One evening in Metro City, U.S.A. teenage Japanese heiress Karin Kanzuki was walking down the street with her butler, Ishizaki, who was carrying many shopping bags in his arms.
"I'm so glad Daddy let me spend the weekend in America", Karin said, "there's so much to do, and so many interesting stores to shop at."
"Yes", Ishizaki said, "so many stores."
Then, all of a sudden, someone appeared from behind Ishizaki and tackled him, causing him to fall to the ground and drop all the bags he had been carrying, which Karin had heard.
"Ishizaki, be careful", Karin said, "I don't want the stuff I bought getting damaged before I..."
Karin turned around and saw the criminal who had tackled Ishizaki holding him against the ground, and then saw more criminals walking up to the fallen bags.
"Well, well", one of the criminals said, "let's see what we've got here."
The criminal reached into a bag and pulled out a pair of white boots that were decorated with diamonds.
"Dig these boots", the criminal said, "designer, fine quality leather, and real diamonds."
Another criminal pulled out a sunhat with a beautiful white flower on it.
"Something tells me she paid way too much for this hat", the second criminal said.
A third criminal pulled out a red bikini that had Karin's initials printed on it.
"And how about this bikini", the third criminal asked, "looks custom made to me."
Karin couldn't stand the criminals digging through her stuff.
"You put all that stuff back right now", Karin said.
"Or what", the first criminal asked.
"I'll have you know that I possess very powerful fighting abilities", Karin said, "if you don't give me my stuff back, I'll fight every last one of you."
"You don't scare us", the first criminal said, "Butch, pick her up."
A very large man, whose name was evidently Butch, grabbed Karin and picked her up.
"Hey", Karin said, "unhand me, you brute!"
Nearby, an unknown individual was watching the scene take place.
"Now that we've got what we came here for", the first criminal said, "we'll take our leave."
The criminals picked up the bags off the ground.
"And to make sure neither one of you tries anything smart", the first criminal said, "Butch, tie them up."
Butch took out a rope and proceeded to tie Karin and Ishizaki together back-to-back.
"All done, boss", Butch said.
"Good work", the first criminal said, "okay everyone, let's split!"
The criminals began to flee, and Karin struggled to break free of hers and Ishizaki's ropes.
"You're not going to get away with this", Karin shouted, "just you wait!"
But the criminals didn't run very far, because they stopped when they saw someone standing in their path.
"Oh no", the first criminal said, "not him."
The person standing in front of them was none other than Cody Travers, adorned in his prison jumpsuit and long-chained handcuffs.
"Hello, boys", Cody said, "nice weather we're having."
Cody's presence made the criminals tremble in fear.
"L-Look, man", the first criminal said, "we don't want any trouble."
"That's too bad", Cody said, "'cause you just found it."
Cody ran up to the first criminal and delivered a heavy punch, causing him (the criminal) to fly backwards and land on the ground.
"Anyone else want a try", Cody asked.
The first criminal groaned in pain as he stood himself up with his arms.
"Don't just stand there, you idiots", the first criminal said, "get him!"
The other two criminals ran towards Cody, prompting the latter to crack his knuckles.
"Two against one", Cody asked, "sorry this won't be a fair fight."
The second criminal began throwing some punches, but Cody managed to dodge them and crouched down and delivered a heavy kick, followed by him using his criminal upper move, and then he noticed the third criminal running towards him, but he picked up a stone and threw it at the criminal, and then ran up to him and delivered two medium punches followed by a heavy kick, and after he had been taken care of, he noticed the large criminal, Butch, standing in a position that looked like he was ready to fight.
"So you wanna throw down too, huh", Cody asked, "well, if you insist!"
Cody slid slightly forward towards Tom and gut-punched him, and then performed his special move known as final destruction, where he jabbed him with his fists in four sets of three, and then delivered five punches, alternating between left and right, and finished off with his criminal upper, resulting in Tom getting knocked to the ground in pain.
"Who's the tough guy now, tough guy", Cody asked.
Cody walked over to the first criminal.
"That was just the first helping", Cody said, "you guys ready for seconds?"
"No way", the first criminal said, "let's get outta here!"
The criminals fled the scene, leaving Karin's shopping bags behind, and Cody walked over to her and Ishizaki, who were both still tied together.
"Let me help you guys out of that", Cody said.
Cody picked up a knife that one of the criminals had dropped and used it to cut the ropes that had them tied together.
"There you go", Cody said.
"Thanks", Karin said.
"Don't mention it", Cody said, "I was just looking for a good fight."
Karin looked at Cody, and was able to recognize who he was.
"Say, I know who you are", Karin said, "you're Cody Travers, the hero of Metro City."
"Not anymore, kid", Cody said, "these days I'm just a criminal who's always getting into fights."
"I see", Karin said, "well, my name's Karin Kanzuki."
"Glad I could help you, Karin", Cody said.
Then, they heard the sound of a police car's siren.
"Uh-oh, it's the fuzz", Cody said, "gotta go!"
Cody ran away into an alley, and Metro City police officer Edi. E walked over to Karin and Ishizaki.
"Either of you seen an escaped convict anywhere", Edi. E asked.
"Yes", Ishizaki said, "he..."
But Karin covered his mouth before he could say where Cody went.
"Why, yes", Karin said, "I believe he went that way."
Karin pointed in the direction that went past the alley.
"You sure about that", Edi. E asked.
"Absolutely", Karin said.
"Alright", Edi. E said, "if you say so."
Edi. E went in the direction Karin pointed to, and the latter removed her hand from Ishizaki's mouth.
"Why did you do that, Miss Karin", Ishizaki asked.
"Do what", Karin asked.
"Why did you lie to that police officer about which way Mr. Travers went", Ishizaki asked.
"Because he fought those criminals when I wasn't able to do it myself", Karin said, "I couldn't just rat him out after he helped us out like that."
"True", Ishizaki said, "but he is still a criminal and an escaped inmate."
"I've heard the story of how Cody and his allies saved Metro City from the Mad Gear Gang", Karin said, "he was a good person at one point, and I believe he still is."
"You truly believe that", Ishizaki asked.
"I do", Karin said, "and I want to repay him for what he did to help us."
"How do you intend to do that", Ishizaki asked.
"I'm not sure", Karin said, "but I'll figure something out."
The next day, Cody was walking through the slums, when he heard Karin's voice call out to him.
"Hey, Cody", Karin said.
Cody turned around and saw Karin running towards him.
"You again", Cody asked.
"Yes, it's me", Karin said, "I've been looking everywhere for you."
"You were", Cody asked.
"Yes", Karin said, "I checked the prison to see if you'd been caught, but you weren't there."
"Oh, that place", Cody said, "yeah, I broke out of there this morning."
"Broke out", Karin asked, "did you get captured again?"
"No, I went back when I felt like I'd been away long enough", Cody said.
"So you went back to jail willingly only to break out the following day", Karin asked.
"Sure did", Cody said, "those prison walls are easy to punch a hole in if you're as strong as me."
"Aren't you worried you'll get in trouble for that", Karin asked.
"This is something I do often", Cody said, "I got in trouble the first couple of times I did this, but after a few dozen more breakouts, the prison staff got used to it."
"A few dozen", Karin thought.
"By the time I hit triple digits, they just gave up altogether", Cody said, "except for Edi. E."
"Oh my", Karin asked.
"Yeah, I know", Cody said, "it's a pretty rough life for a guy to live."
"I'll say", Karin said, "how did you even get arrested in the first place?"
"Well", Cody said, "after I helped save Metro City, things became more peaceful and, well, it got kinda boring for me."
"What do you mean boring", Karin asked.
"Things didn't feel the same when I wasn't fighting someone all the time", Cody said, "so I began getting into street fights, and I became addicted to it, until eventually, I got caught and thrown in jail."
"My word", Karin said.
"And now, here I am", Cody said, "a washed-up vigilante who comes and goes from prison whenever he's feeling bored."
"That statement about your life being rough is a severe understatement", Karin said.
"Tell me something that isn't completely obvious", Cody said.
"I heard you had a girlfriend named Jessica who you rescued after the Mad Gear Gang kidnapped her", Karin said, "what happened to her?"
"We broke up after I got arrested", Cody said, "and then she went to study abroad in Europe."
"That must've been hard for you", Karin said.
"It was", Cody said, "it really was."
"Do you miss her", Karin asked.
"Every now and then", Cody said, "considering my current status, and the fact that we broke up on bad terms, our relationship is probably beyond repair."
Cody turned around and looked at the city scenery in be background.
"But sometimes, I can't help but wonder if there's still a chance to find love", Cody said, "and if really is over between me and Jessica, maybe there's another girl out there who'd be willing to love a guy like me."
Karin was amazed to have heard Cody reveal his longings for love.
"Anyways", Cody said, "it's nice talking to you, but I'm gonna go now."
Cody walked away, and Karin began thinking to herself.
"Sounds like what Cody wants more than ever now is to be loved", Karin said.
Then, she an idea popped into her head.
"Maybe I've found a way to repay him for what happened last night", Karin thought.
Later that day, Cody was in an alley looking for a fight, when someone grabbed him from behind and dragged him into a dark room in a building.
"Hey, what's going on here", Cody asked, "what do you think you're doing?"
Then, the lights came on, revealing that the room had things like a hair stylist chair and a rack of clothes in it.
"Good work, Ishizaki", Karin said.
Cody noticed Karin in the corner of the room, and the latter walked over to him.
"Karin", Cody asked, "what's all this?"
"This is for you", Karin said, "I'm gonna give you a complete makeover."
"A makeover", Cody asked, "what do I need a makeover for?"
"For your date tonight", Karin said.
"A date", Cody asked, "I don't have a date tonight."
"You do now", Karin said, "I took the liberty of setting up an account for you on this dating app I downloaded on my phone."
"You what", Cody asked.
"I had to swipe left a lot, but when I found the girl that looked like a good enough match for you, I swiped right", Karin said, "her name is Diane, and she's really looking forward to meeting you."
"Are you out of your mind", Cody asked, "I can't have dinner with a girl!"
"Not looking like that, you can't", Karin said, "that's why I'm here to help."
Karin led Cody over to the chair, and he sat down.
"Now", Karin said, "let's start by doing something about this hair."
"What's wrong with my hair", Cody asked.
"Oh, nothing", Karin said, "just the fact that it's a complete mess!"
"What did you expect", Cody asked, "prison's not an easy place to have great hair."
"Not to worry", Karin said, "I think we can fix this."
Karin took a look at Cody's hair and thought to herself.
"I know just what to do", Karin said.
Karin used her hands to pull Cody's hair back.
"Hey, what are you doing", Cody asked.
"Just trust me, alright", Karin said.
Then, she squeezed some hair gel into her hands and applied it to Cody's hair.
"There we go", Karin said.
Karin picked up a hand mirror and handed it to Cody, and the latter looked at his reflection with a pleased look on his face.
"Well hello, handsome", Cody said, "where did you come from?"
"Sounds like I did a good job", Karin said, "now to get you in a different outfit."
Cody followed Karin over to the rack of clothes that was in the room.
"Okay, the first thing that's got to go is those handcuffs", Karin said, "I'll go get something to pick the locks on them."
"No need", Cody said, "allow me."
Cody easily removed his handcuffs using his hands.
"Wait a minute", Karin said, "if you can remove those handcuffs without any trouble, why do you keep them on when you fight?"
"Because they make fighting difficult", Cody said, "I like a challenge when I'm fighting someone."
"If you say so", Karin said.
Karin began looking through the outfits hung on the rack.
"Okay", Karin said, "let's see what we've got here."
The first outfit Karin held up was a gray business suit.
"Hmm", Karin said, "no."
The next outfit was a leather jacket and jeans.
"No", Karin said.
The next outfit was a suit resembling the one worn by Phoenix Wright.
"Objection", Karin said, "but seriously, not happening."
It took a long time for Karin to go through all the outfits on the rack, but at last, she finally found an outfit she thought was good enough for Cody to wear.
"Alright, Cody", Karin said, "come on out."
Cody walked over to a mirror wearing a white tuxedo with a black bowtie and a red rose, black formal pants, and dark brown loafers.
"Hey", Cody said, "not bad."
"You're welcome", Karin said.
"So, where am I meeting Diane for dinner", Cody asked.
"The Exhibit", Karin said.
Cody was shocked to hear that.
"That's the most exclusive restaurant in Metro City", Cody said, "I can't get a reservation there."
"You can't", Karin said, "but I can."
"But what about when I have to pay", Cody asked.
"Don't worry about it", Karin said, "I asked them to send yours and Diane's bill to the Kanzuki Estate."
"You did", Cody asked.
"Yes", Karin said, "my family is very wealthy, so we should have no problem covering it for you."
"Wow", Cody said, "thanks a million."
"You're welcome", Karin said, "now, you'd better get going, because your date is in 15 minutes."
"You're right", Cody said, "I've got to hurry."
Cody quickly exited the building and ran away.
"Good luck, Cody", Karin said.
Karin closed the door and went back into the building.
"That wasn't so hard", Karin said.
"What now, Miss Karin", Ishizaki asked.
"Now we go and see how it all plays out", Karin said.
Cody soon arrived at The Exhibit, where he waited for Diane to arrive, and eventually, someone walked over to him.
"Excuse me", Diane said, "is your name Cody?"
"Why, yes", Cody said, "my name is..."
Cody turned in Diane's direction and saw her in all her beauty: a young, brunette woman about the same age as him who wore an emerald green strapless dress and purple high heels.
"Is everything alright", Diane asked.
"Um, yeah", Cody said, "everything's fine."
"Are you sure", Diane asked.
"Positive", Cody said, "now what do you say we go inside and have some dinner?"
"I'd love to", Diane said.
Cody held out his arm for Diane to take and went into the restaurant with her, and after speaking to the host, they went to there table, and from another table near theirs, Karin was watching them, along with Ishizaki.
"Are you certain is a good idea to spy on these two during their date, Miss Karin", Ishizaki asked.
"Yes, Ishizaki", Karin said, "I have to make sure nothing goes wrong for Cody."
She then picked up a menu and began reading it.
"Besides", Karin said, "I've have heard good things about the food here."
At the table, Cody and Diane were conversing with one another.
"So, Cody", Diane said, "what's it like living in a big house like yours?"
Cody was confused to hear that.
"A big house", Cody asked.
"Yeah", Diane said, "your profile said that you live in a big house with lots of rooms and security measures."
Cody began to get nervous.
"Oh no", Cody thought, "Karin must've made some stuff up on my profile."
Then, something occurred to him.
"Though, that also describes prison well", Cody thought, "so at least she embellished the truth."
"Well", Diane asked.
"Oh, yeah", Cody said, "it's great."
"Is it", Diane asked.
"Totally", Cody said, "I've also got a huge dining room and a big space for physical activities."
"Wow", Diane said, "your life must rock."
"You can say that again", Cody said.
Over at her table, Karin was watching the scene unfold.
"My plan's working", Karin said.
"Excuse me", a voice said, "are you ready to order?"
Karin turned to a waiter who was taking hers and Ishizaki's orders.
"Yes", Karin said, "I'll have the salmon, please."
"Coming right up", the waiter said.
A little later, Cody and Diane's waiter came over to their table with their orders: a steak for Cody, and a salad for Diane.
"Thank you", Cody said.
They began eating their meals, and Karin continued to watch from her table.
"I knew she was the right match for Cody", Karin said, "those two go so well together."
Then, she took a bit of her salmon, which her waiter had brought her earlier.
"And this salmon is to die for", Karin said.
As Cody and Diane ate their meals, the latter decided to start a conversation by bringing up a very interesting topic.
"Did you hear about what happened earlier today", Diane asked.
"No, what", Cody asked.
"There was a fight outside the arcade", Diane said.
"A fight", Cody asked.
"Yes", Diane said, "one man threw a punch at another, and it turned into a full-on street fight."
"Wow", Cody asked, "who won?"
"I don't know, I wasn't paying much attention", Diane said, "fortunately, the police came and broke up the fight."
"I see", Cody said.
"It's just despicable watching two individuals fight like that", Diane said, "there should be a law against street fighting."
"What's wrong with street fighting", Cody asked.
"It's barbaric", Diane said, "nothing but two people trying to beat each other into submission."
"No one would start a fight for the sake of beating someone up", Cody said, "I'm sure they had a reason."
"What reason could two people like them have for trying to beat the snot out of each other", Diane asked.
"Well, maybe the guy who started the fight felt like fighting was all he knew", Cody said, "maybe he felt like there was nothing he could to but fight."
"That sounds like a pitiful existence", Diane said.
"Pitiful", Cody asked, "you think something like that is pitiful?"
Karin noticed Cody and Diane's argument, and she began to grow concerned.
"Uh-oh", Karin said.
"Why are you defending someone who starts fights out of the blue like that", Diane asked.
"I'm not defending him", Cody said, "I'm just saying that anyone who fights has a reason to."
"What reason could possibly justify that kind of violence", Diane asked.
The two looked each other in the eye while Karin watched with concern, and at last, Cody took a deep breath and calmed down.
"I'm sorry", Cody said, "I don't know what came over me."
"What", Diane asked.
"It's just that this topic kind of bugs me, that's all", Cody said.
"I see", Diane said.
"Can we just go back to eating our dinner", Cody asked.
"Sure", Diane said.
The two continued eating their meals, and Karin let out a breath of relief.
"That was close", Karin said, "hope nothing else goes wrong."
But Karin had spoken too soon, because as Cody and Diane continued eating, someone walked over to them.
"Well, well", a familiar voice said, "this is a surprise."
Cody looked up and saw none other than Edi. E standing next to him.
"I didn't expect to find you in a fancy place like this", Edi. E said, "and I certainly didn't expect you to be with a girl, either."
"Oh shoot", Cody said.
"Do you know this man", Diane asked.
"Know him", Edi. E said, "he's been causing trouble for me for years!"
"Him", Diane asked, "cause trouble?"
"That's right", Edi. E said.
"What kind of trouble", Diane asked.
"He beat me up pretty bad when I first encountered him", Edi. E said, "and now he's always breaking out of prison, and I'm the one who has to chase him down every single time."
Cody became increasingly worried, and Karin watched with concern as the scene unfolded.
"This can't be the man you're thinking of", Diane said, "you must have him confused with someone else."
"No, it's him", Edi. E said, "I can tell from a mile away that this man right here is Cody Travers."
Diane looked a Cody, who was now more nervous than ever.
"Is this true", Diane asked.
"Diane, I can explain", Cody said, "you see, I..."
"Oh, for Pete's sake", Edi. E said.
Edi. E picked up Cody's glass of water and poured it on his head, causing the gel in his hair to wash off, and his hair went back to its normal style, at which point Edi. E held up a wanted poster of Cody next to his head.
"See", Edi. E said, "it's a perfect match."
Diane looked at Cody with a shocked look on her face.
"I don't believe this", Diane said.
"Diane, listen", Cody said, "I..."
"No, stay away from me", Diane said.
"But Diane", Cody said.
"I can't believe I went on a date with someone like you", Diane said, "a convict and a ruffian!"
Diane then ran out of the restaurant.
"Diane, wait", Cody said.
"Forget it, Cody", Edi. E said, "you're coming with me back to the big house."
Cody let out a solemn sigh as Edi. E put a pair of handcuffs on him and led him out of the restaurant, and Karin watched them leave.
"Oh dear", Karin said.
"I suspect this wasn't part of your plan", Ishizaki asked.
"Not at all", Karin asked.
"It seems that instead of finding love, Mr. Travers has been incarcerated once again", Ishizaki said.
"And it's all my fault", Karin said, "I guess this plan wasn't as good as I thought it was."
"We all make mistakes, Miss Karin", Ishizaki said, "but at least you mean well."
"I know", Karin said, "but I still feel awful about what happened."
"I think you may be able to make amends", Ishizaki said.
"You really think so", Karin asked.
"Of course", Ishizaki said.
"Okay", Karin said, "I guess I could try."
"Very good, Miss Karin", Ishizaki said.
The next day at the Metro City Penitentiary, Cody was lounging around in his cell, when a guard walked over to him.
"Hey, Travers", the guard said, "someone's here to see you."
Cody was a little surprised to hear that.
"Who is it", Cody asked.
"I dunno", the guard said, "some girl."
The guard unlocked the cell door, and Cody thought to himself about who the girl might be.
"Maybe it's Diane", Cody thought.
The guard led Cody to the visiting area.
"Here she is", the guard said.
On the other side of the glass wall was none other than Karin, and when Cody sat down, he picked up the visiting telephone and spoke into it.
"Oh", Cody said, "it's you."
"Hello, Cody", Karin said.
"What are you doing here", Cody asked, "did you set me up on another date?"
"No", Karin said, I wanted to apologize."
"Apologize", Cody asked.
"For what happened last night", Karin said, "I only wanted to thank you for coming to my aid when those scoundrels tied me and Ishizaki up and tried to steal all the stuff I had bought."
"I see", Cody said.
"After hearing about your heartbreak with Jessica, I tried to help you find a new girl to love, but it all went wrong", Karin said, "I guess maybe I should've told you about all this before I put my plan in motion."
"It's okay", Cody said.
"I just feel so awful about what happened last night", Karin said.
"Don't beat yourself up about it, kid", Cody said, "besides, to tell you the truth, it actually felt good for a while."
"It did", Karin asked.
"Yeah", Cody said, "it felt nice being with together with a girl, even though she didn't know who I really was."
"Well, that's nice to hear", Karin said.
"Also, it gave me hope for the future", Cody said.
"What kind of hope", Karin asked.
"That maybe one day, when I'm out of jail for good, I'll find a girl who I can love", Cody said.
"Well, I hope that day comes soon", Karin said.
"Thanks", Cody said.
"Though, if you want, I could bail you out", Karin said, "I should be able to pay for it."
"No, I'm good", Cody said, "I'm here for a reason, and I have to serve time because of it."
"Oh, okay", Karin said.
"But thanks anyways", Cody said, "you're one of the few people who's shown kindness like that to me ever since I got jailed."
"My pleasure, Cody", Karin said.
Then, the guard walked over to Cody.
"Okay Travers, time's up", the guard said.
"Well, I gotta go", Cody said, "it was great to meet you."
"You too, Cody", Karin said.
Cody hung the phone up and left the visiting area and went back to his cell, where he laid down on his bed.
"I'm not sure if Diane would take me back after what happened, but I'm sure I'll find another girl who loves me", Cody said.
He reached under his pillow and pulled out a picture of him with Mike Haggar, Guy, and Jessica, where the latter was holding on to him lovingly.
"And maybe there is still a chance of getting Jessica back", Cody said.
Cody put his hands behind his head and stared up at the ceiling, thinking about the possibility of him finding love again one day in the future.
