Two hours into the pageant...

Ryu shifted in his seat. The talent competition was going on smoothly, eventhough some of the talents were downright awful. 'At least there are four more,' he thought. Rose had just finished her talent, while Karin was forced to withdraw, seeing as she ended up with food poisoning.

"And now," the announcer was saying, "our next contestant, from Japan, representing the Bushin school, Maki!"

Maki came out onto the stage, dressed in her red Bushin ninja uniform and red-and-white tennis shoes. Her baton was in one hand as she stepped into the center of the stage. Originally, she had planned on doing a martial arts kata, but Rolento had other plans.

At Rolento's silent signal, five men dropped silently from the celiling and circled Maki. From the judges' table, Haggar stared daggers at Rolento, seeing as there were his men from his private army.

Back on the stage, Maki watched as the knife-wielding men circle her. A smile crept across her lips as she decided to use this situation to her advantage. Maki watched the men and lowered her defenses.

'Let's see...what did Guy taught me...the first person that's going to attack is on my...RIGHT!'

Sure enough, as she finished out that thought, the first guy on her right attacked, bringing his knife in an swing at her face. Maki blocked the incomeing blow with her baton and grabbed the guy's wrist. The secong guy on her right came in, but she lashed out with a kick that connected to the side of his face, knocking him down.

As for the guy whose arm she had in an arm bar, she flipped him to the ground and knocked him out with a fist to the face.

The third mercenary opted to throw his knife at Maki. Quickly, Maki's free hand snapped up and caught the weapon. She then flung it back, handle-first, and it connected in the guy's forehead, bringing him down.

The last two mercenaries moved in to attack. One of them were closer than the other so Maki took him down with a kick to the groin when he was close enough. When he was on his knees, Maki jumped in the air and used him as something solid to jump off from. After propelling herself (and knocking out the mercenary with a double foot to the face) from the merc, she launched herself at the last remaining mercenary. Grabbing his shoulders, she flipped him and then slammed him into the floor.

It was all over in less than three minutes. Five men were on the ground and Maki was the only one left standing.

The audience, minus Rolento and his men, thinking that was all a part of Maki's talent, applauded. Maki decided to go along with it. She bows and walks off the stage.

-Cammy-

Note: Cammy's talent is my personal homage to Kirsten Dunst's tap dancing scene from the movie 'Drop Dead Goregeous.' Bah.

This chapter is also short. Ugh. (falls over with a thud)

"From the United Kingdom," the announder boomed, "representing MI-6, Cammy White!"

After the applause does down, Cammy walks out onto the stage, her tap shoes clicking on the hardwood floor. She was wearing a men's tuxedo, complete with a top hat, several strands of blonde hair peeking out.

She began her talent by doing a couple of steps, then when the song began, she started to get really into it. You really could never tell that by looking at the reserved British agent that she like to tap dance, but she was showing it now. The loud drum beats seem to fly from her hands and feet as they punctuate the rhythm. Cammy made it appear effortless as she danced around the stage as the audience's eyes were on her for the next forty-five seconds.

Cammy concludes her talent at center stage as her song concludes. The audience is going nuts. Cammy took off her hat and gave a thumbs-up to her teamates berfore running off the stage.

-Juli-

(...) denotes backup singers

"And now," the announcer was saying, "representing Shadowlaw...Juli!"

['License to Kill' begins to play...]

The stage is dark. When the first notes of the song began to play, a lone spotlight shined on Juli. She was wearing a sexy black dress, back exposed. Her hair was done in her usual bun with the bangs framing her face. She was standing in front of a microphone, her eyes closed.

When the lights came on, exposing the stage, several members of Shadowlaw made up the band while Juni, Satsuki and Marz acted as backup singers.

Juli opened her eyes and began to sing.

[Hey, baby, thought you were the one who tried to run away]

Her voice was almost similar to that of Chun Li's only a shade huskier.

[Ohh, baby, wasn't I the one who made you want to stay?

Please don't bet that you'll ever escape me

Once I get my sights on you,]

Bison looked at Ryu, and smirked, thinking that he had gotten Juli's vote cinched.

[Got a license to kill] (to kill)

[And you know I'm going straight for your heart.]

(Got a license to kill)

[Got a license to kill] (to kill)

[Anyone who tries to tear us apart]

(Got a license to kill)

[License to kill.]

From backstage, Eliza nudged Chun Li. "I'd hate to admit this, but she's good."

Chun Li nodded absently. She looked at Ryu. He was simply doing his job as he scribbled down some notes.

[Hey baby, think you need a friend to stand here by your side?]

[Yes you do]

(your side)

[Ohh baby, now you can depend on me to make things right]

(things right)

[Please don't bet that you'll ever escape me]

[When I get my sights on you]

[Got a license to kill] (to kill)

[And you know I'm going straight for your heart.]

(Got a license to kill)

[Got a license to kill] (to kill)

[Anyone who tries to tear us apart]

(Got a license to kill)

[Say that somebody tries to make a move on you]

[In the blink of an eye I will be there to]

[And they better know why I'm gonna make them 'em pay]

[Till their dying day]

[Till their dying day]

[Till their dying day]

As Juli sung the chorus again, Chun Li and Eliza frowned. "Man," the blonde woman said. "She's real good."

Chun Li's frown deepened. "Yeah. I can see that."

[Got a license to kill] (to kill)

[And you know I'm heading straight for your heart.]

(Got a license to kill)

[Got a license to kill]

[Anyone who tries to tear us apart.]

(Got a license to kill)

[License to kill]

[Gotta hold onto your loving.]

[License to kill]

When the song ended, Bison applauded, as did the rest of the audience. Ryu, as he hated to admit it, Juli was going to be a tough person to beat.

-Eliza-

"From the Masters Foundation," The announcer introduced, "Elizabeth Masters!"

The crowd--especially Ken applauded as Eliza stepped out onto the stage, wearing a sexy red dress and black knee-high boots. Her long blonde hair was tied into a single ponytail and was slung over one shoulder. Flashing a grin, she stepped up wo the microphone just as her song, 'Glory of Love,' began to play.

[Note: The song Glory of Love was sung by Peter Cetra. In Eliza's case. I had to change some of the words around. Bah]

[Tonight it's very clear

Cause we're both lying here

There's so many things I wanna say]

Note: To get a good idea on how Eliza's singing voice sounds, think Michelle Branch, just slightly older. Sorry, I came back from a blood drive.

[I will always love you

I will never leave you alone]

Ken knew that Eliza loved this song. It was one of her favorites.

[Sometimes I just forget, say things I might regret

It breaks your heart to see me crying

I don't want to lose you

I could never make it alone]

From backstage, Chun Li, Cammy, and Juli watched Eliza perform. Chun Li looked at Ryu. He was watching Eliza sing, occasionally taking notes.

[You are my man who will fight for my honor]

You'll be the hero that I'm dreaming of

We'll live forever knowing together]

That we did it all for the glory of love]

On stage, Eliza steeled herself to continue. She was doing a very good job not not showing that she was nervous. 'Come on, Eliza,' she thought. 'You can do it.'

Looking directly at Ken, Eliza continued to sing.

[You keep me standing tall

You help me through it all

I'm always strong when you're beside me

I have always needed you

I could never make it alone]

From his place at the judges' table, Vega watched Eliza perform. 'Such beauty this woman has,' he thought. 'Her beauty and grace is second compare to mine. It is a shame that she is married to that idiot Masters. Maybe I'll ask Lord Bison if I can take her and make her mine.'

[You are my man who will fight for my honor

You'll be the hero that I'm dreaming of

We'll live forever knowing together

That we did it all for the glory of love]

The song reached a cresendo as Eliza contiuned on.

[Like a knight in shining armor

From a long time ago

Just in time you will will save the day

Take me to your castle far away]

From backstage, Cammy and Chun Li grinned, knowing that Eliza had gotten through her stage fright and that she was going to be okay.

[You are my man who will fight for my honor

You'll be the hero that I'm dreaming of

We'll live forever knowing together

That we did it all for the glory of love

We'll live forever knowing together

That we did it all for the glory of love]

The audience applauded the blonde woman as her song finished. With a bow, Eliza blew off a kiss as she walked off the stage.

-Chun Li-

(...) denotes backup singers

"And now, our final contestant...representing Interpol, Chun Li Xiang!"

As the Chinese martial artist walked out onto the stage, the crowd--good and bad--broke into applause. When Bison turned around to look at his side, the Shadowlaw troops went silent.

Chun Li was dressed in a dark blue Mandarin-style dress with a rose design on the front. Her hair fell down her shoulders, slightly wavy from having it braided and bunned.

She walked to the microphone just as 'You Got It All' begins to play. Behind and to the side of here, were two female singers singing backup. Taking her place behind the instrument, she flashed a smile and said, "This song is dedicated to a certain man in the crowd."

From his place at the judges' table, Ryu groaned and slouched low as the other judges--Bison included--chuckled lightly.

Chun Li began to sing.

[I...I was a game he would play.]

As Chun Li brushed a strand of strand of hair back, Ryu noticed something gleaming on her finger.

It was the diamond ring Ryu had shown her from the previous night!

[He brought the clouds to my day.

Then like a ray of light,

You came my way one night.]

Chun Li saw Ryu's shocked expression and smiled knowingly. She had given him her answer as she continued to sing.

[Just one look and I knew

You would make everything clear.

Make all the clouds disappear]

Ryu then realized that the song that Chun Li was singing was THEIR song, which was one of her favorites. She was playing it the night before she left for Honolulu to prepare for the pageant.

[Put all your fears to rest,

Who do I love the best?]

Chun Li began to grow more confident as she starts to get into the song.

[Don't you know, don't you know

You got it all over him,

You got me over him,

Honey it's true.]

She points to Ryu.

[There's just you...

You must have been heaven sent

Hearing me call you when

Out on a limb.

And you're all that he's not

Just look what I got

Cause you got it all...over him]

Backstage, Eliza, Cammy and Juli were secretly rooting Chun Li on, praying that she didn't screw up.

[No, don't let him worry you so.

Once I met you I let go,

Oh you can surely see

You're so much more to me...]

By this time, Chun Li had all of the audience under her spell from her voice. In her mind, everyone had disappeared.

All except Ryu.

[Just one look and I knew

You would make everything clear.

Make all the clouds disappear

You're better than all the rest,

Who do I love the best?]

From the judges' table, Ryu remembered the night before she left for hawaii. When she was playing that song, she had asked him to slow-dance with him. Naturally, Ryu delined, but Chun Li pulled him up and taught him how to slow dance. While they held each other close, she was singing.

[Don't you know, don't you know

You got it all over him,

You got me over him,

Honey it's true.

There's just you...

You must have been heaven sent

Hearing me call you when

Out on a limb.

And you're all that he's not

Just look what I got

Cause you got it all...all over him]

(You got it all over him,

You got me over him,)

[Honey, it's true

There's just you...

You must have been heaven sent

Hearing me call you when

Out on a limb.

And you're all that he's not

Just look what I got

Cause you got it all...all over him]

When the song ended, the entire crowd erupted in applause. Ryu was clapping the loudest, a broad smile across his face. Even the Shadowlaw troops were clapping for their General's nemesis.

Chun Li bowed. "Thank you. Thank you." With that, she departed from the stage.