Leon Kennedy

28 years following the Raccoon City outbreak, the DSO decided to initiate an investigation into a mysterious case of unidentifiable deadly illness that affected any survivors that had escaped the 1998 outbreak, with agents Kennedy and Birkin becoming two of its latest victims. In October 2026, the illness have claimed 4 victims of former Raccoon City survivors dying to this illness across the United States, with the 5th being reported to have found in the abandoned Wrenwood Hotel in the city of Wrenwood, a neighboring city next to the desolate Raccoon City. Eventually, Kennedy came to Elbridge, a place within Wrenwood where the 6th body was found in an alley near the railway. He confirmed to his current FOS support Birkin whose role was force to relegate due to her syndrome. Using the info of his fellow agent Andrew Hughes, Birkin directed Kennedy's suspicion to Victor Gideon, former Umbrella scientist and t-Virus researcher.

Kennedy noticing DrKennedy noticing Dr. Gideon carrying a knocked out Grace Ashcroft

Birkin tipped Kennedy off about a missing officer near the Wrenwood Hotel, prompting him to check the location. While being stuck in traffic, Kennedy spot Gideon carrying an unconscious girl on his back. Rushing out to meet him, Kennedy saw Gideon shooting several people with a dart gun, infecting people with a new mutated strain of the t-Virus, thereby triggering a small outbreak. He ushered several people to safety, and killed any infected civilians. He quickly radioed in Birkin to have Wrenwood in lockdown, before successfully containing the outbreak. However, Kennedy had lost sight of Gideon but using Hughes's intel, Birkin directed him to Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center, formerly sponsored by the Spencer Foundation before being bought by Gideon following Umbrella's collapse in 2004.

Kennedy arriving at the care centerKennedy arriving at the care center

Arriving at the outskirts of Wrenwood, Kennedy arrived at the facility where he was welcomed by a newly recruited nurse, who told him Gideon had been expecting him. He let himself be guided to an examination room in the East Wing where he was told to wait. Unbeknownst to Kennedy, Gideon had been watching him through hidden surveillance, and ordered a Code 6 when the agent arrived. While waiting, Kennedy inspected an old photo of Gideon before alarms blared Code 6. The nurse shortly returned, asking him to be evacuated after claiming mass hysteria had affected all patients and staffs. However, shortly after, the nurse was killed by a chainsaw-wielding doctor, forcing Kennedy to battle the newly infected.

Kennedy and Ashcroft split up in Kennedy and Ashcroft split up in Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center

While exploring the care center, Kennedy came across Grace Ashcroft, an FBI technical analyst who was abducted by Gideon during her investigation of the burnt hotel, crawling for freedom before being dragged away by a giant B.O.W. Kennedy saved her in time, by seemingly kill the creature. Following Ashcroft's introduction, Kennedy was surprised of FBI's presence. Before they could leave, Gideon triggered the facility's lockdown, separating them both. Before the shutters fully closed, Kennedy asked why she was targeted by Gideon, but could not get an answer. Worried for her safety, Kennedy handed Ashcroft his DSO-issued Magnum 'Requiem' to protect herself told her to leave. As Kennedy was left in the dark, he met Gideon who tried to initiate a conversation but he immediately attacked him. However, Gideon choked him, and saw his black bruises as "Umbrella's curse" before he was knocked unconscious.

Kennedy finding out about his illness from DSO agent Kennedy finding out about his illness from DSO agent Sherry Birkin

For hours, Kennedy was unconscious and dragged to the attic to be interrogated by Gideon. The man wanted to question him, but Kennedy kept silent, only responding through taunts. Frustrated, Kennedy was cut by Gideon but before he could be tortured, he broke free and tried to attack Gideon who fled. Reestablishing contact with Birkin, Kennedy announced his objective of going to Gideon's private office. Descending to the 3rd floor, and found his hidden office, Kennedy purposefully inputted the wrong password, paving the way for Birkin to access Gideon's files. She retrieved documents about the latent onset t-Virus syndrome, referred by Gideon as Raccoon City Syndrome. Kennedy looked defeated as Birkin confirmed they were all infected with residual t-Virus laid dormant within their bodies, and were slowly dying from degradation. Furthermore, Kennedy uncovered another document with the word Elpis, and a picture of Ashcroft. He wondered how she was related to the keyword.

Kennedy after shooting despite Ashcroft's pleas not toKennedy after shooting Emily despite Ashcroft's pleas not to

Just then, Kennedy noticed a spiraling helicopter, with Ashcroft within the co-pilot seat before they crashed at the cemetery. Quickly grabbing a nearby rifle, Kennedy assisted Ashcroft from afar as she rescued a young blind girl named Emily, and fled to chapel when the cemetery became ridden with zombies attracted to the crash. After they managed to get in, Kennedy reunited with Ashcroft who was trying to stem Emily's bleeding, and told her to go the water treatment facility. He stayed behind as he dealt zombies to buy them time to escape. However, shortly after, Kennedy was forced to shoot the mutated Emily when she was resuscitated by Ashcroft, despite her cries and protests. Though Kennedy tried to console her, Ashcroft blamed herself and tossed Requiem, leaving him behind. Kennedy tried to go after her but cough up blood, as his syndrome advanced to stage two. Determined to save Ashcroft and learn why she was connected to Elpis, Kennedy head to the old ruins of Raccoon City.

Kennedy arriving at again after 28 yearsKennedy arriving at Raccoon City again after 28 years

En route to Raccoon City, Birkin contacted Kennedy and informed him Elpis was not documented nor mentioned on CIA servers or the Pentagon. When Birkin asked for higher clearance, she was ordered to terminate the investigation. Kennedy was confused at the sudden obstruction but cautioned her against risking disciplinary or legal repercussions. Birkin refused to disengage, insisting she would continue to assist him regardless of the consequences. Arriving at East of Raccoon City, Kennedy was directed by Birkin to go to Raccoon City center based on the coordinates she had found from Gideon's computer. While there, he fought against the Titan Spinner and its children, before arriving just outside the gate with a line of wall erected by the army. Kennedy found a camp of BSAA's North American branch, and was briefed by Birkin on their internal dispute, with the NA branch operating independently. Searching for detonators to blow the gate open, Kennedy came across a dead BSAA unit, and retrieved footage from a soldier's recording camera, asking Birkin to find the killer's identity, a man sharing similar appearance and powers to that of Wesker. However, Kennedy learnt the man himself was a "ghost", with no public records. Gathering all three parts of the detonator, Kennedy blew the gate open, and used a nearby motorcycle curtesy of the BSAA to drive to the center.

Kennedy meeting a Kennedy meeting a tyrant similar to T-00

On the highway, Kennedy was pursued by several Garmr, and Gideon who wield rocket launchers to try and kill him. Despite Gideon's attempts, Kennedy successfully leak fuel out of his motorcycle, and ignite it, causing Gideon to tumble into the chasm below with an explosion soon followed. Thinking he had killed Gideon, Kennedy proceeded to the Raccoon Police Department where the BSAA had used it as their main base, surveilling on ARK as soon as 2023. Finding a terminal computer, Kennedy found Ashcroft and the man Zeno were conversing at the East Wing. Along the way, he paid respect to Lt. Branagh, many fallen officers of S.T.A.R.S, R.P.D, and Kendo. Getting to their location, Kennedy eavesdropped the conversation the two had, leading to Ashcroft eventually feeling shell-shocked and overwhelmed when she thought she had been responsible for the many deaths in the pursuit of unlocking Elpis. Kennedy intervened but Zeno summoned the T-501 to deal with him, as he carried Ashcroft's unconscious body to ARK. Pursued through R.P.D and outside, he was beaten several times by T-501, before it loses its coat, turning it into Super Tyrant. Eventually, Kennedy bursts its heart out. Having overheard mention of the Raccoon City Orphanage acting as entrance to ARK, Kennedy head there where he was attacked by several seedlings grown from Plant 43. Descending to the deep grounds, Kennedy finally kills the plant, and enters ARK.

Kennedy battling out in Kennedy battling out Zeno in ARK

Inside, Kennedy spotted crates belonging to H.C.F., TRICELL and Umbrella. Further exploration resulted in Kennedy finding Ashcroft and Zeno in PANDORA, where Elpis was being kept. However, he was quickly intercepted by Connections soldiers and their lead Commander. Though the soldiers were easily killed, Kennedy entered a hard scuffle with the Commander, but pulled through. Entering PANDORA, Ashcroft was asked to unlock Elpis, despite her insistence in not knowing the password. Kennedy interrupted the conversation, battling Zeno but was easily outmatched due to his enemy's agility. Before he could be killed, Ashcroft threatened her own life, giving time for Kennedy to shoot off the cranes and quickly grabbing Ashcroft. They fall to the waste disposal unit, where Kennedy passed out due to his progressive syndrome.

Kennedy knocked out from his severe Kennedy knocked out from his severe illness

For hours, Ashcroft stayed by his side, before Kennedy woke up again. Now in stage three, Ashcroft realized Kennedy was one of the Raccoon City survivors, and asked why he had come here if his syndrome was severe. He affirmed of his resolution to make a difference, as part of his continuous atonement. He set out to destroy Elpis, and initially rejected Ashcroft's assistance but upon seeing her resolve, Kennedy made Ashcroft promise to destroy it. Finding a crane blocked their bath, Kennedy boosted Ashcroft to another part of the facility, where she paved the way for him. As he made his way to PANDORA, Kennedy's teetered at the edge of death, as his coughs became more pronounced. Finally, Kennedy collapsed just outside of PANDORA. Through the surveillance footage, Ashcroft quickly made her way to Kennedy, tending to him before they arrived back at PANDORA with Zeno awaiting them.

Kennedy killing a mutated DrKennedy killing a mutated Dr. Victor Gideon

Kennedy offered to buy her time, for Ashcroft to input any wrong password to destroy Elpis. However, she offered another idea, and Kennedy fully trusted her decision. Standing before Zeno, Ashcroft bargained with Kennedy's life for her to unlock Elpis. She stood before the terminal, which showed a password prompt with the question "What does the creator desire?". Despite Kennedy making her promise to destroy Elpis, Ashcroft, having learnt her origin and her mother's interview conducted with Spencer, chose to release it, much to his confusion. They were presented with 6 vials of Elpis, and Zeno in his arrogance in belief that it was a virus left by Spencer, chose to inject the vial and attempted to showcase his powers. However, Zeno's infection was neutralized, Ashcroft explained Elpis was an antiviral agent, made to neutralized all virus-based infection as Spencer's atonement in her belief. When Zeno demanded answers from her, Kennedy threw himself at him but was tossed near Ashcroft who held a vial of Elpis. Shortly after, Gideon arrived and was marveled at Spencer's genius. Following the confrontation between Zeno and Gideon that left the former decapitated, Ashcroft was impaled by Gideon's tentacle but was able to cure Kennedy's syndrome. Gideon proclaimed to carry out Spencer's vision, by using Elpis to spread anarchy and proceeded to destroy PANDORA and ARK. The platform gave away, and all three were plunged to the lower floor. Kennedy battled a mutated Gideon, who had implanted himself with a NE-γ Type, and killed him.

Kennedy and Ashcroft getting rescued by Kennedy and Ashcroft getting rescued by Hound Wolf Squad

However, the battle ended with both of them trapped. Kennedy ran to Ashcroft who realized there was no way out, and simply resigned to their fate when the last light gone out. But they were quickly rescued by Umber Eyes of the Hound Wolf Squad, having been sent by his comrade-in-arms Redfield when he learnt of ARK, and his involvement. Kennedy then listened to Redfield's message forwarded to him by Umber Eyes. Topside, Kennedy admitted he felt better, and reassured Birkin he had secured a vial for her syndrome. She thanked him, before Kennedy approached Ashcroft who still felt guilty for Emily dying. Yet, Kennedy offered hope she was still alive, before walking off to be evacuated by the BSAA. Sometime after, Kennedy is updated on Ashcroft adopting Emily, having been found and cured of her conditions and he in turn informed her Birkin was cured of her syndrome. Before they could talk more, Ashcroft was forced to hang up, as her boss Dempsy asked for her report.