How to describe this final chapter... exposition dump. That's all it is. There's no character interaction, nothing physically happens. It's just talking, from start to finish. Every important (enough) character will have their own little moment to just get stuff off their chest. Many characters will NOT make an appearance. But don't worry, it's only the ones you don't care about lol.

This chapter may seem monotonous, repetitive... maybe even lifeless to you. But you gotta understand how hard it is to work with so many characters and give them all proper attention to express their thoughts and feelings on things. And, real talk... i'm tired. I get so tired of having to describe this and that, running, jumping, punching, kicking, willy and nilly. I NEED this chapter, to just... vent. To just talk, talk, talk, and put it all out there, with no other bullcrap. This is a necessary chapter, and I feel that I can't end the story without it.

So, without further ado, please enjoy the conclusion to King of Fighters: Ultimate Grand Dream Kumite. I love you all, my loyal supporters, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for going on this journey with me. Until the next story, this is jojoDO signing off!

My name is Clerence Bellamy. I don't expect you to know me. I'm an amateur news reporter: strictly small-time. But that's all about to change, I assure you. You see, I have the advantage: I know something BIG, something that the rest of the world hasn't quite caught on to yet. Wanna know what it is? Heh... I guess I could tell you. You can't stop me at this point anyway. Fine, here goes. You ready?

...I know for fact that a new guy is planning on hosting King of Fighters in the future. A big guy... and I mean BIG. Guy's got money for days. He's a Russian. Filthy rich. Billionaire. Calls himself Antonov. Now, I'm a smart, opportunistic guy... and I see opportunity in front of me. I KNOW this guy means business. He's gonna buy out King of Fighters easily, rebrand the company, mold it to his own design. He's gonna be in charge of everything: tv execs, marketing, advertising, publicity. This guy is about to conquer the world... and I want in. All I gotta do is nail this reporting job at AMBC, and I'm sitting pretty. I'm talking BIG TIME, baby. I'm gonna be the man in front of the camera, with a snazzy suit, and a microphone. I'm gonna be right in front of the action, where the whole world can see my face.

I'm Clerence Bellamy. I'm gonna be the face of KoF News.

I'm currently here in Milan, Italy, where the tournament has recently concluded. Before the contestants have a chance to leave the country, I'm going to seize the opportunity and nail as many of them as I can lay eyes on. I'm a predator; my prey's right in front of me, ringing the dinner bell. If I'm gonna prove myself to the big guy, I've gotta go in guns blazing and hold nothing back. This is my chance! My one and only chance!

I'm Clerence Bellamy. Here goes nothing.

1: TERRY BOGARD

"I'm first? Whoa."

"I consider you a, if not THE, pioneer of King of Fighters, so it's only fitting that you should go first."

"Oh. Well thanks. I'm flattered."

"Are you disappointed that you didn't win the tournament?"

"Naah. It's like I told my girl Mary: I've had my time in the limelight. I had my share of victories back then, and I'm proud to have been a part of that history. Winning is just not that important to me in this day and age. I still love fighting, of course, I'd NEVER give that up. But... there's just other important things in my life too, ya know? More important than winning."

"In that second round, you watched both Blue Mary and your brother Andy suffer crushing defeats. Did that strike a blow to your morale at all? Did that affect your performance going into Round 3?"

"Yeah... I gotta be honest. Yes. I was definitely feeling the weight of my loved ones losing like that. It gave me a heavy heart... and 'heavy' is not a word you want to be carrying with you in the ring. But as for my performance? Eh... I fought as well as I always do. No doubts there."

"What is your current opinion on Geese Howard?"

"Ah... hehehe. You had to hit me with that one, eh? Look, Geese is always going to be a... complicated person in mine and Andy's life. He took our father from us. That's something Andy and I can never forgive. But seeking vengeance? Pfeh. Those days are far beyond us, I think. Yeah, Geese is a piece of shit, and it's not fair that he took a precious life and gets to continue on living. But we've got two options: we can either let ourselves be defined by vengeance for the rest of our lives... or we can move on. It sucks, but... we can't get stuck on that stuff forever. So, as far as Geese is concerned... I don't care anymore. I don't love him. I hate him pretty well. But I'm not going to let him dictate my life anymore."

"How do you feel about losing to Geese in Round 3? Many speculate that you allowed him to win. Is this true?"

"No, no, no, and for the last time, NO. I did not allow Geese to beat me. The guy was just extra motivated this time, okay? He had a reason to fight; he wanted this to be his last rodeo, the thing that people remembered him for the most. He was gonna beat me, then rise up and win the whole thing. To be honest, I'm a little bummed he didn't make it in the end."

"So... you're not shaken up about-"

"No, I'm not. Everyone wins. Everyone loses. I lost to Geese one time. Big deal! I've thrown him off a roof at least twice. Maybe... three times? I dunno. I've lost count."

2: ANDY BOGARD

"Do you feel like you lived up to your full potential in this tournament?"

"Sigh... no. To be painfully honest... no. Look, it's been a long career for me. I've had my ups and downs. Sometimes, I've questioned my motivation, whether my heart's still in this or not. If we're being honest here, I don't feel like the Andy Bogard of old. The way I'm going now, I'll probably end up hanging up my gloves and settling down with Mai soon."

"Would you be happy spending the rest of your days with Mai Shiranui?"

"Oh hell yes. There was a time when I used to be meek, subdued when it came to her. That's over with. Mai is perfectly willing to express the extent of her love for me, so it's only fair that I meet her halfway. I DO love Mai. I plan on spending the rest of my life with her, even if it means putting her above fighting."

"Do you feel like you have unfinished business with your brother?"

"Ehhhh... not as strongly as I once did. I think I grew out of those childish emotions. Crying that 'big brother is better than me'... bleh. Nonsense. I think I'm in a good place now. Heh... at least i did get ONE over on Terry: I got the sexiest woman in the freaking universe, the object of male desire, on my arm. Heh heh. Beat that."

"So you're no longer embarrassed by how Mai flaunts herself in public?"

"Well, she DOES go a little far sometimes... like just last month, she- you know what, I probably shouldn't tell you these things."

"Hee hee... we can go off record."

"...Okay. Well, you see, she got REALLY drunk and-"

3: JOE HIGASHI

"How do you feel about your performance in the tournament?"

"Hey, I did alright! I made it to Round 3, baby! I got further than Andy and Mai, which is pretty okay in my book."

"Do you feel like people consider you a jobber to the Bogards?"

"You hit hard, dude. Yeah... I do feel that sometimes. But then there's times like THIS when I step up and prove that's NOT the case. YAHOO!"

"People could argue that you had an easier route to Round 3 compared to-"

"Look, don't take this away from me, okay? I don't wanna hear it."

4: RYO SAKAZAKI

"Let me just say, I consider you a living legend. You won the very first King of Fighters, which is awesome!"

"Hey, thanks man! I like you already."

"Do you feel like you could have beaten K'?"

"I certainly had a chance. I wasn't 100% going into my battle against K'. The fights against that Korean Dragon dude and Kasumi took a lot out of me. Not to take anything away from K', that kid is a BEAST. But I could've done better."

"Are you happy with how far you made it?"

"I really wish I had at least made the quarterfinals. But, 20 out of 80 isn't bad at all!"

"What is your opinion on Kasumi Todoh?"

"She's gotten a lot better. She had me in serious trouble at multiple points! I can say with no exaggeration, she almost pulled it off. Ah, but she's a nice girl. I like her. She likes me too, even though she's sworn her life to kicking my ass at least once."

"What's the story with you and King?"

"I love King. Period."

"With your father retiring, what's next for you? Are you the new grandmaster of Kyokugen?"

"Yeah, Pops ain't cutting it anymore. You can call me the new Mr. Karate! I'm going to ensure the Kyokugen name carries on for many more decades. Then maybe Yuri can be Ms. Karate."

5: ROBERT GARCIA

"Are you disappointed to have been eliminated in Round 2?"

"Yeah, it was definitely a shocker. Geese was totally motivated. Something gave that old, scarred-up jerkface an extra boost. I think he might've been juicing?"

"How's your mansion? Still in one piece?"

"I dunno. I barely stay there."

"How are things with you and Yuri?"

"Ah, we're fiiiine. Yuri and me are soul mates. I'm gonna marry that little cutie patootie one day, and Master Takuma won't be able to stop me in his condition. WAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"Do you spar with Ryo any nowadays? Do you feel a need to surpass him?"

"Buddy, I've been watching Ryo's ass for far too long to think about standing above it. Ryo is not some opponent I strive to defeat. He's my brother. We fight side-by-side, not standing across from each other. Yeah, we spar... but I don't get competitive with him."

6: TAKUMA SAKAZAKI

"So I gotta ask first... are you serious about it?"

"I'm in pain as we speak. Yes I'm serious about it! I'm done!"

"What are you going to do now that you've given up on fighting?"

"Hey, I'm done competing, but I can still help out with the dojo and teachings. I'm passing the moniker 'Mr. Karate' onto my son Ryo, but the world will never forget who the OG is. You better not forget, either. But to answer your question, I'm going to be a lot lazier now. More tv, more eating, drinking, hanging out with friends. I can still have a social life!"

"Do you have any regrets? Do you have any goals you wish you could still accomplish?"

"Nah. I've done pretty much everything I set out to do. Keeping Kyokugen alive is all that matters to me. As long as our culture thrives, I can sleep peacefully at night. I... DO wish I could've gotten a crack at Geese, though. He still has a couple of things deserving of a fist to the face. Namely, the death of Jeff Bogard, orchestrating the kidnapping of my daughter, forcing me to work for Mr. Big. Bah. But at the end of the day, I can carry on without seeking petty old vengeance."

7: MAI SHIRANUI

"Do you think you're the sexiest woman in the universe?"

"Is Geese Howard a loser weeb?"

"How do you feel about getting knocked out in the second round?"

"It was a total shocker! I wasn't expecting some mysterious handsome ninja sharing my grandfather's name to come out of nowhere and whoop me! I felt pretty bad about it... but then he pounded Joe too, and I felt a little better after that."

"How important was winning to you?"

"Oho. Do I look like a woman that'll be worse off for losing a stupid tournament? Yeah, I could have used that 2 million dollars to run away with Andy and live as a wealthy, high-class, pinky-waving couple... but at the end of the day, as long as I have Andy, I don't need anything else in the world."

"Is there a chance you could ever stop loving Andy?"

"I'm starting to think you may be mentally challenged."

"Before you go, do you think I could take a couple... hundred pictures of you?"

"Sweetie, I don't have all day. If we're done here, then SAYONARA~"

8. YURI SAKAZAKI

"How do you feel about your performance in the tournament?"

"I could've done better. I did have an AWESOME fight with my girl Xiangfei, but that Yamazaki was a total creep! I wish I had a different opponent!"

"If you had a different opponent than Ryuji Yamazaki, do you think you would have made it further?"

"Definitely."

"Where do you go from here?"

"Ehhh... nothing special. I'll keep training, keep hanging out with my friends, keep loving Robbie. That's all I need~"

"Do you agree with your father's decision to retire?"

"Oh absolutely. I was scared for Papa's life in that tournament! I don't ever want to see him go through something so heinous again! From now on, it's La-Z-Boy and Wheel of Fortune for him."

9: KING

"A lot happened to you in this tournament."

"No shit."

"How are your ribs?"

"It hurts to breathe right now, thank you."

"I know a lot happened to you, and so I must wonder... are you satisfied with how things turned out?"

"...Real talk? I feel like a new woman. Kicking Big in his bald head was the greatest thing that could have ever happened to me. It felt... so empowering. You, you can't just say 'f*** you' to a guy like Mr. Big. The only way you can change his way of thinking... is to alter his brain with blunt force trauma."

"Do you feel like Mr. Big respects you more now?"

"Oh, no doubt about that. He's practically kissing my feet now that I humbled him in front of his boys. It feels good."

"Do you ever wish you could go back to that world?"

"Hell... no. It SUCKED. Being the only woman in a gang of macho douchebags is something I wouldn't wish on anyone. I was the butt of every joke, the punchline to every dirty remark. Every day was a battle, standing my ground all alone, with nobody to get behind me. God bless Ryo for getting me out of that life. I wouldn't go back to those idiots for double the Kumite prize money."

"Do you think Mr. Big holds a grudge against you for turning on him back then?"

"If he did, he sure as hell doesn't now. Look, enough Big questions. I laid down the law with him, let him know how it's gonna be from now on. He has no bearing on my life now or anytime soon."

"How are things between you and Ryo?"

"...From one thing to another, huh? Seriously? I love Ryo. Period. Now leave me alone."

10: KASUMI TODOH

"What is your opinion on Ryo Sakazaki?"

"Just because I'm honor-bound to avenge mine and my father's defeats to him, doesn't mean I'm not allowed to be friendly with him. Ryo is an okay guy. I like Yuri too."

"Are you disappointed that you once again suffered a loss to him?"

"Yeah. But whatevs, I'm still young. The laws of natural progression will soon allow me to beat Ryo just on the principle of me being youthful and healthy, and him being half brain-dead from too many headshots over the years."

"Do you seriously want that to be the way you finally triumph over Ryo?"

"I was just joking. Sheesh."

11: KIM KAPHWAN

"Do you feel that you could have made it further, had Jhun Hoon not challenged you the night before the Opening Round?"

"Straight to the nitty gritty, huh? Yes, I do feel that way."

"Are you bitter towards Jhun Hoon for what he did?"

"Well... I can't be TOO mad at him. He was just playing the game, like everyone else. Everyone's entry cards were up for grabs, and I was all alone in the middle of the night. I guess I was asking for trouble."

"What are your current feelings about Chang Koehan and Choi Bounge, your reform projects?"

"I'm done with those two boneheads. Even now, in the greatest King of Fighters tournament to date, they still couldn't refrain from dirty tactics. I consider this project to be a complete and utter failure."

"So what's next for you then? Will there be a new Team Kim?"

"Yeah, I have a few bad seeds scouted. They could use some whipping into shape, and I'll be the one to do it. ACHOOOOOO!"

"May I have names?"

"They're a couple of Geese's old flunkies. I'll leave the rest to your imagination."

12: BLUE MARY

"Did you have fun?"

"Yeah, it was a blast. It felt good to fight for fun, instead of the usual dirty work I have to do. Of course... that DID eventually come up, too. Ugh. My work is never done."

"Can you disclose any details on the NESTS/WAREZ Operation?"

"Uhhhhhhh... sorry, you'll have to talk to Heidern or Seth about that. They were my COs."

"How are you and Terry?"

"We're stronger than ever."

"Did your dog Anton behave during your stay in Milan?"

"Ehhh, he did a lot of venturing around the city. But don't worry, he always made it back to our room safe and sound before bedtime."

"What are your thoughts on the tournament and how you did?"

"I just... did okay. Not special, really. It was fun while it lasted, but I think that whole clone fiasco reminded me that people in my line of work seldom get to enjoy downtime. It's not an easy life."

"Are you happy working with a mercenary team, or do you prefer your solo days as a private eye?"

"Oh this is much better, trust me. That 'I work alone' bullshit is for deluded romantics. I like being on a team, having my 6 covered by people as skilled and reliable as myself. I'll happily stay where I'm at."

13: BILLY KANE

"How do you describe your place in the tournament?"

"Well... I certainly don't rule the streets like I used to. Heh, back in the Geese days... now THOSE were the days, I tell ya. I didn't let nobody give me guff. Ah, but it just ain't like it was. I find myself drunk on nostalgia, wishin' for those simpler days, when I was top dog in the scrapyard, and the boss was standin' tall behind me. We were unstoppable, man. UN. STOPPABLE."

"Describe your feelings about Iori Yagami, and your fight with him."

"That's one crazy bloke, right there. He's definitely a bit of a nutter, like somethin' ain't quite right up there. I personally don't give a hoot about his family drama, and all that bugger, I was just looking to dish out some pain for what he did to me back in KoF 95. I'd say we had a decent scrap. I came up short at the last minute, and it cost me dearly. But ya know? I honestly think I did enough, conkin' his head open the way I did. One would hope I knocked things back into place in that noggin of his, but that's just wishful thinking. Guy's a nutjob, no way around it."

"Are you aware that your boss Geese Howard plans to shed all Earthly burdens and live a zen life?"

"Heh... hehehehehe... I had to pinch meself a few times when I heard that one. It's crazy to swallow, after all the years I've spent with him... boy, have I seen some shit. But hey, I'm his sworn man start to finish. If Geese wants to call it quits and say bugger all to the world, then I'll be right behind him."

"Do you think following Geese is the key to having a stable life for you and your sister Lilly?"

"Look, Geese is a hard man. A hard, HARD man. You can't possibly imagine the time I've had to put in to get where I'm at today with him. I'm with Geese until the end, whether I like it or not. He'll take care of us. He always does."

14: MR. BIG

"Does it bother you that you were eliminated near the very beginning of the tournament?"

"Of course it bothers me! I was destined for greater things! This was finally my chance to rise above Geese and Krauser, the two bigwigs who I'm forever hopelessly cursed to linger behind."

"Did it surprise you that your own former subordinate, King, defeated you?"

"K-King... "

"Can you answer the question, sir?"

"Alright, alright! No, it doesn't surprise me. King was always... different... from the others. My boys were meatheads, chest-puffing bravados specifically bred for the ugly, gnarly life we lived. But King... King was a different breed. She wasn't a thug. She had a style to her, a... class. She was extremely passionate about martial arts. And she was easily the best fighter out of all of em'. And yeah, my guy Jack Turner may have got her one time, but if they had 20 fights in a row, that fatass would lose 19 of em."

"Do you feel like you didn't treat King as well as you should have back then?"

"Oh, for the love of... King is a strong woman, okay? Yeah, me and the boys gave her a hard time back then, but she never took it sitting down. She was always right back in our faces, giving back what we dished out. She handled herself just fine and, look at her now! She turned out okay! So lay off me, will ya?"

"Do you hold a grudge towards King for turning on you back then?"

"Why are you bugging me with all these King questions? Can't we talk about something else?!"

"No?"

"Fine! Yes, I was bitter about it, but I honestly didn't blame her. I wouldn't have wanted to stay with a bunch of dick-swinging alpha douchebags either if I was a lone female just trying to make cash for my little bro. Just because I'm an asshole doesn't mean I'm incapable of empathy. So whatever, I don't care anymore. King's got her own life now. Good for her."

"Do you think you will ever emerge from Geese's shadow?"

"...Just f*** off. I'm done with you."

15: HEAVY D

"I am speaking to you on behalf of the whole USA Team."

"Okay."

"What is your opinion on you guys' performance in the tournament? Do you feel like you wasted another huge opportunity?"

"Well, at least we... THEY... got to fight. Lucky did alright, but was clearly outclassed by Bogard. Brian did the best out of all of us, advancing to Round 2 and giving that Shingo kid a run for his money. I guess he's the MVP. But as far as wasting the opportunity... I guess I'm the only one that feels that way. I got nothing out of this, as usual. Nada."

"In the official tournament rankings, you were ranked #80. Dead last. Does that bother you?"

"I'd like to see you do better."

"Can you disclose the details of what went down between you and the figure calling itself Rugal Bernstein?"

"I'd rather not. Breaking news... I'm a little salty about that."

"So in all, is this just another failed chapter for the USA Team?"

"You don't have to put it so extreme!"

16: BENIMARU NIKAIDO

"What did you get out of this tournament?"

"Free publicity."

"What was your ambition going into this tournament? Are you satisfied with how you did?"

"Let me give you a brief history lesson... I am the #1 most attractive man in the world. I'm also the #2 best fighter in Japan. That particular distinction right above me goes to Kyo Kusanagi, the face of King of Fighters for god knows how long. I've been on Kyo's team for years. YEARS. Together with Daimon, we unleashed hell and took home gold more often than not. But I could never fight this nagging feeling inside me... like HE was the one bringing home the bacon. Not me. I was always just the #2 guy. Second banana. I never stopped carrying that feeling, no matter how many teams I switched to."

"You felt like you needed to win this tournament to prove yourself?"

"This solo tournament was the GOLDEN opportunity, because I had nobody helping me. Nobody else to take the credit. It was just me. ME. I was doing alright; I had no real problems making it to Round 3. But alas, I lost to the alien freakshow who ended up making it to the damned finals. But eh, at least Kyo and K' couldn't beat him either, so that made me feel a little better."

"You have won more King of Fighters than any other contestant. Do those victories feel genuine to you?"

"Yes... and no. There's no debate that I did my part, and I've rightfully earned all the beautiful trophies sparkling on my shelf. But at the same time, I can't help but feel like... guh... Kyo's trophies shine brighter. K's trophies shine brighter. Elisabeth's trophy shines brighter. It's just one of those things people cope with, every morning when they wake up, every night when they close their eyes. But it's okay, I can live with it. At least I'm still sexy."

17: GORO DAIMON

"Give me your thoughts about how you did in the tournament."

"I had a glorious battle against Master Tung Fu Rue. Even at his old age, he is still an incredible fighter. And then... I came up pathetically short against Krauser. That was an eye-opener for me."

"Did losing to Wolfgang Krauser give you an epiphany of some sort?"

"Truth be told, I've been feeling this way for a long time... like I don't have it in me anymore. I still live by Judo, and everything it represents, but... competition? I think I may be beyond that now. I have a family, and I don't wish to put them through seeing their husband and father take such horrible shots like the one I took against Krauser."

"Are you saying you're retiring from fighting?"

"I'm seriously thinking about it. I will continue teaching Judo, of course. I can still make a great living from that. As far as hand-to-hand competitions... I'm probably done with that. If Kyo and Benimaru want me back, I'm sure I can train a disciple to take my place in the future. Or, they can just have Shingo."

"Do you feel satisfied with your career?"

"Definitely. The Japan Team ruled King of Fighters for many years, and I still glow with pride thinking about those days. I'm grateful to have been a part of that history."

18: SHINGO YABUKI

"I bet you had a good time."

"I had a blast! WOOOOO! That was the most fun I've ever had in my life!"

"Are you satisfied with your progression in the tournament?"

"Heck yes, I am! I made to Round 3! That's better than many of the fighters I look up to did. Andy Bogard, Robert Garcia... Daimon! This was a huge confidence boost for me. I feel like I can stand up with the best of em' now. Even Kyo!"

"That was my next question obviously... describe your wild fight with Kyo!"

"Oh my god man... OH MY GOD. I was on FIRE! Not literally. Well... maybe literally. I think he did set me on fire near the very end, haha. B-but I'm talking FIGURATIVELY! I WAS ON FIRE! I went toe-to-toe with Kyo Kusanagi, the main man himself! I-I punched him, he punched me, I kicked him, he kicked me, it was just... WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! SORRY FOR MY VOLUME!"

"Hahaha, it's okay. I love seeing you so passionate. Your hype gives ME hype! Anyway... so are you disappointed that you lost to Kyo? Do you feel like you had him on the ropes?"

"...Nah. I wasn't even close to beating Kyo, hehe. The fact of the matter is, he held back on me until the last blow of the fight. The way he blasted me at the very end, that told me all I needed to know. If he can blow me away with one move, then I have a LOT more training to do. I'm not disappointed one bit! If anything, this just fuels me more to get stronger and be the best I can be! I'll be on Kyo's level one day, just you wait!"

"So where do you go from here?"

"NOWHERE BUT UP!"

19: VANESSA

"What were you thinking when Terry Bogard dislocated your shoulder? Could you have seriously continued?"

"Heh... heh heh. No way. I was close to crying from the pain. That whole tough guy performance I put on out there? It was a bluff. I was done."

"Do you think Terry would have forfeited to avoid harming you further?"

"Terry... has a good heart. I know for a fact he would've. I could have been a grade-A bitch and preyed on that compassion, guilting Terry into calling it quits just so I could stay in... but I'm not that kind of woman. When a fighter can't continue, they can't continue. Mary may have popped my shoulder in later on, but by then... too late, Nate. It wouldn't have been fair of me to deprive Terry of his opportunity in that moment. I probably couldn't sleep with it."

"How are you recovering?"

"Oh I'm fine now. Totally fine. My eye swelling even went down."

"Does it bug you that you lost as a result of a freak injury, easily fixed later on?"

"Nah. Look, in a fight, these things happen. It's like I said: it may be right as rain after it's all said and done... but that MOMENT is all that matters. One of us was going to have to leave that ring still kicking. It sure as hell wasn't gonna be me. It sucks, but... whatever. Life goes on."

"If my memory serves correctly, you do have one King of Fighters trophy. In fact, you were the first woman in history to win one!"

"Well, it helps when you have the right team captain. Thanks K'."

20: RAMON

"You lost pretty quickly in Round 2. Does it bother you how easily you went down?"

"Hey, I was at a disadvantage from the start, amigo. My specialty requires the use of ropes. There was not rope ONE in this tournament. Not even a nice cage wall or turnbuckle post I could spring off of, or anything. I pretty much had to rely on my striking, and hope to set up a takedown or submission with it. That kid with his high-tech mumbo jumbo was too much for me. He reminded me of Maxima in many ways, minus the being freakishly huge and capable of crushing a car with bare hands."

"You didn't seem very shaken up about it."

"I'm not a sore loser. I'm a true sportsman, through and through. At the end of the day, I just like to have fun and throw a few back when it's over. I prefer wrestling over martial arts competitions anyway."

"Then why do you enter King of Fighters every year?"

"Cause KoF is the scene! They want me every year anyway, so why wouldn't I join? It's still fun. And hell, maybe I can win another one in my lifetime."

"Do you credit your 2000 tournament victory to K'?"

"Well, I helped."

"What is it about Vanessa that drives you so wild?"

"She's a hot, mature, classy lady! Everything about her molds together so perfectly. In a different reality maybe... just maybe... but I work with the hand I'm dealt. She's a good partner when things get rough in the trenches. She watches my ass, I watch hers. And no, I don't mean that in a dirty way."

"Can you disclose any details about the NESTS/WAREZ Operation?"

"What operation? There was no operation! I wasn't there! I don't exist!"

21: MAXIMA

"You are one of the scariest men on the planet. Does it bother you that you lost in Round 1?"

"Heh... I guess I was a bigger favorite on the betting odds than what I showed out there. That kid Yuki just had the right tools to shut me down."

"Do you feel like you could have made it much further, had Yuki not been your opponent?"

"Absolutely. I know I could've done better than that. I'm sure K' is embarrassed just to look at me right now. I really let him down..."

"I struggle to wrap my head around how a guy like you could ever lose a physical contest. Your body-"

"There's more to being a fighter than anatomical structure. Yes, I'm built superior to normal men... but that shouldn't define me as a fighter. A fighter's own fists and technique work hand-in-hand with the resources and augmentations at his disposal. That's how Yuki was able to beat me. It's not as simple as saying he gave me an electric shock; he utilized all of his tools and technique in conjunction to produce that outcome. That's a true fighter."

"K' is not a very pleasant person to be around. What is it about him that inspires such loyalty in you and Kula?"

"Kula, I can't speak for. But I can tell you right now: me and K' have been through enough together for me to take a bullet for the guy. You just don't know him like I do."

"Can you enlighten me?"

"I'd rather not."

"Lastly, I guess I'll ask... how long will you carry this sting of losing so quickly?"

"There's always more tournaments. Besides, I'm grateful for the time I've already put in. Me and K' did have a pretty good run of it for a few years, so I've already left my mark on history. Nobody can take those victories away from me, so at the end of the day... I can live with this. My primary focus is helping K' cope with his defeat."

"Mr. Maxima, you are the truest wingman I will ever know."

"Thank you."

22: KULA DIAMOND

"I gotta say, Miss Kula, you surprised me the most. You possessed the tools to win this tournament more than anyone."

"That's sweet of you to say! Thank you~"

"Do you feel like you could have won the tournament, had you defeated Kyo Kusanagi in Round 1?"

"Welllll... my chances would've been pretty sweet! Tee hee~"

"Give me your thoughts on the fight with Kyo."

"Mr. Kyo was so determined! I thought I could shut down his fire abilities, but... he's a Sacred Treasure for a reason. The Kusanagi fire is a power so pure, so formidable... it just burned bright and true even in my thickest blizzard. I-I guess that means... I'm technically a failure... hahahahaha..."

"Did you have fun, though?"

"Oh yes! I had such a good time in Italy!"

"Describe the extent of your relationship with K'."

"O-oh! Uhhhh... ehehe...well, I was created to kill K'. But now... I think I'm... ah... sorry! No more, please. I'm turning so red!"

"Do you feel like you and Maxima are the only two people on the planet who can put up with K'?"

"No! His sister Seirah can too~"

"Does it disappoint you that you and Maxima lost so early, while K' went on to have great success and advance to the semifinals?"

"W-well yeah... I kinda felt left out. But, some ice cream cured that right up~"

"Lastly, I'd just like to know what's next for you."

"I'll just go back to being a normal girl. Diana, Foxy and Candy will take care of me. And maybe, if I'm a good girl, they'll let me go on some adventures with K' and Maxima. I don't want them to ever leave me behind!"

23: RALF JONES

"The OG Ikari Warriors reunited! This is a dream come true!"

"Eh? What are you, a reporter? Guh, can't you see I have an injured man here, you vulture?"

"Dude, it's okay. This is good, actually. We should let the public know I'm fine."

"Are you sure, man? If you're not up for it..."

"Trust me, dude. I'm fine. My body feels like it's been sliced in two... but I'm fine."

"Great! Can I talk to Ralf first? Mr. Still, if you'll be silent, I'll get to you in a second."

"Uh... okay. Here I am."

"I saw you fight your heart out in Round 1... and I saw a broken man in the following one. Did seeing your partner so brutally bisected crush your will to fight?"

"...This is embarrassing. Clark is right here, man! Gaaaaah, alright fine! Yes. The answer is yes. Seeing Clark go down like that... it destroyed me. I mean, how was I supposed to focus on a silly competition when C-Clark... Clark was in intensive care? I... this man is my brother. We've seen and done... unspeakable things... in the name of duty, of just survival. We're bound together by a thick, crusty later of blood, guts, mud, bullet casings, Willy Pete. Nothing will ever break that. So yeah; if something happens to Clark, it affects me too."

"Can you disclose any details of the NESTS/WAREZ Operation?"

"How do you... that's classified, man! Maybe we should take you into custody for questioning. Nobody should be aware that even exists!"

"Well, you just admitted it does exist."

"DAMMIT! Clark, talk to this fool before I cap him."

24: CLARK STILL

"My first question MUST be... are you okay?"

"I'm in a lot of pain. Not the worst I've ever felt, though. If you'd believe it, I have been closer to death than this."

"Did you have any idea that your opponent was an artificial replica of Rugal Bernstein?"

"Not a clue. Urgh... sorry. It's flaring up."

"Would seeing Ralf in a similar situation affect you the same way, were you in opposite shoes?"

"Absolutely. I'm not myself when Ralf goes down, man. My focus is off, my combat efficiency severely diminished. I probably can't live without this guy. We're pretty much symbiotic."

"What can drive two men to forge such a close bond?"

"That's life on the battlefield, my ignorant friend. The man to your right or left is the man you come to depend upon for your life. Luckily, Ralf was at my 9 when I picked up my first rifle for basic training."

"In the official tournament rankings, you were ranked #78. Does that bother you?"

"At least I did better than D. He never made it to the ring."

"Can you disclose any details on the-"

"You know, I really hope you ask Heidern that. I'd love to see what he does to you."

25: WHIP

"You uh... didn't do so hot in this tournament. Can you share your feelings on your fight with Joe Higashi?"

"I had Joe in a lot of trouble; I must have been SECONDS away from victory. But he proved what a veteran he is, turning the tables and putting me out. He truly is the model of a martial arts competitor."

"You've been slower to heal than most of the others. Why is that?"

"Joe hurt me very badly. It may look like your run-of-the-mill shots... but that guy's Muay Thai is incomparable. I'm going to be feeling it for a few weeks. I may even have to request leave."

"What is the nature of your relationship with K'?"

"Look, that's a little... personal..."

"Forgive me. If it's too sensitive, you don't have to answer."

"I will say this: K' is a very special person to me. He's my family. And I... am his. Regardless of circumstances."

26: BONNE JENET

"You were one of the more, uh... lively... contestants this week."

"If by that you mean I know how to have a good time, then you are correct~"

"Describe your feelings about the tournament."

"I may have lost in Round 1, but this was an incredibly rewarding experience, an enrichment on my life that will last as long as I live. You see, I received a pirate's BLESSING. And not just any pirate: the greatest pirate in history. You can't imagine what that means to me."

"Is that what drove you to try and steal the 2 million dollar prize money?"

"...You know about that? Weird. Chizuru must have loose lips. Or that Malin bitch. Well, since it's all out there, yes."

"Can you describe how the heist went?"

"Oh, Chizuru just kicked our asses. Nuff said."

"Do you have any regrets or disappointments about this week?"

"Not really. I had a pretty great time. I wish I had succeeded in stealing the prize money, obviously."

"Which of your teammates do you find more attractive: Gato or Tizoc?"

"Oh that's a tough one. Gato's got this rugged, brooding handsomeness that I just go WILD for. Tizoc has a much more amazing body, but I have no idea what his face looks like! But easy answer: I'd do em both. At the same time~"

27: RYUJI YAMAZAKI

"I was very disappointed to see you lose. You're such an entertaining fighter to watch. How are you healing up?"

"Well, I got rubbed down with more ointment than a group of kids getting their chickenpox out of the way early. It doesn't hurt so bad now. My skin is expected to make a full recovery."

"Do you feel that you could have won the tournament if Iori Yagami wasn't your opponent?"

"I don't wanna focus on all this woulda coulda shoulda crap. That red-haired punk annihilated me. Hehehehehe. There was no chance of me stopping THAT."

"What made Iori such a different opponent from Yuri and Sinclair?"

"Well, it's simple: that guy doesn't use his brain. I was able to squash my opponents by getting under their skin, making them lose their cool. But Iori... he never had that to begin with. He's born with his light switch facing upwards. He's 100% unfiltered, unbound aggression. When that guy charges forward... he's a f***ing shark. He smells blood, those eyes go blank, and he's not stopping until you're ripped apart from skin cell to muscle tissue. Heh heh. Hehehehehe. It's admirable, what a simple... effective machine Iori Yagami is."

"You don't seem that bitter about losing, or the beatdown Iori gave you."

"If you expect me to be sore about losing some dumb competition, don't. I'm a self-employed man, and I ENJOY my work, so really... I never work a day! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! As for Iori, well... I had it coming. I did open my big mouth about some touchy subjects, hehehehehehehehe..."

"Can we talk about the Hakkeshu? About Orochi? How do these things affect you?"

"They don't. The Hakkeshu is dumb, Orochi's just a cheap thrill, and I really only brought it up because teasing Iori sounded like fun at the time. And it WAS fun! Did you see how angry he got?! HA! Priceless."

"I notice you hanging around a lot with Geese lately. Are you in his employ?"

"Tch, no. I'm not Geese's lapdog. Geese just happens to value and appreciate my company."

"Are you insane?"

"You tell me."

28: SETH

"How did it feel to be defeated by Blue Mary, a woman who frequently serves under your command on special assignments?"

"Well, it just goes to show the honesty and purity of the fighting ring. Ranks and affiliations don't exist there: just two men or women on equal terms, with only their strength and skill to define them."

"Are you disappointed to have lost in the opening round?"

"Yeah... but I didn't like my chances all that much in the first place. This tournament had some real freakshows; my wife was probably chewing the corners off the pillows watching me out there. For my health, it's probably for the best that Mary beat me when she did. That money sure would have been nice though... I could've retired and spent more time with my family."

"How long have you been working with Vanessa, Ramon, and Mary?"

"Me and Vanessa go WAAAAAY back. We've worked together too many times to count over the years. Ramon and Mary are practically neophytes."

"Can you disclose any details on the NESTS/WAREZ Operation?"

"How do you even know about... I'm sorry, but that's classified. I'm sure Heidern will tell you the same thing."

"Are you still investigating Ron?"

"That too."

29: SIE KENSOU

"You had an amazing fight with Wolfgang Krauser. Please give me your thoughts."

"Oh man... I dunno what came over me. But I saw Athena in the stands, watching me, and I just wanted to show out, and I... did that. Ha."

"That massive power you summoned... was that Psycho Power? Dragon Spirit?"

"I dunno. Let's just call it Love Power."

"What did Athena think of your courage after the battle was over?"

"Well she... ehehehehehehehehe... she liked it very much. VERY... much."

"Have you two gotten any closer? Has she reciprocated your romantic feelings for her?"

"She did, for a little while... but once the high wore off, we pretty much went back to normal. It sucks, but I'm still happy."

"Do you see yourself seeking revenge against Ash Crimson for anything he might have done to her?"

"That guy better not ever come within eyeshot of Athena again."

30: YUKI

"Congratulations on making the quarterfinals. You did extremely well."

"Thanks, dude. That means a lot, considering it was my first King of Fighters."

"How confident were you going into your fight with K'? Did he surprise you?"

"I was confident... sigh... but I have to admit, Ai not being there affected me a little. I had her on my mind the whole time, worrying about her while she was off on- AN ERRAND! And I guess that's what did me in. I just didn't have my head in the game, and K' demolished me."

"Do you know anything about the-"

"NO I DON'T!"

"It seems like you share a similar bond with Ai like Ralf and Clark. Is she your other half, which you can't function properly without?"

"Definitely. I haven't known Ai my whole life or anything, but... the first time I ever partnered up with that girl, I knew she completed me. I can't imagine life without Ai. Hopefully, she feels the same way about me."

31: AI

"Miss Ai? Do you have a minute?"

"Just gimme a... almost... cmon! Do the... stupid... SUPER!"

"Miss Ai, I would really like to interview you."

"GAH! DAMN IT ALL! Alright, alright, I'm done. Let's hear it."

"If the winner of the tournament, Ash Crimson, wasn't your first opponent, do you feel you could have gotten further?"

"Ehhhh maybe. I guess the fact that I lost to the winner makes a very strong case."

"Did you have fun at least?"

"Oh yes yes yes! Lots of fun! I was mostly there to give Yuki hype. He's the one that did awesome, not me~"

"Do you feel that Yuki is a better fighter than you?"

"Well... in terms of competition, yes. But don't take that as the same standard for secret agent work! I pull my weight in the field, same as him! We're equals!"

"Yuki said that you were his other half, and that without you, he couldn't function properly. Do you feel the same way about him?"

"Oh my god Yuki...! Ahh I'm blushing~! Y-yes, that's the truth. Ever since I partnered up with Yuki, we... well, we just clicked. I think we're soulmates."

"Do you feel guilt over leaving Yuki by himself while you went on a secret mission? Do you think that might have messed with his head at all?"

"Wha... what?! Secret mission? How do you..."

"Speaking of which, can you disclose any details on the-"

"LALALALALALALA NOT LISTENING!"

"Fine! Uhhh... how often do you play videogames? How do you maintain perfect eyesight?"

"All the freaking time and I eat my vegetables."

"You met Haohmaru, a favorite samurai who also stars in a game series. Were you swooning over him?"

"I... w-well... maybe a little. But it was just innocent fangirling! I will always love my partner!"

32: SHEN WOO

"Were you shocked to lose in the opening round?"

"Yes I was! I follow a simple, effective template for fighting my opponents: I put my fist through their f***ing face. But that Athena girl and her hocus pocus somehow managed to avoid every single one of my punches. And for the record, just one of those woulda put her to beddy byes."

"Were you disappointed to see all of your friends and acquaintances make it past Round 1, while you lost in pathetic fashion?"

"Dude... not cool."

"A lot of people seem to dislike Ash Crimson, yet you show an unwavering loyalty to him. Why?"

"Ah cmon, Ash ain't that bad. I like him. He's a fun guy to be around, and I enjoyed being on his team in King of Fighters. I don't have a better answer for you, I just like him!"

"So what's next for you?"

"If I'm not fightin, I'm not livin. I'll be waiting for the next King of Fighters, and you can bet I'll sign right back up. And believe me, I'm gonna have some HELL to unleash, considering I didn't get to land a single friggin punch in this whole damn competition."

33: DUO LON

"You did pretty well. For a while there, you were unstoppable. I seriously gave you a good chance of scoring your second King of Fighters victory."

"I'm grateful for your belief in me."

"You had a glorious victory against Kim Kaphwan. Were you aware that he had already fought twice prior to your bout? Do you feel that he might have given you a hard time if he were healthier?"

"I did notice him already injured, on the morning before the Opening Round. As for your second question... that is not for me to say. Kim is the greatest Tae Kwon Do master this world has to offer, and he reflected that in his fierce fighting spirit. I won't belittle his performance or my victory with excuses."

"You defeated another notable opponent: your own master Lin, who taught you the Hizoku arts. Give me your thoughts on Lin."

"My master was as strong and shrewd as ever. I said something that... I regretted. I questioned his loyalty to the Hizoku, and that was wrong of me. Master Lin has not wavered in the slightest. I looked into his eyes... and I still saw the man who taught me, and my brothers and sisters, with all the passion in his heart."

"Did you and Lin part on good terms?"

"Yes. I don't know what's next for him, or if I'll ever see him again, so I'm thankful we had that moment."

"What is next for you? Do you feel that you still have unfinished business with Ron, your father?"

"...You are a bold one. TOO bold. Very well then. I will always have that lack of closure inside me, until the day I see Ron's traitorous corpse feasted upon by worms. But what I WON'T do, is let that deter me from living my life."

"A lot of people dislike Ash Crimson, but you have a strong loyalty to him. What is it about him that compels this?"

"Ash's charisma is not to be underestimated. There's something about that kid that...draws people in. I don't exactly understand how it nurtured, but I find comfort in his company where others do not."

"Whose team did you like being on more: Ash's or Elisabeth's?"

"I achieved victory in King of Fighters with Madame Blanctorche, so she holds a special place in my heart. I feel that Ash is a more powerful ally, however."

34: ADELHEID BERNSTEIN

"I'm glad I caught you while you were on the ground!"

"Lucky you."

"So uhh... give me your thoughts on the tournament?"

"I didn't come here to compete, first and foremost. If I had it my way, my sister and I would have stayed far away from King of Fighters. This is a tainted, corrupt fighting competition, fueled by greed, narcissistic ideology, and madness."

"But you and your sister have hosted King of Fighters competitions before."

"I was naive. My only concern was with fighting an honorable battle against the strongest warriors, to prove myself worthy of carrying on my father's name. I ventured too deep, and got tangled in the dark, virulent web this competition weaves."

"Oh brother, don't say that. You love competing in King of Fighters~"

"Quiet, Rose. I would put protecting you over my love for fighting any day."

"Give me your thoughts on your father, Rugal. How did you feel when you saw someone had created a clone of him?"

"I don't wish to talk about my father. But what I WILL say, is that killing that abomination created in his image was my only purpose for coming here to Italy. I failed to accomplish that mission personally, but the final outcome was still favorable. That thing is dead, and no more will be made."

"Can you disclose any details on the NESTS/WAREZ operation?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"What are your thoughts on Botan, the woman who controlled your sister and forced her to host King of Fighters XI and XIII? Are you seeking revenge on her?"

"You're treading very recklessly. Come, Rose. Let's head back home."

"Coming, brother~"

35: WOLFGANG KRAUSER

"Mr. Krauser... so, give me your thoughts on-"

"I WILL tell you my thoughts. I should have won this competition! I was the rightful winner of the fight against that Asamiya girl. She fought dishonorably! Her victory is tainted!"

"So you believe you would have won the tournament if Athena didn't uh... pull that ex machina on you?"

"That is exactly what I'm saying. Gah... a pox on this week, and this tournament. Makes me sick to think about."

"Do you feel like you brought honor back to the name Stronheim?"

"I have never felt more DIShonored! This simply will not do. I am not going to return to Germany with my head held high. I will train with humility, keep my fury hot, and enter King of Fighters the next time. And this time... I WILL win. I'll bet my life on it! Or... maybe Laurence's life."

"Do you have any regrets this week? Perhaps an opponent you never got to face?"

"My plan was to face my whelp of a brother again, and when I stepped over his broken body, I would rematch Terry Bogard in the finals. When Geese and Terry were matched up, I was content to be able to at least face ONE of them. But then, all of that nonsense happened..."

"Are you bitter towards Athena for what she did?"

"YES! I hate her, and her disgusting music."

36: ATHENA ASAMIYA

"So... Krauser's pretty mad at you."

"Oh...dear. H-he's a very big guy. Stupid Athena, stupid..."

"Describe your thoughts on your victory over Krauser, and what it meant to you."

"Sigh... it wasn't for the right reasons. I was motivated by vanity and pride. I wanted to be a big hero, to "save the day" and bring glory to the Psycho Soldiers... but all of it really amounted to nothing."

"It sounds like you wish Krauser had beaten you."

"...I do. I really do."

"But doesn't it thrill you that you made it to the final 10 in a tournament of 80?"

"It WOULD'VE... if the circumstances were different."

"What are your feelings on Ash Crimson, and what he tried to do to you? Do you hold a grudge?"

"Ash was... just lost. He was troubled, confused... in a dark place. I don't hold a grudge over him, because I understand that a person can have some demons that REALLY mess with their head. At the end of the day, let's just chalk it up to a personal struggle, and be grateful that Ash was able to overcome the darkness within himself."

"What's next for you? You've never missed a King of Fighters, but you've never won gold. Will you keep trying?"

"Oh definitely. This tournament may have ended on a sour note for me, but there's always more in the future. I'm still young, and full of energy! I'm gonna keep fighting, keep delivering justice, and keep singing too~!"

"How long will you carry remorse for pulling an ex machina on Krauser?"

"Eh, I'll be over it by the time I'm back in Japan. My life's too hectic to be carrying unnecessary baggage."

37: HEIDERN

"I've been waiting to talk to you for a while, sir. May I have a moment of your time?"

"Yes. A moment."

"You went through quite a bit, this week. How do you feel?"

"The same way I feel my whole life: tired."

"You dropped out of the tournament, despite winning your first fight. Do you regret this decision?"

"This tournament was a harsh reminder for me: men in my line of work don't get to enjoy the luxury of being off-duty. There will always be battles to fight, threats to neutralize. I WILL admit, though... I did enjoy getting to compete for that little bit, and defeating my opponent did spark a tinge of thrill inside me."

"Your man Clark Still was nearly killed by a clone of Rugal Bernstein, your sworn nemesis. What were you feeling at that moment?"

"I haven't felt a rage so pure since the day my family died in front of me."

"How far were you willing to go to seek revenge against the Rugal clone?"

"...I would have given my life if it meant I could take him with me. I knew it was a one-way trip, and I didn't care."

"What stopped you?"

"...A few things, thank god. Chizuru talked me down for one thing. That's a good woman. And secondly... I remembered all the things I still had to live for, all the people still depending on me. My men, my daughter. I can't just die and leave them without guidance. Those people are my family. Without them, I... I have nothing. They feel the same way about me. Therefore, giving my life for something as stupid and reckless as revenge would be a selfish act on my part."

"Lastly... can you disclose any details on the NESTS/WAREZ operation?"

"...Listen up and listen good. I don't know how you know about that. Obviously you're skilled at your job of sticking your nose in things. But I'm giving you ONE warning: treading too deep can get that nose cut off. The NESTS/WAREZ operation is classified, and is not up for discussion or mention. I suggest you edit this interview, and any other instances in which you may have asked my men the same question. If not... WE WILL FIND YOU."

38: ELISABETH BLANCTORCHE

"You're a hard woman to read, Madame Blanctorche. What are you feeling... about EVERYTHING?"

"...How am I supposed to answer that question? Be more specific."

"Okay... give me your thoughts on your tournament performance."

"I could have done better. This week got off to a very bad start for me, and it only escalated throughout. Ash... has that effect on me."

"Are you saying Ash Crimson threw you off your game?"

"I'm saying he sucked most of the joy out of this week for me, by being his usual insufferable self. I didn't even get to focus on the competition because he was constantly on my mind."

"Are you bitter towards Ash for this?"

"I... I was..."

"Can you tell me your current feelings about Ash?"

"That... that's complicated. Ash is... he'll always be... a very complicated person in my life. I've loved him. I've hated him. We lived such a wonderful, carefree life back then... but it all became clouded after he left me. Ever since that time, things have never really come together properly between us. There's always been an awkward line that we stand on opposite sides of. But, after this week... I feel like we may be seeing a breakthrough..."

"Do you have hope for the future that you and Ash can work?"

"It's hard to feel hope. Ash has... he's really done a number on me over the years. But, in the past couple of days, I've seen something in him... like the Ash of old. I think he's finally coming back around. I think maybe he feels remorse, and wants to make up for all the lost time. The truth is... it's going to HAVE to work. My fate and Ash's fate will always be entwined. And I... I will always love him."

"Do you feel an obligation to keep Ash in line, like a guardian or handler?"

"Absolutely. It's going to be like that as long as we live."

"Do you regret this?"

"No. Being at Ash's side is what I want most in this world."

"How can you still care for Ash after all he's done?"

"Because I just do. Leave it alone."

39: LEONA HEIDERN

"You were well on your way to winning this tournament. Did you feel that way?"

"I guess."

"F-forgive me if this is too sensitive, but... can you describe the fight with-"

"No. Don't bring it up. I'm warning you."

"O-okay... sorry. Ummmm... did you have fun?"

"It was fun for a little while."

"What's the deal with you and Iori Yagami? You two seem close."

"It's simple human nature for two people with similar idiosyncrasies to attract. It's easy for the two of them to look to each other for understanding and comfort, because they are unique from the rest of the world, therefore nobody else can provide that same blanket. I'm attracted to Iori because we're the same. There will never be anyone else like us."

"Are you in love with him?"

"I'm not sure. It just feels good to be around him."

"Well... uhh... I was hoping this interview would be longer, since you made it so far in the tournament. But... umm... I got nothing."

"Good. I don't like talking anyway."

40: IORI YAGAMI

"Mr. Yagami... please don't kill me."

"Don't give me a reason to."

"How would you describe this week?"

"Shitty."

"Okay... umm... describe your thoughts on the tournament. You made it to the final 5!"

"I slogged through so many opponents I didn't want, all for two things: to get revenge on that foppish moron, and then face Kyo in the finals. Neither of those things happened, therefore I say f*** this week and everything about it."

"Doesn't it please you that you made the final 5?"

"It doesn't mean f*** all if I didn't accomplish the thing I set out to do!"

"Speaking of your fight with Ash... are you aware that you entered the Riot of the Blood and nearly destroyed the Coliseum?"

"Oops."

"Will you always carry a grudge against Ash for the time he stole the Yasakani Jewel?"

"Yeah, that f***ing punk still has to answer for that. And it's not just THAT: he attacked Chizuru and stole the Yata Mirror too. Where's HER justice?"

"Chizuru seems to have forgiven Ash for that."

"Well, I don't f***ing care. Chizuru's too soft and dainty to pay back something in blood, but I'm not. I'll just have to get enough revenge for both of us."

"Does this mean your revenge journey is not over?"

"That's exactly what it means. And now we can add avenging a loss to the list of reasons he needs to f***ing die."

"So... what else happened to you this week?"

"Hmm... well, I was walking back to my hotel one night, and I got attacked by the village bicycles, Mature and Vice. They SERIOUSLY tried to kill me. And then they tried to deny it later on, but I'm not biting. Those bitches tried to kill me!"

"Well, you killed them."

"...Touche, I guess."

"You and Leona seem awfully close. Are you in love with her?"

"I dunno. I don't hate her, which speaks volumes."

"Which do you regret more: losing to Ash, or not getting to face Kyo?"

"Hey, shit is shit. It all smells bad."

"So, you just didn't get anything from this week? At all?"

"No I didn't. Now piss off! You're making me angry by reminding me!"

41: K' DASH

"I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to answer some questions. You're not the most... approachable guy."

"Just make it quick, while I'm feeling generous."

"Okay, so... first of all, I thought that fight with Kyo was amazing. I seriously thought you had him when the glove came off."

"I know. I was there. Next."

"What did fighting Kyo mean for you?"

"Self-validation."

"Do you still feel like you need to beat Kyo to affirm your place and purpose in existence?"

"Nah, I'm good now. There's just one thing I have left to do..."

"What's that?"

"Don't worry about it."

"How did it feel to see your teammates Maxima and Kula fall in Round 1?"

"Well, Maxima's definitely going to get shit for that one. As for Kula, well... she was f***ed when her opponent was Kyo."

"Did you not believe Kula could win?"

"Well, I did, but... you wanna hear something f***ed up? I haven't even told Kula this... but a deep, nasty part of me was glad she lost. I felt bad, of course, but her losing meant I was able to finally get the fight with Kyo I needed. So, in a way... I owe Kula big-time for losing."

"Do you love Kula Diamond?"

"None of your business."

"Did anything strange happen to you this week?"

"Hmmmm, well... I got attacked by a zombie Krizalid. He's another one of those NESTS projects, like me. He's long dead. That's not what bothered me, though. What really bothered me was... wait."

"Hmmm?"

"...Heh. Sorry, this interview is over."

"W-wha...?"

"Remember when I said I had one thing left to do? Well, he's standing about 20 yards behind you. I suggest you get out of here if you value your life."

"AHH! BYE!"

42: KYO KUSANAGI

"Well, Mr. Kusagani... you were close to doing what you've done so many times in the past. Give me your feelings on the final outcome."

"Heh, well I can't be too shaken up about it, can I? I mean, it would've been nice to win another one, especially with it back to singles format, but hey... 4 out of 80 ain't bad."

"Actually, in the official tournament rankings, you were ranked #3. and K' was #4."

"What the hell? Huh. I guess because he went down for good before I did. You didn't tell K' that, right? This meant more to him than you understand."

"No, I didn't. Speaking of which, describe your fight with K'."

"That kid is the finest warrior I've ever faced. His fight IQ, the way he utilizes his reach, feathery footwork, gives the illusion of lazy, half-assed strikes and then shocks you with brutal, explosive power. And his patience... he chills you with a frigid gaze that saps you before the first strike is even thrown. That kid is the real deal. That fight couldn't have gone different."

"Do you feel that is K's true strength, or is it a result of NESTS-"

"Stop right there. I can answer that quickly: that kid has REAL power. You can't just give somebody what he has. He may have been a canvas, but the tools were placed in his hands, for him to make something tangible of it. And he did. So don't ever, for a second, try to discredit K' Dash. Cause if you do, I'll sweep up what's left after he's done with you, and give you a double helping."

"How were you feeling going into that fight with Dio? Did you think you had a chance?"

"Maaaan... if I were fresh, yes. But after going through an absolute WAR just 30 minutes earlier... a man's gotta rest sometime, ya know? The only reason I stood up to him was because K' was at my side, and I wanted that freakshow gone."

"Describe your feelings on Ash Crimson. How do you feel about him winning?"

"Tch... well, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it. I don't like the kid, nor do I trust him. I don't want anything to do with him, and I'd prefer if he stayed away from Chizuru and Yagami as well. That being said... I will give credit where credit is due. He did well against that monster who wrecked the Coliseum. He probably saved us from a gruesome fate. I'll give him kudos for that. So, congrats to Ash I guess. It does warm my heart a little to see someone new claim King of Fighters gold. Hopefully he'll be content now."

"Are you concerned that Ash may come after you someday?"

"He barely paid me attention this week. So no."

"Let's change the subject for a moment. For a little while, it seemed like you were in a dark place. You vowed that you were going to turn your back on the world, and not be there to step up when things get hairy. Do you still feel this way?"

"Man... what an idiot I must've sounded like. I dunno, seeing Rugal do that to Clark just... it pissed me off so bad. I wanted this King of Fighters to just... work. I wanted no problems, no bullshit, no fighting for my life. It seems like bullshit just can't stay AWAY from the greatest martial arts competition in history. And, I dunno... it messed with my head. I was spouting a lot of nonsense that I regret now that it's all over. I was just angry. Angry people always regret what they say after cooling off. It's a fact of life."

"So does this mean you haven't given up on the world?"

"Nah, I'll still be there. I won't be happy about it... but I never am."

"Did anything strange happen to you this week, involving clones?"

"Besides the Rugal thing? Well... I was ambushed at night by Yashiro, Shermie, and Chris. Those and Rugal were related, it would seem. But whatever, that situation got handled. I just went my ass to bed and stopped worrying about it."

"Do you have any unfinished business after this week? Possibly against Iori Yagami?"

"Ha ha ha ha... trust me, man. There will be other times and places."

"You've won a whole lot of King of Fighters gold. You're perhaps the most influential figure in the tournament's history. When does it end?"

"When I'm dead. Look at it this way: my dad can still hang with the best of em, so I've got a long way to go before I start declining."

"How come your father, Saisyu, never came to Italy? Did he not express interest in the tournament?"

"Ah, he threw out his back training. He never would've made the trip. My girlfriend has been taking care of him, though."

"How close were you to losing to Kula Diamond?"

"Oh, that ice girl... she's something else. Did you know she was created to destroy fire-types? She came pretty damn close to dousing me! By far the hardest fight of this week, besides K' of course."

"So you think K' gave you a harder time than Kula?"

"You know... honestly, I would rank them dead even, IF not for the fact that I beat Kula and tied with K'."

"Give me your thoughts on Shingo Yabuki."

"Oh man, he really stepped it up! I saw greatness in that kid. GREATNESS. If KoF ever goes back to team format, I WANT HIM."

"You already have two teammates, Benimaru and Goro."

"Yeah, well Daimon's not really on the competitive scene that much anymore. He cares more for his family nowadays. The only reason he came to Italy is because it was too big to sit out. I have a feeling he might not join us for the next tourney, which would free up Shingo to be our third man."

"If you had to choose between Goro Daimon and Shingo, who would you pick?"

"Awww man... well, seniority would demand I pick Goro. Me, him and Beni were the OGs, ya know? That's not a bond easily broken. If that were ever the case, hopefully Shingo could land himself on a team. Hell, he could LEAD his own team! Team Shingo... sounds like a rival in the making."

"Lastly... would you care to share your favorite King of Fighters memory?"

"...You know, now that I think about it, I don't have any favorites. I always have a shit time."

43: ASH CRIMSON

"The champion himself... it's an honor to speak with you, Ash."

"As it should be~"

"You fought through absolute hell to claim gold. Tell me, what was your hardest fight?"

"Mm... the rampaging buffoon called Iori Yagami. Despite my always-cool exterior, I was quite literally quaking in my shoes when I fought him. I may have even peed myself a little, between you and moi."

"You fought some other interesting opponents... such as your longtime childhood companion, Elisabeth. Tell me, what was going through your mind when you struck her down?"

"Hmph... you're trying to crack me, aren't you? How ruthless of you. Fighting Betty... was not a pleasant feeling for me. That was the first step, I think, to what ended up... changing me."

"What do you mean? Describe your thoughts on Elisabeth."

"Betty is... my light. For as long as I can remember, she's been there to watch over me. Even after I got older, and I started my unholy mission... she never gave up on me. I credit Betty for rescuing me from the darkness that plagued my soul. It was her. It was all HER. Without Betty, I... I can't..."

"Are you okay?"

"Never better~!"

"What were you planning on doing to Athena Asamiya? You hesitated at the very end; is that the moment you felt yourself returning to sanity?"

"My plan was to defeat Athena and harvest her Psycho Power. And... yes. Thank Betty's scary stink face for that save."

"Looking back now, do you regret what you were about to do?"

"Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. But now, it all just sounds yucky. So, I guess the answer is yes~"

"How worried were you to be facing Dio, a creature of ultimate might that obliterated the Coliseum?"

"Hmmm... not that worried. I was a little on edge, since he was SERIOUSLY trying to kill me, and he did make some vague implications that he was going to wipe out all life on Earth. That was a little worrisome."

"Do you consider yourself a hero for defeating Dio? Do you consider what you did as saving the world?"

"Well, he was definitely homicidal, and I crushed him. So put two and two together."

"You looked ready to kill Dio, but at the last moment, you gave him mercy. Why?"

"Because the path to being a good little boy doesn't include murder. I've killed one person, and that's enough. I don't want to get my hands dirty... and especially my fingernails."

"How do you live your life being such a... controversial figure? Are you aware of how many haters you make?"

"Ahahahahahahaha! Oh, that's just the burden of greatness. They're just jealous that I play a much bigger role in things than them."

"You have a lot of enemies, but you also have a loyal band of friends. Describe your feelings on them."

"Well, dear ol' Betty is the love of my life. Monsieur Lon is so cool, and so HANDSOME, you just don't even know. Everything he does has such a sexiness to it! And then there's Shenny. He's very loud and obnoxious, but he's always such a fun guy. And then there's Ozzy, who... well... he's a little strange. But don't get me wrong, I love him to death as well. They're my precious posse, and I am very grateful for them. I don't want to meet the person who wishes to go through life without any friends, any companions. That's just not human nature."

"Changing the subject real quick... what are you going to do with the money?"

"Heh heh... you'd like to know? Sorry, but I'd rather keep it a secret~"

"Do you feel like you need to redeem yourself for all the... questionable things you've done?"

"The only person I need to repent for is Betty. The woman slaves and suffers for me, and I did nothing to ease her mind in return. I swear I'm going to make things up to her and earn her trust back, even if it takes the rest of my life. Screw everyone else."

"If I may ask an intense question... how did you come back to Earth?"

"Ohohohoho. You'd like that, wouldn't you? Ha. You know what? I'm feeling generous. Very well then. I'll tell you. After Saiki and myself were wiped from existence... I wasn't fully erased. I found myself awakening, with no physical self, naught but a lingering, luminous consciousness floating through an endless abyss. Time held no dominion there, nor did the laws of physics, or even reality itself. I don't know where this tempest came from, or how I came to be a part of it, but... it was so... negative. Just being there made me tired... made me want to quit, and cease to exist permanently. I'm also convinced I wasn't the only soul there; I could... I could feel other presences... crying out in futility, languishing in their forfeit lives. They were truly lost, pathetic husks with no purpose but to endlessly linger in limbo, in a twilight world with no life and no afterlife. Was this to be my permanent fate? Would I suffer in a fate worse than Hell, to wander aimlessly in oblivion, perpetually seeking hope and purpose only to forever have none? No... I refused to accept it. I beckoned my physical form back to me... yes, through sheer willpower I made it so. I stretched out into the inky black with scintillating fingers, to clasp something that was real, that was whole, and I made it MINE. I don't know what happened to Saiki; maybe what's left of him got absorbed into me. But the mental strain... I found myself begging for death numerous times, just to be relieved of the pain. Heh. But I didn't quit. I willed myself a physical form, to be granted the power to break free from the spectral chains that bound me. And when I opened my eyes again... I WAS FREE. I brought my lips upon the cold ground and coated them with the sand and clay, rejoicing in the second chance that I gave to myself. No, I didn't hope. I didn't pray. I demanded to come back, and I CAME BACK. It was all me."

"That's... amazing..."

"Heh. Yes it is. Welp! All that exposition sure made me thirsty. Au revoir~"

44: GEESE HOWARD

"Mr. Howard... it's an honor to talk to you, sir."

"Thanks."

"So my first question must be... how did it feel to host King of Fighters again?"

"Well I'm not gonna lie and say it felt like the good ol' days. This may have been the most insane one yet in the entire history of the contest. Heh... but that just made it all the more awesome to be a part of."

"How did you like hosting with Chizuru Kagura?"

"Ah, she's a nice lady. She felt like the Yin to my Yang, hehehehe! Without her to keep my ass in line, who knows what would've happened! Ah but real talk: we made a decent pair. This tournament felt WAY too huge to handle solo, so I'm grateful she was there with me."

"Let's talk about you competing. Did you have any good, memorable battles?"

"You saw it, didn't you? Hell yes I had a memorable battle. Robert Garcia was as good a scrap as I thought it would be. And then... Bogard..."

"Give me your thoughts on Terry Bogard."

"The Bogards are... people that I've wronged. On a much deeper level than other people. They have every right to hate me, to wish death upon me. Terry Bogard deserves to kill me with his own two hands... but that's never going to happen now. That kid is a man now... and he's matured into a guy with compassion in his heart. He loves to fight, but desires peace and would never raise his fists with malice. He's a good kid. That's why we have to stay apart. He deserves to live his life without me tempting those old emotions back."

"Are you shocked that you beat Terry?"

"...Yeah. I didn't think I was supposed to ever beat him. It feels wrong by cosmic standards."

"After beating Terry, did you feel like no other opponent could pose a threat to you?"

"Absolutely. Terry Bogard is the strongest fighter there is. After getting past him, I thought I was in the clear. Man... that gold alien freak really did a number on me."

"Give me your thoughts on Dio."

"I f***ing hate him!"

"Do you bear a grudge against him for wounding you? How about for destroying your Coliseum?"

"You're asking a lot of dumb questions now, pal! And don't talk about my Coliseum! Shit...I was almost over that..."

"You and Chizuru had some issues to solve this week, such as a perfect clone of Rugal Bernstein infiltrating your tournament and critically wounding Clark Still. How did you come to the decision to pit him against Leona Heidern?"

"We knew that thing was too powerful to be dealt with by normal means. It was my idea to call upon one of the Riot-bearers. Chizuru and I agreed that Iori was too dangerous, so... Leona was our only option."

"Do you regret that decision looking back?"

"Uhhh... no. The problem got solved, nobody died."

"Don't you feel remorse for exploiting Leona like that?"

"Hey, she was cool with it! That girl was seeking revenge anyway!"

"Did you have any... other problems this week worth mentioning?"

"No."

"Then let's move on. So, you've made it known this week that this tournament was going to be your swan song. Win or lose, you were going to retire and leave behind all your Earthly troubles. What do you mean by this?"

"It means I'm done. With EVERYTHING. I'm cutting my losses, and getting the hell out of here."

"If you were to pick a remote, isolated location to spend the rest of your life, where would that be?"

"Hmmm... maybe the mountains of Tibet."

"How do you think leaving everything behind will affect other people affiliated with you?"

"Well, Terry and friends won't mind it at all. Billy is my main concern... that guy's become far too attached to me. I'm afraid he might try to follow me, wherever I go. I dunno, hell, maybe I should just take him with me."

"What does Billy Kane mean to you?"

"I have never, in my long, f***ed up life, met a guy more dependable than him. Sometimes, I wonder if I could find my own head without his help."

"Before you... leave everything behind... do you have any unfinished business, any scores to settle, anything like that?"

"Hmmm... nothing important. Nothing that will make me lose sleep. Me and the Bogards are done, I don't really care about my rivals anymore. Big will probably celebrate that he doesn't have to bump me off anymore for him to climb the ladder. Krauser might be a little butthurt that we can't have a rematch. I dunno why he cares more about that than I do."

"So, you're totally content?"

"Yeah... I'm content. I've done a lot in this world. A LOT. It's time to rest."

"Last question... what is your proudest accomplishment in life?"

"A little lady called King of Fighters."

FINAL INTERVIEW: CHIZURU KAGURA

"Is this your third time hosting King of Fighters?"

"Yes."

"How was this one compared to the previous ones?"

"Oh god... this one nearly killed me."

"Stressful?"

"I think I may have some wrinkles now. Maybe a few gray hairs."

"At least you had Geese Howard helping you. Give me your thoughts on Geese, and hosting with him."

"That guy is a damned lunatic. I could barely keep him in line all week! At times, I was seriously afraid he was going to get people killed with his decisions and recklessness."

"Sources say you reached out to Rose Bernstein before this week and asked her to co-host, but she declined. Would you rather have had her, or Geese?"

"Ehhhh... I'd rather not look in hindsight. At least me and Geese made it through."

"Describe some of the hardships you endured this week."

"Oh god, where to begin. Okay, so Geese was constantly trying to ignore the rules. He wanted to pick his own opponents, fight when he wasn't scheduled to, and then there was that whole fiasco with the Rugal clone. It's a miracle we made it through that with our heads intact. On top of that, a few of the contestants tried to steal the prize money. And then of course, that crazed alien guy DESTROYED THE COLISEUM! Hoo boy... I need a stiff one..."

"Do you regret not getting to compete?"

"I SO wish I was on the other side of things. Being a host is so stressful. I don't care for the prize money, but it would have been nice to try and win King of Fighters gold. Plus, I do love competing in martial arts."

"After this tournament, do you think you'll ever host again?"

"I'm going to need a long, LONG break before I ever CONSIDER hosting again. I don't know who will step up and take the reigns, but there has to be somebody besides me, Geese, or Bernstein."

"Did anything else weird happen to you this week, involving clones?"

"Nothing I'm at liberty to talk about."

"Give me your thoughts on the final outcome."

"W-well... as much as I don't trust that Ash kid, he DID technically save our bacon. Dio was the bigger threat for sure, sooo... I'm not happy Ash won, I'm just happy Dio lost."

"Who would you have liked to see win in the end?"

"Kyo, I guess."

"Iori bears a murderous grudge against Ash for stealing the Yasakani Jewel. Do you seek revenge for when he ambushed you and stole the Yata Mirror?"

"Sigh... I just don't care anymore. I've got bigger fish to fry."

"So what's next for you?"

"I would love to just get back to my normal life, normal job, and don't even think about martial arts competition for a good long while."

"How about the next King of Fighters?"

"I'm not hosting, I'm competing. No questions asked."

"Where do you think King of Fighters goes from here?"

"I have no idea... but that's the thrill of it. Nobody knows what will come next, what format, what hosts or sponsors, what people. That's what makes King of Fighters so amazing. Throughout history, the tournament has always kept people on the edge of their seats with new teams, new plots, new crazy outcomes. That's never going to change. King of Fighters truly is immortal, as Geese said. It's withstood the test of time, and it hasn't slowed down even a little. I mean, just look at THIS one. It was the biggest one yet! There's not a CLUE of where King of Fighters could be going next... and that's why it's always going to be the most spectacular spectacle of martial arts exhibition the world will ever know. I'm honored to have done my part in its flourish."

"Do you have any closing statements?"

"Yes I do. To all of you who were a part of this amazing week in Milan, Italy, to all of you who made this possible... thank you. You are the precious blood that gives King of Fighters life. I hope to see you again for the next one. So until that time, this is Chizuru Kagura, saying thank you... and sayonara."

Alright, this is great! I think I got em' all. Well... the ones who matter, anyway. Now I just gotta take these to Antonov, and he'll be sure to recommend me for the job! YES! I'm so stoked! Take heed, my friends. This is the spark that will ignite the fire of the NEXT King of Fighters. Make sure you pay attention and keep an eye out for me, cause I'll be there! I swear it!

Welp, that's all the time we have now. This is Clerence Bellamy, signing off.

THE END