I Choose Her

A day later, Hard Rock Hotel, Singapore…

The new score results were issued in each door of the participating girls on the Brad sweepstakes. Rose was the only one who could stay by her way of first place victory in last night's competition. The results were in Juri, Sakura, Lei Fang, Lisa, Aoi, and Asuka were safe. Anna Williams and Ibuki were the ones who got the official boot. Anna Williams for one was happy to leave since she didn't care too much for Brad romantically anyway. Ibuki was pretty disappointed. Down in the lobby she was met by Sakura who heard about her cut. She stopped eating her brunch and went over to cheer up Ibuki.

Sakura: "Hey Ibuki! Wait!"

Ibuki (stops in her tracks.): "Huh? Oh it's you."

Sakura: "I'm so sorry about what happened Ibuki! You are gonna be just fine okay?"

Ibuki (teary eyed.): "I tried! I really tried Sakura!"

Sakura (hugs her.): "Of course you did. I thought your performance was wonderful. Besides, there are other guys that are willing to date you."

Ibuki: "You think so?"

Sakura (lets go.): "Oh I know so. Like that muscle guy you told me about, that English boxer, or even that ninja Guy. Surely you can work something out with one of those men."

Ibuki (cracking a grin.): "Yeah. You know, I think you have a point. It's been a while but maybe they'll forgive me for joining this contest. Then, I can start over again. Only I won't be competing with other girls for one guy."

Sakura: "Yeah! That a girl! I'll be rooting for you Ibuki!"

Ibuki: "Thanks Sakura. I'll do the same for you! Good luck!"

With a renewed purpose, Ibuki embraces Sakura once again and then walked out of the hotel heading for the cabs. Sakura then returned to her seat where Asuka and Lei Fang were sitting adjacent from her table. Asuka and Lei Fang both saw Sakura come back from consoling Ibuki and wanted to know what was said.

Lei Fang: "Hey Sakura! Was that Ibuki leaving without saying goodbye to us?"

Sakura: "Yeah, but I cheered her up though by saying there must be other guys that might want to date her. I mean she's young like the rest of us right?"

Asuka: "True. But we are in this to win a lot of money and be the girlfriend of Brad Burns. It wouldn't be a contest if Brad chose all of the girls."

Lei Fang: "Not to mention it would feel like Zack's Island all over again."

Asuka: "Zack's Island?"

Lei Fang: "It's a long weird story trust me."

Sakura: "Well at any rate. I'm sure Ibuki will be okay. So, anybody know what the next round is gonna be about?"

Asuka: "I heard we were gonna do a play this time. With acting roles."

Lei Fang: "You're kidding right?"

Asuka: "Yep. Overheard it from a conversation with Mila and Lucky Chloe before I came down here for breakfast. I'm not thrilled about it either but anything to get first place."

Sakura: "Sounds like fun to me. May the best girl win!"

Both Asuka and Lei Fang couldn't help but smile at Sakura's optimism about doing theater roles.

Meanwhile in the 32nd floor of the hotel…

Zack was discussing the details on the next round with Brad in his penthouse after he was with Rose. Rose had just finished her bubble bath and was only in her robe as Zack entered the living room.

Zack: "Sup Brad! Mornin' Rose!"

Rose: "Morning to you Zack. What brings you here so early?"

Brad (coming out the bedroom.): "Zack you didn't bother to knock man?"

Zack: "Hey don't forget I keep a universal key to this pad. Well anyway, we on our way down under to Melbourne, Australia for the next round!"

Brad: "Australia huh? So what's the next game gonna be this time?"

Zack: Aw yeah, it's gonna be a play based on damsels fighting for their king! You bruh!"

Brad: "Hold on! Me? I'm part of this play too?"

Zack: "Hell yeah my dude! But don't worry you aint gotta say shit. All you have to do is pick with girl express her love to you the best. That's all."

Rose: "My how interesting."

Brad: "As crazy as the plot sounds, it just might be as entertaining as the last round."

Zack:" Yup. I knew you'd feel cool about it. Well you guys better get dressed and pack up soon cuz our flight to Melbourne will be leaving tonight. Just letting y'all know. Now I'm gonna tell the rest of ladies who are downstairs already. Toodles!"

Meanwhile in Saint Denis, Reunion Island…

Vanessa and her team finally made contact with Chun Li. They both decided to meet at Reunion Island for a strategy meeting. Chun Li, along with Ryu, asked Cammy to join them in this meeting. They would all meet at the French Naval Port based in the capital city Saint Denis. The entire team met in the port's conference room where Chun Li had a map laid out of the table showing the possible location of the energy taken off the Pandora's Box.

Chun Li: "Thank you all for coming today. Sorry for not responding to you all sooner. If it wasn't for my fiancée saving my life I would most likely would not be alive at this point. So with that said, I have a map here pinpointing the relocation of Pandora's energy at this spot in Western Australia. A newly built state of the art coal mine factory owned by DOATEC. However Interpol also believes it's where DOATEC does bio cell research. For what purposes you ask, remains a mystery."

Cammy: "How long ago was the energy removed from the box?"

Vanessa: "It's been almost a week since then. I'm sure by now DOATEC has the energy well hidden somewhere. So do we have a layout of the facility?"

Chun Li: "Yes, give me a moment." (Chun Li unfolds the site plan of the factory.). "Here in the southeast portion of the factory is where we think the energy could be located. However it could be in any of these buildings."

Hayabusa: "Like finding a needle in a haystack."

Chun Li: "Pretty much."

Ryu: "Getting in there won't be easy. I'm sure they have guards on standby."

Chun Li: "Ryu did you ever hear back from Guy?"

Ryu: "Not yet. I'll try to call him again."

Chun Li: "Before we land in Australia, I wanted to send a ninja squad along with Hayabusa and Cammy to scope out the place. Once we find the easiest entry point, then we can commence the raid."

Sean: "Whoa we're gonna bust in there?"

Chun Li: "Why not? We've been too lenient up until this point. Might as well take advantage of this opportunity before it's too late."

Vanessa: "Alright then. When do we leave for the mission?"

Chun Li: "As soon as we hear back from Guy. Cody Travers maybe joining us as well. Until then you guys can go out on the town, do whatever, just don't break the law ok?"

Hwoarang: "Now were talkin! See ya!"

Hwoarang was ready to go since he was getting bored already. The rest of Vanessa's team followed suit. Vanessa went back to her barrack room to check up on Eliott who was hogtied on her bed. Once again Sarah was watching him on Vanessa's behalf. Poor kid.

Two days later in the Regent Theater, Melbourne, Australia…

The remaining contestants of the Brad Burns Sweepstakes had about two days to rehearse for the upcoming round which would be a play about rescuing a wounded prince by some peasant girls from his attackers. Their main director of the play was once again Lee Chaolan. Some girls felt uneasy about him coming back. Lee may hatch another scheme to drug them for another one of those sexual experiments with his combots. However, Lee promised that would not be the case, and that he did not bring any drugs or his inventions from his headquarters in Brazil.

And so the play for the ninth round was finally here. Unfortunately, Helena could not be in attendance tonight. Marie called her in the middle of the day to inform a breach near the secret factory in northwest Australia. It took her by surprise, and in a panicked state, she went on ahead without judging. So Lucky Chloe replaced her as the introduction speaker for the play.

Lucky Chloe: "Good evening ladies and gents! Yes it's yours truly as the host for this evening's special play! The Wounded Prince! Our handsome host is getting harassed by some evil monsters! Lucky for him a special group of heroines will come to his rescue! What's going to happen to him? We gotta find out! Oh the suspense is too much! Anyway! Enjoy the show!"

The play was underway. Brad was in his medieval costume paying homage to his homeland of Italy. As told by the director he rushes out and starts fighting up to 7 monsters with swords on both hands. Brad only possessed one sword for self defense. Weapons was not his strongest suit and of course the monsters overwhelmed him. Since the script said he would be cut on his left hamstring, Brad began hobbling once a monster sliced his leg. He pleads for help and falls on the ground as the monsters gang up on him. It looked liked the end for the hero until.

Asuka: "STOP RIGHT THERE!"

The monsters look to see Asuka Kazama in her dojo uniform along with Aoi Umenokouji in her red kimono, and Sakura in a yellow hakama uniform with the white headband to boot. The monsters began laughing at the girls, thinking were just more prey for them. So the monsters being their assault on Asuka, Aoi, and Sakura. While the first three girls were fighting 7 monsters at once, Juri Han enters the scene from the other side on stage and attends to Brad who is still down. Juri is wearing a purple down which stopped right above her cleavage.

Juri: "Bradley sir! Are you okay?"

Brad: "J-Ju…." (Juri puts his lips on hold with her hand.)

Juri: "Don't speak my lovely prince! I'll save you from those vile beasts!"

Brad wondered since when did Juri get so perky all of a sudden? It was very unusual of her to act good, even if it was just acting. Suddenly a voice berates Juri for getting too close with Brad.

Lisa: "Brad! How could you? Just who is that?" (Points at Juri.)

Brad: "Lisa?!"

Lisa: "No! Don't answer that! You let him go or I'll kick your sorry hide just like those monsters!"

Juri: "Excuse me?"

Lisa: "I ain't repeating myself!"

Suddenly more monsters appear, about four of them. Juri and Lisa were force to stop them from advancing in Brad's direction. Then a horn blows off. It's very loud. Then the remaining girls consisting of Rose and Lei Fang jumped out into the stage wearing shepherd's girl outfits, Rose wearing purple and Lei Fang wearing orange. With their presence, the girls finally gained an advantage against the hairy monsters with their swords. The monsters grew scared and were forced to retreat off stage. The crowd was amused by the whole drama.

Asuka: "We did it! The beasts are now gone for good!"

Aoi: "And now!"

Sakura: "We want our prince to know which girl will he take back to his castle!"

Brad (surprised.): "Eh?!"

Lisa: "Please Brad!"

Rose: "We all want you Brad. But you can only take one of us in your castle!"

The crowd goes nuts…

Brad (Thinks, standing on one leg, leaning against a box crate.): "Are you kidding me? I gotta pick the winner out of this bunch? Well I guess I'll pick the one who I haven't been out with yet."

Brad stares at the faces of every woman. They all had kitten eyes desperate for his answer. When he finally looks at Aoi, Brad knew that all this time, he had never went out with her. Aoi shyly turns away in embarrassment, but was smirking just a little.

Brad: "I've made my decision!"

The crowd then goes silent…

Brad: "You all can travel with me back to the castle! However, only one of you was beautiful enough to stay with me in my home! That woman is you! Aoi!"

Aoi turns around and immediately her face turns bright red. The crowd cheered in response to Brad's bold claim. Most of the girls were stunned, except for Juri who was fuming.

Brad: "Now I need some assistance to get back on my horse ladies! If you don't mind?"

Aoi (snaps out of it.): "Come on girls! Let's help the prince!"

It was part of the script to aid Brad back into so all of the girls picked him up and laid him on the fake horse. Then the curtains close and the crowd appalled. 30 seconds later, the curtain opens up again as the cast were all standing side by side as they bowed in gratitude. After the play was over, just about all of the girls stayed afterwards in the backstage for a short meeting. Aoi was not among them.

Juri: "So basically we pranced around on stage, made fool of ourselves, and Brad just PICKS someone to win! What bullshit!? I should kill her!"

Lei Fang: "But then you'll be out of the competition, not to mention arrested."

Rose: "While Juri's anger is over the top, she makes a valid point about not truly earning the top vote in this round."

Everyone looks at Rose…

Rose: "Perhaps Brad picked Aoi because he has yet to go out with her."

Sakura: "Oh. Now that I think about it. I don't think he dated her alone before."

Lisa: "I haven't dated Brad alone yet. I was with you Rose."

Rose: "Good point."

Asuka: "Hate to break it you guys, but the fans will vote two of us off tomorrow. Just saying."

Juri: "Just thinking about that makes me wanna kill something! Grrrr!" (Walks out stomping.)

Lei Fang: "There's no hope for that girl."

Rose: "I better go follow her before someone really does die."

Meanwhile…

Brad Burns finished taking off his costume, until he heard a knock in his dressing room. He opens the door and sees Zack with Aoi, who is also undressed and back in casual clothing.

Zack: "Here she is Brad. Your top choice for your next date, and I got it setup in a special resort in Queensland! Your limo will be here in about five minutes, so I'll leave you two alone for a bit as I talk with the rest of the ladies alright? Cool!" (Walks off.)

Aoi: "Um…Brad san."

Brad: "Yes."

Aoi: "Why did you choose me out of all the girls? I can't believe I made this far without doing anything special."

Brad: "Well…it's because I really like you Aoi. You're the only female I've faced who I can't defeat in battle and yet your beauty stuns me without laying a finger. I would be content on not challenging you again if you wish. That's how much I like you Aoi."

Aoi (smiles back.): "That…makes me feel very happy. Um…is there anything that I can do for you right now."

Brad: "No…other than follow me outside to the limo."

Aoi: "Oh…okay."

With a newfound understanding, Aoi follows Brad back into the limo. Orignially, Aoi thought it was a bad idea to do this contest since Brad was such a playboy (and still is). However, because of what Brad expressed to Aoi back in the dressing room, maybe he was showing a more affectionate side of him that Aoi never got to see before. For these next few days alone, Aoi would analyze Brad's actions further.