Chapter four: Vs. Fatal Fury
The Rescuer team sat in their locker room, resting up before they had to fight again. They had just received their first victory over the Korea Team, and now had to wait an hour.
Malon looked over at Billy, who was staring at a small photo. Malon walked over to him and sat down beside him. Malon looked at the picture. On it was a young girl with long, flowing, blonde hair and blue eyes. Her sweet smile seemed to shine.
"Is that her?" Malon asked.
"What?" Billy asked, looking away from the photo.
"Is that Lilly?"
"Oh...Yeah. That's her." Billy said as he placed the picture into his jacket pocket.
"She's very beautiful." Malon explained. "I can see why Joe likes her."
"Thanks. It was really hard to raise her, especially in the earlier years before I got a job."
"Wait a minute. You mean that YOU raised Lilly?" Malon asked.
"Yeah. My mother was killed shortly after Lilly was born." Billy explained. "And I never even KNEW my father. He died before even I was born."
Malon could see some tears coming from Billy's eyes. "I'm sorry, Billy. I had no idea."
"It's alright." Billy said, wiping away his tears.
"I somewhat know how you feel."
"What do you mean?"
"Sure, I had a father to look up to, but my mother died almost right after I was born." Malon explained. "The doctors said that it was a miracle that I survived."
"That's horrible!" Billy gasped.
"My father's death is one of the things that drove me away from Hyrule in the first place."
"What was he like?"
"Oh, he was lazy, clumsy and sometimes a little naïve, but he was there whenever I needed help."
Just then, Joe walked over to the two teammates. "Come on, guys!" He said. "Our hour is almost up!"
Malon stood up and looked down at Billy, who was still sitting on the bench. "We'd better get ready."
As Billy watched Malon walk towards Joe and Choi, he couldn't help feeling sorry for the woman. Not knowing her mother, her father dying and driving her away from her homeland.
But at the same time, Billy felt something else. Something that made him feel good. Almost like he was having feelings for Malon.
Billy shook his head as he got up and followed his team back into the hallway. He'd think about this more when he had the time.
The Rescuer Team entered the still-packed stadium. Several teams were getting ready for the second round, while the defeated teams, the Korea Team included, sat to the side, watching everyone.
"Rescuer Team." The announcer said. "Please step onto platform 2."
The Rescuer Team walked towards the platform with the 2 on it, and stepped on. Like before, they vanished.
Malon opened her eyes. The team was now standing in a fighting ring in the middle of a very familiar city.
Malon raised an eyebrow. "Hey, isn't this Southtown?"
"Oh man, it IS!" Joe cried.
Suddenly, the other team appeared on the other side of the arena: Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard, Blue Mary Ryan and a strange looking man with a yellow and blue Mohawk and a small baby bird following him.
"Well, well, well." Terry said, folding his arms and looking at Joe. "Look who we have here. It's the traitor."
"Cut it, Terry." Mary said. "Who's going first?"
"I will." Terry said determinedly.
"I'll go next." Andy added calmly.
"And I'll finish it off!" Duck King said. The baby duck cheeped in agreement.
"Okay. I'll be the striker." Mary said.
Meanwhile,
"Okay. The team order is Terry, Andy, Duck. Mary's the striker." Billy said.
"If you guys don't mind, I think I'll sit this fight out." Malon said.
"No problem." Joe said. "I'll go first."
"And I'll go after you." Billy said.
"I guess that means that I'll go third." Choi said.
Everyone wished Joe luck as the Maui Thai fighter leapt into the arena to face Terry.
"I never thought I'd see the day when you'd leave us to join the enemy." Terry said.
"I'll tell you why I joined him after we finish." Joe stated.
"Forget it." Terry said as he got into a stance.
"FIGHT!"
Terry thrust his fist forward and lunged at Joe. Joe, however, knew this was coming and started punching the air rapidly. Terry was caught in the attack and was slightly damaged. Terry thrust his fist into the ground, causing a wave of energy to sprout. This managed to catch Joe, damaging him. Joe quickly got to his feet and charged forward, foot first. This damaged Terry, sending the elder Bogard brother to the ground. Joe took this opportunity to leap into the air as Terry was getting up. Just as Terry was fully upright, Joe had slammed his foot into Terry's head. Terry stood up, wiping his mouth.
"Mary! Help me out!" Terry said.
"Coming!" Mary said as she charged into the arena.
Mary leapt into the air, landed a three-kick combo to Joe's face, then left. Joe regained his stance, and his fist flashed. Joe charged at Terry, doing a series of punches. Not all the punches hit the target, but Joe managed to land seven hits before his super move energy ran out. As soon as the move ended, Terry grabbed Joe and threw his fist into Joe's stomach three times before throwing him over his shoulder. Joe landed on his back and groaned. He knew he was close to defeat. Joe slowly stood up, and with what energy he had left, charged forward in a Slicing Kick. He managed to hit Terry, but as soon as he did, Terry had kicked him in the face. Hard. Joe fell on his back, and this time, he didn't get up.
"KO! Terry wins!"
As Malon and Choi dragged Joe's beaten body off the arena, Billy leapt in.
"You really think you can win?" Terry asked. Billy didn't answer.
"FIGHT!"
"Malon! Show Terry that we CAN win!" Billy said.
"Sure thing!" Malon said as she ran into the arena.
Malon zoomed behind Terry, leapt into the air and slammed her fist into the back of his head. As Malon left, Billy thrust his staff into Terry's stomach. Billy lifted Terry into the air and used his staff to slam Terry into the ground. Terry didn't get back up.
"KO! Perfect! Billy wins!"
As Mary and Duck dragged Terry away, Andy leapt into the arena.
"Be sure to apologize to Joe for me." Andy said. "Terry had no right to call him a traitor, and I'm willing to hear his story when this is over."
"Sounds reasonable." Billy said.
"FIGHT!"
Billy and Andy charged at each other. Andy managed to get the first hit, nailing his fist into Billy's face. Billy plunged his staff into the ground and lifted himself into the air, kicking Andy with both feet. As soon as Andy regained his stance, he leapt into the air, spun around and struck Billy with both hands. Billy jumped back as Andy shot his hand forward, sending a blue projectile into the air. Billy smirked.
"FORE!" Billy shouted.
Billy swung his staff like a golf club, hitting the projectile. The projectile was sent into the sky. Suddenly, Billy's staff flashed. Billy leapt into the air as his staff mysteriously multiplied many times. Billy swung his many staffs once in the air, damaging Andy. The super move wasn't finished, however, as Billy brought the whole load of staffs onto Andy's head. As Andy reeled from the attack, Billy's staffs returned to one.
"Okay. That is officially the strangest super move I've seen yet." Malon said.
Andy charged at Billy and leapt into the air, landing a flying kick to Billy's face. Billy staggered back, collapsing to his knees. He wasn't unconscious, so Andy hadn't won yet. Andy walked over to Billy, looked down on him, and pulled his fist back, preparing for the final blow.
Billy knew that he'd been defeated. Suddenly, something caught his eye. He looked to the right side of the ring and saw a tall man with short, blonde hair standing behind a blonde-haired girl, holding her by the shoulders.
Billy's eyes widened. Lilly and Geese! Billy wanted to shout Lilly's name, but didn't want to raise any attention. Lilly had a coat resting on her shoulders, so she didn't have her arms through the sleeves. Billy could tell that, while under the coat, she had her arms behind her back. It didn't take Billy long to realize that her hands were bound behind her back, and Geese had put the coat on her to keep people from being suspicious. Lilly had tears of fright running down her face, and Geese was smirking evilly.
Suddenly, Billy remembered what Geese would do to Lilly if his team lost.
"NO!" Billy shouted as he shot to his feet, surprising Andy.
Billy plunged his staff into Andy's stomach, knocking the wind out of the younger Bogard brother. Andy collapsed, and didn't get up.
"KO! Billy wins!"
"Man! I took out BOTH Bogard brothers!" Billy said to himself in astonishment as Andy was dragged off the arena. He looked over at Lilly, who had forced a weak smile.
Duck jumped in, his baby duck following.
"How do you like KOF, Duck?" Billy asked, trying to disguise the worry in his voice.
"I LOVE it!" Duck replied. His duck nodded.
"Shall we fight?"
"Sure thing!"
"FIGHT!"
Duck charged towards Billy and threw his fist forward, nailing him in the jaw. While Billy was recovering, Duck head-butted him twice, then leapt into the air and shot his arms out, catching Billy in the face. Billy was almost defeated, as he didn't have a lot of health left. Duck jumped back.
"P-Chan! Get him!" Duck shouted.
Duck's baby duck charged forward, leapt into the air, flipped and landed a kick to Billy's chin. That, surprisingly, was enough to send Billy to the floor. Billy was too exhausted to get back up.
"KO! Perfect! Duck wins!"
Malon and Joe dragged Billy off the arena, and once they did, Joe looked at Billy.
"Why'd you shout when Andy almost defeated you?" Joe asked.
"Front row, right side of the arena." Billy whispered. "Don't raise your voice."
Malon, Joe and Choi looked in the direction that Billy had said, and their eyes all widened.
"Lilly and Geese!" Joe whispered.
"Choi, now you're our only hope in this fight." Malon explained. "Just remember Lilly."
"I won't let her down." Choi said determinedly as he jumped into the arena, where Duck was still doing his victory dance.
"You can stop dancing now." Choi said to the new combatant.
Instantly, Duck froze in a mid-dance move, staring at Choi with an odd glare. Duck quickly got into a stance.
"Yeah. Yeah. I knew that." Duck said nervously. His baby duck, P-Chan, snickered.
"FIGHT!"
Choi and Duck charged at each other. Duck leapt into the air, attempting to attack Choi from above. Choi slid underneath the airborne dancer, leapt into the air and kicked him in the back. As Duck landed on the ground, Choi spun around a few times, claws outstretched. Duck, damaged by the attack, charged at Choi, grabbed him and bashed his head against Choi's.
"Yo, Mary!" Duck said. "Show the little dude what we're made of!"
Mary snickered as she ran into the arena. As much as Choi tried to avoid her, he couldn't avoid her airborne kicks. As Mary left the arena, Choi darted at Duck and slashed him a few times. Duck quickly shot to his feet and thrust his foot forward. Choi prepared for this and covered his face with his hands. What he wasn't expecting was Duck's foot making contact with his stomach. Choi grabbed Duck and climbed on top of his shoulders. Choi slashed Duck a few times before jumping off. Duck quickly sent P-Chan out, and the baby duck kicked Choi in the face before returning to Duck.
"Hey, Malon! Help me out!" Choi said.
"Coming!" Malon said as she ran into the arena.
Malon zoomed behind Duck and leapt into the air while Choi slashed Duck a few times. Malon thrust her fist into the back of Duck's head, then jumped out of the arena.
Suddenly, both of Duck's feet flashed. Duck jumped towards Choi, grabbed him, threw him into the ground and started doing a series of dancing moves with his feet, all of which attacked Choi. Once the super move finished, Choi was sent to the ground, but the midget was still standing, although he was slouched over.
"I have to win this!" Choi thought. "For Lilly!"
Suddenly, both of Choi's hands flashed. With lightning quick speed, Choi dashed at Duck grabbed him and slashed his claws countless times. When Choi finished, Duck was sent to the ground, defeated.
"KO! Choi wins! Rescuer Team wins!"
The Rescuer Team quickly looked over at Lilly, who was practically jumping with happiness. Geese's evil smile just looked more evil, if that was humanly possible. Into thin air, the Rescuer Team vanished.
Soon, the Rescuer Team appeared back in the stadium, while the defeated Fatal Fury Team appeared on a separate platform.
"Once again, the Rescuer Team is given a one hour break to rest up for the next fight." The announcer said.
The Rescuer Team walked over to the Fatal Fury Team. Andy saw them coming.
"You don't have to tell me why Joe joined you, Billy." Andy said. "I saw Geese with Lilly."
"What're you talking about?" Terry asked.
"Let me ask you a question, Terry." Joe said. "Why do you think we called ourselves the 'Rescuer Team'?"
Leaving Terry to ponder, the Rescuer Team walked back towards their locker room.
To be continued...
The Rescuer team sat in their locker room, resting up before they had to fight again. They had just received their first victory over the Korea Team, and now had to wait an hour.
Malon looked over at Billy, who was staring at a small photo. Malon walked over to him and sat down beside him. Malon looked at the picture. On it was a young girl with long, flowing, blonde hair and blue eyes. Her sweet smile seemed to shine.
"Is that her?" Malon asked.
"What?" Billy asked, looking away from the photo.
"Is that Lilly?"
"Oh...Yeah. That's her." Billy said as he placed the picture into his jacket pocket.
"She's very beautiful." Malon explained. "I can see why Joe likes her."
"Thanks. It was really hard to raise her, especially in the earlier years before I got a job."
"Wait a minute. You mean that YOU raised Lilly?" Malon asked.
"Yeah. My mother was killed shortly after Lilly was born." Billy explained. "And I never even KNEW my father. He died before even I was born."
Malon could see some tears coming from Billy's eyes. "I'm sorry, Billy. I had no idea."
"It's alright." Billy said, wiping away his tears.
"I somewhat know how you feel."
"What do you mean?"
"Sure, I had a father to look up to, but my mother died almost right after I was born." Malon explained. "The doctors said that it was a miracle that I survived."
"That's horrible!" Billy gasped.
"My father's death is one of the things that drove me away from Hyrule in the first place."
"What was he like?"
"Oh, he was lazy, clumsy and sometimes a little naïve, but he was there whenever I needed help."
Just then, Joe walked over to the two teammates. "Come on, guys!" He said. "Our hour is almost up!"
Malon stood up and looked down at Billy, who was still sitting on the bench. "We'd better get ready."
As Billy watched Malon walk towards Joe and Choi, he couldn't help feeling sorry for the woman. Not knowing her mother, her father dying and driving her away from her homeland.
But at the same time, Billy felt something else. Something that made him feel good. Almost like he was having feelings for Malon.
Billy shook his head as he got up and followed his team back into the hallway. He'd think about this more when he had the time.
The Rescuer Team entered the still-packed stadium. Several teams were getting ready for the second round, while the defeated teams, the Korea Team included, sat to the side, watching everyone.
"Rescuer Team." The announcer said. "Please step onto platform 2."
The Rescuer Team walked towards the platform with the 2 on it, and stepped on. Like before, they vanished.
Malon opened her eyes. The team was now standing in a fighting ring in the middle of a very familiar city.
Malon raised an eyebrow. "Hey, isn't this Southtown?"
"Oh man, it IS!" Joe cried.
Suddenly, the other team appeared on the other side of the arena: Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard, Blue Mary Ryan and a strange looking man with a yellow and blue Mohawk and a small baby bird following him.
"Well, well, well." Terry said, folding his arms and looking at Joe. "Look who we have here. It's the traitor."
"Cut it, Terry." Mary said. "Who's going first?"
"I will." Terry said determinedly.
"I'll go next." Andy added calmly.
"And I'll finish it off!" Duck King said. The baby duck cheeped in agreement.
"Okay. I'll be the striker." Mary said.
Meanwhile,
"Okay. The team order is Terry, Andy, Duck. Mary's the striker." Billy said.
"If you guys don't mind, I think I'll sit this fight out." Malon said.
"No problem." Joe said. "I'll go first."
"And I'll go after you." Billy said.
"I guess that means that I'll go third." Choi said.
Everyone wished Joe luck as the Maui Thai fighter leapt into the arena to face Terry.
"I never thought I'd see the day when you'd leave us to join the enemy." Terry said.
"I'll tell you why I joined him after we finish." Joe stated.
"Forget it." Terry said as he got into a stance.
"FIGHT!"
Terry thrust his fist forward and lunged at Joe. Joe, however, knew this was coming and started punching the air rapidly. Terry was caught in the attack and was slightly damaged. Terry thrust his fist into the ground, causing a wave of energy to sprout. This managed to catch Joe, damaging him. Joe quickly got to his feet and charged forward, foot first. This damaged Terry, sending the elder Bogard brother to the ground. Joe took this opportunity to leap into the air as Terry was getting up. Just as Terry was fully upright, Joe had slammed his foot into Terry's head. Terry stood up, wiping his mouth.
"Mary! Help me out!" Terry said.
"Coming!" Mary said as she charged into the arena.
Mary leapt into the air, landed a three-kick combo to Joe's face, then left. Joe regained his stance, and his fist flashed. Joe charged at Terry, doing a series of punches. Not all the punches hit the target, but Joe managed to land seven hits before his super move energy ran out. As soon as the move ended, Terry grabbed Joe and threw his fist into Joe's stomach three times before throwing him over his shoulder. Joe landed on his back and groaned. He knew he was close to defeat. Joe slowly stood up, and with what energy he had left, charged forward in a Slicing Kick. He managed to hit Terry, but as soon as he did, Terry had kicked him in the face. Hard. Joe fell on his back, and this time, he didn't get up.
"KO! Terry wins!"
As Malon and Choi dragged Joe's beaten body off the arena, Billy leapt in.
"You really think you can win?" Terry asked. Billy didn't answer.
"FIGHT!"
"Malon! Show Terry that we CAN win!" Billy said.
"Sure thing!" Malon said as she ran into the arena.
Malon zoomed behind Terry, leapt into the air and slammed her fist into the back of his head. As Malon left, Billy thrust his staff into Terry's stomach. Billy lifted Terry into the air and used his staff to slam Terry into the ground. Terry didn't get back up.
"KO! Perfect! Billy wins!"
As Mary and Duck dragged Terry away, Andy leapt into the arena.
"Be sure to apologize to Joe for me." Andy said. "Terry had no right to call him a traitor, and I'm willing to hear his story when this is over."
"Sounds reasonable." Billy said.
"FIGHT!"
Billy and Andy charged at each other. Andy managed to get the first hit, nailing his fist into Billy's face. Billy plunged his staff into the ground and lifted himself into the air, kicking Andy with both feet. As soon as Andy regained his stance, he leapt into the air, spun around and struck Billy with both hands. Billy jumped back as Andy shot his hand forward, sending a blue projectile into the air. Billy smirked.
"FORE!" Billy shouted.
Billy swung his staff like a golf club, hitting the projectile. The projectile was sent into the sky. Suddenly, Billy's staff flashed. Billy leapt into the air as his staff mysteriously multiplied many times. Billy swung his many staffs once in the air, damaging Andy. The super move wasn't finished, however, as Billy brought the whole load of staffs onto Andy's head. As Andy reeled from the attack, Billy's staffs returned to one.
"Okay. That is officially the strangest super move I've seen yet." Malon said.
Andy charged at Billy and leapt into the air, landing a flying kick to Billy's face. Billy staggered back, collapsing to his knees. He wasn't unconscious, so Andy hadn't won yet. Andy walked over to Billy, looked down on him, and pulled his fist back, preparing for the final blow.
Billy knew that he'd been defeated. Suddenly, something caught his eye. He looked to the right side of the ring and saw a tall man with short, blonde hair standing behind a blonde-haired girl, holding her by the shoulders.
Billy's eyes widened. Lilly and Geese! Billy wanted to shout Lilly's name, but didn't want to raise any attention. Lilly had a coat resting on her shoulders, so she didn't have her arms through the sleeves. Billy could tell that, while under the coat, she had her arms behind her back. It didn't take Billy long to realize that her hands were bound behind her back, and Geese had put the coat on her to keep people from being suspicious. Lilly had tears of fright running down her face, and Geese was smirking evilly.
Suddenly, Billy remembered what Geese would do to Lilly if his team lost.
"NO!" Billy shouted as he shot to his feet, surprising Andy.
Billy plunged his staff into Andy's stomach, knocking the wind out of the younger Bogard brother. Andy collapsed, and didn't get up.
"KO! Billy wins!"
"Man! I took out BOTH Bogard brothers!" Billy said to himself in astonishment as Andy was dragged off the arena. He looked over at Lilly, who had forced a weak smile.
Duck jumped in, his baby duck following.
"How do you like KOF, Duck?" Billy asked, trying to disguise the worry in his voice.
"I LOVE it!" Duck replied. His duck nodded.
"Shall we fight?"
"Sure thing!"
"FIGHT!"
Duck charged towards Billy and threw his fist forward, nailing him in the jaw. While Billy was recovering, Duck head-butted him twice, then leapt into the air and shot his arms out, catching Billy in the face. Billy was almost defeated, as he didn't have a lot of health left. Duck jumped back.
"P-Chan! Get him!" Duck shouted.
Duck's baby duck charged forward, leapt into the air, flipped and landed a kick to Billy's chin. That, surprisingly, was enough to send Billy to the floor. Billy was too exhausted to get back up.
"KO! Perfect! Duck wins!"
Malon and Joe dragged Billy off the arena, and once they did, Joe looked at Billy.
"Why'd you shout when Andy almost defeated you?" Joe asked.
"Front row, right side of the arena." Billy whispered. "Don't raise your voice."
Malon, Joe and Choi looked in the direction that Billy had said, and their eyes all widened.
"Lilly and Geese!" Joe whispered.
"Choi, now you're our only hope in this fight." Malon explained. "Just remember Lilly."
"I won't let her down." Choi said determinedly as he jumped into the arena, where Duck was still doing his victory dance.
"You can stop dancing now." Choi said to the new combatant.
Instantly, Duck froze in a mid-dance move, staring at Choi with an odd glare. Duck quickly got into a stance.
"Yeah. Yeah. I knew that." Duck said nervously. His baby duck, P-Chan, snickered.
"FIGHT!"
Choi and Duck charged at each other. Duck leapt into the air, attempting to attack Choi from above. Choi slid underneath the airborne dancer, leapt into the air and kicked him in the back. As Duck landed on the ground, Choi spun around a few times, claws outstretched. Duck, damaged by the attack, charged at Choi, grabbed him and bashed his head against Choi's.
"Yo, Mary!" Duck said. "Show the little dude what we're made of!"
Mary snickered as she ran into the arena. As much as Choi tried to avoid her, he couldn't avoid her airborne kicks. As Mary left the arena, Choi darted at Duck and slashed him a few times. Duck quickly shot to his feet and thrust his foot forward. Choi prepared for this and covered his face with his hands. What he wasn't expecting was Duck's foot making contact with his stomach. Choi grabbed Duck and climbed on top of his shoulders. Choi slashed Duck a few times before jumping off. Duck quickly sent P-Chan out, and the baby duck kicked Choi in the face before returning to Duck.
"Hey, Malon! Help me out!" Choi said.
"Coming!" Malon said as she ran into the arena.
Malon zoomed behind Duck and leapt into the air while Choi slashed Duck a few times. Malon thrust her fist into the back of Duck's head, then jumped out of the arena.
Suddenly, both of Duck's feet flashed. Duck jumped towards Choi, grabbed him, threw him into the ground and started doing a series of dancing moves with his feet, all of which attacked Choi. Once the super move finished, Choi was sent to the ground, but the midget was still standing, although he was slouched over.
"I have to win this!" Choi thought. "For Lilly!"
Suddenly, both of Choi's hands flashed. With lightning quick speed, Choi dashed at Duck grabbed him and slashed his claws countless times. When Choi finished, Duck was sent to the ground, defeated.
"KO! Choi wins! Rescuer Team wins!"
The Rescuer Team quickly looked over at Lilly, who was practically jumping with happiness. Geese's evil smile just looked more evil, if that was humanly possible. Into thin air, the Rescuer Team vanished.
Soon, the Rescuer Team appeared back in the stadium, while the defeated Fatal Fury Team appeared on a separate platform.
"Once again, the Rescuer Team is given a one hour break to rest up for the next fight." The announcer said.
The Rescuer Team walked over to the Fatal Fury Team. Andy saw them coming.
"You don't have to tell me why Joe joined you, Billy." Andy said. "I saw Geese with Lilly."
"What're you talking about?" Terry asked.
"Let me ask you a question, Terry." Joe said. "Why do you think we called ourselves the 'Rescuer Team'?"
Leaving Terry to ponder, the Rescuer Team walked back towards their locker room.
To be continued...