Slowly, he got up from the bed, his mind still in a whirl from the previous night's--business. So, now it was time once again for it to come. This time, it wasn't Him who would be the final opponent, only someone obsessed with getting His power. He looked around and cursed when he couldn't find his blade. He then saw it sticking where he had left it, just under the handle of the door. If one of them had been standing closer and I aimed it just to the right and a little lower, the bastard...
"Yah hah hah ah! Those fools! Even after all that has been seen, they seek me and the secrets of my clan. No, they seek only my secrets, and the blood that flows through by veins. They are hoping that with this tournament they can get their hands on one with Orochi Blood. They'll get Orochi Blood, after ALL OF THEIRS IS SPILLED!" and Ryuji Yamazaki finished with his mad laughter echoing throughout, sending thoughts madness, fear, and death to any who heard it.
"Hey Andy, what's wrong? It's Mai, isn't it? You're worried about what Geese may do if he does have her?"
"What...Mary? Yes. With his lust for power, my father was killed in his madness. I never told Mai this, but until we competed in our first major tournament together, I had no idea how much she really meant to me. She's always so--bouncy--but as Terry said, `...she's good for you Andy. She may be able to help you learn to live again...' He's right."
Mary could understand how Andy felt. Maybe it's just "woman instinct" or something, but to have your own father killed and growing up with that vision crushed into your mind's eye would be more than most could take. That alone could drive a person mad. although it didn't drive him to such lengths, it definitely had a huge impact on his life. There's no telling how life may have been had it not happened, if Jeff still lived. How different a personality would the Bogard brothers have? What type of fighters would they become? Would they even become fighters, or would they do something else? But what's done is done. We can't change the past; or can we?
On top of losing his father, he had just within the past 24 hours lost the woman he loved to his worst foe, the self-proclaimed King of Southtown, Geese Howard. First, it was Jeff. Now it was Mai. Somehow, someone had to stop Geese, but who? And how?
"Well, are you two ready to go to this fight, kick butt, and get our answers?"
"Even after all the years I've known you Joe, you're still as straight forward as ever, and as erratic."
"You know it! That's why I'm the legend and the master that I am! Watch out, boys and girls! This time around, I'm going to be the King of Fighters!"
"Not if I beat you to it Joe. I've still got a few tricks I can use."
"Terry! I'm glad to see you!"
Mary than ran up to him for a hug. They kissed, he lifted her up, and spun her like there was nothing else in all of creation.
"... Come on! Let's get there before it starts!" complained an impatient Joe.
"Don't be jealous Joe. Girls don't like it when guys get jealous," answered Terry.
"Are you telling me what women like? What makes you the expert..."
"...Terry's the one with the girl, Joe!" Andy said, cutting Joe off.
They then all had a good laugh, except Joe, who could only grumble.
"So, have all of the invitations been responded to properly, Billy?"
"Yeah boss. Although the boys that found Ryuji are still shaken. They made need..."
"If they can't cope based on their pay and coverage, then their contract's void. I have no time nor money for those who are weak and are in no position to be of value to me."
"Yea, boss. But what about-?"
"That'll be all!"
"Yes sir!"
"I'm glad to see time off hasn't made you soft Geese! Taking such a lengthy hiatus can have very--different changes on a man, his life, and what he values."
"You should know it as well, Wolfgang. You yourself had a period of time to - evaluate you life."
"True, Geese."
"Lord Krauser! All of the desired competitors have accepted the challenge. The first of them will arrive shortly."
"Good! You may help make our guests more welcome, Laurence."
With a formal bow, he left to do as his lord so decreed.
"So, Geese, shall we get ready to welcome our guests?"
"Yes! I'm sure some of them are even dying to know what we have planned!"
"Kim, you've made it!"
"Yes, Terry, I have. I just wish it were under better circumstances. Besides coming not to compete, as I normally would, I've come to learn what our two `hosts' have planned. Alone, Geese or Krauser are a nightmare. But for the two of them to become allies, the world may soon tremble before their lust for power, and maybe more."
"Yep, thanks for making my day, Kim. Now I can sleep better, knowing that there are people like you telling us that the world may end tomorrow or worse. I'll remember to send you a postcard."
"Kim's right Joe. With both Geese and Krauser as allies, there's no telling how bad things may soon get," Andy reminded Joe.
"I know, but there's no need to make it sound like it's the end of all life as we know it. Things aren't that bad. We've always beat them back, and we'll do it again."
Terry then spoke, for the first time since they left, "For some reason Joe, I'm not too sure. I have a bad feeling something very powerful and dark's about to take place."
"I agree with Terry. I've worked for Geese, and whatever he wants at this point is bound to be deadly. Say, have I told you the rumors I've heard?"
"Why not, I can use a laugh with all this news of gloom, death, and total destruction."
"After you hear what I say, you won't be laughing, Joe. This is what I've heard may have happened to Mai, and what came in her place."
Instantly, all of their attention was on Mary. Each of them wanted to know anything in relation to the whereabouts of Mai. While many of her stories seemed to be totally off-the-wall, or something that you may see in the X-Files, they were uncannily accurate. Silently, they all stood, circled around her and waiting to hear the rumors she heard regarding Mai's location.
"Well, let's see, where should I begin? They are all so strange. I guess I'll tell you about the one that involves the warehouse we were in. That may be the most accurate, but is also the craziest."
"Blue, since when have any of your tales not been nuts?" joked Joe.
"Shut-up Joe! I want to hear any clue as to Mai's whereabouts, no matter how crazy they are."
With no more interruptions, Mary told of the rumor of what had hit Mai was a beam that sent her back in time. How far back was not known, or even if she went back. For all that was known, she may've gone to the future. She lived, or at least in a sense.
"Blue, that is the lamest, craziest, and most ludicrous thing I've heard you say yet. Do you have anything on the Kennedy assassination?"
"We're about to find out," Kim interrupted, "for here come our hosts. They look dead serious."
"I wish you didn't say `they look dead serious.'"
"Thank you, Geese. As Geese has just said, I too wish to welcome all of you to an event that none of you will ever forget as long as you live. This will be a tournament unlike ANY you've ever fought in, I assure you!"
"Oh, that's great! Just what we all need, assurance from either of those two!"
Mary gave him a quick elbow to the gut and told him to stow-it so that they could hear what those to mad men were saying, and possibly to learn what had happened to Mai.
"Now you are all wondering how can you be assured by us, given our reputations. Be that as it may, if you are curious enough to come here and if you are even more curious as to what we have planned, you're just going to have to sit back and relax. You will soon see why we have brought you all here from your respective parts of the world. If you will all head toward the Northeast wing, you shall see with your own eyes."
"Terry, Joe, I don't like this at all."
"Nor do I, Andy. However, if we want to learn what they did to Mai, we have little choice in the matter. All we can do is keep an eye out, and wait for an opportunity to open."
Slowly, with the rest of the fighters, the five friends headed to the Northeast Wing of Geese's building, not sure what to expect. As they walked, they saw several old faces of friends and rivals from over the years. Each wondered what everyone else's motives were in this fight. Some were for vengeance and answers. Others for money, glory, and the fight. Then, there were those like Ryuji, who were just flat out set to hurt and kill. Terry had a strong sense a tension toward him. He could tell Ryuji was eying him intently. He had no idea as to what it could mean.
Poor Terry. He's so uneasy at the way I'm eying him. He has no idea that I don't want him, but his woman. To get her, I'll go through you, your allies, and the rest of these wimps for my prize. No one here, not even our hosts will stop me, not that they'd care too. All they want's my blood. They'll soon have more blood than they can handle; that's a promise!
"Blood, Kane, you may now unveil the surprise for our guests!" and following Geese's orders, they did just that.
"I'm sure many of you have heard rumors of this machine Geese has had here. Now, I shall clear up all the rumors. This is indeed a time machine. It does indeed work. And now for the proof."
Some of their men brought out Charlotte. She was moving on her own will, without being forced or having anything to show that she was doing this against her will.
"For those of you familiar with the French Revolution, you should recognize this woman. She is the Nobel-woman Charlotte, the aristocrat who was one of the few champions for the peasants of France. Now, she is here in the 20th century. We have agreed to help her get back home, and she has agreed to allow us to meet warriors of her time so that we may have a true test of skills."
At that, the machine exploded with life, causing an awed silence over everyone, even Ryuji Yamazaki.
"Those of you that have the courage may step through to meet their challenge. Those that don't want to may back out now and will be allowed to return home at our expense," concluded Geese.
In a last note, Wolfgang said, "To show you our good faith, we and our commrads will go first. Thus, if you are trapped, we too will be trapped."
With that, they stepped through. the strange portal.
"I say we should rush the goons and leave those bums wherever they are."
"It's tempting Joe, but we still need to find Mai."
"Terry's right. We must find her. I still have a lot to make up to her."
"Don't worry, Andy! After this, I'm sure whatever went wrong, she'll forgive you. After all, she can't stay mad at you forever, can she?"
"I hope not!"
"Terry, Andy, Joe, Mary, let us go now! We will find out what they have planned, and put a stop to it!"
They all cheered and went through the portal, though still unsure of what they would find on the other side.
©1999