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[h3][sub][color=1E90FF][b]“Which Marvel are you talking about? The comics or the cinematic universe? Either way, they suck bricks these days. Also, let’s just pray that the next phase doesn’t flop like my newest game.”[/b][/color]
[color=gray]– Terry Bogard[/color][/sub][/h3]

[h3]Chinatown, South Town
[sub]1:40 PM[/sub][/h3]

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▶︎• ၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌၊|• 3:33
[sub][url=https://youtu.be/f7N1cOHOEGM?si=DEEkVa_Nw6wdny7O]Osaka Jo Koen ~Kyobashi~ – Real Bout Fatal Fury 2[/url][/sub]

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[color=FF2400]“What in the name of ice cream maker are you talking about!?”[/color]

Faceless non-patron-champions? NPCs? What is this all about? These were all new to her ears, given that Xiangfei had zero medium awareness at all. And it showed. Her face was puzzled, though part of that earlier irritation was still present.

[color=FF2400]“You’re sooo unbearable! Of course, I know who those guys are! They’re the Lillien Knights, Jenet’s pirate faction and our regular customers. Do I really have to name every single one of them to prove that they matter?”[/color] Xiangfei asked with a raised voice that could even reach the top floor of Geese Tower. She began with the humongous man Terry defeated earlier, her finger pointing in the direction of Ms. Lee’s Pawn Shop. [color=FF2400]“That big guy you see over there? Yeah, his name’s Lao, okay? He might be huge, but he can be a bit of a jobber sometimes. And that small, elderly guy right there? He’s, um… huh??”[/color] She blinked her eyes a few times at the rest of the battered pirates upon realizing that she couldn’t name anybody past Lao. She scratched her brown temple quizzically. [color=FF2400]“Weird… I swear I know these guys. H– How can I forget their names?”[/color]

Though, it didn’t matter, Xiangfei thought. All that mattered was that she and her uncle had been robbed of both their regular and potential customers, and she required Oros to take accountability for the damages caused upon their vicinity. So when Oros offered her a debit card, the kung fu practitioner forcefully seized it, her frown and pout still intact.

[color=FF2400]“Hmph! Fine! I’ll take that,”[/color] she curtly replied, then gave the debit card in her hand a prudent examination, flipping it back and forth. [color=FF2400]“Still, doesn’t mean you can just get away with anything that you just did back there. You either have to fight me or—”[/color]

[b][i]CRASH![/i][/b]

A solid collision between the spectral wolf and the parked truck’s side was enough to disrupt the exchange of words between both women, prompting Xiangfei to jerk her shoulders up. Perhaps, Oros might want to put her [i]fantastic date[/i] with the exasperated Xiangfei on hold because the bout between Terry and Mika seemed to be swarming towards the spectators’ side—and it only got spicier than ever!

Thankfully, the three-time KOF champion successfully evaded what appeared to be an attempt on his life, reflexively slipping out of harm’s way. The way Mika spitted on his helping hand was rude, but the fact that she even attempted to claim his life at all wasn’t to be taken lightly. Though, he wasn’t new to anybody coming after his soul to begin with.

While his guard remained high, Terry took a moment to watch the lunging wolf hurling itself past him, the latter magically transforming into an adorable domestic kitten just sitting there and watching the spectacle despite the sharp, shattering glass surrounding it. At the stark change of scenery, he let out a relieved exhale, still deciding whether he should be pissed off or grateful.

[color=1E90FF]“Whew… Jesus Christ, lady!”[/color] he bellowed, then shifted to face his opponent head on, an exasperated frown present. [color=1E90FF]“The fuck did you think you just did!? Did Geese send you here?”[/color] 

If there was anybody who was so eager to see his death, look no further than the CEO of Howard Connection himself, Geese Howard. Considering their not-so-pleasant history together, Terry wouldn’t have been surprised if the kingpin placed a bounty on himself. Geese was so powerful that he could—at one point—influence the entire city to turn their backs on his rivals. And if it was true that Mika was one of Geese’s loyal stooges, he might as well want to take this battle more seriously, given that his life could be at stake.

[color=1E90FF]“Well, I dunno where you came from or who sent you here, but if you’re one of Geese’s guys…”[/color] Terry subconsciously charged himself, a fiery blue energy appearing around his hardening fist. [color=1E90FF]“Rest assured that I’m gonna beat the livin’ snot outta you like there’s no tomorrow!”[/color] Without further ado, the brawny blonde [url=https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/0eebf6102945.gif]hurled his fiery fist forth[/url], closing the distance separating them with a dash.

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

God knows how long he’d been itching to execute one of his special maneuvers onto his opponent. If it wasn’t for him holding himself back most of the time, he would’ve gone all out with spamming special moves like he tended to do in an official KOF match. The Burning Knuckle was meant to hammer that pretty face of hers, but if it just so happened to be whiffed, he’d halt himself instantly and assume a defensive stance, his guard high on both temples.

[b]FIN.[/b]