"All right people! Hands up where I can see them!" shouted a robber as he suddenly barged through the doors of the bank, pointing his gun high into the air.
Immediately all the people in the bank, though few in number, did as he commanded. Everyone that is, except for two young men in particular who seemed to stand out from the normal crowd. One of these men was a Japanese fellow with blonde hair that shot straight up like a skyscraper. The other was a Chinese man dressed in long traditional looking robe that was embroidered with dragon designs. They nodded and glanced at each other; signifying that they both knew the task at hand and what had to be done.
"Are you sure about this Benimaru?" whispered the Chinese man. "Dealing with guns isn't quite my specialty."
"Oh relax Duo Lon," Benimaru casually assured. "You're such a Worrying Willy."
"What?"
"Never mind. This shouldn't be too hard anyways. Just look for an opening and exploit it. I'll take care of the gun if that makes you happy."
The bank itself was a tiny old building, located in a small quiet town in southern France that had a population of only a few hundred people. The town itself had a rich farming tradition. Herd farming was especially common in this area. In the downtown plaza horses appeared as frequently as cars did in the larger cities. Had Benimaru and Duo Lon not received an invitation from a mysterious informant claiming to have close ties with Ash Crimson, they never would have come to a place such as this one. They had stopped by the bank to merely ask for directions, but were not too worried when the robber stormed in unexpectedly.
Benimaru however, saw this as an opportunity to impress some ladies. He looked around the bank for some potential "acquaintances," but sadly to no avail. Just my luck, he thought. Nothing here but old women and unattractive locals.
"P-put your hands up behind your heads and lay face down! Now!" Although he tried to sound as imposing as he could, it was clearly obvious that the robber was very nervous. His voice seemed to change octaves every other word. That, combined with his stiff French accent, made him sound ridiculous rather than scary. His lip trembled at the same velocity with which his gun shook in his hand. Duo Lon also noticed sweat pouring down from beneath his ski mask. As scared as everyone was (except for our two heroes of course), the hostages kept cool and quiet, careful not to anger to unstable crook. The situation proceeded with an eerie silence.
"Well, what do we do now Hero?" Duo Lon sarcastically questioned as he and Benimaru now lay grounded on their knees with their hands behind their heads, just as the robber demanded.
"Relax," Benimaru calmly replied. He was contemplating ways of how to get out of this humiliating situation. "I'm thinking, I'm thinking. Just calm down. You're talking to a four time King of Fighters Champion for heaven's sake." But in truth, he was fresh out ideas. So he just sat there with a blank gaze on his face for the next minute or so.
"Hey Benimaru," asked an anxious Duo Lon while nudging Benimaru's shoulder. "Have you thought of anything?"
"Huh," Benimaru answered, like a student who had just woken up from a nice nap during history class.
"You have any ideas of how we can take out this guy?"
"Ummmmmmm . . ."
"You don't, do you?"
"Well . . . I-"
"Damnit. So much for trusting 'Pretty Boy' over here, to handle a bank robbery," mumbled Duo Lon, rolling his eyes in disappointment.
"Hey!" Benimaru shot back. "Call me that one more time, and I'll hit you so hard even the dragons on your robe will bleed."
"Hey, you two!" the robber stammered as he pointed the gun at Benimaru and Duo Lon. "I'm getting real tired of your jabbering. You two foreigners are starting to annoy the hell out of me. If you don't shut your mouths soon, I'll shoot them off for you! Understand?!"
After effectively neutralizing everyone inside, the robber forced one of the tellers at gunpoint to lead him to the money. But as he was pillaging safes, Duo Lon suddenly heard feint rumble. With each passing second the rumble grew louder and was coming closer and closer to the bank. To Duo Lon, the noise resembled the galloping of horse hooves.
"Hey Benimaru," Duo Lon whispered.
"What now?" Benimaru replied.
"Do you hear that?" said Duo Lon as he listened attentively for the sound.
"Hear what?"
"A horse is approaching the building."
"A horse?"
"Yes, a horse."
In a matter of moments both of them spotted a slender white horse walking toward the glass entry doors of the bank.
"That horse?" asked Benimaru.
"That horse," Duo Lon confirmed.
"Hey, who's the dame riding it?"
Benimaru was commenting on the woman sat astride on the horse. From their vintage point both of them could make out her appearance. She had short brown hair, fair white skin, and strong brown eyes. Though she was not too high in physical stature, she was very stalwart and serious, and carried herself with pride and nobility. But one could argue that her dignified appearance and mannerisms gave off a sense of pure snobbiness (if there is such a word).
But knowing Benimaru, if a woman was attractive then she was worth going after. And this one was very attractive. But still, he felt he should hold off his famous one-liners until a more appropriate situation arose. After all, flirting with a woman while lying on the floor under a robber's gun would look pretty awkward . . . not to mention pathetic.
Hmmmm, Benimaru contemplated to himself. A woman like herself looks hard to impress. I have to make a good first impression, and kneeling on the ground is not the way to do it.
Just then a small ball of electric energy was forming in Benimaru's hand.
"Benimaru," said Duo Lon in shock (no pun intended). "What the hell do you think you're doing? You'll get us all killed."
"Don't worry Duo Lon. I got this all under contr-"
"Drop your weapons and surrender, you fiend!" the woman suddenly asserted as she gracefully entered through the doors making not a sound. "You will make it easier for all of us if you do, especially yourself."
Benimaru and Duo Lon looked up at the woman in sheer disbelief. But when the other hostages in the bank heard her voice, they quickly turned their heads and shouted in praise.
"Mademoiselle Blanchtorche!"
"Lady Elisabeth, help us!"
"You have come to save us! Thank goodness!"
"I knew you would come!"
"I will give you one last chance to give up your operation," warned Elisabeth. Her stern voice, though comforting for the distressed citizens, signified an uncompassionate doom for the robber. "If you refuse, the consequences will be dire."
"Hah!" the robber arrogantly answered as he threatened her with his gun. "You think I'm going to surrender to the likes like you? You got another thing coming, lady."
"Very well, then sir. Have it your way . . ."
"Uhhh," groaned Duo Lon as he slowly opened his eyes. When he regained full consciousness he got back up and looked around the bank. By this time police officers were on the scene and had the robber in handcuffs. Some of the other officers were tending to the hostages and asking them questions about what went on during the bank robbery. The entire process was quick and straight forward, as if the people were used to it by now.
Duo Lon looked down and saw Benimaru still lying on the floor winded. He went down to him and shook him back to his senses.
"Whaa! What happened?" a stunned Benimaru responded. His body was twitching from the initial contact. "Are we dead?"
"Of course not," replied Duo Lon. "You were just overwhelmed by an intense light. It was very strong and filled the entire room."
"Where did it come from?"
"I believe it came from the woman who confronted the crook. What force she seems to posses."
"Hmmmm . . . no. I don't think it did. A woman such as herself doesn't seem the like the type to-"
"To do what sir?" spoke a voice from behind Benimaru.
He quickly turned and saw before him the brown haired woman, standing regal and proud. Her face was completely serious and expressed no emotion whatsoever.
"Ah, you must be Benimaru Nikkaido," she began. "accompanied by Duo Lon if I am not mistaken. I have heard a lot about the both you."
"I see my reputation precedes me," Benimaru said in his suave womanizing tone.
"You must be the one who called for us," Duo Lon speculated.
"Indeed. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Elisabeth Blanchtorche."
"Such a pretty name, for such a pretty face," Benimaru smoothly spoke. "But I must ask you. Was it you who summoned that light that rendered the robber helpless?"
"You are correct. Because you see, unlike you, I prefer to fight standing up as opposed to groveling like a dog on my hands and knees."
"Just a minute there honey," said Benimaru in defense. He was clearly hurt by Elisabeth's comment. "That's a bit harsh there, don't you think? After all, the robber had a gun and we had to consider the welfare of the other hostages. I mean, I didn't want to take extreme actions that would have compromised their safety. I actually had the whole situation figured out until you decided to show up."
"Those are some big words . . . for someone who was just lying on the ground."
That last statement was as effective in silencing Benimaru as a slap in the face.
"Well, it was nice meeting you, and I do appreciate you both going through such ordeals to see me. But I am afraid that our business together can continue no longer. The esteemed House of Blanchtorche does not associate with cowards. Good day gentlemen."
Elisabeth abruptly turned her back and starting making her way out of the bank, leaving behind Duo Lon and a very humbled Benimaru.
"Wow," Benimaru remarked to Duo Lon, but loud enough for Elisabeth to hear. "I always knew the French were a proud people, but that was just plain snotty. Oh well, that's just how they are I guess. She's quite a fox though, I'll give her that."
"Benimaru, shouldn't we go after her," Duo Lon pleaded. "She has very important information concerning Ash Crimson, and joining with her is the key to knowing what his true intentions are."
" . . . . . . . . . . . "
"Damnit Benimaru . . . Elisabeth, come back!" Duo Lon desperately called out. It was very rare for the usually quiet and reserved Duo Lon to do such a thing. "We need your help. Ash has stolen the power of Chizuru Kagura. He now holds in his possession . . . the Yata mirror."
On hearing this, Elisabeth stopped cold in her tracks. She slowly turned around and walked back to them.
"So, you know about . . ." she said, quite intrigued. "well, as a member of the Hizoku Clan, one would expect no less."
"Former member," corrected Duo Lon. "Ron, the master whom I trusted, betrayed us and had the entire village destroyed, along with everyone I knew . . ."
". . . I am terribly sorry for your loss."
". . . . . . . . . ."
"Okay then," Benimaru cut in. "It seems that we too hold some vital information that you have yet to lay your ears upon. In spite of our previous dialogue, we wanted to talk to you about joining our team for this year's KOF Tournament. I feel that we will all benefit from this, for lack of a better word . . . partnership."
"Very well Monsieur Nikkaido. I am very interested in your propostion. Let us discuss our plans, but not here. Pierre!"
Elisabeth gave a loud shout and shortly after, a short old man entered the building.
"Yes Mademoiselle Blanchtorche. What can I do for you milady?"
"Kindly escort these gentlemen back to the mansion."
"Yes milady. It shall be done."
With that Elisabeth briskly exited the bank, and departed on her horse.
"Well then," said Benimaru. "This should be fun."
"I apologize if you boys were offended," Pierre said. "Don't take it personally though. She always has been a rather stern individual. That's just the way she is."
"That is perfectly all right sir," responded Benumaru. "So, where is the limo that will take us back to her place?"
"Haha . . . limousine. You certainly are the funny type, monsieur."
Pierre led them to the back exit of the bank where three waiting horses calmly stood, tied to a fence.
"This is how we get around this town," Pierre proudly declared. "Horses, the best form of transportation, ay. You save money on gas, and all you need is hay and a few sugar cubes to get them running. It's a hassle to clean up after them, but just consider it a carwash. Haha."
As foreigners, Benimaru and Duo Lon did not pick up on his small town humor.
"Anyways," he continued. "Just saddle up, and hold tightly on the reigns, but not too hard as to agitate them. Just keep your back straight and you'll he fine. The horses know the way back, so no need to steer them. Just like autopilot, huh? Haha . . . so sit back and enjoy the ride."
Pierre quickly mounted his horse and gestured for both men to do the same.
"Are you sure about this Duo Lon?" Benimaru was clearly hesitant.
"Sure, I suppose . . . I mean, how bad could it possibly be?"
"I know . . . but horses?"
"Yes. . . horses."