Author's Notes: This story is taking abit longer to finish than I thought. So I'm gonna clam up and not say how many chapters left because I don't even know. We've reached the final showdown, that's for sure and there's not much left to write once this is over and done with, but still so much I want to say. Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter and keep the feedback coming, review or email doesn't matter.

XXXXX

Ryu's Hotel Suite

Bangkok, Thailand

The 28 inch TV screen shut of with a resounding click, the pixelated reporter vanishing simply with a brilliant flash of light, only to be replaced by darkness. Chun Li threw the remote onto the bed angrily, frustrated at the helplessness of her situation while Guile stood a few feet away leaning agains the wall, arms folded across his chest. She turned to face him.

"Well?"

"Well, what?" Guile asked, cocking an eyebrow at her.

"You're just gonna stand there?"

Guile said nothing, waiting for her to continue. Chun Li frowned and placed her hand on her hips. Working together for so many years with Guile, she hoped he would understand her by now and his feigned ignorance riled her up even more. Deciding she had enough of this childish behaviour, she headed over to the coat rack, bandaged and all, and nabbed her coat. This got Guile's attention.

"What do you think you're doing?" Guile asked.

"You know where I'm going," Chun Li snapped. "Continue standing there if you want. I'm not leaving Ryu to fend for himself."

"Now hold on a minute," Guile said, starting after her. "Our friends are fine. Ryu's the only one in possible danger but he's a seasoned warrior. Bison doesn't stand a chance."

"If Bison didn't stand a chance against a lone warrior like Ryu," Chun Li said, cutting him off, "then he would've been recruited into Interpol's ranks a long time ago."

"The tournament officials won't allow it," Guile pressed, trying a different tactic.

"You mean the tournament officials lying in stretchers?"

"Chun Li ..."

"This is more than just a stupid tournament now," she continued. "Lives are at stake here; Ryu's in particular."

Guile gave up with a loud, audible sigh and said no more, deciding to follow Chun Li out the door, stumbling along behind her as they made their exit from the hotel suite.

XXXXX

Beyond the Tournament Arena

Pattaya, Thailand

Genta's eyes opened first, and it had taken long painful while. He let his pupils adjust to the fading light of the late afternoon. Sweat coated his face, seeped into the cuts sustained in the most recent battle. His mind burned with rage and hatred upon remember what had happened. He'd been thrown about like a rag doll, beaten into a bruised and bloody pulp by a boy no older than him and far less experienced in battle.

"Kenneth Feng," Genta hissed softly through clenched teeth. He was a mere Shadowlaw experiment whose sole purpose was to house the Shadow Technology before it could be extracted for proper use. Now that it had been tested on Lieutenant Charlie Nash and Agent Chun Li, extracted from Kenneth's body and responsible for reviving Master Bison, and enhancing the abilities of Bison's bodyguard panel, they no longer had a use for Kenneth. He was useless. But yet, Genta had been defeated by that ... that lab rat! What did that say about Genta's abilities? Was he going to let those years of training and more importantly, his reputation as one of Shadowlaw's prodigies leave on that jet plane Kenneth had boarded?

The realization of what Kenneth's victory against him meant caused Genta to let go of whatever grudge he held against his former Shadowlaw master, now nothing but a traitor to Shadowlaw. Admiral Issei's destruction was no longer a priority for the young Shadowlaw soldier. Now the only thought that drove Genta was seeing Kenneth Feng's lifeless body at his feet. Genta clenched his jaw and forced himself to sit up. His entire body protested with throbbing aches from his bones and sharp pains from his surface wounds.

"Oi, ge'up," someone said to him. The speaker took Genta by the wrist and hoisted the youth to his feet. His body continued hurting but Genta bit down and forced himself to focus, feeling a slight head rush.

"Balrog," Genta said, recognizing the figure standing before him. He noticed Muay Thai champion Sagat and Vega, Genta's superior figure flanking the ex boxing champion. The entire bodyguard panel was standing before Genta without any men to back them up. "What's going on here?"

"I didn't think you'd be taken out so quickly," Vega said with a hint of disappointment coming from behind his protective mask. "I thought you'd keep the warriors busy until I got back."

"Why did you even have to go in the first place?" Genta asked.

"Dorian Marquez had to be taken to safety."

"You're a fool for pitting a pup like this against the world warriors, Vega," Sagat scoffed.

"He should'a died," Balrog added, "if he faced Issei, Katarina, Delta Red and the World Warriors alone, like you reported."

"Clearly, they spared him. But for what purpose, I wonder ..."

"I wasn't spared!" Genta cried angrily.

"Getting quite defensive," Vega noted.

"They didn't touch me! None of them did! Except that Shadow Technology lab brat ..."

"Defeated by Kenneth Feng?" Sagat asked. "If you want to make it as a Shadowlaw Elite, you should know better than to admit to something as pathetic as that. If Master Bison finds out, your termination will be a long and painful one. Perhaps I should spare you the torture and finish you off myself right here." Sagat cracked his knuckles and approached Genta slowly. The youth's eyes widened in fright and he took a step back, preparing to defend himself.

"You will do no such thing, Sagat," Vega warned. "Since Admiral Issei's betrayal, Genta Iwagaki is now my subordinate and a member of Shadowlaw's military."

"I am Master Bison's second in command," Sagat said. "Do not question me."

"And imagine his reaction when he finds out you've terminated his most promising soldier, meddling in one of Shadowlaw's divisions of which you have no influence. I wouldn't do it."

Sagat frowned, realizing the truth in Vega's words and stopped in his tracks. "Very well. The boy will only get himself killed in battle following your blind orders anyway."

"I'll be the judge, Sagat."

"There's a ba'tle goin' on at the tournament arena, boys," Balrog said, interrupted the two bickering bodyguards. "Mebbe we get a move on an' stop those street fight'ers from takin' out Master Bison, yeah?" Sagat, Vega and Genta nodded once in agreement and the foursome moved on towards an awaiting chopper just a few meters away.

XXXXX

Tournament Arena

Pattaya, Thailand

The Master's private jet touched down just outside the Buddhist Temple and opened its doors, spilling forth a barrage of warriors. Ken Masters led the way, dressed in his scarlet karate gi, blond hair whipping around his shoulders. He was followed by Juli, all three of the Feng siblings, Scott Wagner, Julian Marquez, and the five members of Delta Red. The eleven fighters stalled for a brief second, unable to comprehend the sight that lay before them. The temple monks and spectators alike lay on the ground unconcious ... or dead, it was impossible to tell from just a quick glimpse.

"What the hell," Kenny gasped, vocalizing surely what was going through everyone else's mind.

"Come on," Colonel Wolfman said sternly. "We have no time to waste here." The group left the bodies lying as they were, careful not to step on any limbs in case they really were alive, without any time to figure if they were or not. The grunts and explosions that sounded like a great battle was taking place gradually got louder as they approached the temple. And the closer they got, the more bodies of tournament spectators could be found. So many there were, they now piled on top of each other and covered most of the ground, leaving mere inches of dirt and grass uncovered beneath the fading sunlight.

"What has Shadowlaw done this time?" Juli wondered aloud, her voice shaky with overwhelming shock. "All these people ..."

"Hijacking, drug dealing, assassinations, fine," Kenny agreed, "but mass murder?"

"Fall back!" Ken warned, but he was too late for anyone to heed his words. An explosion rocked the very ground they stood on, throwing the warriors in every direction. Before they could even get back to their feet, the group found themselves peppered with bullets as they scrambled to find themselves some cover.

Colonel Wolfman dove behind a large piece of shattered concrete and found himself beside Luwanda.

"Shadowlaw soldiers, sir," she reported. "Who'd have thought they'd be guarding the arena?"

"Delta Red!" Wolfman bellowed above the explosions and smoke, "neutralize them. Give the warriors some headway!" The affirmative grunts from McCoy and Ginzu could be heard from midst of the thick smoke that engulfed the scene.

"Give me a gun," Katarina demanded, who Wolfman only just realized was feet from where he hid. She held out a grimy hand, the sleeves of her labcoat covered it dirt and torn at the cuffs. "Give me a gun, damn it! I can help you take these guys out!" Wolfman nodded and slipped Katarina his spare handgun, having nothing else to offer her.

"Back me up," he said. "Pick off the ones I miss."

As the smoke slowly cleared, the shapes of five thickly built Shadowlaw soldiers, all covered in protective gear, could be seen unleashing a firestorm among the warriors. While Delta Red and Katarina distracted them with guns blazing, Wolfman noticed the silhouettes of Ken Masters leading Julian, Wagner, Kenny and Juli deeper into the tournament grounds and wondered briefly if they knew where they were going.

"Shit!" Luwanda cursed, the loud clicks of her empty chamber deafening Wolfman. "I'm completely out. Reserves were probably destroyed back at the chopper crash."

"And they don't seem to be running out anytime soon," Wolfman added.

Before they could ponder their demise, however, a dark shape dropped down from the overhanging trees directly behind the five Shadowlaw soldiers. It wrapped its arms around the closest soldier and broke his neck with a deafening snap. The other four took their attention off Delta Red and began firing their automatic weapons, only to have the firearms kicked from their grasps before the trigger could be pulled. With the weapons gone, blades were pulled from the soldiers boots as the remaining four of them danced around the dark shape, taking rapid swipes with blades gleaming through the smoke. Katarina fired off two rounds, one hitting a soldier in teh shoulder, the second through his temple. And then, there were three. But before Wolfman could fire his remaining ammunition, the dark figure had successfully floored the remaining soldiers, ducking under a kick, performing a jumping roundhouse kick that knocked the rest to the ground. To make sure they stayed there, the figure produced a small pistol from his waistband and fired a round into their chests.

He stood there unmoving, perhaps to catch his breath. When Wolfman deemed it safe to do so, he signaled for the others to get out from under the protection the concrete chunks offered. Their mysterious savior noticed them. Wolfman and the rest of the Delta Red team instinctively raised their weapons, but lowered them again when the figure reached to his head and pulled off the fabric covering his facial features.

"Aaron!" they sighed collectively with relief.

"That was easy, taking out your own men," Wolfman joked.

Aaron scoffed. "They belonged to another regiment. I had nothing to do with teaching these jokers how to fight." He gave the closest body a nudge with his foot.

"KILL THEM!" a savage voice ordered, and yet another wave of soldiers came running, surrounding the entire group in a tight circle. There was nowhere for them to run. Nowhere to offer shelter from the gunfire that would surely be unleashed upon them in seconds.

XXXXX

Ken hadn't led his group of warriors very far when they heard the command to kill their comrades on sight. Where was it coming from? The voice sounded like it had come from all over at once, but yet as he shifted his gaze in all directions, he could spot nobody giving out the orders; only its results - scores and scores of Shadowlaw soldiers coming up the Delta Red members and the Feng twins. Ken stole a glance behind him to make sure Julian, Wagner, Juli and Kenny were still following, only to find that Kenny had turned around and began heading back towards the battle.

"Get back here!" Ken bellowed to the youth. "You're not doing any good getting yourself killed in that firefight!"

"It's not the firefight I'm jumping into, Uncle Ken!" Kenny called back. "Just get going, I'll meet you guys later!"

"KENNY!!" Ken screamed angrily, but Julian quieted him.

"This is my fault, after what I said to him on the plane," he said. "You guys carry on, I'll go watch Kenny's back."

"What in the world are you talking about?!" Ken cried, bewildered.

"Just go!" Julian said, without turning around to face him again.

Ken sighed. With only Juli and Wagner following him now, they made their way inside the temple and back outside into an outdoor courtyard. In the midst of a sea of more bodies, among the debris of a heavily dented brass bell, wood splinters, and surprisingly, Bison's unconcious body, Ryu's form could barely be made out, dashing around a much darker aura with near inhuman speed. The wielder of the dark aura needed no introduction to Ken. The feeling of life being sucked from the area, the misery, the death, it all struck a familiar chord with Ken, just laying his eyes upon it.

Ken prepared to jump into battle when he noticed a scuffle behind him. Something large and dark had tackled the young airman, taking him to the ground and began pounding his face into the pavement. With the element of surprise at the opponent's advantage, Wagner had let the first two punches land on his jaw and cheek, but blocked the third successfully. He retaliated with a headbutt that stunned the attacker and threw his body off him.

"Wagner!" Juli cried, rushing to his aid. "Let me help you."

"No, no, Juli," Wagner insisted. "I'm fine really. I've fought this guy before. Balrog ..."

The attacker charged again, preparing a powerful punch with a boxing-gloved hand. He thrust his fist forward at Juli who parried the blow, albeit with a little difficulty. The lithe former-Doll wasn't expecting so much force, and her body wasn't as used to battle as it had once been, and was momentarily stunned from the sheer energy of the fight. But then something clicked inside her, a part of Juli that she had tried for years to supress while she tried to reclaim her humanity. Whatever Shadowlaw had done to her when they kidnapped her at the young age of fourteen, they had changed her permanently. It was like all those years she desperately tried to tame her cold, inhuman side came back in full force, rebelling against her wishes.

Juli thrust her body forward as a counter attack against the opponent's move. "Sniping arrow!" She dug her foot into Balrog's thick chest, rotated her body and threw him skyward. "Cannon Spike!" She jumped up after the opponents body, and met him in midair. Left jab, right knee, right elbow, left heel, Juli made sure she had pummeled every inch of his body in a devastating midair combination that knocked mists of sweat and blood from him. One last overhead blow sent him crashing groundward but Juli wasn't done yet. She concentrated her weight on a single foot and speed down after the falling Balrog, cracking him in the ribs with her heel just before he could collide with the pavement. She knocked Balrog with so much force that he skidded across the ground like a rock on the surface of a pond.

"I think we've got this guy covered," Wagner said to Ken, shooting him a thumb-up. "Ryu needs your help."

XXXXX

Genta watched with glee as his men swarmed Delta Red, Katarina Feng, and her brother; his former Issei Sensei. His gaze was not fixed on the red berets of the British Special forces or of one of Shadowlaw's scientific geniuses, but on the dark suited speck that was his former master. Since discovering of Issei's betrayal, Genta had wanted nothing more than to see Issei - or Aaron as he seemed to go by now - pay for his crimes. But yet, since suffering bitter defeat at the hands of a certain Kenneth Feng, as fate would have it, Issei's biological brother, Issei's fall from grace meant nothing to him. Genta stood there, eyes fixated on Issei, watching him fight desperately to save the lives of his friends, and forced himself to feel the satisfaction for this moment he had anticipated. But he still felt empty. Perhaps the second wave of soldiers would do it.

"KILL THEM!" Genta cried, watching from the rooftops of the tournament arena as more soldiers stormed the unfortunate group of wannabe heroes, guns hoisted and ready for bloodshed.

"I'll fucking kill YOU!" someone cried from behind Genta, and he felt an arm wrap around his neck and another around this head, trapping him in a headlock. Genta was taken to the roof tiles, rolling around, trying to get his attacker off him. The duo rolled down the side of the roof and fell one storey to the ground below, luckily, on a patch of grass. Genta rolled to his feet to see Kenneth Feng standing before him, rage still burning in his features from their previous brawl.

Genta grinned. This was exactly what he wished for - another opportunity to face Kenneth in battle, another opportunity to save his face. "Like a lamb to the slaughter," he said.

"Shut up," Kenny said and threw a rock at Genta, sending it sailing straight for his face.

Genta brought up his arms protectively in front of his face, letting it collide with his forearm. Pain shot up and down his limb but he wouldn't let give Kenny the satisfaction of seeing the pathetic attack faze him. The rock hadn't even clattered uselessly to the ground by the time Genta had connected his first hit into Kenny's abdomen, driving the air out of his lungs. Kenny doubled over, clutching his abdomen and Genta brought an elbow down onto his back. Kenny crashed to the floor and immediately tried picking himself up, but Genta slammed his foot onto his upper back, keeping the youth pinned to the ground. Genta wasted no time to boast and quickly drew a handgun from his belt, aiming it straight for the back of Kenny's head.

But Genta didn't get the chance to pull the trigger, for Kenny had reached out and seized his the ankle of his stabilizing foot, digging his fingers into Genta's Achille's heel. Pain shot up through his leg and the Shadowlaw prodigy collapsed to the ground like a pile of bricks. Kenny caught his handgun as he got back to his feet, while letting the rest of Genta bond with the grass. Kenny pulled the trigger, firing two, three, four, bullets into Genta's chest.

"Kenny, no!"

Julian ran up to the youth, devastated at what he had done, not to Genta, but to his own innocence. "This is ... this can't ..."

"I'm sorry, Fath ... Julian," Kenny said. "I couldn't just let him crawl away. He's too dangerous to let live."

They both watched Genta dying on the ground, his body going into occassional spasms in a pool of his own blood.

Julian, too stunned to form proper sentences, tried to speak. "You know how to use ..." But he only point wordlessly at the gun, still gripped tightly in Kenny's hand.

"Every closet has it's skeletons," Kenny replied, his tone tinted with shame.

"You haven't added another one yet ..."

Julian hadn't spoken those words. They looked to the ground where Genta lay, watching with horror as invisible hands propped his body upright, not unlike some kind of vampire. Genta opened his eyes not to reveal dark brown eyes, but neon green irises emitting a sinister aura that made the hair on the back of Kenny and Julian's necks stand. Genta spoke.

"It wasn't Cranky that saved you from the fire that killed your parents, Kenny. Nor was it your skill as a fighter that massacred the Shadowlaw soldiers who started it. It wasn't it sheer luck that saved you when Ryu punched a whole in your chest nine years ago. It was the Shadow Technology. It has been taken from you, enhanced by your own sister and united ... with me."

Julian moved after Genta before Kenny could, but was stopped in his tracks by a familiar, sadistic giggle coming from behind him. Julian and Kenny turned around to face a tall, slender figure whom Kenny vaguely recognized.

"Vega," Julian growled.

"Leave the children be," Vega sang in a melodic voice, "and let the grown men show them how the fighting is done." He raised a clawed arm, the evening light highlighting its metallic surface. "That is, if I don't skewer you first."

"Where's Dorian?!" Julian roared, closing the distance between him and Vega with fists clenched.

Genta leapt towards Julian with the intent of intercepting him before he could lay a finger on Vega. But Kenny stepped into his path and parried the blow meant for Julian effortlessly.

"I'm not finished with you yet," Kenny growled.

Genta grinned, elated. "If you think you stand a chance against me with nothing but your two fists ..."

"You can finish that sentence when I'm dancing on your fugly face."