CHAPTER 42

-"FORMER FRIENDS CLASH! THE MCD VS. ERICK! ENTER SHADOWLOO'S SECOND NEWEST MEMBER, B.B. HOOD!"-

(…………): Speaking Telepathically

SHADOWLOO SECRET BASE:

Erick's personal airship lands in Shadowloo's Air Bay. As before, a 20 line division is formed by the RED CAT Soldiers…Erick steps out, followed by Delia, and last but not least…B.B. Hood, followed by her faithful dog Harry. They walk toward M. Bison's throne room.

BISON'S THRONE ROOM:

M. Bison is sitting on his Throne, besides him is his loyal assistant Tron Bonne. Below them are Bison's fighters…Zangief, Balrog, Vega, Rolento, Sodom, Sagat and his student Adon.

M. Bison greets his partner, "Erick, so nice of you to visit."

Erick grins. "Hey to you too Bison."

"So! What happened to the girl that you were supposed to bring here to Shadowloo?"

"Oh, that…she's right here…" Erick clears his throat, then says, "Bison, allow me to introduce to you the newest member of Shadowloo…Baby Bonnie Hood."

Then…B.B. Hood enters the Throne Room. Her clothes are the same, as she's dressed as Little Red Riding Hood, with her dog, carrying her picnic basket. On her chest, though, is a beautiful necklace, of the familiar winged skull emblem of Shadowloo.

B.B. Hood bows before her new lord and master. "Hello M. Bison sir."

Erick further explains, "As you can see Bison, B.B. Hood is now your loyal follower."

Bison is pleased. "Splendid… B.B. Hood, are you ready to serve me and Shadowloo?"

B.B. Hood replies, "Yes sir…my mission is to Protect you and Shadowloo with all my might. And all enemies of you and Shadowloo I will destroy, along with the help of my puppy Harry."

Harry barks, "Bark bark!"

"Excellent, good work Erick. She will do wonders," Bison says.

Erick repsonds in agreement, "I know."

Balrog snorts, "Oh please…a little girl? What can she do? This must be a joke!"

Erick politely warns, "It is not wise to judge things just by their looks, Balrog. B. may LOOk small to you, but she's a deadly assassin, and so is her dog."

The boxer laughs, "That little fleabag? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AND HOW IS IT DANGEROUS? WHAT'S HE'S GONNA DO? BITE MY LITTLE FINGERS? BWAHAHAHAHA!"

Suddenly…Harry is covered in blue flames, then transforms into a big, black-brown, evil wolf. His paws are covered in blue flame, and his tail is made of the same stuff, and he's got sharp teeth and claws (Almost like Kirara, that pet cat of Sango's from Inuyasha). Next, it jumps and tackles Balrog, pinning him to the floor. Balrog's shaking his pants off in fear, the demon wolf growling in his face just inches away…

Evil Harry's growling, "GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

Balrog panics, "AAAAHH!! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY!"

B.B. Hood whistles, "Harry, come here boy!"

Obeying her master's call, Harry walks away from Balrog, and reverts back to a little puppy:

Erick chuckles, "Not so small and miserable Harry is, eh Balrog?"

"What did you do to it Erick?" M. Bison wanted to know.

"Oh, just a little modification on the dog's DNA, with the help of Magic, I was able to give B.B. Hood's dog a little boost, so to speak."

"That's very impressive…you really have done excellent work there."

"Thanks…but that's not all, Bison. For you see, B.B. Hood's picnic basket is like a walking armory."

"What do you mean?" Tron asks.

Erick explains, "Easy…B.B. Hood's picnic basket can carry any weapon thanks to a Sub-Space Pocket I installed inside of it. She can draw any weapon she wishes to…B.B. Hood, if you can do us the honor?"

B.B. Hood reaches into her basket and draws a big weapon, a 12 mm Powerful Assault Gun. The crew's in awe to see a weapon that big come out from a small basket. Then she draws a Hyper Bazooka…she draws weapon after a weapon, in the end, everyone's impressed about such marvelous things:

Tron's excited. "WOW! THAT'S THE COOLEST THING I'VE EVER SEEN!"

Bison agrees with Tron, "Indeed it is Erick, and…is she's good with those weapons?"

Erick smiles, eager to show off B.B. Hood's skill. "Why don't we find out…B., why don't you show Bison your weapon skills."

B.B. Hood cheerfully smiles, "Sure!"

Erick then takes out 8 pennies and tosses them into the air. B.B. Hood quickly pulls out a gun from her basket and fires at the pennies in mid-air with several shots. Erick catches the pennies and shows it to the crew, the pennies had clean shots right in the center:

Sagat's impressed. "Remarkable, right in the center."

Adon, who usually butts heads with his former mentor, also agrees, "What a shot!"

Zangief's in awe. "Troshka…little girl good with guns, good aiming!"

Erick:" Glad you like it…B.B. Hood's learned to be a great sniper. Why, she could even hit a fly at a 200 foot range. Plus, with little training she has mastered such skills, such as Weapons and Tactics, Infiltration, Martial Arts, Explosives, Urban Combat and, her deadliest of them all…her cuteness! Show them, girl."

Then B.B. Hood gives the crew a kawai smile, and bats her eyelashes fast, with the face of a cute little girl. But to the others:

Scared silly, Tron eeps and hides behind Bison. "Boss, I'm afraid! That's scary!"

Balrog's hair stands on end, frightened by B.B Hood's overwhelming cuteness. "You said it!"

"Well I'M convinced Erick. She will do great as a Body Guard and Hit-Girl." Bison says approvingly.

Erick replies with a dramatic bow, "Thank you. And now if you'll excuse us, Delia and I must be going."

"Where are you going Erick?"

Erick casually tells the CEO of Shadowloo, "Oh…just to visit an old friend Bison, that's all."

Then Erick and Delia board their private transport and head off.

RED CATS' SECRET BASE – WITHIN THE DARK SHRINE OF THE CAT GHOST KING:

The Statue of Lord Kamusaru, the Cat Ghost King glows with a burning red aura. "Soon, very soon I will obtain that stone…then I'll have my revenge on that cursed Ranma Saotome meow! Just you wait Ranma, I'll make sure that you suffer a LOT! MEOW!"

THE MCD'S REAL BOUT MARTIAL ARTS BAR & GRILL:

Business was good at the REAL BOUT.

Yukime had begun to work as a waitress and making good money too. Her charms and polite manners make her customers give her good tips. Even though the work was hard, she loved it and enjoyed working in that place. Little by little she began to forget her crushed heart and started being happy again. The MCD looks at Yukime work and was pleased with her good work, so much that he promoted her to Head Waitress in such a short time. She was happy, but she was still intrigued at the MCD's hidden aura, it was unique. She finds out that he was a seven-time world Martial Arts Champion, but that didn't bother her.

The MCD, after finding out that the last tournament he promoted at the opening of his restaurant –(see Chapter 11)-, where he offered a year's worth of free food, turned in major profits, he decided to throw another one. So he spread the word in flyers, and, the next day many fighters from Japan came to the place to challenge him…

The place was packed to the max…many customers were there to eat and watch the fight…

The MCD, in his battle outfit, was taking out all the challengers. None of them could beat him in the ring:

The MCD in rare form tonight. He taunts his opponents, "Come on folks, surely there is one out there who can beat me…or are you all weak?"

One fighter, enraged, goes, "WHY YOUUU!"

Another fighter declares, "I'm gonna shut his mouth off!"

Then motivated by their anger, the fighters go to fight the MCD, but, the MCD was just too good for them…

Three hours later:

All the fighters that came to challenge the MCD were KO'd…The MCD didn't even break a sweat:

Impressed with her boss's skill, Yukime thinks, Wow…he sure is a great warrior, and I can tell that he hasn't used all his strength, now I see why he's a seven-time world champion!

The MCD regards his beaten opponents. "That's it? Boy, I was expecting a good match, but none of you guys gave me a workout…COME ON! ISN'T THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WHO WILL TAKE ME ON? WHO WILL TAKE MY CHALLENGE!?"

"I'll take you on," a man's voice calmly says.

Then The MCD turns around and sees something, or someone (!), and he gasps.

In the entrance of the restaurant was ERICK.

Michael Angelus sees Erick walking inside the restaurant with his girlfriend Delia. Needless to say, he's NOT pleased to see his former friend.

Not wishing to alarm the people gathered in the REAL BOUT, The MCD telepathically says, (YOU!)

Erick greets him back, (Hey Michael!)

(What in the hell are you doing in my restaurant!?)

(Why, to take your request of course! You did ask for someone to take you on right?)

(You? HA! As if you could fight? You can't fight you evil man! You only use your evil magic!)

(Oh you'll be surprised, my friend. Heh, heh, heh… you'll be surprised.)

Their conversation had lasted all about two, maybe three minutes, but fortunately the audience didn't hear a word of it – since Angelus and Erick were communicating telepathically - and so they'd thought that a moment of dramatic tension was building between the two men.

Erick begins to walk toward the ring. When he passes by Yukime, she feels an immense evil energy coming from him and Delia. She gets a big chill. What was that…that weird energy I sensed from him? It's unlike any I've ever sensed before in my life! And the energy of that woman, I don't know why, but I felt…nothing from her…I don't understand!

Then Erick jumps into the ring:

An announcer says, "Well, it looks we have another participant! What is your name sir?"

Erick, not wishing to give the fool who's sticking a microphone in his face his full name, just says, "Just call me Erick."

Unfazed, the announcer continues, "We have Erick versus our undefeated Martial Arts Fighter and owner of this restaurant, The MCD…"

Then Erick takes off his clothes and reveals his battle outfit, which is nearly identical to The MCD's. The only difference was that Erick's outfit was a dark sleeveless Chinese shirt, with Red trim and Dark Kung Fu Pants, and had a Kanji of the word Death on his back…Erick then assumes his battle stance:

The announcer (who's also the referee) takes his position between the two combatants. "Fighters ready…set…FIGHT!"

The MCD sizes up Erick, thinking, Hmmm…Can Erick fight!?

Erick then dashes toward The MCD with such speed that even The MCD is shocked. He strikes him hard with a punch to his chest, sending him flying and crashing hard on the mat. The MCD's shocked to feel that blow, it was like being hit by a Heavy Truck traveling at a hundred miles per hour.

Rubbing his chest, a hurt MCD thinks, What the…how did he do that?"

Erick projects his thoughts, (Surprised, my friend? You're not the only one who knows all about Martial Arts! Hee hee hee hee!)

The MCD rises. (So I see…so you CAN fight…but I have many years of experience, so let's get it on! See if you can defeat me!)

(All right…but you'll be even more surprised later on!)

-(Insert Music –"Reptile Battle Theme Song"- from Mortal Kombat the Movie)-

Then they took their defense poses…then it starts…

The MCD and Erick begin to duke it out. The MCD throws a barrage of Punches and Kicks at Erick, but he blocks them all. Then Erick jumps into the air and spins around toward the MCD, striking him with a spinning Kick to his jaw sending him to the floor. The MCD quickly gets up and blocks another kick and strikes Erick with a roundhouse kick to his chest, followed by an axe kick, but Erick blocks it and jumps away…

(You fight well Michael. For being an Angel, you've really learned a lot.)

The MCD has a grim expression on his face. (I see that you've also learned some new tricks.)

Erick just smiles. (As before Michael…you'll be surprised.)

The crowd is excited and roaring high for the fight…the fighters were moving so fast. It's like watching the fight of Neo vs. Agent Smith from Matrix Reloaded…The MCD is really impressed at Erick's fighting skill. How did Erick get to be so good? I'd thought that he only used those powerful spells and…

Erick lets him know, (Well, you thought wrong my friend…I've been watching and learning from the best from the past, and…in the process, I've created a style of my own!)

Watching the fight, Yukime was in awe…same with the audience. "I've never seen two people fighting like that…that Erick person fights like a master."

An excited person in the audience yells, "YEAAAAAH! LOOK AT THEM GO! THIS IS A GREAT FIGHT!"

Another cheers (for Erick or Angelus, we don't know), "COME ON, KICK HIS ASS! WOOOOO HOOOO!"

A third member of the audience says, "THIS IS ONE EXCITING MATCH! IT'S BETTER THAN ANY I'VE EVER SEEN!"

In the fight, Erick jumps toward MCD spinning upwards and releases a kick at him, but The MCD grabs and tosses him away. Erick, using his other leg, kicks him back in the chest. Later, The MCD punches Erick in his stomach with a Palm strike, followed by a two-strike snake punch… The battle lasted for about 30 minutes…when…

Erick pants, faking exhaustion. (Remarkable buddy, you truly are a good warrior. It's been AGES since I fought someone so good.)

The MCD not trying to hear it. (Enough with the flattery Erick.)

Erick agrees, (Indeed, my friend…I see that your audience is truly impressed with out fight, so why don't we put an end to it and give them a finale they'll love. What do you say, old friend?)

The MCD grits his teeth. (Bring it on! I'll defeat you!)

Then both warriors stand there in their battle stances, and began charging their Ki. Then, they charge toward each other with incredible speed, like bullets. The audience was screaming for it…when they get close, the MCD releases a fast punch toward Erick's face…however…

When his fist makes contact, the blow passes right through Erick…

The MCD blinks, thinking, What the…? What happened…? He then realizes in shock, "OH NO! AN AFTER IMAGE…!"

(Right you are, Michael!) Erick declares from behind him.

The MCD turns around and sees Erick behind him; his fist glowing with dark-purple energy…

(It's over, Michael.) Erick yells, "JIGOKU-NO-KEN –(The Fist of Hell)-!"

Then Erick hits the MCD in the back, sending him flying away into the ropes like a bullet. The MCD hit the ropes hard, the force so strong that it tears up the ropes and he still keeps on flying away, finally crashing hard into a wall…

-(Think of Kid Muscle's –"Muscle Millennium"- personal move from Ultimate Muscle)-

The Fight was over…Erick has won:

The announcer can't believe it! Still he says, declaring, "THE WINNER IS ERIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK!!"

The audience roars from the excitement…Erick steps down from the Ring and walks toward The MCD, who was getting up…

Erick smiles, then says aloud, "Well Mr. MCD, Looks like I won the match, yes?" (Wouldn't you agree Michael?)

The MCD was mad on the inside, but out of respect for his opponent, he shows humility, and accepts his loss and shakes hands with him…

The MCD flatly says, "Looks like it. Congratulations, Mr. Erick, you've won the One Year Certificate to eat here free for a year." Then, switching to telepathy, he says, (Damn you Erick. You won this time, but don't let it go to your head, cause I was holding back.)

"Thank you Mr. MCD, I'm very happy." Erick telepathically replies, (Oh, don't be such a sore loser Michael. After all buddy…I too was holding back. But don't worry; our REAL fight will take place very soon!)

Then Erick turns around and walks away from there, with Delia following him. They pass Yukime, who says to Erick, "Congratulations, sir. You were great."

Erick smiles at the snow-girl. "Thanks a lot, I'll be seeing you."

When Yukime shakes hands with him…something happens. An image of an evil demon appeared in Yukime's mind for a millisecond, causing her to gasp big-time. When Erick walks away, Yukime's shaking, fear chilling inside her. What was that…? I don't know what it was, but it was something I've never felt in all my life. His…energy, so full of evil, like no other. Who is he? What is he?

Then, she resumes her work, but still with that question on her mind.

AT THE REAL BOUT – LATE NIGHT:

Everyone finished their jobs and went home after a hard day. Only The MCD and Yukime stay behind to clean up some stuff…

After the MCD locks the place up, he walks home with Yukime …

The MCD, tired from a good day's work, breathes a satisfied sigh. "Another day, another group of satisfied customers."

Yukime giggles, "You're right!"

The MCD admits, "I must say Yukime, you really are a hard working girl."

Yukime blushes, flattered. "Why, thanks a lot Mr. MCD."

"So tell me Yukime, tell me about the place were you used to live."

"Well, I don't have much to say, except I used to have some wonderful friends. Their names were Kyoko, Hiroshi, Miki, Moriko, Makoto, Kasiya, Akira… they were all students from Domori High, their teacher's name was Nube. He was a cool teacher, dedicated to his students. I worked in a Skating Shop…"

The MCD listens attentively to what's she said. "Sounds like you have good friends…so why did you leave that place Yukime?"

Yukime gets a little nervous. Apparently, her boss' innocent question brought up some old memories. "I…don't want to talk about it, please."

The MCD apologizes, "Oh… I'm sorry Yukime."

"No, that's okay, it's just that…it hurts me to talk about that."

"Well Yukime, if you ever want to talk about it, I'll be there."

Yukime smiles genuinely. "Thanks MCD, that's so nice of you…well, I must be going." She waves good bye. "See you tomorrow."

The MCD returns her smile, waving. "See you tomorrow."

Then he begins to walk toward his home…when he sees someone seated on a bench at the park...Erick:

"YOU again…what are you doing here?"

Erick notices The MCD, calling him by his real name. "Hello Michael. Just here admiring the beauty of this park, that's all."

The MCD's not stupid – he KNOWS Erick's up to something. "Cut the lies…why are you here?"

Erick chuckles, "Nothing gets by you, does it? Don't tell me that you're still mad about losing to me are you? That's SO not like you."

"Listen, I don't have time to deal with you, so if you don't tell me why you're here I'll…"

Erick sighs, "Always so impatient, Michael… Okay, I'll tell you… but first, what are YOU fighting for?"

The MCD cocks an eyebrow disbelievingly –what's Erick getting at? "What kind of question is that!?"

"Just answer it."

"Okay…I'm fighting to stop you and that cursed Cat Ghost King, to save two souls, and to save mankind."

"Is that right? For mankind? Heh heh heh…HAHAHAHAHAHHA!!"

"What's so funny?"

Erick, still laughing, gives him the no-no gesture. "Michael, Michael, Michael…as before, as I once told you…You're still living in a fantasy."

"And why is that?"

"Fighting to save mankind…do you ACTUALLY believe in mankind Michael?"

The MCD, with genuine conviction and purpose, declares, "Yes!"

Erick's response to that however is, "Then you're more stupid and stubborn than I suspected…Why try to save mankind, when it is mankind that's destroying itself? You believe that mankind will change Michael? No. I'm telling you this by experience …Humans are like a plague, always destroying things, like the Earth, the same Earth that nourished them. And killing each other, worse then animals."

"That's not completely true Erick."

Erick admits, "Oh, well, there may be a few good ones, but ONLY a few. The rest of them are filled with greed, ambition, vanity…some of them will even betray each other, even kill each other."

"You're exaggerating Erick."

Erick's more than willing to prove his point – and prove Michael Angelus wrong as well. "Am I, Michael…? Let me tell you a little example about the loyalty of Humans…Remember Jesus Christ? I would think YOU, of all people, do…Well…Jesus was betrayed by a Human, and worse, by one of his OWN followers named Judas. He betrayed Jesus to the Romans for a few Silver Coins…there's your loyalty of Humans! They'll kill, betray and lie for money. And THOSE are the ones you're fighting for Michael."

Michael Angelus listens to every word Erick was telling him…but he would not fall for his Psychology Attack.

"You may be right Erick, but there are also good humans, who've helped many in the past, many of them dying to save others…Think what you want about human beings, but I'm going to fight to save them, and nothing you tell me will change my mind…YOU GOT THAT!?"

Erick is not surprised – Angelus can be so predictable at times. "My, oh my…You DO have some backbone… Very well, I see that you will not change your mind. That's okay…however, you'll regret it later on, believe me. Oh, by the way, congratulations Michael."

The MCD blinks. "What for?"

Erick hints, "Well… I heard that you were reunited with an old love of yours, right…um…Belldandy is her name right, your fiancée?"

The MCD is shocked! "WHAT…HOW DID YOU KNOW?"

Erick flashes his old friend a knowing grin. "That's a secret for another time…gotta go. Say hi to her for me will you? HAHAHAHAHA!!"

Then Erick vanishes, leaving the MCD confused and shocked. He wonders aloud, "No…! How did he know about that? And worse… How does he know Belldandy, and that she was my fiancée? Nobody on Earth knows about her, and my relationship with her…only God, Belldandy's sisters and…"

A terrible thought crosses The MCD's mind… There's only ONE other person that knew of Angelus and Belldandy's relationship, and the last Angelus had heard of him, that individual was branded a fallen angel, banished from Heaven, and imprisoned in Hell.

It can't be him! It can't! Angelus thinks, concerned not only for Belldandy, but Ran, R, and possibly every living soul on the planet! He shakes his head, denying, "NO! Impossible! I must investigate more about him. I don't like this at all…!"

TO BE CONTINUED…