After a whole year of training and planning,the day had at last arrived--the newest Super World Warrior Tournament had at last begun!

Lines and lines of fighters had come from all over the world to Osaka,Japan for the event.

Even most of the famed fighters of the Street Fighter World circuit had attended as well.

"This is it."thought Ken who was watching from a high window in the building.

"The day has arrived,and there's no turning back now."

Ken thought back to the last day before he and his pupils left for his corporate jet.

"So…"said Eliza as she approached him in his study. "…you're playing street fighter once again I see."

"Heh,yeah I guess so."said Ken. "Look Eliza honey,I know the past several or so years have been what you'd call peaceful bliss for us all.

But…I technically never really retired from the world of fighting…and the call to fighters like me can never stay hidden forever.

And not only that..this time both Ryu and myself have at least one more reason to fight for."

"Yeah,I know."said Eliza. "That damn Akuma after what he did to Ryu's old rival Sagat.

Just..just promise me to always be careful no matter what."

"Aren't I always baby?"said Ken as he went over to his wife and kissed her.

"No..afraid not."she said. "I've learned that after marrying you about these things."

"I guess so."said Ken. "But I swear to you..that no matter who wins..I am going to retire from the world of street fighting and pass on my title to Sean once he's learned all from me as well."

"And what about Mel?"said Eliza.

"He'll become Sean's student full time and he'll be next in line for the Masters US champion when he's reached that stage..that I promise."

"I hope so."said Eliza. "Now get a move on before I have second thoughts."

"Sure thing."said Ken as he left for the front door.

"And good luck--you're gonna need it."she said.

Dan stood in line along with the rest of the contestants.

He took a quick look at what was here.

Martial artists of karate,Tae Kwon Do,and Aikido were among them.

Sumos,wrestlers,and other grapplers were there as well.

Several monks of the Shaolin and other ancient fighting arts stood in line with the rest of the bunch,.

There were even various street fighters who learned their dirty skills from either NY or Metro itself,some were even from the old Mad Gears gang from way back.

"Huh."thought Dan. "they all may look tough,but they're gonna see what real fighters like me and the others have to show them."

FLASHBACK.

Dan's apartment.

Dan was a bit peeved after not beating that jack ass Cody in a street fight,so he took out his frustrations in the form of a Burrai Ken on his sandbags.

He made quite a mess of them after splitting so many of them open.

"Damn."he said and then poured himself a glass of bourbon.

Suddenly,while he drank he heard a sharp knocking at the door.

"Who the hell..?"said Dan as he went for his door.

He opened the door and found his manager Akane at the door.

"Oh uh--hey there--Akane--whassup?"said Dan.

Akane had a seriously stern expression on her face.

Without a word she walked right past him and sat down on his large leather couch.

"Uh..something wrong?"said Dan.

Her expression then changed to a sullen one.

"Dan.."she said. "…I..just came back from the doctor. Your tests came back."

"My..my tests?"said Dan. "Oh…you mean those blood and scanning tests I took awhile back. Well..what about'em?"

Akane took out a manilla envelope and inside it was the description of the current state his body was in.

"The..the doctor says..you..you won't have long to live."she said,her voice cracking slightly.

"Wh-what?"said Dan.

"It's true."said Akane. "That..that damned radiation you absorbed a few years back. It's side effects have given you..cancer. They estimate you'll have no longer than a year or two to live now."

Dan was left speechless.

"Naw..it--it can't be."said Dan waving her off. "That doc's a quack that's all. Just jealous of how much more money I make in the ring than he does leeching off people."

"DAMMIT DAN--THIS IS SERIOUS HERE!"she shouted. "Dr.Kentaro is a certified doctor and diagnosist..he knows what he's talking about!

Dan..how..how could you be so stupid as to absorbing that radiation back then?"

Dan sighed.

"Look…I told you before--it was just an accident that's all. I was out on the beach training..and this..this tanker came flying over the hill and crashed right in front of me. The radiation blasted me at full force--I never even knew it was gonna happen. It's not like that I did it on purpose!"

"All right,granted."said Akane. "Maybe it wasn't your fault. But..how could you have let this go on untreated for so long. You should have turned to a doctor or radiation treatment center or something--"

"I'll tell ya why toots!"said Dan as he slammed the glass down on the coffee table. "This--this power I was granted..it gave me--gave me something I could live and work for!

I mean--you remember what I was back then--a no skilled loser who got beaten and defeated by everyone in the fighter's community. Well…look who's beating who now!

I'm someone here,I'm special! Back there I was just a pink wearing dumb ass!"

"Dan,Dan..settle down."pleaded Akane. "I understand what you mean…that you clawed your way to the top after this…it's just…you should've been able to do it without that crazy energy absorption."

"Yeah,I know."said Dan. "If there was any other way,believe me I would've taken it.

But I promise you this..dying or no dying…I intend to make myself..legendary.

The new World Warrior contest is coming next year..I intend to compete in it.

I also just got challenged to that has been from Metro City Cody--and I intend to kick his ass as well."

"He..he just did that--out here?"she said.

"Yeah,we had a tussle for a bit..but that didn't last when the cops came."said Dan.

"I do promise you this as well,Akane,even if I do die..it'll be out there in my home..the ring---not in some damned hospital bed! I swear by the time that this is over..people everywhere will remember the name--DAN HIBIKI--I SWEAR IT!"

Akane then grabbed Dan by the front of his tank top and kissed him full on the mouth.

"Wha--what was that for?"he asked in a dumbfounded state.

"Let's just say..I got my reasons."she said. "One is..if you do die,then leave me something to remember you by..lover."

"Lover huh?"said Dan grinning. "Don't mind if I do."

Akane removed her glasses then removed her blazer,shirt,and skirt and shoes,revealing a set of white lingerie,stockings and all.

"I admit,Akane."said Dan eyeing her from top to bottom.
"There are times that I always wanted to shag you so bad,I could feel it."

"Well..at least I know you had better class with most ladies than that."said Akane. "So why not take the chance?"

"Don't mind if do,babe."said Dan as he lifted her up into his arms and took her to his bedroom.

The pair of them made sweet and hot love all night long.

END FLASHBACK.

"Akane.."he thought after the last night they spent together.

"I just hope she'll be there to see meat this event..if not..no biggie I suppose…everyone's gonna see me at my best and that's a fact!"

Sakura stood in line with the other fighters,her master was inside the building who was off to see Ken.

She still remembered what she found the day before the big event.

FLASHBACK.

"I don't freakin hell believe this!"she said annoyed.

She had received the letter from her old rival Karin Kanzuki.

"So..the rich blonde girl strikes yet again eh?"said Ryu scratching his chin.

The letter read the following.

"DEAR SAKURA.

I KNOW IT'S BEEN YEARS SINCE WE FOUGHT LAST,I KNOW YOU CAN'T HAVE FORGOTTEN ME,I KNOW YOU TOO WELL.

IT IS KARIN OF THE GREAT KANZUKI CLAN,AND I HEREBY CHALLENGE YOU TO STREET FIGHTER BATTLE AT THE UPCOMING WORLD WARRIOR TOURNAMENT IN OSAKA.

YOU SURELY WILL NOT BACK OUT ON THIS,I KNOW YOU HAVE TAKEN GREAT TRAINING UNDER YOUR SENSEI,RYU HOSHI.

I ALSO HAVE PERFECTED MY MARTIAL ARTS SKILL OVER THE YEARS,AND IT IS THERE WE SHALL SEE WHO IS THE BETTER.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN.

SINCERELY AND THREATINGLY YOURS,

KARIN.

Sakura crumpled the letter up and threw it across the floor.

"THAT--@$@%%!"she spat.

"Sakura,language!"said Ryu.

"Sorry,Sensei,sorry…"she stammered. "..I just can't believe she's still going on after that last unfinished battle we had!"

"Yes.."said Ryu frowning. "..it's true what they say that some things do stand the test of time.

Of course,I know what you're going through when it comes to rivalry,Ken and I have had it going for years."

"Yeah..but.."said Sakura. "..you and him were always good friends more anyways. Karin and I--well--were never really that close as friends to begin with."

"Don't take it so hard,my student."said Ryu. "Maybe the years have matured Karin more than you think…and this tournament might be the perfect opportunity for the both to settle it once and for all."

"Maybe.."said Sakura. "But if she wants a fight..then she's got one! But this time..we're not school girls playing a game!"

END FLASHBACK.

"Just you wait Karin."she thought. "And this will be the final time I promise you!"

Ryu and Ken were upstairs in the upstairs lounge room,they were both looking out the window at the enormous arena that was built.

It was vastly wide with bleechers,concession stand,and not one but two sets of battle rings were in the middle,and the whole set up was colored bright colors of blue,yellow and red.

The words "STREET FIGHTER:WORLD WARRIORS TOURNAMENT"was also painted in bright yellow letters on the wall above the ring.

"Well,what do ya think,Ryu?"said Ken.

"Flashy,but it makes a statement,that's for sure."said Ryu.

Ken laughed. "Oh yeah,but it's attracting all the world's strongest like bees to honey--and then some."

Suddenly,the door opened and a man wearing a suit walked in.

"Eh?"said Ryu as he turned to see who it was.

The man was tall,lean and had slick back dark brown hair,a square jaw and deep blue eyes.

"Oh…there you are."said Ken. "Ryu,this is Mr.Simon Benson,world renowned tv announcer for sports and other coverage."

"Ah,and this is the famed Ryu I've seen and heard so much about."said Simon as he shook hands with Ryu.

"Pleased to meet you."said Ryu. "You must be here to announce the tourney right?"

"On the money I am."said Benson smiling a set of pearly whites that shone. "Mr.Masters and his firm hired me to do the honors of announcing all actions and performance of the contest,and I couldn't be more honored to do so at this premiere event."

"Sounds good to me."said Ryu. "But when do we start?"

"As soon as all the fighters sign in and Benson makes the announcement."said Ken. "In the meantime,take a load off while we wait."

"Might as well,but I'll take a deep meditation if you don't mind."said Ryu.

Ryu went to a large sofa and sat in a cross legged position.

"He never really takes time to relax does he?"Benson said to Ken.

Ken chuckled. "No,not as long as I've known him."he said. "I don't see why he has to do any last minute training,his star student will be fighting in the contest,not him."

"I..see."said Benson arching an eyebrow.

"Well,I'd best get ready as well,time is of the essence."

"See you there."said Ken.

Benson then left the room and shut the door behind him.

But after he did,he took a long glance at the door and smiled a long wicked grin.

"Soon.."he thought. "…very soon now."

Minutes passed and went from a half to an hour as all fighters singed in to the registration and all huddled into the huge lobby of the dome building.

"We're finally here."thought Cody. "I can't wait to start punching!"

Guy and Maki stood together in the crowd of fighters.

"This is so exciting master."she said. "I can't wait to start fighting."

"Easy there my student."said Guy. "Many of these other fighters would feel just the same,but we won't know what kind of skills they have till we begin..so be prepared for anything."

Guy then noticed a familiar face.

It was Rose,all decked out in a new purple and lavender costume of spandex and top with a yellow silk sash tied around her waist.

"Rose..?"he thought surprised. "She's..she's back?"

Chun-Li stood with her student Pai Ling.

"It's been a long time since I saw Ryu,Ken and the others."she thought. "It'll be good to see them again..as well as fight them."

Karin stood and saw Sakura from the distance,and a wicked grin crept on her face.

"Good,she's here at last. Now we'll see who's the best."

Guile and Cammy stood in the near back of the crowd.

"See anyone you know."Cammy said to him.

"No,not yet."said Guile.

Suddenly,a voice called to him.

"I'd recognize that hair cut anywhere,Guile is that you?"

"Huh?"said Guile as he turned to see who it was.

Standing before him was a man with long shaggy hair and wearing a green tank top and brown shorts.

"Uh..do I..know you?"said Guile.
"Oh,I forgot,you wouldn't know me in this form."he said.

He then shifted the colors on his face,turning his face green and hair orange.

"Blanka!"said Guile. "Oh yeah,I remember now,last time I heard,you found the ability to change your appearance from beast to human."

The two shook hands. "How ya been old buddy?"

"About as well as can be expected military man."said Blanka grinning.

"And Cammy as well."said Blanka shaking her hand as well. "Still got the pigtails I see."

"Too right I do."she said. "Never let some things go out of style I always say."

"Anyways."said Guile. "Here to fight in the contest as well eh?"

"You betcha!"said Blanka. "It's been a long time since I gouged some real challenges since the last WW contest.

But what about you two..here for some real fun..or is it top secret?"
"Hmmm..well…between friends..let's just say it's a little of both."said Guile scratching his chin.

"I thought so."said Blanka. "Hey,I even ran into Honda,Dee Jay,Fei Long and my other old friend Dan as well..looks like more of the old gang is here."

"You don't say."said Guile. "I should've known it'd be like that when a millionaire hot shot like Ken holds a major contest."

"Yeah,I guess when you got enough dough you think you can do anything."said Blanka.

"Well,it's all shits and giggles here mates."said Cammy. "But just wait till we all beat it out in that ring."

"That's right."said Guile. "Be on your toes Jimmy..and give it your best."

"Oh,I'll do that and more Guile."said Blanka. "I got my roller attack,if you got that sonic of yours."

"Ready and waiting to do some damage."said Guile as his left fist glowed a bright yellow.

While the three continued to chat,Balrog saw Guile across the room,watching him with hatred in his eyes.

"If he's here."he thought. "Then that punk ass Ken'll be here..as well as the rest of those mofos I intend to rip apart! Oh yeah baby--Balrog is back in the ring all right!"

Alex stood in the crowds as well.

He saw a few familiar faces himself and he wasn't pleased to see them.

"I don't believe this!"he thought. "It's that damn Urien again..and that commando guy with the beret…that's Rolento..I read about him in the Metro City papers..he's bad news..and I bet that Samurai punk Sodom is with him somewhere."

Suddenly,he felt a nudge near his side.

He turned to see someone towering over him.

It was Andore Hugo again.

"Hugo..?"said Alex.

"You remember me..good."bellowed the german giant. "It's been a long time since we last fought,american."

"Hoo boy."thought Alex. "What next?"

"Hell boy."said a voice beside the iron giant.

It was his manager and lover,Poison.

"You as well eh?"said Alex. "I didn't think I'd see you two again after Gill's contest."

"Well,Mr.Alex.."said Poison. "Never say never is my policy,wherever Hugo here finds the challenge,we answer to it. So be warned,if you meet my partner again in the ring,prepare for the worse."

"I--look forward to it."said Alex.

"So do we."said Poison grinning. "Come along darling."

Before turning back to the crowd,Hugo pointed down at his enemy.

"Your ass..grass."he said.

"Yeah,right."muttered Alex. "Man,some things sure as hell never change as they say."

Suddenly,the doors all opened and a voice came over the speakers.

"ALL CONTESTANTS OF THE SUPER WORLD WARRIOR TOURNAMENT PLEASE STEP THIS WAY."

"Finally."said Fei as he and everyone else walked through the doors.

"It begins at last."thought Rose. "And I sense--I know it…HE is here somewhere--as are some of his ilk as well!"

The entire crowd of fighters stood in front of the bleechers,both Ken Masters and Mr.Benson stood before them.

"Welcome one and all to my tournament folks."said Ken. "I hope to have a grand battle of epic proportions and I hope you all enjoy this long anticipated contest.

I and the judges will be watching from the boxed seats section of the bleechers,so don't expect to see me fighting any time soon..but..stay tuned.

Now..my associate Mr.Benson will adress the rules for the contest,Mr.Benson?"

"Thank you,Mr,Masters."said Benson. "Now..here is what to expect in the contest. Each of you will fight it out with each other in the ring marked #1.

You'll all fight it out in an elimination round. Rules are simple,you fight it out till you're either unconscious,surrendered or out of the ring. But..killing opponents is strictly forbidden,and anyone who does so will be disqualified and placed in jail and that's a promise."

Weapons can be used but only in defensive and offensive positions.

And lastly,out of all you 300 fighters that have attended here..only 12 of you will face each other in the finals. So fight hard in the elimination rounds if you want to make it.

Oh,and as an extra..we'll have some special exhibition matches in between events as well.

Now,is that understood,good? Are any of you ready?"

"HELL YEAH!"said many of the fighters.

"I knew you would."said Benson smiling. "Now--all line up and let the tournament--BEGIN!"