POP!
The Rochefort private jet tranquilly glided across the clouds in the sky as Lili and Asuka were currently on the move to their next destination. Tranquility was nowhere to be found inside the aircraft, however, with Asuka letting a champagne cork pop open and spraying it all over the place with an outlandish loose dance. "Ohhhh yeeeeah! Totally kicked Jin's ass! Nothin' gonna stop us! Let's go!"
Lili simply sat upon one of her many relaxing chairs with a polite chuckle. "It was a much exhilarating battle. Let us not get too carried away, though. Our journey is not concluded until that box comes home to my father."
"Yeah yeah, whatever..." Asuka shrugged as she continued partying up a storm. "And you called me the boring one, huh? Get up and dance, princess!" The energetic Japanese brawler cocked her head with a grin.
"Ho ho, I shall be focused on the goal. I have no time for such trivialities." Lili curtly stated with a shake of the head.
"Laaaaaaame. Such a buzzkill." Asuka pouted with an eye-roll as she tapped her cheek in thought. "Gotta say though, what's not lame was the beatdown you dished out! Thought ya were a goner! How'd you muster that win? Had to be thinkin' bout' a lil' someone of yer own?"
"Oh, well uh..." An ever-so-faint blush emitted from Lili's cheeks as she chuckled. "I just thought about...uh...m-my father, of course!" Lili stated with a little haste in her voice. "He's the reason I've embarked on this journey after all."
"Right..." Asuka gave a nod. It was certainly a noble answer and one Asuka could resonate with, though a tiny part inside of her mind knew it was not the answer she was hoping for.
"By the way, Miss Kazama." Lili addressed.
"Just keep callin' me Asuka, no need to be so formal! But what is it?" Asuka asked.
"Please don't tell my father about this trip." Lili put a finger to her lip in a 'quiet' gesture.
Asuka raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Whaaa? You're goin' on a world trip all over the globe and ya didn't even mention this to daddy dearest?!" She exclaimed before giving a hearty chuckle. "That's kinda badass. Very dumb, but badass. Your secret's safe with me."
"Thanks, Asuka." Lili's lips curled up in a small smile. "Party until your heart's delight! I must admit it is rather nice to see you smiling and enjoying yourself." Lili clapped her hands with a chuckle. "...and making yourself look like an idiot."
"Thanks, Lili." Asuka's lips curled up into a smile too before a classic fume and pout came about courtesy of none other than Lili. "Damnit, Lili!"
"We also do not have too much time until we must embark upon the next stage in our quest." Lili stated.
"We're gonna' land already?" Asuka questioned. "Ooohhh boy we're gettin' closer and closer to the South Pole! I can feel it!" She took a deep breath and exhaled with a grin.
Lili looked at Asuka in confusion. "How do you mean? I believe we are landing in Germany."
"What!?" Asuka yelled in disbelief. "Why?! That's like the total opposite way!"
"I know." Lili gave a nod. "But it is where we will find some more fighters to send packing."
Asuka groaned with a whine. "This stupid plan of yours is so boneheaded..." She shook her head with a frown. "If I wasn't in a private jet right now, I'd so beat the stupidity outta ya..."
"Hush, my thuggish brute." Lili chuckled. "They say it's about the journey and not the destination, no?"
Asuka simply rolled her eyes and enjoyed a bunch of sodas and snacks that the jet had to offer, soon sinking into a sofa to rest as the two were soon approaching their next destination.
Eventually the Rochefort jet descended into a landing zone as Lili and Asuka promptly disembarked. Asuka marveled at all the luxurious-looking sights as she followed Lili, though the latter was solely focused on her mission and refused to stop much to Asuka's dismay.
Lili's device of intel would lead her away from the city center and into the wonders of the beautiful Black Forest, much to Asuka's puzzlement. "C'mon, that thing is bogus. Ya seriously think we gonna' find any fighters in here?"
"Hey there!" Immediately cue two fighters who sprinted over and soon stood in front of Lili and Asuka. Once more stood two faces who were quite familiar to the girls, except this time it was much more of a positive reception. "Fancy seeing you two again!" Both of the duo called out. Perhaps fittingly in the marvelous forest stood Julia and Josie.
"Oh my, greetings!" Lili gave a polite bow. "Of course we would find you in a forest." She gave a friendly chuckle.
"Ah, suppose it's better than seeing some jerks or something..." Asuka scratched her head with a shrug with a slight frown at Julia's direction.
"Eheehee..." Julia twiddled her thumbs with an awkward chuckle. "Thanks for coming onto my livestream...aha, those livestreams can sure get crazy, huh?"
"Yeeeeaaaaaahhhhh." Asuka sarcastically stated with a squint of her eyes.
"I do not suppose you two are also on the search for Pandora, is it?" Lili queried with a smile.
"Heck yeah! Julia was almost going to head off with that Bob Richards fighter, but Julia and I ended up close friends all thanks to you two! I can't thank you enough!" Josie cheered while excitedly punching the air.
"We want that box to preserve all the nature in the earth! Gee, we're starting to sound like one-note ponies..." Josie chuckled.
"A noble desire." Lili nodded with a smile. "I also need that box for my father."
"Hmm...how's about we team up, then?" Julia perked up. "Pandora can make all our wishes come true."
"Woohoo!" Josie cheered as Asuka shrugged. "Whatever."
"That would be utmost delightful." Lili clapped her hands with merriment until gloom soon filled her face as she remembered some recent news she happened to read on the plane.
"Wait a minute...I read some recent rumours about Pandora. Namely, if your team is comprised of more than two members, Pandora will deem you cowards and not worthy of the box." Lili frowned with a fume.
"Oh, drat..." Josie and Julia moaned. "That sucks...So what should we do now?"
"I believe a good spar is in order." Lili smiled as she quickly adopted her fighting stance.
"Lookin' forward to it!" Asuka grinned as she cracked her knuckles.
"Well, okay!" Julia nodded as she adopted a stance and turned her tablet on. "This will be a good fight. Stream is live, you ready?"
"Oh yeah!" Josie pumped herself up and adopted her stance. "I was sure a nervous wreck when I met you two, but Julia's really been helping me with my confidence! I ain't holding back!" Josie declared with vigour as she jogged forward, ready to start the fight.
Asuka was ready to walk forward but was halted by Lili's arm again. "I shall begin the proceedings." Lili declared to a grumbling Asuka, with the Monegasque lady twirling into the battle zone.
"This is sure to be an exciting one!" Julia glanced to her livestream with a wide grin. "Fight!"
Lili blitzed forward and dived in the air straight toward Josie. Lili spun herself in the air while aiming a kick.
Josie proceeded to sidestep it with a grin as she then sent her own spin kick which collided with Lili's flying self and sent her flying elsewhere.
Lili at least managed to land with grace as she planted her hands to the ground and flipped herself back into a standing position. "Wow. Impressive." Lili gave a clap. "Sorry to have to go all out on you." Lili chuckled as she rushed forward to give a series of sharp slaps.
"Heh. I except nothing less!" Josie nodded and managed to block the first hit from Lili but the rest came at a rapid rate and impacted soundly. "Eek!" Josie shrieked as Lili's final slap was rather a palm thrust that sent her back. "U-uhm...Julia? I'll tag you in!" Josie announced.
"Gotcha, Rizz!" Julia nodded as she stepped in. "You're doing great, by the way! No need to be nervous." Julia affirmed as she leaped forward and wasted no time in trying to land a solid punch at Lili, who shook her head with a grin as she blocked the punch with her elbow.
Lili then gasped as Julia grabbed onto Lili's arm and sent a punch to her face. The onslaught was not over as Julia slammed the gripped Lili onto the ground then pulled her straight back up for a third and final punch which sent her sprawling to the floor, a trademark move from Julia which came to be known as her 'Mad Axes' attack.
"Lili!" Asuka pumped her fists. "My time to shine!"
"Negative." Lili croaked out as she slowly picked herself up off the floor. "Your help is unnecessary, I will handle this on my own." She muttered as she shook her head in the hopes of clearing away and forgetting all her sudden pain.
"Damnit, Lili..." Asuka frowned. "You're gonna get your ass kicked..."
"Non!" Lili barked as she resumed her stance, ready as ever to rumble. Julia ran over and jumped high into the air, aiming to land a savage stomp onto Lili.
However, Lili twirled to the side with an elegant sidestep and backflipped into the air herself. The moment Julia landed onto the ground, she looked up in agast to see Lili's feet plant themselves on her head and launch her up with a few good kicks. Lastly, Lili rocketed her knee at Julia to send her flying back.
"Have some faith, Miss Kazama." Lili giggled to a grunting Asuka.
"Believe in yourself, Rizz." A weakened Julia hi-fived her partner as Josie quickly stepped back in. "Cheers, Jules! Won't let ya down!"
Josie was in high-spirits and ran at Lili to send a flurry of jabs at her. Lili raised her elbows to block the sudden combo coming her way but failed to dodge a sudden kick Josie struck her with. Josie then followed that up with a few more punches Lili could not dodge which sent the princess back.
"Oh my! C-certainly strong..." Lili clenched her teeth as she dived right back into the action, refusing to give up. She countered back with a few slaps which Josie deflected, until the Filipina fell down courtesy of a sudden leg sweep from Lili. Lili then gave one more kick and a big stomp before Josie managed to roll back.
"Eeeshh...s-she's tough..." A winded Josie sighed. "Jules, go get 'er!"
Julia patted Josie's back. "Okay!" Julia immediately soared into the air and before Lili could react, she suddenly crashed into the ground thanks to Julia landing a precise hit right down on Lili.
"Euughhk..." Lili bellowed out a yelp of pain on the ground as Julia hit her a few times. Still, Lili was one determined lady and she sent a kick at Julia's shins and lifted herself up immediately to send sharp kicks at Julia's head. Lili then grabbed onto Julia's arm while extending her leg up high into the sky, only to send it crashing back down onto Julia.
"Hyah!" Lili fiercely shouted as she went for a stomp but Julia rolled back in time. "Rizz, I'm gonna need you back!" Julia wheezed out as she tagged her partner in.
"Won't let cha' down!" Josie nodded as she ran in with exhilaration and sent a solid five-punch combo towards Lili.
Usually Lili would be able to block Josie's combos with no issue, however the fatigue and damage was very much starting to catch up with Lili and she was met with sharp pain all over as Josie's fists connected with impact. Not long after, Lili was pummeled to the ground.
Lili let out a meekly gulp as she clutched her stomach in great pain. "Errughhkk...I-I will never give up..."
"Lili!" Asuka barked with a big shout. "Listen to me! Their teamwork is exceptional! Listen, your attacks are fierce. But it don't mean squat when they tag each other in and heal from pretty much everything you throw at em'!" Asuka yelled out. "If you wanna win you better suck it up, princess, 'cause you know what to do but are just too damn stubborn!"
A groaning Lili did not say a word for some time, but after a moment she eventually raised her hand just enough to tag Asuka into the battle. "T-thank you, Asuka."
Asuka gave a nod as she clenched her fists and rushed forward. "Come and get me!" Asuka smirked as she suddenly cartwheeled herself into the air and launched some striking wheel kicks at an unprepared Josie who yelped with a gulp as the kicks sent her down. Josie got up and tried to throw some more punches but Asuka had a block for each and promptly grabbed onto Josie's arm to give it a twist.
"Eep!" Josie shrieked as she kicked Asuka back but turned to Julia. "Need you back!" Josie called out as Julia gave a nod. "Spirits, give me strength."
Julia ran into battle. "Knocked you out once already, time for the repeat!" Julia announced as she sent a combo of hits to Asuka who only proceeded to block each.
"Guess that's not so easy to do when I'm expecting it, airhead!" Asuka smirked as she sent some solid punches to Julia. A few connected and sent Julia back a bit.
"I'll give it my all!" Julia spun herself around and managed to get a few decent strikes onto Asuka's back and send her to the ground with a sweep.
"My back...ough, my back..." Asuka winced as she slowly got up.
"Rest up, Kazama!" Lili declared with her hand extended. "I'll inform you when you are needed."
"Err...I hope so..." Asuka eventually nodded as Lili stepped in.
It was a fierce battle with neither side backing down. Julia got some good hits on Lili but the princess had some good counters that made Julia switch with Josie. Josie's combos got the better of Lili once more but Asuka was ready at the helm to send a good fist packing Josie's way. The teams would constantly switch between their pairs in an all-out battle of endurance.
Eventually Josie was absolutely hammered and limped back to Julia. "Need to tag you...Sorry..."
"Oh man...I understand." Julia clutched her stomach as she slowly walked in. "They ought to be losing steam too." Julia looked up with her eyes widening in terror at the sight.
"Nope!" A resounding yell came from Asuka as she hurled a devastating punch that sent Julia to the ground.
At this point the battle, and most certainly that punch, had taken an arduous toll on Julia who was too exhausted to get up. She looked up in fright as she saw Asuka marching toward her. "Y-you win...P-please don't..." Julia closed her eyes and embraced herself for the oncoming and expected impact. The knockout blow.
After a moment, Julia was confused as no wallop came. She slowly opened her eyes to the sight of Asuka holding out a hand with a smile. "Get up, you." Asuka let out a soft chuckle.
"O-oh...t-thank you." Julia gulped with a smile as she accepted Asuka's help. "You don't want payback after I...you know...?"
"Ahh, it's whatever. I get it. Lili finds a way to ruffle everyone's feathers." Asuka sighed with a chuckle. "Besides, I think this victory makes us even."
"I am putting in an effort to ensure I adhere to my father's teachings of manners." Lili nodded as she stepped forward. "Sometimes I may ever-so stray accidentally..." She chuckled with a shrug. "But alas, what an incredible fight that was!"
"You got that right!" Josie cheered as she joined the rest. "Oh man thought we almost had you two there! I'm so not the scaredy-cat I once was!"
"Boo!" Asuka raised a fist to which a freaked Josie latched onto Julia's shoulder from behind. "Aah!"
"Hahah! Just kiddin' with ya! It was a great battle!" Asuka smiled with a thumbs-up. "You two sure have talent."
"And you are the ultimate peacemaker." Julia nodded with a smile. "No wonder your interview was so popular."
"Eeesshhh...I don't wanna know." Asuka sighed with a chuckle. "Lili's always ruining things...although this battle. This battle...she came through for me." Asuka looked at Lili with a smile.
"You came through for me, Asuka. I would have been toast without your advice." Lili gave a curt bow. "I appreciate it, Miss Kazama."
"Wow I never thought I'd- Hey! For the last time...call me Asuka." Asuka chuckled with a smile.
"You were marvelous, Asuka." Lili clapped her hands.
"You lot are adorable." Josie chuckled with a bright smile.
"We won't hold you any longer." Julia stated with a nod. "Who knows what evil hands could get their hands on that box...We wish you the best of luck in finding Pandora."
"100%! We won't give up either...but gee if anyone's got a shot at nabbing the box, it's you two!" Josie waved with a smile. "So glad to have met you gals!"
"Likewise. Now, we must depart quickly." Lili and Asuka gave pleasant smiles as they waved their friends a heartwarming goodbye. The two soon made their way back to the Rochefort jet with it then taking off to their next destination.
"What a baaaaatttttle!" An ecstatic Asuka lounged about on a chair.
"Indeed it was." Lili sipped a cup of tea with delight. "Your ardent blows were alluring to the eye."
"Heh, well your soaring kicks were majestic to see." Asuka glugged down a soda with a big smile.
"Perhaps my words were not erroneous when I declared we would be the greatest fighting duo in the world, hmm?" Lili tilted her head with a chuckle.
"Well...only if you don't forget that it's a two-woman job." Asuka gave a thumbs-up. "I'm er, glad to be on this journey with you, Lili."
Lili gave a giggle. "Why, I feel the same. I could not think of anyone else to accompany me." Lili looked to the side with rose-tinted cheeks. "W-well uh, I would have asked my trustworthy butler, but he was busy and all you know..."
"Heh. Couldn't think of anyone else to do this with either. You're always gettin' me into some damn crazy adventures..." Asuka laughed with delight. She had rose-tinted cheeks to match Lili.
"Speaking of." Lili stroked her chin. "I recommend you rest up as much as you can. This will be the last time we're on this plane before we get to the South Pole."
"O-oh really? I better savour these glorious couches...It's like my body totally forgot we were just in a fight." Asuka wiggled around her couch with a nod, then gasping. "So we're actually finally on the way then?"
"Mhm. We shall journey forth to the South Pole!" Lili declared to the delight of both her and Asuka. "About time! Let's see if this box is all it's cracked up to be!"
The two proceeded to have a good night's rest as they had a decent while before they could land. But the big rest and plane ride felt like it went by instantaneously and soon the ladies had their final day ahead of them.
Lili let out a colossal yawn as she stretched her arms wide. "Ah, a delightful rest." She turned her head to see Asuka dozing peacefully in her sleep. A rather endearing sight, Lili thought. Another thing Lili thought, was that there ain't nothing more fun than teasing Asuka a little. Thus, Lili took one of her pillows and lobbed it straight at Asuka. "Wakey-wakey."
"Blurrhgh!" Asuka immediately jolted up and glared at the pillow, throwing at back at Lili. "Whadda hell?"
"Up you get." Lili smiled as she threw the pillow back at Asuka. "Our last day is upon us."
"Okay okay...I'm not a mornin' person, jeez..." Asuka slowly nodded as she lobbed the pillow back at Lili like a missile. "Oh yeah, I'm up!"
Lili grumbled but tucked the pillow back in its place. "Now, my dear, listen. There is nowhere safe for my pilot to land in Antarctica, so we will embark from here and hop onto my tanker." Lili declared with confidence.
Asuka tapped her cheek in thought. "I don't think that plan will work out..."
The plane would eventually make its landing upon the tarmac and the two young women were soon walking along an urban city in what looked to be an aimless manner. The cheerful and lively vibes the two shared within the jet had also seemed to be replaced with quite the opposite of a scene, with a plight of squabbling and bickering among the two.
"It's such a dumb idea! Just like your decision to call us the Iron Fisters!" Asuka yelled with a grumble. "Why'd you have to ditch English class all the time..."
"Not a thing wrong with that name...the Iron Fist tournament is how we met, is it not?" Lili tilted her head curiously.
"Y-yes, but...ugh, forget it!" Asuka crossed her arms with a fume. "Now what? We're just gonna wander around until some other fighters find us? We can't go on your tanker..." Asuka mused as the two slightly cooled down.
Unable to yet come to an agreement, Lili stopped the two in their tracks over at a court next to a skate park while they figured things out.
"Hah! Ain't no way you could skate...I'd love to see ya faceplant!" Asuka grinned.
"Oh hush, you. I stopped us here so that there is not a chance we could get ambushed by fighters, as we must savor our vitality." Lili stated. "Nobody in sight, save for the children skating around." She cocked her head toward the semi-bustling skate park where a bunch of kids were indeed shredding it up. "Who would come here looking for a fight?"
"Fair 'nuff." Asuka shrugged as she rustled her hair. "Alright, let's work on a plan together."
"Let's." Lili nodded with a stroke of her chin. "I don't understand why we can't just use my boat."
"Because, Lili..." Asuka softly whined. "Your family's boat is the size of a tanker! A ship like that size is putting a target on our back!"
"Well, it appears to me that you don't have any ideas." Lili frowned with an eye-roll.
"Course I do!" Asuka confidently declared. "For starters, the two of us are gonna sneak into a-"
The sudden commanding voice of a woman called out, interrupting Asuka. "I don't think that's gonna happen."
An alarmed Lili and Asuka turned their heads to the source of the voice - a Chinese woman in a blue qipao with large spiked bracelets adorning her wrists. To her side was another woman who donned a green leotard, red gloves and a red cap with some kind of insignia. Together, their presence screamed out authority.
"You two. This area is off-limits to civilians." The woman in blue sharply stated.
"What are you on about?" A perplexed Asuka asked as she eyed the two incredulously. "Don't you see the kiddos skatin' there?"
"Yes." The woman nodded. "The skate park is fine, but this field is off-limits for construction. Chun-Li of Interpol, and this is Cammy of special forces." The woman introduced herself. "What are you doing here?"
While Asuka was still absolutely bewildered, one thing she knew was that she did not want to be hanging around the fuzz. "Eh...we were just leaving-" Asuka muttered while scratching her head before Lili interrupted her with a pronounced step forward.
"Our presence here is none of your business." Lili confidently stated with a scowl. "Now take your leave."
"Lili!" Asuka called out with a gasp. "You just...i-idiot!"
"I'm not taking my leave anywhere." Chun-Li frowned a little.
"So you intend to stand in our way?" Lili queried with a tilt of the head.
"Oh please, let's just arrest them already." Cammy sighed. Suddenly Lili swung her leg with might to try send a kick to Cammy, only for Cammy to block it with a strong kick of her own which sent Lili falling down.
"Lili!" Asuka quickly helped Lili get back up as Cammy adopted her fighting stance. "Time's short, so let's get on with it." Cammy ordered as Lili soon got into her stance.
"Right..." Chun-Li gave a sigh with a pout. "But why do I feel like we're the bad guys in this situation..."
"Why do I feel like this fight was so avoidable..." Asuka lamented with a pout as Cammy and Lili began to rush forward. No more skating was happening at the half-pipe, with the skateboarding kids all looking intently with cheers.
And so just like that, the fourth battle for Lili and Asuka was set to begin right now. It seemed like these two police were the final obstacle in the duo's path before they finally reached the freezing wasteland of Antarctica. Hence, Lili had zero intentions of holding back. That box is coming to her father.
Cammy began the assault with a tactical strike. Figuring this ballerina-type was just another Karin, Cammy sent forth a rapid spinning kick like a whirlwind. An un-counterable attack, given Cammy knew Karin often liked to counter her opponents with mighty throws.
To Cammy's surprise and shock, Lili had leaped in the air and implanted a kick squarely down to her head which elicited a groan and made Cammy step back a bit.
Stroking her chin, Cammy called out to her partner. "Chun-Li. I'll tag you in. I need to analyse their move-sets for a little."
"Leave it to me!" Chun-Li nodded as she twirled her arms and got into her stance. "Ready when you are, miss."
"Hmph." Lili rushed forward and leaped to dish out another kick, but this time Chun-Li was waiting and caught her leg. Lili was then flipped to the ground with a slam as a consequence.
Chun-Li stood in her stance with a smile, awaiting the princess' next move. Lili got up with a whine as she stomped on the ground. "You're so done!" Lili shouted with a sulk and was about to rush forward, but flashbacks of the previous battle entered her mind.
Heeding Asuka's words from earlier, Lili instead turned back around. "Asuka. You're up! I'm going to need you." Lili nodded with a smile.
"Let's get this over with!" Asuka pumped her fists with hardiness as Lili took a spot near the onlooking small crowd.
Chun-Li awaited in her stance to see what Asuka would do. Asuka sprinted towards Chun-Li in a blasting blitz yet gave nothing away about what kind of attack she was going for. The confused Chun-Li figured perhaps she unintentionally left an opening for herself, only to feel the impact of a brutal punch combo which sent her flying back.
"Need me in there?" Cammy called out.
Chun-Li quickly got up and shook her head. "Oh, no. I did not want to use my full force, but now it's necessary." She rubbed her cheek and got back into her stance, waiting for Asuka to strike.
Asuka scoffed at the sight. "Lili was right, you defensive types are puttin' me to sleep!" She ran forward and spun herself around to charge up a brutal wheel-kick that no defense would be safe from.
The moment the kick was ready-to-go and Chun-Li was in front, Asuka's eyes widened in terror as Chun-Li snapped her leg sharply forward and stopped Asuka in her tracks with not one, not two, but what seemed like a hundred-or-so flashing speedy kicks like lightning. The onslaught was immense and Asuka was getting battered with a barrage of kicks, eventually sending her crashing to the ground with a moan.
"Eurgk..." Asuka slowly began to crawl back with a wince as Chun-Li slowly advanced.
"Lili, n-need to tag you in." Asuka called out as she crawled back. To Asuka's complete confusion, there was no response from Lili as Chun-Li continued to advance.
"L-Lili? Huh?" A bewildered Asuka turned her head to see what the deal was, and the sight was much to Asuka's horror.
Lili stood in the center of the skateboarding kids, signing autographs for them as she struck some poses with a merry giggle.
"Damnnnnnnnit...Lili!" Asuka roared out.
Lili turned her head with an enthusiastic wave. "Hey, Asuka! They're fans of moi! Can you believe it?! They wanted my autograph! This is so cool, right?" An elated Lili smiled as she waved at Asuka and turned back to the cheerful kids.
"Oh my gooooooosh, L-Lili you numbskull get back here-" Asuka gulped with an awkward chuckle as she looked up to see Chun-Li standing above. "Uhm...hi."
WHACK!
With a solid slug from Chun-Li, Asuka was thumped into the realms of unconsciousness as the Interpol officer soon whipped out a pair of handcuffs. Their present position being now perhaps a pertinent problem pertaining to the pursuit for Pandora...