These are the words of Hung Nguyen. I just have permission to post them and make it easier to read. Just want to give his stuff the recognition it deserves. One of the first Non-Ranma fanfics written.
Disclaimer: Fatal Fury and Bubble Gum Crisis are not mine but I will accept any large cash donations.
italics: Thoughts
In an age of scientific marvels, the human body is still the world's most dangerous machine. TM
Chapter 6 Part 2
The Rematch
"So, Krauser has rebelled has he?" Geese said as he sat at the desk that had been formally Quincy's. "I thought as much."
"You knew that Krauser would turn against Quincy?" Billy asked with a bit of apprehension.
"But of course." Geese replied with a very smug look. "Everything is going to my ultimate plan."
"But… what's to stop him from turning on us?" The fighter from England asked. "I mean, isn't he even more powerful as a Boomer than he was when he last fought Terry Bogard? I mean, even you couldn't defeat him and…" Billy became silent when the King of South Town and new head of Genom glared at him. He bowed his head and quietly said to him, "I'm sorry sir. I didn't mean to…"
Geese's frown turned up into a smirk as he chuckled evilly. "Heh, heh, heh. You're quite right, Billy. Krauser is ten times stronger than he was during his last bout with Jeff Bogard's son. His body has been reconstructed with the strongest alloys and most advanced systems this company had to offer. His fighting ability is far beyond what he possessed at the peak of his former life. He is totally devoid of any human frailties and just about all emotions. He is in essence, the perfect weapon."
"If that's the case, then why… if I may speak freely?"
"You may."
Billy took a deep breath. "Then why aren't you the least bit worried? Aren't you concerned that he might come after you? As I recall, you and Krauser didn't get along very well and…"
Geese held up a hand. "Oh, I know he won't be going after me or anyone else except for one person. His primary programming is to kill Terry Bogard and I KNOW that he will follow that directive above all others. In fact, I am COUNTING on it."
"But sir!"
"All will be revealed in due time, Billy. But for now, let us watch the fun!"
Geese Howard then flipped a hidden switch that made an overhead monitor lower from the ceiling. The screen lit up and began displaying images.
At the top of Genom Tower…
"Priscilla S. Asagiri. Age twenty-one. Part-time singer for various night clubs and leader of the Replicants band. Alter ego as one of the Knight Sabers."
Priss winced as Krauser Boomer read her data file from a nearby computer. She figured that her identity as a Knight Saber was compromised once her face was crossmatched with police files and such. However, she could do nothing as she was held prisoner in that electrified cage. She became pale as the monster Krauser brought up an image of Sylia Stingray and then turned to her.
"Now, do you think that Terry Bogard would accept my invitation to come here if I were to send the message to Sylia Stingray? She is, after all, the leader of the Knight Sabers."
Priss tried to show her tough-girl attitude, but inside she was shocked to hear that Krauser had deduced Sylia's secret identity.
"What are you talking about? You god-damned Boomer!"
"My, my. Such language." Krauser remarked in that same calm yet mocking tone. "In any case, don't bother denying it. I can see it in your eyes that my conclusions were correct." He turned his back to her without bothering to gauge Priss' reactions. "It was a simple matter of deduction, especially for my highly advanced logic circuits. I had studied the technology of your Hardsuits and by researching data stored in Genom's private files, I came up with the name of the man who would have the capacity to create such highly advanced battle armor. Amazingly enough, he was also one of the founding creators of Boomer technology: Katsuhito Stingray. I also learned that Genom had him… removed from the equation, and the only other person who would have access to his research was of course his children, Sylia and Mackie Stingray. Stingray had also left his children with a considerable fortune, more than enough to set up the Knight Sabers and have working prototypes of the Hardsuits made. However, though the inheritance was sizable, it was not unlimited, which ties in with the Knight Sabers taking mercenary work. Minimum fee, twenty million yen per job. After interfacing with a few other networks and pushing through various false fronts and such, I had gained access to lists of material and equipment that Sylia had purchased in the last few years since the appearance of the Knight Sabers. The items she had purchased, matched to what weaponry and repair materials that the Knight Sabers would have required. After each time the Knight Sabers had suffered damage or had their Hardsuits upgraded, I simply checked the lists for components and parts that the Knight Sabers would have needed. In every case, the dates match almost to the day."
Priss swallowed hard as she realized that Krauser had irrefutable proof that Sylia was responsible for the Knight Sabers. The Krauser Boomer however, gave Priss a cold look and replied as he tapped a message on a nearby console, then sent it along the connecting line. "I am NOT interested about the secrets of the Knight Sabers. My only concern is Terry Bogard."
"Terry? Why do you want Terry?" Priss asked in confusion. "What's so special about him?"
The KB-1000 paused for a long time before answering. "Because… he may be the only one who can fulfill my greatest wish."
"What?!" Priss was confused. She had faced off against strange Boomers before, but the Krauser Boomer wasn't making any sense!
Krauser looked at Priss' bewilderment and then nodded. "Perhaps, it is best that I show you why Terry is so.. special." He activated a nearby console, which began depicting images from his memories of his encounters with the Lone Wolf. The short-tempered brunette's eyes widened as she saw the past of Terry Bogard.
At Dr. Raven's Garage…
"So what do we do?" Linna asked as she, Mackie, Dr. Raven, the other Knight Sabers, and Terry crowded around the conference table.
"Well, it's obvious that we have to rescue Priss!" Nene exclaimed. "I say we attack Genom and-"
"And how, may I ask, do we do that?" Sylia interjected. "That Krauser Boomer had reduced our upgraded Hardsuits into recyclable junk and almost did the same to us! Our weapons had little to no effect against that monster! Besides, it's possible that Genom now knows of our secret identities and they may be planning to attack us. Maybe at this very location."
"I don't think so." Terry commented.
"What do you mean?" Sylia asked.
"Well, you said it yourself that Krauser was only interested in finding me, right? He wasn't the least bit concerned about you or bringing in the Hardsuits for Genom. I mean, there's nothing left of those suits for Genom to try and duplicate, isn't that right?"
"I'll say!" Linna affirmed. "Our Hardsuits are just lumps of melted metal, plastic, and burned out circuitry. They're only good to be oversized paperweights now!"
"So what if we don't have our Hardsuits!" Nene exclaimed. "We've been in worse situations! I say we pack as much firepower as we can into the truck and hit Genom-"
"You're not thinking, Nene!" Sylia scolded. "If our Hardsuits at full capacity couldn't do more than scratch Krauser, then what makes you think that conventional weapons will do any better? Besides, we'd have to fight our way through Genom to GET to Krauser, and then what? We'd be putting not only Priss' life in danger but our own lives as well! What you're suggesting is nothing more than a suicide mission!"
"So what do you suggest? That we just leave Priss and do nothing?"
"At the moment, we can't do anything, Nene." Linna interrupted. "Our Hardsuits were trashed and we don't even know if Priss IS at Genom!"
Sylia nodded. "Linna is right. Our capabilities are limited without the Hardsuits and we have no idea if Priss had been taken to Genom or someplace else. At the moment, we are stuck."
Terry shook his head and said, "This is my fault. If you hadn't have taken me in, then this would have never happened."
Sylia held up a hand and disagreed. "No, this wasn't anyone's fault. You couldn't have known that something like this would have happened and we certainly didn't expect any of this. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time and things just went on from there. What we need to do now is try and figure out our next move."
"What about the old suits? Couldn't we upgrade them?" Mackie asked.
Sylia shook her head. "No, they would be useless against Krauser and it would take at least three days to refit them. We need another-"
It was at that moment that the computer console behind them lit up and they all turned around to see a message flash across the screen.
"What is it?" Linna asked as Nene approached the console and sat down in front of the monitor.
The red-haired officer of the AD police began typing a few commands and then replied, "It's some kind of coded message that was sent to Sylia's penthouse."
The leader of the Knight Sabers nodded. "Yes, I had my answering machine programmed to reroute any messages to this location if I wasn't present. The line is on a scrambler frequency to keep anyone from tracking it. What does it say?"
"Hold on a minute. " Nene replied as she continued to decoded the message. "It's addressed to… Terry Bogard?" She turned around to look back at the Lone Wolf as he quickly stepped up to read the message.
Terry's expression became hardened as he read the message out loud. "Meet me at the Genom Tower, subsection 5, level 23 at 7:00 AM tomorrow. Come alone or the secrets of Sylia Stingray will be revealed to Genom and the public. Miss Priscilla S. Asagiri is waiting for you. It is time we settled things, once and for all. Signed… the former Earl of Stroheim… Wolfgang Krauser." Terry clenched his fist and pounded it against the console as the monitor went dark.
"He knows…" Linna gasped.
Terry became silent as he considered his options, limited as they were. He then turned to leave.
"Terry! Wait!" Sylia called to him. Terry stopped and then looked over his shoulder at her. "You're not thinking of accepting Krauser's challenge, are you?"
"What other way is there to save Priss and keep Krauser from telling Genom about your secrets?" Terry said. "I KNOW that Krauser will carry out his threat if I don't meet with him tomorrow. It's as simple as that. For now, I have to prepare. It's times like this that I really wish Andy, Joe, and Mai were here."
Without another word, the Lone Wolf exited the room.
Back at the Genom Tower…
"What do you know… I have been defeated…I do not regret… I have not felt so satisfied in over ten years… Such a pity that the Earl of Stroheim may not live with such disgrace… Farewell… Terry."
"Krauser!"
Priss was dumbfounded as the images faded away on the monitor. The last images were of Krauser committing suicide by backing out of a destroyed portion of the wall overlooking a cliff and dropping into the lake below Stroheim Castle. She could scarcely believe what the Krauser Boomer had shown her. Terry was really THAT powerful? He had sustained injuries that would have killed a normal person a hundred times over! She looked up in awe at her captor, who smiled a bit.
"Of course, I have sensed that Terry has grown enormously both skill and power since we last met. Then again, so have I. I have a feeling that tomorrow will be special. I can hardly wait."
Without another word, the former head of the Stroheim family turned and then departed, leaving Priss alone with her thoughts.
In Quincy's office…
"So as I thought. Krauser wants a rematch, does he?" Geese remarked after reading the data that was being transmitted by the implant in Krauser's head. "Well then, we'd best make certain that NO ONE interferes, right Billy?" He glanced to his right-hand man, who nodded as he went to carry out his master's unspoken command.
The next day…
Sylia and the other Knight Sabers tried to find Terry and convince him not to go alone to meet Krauser's challenge. However, to their dismay, Terry had departed early during the night and they were left with a decision to make. There was no way of stopping Terry from going to fight Krauser, but they did know where Priss was being held. Though the chance of successfully rescuing her were slim, the leader of the armored vigilantes decided to take that risk and ordered Nene and Linna to suit up in their old armor. She also told Mackie to load up the truck with as much weaponry and hardware as he could, including their Motoslaves. Sylia also called up a blueprint of the Genom Tower and assessed the best way of entry without detection. This would be a surgical strike and give as much cover to Terry as they possibly could. In under an hour, the Knight Sabers were on their way.
Riding down the highway, Terry was feeling somewhat nostalgic as he rode a duplicate of his old motorcycle down the highway toward Genom Tower. During his stay at Dr. Raven's, the good mechanic had decided to repay Terry for all his help by creating a copy of his old, 20th century bike, complete with sidecar. Though he did look out of place in this high-tech future world, riding his old motorcycle gave Terry a senses of security as he approached the Genom Tower.
I'll save you Priss! I swear I will!
Near the top of the tower, Krauser smiled as he watched the monitor and saw Terry approach. Terry looked exactly as he remembered when they last battled. He had the same red sleeveless jacket, blue jeans, and sneakers. His gloved hands gripped the handlebars and his long blond hair flapped behind him. The metal plate on the front of his baseball cap flashed in the rising morning sun as he came to a stop in front of the building. Krauser then flipped a switch which automatically opened the front door. Terry got off his bike and then came to the front. It was then that he stopped as Krauser flipped another switch.
On ground level, Terry looked up to the top of the tower, but kept his calm as he started walking toward the front door. He noted that no one was around and assumed that Krauser had cleared the building of all its employees. It was then that he began hearing some music being played from speakers in the walls and ceilings and frowned as he recognized the melody. It was the exact same organ music that Krauser had played during their last bout.
"Krauser! I know you can hear me! Let me tell you something! You've got a very SICK sense of humor!" Terry shouted as he went toward an elevator that was blinking its indicator lights at him. Terry paused before it before entering it and pushed the button to level 23.
Outside of the tower, the Knight Sabers were about to start their own entry into the tower, when Mackie suddenly received a message on the truck's monitor. The image depicted that of Krauser as he addressed the knight Sabers.
"If you are planning to rescue your comrade or interfere with my business with Terry Bogard, then you would be signing Miss Asagiri's death warrant. Observe." The image then switched to show Priss, still in her cage. The cage was now suspended thirty feet above the floor of the huge room and had something attached to its bottom. "My captive's cell is directly wired to several highly explosive devices that will detonate the moment that any of you set foot inside the tower. The disarming signaling device is contained within me and will only activate if Terry is able to defeat me. You are welcome to watch our battle, but I warn you that I will allow for NO interference. And if you do not believe me, then you will be held responsible for Asagiri's demise. You may find some comfort that unlike my half-brother, I do NOT cheat."
The monitor of the Silky Wagon then began depicting Terry as he exited the elevator and made his way toward the place where Krauser held Priss. Sylia gritted her teeth in frustration.
"Nene! Is there any way you can somehow override the detonation devices of those bombs underneath Priss' cage?"
Nene shook her head as she tried to access the Genom Tower's computer network. "No good! The entire tower is projecting an interference barrier that's blocking all my attempts to access it! All the lines have more than a dozen new security locks each and even if I still had my other Hardsuit and could get through that barrier, it would take me more than an hour to crack the codes of each lock! I'm afraid that… our only hope is Terry."
The three remaining Knight Sabers could only helplessly watch as the Lone Wolf entered subsection 5 on level 23.
Terry became more tense as he passed through the main door where Krauser was waiting for him. He stopped as he gazed upon the rebuilt form of his old adversary, whose back was turned to him as the organ music continued to play. Krauser didn't seem to have noticed Terry's arrival as he continued to look out a window which overlooked Mega-Tokyo, but the Lone Wolf knew that the Boomer was aware of his presence. Terry could feel the familiar power from the former Earl of Stroheim and a chill went down his spine as he remembered the last time they met. However, he had controlled his fear of him a long time ago as he waited for him to face him.
"Terry!"
Andy Bogard's brother looked up to the sound of Priss' voice and saw her suspended above in a cage.
"Priss? Are you all right?"
Priss nodded. "I'm fine, but…. please… don't worry about me! Get out of here while you can! Krauser's a lot more powerful than he was when you last faced him! I… don't want to see you get killed! Please… just go!"
Terry shook his head as he looked back at Krauser while still addressing Priss. "Can't do that, Priss. I accepted his challenge and I've long since conquered my fear of him. It'll be all right… I promise. " He then addressed Krauser directly. "Krauser! I'm here! Let her go! This is between the two of us!"
It was at that time that the organ music suddenly stopped and the room was bathed in silence. It was then that Krauser turned around and gazed back at Terry. "Indeed. You are quite right. She has served her purpose in bringing you here, though I knew you would come. However, she still must remain here as insurance to keep the other Knight Sabers from interfering. As of now, they are waiting outside and watching us through their monitors. However, should they try to enter this tower, their comrade will die instantly."
"What?" Terry cried out as Krauser pointed to the cage above them.
"Attached to the bottom of her cell are explosives, which will be triggered if the Knight Sabers make any attempt to rescue her or get involved with our battle. If you wish for her to be free, you will have to defeat me, for only I have the disarming device. If you are victorious, then Priscilla Asagiri will be released and you will be free to go. The disarming device will also send out a signal that will wipe out all the data that I have collected on Sylia Stingray and the secrets about the Knight Sabers, including the identities of her other comrades, Nene Romanova and Linna Yazamaki."
In the Silky Wagon truck, the remaining Knight Sabers gave off a collective gasp when they heard this. Krauser had deduced their real identities and it was now imperative that he be defeated.
Terry frowned at Krauser as the Boomer gave him a slight smile.
"I will not bore you with the details of how I deduced their identities, though it was relatively straightforward. The Knight Sabers always seemed to be near when the AD police were having difficulties, so it made sense that a member of the ADP was a Knight Saber. Nene's profile as a computer hacker also fit in with her Hardsuit's capabilities. As for the other member, I simply checked files on all female martial artists living in Mega-Tokyo and compared the fighting style that I had observed during my battle ith the Knight Sabers. The rest fell into place." Krauser gave off a light chuckle as he then took a stance. "However, all of that research was to simply pass the time until I could finally meet the one opponent worthy to face me! So now, the time for talk is over!" The KB-1000 gave Terry that same, smug smile as he taunted him. "Come… entertain me."
Terry growled as he took his own stance and began focusing his energy. "I was afraid of you… once. But not any more! And even though you've gotten stronger, so have I!"
Krauser gave another chuckle as he assessed his foe. "Indeed. As I had said before, for people such as us, it is impossible to exist without fighting. We are exactly alike, you and I."
"No, we're not!" Terry charged at him with a glowing fist, aimed directly for Krauser's face.
However, like before, Krauser raised a hand to catch Terry's wrist before the punch could impact. However, Terry's speed had increased since the last time and the fist stopped less than an inch from Krauser's nose.
The Boomer frowned as he said, "And as I said before… what makes you so certain?" He then delivered a cross kick to knock Terry off, but the Lone Wolf managed to partially duck it, then lashed out with his own kick.
"CRACK SHOT!"
Krauser raised an arm up to block the blow, but winced when the leg slammed hard against it. The kick packed far more power than he last remembered. He retaliated by slamming a knee and sent Terry sprawling away. The Lone Wolf felt as if he had been hit by a speeding truck, and was grateful of the high endurance he had gained after fighting the God of War. He made a neat flip, then charged forward with a shoulder in his own version of his brother's Zan Ei Ken maneuver.
"POWER CHARGE!"
Krauser hadn't expected a frontal assault as Terry slammed into his chest and actually drove him back. His heels dug ruts into the floor, but he countered with another devastating knee to Terry's abdomen. As Terry bit down to ignore the pain, Krauser delivered a hard punch to the stomach, then another toward his face. Terry winced as he tried to roll with the punch, and was partially successful. He had managed to bring up an arm to absorb the brunt of the blow, but was still sent reeling. He tumbled to the floor but was back on his feet and taking a stance and gathering energy.
Krauser Boomer nodded as he too took the same stance. "So let us see how truly powerful you have become."
Priss' eyes widened in amazement. Though she had observed this maneuver from Krauser's memories, she was still in awe at seeing it so closely.
In the Silky Wagon, the other Knight Sabers and Mackie were also astounded to see Terry and Krauser become enveloped in swirling winds.
"Look! They both know the same move!" Linna gasped.
"FINAL ATTACK… HADO…" Terry began as he launched into the Super Hurricane Kick.
"…SENPU KYAKU!" Krauser said as he too went into a brutal spin kick.
The two cyclones that were formed by the two combatants clashed together, causing the room to tremble as it was buffeted by high-speed winds. The cage that held Priss was jostled about like a leaf. Fortunately for Priss, the bars were not electrified as she was bounced about inside. The cable that suspended the cage was strained to its maximum tolerance levels but held firm.
Down below, the two whirlwind attacks continued to pound away at each other. For one full minute, the small tornadoes rubbed against each other. Then suddenly, the two broke apart and dispersed, leaving two battered but still standing opponents.
Krauser stood with several small nicks in his alloyed skin and one sizable dent in his right shoulder. There were several openings with exposed circuitry, which were sparking. Terry had a large bruise on his right cheek and several more scattered all over his body. He could feel his chest burning with pain, and it was quite possible that several ribs were fractured. He also had a trickle of blood running down one side of his mouth, but he was still ready to fight. Terry's opponent smiled as he saw that Terry had indeed gotten stronger.
"Splendid! Of all the opponents I have fought, only you have ever proven to be worthy to face me!" Krauser then flashed forward and delivered another hard punch to Terry's stomach.
Above, Priss winced as she saw Terry take another hit. By all rights, a normal human being would have been pulped by now and even her Hardsuit would have been severely damaged. The fact that he was actually standing up to the same Boomer that had defeated the Knight Sabers, was nothing short of phenomenal!
Terry lashed out with a kick after receiving the blow, then followed through with a glowing fist.
"BURN KNUCKLE!"
Krauser deftly dodged the punch, then sent another knee into Terry's abdomen. The attack hit home and Terry let off a grunt of pain. However, since he was in close, Terry swung a leg up toward Krauser's head.
"CRACK SHOT!"
This kick connected with the side of Krauser's head and knocked him off balance. Before Krauser could right himself, Terry charged n and slammed another glowing fist into the Boomer's chest.
"BURN KNUCKLE!"
Krauser was unable to bring up an arm to block in time and the impact was felt at full force. The reinforced alloyed surface of his chest shuddered as Krauser was knocked back and slammed into a wall. He made a sizable depression in the wall, causing dust to be stirred up and concrete to crumble at his feet. Krauser was still for a moment, then simply got up. He smiled back at Terry, though he now sported a large dent in his chest and a hole where the ki-powered punch had actually penetrated. The side of his face where Terry had kicked him now had exposed circuits and relays as well as some damaged flesh.
"Wonderful! The sweet pain of combat was the one thing I missed since I was brought back." He then made a orb of energy appear in one hand and hurled it at Terry. "BLITZ BALL!"
Terry quickly swerved to one side to avoid being hit by it. He knew just what one of those projectiles could do and he wasn't eager to experience them again. The ball of ki exploded against another wall with the force of several pounds of TNT.
"As quick as ever, Terry. But… try to dodge these!" Krauser then made a crosscut motion with an arm and launched a dozen Blitz Balls at the Lone Wolf. "BLITZKRIEG BARRAGE!"
"Look out!" Priss shouted as she saw the projectiles hurtle toward Terry. There was no way he could dodge all of those!
Terry gritted his teeth as he slammed a fist to the ground. "ROUND WAVE!"
A circle of energy exploded around him and acted like a barrier against Krauser's attack. The Blitz Balls were canceled out as Terry slammed his fist against the floor again.
"POWER WAVE!"
A ki blast was sent along the floor toward Krauser Boomer. Just as the first wave was formed and started moving, Terry slammed his fist again to the floor. "TIMES TWO!" After battling with Laocorn's henchman Jamin, Terry had figured out a way to make his usual ki-blast even stronger. Another ki blast was formed and joined up with the first, forming a huge wave of energy that was about a dozen feet high and rushed toward the KB-1000 like a speeding freight train. Krauser held up his arms to block in an X-shape as the amplified Power Wave slammed into him and drove him back again. Krauser braced himself as the blast exploded, but he still remained on his feet.
Krauser lowered his now smoking arms and gazed at Terry fondly.
"You have indeed grown stronger since we last battled and I believe now is the time that you feel the force of my greatest technique!" He held up his arms in that same L-form as began focusing his energy.
Priss recognized the move and gasped in horror. She and the other Knight Sabers had just barely survived that attack in their Hardsuits. If Krauser's Kaiser Wave was more powerful now than what she seen before in his memories, then Terry…
"TERRY, LOOK OUT! HE'S-"
"KAISER… WAVE!"
Terry growled as his eyes glowed red. Just as the Kaiser wave was about to hit him, he slammed a fist to the floor.
"POWER… GEYSER!"
The force of Terry's Desperation Attack caused the entire floor to shudder as a huge column of ki slammed into Krauser's Kaiser Wave. However, Terry strained as he felt more energy than he ever felt before from Krauser's attack. He fell to his knees as his Power Geyser just barely repelled the incoming energy, causing it to backlash and blow out several sections of wall. Miraculously, Priss' cage was left unscathed, though it did sway violently during the collision of so much energy.
At the Silky Wagon…
"He… stopped it." Nene said with awe.
Back at level 23, Krauser nodded as he gazed at Terry's kneeling form. "Impressive. You managed to stop my amplified Kaiser Wave. Then again… that was only at half-strength."
"What?!" Terry's head came up as he stared in disbelief. "That… was only half?"
Krauser nodded as he raised his arms once more. "Yes… and I severely doubt that you could stop it now, especially at full force and in your condition. Such a pity… I had hoped that this could go on longer, but I must obey my programming and destroy you. It had been a wonderful show… thank you… and goodbye…"
Priss was just getting over her shock after hearing that Krauser had only used half his power when she saw his preparing to fire again. Terry was battered, drained, and had nothing left to give, and she was so helpless to stop it! Just like when her lover had died…
"KAISER WAVE!"
The new blast was twice as strong as the first one and it seemed that Terry was finished. However, just as it was about to reach him, Terry's head came up when he heard Priss' shout.
"TERRY!"
Terry's body reacted faster than what was thought possible as he struck the ground, three times.
"TRIPLE… GEYSERS!"
The first column hit the Kaiser Wave head on, causing it to momentarily stop, then the second column slammed into it, repelling it back toward Krauser. When the third geyser hit retreating energy, the result was a huge backlash that crashed into Krauser like a tsunami and swept him back. He smashed hard into another section of wall and the entire side of that chamber began collapsing, including a section of ceiling. The cable that suspended Priss' cage snapped and her cell began to fall. Terry looked up and saw it. With adrenaline spurring him on, he rushed toward it as the door to the cage swung open. Priss reacted fast and leapt clear of the cage. Terry held up his arms and managed to catch her and dove down to shield her with his body if the explosives went off.
Fortunately, the bombs did not detonate when the cell clattered to the ground. When the dust and debris began to settle and the noise began to fade, Terry looked down at Priss and saw that she was in the missionary position beneath him. He quickly became embarrassed and got off her.
"Are… you all right?"
Priss was also flustered when she opened her eyes and found herself on her back and Terry leaning over her. She quickly composed herself and replied, "I'm fine! I'm… okay. Thanks… for catching me."
Terry suddenly stiffened and got to his feet when he felt a foreboding presence and a sickening sense of deja vu. He turned around and saw that though he was able to repel the amplified Kaiser Wave, the Krauser Boomer was still functioning. Standing before them, a dozen feet away, the seemingly unstoppable machine was now showing huge gaps in its alloyed skin and most of the remaining flesh was in tatters. Half of the face had been ripped off and the inner machinery was exposed. However, Krauser still remained defiant as he addressed Terry.
"I never would have believed that you would have the power to repel my Kaiser Wave twice, Terry. Once again, you had surprised me. I am grateful that you have surpassed my greatest expectations."
"It… can't be!" Priss cried out as she stood up with Terry. "He can't have survived that!"
Terry growled as he stood up and took a stance. "Krauser…"
"Terry…"
The two began to glow with intense auras as they prepared for the final face-off. They each let off a shout of inhuman rage and launched at each other with a fist cocked back. The punches connected with each other's face and then each fighter launched a sidekick. As history began to repeat itself, Priss could only stare in morbid fascination as Terry and Krauser began to pummel each other as they did during their last duel. It seemed that nothing would ever break the endless cycle as blow after crushing blow were thrown. Then, as it happened before, Terry put a stop to it. As Krauser threw another fist to Terry's face, the Lone Wolf stopped it by grasping the wrist, then delivered a Burn Knuckle to the abdomen, causing it to collapse. Then Terry delivered several more hard punches to the chest, breaking his alloyed body in further and forcing Krauser back. However, Terry was determined to finish it. As Krauser staggered back, Terry focused all of his strength and rage into one fist and charged at him.
"BUSTER… WOLF!"
Unlike his usual Burn Knuckle, this new punch glowed with an orange light, which exploded when it connected with Krauser's chest. Terry then grasped his arm with his other hand and sent more energy into the fist. A huge ki-bolt blasted into the hole in Krauser's chest and exploded out his back. The Boomer reeled backward toward a large hole in the wall, which had been created during the battle and led to open air. Krauser fell to his knees while clutching at his critically damaged chest and smiled at Terry. The Lone Wolf stood at the ready with Priss behind him as he waited for Krauser's next move. Krauser however, knew that he was finished as his diagnostic systems were informing him that all of his vital mechanisms had sustained irreparable damage.
"What do you know… I have been defeated again. As I had said before… Terry… I do not regret it… I thank you for helping me in my ultimate… plan…"
"Plan? What plan?" Terry asked in confusion.
Krauser smile became even more smug. "The plan... to kill me… of course."
"What?!"
Krauser nodded as he used his remaining power reserves to get to his feet. "Did you know… that a Boomer cannot self-terminate himself? All combat Boomers, including myself… are programmed to survive and win at all costs. I had hoped… that the Knight Sabers would be able to… destroy me, but they lacked the sufficient power to do so… That is why…. I had you… brought to me. If there was… anyone… that could end the living death that I had become when Geese had me… resurrected… I knew… it would be you."
"That's the reason why you had kidnapped Priss? Just so that I could come to kill you?" Terry exclaimed with disbelief.
"Yes. "Krauser said simply as his systems were about to permanently shut down. "Life as a Boomer, after being truly alive, is nothing more than a mere… shadow of existence. I cannot feel anything but pain. I cannot taste… touch… smell… all the simple pleasures that you take for granted. And… as I had said to you before… Terry, the Earl of Stroheim will not LIVE with the disgrace of being defeated. And so I bid you… farewell…"
With these words, the Krauser boomer pitched forward and then became silent as the last of its power reserves were depleted. The once mighty fighter of the Stroheim family became a lifeless shell once again.
Terry clenched his fists at his sides in frustration and then let off a tired sigh. The fight was over and he had rescued Priss. That was all that mattered. He then turned to face the attractive brunette who was still gazing at the body of Krauser in disbelief and shock. Terry placed a hand on her shoulder, which got her attention as she looked up into his eyes.
"It's time to go."
Priss could say nothing as she nodded and began to walk with him toward the doors that led out of the chamber. Terry was slightly hunched over as his body was aching all over. Priss lent him her shoulder to lean on as they headed toward the exit.
"Are… you okay?" Priss asked with some concern.
Terry nodded and said, "It… only hurts… when… I breathe…heh, heh, heh… ow!"
Priss couldn't help but laugh along side of him.
CLANG!
Both were surprised when a sheet of steel panels suddenly appear and covered the doors. Behind them, more steel panels slid into place, covering all the holes in the walls and ceiling. It was then that a voice was heard from a hidden speaker.
"HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HAH!"
Terry gritted his teeth as he recognized that evil laughter. It could only be one person.
"I must admit, Terry Bogard! THAT was an impressive battle!"
"GEESE!" Terry hissed as he shrugged off Priss' arm and got into a stance. "Where are you!?"
"It doesn't matter where I am." Geese sneered as he spoke into the PA system. "What you should be worried about is where you and your pretty little friend is going in the next two minutes when that bomb I planted inside of Krauser's body goes off. I imagine that the resulting blast will take out the entire 23rd level of the tower. It'll a be a pity that you and that Knight Saber will still be caught in the blast. The panels are made of reinforced titanium alloys and I doubt you would be able to break through in time!"
"Damn you Geese! You bastard!" Terry shouted as he looked around for a way out. There didn't seem to be any.
"Flattery will get you nowhere. I knew all along that Krauser was planning something like this and I decided to kill several birds with one stone! Krauser has already defeated the Knight Sabers and with Quincy dead, I can now proceed with my plan to take over this future world!"
"Quincy is dead?" Priss said with a stunned expression.
"Yes. I killed him myself. Not that it's going to help you or the other Knight Sabers. Krauser had already decimated the Knight Sabers, and without their Hardsuits, they are nothing. Furthermore... did I mention that Krauser was only the prototype? I have three more JUST like him already built. I had also planted a very powerful self-destruct mechanism in Krauser. If he had succeeding in killing Terry Bogard, I would have detonated it after Krauser had served his purpose. But, since Terry had beaten him, I had an alternate plan to use the self-destruct device to destroy you both! And now… I do hope that you and Terry will use the remaining thirty seconds of your lives to good use. Farewell!"
Terry screamed out in rage as he located the speaker which was mounted in the ceiling and threw a large chunk of concrete at it, shattering it. He then looked back at Krauser's corpse, which had begun to glow with a red glow and knew that he only had moments to act before it exploded.
Priss shook her head sadly and said, "So this is it. After everything, I'm going to die because of a fucking Boomer. Now isn't that fucking ironic."
Terry desperately looked around and then stomped his foot on the floor. He then got an idea out of desperation as he turned to Priss.
"Priss… there might be a way for us to get out of this…" He then looked down at the floor before locking his eyes with hers. "But… you're going to have to trust me on this one."
"What? What are you saying…?" She then looked down at the floor and gasped. "You're not thinking…?"
"If you've got a better idea, now is the time to tell me!"
Priss gulped as she realized that there was no other way. She nodded, and then leaned forward to kiss Terry tenderly on the lips.
"W-What…?"
Priss' face reddened a bit as she said, "For luck."
Terry nodded as he gathered Priss close to him and then powered up his ki. He then sent a fist to the floor.
"BURN KNUCKLE!"
The floor shuddered underneath the force of the blow and began to buckle. Since the floor did not have metal panels, it gave way, causing the both of them to fall toward the level below. The two landed on their feet as debris rained all around them. Terry ushered Priss toward the staircase, just as the remains of Krauser went up in a massive explosion.
Outside, the Knight Sabers began rushing toward the Genom Tower when they saw the top suddenly erupt like a volcano. They began fearing for the worse as massive chunks of wall, glass, and twisted metal came raining down to the streets below. However, they had to back off as another explosion rocked the tower. Nene was desperately scanning for life forms, but the jamming barrier was still up, blocking her probes. The fires that raging near the top were also interfering with her infrared sensors. The Knight Sabers could only stand and wait.
Inside of the building, rushing down the stairs, Priss and Terry were trying to escape the fires that were caused when Krauser's body exploded. However, just as they were on the 19th level, the steps before them were blocked by some flaming debris that had fallen from above. Behind them, the upper stairs also became engulfed in flames and the two found themselves trapped. Terry knew that his only option was akin to suicide, but seeing that they was no other option, he turned around and sent a flaming fist into the side wall.
"BURN KNUCKLE!"
The section of wall exploded outwards, exposing them to the outside air. With the stairs about to buckle beneath them, the Lone Wolf looked outside and saw that a ledge was jutting out some six floors below them. He decided to go for it as he grabbed Priss by the waist and jumped out of the hole.
"Are you crazy?! This is the 19th floooooooooorrrrrrrr!"
Terry just had a second to spare as the staircase collapsed and was consumed by flames. The street fighter easily landed on the ledge and used it to triangle jump to an adjacent building. He then rebounded off the side and with Priss still in his arms, he rolled forward and took the brunt of the impact as they landed on a roof of another building.
Terry moaned in pain as Priss opened her eyes, sat up, and then angrily began shouting at him.
"YOU CRAZY JERK! WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!"
Terry could only give Priss a slight grin and said, "You're welcome… ow!" He clutched at his chest.
Priss was breathing hard after seeing her life flash before her during those harrowing moments. But as she looked back up at the tower that was now burning bright, she realized that Terry had saved her once again. Her expression softened as she turned to face him. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have yelled…"
Terry waved it off as he painfully sat up. No doubt about it. A few of his ribs were either fractured or broken. He rubbed his chest tenderly. "It's okay… I guess it was kind of crazy, but… " Terry then gave her a smile that made Priss' heart melt a bit. "I'd fight Krauser all over again if it kept you safe, Priss."
Priss didn't know what to say. No man had ever said that to her before and… this man had just risked his life to save hers. He had suffered injuries that would have killed any other person and he was now saying that he'd do it all over again for her.
"Priss! Terry! Are you all right?"
The two looked up and saw that Sylia was in her Hardsuit and had jetted up to the roof where they were.
Priss nodded as she helped Terry to his feet. "I'm all right, but Terry's going to need some help. I think he may have some broken ribs!"
The leader of the Knight Sabers nodded as she signaled to the others to pick them up.
A few hours later, at Dr. Raven's Garage…
Terry winced as he lay in bed. His upper torso was expertly bandaged up and the medical scanners had indicated that his ribs would heal in a few days, thanks to the accelerated cell regeneration salves that had been applied, plus the training Terry had undergone for fast recuperation.
In the conference room, the others were now discussing their plans on how to deal with Geese and what his plans may be. The only Knight Saber missing was Priss as she was in the main garage and was quietly sitting on her bike. The short-tempered member of the vigilante group was deep in thought about the man who had saved her repeatedly in the past few weeks. Throughout her life, she had been concerned only with her own survival, and ever since her lover had died a few years back, she had made certain that no man would ever win her heart. Now, try as she might, she just couldn't stop thinking about the long-haired street fighter. He was so much like her. She had noticed that during his sparring matches with Linna, whenever her comrade tried to start up any intimate conversations with him or ask him about his personal life, Terry would simply change the subject or become silent. Every one of Linna's romantic advances would be politely turned down and he would only focus on improving his skills. She then remembered back to a conversation she had with him a few weeks prior, though it felt as if it was years ago.
Flashback...
Priss: I lost Randy to those Boomers and the ADP didn't do shit about it! You have no idea what it's like to lose someone that you loved!
Terry: Then you were lucky. You only lost one. I lost two.
End of flashback...
Priss shivered as she remembered the hidden sad look in his eyes at that time. Deep in her heart, she knew that he was telling the truth. What was it about him? Was it his tough, no nonsense attitude, or was it because of that hidden, sensitive side that made him so irresistible? Priss sighed. It just didn't make any sense! No man since that leader of the gang she had belonged to had ever made her feel this way! Not even that lug Leon! Why was Terry making some kind of impression on her?
It was at that moment that she remembered what Krauser had said to her when he had decimated the Knight Sabers and had her by the throat. He had looked into her eyes with that same piercing gaze that Terry had done before. He said that she was in love with Terry Bogard.
Priss angrily shook her head in denial. She couldn't be in love with him! She had sworn off men and had been shooting down Leon's advances every time since she met with him! There was just no way that she could fall for someone like Terry! There was nothing that attracted her to him! All right, so he was ruggedly handsome and very well built. He had a very kind, yet determined personality. She like the way that long ponytail of his swayed in the breeze and those piercing blue eyes...
Arrgh! What am I thinking?! Priss' hands gripped the handlebars of her cycle as she tried to fight down the liking she had whenever she watched him move or fight. She was a Knight Saber, damn it! Wasn't one of the primary rules was to never get involved with a man? Of course, that didn't stop Linna from flirting with every man she came across. As of now, she was setting her sights on snagging Terry, though she hadn't been making much headway. Priss also denied the fact that she would get angry whenever she saw Linna try to get her hooks into him and...
No! I'm NOT jealous! Why would I be jealous? I'd have to be in 'love' in order to be jealous, right? Priss shook her head again and then turned on the ignition and revved her engine. She needed time to think and the she did her best thinking when she was speeding down the highways. As she was exceeding the usual speed limit by more than 50 km/h, her thoughts went back to when she had impulsively kissed him and what he had said to her when they escaped from Genom Tower.
Flashback...
Terry: I'd fight Krauser all over again if it kept you safe, Priss.
End of Flashback...
Some time later...
Terry was going crazy just lying around and doing nothing, so he decided to get in some practice with the holographic training machine. It wasn't like fighting a real opponent or sparring with his brother Andy, but it was better than nothing. He had to take it slow since his body was still aching from its bout with Krauser and was only going at level nine when he heard someone enter the control room. He smiled as he saw Priss enter the room in her Softsuit, which hugged her curves quite nicely. He then stopped in his practice routines and let the hologram strike him. The computer called out that the trainee had been eliminated and went into standby mode.
Priss had just gotten in from her ride and had decided to get in a few rounds to work off some stress and perhaps straighten out her thoughts about a certain Lone Wolf. She stopped in her tracks when she saw the very person giving her a smile and wiping the sweat from his brow with a towel. She continued to just gaze at him as he entered the control room.
"It's all yours if you want to use it, Priss." Terry said cheerfully.
Priss mentally focused on his face when her eyes had started roving over his toned, muscular, and very well built form. Terry was shirtless and was only dressed in his usual blue jeans. She had to concentrate to keep out the image of how sweat glistened down his defined chest and abdominal muscles. She decided to change the subject before he noted that she was getting a bit flustered.
"What are you doing? Aren't you supposed to be resting?"
Terry shook his head as he let the towel fall off to one side. "No. I was going crazy not doing anything. Besides, I've mended well enough and I needed to get back to my training." He patted his bandaged side gently and then straightened up. "Now that Geese is controlling Genom, I have to get back my strength and speed. Who knows what that bastard is going to do with all those Boomers and weapons."
"Yeah, well... Sylia and the others are planning to keep an eye on this Geese Howard person and she said that we'll have upgraded Hardsuits within a week or so. Then we'll be able to take down Genom once and for all!"
Terry looked at Priss with some concern. "Not that I'm saying that those Hardsuits are bad or anything, but I think that you're going to need more than just fancy battle armor to take down someone like Geese. Especially if his claims of having three other Boomers like Krauser is true."
"What?! You think that we can't take care of ourselves? We've faced off against much bigger odds before! We can handle some two-bit crime boss from the 20th century!"
Terry shook his head and said, "What I've told you about Geese Howard was only the short-version. Geese is far more devious and evil than anyone you've ever met. He killed Quincy, your greatest enemy, and took over Genom. He's had God only knows how many innocent people murdered... including my father..." Terry choked up at the memory of when he was ten and seeing Jeff Bogard bloody and dying before him. "...and Lily..."
"Lily?"
Terry sighed as he realized that he had said too much, but he couldn't stop. "Lily was to me, as your old boyfriend was to you. She was... my whole world, until that bastard Geese killed her before my eyes. She died when she helped me, my brother, and a friend of ours escape when Geese had laid out a trap for us. I couldn't save her!"
Terry turned his back to Priss and pounded a fist on the side of the door. He then took a deep breath to calm down and faced her again.
"Well, in any case. Let me warn you that Geese is far more powerful and ruthless than you can ever imagine. You are going to need my help and I still have a score to settle with him. Those Hardsuits of yours are good against Boomers, but they may not be enough against someone like him. Aside from Krauser and one other person, Geese was one of the toughest opponents I've ever faced."
Priss was about to protest Terry for butting into Knight Saber business, but that was when Sylia entered the control room. She had been listening in on their conversation and decided that it was time for her to interrupt.
"He's right, you know."
Both Terry and Priss turned to face her as she stepped forward.
"Sylia! How long have you been there?" Priss asked.
Sylia shrugged as she replied. "Long enough. Terry is correct. We know next-to-nothing about this Geese person, but now that he's gained control of Genom, we can only assume the worst. I have a feeling that he may try to initiate the OMS project."
"The OMS project?"
Sylia nodded. "Yes. It's something that I have been suspecting for a while now, though I couldn't get any solid proof until now. Nene had been going through Genom's systems since we got back. She had finally broken through the security locks. With Quincy gone, she had been able to download the files concerning the Overmind System."
"Overmind System? What's that?"
The leader of the Knight Sabers took a deep breath. "According to what Nene was able to download, Quincy had created a chip that could send out a program via the particle beam satellites that would subvert every Boomer on the planet to his will. In other words, he had an entire army at his disposal at a touch of a button."
"My... God!" Priss gasped as she realized the implications. "You mean... every fucking Boomer on the Earth would have...?"
"That's right. Quincy would have turned them all into his slaves and could have overthrown the world if he chose to do so."
"So why didn't he?" Terry asked.
Sylia paused for a moment before replying. "Genom is a very respected corporation and it wouldn't do if others knew that Quincy had the means to conquer the world. The Knight Sabers were formed to keep him and Genom in check, since that company does have many legitimate and beneficial activities. There are many innocent employees at Genom that were unaware of Quincy's secret motives and such. The OMS chip was his... trump card if the situation came to that point. However, with Quincy gone, and Geese being as evil as you say he is, it is likely that he might use the OMS or those new Boomers that were modeled after Krauser. He'd be able to overrun our world easily as well as subject his own Earth. If that's the case, then we will have to stop Geese at all costs! Furthermore, Geese may be the only way that Terry can return to his world."
Terry and Priss became silent as the meaning of Sylia's words sunk in. It seemed that the final confrontation was drawing near. Terry could feel the storm that was coming... and unlike the last time... he wasn't certain that he would be able to weather it.
To be continued...
Author's notes
Well, the saga of Bubble Gum Fury is coming close to being finished as Terry and the Knight Sabers must prepare for the final battle to save both their worlds. As for the other Fatal Fury cast, they will be making their long-awaited appearances in the next chapter or so as I wind up to finish off the project that I had shelved a year ago. See you there!
Please read and review!