Darkstalkers X Street Fighter- Dark Love # 1 (Lords of the Makai Part 2)

 By Mark Rodriguez

Portals have opened up in the world of the Makai and in Chicago in our world. While the Makai get a Taste of Chicago, Chicago also gets a chunk of the demon world. Queen Morrigan has enlisted the aid of several fighters including Felicia, John Talbain, Cammy, Charlie and Gill to help out. Morrigan cedes the throne to Lilith, since one is needed to rule while the other is needed in battle. However, Morrigan turns feral, and while the new Queen Lilith seems just, she hears whispers from some sort of shadow creature only she can see. What will happen next? 

 

"Dark Love" opens with Felicia and Talbain leading several children to Lilith's castle where they'll be safe. Talbain is seen nursing a wound. Talbain is seated by Felicia and he is currently in a half-human/half-wolf form. A kid is surprised, and Talbain assures him that Felicia is safe. The castle has become a large sanctuary for the displaced humans. Talbain apologizes for his current appearance and says the area is having an effect on him. Felicia says he'll be fine, but looks concerned as she heads off.

Felicia approaches the throne room as Queen Lilith, Rose, Menat and Maggio watch the scenes unfold through a huge cauldron, images appearing in its waters. Lilith says Felicia may approach as long as she doesn't try to attack her like she did towards the former queen (but to be fair, Morrigan was hitting on her man). Felicia informs them they brought in another 75 refugees, mostly kids. Rose says they are currently tracking Charlie and Cammy as they are trying to recruit more fighters in Chicago, but they are in a rough spot.

Cammy and Charlie leap into battle as they surrounded by monsters. BB Hood leaps in with her machine gun and starts blasting away. Cammy thanks her for the assist and asks if it's not past her bedtime. BB Hood tells her to take it easy and it's the weekend. Just then some Chicago guys drive past, shooting at the monsters. A larger monster chases after the car, ignoring the trio.

Rose says they seem to be doing alright, even if they bit off more than they can chew. She hopes this will inspire people to join them. Menat says they should be there to help fight. Rose says this will soon become a war of attrition and she does not want to be out there when it does. Rose says their place is by the Queen's side in case someone tries to attack her. Lilith hears the shadow whispers and agrees saying 'that i what should be done'. Rose brings the conversation to Lilith and she snaps out of it and agrees.

Felicia suggests that Lilith take a seat, and she agrees and the situation has been taxing. As Lilith sits on the throne, Rose forms a portal next to her so she can continue to see the battle unfold. Rose tells Menat that she is skilled but is still a pupil and has a lot to learn. Maggio asks what they should be doing. Rose says they should be watching for an opportunity to win the war, not the small skirmishes. They need to determine the enemy's weakness and right chance to exploit it so they can achieve victory.

Cammy, Charlie and BB Hood relax for a moment as the large monster is gone. Cammy can go for a Bloody Mary and Charlie says he's more of a Mimosa guy. Rose is glad Charlie is on their side and says she wouldn't want him fighting against them if the Makai energies were to affect him. The energies of the Makai are unpredictable. 

Menat tells Rose they have trained to use their magic in combat with and without her. Rose says while she was away, Menat did fine, but she wasn't locked away in this other dimension overflowing with dark energies. Menat says she is her teacher but she doesn't command everything they do. Rose tells her to listen to reason as she is not ready for what is out there. Menat says they will never know unless they test themselves. She tells Rose that people are dying, people they can save. Rose tries to talk her down but Menat gives her the hand and tells her to save it.

Charlie calls out to the people, saying that they are here to protect the city, but they need their help. 

BB Hood says it's time to fight. Cammy tells the people to bring out their guns, bats or even run them down with their cars. She says it's time to show these monsters that Chicago can handle itself. The people start coming out. Charlie says something about the place is making him feel alive in a way he hasn't in some time. His ki felt blocked back home, but here he feels like he's awake for the first time in years. Cammy is glad she has him by his side. 

More monsters come in and this time the people of Chicago bring the fight, alongside Cammy. Charlie and BB Hood. After the monsters are defeated, Cammy and Charlie share a kiss. BB Hood is grossed out and leaves.

Charlie gives an inspiring speech to the people. Rose notes how much Charlie has changed since he's arrived. She says it could be troubling if he continue to change in response to the Makai energies. Menat says he seems to be managing just fine. He's become more powerful and maybe if they go out and fight they'll become more powerful too. Lilith says something more powerful will be an asset in battle.

Charlie reminds everyone that their fighting for their home, their livelihood and their loved ones. Cammy agrees and leaps into his arms to kiss him again. Rose finds this to be curious. Menat has had enough. She is no longer asking, but telling Rose that she is leaving. Rose forbids it. Menat says she managed just fine when Rose was away, and will manage fine without her now. Rose tells her to stand down. Menat says goodbye.

 

Rose wraps her scarf around Menat. Menat socks her across the face. Menat pauses in surprise. Rose says that the energy is affecting more than just simple brutes and evil minded people. Her actions leave her no choice, if Menat insists they fight then so be it. Maggio tries to talk them down and both women yell at him to shut up. Both women fight using their magic spells. Menat warps behind her, saying she has managed to get the drop on her, which means she can handle herself. She hits Rose with magical orbs that surround her called 'Wisdom of Thoth'. Rose takes out one of her tarots, but it falls out of her hand and burns since she is still trapped by the floating spheres. 

Menat walks off, leaving Rose angry. She gives up and sighs. Maggio looks at both of them. Rose tells him to follow Menat and keep her and himself safe. Felicia apologizes and says she should have said something but things got pretty intense. Rose thanks her but says she feared that confrontation would have been unavoidable in this place. The Makai is having an effect on more people than just Charlie Nash.

Sometime later, Menat is backed against a wall as several monsters approach her. She asks herself what she's gotten herself into. 

 

My Thoughts-

So this issue focuses on Cammy, Charlie and BB Hood getting the people of Chicago to help them fight against the invading monsters and demons. We also see Menat's growing impatience with wanting to fight to the point that she rebelled against Rose and even socked her in the face.

Throughout the story, Rose points out how people are being changed and effected by the energies within the Makai world. In this case we see that Charlie feels more alive and stronger than ever since his powers aren't being held back. In Cammy's case, she can't keep her hands off him. Earlier in the issue, Cammy was trying to tell Charlie something 'in case they don't survive', but Charlie kept his mind on the mission at hand. Maybe the Makai energies are releasing feelings Cammy never knew she had since she was never the lovey-dovey type. We'll have to see what else happens, as so far Charlie doesn't really seem to be surrendering negative effects. With Cammy, it depends on whether or not she had a thing for Charlie beforehand. 

In Menat's case however... the energies have a much more dramatic effect. Menat idolizes Rose and acts like she's lucky to be graced by her presence. Talking back to her, let alone punching her in the face, is as out of character for her, as it would have been if Sakura were to cuss out Ryu, so clearly these demonic energies are messing with her head. So far neither Cammy nor Charlie have lashed out the way she has.

 

Lilith is still very tired and under the trance of whatever this shadow thing is. So far no one, not even Rose, seemed to notice.  I would say eventually they have notice that Lilith seems consistently out of it and needs to sit down a lot, even when she's not doing anything. That has to eventually raise suspicion.

We'll have to see what happens next as the Street Fighters and Darkstalkers continue to fight to save Chicago. What will happen between Cammy and Charlie, and what will Gill do? Who else will be affected by the mysterious Makai energies?