The King of Fighters

The Strongest Fighter in the World

By MavGunloc

Disclaimer: I do not own King of Fighters, the characters, or premise of the story. They belong to SNK. This is a sequel to my first King of Fighters Fan Fiction "The Lone Wolf Pack / King of Hearts" so if you haven't read that one I seriously suggest you do or else this story will not make sense. I got a lot of great support from my first fic and I think it's about time for a second just to wrap up the N.E.S.T.S. saga. In all honesty, I really got inspired to do this after played SNK vs. Capcom: Chaos (Yea! Terry's 4-Hit HP combo rules over Capcom characters). Anyways, this fic will be just like my other one presenting two sides of the story in one chapter but the title remains solo. Why? Well I wouldn't want to ruin the ending now would I? Anyways, enough of my ranting, enjoy the story.

Prologue: Black Gloves and Broken Hearts

Eight Months After the End of the King of Fighters 2000 Tournament

The calm streets of South Town exploded with the roar of a booming motorcycle revving its engine and shooting down the empty black road. The King of Fighters Tournament was long gone and with it the thousands of tourists and their business. Everything seemed to return to normal and for this dismal town, that wasn't a good thing. Without any order, this place just became another haven for the brute and rebellious, however, South Town didn't realize how close it came to utter destruction.

The papers and mass media claimed it as a fireworks celebration culminating the end of the Tournament. For the few local residents who witnessed the event called it hogwash but their few pleas couldn't change the views of producers. Ratings were all that mattered and even though an underground conspiracy in the King of Fighters Tournament would have been the juiciest story since the Orochi incident, a lot of the fighters could feel it in their bones that N.E.S.T.S. have been pulling some strings even out of the fighting arena. All of these thoughts and more ruffled through Blue Mary's mind and her hair blew backwards as she blazed down the road as far as her bike could take her.

She had to think about these things. She had to take her mind off of her current situation so she did the only thing she could do and bury herself in work. Mary had busted her ass so hard for the past nine weeks that her employers were having trouble keeping her busy. It's not like she needed the money, she just had to keep her thoughts on work and nothing else. Thinking about her life made her depressed. Thinking about Terry made her cry.

Mary scorched passed a stop sign without thinking of the consequences and found her inches away from a semi truck. She didn't even have time intelligently react. All she could see was that a giant red truck was about to paste her all over the asphalt.

*SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH*

Mary slammed on her brakes and skidded right in front of the big rig. The wind slashed at her gentle skin and violently shook her and her motorcycle almost down to the asphalt. Thank goodness for Mary's riding experience she was able to regain stability without becoming another post on the obituary page. Still, just because she was standing didn't mean she was alright. Her body quivered horribly with her eyes shot as wide as her head would allow. She could have sworn she saw a moment of her life flash right before her eyes and that's when Mary felt her tear ducts swelling.

She had to see Terry.

No! She cursed at herself while shaking her head. Mary didn't allow a single tear to pass before blocking the painful thoughts to cross her mind. She needed to get away. Luckily, there was a familiar bar staring her right in a face. It was almost singing Come on in!

Mary did just that.

The Previous Night

Deep within the forest, miles and miles away from his beloved home town, Terry Bogard laid flat on the cold brown dirt. A fire silently crackled in the night's sky flickering a brilliant mixture of orange and red; the perfect end to an exhausting day.

"Hey Terry," a voice beckoned at his right ear. His young companion was resilient, eager, and restless, a trait that would annoy some but Terry could manage.

"Yea Rock?" Terry said while tipping his cap down hoping that would signal to Rock that he wanted to get some sleep as soon as possible.

Rock ruffled in his sleeping bag trying to find the most comfortable position possible before speaking to his new guardian. "I was wondering… Are you… Are you going to fight in the tournament this year too?"

That was a thought that blasted Terry like a bolt of lighting. Not that fighting in general was ever not on his mind. The King of Fighters was almost a blur in his memories over the past years, even last year but the scars on his body wouldn't allow him to completely forget. Then again, why would he be out here training thousands of miles away from any person he knows? Terry gave his cap a gentle flick upwards and looked over at Rock.

"We'll see."

That was the only answer Terry could think of. As far as he was concerned, his fighting days were coming to an end although he wouldn't allow anyone else to tell him that. As young as he was Terry was reaching his peak and not the kind that baseball players feel towards the latter end of their careers. No. Terry was lacking in a far greater department.

A challenge.

Defeating Zero was the culminating moment in his entire fighting career. Never had he faced an opponent that just kept coming after him. Zero fought until his final breath and deep inside his body, Terry was somewhat sad to see him leave. Then again, Zero didn't have the true fighter's spirit. All he cared about was world domination just like the bad guys in action movies and Terry didn't give it another thought after putting him down in that basement facility.

"Terry?" Rock whispered shaking the veteran fighter out his trip down memory lane.

"Get some rest," Terry beckoned while turning to his side. "We've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

Rock nodded and tucked himself into his sleeping bag. He was worried about the way Terry answered that question but throughout the time they've been together, Terry hasn't let Rock down. Rock couldn't keep his eyes open another second after his hard day of training and welcomed the oncoming state of slumber.

*SMASH*

Rock's body snapped up from his nestled sleep. The noise that shook through the forest was horrifying. It was as if lightning were hitting the trees.

*SMASH*

There it was again. Rock cringed at the sound as the wave passed overhead. Now he was really scared. Something was happening and the first thing he turned to do was warn Terry.

*SMASH*

Just as Rock's eyes passed over the empty sleeping bag another violent wave of sound shook the trees in the forest. Rock had no idea what was going on but with Terry missing, he was bound to find out.

*SMASH*

The next smashing sound passed over Rock without a single tremble. He snapped out of his sleeping back and ran in the direction of this noise with no thoughts of stopping until this mystery was solved.

*SMASH*

Terry's fist dug deep into the century old redwood. He pulled it back and a stream of blood followed. The crimson liquid coated Terry's gloved hand as he prepared for another strike with his other fist.

*SMASH*

Another strike and another hand soaked in freshly released blood. Terry could feel the nerves gawking at him for a moment of rest and recuperation but that thought completely flew over his head. Terry had a long way to go before this tree hit the ground.

*SMASH*

"Terry?" A voice called from his left. Terry turned his head with his hand still buried in the tree and looked over at his young companion awing over the sight before him.

Terry pulled his arm out of the tree and let it sit at his side. Blood dripped down and hit the dirt turning into red puddles of mud. Rock's eyes were locked on Terry's blood covered gloves not knowing what to do, what to think, or even what to say. All of his thoughts were focused on Terry's hands and the pain he must be feeling.

Water ran through the black leather of Terry's glove completely wiping away any residue of blood or dirt that may have soiled it. Rock watched closely as his guardian took the most extensive attention to detail that he had ever seen. Not even a molecule of blood or a speck of dirt stained the Legendary Wolf's most prized possession.

"Ter – Terry?" Rock said under the smoke of his breath. He watched as the final drop of water bounced off of Terry's glove as he set them down on a fresh towel.

After covering the gloves with the free side of the towel, he looked up at Rock and spoke. "Life always throws you a few bumps or two. No matter how hard you fight, the only way you'll ever move forward is if you're willing to step above your limits and push yourself until there is nothing standing in your way."

"Terry…"

"That's what these gloves symbolize. They were given to me by someone who fought until the end. Any time I ever have doubt in myself, I look at these gloves and remember why I fight. They always seem to have the right answer."

Rock smiled at Terry. That was the kind hearted guardian he knew. Everything he said was etched into Rock's still growing mind and he knew if he soaked up everything he said, Rock would be just like Terry.

The night was too much and after a few minutes Rock succumbed to slumber. Terry smiled while his companion crashed into his sleeping bag. The Legendary Wolf stretched his arms and legs and fell into his most comfortable position. Terry tipped his cap down keeping the light of the moon from shining on his eyes. The night was going to be long.

"Tell me dad… What do I do now?" Terry whispered in open air. It was the first time he ever thought of his father beyond visiting his grave in South Town. Terry smiled as he expected no response and shut his eyes.

A slight gust wind blew across Terry's chest. He cracked one eye open but didn't see a single proprietor to the sudden weather change. It was odd for a wind to blow this suddenly in the middle of a forest. It started from the west and blew through to the east.

Straight to South Town.

"Hey sis!" A voice yelled from the second floor of the building. After a tying his green cloth belt around his wait, Jean Dunstan came down the stair fully dressed in his Kyokugen gi and eagerly awaiting his daily training session.

"Yes Jean," King replied while wiping down one of her prized wine glasses.

Jean entered the bar and grabbed a bottle of water before finding a seat on one of the Illusions' red stools. "I just wanted to let you know that the family in 6A asked for an extension on their rent. I didn't know what to say so I came and asked you."

King let out a small giggle and then a brief sigh. "It's alright. I heard that the father just got a new job so we can give them another week."

"Alright sis. You're the boss," Jean commented while twisting open his water bottle.

He was right though. King was the boss. Finally after all of these years she was able to do the two things she's always dreamed of. Thanks to her team victory at the King of Fighters, she was able to cure Jean of his disease and purchase the building her bar sat under. Now they would have no problems with income, all they would have to do is live as happy as life would allow and for them it really couldn't get any better than this.

King finished wiping down her glasses and after setting them away properly she poured herself a nice glass of red wine. She put it to her lips and took a nice fine sip.

"So sis, when are you moving in with Ryo?"

"PFFFFFFFTTT!" King spat spraying her fine cherry counter with an expensive mix of saliva and alcohol. "JEAN!" King screamed while wiping her mouth with her handkerchief. Every time her brother wanted to talk about her love life, it always seemed so indecent but in actuality, it wasn't that bad of a question.

"Man sis, you're always so touchy!" Jean said while trying to avoid the rain of wine from staining his precious karate gi. "You've been engaged for a whopping two months, you know, most people would have found that funny."

No matter how red King's cheeks were, it couldn't account for how right her brother was. Her emotions subsided, she wolfed down what was left of her glass and let out a big sigh. Jean just ruffled his hand in his hair and wondered how someone as shy with her love life could ever agree to marriage.

Letting the mood settle, King went to the bathroom and wiped the flustered look from her face. Jean chuckled every time King reacted to his comments. It was better than daytime soap operas, not that he watched those or anything. The way he figured it, Ryo would be here in a few minutes to pick him up and once King set eyes on him, the comedy would ensue.

*KNOCK**KNOCK*

Speak of the Devil! Jean cheered. He quickly hustled to the door as if the training had begun and forced it open as quick and as clean as possible.

"Good Morning Ma-a-a-a-aster…?!" Stuttered the Kyokugen student while staring straight at to red hills that didn't look like any punching bags he wanted to hit.

"Um… Um… Ahhhh…!" Jean rambled while trying to get his bearings. After a few brief moments and a rush of blood to the face, he locked eyes with the blue eyed beauty.

"Ba – Bru – Blue! Blue Mary!" Jean didn't bother with any other form of speech. She looked like she'd just been in a train wreck and walked fifty miles in the snow to get here. Jean immediately allowed her inside and never left Mary's side until he got her seated.

"Jean…" King called while walking out of the bathroom. "What's all of the commotion?" Following her remark, King saw one of her old friends with her head buried in her arms, sulking.

"Mary? Are you alright?!" King rushed over to console the ailing Blue Mary. Her face was nothing short of horrifying. King wasted no time in pouring a glass of water and it was instantaneously swallowed without a single breath of air.

"Thanks…" Mary gasped. She started to feel a little better after the incident. Now she was in a familiar environment with someone she knows, it would only be a manner of minutes before she was ready to go again.

"What happened?" King calmly asked hoping not to bring up any memories that would cause that expression on her face again.

"I almost got into an accident on my bike," Mary stated. Her tone returned as normal sounding as ever.

"Oh my God? Are you alright?"

"Yea I'm fine," Mary responded before King took it too seriously. "Just a little rattled that's all."

"Oh… That's good," King took in a sigh of relief. "I'm glad that you're okay."

"Yea…" Mary replied while looking off into the distance. Her stature and mannerisms screamed attention and it wasn't anything as simple as a near death experience.

"Hey Jean," King called.

"Yea sis," replied her younger sibling.

"Could you be a dear and go upstairs and get me one of my bottles of wine."

Jean nodded his head but he knew there was no wine that needed retrieving. That was their code for Jean your presence isn't needed. This code was only developed after King started dating Ryo and they needed their "alone time" but knowing the situation as it stands, Jean didn't mind taking a break upstairs.

After King's brother retreated to his room, King gave Blue Mary a sympathetic glare.

"So tell me, what's really on you mind?"

Mary let out a brief sigh and stared hopelessly into her empty glass.

"Terry…" She let out in almost a faint whisper.

That almost made King plant a wicked grin on her face. If she was having a problem, naturally it was with Terry. It was almost standard game for these two. The elder Bogard brother was about as stable as a mad bull. She seemed like a very fragile girl, especially when concerning with Terry, and even the slightest sign of tribulation, Mary was having the blues.

"Is that so… The last I heard you two were doing alright."

That was true. Once Terry came back, the first person Mary told was King. She even mentioned that Terry had claimed to stay at Mary's apartment on a more permanent basis. What problem could they possibly have now?

For a second, King could have sworn Mary whimpered. This was no laughing matter.

"Terry… He's… He's gone."

"What?" King interjected sounding more confused than shocked. Mary's last statement could have meant a number of things. King wanted to make sure it wasn't the worst of the bunch.

"He… He left me."

Now that was shocking and a no brainer all wrapped into a neat little package. Sure he said he was going to stay at Mary's apartment but this was Terry Bogard they were talking about. This guy would feel uncomfortable standing next to his brother for longer than a day.

"When did this happen?" King asked. Unless anything more captivating pops up, this would be King's last query.

"About a week after he came…" Mary replied in a sigh. She was feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders and right now, she didn't want to deal with it.

King wanted to curse the name of the man that would do this to a woman. It was this exact kind of attitude that turned King towards the road of a female in disguise. If it weren't for Ryo being the exception, King would be giving a different kind of advice.

Nevertheless, she had to console her friend. King had seen Mary in a river of tear almost a year ago; pouring out all of her emotion for her thought-to-be lost lover. Losing him again after getting him back after two months was just too much for Mary. Especially after so soon.

"Let me get you a drink," King stated without even looking for a hesitant response. She poured Mary a glass of her finest scotch and placed it calmly at Mary's front.

Something told King she was going to go through a whole bottle today.

An Undisclosed Location Thousands of Miles from Civilization

"Do you understand your mission?" Asked the man sitting on a very elegant throne. He was very old in physical appearance giving off an aged but experienced aura but those who heard his voice obeyed.

"Of course… What do you take me for?!" Hissed his subordinated from across the room. He was almost the complete opposite of his commander; young, attractive, and emanating power. His two most unique features was his blue hair and his mutated right arm which he kept hidden with a red cloak.

"Do not sass me K'9999. We know what information you have received and by any other orders we do not want you to pursue Terry Bogard. He is not a priority at this moment!"

The young N.E.S.T.S. warrior didn't respond. He just waited for the right moment to blow off his commanding officer.

"Kyo Kusanagi has resurfaced. THAT is your priority now!"

"Whatever!" Snapped K'9999 and left without hearing another breath leave his commander's mouth. The door slammed behind him relentlessly and a cloud of bad aura filled the room.

"This is the worse one yet…"

"Whatsa matta Kay Kay?" Asked a bouncy young vixen. She immediately wrapped herself behind K'9999 and pressed her fairly voluptuous chest in his back.

"Get off me woman!" Snarled the young N.E.S.T.S. warrior. He threw the girl off of his back with as much force as required. Any more, and she'd want a sparring match. K'9999 didn't have time for that.

The girl skidded forward and stopped right in front of K'9999 looking deep into his eyes with her supple white hair playing in front of her face. "What's wrong Kay Kay? Didn't – "

"And don't call me by that insipid name!" Shouted back the infuriated K'9999. He didn't move forward while she was in front of him so he had no choice but tell her off until she moves.

The girl bent forward while putting both of her thumbs on top of her forehead. Her index fingers shot straight up, pointing at the ceiling above as she moved them back and forth.

"Something tells me we have a mission to get started…" She joyfully stated while jiggling her assets to and fro. K'9999 smiled. Not at the view but at the words that tickled the very hairs of his ears.

"Precisely. Now, what have you got for me Angel?" K'9999 calmly asked in a tone that seemed more menacing that his angered one.

"Welllllll…" Angel started while tapping her finger on her lips. "Diana told me that Kyo and his colleagues were in meeting somewhere in Tokyo two days from now."

K'9999 growled signaling to her that wasn't what he wanted to know.

"I also heard that K' and his crew were in Mexico tearing up our bases one after another."

K'9999 scoffed at that remark. If there was anything he didn't want to know it was about the traitor K'. If K' had stayed in N.E.S.T.S. and done his part, K'9999 wouldn't have to be hounded by the dogs above. Now he's doing the deserter's dirty work… "That wasn't the information I was looking for." He spit on the ground next to Angel and proceeded to move past her.

"Then?" Angel said before K'9999 walked completely out of the hallway, "Who are you looking for?"

K'9999 stopped and turned his head so Angel could see just the side of his face.

"Bogard. Terry Bogard."

(Author Notes: WOW! I finally did it. After over a two month hiatus, the sequel to my first King of Fighter fan-fiction is here. Pretty cool feeling if I do say so myself. Alright, to begin I would like to first deeply thank everyone who read my first fan fiction. You guys gave me a boost in my confidence I had never thought possible. I would also like to give a SINCERE thanks to those who read AND reviewed my first fan fiction. To you guys, I owe my deepest gratitude. If it weren't for your kind words and honest judgment, I'd probably be doing something else a lot less productive. For that, I would like to thank you and this sequel is but a token of my appreciation.

Anyways, to get back on track with the story. I would like to point out that this story might seem a lot different from my first because in actuality, I have a lot more story to work around than I did with the KOF 2000 storyline. This one has a lot more characters and a much more creative setting than the previous. It'll probably be a lot more action oriented and from what my reviewers said in the first fic, that's where I do my best work.

So I leave you now with the prologue. A very intriguing start than my first one because now I have to work with the story that I've shaped for these characters beloved characters. As far as story notes goes, there is nothing really to say yet that I haven't said in my first fic. So if you're wondering "where in the hell this guy gets these crazy ideas from", please, stop reading this and go read my first fic.

If you hadn't noticed, this is the beginning of the final chapter in the N.E.S.T.S. saga. It'll probably go 12 chapters again if I can time it right and I'm hoping to average the same length (if not go longer) as my previous fic. Well, you know the story and now you're living the fiction. Reviews aren't crucial but they do help me get motivated to punch out the other chapters a lot quicker. Take it easy guys and hopefully I'll see you next chapter.)