Side KYO

So this is the venue, huh? Looks like they went a little crazy with the budget.

I'm surprised I haven't gotten a message from Kagura yet. Would've expected her to be here... Weird... No service...

What the, ?! Those flames, !

So it was you, Kyo.

...Can you please learn that there's a time and a place for this stuff?! I don't have time for your crap right now.

Time and place mean nothing in the face of destiny. Or perhaps you're afraid of me?

If you really wanna do this...

, Then shut your mouth and start punching. I'll try and make it quick.

Hmm, I know they told me to find fighters, but where do I even start?

Huh, it's the same place I started before...

I guess I'll just have to search for the next fighter around here. Where to first, then?

Is that Aldo I see?

We thought that might be you, Aldo.

Sensors indicate increased levels of stress. Calm yourself, Aldo. Backup has arrived.

Cyrus! Amy! Riica! What are you doing here?

We're here for this.

An invite?! How did you get this?

From a cat, as hard as that may be to believe.

It was the same for me...and the cat seemed to be in some kind of trouble.

I guess the little guy must've visited everyone...

You too, then?

Yeah. Actually...

Indeed. You as well, I presume?

Can someone please explain to me why a cat is going around handing out martial arts tournament invites?

Actually...

I see. So there's some kind of nefarious force behind this tournament, and the cat wanted help exposing it.

Well, if that's true then we've got to do something about it.

Hey, why don't we all enter the tournament together? If there really is something fishy behind the scenes, we gotta face it head on!

I mean, I'd really appreciate it, but do you guys agree?

It would seem this tournament was originally intended to be a test of combat prowess. It will be a good opportunity to test my swordsmanship.

Martial arts tournament assist mode is one of my many civil service droid functions!

Thanks, guys! That gives us four members, but the tournament staff mentioned we could have up to six.

The cat told me to seek out visitors from another world, but I'm not really sure what it meant by that.

Thanks, guys! That gives us four members.

Now all we need to do is look for the visitors from another world.

Hey, what's going on?

A fight broke out! There's these two guys shooting flames left and right!

Flames?! They'll burn the place down!

I know, right? You should probably get out of here before you get caught up in it, too!

I can confirm an immense heat source coming from up ahead!

We've gotta put a stop to it!

You're tenacious, Yagami, I'll give you that.

My flames will never stop burning, Kyo. Not until yours are completely snuffed out!

...Heh. Bring it on.

"Let's go!" "Die."

......

That's enough!

...You've got some skill to stop both of our attacks at once.

What's your name?

Aldo. I'm a traveling swordsman.

A traveling swordsman? Is that supposed to be some kind of joke?

Of course not! I came here to put a stop to your fight. You're going to end up hurting someone if this continues.

...Move.

Whoa?! What do you think you're doing?!

I'm finishing this fight, one way or another. Get in my way, and it's your funeral.

Just calm down! I don't want to fight you!

Wh-What just happened?!

Where the heck...

Hey... You're that cat.

How do you know who we are?

That's...a phantom!

This aura... It couldn't be...

The force you were talking about was a phantom?!

...And what do you expect me to do about it? This evil power of yours has got nothing to do with me.

And whose fault is that? You're the one who called us here aren't you?

Hmph... What a waste of time. Why would I ever take orders from you?

......

Orochi?

......

I don't appreciate being backed into a corner, cat.

The flames...

Aldo! Are you alright?!

As soon as the flames went out, the three of you suddenly froze in place.

...Ugh, seriously. What the heck is going on here?

Hey, have you seen that cat before?

Huh? Yeah. That cat is the one who brought me my KoF invite. I went after it wondering what it was up to, and somehow found myself here.

...What about you, Yagami? Same deal?

I don't owe you any explanations.

I'll take that as a yes. So you guys got invites, too... Actually, we...

Wait. You're saying that some random cat traveled across time and space just to deliver KoF invites?

Yeah. As crazy as that might sound, it's the truth.

As it would turn out, both Aldo and I have some experience with this sort of thing. Neither of us are from this time period.

...Whoa, a talking frog!

Sigh, I suppose I should've expected that reaction...

I'm guessing you two came from another world?

...I have no records of these two individuals within my database.

...I get the feeling you aren't just pulling my leg about this other world business. Guess that means the Orochi thing might be true, too.

...Now that you mention it, the cat said something to you about the power of Orochi when they showed us that phantom.

A phantom, huh? Is that what you call it in your world?

Are you saying phantoms exists where you're from, too?

It's not a name I've heard before, and it looked different...but I know that power. I've felt it before.

Hmph... So, it still lives. And here I thought we'd burned every last trace of it from Earth.

Hey, you think you can tell me a little more about this Orochi?

Yeah, and that shadow we saw earlier was giving off the same kind of energy. But like Yagami said, we already defeated it.

Hrmm... So a disatrous force from your world has come to cause havoc in our own.

I guess it doesn't really matter where it came from or why it's still around, We've still gotta stop it.

I've got a favor to ask you two. Would you be willing to partner up with us in the tournament? That cat from earlier told me that to stop it, I needed to seek out visitors from another world.

...Eh, I guess I can handle that. Not like I've got anything better to do.

I really appreciate it. Like I said before, my name's Aldo.

These three are Amy, Cyrus, and Riica.

Come on, man. You don't really expect me to remember that many names at once, do you?

Iori, right? Can we count you in, too?

...I'm only here to kill Kyo.

K-Kill him?! I thought you two knew each other... I mean, I saw your fight and all, but you don't have to take things that far...

I have no reason to explain our history to you.

However...I also cannot ignore what that dirty stray told us just now. Kyo Kusanagi's life will end by my hand alone. Not Orochi's, and certainly not some nameless phantom's.

So...is that a yes?

...Just don't get in my way.

Hey! We're supposed to be a team here!

Let it go. You're lucky he agreed to help you at all.

Let it go? But he just said he wanted to kill you...

......

Round one will be starting soon. Teams that have not yet completed registration should head to reception immediately.

Sounds like we're up soon. Wanna head over there, swordsman?

S-Sure...

(Are those two really gonna be okay?)

Nice! We managed to get one round down!

Pretty amazing that you've come out on top in this tournament more than once, Kyo.

It's no big deal.

Iori, too. Thanks again for your help.

Hmph. Those bugs weren't even worth my time.

We're gonna have to work on your sportsmanship, though...

Aldo, was it? I could care less what you think of me. Just remember that if you stand between me and my prey, I won't hesitate to burn you to ash, sword and all.

H-Hey!

What a jerk! Does he even care that you're on the same team?

You can't keep letting him get under your skin like that. The fact that he teamed up with you at all proves he respects you more than you think, Aldo.

You really think so?

Not a lot of people could stop our attacks like you did. You're the real deal, and he can probably see that.

If you say so...

...Why does Iori hate you so much, anyhow?

...Hell if I know. You'd have to ask him yourself.

At first glance, their fighting styles look nothing alike, but further examination suggests they share a certain core element.

Yeah, I mean they both wield incredibly powerful flames. I wonder if that's what the cat meant by their power of destiny.

...Listen, could you stop digging so deep? I don't like being compared to that guy.

Sorry... We just wanted to know a little more about you since we're fighting together now. And I guess I was just hoping we could help you two get along better...

Keep out of it. I've got no interest in getting along with that scumbag.

......

...Look, I know you mean well.

To answer your question about my power...

...Let's just say my bloodline goes waaay back. The Kusanagis have wielded this power for generations.

I see. So it's a power you inherited from your forefathers.

Yeah. My ancestors used their powers to fight against a dark force that threatened to destroy our world, Orochi. Supposedly it's my destiny to continue their fight, but honestly, I couldn't care less about that crap.

...Then did Iori get his powers the same way?

...The Yagami clan has a similar history, yeah. But somewhere along the way, they were corrupted by their thirst for power, and ended up forming a pact with Orochi.

......

Round two will be starting shortly! Participating teams are asked to proceed to reception!

...I think we may have spent too much time chatting.

Affirmative. We need to manage our time more carefully.

Indeed. Let's prepare for the next battle posthaste.

...Sorry for asking so many questions earlier.

It's all good. I can tell you're not a bad dude, but let me give you a bit of advice, , Sometimes you're better off not digging too deep into things.

You mean about Iori? How are we supposed to save the world together when you're always at each other's throats? Isn't there anything we can do to improve things between you two?

...It's not happening. There's too much baggage between us.

......

Don't give me that look. We'll deal with whatever bastard is trying to tap into Orochi's power. I promise you that.

We're out of time. Let's go.

I guess all I can do is focus on the fight...

With Kyo and Iori's help, we won fight after fight.

And that's the match!!! Team Aldo and Kyo plows through the competition, clearing the semi-finals!!!

And now all that's standing between us and total victory is the finals.

...We're coming to you live from the Elzion fighting arena, Darkest Noah!

The atmosphere here is absolutely electric as our fearsome competitors gear up for an intense battle!

...H-Hey! What are you doing?! I'm in the middle of a...

There sure is a lot of commotion out there...

Well, it IS the finals, after all. The crowd must be getting a little too worked up.

I wonder... It seems a bit too extreme to be just that.

...Where's Iori?

If he doesn't show, he doesn't show. We'll be fine either way.

You sure about that? I thought we needed his power, and he IS still our teammate.

I ran a quick scan, but I could not determine his location.

I'll go check over by the entrance.

Hey!

...Ugh, is he always like that?

Pretty much. He can be too nice for his own good sometimes.

Indeed. He can be...difficult at times.

...And yet you say that with a smile.

Let's follow him. As he says, this is a six person team.

...Tch. This is definitely the first time I've seen someone go so far out of their way for THAT guy.

What in the... What's going on here?

Did you really think there would be enough of you to kill me?

Eeep!

Curse your weakness and burn.

STOP!!!

You already defeated him! It's over!

...That's two times you've interrupted me now.

Yeah, well as long as you keep taking things too far I'm gonna keep doing it!

Hmph. Then don't expect me to hold back either.

...Hold on. Answer me one question first. Why are you like this? What happened to make you hate Kyo so much?

...Why?

I heard the truth from Kyo. Your ancestors were allies. You fought against Orochi together. I'm not going to sit here and say I know everything about your past, but I do know what's going on right now. The darkness you fought together is back, and the two of you need to face it again. You share a common purpose!

It's pointless! Killing him is my only purpose in life. Get in my way, and I'll kill you, too. Enough talk!

It's not pointless! You're my allies, both of you!

, Shut up and burn!

Iori! Why, ?!

...Blocked my flames, did you? Then I'll just have to melt your entire sword into slag!

P-Please help me!

What the?! Over there!

Now's not the time to be getting distracted!

Wait! They need our help!

...What are you doing?

...I don't want to fight you so badly that I'd ignore an innocent person's cries for help.

And why would that matter to me? All you're doing by putting away your weapon is telling me that you accept your death.

Wrong. I'm telling you that I trust you.

...Huh?

I don't think you're the kind of guy who would allow himself to be controlled by bloodlust.

......

...Come on. They need our help.

Are you okay?

Y-Yeah, I'll be alright, but...

...Another one meddling in our plans.

This is bad! There are too many of them!

Deal with them.

Huh?! The drones!

Iori?!

Bothersome flies... I have business with this man.

Hey! What do you think you're doing?!

Who the heck are they?

I don't know, but they were attacking people, so...

Damn... I wasn't expecting to have to fight the finalists.

Tch... They got away.

Are you hurt?

No, I'm alright. Thanks...

What were you doing at the entrance with so much going on in the first place?

I'm actually a live-in worker here, and sometimes I take care of this cat since it lives around the entrance. So when I heard all that commotion outside, I thought I should go check on them. That's when I got attacked.

...Hmph. Everything is not as it seems.

I sensed its power in them... Orochi's power.

...You too, Yagami?

What?! Orochi's behind this?!

But why? What could it possibly want with you?

I think...the current owner of EFE might have sent them after me...

Scanning term... Records show that "EFE Corporation" is the official sponsor of this tournament.

Why would they be after you, though?

Because EFE used to be MY company. I lost it in a takeover a few years back.

After that, I had to become a garbage collector just to make a living. Maybe the new owner just has it in for me...

That's awful...

I had a feeling he was up to something, but I couldn't tell you what exactly.

What's his name, anyhow? The guy who stole your company?

...Rugal Bernstein. I won't deny that he's got business acumen...but his methods are too ruthless.

Seriously?! Rugal is here?!

...Interesting.

You know him, Kyo?

...Sorta. I fought him before during a previous KoF tournament. The sicko was trying to turn his defeated opponents into statues for his "collection".

I beat him, but after that, he turned to the power of Orochi to get revenge. In the end, it was too much for him to control, and it completely destroyed him. ...So he lived on in another world, huh? I guess that explains why I've been feeling Orochi's presence since I got here.

I do recall hearing that the final round will be a bout with the tournament sponsor.

...Meaning we've got our shot at him.

...Hmph. I'll burn that imposter to ashes as many times as it takes.

Yeah. I'm not really sure how he resurrected in the first place, but I'd be more than happy to bash his face in again.

...Then let's get out there and win this thing. We'll stop their evil plans, no matter what they are!

...Forgive me, sir, but the target got away.

Tch... Did you really come all the way here to tell me that a group of underworld assassins can't even kill a single stray cat?

I-I'm sorry, sir! We encountered the two flame users, and...

, Enough. I didn't expect much of you in the first place. So... The Kusanagi and Yagami heirs really did come to this world.

Unfortunately not. But it should at least prove to be an entertaining diversion.

But of course. After all...

...The time has finally come to get my revenge on the Kusanagi and Yagami clans.

They will know suffering at the hands of my newfound power. Hahaha...AHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Welcome, fighters. You've done well to make it this far.

Our final opponent.... You must be Rugal.

Rugal! I should've known it'd be you!

Oh? To think that even foreign swordsmen now fear my name. I'm honored, truly. Or perhaps you merely heard it from my two old friends there.

Still kickin', eh, Rugal? And here I was thinking you went and blew yourself straight off the face of the planet.

Hahaha... Did you really think I could be destroyed so easily?

My Kusanagi blood boils with rage! It's exactly the same feeling as back then... In fact, it might even be stronger.

Good of you to notice! I have indeed reached even greater heights of power in this world! Power to surpass even that of the Orochi! Power to conquer time and space itself!

Time and space?!

Things may have ended bitterly for me last time, but I assure you that won't happen again. This time, your flames will be mine!

Ngh! What an aura!

Let us begin! Our audience craves blood, and we mustn't keep them waiting!

Fine by me. My flames will see you burned from both this world and the next.

Bring it on! The Kusanagi flame will roast you as many times as it takes!

Bow before my newfound power! Let me show you what it means to be the ultimate!

Gragh! This cannot be! How is it still not enough?!

I warned you. The power of Orochi can never be controlled by trash like you.

You can keep resurrecting all you want, but you're never gonna be good enough to defeat me.

...It's over.

Now tell me the truth, What are you planning to do with the phantom's power?

...Mwahahaha. Don't think you've won just yet, fools.

Wh-What the, ?!

As the swordsman said, It's over.

You're all dead!

He's so strong!

This is bad! We've gotta retreat! Fast!

Tch! Nothing can ever be simple with this guy!

...We're receiving reports of a large-scale explosion within the arena. It's still unclear how many people were injured, but a rescue operation will begin as soon as the flames are put out. We'll update our viewers as soon as new information becomes available. Stay tuned to the Elzion News Network for...

The shaking has finally died down.

We're all good over here.

I can't believe it's ending like this... We still don't know anything...

What are we supposed to do now, Kyo?

Huh? Kyo?

Hm? I could have sworn he was right behind us.

Initiating search via high-frequency sensors...

Searching... I'm picking up voices in the arena!

The arena? But what about the explosion? It's still dangerous.

I've got a bad feeling about this. We'd better go check on them.

...Do you feel it, Yagami?

How could I not? The air is thick with its disgusting aura.

We defeated Rugal, but Orochi's power isn't fading at all.

...Is that really true?

Defeating Rugal didn't solve a single thing?

Doesn't look like it.

...Then the world is still in danger. We never did see that phantom. It might still be out there lurking in the shadows.

...I'm sorry to ask this after we've already won the tournament, but I still need your help.

Hmph. I was planning to finish what I started whether you asked me to or not. It will not escape death again.

Iori! Does that mean?

It doesn't mean I need your help. Get lost.

B-But, !

...I'm out, too. I've had about all I can take of trying to play nice with that scumbag. I can handle the rest on my own, including finding a way home.

Kyo! Wait!

(Now what are we gonna do? We need their help if we're ever going to have any hope of defeating that Orochi-Phantom...)