The Forces of Rolento!
After the ordeal with the Patrol Corp. and Yoruichi's fight with Elena, the group, accompanied by Yoruichi herself, moved on to Florence. It was a good thing that they were headed there because Logan wanted to check out what was once the 'Palazzo Auditore' and Chun-Li and Cammy wanted to check and see if their old friend Rose was there as well. Guile, though, insisted that the group stick together, including Yoruichi, so they decided to check on Rose first. The trek there was peaceful, for there were no muggers, drunks, or other fighters in their way. Unfortunately, Guile and Logan both were itching for a fight, but while Yoruichi wasn't technically on their team, they knew better than to challenge someone with her speed.
They got to the top of a hill that oversaw Florence and noticed that there was smoke coming from the town center. All six of them ran towards the city and saw citizens running away. Logan, Yoruichi, and Cammy jumped on top of a building to get a better view of what was going on. They saw what looked like troops wearing red berets, yellow uniforms, sunglasses, and wielding batons. "My God, it's Rolento!" Cammy exclaimed.
"Who's Rolento?" asked Logan.
"Rolento, like Poison and Hugo, is an ex-member of the Mad Gear Gang. He has this dream of building a utopia nation with his idea of glory emblazoned on it. He would even go as far as to try to recruit his enemies Guy and Cody."
"What's going on up there? Did you get a good look at what's causing all of this?" Guile asked from down below.
"Rolento's on the move! These are him and his troops causing it!"
"Well that's just great!" They went into the midst of the chaos and saw that the troops were battling an Italian mafia. However, the crowd was scared because of the whole mess. The biggest thing that they were scared of was the fact that grenades were being thrown as well. Logan and Cammy saw one little girl tripping and falling down and her mother didn't notice it. They couldn't very well blame her because of the ordeal. The Missourian and the Brit saw that there were four mafia grunts about to gang up on her.
Before they could get their hands on the girl, though, the two martial artists attacked and made quick work of them. "Cammy, take the girl back to her mother," Logan ordered. Cammy obeyed with a nod, picked up the little girl and went to find the mother. Logan went back to rejoin the others, who were taking out both mafia grunts and Rolento's soldiers.
Guile, in his charge to take on the leader, separated from the group. He went straight for Rolento, who was dealing with a series of grunts attacking him. Luckily, he made quick work of them as well. "Alright, men, let's move forth and cleanse this town of the Italian mafia! Then our next target is Venice!" he shouted. Rolento was dressed mostly the same as his men, except he didn't wear any shades, thus exposing his pupil-less eyes. He has a scar running diagonally down his face from a previous fight with Metro City's resident Bushin-Ryu master Guy. He looked and saw his next challenger for the tournament. "Ah, well if it isn't my fellow soldier Guile! What exactly are you doing here?" he asked.
"If you must know, Rolento, we're here to take out your soldiers and this mafia!" Guile explained. "The last thing this town needs is a major conflict! You can't have your utopia nation by instilling fear into the civilians!"
"I know! Why do you think I'm trying to end the mafia's reign? My plans for the perfect utopia nation need to have no speed bumps like the mafia, much less road blocks like your team or S.I.N.! Now normally, I'd have you get out of my way, but since we're both participating in the S.I.N. Tournament, this is a perfect opportunity to get some points in!" Rolento said with a smug look.
"For once, we're in agreement!" Rolento had his baton in his hand while Guile put up his dukes. The Major made the first move with a Sonic Boom, which Rolento dodged. This was followed up by a Flash Kick which connected with Rolento's chin. Once they landed, Rolento quickly got back up and threw some grenades at Guile, who dodged them.
Logan and the others were doing a good job clearing out the rest of the mafia and the soldiers. Abel in particular took several out with his Heartless, Soulless, and Breathless combos. Yoruichi and Logan, using their Flash Steps, knocked out hordes of them while Chun-Li and Cammy combined their attacks to deal with the remainder. At the end, they successfully calmed down the riot, which gave Chun-Li enough time to observe their surroundings. "It's no wonder it took as long as it did. Has anyone seen Guile?" she asked.
Logan, Cammy, and Abel looked around for their teammate. Yoruichi looked at one of the hills and saw him. "I guess that must be Rolento right there with him," said the Flash Goddess.
While Guile had his hands full with Rolento, the others caught up to them. Logan looked on his phone for any info there was on him. "Ah, here we go. 'Rolento F. Schugerg. Ethnicity: German-American; Affiliation: Currently: his army, formerly: Mad Gear; Wanted on multiple accounts of inciting a riot and disturbing the peace'. Man, one would think that they'd fall under the same category. At least we know Guile's been contributing," the Assassin remarked as Guile did a Flash Kick on Rolento chin again.
The fight went on for what seemed like hours now, with Logan anticipating something exciting to happen. He got his wish as Guile prepared for a move Logan, Abel, and Yoruichi haven't seen yet. "Get ready! One, Two," he said as he Flash Kicked his opponent into the air twice, "and one more!" he finished. By the third kick, Rolento was knocked down. "Sorry, Rolento, but your utopia nation will have to wait."
"That was Guile's Flash Explosion. As you can tell, it's a series of Flash Kicks in quick succession, which is good for juggling the opponent into the air," Chun-Li explained.
"I see," Yoruichi said. Guile saw them and figured out that they had the grunts on both sides taken care of.
"Well that takes care of that. Sorry for abandoning you guys," said the U.S. Soldier.
"Nah, you didn't abandon us. The way we see it, you were helping us out by dealing with the leader of the soldiers," Abel remarked, finally speaking up.
"Ha-ha, very funny," came the Major's sarcastic reply. The Florentines came up to the group in appreciation for what they did. The mother and child from earlier came and hugged Logan and Cammy.
"Oh, grazie, both of you, for saving my little girl!" the mother cried in appreciation to the two. "I have never known that we would be saved by heroic siblings!" This caught the two of them off guard while Yoruichi and the others looked on, baffled by what was going on.
"Uh, n-no, Miss, you've got it all wrong," said Cammy. "W-We're not related."
The mother blinked at this a couple times before getting another joyous smile on her face. "Oh, then you two must be a loving couple! Come! I'll prepare a feast for you! My husband happens to be the Governor of Firenze!"
"W-We're not a couple either!" Logan exclaimed while beet-red, trying to help Cammy's case. Sadly, the woman didn't listen.
After the feast, the fighters were famished. As another thank you for saving the city, they were allowed to stay at a hotel for free. They chose one that wasn't too fancy because they didn't need that much. There were three rooms available, but they each had a single bed. Guile and Abel had to share a room, but luckily, Abel had no qualms about sleeping on the floor. They were insistent that Logan and Cammy were a couple, so they made them share a room, which left Chun-Li with Yoruichi. Like in St. Louis with Chun-Li, Logan offered Cammy the bed while he took the floor, but she wouldn't have any of that. Due to her crush on him, she still saw him as a 'Knight in Shining Armor', so to speak, so she didn't want him on the floor.
Logan felt that this was payback for winning his argument with Chun-Li back in St. Louis. However, the most awkward part of all of this that he found: sharing the bed with Cammy. There was one thing on the Brit's mind that has been bugging her since they met Yoruichi, though, so she finally decided to come out with it. "Hey, Logan, can I ask you a question?"
"I don't see why not, especially since you just asked one," he said, making her giggle a little.
"You and Yoruichi mentioned someone named Soifon on our way here. Who is she?" she asked, making the Assassin groan. "Did I strike a nerve? I'm sorry if I did." He looked at her face and saw that it was full of worry, so he gently stroked her face with his hand, making her blush.
"You kind of did, but I'll be alright. Soifon is my ex-girlfriend from the Soul Society who's also the Squad 2 Captain. From what Yoruichi told me, though, she wound up in a coup d'état situation where her lazy Lieutenant, Marechiyo Omaeda, tried to take over the Squad. Unfortunately, he's her fiancé in an arranged marriage and he's got Central 46, which is the Soul Society's governing system, backing him up. Let me tell you right up front, though, she is none too happy with either situation. As we speak, she is sitting in a cell until her wedding day for going against Central's orders and assaulting a higher noble despite outranking him."
Cammy was shocked at the explanation. She didn't realize until now, through the way he explained the situation to her, that he had an ex-girlfriend that he still cared about. "Well, can't Yoruichi take you there to deal with Omaeda or something?"
"I'm afraid not. The Four Noble Clans have guest lists for who can pass through their Senkaimons with them. I'm not on the Shihoin Clan's guest list; I'm on the Kuchiki Clan's, meaning that I'll have to find the Squad 6 Captain Byakuya Kuchiki. Besides, even if I was on Yoruichi's guest list, the Patrol Corp. has every one of the Senkaimons guarded," he explained to the Delta Red soldier before realizing something. "That is, unless he didn't think to look for the Shiba compound. That would make things a lot easier."
"Well let's get some rest. We'll need it should we get in another fight. I also believe you wanted to check out the 'Palazzo Auditore' if I'm correct?" Cammy asked, getting a nod from Logan. As soon as he closed his eyes, Cammy snuggled up next to him and wrapped her arm and leg around him. Logan didn't mind since she looked cute like that in his eyes. He still put helping Soifon out of her mess as his top priority, though, along with rescuing Ichigo and Rukia, getting the Sash of Eden back from Bison, and his rematch with Vega, before moving on with a new relationship.
(Soul Society…)
Saying that Soifon was in a bad mood was the understatement of the decade. At this moment, like Logan told Cammy, she was sitting in a cell with her powers sealed and no way to get out. Her only ability she had intact was her Spiritual Awareness. She didn't sense Yoruichi's Spirit Energy, so she figured that her mentor made it to the World of the Living. "What!?" she heard Omaeda yell/ask. "What do you mean you three losers were beaten!? The humans there are so weak that even Squad 4's 7th Seat ought to be able to beat them! Plus, Yoruichi was worn down by the amount of running she did and your initial capture of her that Soifon foiled!"
"I-It wasn't our fault, Commander. She managed to get to the Assassin and he whooped all three of us. We didn't stand a chance."
"You mean you guys were beaten by Logan Washburn!? Now that's a different story, especially since he was trained by Byakuya Kuchiki!" said Omaeda. When she heard that, Soifon's heart jumped for joy, knowing that in spite of their breakup, Logan would be coming to her rescue. He would have to find the Squad 6 Captain first, though.
The door opened and Omaeda came in with the three Patrol Corp. members that Logan took down. "Do you see what your little friend did to these losers, Soifon? Surely, you care about your troops enough to spare them, right?" he asked rhetorically, shoving them into Soifon's cage.
While she did care for the other Soul Reapers, she decided to test Omaeda. "They're your men. I'm just a girl whose Captain's rank is suspended, but won't be replaced. Why should I care what happens to three out of your many goons who arrested me?" she asked out of spite.
"That's enough, Omaeda," Soifon's father said, just entering the room. "I'd like to talk to my daughter alone if you don't mind." Begrudgingly, Omaeda let Mr. Feng have his discussion with Soifon as he asked. When they left, she turned her back towards him and looked out the window. "Now Shaolin, what seems to be your problem lately? Did you really miss the human that much that you wanted to cause trouble and escape to the Living World and see him? Or was it that you just wanted a fight? Either way, I'm disappointed in you. You haven't got the right to call me your father."
"That sounds good to me because you haven't got the right to call me your daughter! I worked hard to get to where I was! I didn't lick anyone's boots since Lady Yoruichi left the first time around, especially not yours! As stressful as it was dealing with Omaeda and his clan, I enjoyed my time as a Captain of the Soul Society! I don't care about our clan's social standing, I never have cared for it, and I never will! I'm not going to marry him and that's final!" she exclaimed while giving him a cold stare. Mr. Feng slapped her face as a result, but that only angered her more.
"Well I'm afraid that you'll be experiencing disappointment yourself, Shaolin! I will not hear another word out of you until you say 'I do'!"
"Then you'll have to wait a long time, you old fool," she said coldly. "I'm not your little girl anymore. She is long dead." The old man left disappointed in his daughter, their stubborn prides causing the rift between the two.
It wasn't long before Soifon got another visitor, this time at her window. "Captain, can you hear me?" said the visitor. It turned out to be Renji. She looked outside and saw that he and Momo were hanging on ropes being held by Shuhei and Captain Komamura.
"Renji, Momo, oh thank God it's you. Don't tell me you guys plan to get me out of here," she said.
"We'd love to, Captain, but I'm afraid that the rock can't be broken unless it's by someone of at least Ichigo's caliber," Momo said with a sad expression on her face.
"Well, send a message to Captain Kuchiki and Captain Hitsugaya. Tell them that they need to find Logan Washburn ASAP. It's a Top Priority. If Captain Hitsugaya and Rangiku Matsumoto find him and his team, including Lady Yoruichi, first, they need to tell him to look and sense around for Kuchiki. Got it?" she asked, getting a nod from the two Lieutenants. Luckily, none of the Patrol Corp. was around to hear that. Renji and Momo tugged on their ropes, signaling to Komamura and Shuhei to pull them up. 'I can't believe I'm thinking this, but Urahara, you better stay safe. And Logan, please find Captain Kuchiki soon and save me from this Hell I'm about to enter,' she thought with tears in her eyes.
(World of the Living…)
In the World of the Living, at Venice to be exact, a figure that held a regal air around him was walking the streets on a search, more specifically one for a Hollow. The figure was Byakuya Kuchiki, who sensed that his apprentice was in real action again after a month. He was happy for that, as he wanted him to fight for something, even if it was for any possible prize for winning the tournament. He saw a Hell Butterfly approaching him, so he held out his hand. The butterfly landed on the hand to deliver the message. "It's from Renji? Hmm, I see. Finding Logan was actually my intention for staying in this world. I'll wait for him here, then."
Logan and the others had just left Florence, having seen no sign of Rose and Logan having not stayed too long at the 'Palazzo Auditore'. They were on the road again and saw Rolento and his army blocking their way. "You just don't give up, do you? Since Guile's already beaten you, I believe I'll fight you this time, Rolento," the Assassin said.
"Oh, and what can you do, kid?" Rolento asked, mocking him. He didn't realize that he was dealing with an Assassin Den-Master, much less the Supernatural Specialist of St. Louis. Of course, since Logan wasn't wearing his hidden blades, his sword, or his jacket, it was understandable. Still, Rolento wasn't about to take any chances. "Holly Wood, how about a little help here," he said to one of his men. "I'd like you to meet my tag partner in this tournament. He's one of my best men and I can't have anyone better at my side. Who's going to be your tag partner? I can provide one if you'd like."
"I'll be his tag partner," Chun-Li said, surprising them. "As the co-captain of the team, as well as the first in our group to meet him, I'd be honored to fight by his side. Besides, whether they quit the gang life or not, I still don't like Mad Gear members. And Rolento falls at the top of my list!" she exclaimed, pointing at Rolento.
The ex-Mad Gear member smirked at the statement. "Do you hear that, Holly? It sounds like she wants to take me to jail. Well then, we'll just have to make her work for it, won't we?"
"Sir, yes, Sir!" said Holly, who was getting in his fighting stance, which mirrored Rolento's. Logan and Chun-Li got into theirs as well. Logan and Chun-Li started the fight with a Chidori Blast-Kikoken combination, which sped up the Kikoken by quite a bit. Rolento and Holly were startled by the attack, but dodged by rolling to the side.
Rolento then realized something about Logan. "Oh, I should've realized it before! This is the St. Louis Den-Master we're dealing with, Holly. You know, the one they call the 'Lightning Striker'. This kid isn't going to be easy."
"Sir, no, Sir!" exclaimed Logan and Chun-Li, mocking Rolento and Holly. The latter two each tossed a grenade at their opponents. "Stagger!" Logan shouted, signaling everyone to move out of the way. After the explosion cleared, there was no sign of the Interpol Officer or the Assassin, giving Rolento a bad sign. Holly looked to one side and saw Chun-Li running towards him. Rolento looked on his side and saw Logan doing the same thing. They got their batons ready to hit them, but Chun-Li dodged Holly's and went straight for Rolento, who missed Logan because he used the Flash Step.
Logan was right above Holly before the latter looked up. The Assassin jumped off of his face (breaking his shades) and went high into the sky. The others knew that this was his trademark Skydive Assault maneuver. He wanted to get the fight taken care of so they could get back on the road to Venice. "Skydive Assault!" Logan exclaimed as he skyrocketed back down towards a still recovering Holly. Chun-Li managed to get out of the way before feeling the impact.
In the meantime, she prepared her Ultra Attack to use on Rolento. It was the Kikosho she used on El Fuerte back in the U.S. Luckily, the shockwave of Logan's Skydive Assault knocked Rolento into her aim as she fired the Kikosho. The smoke cleared and Rolento was knocked out while Holly was planted into a crater. Chun-Li let out a cheerful smile, ran up to Logan, and hugged him. He returned it with just as much excitement. "We did it!" she said, laughing.
Cammy was tired of watching the scene, so she cleared her throat and got their attention. "Now that you two have had your fun, how about we get to Venice as soon as possible? I'd prefer to get there before night time and before Rolento and Holly Wood wake up if you don't mind," she said, disgruntled at the hug they shared.
They managed to get to Venice just as the sun was setting. They saw that it rivaled Florence in beauty by a little bit, barely up there with Paris, Tokyo, and even St. Louis once that gets rebuilt. The group was watching the sunset as a figure approached them from behind. "You know, I was wondering when you were going to get here," said the figure, who turned out to be Byakuya. "What took you so long?"
"Captain Kuchiki…" Logan said in awe.
CHAPTER 8 END
Well that turned out to be one of my longest chapters yet in any of my stories. I bet you'd never expect the team to fight the same opponent twice in one chapter, did you? I'm just getting started, too. The next chapter or two will feature the conclusion of the 'Logan and Soifon' arc.
So Logan and the team, including Yoruichi, have dealt with Rolento and his men twice and arrived in Venice. There they met up with Byakuya Kuchiki, who was waiting for Logan to get there. Stay tuned to find out. Please Read and Review.