By Mark Rodriguez
Portals have opened up in both the Makai world and our world (in the Chicago area). Morrigan relinquished her crown to Lilith as they enlist several Street Fighters to help out. This turns Morrigan feral and it seems she has gotten John Talbain on her side. Meanwhile Lilith is talking to some shadow creature only she can see which is manipulating her. What will happen next?
"Queen's Shadow" opens as the fight in Chicago continues, as Cammy and Charlie are overwhelmed by the monsters and demons. One of the monsters on their side tells them they should fall back as this is not a fight they can win. Elsewhere BB Hood is gunning down more monsters. John Talbain is killing everyone in his wake while Morrigan drains the souls from humans and monsters alike.
At Castle Aensland, Lilith sits on the throne as Rose explains the history behind England's Magna Carta. Demitri looms overhead, as it seems he has been the shadow creature all along.
Rose continues to go into detail as to how the Magna Carta inspired other documents that gave freedom to the people (wasn't expecting a history lesson in this issue) and Lilith says that's all good, but is wondering how this applies to their current situation which continues to grow ever more dire. Rose says she has a plan.
Elsewhere in the palace, Felicia has called Menat and Maggio to meet up with her at the balcony. Felicia says she is afraid the John Talbain she knew is lost to her forever, especially after he tried to hurt them. Maggio and Menat agree to help her, no matter what. Felicia thanks them as she doesn't know what to do.
Later on, everyone is gathered at the throne room as the demons Lucian and Mudo introduce Queen Lilith. Lilith explains that they have saved thousands and reclaimed some of the city that is under attack, but fresh water and food is in short supply and disease has started to spread. She tells everyone that Rose has a plan. Rose says she has searched through the ancient tomes of the Aesland Family Library and had found a permanent solution. With the use of mystical ki energy and magic, they can open a portal to Earth and put everything back the way it was. People are glad they can return home, but someone in the crowd asks about the possibility of failure.
Suddenly John Talbain smashes his way into the throne room. He kneels and tells Lilith that Morrigan has chosen not to return. Lilith knows, as their separation had not went as hoped and she is causing more harm than good. She will have to be dealt with later on as they have more pressing matters.
Charlie tells Cammy that if this works, he will choose to stay in the Makai. He feels more complete in this world and Lilith will need strong allies to defend her. He adds that he already died on Earth more than once, so his time there is over. Cammy nudges him and says whenever they meet again, they can pick up where they left off. Charlie is good with that.
John Talbain turns back to his human form and tells Charlie that he'd stupid for leaving a woman like Cammy. Charlie says he's one to talk seeing as he's running around with Morrigan while abandoning Felicia. John turned back into his wolf form and grabs Charlie by the throat. Charlie tells him to go ahead and take the first swing to see who's a real man. John hesitates and storms off, back in his human form once again.
Rose, Menat and Maggio work on their magic spell as everyone watches. Morrigan is now able to see Dimitri, the one behind everything. The rest of the people in the throne room are unable to see him. Rose forms an astral projection of herself and goes after Demitri, as he has been sucking away at Lilith's life force (which explains why she has been to tired all the time).
Demitri and Rose fight over Lilith's soul. Demitri fires off a Soul Smash fireball and Rose uses her Soul Satellite floating orbs to defend herself. Rose tells Lilith that she must fight. She tells her that everyone believe in her and will lend her their combined strength. Lilith lets out a scream as she unleashes a strong burst of energy that knocks both Demitri and Rose back.
Demitri tells Rose that she can't defeat him, since he has the powers of Pyron. He fires off a Soul Flare, but Rose sends it back with the Soul Deflect attack. Lilith tells Demitri that is no longer his realm and the land of the Makai belongs to its people. She fires off a Soul Flash protectile at him and Rose socks him with her Soul Spiral scarf attack. Lilith unleashes an every blast called Splendor of Love that knocks the vampire back. Demitri is defeated and Lilith says it is done. A huge shockwave spreads beyond the castle across the world of the Makai. All the humans have been sent back to Earth, minus Charlie, who chose to stay behind... but also Rose.
Just then Demitri appears standing on top of a subway train. Gill, Cammy, Felicia, Menat, Maggio and BB Hood turn to see him. The vampire proclaims that they were able to defeat him in the Makai since he was greatly outnumbered but now their numbers have greatly diminished...
Bonus Gag Page-
Ryu and Ken as thumb wrestling as the discuss that they're on the 5th issue. Ryu says they'll be in the next story for sure. Lord Raptor, Huitzil watch as Hsien-Ko calls next. Ryu and Ken sweat considering that Hsien-Ko has giant blade hands.
My thoughts- I should have figured Demitri was the shadow creature all along, but I didn't know he had invisible shadow creature powers. I'm still not clear what his plan was. Did he create portals between Earth and Makai in hopes that the situation will become so desperate that Morrigan will relinquish the throne to Lilith so he can drain her life force? It sounds like... too many extra steps. Maybe he'll elaborate next issue.
The part with Rose discussing the history behind the Magna Carta was kind of odd since there was no real pay off. I was expecting her to find some Makai version, but I doubt a piece of paper would keep Morigina, Demitri and Jedah in line.
Charlie chose to stay in the Makai, at least until he either returns as Street Fighter 6 DLC or in Street Fighter 7. It's a clever way to keep him out of the story since he isn't featured in the current game, and it's a back door to bring him back. If a new game brings him with some brand new look, the comic can explain he got somehow while in the Makai.
I am still confused with the nature of the sudden romance between Charlie and Cammy since it seemed to be the side effects of the Makai's energies affecting them. Some people turn feral or go insane. In Charlie's case he feels more whole than he did on Earth. In Cammy's case... she just suddenly want to jump Charlie any chance she gets?
I mean, my main question is when Cammy returns to Earth (after things calm down with the upcoming fight against Demitri) will she snap out of it since she will be away from the Makai influence?
The story moves pretty fast-paced, but I wish we got to see Menat formerly apologize to Rose for rebelling on her a few issues back. I also a bit confused on John Talbain. He turned feral enough to assist Morrigan in killing everything in sight, but he has enough control to report back to the palace? Despite Charlie pushing his buttons, John didn't try to attack anybody else? And Felicia still seems to be a sore spot for him. What is going on with him?
The story concludes next issue, which will be released (hopefully) in November. I like the crossover since it gives some spotlight to some of the characters that are not in Street Fighter 6, namely Rose, Menat, Charlie and Gill. I do wonder what happened to Rose.
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