Message from the Author

Dear Fanfiction community, this is the third instalment that follows 'Streets of Rage- Beginnings' and 'Streets of Rage – Rebirth' after the end of the last book. The storyline continues from the very last chapter of Rebirth in a darker story with references to the past and present during uncertain times for Wood Oak City. (So would recommend glancing back if you haven't read the others).

Blaze is one of the most complex characters of the series who is forced to learn how to evolve herself and survive during dark times where the threat of Mr X and his syndicate are stronger than ever. This for me has been the most difficult so far to write, with some important issues that are happening in the real world today that are highlighted in this piece.

Disclaimer: This is a Non-profit FanFiction story inspired with characters/games created by Sega, comics and previous pieces of fiction. I am not a professional writer so any constructive feedback and continued support is always welcome. Thank you for reading.

Prologue

This afternoon is like any other but today the air feels fresh along the river Thames and the sky is a clear blue which makes a change from the usual grey gloomy weather at this time of year in November. The hourly chimes of the Big Ben clock from across the river signal that it is now 2pm.

"Shit! Come on I have to get back for the next lecture". Erin starts to panic at the thought of failing this semester due to her lateness. She has already missed half of the content on modern History and now it is starting to feel like it is too late to catch up.

Blaze laughs at her friend: "Didn't your lecture start an hour ago?"

Erin panics even more: "ahhh bollocks!" She sighs "right that's settled then, its Friday and you and me can hit the town early tonight! Let's go back to my halls and get ready then".

Blaze shakes her head: "No way I can't, I have a two hour lecture at 4".

Erin: "Are you telling me that you are ditching a night out with me for two hours of Abstract Algebra? Whatever that is?"

Blaze: "Actually today's lecture is on applying differential equations for non-linear dynamics and chaos to model molecular evolution".

Erin pauses with her jaw dropped and laughs "yeah, that sounds like chaos!"

The 19 year old looks back at her with beaming eyes: "It's actually really cool, all of our DNA and biological processes can be explained with Mathematics".

Erin: "Ok I er need a drink now. I'll catch up with you at the student union at 7 ok? Should give you enough time to clear your head after that lecture!"

Blaze gives her a smile: "yeah ok, see you at 7!"

Blaze grabs a hot chocolate from one of the local coffee shops before entering the campus building. At this moment in her life she is thriving, beginning to discover herself and is really enjoying university life where she is now in her second year.

She takes out her notebook and sits down in the lecture theatre. For a hall and a course that started off with over a 100 students, there are now only twelve attending today's lecture. It didn't help that they moved it to a Friday afternoon and that most of the students gave up on this module after just one week.

A tall bald man with a long coat and a white beard addresses the students. "Apologies but Professor Kahn is unwell so I will be covering today's lecture". He immediately starts as the students copy the equations scattered in white chalk across the board. This guy is old school and doesn't like to use the overhead projector. An hour into the lecture and the others in the room are either falling asleep or doodling as he becomes carried away in his methods.

Blaze notices a problem with one of the calculations and raises her hand. As the professor carries on, he fails to notice her. "Professor? Professor Zan?"

He pauses in the middle of his sentence as he stops writing with his chalk along the board.

"Yes? It's doctor but.."

Blaze: "Sorry, Dr. I think you forgot one of the constants after you solved the differential equation".

He scans his writing feeling puzzled, an easy mistake to make.

Blaze: "fourth line down".

Zan: "Oh, yes! Thank you. That will definitely affect the rest of the calculations". He tries to laugh it off as Blaze stares at him blankly. "Here, could you be so kind as to correct them as I finish the explanation to the group?" He places the piece of chalk on the desk in front of her.

As Blaze gets up to spend the next five minutes altering the board, the other students are relieved- her writing is much clearer and each step is easier to follow. Dr Zan can't help but notice the aura of this student. Her mind and energy are truly remarkable.

"That will be all for today". At 6pm Zan finishes up the lecture to the relief of the others in the room that are waiting to go and enjoy the weekend. He stops Blaze as she leaves "thank you".

Blaze smiles up at him "no problem!"

He spends the rest of the night buried in his research. Four years ago when Axel left for military school Zan decided to have a break from Wood Oak City, still keeping a low profile he moved to London to do research. As far as the British government were concerned, he is nothing but a mad scientist and although the criminal group Neo Chaos exist in London, the syndicate who want him dead have nothing here.

As Zan continues with his experiments, he can't help but wonder about this student so he looks up her profile on the University system. Nothing suspicious listed however there is something strange but familiar about her that he can't quite get his head around.

7pm at the student union bar on a Friday night is a good place to be. Groups congregate after a long week and it is a great place to start having cheap drinks for the night before hitting the town and getting what they would call 'wasted'.

Erin: "Blaze, Blaze over here!"

Blaze walks into the bar with a smile on her face as she greets her friend who is sitting with a group of criminology students.

Blaze: "Hey Erin!"

Erin: "Come and have a seat with us!"

Blaze gives the group a shy smile "hey guys how you doing?"

"Hey honey!" One of the guys in the group grins back at her. Jake Murphy, post graduate criminology student loved by all of the undergrad chicks on the campus. His mousy blond hair and cute green eyes mixed with his sporty physique and muscular frame make him a real catch in appearance. All of that topped off with his slick American accent. He and Blaze have been dating over the last two months since term started.

He pulls her towards him and kisses her in front of the group as she sits on his lap. The eight of them toast their shot glasses and down their first drink- salt, tequila followed by lemon.

Erin: "Right are we ready yet to hit the west end?"

Jake: "I need another two of these first what do you say?"

Erin smiles: "alright but we finish them quick!" She orders the next round.

Blaze dismisses the alcohol "I'm ok for now, I've got some work to do I think I'm gonna skip this one".

Erin: "What?! No way you're coming with us! Plus I've found this really really cool new hot spot".

Jake: "Come on Blaze, just a few hours then we can head back to my halls".

She looks into his persuading green eyes and can't help but smile.

Jake: "Is that a yes? Those equations can do with a rest for one night can't they?"

Blaze nods as her pretty face beams up "ok, yes this time! Let's go then!"

11pm and the west end streets of London town are alive with crowds partying outside happily drunk, police vans every few metres and the bass of the clubs reaching the pavement where ques of people stand waiting to enter them.

Erin: "I know the bouncer of this place, he'll let us in straight away!"

She flatters her brown eyes at Aaron who stands in the doorway. "Sorry Erin, I can't tonight it's way too packed in there!"

To Erin's disappointment the group have no choice but to leave and find somewhere else to go to.

Jake: "We can always go back and party on campus, worst case scenario".

One of the other members of the group, Georgina spots a bar. "What about that place? I know it's not as packed but it looks nice".

They see a classic little Spanish bar, still with loud music and lights but not as busy as the club. The array of cocktails standing on the bar is enough to get Erin and Jake interested.

Erin: "Okay let's go!"

They spend the next hour and a half drinking more shots of tequila plus jugs of sangria. The group have grown larger as more students have flocked to the easy place to get in to without having to que for an hour in the cold.

It is clear that Jake and the others are enjoying the night but Blaze seems bored, distant and slightly lost. She has never been the sociable type like her friends and is usually the quiet, shy person in the group. Jake is her first boyfriend and whilst she adores him, she resents the fact that he feels the need to take care of her and teach her everything in life except advanced calculus.

Erin spots a few Bachata dancers in the middle of the floor "OMG I gotta try this!" The excitement from the alcohol makes her project her voice even more.

Erin: "Come on, they are offering to teach people".

Jake: "I'm alright, I think I'm just going to chill and enjoy my drink with my girl".

Erin grabs Blaze's hand and drags her up "I bet she could give them a run for their money! Blaze is a trained dancer after all!"

Blaze's character wakes up with a huge smile on her face as she follows Erin to the dance floor to pair up with one of the professional males. She gives Jake a warm smile and blows him a kiss from the dance floor, signalling to anyone there that she is already taken.

The next song begins and suddenly Blaze feels alive again and lost in the music as she dances with her professional partner. If anything takes her thoughts away from numbers, it's this. They spend the next 20 minutes or so dancing to song after song and it isn't long before Blaze and her partner find themselves in the middle of the floor with the rest of the crowd watching and admiring them.

"I'm Terrence by the way, I've been dancing professionally for ten years and you're really good!"

Blaze: "Thanks, I use to dance competitively but it's been a while".

Jake can't help but watch from a distance as he downs another drink and gulps with envy.

Terrence: "Well thank you for your amazing dancing, I have to get to a show now. I hope you and your friends enjoy the rest of the night!"

Blaze: "Thank you, good luck with your performance!" She enthusiastically waves on before running back to the group.

Erin: "You are the shit, that was amazing Blaze!"

Blaze grins: "Thanks! One day I will teach you guys".

Jake finishes the rest of his drink, dismissing her by turning his face away when she tries to kiss him. "We should get back now."

It is a silent and awkward walk for the two of them as the rest of the group disperse. Erin decided to stay at the bar with three of the others whilst the rest of their friends left earlier.

Blaze breaks the silence as her and Jake walk side by side through the backstreets of China Town. "Fancy something to eat?"

Jake coldly replies: "No".

Blaze: "Ok. What's wrong? You've been off with me ever since we left. Is everything ok?"

Jake: "What do you think?"

Blaze: "I don't understand".

Jake: "You left me sat there feeling humiliated".

Blaze takes his hand but he refuses to hold hers.

Jake: "I've been faithful to you since we've met whilst my friends tell me I could get with any girl".

Blaze: "I know, so have I".

Jake: "You told me I was your first and I've respected you, I was patient with you wasn't I?"

Blaze: "Yeah, I guess".

Jake: "All I ask for is the same respect back from you".

Blaze: "I did nothing wrong, the guy I was dancing with- he was gay anyway so he had no interest in me. And besides, even if he wasn't it was only dancing!"

Jake: "No, no those people, our friends in that bar looked at me like I was an idiot. You're with me, you're my girl prancing around with other people".

Blaze: "It's not like that!"

Jake: "Really? Because I'm starting to think otherwise. Do you even want to be with me?"

Blaze: "Yes, of course I do".

Jake: "Then this needs to stop. I've seen how other guys look at you when we're out together". His face reddens as he slurs his words.

Blaze: "I can't stop dancing, I'm sorry but it's part of who I am. Come on let's go home you need to sober up and we'll talk in the morning."

Jake: "I WANNA TALK TO YOU NOW!" he shouts.

Blaze pauses and looks around the street "baby come on let's go, let's not argue here".

Jake: "Why not? Why don't you dance or strip in the street here and show everyone what you got?"

Blaze: "That's enough, I'm going back to my own campus I'll see you in the morning".

Jake: "Don't you dare walk away from me! I'm not finished!"

He walks behind her and grabs the back of her arm.

Blaze: "Loosen your grip now, you're hurting me and I don't want to fight you".

Jake: "Listen to me".

Blaze: "No, I said let go!" She backs up into him and throws him on the floor over her shoulder.

He lays in the middle of a puddle, disorientated for a moment.

Blaze immediately starts to feel guilty and extends out her arm to help Jake get up.

Jake: "I'm sorry, let's get out of here I've had too much alcohol".

Blaze: "Ok, everything will be fine in the morning just sleep it off".

Jake: "yeah".

He looks around and out of revenge he suddenly grabs Blaze by the neck and pushes her against the wall.

Jake: "Don't you ever humiliate me like that again! Do you understand!?"

She struggles to breathe and break free. He is also a keen fighter and now that he has the upper hand, Jake manages to block her efforts.

Blaze struggles to talk "ok, ok I hear you".

As soon as he loosens his grip, Blaze grabs a dustbin lid and smacks him over the head with it. She runs back towards the busy streets as quickly as possible to get back to her own campus near the river. The crowds look at the distressed young woman with bruises around her neck, tears in her eyes and blood on her blouse. As she reaches the entrance to her campus she accidently bumps into a tall man in a long black coat.

#Spark#

The area around them flashes for a moment as the energy from her hands throws her back whilst the man's energy emits an electric shock in retaliation that causes Blaze to pass out.

Zan crouches down to the ground beside her to listen to her breathing and to check her pulse.

Zan: "Blaze? Blaze can you hear me?" But she is still unconscious.

He investigates her hands which are now bleeding from her energy outburst. Zan knows exactly what this is. He lifts her off of the ground then carries her inside the building.