Let There be Fight, Part II
Author's Notes: And here it is, the rest of the character roster introduced for the first time. Originally Colliding Worlds was supposed to feature thirty full teams and two single entries - that got cut due to the fact that I couldn't find enough characters to fill thirty teams. Also, Colliding Worlds takes place in the year 2000, so Chun-Li has already retired from Interpol and chances are very slim that Sakura would still be living with her parents ... sheesh, I didn't realize that for the longest time ...
Also, at this time the character roster has been posted. Look in my author's profile to find the link. This page contains the vital statistics and movelists of all characters participating in the tournament, grouped by teams, and it is highly recommended that you at least take a glance through it and familiarize yourself with the moves. You may also start placing bets on who you think the winner(s) of the tourney will be.
Chan Yoruyamatiha: I told you who your boyfriend is already. You can definitely figure it out after reading this chapter, can't you? ^_^ Now that you mention it, Bison probably needs a love interest, too. NOT Rose, you sickos ... hmm ... maybe this fic needs some yaoi? (No, I'm not being serious.) And lay off Makushita, will you, (s)he has a right to be heard.
Kikoken: See my comments to Chan, minus the boyfriend part. Oh, don't worry, you'll have a love interest too, but I'd probably be stoned by the masses if I revealed who he is. I don't believe in removing reviews when other people have taken the time to submit them - though I do admit, it kinda makes it difficult to read the information for the reviews.
Blue-Eyes Knight: They that ask shall not receive. But thanks for the review, I think I know where to take your character now ...
Makushita: You owe me an explanation. At the very least, let me know why you didn't like the chapter, and how I can improve on it.
JTurner: Hey thanks for reviewing! I have to admit, you're much better with updates than I am. Now I have to play some major catch-up. (grumbles as he starts on the next chapter)
DeNice: Sorry for the inordinate wait, but I had to build the web pages before I would post this last update, and building those web pages took a lot longer than I expected. Enjoy!
Lyrix of Azn Ethix: Thanks for the reviews, but please be more specific next time with criticisms. Ernest McGrath is one of my favorite characters designs (along with Samantha, Blake, and the Chaos Prince), but he's way too overpowered, to the point of it being ridiculous.
Noctorro: I probably would've used Kyosuke as the primary announcer, but Jin has a more important role to play. Sorry about the Kenneth misunderstanding, I took a glance at your website after I posted that chapter. I'll see what I can do about it. You may also want to pull the information I gathered for your OC interview fic. Hmm, whom shall I submit ...?
The Headcrook: Last but not least, thanks for reviewing! Kirina has a greater destiny ahead of her ...
Osaka, Japan
Three minutes have passed.
"Hello everybody! Welcome back to Osaka Stadium, I'm Jin Saotome and I am the special announcer for a very special occasion. For those of you who are just joining us, here's a quick recap." Jin paused and brushed back a stray lock of hair. "So far we've gone over a number of points. First, this tournament is actually a team-based competition and rules have been implemented for that effect. Next, we've introduced the teams that will be participating in no particular order. Now, as we complete the roster of - hey!" Jin yelled, observing the beginnings of a fight between various contestants, "cut that out or I'll beat you down with Blodia!"
He coughed discreetly as each contestant very quickly quieted. "Erm, pardon me, ladies and gentlemen. Anyways, introducing our next fighter! This fighter was once a member of Raccoon City's elite S.T.A.R.S. force and is rumored to have trained alongside IDC soldiers. She later helped take down the Umbrella Corporation once and for all. A veritable walking arsenal, I present to you the one who returned alive from the nightmare ... Jill Valentine!" The last rays of the setting sun had nearly faded from the open air stadium, the floodlights throwing off a brilliant white light that perfectly illuminated Jill as she stepped into the arena. She was dressed in the S.T.A.R.S. military uniform, complete with light blue bodysuit, cap, epaulets, boots, and a host of dangerous looking weapons at her disposal. Tossing her long brown hair back, Jill gave a military salute and took her place next to Cody.
"Our next contestant, also a member of this team, is an officer working with the Los Angeles Police Department. His family was killed when he was at a young age, and the perpetrator of this crime is none other than M. Bison. He's been a force behind the scenes during the whole Shadowlaw incidents. Ladies and gentlemen, three cheers for the raging whirlwind ... Mason Storm!" Mason stepped out of the mist, clad in the garb of a plainclothes agent - faded brown leather coat, mess of black hair with a broad white stripe in front, ice blue eyes coolly noting his surroundings. His fists clenched when he caught sight of Bison, but Mason restrained himself and walked at a deliberate pace towards his proper point in line.
"And finally, the leader of this team! She was formerly a member of Interpol but later adopted several children and is now raising them. One of the most persistent Shadowlaw hunters, she played a major role in taking down the organization after the second World Warrior tournament. She even had to pretend to be Charlie's boyfriend in order to join the American Vigilantes. A practitioner of kung-fu, she studied under the tutelage of, among other masters, Gen - who is with us tonight and is watching from the bleachers. Everybody please give a hand to the kicking beauty ... Chun-Li!" Chun-Li strode out of the mist, dressed in her classic opera dancer's garb, wrists bound with her spiked bracelets, hair neatly tied into two buns. The cheers that greeted her arrival were universal. "Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the Police Investigators! Quick trivia: Chun-Li likes those bracelets of hers. A lot. In fact, she's never thrown any of them away, so those of you who bought some on EBay just got scammed." Groans rose from all directions in the audience.
"Strange people ... anyway, where was I? Oh, yes, the next team! Our next contestant is a dhampvir - half human and half demon, but he hunts all dark creatures with burning passion. Once a monk in Tibet, he now wanders the world searching for creatures of the night to kill - or at least he did, before teaming up with two unlikely allies. He also protects a little girl named Anita - who is quite grown up now and is sitting in the bleachers next to Rose. Ladies and gentlemen, the one who seeks peace - Donovan Baine!" Instead of a person walking out of the doorway, an enormous metal coffin suddenly seemed to appear out of thin air and land right next to the other contestants with a loud thud, giving Chun-Li a terrible scare. This coffin opened, revealing Donovan in his tight Buddhist robes and rosary, hair braided back and an enormous sword floating alongside him. He pressed his palms together and bowed.
"Our next contestant is the queen of one of Makai's oldest ruling houses. Her father was none other than the renowned Belial, a class S+ Darkstalker who killed nearly a hundred Makai nobles with but one swipe of his arm. She herself is a very dangerous warrior in ... many senses. Most recently she is gradually regaining parts of her soul and thus strengthening herself. Her 'sister' Lilith is with us tonight, watching from the bleachers. Well, here she is, the mistress of seduction ... Morrigan Aensland!" Morrigan, dressed in her royal outfit, appeared in the doorway and happily skipped to her place alongside Donovan. The men cheered wildly as the women maintained a stony silence or alternatively glared at the men.
"And finally the captain of the team, elegant, powerful, and a very dangerous opponent when underestimated. He was once banished to the human world for opposing the king of Makai and spent nearly a century recuperating somewhere in Transylvania. In the past he defeated Pyron and consumed him, making himself stronger. He still has plans to rule Makai and to begin with has cemented his alliance by marrying Morrigan. Ladies and gentlemen, the lord of the night ... Demitri Maximoff!" At that last announcement, a number of bats converged next to Morrigan and merged to form Demitri. Tall, saturnine, with an impressive physique and an elegant demeanor, Demitri appeared dressed in a fluttering cape and a tight suit, complete with leather boots. He bowed to the crowd and then leaned in to exchange a quick kiss with Morrigan. "Everybody, please welcome the Darkstalkers Alliance!" A number of half-hearted cheers followed. "Erm, right ... anyway, quick trivia. Demitri only drinks female blood and he prefers AB type over all the rest."
"That was not very courteous of him," Demitri observed to Morrigan even as a girl in the crowd shrieked and fainted. "I do not discuss his feeding habits, do I?"
"At least the ladies still fall for you, dear," Morrigan replied with a wink.
"Okay, so that didn't go well ... anyway, our next contestant is the former mayor of Metro City and one of the people responsible for ridding it of Mad Gear. He's also a regular on the wrestling circuit despite his age and is actually the captain of this team. He's a good friend of many of the contestants here and his daughter Jessica is with us tonight. Well, he needs no other introduction, really, and here he comes, the fighting mayor ... Mike Haggar!" Wearing a fine tuxedo that could barely contain his muscles, Haggar appeared in the doorway of the arena and waved to everyone. He took his proper place in the line while the Final Fight Team cheered him on.
"Our next contestant is a relatively new addition to the wrestling circuit but has already managed to make a name for himself. He is the champion and winner of the third World Warrior tournament. Although he entered for the sake of revenge, now he simply travels looking to improve his style. He was trained by his father's best friend, Tom, who unfortunately could not be here with us tonight but is probably watching by television. Well, here he is, the neo-American powerhouse ... Alex!" Wearing green military fatigues, headband wrapped around his blond hair, Alex appeared in the doorway, expression stern and serious. He strode to his spot beside Haggar without a word and the cheers for him were decidedly more muted.
"And the final member of this team is one of the most feared and respected members of the wrestling circuit. He left his native Russia due to lack of competition. Once a tactician for the Red Army, he still trains hard by wrestling with bears! His signature wrestling technique was inspired when he was caught up in a tornado. He even has a scar on his back from an incident when he protected the ex-president of Russia from an assassination attempt. Ladies and gentlemen, without more ado here is the red cyclone ... Zangief!" Striding out of the mists came a huge man, clad in a massive red cape that concealed his entire body. He slowly walked over to his teammates and took his place. "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Wrestlers' Association! Team trivia: Haggar and Zangief are rivals! Each one constantly infuriates the other by stealing moves - Haggar stole Zangief's piledriver and as revenge Zangief stole the lariat! Even now, the two of them cannot agree on ... uh, guys, why're you giving me that look ...?" Luckily for Jin, the referees were present to restrain the wrestlers.
"Anyway, now that that's out of the way - our next contestant is a former Shadowlaw assassin. She used to be one of Bison's elite doll squad but now works a part-time job in a jewelry store. For this tournament she's teamed up with two former companions, so will everybody please raise the roof for the level-headed assassin ... Juni!" Dressed in the dark, signature one-piece suit of a Shadowlaw doll assassin, Juni somersaulted into the stadium and waved cheerfully. She took her place next to Zangief as the crowd cheered.
"The next name in the roster is also a former Shadowlaw assassin but now volunteers for the Red Cross all over the globe. Before the second World Warrior tournament, she went hunting after a teammate of hers but later turned against her master. She's also the mother of Kirina Houshi by Ryu, although that's a hotly debated occurrance ... anyway, here she is, the depressed killer ... Juli!" Also glad in the dark Shadowlaw doll suit, Juli strode out of the mist, doffed her cap, and bowed elaborately. Jin scratched his head as Juli took her place next to Juni. "Who the heck told me she was depressed?" he muttered to himself.
"And now, the leader of the team and yet another former Shadowlaw assassin! The deadliest of them all, she is a clone of M. Bison and was actually meant to be his next body, but, uh - that plan went awry somewhere. It's a long story. Anyway, she was later saved and participated in the second World Warrior tournament. Now she is a valued member of Britain's elite Delta Red squad and considered the most eligible bacholerette in this tournament. Here she is, the forgotten weapon ... Cammy White!" Cammy walked out of the doorway and into the arena, her long blonde hair tied back in two elaborate braids and wearing the Delta Red battle uniform. The crowd went wild, men yelling out that they loved her and wanted to marry her. Cammy blithely ignored them and took her place alongside Juli and Juni, pausing only to speak with them. "Here they are, everybody, the Killer Bees! Quick trivia: Although Juli and Juni were originally kidnapped and brainwashed into serving as dolls - shame on you, Bison - Cammy was actually artifically grown by Shadowlaw. Strange, isn't it?
"Moving on with the schedule, the next fighter is an exchange student studying in Japan. She's a Lian and has substantial powers over wind; she also has past connections to one of the fighters here with us tonight, though I won't mention whom. Rumor has it that she also works part-time in the Japanese national weather service. Ladies and gentlemen, greet the divine tempest ... Chan Yoruyamatiha!" A massive wind sprang into being, wildly whipping around the entire stadium before converging into the center and lining up next to the other fighters. When it subsided, Chan stood up and tossed back a blonde strand of hair.
"Our next contestant is an American college student and the Lian of water. Not surprisingly, she's studying for a degree in oceanology. Everyone, please welcome the treacherous tide ... Kikoken!" Kikoken appeared in the doorway and curtseyed to the crowd, then took her place next to Chan and the two friends conversed quietly. Chun-Li sniffed airily. "Hmph. Fangirls these days."
"The next fighter and the leader of this team is a Ninjutsu teacher by day and a street brawler by night. He's also a master card player and rumor even suggests that he is overly preoccupied with justice - in his own way, of course. Here he is, the shadow of blind strength ... Edgar!" Dressed in a fighter's outfit, hair recently dyed blond and his outfit completed with a sash and tight shoes, Edgar appeared in the arena and formally bowed to the audience before taking his place next to his team members. "Let's hear it for Project Justice! Team trivia: None of these people actually exist in the storyline."
"Don't go away yet, ladies and gentlemen, our next contestant is a Japanese student. He currently studies art and has quite a reputation in the artistic world. One of the lesser known facts about him, however, is that he is also quite a fighter. Everyone, please welcome the cultured warrior ... Mitsukake Kagatoshi!" Mitsukake appeared from the mists, a thin and surprisingly tall man dressed in an elaborate suit. He waved cheerfully to the crowds and took his place next to the Project Justice team, making sure to steer well clear of Chan.
"The next fighter learned his art by watching tapes of Ken Masters in action. He uses a modified version of Ansatsuken and recently put in a strong showing at the U.S. Martial Arts Open. He's even married to his team captain - well, at least, in this storyline he is. Some call him the heir to Ansatsuken. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the flaring dragon ... Darrell Markis!" Wearing a karate uniform, Darrell appeared at the entrance to the arena wearing a pair of shades. He waved coolly to the crowd and took his place next to Mitsukake.
"Finally, the captain of this team and a very talented fighter in her own right. She is currently focusing more on college studies but always has time for a good fight. Rumor has it that Shadowlaw once tried to kidnap her for the Doll project. She is a very big fan of Ryu and her style is an arranged form of Ansatsuken. Sorry, guys, but she's married to Darrell ... well, here she is, the combative student ... Sakura Kasugano!" Dressed in a standard sailor uniform and wearing a white headband, Sakura appeared and gave a wild whoop before running off to join her teammates. "And that does it for the New Generation team! Team trivia: There's a lot of confusion, but it would appear that Sakura's appearance in Rival Schools was nothing except an Easter egg. Oh well." At the floor of the podium, Sakura had to endure a rash of laughter from the Lords of Shadowlaw.
"We're almost done, folks. Our next contestant is an IDC soldier who used to be a member of Her Majesty's Cold Stream guards. Even now, he is still a knighted member of the British military and occasionally trains British soldiers. Considered the weapons master of the IDC, he served with great distinction in its various wars. Everybody, give it up for the grey hawk ... Sir Lloyd Cunningham!" Dressed in a great trench coat that concealed his IDC uniform, Lloyd appeared in the doorway of the arena. He was an older British gentleman with a small moustache who looked to be in his mid-forties. He said nothing, only quickly and efficiently slipped in to his place.
"The second member of this team is also an IDC soldier who grew up on the streets. Despite his age, he's a veteran of the IDC's old conflicts and played a key role in the War of Ascendancy. As with the other members of the team, he trained under the tutelage of McGrath. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the volcanic bandit ... Blake Wallis!" Blake strutted out of the mists near the doorway entrance, dressed in the IDC combat uniform. He looked to be in his late-twenties, perhaps. Half-swaggering towards his proper place, Blake waved to the crowd repeatedly until Jin finally lost his temper. "Hurry it up or you'll eat Blodia's fist! We have a schedule to keep!" Blake shrugged and took his position.
"IDC soldiers ... anyway, the last member of this misfit team and its leader is none other than one of the IDC's most brilliant soldiers. She played important roles in both Operation Judgment and the War of Ascendancy. She's even refused promotion many times in order to remain a field operative. Ladies and gentlemen, the silktailed butterfly ... Samantha McGrath!" She appeared in the doorway, her long blonde hair tied back into a single ponytail that flowed down to her back. She too wore the IDC uniform, but it was a woman's version. Samantha bowed to the ecstatic crowd and took her place next to her fellow team members. "Here they are, the Phantom Strike Force. Quick trivia: All IDC soldiers have individual callsigns; Lloyd's is Greyhawk, Blake's is Apache, and Samantha's is Keychain.
"The next fighter is the leader of his team as well as an intergalactic police officer. He is responsible for foiling the plans of various madmen bent on taking over the galaxy. The captain of a team of crack soldiers, he formed a new alliance specifically to investigate this tournament. Without more ado, here he is, the proverbial hero ... Captain Commando!" Arrayed in his high-tech police suit, Captain Commando appeared in the doorway, all smiles, and saluted the crowd before slipping next to Samantha.
"Our next contestant is a pirate lady of the high seas. She was involved in the Armor of Erosion incident a few years ago but now has agreed to join Commando for this tournament. Ladies and gentlemen, the cunning sea hare ... Ruby Heart!" Dressed like a buccaneer, the pirate hat rakishly tilted to one angle, Ruby Heart appeared in the entrance to the arena. She bowed to the audience and strode to stand by Captain Commando.
"The final member of this team is a ninja and part of the Strider line of assassins. At the age of sixteen, he became the youngest member of the organization to ever earn the rank of Class A Strider. But the ultimate test of his abilities came when he had to stop his own father from taking over the world and he succeeded admirably. Ladies and gentlemen, the warrior who is one with the night ... Hiryu!" At the sound of his name, a large glider came floating into the arena; Hiryu detached himself from it and neatly landed next to his two teammates as the glider flew on. He wore the Class A Strider uniform with a red scarf bound around his chin and a set of dangerous looking weapons at his disposal. "Here they are; please welcome the Neo Commando Squad to the tournament! Quick trivia: Each member of this team was the star of exactly one Capcom title before coming here." The crowd cheered wildly.
"Last but most certainly not least, our final contestant is also the second single entry of this tournament. Many of you already know him by reputation as a wanderer who murders fighters across the globe. He is perhaps the single most feared name on the fighting circuit and his legend has only grown over time. Here he comes; be afraid, be very afraid, for he is none other than the Chaos Prince ... Dadallent!" Rather than coming out of the mist, the mist seemed to part for him and the light of the stadium gradually illuminated him. Dark assassin's gear, two epaulets, a headband pulled low over his eyes, a red scarf concealing most of his facial features, a short sword sheathed on his back - it was a well-known and greatly feared image. This time there were neither cheers nor boos; instead, children clung to their parents in panic and a deathly silence fell over the arena. As Dadallent slowly stalked towards his proper place in the line, not a soul there but felt a shiver of fear as he passed.
Jin recovered quickly. "And that's the full roster, ladies and gentlemen! This is Jin Saotome, speaking on behalf of the World Collision tournament. Our first match begins in three days. These matches will be held in unspecified locations around the world, with the finals scheduled to occur right here. You can follow the battles right from your TV sets or alteratively in Osaka stadium where the holoprojector will bring the battle right to you. Before I say goodnight, here's a special announcement from M., the sponsor of the tournament!"
The crowd hushed with anticipation. But the announcement did not come from the speakers, nor did the holoprojector find the elusive M. Instead, each and every member of the crowd heard the speech as though M. were right next to him or her. The voice was soft and feminine, a seductive soprano. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It is both my honor and pleasure to have everyone with me here tonight. I look forward to seeing the best fighters in the world compete, for only the strongest can win.
You will not see me until the finals, but rest assured that I am watching each of you very closely, as is the rest of the world. The team that wins this tournament will earn the title of 'mightiest world warriors' ...
"Bah, who needs a title?" Sagat scoffed.
... A monetary prize of three hundred million U.S. dollars, distributed evenly among team members ...
Ken sniffed. "Hmph, pocket change. What a waste of time."
... and the powers of a diety. That is all I have to say for now. Thank you for being here and goodnight.
Jedah shrugged and turned to his fellow referee. "Well, Gill, aren't you relieved you decided not to participate?"
Osaka, Japan
One hour has passed
After the ceremony, the fighters had gathered in one of Japan's Genhanten restaurants. It was right across the streets from the impossibly luxurious hotel in which they were quartered. As the sweet aroma of cooking gradually made its way around the massive room, at one of the large tables off to the side the veterans were discussing the tournament.
Sagat opened the discussion. "I want to know, is there anyone here besides myself who feels uneasy about this entire competition?"
Nods came from all members present at the table. "Yes," M. Bison agreed, "something is very wrong here. The power to be a god is being offered as a prize? What sort of person could offer that?"
"You get the feeling that we're walking blindly into a trap," Haggar said.
"Precisely," Bison replied. He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "We must be on our guard. Something sinister is happening; we simply don't know what. If anything happens to anyone, let everyone else know and we can take action together." There were nods and murmurs of agreement from all around the table.
"So does anyone know who 'M.' might be?" Gen asked. Though not a contestant, he had joined the fighter veterans at the table.
"That voice," Gill said, thoughtfully, "I know I have heard it before ... but when?"
"You think M.'s identity is the key to this whole mystery?" Captain Commando queried.
"I am certain of it," Gill replied. He shook his head. "I apologize, but I truly cannot remember."
"Well, take your time, there's no use rushing to conclusions," Ernest McGrath said. "I, for one, am more concerned about him. No, don't stare; look discreetly." He indicated Dadallent, sitting in a shadowed corner, giving off the impression that he was watching the entire room. However a man with a black headband pulled over his eyes could watch a room, but there was a deadly and unmistakable aura around him. His hands were in plain view, folded along the table.
"That bastard killed my friend Zeku," Haggar growled.
"We have all lost friends to him," Gen added.
Haggar began to stand up. "Excuse me for a moment while I go over and pound -"
He was interrupted when Rose and McGrath, on either side of him, hastily pulled him back into his chair. "For sanity's sake, Mike, get a grip on yourself," McGrath hissed lowly. "He hasn't been captured in nearly ten years of murder. Some of the best in the world have tried; we lost two full strike forces trying, and I heard the S.T.A.R.S. and the U.S. Seals fared even worse. Think, there's a reason he isn't behind bars."
"I think we can take him, together," Sagat proposed.
"You want to end this tournament before it begins?" Bison demanded.
"What's the objection?" Sagat shot back. "He killed my best pupil, Adon. You were dead during his career, but even you must have heard about him after your revival. He's too dangerous to be allowed to leave after this tournament."
"You could bring M.'s wrath down on all of us," Bison warned.
"Do you have some sort of ulterior motive planned, coward?"
"Why you -! Psycho -!"
Gill restrained Bison as McGrath held Sagat firmly in his chair. "Will you two cut it out?" an irritated Gen demanded. "This is a restaurant, not a place to brawl. Take it outside if you really want to fight."
Meanwhile, at another table, old friends were quickly catching up on old times. The IDC Phantoms were there as well as the Police Investigators and the Killer Bees. "I haven't heard a word from any of you since the War of Ascendancy began!" Jill Valentine exclaimed. "It's incredible meeting all of you here. How're the other Phantoms doing?"
"Great, actually," Blake replied. "You have anything you want to say to them?"
"It's been some time, Instructor Cunningham," Cammy said.
"Nearly five years," Lloyd agreed. He noticed, with some satisfaction, that Cammy had finally begun to develop a slight British accent after a decade with Delta Red. They chatted up on old times while Jill blushed and tried to fend off Blake's attempts to flirt with her.
"Well, at least the Killer Bees are having fun," Chun-Li remarked from yet another table. She looked at Charlie and Guile. "I take it you two also decided to come because of the mystery behind the tournament, right?"
"Exactly," Charlie replied. "This is the most well-advertised and logistically complex tournament I've ever seen, and yet the trails deadens so quickly? I'm sure you have your suspicions as well, Chun-Li - I've talked to Samantha, and I know she feels the same way. Problem is, we still don't have a clue as to what's going on. Anyway, how're the children doing?"
"They're going through that phase," Chun-Li replied, pointing to her left where Sakura was chasing Mitsukake around a table with a spatula. "They're good kids, though."
"Charlie and Chun-Li chatting away while Guile keeps a cold silence ... reminds me of old times, eh, Ryu?" Ken Masters asked from another table. He chuckled. "Still training as hard as ever, eh? Oh, uh, piece of advice - I'd keep your daughter clear of Kenneth Feng if at all possible." He and Ryu both looked to the side where Kenny was offering a cigarette to Kirina. "He's a good person but a bad influence - got Mel to swear in just a week and a half."
"Thanks. I'll keep that advice in mind," Ryu noted.
"So how's the marriage working out?" Ken asked.
"Marriage? Ken, have you been drinking again?"
Ken slapped himself on the cheeks several times. "Sorry. I keep forgetting that we're actually supposed to be in character - for once - and because of that you've never cared for any romance."
"Glad my old sparring partner still understands me."
Across the room, Yun Lee half-swaggered over to the Project Justice table. "Well hello there, cupcakes! Normally I wouldn't ask, but how about a double date? You girls can play rock-paper-scissors and the loser has to go out with Yang while the winner gets me."
"Er, well, actually ..." Kikoken began.
"I'll pass," Chan said. "You may have both of them, Kikoken, if you wish."
"Aw, come on, the more the merrier I say," Yun persisted. "Hey, look, here comes the food. I think I see caviar and lobster and some champagne to boot. And fruit, too. You like vegetables?"
"And here comes the sacrificial lamb."
"What? What do you -"
Chan pointed and instantly Yun fell silent. Standing in the doorway to the restaurant was a very distinctive man wearing a pink fighting uniform. When he crowed, all eyes turned his way. "Bow down before Dan Hibiki of the Saikyo school of martial arts! C'mon, kids, I know you're all dying for lessons from the master of Saikyo! Whaddya say? Join now and I'll give everyone here a half discount." Flexing his arms and strutting around the room, Dan halted in front of Dadallent's table. "Hey, you, what's wrong? Fighting's no good without being able to show off! It's okay, you're not alone - all fighters go through this phase, when they realize that they need to learn Saikyo." He tried to drag the Chaos Prince out of the seat.
"I don't need this," the dark warrior intoned.
"Rubbish, I'll cure you of that misconception," Dan replied cheerfully. The Chaos Prince stood up abruptly, almost causing Dan to fall over backwards, but Dan simply took the event as a symbol of his victory. He flexed an arm and spun around, indicating the entire room. "See, what'd I tell you? Saikyo is the strongest! Yahoo!"
In that instant, Dadallent struck.
He seized Dan from behind, by the shoulders, and then it seemed that ... darkness ... flowed out of his hands and swiftly overran the entire room, leaving everyone shouting in confusion. Chan felt around her, instantly realizing that this was no ordinary darkness. It seemed almost tangible, as though it were greedily reaching for her skin, her flesh, her soul. There was no time to reflect, though; a moment later, a scream pierced her train of thinking, a shriek of fear, terror, and mortal agony. It lasted but an instant before it was abruptly cut off; a moment later, something warm and wet hit her entire body with the force of an air blast and she was nearly knocked off her seat. As quickly as it had come, the darkness lifted and was gone.
Chan instantly realized that she was covered with blood; a moment later, her horrified eyes focused on a very obviously dead Dan, lying on the floor in a pool of his own blood. Speaking of which, blood seemed to have been splattered around the entire restaurant and everyone appeared to be soaked with it. Dan's face seemed to be contorted in agony; a single Chinese character, the word for evil, had been written into his body by tearing out flesh from his chest. And standing over the mutilated body was Dadallent, immaculate and spotless. He leaned over for a moment to regard his handiwork, then slowly and deliberately stalked out of the restaurant, leaving behind everyone else aghast.
Author's Notes: And here it is, the rest of the character roster introduced for the first time. Originally Colliding Worlds was supposed to feature thirty full teams and two single entries - that got cut due to the fact that I couldn't find enough characters to fill thirty teams. Also, Colliding Worlds takes place in the year 2000, so Chun-Li has already retired from Interpol and chances are very slim that Sakura would still be living with her parents ... sheesh, I didn't realize that for the longest time ...
Also, at this time the character roster has been posted. Look in my author's profile to find the link. This page contains the vital statistics and movelists of all characters participating in the tournament, grouped by teams, and it is highly recommended that you at least take a glance through it and familiarize yourself with the moves. You may also start placing bets on who you think the winner(s) of the tourney will be.
Chan Yoruyamatiha: I told you who your boyfriend is already. You can definitely figure it out after reading this chapter, can't you? ^_^ Now that you mention it, Bison probably needs a love interest, too. NOT Rose, you sickos ... hmm ... maybe this fic needs some yaoi? (No, I'm not being serious.) And lay off Makushita, will you, (s)he has a right to be heard.
Kikoken: See my comments to Chan, minus the boyfriend part. Oh, don't worry, you'll have a love interest too, but I'd probably be stoned by the masses if I revealed who he is. I don't believe in removing reviews when other people have taken the time to submit them - though I do admit, it kinda makes it difficult to read the information for the reviews.
Blue-Eyes Knight: They that ask shall not receive. But thanks for the review, I think I know where to take your character now ...
Makushita: You owe me an explanation. At the very least, let me know why you didn't like the chapter, and how I can improve on it.
JTurner: Hey thanks for reviewing! I have to admit, you're much better with updates than I am. Now I have to play some major catch-up. (grumbles as he starts on the next chapter)
DeNice: Sorry for the inordinate wait, but I had to build the web pages before I would post this last update, and building those web pages took a lot longer than I expected. Enjoy!
Lyrix of Azn Ethix: Thanks for the reviews, but please be more specific next time with criticisms. Ernest McGrath is one of my favorite characters designs (along with Samantha, Blake, and the Chaos Prince), but he's way too overpowered, to the point of it being ridiculous.
Noctorro: I probably would've used Kyosuke as the primary announcer, but Jin has a more important role to play. Sorry about the Kenneth misunderstanding, I took a glance at your website after I posted that chapter. I'll see what I can do about it. You may also want to pull the information I gathered for your OC interview fic. Hmm, whom shall I submit ...?
The Headcrook: Last but not least, thanks for reviewing! Kirina has a greater destiny ahead of her ...
Osaka, Japan
Three minutes have passed.
"Hello everybody! Welcome back to Osaka Stadium, I'm Jin Saotome and I am the special announcer for a very special occasion. For those of you who are just joining us, here's a quick recap." Jin paused and brushed back a stray lock of hair. "So far we've gone over a number of points. First, this tournament is actually a team-based competition and rules have been implemented for that effect. Next, we've introduced the teams that will be participating in no particular order. Now, as we complete the roster of - hey!" Jin yelled, observing the beginnings of a fight between various contestants, "cut that out or I'll beat you down with Blodia!"
He coughed discreetly as each contestant very quickly quieted. "Erm, pardon me, ladies and gentlemen. Anyways, introducing our next fighter! This fighter was once a member of Raccoon City's elite S.T.A.R.S. force and is rumored to have trained alongside IDC soldiers. She later helped take down the Umbrella Corporation once and for all. A veritable walking arsenal, I present to you the one who returned alive from the nightmare ... Jill Valentine!" The last rays of the setting sun had nearly faded from the open air stadium, the floodlights throwing off a brilliant white light that perfectly illuminated Jill as she stepped into the arena. She was dressed in the S.T.A.R.S. military uniform, complete with light blue bodysuit, cap, epaulets, boots, and a host of dangerous looking weapons at her disposal. Tossing her long brown hair back, Jill gave a military salute and took her place next to Cody.
"Our next contestant, also a member of this team, is an officer working with the Los Angeles Police Department. His family was killed when he was at a young age, and the perpetrator of this crime is none other than M. Bison. He's been a force behind the scenes during the whole Shadowlaw incidents. Ladies and gentlemen, three cheers for the raging whirlwind ... Mason Storm!" Mason stepped out of the mist, clad in the garb of a plainclothes agent - faded brown leather coat, mess of black hair with a broad white stripe in front, ice blue eyes coolly noting his surroundings. His fists clenched when he caught sight of Bison, but Mason restrained himself and walked at a deliberate pace towards his proper point in line.
"And finally, the leader of this team! She was formerly a member of Interpol but later adopted several children and is now raising them. One of the most persistent Shadowlaw hunters, she played a major role in taking down the organization after the second World Warrior tournament. She even had to pretend to be Charlie's boyfriend in order to join the American Vigilantes. A practitioner of kung-fu, she studied under the tutelage of, among other masters, Gen - who is with us tonight and is watching from the bleachers. Everybody please give a hand to the kicking beauty ... Chun-Li!" Chun-Li strode out of the mist, dressed in her classic opera dancer's garb, wrists bound with her spiked bracelets, hair neatly tied into two buns. The cheers that greeted her arrival were universal. "Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the Police Investigators! Quick trivia: Chun-Li likes those bracelets of hers. A lot. In fact, she's never thrown any of them away, so those of you who bought some on EBay just got scammed." Groans rose from all directions in the audience.
"Strange people ... anyway, where was I? Oh, yes, the next team! Our next contestant is a dhampvir - half human and half demon, but he hunts all dark creatures with burning passion. Once a monk in Tibet, he now wanders the world searching for creatures of the night to kill - or at least he did, before teaming up with two unlikely allies. He also protects a little girl named Anita - who is quite grown up now and is sitting in the bleachers next to Rose. Ladies and gentlemen, the one who seeks peace - Donovan Baine!" Instead of a person walking out of the doorway, an enormous metal coffin suddenly seemed to appear out of thin air and land right next to the other contestants with a loud thud, giving Chun-Li a terrible scare. This coffin opened, revealing Donovan in his tight Buddhist robes and rosary, hair braided back and an enormous sword floating alongside him. He pressed his palms together and bowed.
"Our next contestant is the queen of one of Makai's oldest ruling houses. Her father was none other than the renowned Belial, a class S+ Darkstalker who killed nearly a hundred Makai nobles with but one swipe of his arm. She herself is a very dangerous warrior in ... many senses. Most recently she is gradually regaining parts of her soul and thus strengthening herself. Her 'sister' Lilith is with us tonight, watching from the bleachers. Well, here she is, the mistress of seduction ... Morrigan Aensland!" Morrigan, dressed in her royal outfit, appeared in the doorway and happily skipped to her place alongside Donovan. The men cheered wildly as the women maintained a stony silence or alternatively glared at the men.
"And finally the captain of the team, elegant, powerful, and a very dangerous opponent when underestimated. He was once banished to the human world for opposing the king of Makai and spent nearly a century recuperating somewhere in Transylvania. In the past he defeated Pyron and consumed him, making himself stronger. He still has plans to rule Makai and to begin with has cemented his alliance by marrying Morrigan. Ladies and gentlemen, the lord of the night ... Demitri Maximoff!" At that last announcement, a number of bats converged next to Morrigan and merged to form Demitri. Tall, saturnine, with an impressive physique and an elegant demeanor, Demitri appeared dressed in a fluttering cape and a tight suit, complete with leather boots. He bowed to the crowd and then leaned in to exchange a quick kiss with Morrigan. "Everybody, please welcome the Darkstalkers Alliance!" A number of half-hearted cheers followed. "Erm, right ... anyway, quick trivia. Demitri only drinks female blood and he prefers AB type over all the rest."
"That was not very courteous of him," Demitri observed to Morrigan even as a girl in the crowd shrieked and fainted. "I do not discuss his feeding habits, do I?"
"At least the ladies still fall for you, dear," Morrigan replied with a wink.
"Okay, so that didn't go well ... anyway, our next contestant is the former mayor of Metro City and one of the people responsible for ridding it of Mad Gear. He's also a regular on the wrestling circuit despite his age and is actually the captain of this team. He's a good friend of many of the contestants here and his daughter Jessica is with us tonight. Well, he needs no other introduction, really, and here he comes, the fighting mayor ... Mike Haggar!" Wearing a fine tuxedo that could barely contain his muscles, Haggar appeared in the doorway of the arena and waved to everyone. He took his proper place in the line while the Final Fight Team cheered him on.
"Our next contestant is a relatively new addition to the wrestling circuit but has already managed to make a name for himself. He is the champion and winner of the third World Warrior tournament. Although he entered for the sake of revenge, now he simply travels looking to improve his style. He was trained by his father's best friend, Tom, who unfortunately could not be here with us tonight but is probably watching by television. Well, here he is, the neo-American powerhouse ... Alex!" Wearing green military fatigues, headband wrapped around his blond hair, Alex appeared in the doorway, expression stern and serious. He strode to his spot beside Haggar without a word and the cheers for him were decidedly more muted.
"And the final member of this team is one of the most feared and respected members of the wrestling circuit. He left his native Russia due to lack of competition. Once a tactician for the Red Army, he still trains hard by wrestling with bears! His signature wrestling technique was inspired when he was caught up in a tornado. He even has a scar on his back from an incident when he protected the ex-president of Russia from an assassination attempt. Ladies and gentlemen, without more ado here is the red cyclone ... Zangief!" Striding out of the mists came a huge man, clad in a massive red cape that concealed his entire body. He slowly walked over to his teammates and took his place. "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Wrestlers' Association! Team trivia: Haggar and Zangief are rivals! Each one constantly infuriates the other by stealing moves - Haggar stole Zangief's piledriver and as revenge Zangief stole the lariat! Even now, the two of them cannot agree on ... uh, guys, why're you giving me that look ...?" Luckily for Jin, the referees were present to restrain the wrestlers.
"Anyway, now that that's out of the way - our next contestant is a former Shadowlaw assassin. She used to be one of Bison's elite doll squad but now works a part-time job in a jewelry store. For this tournament she's teamed up with two former companions, so will everybody please raise the roof for the level-headed assassin ... Juni!" Dressed in the dark, signature one-piece suit of a Shadowlaw doll assassin, Juni somersaulted into the stadium and waved cheerfully. She took her place next to Zangief as the crowd cheered.
"The next name in the roster is also a former Shadowlaw assassin but now volunteers for the Red Cross all over the globe. Before the second World Warrior tournament, she went hunting after a teammate of hers but later turned against her master. She's also the mother of Kirina Houshi by Ryu, although that's a hotly debated occurrance ... anyway, here she is, the depressed killer ... Juli!" Also glad in the dark Shadowlaw doll suit, Juli strode out of the mist, doffed her cap, and bowed elaborately. Jin scratched his head as Juli took her place next to Juni. "Who the heck told me she was depressed?" he muttered to himself.
"And now, the leader of the team and yet another former Shadowlaw assassin! The deadliest of them all, she is a clone of M. Bison and was actually meant to be his next body, but, uh - that plan went awry somewhere. It's a long story. Anyway, she was later saved and participated in the second World Warrior tournament. Now she is a valued member of Britain's elite Delta Red squad and considered the most eligible bacholerette in this tournament. Here she is, the forgotten weapon ... Cammy White!" Cammy walked out of the doorway and into the arena, her long blonde hair tied back in two elaborate braids and wearing the Delta Red battle uniform. The crowd went wild, men yelling out that they loved her and wanted to marry her. Cammy blithely ignored them and took her place alongside Juli and Juni, pausing only to speak with them. "Here they are, everybody, the Killer Bees! Quick trivia: Although Juli and Juni were originally kidnapped and brainwashed into serving as dolls - shame on you, Bison - Cammy was actually artifically grown by Shadowlaw. Strange, isn't it?
"Moving on with the schedule, the next fighter is an exchange student studying in Japan. She's a Lian and has substantial powers over wind; she also has past connections to one of the fighters here with us tonight, though I won't mention whom. Rumor has it that she also works part-time in the Japanese national weather service. Ladies and gentlemen, greet the divine tempest ... Chan Yoruyamatiha!" A massive wind sprang into being, wildly whipping around the entire stadium before converging into the center and lining up next to the other fighters. When it subsided, Chan stood up and tossed back a blonde strand of hair.
"Our next contestant is an American college student and the Lian of water. Not surprisingly, she's studying for a degree in oceanology. Everyone, please welcome the treacherous tide ... Kikoken!" Kikoken appeared in the doorway and curtseyed to the crowd, then took her place next to Chan and the two friends conversed quietly. Chun-Li sniffed airily. "Hmph. Fangirls these days."
"The next fighter and the leader of this team is a Ninjutsu teacher by day and a street brawler by night. He's also a master card player and rumor even suggests that he is overly preoccupied with justice - in his own way, of course. Here he is, the shadow of blind strength ... Edgar!" Dressed in a fighter's outfit, hair recently dyed blond and his outfit completed with a sash and tight shoes, Edgar appeared in the arena and formally bowed to the audience before taking his place next to his team members. "Let's hear it for Project Justice! Team trivia: None of these people actually exist in the storyline."
"Don't go away yet, ladies and gentlemen, our next contestant is a Japanese student. He currently studies art and has quite a reputation in the artistic world. One of the lesser known facts about him, however, is that he is also quite a fighter. Everyone, please welcome the cultured warrior ... Mitsukake Kagatoshi!" Mitsukake appeared from the mists, a thin and surprisingly tall man dressed in an elaborate suit. He waved cheerfully to the crowds and took his place next to the Project Justice team, making sure to steer well clear of Chan.
"The next fighter learned his art by watching tapes of Ken Masters in action. He uses a modified version of Ansatsuken and recently put in a strong showing at the U.S. Martial Arts Open. He's even married to his team captain - well, at least, in this storyline he is. Some call him the heir to Ansatsuken. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the flaring dragon ... Darrell Markis!" Wearing a karate uniform, Darrell appeared at the entrance to the arena wearing a pair of shades. He waved coolly to the crowd and took his place next to Mitsukake.
"Finally, the captain of this team and a very talented fighter in her own right. She is currently focusing more on college studies but always has time for a good fight. Rumor has it that Shadowlaw once tried to kidnap her for the Doll project. She is a very big fan of Ryu and her style is an arranged form of Ansatsuken. Sorry, guys, but she's married to Darrell ... well, here she is, the combative student ... Sakura Kasugano!" Dressed in a standard sailor uniform and wearing a white headband, Sakura appeared and gave a wild whoop before running off to join her teammates. "And that does it for the New Generation team! Team trivia: There's a lot of confusion, but it would appear that Sakura's appearance in Rival Schools was nothing except an Easter egg. Oh well." At the floor of the podium, Sakura had to endure a rash of laughter from the Lords of Shadowlaw.
"We're almost done, folks. Our next contestant is an IDC soldier who used to be a member of Her Majesty's Cold Stream guards. Even now, he is still a knighted member of the British military and occasionally trains British soldiers. Considered the weapons master of the IDC, he served with great distinction in its various wars. Everybody, give it up for the grey hawk ... Sir Lloyd Cunningham!" Dressed in a great trench coat that concealed his IDC uniform, Lloyd appeared in the doorway of the arena. He was an older British gentleman with a small moustache who looked to be in his mid-forties. He said nothing, only quickly and efficiently slipped in to his place.
"The second member of this team is also an IDC soldier who grew up on the streets. Despite his age, he's a veteran of the IDC's old conflicts and played a key role in the War of Ascendancy. As with the other members of the team, he trained under the tutelage of McGrath. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the volcanic bandit ... Blake Wallis!" Blake strutted out of the mists near the doorway entrance, dressed in the IDC combat uniform. He looked to be in his late-twenties, perhaps. Half-swaggering towards his proper place, Blake waved to the crowd repeatedly until Jin finally lost his temper. "Hurry it up or you'll eat Blodia's fist! We have a schedule to keep!" Blake shrugged and took his position.
"IDC soldiers ... anyway, the last member of this misfit team and its leader is none other than one of the IDC's most brilliant soldiers. She played important roles in both Operation Judgment and the War of Ascendancy. She's even refused promotion many times in order to remain a field operative. Ladies and gentlemen, the silktailed butterfly ... Samantha McGrath!" She appeared in the doorway, her long blonde hair tied back into a single ponytail that flowed down to her back. She too wore the IDC uniform, but it was a woman's version. Samantha bowed to the ecstatic crowd and took her place next to her fellow team members. "Here they are, the Phantom Strike Force. Quick trivia: All IDC soldiers have individual callsigns; Lloyd's is Greyhawk, Blake's is Apache, and Samantha's is Keychain.
"The next fighter is the leader of his team as well as an intergalactic police officer. He is responsible for foiling the plans of various madmen bent on taking over the galaxy. The captain of a team of crack soldiers, he formed a new alliance specifically to investigate this tournament. Without more ado, here he is, the proverbial hero ... Captain Commando!" Arrayed in his high-tech police suit, Captain Commando appeared in the doorway, all smiles, and saluted the crowd before slipping next to Samantha.
"Our next contestant is a pirate lady of the high seas. She was involved in the Armor of Erosion incident a few years ago but now has agreed to join Commando for this tournament. Ladies and gentlemen, the cunning sea hare ... Ruby Heart!" Dressed like a buccaneer, the pirate hat rakishly tilted to one angle, Ruby Heart appeared in the entrance to the arena. She bowed to the audience and strode to stand by Captain Commando.
"The final member of this team is a ninja and part of the Strider line of assassins. At the age of sixteen, he became the youngest member of the organization to ever earn the rank of Class A Strider. But the ultimate test of his abilities came when he had to stop his own father from taking over the world and he succeeded admirably. Ladies and gentlemen, the warrior who is one with the night ... Hiryu!" At the sound of his name, a large glider came floating into the arena; Hiryu detached himself from it and neatly landed next to his two teammates as the glider flew on. He wore the Class A Strider uniform with a red scarf bound around his chin and a set of dangerous looking weapons at his disposal. "Here they are; please welcome the Neo Commando Squad to the tournament! Quick trivia: Each member of this team was the star of exactly one Capcom title before coming here." The crowd cheered wildly.
"Last but most certainly not least, our final contestant is also the second single entry of this tournament. Many of you already know him by reputation as a wanderer who murders fighters across the globe. He is perhaps the single most feared name on the fighting circuit and his legend has only grown over time. Here he comes; be afraid, be very afraid, for he is none other than the Chaos Prince ... Dadallent!" Rather than coming out of the mist, the mist seemed to part for him and the light of the stadium gradually illuminated him. Dark assassin's gear, two epaulets, a headband pulled low over his eyes, a red scarf concealing most of his facial features, a short sword sheathed on his back - it was a well-known and greatly feared image. This time there were neither cheers nor boos; instead, children clung to their parents in panic and a deathly silence fell over the arena. As Dadallent slowly stalked towards his proper place in the line, not a soul there but felt a shiver of fear as he passed.
Jin recovered quickly. "And that's the full roster, ladies and gentlemen! This is Jin Saotome, speaking on behalf of the World Collision tournament. Our first match begins in three days. These matches will be held in unspecified locations around the world, with the finals scheduled to occur right here. You can follow the battles right from your TV sets or alteratively in Osaka stadium where the holoprojector will bring the battle right to you. Before I say goodnight, here's a special announcement from M., the sponsor of the tournament!"
The crowd hushed with anticipation. But the announcement did not come from the speakers, nor did the holoprojector find the elusive M. Instead, each and every member of the crowd heard the speech as though M. were right next to him or her. The voice was soft and feminine, a seductive soprano. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It is both my honor and pleasure to have everyone with me here tonight. I look forward to seeing the best fighters in the world compete, for only the strongest can win.
You will not see me until the finals, but rest assured that I am watching each of you very closely, as is the rest of the world. The team that wins this tournament will earn the title of 'mightiest world warriors' ...
"Bah, who needs a title?" Sagat scoffed.
... A monetary prize of three hundred million U.S. dollars, distributed evenly among team members ...
Ken sniffed. "Hmph, pocket change. What a waste of time."
... and the powers of a diety. That is all I have to say for now. Thank you for being here and goodnight.
Jedah shrugged and turned to his fellow referee. "Well, Gill, aren't you relieved you decided not to participate?"
Osaka, Japan
One hour has passed
After the ceremony, the fighters had gathered in one of Japan's Genhanten restaurants. It was right across the streets from the impossibly luxurious hotel in which they were quartered. As the sweet aroma of cooking gradually made its way around the massive room, at one of the large tables off to the side the veterans were discussing the tournament.
Sagat opened the discussion. "I want to know, is there anyone here besides myself who feels uneasy about this entire competition?"
Nods came from all members present at the table. "Yes," M. Bison agreed, "something is very wrong here. The power to be a god is being offered as a prize? What sort of person could offer that?"
"You get the feeling that we're walking blindly into a trap," Haggar said.
"Precisely," Bison replied. He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "We must be on our guard. Something sinister is happening; we simply don't know what. If anything happens to anyone, let everyone else know and we can take action together." There were nods and murmurs of agreement from all around the table.
"So does anyone know who 'M.' might be?" Gen asked. Though not a contestant, he had joined the fighter veterans at the table.
"That voice," Gill said, thoughtfully, "I know I have heard it before ... but when?"
"You think M.'s identity is the key to this whole mystery?" Captain Commando queried.
"I am certain of it," Gill replied. He shook his head. "I apologize, but I truly cannot remember."
"Well, take your time, there's no use rushing to conclusions," Ernest McGrath said. "I, for one, am more concerned about him. No, don't stare; look discreetly." He indicated Dadallent, sitting in a shadowed corner, giving off the impression that he was watching the entire room. However a man with a black headband pulled over his eyes could watch a room, but there was a deadly and unmistakable aura around him. His hands were in plain view, folded along the table.
"That bastard killed my friend Zeku," Haggar growled.
"We have all lost friends to him," Gen added.
Haggar began to stand up. "Excuse me for a moment while I go over and pound -"
He was interrupted when Rose and McGrath, on either side of him, hastily pulled him back into his chair. "For sanity's sake, Mike, get a grip on yourself," McGrath hissed lowly. "He hasn't been captured in nearly ten years of murder. Some of the best in the world have tried; we lost two full strike forces trying, and I heard the S.T.A.R.S. and the U.S. Seals fared even worse. Think, there's a reason he isn't behind bars."
"I think we can take him, together," Sagat proposed.
"You want to end this tournament before it begins?" Bison demanded.
"What's the objection?" Sagat shot back. "He killed my best pupil, Adon. You were dead during his career, but even you must have heard about him after your revival. He's too dangerous to be allowed to leave after this tournament."
"You could bring M.'s wrath down on all of us," Bison warned.
"Do you have some sort of ulterior motive planned, coward?"
"Why you -! Psycho -!"
Gill restrained Bison as McGrath held Sagat firmly in his chair. "Will you two cut it out?" an irritated Gen demanded. "This is a restaurant, not a place to brawl. Take it outside if you really want to fight."
Meanwhile, at another table, old friends were quickly catching up on old times. The IDC Phantoms were there as well as the Police Investigators and the Killer Bees. "I haven't heard a word from any of you since the War of Ascendancy began!" Jill Valentine exclaimed. "It's incredible meeting all of you here. How're the other Phantoms doing?"
"Great, actually," Blake replied. "You have anything you want to say to them?"
"It's been some time, Instructor Cunningham," Cammy said.
"Nearly five years," Lloyd agreed. He noticed, with some satisfaction, that Cammy had finally begun to develop a slight British accent after a decade with Delta Red. They chatted up on old times while Jill blushed and tried to fend off Blake's attempts to flirt with her.
"Well, at least the Killer Bees are having fun," Chun-Li remarked from yet another table. She looked at Charlie and Guile. "I take it you two also decided to come because of the mystery behind the tournament, right?"
"Exactly," Charlie replied. "This is the most well-advertised and logistically complex tournament I've ever seen, and yet the trails deadens so quickly? I'm sure you have your suspicions as well, Chun-Li - I've talked to Samantha, and I know she feels the same way. Problem is, we still don't have a clue as to what's going on. Anyway, how're the children doing?"
"They're going through that phase," Chun-Li replied, pointing to her left where Sakura was chasing Mitsukake around a table with a spatula. "They're good kids, though."
"Charlie and Chun-Li chatting away while Guile keeps a cold silence ... reminds me of old times, eh, Ryu?" Ken Masters asked from another table. He chuckled. "Still training as hard as ever, eh? Oh, uh, piece of advice - I'd keep your daughter clear of Kenneth Feng if at all possible." He and Ryu both looked to the side where Kenny was offering a cigarette to Kirina. "He's a good person but a bad influence - got Mel to swear in just a week and a half."
"Thanks. I'll keep that advice in mind," Ryu noted.
"So how's the marriage working out?" Ken asked.
"Marriage? Ken, have you been drinking again?"
Ken slapped himself on the cheeks several times. "Sorry. I keep forgetting that we're actually supposed to be in character - for once - and because of that you've never cared for any romance."
"Glad my old sparring partner still understands me."
Across the room, Yun Lee half-swaggered over to the Project Justice table. "Well hello there, cupcakes! Normally I wouldn't ask, but how about a double date? You girls can play rock-paper-scissors and the loser has to go out with Yang while the winner gets me."
"Er, well, actually ..." Kikoken began.
"I'll pass," Chan said. "You may have both of them, Kikoken, if you wish."
"Aw, come on, the more the merrier I say," Yun persisted. "Hey, look, here comes the food. I think I see caviar and lobster and some champagne to boot. And fruit, too. You like vegetables?"
"And here comes the sacrificial lamb."
"What? What do you -"
Chan pointed and instantly Yun fell silent. Standing in the doorway to the restaurant was a very distinctive man wearing a pink fighting uniform. When he crowed, all eyes turned his way. "Bow down before Dan Hibiki of the Saikyo school of martial arts! C'mon, kids, I know you're all dying for lessons from the master of Saikyo! Whaddya say? Join now and I'll give everyone here a half discount." Flexing his arms and strutting around the room, Dan halted in front of Dadallent's table. "Hey, you, what's wrong? Fighting's no good without being able to show off! It's okay, you're not alone - all fighters go through this phase, when they realize that they need to learn Saikyo." He tried to drag the Chaos Prince out of the seat.
"I don't need this," the dark warrior intoned.
"Rubbish, I'll cure you of that misconception," Dan replied cheerfully. The Chaos Prince stood up abruptly, almost causing Dan to fall over backwards, but Dan simply took the event as a symbol of his victory. He flexed an arm and spun around, indicating the entire room. "See, what'd I tell you? Saikyo is the strongest! Yahoo!"
In that instant, Dadallent struck.
He seized Dan from behind, by the shoulders, and then it seemed that ... darkness ... flowed out of his hands and swiftly overran the entire room, leaving everyone shouting in confusion. Chan felt around her, instantly realizing that this was no ordinary darkness. It seemed almost tangible, as though it were greedily reaching for her skin, her flesh, her soul. There was no time to reflect, though; a moment later, a scream pierced her train of thinking, a shriek of fear, terror, and mortal agony. It lasted but an instant before it was abruptly cut off; a moment later, something warm and wet hit her entire body with the force of an air blast and she was nearly knocked off her seat. As quickly as it had come, the darkness lifted and was gone.
Chan instantly realized that she was covered with blood; a moment later, her horrified eyes focused on a very obviously dead Dan, lying on the floor in a pool of his own blood. Speaking of which, blood seemed to have been splattered around the entire restaurant and everyone appeared to be soaked with it. Dan's face seemed to be contorted in agony; a single Chinese character, the word for evil, had been written into his body by tearing out flesh from his chest. And standing over the mutilated body was Dadallent, immaculate and spotless. He leaned over for a moment to regard his handiwork, then slowly and deliberately stalked out of the restaurant, leaving behind everyone else aghast.