"At 10 AM this morning the Bernstien estate was destroyed by an unknown terrorist group. The news came to us via Geese Howard, a former partner of Mr.Bernstien. When questioned about how Geese knew of the event, he stated he was visiting him when the top floor erupted in a ball of fire, and soon the rest of the house went under."

Ken turned the news off. He stood up and walked out the door. Geese was never known for his integrity, therefore he was going to find out what happened. What was Ken's concern with Rugal? Simply the fact that he had some questions that Geese may be able to answer. He got back into car and headed down to Geese's hideaway in the slums.

A few hours of driving passed and finally he saw someone duck into an ally way. Ken immediately threw the car into park and followed him. As he followed deeper into the slum it turned into a winding maze. Ken tried to be as quiet as possible, hoping this person would lead him into the area where Geese was. One more corner turned and there was a booming sound. Ken turned the corner quickly and saw a tall figure drop from the roof of a building and stood between him and the man he was following.

*THUD* a body was slammed into the wall. He tried to fight back but was sickeningly outmatched by the taller figure. A shrill laughter filled the air as the smaller one was consumed in a green energy and flung THROUGH the wall. Ken had seen enough.

"HEY!! WHO ARE YOU!!!" Ken screamed preparing a hadoken.

"I am everything...and I am nothing..." He said turning around slowly.

"HADOKEN!!" He sent a wave streaming torwards him, but it was reflect back at Ken. Ken countered with a flaming punch causing a light show in the back ally. The bright light revealed who the figure was..."RUGAL!!"

Rugal let out another laughter that Ken tried to shake off as soon as he could. " Ken Masters...the other master of Shotoken...hahahaha" he said with a sinister grin on his face. "Its a shame that you caused that poor girl to lose her life....if only you had been there with her."

Ken didnt know what he meant at first, but suddenly it hit him something fierce. "SAKURA!!"

"So that was her name,hmhehe, poor thing." He said charging his hands up with energy. "I guess you need redemption for your selfish actions..ALLOW ME TO GIVE IT TO YOU! KAISER WAVE!!"

A quick burst of energy struck Ken in the chest and sent him flying torwards the ground. Ken looked up in horror as the red eye of Rugal looked down on him. "Tell me something...how are you still alive." Ken said staggering to his feat.

"Heheh, as you recall the Akuma gave me a stomping of the likes I had never seen before, but his flaw came when he wasted time rambling to that dead fool Ryu.--" before he could say another word Ken had shouted in rage.

"DEAD!? HOW COULD YOU DEFEAT RYU!!"

"He is....WAS a weak fool, but thats of no concern. As I was saying..when Akuma was speaking to Ryu, and as the entire arena was in chaos, I managed to slip out amongst the fire. From then on I stumble through the darkness feeding off anyone I could find. Why you may ask? Because the more energy I acquire the more powerful I would become. I came across Kyo Kusanagi in the parking lot and managed to get a nice "snack" off of him. From there I lingered in the darkness, waiting for another chance. I summoned you because your energy would provide an excellent boost. Of course I ended up killing your little friend."

Ken, now standing straight up, lashed back at him. "She's not dead! I know she's not!" His eyes welled up with anger as each word left his lips.

"I know all,Ken Masters...she IS dead...but dont worry..you'll join her soon enough" Rugal said blasting Ken into the back wall. "To cut to the point, I killed Ryu and am now searching for Geese to repay him for ruining my 'house'."

"So it was Geese?"

"Indeed, but thats enough talk, its time to end this little game." Rugal lifted his hand and began gathering energy.

"DOUBLEREPUKEN!!" Two waves sailed from behind Rugal and nocked him into the air, and then to his back. Rugal quickly recovered and turned around to see Geese Howard standing behind him. Geese crossed his arms and smiled. "Hmph, so you still havent learned have you...you may know all, but I know my own slums the best." This provoked Rugal to anger, causing him to charge Geese. However, as soon as he came within distance he caught a flaming staff straight to the face, knocking him to the ground.

" hey,hey,hey!!" Billy Kane had been waiting in a broken down warehouse. Billy took his stance next to Geese and prepared for the next attack.

"This area is getting to cramped for me...lets make some more room for fighting..RAGING STORM!!!" Geese slammed his hands into the ground and giant waves of energy leveled the area around him, making it ideal for a street fighting match." Now, shall we continue?" he said motioning for Rugal to attack.

"You..you fool..." Rugal said whiping some blood from his nose and mouth "I am invincible...it would take hundred..no..thousands of men to defeat me. NOW SUFFER!" But as Rugal drew his arms back to unleash a fully charged Kaiser Wave, his arms were bound.

"Heheh, gotcha!" Ken said wrenching the arms of Rugal. Ken had a firm grip on him and was trying to break his arms, or at least delay his attack. "Now, O' invincible one..how does feel now?" Rugal screamed in pain as his arms were further twisted. Finally Ken decided to add more injury to him. He kicked Rugal in the back of the head and pinned his face to the ground.

Geese saw his oppurtunity to finish off Rugal and tossed out another Repukken. The wave traveled torwards Rugal quickly, but alas, it was not fast enough. Rugal flipped around and through Ken into the wave, scarring his back severely.

So here it was, Southdown in flames, Ken battered and bruised, while Geese and Billy stood ready On the other side was Rugal, almost at his maximum power, smiling sadistically at the weakness before him. All around people gazed at the site, news crews were everywhere covering the event, though one crew was destroyed by an attack from Rugal. Things were definately coming to a head.

"Look at what I have done to your poor city, Geese...what a shame..hahahahaa!!" Rugal said with pleasure. He was a sick man, glorying in the destruction he had brought by his hands. He waited for the others to attack, but this his unawareness would cost him dearly.

A cry came from behind as a fist went in one side, electricity in the other, and fire in his back. Rugal screamed in agony as his skin was burned and electricuted. Rugal spun around and saw the Japan Team standing behind him. Kyo Kusanagi, Goro Daimon, and Benimaru Nakaido. "Aaah, Rugal Bernstein..." Benimaru said laughing and then turning to Kyo. "You let this oaf hospitalize you? Hehahaha, you're losing your edge Kusanagi!" Kyo just smiled at ignited a flame on the edge of his finger.

"Alright, guys, lets burn this place up!" Kyo said burning the flame high into the air. Kyo ran forward and struck Rugal in the stomach with his burning knuckle. The shot burned a giant scar into Rugals abdomon and caused him to keel over in pain. While Rugal was down, Benimaru rushed in from the side and flip kicked Rugal in the face, then sending electricity through his body. At this point Rugal was paralyzed by the electricity giving Daimon the oppurtunity to make his attack. Daimon lifted Rugal high into the air and slammed him into the ground, sending shockwaves a few feet out. He then smashed him with both hands, a blow with such impact it would have collapsed a normal man's chest cavity. The three stepped back to see how Rugal would retaliate.

Rugal rolled over and looked at the moon. He could smell the aroma of the burning houses and buildings in the air. A slight grin came across his face the shocked the others around him. He stood up and rushed Ken with ferocity. Ken didnt have enough time to react, and before he knew it his body was hanging off the end of Rugal's fist.

Rugal's face went grim as he jolted energy into Ken's body. Ken struggled to get away but he was too weak. he looked up at Ken and smiled. "I dont need you, or your weak energy! You will suffer the same fate as the other shoto-fool, Ryu! NOW DIE!" Rugal executed the Genocide Cutter and sent Ken flying into a news van. The impact of the blow killed Ken instantely. The crowd shreiked in horror as the world reknown Street Fighter lay lifeless on the ground.

Rugal leaped onto a tall pile of rubble and got the attention of everyone around him. All the cameras were focused on him, as well as the eyes of the fighters, including an unnoticed pair that were pearing down from a tall unharmed building. Rugal lifted his hand torwards the sky. Lightning struck down on top of him and energy surged around everywhere. Both of his eyes turned deep red, both had a fire burning in them. He pointed his finger at the crowd and look straight into the camera. "Let the world know that this will be the beginning of my conquest! Let the world know that they are now in my hands! LET THEM KNOW THAT I AM THE MOST POWERFUL BEING IN THE UNIVERSE!! LET THEM BEHOLD MY DESTRUCTION AND MY CHAOS!! BEHOLD!! I HAVE BECOME A gOD!!!!

This was the beginning of the greatest war to be fought amongst men. It was now time for the warrior of the street to combat this self-proclaimed "god." All things hung in the balance at this point, but two questions still remained..where was the Master of Fists...and what of the warrior..Ryu...?

I shall be the light in the darkness, and His glory shall be known.