Episode 15 – Dancing lessons (training to become Cinderella)
On the last exciting episode of Street Fighter II – Deep Core Crisis: Guile and Cammy had apprehended Balrog and the Interpol investigation was beginning to go somewhere, Chun-Li has begun to put Vega's psychological pieces together, but will she live to tell the tale? Find out for yourself in this new exciting episode!
- Unknown mansion at the outskirts of Barcelona, 23:18 PM -
Chun-Li's breathing intensified, her heart pounded with a force she did not feel for a long time, it was uncertainty, a shadow crept underneath the door crevice, and Chun-Li knew that she was being followed. Silence ensued, she carefully hid Dr. Raul Julia Salgado's journal inside her pillow and turned off the bedside lamp, before lying down and closing her eyes. The door opened, she could hear light footsteps, but there was no indication of trouble, she opened her eyes slightly and saw a light beam emit from the outside corridor, a shadowy figure was nearing the bed, as the light finally cast itself on the figure, it revealed blonde hair, she now knew. She pretended to sleep, but felt uncomfortable, letting him sit next to her on the bed, he took a deep breath and laid his hand gently on her shoulder, as if he was trying to tell her something, she froze at his touch.
"I am sorry…" She heard him whisper. "For not letting you use your wings, beautiful angel. I promise that soon you will be free, but I need you, I cannot, live without you…" He lowered himself and came closer to her. His soft lips met hers as he kissed her goodnight. She opened her eyes for a brief moment, she saw the outline of his face, with his long braided hair hanging down his shoulder, she felt his warm breath against her skin it was something she had never felt, an intimate moment with an elite deadly Shadowlaw assassin, what were the odds. He carefully stood up and made his way out, at the doorway he suddenly stopped. He looked at her over his shoulder for a minute and finally closed the door. She breathed out, her heart racing and her body trembling.
- Interpol Station, Barcelona 7:22 AM -
A tired Cammy woke up from a short sleep; she elegantly jumped down from her bunk and continued to the bathroom. A knock could be heard, Logan stuck his head out of the door.
"Rise and shine sweethearts. Breakfast is served in the kitchen." The door slammed shut.
"Where else would it be served?" Guile turned in his lower bunk before getting up. They all gathered at the meeting room with plates and glasses, there was a silence among teammates and special agents. The last two who entered were Guile and Cammy; they sat at the edge of the room and minded their business. Cammy wore her army dress, while Guile still had his tank top on, revealing his formidable muscular physique; they were the only ones who resembled soldiers. The rest wore suits and special agent headsets. Karenina took a sip of coffee and revealed two folders, which he threw on the table.
"Gentlemen…" He stopped and looked at Cammy for a second. "Ladies, and gentlemen, you will find updated reports in these folders, everything from intel to status rapports have been documented, every 12 hours I expect these to be updated, from each member dealing with their specific tasks."
"What about us?" Cammy asked abruptly, cutting Karenina's speech short.
"Oh, yes… No doubt you shall find out what is to become of you soon enough." With that the meeting ended, and everyone went about their business. As Karenina stepped outside the meeting room, he was surprised by Cammy.
"Miss White, You and your friend's involvement will not go unnoticed." They continued to his office.
"We wouldn't want to be left out of this, sir." She stated with a sly tone.
"Don't you worry my dear, this shitcake is big enough for everyone. You will be getting your slice sooner or later." He opened his laptop and logged into his account, but stopped as he looked at Cammy who was leaving. "By the way, you did a good job yesterday, I won't forget it. And could you please send Guile to my office." She sent him a smile before closing the door behind her. Meanwhile…
- Secret underground Shadowlaw base, Barcelona 8:01 AM -
In an isolated training facility, young apprentices were lectured in defensive techniques by their master, Sagat. The towering fighter was like a man amidst children, no one dared to speak out about his techniques, and the few that did were disciplined. An apprentice swung a thick baton at Sagat who held his defensive stance. At impact the baton shattered into pieces, whilst Sagat remained unscathed.
"Let this be a lesson to you all, the mind is the most powerful entity in your entire body. Your body may break, but when your mind fears no pain and knows no remorse, then you will become the ultimate weapon." A young apprentice respectfully asked if she could speak.
"Master if I may ask." She bowed to him.
"You may speak." Sagat gave her a nod.
"Didn't you feel anything?" Her eyes escaped his white lifeless gaze; the psycho power within Sagat reminded them of their leader Bison.
"What does that matter?" Sagat looked away for a moment.
"Pride and honor is all one must feel, the aching sensation of the flesh only reminds us about our sacrifice and code of honor. We must endure. That is all for today." While the others were heading for their next class, Sagat ordered the young girl to stay.
"What is your name?" Sagat crossed his arms and looked down at her.
"Audrey…" She answered calmly.
"You were supposed to be undergoing doll training, as your feeble female body can't take the stressful conditions of Muay Thai, especially not in my advanced courses later in this semester." He said with disdain and turned his back to her.
"But master." She pleaded.
"Silence! There are many reasons we separate male and female students…"
"But master Vega hasn't returned from his last assignment and since then the training regiment was taken over by Balrog and some others, I couldn't stay they were doing terrible things to us." She started to cry.
"I am so sorry for this master, but I can't take it anymore. The things they did to me, I will never be able to feel anything again." She fell to her knees.
"I beg of you please take me in as your apprentice!" Sagat kicked to a punching bag, sending it flying across the room.
"Enough! Are you willing to die for what you are saying?" He turned to face her.
"A part of me is already dead, master." Sagat looked at her. She could not have been more than 16.
"So be it. But I do not take any responsibility if you die from injuries during my training. Make no mistake many have fallen." She wiped off her tears and bowed to him.
"Thank you, master." She ran off. From afar someone was clapping.
"Well done Sagat." It was M. Bison.
"Your exceptional judgment has produced great warriors male and female alike, and you continue to impress me with your growing power." Bison grinned manically.
"Master, you were watching all along?" Sagat looked surprised.
"Yes, I have stumbled upon new powers such as blending in using a psycho shield. It drains much of my reserves, but with time I will master the technique to be able to cloak while moving, alas this will take more time and meditation." They both proceeded to walk down a corridor.
"Are we proceeding as planned?" Sagat asked.
"Yes, however there are complications, one of our elite dolls has been apprehended in New York, luckily her tracer will buy us some time." They stopped and called an elevator.
"Master, how did the dolls trainees get violated without us reacting in time?" They entered the elevator.
"It was a tragedy, but reports show that the trainees are recovering as expected. Our science division has devised drugs to specifically suppress those memories." M. Bison elaborated. Meanwhile…
-Interpol Station, Barcelona 8:23 AM -
A lengthy discussion was taking place in the office.
"God damn it we need to act now!" Guile slammed his palms on the desk.
"Lieutenant you know that Interpol only conducts intelligence operations. It is up to the local authorities to handle these issues." Logan stood up from his chair and put his hands in his pockets.
"You know that's bullshit; if it weren't for us you wouldn't even have anything by now." Guile spat which only made Logan angrier.
"If it weren't for our intel you and Ms. Li wouldn't have anything either." Guile frowned to this.
"They have her! Now pull your hands out of your ass and get her out." Guile went to the water dispenser and filled up a plastic cup. Logan handed the cup to Guile.
"Relax. You know I am on your side and I know what it takes to do the job. I intend to deliver on my promise." Guile breathed out after hearing Logan. An investigator interrupted them.
"Sir, you should see the local news." Logan turned on a small TV that hung on the wall. In the news, a reporter interviewed Fei Long who revealed a small photograph of Chun-Li. He then informed the press that his friend was missing, and if anyone had any knowledge of her whereabouts, should contact the authorities. Logan's eyes widened as his entire case was ripped open. As Logan looked down in dismay he could hear Guile chuckling.
"There you go mister master spy." Guile looked at Logan for a brief moment and slammed the door behind him leaving Logan to ponder about the current events. Logan frowned and threw his cup against the floor. Meanwhile…
- Unknown mansion at the outskirts of Barcelona 8:45 AM -
It was a beautiful day as warm sunrays cascaded through the greenery outside of Vega's mansion. The chirping of birds echoed throughout the brush, in this moment of serenity Chun-Li closed her eyes and inhaled the fresh morning wind. On the trail she was walking a figure awaited in the distance.
"My eyes feel reborn upon stumbling across such a beautiful sight!" Vega exclaimed with candour, upon realizing it was him a smile appeared across her beautiful soft lips. He bowed politely before offering his arm which she accepted. They walked down a narrow path cupped between flowers and trees; finally they arrived at a clearing with a view to the sea. Such a stunning sight had not graced her eyes in many years, and the man standing next to her was not the kind of company she was taught to keep.
"Dearest Chun-Li.. May I make a proposal?" She snapped out of her daydreaming and turned to face him; he took her hand and smiled while seeking eye contact. At first she evaded, but quickly fell into his gaze.
"I would be honored to have you join me tomorrow evening at Palau Reial where I will be unveiling a new Roman antiquity which I have donated from my personal collection." A spark ignited in his eyes. She gave him an inquisitive look.
"It is very nice of you to invite me, but I am your prisoner and a missing person. It wouldn't be too wise for me to show up in public." His excitement fell upon hearing her reasoning.
"You are not a prisoner. Remember my love I am your only true friend." As he spoke she quickly retreated and began walking back. "Tonight we will be rehearsing for the gala!" He said before sending her a flying kiss which she elegantly declined. Meanwhile…
- Interpool Station, Barcelona 9:13 AM -
Logan raced through the corridor pushing though relentlessly knocking over assistants and their documents. He stopped as he spotted Cammy who was watching the daily news in the recreation room. He stepped in front of her blocking her view.
"Miss White where are those two morons?!" He looked at her bewildered as she started to giggle; suddenly he felt a hand being rested on his shoulder.
"Good morning chief! I've brought you a delicious Tortilla de patatas!" Ken handed him a warm bag.
"They are finger lickin' good!" Ken added to which Ryu nodded, "You can say that again!"
"You two, where were you all this time?!" He dropped the bag on the floor.
"Relax! We were just site seeing." Ken smirked, Logan frowned.
"Are you completely insane?! Didn't I give specific orders to stay put until we could assess the situation regarding the mind chips?" Logan went out of breath; Ken was amused by the effort.
"Don't you trust them, sir?" Cammy asked while giving them an inquisitive look. Logan picked up the bag and opened it, he inhaled the warm smell emitting from it.
"Don't count on this being compensation, when we are back in the states your ass is going to be on fire." Logan slammed the door shut behind him, the three breathed out.
"Can you believe this guy?" Ken remarked.
"There is a lot preassure on him to see this through." Cammy said and leaned back on the sofa. Ryu looked hesitant for a moment.
"Don't you think we should have told him about last night?"
"No I don't…" Ken hushed. They soon discovered that there was a commotion outside, as they investigated it became apparent that the medical staff had finally arrived. Logan rallied everyone up.
"Today we will be undergoing medical analysis to determine that no one has any secrets to hide from the rest. I want you two to be examined first!" Logan pointed at Ryu and Ken. "Oh and doctors, use all the probes." Ken and Ryu looked at each other… "Gulp!" Later…
- Unknown Mansion at the outskirts of Barcelona, 19:21 PM -
In her low-lit room Chun-Li was reading the late Dr. Raul Julia Salgado's lengthy reports, as she finished each line she was drawn further into the manic world of Vega, the observations noted by Salgado were sometimes conflicting with her own experiences with Vega, but then other observations matched perfectly. She couldn't let go of this book, her entire focus was drawn to the character Salgado described as being perfect in every conceivable way on the outside, yet sadistic and perverted from within. As she turned another page she stumbled upon a new chapter entitled "The faces of the beast"
"Upon discovering the beast's only weakness I have tried to use it as an advantage. No longer is the beast dominant in our daily sessions, he seems subdued every time I touch upon the subject of the unknown girl of his dreams. He tries to hide it, but it is evident that his body language and lack of resolve is pointing towards a crush on this mysterious young woman, but not a typical crush but more of a obsession, even though our subject shows great control and intellectual superiority when questioned, he fails to stay focused when the subject shift towards the girl. Here is transcript from a recent session with added notations:
Vega you seem sad when I ordered your paintings removed as a punishment for a having sexual relations with our staff.
- By the way how is Isabella? (he grinned provocatively)
Ms. Isabella is no more your concern, Vega please elaborate how you feel about the punishment.
- You may have discovered something my dear doctor, but you will never break me. (I did not expect a confrontation right away.)
Why would I want to break you, Vega?
- Because you envy me.
Why do you think that?
- Because I can do what you never could, the way I touch, the way I deprive and the way I end life, it is all a work of art.
Art? So you do consider yourself an artist?
- Absolutely dear doctor. But every artist needs something to work on.
Your paintings?
- Your daughter…
If you touch her I will make sure you never leave this asylum alive!
- You don't seem to understand how I work, when I see such a beautiful young woman like your daughter I say to myself. I have to have that, I… need to break her down. It's your basic animal self, you know him doctor, he's ugly.
I've run into him from time to time, but I am not like you Vega I do not hate.
- You only wish you had the courage, let me tell you about the nights I have spent with your little daughter, every inch of her. Things she would never tell you.
That is enough!
- You never knew your daughter the way I do, deep inside you envy me that.
You will never see the girl!
- Enough! (He stood up and grabbed me by the collar and threw me onto the couch, I was petrified!)
- You cannot stand between me and my destiny. Everything, I have savored just for her.
Savored? Just listen to yourself Vega.
- I have never betrayed her, my heart belongs to her.
You are full of it! Your life is a decadent travesty!
- I am servicing my body, yet my soul cries in anguish each time I bottom out inside a fleshy shell.
You are addicted!
- Yes! But I shall soon be free and you will die alone…
Chun-Li was startled as she heard a knock on the door, she hid the book under her bed and lay as if nothing had happened.
"Who is it?" The door opened and Vega entered.
"Beautiful one, it is time." She could hear music echoing from below. She brushed up against him as they started to dance, each step was carefully placed to match the rhythm of the music and as time progressed she began to learn the waltz. She looked over his shoulder and felt his warm breath against her neck; suddenly he changed position and surprised her.
"We need to practice this section my dear." He smiled to her, and they tried again, in this moment she was speechless, the man in front of her did not resemble the monster she was reading about. She put up a faint smile to compliment the emotions that he displayed. Meanwhile…
- Interpol Station, Barcelona 20:47 PM -
After nearly everyone was cleared from suspicion Ken and Ryu went out for some fresh air.
"I won't be able to sit down for a week!" Ryu proclaimed with an embarrassed expression.
"That's what she said!" Ken added, they both laughed for a moment. Suddenly they could hear sounds coming from a dark alley behind the building, trash cans were knocked over and a scream could be heard. They ran towards the sound and found themselves standing in a pool of blood. Amidst the trash cans lay a dead body, it was one of the investigators, he had a big flesh wound on his chest. Footsteps could be heard in the distance, Ken and Ryu followed suit.
On the next exciting episode of Street Fighter II – Deep Core Crisis, Ken and Ryu discover more as they confront a deadly foe. Will Chun-Li survive to tell the tale of her encounter with Vega? Find out on the next episode: A night out with the bloodthirsty prince (Temptations of the Flesh)
A/N: Dear reader, as you may know this fic has been on standby for quite some time. Priorities in my life had taken over and I regretfully did not attempt to write new material as it would not have had the passion I usually pour into my work. After my master degree graduation and relocation for fieldwork I have come to understand that writing fiction is really a luxury when so much is going on around you, and if anything it pays off when you my dear reader find joy in what I write. You have my promise that SFII – DCC will be seen through to the end, as I always finish what I start. In the coming period I will start uploading more episodes. Once again thank you for reading and please don't hesitate to express your opinion in the reviewer section.