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[color=1E90FF][b]Level :[/b][/color] 9
[color=1E90FF][b]EXP :[/b][/color] 23/90 (+4 pts.)
[color=1E90FF][b]Location :[/b][/color] Esaka, the Tiered City
[color=1E90FF][b]Word Count :[/b][/color] 3,202

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“Fools!” Mondu exclaimed. “Don’t just sit there and watch! Get him!”

It took quite a while for the fat man to regain consciousness. He could still sense the pain that [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5612768]Terry had inflicted[/url] towards the end of the bout, both of his faces flinching in agony. Mondu was unable to move, let alone fighting back. Never had he thought that there would’ve been a day where he was beaten so badly to the point where he immediately passed out barely a minute into the fray.

And so, as the Lord of the Fight Palace commanded, his army of space warriors left their seats to surround their newfound nemesis, defending the dojo’s honour. They began attacking Terry in their own unique ways. A variety of moves were used simultaneously, most notably [url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/faqs/40/79540-50.jpg]a whipping, biting hair[/url], [url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/faqs/40/79540-118.jpg]a series of web balls[/url], and… [url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/faqs/40/79540-60.jpg]a fart?[/url] Really? Seriously asking here, but how was that supposed to do anything against a fighter of Terry’s caliber? 

Two things were for sure, though. First things first, they were mere palette swaps of one another, meaning that they fought in similar ways. Second, and lastly, they only knew one special move and zero supers, making them awfully ham-fisted and predictable. Just when he thought [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5608129]Power Athlete was already quite bad for simply teaching their students two special moves,[/url] this one was a lot worse. Even their simplest of techniques could [b]not[/b] redeem their incapability in the battleground, as they seemed far too clunky and [i]robotic[/i]. Perhaps, those gnarly space creatures were a lot worse than when he faced their champion prior, and funnily enough, Rex was just an average human! 

[color=1E90FF][i]Gosh, dude, this is so bad,[/i][/color] Terry mused, all while using his wrists to parry their attacks alternately. [color=1E90FF][i]Like really awful! These freaks are way too clumsy. How’re they supposed to fight for their lives, anyway?[/i][/color]

Though, despite their incapability, he had to admit they at least managed to break through his defense slowly but surely, forcing him to receive the barest hints of chip damage. Eventually, when Terry’s defensive stance was completely shattered, the space warriors pushed him between themselves using light attacks, making him seem like a basketball that was being tossed around from one teammate to another. The former KOF champion wasn’t hurt, nope. Moreover, he was exasperated, especially now that the gnarly creatures roared aloud to his ears. 

[color=1E90FF]“Yeah, yeah, I get it, I get it! You wanna say [i]‘radda, radda, radda,’[/i] ain’t that right?”[/color] Terry repeated, hilariously trying to mimic their roaring noises. [color=1E90FF]“Just cut the damn noise already! Jesus Christ, you guys! I swear to God, wait till I give you a taste of Mother Earth’s power!”[/color]

Thanks to those obnoxious flails, Terry managed to fill up his super meter, albeit at a gradual pace. He now had two gauge stocks ready to be used against his opponents again. Without hesitation, he spread his arms out, unleashing [url=https://imgur.com/a/hDeNHBO]a gust of blue aura[/url] that blew the surrounding space warriors away. They were stunned.

[b][i]FWOOSH![/i][/b]

[color=1E90FF][b]“Hakkyokuseiken’s final technique…”[/b][/color]

Was it just him or was there some [url=https://youtu.be/XSXdGy44SeQ?si=Z0q3rnYUP7cwysHO]rocking melodies[/url] suddenly playing aloud in the background? It could’ve been echoing out of Clean Hits or Pao Pao Café 7, though, but either way, it sure helped him fire up. Utilizing one of the stocks, he hurled his boot out and spun, channeling the ki-energy he’d been saving into [url=https://imgur.com/a/4zDyrze]a vortex[/url] that surrounded his spinning form. He could feel his brightly-hued cap flying out of the golden crown of his head, as the murky wind gathered around him. He began moving the vortex around, making sure it grazed against each and every space warrior on sight.

[color=1E90FF][b]“SENPUUKEN!!!”[/b][/color]

As expected, the vortex easily connected, sending Mondu’s space stooges flying out of the stadium-like dojo akin to a bunch of bowling pins. Once the arena was cleared, Terry landed on both of his boots, the wind around him dissipating. He took a deep breath, then smiled, picking up the gaudy red cap scattering close to his boot. The cap would then be used to wipe the dust covering his jeans.

[color=1E90FF]“Phew…”[/color] he sighed in relief, then sported his cap back, turning his attention towards the crowd across him. Although they’d been shrinking in numbers, they were still as loud as ever. Jokingly, the three-time KOF champion whistled in the direction of the verdant alien responsible for the betting game, subsequently clapping his hands. [color=1E90FF]“Yo, ‘Grinch!’”[/color] he shouted aloud. [color=1E90FF]“Where’s my prize money at?”[/color]  

The verdant alien scrunched his face—not because of the nickname, but because of the fact that he had to spend a lot of the money earned from the prior betting game. He was Mondu’s trustworthy treasurer, after all, so it was his job to reward the winning competitors with prize money. And the more competitors one defeated in the fight pit, the more money needed to be given, especially now that the entire roster was knocked out. [i]Oh, fuck me! I’m so going outta business,[/i] he protested inwardly before shouting back at Terry with a high-pitched voice. “Not so fast, blondie! You’ll get your money when you beat that [b]damn[/b] bull!”

When the alien pointed to his left, Terry’s keen blue eyes followed suit, only to take an enormous sight of [url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/faqs/40/79540-101.jpg]a half-man, half-buffalo ramming a pair of horns in his direction.[/url] Although taken aback, Terry still managed to narrowly evade, his white shirt slightly torn by one of the horns. As an impact, he spun around comically, his pose making it seem like he was performing the least eloquent pirouette ever performed.

[color=1E90FF][b]“Gwahh–!!”[/b][/color]

For a moment, he was rendered unbalanced, but managed to steady himself, eventually. Shaking his head, he turned to face the charging man-buffalo in his path, his fighting stance assumed. [color=1E90FF]“C’mon, [url=https://mortalkombat.fandom.com/wiki/Motaro]‘Motaro,’[/url] bring it!”[/color] he challenged with a grin, although the man-buffalo’s name was, in reality, ‘Ramses.’

With puffs of breath escaping his nostrils, Ramses retracted his bowing form back, then lunged in Terry’s direction again, making one huge leap after another. Being the last space warrior standing, he was determined to defeat the Legendary Wolf to defend the slightest hints of honour left in his dojo’s name. Terry, too, was determined to flail the living hell out of the violet man-buffalo, aiming at the promised prize money ahead. With one of his clenched fists charged in blue flame, he swiftly drew himself towards the approaching opponent, ramming forth [url=https://imgur.com/a/xrt41CF]a fiery flail.[/url]

[color=1E90FF][b]“BURN KNUCKLE!!”[/b][/color]

However, before their ramming attacks managed to collide with each other… 

[b][i]POW![/i][/b]

…Somebody had knocked Ramses out cold with a leaping kick to the spine, gradually crumpling him forth. Terry quickly halted his dashing form, braking right in front of Ramses’ motionless figure. Rather than focusing on his reclining opponent, he focused on the attacker landing right across his current position, and much to his surprise, the attacker seemed to be… 

[color=1E90FF]“Rex??”[/color]

A pleasant surprise, indeed, but he couldn’t be too certain yet. [url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/faqs/40/79540-32.jpg]The man[/url] standing in front of him did resemble the prior champion he faced not too long ago, though his complexion was more reddish than it was tanned. Could this truly be Rex or was the attacker somebody related to him?

“Nah, dawg,” the attacker finally revealed, shaking his head. “Rex’s long gone, ain’t he? This is M.C. Fire you’re lookin’ at, homie. Glad to help.”

As M.C. Fire extended a hand, Terry accepted it, shaking his hands. [color=1E90FF]“Appreciate it, man! But, damn… There goes my prize money, I guess,”[/color] he joked, then shrugged his shoulders, both grateful and disappointed. [color=1E90FF]“So, it’s ‘M.C. Fire,’ huh? I’ll keep that in mind. The name’s Terry, though. Terry Bogard. Say, are you Rex’s twin brother or something?”[/color]

Fire shook his head, snickering. “Nah, man, we’re just lookalikes, y’know,” he answered. “Ain’t nothin’ to do with my homie Rex other than comin’ from the same planet. And it just so happens that we came from the same country, too. He’s from LA, while ya boy M.C. Fire here’s for the jazzy streets of NYC.”

Terry grinned, amused by how Fire rhymed his words a little. [color=1E90FF]“Same! I was an American, too. Used to live in South Town before I ended up here,”[/color] he told the red-skinned man. [color=1E90FF]“Say, uh, you called yourself ‘M.C.,’ right? Are you supposed to be rappin’ or somethin’ like that?”[/color]

Fire nodded, then smiled widely, his expression lighting up. “Yeah, I’m one o’ those MCs, for sure! Used to be in the hood before I started rappin’ and tappin’. First album was ‘Torch the Place,’ and homie, I tell ya what, that shit was a hit! Those rhymes still make some dimes till these days. You better check ’em out, though, homie.”

Terry snickered, even more impressed that some of Fire’s words seemed to be rhyming so flawlessly. [color=1E90FF]“Aww, rad! Now, honestly, I’m more of a rock and country guy, but I do love me some good ol’ lyrical rap,”[/color] he admitted, his smile just as wide. [color=1E90FF]“Do they sell your album at Clean Hits?”[/color]

Fire nodded the second time. “For sure!” he answered, his voice a hint of pride. “It was the best-sellin’ album, dawg! ’Course, they ain’t gonna leave the shit out.” Somehow, Terry could tell that there was a bit of exaggeration in his voice, considering he’d only heard about the album’s existence just now. However, since he liked the way the guy rapped, it shouldn’t hurt to give his tracks a try, he thought. [color=1E90FF]“Yeah, yeah, sure, bud! Thinking of going there soon to give that album of yours a try. And… oh!”[/color] Terry’s eyes widened in realization. Speaking of Clean Hits, he just remembered that since anybody could join this edition of the KOF tournament, he was required to register his own team there. [color=1E90FF]“Aww, man! I haven’t found one last teammate for the KOF tournament yet,”[/color] Terry said, his gloved palm smacking his forehead. “Tournament? What tournament?” Then, before Terry could answer Fire, his linkpearl gently vibrated. It seemed that there was a call he had to accept from either one or more Seekers visiting Esaka. [color=1E90FF]“Sorry, Fire, but I gotta go. Got a [i]phone[/i] call to accept,”[/color] he apologized before turning against Fire’s direction, only for the latter to hold him by the wrist. “Wait, homie, don’t go yet!” he begged with shimmering eyes, prompting Terry to turn in his direction again. “I just wanna say that I, uh… thank you for beatin’ the shit outta those alien freaks. You got no idea, homie, but they been keepin’ me and Rex hostage for too damn long here. All I ever wanted is to be free again, and thank God, now I’m free, man. Bless your soul.”

Terry arched his eyebrows, both surprised and touched by the words that Fire had just spoken. The way his eyes glistened, it was clear that he’d endured so much pain while being abused and forced to be part of Mondu’s dojo. [color=1E90FF]“Wait, they’re kidnapping you guys?”[/color] he asked, pointing a finger at Fire. 

Fire weakly nodded. “Mhm… No cap, man! Been tryna run away, but that damn shark kept holdin’ me back,” he answered, referring to the prior verdant shark swallowing Rex alive. “Thought I ain’t gonna make it out alive, but here you are, Terry, givin’ me a chance to get outta that cell while everybody’s busy gettin’ their asses kicked. Wish Rex could make it out alive, too…”

[color=1E90FF]“Aww, man…”[/color] Terry sighed, visibly devastated. [color=1E90FF]“Seriously, I had no idea. But damn… I knew I should’ve known better. Maybe Rex would’ve still been here if I didn’t kick his ass, too.”[/color] He fidgeted and scratched his barely bruised cheek, still not expecting the outcome of their match to cost the undisputed champion his life. 

“It’s alright. Not your fault, homie,” Fire reassured, then patted Terry’s shoulder, his smile wry. “I know you’ve done your best. It was the fat guy’s fault. You was only dragged here ’cause he wrongly accused you of somethin’, ain’t he?”

[color=1E90FF]“Yeah…”[/color] Terry nodded in reciprocation, tucking his thumbs beneath his pockets. [color=1E90FF]“And it ain’t like I did any of the stuff he accused me of doing, either. Maybe if he could’ve just listened, your boy would’ve still been okay.”[/color] He took another deep breath, then lifted his face again, his eyes equally shimmering. [color=1E90FF]“But hey, it’s always been a pleasure to help! I’m sorry about Rex, alright? Hope he rests well…”[/color]

Fire closed his eyes, then nodded. “Yeah, I’m gonna miss you, G,” he said weakly, as if Rex was still nearby. He exhaled a deep, deep breath.

Then, just as Terry was about to mourn with Fire, his ears caught a loud noise of snapping fingers from beyond the arena. As it turned out, the source of the noise came from the prior verdant alien by the sidelines, his raised hands holding a pair of small, leather pouches. One by one, the pouches were tossed, and Terry quickly caught each of them.

“Here, your prize money!” the alien shouted aloud and huffed before hopping out of his seat to leave the dojo. “Don’t ever come back here ever again!”

With both pouches now in his hands, Terry decided to inspect what the alien had given him, though he still kept the content sealed underneath the pouches. Judging by the sound they were making, he could only assume there were mostly coins hiding underneath the leather pouches. [color=1E90FF]“Hey, man, before I go, I don’t think it’d be fair if I keep the prize all to myself,”[/color] he told Fire before handing him a bigger pouch, stowing the other into his pocket. [color=1E90FF]“Here, for you! After all that happened, I believe you deserve this more than I do.”[/color]

Fire hesitated, stifling his hands from reaching the bag full of coins. “For me?” he asked. “Y– You sure ’bout this, homie? I mean—”

Terry shushed. [color=1E90FF]“No buts, pal. Just take it,”[/color] he insisted. [color=1E90FF]“And I mean it. We’re [i]homies[/i] now. Consider this my way of repaying you for the help back then.”[/color]

Fire glanced down, shimmering eyes fixating on the money pouch right in front of him. While he did join the fray at the last minute, he didn’t think he deserved to be rewarded as much as Terry did. He pondered briefly. “Well…” After a brief consideration, he eventually chose to accept the pouch, visibly taken aback by the gesture of kindness. “Thanks, homie! You’re way too kind, y’know that? Ain’t anybody I met was ever as good as you and Rex.”

Terry snickered, flattered. [color=1E90FF]“Nah, man, you’re exaggerating! Just gotta do what I gotta do as a human being, y’know,”[/color] he said modestly, shrugging. [color=1E90FF]“Well, it’s been fun talkin’ with ya. Hope we get to meet again someday. Whenever that is…”[/color]

And so, after the crowd had dissolved, Terry and Fire parted ways. As he drew his strides farther and farther away from Mondu’s Fight Palace, Terry eagerly tapped the linkpearl attached to his ear, hilariously trying so hard to accept the call from his newfound comrades. His face furrowed and scrunched, a hint of frustration visibly shown.

[color=1E90FF][i]Dammit… Why’s it so hard to use this thing!?[/i][/color]

He thought he might need to hold the linkpearl a little longer, so his index finger pressed its circular surface slightly harder. Much to his delight, his attempt worked. At long last! Clear as crystal, he could now hear the voices of Pit and Zenkichi through the jewel-like earpiece. 

[color=1E90FF]“Oh…”[/color] Terry quietly mumbled, instantly halting his strides. He sheepishly snickered. [color=1E90FF]“Well, that wasn’t as hard as I imagined. But anyway, can you guys hear me?”[/color]

Over the linkpearl, Terry would listen intently, as his comrades talked about registering for the tournaments of their choices. He continued walking, his strides moving swifter than usual. He knew that he had not much time left to register. From the looks of it, he seemed to be the last few Seekers yet to register for a tournament, which was oddly funny, perhaps, since he and his Team Fatal Fury were normally one of the first in line to sign up for competitions like this. If only Andy or Joe or anybody he knew and held the dearest was around, he wouldn’t have had that much of a trouble registering a team for a KOF tournament. As he gave ear to Pit’s suggestion, he chimed in, entertaining the notion.

[color=1E90FF]“Alright, that’s a fine idea there, erm… Pit? Pit, that’s your name, right?”[/color] It felt like something clicked in his mind all of a sudden when he mentioned the winged angel’s name, as if he was retrieving an old memory that’d been collecting dust for so long. Perhaps, he’d started to remember some of the Seekers’ names or maybe it was simply because he heard each of them calling each other’s name prior to splitting up. [color=1E90FF]“Think that’s the best way we got to approach the Four Kings if that’s what we’re aiming for.”[/color] Then, suddenly, an idea crossed his mind, an imaginary light bulb popping close to his temple. [color=1E90FF]“Actually, there’s another way we can enter the same tournament without fighting each other. Cap and I are gonna register for the KOF tournament as a team. All we need now is a third person before we get to sign up, though. Is anybody interested in joining us?”[/color] And speaking of Cap, his voice showed up not long after, seemingly unsure if his linkpearl had been properly activated. [color=1E90FF]“Ah, there you are, Cap! Thought I was the only one struggling with this thing,”[/color] he responded with a snicker. [color=1E90FF]“Aww, sweet! Yeah, I do think we gotta meet up ASAP. We ain’t got much time left. I’ll be at Pao Pao with the gang shortly, so just meet me up there, alright? Are you nearby?”[/color]

As he said so, Terry managed to reach the front door of his favorite hangout spot, pushing the panel open. It was still the same bronze-hued interior from [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5609148]when he visited the café this morning[/url]—just a lot busier now since it was already lunch. The first thing he’d heard was the owner, Richard, welcoming the Seekers to the café from right across his counter before Terry eventually drew his attention.

“Ah, there you are, Terry! Welcome— oh…”

His eyes widened, and his face froze, jaw dropped at the untidy sight of the hat-wearing bruiser, as the latter strolled then stood between his crew’s table and the owner’s counter. Terry was every bit as awful as he was following [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5611451]the rabid meet-and-greet session with his fangirls[/url]—even worse following the prior fisticuffs. His shirt was tainted and torn, his platinum long hair disheveled, and the fading lip tints still decked his cheeks and neck. He lowered his duffle bag, gloved hands raising and extending.

[color=1E90FF]“Don’t ask,”[/color] Terry told both Richard and the crew, his blue eyes motioning between them. [color=1E90FF]“I know I’m messed up. It’s a long story, but… you guys, this is Richard. Richard, this is my new team.”[/color] As Terry introduced, a tired smile was managed by the lower half of his face. [color=1E90FF]“[i]So…[/i] since I just won some fights early on, I figure I wanna treat you guys to lunch. Say, um, got anything to eat?”[/color]

[b]FIN.[/b]

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[*][@Double]
[*][@Yankee]
[*][@Lugubrious]
[*][@MULTI_MEDIA_MAN]
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