I started this off sooner than I expected, must say. Hopefully I don't just take another 8 months hiatus in the middle of this one too…whatever, about this fic. KOF has always been my favorite fighting game series and one of the videogames I've put more hours in during my childhood. Why I didn't begin with this and instead doing a Mario one eludes even me. I already decided on the full roster so there's no need for suggestions, just hope I don't disappoint too many of you with my choices.

Once again, huge thanks and shout-out to jojoDO for making me rediscover my passion and for the inspiration for the story.

ISOLATED SANCTUM, UNKNOWN LOCATION

The air inside the room started getting heavier and heavier as the bearded man with skin ruined by time in the middle kept gathering chi in a circular pattern. On the floor there was some kind ritualistic seal with a small glass sphere nestled in the middle. The walls almost seemed to move on their own due to that borderline surreal atmosphere but the man didn't care in the slightest. He was deep in thought, so focused that if the apocalypse were to happen just outside the windows he probably wouldn't have noticed. Suddenly, the silence was broken by another middle-aged man dressed in full-green traditional chinese clothes with smooth brown hair draping on his shoulders, entering the sanctum unannounced.

"Are things coming along in here, Jian?" He firmly asked.

"The chi is gathering perfectly. It's a matter of minutes, at most." Jian knew that he had to speak quickly and in measured tones with his partner, as he had no need for his surly attitude in this delicate moment.

"I sure hope so, since this entire thing depends on it. It would be such a shame if all this months of work were revealed to be wasted, wouldn't you agree?" There was a hint of malice in his voice, but Jian wasn't scared in the slightest.

"You know, your empty threats are getting rather predictable, my friend. Please, don't talk as if you aren't aware you need me alive." Jian replied.

"First, "friends" is stretching it, we are merely two fighters with a common interest, nothing more. Second, you should be more afraid of our investors than me. They would demand our heads on a platter if all this goes to hell." The man warned in the most matter of fact way possible.

"I would finish much faster without you distract-wait a minute…" The chinese man felt the subtle difference in the air.

"This is it!" Jian stopped addressing his partner and gave his full attention back to the center of the sanctum. The chi flowing at ground level started converging in the middle like dust being picked up by a vacuum cleaner. There was less and less energy dispersed around the room as the flow continued until there was nothing left. For a moment…silence, nothing changed. Both men were understandably getting nervous. It was all for naught? Was a target on their backs just been put by the goddess of bad luck?

"No, no, no! Why it didn't lit up? You looked me in the eye and promised me, you bastard. Now we are dead men walking. We're done, you hear me?"

"Shut your mouth…look." Jian said as he pointed forward.

In a instant…the relief. A faint blue light started emanating from the sphere. After the initial scare, it looked strangely beautiful, or maybe it was just the feeling of having that massive sense of dread removed from their chests.

"God…I think I lost ten years of my life there." Said the man while wiping off the copious sweat dripping from his forehead.

"Still, somehow we pulled through. It's all downhill from here, Jian…Jian?" He stated enthusiastically, but Jian didn't hear him. He was lost in his thoughts, without uttering a word, tears running down his rough cheeks.

"Woah, what's with the waterworks all of a sudden? You should be ecstatic about what you just accomplished." He asked perplexed.

"I am, just…I was thinking about the past…about some sacrifices I made to get here." Jian tried to recompose himself as he dried his eyes. His partner wasn't particularly interested in his life story so he tried to move on from that sorry sight as quickly as possible.

"Well, you'll tell me some other time ." He exclaimed as he vigorously placed his arm on the chinese man shoulder.

"Right now, you better prepare for the great announcement."

Later that night…

"Cameras rolling in 60 seconds, Sir." Warned one of the cameramen. Jian was itching all over, he usually tries to avoid suits and ties as they tend to pinch on his horrible skin. He was already getting on edge and there was so little time to prepare mentally for the big speech.

"Iwao, I'm already here tapping my foot. I was thinking, maybe you could join me?" Practically begged Jian out of desperation.

"I was actually considering it. You sure you want to show that piece of modern art you have for a face on worldwide television without anyone holding you? It looks like you've been attacked in your sleep with sand paper." Iwao simply chuckled afterward, almost like he was really proud of that remark.

"What a sterling example of maturity you are. On second thought, I'll be fine on my own." Jian replied. He simply assumed that after the success at the sanctum, Iwao was in a good mood knowing his head was going to remain in its place. But there was no more time to even think about him. Once again, his full attention must be directed on what's in front of him.

"Ten seconds and you're live, sir."

To Jian, these last seconds felt endless. One thousand doubts were filling his head. What if he says something completely idiotic? What if he bites his own tongue in the middle of his speech? Or for whatever reason, the public thinks it wasn't up to expectations? He just wanted all this to be done with.

"Five seconds."

"Don't mess this up, Jian. The eyes of the entire world are on you. HIS eyes will be on you." Jian thought to himself as he took the deepest breath of his life.

The cameraman counted down with his fingers, 3…2…1…

"My dear viewers, fans of martial arts, fighters all over the world. I'm proud to make an announcement about the event that will become a symbol of this summer season, maybe even of this entire year. My name is Sima Jian, founder and current president of the New Horizon Sports and Entertainment Company. And the occasion I'm about to offer could be the turning point for the career on any renowned fighter that takes pride in such a title. I officially declare open the New Horizon King of Fighters Tournament, here in Los Angeles, California. 48 spots and two million dollars are waiting any willing and brave enough to participate. If you don't want to miss the opportunity of a lifetime, I concede three days to reach the city and claim the entry card. Further updates are already scheduled regarding format and eventual developments, so be 100% vigilant. The most thrilling KOF this world has ever seen is about to start and I can wait to share this experience with you loyal fans. That will be all for now. New Horizon…will be waiting for you."

"Aaaaaaaaaand stop. Great work, sir." Congratulated the cameraman, as the cameras were lowered and applauses started filling up the room. Jian bowed his head in response, relieved that the announcement went relatively smoothly. Still, he wanted a second opinion, just to reassure himself, so he went backstage to ask his "colleague".

"So, how did you think I went?"

"Meh, 6 out of 10." At least Iwao wasn't lacking in honesty.

"Pretty much the answer I've expected" Jian replied as he finally removed the stupid tie that was strangling him.

"So, where do things go from here?" Asked Iwao curious of what the answer will be.

"We can finally take a breath for the moment. For a while, we let KOF go naturally. When we're about to reach the final phase of the competition, we take action. This message should've informed our third member too. I'm sure he'll arrive at Los Angeles in no time." Said Jian as if he was reading off of a mental list.

"Good. But just between us, I'm not really excited at the prospect of having to work with that psychopath." Iwao frankly stated.

"Me neither. But we'll worry about him when the time is right. I don't know about you but I need to crash into bed." Yawned Jian as he rubbed his incredibly tired eyes.

"I'll be going to my hotel then. See you tomorrow…partner." Iwao regained his ominous tone just as he headed for the backdoor.

But Jian already had other thoughts occupying his mind. The thought of a soft pillow…and the fear of when he'll see his beloved son again after all these years.

And the first one is done. I can't wait to continue and see where this goes(I like how I'm saying this as if I didn't already planned the story in advance, but it's principle that matters). Until next time, thank you for reading and for your patience.