"Look at that conceited freak... standing there like he's such big shit. Like he plays such an important role in life. He makes me sick."

"Jealous much? The Christian God once commanded people to not covet thy neighbor... but he does leave you much to covet, kukukuku~"

"We don't have to worry about YOU in that department. You and your demented vestigial twin."

"Vestigial? Awww how kind of you~"

"Forget him, what is that he's WEARING? Like, mon dieu... what is he, plugged into The Matrix? C'est atroce. Let's get out of here before I puke looking at that getup."

"...So we going in there?"

"...I'm not moving from this spot until HE does."


"I... I... I sense evil."

Athena clutched her chest, a cold wave passing through her skin... she could feel the goose pimples as they formed... her hair felt stiff on her head...

"I don't sense anything." Kensou argued. "What is it? NESTS? Orochi cultists?"

"I sense... I sense...!"

A loud belch in her ear. Athena was immediately thrown off, as her feet scrambled backwards to escape the horrid sound and smell of the fiery expulsion. Her arms flew up towards her face instinctively, to repel the putrid waves.

"RYUJI! GROSS!"

"Scuse me." the black-clad thug grinned smugly as he walked past the four kids, his trademark right hand tucked in his pocket, while the other hand held an entry card.

"What an ass." Kensou glared at the Hong Kong-based tyrant until he was out of sight.

"B-but Kensou, you burp all the time." Bao chuckled, scratching his head nervously.

"Not in Athena's ear!" he defended.

"...Actually, you do do that sometimes." Athena bluntly shut down that defense.


In the heart of the Stadium, the main attractions were being flocked to with requests of autographs, pictures, and invitations to make babies. Mai had her hands full with the suitors; as they advanced on her like a garrison, she tried to get Andy to protect her, only for his response to be "Don't you like the attention anyway?"

"MARRY ME, MAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"

"DO YOUR CLOTHES CHANGING THING! IN SLOW MOTION!"

"DO YOUR CROUCHING STRONG KICK!"

On the men's side, nobody was making more hearts throb than the two most vintage hunks in the franchise's vast history. It also helped that they were sporting more modern digs: Ryo Sakazaki was looking ever-sharp with his slicked back blonde hair, a ruggedly handsome stubble, and, the piece de resistance... replacing his orange Karate gi with a sleek black. Needless to say, The Invincible Dragon had upgraded to an even higher level.

If Ryo was making noses bleed, Terry Bogard was making them POUR. The Wild Wolf had grown his hair out, until his beautiful golden mane swayed behind him like a majestic steed. His red hat no longer there to hide it, as the keepsake had been tucked away, along with his old red vest. In its place, to compliment his plain white tee, was a leather brown jacket with a fleece-like white collar. He too was modernized... but damn if he ever got rid of Jeff's gloves.

"WE LOVE YOU TERRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!"

"RAVAGE ME LIKE A HUNGRY WOLF!"

"RYO! YOU CAN BLOW MY TOP OPEN WITH A FIREBALL ANYTIME!"

The legendary duo stood shoulder and shoulder, grinning sheepishly as they waved to the lovestruck fans.

"I think they love us, Ryo." Terry winked.

"I think you're feeding off my natural charm." Ryo jokingly swatted at the Bogard. "In any case, we're making poor Robbie and Joe jealous back there."

Joe Higashi and Robert Garcia respectively were also standing near the duo, trying to get a piece of the paparazzi themselves, but were finding less success. Even Robert, who had spruced himself up with a fancy pop-collar, unbuttoned violet shirt, white slacks, his black hair spruced up with conditioner to give it more volume, and even letting his facial hair grow out a bit, was not attracting the same school of fish as his partner Ryo was.

...Of course, Yuri wasn't helping matters much.

"BACK! BACK YOU LEECHES! NOBODY GETS A PIECE OF MY ROBBIE! SAIHA! SAIHA! BOYFRIEND DEFENSES ACTIVATE!"

"Yuri... they just want autographs." Robert whined with a classic sweatdrop.

"Go away, runt!" Joe sneered. "You're wrecking my game!"

"...Robbie did you hear what he said to me?" Yuri squeaked, fists on hips and eyes boiling.

"W-well, I mean... they just want autographs..."

"ROBBIE!"

Ryo continued to look around and wave, endless girls in sight, as far as the eye could see... until one opening stood out. He could see, in the distance... tall, slender blonde, jet black slacks, fancy white long sleeves...

"King..?"

Ryo's eyes cut a few inches to the left of her: there was a man confronting her. Tall, long blue coat, khakis... BALD HEAD? Exactly who he thought it was! He was in King's face, and she didn't look happy to see him. Judging from their exchange of rapidly moving lips, there was no doubt a verbal sparring match currently underway.

Oh hell no.

Ryo was off like a horse from the starting gate. That bald headed bastard was NOT messing with his girl!

"R-Ryo, where you going?" Robert asked.

"What's wrong, bro?" Yuri seconded.

"Both of you, follow me. Big is harassing King."

"WHAT?"

"Oh hell no!"

The classic "Big Busting Posse" had assembled, minus Takuma. The Kyokugen trio raced over to confront the tall man, who still was not letting up on whatever it is he'd been laying into King about.

"CMOOOON KING!" Big whined, his hands together in a pleading motion. "Don't make me get on my knees! These are freshly pressed Khakis!"

King wasn't the least bit intimidated by her former boss standing before her. Her current stance, arms folded, posture upright, her nose turned away, one knee slightly bent, illustrated just how DONE she had been with Big's nonsense for a very long time.

"Big, in what reality do you think I would possibly entertain this notion?"

Big stomped his foot. "The reality where you remember all the good times you had with ol' Big! Cmon King, we have the chance to really do something awesome here. I'm not just talking about a piece of the pie. We can have THE WHOLE THING! Just you and me and Jack, John and Mickey, just like old times!"

King snorted. "You lost me at Jack."

"KING! PLEEEEEASE!"

"No."

"Do you have to say no so easily?"

"Yes."

"So that's a YES then?"

"No, I...! Big! Stop screwing with me, before I give you another dose of last year! Now leave me alone! I'm not interested in your stupid power struggle. Nobody cares anymore! It's just YOU, Big! God damn..."

Having said her piece, the final diss to Mr. Big was to spin around and strut away, leaving him to stand there and wallow in his disappointment. And like most defeated foes... all they had left were a few pathetic defiant blubbers.

"You're making a big mistake here, King! You're throwing away a golden opportunity! It's about to be The Big Show from here on out! Just you wait! There's nobody else to stand in my way! Geese, Krauser, Duke, Kain, NOBODY! You just threw away the keys to the candy store!"

King didn't turn around once in acknowledgment.

"BIG!" Ryo and friends finally made it over there to him, as the three formed a perimeter. "We heard you talking shit to King. What's your problem, man?"

"Yeah! Leave Kingy alone, penis head!" Yuri mocked.

"Yeah, baby... bottom... head!" Robert tried to follow up Yuri's insult, but fell short.

Big clicked his teeth, shoving past the three of them and walking in the opposite direction. "Tch. King doesn't need you stooges to fight her battles. Just forget it."


"Those blasted Kyokugens... their stupid faces give me an upset stomach."

"Yeah, Yuri's such a little bitch. Just look at her, in those stupid tight spandex pants... nice booty n' all... grrrhh..."

Eiji Kisaragi and Malin had witnessed the pointless little skirmish from afar, and neither had positive thoughts inside them as they watched the Karate Trio.

"Guys! It's not about THEM!" Kasumi Todoh scolded her two former teammates. "We shouldn't wish harm on their persons. We must train ourselves to defeat the Kyokugen style, and prove our styles superior!"

"...But if I kill them, won't I do that?" Eiji cluelessly argued.

Malin was more blunt in her desires. "I don't care about that SHIT. I just wanna humiliate Yuri and expose her for the cunty little skank-meat she is!"

"Oh my god..." Kasumi whipped out her English translating book and smacked herself in the face with it. "Why did I ever join a team with you two prejudiced idiots?"

Malin rolled her eyes. "Pssh. Bitch, you ain't so high and mighty. You wanna get back at Ryo for offing your old man."

"HE'S NOT DEAD!" Kasumi screeched. "Papa-san just... doesn't come around often. B-but that's not because of anything Ryo did... I think..."

"Keep tellin' yourself that." Malin laughed as she strutted away, twirling her dagger casually.

"Hmph." Eiji leaped away.

Kasumi felt her anger welling up, tears pooling, as she clutched her book tightly, so tight she threatened to ruffle the fine leather cover.

"Papa-san... sniff... I'll make you stop hiding and making very obscure cameo appearances..."


As the spots narrowed down to only 9, the big question began to fall on everyone's lips... where were the BIG PLAYERS? No offense to Xiangfei and May Lee, but nobody batted an eye when they walked in. Shen Woo, the boisterous brawler, snagged his entry card; no second glances. Nobody was here to see these people, except specific fanboys/girls.

No... they wanted Kyo. They wanted Iori. They wanted K' Dash. They wanted the bad boys of flame, who always roasted the competition and looked sexy doing it. With Ash a no-show, Geese vanished from the face of the Earth... this tournament was in need of some big names. Adelheid had all of Germany behind him, but he alone wouldn't cut it.

They needed...

"FEAR NOT, LOYAL FANGIRLS! KYO KUSANAGI IS HERE!"

There he was. Wavy brown hair, an aura of confidence, a singular colored overshirt and pants, his trademark gloves, a beautiful orange glow trailing in his hands... a white headban-

...Wait. Something did add up. Kyo was taller than this. And didn't he give those gloves away? And that headband? Kyo never wore blue-

"HAHAHAHAHA! Get a taste of my flame powah! Ha ha! OOOOOH FIRE!"

Shingo laughed in their collective disappointed faces as he waved a lighter back and forth, producing only an artificial flame, and not the coveted Kusanagi Fire that had vanquished so many.

"Shut up, dude. You're pissing them off." Benimaru scolded the brown haired kid with a light shove, while his free hand traced upwards through the always-impressive pillar of blonde hair he considered "the cherry on this sundae of sexy".

"Well, let em' stew. We don't need Kyo to have a good time, eh?" Shingo winked as he pocketed his lighter.

Benimaru shook his head. "Hmph. First Daimon, then Kyo... feels a little lonely this year."

"Well, I'm here with ya!" he nudged. "And I think I saw Yagami snooping around out-"

"I DON'T. Want to hear. About Yagami." Benimaru shut him down. "Shingo, you just need to stay away from that guy, okay? He's a freaking nutjob."

"B-but..." Shingo argued.

"I MEAN IT." Benimaru yelled to get his point across. "Just stay away from him. Stick with me."

The usually-happy Shingo actually got a little defensive. "Dude, you're being a buzzkill right now! Damn! If you're gonna act like that, then maybe I'll go hang with someone else!"

"S-Shingo...!"

But it was too late. Shingo had abandoned Benimaru, the overzealous kid off his leash to get into whatever shenanigans his head drove him towards. Benimaru felt slightly unsettled as a result: with Kyo and Daimon not here, he was the only one who felt a tinge of responsibility to look out for the simpleminded guy.

"Shit, kid... it's like you and Kyo forgot what he did to you."


The next reveal was a welcome sight for all, as well an an enlightening one. In terms of "big names", one would be hard-pressed to ignore hers when she made an appearance. The wealthy, young, beautiful business owner stepped up last year, to lead the great Kumite to its completion. There were twists and turns, threats, difficulties, and especially clashes with her co-host Geese... and as a result of these things, she swore the only way she'd return would be as a competitor.

Promise kept.

"MISS KAGURA! AHHHHHH! COME HERE, COME HERE! GIVE ME A BIG HUG!"

Rose expressed her enjoyment to see Chizuru enter the Stadium, and ran out to meet her with arms open. A smile of equal length was returned by Chizuru, who happily embraced the girl with equal force.

"Rose, it's so good to see you! How did you ever convince your brother to let you do this?"

A cheeky smirk. "Ohohoho... my dear brother may be skilled at fighting, but in a contest of charm, I take gold~"

Chizuru grinned. "I won't dispute that one."

With the formalities out of the way, Rose was quick to start prying. "So tell me... where's your boys at? The crowd is getting quite restless awaiting their arrival."

Chizuru frowned. "Sigh... Kyo's not gonna make it this year. Said he needed a break."

"That's... unfortunate. And Mr. Yagami?"

Bigger frown. "Iori's being a baby. He's outside, hanging around the entrance, waiting for Kyo. He says he won't enter unless Kyo shows up."

Rose put a worrisome hand on her chin. "I see..."

"Rose, may I have another one of those entry cards? I'm going to go shove it right in his pocket. He needs to learn that his whole life doesn't revolve around Kyo Kyo Kyo. He's capable of doing his own thing, and having fun at his own expense."

Rose perked up at that idea, complete with a joyous giggle. "Of course, of course! Please drag Mr. Yagami into the Stadium! We need those good ratings~"

"Oh I'll drag him alright. He's not just gonna... wh-what the...?"

Chizuru's threat stopped mid-sentence, as her face turned puzzled. She started to huddle up, like she had gotten cold all of a sudden, which was strange, considering the high temperature in the Stadium.

"What's wrong, Miss Kagura?"

"Why do I sense...?"


Only 5 spots left. More questions had been answered: notably that the famous Kyo Kusanagi himself, the heralded legend of King of Fighters, would not be attending this one. Iori Yagami, his lifelong rival, wasn't happy about it, and whether he would enter the arena or not was anybody's guess. According to Chizuru, he WAS here, though.

And now the last question had to be... where was K'? The last anyone saw of K', he never left Italy. He'd disappeared, vanished into the shadows. One reporter had the answer...but to reach him about it was a difficult feat. And so, as far as the world knew, K' Dash had gone missing.

...But where did this leave the few people close to him? Maxima, his partner, had vanished too. Maybe he was out looking for him? Whip requested leave from her private military duties: was she in on it too?

That just left... her. The one whose upbringing and fate had been directly tied to his. His opposite. His equal.

"Kula... are you sure you're up for this?"

Diana's question was valid, given the circumstances. Although she, Foxy and Candy loved and cherished Kula like their own, the ice girl had increasingly yearned for more adventures with K'. But now, it seemed things had taken a step backwards: K' was gone, her other friends along with him, and now it was just her... alone...

"Kula?"

"It's okay, Diana." Kula managed a weak smile, just to prove the world hadn't ended. Even if it felt like it deep inside her.

Foxy stepped up in support. "Listen, I know you want to be out there searching for him, but-"

"But a little girl like me shouldn't be out wandering the great unknown." Kula finished the same tired lecture that had been drilled into her head so. "It's fine, Foxy. I'll let the grownups handle it. Even if it means I get left behind..."

"You still have us." Diana smiled, reaching a hand to slip her fingers through that beautiful strawberry blonde hair. Kula felt her touch and sank against her, but was only minutely comforted by Diana's doting touch.

"Just try and take your mind off it, okay sweetie? Enter the tournament, and be the best you can be."

"Yes ma'am." Kula nodded in compliance. She took her robot's hand. "Cmon Candy, let's go get my entry card."

Kula and Candy Diamond walked hand-in-hand into the Stadium. In a way, maybe this was exactly what Kula needed: her life didn't have to revolve around waiting for K' all the time. She was capable of her own adventures, meeting other people, making new friends. Maybe this year could be fun. Or, if nothing else... a distraction.


With 4 spots left, everyone had gathered en masse inside the Stadium, and the guessing games and inventory-taking began. Everyone was doing head counts, making bets, the more enlightened ones narrowing down the possible outcomes based on their information.

"So Ash is out." Terry analyzed, his arms folded, one hand on his chin. "I heard Kyo's not coming. Hmmm... uhhh... we got Koreans, Psycho Soldiers, girls, ladies, weirdos, whatever Tizoc qualifies as- AAAGH! Oh Jesus Christ, Mary. You scared me."

Much like her "bb" King was blissfully present in the background last year and nobody knew it, this year Blue Mary followed suit. But now here she was, just as beautiful and tomboyish as ever. Alongside her, her trusty companion Antonio was happily panting, tongue out and the excited dog running circles around his momma's leg.

"Didn't think I'd be a no-show this year, did ya?" she winked, launching a tiny fist against Terry's broad chest.

Terry laughed and pulled her in. "Naaaaah I knew you were sneaking around somewhere. Scoping the place out?"

Mary didn't fight his sudden embrace, instead melting into her lover's grasp and pressing her head against his chest. "You know me too well. I had to make sure no assholes were coming to wreck everyone's good time."

"Find anything interesting?"

"Nah... just Big jerking around like usual. He keeps ranting on about this and that, but nobody's really listening to him. And Ryuji's here, but I don't think he'll do anything. He's harmless, unless he smells blood or something."

Terry smiled... but as soon as he thought of HIM, that smile faded...

"So... no sign of Geese, eh?"

Mary picked her head up from his chest, and looked up into his eyes. "Geese? Dude... Geese is gone. He's gone. Accept it, man."

Terry closed his eyes. "It's just hard to grasp. That guy... hahaha... he's had such a bearing on mine and Andy's life. ALL our lives. And now he just... I mean he just... up and disappears? I can't believe it. I just can't believe it."

Mary sensed this was a heavy topic for him... how could it not be, after everything Geese Howard had put them through? For the man to be gone... it was almost like a long, long chapter of Terry and Andy's life was at last at an end. To move on from it so easily is impossible.

And so, Mary quickly lightened the situation. "Weeeeelp, at least it's a lot quieter around here eh big guy?" She flashed a wide grin, pearly whites and all... which was quite unusual for Mary.

Terry's smile couldn't be restrained; he knew Mary was trying so hard, and it was TOO CUTE. It worked, even if not by conventional means.

"I love you, you know." he said, with a peck on her cheek.

"Oh I know." Mary winked.

"HEY GUYS, OVER HERE!" Mai snapped the two out of their sentimental moment as she waved them down. "Everyone's gathering around. It's almost time for the orientation! CMON ANDY!"

"I'm coming Mai... d-don't drag me...!" Andy whined as the kunoichi did indeed drag him by his unmotivated arms.

"You guys stay close to me." Athena quickly pulled the youngers against her, to their confusion.

"Athena-nee, I don't understand why you're so on edge lately." Momoko expressed hers aloud.

"Yeah, you're freaking me out babe." Kensou seconded.

"Don't call me babe!" Athena lashed out. "I just... I can't shake this feeling! Can't you all feel it?!"

Luckily for Athena... she wasn't the only one on high alert.

"Miss Rose, something doesn't feel right." Chizuru got in front of her as she delivered that warning.

"What do you mean?!" Adelheid got defensive very quickly, in his sister's favor. He too was scrambling to get around her.

"Is is that same premonition from earlier?" Rose asked. "Miss Kagura, perhaps you need some coffee to calm your nerves."

"N-no, I'm serious!" Chizuru reinforced. "I... I feel... something! Something I haven't felt... since...!"

"Fufufufu... nothing gets past the stuffy little maiden, does it, Vice~?"

"Kukukuku... it would appear so Mature~"

"Well, can't really blame her. There's NOTHING on this planet like the likes of us. Be hard to miss."

"Do we have to make such a dramatic entrance?"

"The grand stage requires a grand entrance, chéri~"

"Then shut up and let's get down there. The entry cards are almost gone."

"Those voices...!" Chizuru gasped.

They appeared faster than a blink. In direct contradiction to their boasting, there was no grandiose entrance: no bursting through solid wall, lighting crackling, or explosions. They just... appeared. They were THERE. They must have come from the sky somehow, as there was no other plausible way they could have suddenly appeared in the middle of the Stadium. Five sinister shadows... their color revealed seconds later, to introduce each one in their own quirky, unique way.

The tall one in front, his stance firm, like the solid earth. At his side, one striking a seductive pose with her hips protruding, her leg slightly bent, a cutesy finger against her bottom lip. To his other side, a kid with a solemn smile, his hands in his pockets with a sheepish shrug and his eyes innocently closed.

And lastly, slightly to the background... two diabolical figures, their backs to each other, their hands dipped down below their hips, as their fingers interlaced, locking them in that symmetrical position. Their tongues traced circles on their respective lips, imagining the taste of something morbid stained there...

"OH HEAVENS!" Rose squealed as she brought her hands against her face and buried herself in Adelheid's chest, his arms wrapping around her in protective mode. Chizuru was also on edge: her first instinct was to get into combat stance, despite them showing no actual signs of aggression.

"Believe me, ma chérie... we didn't come from Heaven." the chestnut-haired female cooed from her ruby lips, which were the main attraction of her face, thanks to the fact that only from the nose down could be seen.

"You damned specters! How?! How are you here?!" Chizuru cursed.

"There will be plenty of time for questions later." the tall man in front growled. "But for now..."

Without warning, the white-haired stranger approached the center, where he could address everyone in sight. He took a deep step, closed his eyes, aimed his face at the sky... and unleashed.

"IORI YAGAMI! COME OUT, YOU BASTARD! LET'S SETTLE THINGS RIGHT HERE!"

"Oh great, there he goes again." the woman with unkempt bangs groaned to the younger one. "Chris, can you please tell our lunkhead to get his head in the game?"

Chris merely snickered. "Hee hee! Sorry Shermie, you know he won't stop when he gets like this."

"I'M WAITING!" the man continued to bark. "COME OUT, IF YOU'RE NOT A YELLOW BASTARD!"

"Y-Yash, don't say yellow." Chris warned. "That might be offensive to some of the Asians he-"

"THAT'S ENOUGH, ALL OF YOU! YOU'RE BEHAVING QUITE RUDELY!" Rose found her hostess courage, removing herself from Adelheid's grasp and approaching the five intruders. She took her most pompous, puffed-out stance before addressing them.

"Now then... I simply won't have you five causing such a disturbance for the fine folk here. If you're looking to enter, please take your entry cards and go stand politely with the others. Understand?"

The white-haired man's response could pretty much be put on a loop at this point. "I'm not entering until that red-haired little snake comes out!"

"Chris..." Shermie urged.

Chris put a consoling hand up. "Alright, alright. Yashiro, um... dude... you're gonna make us miss our chance. Can we please stop making a scene and get our entry cards?"

"B-But Yaga-"

"He's entering. Make no mistake about that." Chizuru assured. "Now, get your entry cards and get lost, creeps!"

"Hmph. You're not the boss of me, Kagura!" Yashiro sneered.

Finally the drama died down, as the long-lost New Faces Team, alongside the sadistic Mature and Vice, all went on to secure what would be the final entry cards.

"Hmph." Yashiro snatched his from Rose's grasp, stomping away.

"Thank you, ma'am." Chris politely accepted his with a smile, as he pocketed it and skipped away.

"Love that dress~" Shermie complimented, blowing a two-finger kiss in praise of Rose's attire. She took her entry card, did a flamboyant spin, and made sure to achieve maximum hip movement as she strutted her stuff.

That just left the last two. The symbiotic sadists approached with hungry eyes, to secure their final spots... only to stumble upon an interesting revelation. While there WERE technically two cards left, the other one was in Chizuru's grasp, as she intended to go force Iori to join.

That meant there was only one.

"That's not going to work." their voices spoke in perfect sync, every syllable as equal in timing as the pitch and tempo of their voice.

Rose pressed the last card to her cheek. "Hmmmmm, well what a conundrum we have here... sorry ladies, it appears one of you must decide who enters."

"I'm not entering without Mature."

"I'm not entering without Vice."

"Oh can we just move on from this bullshit already!" Shen Woo whined.

Rose shot mean daggers at the brawler, reducing him to shrinking in the crowd. Now out of sight, Rose returned to the blonde and redhead in front of her.

"Hmmm... very well then! I have a most delicious idea. Since you two love to be together, and I can surely relate to such a dynamic with my darling Adel..."

"Rose...!" Adelheid scolded in a hushed voice.

"...Then you shall enter together!" Rose smiled wide. "BUT... only one is allowed to step in the ring, and if one is defeated, then BOTH will be eliminated. Am I clear?"

"Kukukuku... you don't have to worry about that. Gimme."

Vice's disturbing confidence was followed by her arm WHIPPING out, fast as a blur, and forcefully snatching the entry card from Rose's hand. The exertion was so great, it caused the female Bernstein to stumble backwards.

"Ah! Rude..."

And with that, the unpleasant company finally disappeared out of sight. With a dusting of his hands, as if some arduous task had just been completed, Ryo Sakazaki proudly proclaimed:

"Welp, we got our 48."

"Give or take." Yuri snickered.


After the official 48 contestants (more or less) gathered, there was a good 10 minute or so intermission. The Bernsteins had totally walked away, leaving the contestants puzzled as to what their next step was supposed to be.

"Soooooo... do we go?" Vanessa asked.

"Probably wait for them to explain the rules and regulations." Mary presumed.

"My legs are getting tired!" Mai whined. "Andy, hold me!"

"M-Mai, stop playing!" Andy stammered. "Your legs are fine!"

"...I know they are. They're very fine~"

"Hey, would any of you guys be interested in joining my-"

"No, shut up Big."

"MY RIPPLING PECS AND TONED GLUTES ARE TIRED OF WAITING!" Tizoc boomed.

The paparazzi was getting restless too. Most of them had gotten their fill of pics from Mai, Yuri, B. Jenet, Angel, Terry, Ryo, Tizoc... and now they were starting to explore the more unconventional territories. Some tried to get pics of Mary and King, who did not oblige. Some wanted an autograph from Yamazaki, but fled in fear when he brandished his knife (he had his own idea of an autograph, involving red ink)

...Some cheeky camera-wielders dared to approach the Hakkeshu. Yashiro was quick to shove any equipment out of his face. Chris meekly hid behind his tall counterpart. And Shermie? Well... Shermie drank it up like red wine. As far as the French beauty was concerned, she was back to her ROOTS: being beautiful and glamorous and the center of attention. Nevermind what devious thoughts rested beneath those bangs... she had a body and the confidence to flaunt it, and that's what made her the approachable one of the bunch.

Nobody had the balls to get near Mature and Vice, lest they lose them.

At last... the waiting period ended. The crowd, whose volume had faded, jacked back up when the siblings came back out into the Stadium, like they'd never left. Adelheid, in a strange move, did NOT join his sister... he went over to the fighters and stood among them.

"Ralf Jones. A pleasure." Ralf extended his hand in greeting. "We beat you in 2003."

Adelheid, though his face remained stern, met his hand in return. "We'll see what the odds are like when it's not three against one."

"EVERYBODY QUIET PLEASE! THANK YOUUUUUU! ROSE BERNSTEIN IS SPEAKING! EYES ON ME!"

The first thing everyone noticed about Rose... she was no longer alone. Firstly, she was surrounded by personnel clad in black suits and sunglasses. Some of them were simply standing there to look intimidating, while others were... setting up props?

Rose herself was not standing on her own two feet: she was sitting atop the broad shoulders of a male figure, dressed MUCH different than the suits all around. Tall, sturdy, impressive in muscular girth, but appearing at least middle-aged, this dark skinned man seemed totally unfazed by the weight of the girl perched on top of him. He obviously was not one of these generic security guards.

The man in question seemed more of a conventional martial artist: clad in a worn dark green Karate gi, similar to Ryo's, except for one stunning feature: the shoulders and collar were adorned with a beautiful coat of white wolf fur, as white as the short, spiky hair upon his head. The final piece of the puzzle that solidified this guy's status as a hardened warrior was his face: he'd obviously seen some shit in his day, judging from the grotesque scar that ran directly through the left eye, nearly closing it... but what remained visible in his socket was a stomach-churning blood red.

His fierce scowl dared anybody to ask how his eye got like that.

"Now, do I have your attention? Thank you." Rose greeted atop the man. "Now then, contestants... WELCOME TO THE TWILIGHT TOURNAMENT!"

Hold for applause. It was a fiery feedback, fueled more by the contestants' ability to work the crowd with heroic poses.

"Quiet please! Quiet! Now then... I, Rose Bernstein, will be your hostess for this year's tournament. And don't worry, I swear it's ME this time, ahahahahaha!"

"...What does she mean by that?" Joe inquired.

"Ignorance is bliss, Joe." Kim assured. "Ignorance is bliss."

She continued. "This year will be the same format as the Kumite last year: a single elimination tournament, with each round narrowing down the fighters until the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final battle itself. 48 will become 24, which will become 12... and there'll be a little surprise after Round 2, ohohohohohoho."

She extended her finger. "First thing! Please note that your entry cards are NOT safe! Hold onto them tight, if you want to keep your spot in the tourney! And most importantly... don't let another fighter take it."

She extended a second finger. "Second thing! I do expect you all to be punctual and show up on time, or risk disqualification! There are plenty of hotels in the city, and... our gracious Lord Krauser has offered his castle for lodging to any who don't feel like paying. Please do come! There will be food, wine, entertainment. Just don't take advantage of Lord Stronheim's hospitality, okay?"

"Krauser, eh? Do we like him?" Joe asked his fellow Wolves.

"Eh... he's not as bad as the other one." Andy shrugged.

"We should totally wreck the place!" Mai exclaimed.

A third finger from Rose. "And NOW... for a demonstration."

With that, Rose tapped the guy on his spiky head, upon which he picked her up and gently set her down. Rose stepped back, leaving the guy alone with the random assortment of things placed all around him: wooden boards, a vertical piece of a tree trunk, and a concrete slab laying horizontal.

"Now then, seeing as there have been some... mishaps... in the past, involving totally uncivilized barbarians trying to control my mind and manipulate me to their evil ends, I have taken extra measures this year to ensure my safety. Now, while I believe there is nobody more capable and necessary for my protection than my dear brother here, he can't be by my side always, since he's competing along with you fine individuals. And so, I have enlisted the aid of a fellow countryman. I'd like you meet Mr. Silber."

All eyes fell on the grizzly, calloused piece of work, who simply eyeballed them back and let loose a guttural growl from his savage lungs.

"Mr. Silber here is a native of our beautiful Germany as well. A champion of the Buriki One fighting circuit back in the day, a black belt in Karate, as well as an expert in the exquisite art of tameshiwari. Roughly translated as... breaking."

With a wide grin, Rose flamboyantly extended her hand. "Mr. Silber, if you please?"

Silber approached the first thing in front of him: a thick wooden board, laying horizontal, supported by two cinder blocks. He closed his eyes, raised his arm, and took in a deep breath...

"Please note the 6-inch solid hickory wood." Rose pointed out with glee.

"HYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Silber's voice shook their cores as he brought his arm raining down on the wood, and there was no stoppage. Splinters flew like rain as he cleaved right through the middle, his limb showing no signs of slowing down or resistance from the solid object.

He didn't stop there. He picked up the two cinder blocks, tossed them in the air, and delivered a respective left and right kick, smashing them into fine granules.

"...Whoa." Robert grunted.

Silber eyeballed the next prop: a man in a suit was holding another board up, vertically. That unfortunate man would be sent flying backwards, as Silber took a deep step and planted his fist dead center in the wood, demolishing its foundation and severing it into two jagged pieces.

The next prop to go: the piece of tree trunk standing up. Silber went low, delivering a wide, swooping low kick... and his foot cleaved through the base like warm butter.

And finally, the last piece... the slab of thick concrete laying horizontal. With a ravenous grin, his eye glowed red as he took to the skies, extending his foot, aiming his heel outward... when his heel connected with the concrete, the chunk EXPLODED into a mess of dust and particles. Some of the little pieces flew so far, they peppered the audience. Thankfully, nobody was hurt.

At last, Silber returned to an idle stance, as a low, long exhale hissed from his lungs, his neck and shoulders crackling with a chilling echo. All around him, the wreckage was rampant.

"...Damn, Ryo. I hate to say it dude, but he's got you beat." Robert laughed.

"Hmph. I'm still the ice pillar and beer bottle master." Ryo sneered.

"And SO, to any troublemakers out there looking to taint my tournament with your vile ways, especially to target ME... I do hope you've been adequately discouraged." Rose put on a sweet smile as she spoke such threatening words. And then, with a clap of her hands, she dismissed them all.

"Well, that concludes our business! Take care, all of you! Come back tomorrow, 10 AM sharp, to start the show! Get your tickets, bring your family! Fighters, don't be late! This will be the most exciting week of Germany's lives!"

Whew... that was a tough one to get out. There was a lot of ground to cover before getting to the big party next chapter. I hope this was to your satisfaction, and didn't feel sloppy or rushed! Most of the names are out there, so if you want to do some homework, go back and make a list of every appearance ; )

NEXT CHAPTER: Character Development Party! Watch as I attempt to give all these characters equal screentime so they all feel important! Bear with me in these formality chapters, they tend to be quite long. The word count should mellow out once we get to the fighting.

And now... a page from my dear friend Rex Madison's Book...


BONUS SCENE 1

The Stadium died down in the next half hour or so, as the people slowly trickled out to follow up the festivities in the city, or some bold ones attempting to follow the fighters to Krauser's castle. Nobody knew if Krauser was expecting so much company, so this would be a true test of the Lord's ability to plan ahead.

The last to exit the Stadium were Adelheid and Rose respectively, as they felt it crucial to stick around and make sure the place was properly vacated and security measures taken. They hadn't yet decided where they wanted to shack up for this week... in fact, that was the current argument underway.

"Rose, we should go back to the Sky Noah. It's safest there."

"I don't want to!" Rose defied. "Adel, we mustn't look like cowards! We must exhibit a position of strength and confidence to these people! If we go and hide in the Sky Noah all week long, that will tarnish our reputation!"

"Rose... why do you care about these stupid trivialities?"

"...Because one of us has to, brother. You're the one who thinks with his body, and thus I am forced to consider our political interests. You see, brother? We compliment each other quite nicely~"

"Grr... you're..."

"I'm what?"

"...You're right."

"Ahahahaha! Now was that so hard? Now come, we are attending Lord Krauser's party. We won't be absent for such an important event."

With that, Rose and Adelheid set their minds on their current objective. Rose, as prideful and content as she felt having won the argument, pursued just ONE more grain of validation from the man she admired most.

"Brother... did I do good?"

A hand around her shoulder. "...You did excellent."

Her flushed cheeks and smile carried on for the remainder of their trip.

...In the distance, watching the siblings walk away, a brown-haired figure stood tall, watching their every step. As his lips parted, revealing a fearsome set of growling teeth, he lifted his left hand... his fingers curled menacingly, as a bright orange ball of flame ignited in his palm. A flame too pure to be an impostor...


BONUS SCENE 2

"Just take it."

"Why should I?"

"Cmon... TAKE. IT."

"I said tell me WHY!"

"Take it and then I'll tell you."

"Grrr... aggh... you know, you're the only one on the planet I'd let boss me around like this."

Iori Yagami always put on a fierce battle of will... but Chizuru Kagura was ever the reigning champion. Tried as he did to reject her advances, he finally found himself snatching the extra entry card she'd grabbed solely for him. Chizuru had robbed somebody else of a potential spot in the tournament, just for him.

"Alright, I took it. Now what?" Iori grumbled. "It doesn't mean f*** all. I don't want to even be in. What's the point?"

Chizuru couldn't help but smile. Iori was so adorable when he was aloof. If one could even use such a definitive word to describe his grumpy ass.

"Iori..." she spoke, whilst putting her arm around him. "...You need to learn to expand your horizons."

"...The f*** does that mean?"

"It MEANS, I want you to try something. For me." Chizuru pleaded. "Just this once, just ONE year... try to do something with your life, motivation-wise, that doesn't involve Kyo. Can you do that? I want you to just try, try and have some fun, get into the spirit of sportsmanship like the others do, and just try to compete!"

"But I hate all these f***ing people!" Iori screeched. "Terry's a macho idiot, Ryo is obsessed with... I dunno, breaking beer bottles or something, Mai is an annoying stripper, Beni's a vain prick, Shingo's an irritating puppy, Athena's too bright and sparkly and kawaii, Kim is the most one-note guy in existence, and... for christ sakes, THERE'S A F***ING BIRD DUDE WALKING AROUND! And you want me to actually associate with these assholes?!"

"Don't knock it till you try it." Chizuru flashed a cute wink. As she parted from her grumpy counterpart, she extended her finger to gently boop him on the nose. "Don't trash that entry card, or I'll come after you."

Iori was left standing there, steamed like broccoli, the entry card in his hand close to combusting. He REALLY didn't like being forced into decisions, and his mind had been far from made up on whether to enter or not. Now that he had no choice, it felt less appealing to him.

...As Iori stood there fuming, two cold bodies pressed against him in perfect sync, followed by a simultaneous pair of lips on both cheeks.

"Reunited and it feels so good~"

"Miss us, Yaggy baby~?"

"...Go back to Hell." Iori snorted.


BONUS SCENE 3

Eiji Kisaragi had been staring at Iori from a rooftop vantage point. He actually was relieved the red-haired man accepted Chizuru's offer: now, he could at last achieve the vengeance that had long eluded him. Billy may have patched things up, but Eiji was a BIT more unforgiving than that... just like those hateful Kyokugens, he wouldn't be content until some of Iori's blood stained his blades.

Of course, the Kyokugens were still the main objective. Iori Yagami would be dessert.

"Excuse me..."

A mysterious voice alerted Eiji; he swung around, wondering how a ninja of his caliber could have been ambushed.

"Who's there?!"

"Are you a contestant?" the voice asked, from beneath a black hood. The figure in question was flanked by two shorter figures... also clad in dark clothing that obstructed their identity.

"So what if I am?!" Eiji defensively barked.

The lead figure flashed a sickening grin... and suddenly, Eiji found himself looking at the shimmering tip of a long, red polearm.