"Poor girl... is this truly what she wants?"

A whisper- distant yet familiar, feminine yet strong, apocryphal, haunting, but more than any of these, wise- spoke in a place time could not touch, ageless and forgotten, yet still beholding all that took place. Another enigmatic whisper, childish yet still wise and haunting, nearly sang in melancholic response...

"To die... to die... why want to die? Most want to live..."

"She is not like most... too much pain for her... too large a destiny for her... she will give it to someone else..." the first murmur replied to the second. The childish one sang questions again...

"Hmm hm hm... don't understand... Life awaits! Love awaits! Why give up these things?"

"One does not know. One would be glad to have life and love... Sad to not have them... she is too kind, too giving, too loving..."

"And too loved?" the soft, younger voice finished, "So sad... so sad... Hmm hm hm... be ready for this they won't... Hope?"

"Maybe... but only He knows..." the other answered before sighing softly, "Poor boy... Never did he know this day would be her last..."

The whispers stopped as unseen eyes watched the events that began to unfold...

(*sing-song voice* Pick a cabin, any cabin...)

Miko Eliana huffed. Here she sat, alone and seemingly unappreciated, scrubbing the clothes, floors, and every other dirty thing the other fighters soiled. She was beginning to wonder if she was put here only to be a maid. Not to say she didn't enjoy cleaning, she was the best damn floor scrubber this side of the Milky Way and she was proud of it. But somehow, it seemed as if she weren't fulfilling her true purpose, whatever that was.

Twiddling the handle of her duster, Miko sighed. Where was everyone? She had only seen John, Lily, Yang and a few of the other fighters she didn't know well lately. So where was everyone else? She hmmed. There was something strange in the air and she didn't like it. More over, it made her slightly uneasy, giving hints that whatever it was, it was responsible for every being gone and the rest of the tournament being post-poned. Just when she and her partner were doing good, too.

Still, it bothered her that there was no one around to make messes, or even noise for that matter, "I hope they're all ok... wait a sec, I know what I'll do!" she said, grinning at the end.

"MIKO ELIANA TO THE RESCUE!!" she yelled, hoping up and throwing one fist in the air before running in a blur out the door...

(Another cabin. I wonder how many of these there are...)

Zorkaan was becoming impatient. This body was not healing as fast as he had hoped, since he had no way of using this stupid Kai's abilities. And that damned Astaroth had been gone for hours. He had a feeling he'd been betrayed...

"Shadow Dragon's" eyes narrowed. The Kai's brother had also been gone for quite a while. If he had been discovered, it would not be good. This plan was becoming more unraveled by the moment, he thought with disgust.

Sitting up and slowly swinging his legs over the edge of the bed, he eyed the sheathed Sommerswerd, lying on top of the dresser next to the bed. His eyes narrowed again. He huffed, knowing he could never wield the devastating power of the sword.

His thoughts were cut short as the door burst open, a Hispanic looking woman with light brown, wavy hair and intense brown eyes stood, staring directly at him. Her serious facade showed strong intentions of fighting.

Zorkaan sized her up through SD's eyes for a split second before smiling widely, "Hello there, pretty lady... come to pay ol' Shadow a visit?"

"Cut the crap. I know who you are, now give that body up."

"Shadow Dragon's" eyes narrowed. The game was up. This stupid masquerade was over. Zorkaan grinned wickedly, standing and facing her, "I don't think so..."

"Then prepare yourself..." Victoria said as she took her stance...

(Um...Elsewhere...)

"Ahh... at last, the Essences..." a sinister voice spoke in Iwa and Kumori's minds. Kumori gulped slightly, staring at the darkness that covered more than half the room. Iwa kept silent but narrowed her eyes. Obviously, this... thing had plans for them, likely to be plans they'd rather not even know about. Yet still, one has to ask...

"What do you want with us?" Iwa hissed, showing no intentions of being afraid, no matter what the situation. Kumori glanced at her with a growing worry. The voice of Naar audibly chuckled.

"Simple. To get you out of the way… "

Iwa exhaled quietly. This was bad...

(Fighters Inn. You expected another cabin?)

"SH*T!!" Dan cursed, dodging a large blast of gray flames. While he did so, Shockwave was repeatedly attempting to strike Astaroth with his quarterstaff, which the latter blocked soundly with his nodachi.

"I know it's probably a stupid question, but where are Iwa and Kumori??" Shockwave yelled in question to Astaroth between strikes. Astaroth's expression, as it had during the whole fighting, remained void of emotion, "I think you should know the answer to that," he stated calmly.

Shockwave cursed, "Naar... B*stard..."

A flash of azure blue erupted briefly over Shockwave's body before transferring to his staff, then launching in a large energy projectile at Astaroth. Yet, Shockwave's Quartet Wave was blocked with a strong shield of gray flames, created as Astaroth swept his nodachi down diagonally. Shockwave grinned, however, as Astaroth failed to notice someone behind him.

With a shout just for the heck of it, Dan rammed his foot forcefully into Astaroth's back with a standing side kick, causing Astaroth to grunt as he was pushed forward unexpectedly. Shockwave grinned more.

Rushing forward, as his opponent's footing was lost, Shockwave took full advantage. Striking hard in quick, consecutive hits, his quarterstaff connected with Astaroth's shoulder, chest, ribcage and stomach. A final hit would have connected with Astaroth's face had the said man not recovered in time to duck and throw a fire-covered fist into Shockwave's gut.

Grunting in pain, Shockwave was forced back, relenting in his assault. Astaroth's displeasure had become evident on his face, signaled by narrowed eyes and a slight frown. He heard Dan rushing at him from behind again, and decided this annoyance had gone far enough. He turned faster than Dan could see and just as Dan was about to execute a close range Gadouken, he found himself face to face with a very disturbing sight. In a split second, Astaroth's eyes glowed in dark gray and took on a sinister look. Before Dan could give a reaction other than a curse and wide eyes, Astaroth's foot came at him in a blur. Pain exploded in the former’s chest and abdomen in various places as several kicks from the latter connected, leaving traces of a firey wake. Dan almost swore he could feel the ground beneath him disappearing.

A final kick rammed itself into the bottom of Dan's jaw. As he was lifted completely off the ground, his vision went white, then suddenly dark as Astaroth brought his foot down in axe kick-like fashion, leaving a bright gray arch as he did and slamming Dan into the ground, unconscious.

Astaroth turned just in time to block another strike from Shockwave’s quarterstaff. Piercing blue eyes narrowed, “I grow tired of your little game…”

Shockwave’s eyes widened as Astaroth disappeared in a flash of energy, only to reappear a split second later behind him. Before Shockwave could move, he felt something pierce the skin on the back of his neck, and a searing pain spreading from the area. “Damn…” he cursed, suddenly feeling dizzy.

Tossing the syringe aside, Astaroth backed away a step. Shockwave turned quickly, instantly wishing he hadn’t as it added to his dizziness. He took a defensive stance as his partially mastered Kai abilities tried to repel whatever had been injected into his system.

One corner of Astaroth’s lips turned up just slightly, “I suppose I should tell you that not even your Kai skills will make you immune to what you’ve been given. Don’t worry, you won’t die. You’re needed alive.”

Shockwave cursed under his breath as he found Astaroth’s words to be true; he knew what would happen and he in no way looked forward to it. Finally, darkness overtook his sight and he fell.

Letting his nodachi return to its hidden place, Astaroth knelt and easily lifted the limp form of Shockwave, the latter’s weapon clashing on the floor as it slipped from its owner’s hand. This battle was over, and Astaroth, at this point didn’t care that he had used tactics he would normally scorn. In a brief flash of gray, both were gone…

(in a McDonald’s down the street…)

“Mmm… fries…” Volpe mused, sniffing the air as he, Guile and a supported Crimson walked into the fast food restaurant. They scanned the room, instantly spotting a familiar face at a table, scarfing down multiple Big Macs.

“Sir Heagy! Pick up thy burgers and move thy butt! Iwa and Kumori have been kidnapped!” Volpe said as they rushed over to John’s table. The hungry fighter looked up, blinking, “Wha…???”

Guile sighed, “That’s not all, Ryu, Chun, Ken and several of the others have been taken by Bison. We trying to find everyone else before it’s too late.”

John stood, picking up his last two burgers, “I’ll help…”

“Thanks… let’s find Shockwave and Dan and see if they’ve had any luck…” Guile replied.

With that, the four left and headed for Fighter’s Inn…

Locke took a deep breath, dialing a number he hadn’t called in quite a while. He sat in his hotel room, mentally going over the risks of the situation while he listened to the ring as his call went through. Memphis sat, looking slightly nervous, across from him. Both their attentions was drawn when someone answered…

“Yes, this is Locke Koh, I was formerly hired by your boss. I need to speak to him about something important… Oh, I do think he should hear this, it’s about the Essences…”

Memphis listened anxiously to the one sided conversation…

Meanwhile, on the other end of the line…

“Sir! The assassin, Locke Koh is on security line 316! He says he has information on the Essences!” a random servant called out to his master, sitting on his throne in the center of the main intelligence and observation room. Bison narrowed his eyes, “That traitorous lowlife… put him on open channel…”

“Bison…” Koh’s voice began, “I believe I have some information you’d like to hear…”

“I’m listening… hurry up and prove you’re not wasting my time.”

Locke continued, “Urien has captured two Essences. It’s likely he’s holding them somewhere near his estate until Gill arrives.”

Bison lifted one brow, eyes narrowing a bit, “Are you certain?”

Locke’s voice lowered, bearing small hints of a grudge, “I’m certain.”

“And why do you come to me with this? Why should I believe you? You’re nothing but a traitor…”

“Because our new employer double-crossed us, and has gotten on my bad side with a few of his actions… Who better to deal with him than you?” Locke spoke evenly. Bison hmmed. If Urien did have some of the Essences, and he himself did not, then that was not good at all. He knew it must be investigated…

“Very well. I’ll send some of my men to take care of the situation, on one condition. You meet them and complete the extraction with them. If you’re telling the truth, you’ll be rewarded accordingly, if not… there will be hell to pay. You’ll be contacted with the location of the meeting place and time soon.”

“Very well,” Locke acknowledged.

Suddenly, another lackey staring over a monitor turned to Bison, “Sir! The prisoners are escaping! They’re heading for Basement level one!”

Bison growled slightly, then grinned perversely, “Send some of my dolls to encourage them to stay…”

On the other end of the line, Locke half smirked for a moment and hung up the phone…

(Back to our regularly scheduled fight)

Just as Shadow Dragon, in Victoria’s body, launched himself toward Zorkaan, the latter grinned and disappeared, taking the sheath containing the Sommerswerd with him. Shadow Dragon stopped and hurriedly scanned the area with his Kai senses, having a very bad feeling as Victoria asked, [Where’d he go?]

Outside, two eyes lay on the wooden cabin, a malicious gaze fixed on the structure and a satisfied smirk plastered upon the figure’s lips, the Chinese man chuckled lowly and focused dark energy into his fist.

Tendrils of black matter coiled around the man’s arm, the serpentine wisps swirling in an intense pace before the figure threw his fist forward and with a maniacal gaze full of insane and perverse glee, unleashing a condensed surge of dark magic.

[Vic…?] Shadow Dragon said as he approached the window.

[Hmm?] Victoria replied absently, ignoring the nickname.

[I’m sorry ‘bout your favorite outfit…] Shadow Dragon said.

[Huh? What do you…?] Victoria replied before Shadow Dragon opened the window and launched their currently shared body out of the window, rolling on the slightly muddy ground a few times as they hit and momentarily lay there.

The blast collected into a large sphere and screeched toward the cabin, leaving a trail of unholy power behind it, the oxygen being consumed by its intensity, leaving the air behind dank and empty for several short moments.

It crashed through the wall before a moment of tense silence. Suddenly the air seemed to be sucked from within the cabin before a huge explosion rocked the nearby area and a huge mushroom of black flames expanded outward, the whole building being torn apart, shards of wood being spread askew in extreme velocities, soon littering the ground. (Author’s note: Oops, there’s one less cabin to worry about…)

Victoria’s mental tone growled angrily as Shadow Dragon stood up and looked back at the smoldering and charred remains of the cabin, smoke rising in a steady black pillar of vapor, polluting the air with it’s toxins, it’s dark flaming source making it ever more disgusting to smell. Everything smelled of smoke, particularly Victoria’s clothes, having been too close to the blast in addition to being quite soiled.

[As I said, sorry…] Shadow Dragon said almost softly and made a mental memo to whoop Zorkaan extra hard for Victoria’s sake, not that he needed many more incentives…

Shadow Dragon suddenly rolled sideways as another burst of black energy whisked by him, missing him by meager inches, the dark energy’s residue lingering against the body his soul inhabits at the moment with its disgusting feel as he rose to his feet.

“Zorkaan! Come out and fight me like a warrior instead of hiding like the coward you are!” Shadow Dragon barked angrily through grit teeth, wishing he had his old voice back momentarily, his eyes scanning the dark terrain and sensing the dark entity currently possessing his own body. For a moment he felt rage overcome him, the mere thought of the loathsome being in his body making him feel sick at the pit of his stomach.

A deep, mocking laughter echoed from behind some boulders as Zorkaan, who had previously been lurking behind the rock formations, lunged forth and vaulted himself forward. He aimed his fist at Shadow Dragon, a very gleeful and bemused flicker in his eyes, or rather Shadow Dragon’s body’s eyes, “With Pleasure Kai lord!” he mused as his fist flew toward Shadow Dragon’s face.

Shadow Dragon turned his body sideways, Zorkaan’s blow passing by him harmlessly hitting nothing but air, but Shadow Dragon wasn’t expecting the follow up blow; Zorkaan turned his body with the motion and with a reverse roundhouse clocked Shadow Dragon’s chin, sending him reeling backwards.

Shadow Dragon’s head snapped sideways, Victoria’s long hair flailing about with the head’s motion as he managed to regain his footing after the blow. Zorkaan had already stepped forward and sent his kick aiming to cleave Shadow Dragon’s temple with deadly precision.

Black tendrils of psionic energy curled around the dark one’s foot, an inaudible screech following the path of the kick as it flew toward its target with break neck speed…

Shadow Dragon’s power infused him as bluish-silver energy curled around his arms, then he quickly lifted his forearm and blocked the blow, before pushing Zorkaan slightly forward, hoping to push him off balance while already moving forth to press his attack onward.

The Kai warrior took a small hop upward while outstretching his foot, his silvery blue energy erupting around his foot and leaving a crescent shaped trail in his leg’s wake, the limb aiming at Zorkaan’s upper torso.

Zorkaan crouched low, his motion saving him from being victimized by the barrage Shadow Dragon had dubbed and all his foes knew as the Dragon Surge. The dark entity’s current host body then leaped upward at his command and grabbed onto the material of Victoria’s jacket.

Zorkaan’s feet then planted themselves against Victoria’s body as he used weight and momentum to fall forth to the ground, pulling his foe with him. As he hit the ground he extended his legs and launched his foe toward a large tree trunk.

Shadow Dragon hurtled toward a painful collision but managed to turn, while in his aerial descent toward the obstacle and curl up into a ball. His feet aimed at the tree, the minute they hit the surface of the tree he kicked off it and came catapulting toward Zorkaan’s back.

The Dark one turned toward the flying opponent, intent on blocking the move by crossing his arms, but Shadow Dragon didn’t aim the blow at his body. He instead rammed it into the Dark one’s face and the sheer momentum and force behind the blow sent Zorkaan reeling backward and would probably leave a mark.

Shadow Dragon then grinned slightly as he landed lightly on his feet, before it faded as he remembered it was his own body being beaten up here and the seriousness returned quickly back to his features as he resumed his stance.

Zorkaan turned toward him and for a second both locked in a bitter gaze, oozing with contempt and hatred. Shadow Dragon and Zorkaan both sensed the other collecting his Chi and thus they simultaneously sent forth blasts of their respective powers. Shadow Dragon shot out a large silver-blue cylinder shaped projectile whereas his opponent unleashed an oval projectile of dark psionic energy…

(yet, another cabin. Lilly’s.)

Lilly Yin sat on the couch, looking at the phone. Her brow furrowed slightly in worry at what she had been told. Several fighters, her friends, were missing. She had also been told to be careful until Aaron and the others got there. What was going on? What exactly had happened? She suddenly felt a bit useless, knowing her friends were in trouble and not knowing where they were or how to help.

She sighed, her eyes darkening slightly. She had been getting worse lately. Slowly, little by little, the disease she had was eating away at her health. She had thought that Yang could help, but how she didn’t know. Now, she felt helpless as well. The two things she hated most were feeling or being helpless and useless, and she felt both right now.

The thought of living whatever remained of her life like this sickened her. She came here to live: to seek life, whatever it may bring. Her downcast eyes slowly looked up, narrowing slightly in determination. She was going to live. She was going to help. Somehow, her being there would mean something.

She got up and quickly walked to the door, opening it. She was slightly startled to find Miko standing there, smiling widely and lightly bouncing on the balls of her feet, “Ready to find some missing messy people??” Miko asked, guessing at Lilly’s thoughts.

Lilly smiled and nodded, glad she wouldn’t be alone at least. “Let’s go…”

*WHOOP*

*CRASH*

Those were the sounds of two guards being knocked down by Ryu and Chun Li. They and four other fighters, Ken, Cammy, Guy, and Ryu Dragon had been going for almost half an hour after their escape from the underground cell. They were still in Bison’s secret base though.

They’d gotten up one level using the stairs, not wanting to take the risk of being ambushed in elevator. Occasionally, they knocked down some guards or just avoided them. It was not easy though, what with security cameras placed everywhere, there was no place to hide.

“Nice kick,” said Ken to Chun Li.

“Thanks. C’mon.” replied the Interpol officer.

They moved again, carefully and silently. Upon finding the staircase to the next level, they were confronted with yet another set of guards, but those were quickly taken care of. They climbed up onto the Basement level 1.

They came out into a long and empty T-shaped hallway. There were a couple of doors on each side of the hallway. They moved slowly, pressing against the wall, Ryu, Chun Li and Guy on the left side, Ken, Cammy, and RD on the other side.

Upon reaching the first door on the left, two guards appeared from each side of the T-junction. The first three from the left set in crouching position, while the group from the right set on standing position. The rifle in each of soldier’s hand was aimed straightforward.

Ryu quickly tried opening the door, half expecting it locked, but it was open. He stumbled in, then followed by his friends just in time as the guards fired at them. Dragon, the last one entered the room, quickly shut the door and pressed the lock. Inside, was a vast room that appeared to be a training hall, and standing in order in the hall were 12 of Bison’s killer dolls.

“Oh…..” Ryu started, staring at the dolls.

“I believe sh*t is the word you’re looking for…” Ken stated. Ryu sighed, “Yup.”

Astaroth had just finished locking the cell where the unconscious Shockwave was held, chained quite heavily to a wall to prevent any attempt of escape. He had sent another minion to tell Naar of his newly acquired Essence, saying he had something to do before he reported to Naar himself.

Quickly, he walked almost silently down the dark corridors of the dungeon-like area. He reached Natalie’s cell and peered into the barred window on the door. His eyes widened slightly, seeing no one in the room. Heightening a sort of sixth sense he had, he tried to sense her…

Nowhere… she was nowhere in Naar’s abode. Instantly he felt anxiety building up in him, the closest thing to fear he ever felt. Where was she?

Narrowing his eyes in a slightly painful concentration, he tried to see if he could sense her on Earth. To his mild surprise and relief, he could, somewhere on Fighter’s Isle again. He exhaled a breath he wasn’t previously aware that he was holding.

Concentrating again, he dematerialized with a crackle of dark energy...

(unknown location, so sue me I’m running out of spots)

“This isn’t good… without all nine, we can’t stop him,” a somewhat soft-spoken, male voice stated. The woman staring out at the descending sun sighed, “Then we have to get them back.”

“Alone? Nis, not even we could save all of them in time…”

“So we enlist some help,” Nishoku stated, her tone indicating common sense. Shizukesa sighed this time, “Who? We’re kinda running out of healthy and free allies…”

“Then we find some enemies with a common goal. The enemy of my enemy is my friend… and besides! We already know his sister!”

“Nis… you’re joking… He WORKS for Naar!!” Zuke said in disbelief. Nis-Nis smiled, “But lately it seems his priorities have changed… Dear ‘sister’ might be able to convince him that Naar being here would be a very bad thing… after all that’s happened.”

Zuke hmmed, “Well, maybe. But let’s just be careful, ok?”

“Right.”