Let There be Fight!
Author's Notes: Sheesh, people, quit pressuring me. Do you guys want a good story that takes forever to perfect or a bad, rushed, tale? ... Anyway, here's the next chapter, designed to keep the fanboys/girls satisfied for a little while. Hmph, I suppose it was a mistake to reveal that haggling gets results. Oh, yeah, and the tournament begins this chapter. It makes more sense not to keep dragging it out forever.
Chan Yoruyamatiha: I apologize for any misunderstandings we may have had. I respect you and your opinions very much and I understand if something I said may have exceeded the boundaries of courtesy. Well, you wanted it and here it is: the next chapter. But any more nitpicking about your appearance and I'll introduce Evil Chan, who is more powerful than you, who does fight better, and who will hunt you down! ... Oh, dang it, please, not the soft, tearing eyes ... BTW, next chapter will reveal your boyfriend.
DeNice: The script ... well, I decided to ditch it because the humor seems too forced. Sorry that this fic took so long (but hey, it would've taken even longer if you hadn't haggled). Not that I'm suggesting anything ... well, maybe I am, who knows?
Kikoken: What's this about me being a pain in the - never mind, I know that I'm a pretty demanding critic. And yes, you can kick plenty of ahem, but a fight against Bison is a no-contest in his favor. About Mark of the Millennium, I apologize since I didn't have the time to do a full review. Get AIM, blast it!
Noctorro: Wait no longer! Here it is, the next chapter, where ... nothing happens, really. Well, actually a lot happens, but all of these chapters are designed to keep the reader guessing. Thanks for being patient with me!
???
One month has passed
"Welcome, Regina. There was something about which you wished to speak with me?"
"Yes, dear sister. About the upcoming events in the mortal world - why are you involving yourself?"
"I should not need to tell you, Regina. You understand my heart."
"I feared as much, dear sister. Please - reconsider your decision. What you are doing ... is not right."
"You have a rather strange sense of right and wrong. What I believe may not be accepted, yet it is certainly not wrong. Regina, are you well? Have the thoughts of the mortal world also disturbed your mind - as they have done to Gill?"
"I am well, but I would ask you to reconsider. We should not meddle in the affairs of mortals. Dear sister, you need not remind me of your troubles. And yet ... I cannot help but wonder - is what we do the only way?"
"Why should you so suddenly question yourself, dear Regina?"
"Perhaps I have lived in the mortal world too long. Yet, the mortals have a saying - 'That which is accepted is not always right.' I find them surprisingly wise at times, dear sister. Perhaps we should truly leave them to their own affairs and intervene no longer."
"Alas, you are following in the footsteps of Gill and Urien. They deceive themselves, believing that mortals can live in a perfect world by their own effort."
"And yet - who would not wish that it were so?"
"I understand. It is a noble enough goal, for which much striving is worth. Yet the utmost caution is necessary in this affair. Regina, you have a kind heart, but I fear that it may prove your downfall. Ever since mother's death, we have been the sole ties left to each other. Dear Regina, would you so callously throw it away? You ask me to reconsider, but I would ask the same of you."
"I see - I apologize, dear sister, but my beliefs have been shaken."
"Why do you doubt me, Regina? Am I not your older sister?"
"True, yet only by a few thousand years. I can no longer simply accept everything at face value. For the longest time I have believed as you believe, but - perhaps, it is time I discovered for myself, what I believe. I trust that you will understand, dear sister."
"Departing so soon? ... Very well. I wish you only the best, Regina."
"Farewell, dear sister."
Osaka, Japan
Two months have passed
Glancing around nervously, the man tried to hold still as a number of technicians finished wiring his suit with miniature microphones. A makeup artist added a touch of blush to his face. Someone threw the man's white scarf around his neck, fastened it securely, and patted his whitewashed armored suit. Another man adjusted the headband around his forehead. The man sweated as each technician bustled around him. He'd faced mad dictators and deadly assassins before, but this was too much! Silently he vowed that, if he survived this insane agreement of his, he'd - he'd - he couldn't think of anything appropriate. Someone locked his bootstraps into place. In a word, it was Jin Saotome.
Jin fidgeted, asked a question, and was surprised to hear his voice reverberate out the microphones. "Turn it down, will you? I can barely hear myself think - dear me, does my voice really sound like that?!" He glanced at the clock. "Three minutes until showtime. Okay, Jin, just relax ... will you hurry up?" When several more people converged on him, Jin exploded. "Just let me go or I'll have Blodia punch you out!"
To his immense satisfaction, the technicians scurried away. "Osaka Dome's jam-packed," someone reported from the back. "All the bleachers are full, and they're even plenty of people standing in the aisles. Well, it's nearly eight o'clock. Showtime, people! You're up, Jin! Remember, just stay cool and go with the flow! You'll do great!"
"Yeah, sure, thanks," Jin muttered. At least he wouldn't be alone. Taking a deep breath, Jin Saotome strode out into the open of Osaka Dome. It was a dark and surprisingly cold night; to his dismay, Jin saw that the bleachers were indeed filled almost to overflowing. For this special occasion, the roof of the dome had been removed, allowing moonlight and floodlights to pour in. Jin strode to the center of the arena, where a raised platform had been erected. A number of loudspeakers had been arranged on each side of the platform. There was a holographic projector, too, a new-fangled piece of technology that displayed a giant image directly above Jin and somehow let everyone see the exact same scene. Jin's head was already hurting.
Okay, just go with the flow - do your stuff, Jin. Adjusting the microphone one last time, Jin took a deep breath. "Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the World Collision tournament! For the duration of the tournament, I, Jin Saotome, will be your special announcer and battle commentator." He was semi-gratified to see that the crowd had quieted considerably. He was not pleased to see that a number of brilliant lights had centered on him. "Since the contestants themselves will not be appearing for another half hour, we'll take the time to fill you in on the tournament!
"As you all know, the World Collision tournament is possibly the greatest ever held. Certainly it is the most widely watched sporting event in several years - second only to the Olympics, and above the World Cup. At this moment, more than a third of the world's population is eagerly following this event right at home from the television." Glancing up, Jin saw his own giant holoprojected image following every movement of his. He turned around to look at another section of the stadium. "And yet, despite the media blitz, I know that many questions are still on your lips. Who is the 'M.' mentioned everywhere? Ladies and gentlemen, may I direct your attention to my colleague Kyosuke Kagami!" Jin motioned and a moment later the big holographic image refocused, showing an interior shot. "Kyosuke, would you please fill us in?"
Standing inside the stadium, dressed in a tuxedo, glasses perched on his nose, Kyosuke Kagami looked every inch the sharp news reporter. "Thank you, Jin! As a matter of fact, I'm standing here with one of the most highly anticipated fighters in this tournament." The camera panned over as Kyosuke turned around and asked the question. "Ryu, thank you for joining us this evening. Perhaps the biggest question surrounding this tournament has been the identity of M. Speculation has it that M. is none other than the infamous Shadowlaw dictator, M. Bison, somehow alive despite the World Warrior tournament eight years ago."
Ryu, dressed in his simple wandering warrior outfit, leaned his head to one side. "Actually, I was talking with Bison just a few minutes ago. He says that he doesn't have a clue - and neither do I. In fact, it seems that nobody has any hint as to who M. might be."
"Is it possible that M. will reveal himself halfway through the tournament?"
"That's certainly possible, yes, so I wouldn't discount it. But, I think it's more likely that M. will remain a mystery identity all the way to the end. The tournament is organized so that the finalist faces M. - until then, I believe that we'll keep guessing."
"Thanks for the information, Ryu. Now, since you know many of the -"
At that moment, Kyosuke was cut off by a sharp cry of "Ryu!" from behind. The camera panned over, revealing Chun-Li, Sakura, Chan, and a number of other women clustered in the cramped hall. "Oh, Ryu! Over here! C'mon!" As they raced down the corridor towards the legendary warrior, a suddenly nervous Ryu glanced at the student turned reporter. "Excuse me, Kyosuke, but it looks like a lot of women are eager to claim me. So, if I may, um -"
"Certainly." And with that, Ryu disappeared in a blur of white, followed by a horde of screaming women. Kyosuke, watching the crowd chase after Ryu, merely shrugged. "Well, so much for that. Jin, back to you."
"Alright, Kyosuke. There you have it, ladies and gentlemen - we aren't hiding anything from you." Jin consulted his watch. "Well, the countdown keeps going. It's time to reveal another surprise, one that's been carefully kept secret for some time. Are you ready, ladies and gentlemen? Good! World Collision is actually a team-based tournament! Teams of three members each will be competing in a battle royale, with only the strongest making it out alive. A team tournament has never in the history of the Street Fighter world been conducted before! Obviously this team format will require new strategies, new rules, and we'll be sure to see new fighters enter the ring. Let's head over to get the opinion of an experienced fighter." Satisfied to see that the crowd was fairly buzzing with the news, Jin turned and nodded towards the bleachers. "Miss Rose, what can we expect from this tournament?"
Sitting in the bleachers, dressed in a flamboyant pink suit and yellow scarf, Rose waved at the cameras. "Well, Jin, I'm certain that this news will come as a great surprise to the vast majority of viewers. Since each team is made of three team members, teamwork will definitely be the single greatest factor in deciding which team does best. Without going into the rules, let's just say that the rules definitely favor warriors who work together. However, this tournament is also seeing a number of single entries - extraordinary warriors who have decided that they can take on entire teams by themselves. To say the least, the tournament will definitely be a new experience for many."
"Rose, would you please explain the rules of the tournament to our viewers?"
"Very well." Rose sat up straighter and looked into the camera. "Although battles are between teams rather than individuals, only one team member will directly fight the other. Each round is a single battle without a time limit; the battle ends only when all the fighters from one team have been knocked out. However, actually killing a member of the opposing team is strictly forbidden and will immediately disqualify the team in question."
"What about the actual mechanics of the battle?"
"I'm getting there, young Jin. Youngsters these days are so impatient - why, in my day, children -"
"Yes, I get the point, Miss Rose. Now tell us about the way battles are arranged before I have Blodia shoot you full of holes. We only have a few minutes left before the main event."
"Right. Anyway, each team has a leader; before the actual battle, each team selects a tactical captain who starts off the fight. Team members may freely switch out any time that they wish to do so. The next team member is the captain's striker assist and may jump into the battle at any time to execute a special attack, then leave. If striker assists from both teams are on the battlefield, then auxiliary strikers may also join in; otherwise, however, they can be called in only to perform team attacks."
"Team attacks? Please clarify for our audience, Rose."
"With the advent of super attacks following the first World Warrior tournament, rules governing these have also been built into this competition. Any team member can call out his partners for a delayed super chain, where team members execute their attacks one after another instead of all at once; however, only the tactical captain can initiate a team super attack, where all team members attack at once. This, of course, makes the tactical captain a very important part of the team's strategy. Now, as for the actual mechanics of the fight, once a team member has been knocked out for more than three seconds, a partner must immediately enter the battlefield and continue fighting for the team. A knocked out team member is removed from the round and can no longer participate even if he or she later regains consciousness. So, there's certainly an interest in switching out team members to let injured members recover. Only the active fighter can be targeted for attacks unless if the other team members are on the battlefield executing striker assists."
"Most interesting, Miss Rose. Thank you for your time. So that's the team battle format, ladies and gentlemen - our single entries are definitely going to have a hard time of it, but they aren't ordinary fighters, either." Jin checked his watch. "Ladies and gentlemen, with just a few seconds left on the clock, I'll reiterate the fact that the final team to finish the tournament faces off against M. We certainly expect M. to be a very formidable challenger, although again nobody knows for certain. Well, it's time! And here they come - let's give a big hand to all the fighters participating in this tournament!"
This time, the holoprojected image came off Jin entirely, as did most of the lights. They refocused on the big stage entrance where mist was already billowing. Then, as an upbeat musical score began to play in the background, Jin called out each selection. "First up, let's introduce the referees who will be enforcing the rules of the tournament! Representing the world of Makai, our first referee has lived for hundreds of years. Until recently he was recovering from the aftereffects of a treacherous coup. But now he's back and still bent on saving the dark world. Ladies and gentlemen, I present the distressed prince ... Jedah Dohma!" The lights flared up as Jedah, dressed in an elegant gray suit, his bladed wings glinting in the white light, appeared in the entrance to the arena. Jedah made an elegant leg, including the whole arena in one long bow.
As he strode off to his place in front of Jin's podium, the mech pilot was already busy with his next entry. "Our second referee prefers to call himself the savior of this world. He is the head of a secret order known as the Illuminati as well as the host of the third World Warrior tournament. A worthy fighter in his own right, he's here tonight by special invitation as a referee. Ladies and gentlemen, here's the elemental emperor ... Gill!" Once again the lights flared, going from Jedah to the new entry. Gill appeared in the doorway looking like a Greek god, his magnificent muscles glinting in the light. One side of his body shone red, the other blue; Gill raised his hands in a gesture of blessing before making the same walk towards the platform.
Jin smiled wryly as the crowd cheered. "And now, let's head to the actual teams! Representing the United States Air Force is a veteran Harrier pilot who's faithfully served his country for many years. This man invented the infamous Sonic Boom and Flash Kick techniques that have often been copied but rarely equaled. Thought to have died taking down Shadowlaw, he has staged a return especially for this tournament! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the hypersonic hurricane ... First Lieutenant Charlie!" Dressed in military fatigues and a gold-colored vest, hair slicked down his face, Charlie appeared in the entrance, all smiles. Waving all around at the bleachers, Charlie half-skipped towards the platform, taking his proper position.
"Did you bring him back, Gill?" Jedah whispered.
Gill shook his head. "Nay - I can but resurrect myself, Jedah. Some other power is at work."
"Our next contestant is also a member of the United States Air Force. He is the winner of the second World Warrior tournament and also a devoted family man. Everybody, please welcome the fist of vengeance ... Colonel Guile!" Guile appeared exactly as Charlie had, striding from the doorway in a tank top and camoulflage pants, boots tightly laced. His golden hair, carefully arranged in a flaring pattern, glinted in the light. No smiles or waves from him; Guile simply half-stalked to his position, ignoring the crowd. The cheers were noticeably less audible than they had been for Charlie.
"Our next contestant is, coincidentally, also a member of the United States Air Force! His life story is one of overcoming extraordinary odds - when he was young, Shadowlaw soldiers raided his home and killed off his whole family. But not only did he survive, he joined the Air Force, is in custody of Guile, and helped take down Shadowlaw after the second World Warrior tournament. Please welcome the magnetic marvel ... Senior Airman Scott K. Wagner!" The lights once more intensified upon the stage entrance; Wagner appeared, blue eyes shining. He was a fresh-faced youth, yet bore a look of experience which could easily surpass that of people twice his age. Wagner waved at the crowd, then took his proper place near the platform. "Everybody, please welcome the American Vigilantes! And here's your useless team trivia - each member of this team actually has perfect vision! Otherwise, they wouldn't be in the air force ..."
Guile glared at Charlie. "American Vigilantes! We're supposed to be the USAF team!"
"Er ... last minute changes," Charlie mumbled.
He was spared the embarrassment of providing a full explanation when Jin began his spiel again. "Our next contestant is actually a self-taught fighter - or at least, he was, before tracking down the man who inspired him. This contestant was a recent strong showing in the U.S. Martial Arts Open and also a promising basketball player. Plus, with his experience in the third World Warrior tournament, this competitor is certain to show a strong standing in this competition. Everybody, let's give a hand for the raging cyclone ... Sean Matsuda!" Sean practically bounced into the arena, waving and grinning for all he was worth. Whistles and applause greeted his entrance. The Brazilian boy twirled a basketball before tossing it off to the crowd, then skipped to a spot beside Scott Wagner, stopping only to exchange a high-five with the airman.
"Sean's teammate and our next contestant actually began as an orphan on the streets of Japan. Rumor has it that he was actually used as a human experiment by the despicable Shadowlaw organization. At any rate, he ended up in America and is currently working his way through college, courtesy of a friend of his. His best friend Cranky is here with us tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the banisher of light ... Kenneth Feng!" Nearly blinded by the bright floodlights, Kenneth still remembered to wave at the crowd as he set off for his walk to the platform. He was Chinese by descent, his short black hair smoothly slicked back, a lean and wiry kid with an incessant smirk. He fell into place beside Sean and the two of them exchanged good-natured punches.
"And the captain of the team, three-time winner of the U.S. Martial Arts Open as well as a steady participant in various World Warrior tournaments. He's also a famous movie star with a mansion in Beverly Hills. With multiple connections to fighters all around the world, he himself is one of the best that there is. Girls out there, sorry, but his wife Eliza and his son Mel are with us tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, say hi to the flaming dragon ... Ken Masters!" Dressed in his traditional red uniform, hair fluttering in the wind, Ken cartwheeled into the arena and winked at the audience, throwing a V-sign with his hands. The holoprojector caught every last detail - and the crowd went wild, cheering crazily. A girl from the bleachers called out "I love you, Ken!" - fortunately, she did so in Japanese, thus escaping the wrath of Eliza.
"Everybody, give a hand for the Masters Team!" Still grinning, Ken took his sweet time walking towards the platform. He shook hands vigorously with Charlie and tousled Wagner's hair, but Guile refused to make eye contact with him. "As for the useless team trivia - originally, Ken didn't have a last name at all! But when the Street Fighter action figures began to sell on the market, Mattel sued Capcom on the basis that Ken's too closely resembled Barbie's boyfriend Ken. And that, ladies and gentleman, is how Ken became Ken Masters ... strange, isn't it? Ah, well, I suppose it's better than being stuck in last name-less hell the way Ryu, Chun-Li, Guile, and just about everybody else is." Jin chuckled to himself as a suddenly enraged American Vigilante team had to be restrained by the referees.
"Well, look what we have ourselves here," Jin continued. "Our next contestant is none other than the daughter of Ryu. She was raised by her mother, a former Shadowlaw assassin, and practices a blend of various martial arts. She currently trains under Ryu, but don't tell Sakura! Ladies and gentlemen, I present the superior tiger ... Kirina Houshi! Ryu doesn't have a last name, but Kirina does!" Kirina appeared in the doorway to the arena, dressed smartly in denim jeans and a light red sweater. Dazzled by the size of the crowd, she waved hesitantly and quickly ran to her position, stopping only to greet "Uncle Ken."
"Don't go away yet, people - our next contestant is none other than the host of the original World Warrior Tournament. Much of the facts around him are surrounded in mystery, but we do know that he is currently one of the best fighters around. He is said to be able to hold his breath underwater for over twenty minutes! Temporarily a member of Shadowlaw, he is now simply waiting for a chance to have the rematch to end all rematches. Ladies and gentlemen, the Emperor of Muay Thai ... Sagat!" Sagat appeared in the big doorway and formally bowed to the audience. Besides his normal short trunks, he was also wearing a big overcoat that concealed the scar across his chest. His one good eye took in the crowd; quickly and efficiently he took his place beside Kirina.
"And now the captain of the team, the original champion of the World Warrior tournament, and possibly one of the greatest fighters in this or any age. Over the years, his legend has only grown along with his impressive list of victories. Never one to settle in any place for a long time, he is often seen in various parts of the world, but if you're looking for a good fight, then he's the man to seek. Ladies and gentlemen, the eternal challenger ... Ryu!" Headband fluttering in the breeze, Ryu walked out into the arena with one clenched fist held high. The crowd erupted in wild applause; Ryu trotted to the platform, stopping to greet Ken and hug Kirina. "Quick trivia for you - Ryu's belt has the words 'Fu Rin Ka Zan' written on it, meaning 'Be swift like the wind, be subtle like the forest, be aggressive like the flame, be strong like the mountain.' Trivia aside, I present to you the World Warrior team!"
"Ironic, isn't it?" Ryu whispered. "The two of us fighting on the same side after all these years."
"And I never thought I'd see myself fighting alongside you," Sagat commented. "It's an honor, Ryu."
"That makes two of us," Ryu replied. "Glad to have you, Sagat."
Jin dropped his voice. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, our next contestant is a former champion of the boxing ring, expelled after nearly killing an opponent during a match. He was the head of Shadowlaw for some time after the second World Warrior tournament. Rumor has it that he even killed an elephant with a single blow! Armed with the world's strongest punches, please welcome the untamed fist ... Balrog!" Balrog appeared at the entrance, all grins and affability. The crowd cheered as Balrog made his way to his proper position, pausing only to leer at Kirina.
"Our next contestant hails from Spain. He is a renowned matador there and also practices the art of Ninjutsu. Less known is the fact that he, too, was a high-ranking member of Shadowlaw and its top assassin. He also wears a mask to protect his visage from battle damage. He comes from a wealthy family of noblemen, but when his father murdered his mother, he snapped and went wild. Ladies and gentlemen, give a big round of applause for the Spanish silhouette ... Vega!" Applause and whistles rent the air when Vega stepped out of the doorway, bowing elegantly to the assembled throng. The mist lid his lower body and his mask was off. A woman in the crowd shouted out a marriage proposal; Vega blithely ignored her as he skimmed to his proper position.
"And finally the leader of the team, the host of the second World Warrior tournament! He began his career a long time ago when he murdered his master and went on a rampage. More than thirty-five years ago he formed the world criminal organization of Shadowlaw. A master of Psycho Power, this contestant is one of the strongest ranked in this tournament! Parents, keep your children close at hand, because here comes the dread master of Shadowlaw ... M. Bison!" Instead of striding out of the mist like everyone else, Bison floated, wrapped in his great cape and expressionless as a stone. He paused for a moment, then regally threw the cape behind his back and stalked towards his proper position. The crowd booed loudly and somebody yelled "Kill him, Ryu!" Bison halted at his proper spot and folded his arms, impassive. "Ladies and gentlemen," Jin finished, "here are the Lords of Shadowlaw! Quick trivia for you: more than fifty percent of the world's drug carteling is handled by Shadowlaw." More boos and hissing followed.
"The next fighter is a single entry, but don't make the mistake of underestimating him. He is a member of the IDC and commonly considered the best soldier the IDC has ever seen. Among his many accomplishments were taking down the terrorist group United Front and fighting in the IDC's War of Ascendancy. He was the founder and former captain of the IDC's elite strike force Phantom. Perhaps the strongest fighter in this tournament, he also has excellent relationships with various warriors from around the world! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the one-man legion ... Ernest McGrath!" Face shining, McGrath appeared in the doorway dressed in a simple shirt and slacks, a vest thrown over his torso. He was tall and tanned, brown hair very still but anticipation gleaming out of his brown eyes. Truth be told, he looked nothing like a fighter or even a military type. Waving and bowing to the crowd, McGrath walked to his proper position next to M. Bison.
As they chatted quietly, Jin once more took up the microphone. "The next contestant hails from Hong Kong. He's a practitioner of Chinese Kempo, runs a family restaurant along with his brother, and is universally considered an up-and-coming fighter to watch in the future. Some people also consider him the most eligible bachelor of this tournament next to Vega - hey, he owns an entire village, for heaven's sake! And here he is, the captain of the team, the storming white dragon ... Yun Lee!" Baseball hat pulled down on his head, Yun rocketed into the arena on his beloved skateboard and pulled a fancy stop just short of running into Kirina. Fortunately, Ryu and Sagat simultaneously clamped their hands on Kirina's shoulders as a reminder not to go fireball-crazy at that point in time. Grinning like a cat who had just eaten a mouse, Yun took his place next to Ernest McGrath.
"And wouldn't it be appropriate to go next to Yun's twin brother? This fighter, too, runs the family restaurant and serves as guardian of their village. Also with underworld connections, rumor has it that he has a history with the Illuminati. He's the more serious of the two brothers, a practitioner of Kempo, and a favorite of the ladies near his area. Ladies and gentlemen, three cheers for the flurry blue dragon ... Yang Lee!" Dressed in a red overshirt and black silk pants, Yang appeared in the doorway and waved to all present, then hop-skipped next to Yun. He paused only to stare at the legendary Ryu; his brother greeted him with a friendly high-five.
"The final member of this team is the younger sister of Yun and Yang. Unlike the former two, however, she trained under that legendary assassin Gen - who, incidentally, is with us tonight in the bleachers. No underworld connections for her. She also helps in the family restaurant and is responsible for many of the, uh ... more creative ... dishes that have been appearing lately. Sorry, guys, but she isn't interested in a boyfriend at the moment. Everybody, here comes the wild red dragon ... Yin Lee!" Dressed in a formal Chinese outfit closely resembling Gen's with a scarlet sash around her waist, Yin strode out of the doorway and made a formal bow to the crowd. "And this is the much anticipated Triple Dragon team! Quick trivia for you: Yun and Yang aren't related to Gen but are nephews of Lee. Yin, however, is a granddaughter of Gen - despite the fact that she's Yun and Yang's younger sister. Heredity is a quirky subject, no?" Jin grinned mischievously as M. Bison roared with laughter at a chagrined Yun and Yang.
"Our next contestant represents the Bushin school of ninjutsu. She used to run with a motorcycle gang back in her schooling days but has recently given up education to concentrate on training. She's also one of the fighters who took down the Mad Gear gang - permanently. Her father was a former grandmaster of the Bushin fighting arts and she herself is an accomplished warrior. And to all you boys in the crowd, her favorite food is tapioca. Here she is, the whispering wraith ... Maki!" Dressed in the standard red uniform of the Bushin ninjas, armed with a tonfa, Maki appeared in the doorway and curtseyed to the crowd. All attitude, she swaggered to her proper place in the line next to Yin and settled in with a tough and cynical look.
"The leader of this team is another Bushin ninja and the current Bushin grandmaster. He helped take down Mad Gear once and also played a key role in defeating the Skull Cross gang. Thought to have gone missing right before the second World Warrior tournament, somehow he's still back in action and looking none the worse for his absence. He fights to protect nature and is opposed to evil, so his entry into the World Collision ought to make this tournament interesting. Ladies and gentlemen, the dancing shadow ... Guy!" An older guy with a trace of stubble on his chin appeared in the doorway, dressed in the standard Bushin uniform, wearing wristguards and stylish Nike sneakers. His face betrayed no emotion as he strode to his place by Maki.
"And the final member of this team is yet another enemy of the Mad Gear. Commonly considered the hero of Metro City, he fought to rescue his ex-girlfriend Jessica - who's in the crowd tonight - from the clutches of the gang. He later was thrown into prison after getting into too many fights, though he did manage to escape during a jail riot. Now he's back as a respectable citizen of the fighting circuit, so will everyone please welcome the capricious thrill seeker ... Cody!" The blue-eyed, blond-haired man bounded out into the arena and drew oohs and aahs from the crowd by performing an instant magic trick before sidling next to Guy. "I present the Final Fighters! Your useless trivia for this team is ... well, they all were opposed to Mad Gear, but I'll let you in on their little secret. The real enemies of Mad Gear are actually windows! Judging by Edi E. and Rolento, apparently in Metro City you can get away with anything so long as you aren't knocked out of a window. None of the members of Mad Gear have actually died unless ... well, unless they fell out of a window."
"Hey, he gave away our little trick!" Cody exclaimed indignantly.
Halfway across the world, Rolento and Sodom stared at each other, shocked by what they were hearing from the television set. "By the beard of Saint James ... I never thought of that," Rolento breathed. "Gado! Call up the men and smash every window in a ten-mile radius around the base. I want it accomplished in eight hours, and when you finish, deliver a full report to me!" Having given the orders, Rolento and Sodom resumed watching TV.
"That about wraps it up for now," Jin announced. "We'll be taking a short commercial break, but we'll be back with more and better. This tournament's only begun and the action is bound to become wild. Same time, same place, we'll be introducing more teams. This is Jin Saotome from Osaka stadium, stay glued to your television screens, because tonight we'll see two worlds truly collide."
Author's Notes: Sheesh, people, quit pressuring me. Do you guys want a good story that takes forever to perfect or a bad, rushed, tale? ... Anyway, here's the next chapter, designed to keep the fanboys/girls satisfied for a little while. Hmph, I suppose it was a mistake to reveal that haggling gets results. Oh, yeah, and the tournament begins this chapter. It makes more sense not to keep dragging it out forever.
Chan Yoruyamatiha: I apologize for any misunderstandings we may have had. I respect you and your opinions very much and I understand if something I said may have exceeded the boundaries of courtesy. Well, you wanted it and here it is: the next chapter. But any more nitpicking about your appearance and I'll introduce Evil Chan, who is more powerful than you, who does fight better, and who will hunt you down! ... Oh, dang it, please, not the soft, tearing eyes ... BTW, next chapter will reveal your boyfriend.
DeNice: The script ... well, I decided to ditch it because the humor seems too forced. Sorry that this fic took so long (but hey, it would've taken even longer if you hadn't haggled). Not that I'm suggesting anything ... well, maybe I am, who knows?
Kikoken: What's this about me being a pain in the - never mind, I know that I'm a pretty demanding critic. And yes, you can kick plenty of ahem, but a fight against Bison is a no-contest in his favor. About Mark of the Millennium, I apologize since I didn't have the time to do a full review. Get AIM, blast it!
Noctorro: Wait no longer! Here it is, the next chapter, where ... nothing happens, really. Well, actually a lot happens, but all of these chapters are designed to keep the reader guessing. Thanks for being patient with me!
???
One month has passed
"Welcome, Regina. There was something about which you wished to speak with me?"
"Yes, dear sister. About the upcoming events in the mortal world - why are you involving yourself?"
"I should not need to tell you, Regina. You understand my heart."
"I feared as much, dear sister. Please - reconsider your decision. What you are doing ... is not right."
"You have a rather strange sense of right and wrong. What I believe may not be accepted, yet it is certainly not wrong. Regina, are you well? Have the thoughts of the mortal world also disturbed your mind - as they have done to Gill?"
"I am well, but I would ask you to reconsider. We should not meddle in the affairs of mortals. Dear sister, you need not remind me of your troubles. And yet ... I cannot help but wonder - is what we do the only way?"
"Why should you so suddenly question yourself, dear Regina?"
"Perhaps I have lived in the mortal world too long. Yet, the mortals have a saying - 'That which is accepted is not always right.' I find them surprisingly wise at times, dear sister. Perhaps we should truly leave them to their own affairs and intervene no longer."
"Alas, you are following in the footsteps of Gill and Urien. They deceive themselves, believing that mortals can live in a perfect world by their own effort."
"And yet - who would not wish that it were so?"
"I understand. It is a noble enough goal, for which much striving is worth. Yet the utmost caution is necessary in this affair. Regina, you have a kind heart, but I fear that it may prove your downfall. Ever since mother's death, we have been the sole ties left to each other. Dear Regina, would you so callously throw it away? You ask me to reconsider, but I would ask the same of you."
"I see - I apologize, dear sister, but my beliefs have been shaken."
"Why do you doubt me, Regina? Am I not your older sister?"
"True, yet only by a few thousand years. I can no longer simply accept everything at face value. For the longest time I have believed as you believe, but - perhaps, it is time I discovered for myself, what I believe. I trust that you will understand, dear sister."
"Departing so soon? ... Very well. I wish you only the best, Regina."
"Farewell, dear sister."
Osaka, Japan
Two months have passed
Glancing around nervously, the man tried to hold still as a number of technicians finished wiring his suit with miniature microphones. A makeup artist added a touch of blush to his face. Someone threw the man's white scarf around his neck, fastened it securely, and patted his whitewashed armored suit. Another man adjusted the headband around his forehead. The man sweated as each technician bustled around him. He'd faced mad dictators and deadly assassins before, but this was too much! Silently he vowed that, if he survived this insane agreement of his, he'd - he'd - he couldn't think of anything appropriate. Someone locked his bootstraps into place. In a word, it was Jin Saotome.
Jin fidgeted, asked a question, and was surprised to hear his voice reverberate out the microphones. "Turn it down, will you? I can barely hear myself think - dear me, does my voice really sound like that?!" He glanced at the clock. "Three minutes until showtime. Okay, Jin, just relax ... will you hurry up?" When several more people converged on him, Jin exploded. "Just let me go or I'll have Blodia punch you out!"
To his immense satisfaction, the technicians scurried away. "Osaka Dome's jam-packed," someone reported from the back. "All the bleachers are full, and they're even plenty of people standing in the aisles. Well, it's nearly eight o'clock. Showtime, people! You're up, Jin! Remember, just stay cool and go with the flow! You'll do great!"
"Yeah, sure, thanks," Jin muttered. At least he wouldn't be alone. Taking a deep breath, Jin Saotome strode out into the open of Osaka Dome. It was a dark and surprisingly cold night; to his dismay, Jin saw that the bleachers were indeed filled almost to overflowing. For this special occasion, the roof of the dome had been removed, allowing moonlight and floodlights to pour in. Jin strode to the center of the arena, where a raised platform had been erected. A number of loudspeakers had been arranged on each side of the platform. There was a holographic projector, too, a new-fangled piece of technology that displayed a giant image directly above Jin and somehow let everyone see the exact same scene. Jin's head was already hurting.
Okay, just go with the flow - do your stuff, Jin. Adjusting the microphone one last time, Jin took a deep breath. "Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the World Collision tournament! For the duration of the tournament, I, Jin Saotome, will be your special announcer and battle commentator." He was semi-gratified to see that the crowd had quieted considerably. He was not pleased to see that a number of brilliant lights had centered on him. "Since the contestants themselves will not be appearing for another half hour, we'll take the time to fill you in on the tournament!
"As you all know, the World Collision tournament is possibly the greatest ever held. Certainly it is the most widely watched sporting event in several years - second only to the Olympics, and above the World Cup. At this moment, more than a third of the world's population is eagerly following this event right at home from the television." Glancing up, Jin saw his own giant holoprojected image following every movement of his. He turned around to look at another section of the stadium. "And yet, despite the media blitz, I know that many questions are still on your lips. Who is the 'M.' mentioned everywhere? Ladies and gentlemen, may I direct your attention to my colleague Kyosuke Kagami!" Jin motioned and a moment later the big holographic image refocused, showing an interior shot. "Kyosuke, would you please fill us in?"
Standing inside the stadium, dressed in a tuxedo, glasses perched on his nose, Kyosuke Kagami looked every inch the sharp news reporter. "Thank you, Jin! As a matter of fact, I'm standing here with one of the most highly anticipated fighters in this tournament." The camera panned over as Kyosuke turned around and asked the question. "Ryu, thank you for joining us this evening. Perhaps the biggest question surrounding this tournament has been the identity of M. Speculation has it that M. is none other than the infamous Shadowlaw dictator, M. Bison, somehow alive despite the World Warrior tournament eight years ago."
Ryu, dressed in his simple wandering warrior outfit, leaned his head to one side. "Actually, I was talking with Bison just a few minutes ago. He says that he doesn't have a clue - and neither do I. In fact, it seems that nobody has any hint as to who M. might be."
"Is it possible that M. will reveal himself halfway through the tournament?"
"That's certainly possible, yes, so I wouldn't discount it. But, I think it's more likely that M. will remain a mystery identity all the way to the end. The tournament is organized so that the finalist faces M. - until then, I believe that we'll keep guessing."
"Thanks for the information, Ryu. Now, since you know many of the -"
At that moment, Kyosuke was cut off by a sharp cry of "Ryu!" from behind. The camera panned over, revealing Chun-Li, Sakura, Chan, and a number of other women clustered in the cramped hall. "Oh, Ryu! Over here! C'mon!" As they raced down the corridor towards the legendary warrior, a suddenly nervous Ryu glanced at the student turned reporter. "Excuse me, Kyosuke, but it looks like a lot of women are eager to claim me. So, if I may, um -"
"Certainly." And with that, Ryu disappeared in a blur of white, followed by a horde of screaming women. Kyosuke, watching the crowd chase after Ryu, merely shrugged. "Well, so much for that. Jin, back to you."
"Alright, Kyosuke. There you have it, ladies and gentlemen - we aren't hiding anything from you." Jin consulted his watch. "Well, the countdown keeps going. It's time to reveal another surprise, one that's been carefully kept secret for some time. Are you ready, ladies and gentlemen? Good! World Collision is actually a team-based tournament! Teams of three members each will be competing in a battle royale, with only the strongest making it out alive. A team tournament has never in the history of the Street Fighter world been conducted before! Obviously this team format will require new strategies, new rules, and we'll be sure to see new fighters enter the ring. Let's head over to get the opinion of an experienced fighter." Satisfied to see that the crowd was fairly buzzing with the news, Jin turned and nodded towards the bleachers. "Miss Rose, what can we expect from this tournament?"
Sitting in the bleachers, dressed in a flamboyant pink suit and yellow scarf, Rose waved at the cameras. "Well, Jin, I'm certain that this news will come as a great surprise to the vast majority of viewers. Since each team is made of three team members, teamwork will definitely be the single greatest factor in deciding which team does best. Without going into the rules, let's just say that the rules definitely favor warriors who work together. However, this tournament is also seeing a number of single entries - extraordinary warriors who have decided that they can take on entire teams by themselves. To say the least, the tournament will definitely be a new experience for many."
"Rose, would you please explain the rules of the tournament to our viewers?"
"Very well." Rose sat up straighter and looked into the camera. "Although battles are between teams rather than individuals, only one team member will directly fight the other. Each round is a single battle without a time limit; the battle ends only when all the fighters from one team have been knocked out. However, actually killing a member of the opposing team is strictly forbidden and will immediately disqualify the team in question."
"What about the actual mechanics of the battle?"
"I'm getting there, young Jin. Youngsters these days are so impatient - why, in my day, children -"
"Yes, I get the point, Miss Rose. Now tell us about the way battles are arranged before I have Blodia shoot you full of holes. We only have a few minutes left before the main event."
"Right. Anyway, each team has a leader; before the actual battle, each team selects a tactical captain who starts off the fight. Team members may freely switch out any time that they wish to do so. The next team member is the captain's striker assist and may jump into the battle at any time to execute a special attack, then leave. If striker assists from both teams are on the battlefield, then auxiliary strikers may also join in; otherwise, however, they can be called in only to perform team attacks."
"Team attacks? Please clarify for our audience, Rose."
"With the advent of super attacks following the first World Warrior tournament, rules governing these have also been built into this competition. Any team member can call out his partners for a delayed super chain, where team members execute their attacks one after another instead of all at once; however, only the tactical captain can initiate a team super attack, where all team members attack at once. This, of course, makes the tactical captain a very important part of the team's strategy. Now, as for the actual mechanics of the fight, once a team member has been knocked out for more than three seconds, a partner must immediately enter the battlefield and continue fighting for the team. A knocked out team member is removed from the round and can no longer participate even if he or she later regains consciousness. So, there's certainly an interest in switching out team members to let injured members recover. Only the active fighter can be targeted for attacks unless if the other team members are on the battlefield executing striker assists."
"Most interesting, Miss Rose. Thank you for your time. So that's the team battle format, ladies and gentlemen - our single entries are definitely going to have a hard time of it, but they aren't ordinary fighters, either." Jin checked his watch. "Ladies and gentlemen, with just a few seconds left on the clock, I'll reiterate the fact that the final team to finish the tournament faces off against M. We certainly expect M. to be a very formidable challenger, although again nobody knows for certain. Well, it's time! And here they come - let's give a big hand to all the fighters participating in this tournament!"
This time, the holoprojected image came off Jin entirely, as did most of the lights. They refocused on the big stage entrance where mist was already billowing. Then, as an upbeat musical score began to play in the background, Jin called out each selection. "First up, let's introduce the referees who will be enforcing the rules of the tournament! Representing the world of Makai, our first referee has lived for hundreds of years. Until recently he was recovering from the aftereffects of a treacherous coup. But now he's back and still bent on saving the dark world. Ladies and gentlemen, I present the distressed prince ... Jedah Dohma!" The lights flared up as Jedah, dressed in an elegant gray suit, his bladed wings glinting in the white light, appeared in the entrance to the arena. Jedah made an elegant leg, including the whole arena in one long bow.
As he strode off to his place in front of Jin's podium, the mech pilot was already busy with his next entry. "Our second referee prefers to call himself the savior of this world. He is the head of a secret order known as the Illuminati as well as the host of the third World Warrior tournament. A worthy fighter in his own right, he's here tonight by special invitation as a referee. Ladies and gentlemen, here's the elemental emperor ... Gill!" Once again the lights flared, going from Jedah to the new entry. Gill appeared in the doorway looking like a Greek god, his magnificent muscles glinting in the light. One side of his body shone red, the other blue; Gill raised his hands in a gesture of blessing before making the same walk towards the platform.
Jin smiled wryly as the crowd cheered. "And now, let's head to the actual teams! Representing the United States Air Force is a veteran Harrier pilot who's faithfully served his country for many years. This man invented the infamous Sonic Boom and Flash Kick techniques that have often been copied but rarely equaled. Thought to have died taking down Shadowlaw, he has staged a return especially for this tournament! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the hypersonic hurricane ... First Lieutenant Charlie!" Dressed in military fatigues and a gold-colored vest, hair slicked down his face, Charlie appeared in the entrance, all smiles. Waving all around at the bleachers, Charlie half-skipped towards the platform, taking his proper position.
"Did you bring him back, Gill?" Jedah whispered.
Gill shook his head. "Nay - I can but resurrect myself, Jedah. Some other power is at work."
"Our next contestant is also a member of the United States Air Force. He is the winner of the second World Warrior tournament and also a devoted family man. Everybody, please welcome the fist of vengeance ... Colonel Guile!" Guile appeared exactly as Charlie had, striding from the doorway in a tank top and camoulflage pants, boots tightly laced. His golden hair, carefully arranged in a flaring pattern, glinted in the light. No smiles or waves from him; Guile simply half-stalked to his position, ignoring the crowd. The cheers were noticeably less audible than they had been for Charlie.
"Our next contestant is, coincidentally, also a member of the United States Air Force! His life story is one of overcoming extraordinary odds - when he was young, Shadowlaw soldiers raided his home and killed off his whole family. But not only did he survive, he joined the Air Force, is in custody of Guile, and helped take down Shadowlaw after the second World Warrior tournament. Please welcome the magnetic marvel ... Senior Airman Scott K. Wagner!" The lights once more intensified upon the stage entrance; Wagner appeared, blue eyes shining. He was a fresh-faced youth, yet bore a look of experience which could easily surpass that of people twice his age. Wagner waved at the crowd, then took his proper place near the platform. "Everybody, please welcome the American Vigilantes! And here's your useless team trivia - each member of this team actually has perfect vision! Otherwise, they wouldn't be in the air force ..."
Guile glared at Charlie. "American Vigilantes! We're supposed to be the USAF team!"
"Er ... last minute changes," Charlie mumbled.
He was spared the embarrassment of providing a full explanation when Jin began his spiel again. "Our next contestant is actually a self-taught fighter - or at least, he was, before tracking down the man who inspired him. This contestant was a recent strong showing in the U.S. Martial Arts Open and also a promising basketball player. Plus, with his experience in the third World Warrior tournament, this competitor is certain to show a strong standing in this competition. Everybody, let's give a hand for the raging cyclone ... Sean Matsuda!" Sean practically bounced into the arena, waving and grinning for all he was worth. Whistles and applause greeted his entrance. The Brazilian boy twirled a basketball before tossing it off to the crowd, then skipped to a spot beside Scott Wagner, stopping only to exchange a high-five with the airman.
"Sean's teammate and our next contestant actually began as an orphan on the streets of Japan. Rumor has it that he was actually used as a human experiment by the despicable Shadowlaw organization. At any rate, he ended up in America and is currently working his way through college, courtesy of a friend of his. His best friend Cranky is here with us tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the banisher of light ... Kenneth Feng!" Nearly blinded by the bright floodlights, Kenneth still remembered to wave at the crowd as he set off for his walk to the platform. He was Chinese by descent, his short black hair smoothly slicked back, a lean and wiry kid with an incessant smirk. He fell into place beside Sean and the two of them exchanged good-natured punches.
"And the captain of the team, three-time winner of the U.S. Martial Arts Open as well as a steady participant in various World Warrior tournaments. He's also a famous movie star with a mansion in Beverly Hills. With multiple connections to fighters all around the world, he himself is one of the best that there is. Girls out there, sorry, but his wife Eliza and his son Mel are with us tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, say hi to the flaming dragon ... Ken Masters!" Dressed in his traditional red uniform, hair fluttering in the wind, Ken cartwheeled into the arena and winked at the audience, throwing a V-sign with his hands. The holoprojector caught every last detail - and the crowd went wild, cheering crazily. A girl from the bleachers called out "I love you, Ken!" - fortunately, she did so in Japanese, thus escaping the wrath of Eliza.
"Everybody, give a hand for the Masters Team!" Still grinning, Ken took his sweet time walking towards the platform. He shook hands vigorously with Charlie and tousled Wagner's hair, but Guile refused to make eye contact with him. "As for the useless team trivia - originally, Ken didn't have a last name at all! But when the Street Fighter action figures began to sell on the market, Mattel sued Capcom on the basis that Ken's too closely resembled Barbie's boyfriend Ken. And that, ladies and gentleman, is how Ken became Ken Masters ... strange, isn't it? Ah, well, I suppose it's better than being stuck in last name-less hell the way Ryu, Chun-Li, Guile, and just about everybody else is." Jin chuckled to himself as a suddenly enraged American Vigilante team had to be restrained by the referees.
"Well, look what we have ourselves here," Jin continued. "Our next contestant is none other than the daughter of Ryu. She was raised by her mother, a former Shadowlaw assassin, and practices a blend of various martial arts. She currently trains under Ryu, but don't tell Sakura! Ladies and gentlemen, I present the superior tiger ... Kirina Houshi! Ryu doesn't have a last name, but Kirina does!" Kirina appeared in the doorway to the arena, dressed smartly in denim jeans and a light red sweater. Dazzled by the size of the crowd, she waved hesitantly and quickly ran to her position, stopping only to greet "Uncle Ken."
"Don't go away yet, people - our next contestant is none other than the host of the original World Warrior Tournament. Much of the facts around him are surrounded in mystery, but we do know that he is currently one of the best fighters around. He is said to be able to hold his breath underwater for over twenty minutes! Temporarily a member of Shadowlaw, he is now simply waiting for a chance to have the rematch to end all rematches. Ladies and gentlemen, the Emperor of Muay Thai ... Sagat!" Sagat appeared in the big doorway and formally bowed to the audience. Besides his normal short trunks, he was also wearing a big overcoat that concealed the scar across his chest. His one good eye took in the crowd; quickly and efficiently he took his place beside Kirina.
"And now the captain of the team, the original champion of the World Warrior tournament, and possibly one of the greatest fighters in this or any age. Over the years, his legend has only grown along with his impressive list of victories. Never one to settle in any place for a long time, he is often seen in various parts of the world, but if you're looking for a good fight, then he's the man to seek. Ladies and gentlemen, the eternal challenger ... Ryu!" Headband fluttering in the breeze, Ryu walked out into the arena with one clenched fist held high. The crowd erupted in wild applause; Ryu trotted to the platform, stopping to greet Ken and hug Kirina. "Quick trivia for you - Ryu's belt has the words 'Fu Rin Ka Zan' written on it, meaning 'Be swift like the wind, be subtle like the forest, be aggressive like the flame, be strong like the mountain.' Trivia aside, I present to you the World Warrior team!"
"Ironic, isn't it?" Ryu whispered. "The two of us fighting on the same side after all these years."
"And I never thought I'd see myself fighting alongside you," Sagat commented. "It's an honor, Ryu."
"That makes two of us," Ryu replied. "Glad to have you, Sagat."
Jin dropped his voice. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, our next contestant is a former champion of the boxing ring, expelled after nearly killing an opponent during a match. He was the head of Shadowlaw for some time after the second World Warrior tournament. Rumor has it that he even killed an elephant with a single blow! Armed with the world's strongest punches, please welcome the untamed fist ... Balrog!" Balrog appeared at the entrance, all grins and affability. The crowd cheered as Balrog made his way to his proper position, pausing only to leer at Kirina.
"Our next contestant hails from Spain. He is a renowned matador there and also practices the art of Ninjutsu. Less known is the fact that he, too, was a high-ranking member of Shadowlaw and its top assassin. He also wears a mask to protect his visage from battle damage. He comes from a wealthy family of noblemen, but when his father murdered his mother, he snapped and went wild. Ladies and gentlemen, give a big round of applause for the Spanish silhouette ... Vega!" Applause and whistles rent the air when Vega stepped out of the doorway, bowing elegantly to the assembled throng. The mist lid his lower body and his mask was off. A woman in the crowd shouted out a marriage proposal; Vega blithely ignored her as he skimmed to his proper position.
"And finally the leader of the team, the host of the second World Warrior tournament! He began his career a long time ago when he murdered his master and went on a rampage. More than thirty-five years ago he formed the world criminal organization of Shadowlaw. A master of Psycho Power, this contestant is one of the strongest ranked in this tournament! Parents, keep your children close at hand, because here comes the dread master of Shadowlaw ... M. Bison!" Instead of striding out of the mist like everyone else, Bison floated, wrapped in his great cape and expressionless as a stone. He paused for a moment, then regally threw the cape behind his back and stalked towards his proper position. The crowd booed loudly and somebody yelled "Kill him, Ryu!" Bison halted at his proper spot and folded his arms, impassive. "Ladies and gentlemen," Jin finished, "here are the Lords of Shadowlaw! Quick trivia for you: more than fifty percent of the world's drug carteling is handled by Shadowlaw." More boos and hissing followed.
"The next fighter is a single entry, but don't make the mistake of underestimating him. He is a member of the IDC and commonly considered the best soldier the IDC has ever seen. Among his many accomplishments were taking down the terrorist group United Front and fighting in the IDC's War of Ascendancy. He was the founder and former captain of the IDC's elite strike force Phantom. Perhaps the strongest fighter in this tournament, he also has excellent relationships with various warriors from around the world! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the one-man legion ... Ernest McGrath!" Face shining, McGrath appeared in the doorway dressed in a simple shirt and slacks, a vest thrown over his torso. He was tall and tanned, brown hair very still but anticipation gleaming out of his brown eyes. Truth be told, he looked nothing like a fighter or even a military type. Waving and bowing to the crowd, McGrath walked to his proper position next to M. Bison.
As they chatted quietly, Jin once more took up the microphone. "The next contestant hails from Hong Kong. He's a practitioner of Chinese Kempo, runs a family restaurant along with his brother, and is universally considered an up-and-coming fighter to watch in the future. Some people also consider him the most eligible bachelor of this tournament next to Vega - hey, he owns an entire village, for heaven's sake! And here he is, the captain of the team, the storming white dragon ... Yun Lee!" Baseball hat pulled down on his head, Yun rocketed into the arena on his beloved skateboard and pulled a fancy stop just short of running into Kirina. Fortunately, Ryu and Sagat simultaneously clamped their hands on Kirina's shoulders as a reminder not to go fireball-crazy at that point in time. Grinning like a cat who had just eaten a mouse, Yun took his place next to Ernest McGrath.
"And wouldn't it be appropriate to go next to Yun's twin brother? This fighter, too, runs the family restaurant and serves as guardian of their village. Also with underworld connections, rumor has it that he has a history with the Illuminati. He's the more serious of the two brothers, a practitioner of Kempo, and a favorite of the ladies near his area. Ladies and gentlemen, three cheers for the flurry blue dragon ... Yang Lee!" Dressed in a red overshirt and black silk pants, Yang appeared in the doorway and waved to all present, then hop-skipped next to Yun. He paused only to stare at the legendary Ryu; his brother greeted him with a friendly high-five.
"The final member of this team is the younger sister of Yun and Yang. Unlike the former two, however, she trained under that legendary assassin Gen - who, incidentally, is with us tonight in the bleachers. No underworld connections for her. She also helps in the family restaurant and is responsible for many of the, uh ... more creative ... dishes that have been appearing lately. Sorry, guys, but she isn't interested in a boyfriend at the moment. Everybody, here comes the wild red dragon ... Yin Lee!" Dressed in a formal Chinese outfit closely resembling Gen's with a scarlet sash around her waist, Yin strode out of the doorway and made a formal bow to the crowd. "And this is the much anticipated Triple Dragon team! Quick trivia for you: Yun and Yang aren't related to Gen but are nephews of Lee. Yin, however, is a granddaughter of Gen - despite the fact that she's Yun and Yang's younger sister. Heredity is a quirky subject, no?" Jin grinned mischievously as M. Bison roared with laughter at a chagrined Yun and Yang.
"Our next contestant represents the Bushin school of ninjutsu. She used to run with a motorcycle gang back in her schooling days but has recently given up education to concentrate on training. She's also one of the fighters who took down the Mad Gear gang - permanently. Her father was a former grandmaster of the Bushin fighting arts and she herself is an accomplished warrior. And to all you boys in the crowd, her favorite food is tapioca. Here she is, the whispering wraith ... Maki!" Dressed in the standard red uniform of the Bushin ninjas, armed with a tonfa, Maki appeared in the doorway and curtseyed to the crowd. All attitude, she swaggered to her proper place in the line next to Yin and settled in with a tough and cynical look.
"The leader of this team is another Bushin ninja and the current Bushin grandmaster. He helped take down Mad Gear once and also played a key role in defeating the Skull Cross gang. Thought to have gone missing right before the second World Warrior tournament, somehow he's still back in action and looking none the worse for his absence. He fights to protect nature and is opposed to evil, so his entry into the World Collision ought to make this tournament interesting. Ladies and gentlemen, the dancing shadow ... Guy!" An older guy with a trace of stubble on his chin appeared in the doorway, dressed in the standard Bushin uniform, wearing wristguards and stylish Nike sneakers. His face betrayed no emotion as he strode to his place by Maki.
"And the final member of this team is yet another enemy of the Mad Gear. Commonly considered the hero of Metro City, he fought to rescue his ex-girlfriend Jessica - who's in the crowd tonight - from the clutches of the gang. He later was thrown into prison after getting into too many fights, though he did manage to escape during a jail riot. Now he's back as a respectable citizen of the fighting circuit, so will everyone please welcome the capricious thrill seeker ... Cody!" The blue-eyed, blond-haired man bounded out into the arena and drew oohs and aahs from the crowd by performing an instant magic trick before sidling next to Guy. "I present the Final Fighters! Your useless trivia for this team is ... well, they all were opposed to Mad Gear, but I'll let you in on their little secret. The real enemies of Mad Gear are actually windows! Judging by Edi E. and Rolento, apparently in Metro City you can get away with anything so long as you aren't knocked out of a window. None of the members of Mad Gear have actually died unless ... well, unless they fell out of a window."
"Hey, he gave away our little trick!" Cody exclaimed indignantly.
Halfway across the world, Rolento and Sodom stared at each other, shocked by what they were hearing from the television set. "By the beard of Saint James ... I never thought of that," Rolento breathed. "Gado! Call up the men and smash every window in a ten-mile radius around the base. I want it accomplished in eight hours, and when you finish, deliver a full report to me!" Having given the orders, Rolento and Sodom resumed watching TV.
"That about wraps it up for now," Jin announced. "We'll be taking a short commercial break, but we'll be back with more and better. This tournament's only begun and the action is bound to become wild. Same time, same place, we'll be introducing more teams. This is Jin Saotome from Osaka stadium, stay glued to your television screens, because tonight we'll see two worlds truly collide."