The tournament is officially back, folks! Before we proceed, I have several announcements. I have been slacking on Author Notes.
First of all, I'm sure nobody (literally lol) is asking... where is the Angel chapter? I announced it was next. Well... It's gonna come in a separate oneshot, same as my friend Robertcop concluded the Kasumi arc in a separate fic. Just look for "Tales From The Twilight Tournament" if you're looking for any loose ends that needed to be tied up in this fic. One was published by Robertcop. The Angel one will be published by me. We gotta finish this damn tourney, people.
Secondly, speaking of Robertcop, MAJOR, MAJOR thanks to this beautiful man for his latest, "Stormin' the Castle". I IMPLORE you all to read this, it's a fantastic add-on to this story. Please note: Everything that Rob writes in relation to Kumite, I accept as canon. We always deliberate on everything, and he doesn't do any drastic decisions without making sure I'm okay with it. So please, give Rob's stories the same respect you would give Kumite.
Lastly, as always, I just want to thank everybody who remains on this ride with me. September 1st was the two-year anniversary of this kingpin of a story, and you all have stuck with me through thick and thin. Thanks to EVERYBODY. And heii-lin, I am so happy to hear you have a new job, and I hope your fortunes are turning around! Thank you for sticking around!
The final day would prove, as with every year, to be the terminal conclusion to not only the tangible proceedings... but to their tales, and the journeys they all experienced, unified by the competition.
Some achieved self-discovery. Others sorted out their priorities. The lost were found; the separate, reunited. Some sought and found personal gratification, and reaped rewards beyond that of the glory and cash prize.
But, like all King of Fighters... with the final day came an uneasy air; the feelings that things weren't quite going to play out smooth. There were still multiple pieces in the game, and though they were defeated on a superficial level, one had to wonder if their exile would give way to a return... if there was still a dormant plan, yet to awaken.
On the final day of King of Fighters, there was always a good chance of shit hitting the fan.
THE SKY NOAH, EARLY
Rose Bernstein dedicated several diligent hours in front of the mirror, dolling herself up for this paramount moment: the eve of her brother's victory. To bring home a KOF trophy for their native Germany, glory to the Bernstein name... her week-long plan, with all its obstacles, hurdles, and sacrifices, was about to succeed.
Her hair looked like an ornate, decorated golden cake, the way it stood up in a pillar-like style, the top a perfectly symmetrical bun, held by a blue silk ribbon. A silver tiara, encrusted with sapphires, also donned her hair. Her face was adorned with a layer of powder, almost pale white in comparison to her usual fair skin. Blue lipstick complemented the blue eyeliner and mascara, and her cheeks carried the faintest rosy-red tint on each cheek.
She spared no expense for her best dress; only gold would befit HER champion. The brilliant, shimmering garment reached well below her feet, the frilly bottom forming a wide radius on the floor around her. She would surely have to lift it to walk. The top portion was even more exotic; the midsection was not solid, consisting of a series of crisscrossing strips that formed an x, with one final vertical strip forming a perfect asterisk, or star shape, before the chest area leveled out to a singular fabric. Her "oomph" was on full display, as a good top half of her moderately generous bosom shone, unrestricted by a lack of straps. To complete the saucy design, the back of the dress was completely backless, all the way to her waist.
She looked exquisite. But no multitude of suitors would ever be considered worthy of her pristine beauty. None of them were champions. None of them were superior blood.
Rose looked down at Rodem Jr., who sat neatly at her side. He licked one paw, before bringing it to his face to scrub in a circular motion... even he was grooming, preparing for the dawn of victory. She smiled. "We both have to look our best, my darling kitty~"
In another room on the vast airship, Adelheid was suiting up for what would be his final day of combat. The end of the chaos... to say he wasn't sick of it would be a lie. Before putting on his pants, he took a look at his leg... the accumulated wounds from this week were ugly. He brought his leg up, extending it, bending at the knee a few times, to test its functionality; he barely felt pain. He had to wonder, however, if this would all heal in due time, or if he would be plagued by scars... a fitting monument to this week, that would forever reside in him.
He finished applying his pants, then knelt down to lace up his boots. His fingers worked the knots by memory, enough that it allowed his mind to wander for a second... Rose had put a tremendous pressure on him to win today, and he felt like he owed it to her to claim it all. If not... what was the point of all this? Orchestrating this tournament, fighting off assassination attempts, dealing with an insane serial killer... that brutal battle in the square...
...All of this happened because he was supposed to be here. Rose put him here, to win. To justify everything, he HAD to win... otherwise this was all for naught. So much pain and sacrifice... it was almost enough to make him resent his sister. But he knew, even now, he could never... he loved her too much.
By the time his brain went idle, his fingers were done. He finally rose to his feet, and applied his shirt. He looked in the mirror...
"Here goes." he said aloud.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!
"Come in." he announced, knowing it could only be one person.
The door opened... Adelheid wasn't expecting to be hit by a dazzling shimmer of light, enough to make him flinch slightly. Seeing Rose in gold was a sight that needed adjustment, compared to her usual red. Nonetheless, she was...breathtaking... in every detail...
"R-Rose..." Adelheid stammered over her name. He looked away, but didn't want to come off as rude, so he fixated back on her... his cheeks began to slightly flush.
"Well? How do I look?" Rose awaited a verdict, a smile on her face.
Adelheid sucked air through his nose, and exhaled through closed lips, to compose himself. "You're absolutely beautiful."
"Well I had to look my best for today of all days." Rose spoke, still approaching. "Oh Adelheid... I've waited for this moment for so long. Finally, victory will be ours... KOF will have the champion it's always deserved..."
Rose approached him, until they were inches apart. Her arms went around him, her confident eyes on his unsure ones. They stared for only a second, before Rose tried to lean in closer...
"Rose." Adelheid pulled away.
She pouted. "What? You said I was beautiful!"
Adelheid backed away just a couple inches. "It must have taken you ungodly hours to get ready. Don't ruin anything."
Rose frowned. "Fair enough. Adelheid... at least do me this one favor."
She extended her silk-gloved hand out take his. He accepted it, their fingers interlacing, and locking tight.
"Please win for me."
Adelheid's face grew determined. "I will, Rose." He leaned in close, and gave her the briefest peck, just enough on the surface of her lips to avoid smudging her lipstick. "I'll make this all worthwhile."
He let go of her hand, and walked away. Towards the exit... towards the city... towards his destiny.
ALLIANZ ARENA, BEGINNING OF SEMIFINALS
In one of the coach locker rooms, the two remaining Heavenly Kings had the strength to be back on their feet, if nothing beyond that. They both knew they were close to the end; thus, every last reserve of their power was bet on this final day... on this last remaining ace in the hole.
"Air feels heavy today." Yashiro observed, gently stretching out his limbs, reassurance that he was still able to maintain his form. "You okay?"
"Do I LOOK okay?" Shermie snapped back. Understandably, as the woman looked worse for wear; she had a much harder time staying on her feet than Yashiro, who'd had days to rest. Her hair was unkempt, skin slightly pale... anyone who saw her would think she was on her last legs. "I can't wait until we bring Goenitz back to wreak terrible vengeance on these worms."
"Do you think... we can do it?" Yashiro questioned.
Shermie, somehow, had become the pillar of reassurance. "We WILL do it. We've suffered enough with these... people. We've paid our dues. We WILL succeed today... for Goenitz. For Chris. For the Heavenly Kings. We are the only Four who have the right to inherit this Earth."
"Where's Yamazaki?" Yashiro suddenly thought. "I don't like not knowing where he is..."
"He doesn't matter." Shermie spoke with the slightest ire in her voice. "He's served his purpose. All that matters is you and me. Now, let's prepare this room... while we still have our strength."
Despite her shaky state, Shermie urged Yashiro onwards, handing him a crude chiseling tool. He extended his hand... and was reluctant for only a MOMENT... before he accepted it.
"Shermie." he softly called.
"What?" her voice was far less pleasant.
"...The world is going to change. It's hard to take in." Yashiro spoke with the same tone. "I feel like I've wanted this my whole life, and yet... I don't know why."
"What are you talking about, Yashiro?" Shermie grabbed his face, urging his eyes onto hers. "Stop talking nonsense! Keep your eyes on the prize... we're almost there, baby cakes. We're almost there. Now come on. We've got to prepare this room for their arrival."
He looked down at the sharp instrument in his hands... the clouds cleared, if only for a moment, and he gripped it tight.
The two of them went to work, along the walls, the floor... carving the mystical markings... preparing the Seal.
SEMIFINALS FIGHT #1: KULA DIAMOND VS CHIZURU KAGURA
The turnout at the arena for the final day was, after all the chaos...still sold-out. It seemed that regardless of rain, sleet, snow, hellfire, or a conspiracy to wipe out all human life... nobody was going to stay away.
The fighter stands, however, were lacking enough to be noticeable. Ralf and Clark were gone, as well as Vanessa, Ramon, Robert, the entirety of Big's Crew, including Big and Yamazaki themselves.
On the other hand, there were several people here today that hadn't been present during the week. Which led to the million-dollar question... what the hell had happened last night?!
"I'll... tell you all about it sometime."
Was all Mary would say to anyone who asked her. Same for Leona, who was also in the fighter stands now. Yuki kept his mouth clammed up, and Ai? Well, she was stuck in a videogame as always, so she was useless to talk to.
"Sounds like we missed something interesting." Yuri spoke to Kasumi, who was next to her. "Too bad we were too baked to turn on the news last night."
"Y...yeah..." Kasumi felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment when Yuri said that last part.
"At least Big had enough sense not to show up." Ryo stated, with a clenched fist. "Him and all his flunkies. I swear, if I get my hands on him..."
"Ryo, chill out." King slapped his shoulder. "Go get us soda or something. I just want to enjoy this last day, if it's even possible..."
"Alright, alright, sorry." Ryo put his hands up sheepishly. "Hey Yuri, you wanna come with?"
"Uhh... why?" Yuri squinted.
"So I can protec... uhh COUGH COUGH COUGH! Because I can't remember what you like!" Ryo grinned nervously.
Yuri rolled her eyes with a smile. "I get it, I get it. Robbie's not here, Big jumped me... fine, if you just absolutely HAVE to be the dutiful big brother, I'll go with you and hold your hand."
"H-hey cmon, you don't have to hold my hand!" Ryo squeaked.
"It was a joke."
The two rose from the seat, and proceeded off the field, towards the concession stands.
"...Do you really want to hold my-"
"Shut up, Ryo."
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE ON THIS, THE FINAL DAY OF THE TWILIGHT TOURNAMENT! ONLY FOUR FIGHTERS REMAIN... WHO WILL BE THE LAST ONE STANDING, TO TAKE ALL THE GLORY, ALL THE RESPE-"
Chizuru and Kula were already in the ring, facing opposite each other. Neither of them were hearing a word of Rose's big damn final day promotion speech. They barely even noticed her fancy digs. Neither had the luxury of coming into this with a clear head; they'd both been at odds with people they cared about, and it was hard knowing that they might not have their support in these final hours. It became a simple question of who was more emotionally compromised... who would be off their game more.
"-THIS FINAL DAY WILL CONSIST OF THE TWO SEMIFINAL BOUTS, AND THE TWO FINALISTS WILL BE GIVEN AN HOUR TO RECOVER, FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT, AND THEN... A WINNER WILL BE CROWNED!"
Rose was still droning on. Kula just wanted the damn fight to be over already. The tournament was already lacking in luster from the beginning for her... at this point it was more a bothersome chore, something she wanted to put in the back of her mind and not look back. It was tainted. She thought, at the very least, she had gotten a new friend from this... but even now, that was uncertain.
"2.5 MILLION DOLLARS HANGS IN THE BALANCE, AND THE DISTINCTION OF BEING THE KING OF FIGHTERS... THE MOST REVERED FIGHTER IN THE WORLD!"
Chizuru looked over at the stands: Shingo waved happily at her, Saisyu gave her a nod of encouragement, Benimaru clenched his fist with an uplifting smile...
...She didn't expect Iori to be there. But there he sat, one leg draped over the other, his posture slumping. His eyes captured hers for only a second, before he looked away.
She sighed. For whatever reason, it was his support she found the most value in... maybe it was their roots as a Sacred Trio. An understood bond, that couldn't be disbanded, or destroyed. They each had their own bodies and souls, but the three beat and bleed with a singular heart. That's probably why she felt like this: less than complete.
The only thing that drove her onward was the faith that Kyo was cheering her on back home.
"Without further ado... LET THE FINAL DAY BEGIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN!"
Screeching cheers. Roaring applause. Their hype was nearly enough to bring down the foundation of the Stadium. It was such a confusing perspective, from that of the fighters... they would never understand that point of view, why fans would so mindlessly throw themselves at this damned tournament every year.
FIGHT!
Chizuru took the defensive, as she tended to start. Kula was okay to start right out the gate; her eyes glowed red as she activated her powers, sending a stream of ice towards Chizuru's feet...
...But it went past her? Chizuru wasn't sure what to expect. No way Kula could have missed her so blatantly...?
It wasn't until she heard a fierce commotion behind her, that Chizuru spun around and saw what had transpired:
An ice wall.
"Curious first move from the girl." Saisyu spoke, his hand on his chin.
Chizuru was easily distracted by it, and she barely had time to turn back around, before Kula was on her, firing a volley of attacks: a leaping low kick, to get Chizuru's feet moving backwards, following up with a spinning back kick. Chizuru blocked it, still moving back, and Kula went low again, before mixing in an axe kick.
By the time the onslaught of kicks was over, Chizuru felt her back hit a solid object: she was against wall.
"Ah!"
Chizuru was starting to get an idea of what Kula was doing. Kula rushed her with a punch; Chizuru parried the arm and seized it, twisting it, and she spun Kula around to reverse their positions, letting her go to freely stumble... but instead of hitting the wall facefirst, Kula demonstrated her agility by running up the wall, completing a perfect 180 and somersault, sticking the landing.
As soon as her feet touched the ground, Kula shot forward with an icy shoulder charge; Chizuru predictably phase-shifted, leaving behind an astral projection to take the hit, while the real Chizuru retreated...
...But she felt herself jolted, as her back AGAIN made contact with a solid object! She turned: another wall!
"She's trying to shorten the playing field." Beni deduced. "She's cutting Chiz off. Making her evasion less effective."
"She's gotta get out of there!" Shingo worried.
Kula was like a terminator, coming forward. She raised her fists: ice blades sprouted from her hands, about a foot and a half in length, and she rushed Chizuru with slashing attacks. She mixed it up, left, right, left, throwing a low kick to try and trip Chizuru up. Chizuru's footwork led her to safety, and Kula spun around with a kick to the midsection. Chizuru swatted her foot aside, and Kula stepped in with a more potent thrust.
This was where Chizuru achieved her first success of the fight, as she caught the arm with her right hand, and their bodies crossed, leaving her back wide open for a chop to the neck, and a kick to her vertebrae, sending Kula stumbling forwards, and Chizuru nailed a third hit by launching out a fake Chizuru to blast her in the ribs with a palm strike. Kula was sent tumbling facefirst to the ground. The fake Chizuru flickered out of existence.
"Good, Chizuru-san! Make her respect your offense!" Saisyu encouraged.
Chizuru turned to the stands; ironically, Iori was the first person her eyes captured. She quickly darted them away.
Kula rushed forwards, closing in fast... but before she could make contact, Chizuru's obvious reach advantage worked to her favor. A fake Chizuru just barely emerged from her body, low kicking Kula's calf, and sending the ice girl stumbling forward into a palm strike from the real Chizuru, that obviously stunned her. Kula was left wide open for a follow-up; an impressive lunging crane kick that struck Kula in the chest so hard, it spun her around 180 and put her feet on roller skates.
...What Chizuru WASN'T expecting, was Kula to use ice as brakes, and also to propel her body back towards her!
"G-gah!" the surprisingly quick recovery put Chizuru back on the retreat, as Kula threw a combination 1-2 and a kick behind it, and she wasn't stopping. Chizuru just barely managed to control her footing, as Kula came rocketing forward, her fist cocked back...!
She swung. Chizuru switched bodies with a fake, just in time for the illusion to take the punch and disappear-
THUD.
Chizuru's face hit the ice wall Kula had produced earlier. Damn, she'd forgotten...!
Kula sensed her discomposure, and pounced on it. She rushed forward, ran up the wall once again, and leaped off of it, throwing the most damaging attack of the fight- a flying kick- directly into Chizuru's face.
"OH SNAP!" Shen Woo jolted so hard, he accidentally bumped Gato beside him.
"The ice doll has come to slay!" Malin blurted with gusto.
Chizuru was on the wobbliest of legs, desperately stumbling into the distance to get some range... but as soon as she thought she found a wide-open space, a THIRD ice wall sprouted, to block her way!
"This girl...!" Saisyu expressed disbelief. "How can such a young girl be a step ahead of Chizuru?!"
"She's done a perfect job cutting off the field." Benimaru was also wowed. "Chizuru barely has room to breathe. I must say, this has surprised me..."
On the sidelines, Diana and Foxy were all cheers. "Good, Kula, good! You're doing so well!"
"Just keep going! Concentrate! You've almost got her!" Foxy boosted.
Kula took only a brief second to look over at her two "mommies"... but her determined eyes quickly went back to the battle at hand. She approached slowly, knowing that Chizuru would be looking to play some tricky cards...
Her hair messed up, and nursing a swollen cheek, Chizuru grunted as she used her Yata powers to summon two clones, one on each side.
Three Chizurus were now staring Kula down, very akin to a Western standoff, as the four were silent... and tense... waiting for one or the other to make a move...
...Before a tumbleweed had time to roll by, the action picked up. The left and right Chizurus lunged; Kula grazed her foot and sent a stream of slippery ice, tripping up the left one. She quickly turned and flung a volley of icicles at the other, skewering the right Chizuru to death.
By the time the fakes were done, the real Chizuru was in her face, and Kula took a hard palm. She was knocked back, but managed enough to block the roundhouse that followed it.
Chizuru didn't quit, now on full offense. She lunged and threw another deep palm... but Kula was ready this time, and she not only parried the palm, but Chizuru felt ice begin to envelop her arm... before she could feel the nerves shut down, her appendage was frozen solid.
"Ngh!" Chizuru did what was expected; she phase shifted, switching bodies with a fake.
...But that was exactly what Kula wanted, as she placed both hands on the fake Chizuru, freezing it the rest of the way, head to toe. She then grabbed the ice sculpture... and flung it into the body of the real Chizuru.
"Ah?!" Chizuru's reflexes just barely allowed her to catch her doppelganger... but the trap was already set. With her hands now full, and her vision obscured, Kula came flying in with a kick, smashing directly through the ice sculpture, and knocking Chizuru on her butt.
"Compose yourself, Chizuru! You're still in this!" Saisyu barked.
"Go Kula, go! Keep pouring it on!" Diana fought back in the battle of the peanut gallery.
Kula was coming at her, with the same blade arms from earlier. Chiz was back on her feet... but everywhere she looked, a wall was blocking her route. Kula had her in a suffocating position, with barely any room to maneuver or evade.
Kula lunged in deep. SLASH!
...Damn! Chizuru could see the gash in the wall! Kula was trying to...?!
A side kick backed Chizuru up, but she blocked it easily. Kula came at her with another thrust; Chizuru caught her arm, and used the momentum to flip Kula... but instead of hitting the ground, Kula's blade arms worked to her advantage, as they stopped her fall, and she proceeded to walk on them, like stilts, before frontflipping back upright.
Chizuru tried to back up, to put them at some range... but another ice wall sprouted, and she found herself stuck where she was.
The next sequence happened almost in a blur. The next thing Chizuru sensed was a new object sprout beside her; she turned and was quite startled to see a Kula-shaped ice sculpture...?!
Her reflexes betrayed her, and she attacked before her brain could process it. Her hand struck it, but the rushing pain made her immediately regret hitting it. This distraction gave Kula the opening to rush in, firing a punch, a kick... Chizuru blocked them easily, and a clone sprouted from her body to trip Kula to the ground.
Kula landed facefirst... but being level with Chizuru's feet, Kula sneakily extended a hand and proceeded to start freezing her at the heel... the toes.. ankles... creeping up her shins...!
"D-damn...!" Chizuru switched bodies, leaving a fake to be frozen and shattered, and the real Chizuru stumbled away... back into a solid wall.
Unfortunately... this time, the wall offered her no respite. Kula had the ability to manipulate and change the ice at will... and the wall where she leaned became a WEAPON, as a giant hand suddenly sprouted from it, launching Chizuru back the other way...!
...Directly into Kula, who extended her arm and clotheslined her in mid-air.
The audience was on their feet. The fighters were on their feet. A collective gasp washed over the Stadium...
...Chizuru Kagura, once the #1 favorite to win the tournament, was laid out, coughing, unable to get back up and be deemed able to compete.
WINNER: KULA DIAMOND
"Damn...!" Rose stomped subtly from the sidelines. Though she had no ill will towards Kula, her plan to have Adelheid and Chizuru as the final two was officially a failure. Regret quickly kicked in, as she cursed herself for playing her chips in such a way... now, Adelheid was officially her last hope.
"KU-LA! KU-LA! KU-LA! KU-LA! KU-LA!" the audience celebrated the ascension of Kula, all the way to the finale of the Twilight Tournament. She had crushed a jobber in Hwa Jai, toppled the fearsome and hated Angel, humbled the proud King, punished the arrogant Gato... and now, in the highest-stakes fight yet, she dismantled the former hostess of King of Fighters, a Sacred Treasure, in Chizuru Kagura, often heralded as a divine and flawless figure.
Diana, Foxy, and Candy were out there, and the three hoisted Kula atop their shoulders, holding her up in the air like a trophy... their girl. Their soon-to-be champion.
Kula was smiling, waving, taking in the moment. She'd be lying if it wasn't a warm, uplifting feeling. The moment was too powerful to deny her some joy.
...But as her lingering eyes went over the stands and found Hotaru there, the girl sitting beside her beloved reformed brother... a tinge of guilt washed over her. She'd never truly feel like a winner until this was patched up.
As for the fallen Chizuru, she had a slew of supporters there to help her up. Mai and King had her on her feet before the boys could even make it over there.
"Bon sang, Chiz." King cursed. "Guess you could call her the Women Team Slayer. I didn't stand a chance, she whooped you pretty good... I know Mai would get cleaned."
"H-hey!" Mai frowned. "Have you forgotten what my element is?"
"Yeah, well if she can snuff Kyo's flames, then I doubt Shiranui fire will cut it, babe." King harshly countered.
"No flame is purer than Shiranui...!"
"Girls, please." Chizuru intervened. "I'm... tired. I need to rest."
Their petty squabble was shut down, as their concern turned back to the Kagura maiden, who was at least walking under her own power... but she appeared fatigued. A hand on her head, fingers between her weary eyes... it was obvious this exhaustion stemmed from much deeper than the fight she'd just been in. It was probably enough to throw her off, and hinder her efforts against Kula, which may have led to her defeat. Of course, this was hypothetical at best...
After breaking from the girls, Saisyu was there to gently place two hands on her, massaging her shoulders. "Chizuru, are you harmed?"
Chizuru shook her head, gently prying his hands loose. She continued onwards, where Benimaru and Shingo were also waiting to console her.
"Miss Chizuru, you did awesome!" Shingo tried for a high five... but it was not returned.
Beni kept his arms folded. "Listen Chiz, I know you beat me and all, but I just want you to know, I was not channeling negative vibes out there-"
"It's OKAY, Beni, it's okay." Chizuru turned to face them all. "Everybody, thank you all for your consolation... but I need to sit down. Mai, King... I'm sorry I couldn't get you the money like I promised." She bowed humbly. "Please forgive me."
King and Mai scratched their heads awkwardly.
"Ahhh cmon Chiz... don't be like that." Mai eased. "You'll make us feel bad."
"Money is money. There's plenty of it out there." King reassured. "We're just proud of you for making it so far."
Chizuru managed a weak smile. "Thank you all. Please excuse me..."
The defeated maiden finally made her way free of all the rabble of sympathizers and celebrators alike. She tried to make her way to the locker rooms, but-
"Heard you didn't want to fight me."
Losing this tournament was more a release for her, than a sorrow. Money? She had no need. Glory? Her duties overshadowed that. All she really wanted was peace on Earth, and harmony with humankind.
That meant having to patch things up with him.
"Iori." she spoke his name, as he glanced at her with narrow eyes, his arms folded. He remained where he was, propped against the nearby wall.
"I know what you asked of Rose." he continued. "You're scared of me... admit it. You think I'm a monster, just like everyone else."
Chizuru stepped forward. "I asked not to fight you, because I have no desire to fight a comrade and a friend!"
"Bullshit." was his snide response. "I thought you and Kyo were the only two people who weren't... who would understand."
"Don't project your own insecurities onto me, Iori Yagami." she scolded. "All I've done this week is try to help you... to get CLOSER to you. YOU'RE the one pushing ME away. Why?"
Iori's tough expression started to falter. "Because I... you..."
She stepped forward again. "You think I can't be there for you the same way Mature and Vice are, is that what it is? I can't be what you want?"
"N-no!" Iori denied. "You don't understand what they... I can't hurt them like I can you! Don't you get it?! They can't be hurt, or killed, or emotionally wounded! They just...!"
Whatever volume was left in Iori's words left, as the humbled man looked down at his feet, unable to even face her. "They're what I deserve."
The tenseness of the situation gone, Chizuru finally approached the dejected man... a gentle hand pressed on his chin, tilting his face back up, so his eyes were level with hers.
"Then what am I?" she asked softly, keeping her hand there.
Iori grabbed the hand... but instead of removing it, he tenderly held it. "You're... you're too perfect. You're warm, kind, caring, weight of the world on your shoulders with poise, wise beyond your years... and you're so damn beautiful."
Iori finally let go of the hand, pulling himself away. "You deserve better than to put up with someone like me. Kyo deserves better. If I wasn't a damned Sacred Treasure-"
Iori found his head being brought forward, with two hands on his cheeks... and a soft, gentle kiss, that lasted only one second, on his lips, before his head was brought against her bosom, and those two hands wrapped around him.
"The hypotheticals and what-ifs are pointless, and you know that." Chizuru whispered. "You are what you are. WE are... and what I feel for you is, no matter what. I'll never not feel safe around you."
"But I put Kyo and Shingo in the hospital...!" Iori argued, muffled.
"And you've grown from that. Learned from it." Chizuru soothed. "You'll never make the same mistake again, because you're stronger. You only get stronger. It's time for you to stop doubting yourself, and pushing people away. Now, promise me that we're okay from here on."
Iori pulled away... and even now, he struggled to look at her, only making fleeting eye contact. "How can I promise that? I had a dream that..."
"Do you really, truthfully think you can ever hurt me?" Chizuru reassured, a slight smirk on her lips.
Iori picked up on her cheekiness, and he responded in turn with a smirk. "Don't tempt me."
She chuckled, leaning in to give him one last kiss, on the cheek. "Good luck in the semis."
Iori clutched his face. "Hey, I never said I was going to fight...!"
"Oh you're going to, if I have to drag you by the ear."
"Dammit, woman...!"
In their strange language that only they could understand, it seemed Chizuru and Iori were back to a better place... maybe even better than when they started. Chizuru was eliminated... but this alone was the victory she craved.
And that is that! One down, one to go, before you have your final two!
NEXT CHAPTER: Get ready for the biggest, most insane spectacle of violence ever witnessed! Iori and Adelheid square off, to see who will face Kula for the distinction of being The King of Fighters! WHO WILL WIN?
But first, please don't miss these BONUS SCENES. Very, very important.
BONUS SCENE 1, BEFORE CHIZURU VS KULA...
"Hey, what does King like?" Ryo asked, he and Yuri currently in the waiting line at the concession stand. The fight hadn't started yet, and they were hoping to get this done, so Yuri could be back there to root for Chiz.
"How do you not know what soda King likes?' Yuri scolded. "Don't you ever take her on a date?"
"YES, I take King out on dates. But at good restaurants with fancy booze, not a freaking burger-and-shake joint!"
"Alright alright, just get her a Sprite."
"Cool. Thanks. What do you want?"
"What do you think? Dr. Pepper!" Yuri exclaimed with a bright smile.
"Just don't burp in my ear."
"No promises~"
The brother and sister duo had made considerable distance in the line, and it wouldn't be long until they were up to bat. Yuri allowed her eyes to wander, to capture the sights and sounds: cheers from the audience, explosions and pyrotechnics, music, bodies bustling all around with bright, colorful outfits... some of them had t-shirts of their favorite fighters on them. A lot of shirts had Mai on them. Some had Kyo. She was slightly disappointed to see no Yuri shirts...
...That's when her eyes had the unfortunate displeasure of falling on a certain bald figure, sneaking his way in the background. He was looking left and right, like he didn't want to be followed.
"Ohmygod... are you even kidding me right now?!"
Ryo was alerted, and he turned around. "What, what is it?"
"That was... Big!" Yuri pointed to the distance. "That son of a bitch is still here!"
"Swear to god that was him?"
"Does my ass look amazing in spandex? Hell yes that was Big!"
Ryo's face turned vengeful. "Good to know... Yuri, wait here."
"What?"
The Karate master sacrificed his place in line, leaving only Yuri to secure it. "That bastard has a world of hurt coming to him."
"Now wait just a minute!" Yuri stepped out as well, and their place in line was quickly closed. "If you're going to take a swing at Big, I'm going too!"
Ryo shook his head. "No way. You're too injured."
"Dude, it's only superficial blood at this point." Yuri dismissed. "I can move almost like normal again!"
Ryo sighed. "Yuri, I really don't think it's a good idea..."
"...But you know you can't stop me." Yuri smiled.
Her brother smiled in turn. "I know. Believe me, I know."
"Then let's go give that bastard the pounding he deserves."
Yuri was understandably guilty; her selfish choice meant she was abandoning Chizuru. The Kagura maiden would just have to forgive her. This was too important. Big had hurt and stepped over one person too many this week... no matter what, he was going to pay.
Meanwhile, Mr. Big was creeping through the facility, looking all around to make sure he had no followers. A determined smile remained on his face.
"Ha! Hahahaha! The money's all mine... ALL MINE! All those fools abandoned me, but it's their loss! That just means nobody else gets a cut, and nodody else is gonna share MY throne! 2.5 million... here I come."
BONUS SCENE 2
"They're still here?!"
This simultaneous revelation came courtesy of Mature and Vice, who were now staring at Yamazaki, obviously displeased.
"Yashiro and Shermie are, yeah. Still clingin' to this world." Yamazaki nodded. A grin began to creep on his lips.
"Furthermore... they know about the Bernstein boy and Yagami. They know there's still a chance."
"WHAT?!" Mature growled.
"How do they know?!" Vice questioned.
Yamazaki shrugged. "Cuz I told them."
"Why would you do that?!"
"You rotten snake!"
Yamazaki put a hand up in defense, the other in his pocket. "Hey hey, cmon, I'm just tryin' to even the playing field a little. I had to earn their trust, you feel me? Besides, they don't know that you know they know, so what difference does it make? We can still get the jump on em."
Mature and Vice looked at each other for a second... before looking back at the grinning man, not a bead of sweat on him.
"Very well then."
"That might have just saved your life."
"So where are they, then?"
Yamazaki's expression grew fearsome. "I'm pretty sure they're hiding out in one of the coach locker rooms. They're probably preparing the room for the resurrections as we speak... so I suggest we go and kill them now, before it's too late."