[5 months later]

That's how long it's been since Ashura had saved Athena from the darkness. The two of them had been living happily since that day. Ashura trained Athena to control her dark powers and she managed to do so.

They were now in the forest training. Ashura met with Ryoma, Yasakani, Shin, and Kris a few months ago and they all became best of friends. Ashura and Athena trained a lot a few months ago.

Ashura wore a large black trench coat, black shirt that button halfway to expose his chest, black pants, black shoes, and a black choker.

Athena wore her 97 outfit.

A letter fell on their feet and Ashura picked it up before ripping the seal and took out an invitation letter.

Ashura: We are opening The King of Fighters for couples, following the time-honored custom. This year we will adopt a special rule of competition between the couples, the couples will fight at the same time and won if they defeat both of their opponents. That's all... R.

Athena: So me and you are gonna participate in this tournament to prove that we are the couple in the world.

Ashura: Yes, let's get ready to show the other teams how it's done.

Athena: Right.

Ashura and Athena started training very hard.

[Yasakani Temple]

Yasakani and Akiha were training very hard too, Akiha had unleashed her hidden power to use other beings power. He once defeated Yasakani, but she couldn't do it again because Yasakani got a lot stronger. Yasakani's hair has turned black, a few years ago, it turned black and reverted back to its original crimson colour a few months later.

Yasakani wore a small black coat that barred his midriff and showed his chest with silver buttons underneath a black long trenchcoat with the Yasakani crest marked on the back, a pair of black pants with silver buttons on the rim of the sleeves, a large black belt with a silver buckle, black shoes and a black choker. He also always wear a silver ring on either of his ring fingers.

Akiha decorated her crimson hair with a white hairband. She wore a black shirt with the Yasakani clan crest marked on the back, with a red ribbon on the necktie and a short black skirt with knee-high black lace-up boots.

A letter suddenly fell in front of them and Yasakani picked it up and ripped the seal off and found a invitation.

Yasakani: We are opening The King of Fighters for couples, following the time-honored custom. This year we will adopt a special rule of competition between the couples, the couples will fight at the same time and won if they defeat both of their opponents. That's all... R.

Akiha: We have to participate in this tournament.

Yasakani: You're right, with your abilities and my power, we can defeat everyone and prove that we are the powerful couple in the world.

The two of them continued their training.

[ESAKA station]

Iori and Leona were in front of a the station. The two of them were dating for a few months now. Leona was able to to unlock her ability to use water and Orochi negative energy. Iori was able to unleash one of his many hidden powers.

Iori wore another version of his XIII outfit.

Leona wore her XIII outfit.

A letter suddenly fell in front of them and Iori picked it up and ripped off the seal before he took out the invitation.

Iori: We are opening The King of Fighters for couples, following the time-honored custom. This year we will adopt a special rule of competition between the couples, the couples will fight at the same time and won if they defeat both of their opponents. That's all... R.

Leona: We should participate in this tournament to find out who is the host. I have a feeling that Rose isn't the one who hosted this tournament, but her father.

Iori: Let's go train for this tournament.

Leona: Right.

[In an Abandoned park]

Azalea and Angel were sitting on a bench in the abandoned park. The two of them had been dating for a few years. They wanted to spend their time together without being disturbed.

Angel wore her usual outfit.

Azalea wore a black tube top, blue baggy jeans, black fingerless padded gloves, a small chain that hangs from the back pocket to the belt area, and sneakers.

A letter suddenly fell in front of them and Azalea picked it up and ripped off the seal before she took out the invitation.

Azalea: We are opening The King of Fighters for couples, following the time-honored custom. This year we will adopt a special rule of competition between the couples, the couples will fight at the same time and won if they defeat both of their opponents. That's all... R.

Angel: Shall we prove that we are the strongest couple around here?

Azalea: Yes, but I just want to have fun. Mom and Leone have been pressuring me a lot.

Angel and Azalea spent the rest of the day hanging out.

[Military headquarters]

Kula and Kris were ice-skating on the playground they made for themselves. The two of them were having so much fun. Kris had got to know his family better a few years ago.

Kula wore her usual outfit.

Kris wore an unzipped purple motorcycle jacket with silver metal studs, black shirt, black jeans, black padded shoes, and small chain that hangs from the back pocket to the belt area. A lot of front bangs covered both of his eyes and he wore sunglasses.

A letter suddenly fell in front of them and they stopped what they were doing, Kris picked it up and ripped off the seal before he took out the invitation.

Kris: We are opening The King of Fighters for couples, following the time-honored custom. This year we will adopt a special rule of competition between the couples, the couples will fight at the same time and won if they defeat both of their opponents. That's all... R.

Kula: Should we tell the others about this?

Kris: No, let's go have some fun and show everyone that we are the best couple in the world.

Kula: Right.

The two of them continued having fun. This tournament was gonna get very interesting.