Rugal Bernstein/Story

Past
Possibly of Jewish origin, Rugal was feared throughout the political and fighting world, Rugal was an influential arms dealer who operated aboard his aircraft carrier, the Black Noah. To those who would oppose him, he would defeat them and later preserve their bodies in liquid metal to add to his grisly trophy room. He used to work with his younger brother, but they separated over conflicting interests. When Rugal was about 25 years old, an 18-year-old Goenitz took out his eye with one strike and gave him a small portion of Orochi's power for surviving the attack. Since then, he has a bionic eye to replace the one he lost. At some point, he had a son and a daughter with an unnamed woman, as well as a panther named Rodem.

Sometime in 1986, Rugal wanted to demonstrate his power in a base at Brazil and murdered everyone he found inside. The sole survivor of the fifty man massacre was Heidern, who lost his right eye during the attack. At the time, he was too displeased with his victim to add him to his "collection" so he deprived the man of his wife and child as compensation. Heidern would spend nearly a decade filled with hatred and rage against Rugal.

The King of Fighters '94
Before 1994, he recruited two secretaries: Mature and Vice (both of who were secretly assigned by Goenitz to observe Rugal, believing that he could be a suitable host for Orochi). Rugal, wanting to expand his "collection", decides to host The King of Fighters in 1994, with an additional twist; fighters must form a team of 3 to compete and represent a country. Now he awaits on his battleship, the Black Noah, waiting to see the teams that will participate.

News spread quickly around the world that a global King of Fighters tournament is happening once again. The biggest discussion was the host of the tournament who was a compete mystery to the public, other than his initial, R.

During the invitation phase, Saisyu Kusanagi came to the Black Noah and challenged Rugal. Although Rugal won the battle, he did not subject him to his metal bath. The winner of the tournament was Saisyu's son, Kyo Kusanagi, and his two teammates, Benimaru Nikaido and Goro Daimon, who arrived shortly after Saishu's defeat.

Rugal is happy that the Hero Team won, as they can be added to his "collection", which are former fighters turned into living trophies, with Rugal pointing out that he did not turn Saisyu into a trophy because he felt that he was unfitting. Kyo and his teammates fight Rugal, who would end up being one of the hardest fight of their lives. Unwilling to accept defeat, Rugal attempted to blow up his ship along with the Hero Team. While the Hero Team escaped, Rugal's fate was unknown.

The King of Fighters '95
Rugal was believed dead, but he used the Orochi power to survive. Replacing his destroyed right forearm with cybernetics, Rugal revived Saisyu, brainwashed him with the help of Vice, and sent out invitations the following year for another King of Fighters tournament. Rugal used an abandoned missile silo as his base in 1995, and abducted the winning team (again, Kyo's team) to fight Saisyu, and then himself. Despite using the Orochi power and becoming Omega Rugal, Kyo's team defeated him. Again beaten, Rugal tried to use more of the Orochi power, but it consumed him. As his body disintegrated, he saw Iori Yagami, who told him that only those "of the bloodline" could control Orochi's power.

The King of Fighters XIV
Verse's defeat during the events of The King of Fighters XIV had released numerous souls and has caused many who have perished throughout the series to be brought back to life. Rugal is revived as a result, although his current whereabouts at that time were unknown.

Barring victory quotes, Rugal lacks any story interaction with the other cast members as of this moment, so it is unknown what type of role did Rugal played in the game.

The King of Fighters XV
Rugal makes his revival known by entering the fifteenth tournament alone. Due to having been killed in his Omega form, he is resurrected as Omega Rugal. However, he has no story ending, so it is unknown as of the moment what will happen to him.

Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001]
In Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001 after (or during) the end of the tournament finals held at the Osaka arena, the following 5 scenarios occur regarding Rugal's appearance:


 * Scenario 1-S: The tournament ends and Rugal's foot is shown, watching from the Osaka Castle Rooftop.
 * Scenario 2-C: After defeating Akuma from the Osaka Castle Rooftop, Rugal comes in and fights Akuma as his worthy opponent. The Osaka Castle Rooftop explodes. The outcome is left undetermined.
 * Scenario 2-S: A thunderbolt will strike. Rugal awaits the fighters to come to the Osaka Castle Rooftop while waiting for a worthy opponent. Upon defeating Rugal, he is rather disappointed and Akuma appears as his worthy opponent. The Osaka Castle explodes. The outcome is left undetermined.
 * Scenario 3-C: A thunderbolt will strike. Akuma is going to defeat Rugal with the Shungokusatsu. The Osaka Castle explodes. A dying Rugal gives Akuma the remains of his Orochi power, transforming Akuma into Shin Akuma.
 * Scenario 3-S: A thunderbolt will strike. Rugal, aware of Akuma's Satsui no Hado, engages Akuma. The Osaka Castle explodes. Rugal kills Akuma and absorbs the Satsui no Hado, transforming him into God/Ultimate Rugal, Upon Rugal's defeat, his body is unable to contain his new power, causing him to seemingly transform into a combination of himself and Akuma before walking away.