The fighting competition of the highest standards, on the greatest scale in the world -
"Heaven or Hell."
Here on this stage Reiko was defeated, the Destroyer was contained and sealed away, and the mighty defense system A.R.D.S. was taken down.
A myriad of unfolding dramas.
Yet these were always hidden behind some sort of thick veil or other, remaining out of the public eye.
Even with such a checkered history, the opening of this year's Heaven or Hell was decided on.
The sponsor of the competition was, yet again, a mysterious personage, and owing to the circumstances, various suppositions traveled through assorted lands like wildfire.
But in spite of all the hubbub, one veteran contestant after another made their intentions to enter the competition known.
Upon verification that numerous well-known fighters had entered the competition, the heretofore discreet media coverage of the event shifted into 24/7 overdrive.
With the announcement of the inception from this HOH tournament of the new "multi-shift" rule, allowing competitors to utilize strikers during battles, the competition developed into a social phenomenon and monopolized discussions around the world.
Newspapers and magazines put together feature articles almost on a weekly basis while ersatz critics pounded their desks and made impassioned commentary on TV day after day about this rule, which simultaneously required a speedy execution of the match and a unified team strategy.
"There is still an awesome bunch of fearsome contestants in this world."
Anymoo, Silver, Lucind, Shouyin.
...and....
What made their names more and more familiar via the Internet was, without doubt, this moment of uproar concerning the present HOH.
Will these contestants be able to become the new stars capable of shaking up the HOH tournament?
Or maybe...?
And during these crazy days, the preparations steadily went along.
The venues of local competitions were determined, the schedules were completed, and the spectators moved from one location of the preliminary matches to another.
To create the atmosphere of a true street fight, venues were established in city centers, the events of the competition were broadcasted live on giant screens, and the only stadium scaled to hold tens of thousands of people was procured during the period of the tournament.
December, 2005.
The time has come.
This year, the curtain rises once again.
