Unmei Force Gaiden: KOF XV Reactions
Chapter 6: Mission Acknowledged (Team Ikari)
The Sahara…
A few hours after Leona confronted Team Indivisible by herself and was defeated by Naga Rider, she was found by Ralf and Clark, who helped her recover as they gathered to discuss what happened.
"Geez Leona, y'should tell us when you go off on your own like that." Ralf said.
"Forgive me, Colonel. I was… investigating a potential tie to the report of Orochi." Leona replied.
"Ah, that makes sense." Ralf nodded, knowing full well the extent of Leona's abilities comes from her Orochi bloodline.
"It's understandable you're concerned about Orochi coming back, but let's not forget what we were assigned to do in the first place." Clark said. "The commander asked us to compete in the tournament as part of our new mission."
"Yeah, keep a close eye on Shun'ei, and strong-arm him when he goes berserk." Ralf said. "Though, I'm surprised the commander himself is taking part. It must be really serious if he's taking this approach."
"It's not surprising. What happened in the last tournament was a shocker. What with that Verse thing showing up outta nowhere." Clark said.
"Yeah, that would get anyone expecting the worst. KOF hasn't gone that deep before." Ralf said. "But we have to do what we can to see this operation is a success…even if it means facing the commander ourselves."
"That's gonna be a real test for us. He's still a force to be reckoned with, especially since he taught you everything, Leona." Clark reminded Leona.
Leona nodded. "In terms of monitoring Shun'ei though…while he is the subject of our mission, he and us are both competitors in the tournament. Which means we can't watch him if we are eliminated from the tournament."
"That's a good point." Clark said. "What's the plan to stay close to him, Colonel?"
"We may as well go around and gather information to see what he's about first. Someone has got to know something." Ralf said. "As far as watching him goes, though, we've gotta stay alive in the tournament. Which means we gotta take out anybody in the way and rack up wins so we can advance to the finals."
"Solid, and straight forward. I like it." Clark said. "Sounds good to you, Leona?"
"Yes. Let's move out." Leona said.
"A mission to observe Shun'ei…" Erika remarked, with a hand to her chin. "This mystery is becoming more and more intriguing as the pieces come together."
"A fairly straight-forward dedication to their mission. Something I can respect." Taiga stated. "But we shall see if they can make up for their losses against the previous teams in the spotlight. I doubt they would allow any more losses, with their backs on the wall figuratively."
"Well, it's not much different from the fellow members of the army company I am training with…" Ui remarked. "At least for most of them…"
As the three of them were trudging through the desert, they catch the sight of the three cat-like beastmen from the opening ceremonies.
"Ah, you guys are…Team Ikari, right?" Belladonna asked.
"That would be us, miss." Clark said. "And you three must be… Esmerelda, Nesma and Belladonna of Team Beastess."
"That's right." Esmeralda said. "I know that we seem out of place in a place like this."
"Well, she sure doesn't." Ralf said, referring to Nesma.
"That's because she's a more desert cat. Way she's dressed, she seems like royalty." Clark said.
"Ah, so you are aware of Bastet. It's not much of a surprise, actually." Nesma chuckled at the mention of her namesake Goddess. "This may not be my own world, but yes, I feel quite at home in the desert."
"As much as I'd love to hear more about that, we're kinda on a mission here." Clark said. "What it is, it's need to know, but since the three of you are here…"
"Your words are not needed." Esmeralda said. "A fight was bound to happen between us. And truth be told, I'm eager to see the skills of the famed Ikari Warriors."
"Oh, boy, the fun is going to begin!" Eruza remarked, excited that the team she bet upon were going to show their prowess on the field. "I gotta see how this is going to go."
"I wouldn't underestimate Team Ikari, sister. After all, they did not go down without a hard fight, with only one noted loss." Taiga told her sister.
"Oh, we'll see about that, buster." Chen remarked, with her arms crossed and an anticipating look on her face.
"So, shall we begin?" Nesma asked.
"Colonel, permission to face Nesma?" Leona asked.
"You don't need my permission for a good fight, Leona. Have at it!" Colonel said.
"Roger." Leona said, Ralf and Clark respectively engaged Esmerelda and Belladonna to keep them busy.
"I have heard about the power you wield. You don't need to worry. Snakes make me a bit uneasy as well." Nesma said.
"I see. Your sympathy is appreciated." Leona said.
"But enough banter. I'm ready to show my craft. So, let's begin!" Nesma said as she brandished her claws.
"(Mission start.)" Leona said, assuming her stance.
Ready…GO!
Nesma came rushing at Leona for a claw strike.
"Cross Cutter!" Leona called, waving her hands in an X formation as she launched said formation as a projectile.
"This will be interesting." Nesma said as she fired a ball of light at Leona.
Leona unclipped one of her earrings and tossed it at the ball of light as an explosion occurred on contact.
"Let's see how good you are in close combat." Nesma said as she leaped at Leona with her claws at the ready.
Leona did the same as she charged at Nesma, doing slicing motions with her arms, clashing with Nesma's attacks. "(Kill!)" she said, slicing her hand in an overhead crescent motion.
"Finally some fire." Nesma said. "Show me what you've got!" she said as she starts to attack with a flurry of slashes.
Leona fought back as she pitted her imitation saber arms against Nesmas claws, able to slash her with good openings jumping into the air and executing a V-Slash. But she wasn't done.
"(Here I go!)" Leona said as her hair turned red as she charged towards Nesma before disappearing and reappearing right in front of her with her right hand out. "(Goodbye.)" she said as an explosion went off, sending Nesma flying back a bit.
K.O.!
Nesma crashed into a large sand dune as Leona relaxed, her Orochi Blood Riot turning off.
"Nothing personal, this is just part of the mission." Leona said.
"I would be quite offended that my team got beat… but seriously, that was one hell of a brutal attack to finish it off. I almost mistook Leona for a tried and true Brute." Eruza remarked, with astonishment on her face.
"All the better, such ferocity tamed is a potent skill on any field of battle." Taiga smirked again.
"Despite everything, Leona really got good control over her Orochi Blood Riot state." Richard stated. "She's come a fairly long way, and she has the development to show for it."
"Ngh… So that was the extent of your power. I can see how your unit is the best the Ikari Warriors have got." Nesma said as she got up.
"The compliment is appreciated. Although, I didn't join Ralf and Clark until the events of the '96 tournament." Leona said. "Regardless, this power is mine to use alone. I won't let Orochi control me, like he almost did that time."
"And if he does, we'll just quickly snap you out of it before you go crazy." Ralf said as he and Clark came up.
"Your strength is well-tuned. Your reputation is well-deserved." Esmeralda said.
"Thanks. Time we moved on, guys." Clark said.
"Here's to hoping we meet again soon." Belladonna said.
Team Ikari then headed off, making their journey further though the sahara. However, it wasn't long before they met up with another team, one they had a tight connection with.
"Hey, Whippy!" Ralf called, getting none other than Team K's attention.
K' wasn't really too pleased to see the Ikari Warriors, despite himself and Maxima working with them on some cases.
"Great, just what we need." K' groaned. "What the hell are you three doing here?"
"We were in the area to pick up Leona, and now we're trying to get back in the tournament." Clark said. "I didn't think we'd run into you three."
"Neither did we, oddly enough." Maxima said.
"Say, I dunno if it's my place to ask, but how goes it with your little problem?" Clark asked.
"Hmm… Not a lot of leads yet. All we know is that your Royal Knight friend encountered Krohnen before he and Kula split off from them." Whip said.
"If I knew that pain in the ass was gonna ambush a team right after this whole thing kicked off, we would already be done." K' said.
"You can't blame yourself, K'. We had no way of predicting his behavior." Whip said.
"Sounds like your intel isn't working too good." K' replied. "And it was your idea to drag us into this whole thing in the first place."
"Yet you started a fight with that girl." Whip said.
"She was asking for trouble, I dunno what the hell she was thinking." K' said.
"This girl…" Leona piped in. "Was she 16, had purple hair and was accompanied by a white haired man and an individual in armor who was constantly posing?"
"That was her." Maxima said.
"If it's not one thing, it's another." K' said.
"Sounds like you guys could use some help with this whole Krohnen situation. Want us to track him down?" Ralf asked.
"How about no?" K' asked.
"K'! The colonel is offering his help, we should take any advantage we can get!" Whip said.
"Ooh, almost forgot that there was still some bad blood between K' and the Ikari Warriors." Kaguya winced. "Well, they'll have to settle things right here and now, so it seems."
"I'm sure that this team will eke out another win." Hitomi remarked. "After all, I can understand where Taiga's confidence in them comes from."
"I'm certain that this will be a quick victory." Reimu stated.
"Are you on my team, or theirs?" K' retorted to Whip. "Go make yourself useful and get these nosy soldiers outta our way."
"Oh, fine. If it'll help get rid of that sourpuss attitude of yours." Whip said as she cracked Voodoo. "Sorry about this, guys."
"Time for me to be the Colonel." Ralf said, slamming his fists together. Leona and Clark didn't need any advance orders from Ralf to engage, as Clark locked up with Maxima and Leona tangled with K'. "Thought I'd give you some one on one time, Whippy. Must be tough looking after those brats. All right, I'll give you a workout only a senior officer can provide. Blow off all the steam you need!"
"That's kind of you, Colonel. Very well, then. I'll let all my frustration out on you!" Whip acknowledged, before her mood turned sour. "Especially for all the times you called me 'Whippy'!"
Ready…GO!
"ODADADADADADADA!" Ralf called, unleashing his signature Vulcan Punch which was a barrage of fast explosive strikes, getting the opening hits on Whip. Not too many connected with Whip however, as she swung away before going back on the attack.
"Attack!" Whip called, swinging across the battlefield as she kicked then kicked Ralf. She followed up with a couple hard lashes from Voodoo, which had incredible reach so that she didn't need to get close.
Ralf pressed forward, shrugging off the lashes as he led with his trademark Ralf Kick before laying on the heavy artillery with more of his bullet-like punches, finishing off with a Ralf Impact.
"This next one's gonna really hurt!" Whip said, recovering and stunning Ralf with another powerful strike, before quickly transitioning into her Sonic Slaughter Code: KW. "Shall we dance?" she asked, catching Ralf up in a tornado made from her rapidly lashing Voodoo around, damaging the One-Man Army Corps and blasting him back.
However, Ralf recovered and went back on the attack as soon as he landed. He unleashed all the furious blows he could on Whip before finishing up.
"Nice fight there." Ralf said as he charged up a maxed up Galactica Phantom Punch. "Here's my compliments!" he said, charging straight at Whip and dealing the final blow with an explosive punch.
K.O!
Whip screamed as she was sent flying before crashing in the sand as Ralf wound down his shoulder.
"I can't help it, it's a catchy nickname." Ralf shrugged.
"Can dish what he can take. Quite the trait." Hitomi grinned at Ralf's victory. "I might actually be interested in taking him for a fight."
"He literally didn't even get knocked off his feet for a single moment in that fight!" Popol exclaimed with shock. "How powerful could he be to do that?"
"Quite powerful indeed. It would take a lot of pain and damage to knock this one-man army down." Kaguya responded back.
Leona and Clark regrouped with Ralf.
"Where are those two trouble makers?" Ralf asked.
"Buried Maxima under a few feet of sand." Clark said.
"And K' is out cold, for now." Leona said.
"They always seem to make things difficult. I know we've got mutual alignments with them, but they're always a bit too rough sometimes." Clark mentioned.
"But they're dependable." Leona said. "In any case, while we have the objective of staying alive in the tournament, we should share our intel with people who we know best. Ralf, you and Clark faced the Royal Knights before. We can trust them with this info, right?"
"Yeah. We may not know them well, but I can tell from the way they fought. They're very strong." Ralf said.
"Then let's go and look for them. We'll start with Crusadermon and Ulforceveedramon." Clark said.
"Don't forget their new teammate in place of Leopardmon." Leona said. "Is there any place that may remind them of home?"
"Yeah, I can think of one place. Osaka Castle." Ralf said.
One quick flight from Africa to Japan later…
"And here we are. Gotta say, it's quite the sight. No wonder it's considered a landmark." Ralf said.
"Wonder why they'd pick here to remind them of home?" Clark asked.
"Maybe they have a place just like this back in their own world? Who knows?" Ralf asked.
Leona looked sharp. "They're here."
"So, you managed to find us. I expected no less from the Ikari Warriors. Sharp as ever?" a voice said as the three Royal Knights came down and came outside the courtyard.
"Yeah, but it wasn't me who figured it out, the Colonel did." Clark said. "We have some information we'd like to share with you and your leader's team."
"But first, how about a good brawl for old times sake?" Ralf asked.
(Cue: Inner Shade- KOF 2000)
"Hmm… Sure, why not? We can use the workout." Crusadermon said.
"It's them against Team Royal Knights. I wonder what might come of this battle…" Erika stated.
"I doubt that the Royal Knights would have what it takes to keep either of them down. But victory is still in the toss-up, could be anyone's game." Sumireko stated. "For me, however? Team Ikari, defs."
"Why so?" Reimu asked back.
"They're the combat-experts here. Hate to look down on the Royal Knights, but they're not accustomed to battle against targets like the Ikari, but on the other hand, the Ikari team had lots of experience against foes of all sizes and forms." Sumireko stated. "You'll see when the fight starts."
"I'll go." Leona said as she stepped up to Crusadermon. "I wasn't able to test myself against your team back in the Unofficial KOF Tournament. Now, I have the chance of doing so."
"I'm happy to have this chance too. I know how difficult it must be being a woman in a man's world." Crusadermon said.
"I don't let it bother me. You don't seem to be bothered by it either." Leona said.
"Quite right. We are both equals in our own statures. So come, let me see the strength you possess." Crusadermon said as she prepared her ribbon sword.
Ready…GO!
Crusadermon starts to close in to deal some swift strikes with her ribbon sword. Leona took them before striking back with her own slashing strikes in return.
"Let's see you handle some of my signature moves. Spiral Masquerade!" Crusadermon said as she rapidly attacked with her ribbons.
"Not bad. But how about this?!" Leona said as she slashed at Crusadermon from every direction at blinding speed before finishing up in an explosion.
"Oof… Not bad. But I still have more to go. Fist of Athena!" Crusadermon said as she readies her Pile Bunker.
"Going for the finishing blow already? Fine with me." Leona said as she activated her Blood Riot, and prepared her Leona Blade. "(Here I go!)" she said, both dashing at each other.
The two then pitted their signature weapons against each other, Bunker and Blade clashing.
"Leona is really giving it her best." Clark said.
"I would've done the same if it was me in her shoes." Ralf said.
Crusadermon faltered for a brief moment, which Leona took advantage of.
"It's over." Leona said as she used her blade to slice right through Crusadermon, which ended in a big explosion.
K.O!
It caused Crusadermon to land on the ground from the impact.
"I'm completely satisfied now." Leona said as she threw her arm aside.
"Was that a pile bunker I just saw..!?" Ui exclaimed with sheer disbelief.
"You didn't see wrong, little Inaba." Sanae stated with a grin. "That's a tried and true part of Leona's arsenal. And it ain't some standard-issue weapon, this baby is custom-made for her, and it can dish and take a lot, as you could see."
"See, Ikari Victory." Sumireko smirked, shrugging her arms. "The Royal Knights might be able to beat them in a no-holds-barred fight, but in a battle with these conditions, Team Ikari has the edge."
"I see…" Erika nodded
"You are quite strong. You show a lot of promise." Crusadermon said as she got back up.
"Thank you. Now, I think you deserve to know a bit of info about what's going on." Leona said.
The Ikari Warriors explained to the Royal Knights everything they were told in their mission brief before the tournament. Their orders to observe and possibly restrain Shun'ei, and Isla, the one Heidern is teaming up with.
"Amplified Specters? Shun'ei and Isla? Hmm… That does sound quite serious." UlforceVeedramon said.
"The commander has been informed by that shaman Dolores about a major threat connected with Verse." Clark said. "You've heard about that monster?"
"Quite a bit. We know that after it was defeated, several fighters were brought back to life." Crusadermon said.
"Yes, three of them are the members of Team Orochi… the ones that share the same connection to that monster as Iori Yagami and myself." Leona said.
"Then I suppose it was no coincidence we ran into them when we did." Leopardmon said as he appeared, David and Cheetah in tow.
"All three of them were in contact with one team each. We were unexpectedly confronted by Shermie. Ajna confronted Yashiro Nanakase. And we recently heard from Hyde that they had a meeting with Chris. The young man who served as Orochi's vessel during KOF 97." Cheetah said.
"What are they after?" Ralf asked.
"That's what we're trying to figure out. It seems pretty clear to us that they remember everything from when they were alive." David said. "Or, at least Yashiro and Shermie did. Chris' memory is still uncertain."
"We're not gonna get very far investigating apart." Ralf said. "We should work together on this one. If it's okay with you David, while we keep an eye on Shun'ei, these three in the new Knights Team should find out more about this whole Amplified Specter thing."
"My thoughts exactly." David said. "But first, a bit of a warm up."
"Oh, wanna go, eh David?" Ralf asked.
"Perfect. Let's see what you're made of." Leona said.
"This will make for a very interesting match." Cheetah said.
"And the secret is investigated further…" Richard stated.
"Still, it's your team going for a fight again, Richard." Kaguya stated. "Do you think they'll win this one?"
"Can't say for sure, every section of the feed displays a few of the many victories for each team. They could lose, they could win, it happens on and off the cam, you know." Richard stated his opinion.
"Just say if you think they'll win or not, stop trying to talk about what-ifs!" Hitomi shouted impatiently.
"Fine. My bet is that Team Strategist will cut a close victory or a close defeat." Richard sighed. "I ain't going to say its either unless the results show themselves. Besides, I don't bet on these kind of things… too unpredictable."
Clark knew exactly what he wanted to do the very instant David brought the topic of a match up.
"Round 2, Leopardmon?" Clark smirked.
(Cue: Guile's Theme- Street Fighter 4)
"Like you read my mind." Leopardmon said.
Both fighters took their places as Clark cracked his knuckles to get ready.
"I have no intention of losing this time." Clark said.
"No need to hold back, Clark. It's time you showed me your full strength." Leopardmon said.
"Like you didn't need to tell me." Clark said as he took up his professional wrestling stance. "Mission start!"
Ready…GO!
Immediately, Clark went for a lock up with Leopardmon. "Clark Special!" Leopardmon took the full brunt of the attack as Clark dealt a few hard shots, followed up by his classic transition into the Launching Argentine Backbreaker, slamming Leopardmon down as Clark brought more pain with an Elbow Drop right after.
Leopardmon got back up from this and retaliated. "Shining Laser!" he said as he launched a blast of light at Clark.
Clark was able to dodge it before showing something new. Despite his heavy frame, he leaped in the air, caught Leopardmon in his legs by the head and then slammed him down with Hurricanrana.
"Saint Knuckle!" Leopardmon said as his fist was imbued with light as he charged.
"Saw that trick before!" Clark said as he braced for the impact and took it, shrugging it off as he got Leopardmon right where he wanted him. "Running Slayer!" he called, before going back and forth with Leopardmon up as he dealt three devastating Running Powerbombs.
"Awesome Quake!" Leopardmon said as he slammed a fist to the ground, causing pillars of earth to emerge from underneath.
"Whoa there!" Clark said getting out of the way in time. "Earth spires? When did that happen?"
"A neat little trick I picked up. I don't really use it all that often, though." Leopardmon said.
"Guess we both expanded our moves a little." Clark said. "This is why I liked fighting you that time."
"Yes. I will admit, facing other fighters was quite enjoyable. Humanity has shown great promise amongst its fighters." Leopardmon said.
"And we'll continue to impress. But enough talk, let's wrap this up." Clark said.
"Quite right. Time to bring out my best moves, then. Black Aura Blast!" Leopardmon said as a purplish beam was fired from his sword.
"(Alright….let's go!)" Clark said, jumping over the beam and grabbing Leopardmon, throwing him into the air. "Ultra Clark…!" He called, jumping after the knight and twisting his legs up in a Sharpshooter fashion as he weakened Leopardmon's neck area with a few leg holds. "Buster!" he then drove Leopardmon right into the ground hard.
K.O!
With Leopardmon planted, Clark broke away, victorious.
"And that makes us even." Clark said adjusting his cap.
"Even indeed." Gus nodded.
"Ah, that's right, Gus. You have been silent for quite a while." Richard stated, turning to his close friend. "What's the matter? Something on your mind?"
"Just a few things about how things are happening." Gus answered back. "After the Winter Olympics, I've been pondering a few things."
"Like…?" Richard prodded.
"...It's best we don't talk about it here. Time and place, Richard." Gus shook his hand.
"Fair enough."
He then helped Leopardmon up as the two grasped hands in respect to each other.
"You're still as strong as ever. I guess i won because i was more used to your moves this time around." Clark said.
"Quite so. I was impressed by your adaptiveness. Heidern would be proud to call you one of his best." Leopardmon said.
"Y'know… the Commander, Ralf and I started out in KOF as the Original Formation of the Ikari Team." Clark said. "Those were quite the days back then. I wish you guys would've been around to take us on like that."
"Is that so? Now I feel a little left out for missing a chance like that." Leopardmon said with a chuckle.
"Anyways, guess your comrades and mine should get going on our missions. Good luck with the rest of the Survival round." Clark said.
"Same to all of you. I hope the day will come when your force crosses paths with us again as allies." Leopardmon said.
"Maybe so." Leona said, showing a small smile.
Once again, the Ikari Warriors and Brave Adventurers share a unitive moment….
"It's going to be a long moment before that happens." Sanae stated. "But then again, fate might bring people together in the most unlikely of times. After all, that's how we ended up in the Rift-World Crisis to begin with."
"Yeah, but I might consider being more proactive in the wider scene." Richard stated. "Can't exactly build up my forces, and not make use of it properly. Still, no plans for expanding influence. Too many unknown threats to account for first."
"I'm sure that we'll find a way to deal with them." Sumireko huffed. "After all, we might not be invincible, but we still are far more dangerous to mess with compared to the heroes, because we have an organization with a power base that consists of both manpower and resources. Picking a fight with us is basically a proxy war in definition."
"Oh, you sure about that?" Chen leered back. "I've seen these heroes more than you have, Usami, and I can tell you with certainty that they'll hurt more. But yeah, we hurt them in the long run, but the heroes? They'll demolish them to ashes."
"Alright, enough talk about the future." Raditz stated. "Let us just focus on properly watching this, it's getting to the point that the real fun begins…"
