Chapter 3: Invitation

In less than three days, the news spread around the world as insanely fast as a computer worm infecting the entire network. People from all social and age levels were talking about it like never before. Packed with hotter sensation than the hottest artiste gossips; more crucial than the most critical internal issue; more surprising than everything people could imagine.

And it all started with an invitation.

X-x-x-x-x

"This has got to be a joke!" Kyo uttered when he received the invitation card. "Who on earth would send invitation to a tournament at this time?"

"Kyo, what is it?" asked Daemon as he stepped out of the Kusanagi Mansion. "Huh? Isn't that…?"

"Another tournament invitation, I bet," Kyo answered and opened the envelope. He took out the blue-coloured card and proceeded to read its content. It didn't take long before his eyes widened in shock. "This… this is…"

X-x-x-x-x

"Rock! We've got a mail," Hotaru called after she received the letter from the postman.

"Where it came from?" shouted Rock from inside the bungalow.

"I don't know. The sender's name isn't written here," Hotaru replied as she examined the envelope.

"What's that?" asked Dizzy who arrived from the supermarket with Ky walking behind her.

"Dizzy-chan! Okaeri," Hotaru greeted and walked toward the hybrid Gear. "I haven't read this letter yet. Would you like to read it with me?"

"Oh, yes. Sure," Dizzy replied and put the purchased groceries down. Then she stood beside Hotaru and curiously waited as the Futaba firefly took out the card and read it. Ky also approached the two wives and read the card. Then they had their eyes widened in disbelief.

"Invitation to a tournament?"

x-x-x-x-x

"President Zanuff," a White House officer called Chipp who was busy reading meeting minutes at his office, "there is an invitation for you."

"An invitation?" Chipp inquired. He saw an envelope held by the officer and suddenly jerked backward. "Hey, aren't you supposed to have it screened for contamination?"

"I'm very, Mister President, but the sender of this invitation wants me to hand it to you immediately," the officer explained.

"Chii?" suddenly Chii appeared beside the officer, carrying evening meal.

"Oh, First Lady Zanuff," the officer greeted Chii, "your husband is reluctant to read this important letter. Will you give this to him, please?"

"Chii," Chii answered and took the envelope. "Chii will read this letter for Chipp. Chipp will be glad if Chii helps him." The persocon, then, approached Chipp's deck and put the tray on it. "Chipp doesn't want to read this letter. Is Chipp afraid of something?" curiously she asked.

"Well, that's because of security reason, kind of," Chipp answered. "Since I'm now a president, I should be more aware of my safety. Oh, Chii. You can give me the letter."

"Chii," Chii responded and gave the letter to Chipp. "Chipp has made tea for Chipp. Would Chipp like to have tea with or without milk?"

"Chii, you've been helpful recently," Chipp said. "I'm so glad to see you helping me around." Strangely, the shinobi had been speaking in flawless English; probably the presence of Chii had helped him in developing his charismatic value of leadership. "Well, then, give me tea with milk, please." Chii smiled and did what Chipp asked.

Still checking the minutes, Chipp opened the letter and found a card inside it. Intrigued he read the card, while Chipp served him with tea. "Holy Zen!" the president suddenly exclaimed.

"Chii?" Chii voiced and approached Chipp. "What is it?"

"This… this…" However, before he could even complete his answer, the office door forcefully opened. Both Chipp and Chii looked at the entrance and saw a woman wearing body-hugging battle suit, complete with armory and equipments. "Uh-oh…" Chipp uttered and had a panicked face.

"Dark Chii has found Chipp," the woman declared and took out a USP, "Dark Chii will kill Chipp."

"CHII!" Chii cried and faced Dark Chii. "Chii will not let anyone hurt Chipp! Chii will not let Dark Chii kill Chipp! Chii will protect Chipp from Dark Chii!"

"This is one of those days I'd rather not face," Chipp mumbled and shook his head.

x-x-x-x-x

Everywhere around the globe, all fighters and martial artists alike received the mysterious invitation sent to them. Speculations arose regarding the invitation; mostly encircled around individual or organization responsible behind the invitation, and many suspected it to have been done by the genius behind all King of Fighters tournament. Some of the recipients even expected to be a phony, created to inflict havoc and sensation among all fighters. Yet whatever the explanation was, one thing was surely certain: a grand battle could not be avoided.

Zofeah still stood on the same tower, observing the city like a guardian watching over the land from the heaven. He was motionless for hours, letting the wind to blow his protective robe, occasionally correcting his hat.

A minute later, a ninja appeared behind him. "Shinobi of the Wind Village, Chihiro, is reporting," the ninja spoke and knelt.

"How is the delivery of all invitation, Chihiro?" Zofeah questioned, not turning his body around.

"Everything's under control, Zofeah-sama." The ninjitsu girl reported. "Ninjas from my village are accomplishing the task as you ordered us."

Zofeah just nodded and inserted his hand into the robe "I'm glad to hear that," he spoke and took out a gold-coloured envelope. "I want you to send this," he ordered and tossed the envelope toward Chihiro, "to the man with the word 'SIX' behind his name. Answer no questions when you're asked about it."

"Your wish is my command, Zofeah-sama." Chihiro acknowledged and took the envelope.

"One more thing before you leave, Chihiro," Zofeah called when the shinobi was about to leave. "Tell that man: be prepared for everything."

"Wakarimashita," Chihiro replied and disappeared in smoke. Zofeah just nodded and looked back at the city of Shanghai. Again, he corrected his hat before turned around, and walked toward the rooftop entrance.

x-x-x-x-x

"Sonna!" Hibiki exclaimed in surprise.

"Are you serious, Wolfie?" Cassandra uttered.

"I knew you two would be surprised," Lone Wolf SIX answered and leaned against the same oak tree Sol was leaning on. "I know you'll be surprised, but to tell the truth, I'm getting tired of handling all these meaningless battles… I mean battles that I don't plan in advance. I think I should do something else."

"Yeah, I heard that," Sol replied. "Go and take a break for a day or two. Maybe you'll get more ideas and inspirations from having rest."

"I must agree," Iori added. "Why don't you go and direct a children's fairy tale? Or maybe a story of harem? As long as it doesn't involve the two of us."

"Yagami-san! Sol-san! How could you say that?" Hibiki quickly responded. "Lone Wolf-san has been working very hard to handle all the matches, and he's been trying very hard to have all of the battles a success! Why don't you want, at least, to appreciate all his efforts?"

"Hibiki, it's okay," Lone Wolf SIX told her. "Some people just don't have the sense of appreciation."

"Go-gomennasai…" Hibiki spoke and frowned.

"Aww, Hibiki has been scolded by Wolfie. Boo-hoo-hoo," Cassandra teased and grinned mockingly. Hibiki growled at her in anger and pulled out her blade from its sheath, warning her never to mess with the Takane. "On the other hands, I'll pull back my words. By the way, Wolfie," she spoke and looked at Lone Wolf SIX, "what about 'him'? Aren't you going to investigate?"

Lone Wolf SIX could only sigh and peeked through the oak leaves. "I almost forgot. The problem is where to start?" Cassandra already wanted to suggest when the gathering was surprised by a smoke ball exploding not far from them. Sol withdrew his Fireseal, followed by Hibiki and Cassandra, the three of them facing the smoke ball. Iori did the same before Lone Wolf SIX told them to lower their weapons.

"Are you the one with the 'SIX' word behind your name?" a voice shouted from beneath the smoke.

"It's Lone Wolf SIX, to be exact," Lone Wolf SIX answered. "Who are you, and who sent you here?"

"I am Chihiro, shinobi of the Wind Village," the voice replied before the image of a girl in ninjitsu suit revealed from the smoke. "Zofeah-sama has entrusted me to send this to you." The ninja jumped into the air and landed in front of Lone Wolf SIX, taking his hand and putting a golden envelope on it.

"What's this?" Lone Wolf SIX asked.

"I am sorry, but Zofeah-sama has ordered me not to answer all questions upon sending this envelope," Chihiro answered. Lone Wolf SIX was looking at her in bafflement before she excused herself to leave. "Lone Wolf SIX, Zofeah-sama has reminded you to be prepared for everything."

"Prepare for what?" Lone Wolf SIX asked but the ninja already left before he could even get the answer. "Bleh. What a strange girl, though she's quite cute," he remarked. He sensed an eerie aura behind him and realized that it came from Cassandra and Hibiki; both were glaring murderously at him. "Uhh… I better pull back what I had said earlier."

Iori laughed and patted his back. "Congratulations for having the most protective girls in the world," he spoke and glared at Sol. "At least, you aren't alone in this world."

"Are you teasing me, Iori?" Sol demanded.

"Nothing," Iori replied.

Lone Wolf SIX just sighed and took out a card from the envelope. "What might be written on it?"

"What does it say?" Iori asked as the rest of them took a look at the card.

"Let me read this," Lone Wolf SIX said and opened the folded card. "Hmm… It is humbly announced that the second edition of Guilty Gear versus SNK tournament is to start two months from the date this invitation is delivered. Therefore, any and all recipients accepting this card are invited to this tournament, whether by solo participant of group entry. Attached with this invitation are the regulation all participants are required to follow and observe, and the list of venues in which the match will be held. Any two parties arriving at one of the designated location are automatically engaged in a sudden-death format match, and winners of all matches will gain the access to battle against the sponsor of this tournament, and the would-be champion will be given the opportunity to make a wish and have it granted." Lone Wolf SIX looked at Hibiki and everybody else before resumed reading the invitation. "If you, the fighter, have enough guts and strength to accept any challenge, you are most welcomed to enter this tournament. Have a pleasant battle, and good luck."

All of them arched their eyebrows in disbelief and looked at Lone Wolf SIX. "Liar. You said you wouldn't be handling matches, but what about this?" Sol demanded.

"Hell no, I don't know anything about this. I swear," Lone Wolf SIX defended himself.

"Let me read this," Cassandra spoke and took the card. "There's a note here." Immediately all of them turned their sights at Cassandra, waiting for her to read the note. "P/S: If Lone Wolf SIX reads this, he should prepare himself for the upcoming…"

"Revolution?"

Lone Wolf SIX was startled. The word Revolution suddenly knocked his half-conscious memory, causing him to wince in dismay. He groaned unpleasantly and held his head, shaking everything out of his head. "Damn, not now…!" he moaned and fell onto his knees.

"Lone Wolf-san!" Hibiki cried. "Lone Wolf-san! Keep yourself together! Lone Wolf-san!"

"I-I'm okay," Lone Wolf SIX said as he took a held on Hibiki's hand and stood up.

"What happened, Wolfie?" Cassandra asked in worry. "You seemed to be disturbed by the word I just spoke."

"I don't have any idea," Lone Wolf SIX answered. "But whatever it is, something – or someone – has got to be linked to this invitation. Someone has just got to."