The King of Fighters "Certainly they existed... Those blinded by ambition. Those consumed with vengence. But here they do not exist. Only winners and losers here. For here, the MIGHTY rule!" Esaka Team Fatal Fury Team Art of Fighting Team Ikari Warriors Team Psycho Soldiers Team Girls Team Korea Team USA Team Yagami Team Bosses Team New Faces Team Special Team O. New Faces Team Oyaji Team K's Team Benimaru's Team NESTS Team Single Entries Bosses Non-Playable | Kyo Kusanagi | Benimaru Nikaido | | Goro Daimon | Shingo Yabuki | | Terry Bogard | Andy Bogard | Joe Higashi | | Mai Shirunai | Blue Mary | | Ryo Sakazaki | Robert Garcia | Takuma Sakazaki | | Yuri Sakazaki | King | | Heidern | Ralf Jones | Clark Steel | Leona | Whip | | Athena Asamiya | Sie Kensou | | Chin Gentsai | Bao | | Yuri Sakazaki | King | Mai Shirunai | | Kasumi Todoh | Chizuru Kagura | | Li Xiangfei | Hinako Shijou | | Kim Kaphwan | Chang Koehan | Choi Bounge | | Jhun Hoon | May Lee | | Heavy D! | Lucky Glauber | Brian Battler | | Iori Yagami | Eiji Kisaragi | Billy Kane | Mature | | Vice | Vanessa | Seth | Ramon | | Geese Howard | Wolfgang Krauser | Mr. Big | | Yashiro Nanakase | Shermie | Chris | | Ryuji Yamazaki | Blue Mary | Billy Kane | | Orochi Yashiro | Orochi Shermie | Orochi Chris | | Heidern | Takuma Sakazaki | Saisyu Kusanagi | | K' | Maxima | Ramon | Vanessa | Whip | Lin | | Benimaru Nikaido | Shingo Yabuki | Lin | Seth | | Kula Diamond | Foxy | K9999 | Angel | | Iori Yagami | Shingo Yabuki | Rugal Bernstein | | Kyo Kusanagi | Kyo Version 1.0 | Kyo Version 2.0 | | Kula Diamond | Puar | | Rugal Bernstein | Saisyu Kusanagi | | Omega Rugal | Chizuru Kagura | Goenitz | | Orochi Iori | Orochi Leona | Orochi | Krizalid | | Zero | Original Zero | Igniz | | Candy | Diana | Puar | Southtown. A city over flown with industrial activity, and most of all, well known for it's passionate nightlife, and the interesting fights that take place in the innards of the small city. Because, basically, that is the life stream that feeds the veins of Southtown: Fighting has stopped being a hobby to become a way of life, a way to survive in a town gone mad. Even if you chose another path, ultimately, your life will sooner or later head you to the battle arena. This reflects, in summary, the violent nature of the citizens of Southtown. However, this has been more evident ever since the arrival of a mysterious man named Geese Howard. Geese Howard soon established himself as the most powerful man in Southtown, thanks to his illegal operations in gun and drug dealing. His personal wealth became far beyond anybody could ever imagine, even surpassing that of the mayor of Southtown. Even though he was not the mayor of the city, Geese began to insert the flow of corruption and fear in the hearts of Southtown's policy. It has reached such high levels, that the police barely does something about it. Not only have they been paid well to keep their mouth shut, they also fear for their very lives. People in Southtown were no different. Geese's illegal operations couldn't be stopped in any way. And even if they tried, they would soon be violently rejected by Geese's forces. But Geese was not a man who needed personal protection all day. Geese himself is a master in the Hakkyokuseiken school of martial arts, and his strength is so terrible that no one had survived while facing him. Wielding an incredible power at his hands. Geese ruled Southtown with an iron fist, indeed. However, to keep himself entertained and to eliminate any possible opposition, Geese created the "King of Fighters" tournament. The competition involved having a group of fighters fight among themselves the prove who is truly the most powerful, and the one with the right to challenge Geese in the championship match. However, nobody has ever reached him, since Geese placed as his number one contendant his own personal bodyguard: pole master, Billy Kane, from England. His ability with the stick was so admirable, he made short work out of anyone who challenged him. That was why Geese almost never fought anybody. Until one faithful day... On the outbreak of yet another tournament, new contenders came in. It seemed practically normal, except for one thing: a certain pair of brothers who came in to make things harder for Geese and his men. And it was quite obvious, considering that their father, another great Hakkyokuseiken master named Jeff Bogard, was killed by Geese since Jeff was always a better student and stronger fighter than Geese. That's why Geese eliminated him as any possible threat to his grip on the city. However, Jeff's two sons, Terry Bogard and Andy Bogard, along with their friend, Japanese kick boxer Joe Higashi, had come to exact revenge from Geese, and this time, Geese's championship was put in serious jeopardy, even more notable by their incredible easiness in winning their battles, and even in smashing Billy Kane. Geese saw in this the perfect opportunity to squish the worms. However, he was surprised by the incredible strength of the elder brother, Terry Bogard. He used all the techniques his father had used, but he had a certain something that separated him from Jeff: the fact that he actually enjoyed fighting and in defeating stronger opponents. Geese wasn't expecting so much enthusiasm out of a man, and he was even more surprised by the fact that he also knew a few more tricks. In his agony of defeat, Geese was knocked out of the window on the top of his tower where he and Terry were fighting. Geese was presumed dead afterwards. A year later after Geese's defeat, the world was shuddered when a man by the name of Wolfgang Krauser took the role of the tournament and increased it from a local stage to a worldwide stage. Krauser was a German nobles man, but his fighting skills, extracted from the Strolheim bloodline, were devastating and ruthless. His strength was many times more bigger than Geese's, and his skills were twice as deadly. Krauser began a intensive search of the man who defeated Geese Howard, but not precisely to take revenge, but to challenge him, as Krauser enjoyed having a little fun with men inferior to him. So, as the tournament was taking place in several parts of the world, Krauser himself began his own streak in smashing renown fighters around the world, making more and more evident his power to the world. Once again, the Lonely Wolves (as the trio formed by Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard, and Joe Higashi was later known as) took on the challenge of Krauser, but they were no longer alone in their battle. Five other warriors from around the globe gathered to compete for the right to face Krauser in the last, fateful battle. Once again, Terry managed to reach the finals, passing through such tough opponents like the ex-heavyweight boxing champion Axel Hawk, and Krauser's right-hand man, the Spanish bullfighter Lawrence Blood. Once again, a fatal battle was about to begin. Terry and Krauser engaged in a legendary battle, indeed. Both had finesse, skills, and the enjoyment of battle in their souls. It was the clash of two immense powers. However, Terry had learned a lot from his previous battles, and gained enough experience, thus which Krauser did not gain in his previous encounters with other fighters. So while Krauser was only goofing around, Terry actually learned something from his previous opponents. Taking a new air, Terry used his ultimate techniques, and managed to defeat Krauser. Thus, the second King of Fighters tournament ended, and as last year, it was unknown who would take the tournament in his/her own hands. Until... We are opening the King of Fighters 1994... The King of Fighters 1994 "We are opening the King of Fighters 1994. Following the time honored custom, this year we will adopt a special rule of competition between teams of 3 fighters. That's all... [R]" Hero Team Fatal Fury Team Art of Fighting Team Ikari Warriors Team Psycho Soldiers Team Girls Team Korea Team USA Team Boss | Kyo Kusanagi | Benimaru Nikaido | Goro Daimon | | Terry Bogard | Andy Bogard | Joe Higashi | | Ryo Sakazaki | Robert Garcia | Takuma Sakazaki | | Heidern | Ralf Jones | Clark Steel | | Athena Asamiya | Sie Kensou | Chin Gentsai | | Yuri Sakazaki | King | Mai Shirunai | | Kim Kaphwan | Chang Koehan | Choi Bounge | | Heavy D! | Lucky Glauber | Brian Battler | | Rugal Bernstein | 1994. The modern age is now in it's total fulfilment. The world has suffered various changes, and technology has advanced as well. However, in the fighting world, a more dramatic outbreak was to take place... This year, the man known as Rugal Bernstein began to make waves in the world. His reputation as a black market leader and expert in weapon and drug trafficking were unsurpassed, and known by many as one of the more wealthy men in the world. Aboard the Blacknoah, his private air carrier, from where he receives and delivers his stocks, Rugal cruised the seas of the world, without being able to be stopped by the world governments. And not only was Rugal feared and respected in the crime world. He was also known to be quite a formidable fighter, and it is known that anybody who has faced him aboard the Blacknoah, has not escaped alive. Rugal, bored by the lack of competition, had an ominous idea. He ordered one of his personal secretaries, Mature, to go around the world, and give eight invitations to certain people around the world. These invitations were enclosed in white envelopes, with red seals marked the "Rugal" sign. He was to retake the old King of Fighters tournament, and take it in his own hands. However, he was going to create some new rules this year. Instead of one-on-one fights, the new competition system was to include battles between teams of three people. Fights will take place between these teams, in a tag-team fashion. If one of the members were to be defeated by one of the other team's members, the next member will come in to fight the winner, and will go on until all three members of one team would be defeated. However, before the tournament was to be commenced, a man stood before Rugal...ready to fight him to the end and finish his stupid ambition. Of course, Rugal was not the one to be intimidated... Days later, the new King of Fighters tournament began. Eight teams had entered, representing eight different countries. Japan, with the newest breed of Asian heroes. Italy, having no other than the legendary Lonely Wolves. Mexico, showing the power of Kyokugenryo Karate. Brazil, represented by Ikari mercenaries. China, combining both old and new generations. Korea, sporting some weird combination of justice and crime. England, the only all-female team. USA, and the three most important country sports. Thus, the battles began. Emotive encounters took place, and the passion and fury of battle once again raged on, with more emotion than ever before. So many different fighters, so many different styles. It was a delight to see so many fighting skills facing one another, in a battle not presenting hatred, just the satisfaction and honour of winning. The battles were long and winded, and the winners were only defined by short instances. At the end, it was not the Lonely Wolves, but the Japan Team which came out the winner. This team had two young fighters and one experienced warrior. One of the young ones was Kyo Kusanagi, latest descendant of the Kusanagi clan, renown for their crimson flames. The other was Benimaru Nikaido, a brash and arrogant fighter, expert in shooting karate (a variation of Muetai kickboxing), and also having the power of lightning. The experienced one was Goro Daimon, the large Judo champion, who's impressive strength made the earth itself tremble. All three were defined by a national martial arts championship which took place in Japan: Kyo came out on top, beating Benimaru in the finals; Daimon was third, after being beaten by Kyo in the semi-finals. Mature, Rugal's personal secretary, invited the Japan Team atop a helicopter, which was to transfer them to the Blacknoah: their final battle was about to begin. Rugal saluted the team as they came in the Blacknoah, aside his pet panther and a glass of wine. He laughed and honestly thought they wouldn't come this far. Shocked at this statement, the three fighters were paralysed at the sight around them: groups and groups of statues of fighters extended everywhere. With another evil laughter, Rugal admits that all those fighters were alive once, and that he had defeated them all, and bathed their bodies in steel so that they would be immortalized. And the Japan Team was the next in the eerie collection... Rugal fought the three fighters. Benimaru and Daimon fought well, but they only managed to make Rugal a lot more angrier, obligating him to use his best techniques. He confesses that he never had to reach to such instances, but the circumstances so applied for it. Using his full power, Rugal even took the best techniques of Geese and Krauser, past hosts of the tournament! After defeating Benimaru and Daimon, Kyo was the last one standing. Although Kyo fought with all his might, Rugal turned out to be a ruthless fighter, and began to make Kyo feel the heat of the battle. Almost on his knees, Kyo, with sore eyes, saw a body lying in a corner of the room. With disbelief, he saw that it was no other than his own father, Saisyu Kusanagi. He had turned out to face Rugal prior to the tournament, but had been defeated...perhaps even killed. Kyo couldn't take it anymore. He bursted in rage, and in sheer fury, attacked Rugal like a crimson tornado. Unable to avoid the rage of the Kusanagi, Rugal fell in defeat. With his voice paused by the pain, Rugal silently condemns the Japan Team to a swift death...crazy of revenge, and a poor loser, Rugal took a strange device, and pressed the button. The Blacknoah was now to auto destroy itself! Kyo, Benimaru, and Daimon barely made it out alive, as the Blacknoah, engulfed in flames, sank to the bottom of the ocean. Thus, the King of Fighters tournament ended yet again, and as the same as the past two years, nobody was seen to be able to take hand of the tournament. Announcing the King of Fighters '95 Tournament... The King of Fighters 1995 "Announcing the King of Fighters '95 Tournament. The tournament will be conducted as last year and we welcome both new and old victims-er, teams. Break a spine, R..." Hero Team Fatal Fury Team Art of Fighting Team Ikari Warriors Team Psycho Soldiers Team Girls Team Korea Team Yagami Team Bosses 1995 Edit Teams | Kyo Kusanagi | Benimaru Nikaido | Goro Daimon | | Terry Bogard | Andy Bogard | Joe Higashi | | Ryo Sakazaki | Robert Garcia | Takuma Sakazaki | | Heidern | Ralf Jones | Clark Steel | | Athena Asamiya | Sie Kensou | Chin Gentsai | | Yuri Sakazaki | King | Mai Shirunai | | Kim Kaphwan | Chang Koehan | Choi Bounge | | Iori Yagami | Eiji Kisaragi | Billy Kane | | Omega Rugal | Saisyu Kusanagi | None A year passes. It's 1995. All the fighters of the past tournament remember the competition with fond memories, but now know that now that Rugal is dead, the tournament would die with him. That was, until seven of the eight teams began to receive invitations once again... This time, the envelopes were signed by some "R" fellow. Who was he, and what was that he wanted? Nobody knew, and many didn't even care, as the fighting will take place yet again...in 1995! All the teams gathered again, except one...the USA team was nowhere to be seen. This year, the teams were no longer affiliated to no country, but it was strange not to see or hear from them. However, one team did show up in their place...and, for some of the fighters, it wasn't a very grateful team at all. The team was formed by: Billy Kane, ex-champion of the tournament, and with a grunge against the Lonely Wolves. Eiji Kisaragi, a ruthless ninja with unfinished business with the Sakazaki family. And, the captain of the team, a lonely, but yet, incredibly strong fighter, whom used similar techniques to Kyo, but with the difference that he wielded purple flames! The mysterious young man was known no other as Iori Yagami, a descendant of the Yagami family, eternal rivals of the Kusanagi family. Now, the tournament would be filled of personal interests, giving way to more passionate fights than last year! With this frame of hatred, emotion, and excitement, the battle began once again. Warriors once again took one another, now with one year of experience, and some new techniques, making the battles more intriguing and exciting. This time, the results of the battle were decided in some times in the last fighter of each team, and the winner was nowhere to be defined. Not even the current champion, the Japan/Hero Team had an easy path. Revitalized warriors, combined with the new blood, made this tournament much more emotive and skilful than the last one. As the Hero Team was about to enter one of the last battles, they concentrated in the locker room. However, all of a sudden, a green smoke began to surround them. The trio noticed that they were losing their senses, and suddenly, all became black. Sleeping gas... Kyo woke up in a dark place. He could barely see his fainted companions next to him. He was received with a certain familiar laugh. It was no other than Rugal! Kyo, Benimaru, and Daimon were sceptical, but it was indeed him! He had something new about him...besides his cybernetic arm, he had a lot more power than before! How could this be? It seems that Rugal is also in terrible need of revenge! Rugal beckoned for the Hero Team, but he had a new partner up his sleeve...His other secretary, Vice, let way to a familiar man. Benimaru and Daimon were surprised, but Kyo was speechless...It was Saisyu Kusanagi, his own father! Kyo was filled with joy and happiness, but was stopped cold when his father challenged him to a fight. His eyes indicated that he was not himself. Rugal had brainwashed him, and ordered him to kill his own son! Kyo was so confused in fighting his own father...but Benimaru and Daimon fought the battle for him. Saisyu was a formidable opponent, being the father and master of Kyo, but he couldn't fight at his whole potential, due to his resistance to the brainwash. He was finally defeated, but both Benimaru and Daimon were exhausted and couldn't fight anymore. Saisyu regained his senses, and summoned Kyo. He bid his son to defeat Rugal, and avenge him. Then, Saisyu loses consciousness. Kyo slowly gets up, and faces Rugal once again. However, facing Kyo's rage, was Rugal's hatred! He suddenly began to emit a previously undetected aura, and his power began to rise to unexpected heights! His appearance took a different form, now with a demon look! It was the fury of Omega Rugal! The last battle began in the missile platform of Rugal's hidden underground base. Even though Kyo fought with the same enthusiasm as last year, the new power acquired by Rugal was far too much for Kyo to handle. His power and speed had now been doubled, and along with his feelings of hatred and revenge, things began to become bleak for Kyo. However, at the same time, he was aided by his friends, Terry, Ryo, Athena, between others. They all gave him strength to go on. Kyo got up once and once again. However, the tide had began to turn in Kyo's favour. And to boot, Rugal was beginning to lose control of his own body. Kyo forced Rugal to go all out, but that was his own downfall: the power in his body began to go out of control, and his body began to twitch and begin exploding. During his suffering, a deep voice could be heard in a far place: "You fool! Only those of the bloodline can control such power! You didn't have a chance!" Rugal vowed vengeance, and a pillar of light consumed Rugal, blinding Kyo. When he turned around, both Rugal and Iori had vanished. Taking Benimaru and Daimon with him, Kyo escapes from the base. Now, even though Rugal was gone for sure, nobody could tell if the tournament was dead or not. And nobody could tell what horror lied behind the power Rugal had... As a year flew by from the excitement... The King of Fighters 1996 "Violent fighting to come again. As a year flew by from the excitement, we now declare the opening of our special team tournament again... In 1996!" Hero Team Fatal Fury Team Art of Fighting Team Ikari Warriors Team Psycho Soldiers Team Girls Team Korea Team Yagami Team Boss Team Bosses 1996 Edit Teams Sacred Forces Team Goenitz Team | Kyo Kusanagi | Benimaru Nikaido | Goro Daimon | | Terry Bogard | Andy Bogard | Joe Higashi | | Ryo Sakazaki | Robert Garcia | Yuri Sakazaki | | Leona | Ralf Jones | Clark Steel | | Athena Asamiya | Sie Kensou | Chin Gentsai | | Kasumi Todoh | King | Mai Shirunai | | Kim Kaphwan | Chang Koehan | Choi Bounge | | Iori Yagami | Mature | Vice | | Geese Howard | Wolfgang Krauser | Mr. Big | | Goenitz | Chizuru Kagura | | Kyo Kusanagi | Iori Yagami | Chizuru Kagura | | Goenitz | No Chizuru Kagura | A year passed since the last tournament ended. It is the year of 1996, and once again, most of the past tournament's teams were invited to the ultimate fighting tournament. This time, the host was to be unknown, but it was certainly not Rugal; not just by the fact that the host was known to be a famous business woman, but also, the tournament broke it's own solemn seal of silence, and turned into a commercial, worldwide known event. The fights would be broadcasted by international T.V., and many sponsors would be watching the tournament. Soon, the King of Fighters tournament got as much attention as the Olympics or the soccer World Cup. As mentioned before, the same teams of last year were invited, but most of them presented some interesting changes. Some of the more veteran fighters, such as Heidern and Takuma, retired from the battle scene, leaving their places to those of the younger generation. Takuma sent his daughter, Yuri, in his place in the Kyokugenryo Team, and the Gorgeous Team welcomed Kasumi Todoh as their new team-mate. Heidern gave his place to his student, Leona, a young woman with mysterious powers. Iori, after severely beating up his old partners, had made an eerie union with both of Rugal's secretaries: Mature and Vice. But the one team that got the most attention, was the most evil team: the one leaded by Geese Howard and Wolfgang Krauser. Both of them showed by themselves that they were pretty much alive, and ready to claim rights for the tournament. Alongside them, was one of Geese's lackeys, Mr. Big, who had a very bad grudge against the Kyokugenryo school. It seems that this year would be filled of passion and honour as well! Before the main event began, Kyo, the fateful warrior that defeated Rugal twice in the past, was challenged by a mysterious man. Attending the invitation alone, Kyo faced this ominous man, whom offered Kyo a fight. However, even before the battle began, Kyo sensed a terrible power behind that man. The same power that Rugal possessed, and the one that destroyed him at the end. Kyo was even more anguished by the fact that the man was outrageously strong, making short work of Kyo in an instance. Kyo winded up in the hospital, forced to improve his techniques, and to fight him once more. As fights took place, everything seemed to go perfectly on the outside: the battles went on with a more dramatic sense to it, the fighters putting their own life on the line in order to win, thus, creating much more intense fights to decide the winner. Personal vendettas, such as the Kyo-Iori, and the Terry-Geese rivalries, took central stage in the tournament. However, an evil presence surrounded the tournament. The shadow of Rugal wasn't quite gone from the tourney, and something even worse was presented to come. Iori and the new Ikari member, Leona, began to show powers far beyond those of the fighters' comprehension, and the entrance of Geese was also quite disturbing. What was all this ominous feeling about? As the life-and-death battles raged on, the sense of evil power remained more and more resident in the mind of the fighters. As the finals drew nearer, the host finally revealed herself: it was no other than Chizuru Kagura, latest descendant of the Clan of the Yata, the group in charge of taking care of the seal that was imposed over an evil power. Chizuru revealed to the competitors that the seal upon this dangerous power was broken ten years ago, and that now, it has began to run amok, now more than ever. She now needs the help of the strongest team in order to aid her in her quest to seal off the power once again. She called for the Hero Team, past champion of the two tournaments, and they responded. The Hero Team was invited to a very big stadium, property of the Kagura family. The many people united there was pretty impressive. Chizuru appeared in front of the Hero Team, and asked them, if they were worthy, then they should have a battle with her. However, Chizuru gave more attention to Kyo than any of the other two team- mates. The Hero Team won the emotive battle against Chizuru, but she stood up to tell Kyo and his two friends that the power that ultimately vanquished Rugal was, indeed, the power of the Orochi. Benimaru and Daimon did not understand, but it did seem to ring a bell in Kyo's head. He had heard from his father that the Kusanagi was destined to battle the Orochi once again, as they did 1800 years ago in order to seal the power. However, in the present day, the Orochi power was released by a messenger of Orochi, and that Rugal, in a haste to control that power, winded up being defeated and his right eye taken, but that he received the Orochi power anyway, the messenger knowing that it would kill him sooner or later. As they talked, a strong wind began to blow in the stadium, and suddenly, a huge gush of wind blew everyone away! As the Hero Team got up, the festive and happy background had been morphed into that of death and destruction. The stadium was a bit less than destroyed, and a very big power began to surface. Chizuru was barely standing, badly wounded by the past gust. With her last breath, she tells Kyo to join Iori in order to seal the Orochi power. Kyo couldn't believe that he had to ally with his age-old enemy in order to seal the Orochi power. However, a strange voice emerged from the middle of the wind. Benimaru and Daimon did not know who that voice was, but Kyo knew for sure, since it was no other than the man who defeated him prior to the tournament. The surface materialized. The man introduced himself as Goenitz, and that he was the one would liberate the Orochi power completely. Kyo stood in front of him, daring Goenitz that he would be the one to stop him. Goenitz chuckled and warned Kyo the same result as the first battle. Kyo grinned and tells Goenitz he is not the same man he defeated earlier. Kyo tells Benimaru and Daimon to stand back, as they would only get killed by Goenitz subsequently. Soon enough, Kyo and Goenitz began the fight that would decide the fate of all mankind. Kyo fought with every ounce of strength in his body, making a lot more effort than the battle he lost. However, it was not enough to match the humongous power of Goenitz, whom, unlike Rugal, did know how to control his power, and using it in a devastating way. However, even Goenitz had trouble subduing the brave Kusanagi, and was glad that he had improved. The huge bursts of power made the wrecked stadium tremble, and both auras were expanded to unimaginable heights. However, one blow sent Kyo flying away, and Goenitz was ready to dispose of him once and for all, until he was caught off guard by a mysterious man. Kyo recovered and saw that it was no other than Iori! He was surprised that he would help him, but Goenitz looked even more pleased. He laughed and tells Kyo that he is finished, since Iori himself possesses the power of Orochi. Not only Iori, but also the young Ikari woman, Leona, was of Orochi blood as well. Kyo was shocked. Was that the reason why Iori was able to launch purple flames? Iori just stood there, motionless. Iori than laughed maniacally. He tells Goenitz that only he can kill Kyo, and that's that. Goenitz grumbled, and dared both enemies to take him on. So, two eternal foes forgot their rivalry for a while, and fought side by side against a common enemy. This time, Goenitz paid his overconfidence dearly. Facing both a Kusanagi and a Yagami was a huge mistake, and he even noticed that Iori was beginning to launch crimson flames himself! With a weakened Goenitz, Kyo and Iori winded up for the final blow. A huge crimson blast from both warriors was more than enough to take Goenitz away. Goenitz gasped. He kneeled down, and was living his final moments. Suddenly, Chizuru surged behind him. Kagura tells him that both the Kusanagi and the Yagami were both allies before the war, and both had aided in sealing the Orochi power 1800 years ago. Chizuru also demands payback, since Goenitz killed her sister in order to unleash the Orochi power. Goenitz grins, and tells Chizuru that the battle is far from over. With a gust of wind, Goenitz vanished in thin air. The wind receded. Chizuru tells both Kyo and Iori that they should become allies once again, in order to face the imminent danger that would unfold in front of them. Iori grumbles, and says he has his own intentions. And has he walks away, Iori finally stops and begins to clutch his chest. He then launches a blood-curling scream, and spits out blood. Chizuru is surprised, and says Iori is now passing through the Riot of Blood, process in which the Orochi blood inside him begins to awaken. Iori begins to terribly freak out, becoming more monster than human. His team-mates, Mature and Vice, try to stop him, but they pay for their interference by being ripped away by the insane Iori. Kyo now stands alone, with the danger of Orochi still fresh in his mind and soul. Now, the fourth phase is about to begin... The King of Fighters 1997 "They're back to the heat for the answer they've long been searching for. Is it their fate or just a bloody coincidence? It shall be clear, as three powers will be as one. Now, the fourth phase is about to begin... The King of Fighters '97. The story moves towards its violent destiny." Hero Team Fatal Fury Team Art of Fighting Team Ikari Warriors Team Psycho Soldiers Team Girls Team Korea Team New Faces Team Special Team Single Entries O. New Faces Team Bosses 1997 Edit Teams Sacred Forces Team Sidekicks Team Old Hero 94 Girls Team SNK Super Star Team Gamest Team Neo*Geo Freak Team Famitsu Team Kyo and Shingo Team Iori Team Leona Team Ralf and Clark Team Iori and Leona Team | Kyo Kusanagi | Benimaru Nikaido | Goro Daimon | | Terry Bogard | Andy Bogard | Joe Higashi | | Ryo Sakazaki | Robert Garcia | Takuma Sakazaki | | Leona | Ralf Jones | Clark Steel | | Athena Asamiya | Sie Kensou | Chin Gentsai | | Chizuru Kagura | King | Mai Shirunai | | Kim Kaphwan | Chang Koehan | Choi Bounge | | Yashiro Nanakase | Shermie | Chris | | Ryuji Yamazaki | Blue Mary | Billy Kane | | Iori Yagami | Shingo Yabuki | | Orochi Yashiro | Orochi Shermie | Orochi Chris | | Orochi | Orochi Iori | Orochi Leona | | Kyo Kusanagi | Iori Yagami | Chizuru Kagura | | Benimaru Nikaido | Joe Higashi | Kim Kaphwan | | Athena Asamiya | Ralf Jones | Clark Steel | | Yuri Sakazaki | King | Mai Shirunai | | Kyo Kusanagi | Terry Bogard | Ryo Sakazaki | | Terry Bogard | Blue Mary | Joe Higashi | | Kyo Kusanagi | Billy Kane | Mai Shirunai | | Ryuji Yamazaki | Blue Mary | Joe Higashi | | Kyo Kusanagi | Shingo Yabuki | No Iori Yagami | | Iori Yagami | No Leona | No Ralf Jones | | No Clark Steel | | Leona | No Iori Yagami | No Ralf Jones | | No Clark Steel | | Ralf Jones | Clark Steel | No Leona | | No Iori Yagami | | Iori Yagami | Leona | One year flew by. Although the last tournament had a tragic ending, the sponsors were satisfied by the success of the tournament in gathering millions of spectators worldwide. Thus, many of the more richer men in the world began to sponsor what would be the fourth tournament, to be taken place in 1997. This time, though, there would be preliminary rounds before the definitive matches. This time, the excitement would build up even before the actual tournament, and more people would see the battles worldwide. This time, most of the teams which have always participated in the last tournaments won the right to compete yet again. Chizuru, the past host of the tournament, teamed up with Mai and King, whom had lost Kasumi. Iori and Kyo's student, Shingo Yabuki, entered as single entries. Two new teams were introduced, however. One of them was a team sent out by Geese Howard, whom had quitted to the tournament, as well as Krauser and Mr. Big. In it was Billy Kane, Geese's bodyguard, with direct orders to watch over Iori, and investigate about the Orochi power, despite Billy's hatred towards Iori. Alongside him was Ryuji Yamazaki, a madman who would kill his own mother for a dime. Yamazaki was promised double the tournament's prize money if he could win. The third member was Blue Mary, an agent who was working undercover to investigate Yamazaki, and even Billy. The other team was unexpected; a last minute entry, to be precise. The three fellows were known to be members of a music band, but they suddenly emerged as the new team of the King of Fighters tournament. The team was formed by Yashiro Nanakase, Shermie, and a little kid named Chris. The three seemed to be innocent, but lethal fighters... Thus, began the tournament once again. This time, the final matches would take place in six different countries around the globe, always receiving a huge propaganda, mostly on T.V.. The matches were more intense than ever, but the danger of the Orochi was covering the competition with it's eerie shadow. What would happen with Iori and Leona? What does the New Face Team really want? Nobody dared to ask those questions, as perhaps, the answers would be catastrophic. The fights were still held on, and the people were satisfied by the huge amount of competition, mostly since all of the fighters came back with more and better techniques than ever before. It was unexpected to see who would win, and the fighters gave all they got in order to keep the heat on. That is, until the last days of the tournament... During the final days, Iori and Leona were reported missing. A frantic search began for the two Orochi blood members. Also, the New Face Team began to act a lot more stranger these past days. As if they knew something... Finally, Iori and Leona were encountered. However, they were no longer the same: the Riot of Blood had gained total control of their minds, and since they were not able to control the power, they became just bloodthirsty monsters, seeking out to kill as many people as they could. Kyo and the rest of his friends had a hard time trying to stop the enraged Iori and Leona. Ralf and Clark, Leona's partners, promised they would stop Leona's rampage, and told Kyo to do the same with Iori. Thus, the heroic fighters began to fight again. But, if they went berserk, was that because it was a sign of Orochi being near? They tried to spare the thought, but as they met and fought the freaked out Iori and Leona, it became more and more evident... Kyo and his friends managed to stop the crazed Iori in his tracks, and Ralf and Clark finished their mission as well, successful in stopping Leona. However, this was no more than the beginning... Three figures stood besides them. The figures were more than familiar. It was the New Face Team! However, they had certainly changed. Their clothes had a different colour, but most of all, their aura was filled with the evil stench of Orochi. That could only mean that the New Face Team were of Orochi blood as well! However, they seemed to be perfectly normal. Yashiro took a step forward, and smickered. He beckons that they are three of the Four Heavenly Kings of Orochi, the fourth being Goenitz. Yashiro also tells the surprised competitors that they are out to finish Goenitz' mission. It seems that although defeated, Goenitz was successful in gathering enough fighting energy from the fighters, and this time, even more fighting aura was gathered, and the Orochi was close to being resurrected! Even so, it was revealed that even the crazy Yamazaki was an Orochi blood member! Kyo and his friends vowed to the Orochi New Face Team, that they would stop them before they realize their ambition. Yashiro grins, and clenches his fist, calling out arrogantly: "You do not have to pray...even if you win, a living hell will be waiting for you all!" Kyo and his justice friends, Benimaru, Terry, Ryo, Daimon, Athena, Kim...all did their best in fighting against the immensely powerful Orochi New Face Team. Their powers were superb, surpassing far more those of Goenitz. Their powers, however, simulated those of the Hero Team. It seems that they copied their techniques since they were so useful in the past! However, evil can not triumph. With a great deal of sacrifice, an all-out battle took place, the age- old war between good and evil took place once again. Every fighter did their best effort to stop the three Heavenly Kings, even though most of them were terribly underpowered. But the human spirit, the need to defend their world prevailed. The good will always triumph against evil. Thus, the Orochi New Face Team, after a long and difficult battle, was finally defeated. Few fighters were left standing, but all glad they were able to protect their world... However, the worst part of the battle had not yet come. Yashiro and Shermie both laughed, and congratulated the fighters. Kyo demanded their real purpose, and it seemed that they only fought as long as to gather the remaining energy for the Orochi to awaken! Suddenly, Chris, the innocent kid, began to float among the other two Orochi kings. And, all of a sudden, Yashiro and Shermie killed themselves right in front of Chris' eyes! The fighters were dumbfounded. Chris had began to gather a VERY strong amount of energy. Chris opened his eyes. He began to talk in an omnipotent voice. He claimed that all humankind would die at his hands, and that this time, he would finish what began 1800 years ago. Chris then morphed, from becoming an innocent kid, to a young man, with such a godlike feeling to him. His hair was white, his chest tattooed, and his eyes gleaming with the scent of death. This time, the moment had arrived, the time to fight Orochi! It didn't take long for Orochi to prove his true power. With no effort at all, he blew the rest of the fighters away. This was the true power of the Orochi! Even Kyo fell to the ground, defeated. He began to lose his consciousness, and everything turned black around him. Suddenly, amidst the darkness, Kyo could hear voices...faint voices, similar to those of spirits. The ghosts told Kyo that they were the spirit of the Yagami, dead ancestors of Iori. The Yagami pledged Kyo to end the curse that has been imposed on the Yagami ever since their blood pact with the Orochi 660 years ago. It seems that the Orochi power was the cause of the Yagami's short lifespan! Kyo then heard the voices of his friends, and his girlfriend, Yuki. Yuki was one of the eight Kushinada girls, destined to be sacrificed in order to awaken Orochi. Yuki says that since she was the only Kushinada to not be sacrificed, she would aid him. Kyo slowly got up. He found Iori standing right next to him. He had seems to be able to get back to normal, and smiled at Kyo. "It seems that we will die together, eh Kusanagi? How ironic that you will not die by my hand...". Kyo just grinned, and tells Iori that they have a last job to do. Chizuru calls both from behind, and tells them they she will take care of the seal once they have defeated Orochi. Kyo and Iori go into battle...a mortal battle, a battle were no one could live. Somebody was going to die that day, and the one who would live, would take the world. Kyo and Iori fought with the last amounts of power left in their tired bodies, but managed to turn Orochi back. They fought with no regrets, no preoccupations. They would die anyway, so it was better to make the most of it! Even Chizuru collaborated a bit to fight Orochi, and the battle of 1800 years ago repeated itself...Kusanagi and Yagami fighting together, Kagura taking care of the seal. At the end of the battle, Orochi grew tired, and used all his power to input the Riot of Blood on Iori once again. Iori began to go insane again, but Kyo pledged for him to regain senses. But it was too late...Iori had gone berserk again. Orochi commanded Iori to attack both Kyo and Chizuru, and kill them both. However, it was Orochi who was attacked by the powered Iori! Iori grabs Orochi by the neck, and Chizuru bids Kyo to hurry up and finish him. Kyo denies, and exclaims he would kill Iori as well. Chizuru says he has no time, since Iori will hold no longer, since Orochi was using the remaining of his power to take Iori out of the way. Kyo then gathers all the strength given to him by Yuki and his friends, and gives a full, crimson blow to Orochi... The sky's dark clouds clear. The sun shines again. The world is safe once more. Everybody still remember the heroic deeds of the tournament fighters. Orochi sleeps once again, but still, it is yet to be defined who will be the next... King of Fighters. The KOF is here, again... The King of Fighters 1998 "It all began in '94. Kept on rolling in '95. Pieces fell in place in '96. It came to the end in '97. And now it comes and here we go. The KOF is here, again. Nothing's gonna stop it's 1998!" Hero Team Fatal Fury Team Art of Fighting Team Ikari Warriors Team Psycho Soldiers Team Girls Team Korea Team New Faces Team Special Team Yagami Team Oyaji Team USA Team Single Entries O. New Faces Team Boss 1998 Edit Teams Second Banana Team Cute Team Headband Team Shin Ikari Team Tough Team Shin Oyaji Team Birthday Team Sacred Forces Team Orochi Nagi Team Kyo, Iori, Shingo Team Kusanagi Team SNK Super Stars Team Orochi Females Team Heavy Hitters Team Baseball Team Rugal Team Kansai Accent Team Sakazaki Team Fake Hero Team Teenagers Team Hat Team Orochi Males Team New Girls Team KOF Kyo Team | Kyo Kusanagi | Benimaru Nikaido | Goro Daimon | | Terry Bogard | Andy Bogard | Joe Higashi | | Ryo Sakazaki | Robert Garcia | Yuri Sakazaki | | Leona | Ralf Jones | Clark Steel | | Athena Asamiya | Sie Kensou | Chin Gentsai | | Chizuru Kagura | King | Mai Shirunai | | Kim Kaphwan | Chang Koehan | Choi Bounge | | Yashiro Nanakase | Shermie | Chris | | Ryuji Yamazaki | Blue Mary | Billy Kane | | Iori Yagami | Mature | Vice | | Heidern | Takuma Sakazaki | Saisyu Kusanagi | | Heavy D! | Lucky Glauber | Brian Battler | | Rugal Bernstein | Shingo Yabuki | | Orochi Yashiro | Orochi Shermie | Orochi Chris | | Omega Rugal | | Benimaru Nikaido | Andy Bogard | Robert Garcia | | Chin Gentsai | Chang Koehan | Choi Bounge | | Goro Daimon | Joe Higashi | Yuri Sakazaki | | Heidern | Leona | Ralf Jones | | Joe Higashi | Chang Koehan | Billy Kane | | Kim Kaphwan | Takuma Sakazaki | Saisyu | | King | Mature | Shingo Yabuki | | Kyo Kusanagi | Iori Yagami | Chizuru Kagura | | Kyo Kusanagi | Saisyu Kusanagi | Orochi Chris | | Kyo Kusanagi | Iori Yagami | Shingo Yabuki | | Kyo Kusanagi | Saisyu Kusanagi | Shingo Yabuki | | Kyo Kusanagi | Terry Bogard | Ryo Sakazaki | | Mature | Vice | Shermie | | Ralf Jones | Chang Koehan | Brian Battler | | Ralf Jones | Blue Mary | Lucky Glauber | | Rugal | Mature | Vice | | Robert Garcia | Sie Kensou | Choi Bounge | | Ryo Sakazaki | Yuri Sakazaki | Takuma Sakazaki | | Shingo | Benimaru Nikaido | Goro Daimon | | Sie Kensou | Shingo Yabuki | Chris | | Terry Bogard | Clark Steel | Lucky Glauber | | Yashiro Nanakase | Chris | Ryuji Yamazaki | | Yuri Sakazaki | Athena Asamiya | Mai Shirunai | | Random | The 1998 event is not covered since it has no official link with the main storyline. New Comers... The Millenium Battle! The King of Fighters 1999 "New Comers... SNK Presents: The King of Fighters 1999: Millenium Battle" New Hero Team Fatal Fury Team Art of Fighting Team Ikari Warriors Team Psycho Soldiers Team Girls Team Korea Team Single Entries Boss 1999 Edit Teams Kyo Team Iori Team Strikers | K' | Maxima | Benimaru Nikaido | Shingo Yabuki | | Terry Bogard | Andy Bogard | | Joe Higashi | Mai Shirunai | | Ryo Sakazaki | Robert Garcia | | Yuri Sakazaki | Takuma Sakazaki | | Leona | Ralf Jones | Clark Steel | Whip | | Athena Asamiya | Sie Kensou | | Chin Gentsai | Bao | | King | Blue Mary | Kasumi Todoh | Li Xiangfei | | Kim Kaphwan | Chang Koehan | | Choi Bounge | Jhun Hoon | | Kyo Kusanagi | Iori Yagami | | Kyo: Version 1.0 | Kyo: Version 2.0 | | Krizalid | | Kyo Kusanagi | No Iori Yagami | | Iori Yagami | No Kyo Kusanagi | | Striker Actions | Two years had passed since the fateful battle against the Orochi clan. During this period of time, the winds of peace blew again throughout a world that had suffered the consequences of the ambition of the Orochi power. Once having been a fighting stage to the death between the Kusanagi and Yagami clan against Orochi, the people of the world once again lived with joy and satisfaction. The fighters of the past tournaments could finally get a rest from so many years of battle, and decided to only hone their skills in local tournaments, in order to maintain themselves in practice. Thanks to these warriors, the human race could live to see the dawn of another day. However, unknown was the fate of the two main fighters that fought bravely against the menace of the Orochi power: Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami. After the final battle, the two latest descendants of the legendary clans had vanished, and nobody had heard anything about them. Not even Chizuru Kagura, the descendant to the Clan of the Yata, protectors of the Orochi seal, knew what was the fate of the two young warriors. Despite that, all the fighters decided to take a rest, knowing that now that the Orochi threat was gone, the world would be at rest, since nobody could attempt the revival of the Orochi power for 100 years. But destiny does not respect personal thoughts.... All of a sudden, and out of nowhere, invitations were sent out once again to the most powerful fighters in the world in order to gather around for the fifth King of Fighters tournament. This time around, the tournament would return to the shades of secrecy from where it surged, away from the glamour of public attention and massive communication transmission. The battles would once again retain its category of honour and glory battles from the bases of the fight. No longer was there any business profits among the battles, but just sheer, pure brawls to the finish. However, that was the least important modification to the tournament. For the first time in 5 years, the basic rules of the tournament had changed. This time around, now up to 4 fighters could make up a team: three of them would act as main fighters of the match, the remaining warrior was only allowed to participate for a short while in the match, executing any attack they would prefer, and their appearances would be restricted to a certain number. This would made the battles a lot more dramatic than ever before, with up to four fighters duelling at the same time! Basically, the main teams of the past four tournaments were to be invited again to this ultimate brawl, some of them bringing back faces from the past in order to do battle again, and some of them had new faces among their line-up, for a shocking new experience. The Lonely Wolves finally accepted the red-haired female ninja Mai Shiranui in their team (of course, to fight aside her one true love, Andy Bogard). The students of Kyokugenryo Karate joined their master, Takuma Sakazaki, once more in order to show the world the might of their martial art! The Ikari Warriors recruited a new mercenary among their ranks: another young female soldier, whose name reflected her weapon of choice: Whip. The Psycho Soldiers introduced a new child with psychic powers called Bao, but with tthe Sie Kensou enigma, who ha began to lose his own powers himself. Kim Kaphwan's old training partner, Jhun Hoon, joined the Tae Kwon Do justice fighters in order to show which way of justice was more adequate (much to Chang Koehan and Choi Bounge's dismay!). King gathers her Southtown female friends (Blue Mary, Kasumi Todoh, and newcomer Li Xiangfei) to form a more beautiful and more lethal gorgeous team! However, the new fighters were to create quite the mysterious atmosphere in the tournament.... Benimaru Nikaido, decided to take Kyo's spot as number one fighter, and Shingo Yabuki, intent of honouring the memory of his master, were teamed with two enigmatic warriors. Both were silent, but had furious looks in their eyes, showing no trace of feelings. A gloomy aura and violent fighting techniques soon awaked the bad feelings of the other participants. Their names, as mysterious as their lives: K' and Maxima. Nobody knew their real purpose, but many obviously suspected about them.... The most incredible thing ever saw was the two new single entries. It was Kyo Kusanagi...times two! It was unbelievable how the two fighters had such a striking resemblance to the most powerful fighter that ever graced the King of Fighters scene. Both clones used the legendary Kusanagi techniques that made Kyo the legend he was, precise to the drop of a dime. How could they appear? Did they knew anything about the fate of the real Kyo? Before any questions could be asked, the tournament was already in progress.... Despite having been out of activity for two long years, the fighters could develop new and devastating techniques that were prompt in lighting up the battle stage in a more brilliant way than ever! It was almost like a new battle once again...the battle that indicated the beginning of a new millennium! The four member rule made the fights a lot more strategic than ever before, and the will of becoming the new champion impulsed the warriors to make their best effort, more than ever before. With the memory of Kyo in the minds of many fighters, and the shadow of the Orochi power being only a bad dream, the contestants could unleash forward their true power with no withdrawal or regrets. This time around, the sense of vengeance and score-settles were replaced by the glory and excitement of facing a worthy opponent and fighting with all their might to become a more complete fighter and hone their skills! Taken by the hand by K' and Maxima, Benimaru and Shingo realized their dream of arriving to the final match, and becoming the new figures of the King of Fighters scene. The last fight was scheduled at a very rare spot: the sewers. Not quite the place to fight the last match. While the new Hero team was waiting for the last team to arrive, the sewer stream suddenly dried out, running through some shafts below them. They suddenly found themselves standing on a metal surface. As if it weren't enough, the floor began to move, and sent the four warriors down! It was no other than a huge elevator platform that was sending the young fighters underground, to an unknown location.... Meanwhile, at the Ikari Warriors command room, the commander of the mercenary squad, Heidern, was monitoring several parts of the world, and detected a weird signal pattern. Several bizarre radio patterns were being emitted from many countries worldwide. Heidern ordered the origins of such signals, and to his surprise, all the signals came from exact replicas of Kyo Kusanagi! There were Kyos all over the world: among the citizens of the big cities, hidden in the deepest forests, underwater, in the air...everywhere! Heidern could present an evil stench at the core of the tournament, and the source came from the more powerful signal: sector 70599. The elevator that was taking Benimaru, Shingo, K', and Maxima finally stopped in front of a huge metallic door, with the inscription "70599" at the front. Benimaru and Shingo are confused with the whole situation, but K' and Maxima don't seem to be altered at the very least. Before Benimaru and Shingo could realize what was going on, the huge door opened. It was too unexpected. Suddenly, red lights flashed everywhere, and several computer screens turned on. Among the whole show, a deep, daring voice invited the team to enter his domain. The finals would begin as soon as possible. Benimaru and Shingo demanded the man to show himself. The man who came out was more than intimidating: he was rather tall, not very well built, but his eyes expressed anger and bloodlust. He weared a very thick clothing, not revealing anything of his body. Stranger than that, the fighters could not feel any fighting spirit from him...but his strength showed otherwise. Benimaru cried out: "What is this all about?!". K' sneered and said: "I don't know, but it's a challenge that I'm sure we can't decline!". The ultimate match began. The bloody fight raged on, with the mystery man showing no effort in executing devastating moves. The Hero team suspected that this ravaging warrior wasn't using his whole power, and was merely playing with them. Sensing something funny going on, they decided to hold back to see his reaction. However, despite not using their full power, the ominous fighter was getting the upper hand with his overwhelming, unnatural power. The fight was certainly getting nowhere, and becoming terribly long. All of a sudden, in a display of raging outburst, Benimaru attacks the man with his full power. K' tries to stop him, but strangely enough, Benimaru knocks the man down to the ground rather easily. Could this be the end of the match...? The mysterious man slowly stood up, and began to chuckle erringly. All of a sudden, all the computer screens surrounding the whole dark room lighted up, displaying a bunch of computer data. The whole chamber lighted up, to show an immense base, displaying the ultimate technology! Benimaru and Shingo are puzzled at the size of the facility. The man begins to laugh manically, and grumbles in a low pitched voice: "You knew, didn't you, K'?". Benimaru and Shingo turn back to K' looking for an answer, but are met with the cold gaze of the mysterious warrior. Shingo wants to know who he is and what he wants. The man introduces himself as Krizalid, and that he brought them here to accomplish his ultimate purpose. Shingo affirms that what does the King of Fighters tournament have to do with anything. Krizalid smiles and says he used the King of Fighters name to call the strongest fighters, so he could bring them to his facility, and accomplish his goal. Suddenly, all the screens display the same image: scenes of the Kyo Kusanagi replicas all around the world. Krizalid accepts that he took the unconscious body of the original Kyo Kusanagi, worn out by the effort made in the last battle against the Orochi clan, and took his DNA to clone him into several clones, two of which entered the King of Fighters tournament. However, the real Kyo Kusanagi escaped midway through the process, and his whereabouts unknown. He would input the fighting data that he had collected through the last battle in order to activate the clones, and create a unified attack that would take out all the governments of the world, and surrender to him! Benimaru and Shingo gasp in terror. At the Ikari Warriors command room, Heidern orders the deploy of his units in order to stop the Kyo invasion, and that he would soon follow. However, before the operation begins, one of the radios manages to capture the dialogue in the underground base. In it, Benimaru asks how could Krizalid capture the fighting data. Krizalid informs him that it was sent through his body, and channelled through the computers. As a matter of fact, Krizalid reveals that K' is no other than his clone, since Krizalid infused himself with the power of the Kusanagi through a battle suit, and K' being a clone of himself. However, since K' had no control over his power like Krizalid could, he was forced to use a special glove in order to retain the immense power inside him. K' refuses to believe this, but when Krizalid asks him about his parents and childhood, K' is speechless, as he can't remind it. Krizalid reveals that one last data is to be collected...the killer instinct! And he would do that by killing them all! Suddenly, Krizalid burns his clothes out, and remains with his battle suit. The true battle was about to begin.... The change of pace of the fight soon began to become terribly one-sided. The power of Krizalid was more than godlike, his inhuman powers just plowing through Benimaru and Shingo. Using the power of the Kusanagi, Krizalid's violent attitude was more than anyone could withstand. His speed and strength had no match. Soon enough, Maxima and K' were alone to fight Krizalid. Despite fighting with all their might, Krizalid's superior power almost obligates them to kneel before his advantage. Krizalid laughs, and is impressed by their resistance, but it would soon end. Suddenly, Maxima nails Krizalid with a power punch from behind, making Krizalid reel. Maxima shouts out for K', who in an instant, used his whole power to channel a full-fledged flame blast at Krizalid. The consequent explosion sends Krizalid flying away. Maxima and K' fall to the ground, sure of their victory. However, as both help Benimaru and Shingo up, Krizalid still stands behind them. Maxima and K' are dumbfounded, having no remains of strength. Krizalid is downright mad, and is about to eliminate the couple of traitors. However, suddenly, a crimson flame blast shoots through the room, lighting up the whole room, and tearing through Krizalid like paper. Krizalid falls to the ground, and another mysterious figure draws near. K' senses a familiar presence. Benimaru and Shingo could barely believe what their eyes could see....it was Kyo, the real Kyo! It was evident, thanks to his huge fighting spirit. Kyo smiles and greets his friends. Krizalid slowly helps himself to his feet. He just can't believe that he had lost with his immense power. Suddenly, a very bright light shines from above. Everybody is dumbfounded at the shine of it. An omnipotent voice shouts: "You have failed." Now fearful and insecure, the once raging Krizalid begs for his life, as he can still activate the clones with the data he has collected. However, the clones have already been deactivated, and the data shall be saved for another time...and all the agents of this project must be eliminated. Krizalid is paralysed by the fear, but he does not have any time to think it over...a huge rock falls from above, burying Krizalid to the ground. Kyo, enraged, demands the true intention to the light. The omnipotent voice rings again: "We, the Nests cartel, plan to forward the plan for 10 years! But you must be eliminated!". Kyo laughs, and says arrogantly: "Don't mess with me, pal!". Suddenly, the base begins to shake, and pieces of scrap begin to fall from above. The base is beginning to crumble! However, K' is more than intent on fighting his original. "I've been waiting to fight a powerful opponent...someone like you, Kyo Kusanagi!", K' growls. However, a door shuts between him and Kyo, as well as closing Benimaru and Shingo out of the room. Shingo wants to help Kyo out, but Benimaru warns that their own lives are in danger, and persuades him to escape from the base. Meanwhile, K' and Maxima are ambushed by the unit of the Ikari Warriors.... and the leader of the unit nears Krizalid's inert body. A female figure.... Meanwhile, inside the base, Kyo Kusanagi stands among the chaos around him. He seems confident, as always. He smiles, closes his eyes, and says: "So, you're still around, eh?". A mysterious voice approaches Kyo: "You knew that I would come back for you...". Kyo waves his hand and affirms: "Well, that guy's toast, anyway. Besides, only those of the bloodline could control such power! He didn't have a chance!". The figure behinds him laughs, and stands into the light. It's Iori Yagami, who has returned as well. He smiles and says: "Good memory of yours...shall we get this show done?". Kyo just shrugs his shoulders and says: "Really need to ask?". The two legendary fighters engage in battle once more. No longer is there hatred in their eyes. Only the feeling of fighting a worthy opponent, and the excitement of battle.... The King of Fighters... Episode 6 The King of Fighters 2000 "The King of Fighters... Episode 6" Hero Team Benimaru's Team Fatal Fury Team Art of Fighting Team Ikari Warriors Team Psycho Soldiers Team Girls Team Korea Team Single Entries Boss 2000 Edit Teams Kula Diamond Team Kyo and Iori Team Strikers | K' | Maxima | Ramon | Vanessa | | Benimaru Nikaido | Shingo Yabuki | Lin | Seth | | Terry Bogard | Andy Bogard | | Joe Higashi | Blue Mary | | Ryo Sakazaki | Robert Garcia | | King | Takuma Sakazaki | | Leona | Ralf Jones | Clark Steel | Whip | | Athena Asamiya | Sie Kensou | | Chin Gentsai | Bao | | Mai Shirunai | Yuri Sakazaki | | Kasumi Todoh | Hinako Shijuo | | Kim Kaphwan | Chang Koehan | | Choi Bounge | Jhun Hoon | | Kyo Kusanagi | Iori Yagami | Kula Diamond | | Zero | | Kula Diamond | No Roulette | | Kyo Kusanagi | Iori Yagami | No Kula Diamond | | Striker Actions | The last King of Fighters tournament signified the appearance of a new enemy that threatened to break the reigning peace in the world: the Nests cartel. It was more than clear that Krizalid was a mere pawn in a game of life and death, and that the participants of the King of Fighters tournament were nothing more than actors in a planned stage. However, there were still many doubts about the ominous Nests cartel. What was their real purpose? What do they really intend to do with the fighting energy of the competitors? So many questions, but little time to answer them, as another year cruises by, and the dawn of a new millenium approaches in the horizon.... Despite being a new year, the King of Fighters tournament was in jeopardy. Now that everyone knew about the evil intentions of the Nests cartel, it was doubtful that anybody would dare participate again and colaborate in the downfall of the world. However, as long as the Nests cartel remained unpunished, the threat of world domination was never far behind. The situation reached a critical peak, until one day.... Sitting in his office in the Ikari Warriors mercenary squad HQ, Heidern receives a notice from Ling. Ling was a commander of a fellow mercenary agency, closely linked to the Ikari Warriors. Ling and Heidern had also been long-time friends. Ling informed Heidern about a plan to lure the Nests cartel out of its' hideout, and take them down. The plan followed as this: The King of Fighters tournament would be held once again, in the year 2000! This time Ling and his agents would control everything that happened in the tournament, and track any suspicious characters. The main objective of the tournament was to attract former Nests agents, K' and Maxima, who had once escaped from the Ikari Warriors a year ago. They would surely know about the Nests cartel's whereabouts. The plan is accepted by Heidern, who will once again play an important role in the sidelines. And so it begins again. Invitations are sent out once again to the most powerful fighters of the world in order for them to form their teams of 4 members each, and fight once again in a memorable battle of emotions and passion! It was made clear that this time, Nests would be out of any involvement with the tournament. This clearly relaxed the worries of all the warriors who feared that their strength would be misused for the wrong intentions of Nests. Now, the stage would be set for yet another battle of epic proportions, involving many different fighting styles, many different stories, but most of all, many different lives that gathered in one single goal: to become the best there is, to become the King of Fighters! Since the same rules of the past tournament applied here as well, many teams remained unchanged: Of course, the Ikari Warriors couldn't be left out in order to seek for the Nests agents. The Psycho Soldiers will make sure that this year, no sort of interference will come from the ominous Nests cartel! Kim Kaphwan and Jhun Hoon will stage their politics of justice one more time, using the former convicts Chang Koehan and Choi Bounge as their guinea pigs. Some other teams suffered slight variations, mostly a change of members: Yuri Sakazaki, who wishes to pay her debt with Mai Shiranui and team up again for old times' sake, invite their old friend Kasumi Todoh along, as well as a newfound friend who hails from a Japanese ladies' school: Hinako Shidou, who also happens to practice Sumo. Now, it's Terry Bogard's time to cope with his oldtime love affair: Blue Mary, who has decided to tag along with the Lonely Wolves in hopes of catching Nests red-handed. Due to the absence of Yuri, the patriarch of the Kyokugenryo school of karate, Takuma Sakazaki, decides to recruit his son Ryo's beloved woman: former-enemy-turned-ally King. Two new teams, however, are the main attractions of this year's competiton, due mostly to their strange collage of individuals.... As previewed, K' and Maxima are back again, more than intent on breaking their past links with the Nests cartel. This time, Benimaru Nikaido and Shingo Yabuki are no longer their teammates: a sexy, yet deadly woman known as Vanessa and a fancy Mexican wrestler called Ramon shall be their comrades this year. Meanwhile, Benimaru and Shingo have plans of their own: to not allow last year's incidents to happen once again. Their new partners, however, are not precisely the warmest people in the world: an elegant strongman known as Seth, and an eerie and bizarre ninja called Lin, complement this lively duo with their own mark of coldness and bitterness. And, of course, the immortal legends of Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami, who now cast off their cloak of secrecy and deciding to participate in a all-new no-holds barred match! Once again, the battles take place amidst a climate of doubt and danger. The nasty influence of the Nests cartel might have vanished, but still the menace of a new evil arising in the world was more than inminent. However, during the battles in the tournament, these worries flied away with the greatest of ease, since the feeling of battle and testing one's own skill against a strong opponent is stronger than any other negative feeling! After all, there was no need to worry about exteral problems. What mattered, most of all, was to increase one's own fighting spirit, concentrating on the battle completely, and being able to unleash not only their amazing skills, but also deliver their whole souls for the sake of the fight! After all, the philosophy of the true fighter is to not allow themselves to be fazed by threats, but to fight to accomplish their goals in life: to become the best there is! All of a sudden, the fights led towards one final location, where weird things were going on. The most suprising fact was that the place was the city where the King of Fighters tournament first saw the light of day: Southtown, the city where fighting was the bloodstream that gave the city life. With Geese Howard gone, Southtown had fallen into the hands of those who live for the fight, a lawless pithole. The city had gone far beyond recognition, and corruption wasn't even existent, because Southtown itself, had become a city straight out of hell. In short, the whole city became the world's biggest fighting arena, and the King of Fighters tournament had once again returned to its' origins. During their arrival at Southtown, K', Maxima, Vanessa, and Ramon were wandering through the docks of Southtown, hiding from the Ikari Warriors' mercenaries. It seemed likely that the Nests cartel could be operating in Southtown. K' and Maxima were deeply concerned about it, but Vanessa wasn't all that amused (and Ramon ignored all that cartel stuff). Suddenly, a fine, cool breeze began to blow through the wind. K' sensed something terribly wrong, and sends Maxima and his friends off. Maxima wants to know why K' is so jumpy, but K' does not heed reason. Mindful about K's stubborness, Maxima takes Vanessa and Ramon and heads directly for the factory zone of Southtown, and seek for cover. Meanwhile, K' stands in the middle of a full-fledged snow storm. The water of the docks freeze instantly, and the ships hold in place. K' sneers, and greets his next opponent: a young woman with long blue hair, and lost eyes. She used a suit very similiar to that K' weared, down to the glove. The figure introduced herself as Kula. K' shrugs her off, and so begins the eternal fight between the rival elements: fire and ice. Meanwhile, Maxima, Vanessa, and Ramon have managed to take shelter in an abandoned factory located near downtown Southtown. Maxima wonders about the fate of his friend, and thinks about the involvement of Nests in all this. Suddenly, a noise is heard behind them. When battle seemed unavoidable, it came to a surprise that it was no other than Benimaru and Shingo, with Lin and Seth along! It seems that they, too, had been lured into the abandoned factory. Nonetheless, reunion time is cut short, since Ling's mercenaries have already surrounded the building. With no other place to run to, Benimaru suggests they should hide in a huge room nearby. Ramon thinks everybody's crazy, and Shingo protests based on the fact that they would be trapped there. "It's better than being slaughtered out here", Benimaru replies. So, the 7 fighters head towards the dark room.... At the same time, in the Ikari Warriors' command room, Heidern attempts to contact his best lieutenant, Ralf Jones. Ralf is located far from the designated location, which disturbs Heidern, since the soldiers are already there, and they will be needing all the help they can get (after all, K' and Maxima did trash a whole unit of mercenaries last year). Ling interrupts, and says: "That will no longer be a problem.". Heidern demands an explanation, and Ling suggests that the soldiers located at the factory should turn on the elevator, and then activate the underground generator. Heidern is left with even more doubts, and Ling continues: "This way, we should be able to activate the Zero Cannon.". Heidern recalls the name: a satellite that had been launched in order to detect and destroy the hideouts of the Nests cartel, done by Ling prior to the mission. Heidern reminds Ling that their only purpose is to capture K' and Maxima, and investigate the whereabouts of the Nests cartel. "Yes, officially", says Ling with a sinister grin. When Heidern is about to complain, he is instantly held at gunpoint by Ling's soldiers! "What kind of loony ideas do you have in mind?", demands Heidern. "You don't have to know anything", Ling laughs. "You're just a mere spectator, and I...I am the executor!". Meanwhile, in the abandoned factory, Maxima wonders why the soldiers have stopped looking for them. When the tension level has raised to pitch fever levels, the roof begins to open. Much to the warriors' surprise, they have been located underground! The floor raises them to ground level, where they find themselves inside an ancient temple, which, in turn, turns out to be Ling's command center! The fighters see with disbelief as Heidern and his agents are held at gunpoint by Ling's soldiers. Suddenly, out of nowhere, an ominous figure surges in the middle of the room. Seth and Vanessa are quite a bit surprised, which sparks the attention of their teammates. The mysterious shadow welcomes the fighters. Vaneesa shouts out: "Commander! What is this all about?!". His cover blown, the mystery person steps into the light. It is Ling, but dressed in a more extravagant fashion. Upon further inspection, it turns out to be that Ling is, simply put, not Ling at all! Heidern demands the fake Ling to spit out his true name, and the false Ling gives him the expected answer: Zero. As it turns out to be, Zero is a member of the Nests cartel who had taken Ling's place by eliminating him and using his cloning abilities to take on his image. Zero was also the man responsible for Krizalid's elimination last year, as the voice of the ominous light. Consecuently, it is revealed that Seth and Vanessa are also Nests' agents, under the command of Zero. However, they had been duped into bringing the strongest fighters of the the last King of Fighters tournament, after their separation. This turns Seth and Vanessa against Zero for having used them as his pawns. But Seth and Vanessa own Zero a great deal, as the had been infused with Zero's fighting power enclosed in his DNA. And Zero, no doubt, had a truly fearsome power: his eerie aura could be felt all around the temple, making the whole walls shake beneath him! Not content with duping the fighters for his own personal ambitions, Zero has an extra something in store for the daring fighters. He now intends to fight them so he can extract enough fighting energy in order to charge up the Zero Cannon! This is achieved via the underground generator, which siphons the energy released in the main chamber of the temple. The generator will then transmit the data to the Zero Cannon in outer space, and Zero can use it to destroy any designated point on the face of the earth! "So, this must be the ultimate plan of Nests, huh?", mumbles Lin. "Nests? That was just a gimmick!", growls Zero. "The future of this world isn't Nests. It's me!". Seth gestures, and vows: "This time, you won't get away with your pitiful plans, you filth!". Easier said than done, as Zero soon proves to his gullible guests. Ramon and Shingo are the first two fighters to fall. They stood up bravely against Zero, but due to his quick movements, they proved to be no match for the crazed commander. Another upsetting fact was that all the energy of the fight would be used for the Zero Cannon, so the brave warriors were a bit more than reluctant about displaying their full strength. Would they be responsible of the downfall of society as we know it? Everyone had that doubt in mind, as Ramon and Shingo get blown away by Zero's quick skirt movements. Benimaru and Maxima now stand against the confident Zero. They knew that this battle couldn't be won no matter what, but there was no choice: it was kill or be killed. Benimaru and Maxima begin to attack Zero with everything they got, but Zero has some more tricks up his sleeve: he now uses dark shadow arts to sneak upon the heroes! These sinister tricks soon pay their price, as Benimaru and Maxima begin to get whacked by invisible figures, and then followed up by Zero himself. The battle was turning gruesome, until unexpected help came. Taking Zero by surprise, Seth and Vanessa jump on their former commander. Zero begins to feel the incredible pressure of fighting both his enemies AND his former allies. The noble fighters begin to inflict damage on the pressured Zero, but Zero attempts one last desperate trick: surrounding himself with magnetic energy, Zero becomes a huge damage void. Sucking in energy from every living being in the room, and gathering it in his own aura, Zero makes the finalists fly through the air. After a few seconds, everyone falls flat. Zero already brags his victory, until.... Suddenly, Lin jumps from behind, and stabs Zero in the back with his hand. Zero quickly makes short work out of Lin, but Lin already gloats about his victory. Zero doesn't understand what he means, but he soon realizes another weird fact: someone has just entered the room. Another challenger? Yes, it's K'! However, K' is weak from his battle against Kula. Zero bursts into laughter, and taunts K': "How can you ever hope to defeat me in such a battered state? You can't even deal with your own soul!", brags Zero. But, when Zero is about to proceed to finish K', he feels his whole body getting weak. What is this all about? It was Lin's doing: his stab in the back had it's own share of poison, which had began to make Zero feel the heat. With his remaining strength, K' gathers the last ounces of his flaming power, keeps it in his gloved hand, and rushes directly at Zero. The inminent impact makes the whole temple and it's surroundings to shudder like no tomorrow. K' begins to help his partners and former friends. He appears to have defeated Zero...or so he thinks. In bad shape, a bruised and bittered Zero walks up to his defeaters. He holds a trigger in hand and a nasty smile on his face. "You're doomed!", laughs Zero. "Even if you have defeated me, nothing can stop the Zero Cannon now! Now vanish into the light of a new world!". Things get worse when the world leaders receive the notice of Zero's "capture"...by Ling. A decoy notice that will take them by surprise. Zero presses the trigger's button in order to fry the wounded warriors with the Zero Cannon...but nothing happens. The generator suddenly shuts down, and Zero is more than confused by it. Out of the blue, Zero is inmoblized by a strange force around him. Inmediately after, two women appear by Zero's side. The two femme fatales approach Zero. They are beautiful, yet deadly, women. The two females silently seal Zero's fate. Traitors to the Nests deserve no less than death. By attempting to destroy his superiors with the Zero Cannon, Zero himself has signed his own pact of destruction. One of the women calls someone via a radio transmittor. It is Kula, who is located atop the Zero Cannon in outer space! Kula had reprogrammed the Zero Cannon to not respond to the main controls (in Zero's possession), and activate it manually instead. Kula fires the Zero Cannon, which is directly aimed at Zero's position. Zero reels in fear and agony. The surviving fighters are urged to escape from the inminent impact. On their way out, though, the battered heroes encounter two mysterious figures, yet familiar in an odd way. Upon futher inspection, they are no other than Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami! K' feels his blood boiling with anxiety, but he knows he can't face Kyo in such conditions. Kyo just smiles confidently, and says: "We'll take care of Nests...you concentrate on escaping". "Hmph...speak for youself, Kusanagi slime", grumbles Iori. "Don't be such a bother, Yagami", says Kyo as he runs his hand through his hair. "I know you're about to enjoy yourself. Let's go!". As Kyo runs to fight off the remaining Nests agents, Iori slowly follows behind: "Bah...the gods don't bother to play with the ants. " The skies of Southtown emit a blinding light, and suddenly, there is a huge explosion, the shock effect wiping out everything in its' path, like paper dolls. The noise is unsurpassed. Metal, wood, glass, and people fly around, as if swapped by an incredible force. Minutes later, nothing can be heard anymore... As K' and his friends emerge from among the rubble, the sight that unfolds beyond their eyes couldn't be more desolating. Everything, in shambles. Nothing remains but a huge pile of ruins and destruction. And with destruction, comes death. Corpses cover the streets of what was once called as Southtown. After being controlled by so many years by the Nests cartel, the city of Southtown has suffered its' inevitable fate: after having been build upon the history of fighting, crime, and bloodshed, the city of sins, Southtown, has finally crumbled down to nothing. A city which once strived upon the fight, has now died by it. The question about how many innocent people should die is irrelevant, up until this point. The point now, is that this tragedy should never repeat itself. And one name remains unpunished: NESTS! A Nests Activity Base in 2001... The King of Fighters 2001 "A NESTS Activity Base in 2001... The King of Fighters: Episode 7!" Hero Team Esaka Team Yagami Team Ikari Team Fatal Fury Team Art of Fighting Team Girls Team NESTS Team Psycho Soldiers Team Korea Team Bosses 2001 Edit Teams Special Team Strikers | K' | Maxima | Whip | Lin | | Kyo Kusanagi | Benimaru Nikaido | | Goro Daimon | Shingo Yabuki | | Iori Yagami | Vanessa | Seth | Ramon | | Leona | Ralf Jones | Clark Steel | Heidern | | Terry Bogard | Andy Bogard | | Joe Higashi | Blue Mary | | Ryo Sakazaki | Robert Garcia | | Yuri Sakazaki | Takuma Sakazaki | | King | Mai Shirunai | Hinako Shijuo | Li Xiangfei | | Kula Diamond | Foxy | K9999 | Angel | | Athena Asamiya | Sie Kensou | | Chin Gentsai | Bao | | Kim Kaphwan | Chang Koehan | | Choi Bounge | May Lee | | Original Zero | Igniz | | Kyo Kusanagi | Benimaru Nikaido | | Goro Daimon | Iori Yagami | | Striker Actions | The destruction of Southtown and the investigation that began against the criminal organization NESTS, as the main suspect of the massive catastrophe, were a couple of events that shaked the whole world, which groveled in its' own hierachy of corruption and insecurity. The example of Southtown was but a warning to many countries throughout the world, that NESTS would not stop at anything to accomplish their evil ambitions, and no country would be safe as long as they maintained a strong presence in the world of crime. Strangely enough, NESTS had maintained a low profile ever since the destruction of Southtown was confirmed. Having covered up their tracks, NESTS has retreated to seclusion, even though the Ikari Warriors mercenary agency has been leading an extensive investigation on the former facilities of NESTS. On the other hand, those who have abandoned the ranks of NESTS were also doing their own kind of investigation. These former NESTS agents, led by the mysterious K', were also trying to keep on NESTS' trail, but both the Ikari Warriors and K's squad could not find any trace of the activities of NESTS. What was going on? Did NESTS know that they were being followed? The situation seemed rather hopeless, until one day, invitations to the greatest fighting tournament of all time once again reached the hands of those worthy enough to go into combat, and do battle against the greatest warriors the world has ever known... . The King of Fighters tournament enters the scene once again... the first competition of the 21st century! But something odd was going on. The invitations were signed by the NESTS cartel themselves! It was obvious that NESTS was going to sponsor this tournament directly, and they didn't even seem fazed that several governments were searching for them the world out. Something seemed terribly wrong, but all the fighters knew that NESTS was up to no good, as usual. Would NESTS try to collect fighting data for yet another evil project? Why would they make a public appearance, hosting such an important event as the King of Fighters tournament, after leveling a whole city down to a burning heap of rubble? But this time, everyone knew that NESTS could not get away with this this time around. With the disaster of Southtown still fresh in their minds, the fighters gather around to find the best of the best, the ones who could stand up to NESTS and destroy them once and for all! On one side, the main actors stepped on stage. K', his newfound sister Whip, and their android friend Maxima, all renegade NESTS agents, plan to make NESTS pay for their crimes, mostly the atrocities that NESTS performed against their own lives. This time, they would be joined by the enigmatic Hizoku ninja Lin, who is also after NESTS for personal reasons. The former Hero Team reunites once again, and this time, Shingo Yabuki gets to realize his golden dream of fighting alongside his master, the legendary fighter Kyo Kusanagi, in a King of Fighters tournament. Iori Yagami also finally gets a team to fight in once again, this time with the help of former NESTS underdogs Seth and Vanessa, along with goofy Mexican wrestler Ramon. Terry Bogard and the rest of the "Lonely Wolves" don't plan to remain idle and let the destruction of Southtown be for nothing! The Sakazaki family now has to help their old friend, Robert Garcia, who has fallen into a financial crisis due to the huge recession that the world economy had witnessed. The Ikari Warriors are more than intent on concluding their investigation on the NESTS cartel by busting them, and this time, Heidern would finally leave the sidelines and join the battle fray once more! The Psycho Soldiers dig further down on the whole issue of Sie Kensou and Bao sharing the same psychic power source. Once again, the Gorgeous Team has a nearly complete remaking, and this year, Jhun Hoon is forced to be left out of the tournament due to a street accident, and his place will be taken by a young and enthusiastic young girl called May Lee, a member of Kim's honorable school of Tae Kwon Do justice fighters! But one team watches the whole development of the events from among the shadows. Their intentions are not yet known. But leading the team is no other than Kula Diamond, the anti-K' biological weapon that NESTS ordered to do away with the traitor Zero. She is closely followed by her superior and close friend, the swordswoman Foxy. But behind them, are a couple of new faces that will surely create a new reign of chaos in the tournament. They are new NESTS agents assigned especially for this tournament. One of them is a slender, yet deadly, female warrior, whose good looks match her killer moves. Her name is Angel, the high-spirited and lethal agent. And behind her, is the image of a frail young man. His physical appearance looks to be majorly deteriorated and incredibly fragile. But inside him rages the fire and power of a demon. He is the new biological weapon that NESTS plans to use against the traitors to their cause. His name... K9999. And he now targets K' and his team of renegades! And so, the cry of batle can be heard once more! Now, teams have the choice of deciding their own lineup. Will one fighter prefer to fight alone, using his three partners as backup in the battle, or will all four warriors engage in combat, with no one to support them in the fight? The variety of strategies and the newcomers make this tournament more than a simple display of sheer strength and skill, but also requiring a great deal of mind power, of intelligence, of planning in order to emerge victorious. As the shadow of NESTS looms over the competitors, everyone tries their best, putting in their best efforts into battle, in order to find out those who could be worthy enough to fight against those who have caused so much pain. In the middle of this fight for revenge and justice, sometimes personal affairs are left aside, but even the flame that rages within the blood of those who are guided by hatred can't be easily swayed away. With that in mind, K', Kyo, Iori, and K9999 fight their own personal battles of resentment and harsh feelings. As the final matches approaches, the battles are being monitored to a high technology base. Three mysterious figures watch the screens as the fights rage on with the maximum degree of passion ever seen in a fighting tournament. Throughout the world, the fights that are bound with glory and honor are being supervised by an ominous old man, cloaked in elegant clothing, sitting on a majestic throne. He is the very leader of the NESTS cartel, who watches the tournament as if it were his own show that he staged by himself, and as if the fighters were his mere puppets. Two persons stand on both his sides. On his right side, a man with long blond hair and drapped in an eerie black cloth. On his left side, a beautiful woman with blond hair, the leader's secretary, who couldn't look more similiar to a Hollywood star. The evil headmaster of NESTS gloats as his play takes place. But his plan should be wrapped up, so he now summons the best man for the job. Attending to the leader's call, is a man who inspires a certain feel of familiarity. His clothing is definetly similiar to that worn by Zero... but his face was very much different. The man who the leader of NESTS trusts in accepts the orders given to him, and he sets out to fulfill the evil plans of his boss. Meanwhile, K's team is once again declared the winner of the 2001 King of Fighters tournament! But as the crowd and the millions of fans following the tournament through the news rage on, K' and his teammates remain emotionless. They know that the fight is far from over. As it turns out to be, they are invited by officials of the tournament to a celebration ceremony that is shaped out to be pretty unique: atop a floating blimp! K' tries to hide his suspects as the blimp takes flight. Maxima makes K' weary of the team's worries about this so-called reception party, but K' assures him that they will get to the bottom of this. The peculiar team reaches a huge hall, with only a narrow bridge that crosses above the whole engine room. An impressive woodwork and the advanced machinery fill the room. But as soon as they get there, the blimp begins to shake violently! The whole engines begin to work at maximum capacity, as the blimp splits into half! It is revealed that one half of the blimp hides a rocket ship, which blasts into the sky at an incredible speed. Whip is shocked at the unexpected turn of events, but K' places his attention on the other side of the bridge. A man with white hair and a familiar uniform stands in the door at the other end. A ferocious black lion lies by his side, sneering and growling at the team with a beastlike look in its' red eyes. It was the man who was assigned by the leader of NESTS to do away with the winning team! Everyone knows who this man is... he looks vaguely familiar to Zero, the lunatic NESTS exceutive who tried to use the Zero Cannon against his own superiors! Indeed, the man admits he is Zero, but the Zero they knew (and his clone, Ling) who tried to blast them away with the Zero Cannon was in fact his clones. He accepeted that there was a mistake in his plans, as the clone developed his own consciousness. But he knew of other clones who must be disposed of, and pointed out to K'! He had received direct orders to do away with K' and his band of traitors. But this time, things would be a lot more fair for them. Zero called forth two of his most trustworthy helpers for a REAL four- on-four brawl! Another shocking revelation is shown as Krizalid, the advanced clone of K' who was thought to have died 2 years ago, appears aside the true Zero. Zero had retrieved the remaining data of the Krizalid project to create another clone of the late NESTS agent. The other figure was a familiar person for Lin. It was Ron, who had betrayed the Hizoku cause to join NESTS, and had been enhanced with NESTS' diobolical genetic technology to become a fearsome menace! As Zero's pet lion also readied for battle, Zero calls forth for the battle to end all battles to begin! What followed was a cruel fight that would define who would live or die in this merciless combat. Lin inmediately went after Ron, in a fight of two members of the Hizoku clan. Maxima and Whip had to deal with Krizalid and Zero's pet lion, while K' came face-to-face with Zero himself. The intense action made the whole ship shake from the force of the blows inflicted by each side, but Zero was the one showing off the greatest amount of power, his incredible strength creating huge vortexes around him. But everyone was familiar with the style that the NESTS agents displayed. Lin knew Ron well because they both came from the same village, and had a repertoire of moves similiar to Lin's. Krizalid was no secret, having fought him 2 years ago, and Zero made the big mistake of inputing several of his moves into his clones. True, they all had greater power than what the group was used with, but their strategy was to wear down their power until they could finally finish them off. Finally, K' was able to strike down Zero after a troublesome battle, as well as his assistants. However, Lin could not capture Ron, who escaped from the battle in a rush. However, this time, Zero did not make a big deal out of his defeat. Zero admits that he was bested by K' and his crew. As Zero says this, K' and the others feel how the ship rumbles once more. Zero tells the group that they have just arrived at NESTS' main HQ, and that they should hurry up and find the truth behind their past. Having said that, the whole ship begins to shake once more, but this time, it was beginning to fall apart! Wood and metal crashed down one another, as the ship began to suffer a series of violent explosions. Zero pointed out the exit for the cast of fighters, but before he could get out of the ship, K' turned back to look at Zero, who had given his back towards him and his comrades among the whole chaos in which the ship had turned into. K' smiled, and continued his path inside the main base of NESTS. K' and the others now find themselves inside a highly advanced base. The impressive amount of technology was adorned with the details taht one could only see in European castles. Carpets spread over the floor, and several ornaments and paintings hung on the walls. As the group stares in awe at the amazing scene, Maxima calls for K's attention. Maxima is motionless at the sight he witnesses outside the window. K' and the others go to where Maxima, and the sight they see is also overwhelming. The entire planet Earth could be seen from the window! The ship had taken them to an outer space base! But there were more important matters to attend, as Lin points out a huge door at the end of the hall. As the group enters, they are met with 3 figures standing in the darkness. Once again, the NESTS leader and his assistants make their star appearance! K' and Whip know that they must be the upper executives of NESTS, as they ready themselves for any sort of unpleasant surprises. The old man sits still, as a loud voice boom towards the foursome. The voice introduces himself as Igniz, the CEO of NESTS. Igniz congratulates K' and his partners for coming this far, and for defeating Zero. But he doubts that some worthless products of NESTS could ever get to topple the cartel! K' sneers, and replies that it is NESTS who should be worrying about their fate, as they had come here to destroy them once and for all! Meanwhile, back on Earth, Foxy and Kula stare at the star-filled sky at nighttime. The night sky was so pretty, but they had been too busy following orders from NESTS to ever notice it. They watch as the remains of Zero's rocket ship plummets to the ground, engulfed in flames, down to the sea. Kula, who had gone through a whole deal of experiences of human feelings and life itself through the last 2 years, smiles. Maybe it was time for her and Foxy to begin a new life. But as she turns to Foxy, her friend and superior is speared in the back! Foxy falls to the ground, dead. Kula is in utter shock as Foxy's killer shows his face. It was K9999, who shapes his glove from a blade back to its' normal form. Angel smiles, and tells Kula that there are enough capable assassins in NESTS, and that they didn't need any sort of agents who would turn against them like K' did. Kula's tears flow freely down her cheeks, but they freeze before they can even fall down. Kula shouts out that she will never forget them for killing Foxy. But K9999 just shrugs her off as a biological defect, and both he and Angel get ready to dispose of Kula, before she can develop a will of her own! Back in the space base, Igniz continues to taunt K' and the others. The cloning process that they had experimented on Kyo Kusanagi after the Orochi battle spawned 4 products: K', Krizalid, Kula Diamond, and K9999. Now that the experiments had proven succesful, their battle experience was already recorded on NESTS' supercomputers, so they had all the data they needed, data collected ever since 2 years ago. They had erased K's memories, because clones have no need of memories in order to fight to their full potential. But as soon as Igniz finishes his line, the blond man standing at the left of the old man grabs the NESTS leader by the head! It seems that Igniz was the assistant of the leader of NESTS, not the old man! In a moment, the old man turns into dust under Igniz' great power. Igniz stands forward, and claims that he will rid the world of all those who would stand in his way. That's why NESTS organized the King of Fighters tournament after all: to find out who was the strongest of the world, and then eliminate them to vanquish all possible threats to world conquest! And once he had done that, he would become the god for the new era... the era of NESTS! Igniz removes his cloak, and beckons for the team to attack him! But Igniz was definetly no common underling. Having collected all the fighting data stored in the NESTS' database from the past 3 KOF tournaments, he channeled it to his own body, all that sheer fighting potential made quite a mix inside his organism! His incredible, overwhelming power, had the force of a deity, a superior being who could take down a whole army by himself! Igniz shurgged all attacks by Maxima, Whip, Lin... and even K' was like a mere toy to Igniz. Their attacks could not even faze him. Igniz was too fast, too powerful, his energy channeled into inhumanly strong explosions, which made the whole base shudder in its' vast strength. The team fell like paper dolls, and K', although brave and insistent, soon fell quickly. Igniz laughs at the team's futile attempts to impress him. But before K' could close his eyes and lose consciousness, as Igniz looms over with a glowing hand, ready to give him the final blow, a crimson flame blast shoves Igniz' hand aside! Now, Kyo Kusanagi has entered the scene! But not only him... Terry, Athena, Ryo, Kim, even Iori all stood up to Igniz! Kyo wipes his mouth, and tells Igniz that NESTS has benefited themselves too much thanks to him. Now, after 2 years of hunting them down, Kyo would finally exact revenge from those who dared attempt to ruin his life! Likewise, the other fighters blamed Igniz for his divine delusions, which have costed the life of many, innocents and even the people of NESTS themselves! Igniz laughs, and explains that it was all just a means to an end... and that the end would be the destruction of those who stood against him! Now, the fight against Igniz would start once again... this time no one would allow him to realize Igniz' ambition of an utopia! All the fighters put in their best effort, their bravest attempt, their whole energy, their whole souls into the battle. Igniz was still overpowered, and was too much for all them to handle, but the immortal will to survive and to keep on living by the rest of the fighters was what led them to keep on trying. Igniz could not understand why they would prefer to lose their lives than to accept a new world order! K' was inspired by the bravery of the other fighters, and stood up to fight once again! K' stands by Kyo's side, and tells Kyo that he never thought he would fight along him one day. Kyo turns to Iori, smiles, and tells K' that his quote is all too familiar. Now, the heat was on Igniz! With the force of the 3 flames combined, Igniz could no longer stand strong. His whole numerical data was just that... numbers and statistics. Kyo and Iori knew what the real deal behind those numbers where, and K', who was a result of a biological experimient, had also came to realize that as well! Igniz was soon beginning to falter, until after being worn down by Iori and Kyo's flames, K' gave him the final blow, a huge flaming explosion which burned all the machines in the room to a crisp! With his last ounce of strength, Igniz drags his battered body to a couple of pillars which stood in the highest point of the room, above some stairs. Igniz is surprised and enfuriated that the humans would shun the existence of a god among them. But, if the humans didn't desire a god, then he would become a demon! With those words, Igniz placed his hands on the cravings atop the pillars, and his whole body was surrounded with a beam of light. Not long after, the whole space station began to tremble violently. K' noticed that Earth had grown bigger and bigger outside the window. The space station was set on a crash course to Earth! The rest of the brave heroes tried to stop Igniz from his suicidal attempt, but a huge door closed the way to where Igniz was standing. The whole base became a flaming comet upon entrance to the atmosphere, and headed towards the planet in a quick path to final destruction. Meanwhile, down on Earth, Kula tried her best to fight off K9999 and Angel. She fought bravely, using her freeze powers to her maximum capability. But two NESTS assassins against a young and confused girl was just too much. And K9999's violent behavior didn't allow for much, either. When Kula began to falter and feel weak from the effort, she noticed a bright light coming from the morning sky. K9999 and Angel also noticed it, and stood there, staring at the huge flaming sphere shooting down to the ground. The wrecked NESTS space station made a huge splash in the middle of the ocean, as the disturbed water and the raging flames shoot up to the sky. Angel wonders if that was the NESTS station, and if so, what would have happened to the leader of NESTS? But K9999 was determined to finish his job at any cost. The mere existence of Kula disturbed him to no end, so K9999 launches himself at Kula to finish her off. As K9999's hand mutates into a bizarre shape, a crimson flame blast shoves his mutated hand aside! The man who interfered was K'! He was in quite a bad shape, but he could still stand tall, and face his advanced clone head to head. Now, Kula and K' stood together as partners for the first time ever, leveling the odds. K9999 was beginning to get really mad, as his hair waves in the wind, flashing tones of white. But Angel made to his notice that some helicopters were drawing nearby. They could be the remaining troops of NESTS looking for them! K9999 decides its' not time to stay around and play, as they should reunite with what's left of NESTS and think of a new plan. Angel and K9999 vanished, not before K9999 gives Kula and K' a final death sentence before he departs! Diana, the other NESTS executive, meets with Kula and the others, trying to talk the situation out. Diana is disappointed that NESTS would have gone this way, but Whip reassures her that everything will be OK now that the higher ranks of NESTS have been dealt with, but Whip knows that her past is far from being resolved. Maxima and Lin watch over the other survivors of this faithful tournament as they walk away to their places of origin. Another year has flew by, but this time, a climate of peace and tranquility could be felt roaming in the air. Maxima is relieved that the nightmare that was once NESTS is finally over, as he looks over to the sinking NESTS space station, which is no better than ashes right now. But Lin knows better... Ron is still out there, perhaps planning a new scheme. Indeed, in a cliff not faraway from where the fighters of destiny are reunited, Ron and the mysterious NESTS secretary watch the scene of joy and triumph that overwhelms the warriors of faith. But Ron knows better. He vows that things won't stay like this for too long, and those who dare to interfere would have to prepare themselves, as Ron makes plans of his own... . Walking on the coast line, two similiar figures walk along the humid sand, as the waves splash against their feet. The sun has already placed itself atop the middle of the sky, lighting up the heavens... as well as their souls. Kula, one of the figures, walks in a jolly fashion, kicking away the incoming water. She turns towards K', who has been walking along her the whole time. With his shades on, K' can't conceal the marks of his past battle, but his face does express a certain deal of relief. Kula nears K's side, and as she snucks up to him, she asks what would be in store for them now that NESTS is done for. K' seems reluctant to answer at first, but after some more insistence, he takes off his shades, and smiles at Kula. He knows that a new life, free from slavery and personal torments, would soon dawn on their lives... just like the morning sun. This Is Only The Beginning... Music Samples | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | Best | Dance | Symphonic | King of Fighters Arranged Soundtrack Samples The following samples are entire clips are WAV files encoded at 16 kBits/s, 16,000 Hz Mono + Resample and are meant for previewing purposes only. In due time, KOF Cartel will probably have these available for download in MP3 format. "Fire... Fire... Psycho Soldier!" 1994 Arranged Soundtrack The King of Fighters 94 Kaimaku Jungle Bouncer Ne! Ryuuko no Hen Slum No. 5 Napolitan Blues Esaka Usa Psycho Soldier (KOF Version) Kettou R&D Ketchaku Happy Jah! Aarimasenka Sunset Sky Part IV (Papaya Version) 1995 Arranged Soundtrack KOF 95 Funky Esaka Arashi no Saxophone Ryo Club M: Fruit in the Sky Desert Requiem Ryuuko No Ken Senritsu no Dora Tsuchi o Hau Bass Hal to Bass to Medley Guitar to Omega to Rugal My Love The Sunset Sky Part VI The Song of Fighters 95 1996 Arranged Soundtrack In 1996 Esaka Big Shot! Kamikirimushi Rumbling on the City Psycho Soldier Remix 96 Seoul Road Get'n Up Arashi no Saxaphone Dust Man Geese ni Kattakori Fairy Trash Head Rising Red Yuuhi to Tsuki Koi o Shiyou Requiem Nitanchou K.626 Dies Lrae Hey Music Lover 1997 Arranged Soundtrack 4th Fire Esaka Forever Bloody Psycho Soldier Remix 97 Still Green Cool Jam Control Crisis Rhythmic Hallucination The Origin of Mind Mirthless Kaze no Allegory Choi Bounge Ondo 1998 Arranged Soundtrack Cipher Esaka Fanatic Waltz Mad Fantasy In Spite of One's Age Arashi no Saxaphone The RR Ketchaku R&D Zero Present Holiday 1999 Arranged Soundtrack Burning DNA KD-0079 176th Street Ryu-ko W.W. III Psycho Sonic Trip Sha-la-la Way to Rebirth Esaka? (Acid Mix) Mechanical Bliss Dear Falling Angel Tears Sadistic Eyes Cross Fire 2000 Arranged Soundtrack 00 KD-0084 Inner Shade Terry 115 Beauty and the Beast The Trooper Will Come Up Smiling Wild Party Good Bye Esaka Stormy Scream Ice Place Slasher Zero Crystal Best Arranged Soundtrack Ketchaku R&D Senritsu no Dora Rumbling on the City Kamikirimushi Rhythmic Hallucination Still Green Cool Jam Tears KD-0079 King of Fighters 2000 Prelude 00 King of Fighters Dance Trax Fairy Arashi No Saxaphone 2 Esaka Hal To Bass To Melody Trash Head Guitar To Omega To Rugal Slum No. 5 Happy Jah! Big Shot! Arashi no Saxaphone King of Fighters Symphonic Trax KOF 95 Desert Requiem Ryo Club M Ryuuko no Hen Psycho Soldier (KOF Version) Napolitan Blues Kettou R&D Happy Jah! Sunset Sky