"Look, Victoria, be sensible," a grouchy voice sounded behind her. "It's already dark, and I got a match to fight tomorrow."

"You don't understand, Zero1," Victoria replied as she walked briskly down the halls of the medical centre. "There's just... something."

"You know, you're right," Zero1 replied. "I don't understand. What could possibly be so important that you have to look for that ShockWave guy at the expense of even your beauty sleep!!" Zero1's voice raised to an annoyed quiver. For his most part, Kay had nothing much to comment about, partly because Victoria had promised to buy him any tidbits he liked if he promised to stop whining.

"May I help you?" A nurse turned to Victoria at the front desk, a smile upon her face. Victoria scratched her cheek for a moment.

"Uhh.. I was informed there was a plane crash recently?"

"That is so. Would you like to visit any of the patients?"

"Yeah.. mind checking if there's a guy named ShockWave involved in the crash?" Zero1 butted in. "And please make it snappy."

"Please wait a second.." the nurse turned and tapped a few keys on the computer before her. The monitor flashed green as she stared into it. Then she frowned.

"I'm sorry, but there's no record of the name in our computer," the nurse smiled apologetically. Victoria sighed wearily.

"Nevermind, thanks.."

=====

"The so-called Nine have arrived?" a voice boomed in a deep voice.

"Yes, o OverLord of Darkness," another voice replied.

"Eliminate them with extreme prejudice, especially the brother of the Kai Lord which I now hold captive."

"The one called ShockWave?"

"Yes. I can sense the budding powers of the Kai within the young one, and should the power reach maturity, he and the other eight hold the means of vanquishing my hold on this planet. I trust you do not need a reminder of what should happen if you fail me?"

"Of course not, my Lord."

"Then go now, Bison. Slaughter them all in the name of Naar, the God of Darkness. Our pact holds. Triumph, and thou shalt be made the Archmaster of Evil on this world. Fail, and your spirit shall wander in perpetual torment for the rest of eternity."

His face hidden from the figure before him, Bison chuckled silently.. he had his own plans for the Nine Essences as well...

=====

-Next morning-

"There. His quarters," Brian cocked a thumb at the small structure that was constructed from redwood. "Let's go in."

Victoria smiled. "Thanks! You don't know how much this means."

"Uh.." Brian eased the collar of his shirt. "It was nothing."

"Say.. how did you two know each other?"

"Why?"

"Oh.. just curious.."

Brian's face became sombre. The night on the South Pole, with his nemesis.. the boy.. Man Sei captured the one knew as Shadow Dragon and fled.. the boy remained behind, staring at the speck where Man Sei was flying over the horizon...

"Um.. Brian?"

"Oh.. nothing.. let's just go in.." Brian said abruptly as he stepped forward and rapped on the door. The sound of shuffled feet echoed from the other side in response. A few seconds later, the door creaked open. Standing behind it was a young Japanese girl dressed in a fuku.

"Um.. you sure this is the right house?" Victoria asked hesitantly. Brian stepped forward.

"Is this the quarters allocated to ShockWave?"

The girl grinned. "Shocky-boy? Why, yes.. he's went out for a match, though."

"Uh.. do you have any idea where he may be?"

"Yep.. the waterfall," Sakura pointed to the east. "He should be back for lunch, though. Assuming he doesn't get killed first."

Victoria's jaw dropped. "Oh my.."

"What's up?" enquired Brian.

"Zero1's fighting there too!"

=====

ShockWave sighed happily as the cool breeze blew past him, carrying with it a thin mist of water that felt quite refreshing. His short hair, which had miraculously remained tidy even after a record of three years without the effects of a comb, whipped around as he surveyed the breathtaking sight once more. To his right, a majestic roaring waterfall plummeted into a seemingly endless gorge. The colours of the rainbow danced around, diffused and deflected by the water.

Despite the beautiful scenery, the lack of sense of punctuality in his opponent was starting to annoy him. How long had it been? Fifteen minutes? Half an hour?

As if on cue, the sound of whistling reached his ears. ShockWave perked up and grabbed his staff, smiling nervously with anticipation. A few minutes later, a human form made its way through the trees, pausing to inspect ShockWave. ShockWave scrutinized the man in return.

'Woo.. black man.. heh' ShockWave thought inwardly. He probably liked black, too, given his entirely black karate gi. For a moment the image of Akuma sprung to his mind, but ShockWave dismissed it. 'Must be African or something..' Shrugging mentally, ShockWave nodded at the man.

"Hi.. um... are you the one I was supposed to fight?"

"I was just wondering the same," replied the man casually. "Name's Zero-1."

"Heh.." Hefting his staff, ShockWave turned to his opponent. "Okay, let's just get this over with..."

"Begin?" offered Zero1.

"After you, ladies first," ShockWave flashed a smile at Zero1 and gave him a thumbs-up.

"Why? So eager to get yourself beaten bloody?" Zero1 smirked as he launched himself at ShockWave in a pounce. Expecting something like that, ShockWave crouched and rolled forwards, clearing Zero1's attack. Not wasting any time, ShockWave lunged, slamming his staff down at the ground where Zero1 lay, missing him by a whisker as Zero1 turned, rolled then used the momentum to get on his feet. The staff on the ground flicked sideways, sweeping Zero1 to the ground.

"Not exactly," ShockWave grinned as he hooked his foot around his staff. Jerking it upwards, he caught it neatly with his hand. "Uuuuwwaahhh!! Hey! Leggo!!" ShockWave yelled as suddenly Zero1 grabbed his foot and delivered a sharp tug. The limb disappeared from under him, forcing ShockWave on his rump. For his size, Zero1 sprang up with surprising agility.

"Lightning Split Axe.." Zero1 whispered as he performed a near-impossible flip, bringing the heel of his foot to crush down on ShockWave's skull, sending the jacketed man to meet the earth. Zero1 stood up, an annoyed scowl at his face as he nursed his foot. The attack, for some reason, had actually HURT his foot. But his task was done now. Giving his opponent a final look of disdain, he prepared to leave.

"Heh.. and I never thought my bro meant it literally when he said I had a thick head.." a slurred voice sounded behind him. Instantly Zero1 spun around, just in time to parry a thrust aimed at his waist. ShockWave bounded away, landing in a half-crouch, the perpetual grin on his face.

"That is your loss. A little crack might let in some wisdom," Zero1 growled as he circled ShockWave, who was doing the same. Both were more wary now, with a broken head apiece. Zero1 had a slight bruise on his chin as a side effect of hitting the ground earlier, and a small trickle of blood flowed down ShockWave's forehead. Almost simultaneously both fighters launched themselves at each other, but ended up getting blasted aside as they exchanged hits. Snarling, Zero1 scurried away as ShockWave kicked off the trunk of a tree, keen to avoid the business end of his opponent's staff, and reversed with a quick kick to the shin, deterring his opponent for a second. Twisting back to face ShockWave, Zero1 instantly delivered a barrage of powerful fists aimed at his opponent, who failed to block and got knocked back-first to the ground.

Zero1 leaped high into the ground, his fist doubled, ready to strike ShockWave in the stomach during his descent. Forcing his eyes open, ShockWave surveyed his imminent fate.

"Heh heh..."

=====

"Wow.. so you're a psychic?" Crista asked in amazement. Victoria shrugged.

"I'm not quite sure myself.. I don't know what to think sometimes."

"Then what makes you so sure this guy you're after is so important?"

"... I.. I just KNOW, for some reason. Don't ask me to explain, because I can't."

"I can. She has a crush on him."

"Shut up, Gay. I haven't even met him before."

=====

"Jiangqun.. [Check..]" Master Gen smiled as he moved his 'pao' across the board, allowing the piece to rap lightly on the wooden chessboard.

"..." Iwa and Kumori frowned.

"Zhen me gao de? [What the hell?]" Kumori threw her arms up into the air. "Er dui yi, women hai shu le?? [Two of us against him, and still we lose??]" For her part, Iwa stared at the board, eyes narrowed in annoyance as she tried to look for any possible ways to evade the check.

"Iwa?" Kumori asked quizically as her friend remained motionless for about two minutes, waving a hand in front of Iwa's face. "Are you awake?" Still the girl didn't respond. "Uhhh.. hello? IWA?!" Kumori reached out to ruffle Iwa's hair. Just before Kumori's hand could touch Iwa's head she snapped up.

"Power.."

"Huh?" Kumori asked.

"The Nine Essences!" Iwa breathed in. "I can sense the Essence of Power.. somewhere nearby."

"Uh.. Iwa, I think.."

"Come on! Let's get Lilly and Volpe!" Iwa said as she rose from her chair, grabbing Kumori's hand as sha dashed out of the room.

"AhbyeMasterGenseeyoulater!!" Kumori shrieked as Iwa dragged her away.

=====

Somewhere in the celestial heavens, the Plane of Light, the demigod TS whistled casually as he flicked a file labelled "Nine Essences" into the 'Out' tray.

=====

"Quartet Crush!!" ShockWave exhaled as he completed the final word of the spell, still lying on his back to the ground, and projected its concussive energies at the blur which was streaking towards his chest, threatening to pulverize his ribcage on impact. An invisible energy pulse leapt from his open palm, materializing itself as a fluctuating shimmering aura.

"Oh crap.." Zero1 mumbled.

*SLAM*

ShockWave watched in amusement as the bolt connected with the falling form of Zero1, the impact tossing Zero1 up even higher into the air than he was in the first place, as if he was a rag doll. A branch stood in the path of his descent, but it snapped like a twig as Zero1 fell in it, dumping him unceremoniously on the ground.

A shadow hidden in the trees stirred. "One, two..."

"Ungghh..." Zero1 groaned feebly. "What happened...?" Out of the corner of his eye he spotted a grinning ShockWave, advancing upon him while palming his staff. 'Shiiitt..'

"Three, four, five, six..." the figure continued counting.

'Dammit..' Zero1 thought. There was only one way left, a technique he had never used before. Clenching his fists, he concentrated, trying to tap into his ki...

"Now.." ShockWave adjusted his gloves. "Well, nothing personal, buddy, but looks like you lose." He wound his whacking stick backwards, like as if it was a baseball bat.

"Seven, eight, nine.."

"Say good night, Zero1."

"Ten."

"DRAGON'S TAAILLLL!!!" The scream echoed through the valley as Zero1's body suddenly rose before ShockWave's disbelieving eyes. Caught by surprise, ShockWave failed to block as a series of kicks smashed into his ankle, kneecap, then his stomach.

"Gurk.." ShockWave mumbled as the final hit left him doubled over in pain. A split-second later his chin was introduced to Zero1's heel via a spinning kick, the force of the blow lifting ShockWave off the ground and into the air.

"Never count your chicks before they are hatched," Zero1 said in an eerily quiet voice. His leg muscles tensed. Still in mid-air, ShockWave's eyes widened as suddenly Zero1's intentions dawned on him. He shut his eyes tight. This was going to hurt..

Zero1 was suddenly distracted by a sudden movement in the trees. Suddenly a blast of energy slammed into him, knocking him against the trunk of a tree.

ShockWave fell to the ground. "Ouchers.." After wincing in pain briefly, he turned to the newcomer. Fairly built, he dressed casually, with a mop of blond hair. But most intrigueing was his glasses, which were tinted purely red. 'Is that the colour they're selling nowadays??'

"Ten-count knockout. You lose, Zero1."

"Huh?"

"No way!" Zero1 protested as he got to his feet. "Who are you anyway?"

"Yes way," replied the man quietly. "Scott Summers, referee."

For a moment the air was thick with tension as Zero1 snarled softly. "Fine. I'll let you off, THIS time, you lucky SOB.." Turning, Zero1 walked away into the woods. ShockWave released a happy sigh. "Heh.. am I one helluva lucky bastard," he grinned as he gave a thumbs-up at the ref. "Thanks a lot." Scott smiled.

"Call me Cyclops," he nodded as he offered a hand at ShockWave. "Nice fight, by the way."

"I'm getting sorely outta shape nowadays.." ShockWave grinned. "Say, that was neat.. how didya do that?" ShockWave struck a pose, lowering imaginary glasses as he stared at Scott, who chuckled.

"Maybe next time. Gotta go, kid."

"Yeah.. thanks again."

ShockWave stared at the vanishing form of the man, before the throbbing pain coursing through his body reminded himself of his own needs. Retrieving his staff, he set off at a lopsided limp, tracing his tracks back towards the Fighters' Village.

"Celaka punya apek Zero1.. [Damned old man Zero1..]" ShockWave grumbled slightly under his breath. He had not gone far before four figures popped out from the trees. But that was of little consequence. What was important was that three of the figures were female. ATTRACTIVE females. The remaining one male, however, was wearing...

'A pink shirt??' Mentally ShockWave's jaw dropped to the ground. And he was beginning to think that only one person on this whole goddam world wore pink as his primary attire. ShockWave shrugged as he continued his slow trudging, until one of the females called out.

"Power."

"Huh?" ShockWave looked behind him. ShockWave looked around him. "Um.. I don't see anyone else around these parts, miss," ShockWave yelled out wearily.

"She meant you," another of the females stepped out from behind the pink-dressed man. ShockWave sweatdropped. He had to be hallucinating. Pink. Again. What, had Hibiki got his very own fan club or something? Then his mind tore back to reality. What had the girl called him?

"Power?" ShockWave peered quizically at the group, tapping his staff against the ground. If Hibiki had arranged some joke on him...

"Power," the first girl repeated. "The Nine Essences of the Universe. You have been chosen as the incarnate of Power."

ShockWave scratched his head. "...Eh? Look, lady, I'd like to play around with ye a little further, but look," he said in an irate voice, pointing at his numerous bruises and cuts. "If you don't mind I'd really like to leave for home."

"There.. that's him," a familiar voice tingled in his ear. Whipping himself to face that direction, ShockWave saw Zero1 marching towards him.

"Uh oh.."

"Relax, I'm not here to fight you, ShockWave," the man replied casually. "Mind putting that staff away?"

"You're not? Really?... Hey! I didn't tell you my name!"

"You didn't. She did," Zero1 cocked a thumb behind him. Trailing him were more people. For a second ShockWave wagered that they were wearing pink, but as they drew closer and the shadows melted away, he noted with relief that the pair of women and another male were wearing casual wear. One of the females stepped forward.

"..ShockWave?"

"Um.. yes?" ShockWave replied, slightly bemused.

"I need you to come with me. Now if possible."

"Woo.." ShockWave smirked, eying her vivacious figure. "Attractive as you may be, you're not my type.. sorry."

"Shadow Dragon."

Instantly ShockWave's idiotic grin vanished from his face. "What.. did.. you.. say?"

"Look, I'm not really sure myself. All I know is, I have to talk to you now and.. eeek!" Victoria shrieked as ShockWave grabbed her wrist in a vicelike grip. "Hey! Let go of me! What are you doing??!"

"You and I need to talk.." ShockWave muttered grimly as ShockWave paced rapidly through the woods.

=====

"Okay, so now what?" Kumori asked Iwa as they watched the Incarnate of Power vanish through the forest with the other group. It was then did Kumori realize that Iwa had a scowl etched upon her face.

"We follow them. Come on."

=====

ShockWave barged right through the thin wooden door to his quarters. Fortunately for him, Dan and Sakura had decided for a spot of shopping before lunch. Pointing to the rug on the floor, he motioned for the entire group to sit, as he stood in front of them. "I believe a few introductions are in order."

"Uh.." Victoria stood up. "Call me Victoria. Zero1 you already know.. and these," Victoria motioned to the remaining three, "Crista Smith, Brian Yip and Kay Lee."

"You were saying something about Shadow Dragon?"

"He's an important fellow to you, eh?" Zero1 muttered.

"He told me to come to you.. he said you'd know what to do," Victoria explained.

"Where is he?"

"I don't know... he contacted me telepathically. He said something about.. what was it, the invasion of Naar?" Victoria watched as ShockWave sunk slowly to the floor, his face pale with shock. Hurriedly he wiped his sweat off his brow as he took a deep breath.

"So he's still alive.. I never thought... Naar."

"You need a glass of water or something?" inquired Kay.

Gulping, ShockWave forced himself on his feet and looked at Victoria. "It must be known to you... that humans all over this planet may soon have cause to owe you the debt of their lives. No one could have done any more, Victoria."

"Why, what's up?" asked Crista curiously.

"I owe you one."

"Does that mean you're telling us?"

"No interruptions until I finish. Agreed?"

"Yup."

=====

"Time did not exist by then, as the gods of Naar and Ishir battled each other for dominance in a classic war between Good and Evil. But eventually, seeing that the battle was one that neither side could triumph, a pact was made for peace. As proof of their intentions, Ishir and the Gods of Light shaped into being a giant vessel of space, in which Naar infused with his terrible overriding essence. It was in that instance that the nine material universes were born, namely the Plane of Darkness, Confluence, the Elemental Strongholds of Earth, Air, Water and Fire, Aon, Daziarn and the Plane of Light. Each plane was seperated off by each other by the very fabric of reality itself, and the only way one could travel between them was via ShadowGates, tears in space-time which allowed one access through the nine Planes of Existence.

For a time, as promised, peace reigned. But yet the fiery desire to crush all that was good and pure could not be controlled by the God of Darkness. War erupted among the celestial heavens once more, as Naar's Armies of Night attacked and captured the Plane of Darkness. Horrified by Naar's actions, the Gods of Light first called for diplomacy, but when that was ignored, Ishir herself declared war once more. And hence the battle raged again, as the forces of Good and Evil played their games of chess against each other. Eventually, all the Planes of Existence were captured by either Good or Evil.. all, that is, but two: Aon and Daziarn.

Selecting Aon for its next conquest, Naar created and sent to the planet Magnamund his champion, Agarash the Damned, to claim Aon for its own. In response, Ishir gave life to a race of ancient magicians, the Elder Magi, and entrusted with them the charge of protecting Magnamund and Aon. The Elder Magi and Agarash faced each other off with a war that lasted a thousand millenia, and at the end of the epic confrontation, Agarash's evil powers waned against the goodly might of the Elder Magi, yet they were weakened severely by the battle...

Enraged, Naar sent his champions again to Magnamund, the 18 Darklords. Weakened by Agarash, the Elder Magi could do nothing but flee before the onslaught of the Darklords. All seemed hopeless, until Kai, the Sun God and ally of Ishir, created a race of people on Magnamund, the Sommlending. The Sommlending colonized a vast area of land in Northern Magnamund, which they christened Sommerlund. Armed with naught but their skill, bravery and cunning, as well as the Sommerswerd gifted to them by Kai, they drove back the slavering armies of the Darklords. It was a decisive victory when King Ulnar I of Sommerlund himself engaged the mightiest of the Darklords, Vashna, on the threshhold of the Maakengorge -- a bottomless chasm that seperated Sommerlund with the Stornlands -- and slew him.

For a time, peace reigned in Sommerlund. The Baron of Tyso, who had distinguished himself during the war, discovered soon thereafter that he, along with a handful of other Sommlending, held powers beyond other Sommlending, that they had been gifted with it. It had lain dormant within him all this while, waiting only to be honed to perfection. The powers of the Kai...

Taking upon the title of Sun Eagle, he gathered the other Kai Lords together and taught them to utilize their special skills. Over time, the Kai Lords became a formidable fighting order. Armed with the zealous might of the Kai, as well as the powers of the Sommerswerd, the Darklords were daunted from attempting another assault in the near future. Yet during this time the might of the Darklords waxed and grew strong once more. A short civil war erupted among themselves, only to be won by the Darklord named Gnaag. Now the remaining Darklords, sixteen in all, were united behind their new leader, ready to claim Magnamund for their fell leader.

Learning from the mistakes of Vashna, Gnaag made the smart move of ridding himself of the Kai first. On Fehmarn Day Gnaag launched a surprise attack at the Kai Monastery, via air by his flying beasts, the Kraan. Caught off-guard that the Darklords would attack on a holy day, the entire Monastery was wiped out on one single attack, killing every Kai Lord... all, but one. A sole survivor of his race, Lone Wolf, led a ragtag band and the King's armies against the Darklords, in a futile attempt to repeat their victory against the forces of Evil ten years ago. The death of the Kai Lords had dealt a severe blow to the Sommlending. Their morale broken by the demise of those they once thought invincible, the Darkland Armies crushed the meager resistance of the realms of Magamund, with the remaining countries of Sommerlund, Dessi, Anari, Lencia, Magador, Lyris, Durenor, Slovia and Palmyrion fighting a desperate, chaotic battle as they strove to keep the Darklords at bay. Lone Wolf was killed soon thereafter, and the Sommerswerd, the Sword of the Sun, tossed into a ShadowGate, lost forever in its myriad passages of time and space. It seemed then, to the people of Magnamund, that their final hope was destroyed, and all they held dear would soon be lost as well. Yet the stalwart defenders never lost hope that deliverance would come...

Two months later, in the plane of Daziarn in which planet Earth exists, a ShadowGate formed in the middle of the Sahara desert, spitting out a sword crafted seemingly from gold. By pure chance, a young man who will be known only as Shadow Dragon stumbled across the Sommerswerd. Lifting the sword, suddenly his mind unlocked itself. By the will of Ishir, he was the first Kai Lord, ever, on Daziarn. Somehow, Shadow Dragon learned to establish a psi-link with the Sommerswerd, which resulted in the formation of a ShadowGate. Sucked into its frigid, whirling maw, Shadow Dragon found himself deposited in a raging battlefield on the planet Magnamund, with the defenders of Sommerlund striving to keep the Darkland Armies from invading the town of Ruanon. With the help of his newfound Kai powers, Shadow Dragon single-handedly beat back the nightmarish creatures of the Darklords. Sommerlund rejoiced, knowing that the Kai still live. But three days later, the remote outpost of Ruanon fell under a heavy siege, with nobody getting either in or out. The Sommlending beseeched Shadow Dragon to flee, for should the Kai be vanquished and Magnamund fallen into the hands of Evil, the balance of power would be tilted towards the favor of Naar, now that he had the cosmic energies of Aon on his side. Thus, booting up another ShadowGate, Shadow Dragon fled back to his homeworld of Earth. Yet, with his formidable psychic presence, Naar was able to track Shadow Dragon's passage through the ShadowGate back to Earth. Thus then, Naar knew if that his conquest were to be successful, Shadow Dragon and planet Earth had to be conquered and put under his will."

=====

"Wow.." Crista said. "That.. that was beautiful."

"How did you know all this?" Victoria questioned.

"Because," Brian spoke up for the first time. "He is Shadow Dragon's brother."

ShockWave smiled.