Chapter 3: New Alliances

Cole finally begins to wake up. He looks around, but can't seem to make out where he's at. To him, the light was so blinding that everything looked white.

Cole [thoughts]: Am I… dead?

He then sees a woman walking in. He couldn't quite make her out, but all he could tell was that this woman had brown hair.

Cole [thoughts]: Could it be? Could it really be…

The woman gets closer and though he cannot make out her face, he sees now that she has long brown hair.

Cole: Trish?

?: Trish? I'm not Trish.

After that, his eyes can see clearly now and he sees that he is in some kind of medical room and the woman is not Trish.

Cole: Who… are you?

?: I'm Chun-Li, an officer of Interpol.

Cole: I hope you're not associated with DARPA.

Chun-Li: No. No, of…

Cole tries getting up, but struggles.

Chun-Li: MacGrath, don't move! You were nearly killed out there!

Cole then absorbs the electricity of all the medical equipment.

Cole: There. Good as new. Now where am I?

Chun-Li: You're in the medical center of our boat.

Cole: That's not what I meant.

Cole gets up and storms out of the room. Chun-Li doesn't chase him, but follow him. Cole runs around until he finds the navigation room and looks over at a radar, telling their location.

Chun-Li: Well, MacGrath?

Cole: We're going the wrong way! Pandora is in the opposite direction!

Chun-Li: Pandora is not the objective right now.

Cole: The hell it isn't!

Cole grabs onto the steering wheel and tries to turn the boat around. Chun-Li attempts to walk up closer to Cole, but he then charges his arm with electricity and aims it right at her.

Cole: We're turning this boat around.

Chun-Li: We can't go to Antarctica, MacGrath.

Cole: Well I will.

Chun-Li: We don't have jurisdiction there.

Cole: That's not going to stop me!

Chun-Li looks over at the door to the control room, then looks back at Cole.

Chun-Li: I'm giving you one last chance. Get away from the controls or I'll…

Cole, now infuriated, fires a shot at Chun-Li, who then fires a Kikoken to stop the bolt.

Cole [thought]: What the hell?

At the same time that happened, Cammy charges into the room and leaps at Cole. He tries to fire at her, but he is too late and misses, as Cammy now has Cole in a headlock with her legs, forcing him to the ground.

Cammy: Calm yourself, MacGrath!

Cole: Oh yeah?

Cole tries to grab onto Cammy's legs.

Cammy: Go ahead and try it! You'll be out before I am.

Cole struggles more and more, almost losing consciousness.

Chun-Li: Cammy, let him go.

Cammy lets Cole go, who lies on the ground, trying to catch his breath.

Chun-Li: Pandora is not a high-priority right now because we have more important matters that need attending.

Cole: It is for me.

Cole slowly tries getting up.

Cole: Haven't you seen the news? Haven't you seen the Beast?

Chun-Li: Yes, I saw what happened to Empire City.

Cole: I've lost one city to that thing and I'm not letting him destroy another!

Cole is on his knees looking down at the ground. Chun-Li walks up to Cole.

Chun-Li: Cole… I want to help you stop it. I really do. But right now, we have a three-way war that's putting innocent people into harm's way.

Chun-Li puts her hand out to Cole.

Chun-Li: Help us stop them and I give you my word that I will take you to Pandora.

Cole looks up at Chun-Li.

Cole [thoughts]: I can't waste anymore time here. The Beast is coming and Pandora's right there! But even then… the last thing I'd want is for more and more innocent people to be killed.

Cole swallows his pride and grabs Chun-Li's hand.

Cole: [sighs] Deal.

Chun-Li then helps Cole to his feet.

Cole: I'm… I'm sorry about all that.

Chun-Li: It's all right. What matters now is that we get back on course.

Chun-Li walks over to the control panel and steers the boat. Cole then looks over at Cammy.

Cole: And you are?

Cammy: Cammy White. Delta Red.

Cole looks and sees her arms, which are bandaged.

Cole: What happened to your arms?

Cammy: Nearly fried them trying to get you out of the water.

Cole: Sorry about that… and thanks.

Cole then looks at her uniform.

Cole: Is that standard attire for Delta Red?

Cammy: Aren't you wondering where your amp is?

Cole tries reaching for his amp on his back, but sees that he doesn't have it.

Cole: Crap!

Cole runs out of the room.

A while later, the boat finally arrives to their destination. Cole, standing on the edge of the boat is the first one to get onto the dock. Chun-Li, now with her ox horns, also steps off the boat, alongside Cammy, who is now wearing her coat. Beyond the docks is a cityscape.

Cole: So where to?

Chun-Li: We have someone waiting for us. Problem is…

Cole: What?

Cammy: The transmission was cut off before we could get a read on his exact location. All we know is that he's somewhere in this area.

Cole: Split up and search for him?

Chun-Li: Yep.

Cammy: So where shall we go?

Cole: Preferably far from water.

Chun-Li: Alright then. Cammy, you search the docks.

Cammy: Understood.

Chun-Li: MacGrath, you and I will search through the city.

Cole: Roger that.

With their orders, Cammy goes on her own while Cole and Chun-Li move towards the city. Cole then senses something odd about the city.

Cole: Know why there's no electricity here?

Chun-Li: Possibly a blackout, but more than likely the people fled. Shadaloo and the Mishima nearly ran into each other here.

Cole: Here's hoping the people didn't head in their direction.

Chun-Li: Same here.

Over time, they reach the center.

Cole: I don't know about you, but I think we'd find him quicker if we split up at this point.

Chun-Li: Agreed. I'll take the west and you take the east.

The two split up and go their separate ways. The first thing Cole decides to do is get to higher ground. He climbs up a building and continues from there.

Cole [thoughts]: No offense to your way, Officer, but this is much quicker.

In a short period of time, Cole sees a man standing in an alleyway with a strange hairstyle.

Cole [thoughts]: Wow. With hair like that, no wonder they didn't need to give me a description.

Cole decides to leap down, which startles the man, who is wearing army fatigues and a dark green tanktop.

Cole: Hey there, Hardtop. Waiting for anyone in particular?

The man suddenly jumps and kicks at Cole, who barely dodges it.

Cole: What the hell?!

Guile: What have you done with them?!

Cole: Relax! I'm with them!

Guile: I'm not buying it.

This time, Guile throws a punch at Cole, which he blocks, but stumbles back from the force.

Guile: I knew you couldn't be trusted! I knew you'd turn on them the second they fished you out!

Cole: And what gave you that impression?

Guile: I've heard the stories about you. About the cruel things you did in Empire City. I'm not going to let any "Demon" go loose!

Cole: People still talk about me like tha…

Cole is interrupted by a punch in the jaw, knocking him straight into a garbage can.

Cole: Okay pal, they may not want me to hurt you, but I do bite back.

Cole lifts up the garbage can with his powers, which surprises Guile long enough for him to throw it, hitting Guile with full force and knocking him into a wall. Cole then lunges at Guile, who then gets into a crouching position.

Cole [thoughts]: What? You think crouching's going to stop…

Cole is caught completely off-guard by Guile doing a backflip kick, knocking Cole straight into a fire escape, then down to the ground.

Cole: Neat trick.

Cole begins to get up.

Cole: But I have a few of my own, pal.

Cole then fires bolts at Guile, who stands and blocks them.

Cole [thoughts]: He can't move. He's stuck right where I want…

Guile then fires a sonic boom, stopping the bolts, and then leaps and kicks Cole, who slams into the brick wall, with a few bricks falling to the ground in the aftermath.

Elsewhere, Cammy continues looking outward until she hears a meow.

Cammy [thoughts]: Not now. Have to stay focused.

?: There, there little one.

Cammy [thoughts]: Wait. Could that be…

Cammy leaps over a pile of crates and sees a man with short blonde hair in a blue gi top with white shorts holding a kitten.

Cammy: Abel?

Abel looks over and sees Cammy.

Abel: Cammy? Cammy!

Cammy jumps down and Abel walks over to her, with the kitten in hand.

Abel: Very good to see you. What brings you around here?

Cammy: I'm looking for Guile. Know where he is?

Abel: Of course. Him and I have been working together. He told me to be a lookout while he stayed hidden.

Cammy: Could you show me?

Abel: Of course.

Elsewhere in the city, Chun-Li continues looking for Guile.

Chun-Li [thoughts]: I'm running out of places to look. At this point, I'm starting to think Cole might've found him by now.

Chun-Li's phone suddenly gets a response and answers her communicator.

Chun-Li: Cammy? You've found him?

Cammy: No, but I know where he is. Go to these coordinates… and fast! Abel said he hasn't answered in a while and might be in trouble.

Back in the alleyway, Cole and Guile are still going at it, with Cole now starting to stop holding back.

Cole: You've crossed the line. I didn't want to start any trouble, but now you've pushed me.

Guile: You're not leaving this alley conscious.

Cole: Oh… so you don't want to kill me.

Guile: I'm leaving you alive so you can pay for all you've done!

Cole: Are you going to bite or are you going to just keep barking?

Guile: No more talk!

Cole fires bolts at Guile, who blocks them, then Cole leaps. This time, Cole leaps around Guile, avoiding his Flash Kick, then swings his amp at him. Guile, knocked back, lands on his feet and sees Cole now charging at him with the amp in hand. Guile then throws out a Sonic Boom, which Cole swings his amp through, to Guile's surprise. Cole grinds his amp against the ground and prepares to swing.

Abel: Stop!

Cole stops and looks over, as Guile does the same. They see Abel, alongside Cammy and Chun-Li.

Abel: Guile, he is not our enemy.

Cole: Tried telling him that, but Hot-head here decided...!

Cammy: Calm down, both of you! Now then… Guile, what did you find out?

Guile looks over at Cole, then takes a deep breath, and looks over to Cammy.

Guile: Shadaloo and G-Corporation are no longer separate factions in this war. Now they're allies, fighting alongside each other to take out the Mishima Zaibatsu.

Chun-Li: But why would they work together?

Guile: M. Bison seems to get along with this so-called hero Kazuya.

Abel: Not to mention I spotted a blonde woman of his working alongside…

Nina: You mean me?

Abel turns around, but is struck in the chest and then put into a chokehold. Just as they react, the three of them are startled by a masked man with a claw landing on the ground.

Vega: You know what they say about the enemy of our enemy...

Cole [thoughts]: Great. She's back and now I have another guy to deal wi…

Then a muscular man with boxing gloves appears right where Nina had entered.

Balrog: You ain't got no chance, chumps!

Cole prepares to fire off an electric bolt, but Nina tightens her hold on Abel.

Nina: Want his broken neck on your conscience?

Cole puts his arm down. Nina then picks up and clicks on her communicator with her other hand.

Nina: Boss, we've found them.

Kazuya [radio]: Good. Take MacGrath alive… and do what you wish with the rest.

Just as Nina puts away her communicator, Vega and Balrog prepare to make a move.

Cole: Aren't you forgetting one of my tricks?

Nina: Oh crap.

Cole uses his powers to push Nina and Abel back. Abel seizes this opportunity by grabbing Nina, twirling her around, and throwing her into Balrog, knocking the two to the ground. Afterward, Abel places his hand over his chest in pain, still hurt from Nina's strike, and starts to lose his footing.

Guile: Abel!

Guile and Cammy help Abel up, but Vega then lunges at the three. Chun-Li quickly leaps and kicks him away into a wall.

Chun-Li: We can't let them get to Abel!

Guile: They won't. Chun-Li, help him up!

Chun-Li does so as they see Nina and Balrog getting up.

Guile: Get going. I'll hold them off!

Cammy: But Guile…

Guile: Now!

Cole: How about I lend a hand?

Guile: You go with them!

Balrog and Nina charge at them as Guile runs towards them. Chun-Li and Cammy help Abel through the alleyways as Cole follows.

Cole: I'll keep an eye on you above!

Cole leaps and quickly scales the surrounding buildings, now looking over the three. As they proceed, Cole is suddenly struck from behind, nearly sending him falling over the edge. He quickly gets back up and sees Vega. He notices that Vega's blades have blood on them. Cole then feels his back.

Cole: Sneaky bastard, huh? What are you, a Spanish ninja?

Vega: If you wish to be detained without any further scarring, you will step aside now.

Cole: How about no?

Vega lunges over at Cole, who is astounded by his speed. Cole tries to counter-attack, but Vega easily blocks his blows.

Vega: For a man with your reputation, your style is most… sloppy.

Vega blocks Cole's arm with his own, then guts at Cole's side with his gauntlet arm.

Cole [thoughts]: Damn it!

Cole falls over, his arm over his wound, then sees Vega approaching him.

Cole [thoughts]: And without any electricity, I'm screwed!

Vega: As much as they will frown at me for going against the mission… I can't allow someone as ugly as you to plague this earth any further.

Coles places his other arm on his amp.

Cole [wounded]: Well aren't you poetic?

Vega then swings his blade, but Cole catches it with his amp, then charges it with electricity. Vega is electrocuted throughout his body, causing him to scream. Cole looks down and sees that Chun-Li and Cammy have gotten further away with Abel.

Cole [thoughts]: Good. I'm buying them time.

Vega, in his pain, quickly takes off his blade and his mask, stopping the shocks. Cole then notices his face, as well as his overgrown fingernails

Cole: You're not exactly a looker yourself.

Vega: You… pig!

Vega slashes at Cole's face with his hand, leaving a few scars on his cheek. Afterward, Cole swings his amp at Vega to keep him at a distance as Vega leaps over his swings.

Vega: You are jealous of my beauty.

Cole: Beauty? *scoffs*

Vega lunges at Cole, who swings his amp, but Vega kicks it away, punches at Cole's chest, then pokes at Cole's stomach with his nails. He tries to strike Cole's face again, but Cole catches it with his own hand, the nails digging in.

Cole [thoughts]: It's like a cat… only deeper.

Vega, seizing the opportunity, repeatedly pokes at both of Cole's sides, only stopping when he notices that one of his hands has Cole's blood.

Vega: Damn! I will not have a foul mongrel's blood touch my skin!

Cole then grabs his amp.

Cole: Hey, short attention span!

Vega looks and sees Cole's amp heading right for him. Cole swings it right at Vega's face, striking him with enough power that it knocks him off of the building into a pile of garbage below.

Cole: Now that that's out of the way…

Cole quickly rushes forward across the rooftop.

He eventually catches up to Chun-Li, Cammy, and Abel, with the two standing next to him as he lies on the ground.

Cole: How is everyone?

Abel: Much better now. *groans*

Cammy: That blow nearly cracked his ribcage. It's a miracle his organs haven't been ruptured.

Chun-Li: I see that Vega's not chasing us anymore, thanks to you. So where's…

They suddenly hear Guile screaming in pain. Cole runs out of his alley to find Nina holding a bruised Guile by his arms as Balrog stands in front of him.

Balrog: This chump sure makes a nice punchin' bag. Even his hair.

Balrog punches Guile in the stomach, the chest, then the face until a bolt hits the back of Balrog's head, irritating him. Balrog turns around and sees Cole.

Cole: Back off of him!

Nina: Listen carefully, Cole. You can try to be cavalier about this if you want… but…

Nina then stomps on Guile's back, putting him in more pain.

Nina: Then his spine'll be powder.

Balrog: And I'll punch yer face in if ya even think about it!

Nina: So why don't you just come with us now?

Balrog: I betcha he ain't even gonna comply!

Cole looks over at Guile and charges up his hand.

Balrog: See? Told ya!

Nina: Then go for the knockout punch.

Nina tries to put herself at a position where Cole won't be able to hit her.

Nina: Well kid, I gave you a chance, but now I'll be taking another target off the list.

Nina continues crushing Guile, this time with the intent of killing him. Cole tries to focus on her, knowing that Balrog is charging at him.

Cole [thoughts]: I need to get out of the way… but she'll kill him if I don't stop her. If I take the time, I know I can hit her… but maybe too long.

As Balrog approaches Cole, he focuses and eventually gets a clear shot. He fires, managing to hit Nina in the head while barely touching Guile's hair. Immediately after the shot, Balrog punches Cole in the head, sending him rolling across the ground and dazed. Balrog continues charging, preparing for another punch.

Balrog: There ain't no stinkin' way some new punk from outta town's gonna bring down the champ!

Before Balrog can punch Cole a second time, Abel lunges at Balrog, then begins spinning him around until he throws him straight into the air. Abel then leaps after him, kneeing him, then the two roll across the ground until Abel launches Balrog straight towards a stunned Nina. Both of them, dizzied, see Guile facing them, charging a move. He fires a Sonic Hurricane, which knocks the two of them straight into a wall. When Guile checks both of them, he confirms that they're unconscious.

Cammy: Abel…

Abel turns and sees Cammy dragging Balrog and Chun-Li dragging Nina.

Cammy: Mind lending a hand?

Abel: Please… allow me. I'll take them.

Cammy hands Balrog over to Abel as Cole wakes up.

Cole: Wow, that punch nearly took my head off.

Cole tries getting up, but then sees a hand being held out to him. Cole sees that it is Guile. Cole takes it, but then places his other arm over his side. Cammy helps hold Cole up.

Abel: That wound doesn't look good, Mousier MacGrath.

Cammy: You need some medical attention.

Cole: Get me something electrical and I won't even need a band-aid.

Guile: Might have some batteries in another position. Not much, but…

Cole: That'll do just fine.

As the five of them move out, Guile then looks over at Cole.

Guile: I'm sorry, MacGrath. I jumped to conclusions. I was a hot-head. I shouldn't have…

Cole: It's fine, pal… and call me Cole.

Guile: Alright, Cole… and call me Guile.

Cole: Guile… don't take this the wrong way, but your name…

Guile: What about my name?

Cole: Nothing. It's a nice name.

As they move further, Vega, looking over a rooftop, sees them leaving with his comrades.

Vega [angry]: Don't think you're getting away with this… Beast!