Unmei Force Gaiden: KOF XV Reactions

Chapter 5: Light in the Emerald Flames (Team Ash)


In another part of the globe, Team Ash were currently in a forest covered with snow. There, Ash Crimson was telling his adoptive sister Elisabeth and their partner Kukri the story of how he was brought back to life, from start to finish, never leaving anything out as Inteleo stood next to him.

He started with being resurrected in Devaloka. When Verse was defeated back during KOF 14, Mastemon rescued Ash when his soul and body were freed. When Spirit Force returned to Devaloka after the Inheritance war, he met them.

"From there, it was just one adventure after another. Sorry for worrying you, Betty." Ash said.

"So you got swept away by some angel and got reincarnated in a holy land instead of crashing down in the Ukraine Carpathian Mountains." Kukri said.

"Digimon Nephilim actually." Ash said.

"I don't care what it is, that unexpected factor was a pain in the ass. Do you know what I had to go through to bring you back to life for your demanding sister?" Kukri asked. "Sucking up to that meathead self-proclaimed champion, teaming up with a defective NESTS operative and a masked dancer. You should've just came home like a good little boy instead of running off to play second-chance hero."

"Kukri, there's no need to badmouth Ash. We didn't expect his soul to be reincarnated elsewhere." Elisabeth piped in.

"I'm just treating you two to a story like how Kukri gave his before the tournament started. Is that so wrong?" Ash asked.

"What, just because I gave you two that made up story, you wanna give something back?" Kukri asked.

"In any case…" Elisabeth said. "We're here with you because we wish to repay your services, but there's something we'd like to do while we're a team as well."

"Let me guess, you wanna see if you can jog a few memories in some deadbeats?" Kukri asked.

"In a way yes, we may even run into your teacher too." Ash said.

The tale that Kukri told Ash and Elisabeth pre-tournament was far from made up. It was 100% true. He was born and raised in the harsh desert streets for as long as he could remember. His parents had left him at a young age, and had to fend for himself. His only concern was his life; he spent his days in the shadows, out of sight of passersby, holding his breath so that he could survive another day. However, everything would change when Dolores met him by chance. She offered Kukri to be her pupil, to which he accepted. Seven years later, Kukri awakened to his sand powers, but was unable to control them, causing a massive sandstorm and robbing moisture from its surroundings. Dolores arrived to help and save him, at the cost of her own life. Kukri would live the rest of his life filled with hate and regret of that day. At some point, Kukri made a name for himself in the underground society.

Researching texts and scrolls in Dolores's home, he was determined to get her back, He then made contact with Elisabeth Blanctorche, who was grieving over Ash Crimson's disappearance from history, and helped her to recall her memories of Ash. In exchange for reviving Ash, Kukri sought the cooperation of the Blanctorche family, to which the noblewoman assented without hesitation.

But then he finds out that Dolores is working her own agenda, back and on a team with another Amplified Specter user. Kukri almost immediately figured out what she was up to.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, you two." Kukri shrugged Ash's note off. "Look, why don't we just focus on knocking Ash back into some heads for now?"

"Very well. Where should we start?" Elisabeth asked.


"And speaking of Ash, here we are. Best French boy is going to show what he's capable of, as well as divulge a little about his deep relationship with Elizabeth." Richard commented.

"Who's the creep with the sand and the dark hoodie?" Eruza remarked with an uneasy expression. "Just looking at him gives me this uncomfortable feeling, like he's some annoying bastard."

"That's sort of because he is." Sumireko stated. "A bad mouthed asshole with a tendency to speak trash about anyone he faces without any zip on his mouth. He's still not someone to mess with, since he can do all kinds of crap."

Sanae and Kaguya looked at each other, as they remembered a certain iteration of Kukri that was far less… sane, as their expressions winced slightly.

"It's a good thing that's all he is." Kaguya nodded, with the disturbed expression still on her face.

"What's that look on your face? Someone's wrong about him-" Hitomi stated.

"Please do not ask about it, it's just bad memories." Kaguya stated firmly, which caused the Ratel Brute to raise an eyebrow.

'Something tells me this is something scandalous…' Hitomi stated, before a smirk appeared slightly on her lips. 'This… I gotta hear about.'


Ash looked over to see some familiar faces coming. "Here come some faces I know well." he said as Chizuru Kagura and Benimaru Nikaido were seen trekking through the snow.

(Cue: Fictitious or real- KOF XV)

"I knew it…. That face… it appears so clearly in my head, yet I cannot remember him at all." Chizuru said.

"Man, you erased yourself damn near completely." Kukri said.

"I had to. It was the only way to stop my ancestor and his cronies from gaining Orochi's power." Ash said before jumping down as he and Inteleo faced Chizuru. "My thanks for the other day, mademoiselle ...Not that you remember, right? Guess I don't have to apologize, then." he said, emitting a green flame in his hand.

"Apologize for what? We've never met... But then why do those green flames look so familiar...? Once victory is mine, you'll divulge every little detail about yourself." Chizuru said, assuming her stance.

Ready…GO!

Chizuru fought as she always did, attacking Ash with her reflective Illusions and lightballs.

"(I won't go easy on you!)" Ash said, using Pluviose as he executed a reverse flaming flipkick, damaging the illusion and Chizuru in the process. "(Look, look!)" he said, using Ventose by launching two waves of green fire with each wave of his hand.

"The way you fight… those flames, that face… Who are you?" Chizuru asked as she fought back against Ash and damaged him.

"You'll remember in due time, mademoiselle." Ash said. "But for now, adieu! (Around and Around)! Inteleo." he said, conjuring a sphere of green flame as Inteleo appeared and encased the fireball in a sphere of water as it slowly approached Chizuru before bursting, dealing multiple hits with the steaming water and green flames.

K.O!

Chizuru couldn't take the heat and was knocked down hard onto a patch of melting snow.

"Still duty bound as ever." Ash said.


"Ooh, that's a real sick burn she took there." Chen winced slightly.

"Will… will she be alright?" Heiwa asked with concern for Chizuru, who got hit hard by the attack.

"Pshaw, as if the Kagura miko would go down that easily." Sanae joked. "She'll get up soon enough, a little roughed up, but still in mostly the same condition to fight."

"That's odd, why did he use his Pokemon to boost his own move. Wouldn't that count as a breach of rules?" Erika stated with a glare in her eyes."

"Inteleon runs as a support unit, and they're not directly affecting the battle." Richard reasoned. "The only time they did interfere is to pull off that hyper-move with Ash. I thought you would be astounded by the synergy of that attack, Erika?"

"I am, but not if it breaks the rules…" Erika frowned.

"Oh, come on, it won't be so effective against the other new-comer teams." Richard assured Erika. "I mean, just think about when Ash tries that against David, and he ends up getting a frosty surprise in turn."


Meanwhile, Benimaru was fighting Elisabeth and Kukri two on one as he was able to get the Sandman back a bit as Ash joined them.

"It's been a while, Benimaru Nikaido." Elisabeth said.

"It really has. Though this isn't the best way to meet up, fighting each other like this." Benimaru said.

"It's nothing personal, I assure you. I just have an obligation to fulfill." Elisabeth said.

"What, with him?" Benimaru asked, looking to Kukri. "Talk about unexpected. I didn't think you had a connection with him. Y'know the guy's got a bad mouth on him. He said some… erm, choice words to Kyo when they faced off."

"I'm well aware." Elisabeth said.

"Where is that Kusanagi clan d-bag anyway? Aren't you supposed to be his plus one?" Kukri asked.

"I'm with Shun'ei and his sleepy friend this time around. Kyo asked me to do it." Benimaru said.

"(He's with the Amplified Specter brat? Is Teach planning on using them both for something?)" Kukri thought.

(Cue: Under the control of… -KOF XV)

"But never mind all that. We are in the middle of something. We can talk details after we have a little fight." Benimaru said posing.

"Very well, I ask that you do not hold back, in the name of our former comradery." Elisabeth said, readying herself as well. "Come at me with your body and soul!"

"Of course, Elisabeth. A true gentleman would do no less!" Benimaru said.

Ready…GO!

The battle began, light against electricity.

"(Slow!)" Elisabeth said, rushing forward and uppercutting Benimaru into the air with a light imbued swipe. "(Light!)" she added, slapping Benimaru away with light.

"Haven't really lost your touch, have you?" Benimaru said as he recovered, striking back at elisabeth with lightning infused kicks and punches. "Raikou Ken!" he called, finishing it up with his timeless fist of lighting and blasting the Blanctorche back.

"Of course. As a Blanctorche I must fight to my upmost ability." Elisabeth said. "(Here I go!)" she said, launching Benimaru into the air. "Fête de la Lumière!" she said as she conjured a bow of light as she released an arrow, piercing through Benimaru as the arrow turned into a dove which let out a cry.

K.O!

Benimaru soon fell to the ground, alive, but unconscious.

"Your techniques have not lost their shine, Benimaru Nikaido. Rather they found a new layer of polish." Elisabeth said.


"As expected, Elizabeth really fights with the elegance that wins a crowd." Sumireko remarked.

"I do wonder what would happen if she was pitted against Weiss…" Raditz remarked. "Now that would be an interesting fight to see."

"Light against Ice? I'll all up for it, if it can happen." Sanae stated.


Benimaru recovered a bit later as he was given a hand up by Elisabeth.

"Nice fight, Elisabeth." Benimaru said. "Now, where was I before we got punching? Oh yes. I said I was with a new team. So, you know those two newcomers from the last tournament, right? Shun'ei and his friend Meitenkun? I'm looking after them in place of Kyo. It's a bit of a hassle, but Kyo had to take care of some business with Chizuru concerning Orochi, and you know how she is."

"So his seal has been weakened." Elisabeth said.

"Apparently. Kyo didn't give me too much detail." Benimaru said. "In any case, I think I should tell you that right from the start, Shun'ei got called out by some street kid named Isla. She's saddled with a beautiful yet mysterious shamaness, calls herself Dolores."

"Grr…" Kukri growled. "Just as we saw outside of the arena."

"I don't know what their team's deal is, but clearly that Isla girl has it out for Shun'ei." Benimaru said.

"You're damn right I do!" the familiar voice of Isla rang out, approaching with Heidern, and to Kukri's attention, Dolores.

"(And there you are.)" Kukri said.

"I figured talin' you would lead me right to Phones, but that wasn't it at all." Isla said. "Instead you bring us right to some guy playin' girly dress up, a stuck up noble type, and sandy freak with the hood."

"Is running your mouth all you ever do, or do you have more bite to your bark?" Kukri asked.

"What was that?! You better shut your mouth Sandy, or Amanda's gonna punch your lights out!" Isla said, Amanda empathizing the point by gripping her fists.

"Sorry but I have bigger things to deal with than play games with you." Kukri said as his eyes showed, glaring at Dolores.

"But, if you're still itching for a fight, we can play with you for awhile." Ash said, lighting green flames on his fingers.

"Classic Adult behavior! I'm gonna enjoy kicking all your asses!" Isla said.

"You two deal with the girl and commando, I have some business with her." Kukri said, pointing to Dolores as he approached her.

As the Sharp Tongued Sandman walked toward Dolores, Elisabeth engaged Heidern, while Ash lured Isla in with a 'come on' finger motion.

"I see you've figured out my plan, Kukri." Dolores said.

"If you think this is gonna work, you're speaking out of your ass, teach. Using the Amplified Specter as bait is all kinds of dangerous!" Kukri said.


"Plan?" Koyomi remarked.

"Of course. As Richard and several others have discussed, there are secret dealing underway." Erika remarked. "If we were to link it to what happened in the last official KOF tournament, I would say that Dolores has a connection in dealing with whatever is going to come up."

"Well, it's far too early to tell what might come next. After all, for all we know, Verse might come for Round 2, or maybe another variation of them might appear." Richard stated. "Either way, whoever reaches the top… they're the ones who are going to deal with tht can of worms."

"...Richard, your expression…" Sanae stated, noticing that Richard's expression was uneasy, despite how casually he spoke. "Is there… something wrong?"

"My expression?" Richard stated, before he then noticed his own worry. "...Odd, I don't feel like it's going to be anything serious… but something inside me… the enigma inside me…tells me that there might be a major change at hand here."

"Hope for the best then." Kaguya assured Richard.


(Cue- Sand and Mud- King of Fighters XV)

"I am aware of the risks. This is the last remaining hope for our world. If you mean to interfere, I won't hold back. Not even for a student." Dolores said, as both Teacher and Student took their stances.

Ready…GO!

"(Fall!)" Kukri called, jumping high and flipping over Dolores before kicking her with his heel. "(Suffer.)" he added, creating a sand whirlwind beneath him before he began to spin around as he kicked Dolores again.

"I'm impressed. You've really gotten stronger in using your powers." Dolores said wiping off residual sand.

"You're free to be jealous. I did this all on my own without any help from your dead self." Kukri said.

"I have no need of jealousy." Dolores said as as she evaded Kukri's next attack before trapping him in a mound of Holy Soil in the shape of a earthen coffin before she sharply drove it to the floor.

Kukri got himself up from the mud puddle, spitting some spol out. "Still playing with mud as always." he said. "(You fool…)" he said, jumping onto a large mound of sand. "(And fall!)" he added, riding it forward and slamming it into Dolores.

K.O!

Dolores was buried in the sand as it overtook the snow, before it subsided as Kukri walked forward.

"I'm shutting your crazy plan down right now." Kukri said.

He was about to grab Dolores, but then…

"Amanda!" Isla called as one of the hands belonging to Amanda slugged Kukri in his hidden face out of nowhere, knocking him back and buying time for Dolories to escape in a giant Holy Soil eruption.

"Dammit!" Kukri said as Ash and Elisabeth came up. "That delinquent and her military escort bolt too?" he asked them.

"Yes, but I am sure we will cross paths again at the end." Elisabeth said.

"So, I guess you two have the sense that sob story I told you wasn't fake now." Kukri said.

"We knew it was real from the beginning." Ash said, twirling his bang.

"I guess I'm a pretty bad liar." Kukri said. "Look. I'm not one to show and tell, but i'll say this. My idiot teacher has something really stupid planned, and it can't happen. We gotta get through this round and get to the finals so I can stop it and knock some sense into her, though I honestly wish we didn't have to go through all the pomp and circumstances."

"Of course. We are competing in the tournament after all." Ash said.

Elisabeth then saw another familiar face coming forward. "Look sharp. Another old friend is here, though I wouldn't call him one."

Appearing was Iori Yagami, confronting the unlikely trio.

"Well well, if it isn't the Yagami Clan's Heir." Kukri said.

"Hmph. Never thought I would see your hide again." Iori said.

"And I see you still don't have a leash on and not caged up yet." Kukri said.

"Oh, I've got a leash, alright. And it was just let go. But…my business is not with you." Iori said.

"It's with me, isn't it?" Ash asked.

"That's right… Ever since that Wild Card fight in the Ultimate Smash Battle…a certain feeling has been nagging at me." Iori said.

"And what feeling would that be I wonder?" Ash asked.

"What else? Pure…unbridled rage." Iori said as his flames lit up. "And it's got something to do with this."

"I see, then perhaps a bout will shake those sealed memories loose." Ash said, his flames lighting up as well.


"Oh boy, Ash might not realize it, but this is a grudge match long in the making." Sumireko stated.

"After all, it was Ash who poached parts of the powers in each member of the Sacred Treasures Team. Iori's power of flames and the seed of Orochi in him were the things Ash took." Sanae added. "Iori didn't take it so well, and I bet that hate transcended slightly past the memory loss. What the mind doesn't remember, the soul recalls faintly…"

"Either way, I'll be watching this fight closely… something about it… actually amuses me." Raditz smiled.


(Cue- Fictitious or Real- King of Fighters XV)

"So be it." Iori said as the two sent their flames at each other.

Ready… GO!

"(Maybe I won't get bored after all.)" Ash said. "(Here goes.)" he said, his green flames enveloping him as he glowed said color before unleashing Ventose, Nivose, and Germinal Caprice in quick succession in that order.

Iori proceeds to send purple flames across the ground towards Ash.

At that moment, water bullets were seen flying at high speeds as they hit the flames, dousing them, revealing it to be Inteleo who used Snipe Shot.

"Merci, Inteleo." Ash said.

"Where did that lizard come from? Isn't it against the rules to have backup with you?" Iori asked.

"Let's just say I picked him up when he was left alone, he is my partner, where I go, he follows." Ash said. "As my Perfect Link."

"Perfect Link…? …You know, maybe I can allow this." Iori said. "After all, your journey to Hell can't be lonely…if you have someone joining you!" he said as he charged at Ash.

"And it's as I told you back at the Ultimate Smash Battle, I don't intend on dying anytime soon." Ash said, doing the same. Both combatants came at each other with flame-filled fists. "Au revoir!" he said, launching out five flame shaped arrows as they binded Iori in a green cloak. "Now fini!" he said as both of his hands glowed with green flames as he pulled them back before waving them down as a green flaming tornado engulfed Iori, dealing multiple hits as Iori soon fell to the ground.

K.O!

"Unsociable as ever, eh, monsieur? Not that it matters, now that I'm bored of your flames." Ash said.

"D-damn it… How…" Iori said weakly. "Now… I remember… My flames…you swiped them from me before, didn't you?"

"Yes, it was during a previous tournament when you succumbed to the Riot of Blood, that opened a chance for me to swipe the Yasakani Jewel from you." Ash said.

"Heh… So you really did come back… Ash…Crimson…" Iori said as he passed out from his wounds.

"But this time, I now decided to follow a better path." Ash said.

"Let's move on. We've got some grueling work to do if we want to be in the finals." Kukri said.

"Very well." Ash said.

"(Ash… it's only a little bit, but people are starting to remember you. I'm glad that you have returned, and that those of the Hero Alliance kept watch over you.)" Elisabeth thought as they headed off. "(Perhaps at the end of this, I might find myself by your side with them.)"


"Well, that definitely made Iori remember those events." Richard shrugged.

"Such confidence, I remember a time when I had to deal with that when I sparred with Kakarot time and time again." Raditz remarked. "That fight was indeed worth my interest, considering that this Ash Crimson has managed to snatch a victory through shocking might, against a barbaric foe like Yagami."

"Glad you see fun in this then." Eruza stated.

"I… I think that I need to get stronger, if I'm going to stand beside them… and all of you too." Ui stated, wowed by the fighting she saw in this section of the feed.