing again, but not because of the song. It was because of whom was singing it.

Maxi scratched his head. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he cloud feel that he was somehow getting made fun of. He shrugged and continued to the arena.

(Sound Booth)

A huge man with an axe laughed heartily as he walked away from the sound stereo and over to his new friend, a small, black hedgehog.

Astaroth laughed and looked down at his friend. "Hey, thanks for letting me do that, buddy!"

Shadow the Hedgehog smirked in amusement. "No problem, man. That was actually pretty funny."

Both of the two then warped out of the room, thanks to another of Shadow's Chaos Controls.

(Eliminated Seating)

Ash Crimson smirked as he flipped his cell phone shut. "So, this 'Bison' fellow wants my help? He has excellent taste in skills."

Ash looked at the arena and saw Balrog. He had heard that this boxer was working for Bison, thus making him an ally.

"Heh. I can see why he needs more help." He smirked. "With guys like that boxer working for him, I can see why he loses all the time."

Ash stood up, worked his way through the seats containing the other eliminated fighters until he got to the walkway in the middle, and started walking towards the doorway leading into the dome. However, Ash was unaware that Jin Chonrei was watching him go, and the young-looking man didn't like the confident smirk on the prettyboy's face.

"Something's up." Chonrei concluded. He was about to stand up to follow Ash, but stopped when he saw what was happening.

Just as Ash was getting close to the doorway, he bumped into someone, obviously an eliminated fighter coming back from the recovery room.

"Look, buddy." Ash said as he looked at the fighter. "Why don't you watch where-" He cut himself short when he saw who it was.

"Orange crouton zoom zoom butterscotch!" Gadget Z said brightly.

Ash stared down at the small robot. "It's you." He growled.

"I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam." The barrel-shaped robot replied.

Ash grit his teeth. Because he had made the stupid decision of attacking Gadget Z from behind as soon as he was in the arena, Max Eagle and Cammy White double-teamed him and eliminated him extremely quickly.

"Before I continue on, I think I'll take some anger out on you." Ash said as he ignited his hand.

Gadget Z raised his hammer. "Crikey! Ya'd better watch out fer this one, mates!" He said in an eerily convincing Australian accent.

(The Arena)

"BRAD BURNS!" (VF)

Brad, one of the two newer additions to the Virtua Fighter roster, came out from behind the curtain and walked down to the ring.

The Thai fighter was seriously thinking about why his node entered the tournament. Sure, Pai got an elimination, but she didn't survive the round. Jacky didn't do too much better, either.

"Well, I might as well just give it a shot and see what I can do." Brad said to himself as he leapt into the ring.

Bruce saw him leap in and approached him. "You're a Thai fighter, am I right?" He asked.

"Yeah." Brad said.

Bruce thought for a few seconds. "I've never heard of you." He dropped into a stance. "Let's see what you've got."

Brad shrugged. "Okay."

"MORIYA MINAKATA!" (LB)

"And here's the third fighter from the Last Blade node." SSBFreak said as Moriya walked down to the ring. "You think he has a chance of making up for Amano's and Okina's performances?"

"I believe so." Unknown1 replied. "After all, he's making a comeback in Neo Geo Battle Coliseum."

Moriya had heard the remark and sighed. Maybe the added training in NGBC would help him in a tournament like this, but maybe not. After all, gaming giants like Mario and Sonic were still in the ring.

The long-haired swordsman looked around the ring and ran over to attack Raiden. One slash sent the huge wrestler was sent flying away.

However, with Raiden gone, Reed's hiding place was gone as well. Lilly quickly spotted him.

"Ah, Reed! There you are!" Lilly said. "Help me eliminate this guy! Just make sure that I knock him out of the ring!"

Reed whimpered.

Meanwhile, Watari saw the scene and shook his head. "I almost feel sorry for Reed."

Everyone in the arena suddenly heard a very loud noise coming from behind the curtain.

"*HACK!* *cough* *hack* *HACK!*"

This sole noise gave away the identity of the next fighter.

"UKYO TACHIBANA!" (SS)

Ukyo came out from behind the curtain, coughing and hacking constantly. Although people were cheering for him wildly, Ukyo was too busy trying to keep his sick coughing under control to notice.

By the time he had controlled his cough, Ukyo was already in the arena. The blue-haired swordsman leapt over the gap separating the two pieces of the arena and ran to challenge Moriya.

Captain Kidd, however, stopped him. "Are you alright, man? That was some nasty coughing."

"*cough, cough* I'm…Fine, really." Ukyo assured.

"If you're really sick, fighting in here will just make you sicker, you know." Kidd continued.

Ukyo narrowed his eyes. "Please, just *cough* let me through."

With that, Ukyo threw an apple at Kidd…

(Hotel; Bison's Room)

"Vega, has Balrog entered the arena yet?" Bison asked.

"He has, sir." The masked matador replied. "He is currently trying to fight Heavy D!."

"Very good." The Shadaloo leader said. "What about Crimson?"

"I called him a few minutes ago." Vega assured. "He's on board."

Bison stroked his chin and grinned evilly. "Things are definitely looking up. The way things are going, we'll have everything completed before this tournament ends."

Vega nodded, unaware of the shadowed figure that was approaching him from behind.

"Raging…STORM!"

By the time Vega realized what had happened, it was already too late. He took the full force of the attack and was sent flying into the wall. If he had been conscious, Vega would have remarked how glad he was to be wearing the mask to protect his face.

Bison looked at the newcomer, not very surprised of whom it was.

Geese Howard stood at the door, his arms flowing with remaining energy from the move he had just done.

"What did you do that for, Howard?" Bison asked, walking forward. "Why did you pound Vega into a pulp?"

"I've been having second thoughts." Geese replied. "After some serious thought, I've decided that I just can't do this to Billy. He's far too loyal for me to betray."

"So, your bodyguard is above the ultimate power, is he?" Bison asked.

Geese replied by lowering his arms and getting into his stance. "Yes."

"Very well." Bison lifted a hand, engulfing it with Psycho power. "It seems like I'll have to knock some sense into you, then."

(The Arena)

"ASUKA KAZAMA!" (T5)

Asuka, one of three newer additions to the Tekken roster, came out from behind the curtain and walked down to the ring. Although she was upset that her draw was so early, Asuka knew that she could do some serious damage and then let her cousin Jin clean up when he came out.

The young woman was about to leap over the gap when she saw Maxi looking at her. Asuka froze and looked back at him. "May I help you?"

Maxi smirked and walked over. "Hey, miss. Say, what's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?"

Asuka stared in silence for a few seconds before striking Maxi in the face hard, firing the Elvis-lookalike over the gap before colliding with Mario.

Asuka shook her head. "That guy has lamer pickup lines than PAUL."

Meanwhile, Balrog was starting to corner Athena Asamiya. After Heavy D! had sent him over the gap, Balrog had gone to start another fight.

"Now, stay still so I can eliminate you!" Balrog prepared to lunge forward and knock Athena from the ring.

"CHANG KOEHAN!" (KOF)

Robert Garcia was drinking some Coke when he took a look at the entrance curtain. However, once he did, Robert spat out his drink in a mist-like form (drenching Hugo, whom was sitting in front of him, at the same time) and did a double-take to make sure that he wasn't dreaming.

Chang Koehan jogged down the ramp to get to the ring, his iron ball slung over his shoulder. However, what made everyone stare in shock was the fact that Chang was now wearing a blue skin-cap that covered his bald head and went to the bridge of his nose. Eyeholes were cut out, providing Chang a way to see. A blue cape wafted in the air behind him as the huge man ran.

Once he reached the bottom of the ramp, Chang leapt high into the air and steered himself towards Balrog.

"THUNDER FLOP!" Chang announced in midair.

Balrog looked up and saw a huge blob of fat falling towards him. "What the-" was all he could get out before Chang landed on him. Chang stood up and kicked Balrog away.

Athena looked up at Chang, confused. "Uh…Chang?"

"Stand back, citizen!" Chang said bravely. "'The Koehan' will protect you from this vile beast!"

Chang waited until Balrog was on his feet, then lunged forward, preparing to swing his iron ball. "Have at thee, criminal!" He shouted.

(KOF Locker Room)

Choi, Terry, Benimaru, Kensou, Whip and Joe stared at the monitor, slack-jawed. Even Kim was shocked, completely speechless for once in his life.

"…'The Koehan'?" Kensou asked.

"I have no idea what happened to Chang backstage," Choi said. "And for some reason, I don't think I ever want to find out."

(The Arena)

"And now, the final fighter of this section…"

"GEDDOE!" (S3)

Out of all of the Suikoden 3 fighters that had entered the arena thus far, Geddoe's cheer was easily the loudest. As the leader of his mercenary team, Geddoe made it his duty to make up for whatever mistakes his team-mates had done.

Luckily, the only one in the team to enter the ring before him was Queen.

Charging his True Lightning Rune, the long-haired man leapt into the arena.

Sonic saw him come in and groaned. "Man! We just got rid of the LAST guy with one eye! Now a NEW guy with only one eye comes in!"

Seconds later, Sonic was sent flying over the gap, crackling with electricity. Geddoe stood, his hand still outstretched from when he had cast the lightning magic.

Geddoe smirked. "This could be fun."

(Dome; Hallways)

"Where're we going, Mr. Glauber?" Bridget asked as he tried to keep up with the huge basketball player.

"To find Amy Guile before these creeps get her!" Lucky replied as he flew down the hall.

After Heavy D! had gone to enter the ring, Lucky had taken Bridget and Ryoko to find some more help. After a good several minutes, Lucky had decided that it may be a good idea to find Amy, the only target he knew about, and protect her. Currently, the three were racing through the dome's hallways to find a door that led to the bleachers.

"I hope we can find her before something happens!" Ryoko exclaimed.

"Don't worry." Lucky assured. "We will."

Bridget looked down the hallway. Being a bounty hunter, he was able to see hidden things better and saw something that Lucky and Ryoko couldn't. His eyes snapped open. "Guys! Stop!"

Lucky and Ryoko heard him and quickly screeched to a halt.

Suddenly, a figure fell from the ceiling and landed directly where Lucky had been standing. The figure stood up, revealing a sword stuck in the floor, showing that he had just tried to run Lucky through from above. The figure looked at the trio, showing his dark face and pale, white hair.

The dark assassin Setsuna.

Setsuna growled. "You got lucky there, basketball player." He pulled his sword from the ground. "This time, however, you won't be so lucky."

Lucky raised his arm into the air and caught a basketball that fell from nowhere. He then looked at Bridget and Ryoko. "You two go on and try to find Amy Guile on your own."

Without giving anyone a chance to react, Lucky hurled the orange projectile at Setsuna, striking the assassin in the face. "GO!" He shouted.

Bridget and Ryoko took their chance and started running, slipping by Setsuna while the evil man was still stunned.

Setsuna shook off the effects of the attack and narrowed his eyes at Lucky. "I'll make your you die slowly for that." With that, Setsuna charged headfirst at the taller man.

Lucky caught another basketball. "Let's get this show on the road!"