Vega reclined in his chair in his private dressing room. No lockers for one such as he, no sir. He was wearing a white bathrobe over his traditional matador pants and socks. His shoes sat next to each other before his door. His claw and mask lay on the table in front of him, lying next to each other. There was a glass of wine in his hand.

The final match. He'd made it. Beauty had triumphed over rough-looking schoolteachers, perverted ninjas with hamsters, and shadow-vampires everywhere. Actually, Vega hadn't been sure of his last match, what with that Deus person he was supposed to fight having the super-powers of two supernatural creatures combined into one. But he hadn't bothered to show up, so Vega had won by default. Shame, he'd been looking forward to integrating his special contingency plan.

And Vega was the final Shadowlaw contender. Agent Juni had been defeated by a psychic dog, High Commander Bison had withdrawn, and Lady Rose and Agent Juli had been defeated by the very same person Vega was going to fight in the finals. A street urchin, Fun, or something. Vega had studied Fun's previous matches. He was cocky, sure of himself, and fancied himself a ladies man. Pfeh, this was going to be easy.

The cell phone on Vega's table rang. He picked it up. "Yes?"

"Esteban? Hi, it's Rissa." His girlfriend's voice came in. "I just wanted to let you know that all of Shadowlaw's gonna be watching this match, and myself and some of the other I&E employees are in the stands. We're all cheering for you!"

"Excellent. Did anyone bring any rotten food?" Vega asked.

"Zsasz brought some tomatoes, Carol brought some cat food, Ophelia...Judging by the smell of her bag, she's been rooting around in a trash bin somewhere, and McCormick brought a banana. Julian's got one of those giant foam fingers, and Sir Willem is taping the whole thing on his videocamera to be put in the Shadowlaw archives when you win!"

"Right. Let me hear the crowd cheer for me!" Vega stated. "I want to hear them chanting my name!"

A pause. "Um...I don't know if you know this, Esteban, but outside of a group of diehard fans from an IRC chatroom, ourselves, and the people back at Mrigranka...nobody really likes you." A nervous laugh from the other end.

"Hmm, I see."

"Plus, a lot of the younger girls are really cheering for the challenger. They think he's cute, and he is, sort of, I guess."

"Eh?"

"But you're the only man for me, Esteban!" Clarissa finished quickly.

"Hmmph. I'll show them true beauty." Vega sneered. "I'll cut Fun up so badly not even his own brother will recognize him!"

"Uh, Esteban, his name's not-Oh, never mind. Good luck!" Clarissa hung up.

Vega put the phone down and took a sip of his wine. Then there was a knock on the door.

"What is it?" Vega snapped from his chair.

"Sir, it's me, Alvarez." Beatriz called from the other side. "I'm on my way to the announcer's booth, and I was told to tell you its time for your match!"

"Right. You may go now, Alvarez." Vega almost waved her way, before realizing Beatriz couldn't see him. But she didn't say anything so she must have left.

Vega stood from the chair, threw the bathrobe away, picked up his mask and put it over his face. He attached the claw to his hand, opened the door and went out, locking it behind him.

As he made his way to the Clashdome arena, he passed a group of shadows. He didn't really pay them any mind, but then they began shifting and sliding as Vega left. Suddenly, a form began to began to take shape from the shadows. A young Asian woman, with short hair and wearing a green kimono wearing a white silk vest like garment overtop.

"Vega-chan! Hey, Vega-chan!" Yumi Miyamoto yelled after the Third Lord of Shadowlaw. Vega sighed and turned around.

"What do you want, Miyamoto?"

The Harvester grinned. "I want to announce for you, Vega-chan! We assassins have to stick together, y'know?" She winked at him.

"No. Alvarez is announcing for me. Not you."

"Oh, no, she's been...tied up with something. She asked me to announce for you, Vega-chan." Yumi said with another wink.

Vega sighed. "She's not dead, right?"

"Nah. Wasn't worth my time.'" Yumi laughed. "Well, see ya later, Vega-chan!"

Yumi turned to leave, but Vega stopped her. "Wait a minute."

The Harvester turned around. "Yeah?"

"What's with the familiarity? The -chan suffix and all that? We only met very briefly and yet you sound like you've known me for ages."

Yumi shrugged. "These Tournament things aren't actually Darkfighter canon. I guess this is just some author's way of foreshadowing our future relationship."

"Damn! They're on to me!" The little monkey samurai in the corner squeaked before disappearing back into the shadows.

"It's best not to think about this too hard, Vega-chan. After the battle, nothing'll have changed or anything. Hell, I'm not even sure this whole thing is real!" Yumi said happily. "Well whatever! See you around!" And then Yumi turned and walked away to the announcer's booth.

Vega blinked. And then blinked again. That...had been really weird. Then he turned and walked to the arena.

Normally, most competitors feel panicked, fueled with energy or extreme worry when they get as far as the finals. But not Yun. Only minutes before his final battle, he laid on his bed, spinning his hat and whistling a carefree tune. Because, for Yun, why worry about things that haven't happened yet? Yang sat on the other bed. He turned to look at his brother.

"So, aniki, the finals." Yun continued to spin his cap. Is it just fate that we've come across Shadowlaw again, first with Juli," he paused to quickly remisce, "and now with one of the four crime lords himself. I did a little research on him." Of course, he neglected to mention how or where he got the information. "He's a Spanish claw fighter specializing in Savate, speed and wall climbing. You'd best be careful."

"You're more worried than I am, ototou." Yun replied simply.

"I can't help it." Yang exhaled and sank into the soft matress.

Yun turned over on his side to face his brother. "Look, Yang, things'll be fine. When I win, I win. If the rare stupid chance I lose, I lose. That's all there is to it. It's just a fight. I don't know about you, bro, but I came here just for fun.

"Even though we had no choice in the matter of competing here." Yang added. The older brother continued as if Yang said nothing.

"So who cares if we win some grand trophy. I love the attention and all, but I already know I'm the greatest. What big difference does getting a hunk of metal make?"

Yang's expression turned gentle. "You'll always be first to me."

Yun grinned. "I know, ototou. Now stop giving me that look before the fangirls get crazy ideas." He paused. "By the way, Yang, what was the guy's name?"

"Vega."

"Vega? You sure it isn't M. Bison?"

"Vega."

"I could have sworn it was M. Bison..."

"Vega."

"All right, then."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Before either brother made effort to pull themselves off of those wonderful beds the likes of which they never had at home, the door flew open. In strode Ri Jeshu Lon as if she owned the place.

"Ri?" Yun raised an eyebrow. "What are you doin' here?" Ri's face was flushed and she was panting hard.

"What do you mean what am I doing here? I was looking all over for you! Your match starts in five minutes. You'd better do well out there. I don't think I'd be able to face you again if you lose yet again like you did last year."

Yun put his hands on Ri's shoulders. "Don't you worry, Ri-chan. I'll make you proud. And by the way," he leaned over to whisper in her ear, "don't pick locks where everyone can see you too often . Renegade ninjas are a no-no after all."

Ri looked touched for a moment, then plastered on her usual angry self. "Don't you worry, Yun. I have my family to back me up if I ever get in trouble. Nothing will happen. And Yun, I..."

"Well, c'mon! Let's go!" Yun exclaimed loudly and marched out of the room. Yang followed suit, leaving Ri to stomp her foot like a little two year old.

Somehow, Yumi had picked her scythe up along the way to the announcer's booth. She opened the door and stepped through. Dai looked up blandly and Hiro also looked up from his bowl of Chef Imawano-Brand Ravioli.

"I take it we're being replaced?" Dai asked flatly.

"Yep! Vega wants me to announce for him!" Yumi said cheerfully.

"Vega? I thought that horrible Alvarez woman announced for him." Dai asked, looking just a little bit confused.

"Oh yes...she got held up...in traffic...in a street...yes...ANYway, Vega asked me to kick you guys out, so if you'd be so kind...?"

"AWWWW NUTS!" Hiro complained. "I WAS HOPING DAI'N ME BE ABLE TO ANNOUNCE FOR THE FINAL MATCH! BJ NASH NEVER HAD TO PUT UP WITH THIS!"

"Please, Hiro...don't mention the name of the Abomination." Dai shivered. She stood. "Anyway, I'm out of here." She stopped by the door and gave Yumi the once-over. "Big scythe."

"Thanks." Yumi nodded and Dai left, never to be seen again in this Tournament.

Hiro sighed loudly and picked up his bowl of ravioli and an autographed wallscroll of, you guessed it, Hyo Imawano. "WELL, THIS GIVES ME TIME TO FINISH MY RAVIOLI AND HANG UP MY PICTURE OF HYO. HE'S THE REAL DIAMOND SOUL, AND DON'T YOU FORGET IT!"

"Sure, sure." Yumi said as Hiro slipped past her. The Harvester sat down in Dai's chair, what with her being the calm, level-headed one.

Just then, Yang entered. He saw Yumi. "I see someone already beat me here. Therefore, I should be the co-anchor." He took the seat next to her.

Yumi waved plesantly. "Hi! I'm Yumi Miyamoto, the Harvester! You might remember me from such famous assassinations as 'The Coven Affair', and 'You Haven't Been Paying Your Debts, Mr. Middleton'!"

Yang thought. "Hmm, I shall make a note of reading them sometime. I am Yang Lee. A pleasure to meet you." He bowed."So, shall we get this tournament underway?"

Yumi frowned. "But they're not books...Anyway..." She turned to the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to be announcing for this, the final match of the Darkfighter Tournament 2! Today we'll be seeing two extremely powerful individuals fighting today! And it is my great pleasure to bring fourth our first contestant, the national hero of Spain, the most famous bullfighter in centuries, the famed El Serpiente, ESTEBAN VARGAS VEGA!"

Vega entered. The Shadowlaw-ers in the stands began to cheer wildly, as for the IRC chatroomers from #vegachat, but they were in two separate sections and were quickly drowned out by the rest of the crowd's booing.

Yang coughed loud enough to drown out the booing. "ANYWAY, introducing the next contestant to this battle-The Storming White Dragon, Yun Lee."

Yun skateboarded in. There was much screaming from his fangirls. However, as soon as he entered, the Shadowlaw agents in the audience began pelting him with garbage. Ian absentmindedly peeled his rotten banana and took a bite before spitting it out, and throwing it.

Vega sneered as Yun was pelted. "So you must be Fun. 'Storming White Dragon'? Please. If you must havea title, it should at least make some sense, no?"

Yun's fangirls reacted in kind, pelting both the Shadowlaw-ers and Vega with popcorn. Yun brushed the garbage and food off with his hat and grinned at Vega. "Yeah, you're one to talk about titles that don't make sense. Now are we just gonna stand here all day and talk, or are we gonna fight?"

Vega paused before motioning to the snake tattoo that covered most of his chest. Then he assumed his fighting stance.

Yang spoke into the mike. "It looks like Vega's fans aren't very happy to see their challenger. And it looks like Yun's fans aren't happy about that attack."

Yun looked up at Yang in the announcer's booth and winked. "Hey bro, wanna clean me up after?"

Yang blushed visibly. "A-Aniki! Not now!"

Yumi smiled sweetly before talking again. "Well, we'll let the Lees engage in their gay, incestual games AFTER the match! For now, LET'S GET READY TO RUMMMMMMMMMMMBAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL! FIGHT!"

Yang groaned and put his head in his hands. "Aniki, you and your big mouth..."

ROUND I

Yun immediately came in with a Zeshu Hohou. Vega darted to the side and brought his claw up and slashed Yun as he passed.

"Gngh!" Yun groaned as he felt the claw dig into his side. He immediately leapt to the ground and struck out with his foot to knock Vega off. However, the Third Lord of Shadowlaw had anticipated the move and leapt into the air to avoid the attack. Yun leapt up and attempted to side kick Vega as he came down. However, Vega did some fancy aerial footwork, and quickly changed his stance and trajectory and came down, his foot connecting with Yun's face. Yun was thrown backwards into the ropes as Vega landed.

"Ha! Eat THAT, Dragon-Boy! Wow, Yun's really sucking today." She glanced slyly over to Yang. "But you'd know ALL about that, wouldn't you?"

Yang shrunk and blushed. "Please, don't start." He recovered. "Anyway, it looks like Vega has certainly gotten out to a good start. Yun is certainly taking a beating down there."

Yun stood shakily. Gotta try faking... and he went into the crouch for his Tetsu Zanko.

Vega snorted and feinted to the side, giving Yun a swift kick as he passed.

Yumi began talking. "Well, I wonder why Yang's getting so worked up over this, folks. Maybe he has a secret to HIDE, perhaps? Well, its no secret that Vega is currently dominating the match. I can't see Yun making a good enough comeback to win this round! Maybe his brother will...comfort him after the match. Eh? Eh?"

"Ha! Gotcha!" Yun cried triumphantly, as he parried the blow, stood quickly and made a punch for Vega's mask. But the Vega ducked and slid his claws right into Yun. It went right up his shirt and tore the whole thing off.

"EEEEEEEE! YUN'S SHIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTTTTLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!"

"Why are you so interested?" Yang asked. "Do you want to watch, or something?"

Yumi beamed. "Two guys doing it? Sure! When can I drop by?"

Yang sighed and gave a sideways glare at Yumi, who had turned back to the mike. "Yes girls, Yun's shirt is off! But give up! It's a hopeless dream! He's spoken for! RIGHT, Yang?" She grinned.

"This is pathetic." Vega sneered. "Call yourself a fighter? HA!" He leapt into the air for an aerial attack.

Yun cursed. What's wrong with me today? He ran behind Vega to avoid the attack.

Yang pointed into the audience. "I think I see Rindou-san protesting."

Vega suddenly twisted in midair, and landed facing Yun. Without warning, the Third Lord of Shadowlaw dived forward and sank his claw into Yun's shoulder just as the bell rang.

"And that's the first round! Vega wins!" Yumi cheered. "I don't think Yun can win the next round so he'd be better off forfeiting in my opinion. He'll certainly keep more blood that way."

"We'll take a short, ten minute break for the fighters to recover a bit. Vega is showing a very strong start. Will Yun be able to recover?" Yang said.

BREAK I

"Dammit, what's wrong with me?" Yun sighed as he went into the corner. He took his cap off and ran his hand through his hair. He winced as he patched up his shoulder with his shirt.

"EEEEEEEE! YUN'S STILL SHIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTTTLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!" His fangirls cried, oblivious to their hero's plight.

Vega came up, drinking from a bottle of water, a towel draped across his shoulders. "You're pathetic, Fun. Even that Rindou slut you seem so fond of is better than you and her title is the 'Comeback Queen'. That's a whole new level of stupidity."

Yun grinned. "Mm hmm. Yeah, I guess she'd do better than me in this situation." He winked. "I guess I'll just have to try harder."

Vega finished his water and threw it away. "Oh yes." He paused. "You know, I'd so enjoy slashing her face to ribbons. Why, I'd make her scream in pain for hours. And why stop there? I know so many ways to cripple a person, I could try them all out on her. Slowly. One at a time. And I could keep her awake for all of it. When I was through with her, she'd be nothing but an ugly cripple with no future in the Circuit-or anything else for that matter."

Yun snickered. "Yeah, before her and her mighty gloves of glory punt you halfway around the globe."

Yang looked down at this. "It appears as though Vega is trying to get Yun riled up! But I don't think its working..."

Vega shrugged and put his mask back on. "I can see I'm not getting you angry. Oh well. I'll let you think about your cocky attitude all the way to the Intensive Care ward." He began to walk away.

"Yeah, I'll be there by your bedside to tell you dumb joke while you recover!" Yun called after the Spanish Ninja.

"Wow, Yun sure is strong to shrug off Vega's remarks like that!" Yumi observed. She turned to Yang. "And now for a commentary on Yun's strength is his brother, Yang. I'm sure Yang has witnessed Yun's strength...in one way or another." She smiled sweetly.

Yang coughed. "ANYWAY, the break is over. The fighters will now take their places for Round 2."

ROUND II

A dinky little bell made a dinky little ringing noise. Vega chuckled. "Since I feel so sorry for you, you pathetic little worm, I'll let you have the first move."

Yun nodded. "All right then." He leapt forward and faked an attack, and then waited for Vega to make his move.

Vega grinned, confident of his imminent victory. "Ha! I'll finish this in less time it took to beat that schoolteacher!" So saying, Vega leapt backwards, against the wall, and torpedoed himself at Yun.

"Wow! What a move!" Yumi cried.

"Ha!" Yun backflipped, and caught Vega''s claw between his feet and then proceeded to flip the Ninja into the ground. But his ankle had been impaled by the claw.

"Yun seems to have dodged the attack, but has also seemed to take some damage." Yang commented.

"Yes, Yun handled that masterfully. Tell me, Yang, is he always this strong, or only when something gets him REALLY excited? I think you'd know something about this."

"What?" Snarled Vega. He leapt to his feet and launched a kick at Yun.

"What what!" Yun agreed as he swept Vega's foot away with his leg, leaving him open for Vega to punch him with his clawless hand.

"I think you just read more deeply into these things than I do." Yang sighed.

Yumi grinned. "Well, I know I'M getting a good idea of what goes on behind the Lee's closed door, folks!"

Yun took the punch, and fell to the ground, only to kick Vega's legs out from underneath him and perform an axe kick as the Spaniard fell.

"I think you just have a very active imagination." Yang replied.

Yun grinned at his brother. "Hey, remember all the times we played 'Pat the Bunny'?"

"OI! ANIKI!" Yang cried, blushing again.

"Ungh!" Vega leapt up, and quickly gave a roundhouse kick to Yun as he finished the sentence.

"Wow, Vega took advantage of Yun's distraction!" She turned to Yang and smiled sweetly again. "'Pat the Bunny', eh? Do tell."

Yang groaned. "It's just that! Pat the Bunny!" He held up a book entitled 'Pat the Bunny'.

The Harvester stared at it for a moment. "Oh, I'm sorry. You see, the word 'Pat' can have different meanings. It can be a short form for the name 'Patrick', 'Patrice', 'Patricia', you get the idea. Or it can mean to pet...something...with your hand. My apologies."

Yun twirled away and got to Vega's side. He grabbed the matador and hurled him, much like Akira's throw.

"Wha-Ungh!" Vega hit the ground, and then attempted to sweep Yun's legs out from under him.

"HA!" Yun cried triumphantly as he fell-and slammed his elbow into Vega's chest, but he missed the solarplexus like he had intended. The bell rang.

Yang coughed again. "ANYway, the second round is over, and Yun is the winner. A third round will be held to determine the victor."

BREAK II

"Argh..." Vega pulled himself to his feet. "A little better, I suppose." He glared at Yun. "The last battle, Fun. Don't lose your nerve and choke. As a matter of fact, it might be a better idea if I fought your idiot brother. He's fresh PLUS I know I'd have a much easier time beating that pathetic little ant than you."

In the announcer's booth, Yumi cocked an eyebrow. "Care to respond Yang?"

The Blue Dragon was about to respond when his older brother cut him off. "What did you say about my brother?" He said slowly, a muscle twitching in his forehead.

Vega laughed. "Oh, it appears I've touched a sensitive spot. Is he that weak, that whenever someone attacks him you LEAP to defend him because you know he's so weak he can't protect himself? That's pathetic!"

Yumi observed this. "It looks like Yun is finally breaking over Vega's taunts. How will he respond?"

"YOU JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Yun howled at Vega. "I SWORE TO PROTECT YANG, NO MATTER THE COST! AND I KNOW HE CAN KICK YOUR ASS, BUT I'M GONNA BEAT HIM TO IT! AND-" He pointed his finger at Vega. "THE NAME IS YUN! DON'T FORGET THAT!"

"A-Aniki..." Yang said slowly.

Vega cocked his head to one side. "Well, if you're that confident you can beat me, COME ON!" So saying, the Third Lord of Shadowlaw leapt into the air to bring his claw down across Yun's face.

ROUND III-FINAL ROUND

"Wow! A surprise attack from Vega!" Yumi exclaimed.

"How is it a surprise attack if you announced it?" Yang asked.

"Really fast with these things." Yumi winked.

"I see, You are very fast to notice these things." Yang observed.

"HAH!" Yun leapt into the air after Vega and performed a rising uppercut that connected and broke Vega's claw. He then proceeded to hit Vega straight in the face, shattering his mask and sending him flying.

Vega flipped himself up and looked around desperately. "A cage...a cage...why is there no CAGE?"

"Who needs one?" Yun asked sinisterly as he grabbed Vega and threw him into the air. Quickly, Yun leapt off the ropes and uppercutted Vega and then sent him down to the arena floor with an axe kick.

"Yun sure is strong...RIGHT, Yang?" She nudged the Blue Dragon.

Yun regarded her coolly. "I swear you must have been a gay man in a past life, or something."

"A gay man with a big scythe? Well, I hope I had the girlish good looks I have now!"

Vega hit the floor, and noticed some garbage Ophelia had thrown at the beginning of the match. He grabbed it and hurled it at Yun to distract him.

Yun threw his arm up to protect against the garbage. "Cheap shit..." He snarled. He rushed forward and launched a kick to Vega's chest that sent him flying.

"Really, Yumi-san, you're just begging for a threesome..." Yang observed.

Vega rose shakily to his feet. There was nothing but pure rage in his eyes. "You...CHILD! You dare presume to be more than I? I'LL KILL YOU!!!" He threw caution to the winds and charged Yun.

"I don't give a fuck who you are! Don't talk shit about my brother!" Yun howled as Vega charged him. Then...

Everything seemed to slow down as Yun launched into a his strongest combo. Each hit connected with Vega.

Zeshou Hohou. Roundhouse kick. Rising side kick that sent Vega into the air. Gen'ei Jin. Jab. Jab. Jab. Another Zeshou Hohou. Rising knife hand. And to top it off, another punch. Vega was literally blown across the stage, and he landed in a heap.

"Aha! Yun has used his Gen'ei Jin!" Yang said.

There was silence. A wind blew past. Then Vega stirred. He tried to rise. Battered, bloody, bruised...he had to finish this fight. He had to win. HAD TO. He raised his hand, his other arm wrapped around his chest, he knew at least two ribs were broken. He took a step. And then all strength left him. He shook with pain and rage. "You..how...?" Was all the Third Lord of Shadowlaw could utter before he collapsed in defeat.

Yun's anger drained away. "Told ya not to talk shit about my brother." He replied cockily.

Amid the thunderous applause that shook the stands, Vedic whipped off the camera, Julian, Ian, and Carol had to restrain Ophelia from going down into the arena and trying to kill Yun, while Mr. Zsasz reached for his gun, but was stopped by Clarissa. She shook her head. The Shadowlaw agents stood from their seats and left, Julian and Carol practically dragging Ophelia.

"YES! YUN WINS THE TOURNAMENT! BOOOOOYAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Yumi pumped her fist triumphantly. Then she turned to Yang. "So, about that threesome...?"

Yang blanched. "Ah! It was a JOKE!"

"EEEEEEEEEE!" Screamed Yun's fangirls. "YAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOIIIIIIIIIII!"