10139 from Here and Afar
Written by RinoaDestiny
All characters belong to SNK
Hey. Just checking in – how are you doing today?
Behind him, one of the NESTS facilities burned, violet flames gutting the structure from within, shrouding it with smoke. There was blood on his hands – many a corrupt scientist and pitiful clone extinguished – and it'd been a long day of fruitless searching. Insofar as Iori could tell, Kyo Kusanagi – the real one; his actual rival, not the illegal copies – either evaded him or was located elsewhere. Being black sites scattered throughout Eastern Europe and with the Internet in its infancy, finding them was as much chance as intel gathering from the men he'd killed.
Scientists liked to discuss their theories and research. Getting them to cough up confidential information on the other hand took coercion. Sometimes, even that didn't work, boding ill regarding the implications of NESTS' overall power. The cartel had hired arms, but that shouldn't have come as a surprise to him.
His phone chimed softly, loud in the nighttime silence. Iori glanced down at the characters on his screen, at the messaging technology that Japan excelled in at this time. It beat his previous pager with all conversations in numerical codes.
Where are you, Iorin? Are you all right?
He smiled, ignoring the smear of blood on his screen. I'm fine. It's been a crazy day. Understatement of the century, if Setsuko only knew. Trying to find someone related to the tournament. I'll return once it's all resolved.
You're not in danger, are you?
No. There were men with guns, but Iori had quickly dispatched them without incurring any injuries. How's it at home?
Quiet. Like usual, you know? Iorin, stay safe.
I will.
Setsuko was unexpected; a gift offered by the universe that usually treated him cruelly and unfairly. After Kaoru's untimely death four years ago – not a memory Iori wished to retain, but her accidental demise was etched in his soul – he'd avoided people and backed away from the dating scene. It'd been horrible – all that blood and torn flesh and he hadn't even known – and although it wasn't entirely his fault, Kaoru had died because of him.
He was a menace to those he loved. He shouldn't exist, curse and all his sins awaiting a judgment beyond the river when that time came. So he kept himself isolated, afraid to get close. To bring harm to others.
But somehow, during the interim after Kaoru's death and now, he and Setsuko crossed paths and…here he was, exchanging messages over a weak signal while edifices burned. There was light and warmth in spite of the cold flames, reaching him even here.
I have to go. He needed water and sleep – could find both given time. Talk to you some other time, Setsuko.
Okay. 0833.
Iori barked out a sharp quick laugh. Too early to say the same for you, but good night.
After a few days of elusive searching, Iori concluded Kyo had slipped NESTS' leash and was likely surviving in the wild similar to him. Academic skillset notwithstanding, Kyo had street smarts, which was now the more valuable of the two. He wondered where he was and how close in proximity they were to each other. Rivalry aside, Iori wanted personal confirmation Kyo was alive and well. As well as someone could be, having undergone non-consensual cloning and other lab experiments.
A chime from his pants pocket. Retrieving his phone, he read the message. 084, Iorin. How are you?
Good morning to you, too, Setsuko. It was probably past morning for her, though, back in Osaka. Think my teammate is roaming. Gotta find him and make sure. He can be an idiot, but a powerful one.
Hope you find him. A brief pause. Are you taking care of yourself?
As best as I can. Foraging for food was risky, yet he hadn't accidentally killed himself from poison or gotten sick. Rivers aplenty here for water and there were places to shelter at, if one knew where to look. Meat, too, if he went hunting. Small game like rabbits and birds – now wasn't a time to be picky, as long as he received nourishment. Much nicer to be back home, but ain't got time for that.
How much longer will you be gone?
I don't know. His clothes showed wear and tear, exposed to sunshine, rain, wind, and having undergone the rigors of washing and drying. Already, the bright colors were fading, red and dark blue lightening. Are you safe? NESTS evidently planned world domination using Kyo clones – although how that harebrained scheme was meant to work, Iori had no idea – and he wasn't sure if the massive invasion was underway. Nothing weird happening?
There was something on the news, but it got suppressed quickly.
Of course. Either the Japanese authorities realized the catastrophic implications – their golden boy having murderous clones with evil intent – or someone else stepped in, silencing the media. Iori could guess who the likely organization or person could be – Heidern and the Ikari squad poked their noses into everyone's business – and condoned it this time, since worldwide panic only made people stupid. Not like panicking people could take on engineered pyromaniacs (weapons of war). No, that took people like him and others in the tournament scene.
If anything happens, keep your head down. Let me know if something does, okay?
What is happening, Iorin? Is this what you deal with all the time?
Not all the time. Not every day, thank the gods, but being one of the Sacred Treasures meant being on constant awareness and always mindful of one's duties. Something Kyo struggled with, Iori knew, having seen him drag his feet even with Chizuru's requests. He couldn't exactly blame him – their responsibilities were heavy, weighted by all the history of their ancestors – and yet…it'd be nice to see his rival mature into his role. He and Kagura had to, by default of their upbringing and her sister's death at Goenitz's hands. This kidnapping and experimentation by the NESTS cartel was…not exactly the best way to usher in maturation, though. If not for the fact he'd awoken before Kyo and spotted the cartel's cronies, he'd be undergoing the same trauma.
As fucked up as he already was, Iori knew that'd push him over into pure insanity. Horrified as he was seeing the Kyo clones – the sheer hubris and gall – he couldn't imagine seeing clones of himself. Just one of him was enough; more was unchecked rage and lunacy and he would personally destroy all of them with his own hands. NESTS would have to murder him first to prevent it, but he wouldn't go alone and not without a fight.
I'll pray for you at the shrine.
A thoughtful consideration. Since I'm not there, can you also burn incense on my behalf?
Sure.
Setsuko had sent him messages in numerical pager codes before. Now, he returned the favor. 39.
You're welcome, Iorin.
Unbelievably, there was a tournament ongoing, even with the looming threat of invasion and world domination. Sometimes, Iori wondered if that spoke more about their fans (stadiums and arenas had been destroyed, people killed) and the draw of money and fame over self-preservation and common sense. They were a different matter, not quite normal with their abilities and fighting prowess. Their fan base, though…
People were confusing, including him.
Tracking down Kyo – his rival had gotten better at hiding himself – took effort, evasion (the cartel wasn't fooling around), and patience. There were signs, such as clones wrecked by Kusanagi flames and evidence of savage fighting; he followed these, piecing together Kyo's trail bit by bit. A pattern formed around the locations where some of the tournament events occurred, as if Kyo spied on a gathering where he should've been.
They would be in a better place if so, not dislocated and separated like this.
His clothes were frayed, threadbare in places and dyes washed out. He likely stank, but his nose had gotten used to his own stench. Iori could call himself a survivalist now, considering how long he'd lived off the land and found shelter in the strangest of places. Unsurprisingly, he'd found himself homesick for Osaka, for actual prepared food, a shower or bath, his guitar, and music.
There was love, too – a rarity in this life of his.
084, Setsuko.
Good morning, Iorin. A few seconds passed. How is it?
I'm getting closer. He'd thought he'd seen all the NESTS facilities, but this one was the largest by far – the headquarters, perhaps? – and the final team in the tournament bracket, if he guessed correctly, had headed inside. That said volumes about the tournament organizer, which meant another megalomaniac like Rugal. Which asshole was it this time running the show? My teammate is within reach, but we have some complications to deal with.
Oh no! Will you be all right, Iorin?
Might get a beating, but I'll be fine.
What?! Iorin, you didn't mean that! Did you?
He pictured Setsuko sitting at a desk, worried and clutching her newfangled phone as if doing so would bring him back home. Despite her obvious distress, she cared and it warmed him that she did. It sometimes happens. Not my first time – I'll be okay.
Don't get yourself killed!
Won't happen. He'd been prepared to die back in 1997 as a sacrifice to keep Orochi sealed away, but life had other plans for him. He'd gotten a firsthand experience of Kyo's ultimate power, though, and occasionally, his back would flare with residual pain. His body was a time capsule of that moment, forever locked in memory of that joint takedown.
Come home soon, Iorin.
No promises, but I'll try. He had his responsibilities, even if it didn't entail fighting NESTS lackeys inside the facility. Now, Kyo…depending on his mood and current prowess, they might fight to a draw again. Or he'd beat him and get him on the first flight back to Osaka, since Kyo's girlfriend also awaited his return. Funny, that – how similar they were regarding that aspect.
Iorin…would it be okay if we got a pet?
He stopped in his careful approach and reread the text. His heart pounded, excitement of a different kind filling him. How about a cat?
That's just like you. He could almost hear her affectionate tone. How about we look around after you come back?
I'd like that. He paused and then tapped the numbers in. 10139.
A moment's inactivity, as though Setsuko needed time to register his message. 10139, Iorin. He could imagine her soft smile. Be safe.
His declaration made – for life could change and nothing was certain – Iori turned off his phone, pocketed it, squared his shoulders back, and strode into the NESTS facility. Within, he heard the sounds of battle.
It called to him, a stirring transcending all his history.
Kyo was inside, too. He was sure of it.
His rival had been aggressive like Iori had never seen before. Aggressive, aggrieved, and angry – a volatile mix that could end with him dead if he wasn't careful. Kyo's trauma was evident, manifested by rage and it had teeth. Iori treated their fight as a dangerous dance, letting himself get nipped, but never truly bitten. Not unless he had a death wish, which he didn't.
The facility fell apart around them during their fight, forcing them to flee to higher ground. While the building crumbled below, they resumed where they'd left off, exchanging blows and bruises. Iori noticed the definitive lack of Kyo's headband – his rival looked older – and the new jacket, a departure from the schoolboy of yesterday. No longer pristine, Kyo's jacket nonetheless caught the eye, white and black raised like wings with each swift movement.
As usual, they fought to a draw. Only this time, Kyo didn't stick around. One minute, his rival was here and then, he was not. Iori considered following him; yet, Kyo's demeanor told him that'd be unwise. The other man was enraged, dealing with his abduction and the illicit things done to him. Iori had no business with either of those regarding Kyo's reaction and vengeance; perhaps, he'd shadow him later, when it was safer.
He liked a good fight, but he wasn't stupid.
The side of his jaw ached from a well-placed punch Kyo landed on him. Making sure nothing was broken – a wired jaw would be annoying – Iori checked for other injuries. Bruises on his upper arms, some blood on his chin (lower lip scuffed and slightly swollen), a couple burns here and there, and torn clothing aside, it was manageable and would heal by itself.
Fortunately, his phone had survived the fight and the escape from the now defunct NESTS headquarters. Turning it on, Iori noted the low battery signal. He needed to be quick and then search for a power source.
I found him. He's fine but angry. A bit banged up, but I'll live.
He wasn't certain if Setsuko would respond immediately, considering the difference in time zones. If she didn't and his phone went dead, he'd just have to wait and treat it as a delayed reply. Letting her know he was okay, though – not dead, not in danger – was the most he could do right now.
He wanted to go home, to Osaka, to Setsuko; however, Kyo still remained, roaming. The other man was probably seeking answers to hard questions. Iori hoped he would find them, but knew sometimes, there were no answers (or if there were, they didn't suffice). Until he was clearly out of danger, Iori had no intention of leaving his fellow Sacred Treasure behind.
Iorin? Good. That was faster than expected. You're okay?
Alive. A bit scratched up, but alive. How's your day going?
Same as usual. Think there's something happening here, but not sure what.
Do you need me to come back? I can check.
Setsuko's response was quick. If you want. I'm safe, though. Although, you're probably more excited about getting a cat – lucky kitty.
He laughed, despite the pain in his jaw. Setsuko – I need to stay here for a bit longer. My teammate…he's angry and lost. Someone needs to stick by him – make sure he's okay.
You won't stay away long, will you, Iorin?
I'll try not to. My battery's about to die, though. Will catch up with you later once I get this charged.
10139.
10139, Setsuko. Burn some incense for me.
Come home safe, Iorin, when you're ready.
Sure. I will.
Notes: So, I was chatting with my friend, Mana, and we discussed about Iori's unnamed girlfriends as listed on his game bios. He had two girlfriends: the first one was listed in 1995, but according to an official Orochi saga mook, was accidentally killed by Iori. We speculate it could have been the Riot of Blood, since it's hard to imagine Iori deliberately killing her. The second girlfriend was listed from 1999 to 2000; she falls off the list in 2001 and thereafter, Iori doesn't mention anyone else again.
However, 1999 to 2000 is directly during the NESTS saga, wherein Iori is busily searching for Kyo. I wondered how he was able to keep up this relationship with his girlfriend while he's doing that and the idea of mobile phone text messaging happened. Japan in 1999 already had advanced cell phone technology complete with text messaging according to my research, which blows my mind. I have this cross-posted to AO3 and on that one, I have provided a website link to an article detailing Japan's cell phone development around 1999 to 2000 and beyond.
Also, the numbers Iori and Setsuko are using comes from Japanese pager numbers, which would communicate certain meanings. I see it as them making callbacks to their pager days, each understanding what the other means. Website link to Japanese pager numbers is provided on AO3.
Some of the stuff referenced in this fic comes from official KOF '99 manga, which shows Kyo's abduction and Iori's close call, along with Iori's horror at discovering the Kyo clones. Before the official team stories went down on one of the KOF websites, one of them specifically focused on Iori saving Yuki from NESTS agents. That meant sometime between 1999 and 2000, Iori did return home during the ongoing crisis. In the context of this story, that allows room after this fic for him to reunite with Setsuko. How their relationship ended, I have no idea, but that's where headcanons come in.