Marvel vs Capcom: Summer Splash

#5 - Paradise? Part 2

If Chun-Li did make out her comrade's faint and fleeting cries for help, then she chose not to immediately come to their aid, focus instead on her own troubles. She had snuck down as far as the hallway and there were no immediate signs of life around, but Chun-Li couldn't afford to let her guard lax. The sound of clacking boots approaching caused her to dive into an empty trolley that should have been filled with cleaning supplies. While the footsteps got closer, she continued to crouch in place, stationary as a boulder. A gauntleted hand hovered dangerously close to her head. With no space to move, cold metal softly graced her scalp, and then more solidly grasped it, lifting Chun-Li up until she met a pair of eyes; hazelnut eyes devoid of any free will.

"Chun-Li?" They said, in a decidedly inhuman voice.

"Surprise."

Chun-Li's surprise came in the form of a swift strike to the head, precisely strong enough to knock out the beautiful yet lifeless woman. Juli was her name. She had been brainwashed and made to be part of M.Bison's all-female group of bodyguards known collectively as his Dolls. Chun-Li, knowing Juli was not in conscious control of her actions, did not employ excessive force on her as she would have done with one of Bison's more willing underlings, such as F.A.N.G or Balrog. Balrog! Chun-Li rolled her eyes internally. That must've been who was at the front desk. No wonder he looked so ugly.

Stepping out of her temporary hiding spot, her eyes scanned the periphery and found nothing, meaning she could safely come out. If she had to stay there any longer Chun-Li reckoned she would've had cramps. Lots and lots of painful muscle cramps.

But let's not worry about that, the officer reminded herself. How am I going to find M.Bison and put a stop to all this?

Juli had already walked past. It would only be a matter of time until another of Bison's henchwomen (or men) came past, and dealing care of them was not her goal. Somehow, she needed to get to the man himself. To do that, she'd need to be more than stealthy. She needed to blend in like the proverbial chameleon. Chun-Li took one glance at Juli's unconscious body lying face-up and dreaded what she had to do.

Into the bathroom, Chun-Li and Juli went, although only the former would leave. The standard-issue Shadaloo leotard felt remarkably tight around her chest and thighs, presumably for reasons she didn't even want to think about. Thankfully she wouldn't have to walk too far in the barely fitting attire as an elevator was only a few steps away. Slipping inside undetected, she pushed a finger against the metal button with the highest number on it. Floor 100. Mechanisms whirred and Chun-Li felt the elevator's slow ascent beneath her feet. She sighed with folded arms, hoping the downtime wouldn't last long. She dreaded to think of what pain Hiryu and Spider-Man were being subjected to, most likely at the hand of one of Bison's dolls. Silent, stressful minutes passed until a chime rang and the doors opened with a cold hiss. Chun-Li had to assume the role of stone-faced henchman, which was not easy due to the role being quite unlike herself, an ill-fitting leotard and a pair of navy blue tights serving as a constant physical reminder. Her experience in the field of missions where she had to assume a different identity and/or personality meant that despite her own doubts, Chun-Li knew she could strut past the elevator doors undetected.

Except, this was one of the rare occasions where Chun-Li had overestimated her abilities. A woman wearing the same navy blue leotard and tights, along with a cute little tie and cap, came into view as the doors hissed open. Chun-Li was taller than her, and, if a perplexed expression on the Doll's usually emotionless face was anything to go by, she should not have been.

"Is everything okay, Juli? You look...different." Short ginger hair hung about a youthful profile, slightly tilted as if her eyes were scanning Chun-Li's face.