Chapter 21: The Heroines team
Just at the very next day, Mai, Shina and Genzo were being dismissed by Kana, the old lady looked pretty sad with that, as the family and her friend were living there now for months
-Oh, I will miss you so much you three, you made my life so happy.
-Don't worry Kana- Genzo hugged her -We still are going to visit you.
-I know, I will do the same for you on the dojo.
Now with all of their bags on their hands, the taxi was out there waiting for all, Yuri and King were waiting
-So, are we going to know you own dojo? - King asked and Mai nodded -A year makes such a difference.
-What we are going to do right now?
-To prepare everything, Mai was training for almost a year from now, so it is time to test if she is ready to become a Shiranui master.
With everyone looking between themselves, the expectations were really high, then Genzo said something
-But your final test will be tomorrow as I know that you want to spend some time with your friends, until then get ready for the first ones, do you remember how everything started?
Mai smiled after noticing what is gonna happen
…
And her prediction became true, looking in front of her the wall, of course it was repaired as she made a little hole where she punched it previously, in front of her friends and mother, Genzo gave the same instruction
-Destroy the wall, without pyrokinesis- He was very specific with it, but Mai decided to go without Nature Manipulation, once she went with her elbow strike at full force, the wall was completely destroyed
Surprising King and Yuri on the process -Whoa, she did it!
Then moments later Genzo took out the tiles and give the order -Destroy them all with one punch.
Mai concentrated and breathed, then she did it
-Take this!
One punch was enough, the 10 tiles were destroyed and even part of the wooden floor, surprising even Genzo
-Excellent- he said smiling while Mai was moving her hand -Now is time for you to test your speed ¿Ready?
She nodded -Ready.
-Go!- after leaving the wood floor, Mai used the jet to run as fast as she could on the Dojo perimeter, after some seconds she arrived back -Whoa.
-How was it?
Genzo smiled -12,7 seconds, a new record.
Mai started to celebrate but then she had to cover from a punch -Not this time Genzo sensei.
-And even your reflexes have improved.
Claps were heard from the other ladies, but then Shina had to say something
-Daughter your final tasks for today, Ryoko Bakuhatsu and Final connection, ready?
Again, Mai nodded, accepting the challenge -King, Yuri, hopefully what I'm doing will help us for the next King of Fighters tournament.
Mai concentrated, the energy appeared on the palm of her hand and started to turn into fire, dancing fire on her right hand
-Concentrate, imagine, form the idea in your mind, pure fire on the hand- the flames started to dance and join together, the wind started to get wild, the ball started to take form and Mai was trying to maintain it -I can do it… I can do it.
She took her arm in front of her while the little sun was starting to form, but then her mind started to fail her, the idea of concentrating on the ball was a difficult one, and Genzo noticed it
-Shot the ball now! - when she did it the ball was unable to maintain its form after just 3 seconds of being launched, Mai sighed -That was a close one.
-It is still pretty difficult for me, and with that…
-Final Connection, try it even with what happened- her mother suggested -You will never know if you're able or not if you don't practice.
Mai accepted the challenge and stood firmly on the floor, closed her punches and started to breathe
-If I can channel the energy with enough concentration inside myself…
-And then you're able to distribute it on your entire body, you will probably make it.
Mai started to do it, both the fire and the blue energy started to dance surrounding her entire body, Shina narrowed an eyebrow
-Control it, the blue energy doesn't have to appear, it has to remain on your body, only fire must surround you, remember how we practiced.
-What is she doing? - King asked to the old man
-Let's reduce this to three words: A power up.
-Power up? - Yuri smiled -Our possibilities are now real, Come on Mai.
-Aaaagghhhh, here we go!
The blue energy disappeared and only the fire aura was there, on a moment her muscles started to grow a little and her hair practically destroyed the tie that was holding it on a ponytail, her eyes were losing bright and her skin was turning a little darker, but the most important thing was the energy, the wind that was appearing on that moment, it was a wild little hurricane
-Damn, what is this? Is something incredible! - Yuri yelled
-Mai, what were you doing?!- King did the same
And then on a moment she stopped, the power up was complete and the aura was not stopping, Shina and Genzo smiled a lot
-You did it, you did it daughter, you completed the final connection!
-It is amazing, I haven't felt something like that in my entire life…- Genzo was astonished -Mai achieved a completely different level of power…
-I can't move- That surprised everyone on a bad way -I can barely move my arms but it hurts a little, I'm trying to do the same with my legs but those feel like having tons of weight.
-The pressure of that power is probably doing it… you were so close, deactivate it daughter.
After doing it, Mai felt to the ground on her knees, she was getting closer to achieve her objectives but still it was not enough, her friends went to help her
-Whatever you're doing right now, it is amazing- claimed the young Sakazaki, helping her friend to stand up -Were you training all this time?
-Yes, and it was a really difficult time.
King then added -Your arm says it for you.
-Well, time to go to buy something? - Yuri then told something to Mai's left ear -Oh, it seems like a good idea.
-What? - King asked
-Oh nothing, you will see it when we arrive to a shopping mall- Mai said with a smile -So, can we go Genzo sensei, Mom?
-I'm coming with you- Shina added, making her daughter to sigh -Damn Mai, since my return I was unable to go shopping with you, bear with me a little.
-But it was supposed that we are gonna have a friend's night…- Then she noticed her mother who started to cry a little -Ok, fine.
-Yes, don't worry, I will give you enough time and space with Yuri and Cecile.
Genzo sighed, the ladies were looking at him -So… I suppose that I will go to visit Kana.
-Yay, I knew that you liked her- Mai was joking
-Take that easy young Shiranui.
…..
At night, Mai, Cecile and Yuri were walking inside a shopping mall, while training Mai had some little opportunities to rest and this was one of them, the shopping mall was a big one, while Kyoto was on an alert state, the shopping center was like a calmed are, especially when talking about the ladies who were watching what was inside the stores
-Look at that jewelry, I want to buy a necklace here- Yuri was saying while contemplating
-Here those are a little expensive, but sure are beautiful- Mai complemented
-So, what are we going to do now?
Once the blonde one said it, Mai gave Yuri a wink and noticed a clothes store, then she pointed there
-We are going to buy a skirt; do you want to come? - the youngest of the three said
-Aaammm, you know that I'm not that used to skirts, even if that one is not for me… Ey wait!
Mai and Yuri took her inside and then the attendant, a guy who was using pink on all of his clothes went to receive the three
-Oh, welcome to our store, what do you want to buy?
-My friend wants to buy a skirt to conquer the guy she likes, can you help us with that?
After hearing what Yuri just said, King was totally surprised and pissed off, it is not like she didn't have some of them on her house, but because she just used those on special occasions that made her to become angry
-Hey, that's not…!
-Oh of course, for someone that beautiful as you we have any kind of skirts- then the shop assistant approached to her -Do you want to make a good impression to someone you like?
Even if she wanted to punch that strange guy, King decided to remain polite -Errrr yes, I want… to look cute for him.
Mai and Yuri were giggling on her back -Is for Ryo, I knew that she liked him.
-It was a good idea to come, Yuri- both were whispering
-Ok, then come with me beauty, I will help you to look even better for the one you love- and the strange one took King's left hand so she can follow him
But with the other hand, the blonde one dedicated a decapitation gesture to her friends
-Both of you are dead.
-Byyyyyeeeee- both the kunoichi and the karate girl were saying while laughing a little
While outside of the store, more specifically on the food court, Shina was eating a sandwich, on her vision range was the store, she promised to give space to the ladies
-Agh, if only I had someone from my age to talk, at my 46 years it is a little frustrating to not have someone to talk… I really miss you Makoto.
While starting to get lost on her mind, she decided to continue eating while looking to the entire room, then she noticed that someone was looking at her, but he was using a black suit, on a moment the person decided to leave the place, because of course Shina noticed that he was there
-Lightning Crows are everywhere, but how many are here?
She approached to a railing, so she would be able to watch what was happening on the first floor, if capable of witnessing how many enemies were on the shopping, of course one situation was totally different here, probably not all the crows were wearing the same clothes as the other one she noticed, even then, she was able to look that at least 5 of them were on the first floor
-5 of them, probably not that serious…- but then she noticed one of the black suited guys talking to another person -No, some of them are hidden, but how many of them?
After turning her face and looking to the people on the food court she had an idea, to return to her table and close her eyes
-Concentrate Shina, you need to take care of your daughter…
While on the store, Mai and Yuri were waiting for their friend, who was inside of a fitting room, once she was outside, the two brown haired females yelled
-Kyaaa, you look so beautiful!
King was using a long pink skirt with a white blouse, simple but effective, but more than that, her face was red, almost like a tomato
-You two…
-Ooohhh, you will conquer the one you love with this for sure, dear.
The only idea of Ryo being surprised of how she looked made her to feel even more embarrassed, Mai took the word
-We will take it, how much it costs?
-6000 yens for all.
After paying and for King to change clothes again, the three went outside of the store, then Yuri said something to the blonde
-Wasn't it too bad?
Both her and Mai felt King punches directly on their heads
-Next time at least tell me that you have that kind of a plan- she said angrily
Minutes after this, the three friends were sitting on a table, but Mai was a little curious of something
-It is strange to say the least, where is my mom?
-Probably she went to buy something else- Yuri added -Well, it is interesting, it looks that she was helping you a lot.
-Yes, it is strange, a year ago I wasn't even aware if I had at least a relative alive, because I had my friends with me and that made me happy enough.
-I see, but without you, South town felt a little empty- King said –It is strange, you moved there recently and then you left.
-Is a pretty strange case- Yuri continued
-Well, I had nothing to do on Japan until months ago… But it was for the best, now I'm the strongest of the 3 for sure! -
Of course that Mai was joking, even if she was training that much, but Yuri laughed a lot
-Excuse me? We were not just resting, since months ago we had the most stressful parts of our lives- Then Yuri made a tiny energy ball to appear on the palm of her right hand, and that little ball started to move -What do you think?
-Whoa, this type of energy, is similar to Athena's, were you training partners?
-Kind of, she was too busy with her university studies and then a tour, that sometimes I was kind of her assistant.
-Wait, did you travel alongside her?- Yuri nodded –Wow.
-Yes, sometimes that situation was unbearable, but whenever Athena had time to help me, we made most of it, and somehow it worked a little.
A waiter appeared with some dishes, and then another waitress with glasses of juice
-Here you have- both said while leaving
Once Mai noticed her glass, it was not cold -Oh, and I asked for some ice cubes on it.
-Give it to me- King took the glass, surprising Mai on the process as the blonde one was freezing it a little -Now it is cold.
Mai raised an eyebrow-Ok, how did you do it?
-A season with the team of K'Dash, but Kula was my sensei, and we had a rough time trying to obtain the cryokinesis for me, but I was able to do it.
-How?- Then King showed a ring on her right hand -With that?
-Well, let's just say that it was really difficult.
Mai then looked on her hand –And that ring?
King had to make up something –Well… it was a gift from K'.
-Oh, I see an interesting love triangle there- the Kunoichi added
But King was embarrassed of hearing that -!Ey, it was for being grateful, I still love Ryo…!
-She admitted it!- both brown haired ladies said, being happy for that
-Agh, you made me say that.
Which of course made Mai and Yuri laugh -So, what do you think Mai?- the last one said
She was on silence for some seconds, but then with a smile she said -That with all of this we must become the new Queens of Fighters, and not even Kyo Kusanagi or Iori Yagami will stop us- Mai extended one of her punches -For the original women's team.
-For the team- the three said doing the same as her friend
Then Mai asked with a malicious smile, trying to continue the joke –So, when are you gonna tell Ryo?
-Wait, why are you asking that? - she answered a little ashamed and with her face turning red -Well he's kind of an idiot so I don't know when can I talk with him about that, Ryo is just too concentrated on becoming stronger… don't get angry for that Yuri.
-I'm ok, I know how my brother is, so I'm not offended or anything.
-Yeah, sometimes men can be just stupid- Mai tried to smile but Yuri noticed it
-Hey King, do you want me to tell her?
-I don't know…
-To tell me about what?
Of course, it was not a terrible topic to talk about, but taking in consideration how things were happening, Yuri was a little doubtful
-It is about Andy, he told us months ago that you two broke up…
-Oh, Andy…- both of her friends were expecting that Mai would say something bad about him.
-Sorry Mai, I knew that it was a delicate issue and…
-It somehow was my fault, you know, I bothered him so much on the past, wanting him to pay me attention, I know it I was obsessed, probably he just wanted to be polite with me for not saying anything… and probably he never loved me on first place, I need to respect it because is just now that I realize that because how he treated me…it is just that on that birthday, that present felt so special…
-Wait no, you're wrong, Andy broke with you because he wanted to protect you!
What Yuri said made some sense -What, to protect me?
-He fought and lose against Ryoma, and if he didn't do what he did, probably Ryoma could have attacked with his army even earlier- King explained -We are also here to help you, if Ryoma tried to do something, we are here to stand against him.
Mai was in silence, but then she started to laugh, but lightly -So, Andy told to you everything- her friends nodded -And what did he said about me?
-He loves you, but he's almost as stupid as my brother to say anything adequate.
Mai then and as fast as she could, hugged both of her friends, starting to cry a little
-Thank you for existing, thank you for being my friends, I love you two.
Silence for some seconds, as the three were enjoying the moment, but it was interrupted by a calling, Mai had to ask
-Mom?
-Mai, you and your friends get out of there now.
-What… where are you? - that advice took her for surprise
-On the car park, I had a guessing, but now it is confirmed, the Lightining Crows are on the shopping mall, I'm seeing one of their cars right here…!
The call was interrupted, making Mai to feel worried -Mom, Mom! Oh shit, it started.
-What happened? - Yuri asked
-The Lightning Crows are here, we need to reach my mom and escape…
-You will never make it.
Once a man pointed his gun on Mai's head, Yuri attacked even faster -Ko houken!- hitting the guy, put every citizen inside the building on alert state, wanting to run away from a place that would turn into a battle field-She was saying the truth, we need to get out of here!
But as the three were looking towards the railing, on the first floor were entering a lot of black suited guys, the ladies had to think fast and run, but then another gangster tried to shoot them, Mai was faster and throw a fire ball to his suit, burning him, all business locals started to close in order to not get affected by the battle, as some of the Crows started to appear
-There are not so many of them on this floor, we can fight until we can figure out how to escape… Venom Strike!
King shoot her leg blast to another of the gangsters, another one received a kick from the blonde lady, while Yuri punched one coming from behind to the face
-Look out!- Mai took her friends to the ground, avoiding a shoot from another gangster -Ryu Eirian!
The gangster's face was burned because of it and some others had to avoid it, because of that, Yuri decided to concentrate her energy
-Hao Shohouken!- It was shoot against 3 gangsters, two avoided the attack but then the energy blast stopped on air, and went for the other two, impacting them and surprising Mai on the process
-Whoa, Now you can do that? -Yuri gave a thumbs up -Amazing!
-Aaahhh friends…-some of the gangsters were surrounding them, and blocking some exits -Now what?
Looking for any option in order to survive the upcoming attack, Yuri looked down and localized a little shop in the center, probably an option in order to escape
-We have to jump.
-What?!- both Mai and King asked
But as the shoots were appearing, Cecile had to use her new powers
-Ice Shield! -It was enough to protect her friends for the attacks -No time to think I suppose!
-Jump! - the three yelled together
As they had to do it, barely avoiding some of the shoots incoming, landing pretty bad to the roof of the store and then to the ground, but they survived it
-Fuck it hurts- Mai said
But then Yuri looked upside -Look out!
And again the three had to run for their lives avoiding as much as they could the shoots, upside there were not more than 10 gangsters, but the ladies would discover on a horrible way that downside where more, lots more of the criminals, even with more types of weapons and guns, probably more than one hundred of them, as they were getting surrounded, King, Yuri and Mai started to get nervous
-Ladies, I think that we are going to die- Yuri said
-It is so frustrating that this situation must have to happen like that- King replied
-No, I can't accept that, King, Yuri, are we going to surrender like that?- her friends looked between themselves -Yes, we had a terrible past as fighters but we are stronger than ever before, Can we just stand against this losers and prove this city that they can have some hope?
-Sure, but before we didn't fight against so many fighters before, there have to be at least more than one hundred- Yuri said, and then after looking how Mai and King were not hesitating on fighting back, she adopted her fighting pose -Ok, I suppose that…
But coming from one big window, some gangsters went flying breaking the glass with their bodies, and from there Shina started to use her Nature manipulation to create a shield to protect herself from the bullets, and then went to protect the other ladies, on the other hand she was holding a metallic staff, probably from the outside
-I'm able to stand this shield for just some moments… thankfully these gangsters are not really strong! - she said as she arrived to protect the ladies
-Mom, I'm happy that you're ok! - but he noticed that Shina was a little bruised and had some blood on her face -Well, as much as you can be.
-Celebrations later ladies, now we are going to defeat them all!
King paid attention that, trying to hide as much as possible, but some people were watching what was happening in the safety of their positions
Then Mai said-Ok my dear friends and mother… are you ready? - the women's team adopted fighting positions -As Terry is used to say, Come on!
Once the shield faded away, Mai immediately shot fire balls upside targeting some of the shooters, as the gangsters were running or falling down due to being hit for the fire, Yuri opened a gap between the little army of gangsters with a Kohouken and then lots of kicks, King followed with a flying double kick against a group of enemies, while Shina used her power to shot an extension of energy coming from her weapon, to one and then another
-Mom, girls, I'm going up! - Mai used her Jet technique to do a high jump to the second floor and starting the beatdown of the remaining gangsters there, with flying kicks and punches, a group of them were trapped for her on a wall -Fukuaku Ougi!
The fire explosion send them to fly, falling on direction of some of their team mates, helping the other ones with the beatdown, Mai then, and still using her pyrokinesis, jumped down to defeat even more enemies and now fighting alongside Yuri, King and Shina, at one moment, even if they were surrounded, the fact that they received so little damage, gave them enough confidence
-I cannot believe it, we can do it- Yuri said.
-And they are trembling in fear- King continued
Then some voices started to be heard by all the fighters, people yelling things like "You can do it, You're awesome, super heroines!" hearing that gave the ladies even more energy to continue the fight
-Kyokugenryu Ougi!
-Midorioh!
And both mom and daughter at the same time -Chou Shinobi Bachi!
…..
After some minutes of a gruesome fight, the last gangster was beaten up, gasping, exhausted and with some injuries, the ladies were the winners of a long brawl
-How…. How many of them did we defeated?!- Mai asked
Yuri then said -I counted at least 160 of them… wild.
-That means that each of us had to beat 40 in order to win- King concluded
While still standing, they were almost unable to move, but on a moment, Shina looked how some people started to appear from wherever they were hiding, she started to smile as those appearing were starting to clap and congratulate the winners
-Those people recognized our effort, I'm so happy.
-You're our heroines!- someone yelled
-Heroines?- Mai asked and after looking to her team, all of them nodded
Even despite of how tired the four were, King, Mai, Yuri and Shina were capable of walking out of the building while laughing of what just happened
-You know, looking that, I'm happy of having you as my friends, I will never replace you with anyone- and Mai hugged both Yuri and King with some strength
Looking at how the three were that friendly, Shina was feeling relived of how her daughter developed during her absence
-Mai, I'm so grateful of watching you and your friends…
But there was someone that was not happy with the results, after learning about that, Ryoma looked totally pissed of
-I'm sorry sir, but the entire squadron was defeated.
-How many they were? - He asked to Laura
-Just… just 4 sir.
That was a reason to be worried about -Not only her, all of her friends are strong… if that's the case, we need to attack them on another way… prepare a smaller squadron to attack the downtown this time, 50 will be enough this time.
-Only 50? But sir…
-Trust me, it is time to break their hearts.