Disclaimer: I don't own the King of Fighters…
A/N: Hello and Happy Holidays! Welcome to my tale, and thank you for stopping by. Well, the conflicts are now all laid out, and it's finally time to get to some fighting. Let's get to it, and I hope you like it. And here … we … go:
The King of Fighters XV
First Round: Heart in Sync
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil…
Kyo, Adel, and Hiroshi traveled through the exotic South American city toward the tournament site, but not everything was right. Someone was tailing them, ducking into alleys, looking at them from around corners, following them as they went.
His hands comfortably in his pockets, Kyo asked, "So, who are we set to tangle with first?"
Hiroshi answered plainly, "The Psycho Soldiers team, consisting of Sie Kensou, Momoko, and Athena Asamiya."
"Heh. The crazy kids, huh?" Kyo reacted with amusement, "We can take them."
Hiroshi said, "We shouldn't look past them. There's a reason they're asked back every year, and they get stronger all the time."
"Don't get me wrong. The kids put up a good fight, but we'll find out just how strong they are. The worst part though…" Kyo began before a smirk slowly crept on to his face, "Yuki-chan is gonna get pissed if she sees who I'm facing."
Suddenly, Adel stopped and said as he looked around, "Gentlemen… I think we're being followed, possibly by our opponents."
Hiroshi followed suit, looking around as well, "Now that you mention it… I feel it too. We are being followed."
Completely lost, Kyo asked out of confusion, "Uh, excuse me. Could one of you fill me in on what the heck you two are talking about?"
Adel explained, "You know how some people know you're behind them without turning around? Hiro and I can do that; we can sense other people's energy. Somebody is stalking us…" The young Bernstein focused further, trying to pinpoint the location of their shadow, and when he did, proclaimed, "Right there!"
Adel shifted in the direction of a small stack of crates, and fired a 'Kicken', the attack rocketing across the ground. Immediately, Hiroshi felt the familiar pain in his chest, his 'sense' that someone, most likely a woman, was in extreme danger, and the pain rapidly rose as Adel's attack got closer and closer. Compelled and driven as ever by this intuitive ability, Hiroshi shot a small fireball at the last second and cancelled out the 'Kicken'. The force of the impact still greatly rocked the crates, and the visitor was forced to run out from behind them, settling right in front of the 'Legacy' team.
It was a very young looking girl with a tan complexion wearing loose white pants with pink beaded straps on her hips, a loose black shirt, a pink headband in her long brown hair, and oddly no shoes. Understandably, this girl was really perturbed.
Hiroshi, confused to see this girl, asked, "You were the one tracking us? You're Momoko, right?"
The girl nodded, and Kyo reacted, "So, you're their new teammate, huh? Looks like another middle-schooler to me."
Momoko suddenly grew upset, and insisted, "Why does everyone say that? For the last time, I am not a little kid."
Hiroshi said in agreement, "She's right; she's really a teenager."
Slightly incredulous, Kyo asked, "This girl right here? A teenager?"
Hiroshi nodded and verified, "Records show it. She is 16 years old."
Momoko said as a smile emerged, "Thank goodness. Someone agrees…"
Getting back to business, Adel said, "Still, you shouldn't stalk people like that. We thought you were going to attack us."
Momoko showed instant remorse, saying, "Oh, I'm so sorry about that. I was just going to be on the lookout for the other team, but I guess I just got carried away and ended up following you three. I really didn't mean any harm, honest."
Kyo brushed it off, offering, "Forget it. Just take us to the ring, and we'll let it slide."
Momoko enthusiastically said, "Alright!"
After a brief walk, Momoko and the Legacy team came to the site. It was a secluded spot along the river's edge surrounded by foliage. Visible in the background to the right, over the trees sat the city, and towering over everything, to the left stood the 'Christ the Redeemer' Statue. The other psycho soldiers were, of course, already there. Athena, wearing a white seifuku school uniform, stood looking out over the river, and Kensou, wearing a blue hoodie and denim shorts, stood next to her, both with their backs to the entrance. Kensou seemed to be trying to tell Athena something, while she listened intently. Honestly, they seemed to be in the middle of something, and the 'Legacy' team started to not interrupt. Momoko, on the other hand, simply rushed forward right between them…
"Athena-sama!" Momoko cheerfully exclaimed as she unwittingly knocked Kensou aside, "The other team is here!"
Athena pat her young charge on the head and said with a smile, "Thank you so much, Momoko-chan! Kensou, are you okay? What were you going to tell me?"
Kensou sat up with a sigh, and said in exasperation, "Oh… don't worry about it. I'll tell you later."
Athena, satisfied with the answer, looked up and exclaimed when she saw the other team, "Kyo-san!"
Kyo replied as she ran up to them, "Yo, Athena. Long time no see. You seem to be doing well."
Athena said, her smile unbroken, "Same to you. Oh, and I can tell that Yuki-chan is doing well too…" Glancing over to the other two, the young psychic idol said, "Hmm. Now, these are two new teammates for you."
"Yeah, they're helping me take care of some unfinished business, and I'm helping them with some things. This is…"
"Ooh, hold on; let me guess…" Athena said enthusiastically before sliding in front of Adel, "Hmm…? You're Adelheid, this tournament's sponsor, and you're looking for your sister, Rose, right?"
"That's right." Adel couldn't help to think, "Wow, I guess this girl really is psychic."
Athena continued as she shook Adel's hand, "Nice to meet you, Adel, and I hope you find her soon…" She slid down the line once more, in front of Hiroshi, and, through her abilities, conjectured, "You're a new face… Oh, you're the guy people keep talking about. I've heard a lot of good things about you. I'm really glad to meet you, Hiroshi Amaterasu-san." She capped her revelation by extending her hand in friendship.
The Amaterasu scion bowed to her as he returned her handshake, saying, "Believe me, the pleasure is all mine. Athena Asamiya, the Psychic-Powered Idol… You're truly are a wonder. A talented songstress, a gifted combatant, and a beautiful young woman among other things. Yes, you are a vision to behold, indeed… I'm sure you know what I'm about to ask, so may I?"
Athena giggled from flattery, and said, "You really are the sweetheart everyone says you are. You may…"
As he does, Hiroshi lightly kissed the back of Athena's hand, but this increasingly-regular occurrence had a much different result for the young psychic. With the gesture, the two mentally connected, and she began to have a vision, seeing into his 'heart' even as he stood in front of her:
Instantly, Hiroshi is just a young boy with two adults and a young girl standing beside, obviously his immediate family from the resemblance, but an instant later, the other three catch fire and instantaneously disintegrate. Hiroshi gradually ages alone until his present state when two women appear alongside, and he's very happy to see them. However, they, in turn, set him ablaze and disappear as well. He can only look at where they once stood as he is engulfed.
Athena 'woke up' right after to see herself still holding Hiroshi's hand, the world around them become prominent again. Meanwhile, all she could do was stare in silence at the nightmarish vision she had just witnessed.
"Athena-san?" Hiroshi asked out of concern, "Is something wrong?"
The young psychic couldn't answer, almost frozen by her vision. She was still not sure what to make of it, or even what all of it meant. Most trying however was the decision of whether to actually tell Hiroshi what she saw or not. Lost to Athena's predicament, Kensou could only go off what he sensed, and it didn't look go to him. The Young Rising Dragon could telepathically sense that all of Hiroshi's words were genuine, and implicitly figured that Hiroshi was trying to romance Athena. With great urgency, Kensou jumped to his feet, sprinted over, and stuck himself between the two, forcing them the break the handshake…
Kensou protested, "Alright, alright, that's enough."
Snapped out of her thoughtful trance by the sudden action, Athena reacted, "Kensou, what are you…"
Kensou said as coolly as he could muster, "This guy's trying to sweet talk you, hoping to get your guard down. I'll handle this."
Athena sighed as she said to herself, "How embarrassing…"
Kensou pointed a finger at Hiroshi in an accusing manner, saying, "Look, I don't know what game you're playing, but you can't fool me."
Hiroshi replied with a smile and a reassuring tone, "Kensou-san, I think you've misunderstood me. I'm not playing any games with you."
Kensou didn't relent, continuing as he began to poke his finger forward, "Of course you would say that. But I've seen it before. You're not gonna get me to go easy on you."
Hiroshi continued trying to reassure the young dragon, "Please, I'm not posturing by any means. I was just complimenting Athena-san."
"Now, listen to…" Kensou began before he poked Hiroshi in the chest.
Like Athena before him, the contact with Hiroshi tuned Kensou in, and he also got a view into Hiroshi's self, though a completely different vision. It, also like Athena's, was a particularly terrifying sight to witness:
Hiroshi stands alone on a large piece of rock overlooking the ocean. Two women suddenly appear next to him, and he happily greets them as he calls them his sisters. They smile back at him, and soon pat him on the back, but the look on his face from the gesture is of pure shock. A closer look shows that they actually drove a wedge into his heart through his back. The rock they stand on splits in half as the two push Hiroshi over the edge.
Kensou broke from his trance, to find his finger still against Hiroshi's chest. It only took a moment, but it was so vivid and gruesome that it felt like hours passed before it was over…
The Amaterasu Scion entreated as he brushed Kensou's finger aside, "Honestly, I have no devious or underhanded intentions. You can read my thoughts, Kensou-san; search me as much as you need to. I promise you'll see I'm being honest."
Still stuck, Kensou slowly pulled back as he managed, "Huh? Oh, um… Yeah, yeah. Sorry about that."
Adel cleared his throat to get everyone's attention, and said, "Actually, I believe we're out of time for socializing. We need to get this fight going."
Momoko was forced to pull her teammates away, while the Legacy team took position across from them…
The announcer's voice finally blasted over the river, "Hello, teams, and welcome to The King of Fighters XV first round! This match will be the 'Psycho Soldier' team of Momoko, Sie Kensou, and Athena Asamiya versus the 'Legacy' team of Hiroshi Amaterasu, Adelheid, and Kyo Kusanagi! Teams, please select your order, and send out your first member!"
Hiroshi immediately stepped up as Kyo and Adel exited, Adel giving his friend a brief pat on the shoulder. Kensou stepped forward as well, Athena and Momoko's cheers behind him. The two met in the middle, and Kensou performed his pre-fight ritual, producing a baozi from inside his jacket…
"Hope you're ready." The Young Rising Dragon said before inhaling the pastry.
The Amaterasu Scion gave a short martial artist's bow as he said, "It's an honor to share this ring with you."
Both went right into fighting stance as 'Psycho Solider – PURE remix' started to filter into the area.
The announcer's voice resonated, "Round 1! Ready! Go!"
From the start, The Young Rising Dragon was up for the task, and living up to his name. Kensou was still a veteran, an experienced and strong fighter, and he was willing to show it. His repertoire had many solid attacks like 'Super Bullet Attack', an energy projectile, 'Dragon Uppercut', an inverted spiral kick, and 'Dragon Talon Tear', a diving energy slash. Kensou was also very adept at dealing multiple attacks with his command combos, 'Dragon Drubbing', 'Earth Dragon Fang Nibble' and 'Heaven Dragon Fang Nibble'. Armed with all his techniques, Kensou didn't let up, and came right after his opponent.
Hiroshi, knowing much of this, was not looking past The Young Rising Dragon at all, showing him respect through caution and seriousness. The Amaterasu Scion could also go move-for-move with him with 'Angel Spark', a projectile of his white flames, 'Heavens Flare', his fire-enhanced somersault kick, 'Divine Dive', his diving crossing chop, and 'Angel Rush', his blazing dashing palm thrust. Hiroshi also could deftly steal momentum with 'Heavens Brace', his reversal with answered with a fiery explosion, 'Divine Press', his dashing command throw that gave an explosion, and his 'Sky Scraper' attack chain, a series of rising spiral kicks...
As the match went on, an interesting game of chess and one-upmanship played out: Kensou would rush in with his auto-combos, but Hiroshi would cut him off with 'Heaven's Brace' and 'Divine Press'. Then, Hiroshi would do the chasing, but Kensou would lock him down with 'Super Bullet Attack'; Hiroshi began to cancel with 'Angel Spark' or go around it with 'Heavens Fall', his spinning axe kick that dodged projectiles, but Kensou would punish him with 'Dragon Uppercut'. However, Hiroshi soon found two attacks Kensou couldn't answer for: 'Divine Dive' and 'Angel Rush', and with those two attacks as keys, he began to bear down on Kensou, tiring the Young Rising Dragon…
Acting in desperation, Kensou developed a plan starting with a 'Hermit Power Blast', forming a massive sphere of energy around himself and catching the Amaterasu Scion. Hiroshi, however, was simply blasted backward and stunned, but not stuck in the vortex due to the distance between them. Quickly, while Hiroshi was still recovering, Kensou pulled out another baozi, and went to eat it, but he wasn't fast enough. Hiroshi saw just in time, and, knowing that eating would restore Kensou's health, he charred the baozi with an 'Angel Spark', making Kensou drop it from the heat. The Young Rising Dragon could only stare at the blackened confection…
Upset to the point of tears, Kensou lamented, "Now, that's just… That's just wrong. All that deliciousness … just gone. It's so sad."
Not letting the opportunity slip by, Hiroshi took full advantage of the distraction: he slammed Kensou with 'Angel Rush', and, when he 'wired' back, connected with a 'Sky Scraper' chain.
Kensou cried out in pain as he flew back, "G-Goodbye!"
The announcer's voice blasted over them, "KO! Hiroshi wins!"
Momoko and Athena came in and helped Kensou back to their side, as Hiroshi gave a short martial artist's bow out of respect…
The announcer's voice again reverberated to them, "Psycho Soldier team, please send out your next member. Legacy team, you may now switch members."
With that clearance, Hiroshi walked back to his side while Kyo stepped forward. The song transitioned into 'Unmatched Bloodlines' as Momoko skipped into the ring.
Kyo formed a small ember in his hand as he reacted, "You're the one to face me, eh? Good luck with that."
Momoko did a quick standing back flip, and cheerfully said, "Do your best, okay?"
Kyo cautiously observed the girl standing across from him, and realized that her merrily skipping side-to-side was her actual fighting stance. It didn't take long before his past experience helped shape his ideas: this girl was small, cheerful, pink stars came off of her as she moved, and even her stance was lighthearted. This could only mean one thing… She had to be pretty strong. It was simply too easy to dismiss her; she was a trap if Kyo ever saw one.
Kyo forcefully brought his arm down, putting out the flame, and said, "Here I come."
The announcer's voice rang out as Kyo got into fighting position, "Round 2! Ready! Go!"
Kyo was indeed right … unfortunately. First and foremost, Momoko was a kicking machine, a trademark of her practiced Capoeira. In addition, she was obviously a 'chain' fighter with many attack patterns and techniques, all of them kicks. Even her 'fan-service' attack as Kyo recognized it, a bump with her hips and butt, was a chain. Kyo eventually lost count of how many different attacks Momoko actually had. On top of all of that, she had several physical advantages as well; being small and fast, her small stature made her hard to hit and pin down.
The Scion of the Flame, despite the difficulty, only needed one advantage, and he soon found it. Momoko was definitely small, agile, and attack-heavy … but she was not powerful by any stretch. In fact, maximizing her chains was her only real way of dealing enough damage. His knowledge and experience kicking in, Kyo knew to scale himself back and let Momoko come to him. From this vantage point, he could wait, land a 'Wicked Chew' or 'Poison Gnawfest' chain, and back up again. Kyo began to wear Momoko down, and, when she began to falter, began to expand his attack into 'Fire Ball', 'RED Kick', 'Spinning Kick', 'Crescent Slash', and 'New Wave Smash'.
Pressing his advantage, Kyo dashed forward, attempting a 'Crescent Slash', but Momoko had a rebuttal for his attack: glowing as she stood upright, Momoko held up her hands momentarily, and then step forward as she fired a huge pink energy beam, an 'Esper'! Kyo, unable to stop himself, took the ray right to the chest, and was blasted backward, his mind muddled by the intense pain now gripping his body. As Kyo began to struggle to his feet, Momoko glowed momentarily once again as she went for a 'DoReMi Canto'. The glimmer of pink light, however, was just enough to get Kyo to focus again, and, waiting for his chance, he gathered his strength as she rushed to him.
Just as she got in range, Kyo raised his flame-covered hand and proclaimed, "I'll show you…"
Kyo threw through the flames down right in front of himself, creating and engulfing Momoko in a huge column of fire!
Kyo continued, shouting as he punched through the wall of flames, "… The Fist of the Kusanagi!"
The Scion of the Flames coated himself in fire as he gave a forceful series of punches to the trapped Momoko, a 'Final Showdown: No Style'. The girl could only shriek in pain as she was knocked back…
"KO!" The announcer's voice rang out, "Kyo wins!"
Kyo ignited a raised fingertip and blew it out as he said, "Heh. Got burned, did you?"
The only one left, Athena came forward and helped the still-smoking Momoko out of the fighting area…
The announcer's voice blasted over the river once again, "Legacy team, you may now switch. 'Psycho Soldier' team, please send your final member!"
As Athena started, Momoko said as she rubbed the back of her head, "Athena-sama… be careful. These guys are seriously good."
Kensou voiced his own anxiety, "Yeah, and the guy you're facing… We know where's he's from, who his family is. You can tell just by looking at him that he's not a joke."
Athena solemnly said, "I know, but he's not the one I'm worried about…" The Psychic-Powered Idol instantly cheered the next moment as she turned back to her teammates, "Not to worry; Athena is on the scene."
Athena gave her team a final smile and a thumbs-up before stepping into the fighting ring. Adel soon came forward as 'Psycho Solider – PURE remix' began to play once more…
Athena pointed a triumphant finger to the sky as she announced, "Athena Asamiya … is coming!"
Adel looked back as he thought, "It feels so strange … without her around. Rose…"
The announcer's voice boomed, "Round 3! Ready! Go!"
At first, the match was pretty even, a back and forth feeling out process. Adel would fire 'Kicken' as a sort of warning shot, but instead of dodging or blocking, Athena would send it back with 'Psychic Reflect' or 'Neo Psychic Reflect' and then fire a 'Psycho Ball', which Adel would reflect with 'Wand'. When in close, Athena would toss him with 'Super Psychic Throw' and hit him with a 'Psycho Sword'; Adel would respond in kind with a 'Drucken'. Athena proved a very talented and spirited fighter … but Adel was just too much. Her strongest attacks 'Psycho Sword' and 'Phoenix Arrow' were almost matched simply by Adel's 'Ein', 'Zwei', and 'Vier'. 'Wand' reflected projectiles much faster, and 'Drucken' was an almost perfect attack. On top of that, Athena's escape, 'Psychic Teleport' was no help; Adel was just too strong.
In a last-ditch effort, Athena flew up, and unleashed a 'Phoenix Fang Arrow'. Adel only had to block through her assault, and, when it was done, she was in close proximity for what he had next. Adel, taking advantage, sliced at her with an advanced Danger Move called 'Forze Kreis', hitting her with three slashing kicks instead of the usual one, emulating his father's 'Dark Genocide'. It utterly drained Adel to even attempt the move, a danger to him almost as much as his opponent, but … it was still the end. The Psychic-Powered Songstress shrieked in pain as she was shot back.
The announcer's voice rang out once more, "KO! The Legacy Team wins! You may advance to the next stage."
After Momoko and Kensou tended to Athena and got her to her feet, Kyo called out, "Yo, Athena… You okay over there?"
Athena flashed a smile, and replied as she straightened her hair, "Oh, I'll be fine; right as rain…"
Adel, still catching his breath, managed to get out, "That's good… We should, uh… We better go."
With that, the young Bernstein and Kyo started off, with Hiroshi starting to say something first. However, he decided against it after seeing Kensou tending to Athena. The young dragon, evident concern on his face, was completely over-attentive and hyper-accommodating the psychic pop star. Seeing this, it was rather obvious that, while overstated, Kensou's care for Athena was strong and genuine, and Hiroshi wasn't able to interfere. Slowly, the Amaterasu Scion started on his way. The Psychic-Powered Idol, however, saw him departing, and her mind was rapidly placed back at the vision she had before the match. The troubling images fresh in her thoughts, she got up and ran after him…
Athena called in a hurry, "Hey! Hiroshi-san!"
Surprised, Momoko exclaimed as she hurried after her mentor, "Athena-sama! What's wrong?"
Kensou quickly hurried after them both, loudly requesting, "Hold on! Wait for me!"
Stopping and turning as all three stopped in front of him, Hiroshi graciously responded, "Yes, Athena-san. Please excuse me for not speaking before leaving; I figured you were in good hands with your friends."
Athena spoke with concern, "It's alright, but I really think I need to check on you…" As Hiroshi looked on in confusion, she continued, "When we spoke earlier, we … 'connected'."
Kensou added with a solemn tone, "Yeah, we sort of … saw into the deepest part of your mind, and it wasn't pretty…"
Athena asked with morose anxiety, "Hiroshi-san… Those two women … your sisters … they really broke your heart, didn't they?"
Hiroshi was shocked silent by the spot-on question, but, after a brief instant, a pained smile soon emerged as he responded with subdued sadness, "Yes… Into small pieces…"
Athena said with sympathy, "I'm so sorry. If there's anything we can do…"
Hiroshi courteously replied, getting himself together, "Oh, I couldn't possibly ask that of you. I mean, there's nothing really that can be done now. Thank you so much for your compassion though. Hmm…?"
The Amaterasu Scion paused when he finally looked at the silent Momoko. She wasn't just quiet; she was absently staring at Hiroshi, a smile creeping in as her stare persisted. Suddenly, after a moment, her eyes sprang to life as if she were waking from a dream.
Perplexed by the whole thing, Kensou asked, "Momoko-chan, you alright?"
Momoko was almost giddy about what just happened and replied, "Oh, yeah! And I have a way we can help Hiroshi-san!"
Cheering up instantly, Athena exclaimed, "Really, Momoko-chan? That's great; how?"
Momoko became even more excited from her mentor's praise and relayed, "I just connected with you, Hiroshi-san, and I just saw your fortune."
Hiroshi asked as he tried to piece the idea together in his mind, "My fortune? You mean, as in … you saw my future?"
Momoko replied with a wide smile, "Yes! I only saw your very near-future, but it's very good."
Despite not understanding anything that was transpiring, Hiroshi reacted with interest, "You don't say. Well, might I ask what you saw?"
Momoko explained as she practically jumped for joy, "Well, I couldn't see who it was, but your fortune has you meeting someone very special in the very next round! This person, as soon as you see them, will make you forget all your troubles and make you very, very happy!"
Giving a smile, Hiroshi, though still in the dark, gladly received the prediction, "Hmm… That sounds very exciting. Momoko-chan, you are a treasure." He then said his final piece, "Athena-chan, you are one of a kind, and I would wish you good health, but I believe, as long as Kensou-san is around, that won't be an issue. Thank you all, and may we meet again sometime."
With that, Hiroshi turned and ran to catch up with his teammates…
Athena rubbed Momoko's head out of almost-parental pride, and commended her young protégé, "Nice job, Momoko-chan. Seeing into the future already? You really are growing fast."
Finally, Hiroshi caught up with Adel and Kyo on the way out of Rio de Janeiro …
Not stopping, Kyo lightly expressed, "Hey, man. We almost thought we'd have to leave without ya."
Adel asked, "What were you talking about so long?"
Hiroshi replied with a smile, "Believe it or not, I was having my fortune told."
Kyo chuckled and playfully asked, "Good. She say if we're gonna win in the next round?"
Hiroshi shook his head in the negative, and Adel asked further, "Well, did she say anything interesting?"
The Amaterasu Scion relayed as best he could, "Let's just say… I really hope she's right. But we'll just have to go and see if it comes true."
End Chapter
A/N: There you go. I really pushed to get this one done; I wanted to leave you all with something before I depart for a brief vacation with the family. Anyway, next time, we'll meet up with some old friends and one newcomer. It will also be a big moment for one of the sub-plots in the story, so please come back to read more. Thank you for reading, I hope you liked it, and I do hope you come back. Please R&R, and as always, Rant, Rave, and Review.