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‘From the Distinguished Countess and The Family Von Stroheim…’
Rock Howard read the front of an ornate letter as he pushed into the shared apartment. He had been balancing the mail along with a bag of hot foil-wrapped sandwiches, and so headed directly to the kitchen counter to place them down. With them secured, he went back to thumbing through the envelopes and papers of the mail.
At the moment, drawn by the sound of a person entering and the smell of dinner along with them, in walked Terry Bogard: His hair wet and hanging loose, dressed in a white tee and blue jeans, he vigorously ran a towel over his head to finish drying from his shower.
“Whatcha got, Bud?” Terry asked as he spied his younger ward.
“Picked up some food, got the mail…” Rock absently said as he continued to look over the letter.
Terry noticed and immediately recognized the red wax seal on the back. He quickly went on high alert. “Where did you get that?!”
“This? It’s addressed to me…”
Terry’s alert shifted to confusion. “To you…?
“Yeah, why? You know what this is about?
Terry explained, “That seal. It’s from a guy named Krauser. Crazy strong fighter, apparently even beat Geese. I fought him before. Real piece of work, that guy.” He pointed to the letter as he explained. “A while back, I started getting letters from Krauser. Man, I swear, he sent me one every week. One day, they stopped, and I thought that was the end of it. Now, it looks like he found you.”
“Whoa…” Rock looked down to examine the seal again. “Did you ever find out what he wanted?”
“No way! I threw those letters out as soon as I got ‘em. No way it was for anything good.”
Rock pointed out, “You said Krauser was a guy, right? Well, this one is from a woman.”
Now, Terry was only more confused. “A woman? And it’s for you?”
“Why don’t we just read it? It can’t hurt, right? We don’t have to respond or do what it says.”
Terry remained weary and considered for a long moment. “... Mmm, I still don’t like it… But it’s your call. I’ll back you up whatever you choose.”
Rock was now on alert yet remained undeterred. He held the letter slightly away as he gently broke the seal and opened it.
‘To one Rock Howard,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am Wilhemina Leonie Krauser, current Head of House Von Stroheim, and through your father’s bloodline, your cousin. I’ve heard stories of your adventures and that you’ve followed in the footsteps of your mentor, one Terry Bogard. Unfortunately, there is a substantial debt that you and Terry Bogard owe to House Von Stroheim, and it cannot be forgiven. By the time you receive this letter, I will be en route to Southtown, so that we may discuss settling this matter. I will arrive at your Port Town Dock at pier 10 on my ship, Liesl; I will await your arrival for 48 hours. However, if you elect not to appear, I will search for you and, if necessary, I will visit your friends and family in my search. I know of your friends: Richard Meyer and Bob Wilson at both Pao Pao Cafes; Joe Higashi and Hwa Jai in Central National Park; Duck King at the Live House, Old Line Bar; The Meira twins as their Drop Dead club; even your mentor’s paramour at Frontier Plaza, Blue Mary Ryan.
Let me be clear: I truly do not wish it to come to that. I will pick through any number of people to you. My hope, however, is that we can settle these issues between us alone, once and for all. Again, I will arrive at Port Town Dock, pier 10 on October 7th at 5pm. I eagerly await our meeting.
Sincerely,
Countess of House Von Stroheim,
Wilhelmina Leonie Krauser’
With both men left reeling, Rock eventually said, “Well, that settles that… I’ve gotta sort this out.”
Terry nodded with a grunt. “I’m going with you. No tellin’ what she’s got us walking into.”
Rock nodded in return then looked back at the letter, “October 7th, three days from now…”
-XXX-
“I’ve got everyone on high alert in case something happens to us.” Rock relayed.
Terry replied, “Yeah, I warned everyone on my end too. Now, we just gotta fin– Whoa…”
They could see it from the street leading into the harbor. Rock and Terry finally arrived at pier 10 then stopped in awe at the Krauser’s ship: massive, magnificent, and menacing, the vessel was more of a cruise liner in size, a floating castle in all but name. Gorgeous and gigantic, Liesl floated and loomed large, her name across the bow in elegant script, pristine white with gold trimmings. Terry quickly got eerie memories of his journey to Krauser’s castle all those years ago.
Rock noticed something, and with a tap to Terry, pointed it out. Leading up into the ship itself was a steep ramp, and at the bottom sat a video sign with their names emblazoned on its screen: ‘Rock Howard, Terry Bogard, Liesl welcomes you. Please enter here’. Both shared a concerned but determined look before heading for the ramp. Once in range, they then noticed a small web camera at the top of the sign and the smaller script at the bottom of the screen next to a button: ‘Please ring bell to enter’. They rang the bell as instructed, hearing a chime in response, and saw the door at the top of the ramp slide open.
They made their way up the ramp and into the ship, the door ominously sliding closed behind them. Rock and Terry stepped further into a lavish vestibule: dark red furnishings with gold accents, a deep mahogany top on the reception desk, a faint floral fragrance permeating the space. Waiting for them on the opposite wall was a familiar face: the Spanish toreador and fighter, personal assistant to the Krauser family, Laurence Blood. His hair and mustache had waned to gray in the intervening years, but he clearly remained well-kept, distinguished, and fit. He stood ready in a burgundy tuxedo with his signature red muleta cape over his left shoulder. Terry hesitated when the two met eyes again, for the first time in years.
“Gentlemen…” Laurence didn’t bother hiding his grimace of disgust at the two’s mere presence. “Thank you for your timely response. Be welcome here as the Countess’ guests.”
A smooth and deep woman’s voice chimed in over the nearby comms. “Mr. Blood, could you please take our guests to Main Hall, and I will be with them shortly?”
Blood pressed a button on the intercom and answered. “Yes, milady.”
“Still around, eh, Laurence?” Terry asked. “Thought you didn’t like women. ‘Hate them’, if I remember right?”
“My loyalty to House Von Stroheim far outweighs any preferences I may have. Nevertheless, the young Countess has proven exceptional in so many ways. And, considering what the mistress is capable of…” A smirk grew on Blood’s face as continued, “I’m sure I will thoroughly enjoy what she has planned for you both.”
With that, Rock and Terry followed their escort into the Main Hall: The large ballroom had two levels, the second tier acting as a viewing space. Like the vestibule, it was resplendent with dark red and gold furnishings. A grand crystal chandelier hung pristine overhead, and the host of tables were adorned with elaborate crystal sculptures. Off to one side sat an assembly of classical musicians warming up with instruments alongside a DJ similarly preparing his table and equipment. The large dance floor in the center sat clear, as everything around had been set a fair distance from its perimeter.
Rock and Terry drifted into the center of the room as they looked around that opulence around them, when they noticed the musicians and DJ getting into position at once. A door opened in front of them accompanied by the dramatic stabs of Verdi’s ‘Rex Tremendae’ played by the nearby ensemble. The arrival snapped them back into focus, and they turned to the door when in walked the Countess. She clearly towered over them even as she stood across the room, and lush violet hair flowed down over her shoulder. There was no mistaking that her father was Krauser.
She had adorned her face with dark purple makeup, accentuating her light skin, her stern and unflinching expression not detracting from her immaculate features. She wore a pristine red pantsuit with a white silk blouse and gold jewelry including an elaborate gold necklace.
“Gentlemen…” Wilhelmina started, her contralto seeming to flow over every other sound in the room, as she approached them, “You’ve arrived…”
Rock stood firm in response. “Yeah, we showed. Threatening our friends will do that.”
Wilhelmina explained, “I had to make sure you would appear. I knew mentioning them would be the best option to ensure your response.”
Terry then chimed in, “Right. Going through our loved ones to get to us? Heard that tough talk before.”
The slightest twitch quirked her lips and the briefest flash of anger ran across her eyes. “As I wrote in my letter, I truly do not want to involve anyone else in this; that is the truth. Believe me…” She spoke her next line with restrained emphasis. “Any and all of my disdain is solely for you.”
Terry asked further. “Okay, so what’s your deal? What problem do you have with us?”
“Not you both. You, Terry Bogard. You have a debt to my father, Wolfgang Krauser. I intend to make you pay for it.”
Rock spat back. “Last I checked, an ass-kicking was pretty final.”
Wilhelmina narrowed her eyes at the assertion. “A defeat? That’s what you think.”
“That’s the only reason we ever met. I got nothing to do with him … until you showed up.”
The bridge of Wilhemina’s nose scrunched into a snarl, and she practically hissed through her teeth. “It’s just as I suspected.. You didn’t even read my father’s letters.”
“Look, I’m not going anywhere near whatever you guys got planned. So, tell you Dad–”
“My father…!” Wilhelmina interjected. “My father is dead.”
Rock and Terry were stunned into silence. Wilhelmina revealed further. “Many months ago, my father learned he had contracted a terminal illness, one that would gradually rob him of all his strength. There was only one wish he had: to have one more fight with the only man who bested him - you, Terry Bogard. Your victory had a profound effect on him. Some speculated he took his own life because of his loss to you. Quite the opposite. In truth, he thought very highly of you. As I grew up and even when he began training me, my father spoke highly and frequently of you, your skill, and your strength.
When he learned of his diagnosis, he knew he had even less time with his full strength, much more limited time where he would be a worthy challenge … for you. He tried to contact you every way possible, knowing traveling here would only drain him. He made overtures, he asked forgiveness, he offered anything he could offer... He fully prepared for you to reject his request; he would’ve accepted you simply answering ‘no’... Time ran out. The decline had started. He held onto just enough strength … to honor me with his last battle, the same for every new head of House Von Stroheim.” Wilhelmina started to tear up but did not waver. “He died in my arms.. There was only one thing he wanted before his life ended … and you didn’t even bother to give it a single notice.”
Terry and Rock stood shocked, utterly frozen with now-full knowledge. Terry got his words together and eventually said, “Okay, I’m sorry about your Dad. I’m sorry you had to go through all that. But trust us, both of us; we’ve been through the same exact thing. Going for revenge… It won’t lead you anywhere good. Take it from two guys who also lost their Dads; taking me out… It won’t make you feel any better, won’t give you any peace; it won’t finish anything.”
Wilhelmina wiped her eyes as she responded. “Take you out? Kill you, you mean? No, that’s not what you deserve… No. No… I’m going to cripple you. I am going to break every segment of your spine. Then, I am going to tear your arms and legs from your body.” A deathly chill ran through them both from her words. “You disregarded my father as a fighter. So, I will ensure you never fight again.”
Rock stepped forward. “Listen, I know you’re mad. I even kinda get it. But, you’re dreaming if you think I’m gonna let you go through with that.”
“Finally, one of you has the correct idea… You’re right.” Wilhelmina started undoing her suit jacket as she said. “I wouldn’t dream of not going through you first, my dear cousin. Unless … The Legendary Wolf would like to face his fate head-on?!”
Rock interjected before Terry could even begin to speak. “No, you don’t have to answer that, Terry… You sent me the letter. You invited me here. This fight right now is for me.”
Terry couldn’t help feeling a little pride in his adopted son. “You heard the man.”
“You have spirit. I expected nothing less.” Wilhelmina said as she actually nodded in agreement. She finally said to Terry. “You’d let your charge be your shield. Very well… I’ll chisel Rock into your gravestone.”
Finally, Wilhelmina Krauser took her jacket and blouse, and revealed her physique: she wore a collared backless top, exposing her chiseled arms, shoulders, and abs, even more shades of her father. Laurence received her clothes while giving a satisfied smirk to Terry and Rock over the interaction. Rock assumed his fighting stance as Terry and Laurence evacuated the dance floor. Wilhelmina clapped her hands in response; the musicians paused to switch their music as the DJ turned his table to high settings. The booming blares of Verdi’s ‘Dies Irae- Requiem’ began to play, signaling all formalities were finished.
Rock immediately went on the offensive with a barrage of strikes, but Wilhelmina guarding felt like hitting a brick wall. She soon dodged and delivered a huge straight kick aimed at his chest. Rock managed to guard himself, but the impact of that single strike forced him to stumble backward. Rock started again, but Wilhelmina stepped into him and delivered a driving knee into his gut, ejecting all the air from his body. She took control with a standing switch and shoved Rock away in the back.
Rock hunched over as he struggled to regain his breath, but Wilhemina waited at the ready. Rock finally continued by leaping into the air for an attack, but Wilhelmina caught him in mid-air and brought him down hard, folding him with a wrestling style Powerbomb! This time, Rock remained on the ground with his body wracked with pain.
“Leg Guillotine!”
He opened his eyes to see a heel coming for him and rolled away just in time. Wilhelmina crashed her heel into the ground with a splash of fire erupting from the impact! Already hurting, Rock was slow to get up but suddenly sped forward with his ’Hard Edge’ dashing elbow. Wilhelmina was again ready: she instantly adopted a parrying stance and again caught Rock mid-attack. She stepped in close, clutched Rock around the throat, and took a strong step as she hauled him up into the air…“You’re finished!” Wilhelmina shouted as she drove Rock into the ground with a vicious chokeslam. The impact brought an eruption of energy as he bounced bodily off the ground!
Growing very worried, Terry exclaimed in support, “C’mon, Rock. You got this, buddy. C’mon…”
Rock struggled up to his knees. “You can’t … take Terry away… We all … need him… This city … needs him.”
Wilhelmina responded, unmoved. “No. No, it doesn’t. It has the Sons of Fate, The Meira Twins; there’s the other Bogard, his fiancee’ the Shiranui heiress, and their whole clan; there’s Higashi and his school; Mary Ryan is still active; Now, there’s the Jin brothers and their new sensei, master Tung Fu Rue. Most importantly however … this city has you. He’s irrelevant now, which means his fate belongs … to me.”
Rock gathered himself again and sprinted forward again, and Wilhelmina went into her parry stance again … but no avail. Rock dashed behind her with his ‘Rage Run - Type: Shift’ and finally got the opening he needed. He unleashed several combinations of strikes with every bit of strength he could muster. Wilhelmina didn’t falter, and hitting her still felt like attacking a rock formation, but she was finally taking damage.
Wilhelmina blocked an incoming strike to get an opening and tried to regain control … but this time, Rock was ready for her! Rock caught her attack and flipped her over with his ‘Shinkuu Nage’ judo throw, and finished his attack mid-turn with a palm blast of energy that sent Wilhemina flying backward to the ground. With that, the band and the DJ brought the music to a complete stop.
Rock proclaimed. “Need or not, doesn’t matter what you think. Terry fights for us, for me, for everybody. So, this time, I’m gonna fight for him.”
Wilhelmina stood up and brushed herself off. “Noble, fighting for your father, I can respect that… Your skills are also very impressive, as I anticipated. Let us continue … unfettered.”
Wilhelmina clapped her hands. On command, one of the nearby musicians switched to an electric guitar, and the DJ thus began playing Ctrl-Z’s version of Dies Irae, the musicians again playing the start of ‘Rex Tremendae’ before transitioning back into ‘Dies Irae’.
Rock and Wilhelmina both started throwing projectiles of energy, Rock’s ‘Reppuken’ ground spark to Krauser’s ‘Blitzball’ sphere, but both projectiles collided and offset in a shower of sparks. Rock followed up with a ‘Double Reppuken’, dashed in behind as it traveled, and leaped into the air when she needed to block the affront. Wilhelmina, however, had a surprise: just as he was in range, she launched a spear of energy upward at him, an ‘Air Blitzball’, to knock Rock out of the air, and on his way down, connected with a tremendous ‘Kaiser Dropkick’ to sent him crashing to the ground.
The fight waged on, in the found rhythm of their skills: Rock used his quickness and shiftiness to gain openings, and Wilhelmina punished with vicious slams and tremendous single strikes. Soon, Rock countered with his ‘Crack Counter’ flip kick that brought Wilhemina to her knees. Knowing this was his best chance for victory, Rock rushed forward with his ‘Deadly Rave NEO’ barrage of strikes, finishing with another blast to send her back to the ground.
Krauser writhed from the onslaught, visibly wracked, but soon slowly and steadily rose back to her feet. Rock briefly slumped in exasperation at her survival, but rushed forward again for another finishing blow. Once again, however, Wilhelmina had a response; she took a strong step forward and delivered her own cascade of heavy blows, her ‘Unlimited Desire’ barrage, and finished with her ‘Gigantic Cyclone’ spinning lariat, sending Rock spiraling back to the floor. Back in command, Wilhelmina signaled with a snap of her fingers; the DJ and the musicians transitioned into 2WEI’s ‘Love Bomb’...
“Now, you’re finished!” Krauser proclaimed as she outstretched her arms…
“Rock! Look out!” Terry shouted in fear. Suddenly, out of the corner of his vision, Terry noticed an odd shuffle of movement above. Terry followed the movement and noticed a very suspicious, out-of-place man on one of the upper tiers.
Wilhelmina prepared her most powerful technique; power surged and crackled in her hands; small bolts of electricity danced and flowed over her chest and arms toward her hands; the air in the entire ballroom swirled and churned; the lights flickered, and the electronics trembled. Still very shaky on his feet, Rock threw a desperate ‘Reppuken’, but the energy only dissipated and was absorbed into the Krauser’s upcharge. With that, Rock knew he couldn’t stop the attack, and he was too pained to dodge. Taking his only course left, Rock crossed his arms over his chest as he pulled in his remaining strength, with blue flames soon coating his hands as he also prepared his best technique.
“Kaiser…! Wave!!” Wilhelmina unleashed a tidal wave of electric energy forward!
Rock waited until the attack got close enough. “Raging…! Storm!!” He slammed his hands into the ground to form a clawed geyser of energy around himself!
The impact of the two attacks quaked the entire yacht. It knocked the music out and shook the musicians to a stop. Even fellow trained fighters, Terry and Laurence, stumble drastically from the impact… As everything settled, Rock fell back to one knee with the strain of the expenditure. Wilhelmina slumped from exertion as well, as she struggled to gain steady breath.
Noticing the suspicious man above once more, Terry this time noticed a metallic glint. He quickly deduced the man’s aim and didn’t hesitate; Terry rushed over and tried to move Krauser out of the way … only for Wilhelmina to parry him out of the way and rebuff his attempt.
PSSH! A gunshot rang out. A small splash of energy followed as Krauser was hit in the back. She staggered forward and collapsed face down as everyone else in the room froze in utter fear and disbelief. A second shot rang out, and a second splash of energy and her hair flew up as the second shot struck the back of her head. The gunman leapt down as Laurence immediately went to Wilhelmina’s side.
“Nobody move!” The gunman ordered as he aimed a handgun at everyone before aiming and waving Laurence away. “Back away from her!” Laurence held up his hands as he scooted backward on his knees, and the gunman reached down and pulled a few loose strands of her hair.
Rock exclaimed first. “Bastard! You won’t get away with this!”
The gunman nonchalantly replied, “Just doing my job. Did you a favor, you and your dad.”
Terry iterated, “Doesn’t matter. We’re bringing you in. You won’t get far!”
The assassin pointed his gun again and began slowly backing away. “Take it easy. That’s not gonna happen. It’s not your problem anyway. I’m just going to take my leave. I’ll disappear, everything will settle back do–”
A small chorus of gasps rose from the musicians, and both Rock and Terry’s eyes widened in surprise, catching the gunman’s attention, when he was suddenly grabbed by the back of his neck. Several of the staff screamed in fear when he was lifted up into the air … by Wilhelmina! She drove her fist into his spine and blasted a column of energy through him, a choked gasp driven out of him with the attack. Wilhelmina unceremoniously dropped him to the side with a sickening thud, making everyone else wince at the rough impact.
With both men again in utter disbelief, Rock forced out, “You’re … not even hurt?”
Wilhelmina took a moment to seemingly regain her bearings before replying, “If the mighty powers of Bogard and Howard haven’t stopped me yet … what was this man and his pathetic gun going to do?” She punctuated the idea with a recovery: she dug through her hair on the back of her head, extracted the compacted bullet, and handed it to Laurence.
Something dawned on Terry. “Wait. Did you… You knew that guy was here, that he was gonna try and take you out?”
Wilhelmina explained, “Yes, and you almost ruined my plans with your ‘altruism’... You see, my father had his hands in many ventures, some of which I have continued. One practice that has emerged in my father’s illness … is the ‘flesh trade’, human trafficking. I despise the practice, to a violent degree. I’ve since rooted it out of my territory, and vowed to destroy any operation that crosses my path. As you can imagine, considering the money involved, that has made me a great deal of enemies. It came as no surprise when I discovered a price on my life.” She motioned toward the writhing, crumbling gunman. “And now, with him in the open, I can find out precisely who I must target.”
Rock shook his head with incredulity. “Wait, hold on a sec. So, this whole thing: invitation, the big entrance, the showdown… this was all a ruse, to make your hitman show himself? Give him an opening, so you can grab him?!”
Wilhelmina stopped cold and turned back to them. “Not at all. My grudge and intentions are the same. Terry Bogard… you’ve seen it firsthand now. The end of that man … will be yours as well.” Rock and Terry went back on guard … until Krauser softened. “... But not today. Not yet.”
Laurence started searching the man as she explained further, “It will take some time to crush the operation that targeted me. It demands my full attention… You will be next on my agenda, but for now, you have a reprieve.” Laurence found and held up the man’s phone, and Wilhelmina nodded in acknowledgement. “Gentleman, I have work to do. Thank you for attending, but I trust you can see yourselves out. Have a good evening.”
With that, Rock and Terry started to leave, as Wilhelmina started toward the musicians. Suddenly, she stopped them. “Oh, and cousin Rock… You’re very good. The fight was perfect… I eagerly look forward to our next battle.” She gave a genuine smile that still unsettled in its grim excitement. Rock slowly nodded as the two men started to leave again, and Wilhelmina turned back to comfort the still-shocked musicians and staff…
-XXX-
Rock and Terry stopped outside on the pier to take in their whole ordeal. Rock finally said. “Well, we’ll add another name to the list…” Terry however was lost in thought, his brow furrowed and face tense as he wrestled with his thoughts. “You … okay, Terry?”
Terry voiced, “I’m … sorry. I’m sorry, Rock. This one’s all on me… All the man wanted was one more fight…”
Rock patted him on the shoulder and reassured him, “It’s okay, it’s past now. You didn’t owe that guy anything, anyway… I said it in there, and I meant it… Anyone who wants to get to you has to go through me. You’ve been there for everyone in this city for years, and now I’m here for you. Yeah, she’s my cousin, but you’re my family.”
Terry grew a small, proud smile. “When’d you get so good at pep talks… Thanks, Rock.” Rock gave a nod back. “I guess we just have to be ready whenever she comes back.”
Finally, Rock and Terry started back home. Something however struck Rock, and so he stopped and looked back at the ship once more. Instantly, he saw the tall figure with billowing violet hair looking down at him for one of the upper decks. The two cousins’ eyes met, and they both knew: they would have many more battles in the future.