Chapter 21: Assault on the Fortress!

(BEFORE INFILTRATION)

“60 SECONDS!”

Captain America yelled that as the ULTIMATE ALLIANCE airship was approaching the fortress. All the heroes were at his back hanging by the back ramp awaiting it to open up where they’d perform a halo jump into oncoming Anti-Air. Anti-Air attacks that were being performed by the Hydra Sentinels. It was a catch 22 because they needed to divert enemy attention away from Nilin and her team so they could disable the Sentinels. But they really needed them disabled now for an optimal assault.

As Captain America gauged the distance and allotted time before the jump, Iron-Man (Who’d just rested up with Morrigan) was giving the sit rep to the boys in the back.

“We’re going to keep this clean and simple!” He said as he armored up. “Flyboys and girls will fly out and divert enemy fire! Then the rest of you who need parachutes will follow. Hopefully this will reduce risk of casualties!”

“I Am Groot?” Groot two asked.

“I Am Groot…” The other Groot said somberly.

“45 SECONDS!” Captain America warned.

Thor stepped up to question Tony a little bit.

“Well what of me?” He asked.

“You’ll be flying out with us Goldilocks.”

Thor stroked his chiseled chin. “But I don’t fly.”

“What? Of course you do, I’ve seen you do it a hundred times!”

Thor corrected him. “No my hammer flies. I’m just along for the ride.”

Tony sighed as Morrigan giggled seeing him get so visibly upset. “Okay then your hammer will be flying with us. Is that alright?” Tony asked as Thor shrugged.

“That’s fine I just wanted to know what I was doing.” He said as Iron-Man ceased listening to his ongoing under his breath rant that he was having.

“30 SECONDS TO DROP!” Cap said.

Dante then stood near the edge of the platform as Iron-Man waved for him to go back. Dante shook his head in disagreement before Iron-Man attempted to hand him a parachute. The Devil Hunter declined.

“What too cool to wear Kevlar?” Tony asked.

“Of course not. It’s the pizza of fabrics.”

“Excuse sword man!” Thor said. “What does that mean?”

“Yes I too would like to know!” Arthur (Ghosts n’ Goblins) said.

“It means it’s good. Look that’s not the point; I don’t need a parachute I’ve got my Devil Trigger.” Dante said as Morrigan licked her lips and Arthur seemed aghast.

“Devil what!?” He pulled his jousting lance on Dante like a Detroit shakedown. “I work with no Devil!”

“He’s not a Devil” Trish said. “Well… not completely.”

“Guys can we focus!” Captain America said. “It’s time to go!”

“Thanks Cap!” Iron-Man said.

In that moment they were forced to put their differences aside and stick to the plan. Captain America counted down from ten, the airship shaking under the relentless attack of the Hydra Sentinels down below. As it was time they stuck to the plan. All the heroes that could fly jumped out and diverted some of the Anti-Air. This included Iron-Man, Morrigan, Starlord, The Wasp, and Scarlet Witch. Dante followed as they flew out. Activating his Devil Trigger. And Iron-Man, Morrigan, and Scarlet Witch shot off missiles and magic missiles alike that spiraled down, hitting Sentinels and parts of the Fortress.

The night air was thick, and it was a full moon. Amaterasu walked to the edge of the platform when Chun-Li tried to stop her. Ryu put his hand on Chun’s shoulder to assure her that the goddess would be okay. As she stared at the moon Amaterasu howled. But unlike a beast it sounded melodic and calming. Suddenly everyone else who’d had doubt was calm. She then leapt from the airship. No fall damage.

The rest of the heroes suited up and began jumping from the ship. Strider, Rogue & Gambit, Drax, The Groots, Carlos, Samanosuke, Arthur, Black Panther, Haggar, Hawkeye, X and Zero, and the remaining X-Men, all jumped; preparing to pull the strings of their chutes.

The last ones out were Ryu and Chun-Li. Ryu standing near the edge.

“What’s wrong?” Chun-Li asked.

“I… I didn’t know until now, but I think I’m afraid of heights.” Ryu said.

Chun-Li smiled and bonked him on the nose. “Well come on, we’ll do this together then.” She said as she held out her hand.

Ryu, hand shaking reluctantly grabbed hers and then he grew still and calm. “Thank you friend.” He said as she shook her head. They jumped out together following the rest of the heroes in their descent.

When they landed they saw that all the heroes had already been fighting. The Wasp doing her best to disable Sentinel’s. Dante and Trish slaying B.O.W.S like they were Oni alongside the samurai Samanosuke. Who’d been slicing them down with his Katana. Strider Hiryu darting along the battlefield as he slashed away Undead and Hydra.

Haggar giving the beatdown to Shadaloo operatives along Arthur as Carlos Olivera and Hawkeye provided covering fire. Hawkeye with extreme precision. Even managing to best Bullseye whence he challenged Hawkeye to a long distance fight. I guess Arrows move faster than darts.

Meanwhile Black Panther, X and Zero fought Horace Belger and the rest of the Mad Gear Gang while the X-Men on the field covered them. Rogue & Bandit fighting as if they were doing a Salsa dance with each other. Making a romantic affair out of the fight.

Then there was the biggest surprise of all. Spider-Man and Venom. Who’d come to terms with their differences to face off against a bigger threat. Spidey just barely able to appeal to Eddie Brock who’d shared similar values about justice with Peter at one point and time. They were battling MODOK. His giant head emanating powerful purple energy blasts.

“Dodge Venom!” Spidey yelled as they jumped out of the way.

“DoDGe vENoM!” Venom yelled sarcastically as if his senses weren’t as good as Spidey’s.

Ryu and Chun-Li looked on at the battlefield and were preparing to jump and help. But then a dark and evil presence could be felt behind. Away from the battlefield in the tree line. He’d been waiting for Ryu to show. Ryu suddenly felt a jolt of pain as the Satsui no Hado within him was trying to escape.

“No not yet!” He yelled as he tried to control it.

The two looked back and they could see a red powerful aura that was glowing; piercing the dead of night far from the well lit battle by the fortress. It was Akuma. And he was ready for battle.

“Ryu…” He said ominously.

“No… I can’t yet!”

Chun-Li stepped between them as Akuma was met with both surprise and disappointment. He scowled at the Interpol agent.

“No Not you. You won’t be nearly challenging enough for my tastes.” Akuma told her.

“Ryu! Go join the others. I’ll take this one!” She said confidently.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I got this!”

The fighting going on the distance while Ryu struggled to fight back the Satsui no Hado in the face of his enemy Akuma. Chun-Li determined and ready so that Ryu could put his power to good use where it was needed. That being said this wasn’t seen as a suicide mission in her eyes. She knew she could win. A blue aura began surrounding her body as she prepared to fight with him.

“So be it!” Akuma yelled as his aura exploded into a deep crimson.

The two began fighting as Anger vs. Elegance ensued. Akuma’s earth shattering strikes being blocked from the side and athletically avoided by Chun. She would then fire back fierce strikes that appeared soft and quick, but hit hard. Chun-Li was doing incremental damage but couldn’t really tell because Akuma wouldn’t so much as react.

She backed off for a moment to try and catch her breath. Akuma seeming like a creature who didn’t need to breath was right on her tail. Now punching and kicking as she did nothing but block. Chipping away at her spirit and vitality little by little.

“Give up! I only want Ryu. Cease this meaningless battle and I may let you live!”

“Never! Don’t you see there’s bigger things going on?”

The fighting continued as Chun-Li pushed Akuma’s arms to the side giving her the opportunity to perform a high kick that ended with her heel on his jaw. Akuma recoiled, reacting to this attack more than the last. As he stood cracking his jaw back into place Chun-Li attempted a spinning bird kick. Akuma grabbed her foot mid-spin and threw her to the ground as she cried out in pain.

*Crack!* It was her shoulder.

“Gah!”

Akuma grabbed her arm and started twisting like it had suddenly turned into a wrestling match and he was going for the tap out. But he wasn’t. Twisting furiously he was trying to break her arm. She was doing her best to hold it in place, but she was struggling. She kicked his leg as Akuma winced in pain. Not enough to do serious damage but it was a major annoyance. He then decided to throw her by her arm several feet away.

Akuma huffed. “Not bad. But it’s time to end this!”

Akuma began charging a flaming hot Hadouken as the air around him seemed to be consumed with red aura yet again. Chun-Li stood in preparation and immediately went to do her kikoken. There was just one problem. She had trouble moving her arm into the proper position. No! What can I do?

“Ha!!!”

This is it isn’t it?

“Dou!!!”

Ryu…

Then Chun-Li realized that it wasn’t over. Hand to hand and Ki attacks were never her strong suit. But her furious kicks and speed. She looked patted her legs with her good and declared them good to go. She kicked off in a sprint towards Akuma.

“Deeennn!!!” Akuma roared.

A fireball beamed toward Chun-Li as she used her gymnast level legwork to bend backward as if she were playing limbo. The fireball flew over her, literally bent over backwards to avoid it. She stood firm then ran using the legwork of a crane to maneuver Akuma; throwing him off guard. Once she was right up on him…

“Hundred Lightning Kicks!”

Chun-Li. One foot planted in the ground like a fence post started wailing on Akuma. One foot unleashing a barrage of kicks that Akuma couldn’t keep up with, parry, and or block. There had been no time to block. He’d been beaten senseless and by the end of it he was passed out cold. But Chun-Li didn’t know this because he was still standing.

“Akuma?” Chun-Li asked while breathing heavily. She walked toward him nervously. Expecting retaliation that never came to pass. She pressed her finger up against his oily chest and pressed lightly. He fell over. “Phew!” She said as she wiped her head.

She then looked over at the battlefield. Watching as her friends struggled against the Hydra Sentinels, Commanders like Wesker, Loki, and Vergil. She then looked back down at Akuma.

“Well it looks like you’re lucky. I don’t have any time to make a formal arrest.” She started walking back towards the battlefield.

I’m coming guys!