The Moment of Inspiration Prompt

Goal: Simplicity itself. Write a Moment of Inspiration.

Pairing: Koga, Benji, and Yao

Verse: King of Fighters

Type of Scene: Celebration Scene

One late night at a restaurant near Rose Bernstein's Stadium, three patrons were eating a meal after everything just happened. The three were the winners of said tournament as well as saviors of this world.

The Team Captain, Koga the Oni Detective, was on the eatery table's leftmost side dining on Sukiyaki. Benjamin 'Benji' Maddox was in the middle feasting on a beef teriyaki dish. And the Team's Anchor, Wuming Yao, history's youngest recorded Sennin, was devouring his Sodon.

Koga was hired by Adelheid Bernstein, Rose's older brother, to investigate the behind-the-scenes malice. This wasn't the detective's first time taking part in the KOF tournament. In fact, he's a former champion, this tournament marking his second victory. His first time was as the Anchor of the 'Joker' Team with his friend and consistent client Oswald and the eccentric Ash Crimson. He sacrificed himself to permanently kill off Saiki, who manipulated Rose into making the KOF XIII tournament. Saiki's group, 'Those from the Past,' forced Chizuru into hosting the KOF 2003. Ash was a descendant of him. The resemblance was creepily uncanny.

Saiki was more powerful than the trio had fathomed. Controlling black fire, time, and transforming into an admittedly grotesque monster of a man. When the trio beat Ash Crimson to near-death, it hampered his plans. Still, there he was, ready to screw the world over just to obtain Orochi's power.

The trio themselves had a lot of stake in those last few battles.

All three members of what they called 'Team New World' came from different places and backgrounds. Koga's from a realm known as Hyrule. Kakariko Village specifically, but he recently moved to Manhattan with his wife, Zafina. She told him that she was pregnant with their son a few days before the final.

Benji, originally from a realm called Edenia, migrated to Earth some time into adulthood. He eventually married a fellow Edenian named Jade and Sareena, an Oni from Hell. Add to the fact that he's a father of four and can summon different types of birds, the most powerful being an Ice Phoenix; you might think he's the odd one out here.

But oh no, that goes to Yao. The most humane of the team from Aberdeen, Hong Kong, Yao runs a medicine store alongside his little sister, Jianyu. She was a brainwashed soldier for a terrorist group. Despite being the youngest of the three, he's also one of only 50 people in all of reality to earn the title of Sennin, the pinnacle level of mastery in the Martial Arts world. He also recently reunited with his mother as well as started a relationship of his own. Had they lost against Saiki and Evil Ash, they can kiss all their fortunes and loved ones goodbye.

They all held things worth fighting for, and what occupied their backs can represent what they use to do this.

Koga's irezumi of the Eye of Truth shows he's hellbent on exposing the truth in all evils he lays his crimson red eyes on. Benji's Mark of the Yatagarasu represents the winged allies under his control to protect his family. Yao's battle scars represent the hard work and effort he personally put in to become one of the most powerful people on the planet.

Their torsos exposed to the other patrons as the champions ate in comfortable silence, each enjoying the food they ordered. They each were looking forward to going back home to their regular lives. The giant trophy Rose gave them was on Koga's left, physical proof of their victory. After a while, the group finished their food simultaneously.

*CLINK* *CLINK* *CLINK*

"That was some of the best food I had in weeks."

"Please, anythin' was better than the crap they served at the hotel we crashed at."

*BUURRRP* Yao belched, much to his teammates' humor. "Say, Koga. Who's going to keep the trophy?"

"I don't know. Rose could've given us all one. Don't know why she didn't."

"Must've been Botan's manipulating made her forget that KOF has a minimum of a three-person per team."

"Ben, can you take it with you? I bet Dakini would love to have the trophy in the Estate."

Benji chuckled at the thought of his future daughter showing off the trophy to the other Kombat Kids whenever they visited the house.

"I can take it, Koga. But I think it'll be better if you did. You're a two-time winner of the KOF tournament, which means more credibility, no? The trophy can help get you more work."

"It can, but I don't think I'm gonna be takin' more work with Zafina being pregnant. I can be a bit of a workaholic, so helping her out will definitely help me relax," the Detective answered before chugging his beverage.

"Oh, yeah. I forgot that Zafina's pregnant. How far along is she?" Yao asked.

"Two months as of yesterday. Her first trimester is done, and we both think we're not ready to be parents. We sure as hell didn't think that far when we consummated our second anniversary. When horny, Z is... impossible to say no to."

"Speak for yourself. This is coming from a man who's married to two women, so I understand completely. But I think you'll do a fantastic job as a parent, Koga. You have the necessary skills. Just don't worry too much. You'll only grow gray hairs if you psych yourself out before he's even born yet. Do your siblings know of Zafina's pregnancy?"

"They don't. I honestly don't know how they'll react. Tea and Dev would probably embarrass me but still offer their congratulations. But I can worry about that when I see Z again."

"You're going to do great, Captain. Make sure to send us pictures," Yao spoke positively as he chugged his soup.

"Any plans for the future, Yao?" Benji asked the Team Anchor.

"Not really. I'll head back to Aberdeen, tell the others the good news, then revert to running the medicine store with Jian. Maybe the Significant Other and I might go on a date or two. We're taking things steady at the moment. I'm fine being where I'm at right now. Plus, I'm still kinda drained from becoming a Sennin. Maybe I'll take the greatest nap ever. Who knows?"

"What about you, Ben? Any plans for the foreseeable future?" Koga asked the Team Mid.

"Possibly. Ruby and Randy's birthdays are approaching soon. I assume when I get back, I'll have to help Jade and Sareena prepare for the party."

"Ooh, we should come and meet the misses and the kids. Koga can bring his wife, and I can bring my girl and Jian. Get better acquainted with the families," Yao offered as the team paid their bills.

"That sounds like an awesome idea. I bet Z would love to see Jade and the others again. They're gonna be ecstatic to see that she's pregnant."

"Not as much as Kim, I bet. She smells pregnancy like a bloodhound," Benji remarked as the group made their way outside. "Are you sure you want me to keep the trophy, Koga?"

"If it bothers you that much, Ben, I can take it back when I start working again. But I'm adamant in you keeping it."

"Fair enough. I'll take it with me." Benji grabbed their prize. "Yao, you want a ride back to Aberdeen?"

"That'd be awesome, Ben," Yao answered honestly.

The group shook hands one last time before officially disbanding.

"Well, fellas. It's been a fun ride. But as of now, Team New World is no more. I'll see you all soon, I hope," Koga said.

The former Team Captain then teleported back home.

Benji opened a portal for Aberdeen and shook Yao's hand once more. "I'll see you soon, Yao."

"Of course, Ben. Say hi to the wives for me," Yao replied as he went through the portal.

Benji closed it before opening one more to his home in China before walking through to reunite with his loving family.

Team New World... is no more.