STREET FIGHTER 3:METRO CITY MAUL!

CH.2

Alex and the other Street Fighters(Yun,Sean,Dudley,Ibuki,and Necro.)walked about through the crowded city sidewalks to find a group of heroes and figthters who were doing their butt kicking before any of them came onto the World Warrior Circuit--THE FINAL FIGHT CREW!

"I've heard a lot about those guys even before my family and I moved here to America when I was a kid."said Sean. "They kick serious can with the bad guys."

"Yeah,and I remember seeing Mike Haggar in the Saturday Slam Masters ring when I was a teen many years ago."said Alex. "His grappling moves are a legend to behold."

"That may be."said Ibuki. "But I still don't see why we're looking for them."

"It's simple really m'dear."said Dudley. "They say,to fight your enemy or opponent,know them."

"Which was my idea of course,"said Yun. "we're gonna scope out these dudes and see what they're really like in action before we get to fight them in the tournament."

"If you say so."said Ibuki.

The fighters then came across a large building across the street from them.

It was shaped like an octagon and had an oriental design style roof over it's structure.

It's words read overtop the doors,METRO CITY LOCAL GYM AND DOJO.

"Just a hunch."said Alex. "I have a feeling some of are there."

"Noo,ya think?"joked Yun. "Well,let's find out."

The heroes walked across the street and entered the gym.

Once inside,they found groups of young people hard at work in the gym.

Some were doing aerobics,some lifting weights,some boxing in the ring that was in the center of the room,and some in the back rooms were practicing karate and kung-fu.

"Hmmm....I wonder where any of them could be?"said Alex.

Suddenly,someone dressed in a white t-shirt and blue jeans came up to them.

"Can I help you..?"he said.

The man also had shaggy blonde hair and a bandage on the left side of his face.

"Hey...I know you."said Alex. "Aren't you the man called Cody?"

"Yeah,that's me."said Cody. "And----yeah,I think i've seen you before as well. Ain't you that guy I saw fight in the last Street FIghter tournament?"

"Yeah,that's me."said Alex. "The current champion to be exact. Alex's the name,and fightin's the game."

The two warriors shook hands.

"You were pretty amazing with those grab throws of yours."said Cody. "I betcha you beat that Gill weirdo to a pulp."

"You could say that."said Alex. "And I remember seeing you in action on the news once when you and those other two guys were cleaning the floor with those Mad Gear goons."

"Yeah,that is one great time I always remember."said Cody. "Anyways,what about the rest of your pals there,and what's their business?"

Dudley took off his hat and bowed politely.

"My good man."he said. "We like sir Alex here,are also Street FIghters,and we are here to enter the up and coming Metro City tournament."

Cody's eyes lit up with real interest.

"Oh,you are,huh?"he said. "That should be pretty--interesting."

"We're contenders from the last Street Fighter tournament."said Sean. "Most of us heard about this contest,and decided to try our stuff with it."

"Well,if you want some butt-kicking competition,you came to the right place."said Cody."Even after the fall of the Mad Gears,Metro City still has the meeeeaanest streets around!"

"Sounds---intriguing."said Necro.

"Yes well,that's all dandy to "said Dudley. "But would you oblidge in telling us where we register and everything?"

"Sure thing."said Cody. "This way if ya don't mind."

The fighters all followed the Metro City hero down a nearby hallway that led to an office at the end.

Once inside,they found a single wide brown oak desk,with two chairs and a desk,as well as a couch across from it.

Behind the desk and across the medium sized room was a large blue mat and a set of excersise equipment against the wall,complete with barbells,a sandbag and a few other things.

Cody sat down at the desk.

"Street Fighters,"he said. "welcome to my gym."

"Wha--you're the owner?"said Yun.

"You betcha."said Cody.

"Well,why didn't you say that before?"said Dudley.

"Just a little--suprising for folks who come here to sign up and train or other things."said Cody. "You see,a few years back,I wasn't a complete clean cut type you see now. I was actually in jail once after the events of the Metro City crimefight spree."

Alex scratched his chin.

"Hey,that's right now I remember."he said. "You were sentenced to prison for raising some ruckus back then cause you were bored with the peaceful life."

"Uh--yeah."said Cody. "Ashamed to say that was me. But--to cut a long story short,I broke out got mixed with something called Shadowloo,a couple of s namjed Guy and Maki helped me out and thanks to Mayor Haggar,I was cleared and worked my way back to civilazation as well as my girl Jessica's heart."

"Oh,how romantic."said Ibuki.

"A warrior rises and falls and rises again."said Dudley. "I take it you were chosen for this job of handling the dojo because you're a street fighter yourself?"

"That,and the fact that the last owner was murdered by a couple of ex-Mad Gear goons,which I by the way personally pulverrized once I caught up with'em."said Cody.

"But anyways,enough about yours truly okay? You say you've all come here for the up coming Metro torunament?"

"That's right."said Sean. "After the last SF torunamen,some of us wanna try our hand on the legendary streets of Metro City,and see what kind of competition we can get from there."

"Well,you came to the right place as I stated before."said Cody. "Let me just get out the official sign up form here."

Cody reached in to the top drawer and pulled out a clipboard with a white sheet of paper on it.

The paper had a xeroxed list of fighters who signed up so far for the tournament this saturday,and above the paper printed across were the words:TOURNAMENT APPLICATION.

"We've had more than fifty so far on just one of our sign-in boards and books."said Cody. "If you'll just sign your names and of course just pay a fee of 5 bucks,you'll be automatically registered."

"Just five huh?"said Alex.
"Allow me,old chap."said Dudley as he fished out his wallet. "We need to get a move on you know."

Alex signed in,

as did Dudley,

then Ibuki,

then Sean,

then Necro,

and then Yun.

"Just one more thing."said Alex. "We also have a couple of pals travelling with us who are also entering the torunament. THey decided to nap it off before coming here. But is it okay if we sign in for them both."

"Hmmm,I suppose."said Cody. "Just make sure they show up."

Yun then signed in for his brother and then Remy's name as well.

"By the way."said Sean. "Are you and the other Final Fight guys gonna be in the torunament?"

"Well,we'd be crazy if we weren't now would we?"said Cody grinning. "You bet we are. It's gonna be me,Guy,Maki,Lucia,Dean,Carlos. Aaaandd...if any of you are really lucky,you just might take on the tourney sponser...Mike Haggar."

Some of the fighters became a little uneasy upon hearing the mention of the Metro City legend,but Alex was definitely stoked and excited to hear it.

"Now you're talking!"he said.

"Well then,now that we've got that sorted out."said Dudley. "How will this tournament actually work,will we fight in the streets or be at a nice football arena?"

"A little bit of both actually."said Cody. "But...you'll all find out this saturday since everyone involved needs to come here to the gym and learn all the details. My advice to you,is get all the best training at the local gyms,here preferably. And give it your best shot. Because...."

Cody began to crack his knuckles.

"...we'll be waiting for you,me especially."

"Trust me blondie."said Yun. "We look forward to it."

"Hear,hear!"said Dudley.

"Okay-dokey."said Cody. "See you there."

The fighters then all exited from the office and sat around a bench near the entrance doors of the gym.

"Nice chap there.said Dudley. "A little cocky,but nice."

"Believe me,"said Alex. "that's not how I saw when Tom and me saw him on the news years ago."

"Well,I hope he still fights as good as he talks."said Sean. "I look forward to every bit of this."

"As do we all,comrade Sean."said Necro."But don't get carried away getting into something so soon."

"That's right."said Alex. "We all need to get some heavy training this week,and how!"

"Well then."said Ibuki. "Let's get started."

"Not yet."said Alex. "We still need to get Remy and Yang."

"Hey,it's their business to go off where they like.not ours."said Sean. "And we're all gonna be rivals anyways in the contest,right?"

"That may be young lad."said Dudley. "But we need them at their best to give us all a good fight. You never know when they may come in handy for anything on this trip."

"Okay,okay..."moaned Yun. "I'll get my big bro and that frenchy cook. Just gimme a minute."

Yun exited the gym and ran as fast as he could to the hotel they were checked in.

While many miles away in a high rise office building....

The top office is mostly shadowed in darkness,but in it are two unknown individuals.

One dressed in a suit is watching out through the window at the famed Metropolis that is Metro.

"Like what you're seeing?'said the other person,seated at a desk.

"I like what power and wealth this city shall hold for my plans when this contest starts."said the man.

"For us you mean."said the man at the desk. "But remember,my desire is also revenge,revenge for those who thwarted and nearly killed me here in this city many years ago."

"Of course,of course."said the man at the window. "Everything will work out once the contest is underway."

"For your sakes,I hope so."said the man at his desk.

WHILE BACK AT THE GYM...

Alex and the others had changed into their fighting gear,the same duds they all wore at Gill's tournament.

But when Necro removed his hat and coat,some of the onlookers were startled by his appearance.

"GASP!"said a man in a karate gi.

"Wh--what is that?"said a woman beside him.

"Oh-oh.."said Necro. "Maybe this wasn't such a--"

"Nonsense,m'boy!"said Dudley. "It's all right everyone,he's with us,he means no harm. Otherwise fighting in the torunament."

"If you say so."said a boxer in the ring. "Let's see if he's as good as he fights in the contest."

"You'll find out soon enough old chap."said Dudley.

Suddenly,the double doors burst open and a trio of individuals came bursting in.

"What th--?"said Alex.

One was a huge seven foot tall man of bulk and musle and wore a pink set of fighting togs and a chain around his waist.

A slender and shapely young woman who stood at his waist was with him.

She wore a skimpy set of blue jean shorts,biker hat,and high heels and had shoulder length red hair.

"I don't believe it!"said Alex. "Hugo and Roxy!"

"Yeah,we all saw them in the last Street Fighter tourney."said Sean. "But what're they doing here?"

"I'm sure the answers obvious."said Dudley. "They're here for the tournament no less."

"I remembere seeing those two in the papers."said Alex. "They used to be members of a crime gang called the Mad Gears here in Metro. But I guess after getting their butts handed to them by Cody and the others,they decided to get into proffesional wrestling."

"Well then,"said Ibuki. "I guess that means they're straight."

"Don't bet on it."said Alex. "After all,I fought and beat that guy in the last contest. And they weren't to thrilled about it either."

"Yes,"said Dudley. "They say leapords don't always change their spots."

"Man,Cody's gonna flip when he sees them."said Sean.

The other person who entered with Roxy and Hugo was a man about 5'4.

He had black shaggy hair and wore a red leather biker outfit of some kind,and wore a red duffle bag over his right shoulder.

"Who's he?"said Sean.

"No one i'd recognize."said Alex.

"Nor I."said Necro. "But he's probably here for the same reasons we are."

Roxy approached the karate instructor.

"Hey,where do we sign up for the toutrnament?"she said.

"Oh uh,down that hall."said the man pointing to the direction of the hall.

"Thanks."said Roxy.

The entire room seemed to shake as Hugo follwed Roxy,his massive feet stomped the very ground.

"Man,how'd you say you beat him?"said Sean.

"Leverage."said Alex. "And a lot of it."

"I've got a bad feeling about those two myself."said Sean.

Suddenly,Cody's voice was heard shouting through the hall.

"WHAT IN THE HELL IS THIS?"he shouted.

"Uh-oh,battle stations."said Alex. "C'mon!"

Alex,Sean and Dudley ran back into Cody's office.

Once there,they found Cody in a fight stance against the two Ex-Mad Gears.

"Whoa,whoa,whoa!"said Alex. "What's going on in here?"

"Well what's it look like?"said Cody raising his fists. "These two have obviously come back to the old town to personally kick the cans of me,Guy and Haggar--all one at a time each!"

"Oh,don't be ridiculous!"said Roxy. "Those days in case you forgot,are long gone!"

"Yeah,right!"said Cody. "Do I look I was born yesterday? I don't trust either of you any more than Sodom,Rolento,or even Eddie E!"

"Now come on,Cody!"said Alex. "They said they're here for the tournament!"

"I can vouch for that."said Dudley."They were asking where to sign up."

"That's right."said Roxy. "You gonna fight us just for that?"

"C'mon Cody,be a good sport."said Dudley. "If you wish to eh--kick their cans in turn,then give them a chance at the tournament."

Cody sighed wearily.

"Alright already."he said. "But if you both cause any trouble of any kind--"

"We get the picture,Cody!"said Roxy. "But hey,at least we weren't--in jail like you."

"Don't push it,lady!"said Cody. "Just have tiny there sign up and offer a fee of five bucks,"

"Gladly...Hugo."said Roxy.

The giant nodded and signed his name on the registry while Roxy slapped a fiver on the desk.

"Hey,what about you?"said Sean. "Aren't you gonna sign in?"

"Sorry,kid."said Roxy. "My fighting days are long behind me. I've been playing coach and manager to our act since the last Street Fighter tournament. And believe me,Hogo's been training a lot harder---ever since mr.green jeans here beat him."

Roxy's finger was pointing at Alex.

Hugo growled in anger.

"RRRRRR---ALLEX!"he said.

"Uh--hiya,Hugo."he said. "Fancy meeting you here huh?"

Alex was about to take a huge lunge at his sworn enemy,but his manager placed one arm in front of him.

"Ah-ah...save it for the match,sweetie."she said. "You're just damn lucky i'm here with him,AL. But don't get too comfy,cause when he strikes in the tournament,you're gonna wish you stayed in New York. So be ready!"

"I...look forward to it."said Alex.

"Me too."said Hugo.

"Well then."said Cody. "Would you---like for Hugo there to train here in the gym?"
"Ha,you gotta be kidding."said Roxy. "This place just reeks of old sweat and Final Fight heroes anyways. Me and Hugo are heading over to the more plush gyms and dojos,thank you very much."

The crooked pair then left the room with Hugo's massive claudhoppers shaking the room as he stepped.

"Maannnn!"said Cody clenching his fists. "Some things never change as they always say."

"Sad but true."said Dudley. "But try to keep that anger in check old boy."

"Yeah,don't lose focus when you're in the tournament."said Alex.

"I know,I know."said Cody. "You just don't know what bad-ass stuff we had to deal with when the Mad Gears ruled this town."

"I've got a pretty good idea of dealing with scum myself."said Alex. "And Gill was his name."

Just then,the same man who was out in the gym came in,it was the red clad biker.

"Uhmm...don't tell me."said Cody."You're here for the torunament too?"

The man nodded.

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't a contest."he said.

"Okay,sign here,pay five bucks."said Cody.

The biker stepped up to the desk,signed the registry and placed five ones on the desk.

"By the way,you a local around here?"said Cody. "Haven't seen you before."

"Nope."said the man. "I'm from---other places.But I can't talk right now,I got some training to do."

"Okay then."said Cody. "Feel free to use whatever exercise equipment you like,but if you need anything,give a holler. Oh,and no funny stuff either okay?"

"Hey,no worries...i'm not a Mad Gear ya know."said the man.

The mystery man then exited from the room just as he came.

"Huh,not much of a talker,even if he was informative."said Sean. "Something--edgy about that guy."

"Hey,every fighter needs a--hard edge one way or the other."said Alex. "Shows no fear."

Cody then looked down at the name of the fighter who signed in.

It read the name:"ACE"

"Ace..?"said Cody. "That's his name?"

"Maybe--he's an ace biker or something."said Sean.

"We'll find out what kinda Ace he is in the contest."said Alex. "Right now,we'd better get some training done and now."

WHILE BACK AT THE HOTEL....

Yun finally caught up with his brother Yang back at the hotel they were staying at,but they found that Remy was nowhere to be found.

"When I got up,he was gone."said Yang. "Do you think he headed for the local gym with the others?"

"I guess there's only one way to find out."said Yun. "Let's go."

However,unbeknownst to the twin Dragons,their fellow fighter was wandering through the dark and garbage infested back alleys of Metro City,his inner thoughts consumed with confusion and rage.

"I can't believe that i'm here!"he thought. "I know Alex told me that I didn't have to come if I didn't want to. But---after I entered that lousy Street Fighter tournament,and made peace with my sister's passing,I vowed to give up on fighting altogether.

But---after a month of trying to lead a normal life---I found myself figthing a group of punks at the Club Metro,and got sent to jail for it.

I wandered through France and Europe,trying to get my head together,but deep down in my soul,I keep feeling the urge to fight,to combat,to physically hurt someone!

I then ran into the one I fought before back at the last tournament,Alex. He and a few other fighters offered to help me to try and quelch the urge to fight by using my fight skills for--better purposes. Like fighting criminals or--participating in naother tournament. To try--and fight for a cause--a better purpose. To try and realize that not all warriors,were like my father."

Suddenly,Remy heard a footfall in front of him.

Regaining his senses,he saw a couple of street punks stand before him.

The one on the left was dressed head to toe in brown leather bike gear,had red shoulder length hair and a green bandana around his head,he also carried a long crowbar.

The other punk next to him was a foot shorter,he wore a bright orange vest jacket with a radiation sign on the back had gren pants on with matching sneakers and a yellow mohawk and shades.

They were actually a pair of former Mad gear members,now just a pair of trouble searching punks.

"What we got here huh?"said the punk on the left. "Some tourist who's lost?"

"Nice leather jacket ya got there pal."said the punk on the right. "How much it worth?"

Remy scowled at the two ruffians.

"Out of my way,monsieurs!"he said. "I have no trifle with either of you."

"Ooo,he's a frenchie."said the punk with the mohawk.

"Yeah,maybe he's a french fag,HAW HAW!"said the punk in leather.

"I won't say it again--OUT OF MY WAY!"said Remy.

"Or what?"said the punk with the mohawk. "You gonna kick our asses aside? I don't think so. Whether ya realize it or not,frenchy,this is a toll alley,ya either pay up...or the consequences ya get may not be so attractive."

Remy growled fiercly.

"ENOUGH OF THIS--BLUE NOCTURNE!" he shouted as he threw his ki projectile at the two hoods.

A blue ring shaped projectile hit the mohawk punk in the chest and he fell backwards to the ground,out cold.

"Hey--what the hell kinda move do ya call that?"said the renmaining thug.

"That--was just a sample of the kind of damage I can unleash,fool."said Remy. "Turn back now,or there will be consequences for you!"

"If ya think i'm gonna back down after that little cheap trick,you're screwed in the head,man!"said the punk.

Without another word,the Gear thug jumped at Remy and swung his crowbar.

Remy simply ducked it and did his rage flash kick.

"KRAAKK!"

The thug got kicked in the chin really hard by Remy's flip kick,and he too crumpled like the other punk before him down to the hard ground.

"Everywhere I go,voilence follows me."said Remy.

"Looks more to me like you welcome the violence!"said a voice from above.

Looking up,Remy saw what appeared to be another of Metro City's locals...

...except that this one was a true legend like Cody.

He stood on the very top of the fire escape,he was tall,and muscular.

He wore a red orange ninja outift complete with converse sneakers.

His hair was dark brown and lay atop his head as a spiky mop top.

His dark eyes gave off a sense of fearless power and determination.

"If you came for trouble,you came to the right place,scum-bag!"he said.

"Scum-bag?"said Remy.

The ninja leapt off the fire-ecape,did a mid-air flip and landed safely on both feet.

"And who--might you be...?"said Remy.

"My friends and enemies call me Guy."said the man. "But you can call me---your deporter!"

Remy clenched his fists at his sides and sighed.

"It seems that I will never be able to fight for a true cause at this rate."he thinks.

"Very well,ninja."he said. "But be warned,you'll wish you didn't challenge me to begin with."

"We'll see--C'MON!"said Guy as he got into fight stance.

A major bout between two killers was about to commence...

NEXT CHAPTER:GUY AND REMY DECK OUT IN THE STREETS WHILE THE REST OF THE CREW CONTINUE THEIR TRAINING FOR THE TOURNAMENT. AND MORE IS REVEALLED ABOUT THE TWO MYSTERIOUS WATCHERS IN THE BUILDING. ALL THIS AND MORE IN CH.3 OF STREET FIGHTER:METRO CITY MAUL!