Chapter 10: Piecing the Puzzle
Illuminati Laboratory, 9:00 AM
"Master Gill, I have news for you!" called out an Illuminati guard.
"Is it regarding my messiahs?" inquired Gill.
"Yes, they've all began their respective journeys towards here," answered the guard.
"That is good to hear, keep me informed of any future breakthroughs, although I would like to be able to personally escort them all here, I know I cannot be in multiple places, but as long as they're not travelling alone, they should be fine," commented Gill.
"Will do!" replied the guard as he ran back to his duties.
"In the meantime, I must keep my eyes on my brother and make sure he does get his hands on any of them," said Gill to himself as he headed off to take care of business.
Paris, France, 11:32 AM
At the Paris International Airport, Wilfred and Ian Black had just gotten off their plane and were now touring the capital city of France to search for any Illuminati activity.
"So Dad, may I ask why we came to Paris to start our investigation?" asked Ian.
"I hear that one of Urien's minions is from France, maybe we can get some information on her," answered Wilfred.
"Ah, I see your point, after all it is good that we know as much about our adversaries as possible," commented Ian.
"Indeed my son, who knows what we may find if we search long enough," stated Wilfred.
As father and son walked down the streets of Paris, they ran across nothing or no one that could seem to help them in what they were asking about. Soon, they saw an older male in a brown bomber jacket and camouflage pants walking down the street and decided to ask him some questions.
"Excuse me sir, do you know anything about the Illuminati?" inquired Ian.
"The Illuminati, you're on a hunt for them as well?" asked Yosef Moiseiwitz to the young Brit.
"Well yes we are. You see mister…" began Wilfred.
"That's Colonel!" screamed Yosef.
"Easy there bloke, I just met you so how could I know you served in the military?" commented Wilfred.
"Da, my apologies, that's just a forced habit of mine," responded Yosef.
"That's all right. Anyways, yes we have been on a search for information about the Illuminati, I take it that you are as well," remarked Wilfred.
"I am, lately a lot of disappearances have taken place in Mother Russia and I heard they were behind it, decided to do some investigation here," replied Yosef.
"Really, that's great, have you found any news yet?" asked Ian.
"Unfortunately no, everyone either seems to be scared or ignorant of what's going on here," answered Yosef.
"It seems we're on the same team though, maybe you join me and my dad on our quest," suggested Ian.
"That sounds like a good idea and I think my son back home would agree with this as well. By the way, I'm Col. Yosef Moiseiwitz, it's a pleasure to meet you," said Yosef.
"I'm Wilfred Black from London, this is my eldest son Ian," replied Wilfred as the Russian man shook hands with the two Brits.
"Ah I remember you Mr. Black, you fought in that tournament two years ago, it's good to see another spirited older male with some combat skills, before we go would you mind sparring with me?" asked Yosef.
"Sure thing Colonel, I'm always up for a challenge," answered Wilfred as he pulled out his two fighting sticks and handed his bag over to Ian who eagerly was anticipating this fight.
Wilfred and Yosef slowly circled around one another each waiting for an opening to attack, Yosef threw out a strike to Wilfred's head but the British man ducked under the attempted punch and swung one of his sticks at Yosef's chest and nailed him making the Russian man stagger back. Wilfred rushed in for another attack and swung his sticks at Yosef's face. Yosef parried the attack and then grabbed Wilfred.
"Soldier's Sleeper Hold!" yelled Yosef.
Wilfred struggled and gagged a bit as Yosef held him in a strong choke hold. Wilfred smacked Yosef in the side with his sticks until the Russian military fighter released his hold on him.
"Hmm, not bad chap, let's see what else you have," commented Wilfred.
"Sure thing comrade, I'm anxious to see what you may have in store for me as well," replied Yosef.
Wilfred rushed at Yosef with his Oxford Red attack, Yosef blocked the numerous jabs Wilfred was giving him with his sticks and then countered with his own attack.
"Spit Shine!" shouted Yosef.
Yosef grabbed Wilfred by the head, kneed him in the stomach making the British fighter double over and then kneed him in the face sending Wilfred crashing to the ground.
"Father, are you ok?" asked Ian.
"Just getting warmed up son," answered Wilfred as he saw Yosef leapt at him, Wilfred began to twirl his sticks around and as Yosef was in range, Wilfred shot out his stick and sent Yosef flying back with his Canterbury Blue attack. Yosef rolled back to his feet and dusted off his pants as Wilfred made a dash at the Russian, however Yosef grabbed Wilfred by his suit coat and punched him in the face a couple of times before doing a leg sweep to him sending Wilfred falling to the ground face first with a move Yosef called Get On Your Face.
As Yosef tried to stomp on Wilfred while he was down, Wilfred rolled out of the way of Yosef's attack and swept the Russian fighter off of his feet using his sticks. Yosef fell hard on his back but the two both got back up quickly as Yosef tried to grab Wilfred for another attack, Wilfred started spinning around with both his sticks out nailed Yosef with his Manchester Black attack. Yosef got knocked down yet again however wasted no time getting back up.
"Hmm, you're quite the tough one friend," stated Yosef.
"I could say the same about you, but I'm sure you have more up your sleeve," replied Wilfred.
"Wow, this Yosef guy is strong, he's giving my dad a good fight. But that's to be expected with this guy's military background," thought Ian to himself.
Wilfred and Yosef rushed at each other yet again and started trading blows with one another. Yosef nailed Wilfred with an elbow strike right as Wilfred smacked Yosef in the sternum with his sticks sending them both staggering back from one another. Yosef's body began to glow blue as he decided to unleash one of his Super Arts.
"St. Basil's Carnage!" hollered Yosef.
Yosef leapt at Wilfred and spun him around before slamming him to the ground with a suplex and then stomped on the British man a couple of times then lifted Wilfred up threw him into the air then as Wilfred descended he was nailed with a powerful kick that sent him flying.
"Stand up soldier, that can't be all you're capable of!" exclaimed Yosef.
Wilfred got up slowly and shook his head vigorously. Yosef ran at Wilfred and tried to slam him again, Wilfred broke free of Yosef's grasp on him and his body started to glow blue.
"Manchester Gold!" yelled Wilfred.
Wilfred started spinning around with a powered up version of his Manchester Black attack and caught Yosef in his powerful spin. After a good amount of hits, Wilfred flung Yosef up into the air with his sticks and then drove them into the Russian's ribs right before Yosef hit the ground. Yosef got back up shortly after the attack coughing a bit but with a big grin on his face.
"You're quite good Mr. Black, I'm impressed thus far," commented Yosef.
"I can say the same about you Colonel Moiseiwitz," replied Wilfred.
"Hey, is this fight being sponsored by the AARP or something?" inquired a familiar voice from behind the group.
Wilfred, Ian, and Yosef whirled around to see two faces familiar to Wilfred standing behind them, one with a sly grin on his face.
"Pietro Omakovski and Hans Van Bratten, what business do you have in Paris?" asked Wilfred.
"I take it that your father knows those guys," whispered Yosef.
"Yeah, he fought alongside them at the tournament," answered Ian.
"We were attacked by members of the Illuminati back in my hometown and decided to go on an adventure to see if we could find any clues as to what's been up lately," spoke Hans.
"Yeah, I figured we'd come here and see my friend Remy since I figured he'd know something that could possibly help us," added Pietro.
"That's why Ian and I came here. We heard that one of the minions Urien has is from France," chimed in Wilfred.
"You wouldn't happen to be talking about Noir would you?" asked a voice nearby.
The five fighters turned around to see a slim Frenchman with long blue hair eyeing them. He was wearing a black coat with the omega symbol in the middle of it as well as red pants and black shoes.
"Remy, how's my old buddy doing there!" said Pietro giving Remy a playful punch on the arm.
"I've been fine. But again, I'm sure you're talking about Noir," replied Remy.
"How do you know that?" asked Yosef.
Remy took a drag of his cigarette and sighed, "Noir is my girlfriend's niece," he answered.
"Say what!" gasped Ian.
"Her real name is not Noir Coeur, but Natalia Clemenceau. A few months before Zephyr's tournament, my girlfriend got a call from her brother letting her know that Natalia had been abducted by Zephyr while out with her friends one night," informed Remy.
"Oh my God, that's horrible, so she's someone we forgot to save after defeating Zephyr," piped in Hans.
"Apparently, she was on a mission during the tournament and after Zephyr's downfall. Urien took her in as his lackey which was easy since she still has an active mind control probe implanted in her," stated Remy.
"Hmm, so now we know that one of the members Urien has isn't really evil per se, just under mind control. Doesn't make our mission any easier though unless we can find a way to deactivate that probe inside her," pondered Pietro.
"Yeah, and there's no guarantee one of us alone can get close enough to her to make an attempt, I suggest we all travel together for this one," added Wilfred.
"I agree with Mr. Black, we'll all be safer on our missions if we do so," said Yosef.
"And who are you sir, not to mention the kid as well," asked Pietro.
Ian and Yosef both introduced themselves to Pietro and Hans who promptly reciprocated the introduction.
"Well then, it's starting to become one big reunion, plus some new friends, that's something I can dig," chimed in Hans.
"Where should we head off to now though?" asked Ian.
"I suggest we go to Africa, I hear that there's been some activity in some of the countries over there," chimed in Yosef.
"You stay well informed, so yeah, let's go over there," suggested Wilfred.
"What about you Remy, wanna come with us?" asked Pietro.
"Thanks but no thanks, I'll stay here. Someone has to protect the fort should we come under attack from Urien and his minions," answered Remy.
"Understood, but thanks for the information friend. You be safe," said Hans.
"Same to all of you," replied Remy as he waved goodbye to his friends as they decided to depart for somewhere in Africa.
Illuminati Dungeon 12:47 PM
Down in the dungeons at the Illuminati base, the depowered deity known as Zephyr moped about in his cell. Two years had passed since his defeat at his tournament and as he looked outside his window, he could hear the sounds of footsteps outside his cell as members of the Illuminati scrambled about the base following the orders that Gill was giving him.
"My sons are locked in a battle for control over this organization. Why do I concern myself with this I do not know, do I really still have contempt for humans or am I finally starting to empathize with them? Does not matter right now, why my sons are fighting one another is what's troubling me," pondered Zephyr to himself.
Zephyr paused for a moment and decided to listen to the indecipherable chatter of some of the Illuminati members as he continued to gaze at the waters outside once again. Zephyr then let out a deep sigh and walked away from the window.
"I'd hate to admit it, but that Marcos fellow was right. Before I can do anything, I must find out what it really means to be a deity. But even then, can I really bring myself to stand against my sons again?" thought Zephyr to himself.
Author's Note: Well, more revelations and a friendly battle has taken place, and is Zephyr deciding to turn good, I'll leave that up to you. Anyways, I'm stoked that the arcade version of Super Street Fighter IV will get new characters; hopefully one of them is Alex. Also Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition is gonna be awesome. After all, Third Strike is still after all these years my favorite Street Fighter game. So, what will happen in the next chapter? Who will meet who and who will fight who? I leave that up to you to ponder. I'm off to go work on that but until then, please read and review.