It was a dark day in the summer of 1997, as the latest King of Fighters tournament was drawing to a grim close, and demon god Orochi had at last been summoned through the deaths of his last three heavenly kings, otherwise known as Team New Faces. Against his power, no one could hope to triumph over him, as his dark magic struck down all against him. Terry Bogard had been the first to be defeated, and a cowering Chang Koehan had been the last. Now, the only force standing between the Eath and the destruction of all reality was the combined might of the Kusanagi, Yagami and Yata clans, represented by Kyo, Iori, and Chizuru; each the last heirs to these noble houses, having each been born to fight with all of their heart on this day. And yet despite this, Orochi's victory was all but assured. Both Chizuru and Iori lay on the ground, having been subdued by the power of the demon god. Iori coughed up blood as he watched his hated enemy turned erstwhile ally, Kyo Kusanagi, stood alone, stoic and noble against Orochi, unflinching against certain death. And although Iori would deny it to his dying day, he had to admit Kyo looked pretty badass. Orochi hovered in place, looking down at this last obstacle. His expression, ageless and judgmental, conveyed nothing, no thought as to what he thought of Kyo, if anything. In the all-encompassing silence, the fell deity as last spoke. "All shall return to nothingness..." In response, Kyo shrugged, bringing his fists to bear, surrounding himself with an aura of the burning flame that was the ancient birthright of all Kusanagi. If he was afraid, he wasn't going to show it. If anything, he was eager for this final confrontation, as his lips drew into his characteristic self-assured smirk. And it was then that he spoke: "Just bring it." In a single moment, both man and god threw themselves at each other in what would surely be the greatest battle to have ever been witnessed by man, with the fate of all reality as the prize. There was a resounding crack as Kyo landed the first blow, and the sky was then followed with another sound... The sound of whining and crying. "Owie Owie Owie," Orochi wailed behind flowing tears as he clutched his nose with his hands, "That really hurt you big meanie! And what's the big idea with you three ganging up on me? Three 'gainst one's unfair! Unfair, I say! Three against one, unfair! It's not fair at all! Ooh, I think my nose is bleeding! I'm going home, cuz you're all just a bunch of big mean bully doo-doo-headed jerks!" And with that, the Demon god Orochi, lord of destruction and insurance, took his leave of the Earth dimension to return to his home plane of reality, never to return. Kyo turned to his teammates with a shrug. "Well, that was anti-climactic. So, anyone up for a burger? I'm buyin'." [---] Iori's eyes flew open, as he roused himself from slumber and memories of the past. While the Orochi had been defeated and sealed, old feuds still demanded blood for blood. While destiny had put Iori on one path, that same path was determined by the destiny of family honor. The Kusanagi were the sworn enemy of the Yagami clan, and for that, Kyo had to die by Iori's hands. Iori glanced at the clock on his car's dashboard impatiently, cursing Hanzou's decree that he could only hunt Kyo on the weekend, and that Ninjas Anonymous would not provide assistance on these endeavors, and even disavow Iori if he were caught, as they were now in truce with Kyo. But still, there were now only seconds before the tolling of the hour and the hunt would begin. An agonizingly long moment later, the digital clock beeped the midnight hour, and Saturday had officially begun. Smiling with murderous intent, Iori made himself undergo the mental preparation for the task at hand, calming his thoughts by allowing the music of a fast paced heavy metal ballad to flow through his mind to get himself in a killing mood. Getting out of the car, he strode across the street with the grace of a lion as he approached the front door of Kusanagi Tower. When he reached the door, a security Kyo clone tried to stop him. "I'm sorry sir, but I'm afraid you'll have to come back during regular business hours," is what the guard would have said, had Iori not broken his neck and used his corpse to break open the glass door. "I have an appointment with Mr. Kusanagi," Iori said as he walked over the dead man's body, his hands swaying to the beat of the killing rhythms that danced in his brain. [---] FORGOT ABOUT JAE Chapter 20: Revenge, Revelations and Recollections Story originally begun by Shelby Scott This Chapter written by Grahf316 Proofreading by David Brothers and Adam Weaver [---] Last time on Forgot About Jae - Jengis Carn broke stuff and tried getting lucky - Dr. Wily built more robot masters than ever before - Mega Man X caught the T-Virus - Megaman now has more special weapons than god - Lucky Luke was rewarding curiosity [---] The rising sun shone brightly down upon the face of Kim Kaphwan, his polished smile (the one where the light goes *ting* off his teeth) shining out for all to see, his posture heroic, reminding all that the best life was a life of justice where you'd eat your vegetables, say your prayers, and take your vitamins. That was how the bronze statue served to remind the world of a hero who had parted from the world many years ago, and it was here that Chang, Koehan, Choi Bounge, Kim Jae Hoon, and Jae's Nameless Ever-present Girlfriend came to gather to honor the memory of a great man. "To think," Choi said, "four years it has been." "I can still hear him the day before he died," Chang added, "telling us we were at long last reformed from evil after a long and tricky road, and that he was going to throw us a picnic barbeque the next day to celebrate." Efrite, the elemental spirit of fire, decided to speak through Jae on the matter. "He gave my brother, sisters and I a place to call home" he said. "Yet he didn't even ask for a thank you in return. Truly, he was a great man." "I never knew your father Jae," NEG said, "But if he was anything like you, I just know He'd be the kind of man I'd love to call Dad one day." Jae nodded. "I know." he looked to his teachers, and his lover, taking the time to put his thoughts into words. "My brother and I knew from the start that we were going to follow in Dad's footsteps, and when we were old enough we followed him everywhere. He taught us in Tae Kwan Do, and while he could be strict and severe..." Chang and Choi nodded vigorously at the memory of training. "He was always there for us, taking pride in anything we did, knowing that his legacy of Justice was going to live on. He taught me everything he knew, both in fighting and in living. For that, I'll always be thankful." he turned to the statue and bowed, student to master, son to father. "Thank you, father. For Everything." The others bowed as well, placing flowers at the base of the statue, under the plaque that read: ------------------------------ To the Memory of Kim Kap Hwan South Town's Greatest Hero "Heroism can be found in the heart of any honest being." ------------------------------ After a long minute of respectful silence, NEG asked: "I see your brother couldn't make it, Jae." "Yeah," he said. " I know he's on a voyage of self-discovery, but you'd think he could have the decency to show up." "Now Jae," Chang said, "don't be so harsh. He probably just forgot about it, or some other stuff came up that he couldn't make it." Choi stared out over the bay, deep in thought. "Dong's training is not complete. Seduced to the Dark Side, he could be." Chang gave a wide smile. "Oh relax, Choi. I'm sure Dong's having the time of his life." [---] Kim Dong Hwan sat on the couch of Doctor Doom, as he poured himself a mug of Doomweiser. As for Doom himself, he was busy downing a pot of coffee to get over his hangover after his attending the party of Evil. "Doom is never drinking 8 bottles of Dee Jay's hard lemonade in one sitting ever again," the armored dictator groaned. "Dong?" Dong looked over his shoulder at his boss. "Yeah?" "Put Dee Jay on 'The List'." Dong set down his beer, picked up a pen, and the incredibly large tome that contained 'The List'. Turning to the last entry, he scrawled "Dee Jay" onto the long list of people Doom was going to punish when he at last ruled the Earth. "Say Doom," Dong asked, "did you know you have Reed Richards in here 488 times?" "Yes, that accursed Reed Richards is Doom's mortal enemy. The next time we are in New York, my young lackey, we shall see to it that Richards gets his comeuppance." "How'd we be doing that?" "Oh, Doom will settle for covering the Baxter Building in toilet paper." "Hey, I can do that." "That's generally what lackeys do, Dong Hwan." "Oh. Okay." Dong resumed drinking wile flipping through the channels, as Doom sat down beside him. That was when the wall exploded inward, and Garuda entered the room, Its skull-like mask staring directly at Dong Hwan. Or rather, Garuda was staring at the golden pixie sitting on Dong's shoulder that only It could see. "Shit!" Doom shouted. "It's Garuda! Quick Dong Hwan, kill it!" Dong looked at the demon samurai, then at Doom. "I may have incredible raw talent and the reasoning of a lemming, but I am not fighting that thing! Besides, I'm drunk as a lemur. Don't you have some sort of death ray?" "Hell no! Doom always has Doombots fight for him, and they're all in the shop, which is why Doom hired you in the first place! But Doom will give it a shot." Doom pointed at Garuda, then pointed again. Behind him, the TV was switching channels, while outside, the garage door was opening and closing rapidly. "Curses, Doom is still in his party armour!" Doom shook his fist at the heavens. "CURSE YOU DEE JAY! AND DAMN YOU TOO, RICHARDS!" "Uh, Doc, he's getting closer..." "Doom still has his Sacrificial Lamb Transporter." Doom pressed a stud in his gauntlet, and with a shimmer of golden light, Polnareff appeared before Garuda. "Merde," was all the buff Frenchman could say before the Oni beheaded him once more. But just as Garuda was within striking distance of Dong, something odd happened. Garuda pulled away from the pair cowering before It, and went to sit down on Doom's couch. The Oni then pulled from out of nowhere a large jug of Japanese sake, a box of doughnuts, and a set of jacks which It began playing with. "Hey, that looks like fun," Dong said, wondering if Garuda would let him play too. Fortunately for him, Doom held him by the arm. "We have no time to waste Dong Hwan," Doom insisted. "What we see now is Garuda's one weakness: a daily 2 hour rest break as required by the unions of Hell. During that time he cannot pursue his hunt, which gives Doom just enough time for Doom to jury-rig Doom and Dongbots to draw its attention while we catch the first flight out of here." "You're the boss, I'm just here for the Jello." [---] "Yeah," Jae said, "I'm sure Dong's okay. I mean, it's not like some demon samurai is waiting to kill him." Chang looked at Choi, who looked back at Chang. No words were said, as they had debated this decision for a long time between themselves, and whether or not to take the secret to their graves. but, as with all things, the truth would out that day. "Speaking of which, Jae," Chang began, "Choi and I have something to tell you that we've been keeping a secret for some time now." "And now," Choi continued. " Has come the time for you to know the truth." Jae looked at his two mentors, wondering what this secret was. "We didn't want to tell you," Chang said, "as we were worried you'd do something stupid." "But, beyond your years your wisdom is, so now you shall be told..." "That it was Freeman who killed your father." Jae blinked. "Freeman. The serial killer who has the worst traits of Akuma, Benimaru, Iori and Remy? The guy who looks like Jeff Hardy? The hero-slayer?" "The same," replied both of Jae's surrogate uncles. Jae sat himself down on a park bench, his mind digesting this new information. "But, he's dead isn't he? The reports said he fell to his death off a cliff after being beaten by two fighters and then shot by a police sniper." "Evil that strong cannot easily die," Choi said. Jae's mind raced back to that fateful day four years ago, when his world came crashing down his ears, as his hero fell to evil. [---] Kim Kap Hwan clutched at his chest, lunging back after the strike from the red haired man before him had drawn blood. The stranger's technique was completely unfamiliar, save that his ferocity and almost animal movements drew to mind the infamous Riot of The Blood possessed by those of the Orochi. Kim tried a Heinzan to put some distance between them, but another swipe of the man's claw like hands tore into his leg, dropping Kim to the ground. Young Kim Jae Hoon was watching this confrontation, as his father was taking blow after blow from the man in monochrome motley with the red hair. "Jae," Kim shouted to his younger son, "run! Get back to your mother! I'll catch up with you!" The stranger drew himself back, his arms writhing like twin vipers as he wagged his finger at Kim. "Naughty, naughty," he said, a twisted smile on his lips, "it's not polite to lie to young children." "My dad's no liar," Jae shouted, "he'll beat you like he has all the other bad guys!" The man turned to Jae, a low chuckle emanating from his lips, before he threw his head back in a peal of twisted laughter, when he finished, he looked at Jae, and without the hair in the way, one could see the insane glee in the villain's eye. Jae, acting in fear, began to back away as the man advanced on him. "Be thankful Kap Hwan," he said, "I'm giving you moments of precious time while I teach this brat a lesson. After all, I wouldn't want to deprive you of the feeling of near death." The stranger was almost on top of Jae now. The next sound Jae heard was a roar of absolute fury, like an entire pride of lions, only louder and more ferocious. The next thing Jae saw was a blur of white as his father slammed himself into his foe, then began to beat him down with a flurry of his most powerful kicks. "YOU!" *WHACK* "WILL!" *CRUNCH* "LEAVE!" *THWACK* "MY!" *CRASH* "SON!" *SHKOW* "ALONE!" *RAKA-THAAAAAAAMMMM!!!* The red-haired man hurtled through the air, colliding with an oak tree which toppled under the sheer force of impact. For a moment, the man lay with the stillness of death, before he at last wearily rolled his head around to stare at Kim. "Finish...it," he said between ruined teeth. Kim watched the man, saying nothing as Chang and Choi came running onto the scene of carnage to help. All Kim did then was wordlessly tell them to take Jae to safety. "I'm so close...kill me Kim, and send me on the greatest adventure." Kim turned away from the man to rejoin his family and friends. "No," Kim said, never facing his would-be killer. "To do so would be to grant the desires of a complete madman. No, I'll leave you there, alone and helpless until you're turned over to the authorities, with the recommendation that you be left in solitary for the rest of your life, alive yet helpless, remembering this day, this humiliation, for your evil cannot be forgiven!" When all Kim heard in response was silence, he turned to the where the killer's body lay, only to see the broken tree. "Look out Dad," Jae shouted. Kim whirled about, only to feel the red-haired man's arm against his neck in a painful chokehold as his other hand dug into the side of his head. "You should have finished me when you had the chance you naive fool," the man whispered into Kim's ear. "But I'm in a forgiving mood, so I'll reward you by letting your boy live. He's still too young to understand my gift after all." Kim looked at his son, who knew his father wouldn't say a word, refusing to give the madman the satisfaction of savoring Kim's last breath. But then the killer looked Jae in the eye once again with that feral gleam, against which Jae shut his eyes, and thus in the darkness he heard: "Boy, do you know Death?" *snap* [---] "And that was it," Jae said, "Dad was gone." All present nodded softly, knowing the unfairness of Kim's death. Chang and Choi had gone after Freeman to avenge their friend and bore witness to his apparent demise, but the pain still lingered. But time, however slow, seals all wounds, and they had gotten on with their lives. The former convicts did their best to complete Dong and Jae's training, and the boys grew into men and took on their father's legacy as future Tae Kwan Do masters. But they all agreed that they would get together for one week each year to remember the life and memory of Kip Kap Hwan. The four mourners stood there in the park, silent before the solemnity of the moment, finding no words to say, when they spotted the now unmistakable form of The Driver pulling into the parking lot. Suffice to say, Jae's mind snapped back to the present and he raced towards his co-worker. NEG, Chang and Choi followed. "Driver," he said, "I suppose something big came up at the office that they're calling in everyone?" The Driver shook his head. "No? Then you're paying me a social call since your social life is out of order because you're that contraption?" Another shake. "Then what?" It was then that the man who had been riding on the back of the machine, clambered down at looked at Jae, then at The Driver who nodded, then looked at Jae again and said: "My name is Brad Vickers, Mr. Kim, and we need to talk. Now." [---] "I still can't believe you know these guys," Stone said. "I needed Dan to travel," Sakura said, "of course I know them. When their cult formed they offered me an honorary membership, but I haven't found any use for it until now." "Whatever," Rock said, "let's just get what we came for and get out of here." "Agreed," said both Sakura and Stone. "Remember," she said as they approached the building, "let me do the talking. They still trust me." Rock and Stone both nodded, then stood back as Sakura knocked on the door. Moments later a gravelly voice came from the other side. "Yeah, what do you guys want?" Sakura took a breath, shuddered, then struck a pose and shouted in her loudest voice, "I am The Sweet and Bubbly Pink Cherry Blossom of Saikyo-Ryu! I seek audience with Blanka-Sama, The Rolling Pink Lightning of Saikyo-Ryu!" A chorus of voices on the other side of the door responded this time. "It is the Second Apostle of Hibiki!" "The First Student!" "The Great One's sidekick!" The door opened and the three teens were pulled in by Dig Dug, Karnov and Jin Saotome. "Welcome back to the fold," Karnov said. "Am I to believe that these two men with you are potential converts?" "I'm afraid I have little time for formalities Karnov-Sama," Sakura said with a bow, "We have only come on a most urgent quest as we make holy pilgrimage to Ecuador, and for that we must ask a boon of Blanka." Jin was gaping. "My brothers, they are assembling the Armour of Invincibility!" All eyes of course turned to Rock, who was trying very hard to see if his new clothes could turn him invisible. "By the ponytail of Hibiki himself," Karnov exclaimed, "you speak truth, he is indeed." "Uh, yeah," Rock said. "A piece was left to me by my father so I decided to get the entire set." Jin nodded. "Indeed, I see you have the Stroheim breastplate, as was shown to me by Krauser himself when he taught me the armor break technique." "I thought you looked familiar," Stone said. "You have indeed chosen a worthy path," Karnov said, "for the Armor of Invincibility's power comes through mastering the Ki of the humiliation you get while wearing it." "And Blanka's anklets are next on out list," Sakura said. The Brazilian mutant chose that moment to enter. "Arwow," he shouted. "Hello again Blanka," Sakura said. "Ungawa!" "Yes, if you would be so kind." "WoooW!" "I see. What must we do?" "Uwooo! Uwooo!" "I... see. We shall then prove ourselves worthy to you, Rolling Pink Lighting of Saikyo-Ryu." "Ubaguu?" "Yes, that was me with Sonia Romanenko in that pictorial." "Owaaah!" "May Hibiki-sama be with you, too." As Sakura re-joined her friends, she outlined their fetch quest. "Well guys," she said, "it seems their virgin priestess has gone missing and we have to find her. We bring her back; take a free lesson in Saikyo-Ryu, and Blanka forks over his anklets in gratitude" Rock was of course skeptical. There was something she was leaving out. "And that priestess would be?" "Chu-Chu." "That 2 foot furry nymphomaniac," Stone shouted. "That thing could be humping anyone!" "Blanka says not everyone," Sakura said, "just the biggest macho thing she can find or their Chosen One, whoever that is." "Right," Rock said, "we may as well get started." as the three of them left OOSHA headquarters, Rock asked Sakura, "So, you and Sonia..." Sakura smiled. "I can introduce you two, I'm sure she wouldn't mind sharing." "I'm sorry to interrupt," Stone said, "But after we do this, are we going to Ecuador? I have a fully-staffed private jet I've been waiting to use." "We'll have to go there eventually," Rock said, "since we need Ryu's headband. In the meantime, keep an eye out for Casey Jones; He lives in this part of town, and we need his hockey mask." [---] Roughly a minute later, Wolverine staggered in through the door of OOSHA, looking like he'd fought an entire army to get there. "Found yer missin' Chosen One," he said between coughs of blood. "Oh praise Oyaji," Dig Dug said. "Where is he?" "Y'ain't gonna like it, bub." Bob approached the scrappy Canadian, whose healing factor was already half-way done fixing him up. "We must find the Chosen One, no matter the cost." "Athena's got him, Bub." "I'm Bob." "The Scrub goddess!" exclaimed Bub. "She who stands against all that is good, pure and honest about fighting. We must save him." "Problem there, shorty." "I'm Bub." "She's got two thirds of the Scrub Corps guarding her place. Almost didn't get away thanks to Cable 'n Strider Hiryu." Karnov turned to his assembled brethren (plus Wolverine, and minus Akuma). "My brothers and sisters, The destined Chosen One is the prisoner of the Scrubs! We must get him back, as acting high priest I officially declare Jihad upon the Church of Athena! Jin, ready Bestial Machine God Saikyo Cougar MK. 3, Bub, find the Curiously Unpink Topknot of Saikyo-Ryu. Bob, call the Acolytes, maybe we can use Magneto as a distraction..." "Okay," Wolverine said as he lit himself a cigar, "I'm back in business, and I'm seeing this job through to the end. Count me in." "Then you wish to join us as the Scrappy Pink Claw of Saikyo-Ryu," asked Strength-Chan. "Nope, I just want a rematch with Cable." "Ah well," she said with a shrug, "easy come, easy go." "At any rate," Bub said, "Let's go kick scrub butt!" "OOSHA!" was the collective cry of, well, OOSHA. [---] And thus OOSHA set out to rescue their messiah from the clutches of Athena, and it, was good, and met with His approval even though he could not tell them he approved because he was still in prison breaking rocks all day while chained to Ryu. "Yeah," Dan said, "you guys show those scrubs a thing or two. Defile her temple while you're at it if you can." "But Dan," Ryu said, "Vengeance is not the true path, but rather it is found in the bottom of lukewarm oatmeal." Dan just rolled his eyes. Just then, there was a clap of thunder, as a phone booth landed in the Work-yard. When it opened, out stepped some guy in an orange ninja suit, and a burly man who looked like a wrestler turned mayor. They approached one of the prisoners. "Cody," said the ninja, "it's me, Guy! You've been set up dude! So we're springing you!" "What?" asked Cody, "sweet! I knew I didn't do it. Say Mike, how was I framed?" Mike Haggar removed his futuristic sunglasses. "Cody, Belger's back as a radioactive cyborg zombie, and has reformed Mad Gear. They turned Sodom's truck into a time machine and they're now mucking up history. So now I have to ask you both..." "Yeah," asked Guy and Cody simultaneously. "Are you bad enough dudes to reform continuity?" "Of Course, my amigo," said Cody. "For I am Cody." "And I am Guy, and together we are..." They both struck a pose and shouted "FYNAL FYTERS!" Haggar smiled as he put his shades on. "Well then boys, let's make history." and with that the trio got in the booth and began their most excellent adventures. "Now that," Dan said, "was a jailbreak with style." "Dan," said Ryu, "It is not the style that is important, but knowing the number of quills on a porcupine's back." "You're making this up as you go, aren't you?" [---] Back at Jae's apartment, where he, NEG, Chang, Choi and Brad had gone (The Driver had given them a lift back, then drove off) after meeting at the park, the former S.T.A.R.S. member was finishing his story with what had happened to Dao. "Gardua came after me too," Jae said, "I guess I should count myself very lucky that Dio got in that thing's way before it got to me." "Yes you should," Brad said, "because I know why it's been after you, and a few of the other weird things that've been going on. Well, Dao knew, but he told me in case something happened to him, but that's beside the point." "What is the point?" Choi asked Brad. "The point is that Jae may be one of three things that stand between the world as we know it and eternal damnation. It used to be four but I told you what happened to Dao." Efrite separated himself from Jae momentarily. "I presume this has to do with that prophecy Dao was always spouting off about?" Brad nodded. Efrite shrugged. "We always figured he was making it up after being in the car for all those years. "Well he wasn't." "Excuse me," NEG said, raising her hand. "But for the rest of us, what's this prophecy." "I may as well start from the beginning," Brad said, "Long ago a powerful demon prince named Blackheart roamed the Earth, causing untold pain and suffering, until one day he was bound to Hell for some unknown reason that had to do with naked women. All's well and good for the next few thousand years, save for some ancient texts that foretold that Blackheart would free himself once more, and would be more powerful than ever." "So now he's loose," Chang asked. "No. Not yet. As I said, Blackheart can't leave Hell at all, and thus has to use astral projection to communicate with his vassals, although Dao said there were other ways he could temporarily manifest. However, he's had his minions perform a number of unholy rituals that are slowly turning this city into a suburb of Hell, thus it will be both there and here, and he can walk the earth once more." "Yet before have demons of similar stature walked the Earth," Choi said, "how is this different?" "Because normally, Demons lose some of their power when they manifest in the Earth dimension, leaving them vulnerable or otherwise defeatable. Because South Town will be a part of Hell, he won't lose any of his power. Worse, any demon that comes through after him via that exit will also be at full power, and thus they can create a Hell on Earth." It was Jae's turn to raise a hand. "So where do the Elemental Spirits come in?" Brad shrugged. "I don't really know. They're either essential to completing Blackheart's plan, or they're the only things that can stop him. It might even be both. Either way, he wants them under his thumb." "Your words have been most helpful," Efrite said, turning into red smoke and merging with Jae once more. "Is there any thing else you have to help, such as whoever's performing these rituals for Blackheart?" "Nope, I don't know, and frankly, I don't care. I've seen what you people are up against, and frankly, I'm putting as much distance between me and this hell-hole as possible. See ya." And with that Brad "Chickenheart" Vickers bolted out the door before anyone could stop him. "So, the world's going to Hell and only we can stop it," Jae said to put the situation in a nutshell. "And doubtful any will listen to us," Choi added, "considering our informant has fled. "Just like old times," Chang concluded. "Team Korea rides again!" [---] Kyo Kusanagi sat in his office, his hand cradling a glass of wine as he looked over a set of stock reports, when his chair jerked back suddenly, sending him sprawling on the floor and looking up into the eyes of Iori Yagami. "Hello Kyo," Iori hissed. "Iori," Kyo said in a fit of panic as his nemesis pulled him up by the front of his shirt, "hi. Is it Saturday already?" "Indeed it is, Kyo." Iori then threw Kyo a fair distance into the liquor cabinet. Iori then approached his fallen enemy, his hands igniting with his trademark purple flames. "And that means we end this here and now." Kyo got to his feet in a shot, motivated by pure anger. "You bitch! Fire is mine you goddamn punk piece of shit! I am Kyo Kusanagi, and I am f..." Iori pimp-smacked Kyo, shutting him up. He then proceeded to drag Kyo around the room beating him senseless the whole time. "Ranting doesn't suit you. You've changed over the years, Kyo. Back in KOF you'd have seen that strike coming a mile away. Now look at you: lazy, weak, you've gotten soft and fat Kyo, and you stink of alcahol. You're nothing more than a rich drunkard, a pig too bloated to see the butcher's axe." "I'm not fat," Kyo retorted. "Well you're certainately out of shape." "I'm in shape!" "Round, that is." "Shut up!" "You shut up." Iori tossed Kyo again, watching him land behind his desk. "Like I said, Kyo," Iori was taking his time now, doing his best to take as much pleasure as he could from a task that had become a chore. In the past he had relished fights with Kyo, as they always pushed him to his limits, and brought with them a steady adrenaline rush to soothe his cursed blood. Now, the challenge was gone, and there was nothing left for Iori but the killing. "It ends here." Thus it was to Iori's surprise that Kyo actually stod up from behind the desk, seemingly ignorant of the injuries he'd been dealt. Iori smiled, apparently there was still some fight left. "I'm glad to see you'll take your death like a man," Iori said, "and not cowering and snivelling for your life like the gutless worm you've become." It was then that Iori noticed that Kyo's eyes were a glowing red. In an instant, a bolt of lightning flew from Kyo's hand, striking Iori to the ground. Only his training as a ninja kept the Yagami heir from crying out in pain. "I'm sorry," Kyo said with a voice not his own, a harsh inhuman whisper that chilled Iori to the bone. "But Kyo had to step out for the moment." 'Kyo' raised his arms into the air, summoning a black sphere between them, before tossing it down at Iori as it exploded into a column of fire which blew him across the room, where he was caught by green imps summoned when 'Kyo' stomped his foot on the ground. "Who are you?" Iori demanded. 'Kyo' took a bow. "I am Blackheart, the Prince of Hell. I'm possessing Kyo. That is all you need to know." With a series of hand gestures, he opened a swirling green vortex in the far wall. "I suppose you're going to send me to an eternal torment of fire and brimstone now," Iori said with a cynical grimace. "Hardly," the possessed Kyo said. "I've grown tired of the traditional tortures, and I have little time in my current schedule for regular torment, so once I'm done torturing you for a day or so, I'll have you sent back to Hanzou....Oooh, Hell yes that felt good." "So I'm not getting flames am I? I suppose then it'll be hellhounds, or infernal bees, or hellhounds with bees in their mouths and when they bark they'll shoot bees?" "I'd hate the spoil the surprise," the demon smiled. The green imps carried Iori through the potal, and alone in solitude, Blackheart mused on the events that had led up to that moment. After all, it wasn't every day that one of his contracts made certain he wouldn't get their soul, without remembering that Blackheart would own their body. But, like all those who dealt with devils, Kyo had not thought things through. And the best part was, Kyo was still completely unaware of this fact, as his human memory kept blotting out the experience. Blackheart of course, thought this was incredibly amusing, so he laughed evilly. [---] Fuuma sat watching TV, flipping through the channels. But then the batteries for the remote died, and thus he was stuck on one channel, as a new show came on, with many a flashing light highlighting the title graphics. [---] "Hey Kids," the program's unseen announcer called out in a hillbilly accent. "It's time for Iori Yagami's Happy-Happy Fun Magic Sing-Song Hour Jamboree." The camera changed to a wide shot of a picket fence and cornfeild, with a somewhat bewildered and definately pissed off Iori Yagami wearing a straw hat and denim overalls over his usual clothes. "And here's your host boys and girls," The announcer continued, "Iori Yagami The Happy Happy Fun Song Singing Magic Vegetable Farmer!" Iori's faced turned an evil shade of purple out of sheer outrage. "Oh, fuck, no." It was then that muppets of a carrot dressed like Billy Kane, a Shermie-based tomato, and a zucchini that bore a striking resemblance to Ryo Sakazaki popped up from behind the fence. Iori stared. "What the hell are you?" From left to right, the felt-covered veggies sounded off. "Oi'm Billy Karrot." "I'm Shermato, You're looking ripe today, Farmer Iori!" "Me! Ryo! Zucchini! Eat Me!" Billy Karrot thwacked Ryo with a stick sewn onto his side "Oi! We don't get eaten you wanker! We sing all day and party every night like we were raised to." The vein that was sticking out on Iori's forehead began to pulse like a strobe light. "Sing?" "You got it honeyass!" Shermato bounced up and down to a beat. "And a one and a two and a three...This is the song that doesn't end..." "Yeah! We just rock on and on, me mates!" Shermie continued. "Some people, started singing it not knowing what it was..." "But! They keep Singing! Just Because!" All three began singing in unison, which is when Iori snapped and began tearing them to pieces and lighting them on fire. But for every muppet he destroyed, two more arose to take its place, and soon he was surrounded by the likes of Yam-azaki, Rolento Schutabaga, Robert Garlic-a, The Amazing Spinach-man, Kale Kusanagi, Pumpk-E.-Honda, Geese Cauliflowerd, and Poochy-Woochy The Pink-Haired Singing Fun-Fun Magic Flying Dog, whose TV career was short-lived when Iori yanked Poochy out of the piano wire that allowed it to fly and tore out its throat with his teeth to get at the cotton fluff inside. Because they just kept singing, incessantly, endlessly, and many times off-key. In the end, Iori lay on the ground, curled in a fetal position, sucking on his thumb, knowing that his hour was almost up. "That's the time we have for this hour boys and girls," he said with some histeria in his voice, as he rose to his feet. At last, the nightmare was over. "But Farmer Iori," said Blackheart Berry with a smile, "Don't you remember? You said that today was the start of your week-long marathon to support the vegetarians of the world, and that the show won't stop until seven days from now, which means we have 167 more hours of non-stop singing, fun and magic!" All the singing vegetable muppet fighters squealed in unison, then began singing "It's A Small World After All", while Iori let out a howl of despair before collapsing in a heap again. Looking out at the camera, he begged: "When, does, the hurting...stop?" Suddenly, the Ferris Bueller theme began to play, as a blue and white labelled tin can moved in front of Iori's line of sight while doing what amounted to repeated pelvic thrusts. "Your party fears are over!" it shouted. "Captain Clamatto! Is thrusting! all... night... LONG!!!" [---] Fumma had to go take a leak then, so he was spared watching Iori suffer more. 1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 And so ends yet another exiciting installment of Forgot About Jae. OgOpOgO writes the next exciting installment, so tune in next week when at Kusanagi Tower... 1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 Kyo woke up groggily, and looked about his office, still ruined from last night's struggle. Iori was nowhere to be found, which was a Good Thing (TM), although Kyo couldn't remember why. Puzzled, he paged Yuki's desk via his personal intercom. "Yes Kyo," she asked. "What happened last night?" he asked. There was the sound of shifting papers. "Well, according to your memo, you were working late when you decided to fight Iori to prove you're still South Town's Number 1. You kicked his butt, drove him from your office, then called your bodyguards in and docked them a week's pay for letting Iori in." Kyo nodded. "Right, that makes sense, I'd do that." he paused. "One question." "Yes?" "Do you know why my ass hurts?"