Author's notes: Wow, I got two reviews this time! ^^; Maybe I'll get three for this one. And if I keep it up, I'll have fifty-five if I make it to chapter ten! Nyah, I'm such a loser. XD Anyway, I finally finished chapter three, hoorah. No sick scenes in this one, unless you really consider vomiting sick compared to Bison the nasty pervert. ::shrug:: A bit of an explanation for that: I've had that theory for a while now. I put it into another story that I wrote, but never posted here. It was a little... Messed up.

And as a reply to Vammy's comment, I'm actually aiming to make Vega different from how he's perceived at first. See, Vega's my favorite character--from ANYthing--and so I've paid very close attention to the way his personality has developed throughout the games and anime. He started as just a psycho pretty boy, but as the characters grew, Vega became a very dark and angsty character. A lot of things suggest that there's definitely something that's forced his mind into being the way it is, and now he's trapped in that state of mind. That's generally what the entire plot of the story is based around, but not just for Vega. If it isn't completely obvious by now, you'll see what I mean. ^.^;

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I grasped my stressed stomach and picked up a towel to wipe my rank mouth. I stilled my breath for a moment and centered my concentration to my stomach; it seemed to be done. My eyes tilted upwards, but I couldn't bring myself to look into my reflection. I was disgusted with myself above all else at that moment, and I didn't want to face that.

What had happened to me? I had always been proud, confident--I wouldn't let anyone look down on me. But what I had become... was always in fear of him. I felt trapped. He told me that in Shadoloo, I would work my way up in rank, devoting more of myself to what I could be, and soon I earned the rank of top assassin. But... Assassins were usually at least somewhat independent. It was true that until a job was needed of me, I could go about in public, pretending to be who I was before my days there...

But once you were in Shadoloo, it ruled you.

I took in a deep breath and finally stood up straight. I turned the water on over the bathtub to rinse it and left the room, into the main room of my hotel suite. I sat slowly on the edge of the sofa, collecting myself. I tried to push those thoughts aside; the more I lingered on them, the weaker I became. I could not afford to be weak.

I remembered what the master had said was he was leaving: he would send Sagat, the master's right-hand man and his only henchman ranked higher than I, after my attacker. He probably already had. If he was successful, the man would have been dead before I even knew who he was. "Someone who could ambush me... He must be good," I mused aloud. "...Or maybe the master's right: perhaps I am becoming inadequate."

I wanted to smack myself for even thinking that. There was nothing wrong with my performance; in official battles, I was unbeatable. I was the perfect choice to ensnare another by surprise. But for someone to do it to me... Something was different about this man.

A shrill ringing noise filled my ears, and I jumped, breaking out of my thoughts. I realized directly after that the noise was only the telephone. "Dammit," I hissed, ashamed that I would startle over such a ridiculous thing. I leaned over the couch and picked up the receiver, but didn't say a word; if it was anything of importance, I wouldn't need to.

"Meet at area headquarters in thirty minutes," was all that was spoken in the stern male voice, followed immediately by the click.

I paid no attention as I placed the phone back down. I had just been to see the master, and the last thing I wanted was to face him again. What did he want, anyway? Hadn't I already been punished? Trying to hold back my thoughts for my own good, I took my dark grey overcoat from where I left it on the floor when I rushed in and headed for the door.

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"What this could be about? Some big operation, no doubt."

I tried hard to center my mind and ignore the ramblings of the American standing beside me. He got excited far too easily at the idea of a new mission, which would bring new money.

"Wonder what role I'll have in this? Hopefully something with good pay."

...At least I only talked to myself in private.

To my left, opposite the boxer, was Sagat, standing perfectly austere and aware. I attempted to appear the same, and after so much practice, I was probably succeeding. I tried not to call my attention too much to my surroundings, but I noticed that Sagat looked rather bitter, as well; beyond his usual expression. Maybe he had failed at his mission.

...I doubted that he had gotten the same punishment as I would have, though...

The steel doors abruptly slid open and the master marched in, with his usual self-important air. I straightened my posture as much as possible and turned all of my attention to him, as did the other two; Balrog even shut up. The screen wall behind him lit up and the master drew his own attention towards that. A diagram of a wooded spring appeared on the screen; I recognized it to be the place where I was attacked.

The master got straight to the point on why we were called there. "Somewhere in this area is a man with formidable powers. Two of you have already come across him, and were both defeated."

So he did fail.

"I trust that my choice men aren't losing their skill, so this person must have something that you three don't. After Sagat was defeated, I sent my researches to look into the data of this man that was determined from the battle. The man's identity and origin is still not determined, but the pattern of his energy is similar to that of Akuma."

My mind halted for a moment, and I played what he had said through my mind again. Akuma was a master of an extremely powerful dark energy, and one of the master's top targets. He was near impossible to acquire.

"I doubt I need to explain much further. You three are to do all that is in your power to seize this man and bring him to me. This is a rare opportunity, and failure will not be tolerated," he turned to face us, and his pure white eyes set on each of us with a warning look of authority.

Without another word--not even a sign of dismissal, he turned and marched back to the door as it slid open for him again. Once the sound footsteps faded, I relaxed my back slightly. Before I could walk out, Balrog spoke again. "You two got whipped by an Akuma wannabe? That's damn sad," he sneered through a smug grin. "I'll be the one to catch his ass and I'll get top reward for it. Maybe you two should go back to the minor league," he finally left the room with a cocky and overly loud laugh the whole way, unaware of the fact that his mocking words meant less than nothing to me.

I made the best effort I could not to make eye contact with Sagat, who was no doubt enraged by his defeat being announced. After Balrog's footsteps faded as well, I left calmly, while in actuality, my mind was filled with even more questions on who that person really was, and what I would have to do to fulfill my orders.