Chun Li covered her face as wind whipped wildly around her.

"Aaah!" Ayame squealed, the force of the wind making her step back several feet.

All three fights were interrupted as Bison just had to obnoxiously make his presence known.

*********************

In the distance, two young fighters gazed at the horizon.

"You sensed that as well?" Iwa murmured.

Kumori nodded. "Maybe we should go back…find the others…"

*********************

Yang and Lilly braced themselves on the ground shortly after the craft flew overhead.

"I hope everyone's okay," she said.

"It's been a while since we all split up. Let's go find them…" Yang suggested.

*****************

Locke had certainly been in interesting situations. Sure, there have been times when he could have died, or people thought he deserved to die…but hanging over the edge of a cliff was not a way to go. Besides, the fact that his previous employer was the reason why he was dangling over that cliff made it even more unappealing.

Straining forward, he managed to get footholds. It was a bit awkward considering another person's weight was on one side.

"Climb on my back…it might be easier for us to get to the ledge," he said quietly.

Meliza lifted her head and studied his face. His eyes were dark and emotionless…and she tried to read him. She sensed that he wasn't going to throw her off, so she moved under his arm and turned to face his back, her arms and legs wrapping around him. She looked up, trying to see through the rain. The ledge was about another four foot climb.

She tried to keep still as Locke tried to climb. He worked slowly, methodically. Tension around his eyes and mouth formed from lack of sleep and chaos that had happened in the last twenty-four hours. Being fired, being hunted, being poor…His clothes were soaked, sticking to him like second skin, his hair hung in its ponytail like a thick, damp rope. Yet, through it all, Locke still managed to look good. (Can one tell the author's a big Locke fan? ^_^)

"You're doing well," Meliza said softly, as she glanced up again. The distance wasn't that far away now.

He gritted his teeth, the weather change and strain of climbing starting to affect him. He'd have to remind himself later to drink something warm when he got out of this.

After what seemed like centuries, Locke finally grasped the top and hoisted himself over. He and Meliza were half on the ledge when a familiar figure…was there to greet them.

*****************

Volpe ran into Jin in battering ram mode, his shoulder jamming into his opponent, after shouting incoming.

Ayame and Miko had taken care of Balrog, and the boxer was dozing off nicely. (Oh come on, as strong as that guy is, I think Ayame and Miko could knock him down. =P) They merely sat aside, watching the fights.

Chun Li and Vega moved with speed and agility, their years of experience as fighters very apparent. Vega had strength, but Chun Li's frame allowed her to react quickly to Vega's incoming attacks.

*******************

"Well, hello, gorgeous," Memphis greeted with a dashing smile.

Meliza's expression went from slightly fearful, to annoyed. In the spanse of about a millisecond. "It's you…"

Locke glanced around, noticing Acinomia on the ground, bound and gagged. No doubt by the one in front of them.

Memphis offered Meliza his hand. "Nice situation you got yourself in. Give me your hand. I'd hate to see a beautiful woman like yourself fall…"

Meliza climbed over the edge and onto sturdy ground, basically ignoring the assassin's outstretched hand. "I don't need your help, Memphis."

Locke did something he hadn't done in a long, long time. He laughed. Slightly. More like chuckled. The absurdity of the entire situation was rather amusing.

"What the hell are you laughing at?!" Memphis demanded.

Locke sobered and shrugged. "Nothing…"

Memphis glanced from one to the other, his eyes staying on Meliza much longer. Naturally. Meliza was a woman, and she was far more pleasing to Memphis' eye. She was shivering, due to the cold and the rain, and her clothes clung to her body. Her black hair hung in damp tendrils, some clinging to her cheeks and forehead, and her skin glowed softly, her cheeks flushed pink with the cold.

"Meliza…" Locke spoke up, interrupting his thoughts.

Meliza, who had been staring at the ground, swung her gaze at him. "Yes…?"

"I…I think you should leave," Locke muttered. "Now."

"I…I don't understand…"

"Now," he ordered. "Before I change my mind…"

Their eyes met briefly. Then she jumped to her feet and ran off.

********************

Volpe groaned in pain after Jin had thrown him against the ground. Today was not a good day for him.

Lightning streaked the sky and dark clouds loomed overhead.

*******************

In his aircraft, Bison surveyed the rough terrain.

A technician nearby was looking at his display screen. "Sir…we might have a problem…"

"Fix it," Bison commanded.

"Since the information database and scanners are new equipment, we don't know how they'll react to these weather changes," he spoke timidly.

"How stupid are you?" Bison retorted. "Plenty of simple aircraft fly in these conditions. I'm paying all my scientists to keep up to date on such matters. So don't-"

He was interrupted as lighting struck.

*******************

Kay shaded his eyes. He saw a figure approaching. Immediately recognizing the form, he hurried forward.

"Meliza! You all right?"

She nodded. "We have to get out of here!"

Lightning struck something overhead. In that instant, Kay spotted several figures in the distance. Their rescue team had been diverted.

"Let's go that way!"

*******************

"What the hell happened?" Bison demanded.

"Engine one is down!" the tech announced.

Bison released a string of curses. As if on cue, lightning struck again. "Now what?"

"Severe damage done to left wing, sir!"

******************

Memphis chuckled. "If I didn't know any better…I'd think someone was trying to f*** with Bison…"

He and Locke watched as the fuselage did its best to maintain stability…and failing miserably. It began to lose altitude, descending into the northern part of the island.

*******************

Vega shoved Chun Li to the side, hoisting the heavy boxer named Balrog over his shoulder. "We'll be back. Let's go, Jin!"

The other fighter narrowed his eyes before turning away. Patience was a virtue, it had been said. Then again, now would not be the time to strike. His master has plans for these Essences…

********************

Meliza and Kay soon joined Chun Li, Volpe, Ayame, and Miko.

"I'm delighted to see that you both are alive and well," Volpe stated.

"Thanks," Meliza responded.

Ayame rushed towards Kay, her arms outstretched. He embraced her tightly.

"I'm so glad you're okay," Ayame exclaimed, hugging him.

The others smiled. (They could have 'awwed' but even the author doesn't like it when people do that. It's a 'mood disruptor'. =P) Ain't love grand?

"Let's head back to the jeep so we can get back to civilization," Chun Li announced.

While everyone agreed, Kay glanced in the direction where he had just come from. Where Acinomia had been fighting.

"Kay?" Ayame spoke up.

He looked at her, seeing her troubled expression. She sensed that he had been preoccupied. Wanting to assure her, he smiled, squeezing her hand.

*******************

"You lost the keys?" Memphis asked incredulously. He shifted the unconscious Acinomia in his arms.

"They might have fallen out during battle," Locke muttered. He opened the door to the passenger side of the vehicle he had been driving after removed brush, leaves, and branches.

"Look, how about I save you the trouble? Why don't you go with me?" Memphis suggested. "I'm parked up the hill…"

Locke glared at him. "Mind if I ask why you're being polite and haven't killed me yet?"

Memphis frowned. He almost forgot. He had been in a fight with Jin earlier to determine who would be the one to kill Locke. "I got a proposition for you. It involves you, me, and lots of money…"

"This better be good…My patience for negotiation has gone thin…" he growled.

"If you go with me, I'll explain on the way," Memphis offered.

What choice did he have?

*******************

"What happened to my jeep?!" Chun Li exclaimed.

The group stood by the disabled vehicle, after climbing a steep hill. Lilly and Yang had met up with them.

"Your tires don't look so good…" Miko spoke up.

"I know, I know…and it's so far away back to the city…" the Interpol agent groaned.

The sound of a vehicle entered their ears. Relief entered their faces as the driver and passengers were friends.

"Need some help?" Ken piped up.

"You don't look like you can carry all of us…" Chun Li said.

The sound of another vehicle entered their ears. A minivan approached, its headlights directed at the group, before pulling to a stop. The driver and passenger doors opened by two figures.

*****************

"What do you think?" Memphis asked as he began driving away from the cliffs and back towards civilization.

During the drive, Locke had been quiet. Memphis had explained the proposition, as well as adding in several smart-alecky remarks. Acinomia was in the backseat, sleeping.

"I think that's a lot of money for one Essence," Locke stated.

"Twenty-five? Yeah…" Memphis shrugged.

"He must have complete trust in the two of us…or he's crazy," Locke pointed out. More than three-fourths of the time he didn't trust Memphis. The idea of them working together was just…well…odd.

"We could get the job done. Urien knows it…Gill knows it…Urien approached me before…that was after I ruined your groove with that woman…" Memphis smirked.

Locke didn't even bother to respond. He pointed to a briefcase on the floor of the car. "Is that what Urien used to reel you in?"

Memphis grinned. "Yup. Open it."

Locke frowned then took the briefcase. He flipped the clasps open, his eyes widening slightly at the sight of green. He took a bundle, and thumbed through it. "I'm impressed…"

"Twenty-five million and a five hundred thousand dollar bonus," Memphis responded with glee. "And since I'm feeling generous…keep what you have in your hand and buy yourself some clothes. You look like crap."

Locke shook his head. "You're the one who looks like crap…"

"I'll let that one slide since I'm in a good mood…"

*********************

"Anybody here need a lift?" Ryu Dragon asked.

"Saved! We're saved!" Volpe cried to the sky.

Meliza, Kay, Ayame, Miko, Volpe, Lilly, and Yang hurried towards the minivan. Chun Li climbed into Ken's jeep.

"I'll meet you back in the city," Chun Li told Volpe and Miko.

With that, Ken, Ryu, Iwa, Kumori, Chun Li, Victoria, Crimson, and Zero1 waved before the jeep took off.

Heagy opened the van door, letting everyone in. A pile of towels sat on each seat, which were already covered with seat protectors.

"Nice to see someone came prepared," Miko stated.

"We aim to please," Heagy replied.

Once everyone settled in, Ryu Dragon began the drive back to Fighter's Inn.

******************

"Here we are," Cammy stated as she knocked on a door.

Nis-Nis looked around briefly, while Zuke remained still. The door opened to reveal Guile. Cammy saluted him in greeting.

"Hey." Guile glanced behind him. "Natalie and I were going to eat…but…I'm sure she won't mind the company."

Nis-Nis and Zuke entered after Cammy gestured them to go first. They saw a young woman at the table, picking at her food. Her eyes were deep, looking lost…almost.

"You…are Natalie?" Nis-Nis spoke up.

She nodded, looking up at them. "And you are…?"

"I'm Nisshoku, and this is Shizukesa," Nis-Nis introduced.

Natalie studied the exotic-looking young woman and her stoic looking companion. "I see…"

"I'd…like to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind," Nis-Nis stated.

"I…I'm not sure if I can help you, but…I'll try."

"Tell me about your brother." No beating around the bush for this one.

Natalie's eyes dimmed, and she studied Nis-Nis carefully. "Why…Why do you want to know about…?"

"This world's fate depends on it…"

********************

In the penthouse suite of The Diamond Hotel, Locke studied the city. Once his funds had been cut off, he hadn't been able to afford to stay in Fighter's Hotel. However, as soon as he and Memphis arrived in town, he had booked himself in a penthouse suite and bought a couple new threads. He couldn't go around in a splotchy suit with loose threads anymore…now that he supposedly had a new employer.

He took a sip of his burgundy wine, recalling the events that had happened in the last few hours.

He sat in his chair, his chin propped against his fists, his eyes focused on the outside world. So much had happened since he got to Fighter's Isle.

An image of a woman fleetingly entered the recesses of his mind. He scowled, knowing exactly who she was, not liking the fact that she had entered in the first place. He could still smell her perfume. Intriguing. Enthralling. Exotic. Very much like the owner herself…

He rubbed his temples, trying to block her out of his mind. He had met many different beautiful women as an assassin. She was no different.

Or was she?

She was sharp, he'd give her that. Difficult to read, too, which was probably why she was so good at what she did. Granted, she had one…perhaps…a couple characteristics that were admirable…like wit…courage…self-reliance…

********************

Meliza leaned against the glass door that led to her hotel balcony. She had changed into comfortable clothes, wrapped the comforter around her, a mug of hot Echinacea tea cupped in her palms.

Since she left home, she had led an exciting life, meeting with terrorists and gangs…but never had she been worried about her life. Today had changed that.

She could have died. But someone had made sure that she didn't. Everything had happened so fast, but she knew that someone had managed to save her before she plummeted to her death. And he didn't have to. He could have let her fall. But he didn't.

She wanted to thank him. It was the right thing to do. She just didn't know how. How could a woman owe her life to a man who would easily turn her friends over to a monster?

It was more than that, too…if she allowed herself to admit it. She wanted to know how that same man could easily turn her friends over yet save her. Weren't all bad guys just bad? She didn't know.

He was an enigma, and if she really, really looked deep down, she wanted to find out all his mysteries. There were times when he was a different person around her. How could that be?

But then again…even she couldn't answer the age-old question on what pulled men and women together.

She sipped her tea, deciding it would be best not to worry. She was okay, and her friends were okay.

*****************

The phone rang, interrupting Locke's reverie. He picked up the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Good to hear you're alive and well, Mr. Koh," a voice responded. "I just spoke with Memphis Long…he tells me that you are interested in my offer."

"Urien, I presume," Locke stated.

"Very good. The mail should be arriving at your hotel in several hours. You'll be receiving a large package, which will contain a cellular phone in case I need to contact you. And since I've already rewarded your partner, I feel I should do the same with you. You will be receiving payment in that package as well. If you prefer, I can make arrangements to have a bank account opened up for you where you are the only one who can authorize transactions upon it," Urien offered.

"Thank you," Locke replied. "That would help very much…"

"Unfortunately, that means there will be a slight delay when I deposit money given the fact you need to authorize it, however…"

"The delay is a minor setback," Locke stated. It was better than having the account frozen without his consent. "But it'll do."

"Very well, then," Urien replied. "I'll be calling shortly to check and see if you received the package. Do you have any questions?"

"Not right now."

"Fair enough. I'll be keeping in touch. Goodbye, Mr. Koh."

"Goodbye." Locke hung up.

Now was not the time to be thinking about a particular woman. He had a job to do…

********************

Rose glanced out her window, noting the dark clouds in the sky and the lightning that occasionally flashed. A dark force approaching. She could sense its negative energy. And that force would be revealing itself very, very soon…