Saikyokugenryu Ch.9:Caught in the middle!

Both Dan and Ryo landed safely in Metro City U.S.A and took a taxi cab for their next departure,the Metro public gym.

While on the way Dan explained to Ryo about the two fighter warlords they would be facing.

"From what I gathered before from fighter circuits on the world warrior tournament,Gill is some supreme super-being made of fire and ice with long- blonde hair and the same thong thingie on that Urien wore.

He held the third world warrior tournament to show his power and strength as well as gathering those to help him create a world called the Utopia,but a street fighter named Alex creamed him and won the tournament."

"Well here's what I know about Wolfgang Krauser."said Ryo. "He's a noblemen fighter from Gemany known as the Dark kaiser and fights in the style known as the House of Stroheim.

He once held a King of Fighter tournament in 1993 a few years after Geese Howard held it and there Terry Bogard defeated him as well. Then,in 96 Krauser joined up with both Geese and that crime lord guy you saw named Mr.Big to form their own team during the KOF'96 but they were beaten by Kyo and his team as they made it to the finals.

Geese was obviously killed by Terry in a new Kof that Geese himself held in a city like this called Southtown,but neither Big or Krauser were never heard from for some time-until now that is."

"Funny that."said Dan. "How you never see anyone again until they pop up when you least suspect it."

"I'll say."said Ryo.

"Well,we're here."said Dan.

The two got out of the cab,Dan paid the driver and they both found themselves before a red and black colored octagon shaped building that read:METRO CITY GYM above the entrance doors.

"Before we go in."said Ryo. "Who's this Guy fella we're seeing?"

"The only person right now who can help us with this."said Dan."He's a fighting ninja who uses the style of Bushinryuu. He and I fought and teamed up a couple of times on some adventures.

He along with his pals Cody and Mayor Mike Haggar have experiences with dealing this sort of thing in Metro."

The two warriors entered the gym. It was late afternoon and most of the students had gone home for the day after Guy and Cody's teaching on martail arts and self-defense. Suddenly,Guy shown up coming from a back door carrying a six-pack of chilled coke.

"Guy!"said Dan approaching him.

"Dan,what brings you here to Metro?"saidGuy. "And who's your new friend there dressed like you?"

"Oh uh-this is Ryo Sakazaki of the Kyokugen school."said Dan. "And we really need your help on something big here."

"Okay I'll bite."said Guy. "Since you helped me out last time with those killer ninja warriors back in the Kobe once. What is it?"

Dan explained to Guy quite briefly on the wherabouts of Gill and Krauser and then the three got into a jeep that Guy owned and drove across the city streets.

"I had heard something about those two wahoos being in the area,I wonder why?"said the ninja.

"Probably decided to challenge one another on account on their ego's!"said Ryo. "I still can't believe we have to do this?"

"Do what exactly?"said Guy.

"I'm afraid we can't explain that right now Guy."said Dan. "All we need to do is find both warlords and get something from them."

"Hmm.."thought Guy. ".I don't know what this is,but I sure don't like the sound of it."

Suddenly,the three fighters saw a huddle of people in front of the entrance to a warehouse near the docks.

"Hey,there's Maki!"said Guy."Maybe she knows something!"

The jeep stopped and the three warriors got out.

"Guy!"said Maki. "You're just in time."

"Why what's going on?"said Guy.

"Two big and colorful looking fighters called Gill and Wolgang Krauser are going to fight each other in this warehouse."she said.

"Alright we found'em!"said Dan.

"I'm not sure if that's good or bad news."said Ryo.

"Come on,"said Dan. "let's find another way inside."

The four warriors jogged around the warehouse where many onlookers had gathered to take a look at what may be the grudge match of the century.

Finally,they found a nearby side door that was locked,but Dan kicked it open with a hard kick and they were inside.

There,they saw a large crowd of people gathered around a large red colored circle mat placed in the center of the room and two large built men sat across from each other in gold thrones.

The first one was dressed in a robe and turban and sat in a gold throne with wings adorned on it.A young woman with blonde hair,glasses and a tight short dress skirt sat beside him as well as a few men in white and blue robed hood outfits stood around him.

The other was a large and muscled man with long purple hair,matching moustache and an x-shaped scar on his forehead. He wore a red and gold suit of armor with a red cape on his back.

It was both Gill and Wolgsng Krauser all right and they were both going to face each other in a no-holds barred match!

Gill motioned for his secretary Kaora to step up to the ring to announce the fight with a portable microphone.

"Ladies and Gentlemen..!"she said. "Welcome to the main event! You are about to witness a battle between two warriors that are more than men and less than gods! In the left corner,my superior the elemental master diety- GILL! And in the left corner,the Earl of Stroheim,the Dark Kaiser-WOLFGANG KRAUSER!"

The crowds roared and cheered for the two super-warriors they were going to see face each other. "What I don't get is-why would Gill be facing this Krauser guy to begin with."said Dan. "I don't get it either."said Ryo. "Well.from what I heard earlier through a bunch of rumors."said Maki. "That this is purely a match of egos and power. Gill had gone to Krauser's castle in Germany for a battle to enhance his strength and abilities,but when he got there he found that Krauser had gone to Southtown on vacation. But when Gill got there and challenged him,it caused quite an uproar just outside the city.

So.they both decided to hold a match in a place where they won't receive any real disturbance and agreed that whoever wins Gill will leave Krauser be. So.they held a grudge match here in this old warehouse and allowed at least a fair fraction of the public see it. There are even people holding bets on who would win."

"That sure sounds like Gill."said Dan. "And Krauser."said Ryo. "Well,at least we have them where we want them."

The two warlords walked toward on another and stopped short of Kaora between them. "The first one left standing by the time I count to ten is the winner."she said. "And please remember,there are innocent bystanders watching. So please-be careful where you throw projectiles-got it?"

"Got it!"they both said in unison. "Very well."said Kaora. "Now prepare yourselves in battle attire."

Gill burned the very clothing he wore,revealling his entire musclebound body of red and blue,white thong,and long mane of golden hair.

"You were right about him being that Urien guy's brother."said Ryo. "He looks even weirder than he did." Krauser flexed his massive muscles and his entire upper body armor exploded off of him. Revealling a barrel chested physique and clenched hands ready to do some major damage. His servants also picked up the solid gold embroidered armor behind him.

"All right face me bow."she said. "Face each other-bow-FIGHT!"

The fight began as Krauser threw the first move. "KAISER WAVE!"he shouted and threw both of his hands forward to reveal a giant red fireball.

Gill simply dodged it and came at his opponent. The two locked horns as their punches and kicks collided with each other,sounding off a small clap of thunder as they fought.

Gill rushed at Krauser and did his Die Attack on him. Kruaser was then pummeled in the chest,causing his entire to catch on fire and then turn to ice. Gill then ended it with a hard lunge punch knocking the wrestler backwards.

Krauser slid across the mat on his feet but thankfully didn't fall down after all. Shaking his head to get a better focus,Krauser was then very angered. "Let's see how your cheap tricks do against my own fighting moves!"he said.

Krauser jumped at Gill and swung his body into his Tomahwak kick attack. His entire body spun into an air rotation with his left leg sticking out and swung at Gill,very much like a Tomahawk axe.

Gill criss-crossed his arms to brace himself for the impact. "WHAAMM!" Gill's body was almost knocked backwards by the collide,but Gill kept his guard up at all times.

Krauser then bounced off of Gill and went for another attack. "BLITZ BALL!"he shouted and swung his fist upward throwing a red fireball at Gill. Gill counterrattacked with a projectile of his own. "PYRO-KENESIS!"he said and threw a fireball from both of his hands. The projectile smashed apart Krauser's fireball and went directly at him- knocking him down to the mat.

Ryo whispered to Dan. "We've gotta get close enough to either of those guys when they fall. I'm gonna try to get some of Krauser's blood the next time he falls down. After that,you try to do the same to Gill there got it?"

"Yeah I gotcha."said Dan."But you know it ain't gonna be easy." "Is nothing ever easy at times?"said Ryo. "Just relax,I'll get it even if I have to chop him in the back."

Ryo sneaked through the crowds and managed to get to a corner in the shadows where no one was looking. Kruaser jumped to his feet and attacked again.

This time,he thrust forward and went into his powerful kick attack. "KAISER KICK!"

Gill was hit sqaure in the chest by his powerful kick move and knocked across the mat. "HAHA!"he said. "Beat that!"

Kaora began the countdown. "1.2.3.4.." But after the fourth number,Gill was back on his feet again.

"Not bad at all."he said. "You just may be just one of the chosen ones I need after all. If you survive this." "I am only chosen by my heritage lifeline of the Krausers creature!"said Krauser. "By the great house of Stroheim. You will not best me tonight!"

"We'll see!"said Gill. The elemental being thrust at Krauser and did his Saber Lariet move. "UNNGHH!"Krauser was hit hard and flew acoss the mat in turn,he was close enough to the edge where Ryo stood.

"Now's my chance!"he thought. Ryo quickly bent down and pierced Krasuer's thick skin with the surrynge needle and took a saample of his blood.

"UH-HEY!"replied Krauser. "What stuck me?" Ryo quickly rushed back into the shadows and through a nearby closet door. "Hmmm."thought Krauser as he rubbed at the nip wound he received. ".must've hit some thick glass or something."

As Krauser raced back into the fight,Ryo went back over to where Dan was. "I did it!"he said."I got his blood sample!" "Okay!"said Dan happily. "Now we're getting somewhere!"

Ryo poured the blood into a vial and placed the cap on it. "Now it's your turn!"he said hading him the surrynge.

"Man!"said Dan looking over to where Gill's place was. "I'm gonna have a hard time to get where he's at." "Don't worry."said Ryo slapping him on the back. "I'm sure you'll think of something!"

Dan scowled in disgust as he went ahead with his part of the baragain. "BROTHER!"he thought. "WHY ME?" Dan made his way into the crowd and found some of Gill's loyal followers.

Dan looked at the few hoodmen who were there and then noticed a fourth one near the limosuine that Gill arrived in. "Ah-haaa."thought Dan. "I have an idea."

The two titans continued to struggle it out as they grappled with each other in a sumo-like hold. A minute later,Dan knocked out the hoodman near the car and donned his uniform in a clever disguise.

Cautiously,he stood near the edge of the mat,so no one would notice him. Suddenly,Gill was shoved back by a knee in the gut by Krauser.

Falling back onto the mat,Dan saw his chance and stuck the needle in the back of his shoudler. "HEY-WHAT?"said Gill in surprise. Dan managed to draw blood into the tube just in time.

"YOU HOODMAN B!"said Kaora. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING THERE AND TO LORD GILL?YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE AT THE CAR!"

Dan didn't say a word,instead he ran off in the direction of the mat. "STOP HIM!"said Gill. "HE-HE TOOK MY BLOOD SOMEHOW!"

One of the hoodmen pulled out an uzzi automatic and fired away at Dan. Dan dove to the floor as he tried to avoid the gunfire.

"What th--?!"said Ryo."Is that--?" Dan got back to his feet and ran to Ryo.

"Ryo I-I got it!"breathed Dan as he ripped off the robe and hood he wore. "Good work!"said Ryo. "Even though I was hoping you'd do it without attracting any attention." "Hey-it was the only thing I could think of."

Two of Gill's men ran towards Dan and Ryo weilding their guns. "The one in pink attacked Lord Gill!"said one of them. "HE MUST DIE!"

Dan and Ryo ran as the two thugs began to fire. The crowds of people ran in panic from the gunfire.

"What---what's going on?"said Krauser. "We have been blindly injured during our fight Krauser."said Gill. "And there's the two culprits running away now!"

"Ryo Sakazaki?"said Krauser. "But why would they--?"

"C'mon Maki!"said Guy. "We'd better stop'em!" The two Bushins ran at the gunmen.

Guy went into his sliding spin foot attack,knocking the first two gunmen off their feet while Maki used her Genko attack,knocking the man's firearm and then knokced him to the floor with her spinning kick on one hand move.

Krauser and his own men retreated to their own limo as did Gill and Kaora and they both took off.

"Well."said Guy. "Whatever happened,sure happened quickly." "I'll say."said Maki. "But what happened to your friend Dan and that Ryo guy..and what was this all about?"

"I'm afraid we'll never really know."said Guy.

While back in the city streets,both Dan and Ryo ran off to their next location-The city office of Mayor Haggar!

Continued in ch.10:Standoff as Dan and Ryo get into even more trouble as Krauser and Gill return for a little payback.