In another part of the exclusive training gym club,the samurai warrior known as Sodom was busy outfitting himself with some newly re-designed training gear he himself had just fashioned for just such an occasion.

Namely—a fighting competition.
After Charlie and Cammy gave him the lowdown of what the new tournament was to be for,he accepted and then went off to the local gym.

He took out a pair of sais similar to the ones he used whenever in battle,except these were made of a thick foam plastic not the metallic sharp pointed ones he always used.

He then approached a training dummy that hung upon one of the walls and then placed himself in fighting stance.

Sodom then meditated all thought and focus of his ki for over a whole minute,then…he thrust forward and attacked!

He thrust both of his hands containing the sais forward,doing his famed Jigoku Scrape move and struck the dummy several times in the head and throat.

“HIYAA—YAAAAH-YAAAH!”shouted Sodom in his battle cries of fury.

He then began striking the other training dummies in a similar fashion and when he was finished,he began to train with the other facilities in the training room he was in.

He pumped iron with the barbells,balanced his agility upon the horses with his arms,and practiced his other super attack moves upon the blue mats which he stood.

Finally,after a whole hour and a half of rigorous training,the samurai tehn rested on a bench.
His entire upper body,with the armor and gauntlets off,was beaded with sweat.

He then dried himself off with a towel and then ordered a cold bottle of Niagra spring water.
While he cooled off,someone was watching him closely from the shadows,someone who had seen him train,and taken an interest in what kind of fighting style he utilized.

“Nice sumo technique you have there fellow.”said a voice.
Sodom jumped up and swung his head around nervously back and forth to see who was there.

Emerging from a darkened doorway was a man.
He was tall as Sodom,but somewhat fat and stout,built like a barrel.

His arms were as hard muscled as his with black bracelts around the wrists.
His hair was a deep black and was slicked back with a pony tail.

His face was round and pudgy but had one eye missing with a deep red scar across it.
He wore a light yellow sleevelss gi tunic with a black belt around it and a blue sumo garment on underneath,and a pair of brown wooden sandals.

His appearance appearred to inspired both mirth and concern for someone to fight with.

“And—who might you be…?”said Sodom.
“Forgive my intrusion.”said the man as he bowed. “I am Ugyo Shigucho,champion sumo from Kyoto,Japan. I was just passing through and saw you training. I was wondering….if you would like to further your training and mine with someone a little more—your size?”

Sodom eyed the sumo from top to toe.
“Well…it’s been awhile since I took on a full-fledged sumo. And even after all that equipment training,I could use some real excersise.”

“Glad to hear it.”said Ugyo.”We’ll take our match over there,on that large mat.”

Ugyo pointed to a large green mat in the corner.
“Okay then.”said Sodom as he went over to the mat and squatted into a sumo pose.
Ugyo took his position and the two grapplers were about to start their match.

WHILE BACK AT THE BLUE PANTHER….

The front doors were ripped open and the two bouncers in front were thrown aside by the brutish might by the thug known as Birdie,as he along with fellow thug Cracker Jack and a Shadaloo mob squad entered the club.

The entire mob of people stopped what they were doing and all eyes were on the group of thugs standing before them.

“Alright mates!”said Birdie. “Despite what me and my boys are doing---we don’t want any real trouble,we’d just like Ken Masters,Dudley Moorington---oh yeah,and some cheeky young punk named Sean Matsuda to step out from the audience and give themselves up to us—or there’s gonna be some major blood spillin’in this club tonight!”

“Aw man…!”Ken said to Dudley. “Not here,not now—not Shadaloo!”
“It would appear they always have the knack for rearing their ungly heads when you least supsect it.”said Dudley.

“I’ll say.”said Ken. “We’ve gotta grab Sean and think up a plan,before that sorry excuse for a street fighter and his cronies serve up innocent victims in the crossfire.”

“I couldn’t agree more young Ken.”said Dudley. “And…I think I have an idea that just might work.”
The boxer was eyeing the door to that read: Power Supply:Employees Only.

Once inside,he saw the main power switch,reached for it,and all the lights went out inside the club.

Several people screamed in response to what happened,leaving the Shadaloo gang up front surprised and Birdie a little enraged.

“What the hell…?”he said. “What just happened?”
Ken then jumped out from the crowd and faced them all up front.

“Me and my pals just happened,bird-brain!”he said.
And before Birdie could give the word to nab Ken,the Shoto-warrior made his move.

“HADOU-KEN!”shouted Ken as he charged up and threw a white fireball at the group of thugs,knocking them all down to the ground.

“Everyone!”said Ken. “RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!”

The club patrons all ran for the straight door as well as a couple of back exits to get to safety,and both Birdie,Jack and the rest of the gang were heavilly trampled by the oncoming rush of people coming out.

“That takes care of that.”said Ken.
But to his surprise,both Birdie,Jack and a couple of gunmen arose from the floor,bruised but not beaten.
“Nice try,Masters!”said Birdie. “But it’ll take a lot more than just a buncha freaked party-goers to take out Shadaloo mercs like us!”

“And you monsieur are going to wish he’s surrendered when we get done with you!”said C.Jack.

“Hoo boy!”said Ken as he ran to the back of the club.
“GET’IM!”said Birdie and the remaining gunmen took off after him.

Ken found Dudley just exiting from the control room.
“I’m afraid your plan only half worked,Dudley.”said Ken. “The rest are still coming!”
“Then I suggest we either lose them all,or take them out here and now.”said Dudley.

“They may be armed.”said Ken “But hey,we need the excersise right? And maybe teach Bison a lesson he won’t soon forget.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”said Dudley.
Suddenly,Sean appeared before the two men.

“What the heck just happened master?”said Sean.
“I’ll explain in a bit,Sean.”said Ken. “But come with us,cause right now we’ve got company.”

The trio made a run for it into the lobby hall of the restrooms just as the gunmen came rushing onto the dance floor.

Ken whispered for the plan to stop the gunmen and then to take out both Birdie and C.Jack.
Once explained,the trio sprung into action.

Ken made the first attack on one of the gunmean as he picked up one of the tables and then threw it straight at him.

“UNNH!”
The thug was hit in the back and fell forwards and into another table.

The next thug saw what was happening and was about to aim his uzzi at Ken.
But before he could open fire,Sean came at him and collided with the the thug using his Roll Tackle!

Both Sean and the thug rolled across the dance floor like a human bowling ball about to make a strike and once they both collided with the nearest wall,Sean bounced off him and landed both fists onto his head,knocking the would-be assailiant out cold!

“Good job there Sean!”said Ken.
“Thanks!”said Sean grinning. “That attack was the first thing to come to mind.”

“Yeah,too bad ya dweebs forgot about me!”said a third packing an Uzzi rifle.
“Now ya’ll come along quietly or—I make swiss cheese outta yer asses!”

Suddenly,out of the blue,an unseen attacker came at the gunmen and lashed out a karate chop on his gun barrel—breaking it in half.

Sean got a good look at who it was—it was the woman he was dancing with!

The woman then slammed a knee into the man’s gut and then did a rising kick into his chin.

The thug flew straight up into the air and fell flat on his back,unconscious.

The woman stood over the fallen thug and then turned back to Sean and the others.
“Sicne you and I never finished our dance.”she said. “I figured you and your friends needed a hand.”

“Hey,thanks!”said Sean. “That was incredible!”
“Yeah,almost makes Chun-Li look like an uinderachiever there.”said Ken.
“I intend to make her one if I ever get to fight her in the contest.”said the woman.
“Huh….did you say..the contest?”said Sean.

Before the woman could answer,both remaining thugs Birdie and C.Jack came charging in.

“It ain’t over till the fat lady sings the blues,mate!”said Birdie.
“Bottom of the ninth!”said Jack as he took out his bat. “BATTER UP!”

“Oh brother!”said Ken. “C’mon Dudley,time to take out the trash—literally!”

Both Ken and Dudley charged at the two goons and gave them what they were looking for—a major ass whuppin’!

Birdie jumped at Ken and lashed out his chain,Ken ducked it,came up to the Brit and decked him with a fiery Dragon Punch!

“KRASH!”
Birdie fell upon a glass table,shattering it comepletly.

Jack swung his bat at the boxer several times,but Dudley being lite on his feet as always dodged and ducked it with every turn!

“My turn..monsieur..en chan’te.”said Dudley grinning.
The boxer pummeled Jack in the chest with his machine gun punch and then ended it with a Rocket Upper that sent Jack falling down into the already beaten Birdie.

It was over at last,even despite some damages were done to the club.
“Man,it was a little edgy there.”said Sean. “But am I glad it’s over.”
“Indeed.”said Dudley. “Bison should know better than to bother fighters when they’re trying to enjoy the lighter side of life.”

“Or let alone send out cheap-ass thugs like Birdie and C.Jack.”said Ken.

Dudley took the young woman’s hand and kissed it.
“We are indeed indebted to you my dear.”he said. “Might we have the pleasure of knowing your name?”

“Gladly,”she said. “I am Tana So Moon,Kung-fu and Tae Kwon Do champion from Korea..and am here to fight in the all-american martial arts tournament this Friday.”

“You---you are?”said Sean flabbergasted.
“Why yes…”said Tana. “..i’m sorry for not introducing myself more properly good sir,I just couldn’t resist the invite for a good dance while out on the floor.”

Ken laughed. “Well,my name’s Ken,that’s Dudley..and your..dance partner..there goes by the name of Sean.”

Tana bowed. “Nice to meet you all.” She said. “I take it you’re all fightes as well?”
“You bet we are.”said Ken. “And I happen to be the recent champion of some of those tournaments. And if you can stand the excitement…both Chun-Li and the World Warrior Champion known as Ryu will be there as well.”

“Ryu—and Chun-Li?”said Tana. “Oh,that is going to be so wonderful! I can’t wait to tell Den and the others!”

“Den…?”said Dudley.
“Oh,he’s my sparring partner and teacher of a martial arts society group that’s also going to be in the tourney this Friday.”

“Sounds interesting.”said Ken. “Well,we may have made friends with you…but…we may may be rivals this Friday.”

“If you’re all as good in the arena as you were here,I look forward to it.”said Tana. “Well…I’ve got to be going,I need to brush up on my skills as well.”

Tana then began to exit from the club,before she did,she took one last look at Sean.
“Thanks again for the dance,Sean.”she said. “Hope you’re as goos at fighting..tee-hee..”

As she left,Sean still had his eyes fixated on her buxomly ravashing beauty and his jaw was wide open.

Ken tapped Sean on the head and shut his mouth for him.
“Eyes in,student.”he said. “She’s gonna be comepetition this Friday.”

“And do try to think with your head—and not your hormones,young one,HAW HAW HAW!
Laughed Dudley.

“Ha ha guys!”said Sean. “She was interested in me and not you old fogeys anways.”
“Old are we?”said Ken. “Let’s see how well you do when we get to the gym tomorrow.”

Suddenly,the trio could hear police sirens in the distance.
“I think we’d best make a discreet exit gentlemen.”said Dudley. “Namely,out the back way.”

“Right,c’mon.”said Ken.
The trio went to the nearest door marked EXIT and was off.

BACK AT THE GYM..

Both Sodom and Ugyo continued to struggle with one another in hand to hand combat,both trying to gain an upper advantage.

Finally,Sodom grabbed one of Ugyo’s wrists and threw him forward across the mat.

The sumo nearly lost his footing on the mat,but managed to twirl himself around to face his opponent.

Sodom then charged at Ugyo using a stampede move similar to the flying Headbutt move Honda did when they fought once.

Sodom’s helmeted head collided with Ugyo’s chest,nearly knocking him backwards.
Ugyo however was not going down so easy as he shoved Sodom off and then did a slap hand forward attack.

“WHACK-WHACK-WHACK!”
The samurai was hit several times in the chest by Ugyo’s attack.

Sodom swatted the hands away and went for another attack,but before he could,Ugyo raised his fists together in the air and brought them both down in an overhead smash,right on Sodom’s head!

“THUD!”

Sodom fell to the floor flat from Ugyo’s attack.
“Oops…!”said Ugyo scratching the back of his head. “Guess I..overdid it.”

The sumo bent down to see if Sodom was all right.
He was alive,but out cold.

“Well…at least he’s alive.”said Ugyo. “Guess I’d better make haste before he wakes up.

Ugyo scooped up Sodom and placed him on a wide bench.
He then exited from the room as quietly as he came.
“Huh…I hope he’s better than that in the competition.”he said. “Cause he lacks luster in a lot of ways.”
 

SHADALOO HQ:LOCATION UNKNOWN.

Bison saw what had occurred on his monitor screen.
Birdie and C.Jack as well as his best hit squad were being taken in by police authorities.
His scowl across his evil face ran deep for he was not pleased at all.

“This is most prepostorious!”he said. Those fools can’t even take on sceond rates like Masters or that Dudley fellow?”

“It seems you should’ve sent more..experienced fighters,master Bison.”said Dr.Sandler,his head of scientific research.

“When I want your opinion Sandler---I’LL ASK FOR IT!”said Bison.”Anyways,this means I’ll
really have to rethink the entire plans before this Friday!”

Bison then went off to his private study to think.
“See to it that I am not disturbed!”he said.
“Yes…lord Bison.”said Sandler and then he thought:”BASTARD!”

BACK AT THE GYM….

Ryu walked past the front desk of the gym to use the restroom,but then suddenly,he was stopped by the manager.

“Uh excuse me…Mr.Hoshi?”he said.
“Yes…?”said Ryu.
“You got a phone call here.”he said as he handed the phone to him.
“Thank you.”said Ryu as he took the phone.

“Ryu..?”said Ken. “It’s me Ken.”
“Ah,Ken.”said Ryu. “How’s the night on the town been?”
“It was turning out good so far.”said Ken. “But then guess who showed up---Shadowloo!”

“Not them again!”said Ryu. “Not tonight!”
“Afraid so bud.”said Ken. “It was no problem really,Sean,Dudley and myself—along with the help of some hot chick who we found out was a participant in the event helped us out. But---be on your guard Ryu,cause the B-man and his goons could strike at any time tonight---or even tomorrow.”

“I’ll be sure to do that.”said Ryu. “And you and the others watch your backs as well.”
“You too,Ryu.”said Ken. “Me and the boys’ll be there first thing tomorrow to train for the event,see you then.”

“Bye.”said Ryu as he hung up the phone.

Ryu then went off to the restroom to relieve himself.
While he was there,someone watched him far from the shadows of outside,with red eyes of evil and an intent for destruction.

“So…Ryu…”he thought. …you’ve come here---at last! We shall meet soon enough,but when we battle it out,we shall see who is greater—the mortal—or the master over humanity! HAHAHAHA!”
 

While outside the gym,a local police car came up to where the last one was seen.
Two cops got out and looked over the darkened area with flashlights,there was blood on both the ground and on the floor of the phone booth where Officer Harvey was last seen.

They then looked over his empty police car,the radio was cut off as well.

“Well….do ya think that killer who did in Blazefoot could’ve done it?”said the first cop.
“Maybe…”said the second. “..or it may just be any nut case who does this for thrills,sick ones at that. Either way,we gotta get to the bottom of this…and soon!”

While back in the gym as Ryu and the others continued their training,a few more new faces were about to make their present felt…and soon.