The King of Fighters Tournament

The Psychos and Agents

Chin Gentsai sat in the beautiful gardens of the Jade Temple, meditating in the fresh morning air of the Huangshan Mountain. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes, just in time to see a crane fly up towards him, six white invitations between its beak.
The crane dropped all six of the crisp white envelopes in front of Chin and flew towards the bird feeder that Chin had set up, snacking before flying off.
Chin looked at the six envelopes in front of him and smirked as he gathered them before reentering the sleeping quarters. Sie Kensou came down the stairs, yawning as he made his way down to use the bathroom. He almost jumped out of his skin when he saw his master, up and ready with a toothless grin.
"Master!" Kensou exclaimed, bowing. "You're up early!"
"I was doing my early-morning meditating, Kensou," Chin grinned. "Anyway, you up for a new tournament?"
Kensou gave him a look of confusion. That was until Chin flourished the six envelopes, neatly arranged like a fan in his hand.
"Oh!" Kensou gasped. "We need to tell the others!"
Chin chuckled and watched as he went around the sleeping quarters, waking everyone up.
It was as if an earthquake hit the interior of the jade temple as Kensou went around the top floor, informing everyone about the upcoming tournament.
Everyone soon rushed down, still in nightclothes and bed hair.
Chin chuckled and started handing out the invitations to each of them.
"Athena Asamiya, Bao, Chin Gentsai—me, Kaoru Watabe, Momoko, and Sie Kensou," Chin called each one, handing the envelopes to each corresponding member. "So when is it?"
"In about a month or two, I think," Athena shrugged. "I'll check the website later."
Momoko started counting each of them. "Wait... how are all of us gonna be in one team? There's six of us, and it says here that only three in a team."
"I vote with Athena!" Kensou quickly exclaimed, raising his hand.
"Me too!" Kaoru exclaimed, adjusting her glasses.
"Me three!" Momoko chimed in.
"Me!" Bao exclaimed cheerfully.
"This won't do..." Chin frowned thoughtfully. He let out a gasp as he got an idea. "I know! Bao, Ken, we can be the Psycho Boyz while you three can be the Psycho Gals!"
Momoko and Kaoru started cheering. Bao was happy since he still got to be with Kensou, and Kensou...
Kensou dramatically got onto his knees. "NOOOOOOOOOO!" and then he grabbed Chin's feet, much to the older man's surprise. "Master! How could you do this to me?!'
Chin smirked. "Then you fancy teaming up with Momoko instead?"
Momoko grinned and gave him an amusing wave.
Kensou groaned. "Why can't she get out and Kaoru stays instead?"
"Then you fancy Momoko joining with Bao instead?" Chin grinned.
Kensou thought about it. As it is, Kensou was Bao's favourite on the team. If Momoko joins his team, Momoko would be the closest next.
He promptly shook his head and got up. "It's bad that I can't join with Athena. But at least I've got Bao and Master. In fact, I think we're definitely gonna win with Master Chin Gentsai in our team."
Everyone exchanged knowing looks.

***

"A new threat has arisen," Vanessa concluded, closing the case file she had been reading. "Ramon, any leads so far."
"Says that they might attack the upcoming KOF tournament," Ramon shrugged, taking a sip of his coffee. "Too bad we weren't invited. I heard everyone is, even that K9999 fella that's been missing since 2001!"
Vanessa shrugged. "Looks like we have to follow the tournament the hard way then."
Ramon groaned. "You mean... watch from the audience instead?"
"Yes."
"Where's the fun in that?!"
The door suddenly opened, earning both their attention. "I have news," Mary Ryan—otherwise known as Blue Mary—entered, pushing the door open with her back, her arms piled high with files.
"Mary, can you even carry all of that?" Vanessa asked in surprise, going over to help her.
Mary heaved a sigh of relief when Vanessa took everything off her hands and put them on the table. "Thanks, Van. They were really heavy..."
"Wow, this is the first time I'm seeing you complain about weight," Ramon snorted, putting one leg on top of the other. "Anyway, what's the news?"
"I found these in the mail," Mary pulled out three envelopes from the pocket of her cargo pants. "Finally checked in quite some time now."
She handed one to each of them and opened the third one for herself. Not that she needed to since she already knew what was in the letter inside.
Ramon smirked. "Looks like I stand corrected."
"What?" Mary asked, confused.
Vanessa snorted. "Ramon was pretty sour about not being invited. Turns out, we already received it but didn't know!"
The two of them started celebrating. Vanessa seemed nervous for some reason.
"What is it?" Mary asked, seeing how Vanessa looked. "Why the long face?"
"I'm not sure how I'm gonna tell Luis..." Vanessa sighed. "And then there's Jackie and Jolie... I can't just leave them behind."
Mary smiled. "Van, just tell him! I'm sure Luis would love to see you enter."
"Yeah, Van!" Ramon poured himself some more coffee. "Just tell him! Also, is that cute sister of yours coming?"
Vanessa glared at him. "No."
"What kind of a sister is she?!" Ramon asked in surprise.
The two women ignored him and went on with their work.

Vanessa took a deep breath and entered her home. She was instantly greeted by her two happy children, who significantly cheered her up.
"Where's Dad?" Vanessa asked.
"He's doing something in his computer," Jackie informed. "In the room."
Vanessa nodded and turned the tv for them to watch before making her way upstairs. She had to make sure that the doors were all locked in case the kids decide to waltz out without supervision.
She went towards the master bedroom and saw Luis painstakingly drawing something in front of his computer screen animating images for his new project.
"Luis?" Vanessa called as she entered the room.
"Vanny!" Luis exclaimed, looking up from his computer with a smile. "Just gimme a minute, I'm almost done."
Vanessa nodded and sat down on the bed to wait. Luis eventually finished and turned around to look at her.
"So, what's up?" Luis asked, turning his chair.
"Well..." Vanessa just handed the invitation over to him. "Read this."
Luis opened the letter and read. He gasped and looked at Vanessa.
"You're invited to another tournament?" Luis asked in surprise. "Congrats, Van!"
Vanessa smiled slightly. "You don't mind?"
"Why would I mind?" Luis shrugged. "You're the Vanessa. Why would I mind? I'd love to see you fight in the ring, live at that!"
Vanessa got up and hugged him. "You're the best, Luis."
"Also, I think Jackie and Jolie has to see their mommy in action," Luis smirked. "Having a boxer Mom is a flex, if you ask me."
Vanessa snorted and sat down on the bed again. "I don't know, Luis. Doesn't your mother think that fisticuffs set a bad example for the children?"
Luis smirked. "She doesn't have to know that they're coming."
"You, little," Vanessa laughed, getting up. She took her tie off and started making her way to the bathroom. "I'll go take a quick shower. Then, we can make dinner together."
Luis chuckled and watched her leave before going back to his computer to finish his animation.