LOS ANGELES, AN ABANDONED OCTAGON
"Greetings to all of you who choose this pirate channel to spend their evening tonight. My name is Misty, former key member of the upper echelon of NESTS and these days president of the MIST Directive, the main sponsor of King Of Fighters New Horizon. Speaking of which, everyone knows how KOF is held once a year, correct? What you may have been unaware of however is the existence of an unofficial league far from the spotlight and the public eye. The major figures of the criminal underbelly we are all part of have given it the tentative name of King Of Underground Fighters, a hidden, smaller but much more brutal competition where the future KOF legends start building reputations and make history in preparations for the moment they ascend to the big leagues. For this year, together with the title of KOUF, the prize is an unrepeatable opportunity; becoming MIST directive's official sponsored fighter at the next KOF. Like every year, we humbly ask for the vow of secrecy regarding this event of every member of the audience, as severely punishing those who violate this single but crucial rule is always a regrettable last resort. Many promising contestants have showed up once again, offering their skills to the table. But in the end, only these sixteen warriors have proven worthy enough during the auditions I have personally took care of. Let us meet them right away, in the hope that you will become excited to see them in action just as I am."
AUDITION #1: MALIN
"Welcome, please state your name and fighting style."
"Hi there, it's me! The cutest secret agent that's ever existed, Malin, is here to take names and make bank. Fighting style? Shameless cheating counts as one in KOUF, right?"
"It most definitely does. I must say, your name sounds quite familiar, Miss Malin."
"I sure hope it does, since my last employer went under for that disaster back in 2003 and I was the superstar that made them relevant.
"And now you plan on joining us and become a "superstar" once again?"
"Oh, you are quick on the uptake, lady. Not only that but the shady politics around the time KOF is announced are basically open season for those who dabble in information broking like me."
"I can definitely see the appeal in that. Just don't stick your nose around too much, for your own sake."
"Sister, you only need to worry about the astronomical ratings I'll bring you once you put me in the tournament. You'll let me snoop around as much as I like out of gratitude for that, I already know."
"My, such confidence you have. Well, I will surely keep you in mind, Miss Malin.
AUDITION #2: GAI TENDO
"Oh, I have already heard of you. One of the most important participants of the Buriki One tournament, correct?"
"You know it, lady. Gai Tendo, master of Total Combat style, ready to kick some ass."
"You are more keen to join official competitions to my knowledge. Why do you want to be part of KOUF?"
"Well, I intended to join New Horizon as a Wild Card, but all the 48 spots were already occupied. And I didn't fly all the way here to Los Angeles to let my knuckles stay unbruised. A little bird told me of this second KOF and here I am.
"I...see. A pure fighter of your calibre will surely raise the overall quality of the event. I can tell you right away that you are getting into the list of favourites."
"Hell yeah! That's the best decision you'll take all night, let me tell ya."
"Just one thing...who is this "bird" that told you of KOUF?"
"Uhm, never seen the guy before. Why, is there a problem?"
"None at all, Mister Tendo...none at all."
AUDITION #3: XANADU
"That uniform…do you happen to be an escaped prisoner by any chance?"
"How can a man go through life solely by clinging on his vacuous pride? Truly, a man more loathsome cannot exist."
"E-excuse me sir, but what are you talking about?"
"The segmented Lord Of The Heaven...they think it can fill their empty souls, like dirt fills a grave. Only delusions can lead to such folly."
"I'm not sure I'm following, sir. Are you sure you are even in the right place?"
"The black dog refuses to be yanked around any longer. It will bury the hatchet with the blue horse, paving the road to salvation."
"Actually, I take back what I have said. You, sir, are a complete madman...exactly what we have been looking for."
"Hmph, invitation is simply obligation by another name."
AUDITION #4: ANGEL
"Hello Misty, looks like things are going mighty fine for you, meow."
"Angel, it's a pleasure to see you again. How is solo career coming along?"
"Everything is going my way, thank you. It seems like we were the only two who landed on their feet after NESTS's fall, wouldn't you agree, meow?"
"NESTS is in the past for me. Let us talk about what you bring to the table."
"What else? You've seen first-hand how many necks my lucha libre moves have snapped, meow."
"Indeed. But don't expect a favourable treatment because of our past affiliation, got it?"
"No need for any that. I'll make us reunite without any favouritism on your part, meow."
"Excellent. We are done for today. We will call you in case of any updates."
"Oh, you're so helpful Misty. It's so good to see you're still the person who made working for NESTS tolerable.
"Took the words right out of my mouth."
AUDITION #5: SOKAKU MOCHIZUKI
"Quite the interesting attire you are wearing. I certainly never seen you before."
"You focus on the weirdest details, milady. Know that I am Sokaku Mochizuki, sworn enemy of the Shiranui clan and expert of the Seiden Mudō Ryū Bujutsu."
"I'm afraid I have never heard of this style of combat before, so I'll have to make some research about it later. More importantly, why do you want to join this tournament?"
"To improve my technique I need to step out of my comfort zone, but at the same time the insufferable atmosphere of something as glitzy as KOF distracts me from my purpose. This tournament manages to meet both of my personal requirements."
"To each their own, as they say. Thank you for coming here, we'll let you know for any future updates."
"I can only hope this metal structure can withstand the might of my summonings."
AUDITION #6 AND #7: RAIDEN AND HWA JAI
"Stop elbowing me, you windbag. The camera's mine."
"Call me a windbag again, skinny. See what happens."
"You could both take a few steps back, you know."
"Never in a million years. The true king of Muay Thai doesn't share anything with anyone."
"See what kind of you idiot I've to deal with every day?"
"I'm well aware of the attitude of both of you. You were members of Kim Kaphwan's team during the 13th edition of KOF, if I'm not mistaken."
"Ugh, don't remind me. We had to act all goody-goody to take the stage once again and reclaim fame. I could feel every inch of my skin crawl in disgust."
"And to add insult to injury, Kim and his korean clique beat us to the punch at the registration booths. There's a conspiracy afoot, I swear."
"So now you are determined to redeem yourself in the eyes of the KOF audience, huh? That sounds like an interesting sales pitch."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?! Hwa Jai is no one attraction. You hear me, wench?"
"C'mon man, keep it together. Don't blew our chances-"
AUDITION #8: SINCLAIR
"Welcome, please state your name and fighting style."
"You are already making too many questions for my taste, but if you have to call me something, my codename is Sinclair. All you need to know about my fighting style is that the blood of my opponents will start running like a river once they graze the tip of my blade."
"I respect that kind of secretive behaviour. It's vital to survive in the underworld we live in. So what brings you here at KOUF?"
"These last years I did nothing but job-hunting for meagre payments after my last boss became...unfit to keep bossing me, for a lack of a better term. That stable place you've got at the MIST Directive is exactly what I need."
"Only if you prove capable enough to reach the end. The fighters I have seen so far are definitely not pushovers."
"I'm not worried in the slightest. They'll fall one by one like amateurs before my skills."
"Words remain empty until backed up by actions. I won't forget your statements, Miss Sinclair."
I always liked this idea that, just like in the real world, there are the often ignored minor leagues along with KOF. So I ran with this idea, that will make, in my opinion, for some very interesting match-ups. Tune in soon for the other eight auditions of Misty's "side event".
P.S.: Remember back when Malin was supposed to be a central character in the Ash Saga, along with Adelheid? Pepperidge Farm remembers.
