Street Fighter V

ACT 1. DISASTER

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============================= SCENE 1.1. DARK AVENGER -- [A dark place. Nothing can be seen, except for one single lit spot in which a blonde, stitched-up man stands. Suddenly he feels something. He turns and sees a lamb. Unexpectedly, the lamb speaks.]

LAMB: Devour!

[A dark liquid forms around the lamb, eventually consuming it and changing it into the form of a long-tressed warrior, who continues to speak.]

NECALLI: The soul wanders... I must devour.

NASH: What in the hell are you?

[The warrior quickly advances and pins Nash to the ground, without giving him a chance to react.]

NASH: U..ugh!?

NECALLI: Devour!

NASH: Damn it!

[Nash struggles as the warrior forcefully keeps him pinned, and a red energy forms around him intent on consuming him, when a glowing blue butterfly flutters close by and apparently distracts the mysterious warrior.]

NECALLI: Nuh...!

[The butterfly comes between his and Nash's faces and radiates a strong blue glow. That is when Nash jolts himself awake. He is now lying inside a tomb, when he hears a voice talking to him.]

WOMAN: You have regained consciousness. It's a miracle!

[Nash turns the direction of the voice. A woman, dressed in typical Russian garb, slowly approaches him. She appears to be preoccupied with Nash.]

HELEN: My name is Helen. I have been asked to take care of you. Your nurse, so to speak. You had broken bones everywhere. At first, we thought you were already dead. Do you remember what happened to you?

NASH: I remember...

[Nash then has a flashback of when a helicopter from the USAF shot him in the back and sent him hurtling down a waterfall. The last thing he recalls is seeing Bison standing on the overlooking cliff as he falls. At this, he snaps back to the present, appearing terrified.]

NASH: Bison...!

[He then turns around and sees an image of Bison made of purplish energy. Still traumatized, but now focused on getting even, Nash climbs out of the tomb to go after his murderer.]

HELEN: You shouldn't push yourself yet. You must save your strength.

[Nash shoves her aside and keeps limping towards the image of Bison as it floats backwards outside the cave where the tomb is located. Once Nash walks out into the rocky path beneath the waterfalls next to the cave entrance, he cannot see Bison, but he appears right behind him. Nash turns around and enters a new fighting stance.]

NASH: No escape!

[They fight. Although it may seem futile to battle an illusion, this image of Bison is shown to hit as hard as the real thing, so Nash is forced to use his skills to fight back. His post-traumatic stress spurs him on, however, and he is able to win handily.]

NASH: I'll finish you!

[Nash fires a double Sonic Boom at the image of Bison. He seems to feel the blow, but disappears soon after, with a wicked grin, as Nash collapses to one knee, extenuated. Helen comes out of the cave, applauding Nash's efforts.]

HELEN: That was most impressive! It seems you haven't forgotten your Air Force training.

NASH: How do you know so much?

HELEN: I already told you. I've been asked to take care of you. Not only that, I have valuable information for you.

[Helen delivers a picture to Nash.]

HELEN: You must find this man and take the "piece" he has. You are going to need it...

[Nash takes the picture and, once he sees it, he gets shocked.]

HELEN: ...If you want to defeat Bison. You do want that?

[It is revealed to be a picture of Guile. When Nash turns, Helen is no longer there, although he can hear the echoes of her voice.]

HELEN: Nice to meet you. Charlie Nash.

[Nash is left staring at the picture of Guile.]

-- SCENE 1.2. IN CONFLICT -- [In India, Dhalsim is talking to a local policeman, when Ryu approaches them, getting Dhalsim's attention.]

DHALSIM: Hmm?

RYU: I need your help.

[He then enters his fighting stance. Dhalsim takes his cue and enters his own stance as well, as the policeman politely steps aside.]

DHALSIM: I will help you.

[They fight. As much as it is a friendly spar, none of the two seasoned street fighters hold back on one another. Dhalsim does sense how Ryu seems more determined to keep his focus than to win at all costs, but even so, Ryu's skill prevails over the yoga master's mystical techniques.]

[After the battle, Ryu looks at his fist in contemplation. Dhalsim, quickly recovered, approaches him by floating in the air.]

DHALSIM: Your mind is completely calm in battle. But, if you continue to suppress the Hado, you will be consumed by it. Once again, you need to face the Hado that you are hiding inside of you.

RYU: Face it?

[Ryu pauses, considering the meaning of Dhalsim's words, as he stares at his fist again. Suddenly, a long-haired warrior - the same from Nash's nightmare - jumps off the top of a nearby building, right next to the policeman, who steps back in fright.]

NECALLI: Urrraaaah!

[The warrior has an angry, threatening look, and a dark liquid seeps out from him into the ground. He then advances towards the policeman, who stumbles and falls in his fright while backing away.]

RYU [astonished]: ...! What's that?

DHALSIM [fearful]: That's the...!

[The warrior menacingly keeps advancing towards the policeman, who simply scurries backwards in fear.]

NECALLI: Consume your soul! Ooorrrrraaah!

DHALSIM: Look out!

[Dhalsim quickly takes action, teleporting between the two. Ryu also gets ready to fight, something which does not escape the warrior's notice.]

NECALLI: I am the jaws of death. The souls of warriors must return to me!

[With a shout, he liberates his power, as his hair grows wild and floats while emitting a red glow. He then fights Ryu. Clearly, this power is something Ryu was not ready for, and the unknown warrior soon claims victory using raw power and primal instincts, even though Ryu puts up as best a fight as he can.]

[Ryu is thrown rolling to the ground after his defeat, but is still not ready to give up, even as the warrior menacingly paces around him, the puddle of dark goop following. The karateka stands up, ready to continue, but that only opens him up to the Satsui no Hado, and the dark power inside of him bursts forth. Dhalsim, who was tending to the police officer, quickly takes notice and, just as a power-addled Ryu and the warrior are about to clash with one final blow, Dhalsim teleports between them and takes Ryu's punch while blocking the warrior's.]

RYU: Dhalsim!

DHALSIM: Do not let the Satsui no Hado take you over!

[He pushes the warrior back and goes into a fighting stance to fight the warrior in Ryu's stead. While it is clear that this warrior has powers beyond human imagination, Dhalsim's own mastery over yoga allows him to better neutralize such threat, which he does.]

[The force of the clash pushes both warriors back, as Ryu, hobbling, notices something in the sky, covering the sun as in an eclipse. However, upon closer inspection, it is not the moon, but what appears to be a spherical satellite.]

RYU: What's that?!

[The warrior then shouts an ancient word skywards as the satellite moves to completely block out the sun.]

NECALLI: Getepe!

[He stares back at Ryu and soon twisted images appear in his mind, of seven such objects flying to the sky and the visage of Bison turning around and grinning. Ryu comes out of the experience gravely distressed, as the warrior dissolves into the dark liquid, leaving his and Dhalsim's presence.]

DHALSIM: Long ago, I was told about an ancient being who consumes warriors' souls. This ancient being... only appears at a time when many warriors are needed. That is, when the world is in a time of great crisis.

RYU: The world is in crisis...

[He looks up again to the eclipsed sun.]

-- SCENE 1.3. LOOKING FOR A FRIEND -- [Far from there, a jet-powered aircraft lands on a Shadaloo base. Voices can be heard.]

CELL PHONE: You have new messages.

KEN [over the phone]: Hello, Miss Kanzuki. Did you watch the news about the Black Moons? Can you please watch over Eliza and Mel?

MALE VOICE: Status report: infiltration successful. Regarding the serial disappearance of the hackers...

[The phone is shown to belong to a young man clad in white, with marked Arabic features. He puts it away as it is revealed that he is perched on one of the wings of the aircraft. He then pulls out a small object, which looks like a chess pawn with a sun effigy at the top, when he sees a couple of Shadaloo officers, wearing pointed cloaks and skull masks, escorting a little Chinese girl into the base. The girl looks frightened as she clutches a datapad in her arms.]

RASHID: Ahhhh, crap!

[The young man acrobatically jumps down from the plane and confronts the guards, knocking one of them down with a kick.]

RASHID: I just can't ignore someone in distress.

[He and the remaining guard fight. Although trained to carry out dangerous missions in the name of Shadaloo, the guard is no match for this intruder's fighting skill and control over wind, and soon he is down for the count.]

[The Arab man then walks towards the girl and crouches right before her, in an attempt to reassure her everything's alright.]

RASHID: It's OK, you're free now. We will get out of here right after I take care of some business... young lady.

[The girl simply steps back in fright, to his confusion.]

LI-FEN: ...You think you just saved me?

RASHID: What? Weren't you captured by those soldiers?

LI-FEN: Did it look like I was?

RASHID: This seems complicated. Hey little girl... have you seen this person?

[He shows his smartphone to her, who reacts in fright.]

RASHID: Bingo! Do you perhaps know where they are?

[Still fearful, the girl points towards the base entrance. There is a long silence as the man tries to understand why she is so scared.]

RASHID: Thank you. I don't get your situation, but let's escape together after this.

[He then dashes toward the base.]

-- SCENE 1.4. SET IN MOTION -- [Inside, an afraid-looking redhead female scientist is running from a tall, slender Chinese man, who simply trots behind her in apparent calm, while waving the long sleeves that conceal his arms and hands. The scientist hides behind a shelf of crates at the end of the corridor, but she knows that is not much of a hideout as she does not feel any safe when the man stops right next to her. In fact, the scientist basically got herself cornered.]

F.A.N.G: The smell isn't bad at all. But anyone who betrays Lord Bison is my enemy...!

[The man moves toward the terrified scientist.]

F.A.N.G: I must erase you! Leaving nothing behind!

[He then goes in for the kill. All that is heard are the sounds of something dissolving. When the image comes back, there is a purple dust at the assassin's feet, and no trace of the girl who once was there. The man mixes the dust with his squalid, long-nailed hands and scoops some in his right hand, smelling it.]

F.A.N.G: You know, this smells even better.

[He then licks the dust off his hand. Then he appears to notice something behind him.]

F.A.N.G: Oh, you arrived sooner than I expected.

[The assassin stands up and walks out. Meanwhile, the man outside is running to the entrance of the base, when the assassin comes out, stopping him on his tracks. The intruder steps back, nervous.]

RASHID: Hello, good sir. I just came by to pick up a dear friend of mine. Can we discuss terms?

F.A.N.G: You are just a tiny bit late. Ehehehahahaha!

[The assassin hysterically spins around, flapping his arms, confusing the Arab man. That is when he notices the piece in the intruder's hand.]

F.A.N.G: Ooh! That's it!

RASHID: Do you want this? Well, why don't we make a trade of this piece for my friend?

F.A.N.G [impatient]: You talk too much! Just hand the piece over to yours truly, or I will destroy you!

[They fight. The Arab man clearly intended to walk this out peacefully, but he does not seem to know he is dealing with an organization that is not known for making bargains, which is shown when the assassin shows him no quarter and outclasses him with his dominion over poison.]

[Soon, the young Arab is on one knee, struggling to stand.]

RASHID: Damn it!

[He tries to get up, only to fall back to the ground. The assassin approaches and picks up the dropped piece, then surveys the intruder's unconscious form for others. However, his search proves futile.]

F.A.N.G: Rats! He had only one of them!

[He, however, counts himself satisfied and returns into the base, flanked by the cloaked guards.]

F.A.N.G: Now, we can let the festivities begin!

-- SCENE 1.5. YOUNG GENIUS -- [Far from there, in a fighting arena, a strong young man, who is quickly revealed to be Alex, handily defeats his opponent, a bald black man with sunglasses, to the cheers of the crowd as the New Yorker raises his fist in triumph.]

-- SCENE 1.6. THE BLACK MOON -- [In the meantime, in a large, Japanese-styled mansion, its hostess is entertaining her guests with business talk.]

KARIN: Four hours ago, the object nicknamed The Black Moon was spotted above Tokyo. It hasn't taken any action. But of course, our family's satellite, Red Spider-Lily is constantly monitoring it.

[Nearby, a young Japanese girl, whose unique hairstyle identifies her as Ibuki, sits at a table, bored, watching the fight in America through a widescreen TV as a noticeably fatter Birdie is pigging out right next to her. She looks at him and lets out an annoyed sigh as she turns her gaze back to the screen.]

-- SCENE 1.7. THE DYNAMITE DUO -- [In the ring, Alex is leaning against the ring's ropes, a World Champion trophy in his hand. The announcer, a man in a sequined yellow suit wearing a top hat and talking through a bullhorn, heats up the crowd.]

DON SAUVAGE: Now we have an Exhibitioooooooon match!!

[He turns to the opposite side of the ring, where Zangief jumps inside, wearing a single-sleeved, single-legged red unitard. He flexes to the crowd as the announcer continues speaking.]

DON SAUVAGE: A big name opponent has showed up! Let's welcome the famous "Red Cyclone", Zangief! And with him...! An up-and-coming star of professional wrestling, Rainbow Mika!

[Mika, wearing a similar unitard in sky-blue - except with ruffled edges and a heart-shaped hole between the breasts and the navel -, somersaults in from the turnbuckle. She and Zangief strike an introduction pose together. Alex just watches, while a young woman with well-toned legs walks towards the ring.]

DON SAUVAGE: It'll be a thrilling handicap match...

[The outsider - a raven-haired, scantily-clad, very attractive young lady - suddenly jumps into the ring and takes the bullhorn from the announcer's hand to address the crowd.]

LAURA: Hey, that doesn't sound thrilling at all! Let's make this a tag team match for real!

[The crowd goes wild and Zangief and Rainbow Mika enjoy the idea. Alex, on the other hand, appears to be a little bothered with this development.]

-- SCENE 1.8. OPERATION C.H.A.I.N.S. -- [Back at the Shadaloo base, the Chinese assassin comes into a laboratory to inspect one of the Black Moons. He inserts the piece retrieved from the Arab man into a machine nearby and the spherical satellite starts powering up.]

TECHNICIAN: Psycho Power is increasing. 120%. 135. 150. 180. 210. 250...

[The man watches with ever-growing glee, letting out a chuckle.]

-- SCENE 1.9. EXPLOSION -- [On the Earth's orbit, one of the Black Moons is activated, reconfiguring itself and releasing a massive shockwave which engulfs a nearby satellite and can be seen from New York City, knocking out the power in the entire city.]

[The effects are sensed even in faraway places, as a handheld console in Brazil is disconnected from its server.]

SEAN: No way! The server's down!

[Miffed, he looks up to the sky as the scene pans up to it. In space, the satellite caught in the shockwave has been destroyed as the Black Moon continues to reconfigure.]

-- SCENE 1.10. DECLARATION OF WAR -- [In the Kanzuki Mansion, the live feed from the wrestling match goes off the air.]

IBUKI: Huh? What...?

[Karin just stares at the screen as it goes into static.]

KARIN: Shibasaki!

[Her aide promptly shows up when summoned.]

SHIBASAKI: Yes. According to a report from our data processing department, a strong, high-altitude electromagnetic pulse has apparently gone off above New York.

[Karin turns and walks out into the front porch to stare into the sky.]

KARIN: I'd venture to guess that is the cause.

[Next to the moon, another of Shadaloo's Black Moons floats in the night sky.]

SHIBASAKI: It seems as though one of the seven has been detonated. Unfortunately, Red Spider-Lily was affected and has shut down.

[Karin walks back inside, followed by Shibasaki, and heads down a hallway. Ibuki stands up and runs to follow after them, leaving Birdie alone at the table.]

KARIN: I want a report tomorrow morning. Whoever did this better prepare.

[Determined, Karin punches her palm to make her point clear.]

-- SCENE 1.11. AMIDST THE CHAOS -- [In an US Army base, comms officers are analysing the situation, supervised by a high-ranking officer, a black, rugged-looking man. The screen the officers are working on shows a map with spikes of activity in plenty of places, most of them close together.]

COMMS OFFICER 1: No estimate on recovering power!

COMMS OFFICER 2: The Black Moon went off over a wide area, damaging these seven parts of the city. As a result, we've lost all communications in those areas.

GEN. TAYLOR: This is a magnetic pulse caused by a high-altitude explosion... But who would have such advanced technology to cover this wide of a range?

[A man with an Old Glory tattoo on his biceps walks into the room.]

GUILE: Maybe it's related to the missing hackers incident. But we would need to verify.

GEN. TAYLOR: Heh. You always show up with such perfect timing. It's almost scary. [turns to Guile] Your mission is to go to New York and determine if there is any connection to the missing hackers.

FEMALE VOICE: I'm coming with you, Guile. Alright?

COMMS OFFICER 1: Generators coming on!

[As if on cue, the owner of the voice steps out of the shadows, and Guile recognizes her as a familiar face.]

GUILE: Much appreciated. Chun-Li.

CHUN-LI: Hm. It's my pleasure.

-- SCENE 1.12. THE FOUR KINGS -- [Later, in New York City, Shadaloo officers survey the damage: a huge traffic accident resulted of the sudden shutdown of electricity - which, of course, includes traffic lights -, with some casualties such as police officers. At the lobby of a nearby bank, the Chinese assassin, who calls himself F.A.N.G (although his name is never mentioned in the story) can be seen dancing around happily. Next to him are to Vega and Balrog, who stand by an open vault.]

F.A.N.G: Niihahahahaha!! The "AS" demonstration was a complete success!

[Tapping his foot in impatience, Balrog suddenly turns to the Chinese man.]

BALROG: So? What happened to the other places? Why the hell haven't other Moons gone off?

[F.A.N.G stops, looking dejected at Balrog's comment.]

F.A.N.G: Did I ever tell you that you have the attention span of a five- year-old? I already told you that the other control keys were stolen by that programmer! But since I took quick actions to recover one of the keys, I've destroyed all this city's electrical finctions! Quite an accomplishment, I might say. Speaking of which, [accusingly, to Vega and Balrog] what were you two doing all this time I was working so hard?

VEGA: Hah! Look who's talking. Did you forget that you were in charge of this plan? And it was you who let a programmer steal the control keys. I would say that's a huge disgrace!

[F.A.N.G looks very offended as Vega talks.]

VEGA: It's obvious who should be taking the blame for this. Besides...

[The Chinese assassin assumes a fighting position, angry.]

F.A.N.G: Tread cautiously when you dare say such insolent things to me! I successfully enacted "Operation C.H.A.I.N.S".! And the fact that the programmer escaped so easily is all because you two are incompetent!

[His words strike a nerve with the two Shadaloo lieutenants, who prepare to attack him, when a sort of portal, swirling with purple energy, appears. From it, Bison emerges, radiating Psycho Power from his body.]

BISON: My generals are all killing each other. This is delicious entertainment!

[I see what you did there, Capcom. Anyway, back to the script. F.A.N.G is absolutely ecstatic at the sight of the overlord of Shadaloo, and gives him a quick reverence.]

F.A.N.G: Oh! It seems Lord Bison's Psycho Power has become even more powerful! This proves the power of my PSA weapon. If Operation C.H.A.I.N.S. succeeds, Lord Bison will be all powerful and invincible!

BISON: No need to discuss the obvious. Now tell me the current status of the other device.

F.A.N.G: Yes, Lord! Over here!

[Two Shadaloo soldiers step forward as F.A.N.G demonstrates.]

F.A.N.G: These two soldiers... have been able to gain strength from your Psycho Power, Lord Bison! Until we get all the control keys back, we will spread more fear and despair, so that we can add more strength to you, My Lord!

BALROG [scoffs dismissively]: Just a couple of puppets.

[There is a long silence as F.A.N.G lets Balrog's words sink in. He then quickly whips around to attack Balrog, who dodges just in time.]

BALROG: What the hell are you doing?

F.A.N.G: Oh, please don't be like that. Both of you, why don't you test them out at least once? Certainly two powerful fighters like yourselves are not frightened by "puppets" like them?

VEGA: How silly! Do you think you can fool me?

[The Chinese man quickly spins about and then takes some steps back, behind the enhanced Shadaloo soldiers, as Vega and Balrog enter fighting stances.]

F.A.N.G: You are already fools!

BALROG: Bastard!

[They fight. In the game, this means that first Balrog faces the skinny soldier, then Vega fights the more portly one, but the story treats both these fights as happening at the same time. Anyway, even enhanced by Bison's Psycho Power, this does not change the fact that these Shadaloo soldiers still have only basic combat training, and although they go so far as to try timid versions of their master's more powerful moves, they are no match for the more seasoned and skillful Kings of Shadaloo. Soon they are down for the count.]

BALROG: You piece of crap! Now it's your turn!

[He and Vega assume offensive positions to take on F.A.N.G, but stop themselves upon hearing footsteps of someone approaching in the distance. It is Guile and Chun-Li. Bison smirks evilly.]

GUILE: Must be here.

[Guile takes notice of the dead policemen on the ground, their trail leading to the bank, where the Four Kings stand watching them.]

CHUN-LI: Bison!

[Blinded by her thirst for revenge, she tries to charge forward, and even though Guile tries to stop her, it is useless, as she runs toward the bad guys.]

GUILE: No, wait!

CHUN-LI: It had to be you guys.

[F.A.N.G steps forward to deal with the Interpol agent, but Bison, knowing it is him she wants, drops down before his lieutenant and lets out a burst of Psycho Power, which makes Chun-Li and Guile cautious enough to assume fighting stances.]

BISON: You were foolish to come here, girl.

[He and Chun-Li fight. While she is a formidable fighter in her own right and her desire to avenge her father's death keeps her going, her judgement is clearly clouded and this affects her, obviously discounting the fact that Bison seems more powerful than ever before - possibly even more than when he was empowered by the Psycho Drive. With this, Bison dominates the fight easily and defeats her, launching her away with a burst of Psycho Power.]

GUILE: Chun-Li!

[Guile runs to her aid, but Vega jumps in between them.]

VEGA: I will be your opponent.

[They fight. It is an evenly matched battle, as Guile is an experienced fighter in and out of the ring, but his precise, calculated attacks are unable to faze Vega, who uses his agility and claw techniques to great effect, turning the battle in his favor. The battle, however, ends in a stalemate as Bison suddenly comes between Vega and Guile to take out Chun-Li, who is reeling nearby.]

BISON: Now it is time to finish you!

[He charges Psycho Power in his hand, holding it right up to Chun-Li's face as she is trying to stand up. She simply looks on, terrified beyond her imagination, as this next move might spell her certain death.]

CAMMY: I think not!

[Unexpectedly rushing into the scene, Cammy pushes Chun-Li out of the way of Bison's attack in the nick of time.]

CHUN-LI: Cammy...

CAMMY: Let's go, Guile!

[The Delta Red agent picks Chun-Li up off the floor and, together with Guile, they beat a hasty retreat.]

F.A.N.G [indignant]: I'll never let you leave!

[Bison holds his hand out to stop his new right-hand man from following them. He watches in apparent satisfaction; he has dealt enough damage to them for today.]

-- SCENE 1.13. REUNION -- [Later, the three heroes reconvene at another devastated part of the city, with some cars on fire. Chun-Li is resting against a pick-up truck, exhausted.]

GUILE: Thanks for the help. You after Shadaloo?

CAMMY: Yes. I've followed them since the Black Moons appeared. Shadaloo is involved with the destruction of New York.

[She turns to address Chun-Li.]

CAMMY: Chun-Li, you completely lost your head in that fight.

CHUN-LI: I'm sorry. I'll never act like that again. What about the Black Moons? How do we stop them from going off?

CAMMY: I'm not sure yet, but it seems Shadaloo doesn't have the ability to completely control all of them at this time.

GUILE: What do you mean by that?

CAMMY: I've heard that the Black Moon's control keys were stolen. I don't know by whom. Perhaps someone betrayed Bison, or a spy infiltrated Shadaloo.

GUILE: It might have a connection with the hackers incident.

CAMMY: Incident?

CHUN-LI: There's a group of computer hackers who've gone missing. Their ages, genders, nationalities all vary. Including some very young ones.

GUILE: We'd been investigating this from all angles, such as a criminal organization was behind it. Then the Moons appeared.

[He turns to look at the Black Moon over the city.]

CAMMY: Do you mean the hackers were coerced to build the Black Moons?

CHUN-LI: Yes. Now we must stop the Moons from exploding in the other six cities...

[She tries to stand up, but is too weak to do so.]

CAMMY: Take it easy. Oh yes, I need to ask something.

[Cammy takes out a parcel and hands it to Chun-Li.]

CAMMY: This package. An Interpol agent was trying to deliver it to you before the Black Moons appeared. Shadaloo attacked him. Whoever sent it is unknown. Why the agent was attacked is also not clear. Though I can guess.

[Chun-Li unwraps the parcel. Once she finishes, Guile perks up at its contents.]

GUILE: It's the same...

[He takes from his pocket one of the control keys - the objects similar to chess pieces - with a crescent moon shape on it, as Chun-Li holds another one with an eight-pointed star on it. Suddenly they hear footsteps. They turn their direction as a man walks slowly toward the group.]

GUILE: It can't be...!

[It is Nash. Chun-Li tries to walk toward him, but Guile puts his hand out to stop her.]

GUILE: Wait.

[With an awful grasp of timing, the Arab man from before happily skips toward the group, accompanied by an older, larger man.]

RASHID: Hello my friends! So sorry to interrupt you, but I...

GUILE: Stay back. This might be a trick.

RASHID: I'm being ignored?

[Yes, you totally are. You're making yourself inconvenient.]

AZAM: Master...

[Anyway, back to the story, Guile enters his fighting stance as Nash stops, fits his glasses and enters his own stance as well. Guile is clearly nervous at facing his best friend, whom he thought dead for so long.]

[They fight. Despite them using the same techniques and having a similar level of power, Guile is clearly affected with the return of his old friend from the land of the dead - plus the apparent fact that Nash picked up a trick or two in his time in the other world. Defeated, Guile falls to his knees.]

GUILE: Who are you... You're not...!

[He fires a Sonic Boom, which Nash stops with one hand, absorbing its power until he completely neutralizes it. This effort, however, seems to sap out his own strength. Guile watches, bewildered. Nash watches the power dissipate in his hand, not less appalled.]

NASH: What's happening to my body?

[Sitting on the bed of a nearby truck, the young Arab man looks somewhat annoyed.]

RASHID: Fine, you can keep ignoring me if you want. It actually makes it easier to take care of this.

[As he talks, he catches Chun-Li's attention, before jumping to his feet. He presents himself in a rather overblown way before taking on an offensive stance.]

RASHID: I am Rashid of the Turbulent Wind! I came here to take that piece. Just hand it to me quietly!

AZAM: Master.

[In response, Chun-Li assumes a defensive stance, in which she is joined by Cammy. Rashid's aide tries to stand between them and his master, but the young man is intent on taking matters into his hands.]

RASHID: Please understand that the piece is important to me! I must have it no matter what.

[He spins around, kicking up a small gust around him.]

RASHID: I hope you won't hate me for this!

[He and Chun-Li fight. Being worn out from her battle against Bison earlier, she is unable to cut through Rashid's wind, and he unexpectedly has her defeated. The star-shaped key flies off her as she is kicked away, and Rashid catches it in mid-air.]

RASHID: Humble apologies!

[He then turns to see Nash fishing the crescent key out of Guile's pocket, as he lies unconscious.]

RASHID: Huh? Hey, why are you...?

[He starts for Nash, but his aide stops him.]

AZAM: Master.

RASHID: Damn. We can only take this one back for now.

[Rashid spins around, conjuring a large pillar of wind around him and his aide, into which they disappear.]

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============================= ACT 2. REUNION

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============================= SCENE 2.1. TO EACH THEIR OWN -- [Inside a bar in a snowbound village, Rashid is sitting by the counter, bored, listening to his voicemail as he fidgets with the key he took from Chun-Li earlier.]

VOICE OVER THE PHONE [likely Shibasaki]: Well, I would like to talk about the article for the World Butler Alliance Journal. The deadline is...

[Rashid cuts off the message and sprawls over the counter, pretty much bored to tears.]

AZAM: Master...

[Someone opens the door and walks in, getting Rashid and his aide's attention. The camera cuts to the entering person, who is Nash.]

RASHID: You... Ah, now I understand. You were also receiving similar information.

[Rather than answering, Nash just looks to the side...]

RASHID: Why do they keep ignoring me?!

[...and spots Helen, who was reading a book. She gets up from the couch where she sat and approaches him, addressing Rashid as well.]

HELEN: I guess you two have already met each other. This is Nash, one of our associates who's tracking pieces.

RASHID [jumps to his feet]: You're tracking pieces? But why would you want them?

[Very quickly, Nash throws the crescent key for Rashid to catch.]

HELEN: He has no interest in the pieces themselves. He plans to fight against Bison, so he doesn't want them to get into Shadaloo's hands.

[Suddenly, the door is thrown open. The first thing that can be seen through it is a woman's foot, whose owner is soon revealed to be none other than Juri Han, who is now wearing a full-body skintight suit and has an eyepatch covering her Feng Shui Engine. Obviously, she had kicked the door open.]

HELEN: You're surprisingly on time, Juri.

[She saunters into the hall, undaunted, as if the place belonged to her.]

JURI: So those are your personal toy soldiers. They look kinda dim to be fighters.

HELEN: Oh my, so you don't trust my keen eye for talent?

JURI: If you're that confident, then let me try them out. Let's see...

[She whips around to face Rashid.]

JURI: How about you?

[Rashid is taken aback at the sudden challenge.]

RASHID [indignant]: Azam, why does nobody ever listen to me?

AZAM: Master...

JURI: Time to play!

[She strikes in Rashid's general direction with a windmill kick, then proceeds to assume a stance.]

RASHID: Azam, stay back!

[He enters his own stance and then they fight. As skillful and inventive as Rashid may be, Juri's sheer brutality proves to be more than a match for him and she manages to take him down pretty much without breaking a sweat. Knowing when he is out of depth, Rashid pulls back out of her reach before he can be knocked out cold.]

RASHID: Er... Ugh! C'mon! Enough already!

[This attitude, however, only bothers Juri.]

JURI: If you're not gonna fight me seriously, then you can just die!

AZAM: Master!

[Reacting to this implied threat, Azam quickly takes on a fighting position next to Rashid. Juri is more than happy to oblige, when Helen claps her hands to stop them.]

HELEN: Enough already. Now, let me explain why I gathered all of you here.

JURI: I haven't been satisfied! [crouches to the floor, pouting] Why don't you also fight...

HELEN: The Black Moons.

[Rashid and Azam gasp at the mention of the new superweapons of Shadaloo. After some silence, Helen continues.]

HELEN: One Moon turned all of New York into chaos. [she brushes her hand on Rashid's shoulder as she passes by him.] What if we could stop them with these?

[She shows the two control keys in her hand, leaving Rashid simply stunned as she took them from him without him noticing.]

RASHID: What? How did...!?

[After rifling through his pockets in confusion, he points at Helen demanding her to return the pieces to him, which she does.]

JURI: Hmm? Are you saying a little piece like that can control those Moons?

HELEN: That's not the whole story. [she starts to pace about the room as she delivers a passionate exposition] Sadness. Chaos. Fear. Hatred. Despair. The Moons can bring out extreme negative emotions. And negative emotions are what Psycho Power feeds upon to grow stronger. From the chaos unleashed by the Moons, Psycho Power would grow immensely. It would become the ultimate power! That is the goal of Shadaloo... and Bison. [she turns to face the people assembled in the bar] So now it's up to us to destroy Shadaloo's beautiful plan!

[Juri licks her lips in wicked anticipation.]

JURI: Doesn't sound half bad.

[Helen smirks at her in response.]

NASH: My only goal is to kill that man... kill Bison!

HELEN: If they obtain all the remaining pieces, Psycho Power will become unbeatable. If you want to defeat Bison, you must stop that. Additionally... [she turns toward Rashid] We have found evidence linking those missing hackers to the development of the Black Moons. The one who you seek is among them, am I correct?

[Rashid pauses to consider, looking at the keys in his hand.]

HELEN: If so, isn't it more efficient to all work together?

[Once he is done musing, Rashid paces around, appearing more relaxed.]

RASHID: That makes sense.

AZAM: Master!

RASHID: But, if I'm going to risk my life for you... [turns and points at Helen] Why don't you tell me who you really are?

[Helen appears to hesitate for a fraction of a second, but is unfazed.]

HELEN: Fine then. I am really...

[Before she can finish her sentence, she senses someone standing right behind her. She turns around in awe, to see it is Urien.]

URIEN: So you're putting together secret plans in a place like this? You rat!

HELEN: Lord Urien!

[Helen gives Urien a reverence as he steps into the middle of the room, eyeing Nash.]

URIEN: So this is your precious clay doll.

HELEN: I truly appreciate the support you gave...

[Urien makes a gesture for her to quiet down.]

URIEN: Since I helped in its creation, I came here to see the fruits of my effort. I hope my tech didn't make an average puppet.

[Nash readies himself for combat in response.]

HELEN: I'm sorry to say...

URIEN: Not one more word!

[He and Nash fight. While Nash is a well-trained soldier, he is not yet used to his new condition; furthermore, Urien is clearly the apex of human development, and thus he is able to handily best the former USAF lieutenant, who sinks to his knees. Just as Urien moves in for the killing blow, however, Rashid stops him by grabbing his arm.]

RASHID: Stop acting so violent to him! Aren't you satisfied?

URIEN: Don't touch me!

RASHID: Huh?

[Since Rashid fails to get the hint, Urien practically spells out what he means.]

URIEN: Commoner! Get that filthy hand off of me before I make you regret it!

[He pushes Rashid away and sends an Aegis Reflector at him, who cartwheels backwards to evade the move. The Reflector dissipates in time for Helen to step in and appeal to her master.]

HELEN: Lord Urien, I beg you to please calm yourself down.

[She bows to him in reverence again. Urien concedes and takes his leave.]

URIEN: Fine then... I will be watching you all with great amusement.

[Once he is gone, Helen walks up to Nash to tend to him.]

HELEN: I'm very sorry. I didn't realize that you still haven't mastered how to use your body. But that's not your fault. Because sadly... You are already dead.

[Rashid and Azam are quite literally thrown off with the reveal.]

RASHID: What? That's a joke, right?!

[The brief silence reveals it to be quite the opposite.]

RASHID: ...Huh? Are you serious?

[Nash struggles to get up, but Helen sets him down, crouching before him.]

HELEN: Close your eyes. Unfortunately I can't touch your soul. But that doesn't mean I can't give you a little bit of help. Here...

[She gently touches the stone embedded on Nash's forehead with a finger, as he closes his eyes. Suddenly, a mysterious energy starts radiating from the stone, drawing Rashid's attention.]

RASHID: Wha...? What? What you just said was the truth? He's really dead?

[Once the energy flow stops, Helen removes her finger from Nash's forehead.]

HELEN: How's that? You should be feeling better.

[As she stands up, Nash opens his eyes and indeed feels recovered, enough to get up on his feet. As soon as he is stood to full height, Rashid winces for a moment, fearing an attack out of the blue. Helen then draws the attention of all the ones present to her again.]

HELEN: I didn't quite explain myself before. Let me just say... that I utterly despise Bison... but there's another man more suitable to lead this world. That's why I want to destroy Shadaloo. Is that satisfactory?

[Rashid gives an indifferent sigh in response.]

HELEN: Now let me ask everyone once again... Do we all share the same common goal? To stop Shadaloo's deadly plan, and to destroy Bison.

[The others remain silent.]

HELEN: So now, we are all "comrades-in-arms". For at least as long as Bison still lives.

-- SCENE 2.2. ASSAILANTS -- [Some time later, at the Kanzuki Estate, Shibasaki is giving reports to Karin as they walk by the front deck.]

SHIBASAKI: That is all to report from the family ninjas. We also received a report...

[Just then, Rashid runs down from the roof over the front gate and leaps right down on the front porch, followed by Azam. It should be more than clear by now that tact or subtlety aren't his strongest suits. He seems to recognize Karin upon spotting her.]

RASHID: You are... Ahh! You are exactly as Helen described to me.

[Karin makes a gesture for Shibasaki to step back.]

KARIN: And you are a guest who lacks any manners.

RASHID [mimes the shape of a chess piece]: Do you know about a piece that has this shape? I need you to kindly give it to me.

KARIN: All right. [she enters her fighting stance] You can fight for it!

RASHID [taken aback]: Uh, can't we settle this peacefully?

KARIN: You must get what you want on your own merit. [Shibasaki nods in approval] That is the Kanzuki family motto!

[Seeing as there is no other way, they fight. Relying on his tricks over wind, Rashid tries to have an edge over Karin; however, the sheer efficiency of the Kanzuki fighting style, known for its unique blend of a wide variety of styles, gets the better of him. Soon she has him in an armlock.]

KARIN: Now, let's have a little chat. Why are you trying to take that piece from me? I'd like to guess. It has something to do with the appearance of the Black Moons? [the one hovering over Tokyo can be seen behind her as she says this.]

RASHID: OK! I give up! You have great fighting strength and great wisdom. I'll talk!

[Rashid manages to break free from Karin's hold and flips over her. Once he is back on his feet, he displays the pieces in his possession.]

RASHID: I'm sorry, but I'll never use them for evil purposes. You have my word. I don't know if you believe me or not, but please, believe me. I wouldn't lie to a Kanzuki.

[He gives her a salute and leaves the way he came: by jumping over the gate roof, shortly followed by Azam. And, most gravely, without saying what Karin really wanted to hear from him. She is understandably upset.]

KARIN: Shibasaki, contact all the top rank fighters on the list.

[Shibasaki bows in obedience, as Karin stares out the way Rashid left.]

-- SCENE 2.3. PINKY SWEAR -- [Next to a waterfall in the wild, Ryu is meditating. Ken approaches him.]

KEN: Hey!

[Ryu stands up to address his old friend.]

KEN: How's special training? ...Well, if you ask me, I think we both prefer this a lot more!

[He then enters his fighting stance. With a small smile, Ryu does the same. Ken warms up a bit more as he gets ready.]

KEN: Heh heh! Bring it on!

[They fight. As usual, the battle between Ryu and Ken is an evenly matched one, with each of them attempting to best the other with their own take on Gouken's teachings. However, Ryu's mind is still in turmoil, both due to attempting to resist the Satsui no Hado and from the legend of the mysterious warrior Dhalsim had told him of. This allows Ken to gain the upper hand and prevail, but even then he feels that his friend is a bit off his game.]

[Regardless, Ryu stands up solemnly after his defeat.]

RYU: Nice offense there.

KEN: Phew! That was real close.

[As Ken warms up for another go, a red-clad kunoichi drops down behind him. Ken turns around to address her.]

KEN: You're one of Kanzuki's ninjas. What do you want?

KUNOICHI: Shadaloo is using the Black Moons to drive the world into chaos. The Kanzuki Family is requesting help from the world's best fighters to prevent this from happening.

[Ryu comes closer, as the female ninja's words ring a bell from his experiences in India days before.]

KUNOICHI: We hope that you both will join our cause.

[As Ken turns to look at Ryu, he notices his friend looks distressed. Thus he makes up his mind.]

KEN: Understood. I alone will join their fight for now. Please tell them so.

[The kunoichi acknowledges Ken's response and departs.]

RYU: Ken?

KEN: You need to continue your special training.

RYU: But I...

KEN: What I'm trying to say is... that I'll cover for you this time. But in exchange...When you complete your training, you must show me the result of all your effort.

[He then holds out his fist. Ryu responds in kind, with their old fist-bump greeting.]

RYU: Sure!

[After a brief moment of exchanging glances, Ken turns to leave.]

KEN: See ya! I look forward to hearing about... "the answer that lies beyond".

[Ryu watches his friend leave, then looks at his fist in contemplation.]

-- SCENE 2.4. INFORMATION -- [Over at the Kanzuki Estate, Rainbow Mika and Ibuki are bickering loudly.]

R.MIKA: What did you say? Don't act so arrogant! You pickin' a fight with me?!

IBUKI: Arrogant!? I've been working here longer than you have! And then you come in acting all bossy!

[They glare and growl at each other, even as they leave the main hall.]

R.MIKA: I'd beat you to a pulp!

IBUKI: I'm the one who'd beat you to a pulp!

[Indifferent to this, Karin walks out into the front porch, another of the pieces in her hand - this one, topped with the shape of a scimitar.]

KARIN: Thank you for waiting.

[The scene pans to show Cammy waiting just outside.]

CAMMY: Your resources... find any information?

[Karin gestures to Shibasaki to let him talk.]

SHIBASAKI: As of now, we were able to acquire a master list. The list of all people that pieces were sent to. Additionally, we are currently investigating who else might have accessed that list.

KARIN: And what have you found out?

CAMMY: The Black Moons were created by Shadaloo using the hackers they supposedly kidnapped. These pieces were likely made by the hackers. [points to the sword-shaped piece in Karin's hand] Additionally, Guile is contacting our colleague who infiltrated Shadaloo. We hope he has more information to share.

KARIN: Working undercover. That sounds interesting. If that's the case, then Shadaloo wants these pieces, and we must not let them have it. We'll begin our operation when we hear from Guile.

[They are suddenly alerted by movement at the front gate. Shadaloo operatives have made their way to the Kanzuki household. On the gate roof stand two soldiers, plus two of the Dolls: the bespectacled, blue-haired März and...]

CAMMY: Decapre...?

[The four intruders jump in onto the front porch. Cammy looks on, static, as Karin takes a stand to drive them out.]

KARIN: Looks like I have to teach our uninvited guests a lesson in manners.

[She assumes an offensive position and takes März as her opponent. As one of the Dolls, März is a cut above the average Shadaloo grunt in fighting power and skill; however, Karin is quite the adaptive fighter, and is thus able to quickly find workarounds to her opponent's strategies. Sure enough, soon she has the battle in her favor.]

[Frightened and with her co-workers defeated by Cammy in the meantime, März attempts to escape, only to be cornered by Karin as she jumps over the Shadaloo operative and they trade a few more blows, ending with Karin holding the Doll in an armlock. Ibuki and Mika are still at each other's throats as all this is going on.]

IBUKI: Hey... you... take your hands off... Huh?

[Karin's signature laughter draws their attention away from each other.]

KARIN: Oohohohoho! I'll never let you escape!

[The kunoichi and the wrestler pause as their employer turns her gaze to them.]

KARIN: If the two of you are not satisfied fighting each other, then I can join in to give the satisfaction you deserve.

[Knowing what she means with this, the two straighten out.]

IBUKI [apologetically]: Uh, well, no, thank you!

R.MIKA [in the same tone]: I'll pass! I... I'm very satisfied!

[The scene then pans to Decapre, who has also been defeated by Cammy and is on one knee, reeling. She stands to face her "source material" again.]

CAMMY: Decapre...

[However, the battle appears to have taken its toll on her.]

DECAPRE: Argh! Ugh... uh... err...

[Clutching her head in pain, the Russian doll turns around and escapes the estate the same way she came, before a worried Cammy can give chase. Once Decapre is gone, Cammy silently laments for her "twin".]

-- SCENE 2.5. PIECE HOLDERS -- [Later, in the dining hall of the mansion, Guile comes in to meet with Karin. Knowing why he is here for and the gravity of the situation, he cuts straight to the chase.]

GUILE: The pieces are keys to control the Black Moons. When the control device recognized the piece, its program can be activated. But more importantly, the same pieces can be used to activate their shutdown program.

KARIN: I'd bet that the control device is in the Shadaloo base. Anything else to report?

GUILE: Shadaloo has the same list. They'll be going after them.

[He takes out a small piece of paper from his back pocket and gives it to Karin. She then looks aside to see more arriving fighters: Ken, Chun-Li, Dhalsim and Zangief.]

KARIN: Now everybody has finally gathered. With the exception of Ryu.

[She glances at Ken as if expecting him to explain his partner's absence. Ken gives an embarrassed smile in response. She then surveys the list.]

KARIN: Oh my! According to the list, [turns to Zangief] one of the pieces should have been sent to you.

ZANGIEF: Da! I remember! I received some little thing in package. I was busy on wrestling tour, so I left with friend.

KARIN: Can you say where your friend is now?

ZANGIEF: I think... he's in India. I will go and get it!

GUILE: I'm going with you.

CHUN-LI: Then who else has one?

KARIN: One was sent to a wrestler in New York, and a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu artist.

DHALSIM: New York transportation and communication systems are all inoperative. So, I will go.

KEN: I guess I'm going to Brazil.

CHUN-LI: I'll go with you. Cammy can come along, too. [then, to Karin] What about you?

KARIN: I'll take Ibuki and Mika to the Shadaloo base. We'll take the initiative by scouting the area.

=
============================= ACT 3. FIERCE BATTLE

=
============================= SCENE 3.1. THE MEANING OF FAMILY -- [Still at the dining hall, Ken's son shows up.]

MEL: Daddy!!

[The boy runs up to his father, who catches him and carries him up in his arms.]

KEN: Hey!! What's wrong, Mel? Weren't you supposed to be with your Mommy?

MEL: I wanna go with you! I wanna go too!

[Ken sets him down.]

KEN: Ehahahaha. All right, I promise that when you can do a Hadoken, we'll go together.

[Mel steps back and mimes the move to his father.]

MEL: Hajoken!!

KEN [amused]: Ahaha! Awesome! [he crouches to talk to his son closely] Now, while Daddy is away, you'll have to protect your Mommy.

MEL: Yes! Hojoken!

[The kid goes on to "practice" more of his father's moves as Chun-Li, feeling downcast as she remembers her father, walks away to talk to Cammy.]

CHUN-LI: It's nice to watch them play.

CAMMY: I think... Ken shouldn't have to come with us. [Chun-Li reacts to this] He has a family. He should stay here and protect them.

[Chun-Li gives a saddened sigh, as they watch Ken attempting to teach the Shoryuken to Mel.]

CHUN-LI: There are some battles he can't avoid, especially when he has someone to protect. My father was the same way.

[Cammy turns away, feeling guilty for bringing up the topic in the first place.]

CAMMY: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to remind you of bitter things. It's just...

CHUN-LI: Just what?

CAMMY: Families... confuse me... I don't have one.

[They decide to leave the topic aside as Karin comes back in.]

KARIN: Guile and the others have already left. I'll be leaving shortly with Ibuki and Mika.

[The Interpol agent and the Delta Red operative nod in acknowledgement.]

KARIN: I'll see you all again... next time at the base.

-- SCENE 3.2. THE DANGERS OF ABSTINENCE -- [Some time later, the mansion is empty. The only people left in the premises are in the dojo: März, whose hands are chained together at the wrists, and Birdie, who is guarding her. Between them, a tray of sandwiches. Notably, the punk is restless at all the silence.]

BIRDIE: It's gotten too quiet now.

[We see there was another sandwich tray in the place, but Birdie has eaten them all. This, naturally, is another thing that gets him miffed, as he lets out a defeated sigh. März starts to twitch in the place where she is, but a glare from the Briton is enough to make her cower. Panicking, she pushes her own sandwich tray to him, who suddenly becomes overjoyed.]

BIRDIE: Huh? ...Are you sure about that?

[He crawls over to the dish, ready to gorge in the sandwiches, while ignoring März's growing fright, until...]

BIRDIE: Dohaaaaah!!

[...he gets kicked away by another of Shadaloo's Dolls, the rose-haired, eyepatch-wearing Aprile. She hastily comes to tend to März.]

APRILE: Are you hurt? You look all right. Can you stand up?

MÄRZ: Uh, huh.

[With the chain around her wrists removed by Aprile, März gets back to her feet.]

APRILE: Good. Let's escape.

[Birdie, however, gets back up just as the Dolls start walking out of the dojo.]

BIRDIE: You're not going anywhere!

[He launches himself out of the room, over the Dolls' heads, and lands just far enough to block their path. He then picks himself up, sounding desperate.]

BIRDIE: If I let you get away from me... If you escape...!!

[März quickly enters a defensive stance, while Aprile just steps forward, undaunted.]

APRILE: Back off.

BIRDIE: If you escape... [shouts to the sky, loud enough to spit saliva out] They won't feed me anymore!!

[They fight. Having special combat training in addition to her field medic capacities, Aprile should net herself an easy victory against an opponent who is far more brawn than brains. However, she is in for a rude awakening, as not only is Birdie a vicious fighter in his own right; when there is food on the line, he becomes nigh-unstoppable. Eventually, he manages to bring her down to her knees.]

APRILE: Agh, ugh...

BIRDIE: Yes! I've earned my meal!

[Birdie's joy is short-lived as a third Doll, the Native American Noembelu, subtly approaches him from behind and knocks him down with a kick to the back of the knee. She then takes him out by kneeing him in the face.]

APRILE: Noembelu. You saved me.

NOEMBELU: Enero is angry.

MÄRZ: I'm sorry.

[On the floor, Birdie struggles in pain as the Dolls escape.]

-- SCENE 3.3. BRAZILIAN HEAT -- [Far from there, in Rio de Janeiro, a teenage boy is walking down the staircase in a favela while playing Megaman in his handheld console. In his distraction, as soon as he comes to the end of the steps, he bumps into someone standing in his way, dropping the handheld.]

SEAN: Ouch! Hey you! Why don't you look where... you're... wal... king... at...

[He has difficulty speaking as he gazes upon the person's strange figure: a very tall, rail-thin man with East Asian features, wearing a Chinese robe with sleeves long enough to cover his hands, followed by a Shadaloo grunt. He bends down to pick up the dropped console, then stares at the boy.]

F.A.N.G: I have something that I want to ask you. And you'd better answer my question truthfully... if you don't want to end up like this.

[He holds up the console in front of the kid, making it melt in his poison covered hand just by touching it. As he drops the console into the teenager's hands, he throws it away in fright. F.A.N.G then shows the sun- topped piece to the kid.]

F.A.N.G: Have you seen this piece before?

SEAN [frightened, taking a close look]: My sister has it!

F.A.N.G: You are correct!

[Just as Sean picks himself up, the assassin seizes him by the throat and hoists him up.]

SEAN: Urg... Can't... breathe...

F.A.N.G: Now, why don't you tell me where the control key is? Or... door number two, where I take you hostage and threaten your sister with your life?

[Before this prick can do anything, Ken suddenly drop-kicks him, sending him and the Shadaloo trooper accompanying him to the ground, and causing him to release Sean.]

KEN: Phew! I made it just in time. Are you all right?

SEAN: Uh, yes!

[F.A.N.G picks himself up and stops to take a look at himself. What he sees shocks him.]

F.A.N.G: You got mud on my beautiful clothes! Daaaah!! I'll never forgive you!!

[He gets angry enough to enter his fighting stance. Ken simply responds by provoking him with his usual "come on" taunt.]

[They fight. F.A.N.G's techniques, allied to his absurd attacking range, are nothing to be trifled with, to say nothing of his deadly poison. On the other hand, Ken is an all-around skillful fighter, who has already taken on plenty of opponents throughout the course of his life, and so he has little to no problem with this new weirdo of an adversary, who is sent rolling on the cobblestone-paved ground once defeated.]

[He looks up to see Ken picking Sean up off the ground, and despondently darts to his feet.]

F.A.N.G: You fool! I'll never forgive you!

[He prepares to fight again, but stops himself upon hearing a few chimes. He taps around in his outfit until he finds a skull-shaped communicating device, the source of the sound, and listens into it, getting alarmed at the news.]

F.A.N.G: What? Intruders? I understand. I'll get back there right now!!

KEN: Hey, wait!

[He tries to give chase as F.A.N.G starts to run, but he unleashes a poison gas curtain that buys him time to escape while Ken and Sean shield themselves. Sure enough, he is gone once the cloud dissipates. Chun-Li and Cammy then come running.]

CHUN-LI: Are you all right?

[Sean nods affirmatively.]

CHUN-LI: Wait, I think I know you... you're part of the Matsuda family?

SEAN: Yes, I am.

CHUN-LI: Can I ask you, was this sent to your house?

[She shows Sean a drawing of the dagger-shaped piece.]

SEAN: Those guys were asking me about this just before. So... [he suddenly panics] Ahhh! My sister! I think she caused trouble again!

[Ken chuckles at the kid's nervousness.]

KEN: Look, could you possibly give the piece to us?

[Sean pauses to consider it, then answers with a more confident smile.]

SEAN: OK! You guys saved my life. But, it's my sister's. I happen to have it here.

CAMMY: Watch out!!

[Just as Sean is rifling through his pockets, one of the Shadaloo soldiers flies back into the scene. Chun-Li and Ken save the boy from being hit by kicking the soldier away, over his head. They all turn the direction where this guy comes from and see an attractive young lady - the same who broke into the three-way match between Zangief, Rainbow Mika and Alex in New York City days before -, carrying another of the Shadaloo officers, unconscious, on her shoulder.]

SEAN: La... L-L-L-L-Laura?!

[She comes into full view of the group, stepping out of the shadows, decked in green and yellow adapted fighting attire.]

LAURA: Hi! Were you guys talking about me?

[Sean barely has time to react as his elder sister latches herself onto him, trapping him in a headlock while mercilessly teasing him. Chun-Li, Ken and Cammy just watch, completely dumbfounded.]

LAURA: What have you been doing around here?! And look at your hair! I know what it is! You must have found a girlfriend!

SEAN: No I didn't! Don't touch me! Hey! Can't breathe!

LAURA: But you still look so thin as a rail! You must eat more meat, otherwise your girlfriend won't like you!

SEAN: I said I don't have a girlfriend! I give, give, give...! I give up!

[He tries to tap out, to no avail.]

CHUN-LI [confused]: Do you think we should stop them? Before...

[Laura is now holding Sean in a figure-four leglock.]

LAURA: Let's make things burn with one more head rub! How's this?!

CAMMY: Is this considered... a typical brother-sister relationship?

[Chun-Li sighs in defeat. It is pretty clear she wouldn't want Cammy to get any wrong ideas. When Laura finally lets up, Sean is on the verge of losing consciousness, so she sends him rolling away and finally takes the time to address the street fighters gathered there.]

LAURA: OK, now that I've said hello to my dear little brother... Ken Masters! I recognize who you are. Why would a famous person like you be here?

KEN: Well, I was looking for a package that had been sent to you.

LAURA: You told Sean to give you something. I don't like the sound of that. If you're trying to steal from my brother, I'll make you regret it!

[Ken is understandably stunned by the girl's abrasive reaction, and tries to pacify things.]

KEN: Wait! You're wrong!

[Laura, very obviously not trying to listen, enters her fighting stance.]

LAURA: You'll pay for this! And now I'm here to collect!

[Seeing no other alternative, Ken enters his stance as well and they fight. Ken feels it wouldn't be right to deny a challenge, despite such accrimonious circumstances, but even then, it is clear that he doesn't want to waste time fighting pointlessly. Not having the same thing in mind, and knowing only she is facing the American Martial Arts Champion, Laura uses the best of her abilities and manages to come out on top.]

[Ken still has some fight in him, though, and soon he is back to his feet.]

LAURA: So, the US Martial Arts Champion... still has the ability to fight even after all that!

[Just as she prepares for another round, Sean tackles her.]

SEAN: Both of you, stop it! Hey, sis! Listen to me! These people saved my life!

LAURA: Huh?

[She stops struggling to break free once Sean manages to get through to her.]

SEAN: They saved me from them!! Those guys!

[He indicates the Shadaloo troopers fallen nearby. Laura stares at them and starts to realize things.]

LAURA: Hmmmm... Oh! Is that the case? Hahaha, I see. Then why didn't you tell me that earlier?

[Before Sean can say "because you didn't let me!", she shoves him aside.]

LAURA: Sorry about that.

SEAN: In return for saving me, can I give them this?

[The piece he has in his hand is in the shape of a coffee pot.]

LAURA: OK! But in exchange, can I go along with you guys? My name's Laura Matsuda. You just saw my skill. So, if my skill can be of help, can you let me promote Matsuda Jiu-Jitsu by using your online Karate class? Deal?

CHUN-LI [stunned]: What?

KEN: Deal! For giving us the piece. Besides, I think you already decided to come along.

LAURA: All right! I'm going to make Matsuda Jiu-Jitsu world-famous! [she then mugs Sean again, energetically] What do you want as a souvenir? You want medicine that makes you taller, or popular with girls?

SEAN: I don't need that! And just so you know, your fighting style is no longer Matsuda Jiu-Jitsu!

LAURA: What are you talking about? I've been using Matsuda Jiu-Jitsu all my life!

[The siblings' argument makes them unaware that they are being watched for a while, until they turn toward the staircase and see Decapre standing on it, giving off Psycho Power for some reason. Sean decides to take matters into his hands for a change.]

SEAN: Are you a friend of those stupid jerks? Unfortunately you're a little too... Baaaah!

[Laura throws Sean out of her way, clearly sensing the danger.]

LAURA: Just stay back. This monster is too much for you to handle!

[Decapre does nothing. She just stands still, head hung low, as Laura and Ken prepare to fight. Naturally, Cammy is worried about the Doll.]

CAMMY: Decapre...

-- SCENE 3.4. MUSCLE VS MUSCLE -- [In India, Zangief and Guile have already retrieved their piece, which looks like a chess knight.]

ZANGIEF: A little thing like this could really cause...

[Guile quietly agrees, even though he knows that the importance of the pieces is not to be downplayed. Suddenly, a pair of Shadaloo enforcers surround them, but Guile takes one out by blocking his attacks and Flash Kicking him, while Zangief only needs a Spinning Clothesline to knock out the other. As he does, Balrog comes out, with a young boy in a white hoodie following him.]

BALROG: Is their strength really being enhanced? They still look pretty damn weak!

[Zangief gets ready to fight, as Guile makes a taunting gesture. At this moment, another of the Dolls, this one a dark-skinned girl wielding a spear and with tribal paint on her face, jumps down to attack Guile.]

[They fight. In addition to Shadaloo training, the Vietnamese Santamu is also versed in jungle survival, and the weapon she carries gives her an edge. Guile, on his part, uses his own fighting techniques to good effect, and he uses his superior strength to push Santamu to her limit. Soon, she is on the ground.]

[She tries to force herself up as her pet monkey comes to perch itself upon her and growls at Guile to back off. With one last attack, she throws her spear, narrowly missing Guile, and runs off after it. The focus then shifts to Balrog and Zangief staring down each other.]

BALROG: You big meathead. Why don't you just drop dead!!

[He throws a punch square at the center of Zangief's chest, but the Russian wrestler does not even flinch.]

ZANGIEF: Hmmm... Mmm... Muscle!

[Zangief simply uses the power of his pecs to push Balrog back.]

ZANGIEF: It was nice try! Now it's my turn to strike back!

[Under the watch of the kid in white, they fight. It is a battle of pure brawn, as fists and muscles collide with tremendous force. While Balrog is a formidable fist-fighter and has the strength to back it up, Zangief, despite slightly less agile, is far more versatile, and he manages to gain the upper hand over the American boxer, who is pushed back further. The boy approaches Balrog.]

ED: I think this chump might have it.

BALROG: Huh? Is that your intuition again?

ED: Since you first found me, has my intuition ever been wrong even once?

BALROG: You better be right about this.

[He moves in for another punch, which Zangief again takes to his chest.]

ZANGIEF: Hrnnn... Muscle!

[Just as he is about to repel Balrog, the boy holds out his hand, on which the Shadaloo sigil glows with what appears to be Psycho Power. As the power surges, the piece comes out of hiding, from inside Zangief's chest hair.]

ZANGIEF: What the...?!

[Capitalizing on Zangief's distraction, Balrog decks him with a left hook as the piece floats straight into the boy's hand.]

BALROG: That ain't bad, kid.

ED: Hehe.

[He hands the piece over to Balrog, as Zangief recovers from the last punch. He and Guile try to charge after the two, but Santamu and a Shadaloo soldier block their way, allowing Balrog and his protégé to calmly leave. Needless to say, Guile is not happy at this turn of events.]

-- SCENE 3.5. SLEEPING LION -- [New York City is still in a state of chaos and disarray. There are still cars abandoned in traffic pileups throughout the streets. One of these, a trailer car, is being seen to by Alex, who has just finished repairing the suspension and walks over to close the hood. Just as he does, Dhalsim unexpectedly appears over it, scaring the American out of his wits.]

ALEX: Nuagh!

DHALSIM: I have something I need to ask you.

[Recovered from the initial shock, Alex scoffs at this polite request, the way a hot-blooded Manhattanite would do.]

ALEX: You a mugger? I heard it's happening a lot around the neighborhood recently.

DHALSIM: Hm?

[He notices Alex has entered his fighting stance.]

DHALSIM: Wait. Listen to me.

ALEX: You picked on the wrong guy.

[They fight. The powers that come form Dhalsim's mastery over yoga are clearly something new for a down-to-earth fighter like Alex, and he finds himself outmatched. However, if there is one thing that Alex is not known for, is giving up a fight. And so, in spite of the difficulty, he manages to use his raw power to trump the master of mystical arts.]

[With Dhalsim down for the count, Alex relaxes from his stance as he tries to continue what he was doing before, when the Indian mystic teleports before him, much to his astonishment before he resumes his fighting stance.]

ALEX: You still want to do this...!?

DHALSIM: Calm yourself down. I am truly not a mugger.

ALEX: What are ya?

DHALSIM: My apologies, but I would like to ask you to give that piece to me.

[Dhalsim looks over to the piece, visible through a window of Alex's trailer next to his fighting trophies. It is topped with a four-pronged crown.]

ALEX: Ah, that thing's not a big deal to me. You take it.

[He hands the piece to Dhalsim, after retrieving it from his trailer.]

DHALSIM: My thanks.

[Alex turns to leave, but Dhalsim stops him.]

DHALSIM: One last thing... Sometime in the future you might feel that you want to seek answers. When the time comes, you must turn your eyes to the world.

[He floats higher and teleports away, leaving a confused Alex behind.]

-- SCENE 3.6. WORTH SAVING -- [Back in Brazil, a seriously pained Decapre is hobbling downstairs towards the group of fighters gathered there, clutching her head as Psycho Power continues leaking from her.]

KEN: Isn't that woman...?

CHUN-LI: One of Bison's bodyguards. But something's wrong with her. Cammy, any idea?

[Cammy stares at her clone, trying to figure out the problem. She has mental images of Decapre in immense pain, as one of the Black Moons hovers ominously over her, draining her from her power. She is suddenly snapped out of this when Laura pipes up.]

LAURA: Well, isn't she an enemy? Then let me take care of her...

[Cammy runs to intercept Laura before she can do anything.]

CAMMY: No, don't! I'll fight her to be certain!

[They fight. While they share a genetic template and abilities, Decapre is a far more lethal fighter with her forearm blade. However, the physiological breakdown she is going through allows Cammy to subdue her without much trouble.]

[After a little while, Decapre faints. Cammy catches her and sets her down gently. Suddenly, a couple of police officers arrive in Sean's company, pointing their guns toward Decapre.]

POLICE OFFICER: Nobody move!

SEAN: Laura! I brought some backup!

POLICE OFFICER: She's the agent working for Shadaloo! We have the authority to arrest her!

[Cammy does not respond to the police's demands. She feels herself responsible for the Dolls, who like her were victims of Bison's dark powers, and so should have a second chance like Cammy herself had. As the cops are still at attention and ready to shoot at any false move, Ken tries to ease the tension.]

KEN: Take it easy! She's no longer a danger!

CHUN-LI: You don't have to worry, Cammy. We should turn her over to them for now.

[Cammy's gaze is still fixed on Decapre. She has a flashback of Decapre, as a child.]

CHILD CAMMY'S VOICE: Your big sister... Will help you...

[The image of the little girl is followed by the Black Moon closing in.]

DECAPRE: Help... you...

[Cammy snaps out of her daze upon hearing Decapre repeating the words she was told long ago.]

DECAPRE: Will help you... Big sister will...

[One of the officers grows impatient and approaches Cammy, cautiously.]

POLICE OFFICER: What are you doing? Give the girl to us, now!

[Unwilling to hand her "sister" over to a stranger, Cammy instinctively kicks the policeman, causing the other to fire in reaction.]

KEN: Don't do it!

[Luckily, no one is hit; Cammy had dodged fast enough to set Decapre down somewhere safe. She then stands up to face the officer in a fight.]

CAMMY: I am...!

[They fight. It is common knowledge that police officers receive basic combat training to survive in the streets, but Cammy, having spec ops training from both Shadaloo and Delta Red, is several levels above the common street ruffian, which shows when she completely outclasses the policeman and knocks him out with just a few strikes.]

[The other one raises his gun at Cammy, when suddenly he gets trampled by an ATV coming from an upper street at high speed. Its rider lets out a shrill, noticeably female, laugh, as the vehicle skids to a halt. Cammy soon recognizes the rider.]

CAMMY: What are you...!? Juri!!

JURI: Ahaha, looks like you're having fun. Get on board. You can pay me for this with that.

[Juri kicks the unconscious Decapre in the face, knocking her mask off.]

CAMMY: What are you...?!

CHUN-LI: Huh?!

JURI: Ehahaha! How sweet! The love between sisters turns them both into fugitives.

[Cammy has been put in a box, and she knows it. She doesn't like the idea of having to ally with a certified maniac and leave her friends behind. But the safety of her "sisters" is also a priority to her. Although she is sure she will kick herself over this later, she picks up Decapre and rides along with Juri. With a giggle, the madwoman speeds off.]

CHUN-LI: Cammy!

KEN: Damn it!

LAURA: Are you trying to follow them on foot? It's foolish to do that. The road is straight line from here. Besides...

[She turns towards the upper street, from which three more Shadaloo soldiers drop down.]

KEN: Again?! How do they keep coming?

[Chun-Li decides not to waste any more time.]

CHUN-LI: I have to... I have to head to the base now. Please hold them off.

KEN: Sure! Leave it to me!

[Ken quickly solves the matter, with a single Shinryuken that knocks out all three soldiers at once, giving Chun-Li enough time to run for it. From the roof of a house nearby, Vega stands watching them.]

VEGA: Humph. A flower trifling in the wind is so beautiful.

[He holds out a rose and, with a sleight of hand, sends its petals scattering in the wind.]

VEGA: I want to cut it down by my own hand.

-- SCENE 3.7. CROSSROADS -- [At the Shadaloo base - suggestively laid out in the shape of the winged skull sigil - Rashid, Azam and Nash are walking through a storage room just past the entrance.]

RASHID: I don't believe that I came back.

[As they come to an open hallway, Nash pauses briefly at the doorway, then heads the direction opposite to Rashid and Azam, into a nearby corridor. Rashid notices and follows after him.]

RASHID: Hey, wait, you! That's not the right way. We have to stop the Moons, so we have to find the control room!

NASH [not stopping]: I know that Bison must be in here. I will find him and kill him.

[Rashid decides to force Nash to stop and listen by blocking his way.]

RASHID: Come on, wait wait wait wait wait! I just learned Kanzuki and some other people are coming here soon. We all share the same goal to stop the Black Moons. If we all worked together, our chances would be even better. Right? If we could stop the Moons, Bison's power would also weaken. And you would be able to defeat him easier.

[Nash concedes that Rashid makes a compelling point, but is determined.]

NASH: I can't afford to waste time.

[He resumes walking, leaving Rashid behind.]

RASHID: Hey, don't just rush off! You could get killed... Oh...

[He realizes he said something he shouldn't as Nash stops, apparently with a nerve struck. Rashid then tries to get his foot off his mouth, knowing he would not want to be on Nash's bad side.]

RASHID: Look, I really don't know what happened to you, but if you want to get to Bison, you shouldn't abandon us.

NASH: What you're saying is right. But some things cannot be resolved by doing right.

[He walks off down the corridor. Rashid just sighs at Nash's stubbornness, before heading the other way to the control room. Azam gives one last glance at Nash before following his master.]

-- SCENE 3.8. ENTRUSTED -- [Further into the base, Rashid and Azam come across Karin's entourage, comprised of her, Shibasaki, Ibuki and Rainbow Mika.]

KARIN: Wonderful to see you again.

RASHID: So, Mr. Butler, did you already find the control room around here?

KARIN: Shibasaki is the head steward of the Kanzuki family. Of course he did.

[Rashid, showing little sense of personal space, comes over and slings his arm across Shibasaki's shoulder. As a good butler, Shibasaki remains unfazed.]

RASHID: Great! Then I suggest we should work together. And I'll forgive you for what happened in the past.

KARIN: Please do not touch my head steward. By the way, do you actually have the piece?

[Before Rashid can answer, a couple of soldiers comes to intercept the intruders.]

RASHID: Again?! These guys are getting on my nerves.

[Karin steps forward to fight them off. Notably, Rashid hasn't let go of Shibasaki.]

[Karin fights one of the soldiers. True to Balrog's words of them in India, these soldiers do not seem all too enhanced, as Karin manages to dispatch her opponent with relative ease, while Rashid, Rainbow Mika and Ibuki take care of the remaining ones.]

[Suddenly, an alarm blares throughout the base and blast doors start closing to trap the groups inside.]

RASHID: Damn!

[Noticing Mika and Ibuki distracted - especially as the former is throwing a victory pose -, Rashid pushes them to the other side of one such door.]

R.MIKA: Whoa!

[While Azam is farther behind holding up another door, Rashid looks at the two pieces he has and, thinking quickly, throws them to Karin just before the blast door between her group and him and Azam closes, separating them.]

RASHID [from the other side of the door]: Please keep an eye on them! I'm supposed to be responsible for their safekeeping! But there's no time! Can I trust you?

[Karin's group stops to ponder this, but ultimately she gives the final word.]

KARIN: Understood! I accept your request!

[They then run off to find another way out.]

-- SCENE 3.9. GETTING LOST -- [At another part of the base, Rainbow Mika and Ibuki are walking by themselves. Each is mad at the other.]

IBUKI: It's all your fault because you went the wrong way!!

R.MIKA: No, it's all YOUR fault! You're slow, so they decided to leave us behind!

[Ibuki turns around to ream on Rainbow Mika some more and show her who's boss, but suddenly she spots a Shadaloo soldier coming up behind the wrestler.]

IBUKI: Watch out!!

[The kunoichi jumps and throws a kunai at the soldier, stopping him dead on his tracks.]

IBUKI: Phew!

[Mika is clearly at a loss, as the ninja just stuck out her neck for her.]

R.MIKA: Uh... Thank you for that...

[Ibuki, too, is quite embarrassed, apparently thinking of how foolish they were acting with all their arguing. Then Mika spots Balrog passing by behind Ibuki, accompanied by the kid in white.]

R.MIKA: Hey!

[They now have the boxer's attention to them, and as Ibuki turns around to see him, she notices the horse-shaped piece in his hand.]

BALROG: Is this what you chumps are looking for? If you want it, come and get it!

IBUKI: I will!

[They fight. Balrog clearly shows no compunction at taking on a teenage girl with his full power, and so Ibuki finds herself in a pickle. It is one thing to fight a generic Shadaloo grunt, but facing one of the Four Kings is one of her toughest challenges yet. However, the ninjutsu skills she acquired over the course of her life, in spite of her lack of drive to train, end up serving her well, and so she manages to outsmart the ex- boxing champ and defeat him.]

[Still, Balrog isn't ready to go down yet. He quickly gets back up on his feet, to Ibuki's amazement.]

IBUKI: What? That didn't work?!

[Going on the offensive, Balrog goes in for the kill, and his punch connects...]

[...with Rainbow Mika, who used her face to shield Ibuki.]

IBUKI: Mika...!

[She uses her strength to push the American's fist back with only her head, opening a small gap between them.]

MIKA: Hehehe, don't worry. Compared to my special training, this is nothing! [flashes a thumbs-up] Now why don't you try me on for size!

[Balrog is more than happy to oblige and they enter fighting stances, as Ibuki turns around to deal with more Shadaloo soldiers come to corner them.]

[Despite having just been in a fight, Balrog shows no signs of weariness, and it shows in the agility and lethality he puts behind his punches. However, he does not seem to know that Rainbow Mika is a force to be reckoned with in her own right, and after a fierce duel, she has him on the ropes.]

[This still isn't enough to put Balrog down and out for good. Knowing this, Mika and Ibuki give each other a sign, and the wrestler rushes to grab the boxer by the waist.]

BALROG: Huh?!

ED: Tch!

IBUKI: Too late!

[The boy tries using his power to repel Mika, but Ibuki is faster and throws a smoke bomb at his feet, allowing her to nab the piece from Balrog and skeedaddle with her partner. They later manage to find Karin and Shibasaki.]

IBUKI: Ms. Kanzuki!!

-- SCENE 3.10. THE FLAME OF A SAGE -- [Outside the base, soldiers run out to confront Chun-Li. Even knowing she is outnumbered, she prepares to fight them, when Dhalsim teleports in next to her and knocks them all down with one elastified kick.]

CHUN-LI: Dhalsim!

DHALSIM: Sorry I'm a bit late.

[More soldiers zero in on them.]

DHALSIM: I'll take care of them.

[He hands Chun-Li the piece Alex had given him.]

CHUN-LI: Thank you.

[She then runs into the base, leaving Dhalsim to face off against the wave of enemies coming to him. He sits in lotus position, focuses his power, and unleashes a massive Yoga Inferno against the soldiers.]

-- SCENE 3.11. CHANCE MEETING -- [Inside the base, Chun-Li is making her way to the control room, when the voice of a little girl stops her.]

LI-FEN: You are one of the people who has the Merope...

[Chun-Li turns towards the little Chinese girl. She seems to recognize her.]

CHUN-LI: Aren't you...?

[The girl shows her datapad to Chun-Li. The equipment displays information on herself, along with the star-shaped piece Cammy had delivered to her. The Interpol agent quickly realizes what this means.]

CHUN-LI: So, Shadaloo was using hackers to track all of the pieces down. We'll save the conversation for later. We have to get out of here now.

LI-FEN: There's someone... I mean... I still have to look for the usher.

CHUN-LI: The usher?

LI-FEN: I still have something I have to do. So that means I can't escape from here yet.

[The little girl clutches the datapad against her chest and runs off.]

CHUN-LI: That girl... What is she doing?

-- SCENE 3.12. STOPPING THE MOON -- [Karin enters the control room by blowing down the door to it. Just as soon, she sees Chun-Li coming in from another corridor much in the same way.]

KARIN: Oh my!

[They reconvene by the mainframe that controls the Black Moons.]

CHUN-LI: I guess we both made it here with perfect timing.

KARIN: Ahaha, now we have all six of them.

[Chun-Li gives her piece to Karin, who shows the other five in her hands - even though one of these should be with Chun-Li as it was given by Laura.]

CHUN-LI: After we set up these pieces, we'll be able to stop the Black Moons.

[She heads toward the mainframe to start working on it, but a voice stops her and Karin in their tracks.]

F.A.N.G: More intruders have broken into my very important control room...!

[They turn to see the Chinese assassin standing by the doorway through which Karin came.]

F.A.N.G: What are you all doing in heeeere???!

KARIN: I'll take care of this. You must be exhausted after your trip.

[She gives the other pieces to Chun-Li and turns to battle F.A.N.G.]

F.A.N.G: How dare you try to interrupt Operation C.H.A.I.N.S. that I dedicated to Lord Bison... I won't let either of you leave here alive!

[They fight. While F.A.N.G is a very dangerous man and devoted enough to Shadaloo's cause to fight for it until his last breath, Karin proves once again that her style is tailored to battle any kind of adversary, and soon he is defeated.]

[F.A.N.G tries to get back up and panics as he sees Chun-Li setting the final piece on the machine.]

CHUN-LI: This is it!

[She hits a key on the keyboard and a light scans the pieces. On the screen above the terminal, one of the Black Moons is displayed, along with several other info and schematics on Operation C.H.A.I.N.S., while a PSA meter on the upper left corner starts filling. Chun-Li steps back, hopeful that this new WMD will be stopped. A little while after it is full, an error message pops up on the screen, indicating the operation was aborted.]

CHUN-LI [relieved]: It stopped...

KARIN: We were successful!

[Back on his feet, F.A.N.G is utterly annoyed at this development and throws toxic fumes in the ladies' direction.]

F.A.N.G: I'll show all of them... One last trick up my sleeve!

[With Chun-Li and Karin having to shield themselves from the fumes, he runs off, disappearing into the purple mist. As they try to make sense about where he went, the floor at the center of the room starts opening up.]

KARIN: Huh?

[There is an intense heat release as light pours out from the reactor beneath.]

CHUN-LI: Then this is...

VOICE: Their main headquarters.

[The male voice comes from behind Chun-Li and Karin, who turn and see Abel, dressed like a Shadaloo shock trooper, except he is wearing his black belt and shin pads and is barefoot.]

CHUN-LI: You were the one who was operating undercover, Abel? I see.

[Abel gives a curt nod to reassure them. Just then, a screen with rapidly scrolling command lines pops up in the terminal's monitor. The beeping sound from the program draws the fighters' attention, as another command prompt window appears on the screen.]

ABEL: Someone is trying to hack into the control room.

[More windows pop up, one after another, as they watch.]

=
============================= ACT 4. DETERMINATION

=
============================= SCENE 4.1. TREMBLING FINGERS -- [In another room, F.A.N.G addresses someone who is sitting on a chair. The camera does not show the person, but by the voice we can tell it is the little Chinese girl from before. She seems to be struggling with whatever she is doing. He walks up to her, threateningly.]

F.A.N.G: Execute that program right now, or else!

LI-FEN: But... But if I...

[He puts up his poison-soaked hand, pointing it at her face, to shut her up.]

F.A.N.G: Do you think I'm a complete fool who didn't realize you were sniffing around for the ones who had the control keys? Tell me... Do you want me to melt you down like I did to that other programmer?

[He moves his hand around just to bully her.]

F.A.N.G: Yes... The "Descent Program". With this, nobody will be able to stop it from happening.

[The camera zooms in on the girl's hands. She is the one who is typing the program code in her datapad, appearing quite frightened. Indifferent to this, F.A.N.G starts singing and dancing around the room, in maniacal euphoria.]

F.A.N.G: This is so perfect! This is so perfect! Operation C.H.A.I.N.S. is indestructible! All the power from fear, despair, and hatred will be given to Lord Bison! Lord Bison will be the one to rule the world! Nihahahahahahaha!!

[The girl continues typing, growing more and more terrified.]

-- SCENE 4.2. DESCENT PROGRAM -- [A shot of a Black Moon drifting in space is followed by the radar in the US Army bunker, where one of the blips representing the Black Moons lights up. The comms officers give their CO an update.]

COMMS OFFICER 1: The Black Moons had stopped, but now they rebooted!

GEN. TAYLOR: What did you say?

COMMS OFFICER 1: "Descent Program"... It must've been activated!

COMMS OFFICER 2: Data's coming in! If the Black Moons drop to the surface, the resulting explosion will completely destroy everything within 10 kilometers.

[The radar simulates the impact areas, much wider than just 10 kilometers, all centered in key areas around the world: the general areas of London, Moscow, Calcutta, Beijing and Tokyo, plus two that were meant to be New York and Rio, but are off by a few miles (they seem to be centered around Quebec and Belo Horizonte, respectively). The general looks on with a grim expression.]

COMMS OFFICER 2: This monitor shows the time until the Moons drop.

[A timer pops up over the map. It gives a time limit of 24 hours and counting down.]

GEN. TAYLOR: Contact all departments!

-- SCENE 4.3. CARELESS -- [Back at the Shadaloo base, all the pop-up windows close, and the computer returns to the Black Moons' status reports. The timer for Descent Program pops up, also counting down from 24 hours.]

CHUN-LI: What's the Descent Program?

ABEL: They were hiding this as a backup plan!

KARIN: Each moon will directly impact on their city. This isn't good.

[Looking down into the underground control room, Chun-Li walks up to the edge of the catwalk to take a better look. What she sees stuns her.]

CHUN-LI: It can't be!

[She sees F.A.N.G threatening the little girl into compliance. A grunt from Abel diverts her attention. He is wincing, reeling in immense pain, as Psycho Power starts oozing from his body.]

ABEL: My head is...!

CHUN-LI: Is this... Psycho Power?!

[She runs to help him out, but he holds out a hand to stop her, knowing the danger behind this.]

ABEL: Stay away... from me! This isn't... good!

[Writhing in agony, he lets loose a burst of the purple energy around him.]

-- SCENE 4.4. KING OF SHADOWS -- [In the underground control room, Bison can be seen floating above the pod where the Chinese girl is. F.A.N.G is beside himself in joy.]

F.A.N.G: Operation C.H.A.I.N.S. is a complete success! The Black Moons will fall onto every target city, and the world will become a whirlwind of chaos! Mankind will tremble with fear and despair, and the world will be in flames. The negative energy from all around the world will nourish Lord Bison! Yes!! The entire world will be in Lord Bison's hands!

BISON: Hmph. I'm beyond that.

NASH: Then I'll finish you here.

[From a vantage point high above the room, Nash jumps down to strike Bison from behind with a Sonic Hurricane, but Bison does not even seem to react, even being struck in the back at point-blank range. Nash tries to pour out all his power, but Bison simply swats him away without even turning around, launching him down to the floor, where Nash manages to land on three points. Bison deigns himself to float down to ground level and ensure a man that he had seen die before is turned back to the pearly gates.]

BISON: Well, I've never expected that your lost soul would stumble its way back to me.

[Nash stands up and turns to face Bison, angry like never before.]

NASH: I will... kill you!

BISON: It looks like you want to die.

[They fight. Wielding a power beyond his comprehension, and driven by his boundless desire for revenge, Nash throws himself at Bison with all he has. The evil leader of Shadaloo, however, is also greatly strenghtened by the influence of the Black Moons and makes it seem quite easy. This, compounded with the sheer power Nash wasted with his fruitless earlier attack, contributes to his loss at the dictator's hands.]

NASH: Not yet!

[He launches himself to strike Bison one more time, but Bison simply raises his force field to repel him.]

BISON: Idiot! Do you think the fist of someone like you, whose life has already expired, can even reach me?

[With a blast of Psycho Power, Nash is launched away heavily. Meanwhile, a dark liquid starts to drip near Bison, followed by a primal roar as yet another intruder drops into the control room. It is the same mysterious warrior who fought Ryu and Dhalsim in India, who looks up to face Bison as the goop swirls about his feet.]

NECALLI: That power-er-er!

[As Bison busies himself with this new interloper, Nash takes advantage of this fortuitous distraction to retreat.]

BISON: Hehehe, I've been waiting for you.

[F.A.N.G presents himself to deal with the intruder, but Bison stops him, wishing to do this himself again.]

BISON: Everything is going according to plan!

[He fights the warrior. With the supernatural powers he wields and the relentless ferocity of his attacks, this warrior should be more than a match for Bison. The villain's power, however, has far transcended any known limits, as becomes apparent when he is eventually able to gain the upper hand and narrowly defeat the warrior.]

[The warrior, apparently inert at first, opens up his eyes and gets back on his feet.]

F.A.N.G: How dare youuuu!!

[The assassin rushes in to attack, but the warrior takes a large leap backwards and slinks into the shadows. Bison simply observes, amused.]

-- SCENE 4.5. WORRIED ABOUT A FRIEND -- [Rashid and Azam are running through the corridors in an attempt to make their way out, when they come across a wounded Nash and stop to help him.]

RASHID: Oh! Good sir! [he approaches Nash] Whoa. That looks painful. Umm, can you stand?

[Nash struggles to his feet.]

RASHID: What happened? Were you able to defeat Bison?

NASH [glumly]: I couldn't kill him.

RASHID: Oh. I see.

[An alarm starts to ring out.]

RASHID: I guess they still haven't finished the job. Damn it! I still wasn't able to find my friend, yet.

[Nash turns to Rashid out of curiosity. Acknowledging this, Rashid starts telling his story.]

RASHID: An old friend. This friend was a bit of a bonehead since we were kids. Also made games, and one became a big hit. After that, a lot of companies were making job offers. [Nash grows more intrigued as Rashid continues] My friend was hesitating to make a decision, but then suddenly decided to work a company that was under Shadaloo! Probably was tricked into it. After all, how else could anyone ever end up making the Black Moons. [pause] My friend has been making mistakes for what seems like forever. And every time I got the same call for help: "My friend Rashid, please save my life", or something like that. So I helped. But never once did I get a single "thank you". What a friend. [He sighs in worry] This time I think it's very serious.

NASH: Then, I assume you will continue looking?

[Taken by surprise at this sudden display of empathy, Rashid is at a loss.]

RASHID: Good sir...

[A low growl nearby, however, alerts all three men. The warrior who had just fought Bison has found them.]

-- SCENE 4.6. ESCAPING SHADALOO -- [Out at the base's main entrance, Rainbow Mika and Ibuki are still mowing down Shadaloo troopers.]

R.MIKA: Urgh! How many more of them do we have to fight?!

[Chun-Li and Karin then come running out; the latter, wearing a headset. They both dodge a pile of crates on their way.]

IBUKI: Ms. Chun-Li! Ms. Kanzuki!

[She then notices someone else coming their way.]

IBUKI: Uh, is that...?

[The ominous purple glow gives Abel away as he barrels through the crates and runs at the women with an angry look in his eyes. It can be safely inferred that he has been chasing them from the control room. Still, they remain calm, especially Karin, who smiles as she has her headset on.]

ZANGIEF: Irooooon...!!

[The Red Cyclone comes crashing down like a meteor, quickly flexing his muscles and sending Abel tumbling off course.]

ZANGIEF: ...Muscle!!!

CHUN-LI: Zangief!

[Rainbow Mika is simply exultant; Ibuki, embarrassed at her enthusiasm.]

R.MIKA: He's just so cool!

IBUKI: Are you ki... Huh? Owaaaah!

[The reason why the kunoichi stops herself is when she spots a large helicopter landing near them. A closer watch shows the emblem of the Kanzuki family painted on its side.]

KARIN: Impeccable timing.

[We see that Shibasaki and Guile are the ones piloting the craft as it lands.]

KARIN: They are here to pick us up. Everybody get on board. We must leave this place quickly. Go on, Ibuki, please.

IBUKI: Umm, thank you very much.

ABEL: Ahah...

[The Frenchman has struggled to his feet and is facing Zangief. One more thing to take care of before they can leave.]

CHUN-LI: He's not in his right mind. We have to snap him out of it!

ZANGIEF: Hmm! Well, then...! Abel! Why don't you throw all your aggressions at me? I'll take everything that you have with my muscles!

[To make his point, he flexes so hard that his sweat turns to steam.]

R.MIKA: So cool! Master Zangief!!

IBUKI: Iya, iya, iya! [No, no, no!]

[Abel charges at Zangief and tackles him. The Russian soaks up the impact, without any ill effects.]

ZANGIEF: That was nice charge. [loudly] However, you need to develop a lot more muscle power!!

[He picks Abel up and Spinning Piledrives him into the ground, getting him unconscious and causing the Psycho Power around him to dissipate. Zangief flexes some more in triumph, letting more steam out.]

R.MIKA: Gorgeous! I love it!

[If Ibuki weren't wearing a mask, her jaw would be a few inches below the ground at this display of raw strength.]

SHIBASAKI [over Karin's headset]: Miss Karin, it's time.

KARIN: I understand. Everyone, hurry!

[Zangief picks up Abel's unconscious form and carries him on his shoulder.]

ZANGIEF: Hmm, understood. We go now!

IBUKI: ...Uh, yes!

R.MIKA: Roger, sir!

[The three of them head into the helicopter as its engines are revved up again.]

IBUKI: Uoh! Hey, don't push me!

[Just as Chun-Li and Karin are about to get inside themselves, they stop.]

KARIN: Something's wrong.

[Of course, there was still the matter of those unaccounted for, and it's about this time that Rashid, Azam and Nash come running out of the base, drawing Guile's attention from the cockpit as he starts maneuvering. Coming after them, the long-haired warrior, roaring furiously and gaining on the wounded Nash.]

SHIBASAKI [over Karin's headset]: Please, Miss Karin!

[The side door of the helicopter is opened.]

CHUN-LI: Time to go!

[The head of the Kanzuki family, who was watching this development, hurries into the helicopter as it maneuvers in a position where Rashid is able to jump in.]

RASHID: Phew! That was a close call.

[Only then he notices he is in an unfortunate position, staring right into Ibuki's hemline. He quickly stands up to apologize and dodges out of her way.]

RASHID: Oh, please excuse me.

IBUKI: Hey! That's my space!

[Azam then hops aboard. Only Nash is left to escape, and he manages to grab onto the helicopter's hatch just as it is taking off. Even so, he does not feel he will make it: if he doesn't lose his grip due to being weakened, the savage down there might just leap up and catch him. He sees himself between a rock and a hard place.]

GUILE: Grab on!!

[Nash looks up and sees his old USAF buddy holding out his hand to pick him up. Nash briefly ponders, looking at his free hand and the grey skin tissue covering it, but ultimately decides that, for vengeance or otherwise, dying there wouldn't help. So he takes Guile's hand and gets pulled aboard. The helicopter then leaves the base, leaving the warrior to angrily howl into the heavens.]

-- SCENE 4.7. END OF THE ESCAPE -- [A motor-powered vehicle crashes into a train station in London through a high window. It is Juri's ATV, on which she and Cammy somehow managed to cross the Atlantic Ocean, which drifts to a halt on a platform.]

JURI: Haaah, I think we finally lost them.

[Cammy looks around the place, still rather uncomfortable at teaming up with a lunatic. Decapre starts regaining consciousness. The Doll glares at Cammy and tackles her into the ground, in a fit of psychopathic rage. Cammy tries her best to keep Decapre at bay, while Juri just watches, mildly amused.]

JURI: My oh my. And you're the one who gave up everything to save her.

[Decapre wails as she tries to strangle Cammy.]

CAMMY: Ugh! Just stop it!

[They roll on the ground some more and Decapre starts punching Cammy in the face.]

JURI: Hah! Looks like she'll never be cured. Why don't you just kill her already?

[Decapre draws out her wrist blade, but Cammy pushes it away and decks her with a good punch to the face, knocking her lights out. Juri laughs maniacally at the scene.]

JURI: Ehehehehe! Uhahahaha! Way to go!

[She gives a malevolent smirk, until she notices some movement overhead. Looking up at the window she broke to get into the station, she sees Vega. He jumps down, and Cammy enters her fighting position. However, his attention is turned toward the fallen Decapre. He starts to laugh sarcastically, as Cammy tries to keep her nerves about her.]

VEGA: She may be an ugly Doll... but she must surely have a role to play.

[He starts attacking Cammy, who dodges his moves to the best of her ability, without however finding a breach to counterattack. They soon are back where they began.]

VEGA: Beauty that is born from conflict with past memories... I thought such things had been lost.

[He licks his claws as Cammy cartwheels away, opening a gap between them.]

VEGA: This new beauty... Show it to me now!

[He puts on his mask, and so they fight. Being on par in speed and swiftness, the battle is a tough one, but Cammy is too preoccupied with Decapre to properly concentrate, allowing Vega to find openings and prevail over her.]

[Cammy struggles to get up, but cannot even get to her knees before she falls on her face.]

VEGA: That's it! I want to see everything!

[He approaches her still form and picks up one of her braids with his claws. Before he can do anything to Cammy, the Spaniard has to dodge a kick from Juri.]

JURI: Eh ha ha! This pervert is giving off a real good vibe! Hey, perv... I was the one who picked her up first, so that makes her mine. Why don't you go play somewhere else?

VEGA [picking himself up]: You lack delicacy.

JURI: Eh ha ha! You're the one who lacks delicacy. [mockingly] So go back home and then cry in your pillow... [threateningly] Time for fun.

[They fight. Now there are two opponents matched in both speed and brutality, who could settle for no less than the other's death. Being the more rested of the two, though, Juri is able to work around Vega's range - enhanced by his claws - and best him in battle.]

JURI: See ya, perv!

[She tries one final kick, but Vega dodges it just in time, jumping to a clock and then off it, landing next to Decapre.]

JURI: Crap. I guess I didn't kill him.

[Cammy gets up.]

JURI: You woke up already?

[The Brit notes Decapre lying at Vega's feet. Reacting quickly, she rushes to Vega and kicks him on the chin, sending the mask flying off his face as he retreats to a safer position. He eyes Cammy on an offensive position, and then Decapre just behind her.]

VEGA: Huh. I see.

[He leaps back up to the window he came in through.]

VEGA: I'll leave... for now.

[And so he does. Juri's cell phone then starts ringing, and she takes it out to see.]

JURI: What now?... Oh. It's her.

-- SCENE 4.8. THE POWER OF THE DEAD -- [At the Kanzuki household, the parties assembled to raid the Shadaloo base have reconvened.]

KARIN: We came back here for now to regroup, but we will be going back to the Shadaloo base as soon as we rethink our strategy. We must stop them from dropping the Moons.

RASHID: We're going back to our own hideout now. It seems Helen already has new information.

[Just then they hear Abel roaring in rage, followed by Nash and Guile being pushed into the dining hall through the thrown open doors. As Abel steps out, still giving off Psycho Power, the two USAF officers tackle him. The mercenary, however, uses his sheer brute force to throw them flat on their backs. He advances slowly and menacingly, when Guile stands up for another go.]

GUILE: No more!

[He throws a powerful Sonic Boom at Abel, who just tanks it. Guile then goes in for a tackle.]

GUILE: Charlie!

[Taking the cue, Nash gets up and starts concentrating his mysterious power, as the others watch apprehensively. The gemstone on his forehead starts glowing in blue, and when he feels he has accumulated enough power, he dashes toward Abel.]

NASH: Here!

[He puts his hand on Abel's head, and starts to use his power to drain the Psycho Power from him. As Abel struggles, Nash realizes there is too much of this power within the French fighter.]

NASH: Not yet!

[He uses both hands and starts draining the purple energy from Abel at a faster, more intense rate. Overwhelmed by the torrent of power washing his mind clean, Abel stops resisting and eventually falls to all fours, while Nash sinks to one knee, exhausted. Chun-Li comes to tend to Abel.]

CHUN-LI: You OK? Do you know who I am?

ABEL: Uggggckkk... uggckkk. Oui.

[Nash stands up, having caught his breath.]

ABEL [turns to Nash]: You're the one... who stopped my madness. Merci beaucoup.

[Not being one for many words anymore, Nash turns to leave. He is only stopped by Guile's voice.]

GUILE: Charlie...

[He takes something out and throws to him.]

GUILE: You forgot this.

[Nash looks and sees it is his dogtag, which Guile had kept with him all this time. He silently acknowledges this and leaves, followed by Rashid and Azam. Abel the realizes something as he is going.]

ABEL: Nash?... Huh?

[He appears to wonder, isn't that the man who saved his life years ago?]

-- SCENE 4.9. PREPARATIONS -- RASHID: I really understand how you feel, but Helen might have some new information to share with us.

[He opens the door to the Russian pub and he, Azam and Nash enter. Juri is already there, as is Cammy. Helen then comes in.]

HELEN: I see everybody's here.

JURI: So, you said there's a way to stop the Moons.

HELEN [perky]: Yes, that is true! I have found a solution!

RASHID: So there is a way.

HELEN: Yes... but it depends on you.

[She holds up Rashid's cell phone to him, and a voice message starts playing.]

LI-FEN'S VOICE: To the friend of that person. The usher. I found a command... "Light up the pathway for those who stray. I call... thy name". [Rashid gets more and more serious as the message continues.] If we decipher this, we can stop the Moons. I have skills... like, I know how to read and write programs... but I can't read hearts. But you... who are the friend of that person... you can.

[The message ends. Rashid looks uncharacteristically grim.]

RASHID: A command.

HELEN: It seems like a code. I assume you can decipher it?

RASHID: ...Yes. [takes his cell phone back.]

HELEN: I'm impressed with Rashid of the Turbulent Wind! I thank the developer of the Black Moons... and your friendship with her. It's kismet! If the command is activated, Shadaloo's plan will come to naught. Eheh. I'm very excited!! [she turns to Nash] Of course, you will finally get to kill Bison.

[Nash shakes his head glumly.]

NASH: I can only do what is in my ability to do. But I'm afraid that I won't be able to end Bison's life.

HELEN: Tsk. Don't say things like that.

NASH: I don't have the strength to do that. However, maybe they do...

[This is obviously not what Helen wants to hear, as she angrily barks at him.]

HELEN: DON'T SAY THAT! Don't you know how much I had to sacrifice just to bring you back to life!? What do you mean you can't win!? You ARE supposed to win! If you win, with the power given from my Lord, then the prophecy...

NASH [interrupting]: But I'm already dead. For dead men time will stand still... but Bison's Psycho Power keeps growing and evolving. Whereas I have...

HELEN [quietly]: Did you get frightened and decide to chicken out? [back to normal, but still upset] All right, I'll tell you something. Your time is short, just for a limited period by the grace of my Lord. Hah! Don't tell me you actually thought you would live forever? Before too long your body will fall into decay. There is no next time for a filthy dead man like you!

NASH: I know that already.

HELEN [completely stunned]: What did you say?

NASH: I know I don't have much time, so I have to do what I have to.

[He turns and leaves the bar. Helen feels confused and outraged, while Rashid runs to catch up with him.]

RASHID: Hey, wait up!

[She throws one last scoff at Nash as Rashid and Azam follow him outside.]

-- SCENE 4.10. CONSUMING DARKNESS -- [At the Kanzuki estate, butterflies of light flutter about, while the black liquid starts dripping on the roof of the house, heralding the coming of the warrior of legend, who lands with a crash as usual. Opposite him is Ryu.]

RYU: I have waited... and you have come.

NECALLI: Grrrraarrrerrrrwerrrr!

RYU: Finally...!

[As Ryu assumes a defensive stance, the warrior charges him with a leap, crushing the roof tiles where Ryu was standing before he leapt out of the way. They trade blows in mid-air, until the warrior counters one of Ryu's moves and sends him to the deck below. They then ready themselves to face off one another.]

[They fight. This mysterious warrior unleashes his full power to take on Ryu, fully intent on feasting on his soul, made more powerful thanks to the influence of the Satsui no Hado. The karateka, however, rises to the challenge with a more cleansed mind and, while he intends to fight to his full force, he is resolute in not relying on the destructive desires hidden in the darkest corners of his mind. It is a long, tough battle, with neither the legendary warrior nor the everlasting vagabond being able to gain an edge over one another, but ultimately, Ryu's skill and determination allow him to best the ancient fighter's raw battle instincts.]

[The warrior falls to his face, but picks himself up for another attack. With a sound mind, Ryu effortlessly dodges. He then enters the Ansatsuken meditation stance and, as the warrior watches, a calming power starts swirling about him, bringing out the Satsui no Hado. Nevertheless, Ryu keeps his wits about him, not breaking his concentration for even one moment, as small electric bolts start sparking around him. Amidst the slow-falling sakura petals of spring, Ryu's own power slowly overcomes the darkness in his fists, eventually purging out the Satsui no Hado completely.]

[Impatient, the warrior launches another attack. Just then, Ryu opens his eyes and concentrates his new-found power on his fist, striking the warrior of legend before he can make contact with Gouken's pupil. The warrior is completely astounded when this happens, as one of the mystical butterflies flutters out from the point where Ryu's fist connected with his torso. Depowered, the warrior falls to his knees and starts melting into the puddle of black goo, but he soon stands up again to face Ryu, utterly bewildered.]

NECALLI: Why couldn't I devour his soul like the others...?

[Dhalsim teleports in behind the warrior.]

DHALSIM: You must go. His soul is no longer a sacrifice for you to devour.

[The warrior does that, sinking into his ominous liquid form and seeping away through the gaps of the wooden floor boards. As Ryu watches him leave, someone calls out to him.]

CHUN-LI: Ryu!

[She and Ken run out of the house to talk to him. Ken gives his best friend a satisfied smile. Ryu replies with a confident nod. Finally, Chun-Li sighs in relief.]

KARIN [coming out of the house]: Now everybody is here. Well then, we're going back to the Shadaloo base.

CHUN-LI: Nash and Rashid?

KARIN: I just received a report. They believe they found a way to stop the Moons.

KEN: That's amazing. Then let's leave it to them to stop the Moons. We'll go there to defeat Bison!

[Chun-Li nods in approval.]

RYU: I'm going with you.

KARIN: You certainly made us wait for a long time.

KEN: Then I'm sure you'll work twice as hard, right?

[Ryu smiles to his friend in agreement.]

CHUN-LI: We'll all work hard!

[She holds out her hand to shake Ryu's, in which she is retributed in kind. Ken then places his hand over theirs, followed by Dhalsim and Karin, in a sign of union.]

=
============================= ACT 5. FIGHT TO THE FINISH

=
============================= SCENE 5.1. IMMINENT DANGER -- [At the US Army base, the radar shows one of the Black Moons passing over the US East Coast, with five jet fighters set to intercept it over central Massachusetts. The general watches in attention as the jets converge on the point of impact and vanish from the radar all at once along with the Black Moon. However, the Moon's blip comes back onscreen and continues its southwest-bound course, implying that it obliterated the jets sent to destroy it.]

COMMS OFFICER 1: The Black Moon... It's still intact!

COMMS OFFICER 2: All our attempts have been ineffective.

GEN. TAYLOR: What's the current evacuation status?

COMMS OFFICER 1: People in all the cities are panicking. Not even 50% have evacuated!!

[The general sits on his chair, grimly watching the situation.]

-- SCENE 5.2. THE PROPHECY -- [Half a world away, Moscow is burning. Its people scream in despair over the imminent end of things. Watching the destruction at the outskirts of the city, Helen opens a book and reads a passage from it.]

HELEN: "After 130 days of silence, a blond-haired child appeared who was equally filled with fire and water. That child listened to the wishes of those people, who had true compassion."

[She closes the book, which has the word "Testament" written on its spine, and wipes two melting snowflakes off its back cover. She clutches it to her chest in prayer.]

HELEN: Almost there... We are almost there...

[Urien approaches her, surveying the damage to the city below. Helen turns, startled at first, to address him.]

HELEN: Welcome, Lord Urien.

URIEN: I heard about a fool who was bitten by her own dog.

[Helen knows what he means by this and, in spite of her worries, keeps her composure.]

HELEN: It is... not done yet, my Lord.

URIEN: Humph! I'll be waiting for your good news.

[He leaves. Helen takes a deep breath, as the scene pans behind her to show the ruined capital of Russia, lit with fire and obscured with smoke under the vigil of St. Basil's Cathedral.]

-- SCENE 5.3. MORE IMPROVEMENTS -- [At the Shadaloo control room, the Chinese girl keeps working against her will as F.A.N.G paces about singing and dancing, while at the same time keeping an eye on her. Vega is also there, witnessing Bison siphon more and more Psycho Power and growing more powerful by the minute.]

-- SCENE 5.4. UNTIL THE MOON IS STOPPED -- [At the Shadaloo base, Rashid and Nash are hiding from the searchlights in a dark corner as they formulate a plan.]

RASHID: You're gonna wait until I stop the Moons. OK?

[Nash does not seem to answer, confusing Rashid.]

-- SCENE 5.5. LANDING, KANZUKI STYLE -- [Three Kanzuki choppers approach the base, dodging anti-air fire. In one of them, Ibuki opens the side door and looks out to the ground below.]

IBUKI: Hey! Are we gonna jump from way up here?!

[Birdie comes out to take a look, and panics like the kunoichi.]

BIRDIE: What?! Are you guys serious?!

[The helicopters keep strafing to avoid the base's anti-air battery.]

LAURA: Well, we better prepare to die.

ZANGIEF: But if you have muscle, is no problem.

R.MIKA: You are right, sir!

LAURA: Eh... haha!

[The fighters, then, jump off the helicopter one by one: first Karin, then Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, Zangief, Rainbow Mika, Laura and Guile. There are still those too frightened to jump out, however.]

IBUKI [still in the helicopter]: Hey! How could you guys just leave me?!

BIRDIE [to someone inside the chopper]: Wait! Wait! Don't push me!

[Ibuki decides to damn self-preservation to hell and jumps out with a yell. As Birdie is still making up his mind, Dhalsim's elastified arm shoots out from inside the aircraft to literally give him a little push. The yoga master is the last one to leave; being able to float and teleport, he takes the less painful way down.]

-- SCENE 5.6. CONFLICT IN SHADALOO -- [On the ground, the Shadaloo troopers guarding the base are fighting poorly-textured ninjas, while the fighters start making short work of them as well, such as Zangief, who takes two of them down with a single Spinning Clothesline. A third one races to tackle him, but Rainbow Mika smacks him down butt-first. She then assumes an offensive position.]

ZANGIEF: Hmmm! I see that your skills have improved very much!!

[In spite of the moment, hearing this is all Rainbow Mika wants.]

R.MIKA: Thanks!

[Ibuki watches them, still befuddled at her partner's borderline crush on the husky wrestler.]

[In the meantime, Karin and Chun-Li are fighting more soldiers.]

KARIN: My team will handle this!

CHUN-LI: Thank you!

[The Chinese Interpol agent starts towards the base, when she notices all the Dolls - sans Juni, who had been healed of her brainwashing, and Decapre, who is under Cammy's care - assembled at the roof, as well as the negative energy they give off.]

CHUN-LI: Again... Psycho Power!

[They leap down to attack the intruders.]

ENERO: Take this!

[Karin blocks the Spanish doll's attack and repels her, entering her combat stance.]

KARIN [to Chun-Li]: Best of luck.

CHUN-LI: Same to all of you!

[She kicks down a Shadaloo grunt and races toward the base's entrance. Noticing this, Enero tries to give chase, but Karin gets in her way again.]

KARIN: It's been decided that I shall be your opponent today. You should feel honored!

[In response, Enero enters her combat stance as well.]

[Guile and Ryu are taking care of some more grunts, when Chun-Li meets up with them and gives them the go ahead to enter the base. Guile still has time to backhand one soldier before following her.]

-- SCENE 5.7. IRON MUSCLE -- [Nearby, the kunoichi of the Dolls, Satsuki, brandishes her ninjato toward Zangief, who simply analyzes her.]

ZANGIEF: Oh! You guard with great stance!

SATSUKI: Begin!

[She rushes to cut Zangief down, to which the girls nearby alert him.]

IBUKI: Watch out!

R.MIKA: Master Zangief!

[Satsuki leaps up and brings her blade down on the wrestler, who takes it with his guard wide open. The girls wince, but Satsuki's blade is blocked somehow. To her disbelief, she was unable to even dent Zangief's flesh. He accumulates power in his pecs and hardens them enough to break the ninjato. And the crowd goes wild.]

IBUKI: Whaaaat?!

R.MIKA: That's incredible! Totally awesome!

SATSUKI: Murasame...

[Insulted that her blade has been broken, the ninja Doll angrily plants it on the floor next to her as Zangief gloats and flexes.]

ZANGIEF: Eeeyaaahaha! Muscle is stronger than blade!

[She enters a combat stance, grabbing her other ninjato.]

ZANGIEF: Hmmmhmmmhmmm. Now is my turn!

[He steps forward threateningly and they fight. Personally, I think Ibuki should be fighting her - kunoichi vs. kunoichi, you know - but OK. Let us continue. Satsuki is a nimble and precise fighter, but seeing as using weapons would be useless against this man, she decides to face him bare- handed, only occasionally using her other blade. Which proves not to be a smart decision, as Zangief's steely musculature allows him to tank everything she throws at him and then some. When he takes the initiative, he simply tosses her around like a rag doll - no pun intended. In a few moments, the duel is over.]

[He makes victory poses as Mika fawns over him, to Ibuki's continued confusion.]

-- SCENE 5.8. THE FILTHY AND THE FAIR -- [Nearby...]

FÉVRIER: Now die, you fat pig!

[She angrily starts shooting her gun at Birdie, who simply uses the chains around his wrists to black the bullets. He is unscathed, but still feels the stinging pain on his forearms.]

BIRDIE: Heh heh!... Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow... It's cheating, to use a weapon! Hey, why don't you fight fair?!!

FÉVRIER: Hmph! Then what's that chain, you big fat sack of merde?!!

[She points her gun at Birdie again and they fight. Obviously, bringing a gun to a fist-fight is major-grade cheating, but this is Shadaloo we're talking about. Plus, Février is so offended at Birdie's repulsive figure - that, or the fact that he is a defector, we may not know for sure - she may as well afford to waste as many bullets as she can. But as a streetwise, tough punk, Birdie should know how to take care of armed opponents. His chain may be a weapon, too, but it is meant for physical contact, so it's still fair game to an extent. And so, despite being more than a bit portly around the edges when faced with the furious French Doll, the efficiency with which he uses his chains allows him to take the fight to her.]

FÉVRIER: Damn you, pig...

[She collapses into unconsciousness. Birdie takes out a chocolate-topped doughnut and eats it. That seemed to hit the spot. With his hunger sated, he takes a clear and heroic decision.]

BIRDIE: I guess the others might be in danger. I guess it's time for me to get outta here quickly... Huh?

[...Yeah. Anyway, he then notices Karin and Enero still facing down each other.]

ENERO: Do you think you can escape from here?

KARIN: Of course, the only one who can't escape from here is yourself.

[They scoff at each other, then proceed to give that loud, shrill, haughty laugh. Together. Ken, watching them, has "WTF?" written all over his face. An awkward pause ensues, when Enero realizes someone else is stealing her thunder. She then decides to get down to business with Karin.]

ENERO: So, care to say your prayers?

[They fight. If it was not obvious before, Enero and Karin are very similar, even in terms of their approach to the fight: swift, precise and focused moves. Due to this, the battle is an even affair, but Karin shows her what's what by shutting down her opponent's game with her own moves and, before long, she has Enero down for the count.]

ENERO: How could I lose?

[She faints. Karin, not losing her momentum, swiftly takes down a Shadaloo soldier coming from behind.]

KARIN: What now... Huh?

[She notices the Psycho Power radiating from Enero is growing more intense.]

-- SCENE 5.9. UNBOUND -- [From inside a monitor hall, F.A.N.G watches the defeated Enero and gets royally upset.]

F.A.N.G: These Dolls are utterly useless! What's the point of strengthening them if they continue to lose?! But at least I can have them destroy our enemies and themselves.

[He takes out a device, which looks like the Shadaloo skull mounted on a bagua tablet. He holds the skull and cranks it to the side.]

-- SCENE 5.10. DESTRUCTION MODE -- [Outside, Enero stands up, struggling as more and more Psycho Power oozes from her. She shouts out, and Karin notices the same thing is happening to the other Dolls scattered about the place - notably, Février is laughing maniacally. Karin returns her attention to her opponent, determined to finish this once and for all.]

-- SCENE 5.11. SISTERS -- [Meanwhile, Cammy makes her way to the base and stops on her tracks, apprehensive.]

CAMMY: Oh no...

[Juli is standing before her, giving off Psycho Power and clutching her head in pain like it happened to Decapre in Brazil. She then glares angrily at Cammy and rushes to attack.]

[They fight. As one of the top operatives of the Doll program, Juli is more than a match for Cammy, with whom she shares the same techniques. But she is attacking in blind rage, while the Delta Red operative is more collected and able to put analythical thinking behind her every move. Before long, Cammy comes out on top.]

[As Cammy approaches the unconscious Juli, Vega leaps in from out of nowhere. She quickly steps away to dodge.]

VEGA: Hmph. You have good eyes. Now let's stain those eyes with despair. It's time to dance.

CAMMY: Vega!!!

[She tries to attack him with a Spiral Arrow, but he dodges and enters his offensive stance.]

VEGA: Come, now dance!

[They fight. To say that Cammy is not fond of the idea of letting Vega do what he pleases with the Dolls is putting it mildly. So she puts all her strength and rage in her attacks. However, Vega takes sick entertainment in fighting such a pretty little thing and, much like what happened in England, toys with her to the best of his skills. He finally sends Cammy reeling after clawing her at the stomach.]

VEGA: I want more... More!

[He goes in for the kill and Cammy can only shield herself. But the slash never comes. When she opens up her eyes, she sees...]

CAMMY: Decapre!

[The scarred Doll is blocking Vega's arm, preventing him from using his talons, much to his bewilderment.]

VEGA: Oh?... Hmm...

[He then gets distracted when he hears an engine roaring in his direction. They all dodge out of the way of Juri's lime-green ATV, which Vega slashes and sends crashing in a fiery explosion, as its owner joins the battlefield.]

JURI: Why didn't you invite me? Especially if you guys were having fun like this!

[Vega is upset at this interruption. Cammy, slightly confused, turns to Decapre.]

CAMMY: Why...?

JURI: Seems like she wants to help you. Well, I'm so jealous!

[Vega takes advantage of her distraction to strike, but Juri kicks him away.]

JURI: Let's have fun with just the two of us together.

VEGA: You will pay for this!

[As Juri and Vega get ready to face each other, Santamu, Jianyu and Xiayu come to face Cammy and Decapre. With a quick exchange of glances, the "twins" assume their stances.]

-- SCENE 5.12. FOR A FRIEND -- [As most everyone is fighting outside, Rashid has made his way to the control room. The place is empty, so reaching the console is a simple task. Or so it seems.]

MÄRZ: Intruder. Exterminate. Exterminate.

[The blue-haired Doll comes out from behind the terminal, prepared to face Rashid.]

RASHID: Uh-oh! Calm down! I'm not going to harm you.

MÄRZ: Exterminate!

[She attacks, and Rashid forces himself to dodge and fight back.]

RASHID: Damn it!

[They fight. As we could see, the amplified Psycho Power can make even the meekest of the Dolls reach Dalek levels of murderous instinct. Despite not wanting to fight, Rashid realizes he should defend himself and, if his opponent is out of control, rock them to sleep. So he does with März.]

[With the way clear for now, Rashid gets to work on the console.]

RASHID: Hmm, the command to stop the Black Moons, huh... This must be it.

[He types a few things on the keyboard and hits (presumably) Enter. At first, nothing happens (there is less than half an hour until impact, by the way), but then a Blue Screen of Death pops up. Not really knowing what to do, Rashid waits. The screen then goes black and the message he received in his voicemail appears on the screen: "Light up the way for those who stray. I call thy name." Beneath it, a text entering prompt. Rashid sighs as he realizes what it means.]

RASHID: You always had a flair for the obvious when it came to puzzles. But to make the answer to the security question this easy is pretty weak.

[He types the answer: "Rashid of the turbulent wind". He waits for a few seconds, and a congratulatory screen, with the text "Correct!" and a chibified Rashid, pops up. It is like she really wanted him to do this, which begs the question of what would happen if anyone else was entering the code.]

RASHID: Huh? What? What the...?

COMPUTER: Shutdown. Beginning sequence to stop all functions.

[Self-executing command line programs pop up over the screen, along with a progress bar adorned by the chibi-Rashid, which fills veeery slowly.]

F.A.N.G: What are you doing?

[Rashid turns to spot the Chinese assassin standing a ways behind him. He doesn't look any satisfied.]

RASHID: A tiny bit late. [makes a mocking pose]

F.A.N.G: What did...? [only then does he notice the shutdown program running.] Ahhhhhhh!? What?!! What did you do?! Nobody was supposed to be able to stop this anymore!

RASHID: You didn't know that, right? The hidden command to stop all the functions of the Black Moons. My friend's final piece of work.

F.A.N.G: That researcher did it! Not only did that fool steal the control keys for the Moons, but also did a terrible thing like this?!!

[As Rashid gives a victorious smile, F.A.N.G throws a tantrum.]

F.A.N.G: Gaaaaah! I knew that I should have killed that traitor much earlier!

[Rashid's smile suddenly fades.]

RASHID: Again, what did you say?

[Realizing that the victim was a significant person to Rashid, F.A.N.G cracks a smile of his own and confesses unapologetically.]

F.A.N.G: I poisoned and ended the life of your very, very dear friend. That's what I said.

[Rashid grimaces. But suddenly he chuckles.]

RASHID: Uhh! Haha! So you did?!

[He then hangs his head and clenches his fists, as the air around him starts revolting, giving the assassin pause. He then looks up at F.A.N.G and, in a swift motion, strikes him down with an Eagle Spike. The assassin, however, manages to hit Rashid in the gut at the same time with his poisonous hands, and quickly gets back on his feet.]

F.A.N.G: Numbing poison will completely stop you... what?!

[He sees Rashid is unfazed by the poison. More than that, he is PISSED OFF.]

RASHID: You are evil...

[He decks F.A.N.G on the face, sending him against the railing of the catwalk.]

RASHID: Since that's what you are...

[He uppercuts the assassin, who is now panicking.]

RASHID: I will kill you!

[They fight. F.A.N.G is willing to give no quarter to his assailant, but he has made the grave mistake of underestimating Rashid's strength and, most of all, his resolve. With unbridled fury, the turbulent winds assault their target mercilessly, eventually striking him down.]

[With one last punch, F.A.N.G is sent slamming against the railing, the Psycho Power controlling dial falls off. Rashid takes a deep breath, as only now the poison is taking its toll on him. He looks up to the screen one last time, not noticing that his opponent moving behind him.]

RASHID: I avenged... uhhh... my friend... uhhh... now you can rest...

[F.A.N.G strikes him from behind, at the spine. Rashid is sent stumbling.]

F.A.N.G: Neh heh heh. This last poison will finish you off for sure.

[Severely weakened, Rashid falls to his knee.]

F.A.N.G: You have to die now! Your dear dead friend is waiting for you up there!

[Consciousness escapes Rashid, and he faints.]

F.A.N.G: As long as Lord Bison lives, this world is destined to become Hell! Why don't you find peace in the afterlife?

[As he paces around the fallen Rashid, he notices the dial on the floor, broken.]

F.A.N.G: And noWHAAAAAAAAAT?!!

-- SCENE 5.13. LIBERATION -- [Outside, the Psycho Power dissipates completely from the Dolls as they lie defeated around Cammy and Decapre.]

CAMMY: The Psycho Power has disappeared...?

[The two of them observe as the others slowly come to.]

JULI: Where am I?

[One by one, the Dolls stand up. Santamu's pet monkey comes to greet her, happy. She responds with a genuine giggle of contentment. Just then, a pair of Shadaloo grunts charge at Cammy and Decapre, but they are struck down, no questions asked, by Jianyu and Xiayu. Decapre actually smiles at this. Not far from them, Vega simply observes and, feeling there is nothing left for him to do there, he leaves.]

-- SCENE 5.14. PERSONAL DESIRE -- [In the control room, F.A.N.G is in despair over the fact that the Psycho Power controller is broken, and the Descent Program was being stopped.]

F.A.N.G: He did such a really terrible thing to my PSA! It's really annoying! But still, it's not too late...

[As he attempts to enter commands to stop the shutdown sequence, März tackles him, now in her right mind, and throws him away from the console.]

MÄRZ: You hurt us!... I'll never forgive you!

[The assassin gets back up, indignant.]

F.A.N.G: A defective Doll like you shouldn't talk to me like that!

[They fight. While März still retains her fighting abilities after the mental conditioning has been broken, she is clearly nervous to take on one of the Four Kings of Shadaloo - especially the one who could melt her to nothing with a sleight of hand. And it shows, as he is able to take her out without much difficulty, regardless of how much of a fight she puts up.]

[She is on her knees, at F.A.N.G's mercy.]

F.A.N.G: I don't need defective junk anymore. Time to die!

[As he raises his hand for the killing blow, one of the control keys hits his head, thrown by Rashid, who has managed to pick himself up.]

RASHID [weakly]: Sorry. Unfortunately, I can't see my friend yet.

[F.A.N.G is absolutely annoyed by now, and throws another tantrum.]

F.A.N.G: Wha-wha-wha-wi-will you never give up?!!

[This moment of distraction is all März needs to tackle him again...]

F.A.N.G: What?!

[...and send them hurtling over the railing, down to the reactor shaft. Fortunately, F.A.N.G hangs on before they go all the way down, while März holds on to his leg. Or maybe not so fortunately, as the assassin's poisonous hand is slowly corroding the ledge to which he hangs on for his life. He then decides to do what anyone would do in this situation:]

F.A.N.G: Ah! You stupid Doll! Stupid Doll!!! Because you... All because of you fool!

[Blame someone else. He stomps her to make her release him, to no avail.]

MÄRZ: I'm not... a doll! This is... my own... will! Eheh. If I die, no one will ever...

F.A.N.G: Aahh! N-n-n-not yet! I'm too young! I can't die yet!!

[His protests are in vain, as his poison causes the ledge to rot away just enough to remove his grip on it, sending him and März plummetting into the reactor. Rashid only has time to watch, still weak from F.A.N.G's poisonous attacks. He then hears footsteps as more soldiers converge to his position.]

RASHID: Damn.

[In spite of his weakness, he pulls himself together. He watches the monitor and sees that there are only five minutes left until the detonation of the Black Moons, but at the same time, the shutdown program is close to finish running.]

RASHID: Just a little more.

[He then musters his strength for his final stand.]

RASHID: So don't interfere!!

-- SCENE 5.15. CLASH -- [At the underground control room, the Chinese girl is still shrunken in her seat, panicking, as Bison hovers over her pod, enveloped in a bubble of Psycho Power. He snickers as some of the badly-rendered ninjas surround him. Bison, however, couldn't be any bothered.]

BISON: Even more dogs...

[They all, in five, attack Bison at the same time, but a single burst of Psycho Power scatters them away. One of them, who is correcting her trajectory in the air, is kicked down by the tyrant as he teleports behind her. As he floats down to the ground, he uses his power to paralyze three ninjas attacking him, and strikes them down with one Scissor Kick. As the last one attempts to attack him from a vantage point, he strikes her with a Psycho Inferno.]

BISON: Not this time...

[To add insult to injury, once she is down, Bison stomps her hard on the chest with both feet. He then floats up and away from the room. As he does, he notices people arriving.]

BISON: Here you are.

[It is Chun-Li, Guile and Ryu.]

GUILE: Bison!!

CHUN-LI: I'll end this right here!

[The three street fighters enter their fighting stances, but then Chun-Li notices the Chinese girl cowering and crying in her seat. This saddens Chun-Li enough to give her more determination to go after Bison.]

NASH: Wait!

[The voice of the undead fighter stops them, as they notice him standing on an upper ledge. Bison appears satisfied to see him back.]

BISON: Well...

[From the three down below, Nash turns to stare at Bison. Chun-Li walks up to Nash as if to ask him what he's up to, but Guile stops her, shaking his head.]

CHUN-LI: Guile...

[In response, the USAF Major looks up at his old friend, who cracks a small smile in response. Then, turning his gaze back to Bison, Nash darts from platform to platform at impossibly high speeds until he reaches the room above...]

-- SCENE 5.16. THE TURNING POINT -- [...where Bison is already waiting. The large room is adorned by four giant statues of the Four Kings of Shadaloo, built around a reactor. Looming over it is the hand of Bison, holding the Earth in its palm. The real Bison smiles with confidence as Nash steps up to face him.]

BISON: No matter how many times you come back, you'll never win against my Psycho Power!

[There is a long pause before Nash shoots back.]

NASH: Perhaps... but I will achieve my victory.

BISON: Hah! Then why don't I send you to hell so you can collect... the victory that you're desperately looking for!

[Nash adjusts his glasses and enters his fighting stance.]

[They fight. It is a grueling battle as Bison's Psycho Power has evolved to unimaginable levels, making him a foe beyond formidable. While he gives Nash a run for his money, though, the former USAF lieutenant is no slouch either. Even if he cannot win, he is still driven by his desire of seeing Bison defeated, and the power he absorbed from Abel earlier is a big help, too. Thus, they are more even than they think, and eventually Nash manages to gain the upper hand.]

[Bison, however, gets back on his feet.]

BISON: Heh! Pathetic attempt.

[As the Psycho Power field expands around him, the base starts to shake.]

BISON: Now what?

[Some equipment in the room starts to malfunction, as Chun-Li and Guile can observe from below.]

CHUN-LI: The Psycho Power supplying him... has stopped!

GUILE: The Black Moons must have been completely shut down!

[Nash looks up as the room starts crackling with electricity.]

NASH: A bit late.

[He knows what he has to do. He rushes to attack Bison, who steps aside and palm-strikes Nash in the gut, pouring Psycho Power into it. As Nash feels the pain, Bison hoists him up in the air.]

BISON: You're a fool! A little hit made you weak... Huh?

[Nash, who Bison thought had gone limp from the attack, concentrates power in his hand and gives a smirk. He then places his hand upon Bison's chest.]

NASH: Game over, bastard!

-- SCENE 5.17. 100% -- [The main control room is littered with unconscious Shadaloo grunts. Sitting against a railing is Rashid, severely weakened. The screen shows that the program written by his friend has finished executing, and the Black Moons were indeed stopped, 28 seconds away from detonation. With what little strength he has left, Rashid looks at the screen.]

RASHID: Hehe. Can't believe I actually saved the world.

-- SCENE 5.18. THE LAST MISSION -- NASH: Time to play my last card!

[Nash uses his power to siphon Bison's Psycho Power from him.]

BISON: You fool... are you actually trying to die?

NASH: Heh. That's a funny joke.

[He puts more power into draining Bison's Psycho Power from him, eventually creating a small dome of energy around his adversary.]

GUILE: Charlie!!

[His warnings are fruitless. Charlie is determined to take this to the bitter end. His reconstructed body starts to come apart as he absorbs more and more energy and Bison struggles to resist. With one final push, the entire room is painted blue with the glow of the massive energy orb that engulfs Nash and Bison above. Guile and Chun-Li can only watch, horrified.]

[In the end, all that remains of Nash is his dogtag, bent out of shape.]

[And from the smoke, Bison emerges, appearing no worse for wear, and still wielding Psycho Power. He crushes Nash's dogtag under his boot as he walks forward and laughs.]

-- SCENE 5.19. A GUARDIAN HAND -- [Things look hopeless for the heroes.]

CHUN-LI: His Psycho Power is...

GUILE: Yeah.

[They start to race off in an attempt to take him out, but stop themselves upon seeing F.A.N.G hobbling out, quite banged up from his little dive into the reactor, but alive. He angrily looks up at Chun-Li and Guile, who prepare their fighting stances.]

F.A.N.G: Damn you! Damn you! Damn you! Damn youuuuu!

[He rushes to attack Chun-Li, but she effortlessly parries his attacks and pushes him away. As he gets up, his gaze finds the little girl in the pod.]

F.A.N.G: It was youuuuu!! You told the bastard about the command code!!

[He jumps toward her and prepares to kill her with one strike. Now who's the bastard?]

[Chun-Li quickly comes to the rescue, however, by vaulting over F.A.N.G's shoulders and kicking him away before she touches the ground. She then turns to comfort the girl, with a soothing caress.]

CHUN-LI: You must have worked very hard to stop this. Here all alone.

[She hugs the girl, who does not feel completely safe as long as F.A.N.G is still in the room. Knowing this, Chun-Li quickly turns around to face the assassin as he stands up. Before settling things with him, however, she issues another command.]

CHUN-LI: Ryu, get him!

[Knowing that, by "him", she means Bison, Ryu runs to the upper level of the room.]

F.A.N.G: Lord Bison!

[He starts after Ryu to stop him, but Chun-Li quickly blocks his way.]

F.A.N.G: Why you... I'll kill you! Kill you! Kill you! Kill you!!!

CHUN-LI: I've had enough of you!

F.A.N.G: I'll kill all of you!!!

[They fight. Unhinged after his near-death experience, the failure of Shadaloo's master plan, and that someone is trying to stop him from saving Bison, F.A.N.G is absolutely berserk, which makes him even more dangerous as we have seen what his poisons can do to ordinary people. Chun-Li, however, is not just ordinary people. She is an agent of Interpol and a street fighter. She has dominion and mastery of her art, as well as an unshakable sense of justice that will see her fulfill her mission. Besides, being agile enough to escape F.A.N.G's deadly hands, she manages to outclass him with the power of her kicks. He falls down, suffering from his multiple wounds.]

-- SCENE 5.20. THE ULTIMATE DESTINY OF POWER -- [At the top level, Ryu is facing Bison. He laughs at this happenstance.]

BISON: Hehehehehehehe... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! As I had expected, you are the one who comes to me in all this chaos! You had the power to actually defeat that beast! Now show it to me!

[Ryu looks at his hand, contemplative.]

RYU: This power is not to defeat. This is the power to push forward! [clenches his fist]

BISON: Hmph! Power is just power! The desire for all power leads to conflict. And that conflict leads to the ultimate battle! [forms a ball of Psycho Power in his hand, then crushes it] Now is the time!!

[In response, Ryu steps forward and enters his fighting stance.]

[They fight as the base crumbles around them. It is a clash of power that shakes heavens and earth, as Bison's unfathomable power makes him a fighter like never before seen in history. Power for the sake of power. Power to crush under his heel all those who oppose him and rule the world with an iron fist. Rule it... or destroy it. On the other side, Ryu has finally found his inner peace. The unbridled desire to win no longer matters. Cleansed from the darkness of his mind, he can finally devote his focus to his self-improvement, with the power to push forward. Having attained peace with himself, he is able to handle whatever Bison throws at him, as his evil can no longer touch his soul. The battle is long and grueling. No quarter is asked or given. But eventually, Ryu's power to push forward prevails over Bison's power to command by force. Bison is forced back and falls to one knee.]

-- SCENE 5.21. THE FALL OF M. BISON -- [Ryu just watches, impassively, as Bison's power starts to falter, even as he stands up.]

BISON: Hehehe. We're not done!!

[He sends a series of Psycho Power columns rising from the grouns at Ryu, who does not even dodge. Even as he struggles with slivers of Psycho Power over him, they are unable to shake him thanks to the Power of Nothingness. In his turn to attack, the Ansatsuken practitioner rushes and...]

RYU: HADOKEN!!!

[The projectile, fired point-blank at Bison's chest, comes out with impressive strength, pushing the dictator back more. He struggles to his feet, but then he looks at his hand and notices as his body starts to break down, with cracks of blue light spreading out all over it. Bison, however, does not seem at all fazed by this.]

BISON: Humph!

[Ryu simply watches, earnestly, as Bison starts to fall apart. Even so, the dictator is laughing. Either out of insanity, or out of confidence that his dark soul will still live to be placed in another body, although the base is coming apart around him. F.A.N.G stumbles into the room as it happens, and he feels like a lost child upon seeing the master of evil he so much revered being destroyed thusly.]

F.A.N.G: Ughhh... Lord Bisonnnn!!!

[He is so desperate, he does not even try to save himself. Ryu just keeps watching. A fool consumed by his own power. This is what Bison really was, through and through. At this moment, Guile and Chun-Li, carrying the little girl in her arms, arrive to snap him out of his daze.]

GUILE: Ryu, this place is about to...!

[Ryu gives a curt nod and the three of them run out of the main control room. Chun-Li, however, pauses before she can leave. Turning back to where Bison was, she can only see his cap on the floor. Has she finally received the closure she so longed for? Who can tell? She finally runs out, as the scene zooms in on the cap before fading to black.]

[The alarm blares as Ryu, Guile and Chun-Li and the young girl hurriedly navigate through the corridors of the base. Everything is falling around them, and the reactors are exploding. Chun-Li, lagging behind, has trouble dodging the falling debris, but still she presses on, knowing she is responsible for another life than her own. Just then, a large mass of debris comes down on her. Ryu and Guile stop, noticing what's happening, and the Japanese quickly focuses his power on a Denjin Hadoken. He then fires it in Chun-Li's direction. She braces herself as she runs up against the beam of chi but, to her surprise, she does not find herself harmed. In fact, she and the girl feel like they entered a tunnel of light, which shields them from the base falling apart. With a long flash of white light, Chun-Li and the little girl traverse the beam unscathed and reunite with Ryu and Guile.]

CHUN-LI: Thank you.

RYU: Let's go.

[Now out of harm's way, the four continue to make their way out of the base. Fade to black again.]

[From the outside, there is a spectacular display as the reactors erupt into flames, making it seem like the winged skull is spewing fire from its eyes. Everyone outside observes, with distinct feelings as the nightmare of Shadaloo finally ends. The former Dolls, Cammy included, relieved as they are finally able to lead normal lives. Juri, satisfied for having had her parents avenged. Balrog, upset that he had no gain out of the whole deal, as he leaves with his protégé. Vega, dissatisfied with Shadaloo as a whole, but deep down glad that the girls who served the organization are now able to be free, as he tosses his mask out into the flames and leave as well. And the other street fighters, apprehensive as Ryu, Guile and Chun-Li are still inside. Karin is the first to notice as they come out, and gives a warm, relieved smile. The other fighters, all cheering, go over to greet them, Karin being the last as she hangs behind and relishes on the joy of helping bring justice to the world. Another fade to black.]

[Far from the inferno, atop the wings of a VTOL, we see Rashid, alive and well, sitting next to Azam. Having been rescued from the cold embrace of death somehow, he is just taking his time. Just then his phone rings.]

RASHID: Huh? Who would call now, just when I finally get to relax? Eh.

[He pulls out his phone to answer the call.]

RASHID: Hello, who is it?

VOICE [over the phone]: Good job.

[Rashid is taken completely by surprise as he recognizes the voice: it belongs to his late friend.]

RASHID'S FRIEND [over the phone]: If you are listening to this message, it means you have successfully stopped the Moons. Surprised? Heh. I just wanted to do something cool like this at least once. Please, know I always believed you would stop it. After all... you are Rashid fo the Turbulent Wind. [he cracks a smile] ...Thank you.

[He suddenly gets depressed. The one time she gets to thank him for something, and she has been dead for days now.]

RASHID'S FRIEND: I have to go now, Rashid. One last thing: please enjoy the rest of your life. Goodbye.

[He slowly hangs his head low, and his lips tremble, as he is on the verge of tears.]

RASHID: ...Why now? You never said anything like that to me before...

AZAM: Master...

[He sits still for some time, letting reality set in. He then wipes his tears and stands up, sighing.]

RASHID: Well, time to go!

[Back to his usual chipper demeanor, he cartwheels off the plane, followed by Azam, as the scene pans out to a runway leading out of the base. Cut to black.]

-- SCENE 5.22. BEGINNING OF A LEGEND -- [As the credits start rolling, a butterfly of light starts fluttering, entering a dark room where it perches itself on the hand of a man who sits on a throne. Helen is knelt before him.]

HELEN: Shadaloo has been destroyed. However, the one who defeated Bison...

MAN IN THE SHADOWS: The ending is slightly different... from the text written in the prophecy. Could it be an inconsequential error, alone in the endless expanse of time? Perhaps...

HELEN: I am truly sorry.

MAN IN THE SHADOWS: Heh... The world is destined to be ashen and barren. The balance... between regeneration and destruction... must be restored.

[The scene pans to show his feet, by which we can see who this man is: the left one is blue, and the right one is red. But I'll keep crediting him as "Man in the Shadows" until the end just for the sake of the writing.]

HELEN: So... you mean...!

[The butterfly flies away from the man's blue hand.]

MAN IN THE SHADOWS: Now come and follow me... Kolin.

[He holds out his hand to Helen/Kolin, showering her with a fine icy mist until an icy crystal wall breaks up, reverting her to her usual secretary- with-asymmetric-'do look.]

[As Kolin opens her eyes, she sees in them the reflected image of Gill.]

[Cut to black, roll full credits.]

-- SCENE 5.23. THE ENDLESS PATH -- [And now, time for POST-CREDITS SCENE!]

[Ken meets Ryu by the same waterfall they used to train, and where they sparred when Karin had them summoned for the final fight against Shadaloo. The Japanese karateka is meditating with his eyes closed.]

KEN: Thank you for waiting.

[Ryu opens his eyes and turns to address his old friend.]

RYU: I was spending a good time on focusing my mind.

KEN: Eh, hahaha. You still haven't changed at all. Now, why don't you show me the answer? The one you've been long searching for?

[Ryu responds by getting into his stance. Ken does the same.]

[They fight. Having finally figured out the meaning to his journey, Ryu fights with a clear, sound state of mind, free from the doubts and fears that had long plagued him. While he does not underestimate his friend's capabilities, he is now able to treat the fight as an enjoyable affair of self-discovery and purification, rather than one victory after another until nothing but broken bodies lie in his trail.]

[Soon Ken lies on the ground, defeated. But he doesn't hold it against Ryu. He just lies there, looking at the sky, bewildered at how strong his best friend has become. At this point, Ryu's headband comes off and the wind carries it to where Ken is, as he sits up.]

KEN: Tehe. Now I get it...

[He picks up the headband off the floor.]

KEN: I guess you won't be needing this anymore, huh.

[Ryu comes and takes the headband from Ken's hand.]

RYU: There is no end on the road of fighting. I know... I still need this.

KEN: Heh. I see.

[He stands up and Ryu gives him a nod. They then fist-bump. Cut to black.]

>>> 6. CLOSING COMMENTS

Welp, this is it. My first published FAQ. I'm sorry if my comments on some scenes came off as snide or inopportune, but not if they were sarcastic, because I appreciate some sarcasm every now and then. To be fair, though, I felt like I should lighten up the mood a bit.

About the story itself, personally I thought it was a mixed bag: it's something that seems out of left field, to have martial artists banding together to stop doomsday, but then again that's the kind of stuff you see in Chuck Norris movies, except with less guns and more fists (although it reminds me of the SF cartoon). Plus, I feel the Necalli plot should've been better explored, since it is integral to Ryu's development. On the other hand, the idea of shifting controlled fighters around rather than constraining a single part of the story to a character is not so bad, since it allows you to try out all of them (free Juri and Urien preview FTW!) and helps speed along the pace, like the points where you HAVE to play with the villain because plot says they should win at those specific points.

Besides, as I said on an YouTube comment, when it comes to Bison (a megalomaniacal terrorist leader bent on world domination, lest we forget), it's never just a tournament. Even when it is. Remember Street Fighter Alpha 3? This is kinda like a retelling of that game, only with one single plot line rather than one plot for each character.

Either way, I'm not exactly holding my breath for Capcom to do this again, but it is way better than the cartoon, that's for sure. Less funny, sure, but a better story overall.

Finally, one thing to notice: since I am Brazilian, the game is only in Portuguese to me. So I had to watch XusesGB's Story Mode video to get the dialogue right. I couldn't, however, get the names of scenes and chapters, which I simply back-translated from Portuguese. Whoever knows, or can help me with any other things, don't hesitate to contact me. My e-mail is up there, written twice for good measure.

>>> 7. SPECIAL THANKS

able to transcribe this.
 * GameFAQs for letting me host this guide
 * Capcom for creating this series and the characters therein
 * XusesGB for his full Story video on YouTube, without which I wouldn't be
 * My RP/Steam buddies for their company
 * Everyone else who helped me get where I am now (too many people to list)

The measure of a man is what he does with power. - Plato