Sakura stood on a large single log in front of a gushing waterfall.

She stood poised in her fighting stance and was charging up a considerable amount of ki energy.

Her sensei Master Ryu stood across from her underneath the shade of a large oak tree.

"Keep it focused,young one."he said. "Keep it focused and let loose on it reaches it's peak."

Sakura kept her focus and breath as steady as possible,but it was like trying to hold together a bomb from exploding within her as the fires of her ki roared onward.

Finally,after what seemed an eternity she opened her eyes and then channelled all her focus into both of her muscular arms and then her very hands.

"FWOOOSH!"

The white hot ki energy formed in her hands and then she cupped it all into a single ball of energy.

"NOW--RELEASE!"said Ryu.

Sakura thrust both of her arms forward and then shouted the world famed battle cry.

"SHINKU-HADOUKEN!"

She shouted and then released a giant fireball of ki energy.

The projectile flew and hit a single boulder in it's path,literally breaking it apart into a thousand pieces.

"Yes..you did well."said Ryu smiling.

"ALRIGHT!"she said raising both fists in the air. "At last i've mastered the shinku Hadou!"

"Yes,but..you did have some trouble keeping it focused at first remember?"

"Hmmm..yes..I did have some trouble there."she said. "It..it was like trying to hold a chainsaw or a jackhammer in operation..literally shaking you all over."

"Yes,for some like myself and my old sensei Master Gouken that's exactly what it was like. But you've succeeded in the first part of forming a Shin Hadou,Sakura. In time,you will learn to better focus it."

Suddenly,a single fireball flew past the two of them.

"HADOUKEN!"someone shouted.

"What the hell?"said Sakura.

"Who--who's there?"said Ryu.

Someone was standing in the shadows.

"That..that was a Hadouken like ours,sensei!"said Sakura. "Could..could Akuma have at last returned?"

"I--I don't know.."said Ryu. "...stay back--i'll see to this!"

"Aw,lighten up...sensei!"said the same voice.

Emerging from the shadows wearing a golden orange gi and brown fighter's gloves was none other than..

"KEN!"said Ryu his eyes going wide. "You've at last returned!"

"That's right,old pal!"said Ken. "I'm back...the true master of the Shotokan is here to lay ya out!"

"Excuse me..?"said Sakura. "True master?"

"Stay here,my student."said Ryu as he took off his beads and handed them to her. "This'll take only a moment."

"Uhmm..yes,sensei."said Sakura as she held his beads.

The two old masters ran and jumped at each other and started to playfully spar with each other.

Ken swung a roundhouse kick,but Ryu ducked it and then followed it up with a thrusting low punch,but the american blocked it off and then went for a leg sweep.

Ryu jumped over it and then backflipped away to safety.

After that,they both charged up their Hadoukens to full power.

"WHOA!"said Sakura. "Now that's what I call a display of power!"

"HADOUKEN!"they both shouted simultaneously,causing a flash of bright white energy.

"WHOO!"said Sakura as she shielded her eyes from the flash.

Once it was over,the two Shotokan masters stood face to face,both ready to make another move.

"RYU!"said Ken.

"KEN!"said Ryu.

The two slapped hands and grasped them and then hugged fiercly.

"It's so great to see you again!"said Ryu.

"Ditto,Ryu!"said Ken."Nice to see that even age hasn't stopped you!"

"Yeah,and it looks like living the life of a rich man hasn't made you too shabby."said Ryu.

"Shabby?"said Ken flexing his muscles. "I never get shabby about anything."

"I know,you remind us every day-haha!"said Ryu.

"But it looks like you're getting a little bristly there man."Ken said rubbing his beard.

"And it looks like your famed locks are getting...farther."Ryu said patting his head.

Sakura approached the aging fighter.

"Oh eh--Sakura.."said Ken as he bowed to her. "..sorry I didn't notice you at first--it's been a long time since I saw you last."

Sakura bowed back and chuckled.

"Not at all,Ken."she said. "It took me a little while to remember,but after hearing sensei say your name,it all came back to me. Ken Masters,famed martial arts champion of the US..and..Master Gouken's second greatest student since master Ryu."

"S-second?"said Ken. "How can you say that after all the things I taught ya as well as he did and seeing me in action back then?"

"Sorry Ken."said Ryu. "But you know Sakura,even back then she was still fixated on me in the World Warrior contests even back then. And of course,i've been training her."

"Yes,I know you're still as good as sensei,Ken."she said. "But I follow who I am the student of..no matter what."

"Well,at least you've matured a bit as well last time I saw ya."said Ken. "Lucky for you,I always had my own hero worshipper back then who's still training under me."

"Oh yeah,that's right,he and I fought once even."said Sakura. "What was his name again..?"

"Sean..Sakura..Sean."said Ryu. "And yes,I haven't seen him in years either,how's he and your son doing?"

"Well,before I retired from martial arts..I taught Sean every trick from the book I know..now he's almost on a level a master as I am. I even left him the task of training my son Mel the way of the Shotokan after school every day."

"Yes,Mel I remember him as well."said Ryu. "He definitely was the spitting image of your flame and spirit."

"Not too mention looks."said Ken. "But anyways,it's good to see you both again."

"Likewise,Ken."said Sakura. "But..what are you here for anyways?"

"Well..a bit of both on pleasure and business."said Ken scratching his chin. "I was working in the lonley top floor of my business empire and started to think about you and the other fighters...and it has been a good 7 to 10 years since we all saw and fought one another."

"Hmmm..I know that look in your eyes,Ken."said Ryu. "You have an..idea."

"Not just any idea,bud!"said Ken. "A tournament for those left in the fighting world..a tournament for old and new fighters alike. I plan...to revive the World Warriors tournemant!"

"Yeah?"said Sakura. "That sounds great..it's been a long time since even I fought in one..I never made it past the elimination matches back then."

"Well,now's your chance,kiddo."said Ken. "I've been on the blower since yesterday with all the captains of industry and public relations agents to get this together..it's gonna be a blast!"

"Sounds good."said Ryu. "But before we discuss this further Ken..how about we visit..an old friend?"

"Oh yeah.."said Ken. "I almost forgot."

Ryu took back his beads. "We'll be right back,Sakura--so continue your training."

"Yes,sensei."she said and bowed.

The two old friends then went up a hill and into a deep part of the woods across from the dojo.

They both came across a secluded area and found a pair of marked graves.

One had the name in japanese..GOUTETSU and the other was named...GOUKEN.

They were the masters and predecessors of Ryu and Ken..and one was a like a beloved father to them.

Ken bowed before the grave of his beloved master.

"Greetings..sensei Gouken."he said. "I'm...i'm sorry I haven't come by lately...been busy with life and all in the world of man. But I still uphold the teachings of what you showed me..and have nearly passed it along to a great successor..you would've liked him very much..Sean Matsuda."

Ken then charged up his right fist until his arm was on fire and then launched himself into the air.

"SHORYUKEN!"he called and then landed back on his feet again.

"I will always fight in honor of you,sensei."he said.

"As will I."said Ryu bowing. "And we will not rest...until your killer is brought to justice at last!"

"Oh yeah..I almost forgot that!"said Ken. "Sagat...or is that..Akuma still?"

"You know as well as I do,that Akuma killed Sagat once he took over his body since that fated night Ken."said Ryu.

"And...?"said Ken. "...did you and he ever...duke it out?"

"No.."said Ryu grimly. "...for some..unknown reason..Akuma has not once come to challenge me or attack Sakura..or of any of our old friends. He..must be waiting for a chance to fight me when I least expect it."

"Damn bastard!"said Ken cracking his knuckles. "I never much liked that scarred pompous ass to begin with..but even he didn't deserve to get body swaped like that!

I think that's another reason for this contest to be held..if you attend it..he might come out in the open."

"Uhmm..if I attend it?"said Ryu. "Ken..you should know as I do..my contest and wandering days are long since over."

"What do ya mean,over?"said Ken. "Just because we're pushing the big 5-0 here...doesn't mean we're not still young at heart! We could take down an army on ninjas even back then!"

"You might be still a young man in a lot of ways,Ken."said Ryu. "But times are different for me..I destroyed Bison..I indirectly caused Sagat to be killed by defeating Akuma...I decided to further honor my late sensei by taking up young Sakura once and for all."

"Well....yeah,I saw her little..Hado-display there."said Ken. "But Ryu..the world will wanna see you again. Alex and others are hogging the spotlight as the world's greatest warriors. Hell..even Dan's finally getting some recognition from what I heard."

"So..let them be famed."said Ryu. "Fame was never one of my..tastes anyways."

"Yeah,I know."said Ken irritated. "But could you at least come for a special exhibition match or something? And like I said..wouldn't you want to put Akuma away for keep once and for all?"

"Well...now that you mention him again."said Ryu. "I remember on one WW contest..he did challenge me after winning a match against Sagat when Bison held the tourney."

"That's the spirit,Ryu!"said Ken slapping his shoulder. "The Street Fighters need to regain the fire they once had..I intend to re-light that torch once again!"

"Indeed you do."said Ryu smirking. "Well,come on,let's go inside and rest and we'll discuss it with Sakura."

"Music to my ears."said Ken and the two went to the dojo.

FRANCE,in the countryside.

A large assault chopper landed and a squad of heavilly armed men and women emerged from it.

There destination...? An abandoned old mansion that was pinpointed to be the new terrorist cartel's last hideout.

Colonel Guile and Agent Ace lead the way.

"You're informant sure asked a hefty price for the location of this place."Guile said to Ace. "I hope he was right about this."

"Pierre is never wrong about a lead,colonel."said Ace as he adjusted his M-16 rifle. "Now come on,let's hit'em while we can."

Guile turned to his men and nodded and they all moved in through the shadows of the bushes.

They crawled through a few old trenches that were in the dirt and then crept even closer to what was left of the front doors.

"Hmmm..it all seems to easy so far."thought Guile. "Something's...not right..I can feel it!"

Guile and Ace then came upon the doors,and the dark haired agent peeked through a hole in the shattered doors.

"No one's there so far."he whispered. "Let's do this!"

"Right..be careful."said Guile.

Ace grabbed ahold of the right door and carefully and quietly opened it.

After that,they allowed their men to enter the building by their numbers and the two commandos were last to enter.

"All right men."said Guile. "Stay together and be on your toes..no matter what!"

Suddenly,before any of the squad could make a move...a ceiling light suddenly came on.

"WHAT THE HELL?"said Guile.

"We're too late--someone knows we're here!"said Ace.

After that,a pair of black garbed figures came flying downward from the lights and landed on both sides of the team.

"LOOK OUT!"Guile shouted.

But it was too late,the pair of assassins whipped out their uzzi automatics and fired upon the members of Guile's commando squad.

"BRRRRRT!"

Each of them were taken out by head shots,and the last few ran out of the room to get some cover.

"You stinkin--!"said Guile as he opened fire on one of the thugs.

But as he fired,the figure jumped into the air,flipped forward and landed a flying kick into Guile's head,knocking him down.

Ace tried to do the same,but the other assailant rolled forward and knocked him down with a trip kick.

Once that was done,the two thugs grabbed their guns and shattered them in their hands.

It appeared that they both had quite a grip.

"Sonuva--!"said Guile with his back to Ace's.

"We'd better do something fast man!"said Ace.

"I couldn't agree more."said Guile. "But what?"

"You still got that snazzy flip kick of yours?"said Ace.

"You kidding?"said Guile. "I never leave home without it."

"Okay,one the count of the three...1...2..."said Ace.

The two stealth thugs moved in for the kill.

"--3!"shouted Ace.

Guile jumped upwards and then unleashed his famed Flash Kick.

"WHAKKKK!"

The first thug was hit right in the chin and knocked backwards from the blow.

Ace jumped high into the air and then landed a drop kick into the thug's neck,knocking him down to the floor.

After that,Guile thrusted forward at his enemy and landed several punches into his face.

But to his suprise,they didn't seem to faze him.

"Wha--?"said Guile. He then did a hard Backfist,but to no avail either.

The thug then thrust forward and slammed a flying hard kick into Guile's chest,knocking him to the floor once again.

Ace was having some difficulties fighting his opponent as well.

He swung and traded some blows with the black garbed thug,but as he threw his his last punch,the thug caught it and squeezzed it quite hard.

"NNNGHH---!"he replied in pain. "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?"

The thug then lifted his arm upward and then threw him across the floor.

Meanwhile,back throughout the mansion..

The remaining members re-emerged from their cover and heard the tussle back in the lobby.

"We'd better go help'im--before we get a discharge for retreating!"said one of them.

But before they could do so,something else sprang from the darkness and attacked the remaining commandos.

"HEY--WHAT IS--GAKKK!"

That was all the solider could get out before his throat was slashed open by a strange set of blades.

The assassin swung his arms at the remaining commandoes,taking them all out in a flurry of slashing claws.

The last one remaining took a run for it,but was about to open fire at the freak.

"YOU DAMN BASTARD!"he shouted.

But before he could open fire,something grabbed the back of his neck and then broke it in one fatal squeeze.

The one who killed him was none other than...Q.

While back in the lobby..

"This is getting us nowhere,Guile!"said Ace. "These..things are mopping the floor with us and hard!"

"I agree,but what do we do now?"said Guile.

The two thugs then sprinted forward and dove at the two heroes.

"DUCK!"said Ace.

The two soldiers ducked to the floor,causing the pair of terrorists to crash into each other.

After that,Guile grabbed the first thug and kept him in a fierce headlock.

Ace took out a knife and then thrust it into the side of the thug.

"SURRENDER--NOW!"said Guile.

But the terrorist gave no sign of slowing down as he began to break free of Guile's strong grip.

"THAT DOES IT!"roared Guile. "YOU ASKED FOR IT!"

Guile summoned what was left of his strength and then...

"SNAPP!"
The thug's neck was broken in two and then crashed to the floor.

"Geez,Guile." said Ace.

"Sorry...he..left me no choice."he said. "How's the other holding up?"

"I knifed him pretty bad..."said Ace."But he's down. Now..how about some answers,buddy?"

Suddenly,a single grenade came flying into the room and a blast of white light went off around them.

"AAHHH--FLASH GRENADE!"said Guile.

Once it was over and their vision returned,the other thug was long gone.

"I--what the hell happened?"said Ace.

"I think..someone doesn't want us to take prisoners."said Guile.

"And I think we need to get to the bottom of this..and right now!"said Ace.

"Couldn't agree more."said Guile. "Let's---"

But before either could make a move,the whole wreck of the mansion began to shake violently.

"Now what?"said Ace.

"I dunno,but let's grab the body and beat it!"said Guile.

Guile then grabbed the dead body of the assassin and the two men hotfooted out of the old building,just as it completly fell apart!

"LOOK!"said Ace pointing to the sky.

A giant black and red aircraft was seen moving through the night sky.

Guile then saw an all too familiar symbol on it's side.

It was that of a skull with wings.

"Sh-Shadaloo...!"he said.

"What?"said Ace.

The plane then charged up it's after burners..then took off into the night.

"DAMN!"said Ace. "They all got away!"

"I..I saw the symbol on the plane there."said Guile. "It..was Shadaloo's."
"Them again?"said Ace. "But Guile,after that..Ryu guy destroyed him..Shadaloo was taken down by the military after that..it can't be them!"

"I know what I saw,Ace."said Guile. "Either way,somehow...they knew we were coming. But..at least we might have something to go on."

Guile was referring to the dead thug in his arms.

"Well...yeah..it's not much,but something."said Ace.

Guile then removed the terrorist's mask,revalling...

"It's..a woman!"said Ace.

The terrorist had a face of high cheekbones,neon purple hair that was wavy curls and a pair of dark souless eyes,and the skin of her face was a chalk white.

"Yeah,I can see that."said Guile. "But not a normal one at that..she and that other one were pretty damn strong."

"You said it."said Ace as he rubbed his wrist.

"Come on,we'd better get back to base and call a recon for the dead we have left."said Guile.

!