A good ten years or so back
Shadowloo

“Well well, the rumours were true and accurate as well.” Bison(Vega) landed on the top of the small hill of dead soldiers. A little distance away the teenage girl stood hunch and soaked with perspiration. Her wet hair plastered on her face, giving her the air of a wild creature.

“Adolescence is a most trying time yes?” Bison laughs watching another group of his soldiers trying to take the teen down.
“The awakening of power, the confusion, there is just so much confusion isn’t there little one?”

“Tsk tsk. Good help is just so hard to find. Must I do everything myself?” Psycho Power crackles as it gathers in his hand. With just one wave he sends the Psycho Shot flying towards the teen, she summersaults backward and sprints away in the direction of the temples.

“You can’t resist being drawn to it can you? The knowledge to be had? Share it with me.” Bison wavered and disappears.

She nearly brakes when Bison appears a little distance in front of her, instead she falls into a slide in an attempt to trip the man in red. But he raises himself just out of reach and charges another Psycho Shot and flings in her path, causing her to spring up the nearest tree

“No escape. Little One.” Bison tosses another Psycho Shot at the trunk of tree smashing the large wood to splinters. The teen leaps to ground and turns in the direction of the temple. A fist that had being waiting for her smashes right into her face throwing her off balance.

The bulky black man taps his gloved fists together, waiting for her to get up. The teen licks the blood that trickles down the side of her mouth, fear, anger and the need to reach the temple churn like turbulent water within her. Like a coiled up cobra she sprung, her claws hands reaching for Balrog(Bison)’s jugular

The air before her wavered the horrible man in red appears before her, her clawed hands was a hair breath away from his throat when the air turns blue and crackles. The teen screams as the Psycho Power burns her. She crumbles to the ground convulsing in intervals.

“That cuts it quite close Master.” Balrog said, wiping the sweat off his thick brow.
“Yes. A little too close for comfort.” Bison squats down in front of the convulsing teen. He noted that the girl child’s eyes were moving wildly. He got up and signals for Balrog.

“Master. This is one of the Essences you spoke of? She is small for her age.” Balrog slung the limp teen over his broad shoulder.
“Good things come in small packages at times. Balrog. Easily hidden from view. As long as her life is not endangered greatly, she would not be able to break free. Let’s go.”
“Yes Master. And the soldiers. Master?”
“A prize like this one is worth as much lives needed to sacrifice.”
“Yes Master.”

------

Shadowloo mountain fort Labs
 

“Well dear doctor. How is Ryu?” Bison addresses the short wry man before him.
“Oh! All is well. My lord. All is well. We managed to tune his Satsui no Hado to a level higher then what he originally had. Shall we begin with the Mind control?”

“No. there’s something I’m curious to know. Strap him into secondary Psycho Drive.”
“Master shouldn’t he be strap into the Primary seat if you intend to take drain his Satsui no Hado?” Doc asks as he twiddles his fingers.
“No. That honor is for someone else. Balrog.”
“Yes Master.”
“Bring the girl into primary Psycho Drive.”
“Yes Master.”

At this point Sagat and Vega(Balrog) enters, Sagat had someone slump over his shoulder while Vega was gazing mournfully into his hand mirror cursing away in Spanish.

“What’s his problem?” Balrog asked.
“Half an hour ago. Someone infiltrated our base. Turns out to be Ryu’s blondie brother and his little girlfriend. Blondie escape but we had a hard time bringing her down.
“She ruin my face! She ruin my beautiful face! I will kill her.” Vega screeches away

“Yes but that is for the master to decide. His face will heal in good time anyway. Shall I add her to the DOLL program Master?” Sagat asks.

It took two of them to bring her down, If she was programmed to be on their side she could get rid of that whiny and annoying Vega for him. Sagat chuckled inwardly. He didn’t show it but the battle had taken quite a lot from him as well.

“No. Strap her into the Secondary Psycho Drive. If she can beat the two of you. That had said something for her. There is no time to waste. To the Psycho Drive Chamber!” One sweep of his black cape Bison strides into the Psycho Drive chamber with Sagat and Balrog following.
 

-------

A decent bit of hours later

Sagat and Balrog leaves and guards the entrance to the Psycho Drive Chamber while the guards are on high alert since Ken’s infiltration.

Bison was pacing around the Chamber checking the equipment before he proceeds. This is an incredibly dangerous experiment that has a 50% percent chance of working in theory. But then he’s the kind of man who believes more in practical then theory.

Ryu is well strap in at one side of the room, the young man is still twisting and turning away from whatever horrible visions that Doctor Whatshisname had fed him during the process to see how high could Satsui no Hado be raise.

When preparations for Ryu were done, Bison strides over to the other side of the room. This young woman had come looking for Ryu. In a way she has found him and now she shares the honor of this experiment. Bison chuckles at some private joke that suddenly crosses his mind. The thought passes and Bison strides to the center of the room. Within the Primary Psycho Drive hovers one of the so call host.
 

He had heard rumors of some text. Some text in the ancient temples that mention the existence of beings that carries the very powers of the universe within them. These so-called Essences exist to regulate the energy of the universe.

He read that there are times when these a few batches of Hosts go through lifetimes without so much a revolution or war. While there are some batches that have to battle monsters and various whatnots that threatens the very fabric of the universe.

And somewhere within the Balance Codex, a mention of an otherworldly being that threats this earth. Lord Bison frowns.

<  If anyone is to bring threat to this earth, it would be me and no one else.  > he thought. He smiles evilly as he watches the teen within the Primary Psycho Drive.
 

“You are one of the nine. I know you were found or founded by another. Seems like you carry the mark of the Carrier. Your job is to link up with at least a few others. Well then you will lead me to them or lure them to me. You can’t escape me. I alone knows of this threat.” Bison paces back and forth. He stops and turns to the girl.

“You will need a name.” He exclaims, probing her mind, pushing aside memories that are hers yet not hers.
“No. Such a name will not do. Beyond this day your life will change.”

“Your name will be Iwa.” Bison declared with a wave of his hand. He then thought of something and returns the huge computer and began typing away at another program specially designed for young Iwa.

“Yes… find the others for me. Lure them to me….. Ah yes…. You will find it very difficult to strike back at me of course.” He keeps mumbling away as he types. Checking his programming over and over again he made sure that it was flawless before he executes it.

Bison strides to his seat and removes his cape and cap, running his hand through his close crop black hair he sits down. He throws a switch.

The machine starts up, and started drawing essences of the qi that belongs to Ryu, Chun Li and Bison himself.
 

The highly volatile and violent qi of the Satsui no Hado, the normal qi of strongest woman in the world and psychotic powers of Psycho Power. A fleeting thought from Bison believes that it was a pity that Rose’s Soul Power couldn’t be added to this already lethal cocktail.

Then again, he had always like odd numbers, Satsui no Hado buffer from Psycho Power by strong normal Qi. Both will attempt to pull that barrier down. And when it does, it would corrupt the buffer and attempt to corrupt each other. Bison chuckles as he wonders if he had indeed created a monster.

The screams of Ryu, Chun Li and the young Iwa were like music to him. But another thought comes to his mind. He had to let them go somehow. There was no sense in letting the young one test her powers on a theoretical basis, let her test her new powers on in real life scenarios instead simulated environments. A plan forms within his head.

Bison laughs and laughs loudly, his laugh combine with that of the Psycho Drive’s humming drowns the anguish screams of the three tortured souls behind him. Soon it will end and soon a new era will begin.

---------

A cell in the base somewhere, some more time later

The by now normal and unconscious Ryu separated from Chun Li by the bars between them. As if a taunt in hinting responsibility. Bison left Iwa in a cell opposite them.

<  She’ll be here soon.  > he smiles as he waits in one of the cells.

And right enough she did appear, passing through the bars as if they can’t stop her, she knelt before Ryu.

“You didn’t listen to me didn’t you. Now the path you walk will be fraught with more trails and dangers.” Rose shook her head as she touches Ryu’s cheek lightly

“And you. You could have being spare this but the fates want you in on this. Your future now link to his is just as cloudy. Maybe together you two can find a way out.” Rose touches Chun Li’s forehead lightly and got up, heading towards Iwa.
 

Rose wasn’t fully sure if Iwa was conscious, all she saw were the eyes there stares blankly at her underneath that thick fringe.

“Such a young host, such heavy burdens.” Rose reaches out to touch the girl. A voice rang out in Rose’s head, saying that all is meant to be.
“Who are you!” Rose was on the alert.” She found that there was something that prevents her from making contact.

“Then why let her suffer.” The voice mentions something about linking the child up with another host.
“There is another? Where? When?” No answer came to Rose.

“Why are you on his side then.” It refuses to listen to argument.
“But he is evil! You’ll be at a disadvantage because of that!” the voice then spoke at length to Rose that Evil or Good does not matter as long as someone serves the purpose

“What kind of logic demands such sacrifice?! You could have sent her to me!” To that the voice answers that Rose would not be able to accomplish the task.
“But at least she has a choice!”

“Ah but the choice is not for her to make. Dearest Roslynn.” A disgustingly familiar voice came from behind her ear. The presence was gone but she can’t escape from the vice like grip around her.

“You still use this rose based perfume. Dear Roselynn.” Bison tightens his grip as he takes in a deep breath, the rose based scent bringing back memories. Such fond memories indeed.

“Let go of me!!” she can’t use her powers to escape from his grip for he knows how to cancel it out with his.
“And have you spoil my plans. I think not, dearest Roselynn. Come refreshment awaits us. The show is about to start soon.” Bison laughs as he drags Rose out of the chamber,

----------

A little while later ChunLi woke around the same time as Ryu did.

“You okay?” Ryu asks as he rubs his head, there was a strange feeling of being watched and there was something else as well but he couldn’t find the words for it.
“I’m fine. Felt like I’ve torn apart, ground to powder and stomp on.” Chun Li winced as she attempts to stand up.

“Ironic isn’t it. Me and Ken coming to save you and I’m here stuck in this cell with you.” She continues.
“Well. Guess we have to wait for Ken then.”
“No way. I’m not gonna let Ken get the bragging rights for saving you. I’m still gonna save your cute little hindey as planned. ChunLi smiles as she takes out a hairpin.

“You owe me big time. Buster.” ChunLi grins as she unlocks the door to Ryu’s cell some minutes later.

The moment they walk pass Iwa’s cell, the duo jolted to a stop, the thought hit them like lightning did. A strange connection in a triangle that left them overwhelmed.

“Uh… Ryu. It wasn’t my imagination after all.”
“…”
“We can’t leave her. There’s no telling what he might do.”
“We’ll take her with us and decide later.”
 

Even with the unlock door there was no response coming from Iwa, all she did was just sit there and stare blankly at them. A cold glint escapes from her eyes as she sprang towards them.

“Chun Li!!” Ryu yells as he pulls her aside, leaving himself straight in Iwa’s path. Iwa swipes at him wildly, attempting as well to take a few bites of Ryu’s face. ChunLi reaches forward to pull Iwa away but she leaps away landing on all fours and growling like a cornered animal.

“What has he done to her!!?” Chun Li exclaimed, helping Ryu up while kept an eye on Iwa.
“Plan B?” Ryu asks.
“Yup.” Together the duo charges up from a minor projectile.

Iwa froze for a moment as something seen to be going on in her mind.

--------

Outside the grounds of the base

Guile was giving his final orders before they infiltrate the base once more.
“But Guile. He’s a rookie.” Ken protested
“Yeah and you’re a civilian. Bison’s after us not him. Which is why you and I are going to be busy attracting more attention than necessary. You ready rookie?” Guile asked.

“Sir yes sir!” The young man of Italian descent answered.
“Good let’s go then.”
 

The trio headed into the base. The moment the rookie steps into the base, he jolted to a halt as his present world ripples away to be replace by darkness. A voice calls his name, singing something about him being the third of nine. To his distant right a young teenage girl was making notes of this encounter.

And in the direction he was suppose to go is another teen who look more like savage it than her. Oddly enough this second person seem somewhat nearer. The vision vanishes leaving him back where he was. The young man shook his head and headed for the cells.

 
----------

ChunLi noted the sudden change and lets her qi dissipate and approaches Iwa carefully, mindful of the dagger that the girl had whipped out.

“I mean you no harm. I don’t know what he done to you but we want to take you away from this place.” Chun Li said softly. A roar answered her as Iwa leapt towards Chun Li.

“BANG” The sound of the metallic gate slammed into Iwa’s face.
“Had to be done.” Chun Li shrug as squats down to check on the damage down.

“You think that is wise?” Ryu asks as Chun Li carry Iwa onto his back
“The most she’ll do is chew on your head, no biggy at all.”
"Thta's not funny."

“Mr Ryu and Inspector Chun Li?” A voice interrupted them.
“Depends on who’s asking.”
“The name’s Volpe, Mdm. Colonel Guile sent me. We best get out.”
“Makes sense. Lead the way soldier.”

----------

Outside, a decent bit of time later

Guile and Ken ran back to the waiting chopper, announced by a loud explosion within the base itself.

“Well. You’re a sight for sore eyes. Buddy.” Ken greeted Ryu with rough bear hug.
“Well I see you and CL got on fine while you’re in there. Even got yourself a kid huh.” Ken teased, earning himself a knock on the head by a frowning Ryu.

They all had miss the look of puzzlement that Volpe had being wearing ever since he had a closer look at Iwa. The young man had found it strange to see someone from what he thought to be his imagination. But instead he chose to put this out of his memory for now.

“She’s part of Vega’s experiment, somehow he’s using us and her as well.” Chun Li explained.
“So what are you going to do about her?”
“I’m going to train her.” Ryu and Chun Li answered at the same time. The both look at each other, smiled and nodded.
“Yeah I think that’s what we need to do. Until we figure out what she is.”

------------
 
On his VTOL

Vega(Bison) smiles as he watches the mountain base ablaze with fire and thick smoke. This is one of the riskiest gambles he ever took. Letting a test subject go through real life tests instead of controlled simulations. Who knows when those Essences would gather, today, next week or even years later. But still their reunion would be very interesting indeed. Meanwhile there are other things to attend to.