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King of Fighters II
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King of Fighters '99
KIM: "Hey, you clowns! You're late!!!"
CHANG: "Huff, puff...wait a sec, please, Master Kim...wheez, cough...."
CHOI: "Huff, puff...You're a little...too fast there, buddy boy...."
KIM: "What am I to do if this makes you whine?! I'm not winded at all! Just how long have you guys been training with me anyway? You're slacking off. Give me two more laps!"
CHANG: "...Huh?...Please, Master, cut us some slack! ...Wheez, cough...."
The same three are in the midst of their usual training at the usual location. Just as they are about to enter their third lap of their usual running course, a lone man stands before the three, blocking their way.
MAN: "You're looking fit."
KIM: "...You!!!"
MAN: "I guess I should exchange pleasantries about how long it's been, eh, Kim?"
KIM: "It sure has been a while, eh, Jhun? When did you get here?"
CHANG, CHOI: (Kim...?? ...Jhun? ...Who is this bozo?)
Kim takes an unusually polite tone toward his visitor; moreover, he talks with him as if they've been life-long friends.
CHOI: "Uh, is he one of your old friends, buddy boy?"
KIM: "Uh, pretty much...."
JHUN: "Hey, that's pretty rude!"
He looks a little questioning as he cuts Kim off.
JHUN: "Old friends? Hmph, poppycock! I acknowledge that we were both disciples of the same teacher, but I don't remember being 'friends.' I'd hope you'd be more precise in your answers."
KIM: "...So you're still carrying a grudge against me?"
CHANG, CHO: (Whoa...I sense a little friction here....)
KIM: "It's been this way for a long time...I don't even know how it got like this...."
JHUN: "Hmph...Whatever. That's not why I've come here today."
KIM: "I guess not. So, what in the name of the flying phoenix brings you here?"
JHUN: "I saw that documentary about you on TV recently, and gagged on your comments about "rehabilitation." Of course I saw it via satellite."
KIM: "Oh, stop, you're embarrassing me..."
JHUN: "Don't be silly. You can embarrass yourself all on your own."
KIM: "Huh...?"
JHUN: "If you think you can "rehabilitate" people with your methods, you're really quite the anachronism, pal!"
KIM: "That may be but I'll rehabilitate these two according to my methods. My methods are neither new nor old. In a word, it's all about results or the lack thereof, and new does not necessarily mean good."
JHUN: "But that's how it was broadcast to the world. You've made everyone think the people of our country are a bunch of primitives, and I can't stomach that. And what you said was nothing but self-promotion."
KIM: "...So, it can't be that you've come all the way here simply to admonish me, have you?"
JHUN: "How perceptive. I've learned all the teachings of tae kwon do just like you, and I've come here to have you acknowledge my abilities."
KIM: "You are my good trusty rival, and I acknowledge your ability. Satisfied?"
JHUN: "OK, now I want you to entrust one of your charges to me."
CHANG, CHOI: "Say what, Goldilocks?!!!"
JHUN: "Since I left here I have absorbed and studied various matters without being shackled by tradition and formalism. I want to make the most of that and rehabilitate one of these two with my logical and calculated methods, not your primitive and out-of-date voodoo. Then We'll see then just whose ideas are correct."
Chang and Choi, listening to the exchange between the two, have different ideas.
CHANG: (Hey, things aren't looking very good for us.)
CHOI: (Things ain't no picnic now, I can't tolerate this alone, buddy boy!)
KIM: "But...."
CHOI: "Yeah, buddy boy, we deserve a little preparation for something like this."
CHANG: "I don't care whether he's a fellow disciple or not, there's no way I'll let this guy boss me around."
KIM: "...Very well. It may be a good chance for one of them to see more of the outside world. I leave it all up to you."
CHANG, CHOI: "Huuuuuu-uh!!!"
KIM: "Would entrusting the mighty Chang to you be acceptable?"
JHUN: "Ah, a physical brute, is it? It's someone worth teaching; he'll do just fine."
CHANG: "N-No, uh, uh, M-Master Kim...Why?"
JHUN: "Well, then let's hop right to it. I have no time to lose, so I'll ask you to get your stuff in order right away, Chang."
CHANG: "Hey, don't I get to say...? Huh? ...Right away?"
JHUN: "That's right. I've got to return on this evening's flight."
CHANG: "What? 'Flight'? ...Just where am I going, anyway?"
JHUN: "Japan, big guy."
CHANG: "Wh...aaaat?!!!"
KIM: "Didn't I mention that Jhun is living in Japan these days?"
Korea, a few months later.
CHOI: "Nine...eighteen...nineteen...nine...Hyah...Argh...Hah!"
KIM: "OK, take a break."
CHOI: "Hah, hah...."
KIM: "Ah, that's right. I got a letter from Chang in Japan."
CHOI: "Really?! A letter from Chang, buddy boy?!"
KIM: "Hold on there, pal!"
A few minutes later when Choi gets a letter from Kim, he quickly opens the envelope and reads the letter inside.
It's been a few months since I left our country, so how's it going? Well, I'm sure you're making the best of this.
Unlike our training up till now, I've been using a bunch of training machines and fill my time training as efficiently as possible.
So since I don't spend all my days training, it's pretty easy on me physically but the problem is what to do with the remaining time. This clown's making me study. Study! It seems that Jhun is a teacher at a Japanese School here, and in my spare time I'm taught things like general education and sports dynamics, and the last one is the most intense. I'd rather be dead than studying!
If things keep up this way, I'd rather be dealing with Kim...No, instead of that, I just want to know how long this is going to go on! Well, I don't want to bring you down, because I know we're both in one pretty pickle. Keep your sharp things up!
P.S., Give the other letter from Jhun in this envelope to Kim, will you?
CHOI: (Letter?)
Choi gives the envelope another going over and out pops a smaller envelope.
CHOI: "Master Kim, this is for you. It seems to be from Master Jhun, buddy boy."
KIM: "What?"
Kim opens the envelope and reads it over, grunting in agreement as he goes over its contents.
KIM: "Choi, starting tomorrow we begin a special new regimen."
Yaaah! Waaaaah! Kyaaaah!
ATHENA: "Thanks everyone, now for my first song, 'Banged-up Blue Moon'!"
WAH-HAAAAH!!! WHOOOOA!!
PSY-CHO-SOL-DIER, PSYCHO SOLDIER!
ATHENA: "Stop! Please, no more! Don't go and break my heart..."
CHA-CHA-CHA!
CHANG: "Uh, Master Jhun..."
JHUN: "Oh, she's heaven.... Huh? What is it, Chang?"
CHANG: "Is this also part of my training?"
JHUN: "No, this is recreation."
CHANG: "......"
JHUN: "Well, well, is that so. It looks like there going to hold the King of Fighters again."
CHANG: "Yup."
JHUN: "And it looks like we're going to be entering with Kim and Choi. He says that we can see just whose method is the best in this tournament."
CHANG: "So, what will happen to us?"
JHUN: "I guess you can look forward to returning to society if you perform well enough in the tournament."
CHANG: "R-Really?"
JHUN: "So you should start working hard for the tournament. Hmm, you look a flabby there. How about cheering along with me? Tones up the stomach muscles, you know."
CHANG: "......"
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King of Fighters '00
It's been a few months since Choi has begun training with Jhun, and it appears his life in Japan and rehabilitation under Jhun's tutelage is coming off without a hitch.
JHUN: "You're a pretty quick study, Choi. I'm impressed."
CHOI: "Something like this is a piece of cake, buddy boy."
JHUN: "I have to run some errands tomorrow, so I was planning to have you study by yourself tomorrow, but it looks like that won't be necessary from now on. So I've decided to change my plans and have you join me."
CHOI: "Where are we going, buddy boy?"
JHUN: "Tokyo."
CHOI: "Tokyo?"
The next day the two set out a little early and head for Tokyo.
After they arrive in Tokyo, they transfer trains, get off at their destination, and wait among a small group of people gathered in front of the station.
MAN 1: "Hey! White Tiger. Long time no see!"
WOMAN 1: "Huh? You're White Tiger, are you? I'm ÔMalin,' nice to meet you."
JHUN: "It has been a while. Nice to meet you, too, Malin. I enjoyed our little online chat."
CHOI: (White Tiger?)
MAN 1: "Who's this? You've brought a different friend today, haven't you?"
JHUN: "That's right."
Taken aback by Jhun being referred to as "White Tiger" and the unusual atmosphere of the twenty or so gathered here, Choi asks Jhun,
CHOI: "Uh, Master Jhun...just what is this group anyway, buddy boy?"
JHUN: "Uh, it's the Japanese chapter of the Athena Fan Club."
CHOI: "......."
Meanwhile, back in Korea, as a special homecoming treat (?) to the returning Chang, Kim resumes the usual regimen of harsh training.
KIM: "OK, just two sets more."
CHANG: "Huh?! Uh, yeah, okay...."
Regretting having thought that things would be a little bit better training back here in Korea, Chang hears the same phrases from Kim he has heard countless times over these past few years as he works on finishing his additional two sets.
KIM: "That reminds me. Jhun told me that there's going to be another KOF held this year."
CHANG: "Is it that time of year already...? Huh? So that means...."
KIM: "That's right. Beginning tomorrow we begin special training to get us ready for the tournament."
CHANG: (I saw that coming....)
Aside from the fact that it's the same old stuff and he's fed up with it, when he thinks about what Choi is probably going through, for different reasons, the same miserable circumstances that he went through one year ago, Chang mumbles:
CHANG: (Choi should be experiencing the true pain of training with Jhun right about now....)
MAN 2: "You got to admit that she's really hot in that sailor's uniform of hers."
JHUN: "And the costume she wore in her last concert was aces, too!"
WOMAN 2: "Yeah, she was so cute in that, wasn't she?"
MAN 3: "Yeah, but that costume was a little old-fashioned for my tastes...."
JHUN: "On the other hand, that's what was so cool about it.... Ha, ha, ha, I guess I'm turning into a middle-aged guy."
When the previous group moves to a different location, the conversation centering on stories concerning Athena perks up, but among the group one man stands silently alone for more than a few hours.
CHOI: (So this is what Chang was talking about, was it, buddy boy? ...This sure is worse than training.)
MAN 4: "For me personally, I forgot about it some time ago, but that Chinese dress costume she wore in the King of Fighters a few years ago was really cool."
MAN 5: "Yeah! Did you know she had a white one like that, too? It was so hot; it made her look like a nurse."
JHUN: "Hey, that's the first time I heard about that. As far as I'm concerned...."
MAN 5: "Heh, heh. As a matter of fact, I got a picture of that. I have it posted on my homepage, so please download it. Ah, by the way, it's on one of my secret pages. Here you go."
JHUN: "Hey, thanks."
MAN 1: Ah, all this about KOF reminds me that I heard that KOF is going to be held again this year. I saw it somewhere on some BBS."
MAN 3: "So Athena must be entering, then, huh? ...What are you going to do this time? Are you going to organize a tour?"
MAN 1: "I haven't told anyone about it officially ...But keep your eyes out for it."
MAN 4: "But...what do you suppose her costume'll be this year? Maybe a shrine maiden? Maybe even a maid costume?"
MAN 2: "So that's what you're into, is it?!"
EVERYONE: (Wah, hah, hah) [Of course one among the group doesn't see the humor here.]
WOMAN 2: "By the way, what are you going to do ÔWhite Tiger?' You entered last year, didn't you?"
WOMAN 1: "Huh? Are you in the fighting game, White Tiger?"
MAN 1: "Yeah, he does tae kwon do. So, what about it?"
JHUN: "Yeah, I'm figuring on entering."
MAN 5: "Then maybe you can fight Athena. ...But don't you dare hurt her!"
JHUN: "Yeah, I may go up against her...but if I do, I must face her as a fighter at that time. And since it's a match for keeps, getting injured goes with the territory. ...For someone like Athena, me holding back would be an insult."
At this time only, Jhun reveals his true self.
And those comrades who also held the same interests as Jhun, listen intently to his opinions as a fighter....
JHUN: "But I definitely plan to get her autograph!"
MAN 3: "Gag...Sounds like the White Tiger really is a White Tiger. For a moment there I thought you'd become somebody else."
MAN 4: "But, man, you are so lucky, getting to grapple with Athena."
JHUN: "Ha, ha, ha. Then why don't you join my little friend here and I'll train you in the ways of tae kwon do."
MAN 4: "Training, well that's a little...nah, screw that!"
EVERYONE: (Wah, hah, hah) [Of course one among the group still doesn't see the humor here.]
MAN 1: "Well, let's move on to the next party, shall we?"
CHOI: (I'm saved.)
Choi is a little curious about the plans for the second party, but he's glad for the time being that things are drawing to an end here....
CHOI: "So, uh, what's the agenda for the second party, buddy boy?"
JHUN: "Karaoke!"
At last, something he can get into! Choi's expression brightens up.
CHOI: "Oh, karaoke! It's been a while, buddy boy. What are we going to sing, buddy boy?"
JHUN: "Uh, we're only going to sing Athena songs there. We always do that."
CHOI: "What?"
JHUN: "You should take advantage of this opportunity, Choi, and learn a few Athena tunes before we go back home. Then you'll be able to sing along at the next concert."
CHOI: (Master Chang...Get me out of here...!)
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King of Fighters '01
"Yah! Ha!"
The place is Kim's gym, which he opened to spread the spirit of tae kwon do and spread his word on justice.
"That kid with the glasses sure has talent. Don't you think, Jhun?"
"Your talk of 'talent' reveals your ever illogical mindset. But the kid's got good form, that's for sure. Add some real fighting experience, and you've got a first-rate tae kwon do fighter."
A very large man is doing push ups along with a comparatively smaller man in a corner of the gym. Sweat springs from the two in fountains and gathers on the floor.
"But...we're lucky...eh, buddy boy. ...Things are back to normal. Me...and you, Chang...if I stayed in your body...Makes me shiver just thinking about it...buddy boy."
The small man addresses the bigger one in pained tones.
"Not just you...but me too...Choi. Huff, huff...your body's too small...and you can't twirl...my lead ball..."
Chang answers this. He looks like he's having a rough time of it, too.
"But...Master Kim...as Jhun said...knocking heads together and returning to where we started...it's like a comic book...eh, buddy boy...?"
"You said it..."
"OK. That's enough!"
Kim draws up next to the two.
"Very good! That's all for today!"
"Whew...are we finally finished today, buddy bo-, uh, Master Kim...Huh? Where's Master Jhun?"
"Uh, he made an early day of it today to go to the Athena Asamiya concert."
"Why do you keep us training if you guys get to go off and play?!"
"Now, now...Everyone needs a rest now and then."
"Does that include us, too?!"
"Hah, hah, hah, that's very drole, gentlemen. There's no vacation from rehab. Give me one more set!"
"Gaaa-sssp!!!"
Jhun stands before a large thoroughfare, waiting for the signal to change. Today is the long-awaited day for the Athena Asamiya concert. It won't take more than five minutes to the concert hall after crossing this crosswalk. Jhun glances up at the signal. Still red. Time never flies when you're waiting. Jhun sets his eyes on the sidewalk across the street.
"Ah, A...Athena!?"
Who could believe it, but Athena Asamiya stands on the other side of the street, smiling like an angel and seemingly beckoning Jhun!
Jhun glances at the signal again. It's green. Jhun begins to run across the street, as if possessed. Athena, as before, continues smiling.
"Aaaaaaaaa-thena!"
But as much as Jhun runs, he doesn't appear to get closer to Athena. Far from it, Athena gradually recedes into the distance. Jhun panics. He runs for his life.
"How can this be?! Athena! Atheeeeena!"
Then he wakes up. He first sees is a white ceiling, and then a familiar face.
"Are you okay, Jhun? You're in the hospital now!"
"Kim...?! I could swear I was on my way to Athena's concert...."
Jhun's memory returns to him.
On his way to the concert, he happened on a patch plastered with extra-large posters of Athena Asamiya and waited there for the signal to change to cross a crosswalk. But most of the posters had been torn off by her fans, and only a few posters remained on the wall.
While growing impatient, Jhun waited for the signal to change but finally could wait no longer and ran into the crosswalk although the signal was still red. That's when the car hit him.... At least that's what Jhun thought, but that's not what actually happened. As a matter of fact, the car driver did see the red light in front of him and because he stopped in the knick of time, Jhun, who had rushed out at top speed, smashed right into the car. Jhun, knocked back by the force of the collision, however, ended up injuring his neck and back pretty bad after landing on the pavement.
"Ah, Kim. Forgive me for shaking you up like that. But an injury like this...ouch..."
"You shouldn't push yourself, buddy boy...."
"Yeah, that's right, Master Jhun."
"Yeah, I'm sorry, but as far as this year's KOF goes...."
"What?! King of Fighters?"
"Yeah...I was hoping to enter this year's tournament again with you, but it looks like this time you won't be up to it."
"B-But Kim. Who will take my place?"
"Uh, it's that kid that you and I were talking about this morning. She's come to see you here now. Come on in, May."
The girl wearing a T-shirt and glasses on her head that they had watched this morning enters the room.
"Nice to meet you, Jhun! My name is May Lee. How're you holding up? I'll try to live up to your standards and defeat evil!"
"Hmm, May Lee, is it?? I like it, buddy boy. The old team was looking a little shabby with all these guys on it I thought, but a perky little pretty on board just may cheer us up, eh, buddy boy!"
"I'll second that. Of course that comment about defeating evil gives me pause."
"What are you talking about, Chang?! That's what our objective is all about, too, isn't it?! Her dream is to become an ally of justice!"
"Huh? Are you really s-serious, buddy boy?"
"You bet! I want to be an envoy of justice! That's why I came to the true envoy of justice, Master Kim that is, and his gym to become a worthy envoy of justice!"
"Ha, ha, ha...Well, we'll have to work on that!"
"Well, Jhun, take care of yourself, and make sure you recuperate sufficiently, OK? Later."
"W-Wait, Kim! Come on guys! Wait for me!!!"
The door slams shut and Jhun lies stunned, alone in his hospital room, while the sound of laughter is heard in the corridor outside.
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King of Fighters '03
"Why do I have to sit out this year's KOF alone, buddy boy?!"
"You said it! And why do I have to be Master Jhun and Master Kim's lackey?"
The high-pitched wails and low bellowing of the two echo out alternately.
Choi Bounge and Chang Koehan, who have continued their program of rehabilitation for a number of years at Kim's tae kwon do gym, are miffed. The two who only a few years before did nothing but plan their escape have become quite commendable citizens. It seems that Kim's heartfelt program of rehabilitation has paid off...then again, maybe not.
The abandoned Choi thinks:
(Not only do I have to do all the housework during the Master's absence, I have to watch after his kids...and boy they've really become a couple of brats recently. Simply put, I've want no part of that babysitting gig!)
Meanwhile, Chang concludes...
(Stuck between the two masters constantly at each others heels, being pulled this way and that....I won't be able to take it!)
"Ha, ha, ha. I'm glad to see you working so hard, Choi. But this time I have to give in to Jhun's earnest entreaties. Well, make the best of it and watch over the fort."
"But, buddy boy!"
"I said, watch...over...the...fort!"
With his arms crossed, Kim bears his teeth, which emit a blinding gleam.
One more word of protest, and Choi would be feeling the full force of a Phoenix Kick in the name of rehabilitation."
"...O-OK. I got you, buddy boy!"
"Ha, ha, ha. If you express yourself with sincerity all will come to see things your way."
"Yeah, and the bruises you'd give me on top of your 'sincerity' are nothing to sneeze at either, buddy boy."
"Yes indeedy-do."
The two whisper to each other in hushed tones as if a pair of mosquitoes, but Kim doesn't fail to catch their remarks.
"Did either of you have something to say to me?"
"Yeah, we were just talking about..."
"...how much we love our daily training. Yeah, that's it."
Chan and Choi answer unflinchingly.
Their faces beaming with forced grins are pathetic.
"Ha, ha, ha. You said it. You said it."
The two shrink away from Kim and let out a small, brief sigh. Their humility and timidity would make one doubt that they were once the evilest of the evil.
It is hardly necessary to mention, but Chang Koehan, with his trademark iron ball and chain, is the escaped convict with superhuman strength.
The guy with the charming iron talons is the former mad slasher, Choi Bounge
Kim is the one who has devoted countless years to rehabilitate these two through the discipline of tae kwon do and "return them to the path of righteousness." He has yet to complete their rehabilitation.
And then there's Jhun Hoon, Kim's rival who gets along with him as well as a trench coat complements Mai.
It is Jhun who comments:
"I'm sorry, Choi. But I just have to take part in this year's KOF."
"But Master Jhun, why are you so obsessed with this KOF...just what gives?"
Chin draws in his sharp chin and closes his eyes.
(Hoo, hoo, hoo. Maybe it's got something to do with the introduction of the new rules, like the free tag-offs!)
This is Jhun's scheme.
Even though tournaments up till now were 3-on-3 team battles, contestants fought individually, but this time there's the free tag-off Multi-Shift rule.
In other words, when Kim finds himself in a fix, Jhun will gallantly jump in, and along with saving his butt, make the world aware of the difference in ability between Kim and him by magnificently mopping up the mat with the opponent. But this, of course, goes against all his professed principles.
"Look, somehow Kim's team is the only one to participate from our country. So the members of this team must be, more than anything, the best. Isn't that right?"
"Well, yeah, most indubitably."
"Choi, you've shown a lot of improvement these few years, but you still can't hold a candle to me. Chan's in the same boat, but his fighting style is way different than ours, and it's just the right touch to a diverse team."
"Hey, Chang."
"What is it, Choi."
"About this year's team line-up...It just may be our big chance, buddy boy."
"What do you mean, chance? Given the personalities of our two masters, there's no way I'll see any free time, much less freedom, no matter how hard I try this KOF. So naturally the odds of you and me both getting out of this pickle is impossible, and I guarantee that 200 percent.
"It all depends on how you use your noggin, buddy boy."
Choi's scheme is thus:
Everybody's a sucker when it comes to sports, sympathy, and friendship.
So, when this KOF comes to a close, Choi, who everyone believes is stuck at home watching Kim's brats, shows up out of nowhere and gives them the old, "I was frantic with worry and couldn't help but come to watch over you buddy boys." If Chang plays along with him just right, it'll be a cinch to pull the wool over the eyes of that rube Kim.
"So, that'll casually make the point that we're rehabilitated."
"Yeah, I got you. An appeal to the emotions, and with the media there making a spectacle of it...That just may work."
"It can't fail, can it, buddy boy? This time we'll put these pious pinheads behind us for sure."
"If we decide to go for this, I'll really have to go gonzo during this KOF."
Meanwhile, Kim is uneasy.
It is clear that teamwork will be a crucial factor in this year's KOF.
With Chang and Choi, he would be on familiar ground, but he can't seem to get along with Jhun. If other teams take advantage of this, defeat will quickly follow. However...
Kim's scheme goes a little like this:
It's definitely difficult to take full advantage of the team's maximum potential with Jhun thrown into the mix.
But this just might be able to be surmounted with the efforts of the world's mightiest tae kwon do athlete, the one and only Kim himself.
He'll conversely use the new tag-off rules to his advantage and silence from hereon Jhun's grating criticisms by "saving his backside and putting him at his service."
And by doing this in public, the effect will be amplified because it will create an undeniable obligation.
But this, naturally, goes against everything Kim stands for.
"Well, if Jhun insists on joining our team..."
In spite of this team devoting their battles to justice, each of it's members appear to entertain some fairly wicked thoughts, but in a way they all seem unified (?) in their intentions.
"Master, I have come to see things your way, buddy boy. This time I'll root for you from a distance, buddy boys."
"So you've seen the light, have you, Choi?"
"Most indubitably, buddy boy. Even if we're not always together, we're still a team."
"Yes! That's the spirit that gives testament that your long years of rehab are paying off!"
"And I'll make up for Choi's absence myself!"
"Chang's got the spirit too...If you put things that way, I can't afford to lose either."
"Don't forget about me, buddy boys, because you can count on me waiting for you at the awards ceremony."
"Of course we won't forget you. Ha, ha, ha, ha."
"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha."
Four members, with four (rather sinister) motives hidden in their hearts. The team sets out for the familiar stomping grounds of KOF. Their entry into the competition (barring a shipping problem with Chang's iron ball and chain) apparently goes off without a hitch.
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