Trailer
The screens lights up and fast and furious fight music fills the air, the intro trailer of BF2 starts with cut scenes of fights, bikes chases, espionage, more fights, introduction of various characters, a battle on the Hawaii’s beach, a cat chasing a squirrel….. And of course the obligatory Ryu and Chun Li scene. A gathering of heroes and villains that leads to a huge ‘CLASH!!!’ word in a spiky bubble. Fists and feet attack the word and on shattering the title ‘Board Fighters 2’ appear

USA Military Airbase

It was another one of those long briefings about the current activities of Shadowloo, this time it seems that they were very active in Egypt. John would have thought that Shadowloo had switched to tomb raiding, as it seemed a more lucrative business than world domination. But reading reports gathered about this tomb, world domination is still the flavor of the week. One last tedious briefing about the tomb and its occupant later, the subject changed to that of the tournament. The one subject that immediately perked John up.

“This year’s tournament is a venture sponsored mainly by Masters Foundation and Kanzuki Zaibatsu. But there is currently a furious bidding war going on for a third company to be given the chance to be one of the three main sponsors. A tournament like this tends to make or break a company, and considering the fighters involved you’ll know that Shadowloo will definitely rear its ugly head.” Charlie pushed his glasses up idly.

“So I have to join the registration fights and fight my way in.” John added.

“No. You’re likely to be invited to the main tournament, considering your past participation and most of all your affiliation with a certain bunch of trouble inviting brat pack.”

“The necessary documents are already waiting for you”, Guile corrected him, watching John shift nervously in his seat on seeing the pictures and brief biographies of the various members of the so-called ‘brat pack’ on the screen.

“It would be educating to have a go at them.”

“True, although your mission comes first. What we want to know is why a certain biomedical company is sending dummies to the bidding war.”

“And if they do have any links to Shadowloo at all.” Charlie slides another pile of notes towards John. A communicator beeped Charlie and he left the room for a moment.

“Umbrella…. Where have I heard that name before?”

“Likely from the report of the explosion that destroyed Raccoon City. An extremely reliable source provided some very disturbing information about what really caused that explosion and why. If Shadowloo does have links with Umbrella, we are all in very deep trouble.” Guile frowned.

“And my contacts?”

“Yukito Katsusaki of MI6. New to the circuit, so you might have to help him in.” Guile tossed John another stack of photographs and notes.

“Does this mean you’re not entering?”

“Would I miss a shot at Bison? And about your brat pack, trust no one, but use anybody of some use.” Guile slides another stack of notes to photos and notes to John.

John picked them up and noted the updated photographs of various Shadowloo officers and their notable warriors. One photograph in particular caught his attention. John realized why Guile had made that statement.

“So you do recognize her.”

The photo showed a young woman with red streaks in her hair, a dark cape around her just like most of the other Shadowloo officers around. There was no mistake about her identity, right down to the squirrel on her head.

“When was this taken?”

“About four months ago in Egypt.”

“Does Ryu sama know? What about Detective Chun Li, or Mr. Masters for that matter? It doesn’t make sense that someone so close to the two legendary warriors would be working with their arch-enemy.”

“The couple is guarding that information more tightly than the nature of their relationship to each other. Interpol of course slapped Chun Li with suspension for insubordination, withholding crucial information and causing physical harm to a higher official. If you ask me he’s just asking to be mauled for insulting Ryu. While Ken is claiming ignorance if that’s what you want to know.”

“Was she brainwashed?”

“Her eyes are clear.”

“What about her family? Were they threatened or held hostage?”

“No Shadowloo operatives were watching them or are even near them. From what was gathered, her family believes that she’s still studying some rare hunting cats in some remote jungle in Timbuktu.”

“But how could that be her? I mean she was rescued from Bison. Why would she want go back?” John almost shouted

“You tell me. I was part of her story and now I’m out of the loop, soldier. The higher ups would gladly grill me if they think I had divulged any secrets to her before she turned.” Guile shot an annoyed look back at the younger man.

“But why would she do such a thing.”

“Why don’t you ask her?”

Charlie had returned to the briefing room and tore open a sealed envelope full of photos and notes; he tossed this batch onto the table before John.

The date and time showed the photos were taken an hour ago. In the most recent one she was shown having an alfresco Italian meal. Her ever-present squirrel was licking a cup of wine empty, stuck headfirst in the flute. All the pictures showed that she was aware of being photographed and trailed

“Where is this place and how soon can we get there?”

“San Francisco. The jet’s waiting. We’ll leave when you’re ready.”

“Then I’m ready now.” John stood up, his clenched fist trembling slightly.

---------

That park somewhere in USA that turned out to be San Francisco.
 

She tapped her stylus gently on an icon of her mobile phone. A picture of a sharp looking young man appeared on the screen. A few more taps and she sent the picture along its way. A laughing animated winged skull signaled the procedure’s end and she tucked her mobile phone away. She tapped her earpiece and what sounded like a grunt greeted her.

“Ah you’re awake,” she said to whoever is on the other end.

“Circuit name – Luke Blaze. Blond, green eyes, slim, pretty boy, most importantly youngish. A break from your usual – Japanese, dark wavy hair, well muscled and mature.” Placing a stone on the well-folded newspaper she got up from her bench and followed the young man when he jogged into a forested trail.

In a matter of a few leaps, she was watching the young man from a tall branch as he jogged within the trail. She smiled at his confusion at not being able to find his way out. Most of all, she believed that he could sense that she was the root of his discomfort.

“Alert.” She added as she leapt down from her perch. She gave him warning by displaying her stance.

“Mdm?!”

“Too gentlemanly for his own good and the major circuit,” she rushed forward.

“Ha!” She threw a single straight punch at him, he blocked it easily enough, still reluctant to hit a woman. The qi explosion that followed sent him staggering back. She smiled and got into stance again.

“Mdm!! I don’t recall offending you at all. Can’t we talk this over coffee?” He tried a smile to disarm her, but seeing it fail he got into a kickboxing stance.

“Kickboxer, aww sweet! You might like the change in diet. Karate could kill you one day.” She laughed, however Luke thought she was laughing at him and took offense.

“Whoa!!” she held off a thrust kick and almost lost her balance from the force, he spun around, his kick catching her in the stomach, which sent her tumbling across the ground. She got up to her feet and sniffle a bit.

She raised an eyebrow as he rushed towards her. She ran towards the nearest tree and leapt towards it using the rebound to counter his Thrust kick. The force of which repelled both in opposite direction. She landed on all fours and remained low.

“Be tough for you to get into the major circuit without pulling strings. But you so wish to fight Ken. Much potential in this one, Master. What say you.” she rises and got into stance.

Luke was losing his patience with the way she seemed to taunt him. He had made it a point not to hit women but she’s just asking for it.

“Lady if you don’t stop talking weird—”

“KISATSSS!!”

A fireball exploded near his feet, the force of which sent grass flying at his face. Looking up she was already charged up and aiming another one at him. He turned defensive; there was no telling how many fireballs these qi-throwing folks can launch.

“Pick it up.” She said smilingly

He looks down, a squirrel with a partly sliced off left ear was lugging a white envelope towards him. Was it just him or the squirrel was trying to be aggressive?

“No you may not bite. Just hand it to him.” She snapped, Luke swore he heard someone laughing.

Gingerly Luke removed the envelope and the squirrel snarled at him, causing him to leap backwards for the sake of pragmatism. Who knows if the critter has rabies! Breaking open the winged skull seal. Luke found two tickets and a letter of registration to the coming big time tournament that everybody who could throw a punch wants in on.

He remembered there being some manner of local elimination round before he could join this tournament proper but the letter says he was exempted from that. All he needs to do is show up at the main venue, early if he liked since hotel accommodations for one of the various hotels - The Makai was already paid for and waiting for him

Getting over his initial confusion he looked up to find that the woman was already gone. Weird thing is that the pathway that leads back to the main park area is just right in front of him. Slapping his face to wake himself up he wondered if that strange woman had pulled some Jedi mind trick on him or that he’s been training too hard. That or he should simply stop watching those forest based horror movies altogether.
 

---------------

Somewhere in Tokyo Japan, where we probably lost some hours in the process…

"... Operation Shadow Hunter? No, haven't heard of it, sorry. What about it?"

"As far as we know, it's an operation authorized by the US military. They've sent their own agents to the Street Fighter tournament as well, possibly with the same objectives we have in mind."

"Infiltrating Shadowlaw and Umbrella?" Yukito asked, the mobile phone clamped between his cheek and shoulder as he shrugged into a slightly oversized white oxford shirt. "The old man mentioned nothing about US agents included in the joint operation."

"He's got a habit of doing that." The voice on the other end of the line – a crisp, businesslike female tone – replied. Yukito could mentally picture Asagi shrugging her shoulders.

"But AEGIS New York just contacted us thirty minutes ago, saying they've confirmed the existence of Operation Shadow Hunter and at least three agents assigned to it, possibly CIA, possibly Air Force."

"Most likely Air Force.  I've been reading through the files of the past Street Fighter tournaments, and they've tried something like this before." Pulling a black tuxedo suit over his shirt, Yukito paused to check his reflection in the mirror. "Though this doesn't mean the old monkey didn't know about it when I was briefed."

He felt something soft and warm brush past his legs, and instinctively stepped past the cat so he wouldn't trip over. His apartment wasn't very large, but it was well furnished and refreshingly decorated to his own personal tastes. The door opened right into a main hall covered by a tatami mat, with a 29-inch flat screen plasma TV and a PS2 half-concealed by a pair of colorful cushions while the glass sliding door opened out to a spectacular view of Tokyo.

An ornately antique wooden cupboard graced the far wall, lined alongside a row of miniature potted plants and cacti, and Yukito strode purposefully towards it, pulling its doors open – revealing a mini-armory that housed an impressive array of army pistols, machine guns, explosives, body armor and much besides, arranged neatly along the shelves. Almost absent-mindedly he picked out what appeared to be a short, 9-inch steel baton from the extensive selection of weapons, slammed the doors shut, and casually pocketed the rod – while the cat followed him, purring all the way.

"You almost sound resentful," Asagi remarked.

"Hell no." Yukito grinned, striding past the teak shelves, decorated with a porcelain figurine of the Laughing Buddha, that separated the guest space from what was supposedly a kitchen – though it was barely large enough to contain the sink, fridge and dining table.

"First he leashes me by transferring me to under some old British MI6 hag for this operation, and now this. God, I hate the mind games." The AEGIS operative opened the fridge and took out a carton of milk.

"And what am I supposed to do with good ol' Uncle Sam?"

"The chief refused to say anything. As of now you have absolutely no directives about this issue whatsoever."

"How sweet of him. Remind me to get him a souvenir." Yukito replied cheerfully, setting a small saucer by the balcony and filling it with milk – whereupon the tabby cat ceased its harassment on Yukito's legs and turned its attention towards the dish. "How much do Interpol and MI6 know about this?"

Yukito observed with interest as the tabby cat lapped up its breakfast. He didn't know the creature's name, nor did it belong to him. Yukito had no idea how the stray managed to come and go from his 21st-floor balcony with no apparent difficulty, but it managed all the same, and the GateKeeper had, with reluctance, acquired the habit of feeding it sporadically during its visits.

"Officially, they're as in the dark as we are. AEGIS doesn't exactly share its intelligence on a regular basis. I'm just here to tell you that you have no official orders regarding Operation Shadow Hunter. The Americans don't want the UN to know about it, so we're not going to, for now."

"In other words, I'm supposed to improvise. Are you sure that's all you want to tell me?"

"Yes," Asagi replied flatly.

"Oh, come on." Yukito wheedled, straightened his collar. "I'm going to be away for weeks to work for some crime lord dictator who rules half the world, and probably dreams of ruling the other half. What if I don't come back alive?"

"Then just I'll have to find someone else to take your place. You're the most expendable member of the team, anyway."

"Damn right I am, and I – HEY!"

Despite herself, Asagi laughed. "How's the traffic today?"

"Darned if I know." Yukito cracked open a can of iced coffee, taking a deeply satisfying chug of the caffeine-induced liquid, and then glanced briefly at the clock on the wall. "I'm still in my apartment. Hey, what clothes do you think I should –"

He suddenly realized that the time was, half-past eight instead of half-past seven, and emptied his mouthful of cold coffee through his nose.

--------------------
 

Morning in Hong Kong
 

The sun is shining warmly on this breezy early Hong Kong morning, Linda had with her a huge hamper of fruits, even though she knew full well that they will be just as happy to see her if she came empty handed but that would be just plain rude

Her heart soared on stepping into the dojo gates, from what she could see, nothing much had changed. The numbers of cats are as many if not more, the flowers she remembered Chun Li jie had bought during one Chinese New Year was in full bloom and obviously more were added. She wondered though if she would ever chance to meet the famous Fei Long and maybe have him help break her into the Hollywood movies.

“Ooowwiiie!” She exclaimed, falling on her bottom painfully. Who is so myopic that they fail to see her standing in the middle of the way?! She wrinkled her nose in displeasure as she rubbed her sore bottom.

“Oh. Sorry. Are you hurt? Can you stand?” A gentle voice asked her, making her forget about her annoyance with the offender temporary.

Looking up at the offending person, her mouth hung open and her pain completely forgotten. He was gorgeous with his wavy brown hair, the sharp dark eyes. Most of all the dojo’s vest he was wearing was doing those muscles a whole lot of justice.

“I’m okay. No harm done.” She chirped in answer as she accepted his hand to pull her up. Her hamper of fruits was mostly unharmed due to the cellophane wrapper that kept them safely bound.

She mentally sigh, it was a huge pity that this Japanese man is nowhere near her age. As good looking as he is, dating middle age men is so not her style. She wouldn’t mind settling for his son or youngest brother though.

“Ryu!!!” A sharp voice sounded from within the dojo. A huge sweat bead formed upon his head. Linda recognized the fierce figure standing in the doorway, even though she was wearing the dojo’s jacket and loose pants. Linda giggled at the thought that Chun Li has such an old disciple. She wondered though how long would this overage and perhaps lovelorn disciple last, since Chun Li jie is always so strict.

“I expected six bags of grocery, Ryu. I see only four. Have you eaten the other two on the way back? Seriously you eat our dojo empty every few days.”

“I… uh….Gomen?…..”

“And what’s with you and young girls. Do you have to bring one back every time you go out?”

Linda felt Chun Li’s qi flaring up and inch slowly away as Chun Li approaches. The moment Chun Li reached Ryu she unleashes a flurry of kicks at him; Ryu handily blocks them off and answered her with a punch.

“Uh…..” It occurred to Linda that they have somehow forgotten about her as they fight on. Wait no. They were sparring and from the way they move it look as if they were enjoying it.

“Whoa….” Linda said aloud. She could tell that Chun Li jie had gotten a lot stronger since the last time they met. And whoever her sparring partner is he must be really something to take her on. But for all their joy, she sensed a deep worry.

Linda carefully inched her way to the main hall so that she would not get sucked into the couple’s sparring session. Reaching the reception hall she checked out the notice board to see what had went on lately.

Gen sifu still seems fine and then Linda traces the hierarchy to Chun Li jie. Lily’s photo is still there and there’s no mention of anything-untoward happening to her. And since there were no photograph of this Ryu that would mean he’s just a guest. Other then some of the students were warded in hospital nothing much seems to have happened.
 

<    Ora..   >>
Something was amiss. The photograph of Chun Li jie’s other favorite as well as her top disciple was missing. She can’t recall the girl’s name but knew her as Lily’s si jie (elder sister in training). Although most would refer to her as Chun Li’s shadow as that petite and tanned girl was always following Chun Li around and usually earning herself a whack on the upside of her head for saying things that annoyed Chun Li jie.

Most of all Linda remembered the rumors she heard about how that girl was in reality Chun Li jie’s love-child begotten from a long torrid affair with a well known Japanese martial artist. Its crazy talk of course since that girl was older than she look.

“Little bird?” A familiar voice distracted her.

“Sifu!!! Sifu! Sifu! Sifu!” she exclaimed in joy on seeing the old man for she had always worried about his health. Hugging him strongly to that she had grown strong too.

“Chhuuunnnniieeee jie!!!!” she exclaimed and let go of Gen when the older woman came in with her companion. Linda literally flew into Chun Li arms, almost knocking the older woman off balance.

“And who’s this?” she let of Chun Li after a while and look in amazement at her si jie’s rugged companion who somehow seems a little overwhelmed by her enthusiasm.

“Linda. This is Ryu. Ryu, Linda.”

“Hi hi. Hajimemashite (How do you do). So nice to meet you Ryu-kun.” She shook his hand profusely.

“Uh.. hello.”

“What brings you back to Hong Kong Linda.”

“I got a concert coming soon.” She absently blew at her fringe. “But enough about me. What about you? Have you gotten married? So many guys like you Chuunnniieee jie. But do you have to be so tough on them?”

“Good question, why haven’t we gotten married.” Chun Li elbowed a silent Ryu, that led Gen to laugh privately. Linda was still waiting for an answer. It took a while for the hint to sink in.

“Oh? Oh. OOOOHHH!!!!! That’s means you’re that guy! The father of Chunnnie jie’s daughter! Oh! Oppps!!! I didn’t mean to be rude! Gomen, gomen!” she covered her mouth on realizing the slip of her tongue. It was mean of her to spill out such nasty rumors. But that rumor itself was based on another open secret.

The atmosphere in the reception room changed immediately, under the table Chun Li squeezed Ryu’s hand for support and received one in answer.

“Her pet disciple is his adopted daughter, related to neither by blood. Perhaps you two would finally like to shed some light on this subject.” Gen finally spoke, glaring at the quiet couple. Linda looks back and forth in puzzlement. Realizing she had touched a very family sensitive topic along the way.

“Like why did you two let her fall into Bison’s hands again? And why didn’t you two go after her like the other students did? Either one of you could easily bring her down and spare those students the hospital stay. Yet you two did nothing.”

A very awkward silence answered him; it was obvious the couple was unwilling to shed any light on this. It made Linda all the more curious as to why they would let someone so close to them be taken away by some big bad meanie.

----

*Flashback

A week ago

It was just another morning very much like this one. Chun Li was teaching a mid-high level class in the main hall; her alleged lover was in the backyard sparring with the wooden dummies. At the rate he’s going, she would have to order a few more to replace the ones he’ll end up breaking. Class would be over soon and she could join him for a quiet bit of breakfast, although breakfast with Ryu is anything but quiet.

“How dare you show your face here!!!!!” someone was heard shouting from the front yard. A loud crash and a scream later, a student was sent hurtling into the main hall. Various students answered the threat with a ready stance while some rushed to help the wounded student.

And she stepped over the threshold, the unmistakable little figure even with the red streaks in her wild dark hair. Her face was coldly inexpressive.

“How dare you disgrace our school by still wearing our uniform!!!” a male student rushed towards her with fist flying. She caught his punch with one hand, there was a quick movement of her free hand, a loud cracking sound was heard and a scream followed when the intruder dislocated his arm. She shoves him to floor causally. She brushed the figurative dust from the black sleeveless cheongsam she wore over her bodysuit. Her sword this time was strapped to her back.
 

Taking a few more steps towards Chun Li, the more foolish students rushed to attack the intruder, but she countered them breaking a limb or two on purpose. Chun Li felt a familiar hand on her shoulder and knew he had come too. No, he wouldn’t be anywhere else.

What seem like a heartbeat later, their dark disciple/child was less than three feet from them, various students were on the ground, mostly in pain. But Chun Li’s attention was drawn to those dark cold eyes.

The younger woman seeing that the couple’s attention was fully on her broke in a hideous twisted grin. Chun Li watched her dark disciple produce two white envelopes from her cheongsam pocket and toss it on the small tea table beside them. She turned upon her heel and walked out of the dojo, producing a wave without even a glance backwards.

End flashback*
 

Stifling the pain, Chun Li choke back the truth, the more people who know the more danger for the various parties involved. She knew she was hurting Gen by doing this but she had no choice. Hopefully Linda would not seek to pry; she had no wish to put Linda in danger. There was always one answer to this when this argument with Gen or anyone else came up.

A drop of much needed tear came to her as she got up and excuse herself, Ryu naturally on cue chased after her. Reaching the privacy of the study the couple held each other in silent comfort.

-------------

Balcony of tea house across the street of the dojo

The fates are a curious lot. It seemed that he was not the only one that sought an audience with the old warrior. A young woman, perhaps a student of his? He watched on, he had always believed that it is practical to know who else would be present should any unfortunate incidents happen.

The appearance of a muscle-bound dojo assistant might not be too hard to deal with. They are always there for appearance’s sake, useless in a real fight.

The appearance of someone else caught his attention. A rather beautiful woman for that matter. He was rather amused when the woman started to beat the dojo muscle up. Either he’s bowing down to her level to humor her or she is exceptional warrior herself. But women he had no problem charming and they always make such excellent hostages when men are around. He rubbed his chin in consideration.

There are two ways to deal with this of course.  The first way would be a most direct thing to attempt considering all he needs are answers. The other is to treat this as some sort of a social call. One who has retired seeking the help of another similarly retired, play the pity card with whomever else is with him.  And maybe they would even be of some use to eliminate this Shadowloo.

Surely no one is so stubborn as to believe that a retired crime lord who simply wished to be left in peace would want to seek trouble again? Didn’t they always say that one should help a person to turn over a new leaf?

Placing a crisp note under the teacup he made his way downstairs and headed for the dojo. If he plays his cards right they will be eating out of his hand.