Leona Heidern

Leona (Codename Leona Heidern) is a character from The King of Fighters, Ikari Warriors and Metal Slug franchise, making her debut in The King of Fighters '96 as a playable character.
==Story==
===Orochi Saga===
Leona was born in an unnamed village, residing with her family. When she was a child, Goenitz arrived at her home and demanded to talk with Gaidel, the leader of the village. He requested that Gaidel join him in their duties to serve Orochi, as everyone in the village were Orochi bloodline members.
However, Gaidel refused as he and his family liked peace and not the violent tendencies created by the Orochi blood. Enraged, Goenitz leaves; the same night, Leona underwent the Riot of Blood and slaughtered everyone in the village. Goenitz, pleased by the results, puts her blood lust to rest for another time "when he needs her again". Dazed and shocked, she loses her memories and wanders aimlessly until she is found and later adopted by Heidern. Surprised by her natural fighting ability, he decides to raise her as a Ikari warrior under his command.
In 1996, she receives her first official mission to enter the King of Fighters tournament with Ralf and Clark. Their mission was to investigate Geese Howard who had entered the tournament in search of an unknown goal. During the events of the '96 finals, Goenitz confronts her and reminds her of her Orochi lineage, causing her to worry about the future.
Her troubled state carried over to the battlefield, which eventually lead to her and her partners' suspension from military service. Wanting to cheer her up, Ralf enlists them again in the the next year's tournament. She eventually remembers her past fully during the events of King of Fighters '97. Towards the tournament finals, Leona undergoes the Riot of the Blood induced by Orochi. By the tournament's end, she is successfully subdued and Orochi is sealed away. Even so, Leona regrets her actions and attempts to end her life. Ralf stops her, and encourages her to continue living.
===NESTS Saga===
Leona stays as a member of Ikari Warriors Team for each and every King of Fighters tournaments during the NESTS saga. It was assumed she partook in her normal duties with Heidern during this time frame.
===Ash Saga===
At the end of the tournament in 2003, Orochi's seal is broken. She enters the Riot of the Blood and attacks Ralf and Clark, badly injuring them. She is pulled out of the team by Heidern in The King of Fighters XI due to the emotional trauma she suffered after the incident. Overcoming the shock, she is designated to join the KOF XIII tournament with her old teammates, determined to live with whatever flaws the Orochi blood invokes. After the tournament's climax, she loses consciousness and sleeps for several days. Her teammates were worried for her and stay beside her until she awakens. Comforted by their concerns, she laughs for the first time in the series.
==Game Appearances==
===Neo Geo 2: Match of the Century===
Leona represents The King of Fighters franchise alongside Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, K', Shun'ei, Elisabeth Blanctorche, Shermie and Kula Diamond.
===Cartoon Network Universe: Xtreme Voyager Cross in 3-on-3===
She is one of the characters from The King of Fighters in the game.
===Capcom vs SNK 3: Fighters' Spirit===
Leona appears as a playable character.
==Cameos==
===TPXZF1997's Super Smash Bros.===
Leona appears as a Primary Spirit and appears in the King of Fighters Stadium as one of the 5 new additions of the stage along with K', Kula Diamond, Takuma Sakazaki and Shun'ei.
==Gallery==
File:Leona KOF XV.png|The King of Fighters XV
==Trivia==
Category:Characters
Category:SNK
Category:The King of Fighters (series)
Category:Playable Characters
Category:Non-fanon
Category:Non-fanon characters
Category:Non-playable Characters
Category:Guest Characters
Category:Third-Party Characters
Category:Females
Category:Anti-Heroes
Category:TheProjectXZoneFan1997's Super Smash Bros.
Category:Bosses
Category:Metal Slug Characters
Category:Metal Slug (series)
Category:Cameos
Category:SNK Characters