If there's a God at
Heaven's door, do you think He wants me anymore?
It's all left up to circumstances, a whole life filled with second chances.
Pounded in like nails into my floor.
Everybody hates and everybody dies.
Begin to separate a world that's full of lies.
Separate yourself, to separated self
Separate yourself, to separated self
Surely there's a better place for me, a place where I can spend eternity.
A place where there is no more pain and there is only sunshine reigning,
And there is no one walking on their knees.
Everybody hates and everybody dies.
Begin to separate a world that's full of lies.
Separate yourself, to separated self
Separate yourself, to separated self
My angels they surround me, my demons they have found me.
My demons they surround me, my angels they have found me (now).
Saliva-"Separated Self"
The vast crowd roared around them. Ken recognized the chants of his fans from the U.S. Martial Arts Championships. He was surprised that the same people would search out this tournament. But that wasn't what mattered right now. This was business, big business. If even for a second The Powers That Be suspected that Julian had turned them in, it would be over for them both. The announcer's voice rang through the huge fighting arena.
"Ken Masters vs. Julian Marquez!!!"
Julian bounced towards Ken his fists near his face in a defensive state. Ken matched him and the two circled one another. It had to look real. Julian swung at Ken's face with an open palm. Ken parried the move and attempted a sweep which Julian jumped over as he aimed a kick at Ken's side. The kick found its mark and Ken stumbled sideways. He shook the hit off and charged Julian with his fists. Two punches found their marks on either side of Julian's jaw before he reached his arm up to block the third. Julian grabbed Ken's fist and used his strength to twist his arm behind his back. Ken squeezed his face in pain, but eventually broke Julian's hold. The two friends faced one another again and Julian spoke, a smile breaking out on his face.
"Real enough for ya?"
Ken smirked and replied.
"I thought you were just playing."
--
Wagner stared in wonder at the huge crowd, but he didn't let his mind wander for too long. If Guile had let him come he had better pay attention and keep his mind straight. Guile was all business for sure. He seemed to be able to keep one eye on the fight and the other on the crowd. When Wagner looked around and really concentrated he could pick out individuals who looked like they didn't belong; like they were working rather than watching a fight. Those were the ones they had to keep a lookout on once the infantry came in. He knew he could do this and he would for Cammy. Though he didn't tell her, he was terrified at the thought of losing her. He had a sister before, but hadn't really known what he had until he lost her. Now he knew how important a sister can be and the thought of losing Cammy, his second chance, was too unbearable.
Wagner turned his attention back to the fight. Both Ken and Julian now had blood on their faces. It was sure as hell convincing the crowd who were going crazy, not knowing who to root for. So everything was in place. But he was still tense. A lot of things could still go wrong.
--
Making sure to be quiet and careful, Cammy made her way into the arena from a back entrance. Well technically it wasn't an entrance. You can't really call an air vent an entrance. Oddly enough she had found it open, the screws already off. After a few moments of crawling on her belly she could see a room below her. Lightly tapping the metal frame, she knocked it loose and caught it before it fell. She lowered her body down and was in. Now the only thing she had to do was find Vega. A few men passed her in the hall but few took any real notice. Checking out her butt didn't count. She could hear the crowd screaming from the arena. Perfect, nothing to ruin her finding Vega and making him pay.
--
Grunting in frustration, Vega made his way down the back halls. Marquez had come back with just enough time to fight and not enough time to question his about his absence. Vega didn't like it at all. Masters had still shown himself for the fight. Maybe he hadn't heard about Camilla. Maybe he had and was pissed. It didn't matter, as far as Bison was concerned, he had done his job at getting Masters at the tournament; and even had him and Marquez fighting. It would be a match, but Vega didn't have time to watch it unfold. The outcome really didn't matter for Marquez though, if he knew his fate he would probably want to lose.
Vega smiled to himself. He had managed to keep his discovery of Camilla a secret, thus not having to eliminate her; thus getting to have his fun. He had her back now and he wasn't going to let even Bison ruin it for him. Suddenly he froze, as a smirk ran itself across his lips.
"Camilla. What a pleasant surprise. I have been expecting you."
"Shut up. I'm not here to talk."
"And the reason for your visit?"
"I'm going to kill you."
"How nice."
Cammy pressed her lips tightly together in concentration and motioned that she was ready to fight him. He started laughing.
"Alright, you can have your way then."
He pulled his metal mask and claw from their respective places on his side connected to his sash. He put on the two items and matched her fighting stance. Through the mask he spoke.
"I am ready lover."
--
Julian picked himself up from the mat and tried to shake off Ken's latest blow. Julian was struggling but at least he could tell that Ken was also. The crowd was still cheering them on. Julian rushed at Ken and started to aim a punch at his nose, but at the last second he turned and struck his cheek with the back of his other fist. Ken crumpled to the floor devastated by the unexpected attack. Julian quickly looked to the crowd again. They had to stay pepped; it was the most reasonable way for Guile to target the Shadowlaw members. By now he should have them all tagged. Ken surprised him and the next thing Julian knew, he was face down on the mat. He quickly swept Ken's feet out form under him and flipped to standing. He allowed him to stand and the crowd went wild when they both got back into their fighting stances. He and Ken looked at Guile in the same moment. Just in time to see him nod his head. Then the lights in the arena went out, and everything was black for a moment.
--
Screaming out, Cammy rushed towards Vega. She aimed a low kick at his legs, hoping to knock him off his feet, he was too quick however. He was damn quick actually. He dodged most of her blows before she had even finished initiating them. After a moment she paused and rethought her strategy. Sweat poured down her forehead and he stared laughing.
"It is my turn now."
Before she could react, he rushed at her, claws extended. She brought her arm up to protect her face. Metal clanged on metal as the blades ripped through the cloth of her glove and hit the metal boning. He turned quickly swiping at her head again. She ducked this time and was successful in sweeping his legs from under him. He fell into a back roll and was back on his feet again before Cammy had time for an offensive. They charged at one another and suddenly the lights went out and they were both blanketed in darkness.
Not trusting her senses in the dark Cammy instinctively crouched down. Vega's legs collided with her body and he fell. His claws hit something metal and sparked. Then there was silence between them two. Screams could be heard in the arena but the hall was silent. She stayed still, waiting to hear him move, trying to estimate where he was. Without warning she felt him grab her shoulders then felt his claw against her throat. He spoke through the mask and clenched teeth.
"What was that about killing me?"