Chapter Two - The First Engagement

Disclaimer – I don't own anything, don't sue me because all characters are owned by other SNK or Capcom.

Dramatis Personae

The Alliance

Saisyu Kusanagi - Kusanagi Clan Patriarch
'Blue' Mary Ryan - Ex-Officer
Ken Masters - (so far) 2 time US Martial Arts Champion and heir to Masters Corp.
Shizuka Kusanagi - Wife of Saisyu Kusanagi, ex-archer/mercenary
Angel - ex-NESTS Assasin
Rose - Fortune Teller/half of M. Bison's soul
K' (Kay Dash) - Mercenary
Maxima - Mercenary
Kula Diamond - Mercenary
Diana - Mercenary
Eiji Kisaragi - Ninja for hire/Mercenary
Benimaru Nikaido - Narcissist, 'Shooting' Muey That Warrior

The Underground

Geese Howard - business tycoon, criminal kingpin, Haikyokusseiken Fighter
Wolfgang Krauser - Strolheim noble
Vega - Spanish noble/Shadaloo member
Ryuji Yamazaki - Gang leader
Zangief - Russian Government agent/Shadaloo member
Sagat - Muey Thai Emperor/Shadaloo member
Rugal Bernstein - Super Terrorist
Balrog - Former Heavyweight Boxing Champion/Shadaloo member
Billy Kane - Geese Howard's personal bodyguard
Raiden - former Professional Wrestler/Geese Howard's henchman

Ryu - Wandering Warrior

Geese Howard was thought of as dead, killed in mortal combat against the Lonely Wolf Terry Bogard. That is not the case.

Howard and several other super criminals were held in secret at the infamous Area 51 in Nevada, too dangerous to kill, too valuable to lose. The US was to hand over custody of these volatile individuals to the Ikari. Unfortunatly, Geese's minions intercepted the prisoners. The world's greatest villains were free, and had chosen to band together to get revenge on the entire world. Furthermore, through Geese Howard's politcal guile, he had managed to receive amnesty from the US, else he reveal the US's political crimes against his fellows and the secrets of Area 51.

The Masters Corporation and the Kusanagi Clan have banded together to create the Alliance, a diverse group of individuals who for various reasons, choose to work for the Masters and the Kusanagi, as their personal agents. Their first mission is to fix the problem they were created to solve - they must apprehend Geese Howard's Underground. And Ken Masters has a theory on where or maybe who they may make a move against first - his rival and friend Ryu.

Alaska - Practically nowhere

Ryu was in Alaska, having somehow ended up there while attempting to travel to Hong Kong from Spain. The simple minded warrior truly believed he was in England at the moment however, and approached a nearby igloo in order to ask for directions to the nearest airport. "Excuse me," he asked the resident Eskimos, "which way is London airport?"

Alaska - elsewhere

A few kilometres away, Sagat, Geese Howard and Wolfgang Krauser were huddled together, watching footage of their quarry on their portable video screen. Years before his capture, Geese had managed to get his people to hack into a US Spy Satellite, and had secretly taken control of it.

Of course, if the US were to apprehend Geese for his crimes, they would also have to admit to the existence of a satellite that was able to locate and pinpoint all of their citizens wherever they were, so Geese had kept the spy sat for himself.

Right now, it had managed to locate the troublesome warrior who had defeated all of his allies. After Geese had managed to gather together all of his old acquaintances, (including Mr. Big, Billy Kane, and Raiden), his new allies had started looking for their old enemy and were planning on teaching him a lesson.

Geese thought much farther ahead then his allies, and planned on using the man who managed to defeat him in single combat to (something even Terry Bogard could not manage since the Bogard brother had to defeat him by teaming together) further his own ends. Even though M. Bison had refused to follow the other escapees, Geese had learnt about a certain cannon that he had once attempted to employ.

He knew that NESTS had built a duplicate cannon dubbed the Zero Cannon, but that the Zero Cannon was destroyed. After stopping by Southtown after his escape and viewing first hand the aftermath of the cannon's power, he knew that Bison would be helping him, one way or another.

Balrog, Billy Kane, Zangief and Raiden (back to his old job again), were following their leaders, shivering and complaining about the cold. However, a few evil eyes from the mighty Geese Howard silenced their protests. The group of villains trudged forward towards the unsuspecting travelling warrior.

Alaska - an igloo

Ryu was enjoying a meal of fish stew that the Eskimos had generously provided him when a huge explosion blew the igloo away. After Ryu emerged from the wreckage of the igloo, he noticed the alliance of criminals looking down on him.

Krauser's hands were crackling with energy, and he chuckled at the mayhem he had just caused. "I see my 'Kaiser Wave' is as potent as ever eh boy?" taunted the mighty Strolheim noble.

Ryu noticed that he was severely outnumbered. Seven to one in fact. And when three of them were Sagat, Krauser and Howard, then his chances were considerably smaller. Still, Ryu stood ready to face his assailants. "OK, so who am I going to duel first?" he asked.

Krauser roared with laughter at his statement. "Dear boy, we're not here to challenge you, we're here to annihilate you completely," Krauser said. Geese put his hand in front of Krauser, stopping him before he did anything foolhardy. "Remember, we need this boy alive," he reminded the German noble. Krauser nodded, and restrained himself.

Ryu frowned at his adversaries. "I seriously doubt that you people can ever look at yourselves in the mirror ever again if you fight me altogether. Draw lots or something, I don't care, just give me a real, fair fight."

"That does it," an infuriated Sagat announced, "Let me take this boy now, he's insulted the King of Muey Thai for the last time!" The large scar on his chest started glowing again, as it does every time he challenged Ryu. The effects of Ryu's 'Metsu Shoryken lv-3 SC' were never going to truly dissipate.

Geese sighed and gave in, "Alright, Krauser, you fight him if anyone has to fight him one on one, I want this done quickly and efficiently, and he won't be prepared for your 'improvements.'"

Krauser chuckled, and flexed his muscles, ripping the replacement armour he had managed to find at a pawnshop of all places. The effect was as impressive as if he was in his Strolheim armour though. However, once he finished his usual pre-battle ritual, he started his new one.

When Ryu had defeated him, he had only just completed his genetic amplifications on his body. Ryu had beaten Krauser before he had been able to control his body's new powers. Now however, Krauser was able to use his terrifying new powers like he was born with them.

Krauser began screaming as if he was in agony. Suddenly, his skin faded to a dull grey and a few bony protrusions appeared in places around his skin. His skin seemed to look harder and much more dense, more like the hide of an elephant than human. The 2 meter tall behemoth suddenly seemed to grow even taller and wider.

The 'new and improved' Wolfgang Krauser was a spectacular site indeed. Ryu was impressed; it was going to be quite a fight.

Alaska - 500 m away from the battle

Eiji seemed cool and collected about Krauser's transformation, and simply kept watching from his vantage point, staying hidden from Geese Howard's sight. Still, he could not believe that he was going to have to take on such incredibly strong opponents.

He was beginning to regret ever having tea at the Kusanagi's home (NB: see the KoF: Kyo Manga) and promising Shizuka Kusanagi a favour in return. He had assumed that since Shizuka had welcomed the immoral ninja into her home with something as ridiculous as having tea and pie, she would ask something equally as ridiculous for a ninja of his many skills such as moving furniture.

He did not expect her to ask him to battle the greatest and most powerful beings in the world with other people he personally didn't care for. 'At least,' he thought, 'I'm getting paid a six figure salary for this job.

'And I finally have some written information of the Orochi from that crazy old husband of Shizukas. All that trouble to find out about something that Kyo Kusanagi sealed off six years ago. And all I had to was offer to risk my life against Geese Howard.'

Eiji activated the intercom at his belt and Angel's beaming face appeared on the view screen. An arm quickly appeared to pull the young woman away, and Diana's face appeared.

Diana and Saisyu were chosen to be battle co- ordinator and were actually still in the Masters Corp. building. K' was chosen to be the field leader for this assignment, to test his abilities. K''s brilliant leadership had been able to lead his team in three KoF victories, as well as being able to evade the entire Ikari organisation for two years.

Despite this fact, Blue Mary, Rose and Benimaru were totally against taking orders from the violent and ruthless K'. Ken and Saisyu knew that the limiting factor in K''s leadership was that he didn't care about his team mates and didn't care about morals, as long as the mission objectives were accomplished.

In battle situations such as the ones the team would need to engage in, morale was crucial. It was going to be hard to trust someone who reminded his troops that he didn't care whether they lived or died. Still, it seemed for now that K' was the best candidate to lead the team.

K' had ordered Eiji to run reconnaissance and spy on Ryu while the rest of the team would analyse and follow shortly after. Now that Geese Howard and his men had made their move, it seemed now was the time to gather the rest of the team. The others were in the airship that Shizuka had picked up Rose in.

"Diana, tell Masters that his friend has just engaged Geese Howard's men. He is battling Wolfgang Krauser, who's matched the battle data we have. I think he seems much more powerful than the data shows though."

Diana nodded and she relayed the message to K', causing the screen to split into two, with K''s face appearing on the other side. "We're approaching your location," informed K', "ETA is 320 seconds, do not engage or interfere no matter what condition this Ryu is in.

'If he's disposed of before we arrive, delay Howard until we can engage, but not until then. We absolutely need the element of surprise."

With that, the screen split back into just Diana's face. "Gruff, isn't he?" stated Diana. Eiji stole a look over at the terrifying site that was Wolfgang Krauser and said to Diana, "In five minutes time the boy will be dead."

Alaska - the battlefield

Ryu kept his cool, and considered that at that size, Krauser would surely move slower than a sloth. Ryu would have the speed advantage and victory would depend on quick and agile movements. That thought was soon dispelled when Krauser came charging at him with the speed of a panther.

Krauser attempted to hit Ryu with his 'Kaiser Kick' combination but Ryu just barely managed to sidestep the two kicks. The ground shook around the two combatants, a display of the new power that Krauser now had at his disposal. Ryu rolled away and prepared himself by assuming a guard position.

Krauser threw a few 'Blitz balls', ones that were considerably larger than the ones that he had used when he first challenged Ryu. Ryu attempted to duck under them, but to his horror, the blazing balls of energy tracked his movements and each ball hit him in the shoulders. Ryu fell to the ground and cried in pain.

As he looked up however, Krauser was dropping down on him with his 'Leg Tomahawk' attack. Ryu rolled to the side but quick as a flash, Krauser successfully used his 'Kaiser Kick' and launched him several feet away.

He spat out a mouthful of blood, an injury already welling up inside him. Ryu struggled to get up again. Krauser was well renowned for his brutality, and he would get no respite from such devastating attacks, not even for a second. However, when he pulled himself up, Ryu noticed that Krauser was simply grinning down at Ryu.

Krauser had finally got his arrogant attitude back again, which had been thought lost after his defeats by both Terry Bogard and Ryu. Ryu was way out of his league, and realised that if by some miracle he was able to defeat Krauser, he would still have to contend with Sagat, Howard and their cronies.

From the way that Krauser and Sagat followed Geese's orders, it seemed like Krauser was only the appetiser. Even with all odds against him, Ryu still stood tall and decided to go out the same way he lived his entire life, by fighting.

Ryu started thinking about his situation. His arms were weak after the 'Blitz Balls', and he was sure some of his ribs on the left side were at least cracked. His 'Shoryukens' were definitely out, and his 'Hadoukens' needed to be concentrated around his abdomen area, so he was out his greatest weapons.

Ryu would need to depend on his legs, but he realised with dismay that Krauser's stone like skin would probably just deflect his relatively weak 'Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyakus'. He had developed a new technique (making a grand total of 4) that wouldn't require him to use up a huge drain in his ki, but it was a slow attack and he wasn't sure he could pull it off.

Still, it was his strongest Special technique, and he needed to break it in sooner or later. Ryu decided on a plan of action and charged at the behemoth of a man that was once Wolfgang Krauser.

Krauser grinned at the incoming Ryu. He knew Ryu was a smart fighter, and would probably attempt to evade Krauser and attack him while he was vulnerable. He guessed that Ryu would dart to the left or right and attempt to strike him from behind.

As Ryu approached, Krauser held his arms out to his sides in an attempt to clothesline the charging warrior. Instead, Ryu charged right at the Strolheim noble, head butting him right in the face.

The iron like skin that Krauser now sported caused a huge gash on Ryu's forehead, as well as causing him to dazedly take a few steps back, but had broken Krauser's nose and had injured his left eye to the point that it was shut closed.

Ryu wasted no time and attempted a weak 'Shoryuken' at Krauser's right eye, but caused more pain in his weakened arm as it did to Krauser's eye. Krauser attempted another 'Leg Tomohawk', but Ryu evaded this one as well.

Krauser then attempted a straight jab (which, with the density his skin now had, would have hurt as much as Ryu's strongest punches) at Ryu's head, but Ryu slipped past Krauser's arm, grabbed his shoulders and did his 'Tomoe Nage' on Krauser.

Ryu was not really what you would call strong in comparison to some fighters, but he was an incredible warrior, and despite Krauser weighing an inhuman amount more than he used to, Ryu still used Krauser's leverage against him, sending him hurtling him away with his simple throw. Krauser landed squarely in the head before crumpling in the ground.

Enraged, Krauser did a Chinese get up and threw a 'Kaiser Wave DM'. However, his 'Kaiser Wave' looked more like some huge beam attack from Dragon Ball Z. Ryu sprinted to his left as fast as his legs would take him, and just as the beam approached, he desperately dived. He managed to just barely dodge the energy beam, but he could still feel the searing energy, and it scorched his feet.

As he got back up from the snow, he saw Krauser sailing towards him with his 'Kaiser Dual Sobat' drop kick. Ryu saw this as his opportunity. It might just be a suicide move, but it was his best bet of taking down the rampaging Strolheim Noble.

Just when Krauser was about to hit, Ryu did his newest move, the 'EX Joudan Sokutou Geri.' The effect was devastating. Krauser was flipped backwards in mid- air, launched several feet away.

Krauser's legs seemed to just crumble inside of him. Loud, guttural screams erupted from his mouth, the pain from his broken feet overcoming his usually stoic acceptance of pain. The bones in Ryu's right foot seemed to be broken, and the rest of his legs seemed badly damaged as well, but he had finished the fight at least.

Krauser attempted to pull himself up, but his legs might as well have been jelly, as his shattered bones could not possible hold up such a heavy body. Sagat huffed at Krauser, "Huh, so the boy defeated you even with your 'improvements,' how pathetic. Stand aside and let the God of Muey Thai handle this gnat."

Krauser roared in outrage. He held his hands above his head and charged up his ki. "The Strolheim line does not bow to nameless boys or weaklings from Thailand. I WILL . . . destroy this boy . . . MYSELF!" With that, Krauser let loose a 'Kaiser Wave DM' on the ground behind him, and propelled himself straight at Ryu.

Ryu cringed and gathered together all the ki left in his body to prepare himself for the greatest move in his arsenal. The approaching Kaiser held his clenched fist at Ryu, attempting to rip his head off with the momentum. "DIE BOY! Screamed Krauser as he approached, and as he was about to hit the wandering warrior, Ryu crouched and performed his 'Shin Shoryuken lv-3 SC.'

Ryu's already weakened arm's bones shattered when it came into contact with Krauser's iron like skin, but on the plus side, Krauser's ribs broke and the Strolheim noble collapsed into a heap in front of Ryu.

Ryu knelt in front of his defeated opponent, simply stating, "I won" in an amazed voice, as if he had trouble believing it himself. The bought was much more brutal than the tournament fights Ryu was beginning to become renowned for.

Geese chuckled at Krauser's fate, "It seems that Krauser simply was not enough for the boy. His use for our little alliance seems to have been overestimated, however, he seems to have served the boy up for us. Raiden, Balrog, take the boy."

Ryu could do nothing but stare at his assailants, too badly hurt and spent from his battle with Krauser. Just as Balrog bent over to grab Ryu, a blue ball of ki hit him in the head, causing him to stumble dazedly backward.

Geese Howard and his minions looked over to find Ken Masters in his 'Hadouken' pose, smoke coming out of his hands. Ken and his team of warriors were in an attack formation, ready to engage in the team's first battle.

Geese's minions were all startled to see such a diverse group of warriors standing before them. Ken Masters, Eiji Kisaragi, Shizuka Kusanagi, K', Maxima, Kula Diamond, Angel, Rose, Blue Mary, Benimaru Nikaido. For now, Geese Howard's group was outnumbered, especially since Krauser was doing nothing more than bleeding in the snow.

However, Sagat and Geese were far from worried, infuriated was a more appropriate term. As powerful as they were, Sagat and Geese considered themselves equal to twenty times the power of the people in front of them.

To them, the mercenaries and warriors before them were irritating gnats interrupting their business. The only thing that put them a bit off guard was why so many of their enemies were gathered together at the same time.

K', not wanting to lose the element of surprise, barked his commands to the team. "Masters, Kula, Rose; you take Howard. Nikaido, take the boxer. Ryan, you take the fat wrestler. Kisaragi, take the one with the staff. Maxima, take out the tall wrestler. Kusanagi, I want you to support us by sniping at anyone who seems to be in too much trouble with your arrows. Go!"

As the team charged at their enemies, K' held back Angel to secretly give her some specific commands. "I know your history at NESTS, and you're the only one willing to do what needs to be done.

'Kisaragi's surveillance shows that Howard wants Masters' little friend for some reason. Howard thinks big; torturing him isn't what he has in mind. If he fits into Howard's plans for more power, then it's better off if he's dead. If it looks like Howard is going to win, I want you to kill the kid."

Angel listened to all this with a smile on her face, and didn't seem fazed by such an ominous duty. "Masters is probably going to throw us in the slammer if we kill his friend right now when no one knows who's going to come up top, so for now, just harass whoever you feel like and offer support when you need to."

Angel saluted, confirming her orders. She then posed in her usual cow pose and teleported away.

Geese charged up a souped up 'Raging Storm DM' for the approaching warriors, but Angel appeared right behind him and kicked him in the testicles. Quick as she appeared, Angel teleported away again, and as the mighty Geese stumbled in pain, he was subject to a 'Hadouken', an 'Aura Soul Spark lv-1 SC', and a 'Diamond Edge DM' all at the same time.

Angel quickly attacked all of the villains gathered. She appeared in front of Zangief and did her 'Senseless Fist' kick (quite contradictory but that's what she named it) to his face.

Reappearing before Raiden, Angel grabbed him and kicked his considerable bulk into the air with her 'Mad Murder Roulette.'

Balrog attempted his 'Turn Punch' when she appeared in front of him but the agile young girl did her 'Parasol Spin' to evade the attack before countering with her devastating 'A Full Moon Evening' punch, sending the legendary boxer hurtling away.

As she teleported away, Billy saw what was happening and did his 'Whirlwind Cane' in an attempt to hit Angel before she appeared. Angel was way ahead of him, and actually teleported behind Billy to deliver her 'Go Go Futen Girl' combo.

As she appeared in front of Sagat however, the Muey Thai Emperor did his 'Tiger Uppercut' and sent Angel to the ground, the wind knocked out of her.

By now, the heroes had all engaged their enemies, and ki was flying all around the snowy fields. Sagat picked Angel up by the head, attempting to do his 'Tiger Rage' by repeatedly smashing her face in. However, Sagat ducked his head to the left, letting one of Shizuka's arrows whistle right past.

The Emperor of Muey Thai had inhuman perception and speed. Just as well, the arrow would have hit him right in his last good eye otherwise. Sagat spotted Shiuka in the distance, but the distraction was all that was needed to K' to send a flaming fist right into Sagat's chest, performing his 'Heat Drive DM.'

Sagat dropped Angel, who wasted no time in teleporting away to bother someone else. Sagat pulled himself up, appraising the seemingly frail bodied K'. "So you are the one they call the current 'King of Fighters.' You look even weaker than Kyo Kusanagi boy."

K' took off his sunglasses so he could fearlessly look Sagat right in the eye and say, "For comparing me to that pig Kusanagi, I will gladly make you eat your teeth. Some 'Muey Thai God' you are."

As he said this, K' kept creeping closer to the towering Sagat. "Letting garbage like Adon take your crown in your absence, and having the same fighting style as that bumbling fool Joe Higashi.

'Huh, Joe Higashi, a man I defeated with one punch at KoF. That man is less than nothing. Small Gods for small-minded fools. Muey Thai must be weak if shit like Higashi and you practice it. In fact, let me show you how weak it is right now." With that, K' and Sagat traded punches.

Sagat quickly got the upper hand, parrying one of K's punches and countering with his 'Tiger Blow.' However, as K' was thrown in the air, he launched one of his new 'Air Triggers' at Sagat, sending a scorching hot fireball careening towards the Muey Thai Emperor.

Sagat blocked the blow, but still managed to get burnt on his right arm. K' did a Recovery Roll and came back at Sagat with his 'Minute Spike.' K' usually kept attacking his opponents, not letting them have a chance to recover or get their bearings.

Usually, this worked against weaker fighters, which was why K' had won so many KoF victories. The Koreans, the Kyokugen Team, the Gorgeous Team, even the Garou Team all bowed to his superior ability. K' was now fighting with Sagat however, and his experiences with a REAL Muey Thai warrior were non-existent.

K' tried to trick Sagat by changing into his 'Narrow Spike', but Sagat would have none of that and blocked low, before attacking with his 'Tiger Crush.' K' was now on the defensive.

Sagat was an experienced, honourable warrior, and K''s dirty tricks would not phase him. Sagat was also more powerful than the relatively inexperienced K'. If K' wanted to win, it would have to be with normal fighting techniques.

Sagat charged at K' with a flurry of knees and elbows, to which the ex-NESTS soldier could only evade. K' was only just barely missing all of Sagat's overwhelming attacks, and would need to think of a new plan of attack before he was mowed down by the behemoth.

In truth, it was K''s pride that led him to a one on one duel with Sagat, while sending three people to take on Geese. A fake left kick by Sagat put K' on guard, leaving his right side vulnerable. Sagat capitalised and led with a low kick and performed his 'Tiger Raid SC,' sending K' hurtling away.

Sagat quickly sensed impending danger and turned to see another arrow hurtling towards him. Sagat caught the arrow and chuckled, spotting Shizuka off in a tree in the distance. He charged up his 'Tiger Cannon SC' and sent the gigantic ball of ki right at Shizuka.

Shizuka calmly nocked another arrow and dove off the tree, shooting the arrow at the God of Muey Thai. Shizuka managed to land on her feet and sprinted away just in time to avoid the ki blast. The blast simply disintegrated the tree trunk and didn't even weaken. The beam was still travelling off in the distance.

The 'Tiger Cannon SC' was so big that Sagat was blind to whatever was in the path of the ki. Since he had to recover after launching such a powerful Super Combo, he could not react in time to avoid the arrow that was whistling his way. The arrow pierced through Sagat's inhuman muscles, and lay embedded in his right thigh.

Shizuka's distraction gave K' the time to recover and he asses the situation. Sagat's right leg gave out form under him, and K' wasted no time and tried to capitalise. He ran forward and did a quick kick at the arrow to weaken the leg even further.

As Sagat roared in pain and swiped blindly at his assailant, K' used his newly developed Desperation Move – the 'Heaven Drive DM.' K' twirled around with a couple of Claw Bites, before sending Sagat straight into the air and kicking him back down.

K' now had the advantage, and decided to make full use of Sagat's injury to obtain victory. Most warriors would have bulked at such barbaric tactics, but K' was no warrior, just a mercenary. He would do what was needed to win.

Elsewhere

Eiji dodged another swipe delivered by Billy Kane, before doing a 'Shadow Attack,' allowing him to move very quickly away from Billy. Eiji then threw a 'Steel Wave Slasher' at Billy, hoping to put Billy off-guard. Billy simply responded with his 'Flaming Hurricane DM,' absorbing the blast before charging up his high-tech cane's flames to throw at Eiji.

As Billy let the flames go, Eiji did another 'Shadow Attack' and reappeared behind Billy, attempting a 'Bone Cutter.' Billy dodged the attack by doing a pole vault with his 'Sparrow Drop' attack.

Eiji saw Billy coming at him from above, and caught the cane with his Sais. "Why don't you work for us Kisaragi?" tempted Billy, "we've worked together before. You know how well Geese pays, and we can even arrange a 'private session' for you and the entire Sakazaki family. Besides, do you really want to be a lapdog for Masters?"

The two men strained, each trying to outmuscle the other and free their prospective weapons. "Tempting offer Billy, but while working for the straight and narrow is annoying, I'm guaranteed no backstabbing - which is never possible working for Howard – and I'm guaranteed a pay check. There's no money to be made with Geese Howard when Howard Corp got seized."

Another of Shizuka's arrows came at Billy, who drove one end of the cane to the ground, before leaping up and grabbing the top end of the cane. The arrow missed its mark and Billy shinnied down the cane like a fireman going down a pole. Eiji released his Sais and engaged in a dance of blades, ending with his 'Shadow Slicer.' Billy managed to block every attack with his cane, though just barely.

"Besides," added Eiji, "the Kusanagi hate Yagami don't they? I'm sure I can arrange for them to help me slit his throat. Don't you forget what happened at the 95 tournament?" The two former teammates were evenly matched, trading blow for blow with their weapons.

Elsewhere

Benimaru looked more like he was at an island resort than in a hectic battlefield. He hadn't even charged his powers yet, as evident with the fact that his hair was still down. Balrog rushed at Benimaru with another 'Dashing Straight.' Benimaru simply leant to the left and let Balrog rush past.

The force of Balrog's attack sent a huge gust of wind around, making Benimaru's hair swish around. Benimaru made a bid deal of running his hand through his hair with his eyes closed, as if he were in a shampoo ad. 'Imagine sending someone as beautiful as me against such a disgusting brute,' thought Benimaru.

He was hoping that Kyo would show up so he could outdo him. Truthfully, that's the only reason he agreed to Saisyu's summons. He pretty much thought that this mercenary thing was too bothersome.

Benimaru took a step forward and let Balrog run past with yet another 'Dashing Straight.' The boxer was strong, but he was also horribly stupid. Benimaru was getting tired, and decided to finish the fight (perhaps start was a better term).

"You pansy-ass fag boy!" roared the irritated and infuriated Balrog, "Come get what's coming to you!" With that, Balrog charged up his mighty 'Gigaton Blow lv-3 SC' and rushed straight at the narcissist.

Benimaru sighed and activated his 'Raikou Ken SDM.' Balrog had no way no stop his attack, so he rushed straight into the storm of electricity erupting from Benimaru's fist.

Balrog was fried from head to toe, and when the SDM finished, Balrog was stumbling around like a drunkard. Benimaru was surprised, he was hoping that the blast would kill Balrog, but lo and behold, the boxer was still there.

"All you do is stand around looking ugly. Just lay down and die," Benimaru casually said. Balrog punched his head a few times to get his bearing, and put his guard up. Benimaru sighed and got in his Muey Thai stance, hoping to finish the boxer off before his new leopard skin muscle shirt got any dirtier.

Elsewhere

Geese dodged an arrow, a 'Hadouken,' a 'Soul Spark' and a 'Diamond Breath' all in rapid succession. After the initial surprise attack by Angel, Geese had quickly recovered and was in command of the battle.

If fighting three people at once fazed the powerful criminal, he surely wasn't showing it. All he was showing was the Haikyokusaiken techniques he was renowned for, and the power of the Scrolls of Immortality.

As Rose, Kula and Ken tried to rush at him all at once; Geese performed his 'Raging Storm DM' attack and sent them all hurtling away. Geese laughed and addressed Ken, who was on the ground moaning. "So Masters, why are you here? You're meddling and wanting to do the right thing will merely get you killed boy."

Geese picked up Ken's prone figure and looked him right in the eyes. Ken merely stared back, "I figured that once your political enemies are gone, your business rivals would be next. Besides, I'd rather the lousy government we have over being led by a bastard like you."

Before Geese could respond, Kula was at his back, attempting to pacify him by freezing him in a block of ice with her 'Ice Coffin' grab. Geese smiled, and the ice stopped spreading at his arms. Geese merely shook and the ice shattered away.

Geese looked menacingly down at the gentle Kula. Kula stared at Geese's eyes, orbs that conveyed pure evil and unimaginable power. She shook at the knees and collapsed. "Pathetic girl, you need to be taught your manners, never interrupt the adults while they are speaking."

Geese charged up the power he had gained through the Scrolls of Immortality, while Kula could only watch and whimper. "Your punishment today will be death!" With that, Geese let loose with his almighty 'Deadly Rave SDM.'

The power of Geese's deadly combo would surely kill the young Kula, who felt her life slipping away with every hit. 'That's it, I'm done for,' thought Kula as she took another blow to the head, 'at least I can see Foxy again, in the other world.'

Geese charged up the final ki blast that would surely spell doom for the ex-NESTS soldier. Rose was still unconscious, and Ken was struggling to get to his feet, in no condition to rescue the teenager. Geese let loose the final hit of his 'Deadly Rave SDM' . . . and got nothing but air.

Elsewhere

Twenty meters away, Angel put down the shaking Kula. She had come at the last minute and teleported her to safety. Kula blinked and looked at her saviour. "Angel? Why? I've never done anything for you. Diana and I, we were trying to put you in jail for killing Foxy. You tried to kill me!"

Angel was taken aback at that. "I never did anything to Foxy! And I never tried to hurt you!" explained the Latino bimbo, "it was K9999. I just went along with what he told me to do. I just watched, that's all."

Kula thought back to the Cliffside battle at the end of King of Fighters 2001. When she thought about it, she really only did fight K9999. Angel was off to the side just watching. And all this time she and Diana believed that Angel didn't care about friends or comrades. They had thought her a murderer.

"I didn't want to hurt Ms. Foxy, she was alright to me," clarified Angel, "she was only mean to me. She didn't want to hurt me like everyone always else in my life wants to."

'Everyone in her life wants to hurt her?' thought Kula, 'what does she mean by that?'. She didn't know what to say, but realised she still hadn't said something important to her teammate. "Thank you for saving my life Angel," thanked the grateful Kula. Angel beamed from ear to ear,

"Shucks. That's nothing between team ma-." Suddenly, Angel stopped talking abruptly, and looked down her top. Right above were her heart should be was a hole the size of an apple. Kula realised this too and was shocked to see that she could see right out the other side.

Angel fell, slowly, while Kula got up and caught her. Kula looked up and saw the terrifying image of Geese Howard grinning down at them, his hand outstretched and smoking still. He had evidently shot Angel with a beam of piercing, deadly ki. Kula looked down and saw that Angel's eyes were open wide, and were vacant. She had seen those eyes once before, she had seen it in Foxy's eyes when she died.

Ken ran down to the women and was shocked to see what had happened. His grand plans all seemed to go up in smoke. His people were losing, and had lost a member of the team on their very first mission. Kula checked Angel's pulse but that was just a formality. Kula knew the horrible truth even before she found not a trace of life on Angel's neck– Angel was dead.

Next chapter - the conclusion of the first battle