Ryu finally made it to Osaka after a long few days journey. He looked in amazement at the massive tower that had been constructed in the middle of the city. A massive beam of light emminated from the middle of the tower, with several smaller beams out on the sides. They were great pillars of light that seemed to be coming in from an unknown source in the heavens. Ryu was astonished at this magnificent sight, but at the same time he felt the dark energy that had attacked him what seemed like so long ago. The same unimaginable evil.

He looked away for a moment and turned his attention to a TV that was giving coverage on the events that transpired days ago at southtown. Ryu watched in horror as the events transpired before his eyes. He witnessed Ken's death at the hands of Rugal, he watched the complete annihalation of SouthDown,and he watched as Rugal proclaimed his absolute victory over humanity itself. This is what Gouken was talking about, this was the absolute terror that he spoke of, the urgent pressing matter. Ryu was shaken to the core with fear; never before in his life had he seen such devastation caused by one man. Even Bison had to command armies to do his work, but few things had Bison done that compared to this.

His blood began to boil. The fact that Ken was gone had now hit him. He had lost his best friend. He couldnt stand it. He began twitching in anger, his eyes began to flash red. He was losing control. His energy began to grow immensly, as did his power. He could feel the dark energy taking over. Just then he heard the words of Gouken ring loud in his ears. He stopped for a moment and calmed down.

A voice came booming from the top of the tower, thunderous and powerful, full of hate. Ryu turned his attention to the tower and saw a massive figure standing on the top of it.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the site of the next King of Fighters tournament..'Final Battle 2002.' Why has it been named Final Battle? Simply because from this point on this miserable world will belong to me!"

"Rugal..." Ryu said sneering under his breath. Ryu turned to a bystander to ask a few questions. "How did that tower get there, I know it wasnt here during the Millionare tournament a month or so back."

"Well, to tell yez the truph, I dont realleh know." the old man said smiling, "We wuz jest standing here and that thing just stormed outa da ground. It was kinda sceerie at first, but-"

Ryu broke in with another question. " How can he hold a tournament on that tower, though?"

"If yeh look behind it thars a giant ring with an "O" in the middle of it. Looks real purty, bet I jest can hep but think its somethin migheh evil."

Ryu thanked the old man and began walking torwards the tower, with the nearer he got the more evil he felt. By the time he got their a lined had formed in front of him. People were waiting to get inside the tower to enter the tournament. It appeared that this wasnt the first word that had been spoken of the tournament. He noticed some of the face, but alot of them were new. He felt a hand on his shoulder and a voice that was very recognizeable.

"Ryu, I'm sorry..."

Ryu turned around to see, for the first time since the tournament, Kyo Kusanagi, behind him stood an unlikely friend, Iori Yagami. Ryu was curious as to why Iori was here. "Iori..why are you and Kyo.."

Iori broke in with a grim look on his face. "We've come to make sure that Rugal dies for good this time. He's a past demon that seems to have returned, and it would seem that it is up the Kusanagi and Yagami clans to put an end to him once and for all."

Kyo spoke next. " I was there at the Southtown incident, I saw it all, Ken's murder, the burning..the pain. It was aweful..completely aweful." The mention of Ken's name caused Ryu to double over to some extent. It was painful to think of what had happened to his friend, but more painful was the anger in him striving to be released.

Kyo, Iori and Ryu all looked up at the tower, and prepared themselves for the coming storm. However, all was not what it seemed. They were all unaware of the true nature behind the tournament, and behind Rugal. For Kyo and Iori the tournament held that which they thought was gone, an ancient evil that was thought to be sealed. And for Ryu, it would be the ultimate test of discipline, strength and power. Nevertheless, all their destinies, along with the destiny of humanity, would hand in the balance... at the King of Fighter 2002.