Chapter 90

Watching the fights of the New Faces Team was an educational experience. The Brawler, Nanakase, seemed to mostly be just that, a brawler. Some of his moves had a fluidity to them that made me think he had some level of rudimentary training, but discarded the bulk of it in favor of straight brawling. I will say this for the guy, he had power. Opening my third eye revealed that he was drawing most of that power from the Earth using the Geokinesis he'd been granted by the Yamata-no-Orochi. It was seemingly his primary method of physical enhancement since he didn't seem to have much in the way of Trained Chi. Judging by how he kept ripping up arena tiles as he chased Sakizaki Yuri around the ring, though, he didn't need the extra oomph of Chi Enhancement to be devastating.

Speaking of him chasing Yuri around the ring, I could tell she wouldn't stand up to many hits from Nanakase. She was quick and agile, but not too capable of taking major hits. That was probably why she was dancing around the arena so much, bouncing around in acrobatic leaps using the power of her Chi to evade the massive blows that Nanakase kept throwing her way. Fair dues to her, it was working, and her better skill at Martial Arts was letting Yuri slip in hits through gaps in Nanakase's form whenever he missed her by a wide enough margin. Those hits weren't slowing Nanakase down much, though. The strength he pulled from the Earth made sure he could take a licking and keep on ticking. Yuri'd have to try something drastic to win this.

As she leaped into the air, avoiding a powerful rushing sidekick, Yuri gathered Chi into her palms, raising them above her head as she did so. A sphere of Yellowish, fiery, Chi materialized between her palms as she brought both hands down, throwing the flaming ball of Chi down at Nanakase from above. The Projectile caught Nanakase full in the chest, burning through the red leather jacket and exploding into fiery energy. I guess that something drastic happened sooner than expected. Unfortunately, as Yuri landed behind Nanakase, I could tell via my superior senses that the attack hadn't finished the Brawler.

No, as Yuri began to celebrate, holding her fingers up in a peace sign, Nanakase burst out from the flames, rushing forward with his legs powered by the strength given to him from the Earth. His jacket had been burned away and his chest was an angry, burned, red, but he was still very much fighting. As he blurred forward, the crowd in the arena let out a gasp as it was too fast for the normal human eye to make out. I could make it out, though and so could probably any of the combatants in the Tournament. Unfortunately, Yuri's premature celebration cost her, as it meant she hadn't been paying too much attention. She'd cottoned on that something was wrong, but only just managed to turn about in time to eat a super-strength punch to the face.

Yuri was sent flying out of the ring to land in the arena out of bounds. Nanakase grunted over at the announcer, giving the Man a look. If looks could kill, that one would burn through Trinium. The announcer blanched and began counting. Predictably, Yuri didn't get back into the ring for the ten count, which meant Nanakase had won the match. Curious, and willing to risk being found out, I muttered an incantation and cast a spell of True Seeing to see just what was going on with Team New Faces. When combined with my powers of Analysis that had been heightened by Oma Desala, I should be capable of reading their capabilities.

It was here that I was able to tell that the three of them were more than simply empowered by the Yamata-no-Orochi. No, they were actual descendants, though I wasn't quite sure how that squared with what I knew of the nature of the Yamata-no-Orochi as a massive, eight-headed, serpent. Presumably, it incarnated as a man at some point. Regardless, the three of them had been endowed with certain mystical powers they used to varying extents. Nanakase had seemingly inherited the power of Geokinesis, which he seemed to be drawing on subconsciously to enhance his physical capabilities. I was getting the sense that he couldn't really use it much beyond that level as he was now.

The female member of their team, Shermie, seemed to be endowed with Electrokinetic abilities, though I wasn't sure if she ever really used them since she seemed to be the only one in their group who actually had trained her Chi. As I watched her take on Robert Garcia, I noticed she tended to use that Chi to utilize grappling maneuvers to great effect, something that wasn't really enhanced by electrokinesis. I didn't see her utilize it until she, very consciously, utilized a sort of static burst to avoid being rung out after Robert smashed into her with a short-ranged Chi Blast that my downloaded information informed me was called the Ryuugeki Ken and was one of the signature techniques of the Kyokugenryu Style.

Regardless, Shermie consciously using such a technique to avoid being rung out meant she had at least some level of conscious control over her Electrokinesis. That suspicion was confirmed as she used a static charge to better grab a fistful of Robert's shirt in order to assist with a grapple that spiked Robert into the tiles, smashing several. However, it seemed that Shermie was unable to use it for more direct applications, and that proved her downfall against the more veteran Martial Artist. Robert smashed his fist into Shermie's temple with a Chi-Powered Backhand as Shermie tried shooting in for a grapple, knocking her out for the ten count.

It was the third fighter of Team New Faces, Chris, that gave me the most pause. He was clearly endowed with Pyrokinesis by the Yamata-no-Orochi and was clearly able to use it in a conscious manner for attacking. Sakizaki Ryo was hard-pressed to deal with the gouts of flame that Chris shot at him, or the constant, flaming, acrobatic, attacks. The flames themselves were, fortunately, normal mystic fire and not the violet flames that the Yamata-no-Orochi had been able to put out, but it still suggested that Chris, who couldn't have been much older than fourteen, was the closest of any of the New Faces Team to fully awakening the Yamata-no-Orochi.

As Chris targeted Ryo's weak spots, conjuring flames to create openings and then taking them viciously, all while smiling, I realized that if any of the New Faces Team were going to be possessed by the Yamata-no-Orochi, it was going to be Chris. That level of viciousness on display was exactly the sort of thing that could invite such a possession. I had wracked my brain for anything that might be similar, after all, the Black Dragon was no stranger to such entities and had come up with the story of Onaga, the Dragon King, who possessed an elemental spirit of Fire called Damashi in order to trick Master Shujinko into unsealing him from his prison. Apparently, Damashi had delighted in burning down peasant homes and that brutality had made it easier for Onaga to possess him. I saw a similar potential in Chris for possession by the Yamata-no-Orochi.

"Is it something about dark emotions that makes possession by those kinds of beings more likely?" I questioned aloud.

"It is." Came a Voice from beside me.

I turned to see Nightwolf Approaching. The Shaman of the Matoka Tribe had clearly decided to observe our potential enemy the same as I did. He had crept up alongside me while I'd been focusing on the fights. Looking around, I saw my teammates were nowhere to be found. Idly, I wondered where they'd gotten to, but didn't have long to speculate, as Nightwolf started speaking again.

"Spirits, whether natural, divine, elemental, or otherwise, tend to gravitate toward people with similar mindsets to their own. Someone who values their tribe or group will likely draw in the spirit of a pack-based animal, for instance, while solitary people are likely to draw in the spirits of solitary animals. Likewise, those who revel in dark emotions tend to draw in dark spirits. I foresee this Chris being the likeliest target for possession amongst those three." Informed Nightwolf.

"Is that how you gained your moniker, then?" I queried.

"My totem is the Wolf, yes. As a Shaman, I must think of the good of the tribe above my own." Confirmed Nightwolf.

"Well, I already figured Chris would be the easiest target for the Yamata-no-Orochi. He's got the most conscious control over his inherited powers." I concurred.

"Magic?" Asked Nightwolf.

"I risked a spell of True Sight." I nodded.

"Bold, especially in a tournament setting." Remarked Nightwolf.

"Some things are more important." I defended.

"True." Acknowledged Nightwolf.

"Speaking of which, I know there's gonna be a lunch before the next round. Did you want to have that talk then?" I questioned.

"No. I'm afraid my team and I will need the food. We did not manage to eat breakfast." Demurred Nightwolf.

"Tonight then?" I queried.

"I know of a place. Antique Shop Yamatai in the Furinkan neighborhood of Nerima." Offered Nightwolf.

"Hell no. I'm not going near Nerima if I can help it. I'm doubly not going near Furinkan. I don't want to get caught up in that chaos." I scoffed.

"I suppose that's fair, where then?" Asked Nightwolf.

"What about the Red Room? It's a club set up by some former Anjougumi Yakuza Guys after the whole debacle of them getting kicked out of Shinjuku went down. I doubt the Yakuza will be blabbing about any supernatural talk we do in there. Wouldn't want to draw attention to any illicit shit they might be doing in the backrooms, after all." I offered.

"Sounds good." Nodded Nightwolf.

"By the by, did you see where my teammates went? It's not looking too good for Team Kyokugenryu right now and I'd hate for them to miss the lunch." I questioned.

"I believe they were headed for the Dawson Convenience Store. Something about grabbing a drink, I believe." Shrugged Nightwolf.

"All right, thanks." I nodded.

"What time do you want to meet at the Red Room?" Queried Nightwolf.

"Call it nine? I want it to be busy enough no one can overhear easily." I hedged.

"Very well. I will see you then." Agreed Nightwolf.

And like that, he walked off. I turned my attention back to the matches. Sakizaki Ryo had been effectively thrashed by Chris, leaving Robert Garcia to be the sole remaining member of Team Kyokugenryu. Nanakase went in against him, allowing Chris to rest up, though that had predictable results, as Nanakase had no Chi Training and only unconscious use of his Bloodline Power. It came down to Robert Garcia and Chris, only for Chris to break Robert's leg before tossing him out of the ring for a ten count. Like that, Team New Faces advanced. I handed out healing potions to Team Kyokugenryu, which spared them a trip to the infirmary and, more importantly, meant they'd be available to fight if shit should hit the fan with the Yamata-no-Orochi.

Athena and Kensou returned while the ring tiles were being replaced by the Arena Staff, Kensou sipping a Bepsi while Athena had some sort of canned tea. I told them about the meeting with Nightwolf tonight before the announcer declared that the action would break for lunch, much to the Audience's dismay, though I was willing to bet there were plenty of audience members whose only real complaints were that they had lost bets and now had to head to various Yakuza-Run establishments to pay up or else. It wasn't my concern, though. Not when the Yamata-no-Orochi could wake up at some point during the proceedings.

Lunch, it turned out, was a catered affair in the Arena's Atrium, with all sorts of foods cooked in Chinese Style by the Gobancho Restaurant of Ginza. It was all very good except for the fact that the two chefs, a Guy named Jan and a Girl named Kiriko, had a tendency to snipe at each other during preparation. Athena saw that and couldn't help but comment on it as we sat down to eat. Glancing over at the pair of chefs, currently in the midst of an exchange of barbs, Athena couldn't help but shake her head and give a wry grin.

"Those two should really get a room." She opined.

"You think there's any love lost there?" Asked Kensou.

"I dunno, it seems like they're pretty much rival chefs to me." I frowned.

"Boys. Of course, there's something there." Answered Athena, rolling her eyes.

"If you say so." Shrugged Kensou.

"Yeah, I'm not sure if you're the best judge, Athena. You couldn't even tell Kensou was crushing on you for a while." I pointed out.

"That's different." Insisted Athena.

"Is it, though?" Needled Kensou.

"Of course it is!" Huffed Athena.

The pair of them were drawn into a bickering session that was at least somewhat reminiscent of the one that the two chefs were having over near the Wok. I took that as my sign to clean my plate and head out for a smoke. I made my way out of the Atrium, past the set up tables, and out a side door. As I stepped out into the afternoon sun of Tokyo, I pulled a packet of Red Apple Cigarettes out of my coat pocket and snapped my fingers, using another Cantrip spell to light up. I took a deep drag of my cigarette and exhaled smoke, thinking about the implications of what I'd seen of Team New Faces. I was so lost in thought that I almost didn't spot him as he approached me.

"Speak of the Devil." I muttered as the smiling form of Chris of Team New Faces exited the Atrium.

"Oh, I'm not the devil yet." Smiled Chris.

"Yet." I acknowledged.

"You look tough, and you were watching us earlier. I wonder if you'll break as easily as the Karateka did?" Mused Chris.

"You'll have to keep advancing to find out." I pointed out.

"We could fight here?" Offered Chris.

"Fighting outside of matches gets you disqualified." I insisted.

"I dunno. I'm a pretty astute judge of character and I don't think you'd mind, would you?" Pressed Chris.

"I'm not just in this for me." I frowned.

"I have dreams, you know." Remarked Chris, suddenly changing topics.

"Oh?" I questioned. Was he getting at what I think he was getting at? If so, I might want to keep him talking.

"Yeah. The others don't have them. Shermie's too hung up on fashion or music or those fuzzball pets of hers and Yashiro's too much of a blunt instrument. Not me though. I know things they don't. I think you do too." Intoned Chris.

"Is that so?" I queried.

"Yeah. I also know that when we do fight, I'll come at you with no mercy. Do you think you can handle that?" Asked Chris.

"Whether I can or not, I'm bound to try. I think you knew that, though." I huffed.

"I guess I did. Try to make it fun for me, all right? If you break early, I'm pretty sure I'll lose it." Smirked Chris.

Veiled threat given, Chris turned back around and walked back into the Arena. I stubbed out my cigarette shortly afterward and did the same. If Chris was actively getting messages from the Yamata-no-Orochi in his dreams, he was closer to full-on possession than I'd thought. I'd have to bring it up with Nightwolf during the meeting. Spiritual stuff was his bread and butter as a Shaman. He would know where to go from here. Regardless lunch finished some twenty minutes later and I soon found myself being called into the Ring to start off our match with Team Hungry Wolf. Surprisingly, I was facing off against the guy with the Blonde Ponytail and Trucker Hat I'd seen around South Town.

"Hey, I know you! You're that asshole who laughed at me getting drawn into Kensou and Athena's teenage drama back at the Pao Pao Cafe!" I accused.

"Oh yeah! That was hilarious! Name's Terry, Terry Bogard! Remember it, 'cause I'm gonna be the Champ!" Grinned my Opponent.

"Right! You asked for it, Pal! This has been a long time coming!" I growled.

The announcer then asked if we were both ready, to which I gave a short nod and Terry gave a thumbs up. Then he called for the fight to start. I took a stance and so did Terry. For a few moments, nothing happened as the two of us stared each other down, each daring the other to make the first move. Then the spell broke, as a wolfish grin split Terry's face. He nodded at me, then shouted out a challenge.

"Come on!" Exclaimed Terry.

Then he burst into motion and the match began in earnest. . .

XXXX

AN: All right, so here we see the next chapter. Shermie and Yashiro are more or less the same as in canon, but Chris has been getting full-on visions from the Yamata-no-Orochi for a few months now. He's close to fully awakening his Orochi powers and when he does, it's likely he'll be immediately possessed by the Yamata-no-Orochi. Ulysses, Nightwolf, Athena, and a few others are going to be meeting to plan out what to do in that situation later in the night. Of course, they have to get through the second round of the Tournament first.

Nineties references in this chapter include the Antique Shop Yamatai and Nerima from Ranma One-Half, Onaga, Shijinko, the Black Dragon, and Nightwolf from Mortal Kombat, the Cantrip, and True Sight spells are from Second Edition Dungeons and Dragons, Trinium is from Stargate, Chefs Jan and Kiriko along with the Gobancho Restaurant are from Iron Wok Jan, the Anjougumi Yakuza are from Ichi the Killer, Red Apple Cigarettes are from the works of Quentin Tarantino, Bepsi is from various anime including Lupin the Third and Shaman King, Dawson Convenience Stores are from Kaiji, and everything else is from King of Fighters.

At any rate, the next chapter will be Ulysses vs Terry Bogard.

Stay tuned. . .