The Chosen Fighters

Damn, I lost sight of it. Why would a cat bring me an invite only to run off and disappear?

Not to mention... Where the heck am I?

Whoa, whoa, what the... This place is suspended in midair! Okay. I need to figure out why that cat led me here...

...And that building over there looks like a good place to start.

That's weird. There's no way in.

What citizen ID number? Guess I won't be getting in there after all...

S-Somebody, please help!

Hm?

Yo. You sure you wanna be mugging people in broad daylight?

Mind your own business. I'm just freeing up this loser's pockets for things he actually deserves.

I-It took me so long to get my hands on a ticket to the opening ceremony! Please, don't do this!

Shut your trap, and hand it over!

You sure he's the loser here? I think you'd better get lost before you end up embarrassing yourself.

What'd you just say to me? You're gonna regret that!

Why don't you try these self-defense drones my dad bought me! They'll wreck a street punk like you in no time!

...You're calling ME a street punk? Fine, if that's how you want it, then bring it on.

I needed to warm up anyhow!

M-My drones...

So? You ready for round two?

S-Screw you man! You'll regret this!!!

Th-Thanks... I owe you one.

I don't know what it was he was after, but you'd better watch your back from now on.

Y-Yeah, I know. I'll be careful. He was after this ticket I got for the opening ceremony of The King of Fighters tournament.

Huh? There's a KoF tournament?

Where are they holding it?

In some place called Darkest Noah. It's a facility that recently appeared in Elzion. I can't tell you much more than that.

...Alright.

Would you mind taking me there? I can't get in here without a citizen ID.

...You forgot your citizen ID?

Okay! In that case let me help you get a visitor ID real quick.

Thanks. I owe you one.

It's hard to believe a giant floating city like this actually exists, but that fight just now felt too real to be a dream.

...Cool. At least this isn't gonna be boring.

Sir, I asked you to stop.

...Get out of my way.

Are you the one who set my little boy's drone on fire? The one with flaming fists?

...Flaming fists? It couldn't be...

Hey! I'm still talking to you!

...I said get out of my way!

......

Tell me how to open this door. Now.

E-Eep!

Seems like the world that cat led me to was real after all... Another fire user, huh?

Hahaha... If it really is him, then our reunion is sure to be entertaining.

Excuse me...sir?

Whuh?

Sorry 'bout that, Richard... Didn't mean to pass out on you.

Wait. Where's Andy and Joe?

Just who do you think you're talking to? You've been sitting there face down by yourself the whole time.

...... ...Sorry. Who're you?

That far gone, huh? See for yourself. We're closing up early today, so you're the only one left.

The only one?

No cell service... The hell is going on here?

Some cat at the Pao Pao Cafe gave me an invite to a KoF tournament, so I was gonna celebrate that... Was it all a dream or something?

Doesn't look like the invite was a dream, at least. Let's see...they're having it in...Elzion? Never heard of it.

And more importantly, where the hell am I? This doesn't look like South Town...

Not exactly the most welcoming place, either...

Hey, bozos! Let up a little, will you?

What's it to you?

Hang on there, bub. We was just lookin' to borrow some funds from this old man here...

Pl-Please help me!

He asks, I oblige. I'm not really one to let this kind of thing go, you see.

Hah. Well aren't you a goody-goody.

This is the perfect time to try out these new mods! Sic 'em!

Come on! Bring it!

D-Damn you!

Are you okay?

Yes, thanks to you.

Things have gotten really strange around here lately... I wonder if it's because of that tournament.

What tournament?

A company known as EFE Corp. just announced that they're holding a tournament called "The King of Fighters." They're having it here in Elzion.

Is that so? So this is that "Elzion" place...

It's a huge martial arts tournament. Could be that folks are just on pins and needles...

Oh! Where are my manners. I should be thanking you!

Don't worry about it. It's no biggie.

Still... Even if you say so, I feel pathetic for not doing anything to help my savior.

In that case, do you mind giving me some directions? I'm looking for the arena for that tournament you mentioned. I got invited to go.

I see. I did think you were pretty strong, but I didn't know you were a competitor.

I was actually just heading to the arena myself. I'm a janitor there, you see. So if it's of any help to you, I'll gladly show you the way.

It's a big help. Thanks! Go ahead and lead the way!

Ugh...STILL not picking up. Maybe the connection is bad? I lost sight of that shiny kitty who gave me the invite, too...

But wow, I've never been here before! And I've never been invited to a KoF tournament by a shiny cat before either...

But the invite says this is the place, so...

Hehe, I get the feeling I'm in for some fun!

And in the name of the Lillien Knights, I'll just help myself to all the secrets and rewards I can get my hands on...

...I thiiink we might be lost.

Yeah...

"Announcing the King of Fighters tournament! We would like to inform you that you have been selected for..." ...The invite seems real enough...

Heheh, pretty cute that they had a cat deliver it this time, huh?

I guess, but being led to some unknown city by a mysterious cat sounds like something out of a comic book...

Oh well, no point overthinking it. Let's try and find the arena.

Wait for me, Andy! This time I'll get you on my team for sure!

Hey, look over there. Maybe we can ask them for directions.

So? Why'd you call me out here like this?

U-Umm... There's something I have to tell you...

What're they doing over there...

What are you, dense?! Why do you think a girl would call a boy out to a place like this!

Ahh! The follies of youth!

Ohhh, okay... Then we'd better not bother them, right Mai?

...Mai?

Hold on, Athena! Don't you wanna see how this turns out?!

Maaaiii...

...I-I, um...

Argh! Quit beating around the bush and spit it out already!

I think you need to calm down, Mai...

Huh? What the heck is that?

Whoa, look out!

Nice! One lap to go! Let's crank up the speed!

Hey! That could really end up hurting someone!

No one disturbs the peace on my watch! Come on, Mai! Let's stop that drone!

...Uh, Mai?

What the?!

Hey! What'd ya do that for?!

That's what you get for playing with your toys in such a dangerous place!

Never get in the way of couples in love!

Couples in love? What the heck are you on about, lady?

Are you alright?!

You people are really starting to get on my nerves, dammit!

Maybe we should teach you a lesson!

Not if I have anything to say about it! Your evil deeds end here!

Come on, then! I'll show you the dazzling beauty of Shiranui style ninjutsu!

Hmph, looks like your shiny little robots couldn't handle the dazzle. Is that all you got?

As a matter of fact, no.

Mai! Above you!

Huh?

And that's the end of that. Unless you'd like to fight me head on?

D-Dammit!

We're outa here!

Thanks for the assist. I never expected they'd have another one of those things.

...Your movements just now were really precise. I take it you've got a fair bit of fighting experience...

You could say that, yeah. You two look pretty tough yourselves.

The name's Amy. I'm a hunter here in Elzion.

I'm Athena Asamiya. I'm a student, but I also work as an idol.

I'm Mai Shiranui, successor of Shiranui style ninjutsu!

A ninja? Okay... Putting aside the fact that you hang out with an idol, you don't exactly look very...stealthy.

Ruuude!!! This is the traditional garb of the Shiranui ninja! It's got tons of history!

...You know what? Forget it. You're from around here, right? Think you could give us some directions?

, Actually, wait! Before that...

...The heck is going on over there? What a buncha weirdos...

Y-Yeah, I know, right? ...So, umm...about that thing I wanted to tell you... Actually, I...L-L-L...

HEEEY! I've been lookin' all over for you!

Sorry I'm late! You ready to head out?

U-Umm...

Oh, uh... Sorry. I got plans. We got tickets to the King of Fighters tournament.

Oh, okay...

I'll make it up to you next time, okay?

......

Wait, Mai!

You okay?

...Y-Yeah...I'm fine...

Did you give up on confessing?

W-W-Were you watching us?!

N-No, we, uh...just happened to be walking by, and...

Look! That's not even important! The real question is what're you gonna do now!

I don't really want to give up...but...

Then don't! You just gotta get in there and try again! I'll even go with you!

HUH?! N-No thanks... You really don't need to...

It's fine, it's fine. We were just on our way to the King of Fighters arena anyhow.

You were?

That's right. We were thinking about signing up.

Looks like we've all got something to offer each other, then.

Exactly, so let's go after him.

Do you know the way to the arena?

The arena? I'm not really sure...

Something about temporary deliveries via the cargo terminal...

Great! Off we go then!

Come on, Amy! We should go, too!

Huh? Why me?

...Well, I guess it's fine. I was thinking about checking it out anyhow.

Whaaat?! What do you mean I can't use it?!

Forgive me, miss, but I'm afraid we don't accept that form of currency at this establishment.

No way! I deserve to eat vacherin glacé, too! This is totally unfair!

Tch... Always throwing a fit about something. That cash wasn't even yours to begin with.

Hey! Don't be such a meanie, K'!

...What a pain.

...Still skulking around here, huh?

We're leaving.

But my dessertttsss!

Trespassers detected. Initiating surveillance protocol.

This is really starting to piss me off.

Please present your citizen ID at once.

Don't have one.

If that is the case, then we will be forced to take you into custody.

...Yeah, good luck with that.

Yeah! Mess with me, and I'll turn you into a popsicle!

...We didn't ask to come here in the first place.

Sigh... I really did wanna eat some vacherin glacé though...

Are you still on about that? Don't you think we have more important things to worry about?

Look around. We got dragged to some town out in who knows where all because you wanted to chase some stupid cat.

Oh yeah! The kitty! Where'd it run off to?!

Let's go ask that person over there!

Hey! I wasn't done talking!

Hi! Do you have a second?

Of course. How may I help you?

Huh... Are you... One of Candy's friends, maybe?

I am afraid I have no records of meeting anyone with that name.

I am Riica, a KMS all-purpose civil service android.

Riica the android, huh?

Based on your rate of breathing, my systems indicate that you may be in need of assistance. Is my assessment correct?

Whoa! You can measure my breathing?!

Affirmative. I am equipped with high-frequency scanners capable of numerous functions. Just say the word, and I can handle anything from garbage collection to crime prevention!

Wow! That's so cool! Actually, we...

I see... So you were caught up in a mysterious light after chasing a cat, and then you wound up here.

Pretty much! And that's when I heard there was a place selling vacherin glacé around here! I think it was called "Lovely Rose" or something.

Searching term "vacherin glacé"... Searching... Search complete.

"Vacherin Glacé: A new dish being sold at La Vie En Rose. It is an ice cream cake consisting of three layers." "Due to overwhelming demand for the product, customers are advised to make a reservation or face long waits."

That's the one! Ice cream is my favorite food in the whole wide world! But they wouldn't give me any, even after I waited in that super long line!

Will you shut up already about that stupid cake?

Hey, you. Where are we, anyhow? There's no cellular service, and I couldn't even tell you what country we're in.

This is the Gamma District of Elzion.

El...zion?

...It's the same as that letter.

Hurry up! We're gonna miss the opening ceremony!

Man this is so cool! A martial arts tournament right here in Elzion!

A tournament? Do they mean...

They are most likely referring to the King of Fighters tournament that was scheduled to begin today.

I knew it!

Did you come here to Elzion for the tournament as well?

...No.

...Come on. We've got better things to...

Yep! You guessed it!

A cute little kitty cat brought us an invite to the KoF!

...Like hell it did. Only you would be dumb enough to think an invite from a cat was the real deal.

Come on K'! Let's sign up! Riica can come, too!

They always give out tons of prize money for winning the KoF, right?

I could buy all the vacherin glacé I ever want with that!

...What a waste of time.

I'm out of here. Someone's gotta deal with that drone.

Hey! Get back here!

Allow me to go with you, K'! You must be worried about that girl as her guardian.

I'm not her guardian!

...Tch. I'm so sick of this crap.