This is my very first fanfic so criticize as you see fit. I can only get better...I hope.(Nervous chuckle)

Disclaimer:All characters and other things associated with Street Fighter are property of CAPCOM

ChapterOne:A Desperate Plea

It was dark and ominous. The sky had taken an especially sinister tinge of a deep red color. The color of blood. One person,however,was not detoured from her mission which led her to this island. Her eyes burned with conviction as she peered deep into the lush jungles of this mysterious place."It would be such a beautiful place if it weren't tainted by that dark power..."the young woman thought to herself. Steeling her resolve,she began to walk deeper into the tainted and strangely twisted jungle. After what seemed like forever,the young woman began to hear a voice that seemed to emanate from nowhere and everywhere at once"The true warrior...enters the arena...with all his power at the ready..."The woman was not afraid."You don't know what true power is!"she screamed."It's...you..."the voice said half amused. The woman could hear laughter now."Why have you come here woman?There is nothing here but death..."Closing her eyes,the woman saw images of who this voice belonged to. Or rather,who he used to be."Ryu...I...I only want to help you!"the woman's eyes opened filled with tears."Please!I tried to save you then,but I couldn't...I'd like to save you now...but I can't if you won't let me..."no matter how she tried,Chun Li could not stop her tears from falling. The voice simply replied,"...Save me?...You cannot save me...,"Chun Li's determination had started to waiver."You cannot even save yourself."and with that,the voice now had it's owner.

Standing before her was the twisted form of the man she loved. eyes burning with murderous intent. Again he spoke,"If you have not come to fight me...leave me!"he demanded. Chun Li's tears were plentiful now."Ryu...Please!If I ever meant anything to you then please...Please let me help you!"she cried desperately. Ryu's eyes widened. His murderous rage started to shake the island now. Yet,Chun Li had not taken her eyes off of him. The two just stared at one another. After a few moments,Ryu walked to her. Taking Chun Li in his arms,he whispered to her"There is no turning back for me...no redemption."Despite being overcome by the Satsui No Hadou, Chun Li still loved evidently,he still loved her. Suddenly,a surge of pain rushed through her entire body and she began to blackout. Before she lost consciousness,she could see Ryu's eyes,only for a brief moment,revert to the kind and gentle eyes she fell in love with."...not beyond saving..."she whispered as she slipped into unconsciousness.

San Francisco...

Staring out up at the sky on the verandah of his large,luxurious home,Ken Masters' thoughts returned to one of,if not the worst,day of his life. The day he lost his best friend. Closing his eyes,Ken recalled that day. The same place where Gouken-Sensei and his brother,Gouki,had their final battle on that day.

Somewhere in Osaka,3 months ago...

It was dark. A storm had been hitting them hard for over an hour now."Rose!"exclaimed Ken,"He's getting worse!"Her back turned to him,Rose had been afraid of this for quite some time. Ryu was strong but,so was his link to the curse within his blood. The Satsui No Hadou."Ken..."she started"...We may have to prepare for the worst. This is a critical time for he allows the Murderous Intent to overcome him..."Ken had heard enough,"No!I will NOT take part in the murder of my best friend!"Rose sighed."Ken,listen to me...Ryu's soul is what is at stake. The Murderous Intent is a malevolent power that corrupts the heart and slowly poisons the soul."Ken gasped as Rose continued,"When his soul is completely corrupted,it is then destroyed...And the Ryu that we know...will be nothing more than a demon...""Just like Gouki..."Ken finished. Sighing,Rose walked past Ken and headed for the door."I will do what I can,however,this is an internal battle that Ryu will have to fight alone..."and with that, she walked out into the hallway.

Meanwhile,In another area of the dojo...

Ryu had been put in a psychic sedation of sorts by Rose. Chun Li rested his head on her lap,wiping gently at his sweating brow with a wet cloth. He looked peaceful now. It was hard to imagine that he was suffering so terribly just seconds ago."Why is this happening to you?"she inquired to herself as she moved Ryu's bangs to the side of his face. His hair had grown since she saw him last."Ryu..."she said as he began to stir. She touched his lips."Come back to us...You have to..."Tears began to fall from her eyes,"Please Ryu...come back...to me."Chun Li's lips moved slowly to his. She could feel his light breathing on her lips as she tenderly closed the distance. Chun Li kissed Ryu passionately. I loved him,she thought."I've always loved him."It wasn't until recently that he told her of his feelings for her. She had been so surprised by his straight forwardness."I don't know what these feelings mean Chun Li,but i know what my heart wants."Those were his words. Reluctantly separating,Chun Li gently touched Ryu's cheek. However,something was wrong. Ryu's complexion had darkened slightly. His hands were now fists and a ominous aura began to emanate from him. Ryu began to scream as the blood red aura seemed to engulf him like a wildfire. Chun Li had already moved away from him,not knowing what would happen if that evil looking aura touched her. Ryu's screams became howls of inhuman agony. Helpless,Chun Li broke down into tears.

On their way back to Ryu and Chun Li,Ken and Rose heard a loud explosion coming from that direction. When they arrived,nothing could have prepared them for what they saw. It was Ryu. But something was horribly wrong with him. His skin had darkened and his hair resembled fire. And his eyes. His eyes were like those of a demon. He embraced Chun Li,who was unconscious, from behind,his powerful arms wrapped around her."Let her go!"Ken screamed. Ryu looked at Ken and Rose. Ken winced at the most sinister smile he had ever seen his friend give to him. His teeth had taken on a sort of canine appearance."This woman..."Ryu started,"...She is...important to me?"Both Ken and Rose stared at him. Both were confused. It seemed like Ryu couldn't quite remember her."She is!"Rose stepped forward. If she could just get in range,she could sedate him again. With a look of determination,Rose slowly moved closer to Ryu. Then she paused."W...What are you doing to her?"Ryu breathed in the scent of Chun Li's hair. The fragrance was so familiar to him. Calming. Beautiful. Then he dropped her."I...am power made flesh..."He said."Challenge me."And with that,Ryu propelled himself forward. To Rose's surprise,he flew right past her. As he passed her,she could have sworn she heard him say,"Unworthy..."as he headed straight for Ken.

Readying himself,Ken blocked the first blow. Then came another,and another,and another. Parrying,blocking and dodging was all he could seem to do against Ryu's assault."Wait for a chance to strike..."Ken thought to himself,just barely able to dodge a right hook sent flying toward his face. That is when he noticed the fact that Ryu's feet never touched the ground. Ken's eyes went wide as Ryu's fist had started to blur with each strike becoming quicker than his eyes could discern. He couldn't keep up anymore. A kick to the face. Using that same leg,Ryu followed up with a knee to the abdomen which forced Ken to double over. Grabbing him by the hair,he lifted Ken effortlessly from that position."Stop!"Rose intervened,gathering energy and releasing it in the form of her Soul Spark attack."Hmph!"and with that Ryu knocked her attack harmlessly out of the way with his free hand. During that time however,Ken had recovered and delivered a kick with all his might to Ryu's face causing him to relinquish his hold. Ken back-flipped to get distance. Ryu just stared at Ken seemingly unfazed by his attack."Why..."Ryu started,"Why do you hold back?You are a warrior,like me. So,why do you hesitate?"Meanwhile,Rose had went to check on Chun Li."Chun Li!"she said while lightly shaking her from her unconsciousness. Chun Li's eyes fluttered open. "W...what happened?"Soon,the reality of the situation hit her"Where's Ryu?"Chun Li panicked."Calm down Inspector."Rose said,pointing at a figure that was enveloped in a blood red aura."No..."Chun Li whispered to herself."Th...this can't be happening!"Ryu looked over his shoulder at her. His blood red eyes meeting with her beautiful brown ones. Time seemed to stand still in that instant. Then,he was gone. Ryu had disappeared into nothingness."He's gone Chun Li..."Rose stated in a somber tone. That feeling of helplessness returned and Chun Li fell to her knees and cried. The man she loved was gone and she felt as though there was nothing that could be done.

Ryu had materialized not far from his child-hood home."That girl..."He said to himself,folding his arms. His thoughts returning to the expression she wore before he departed."Why did she...appear to be in so much pain?"Shaking his head and dismissing the thoughts of her, Ryu smiled evilly and said,"Where?...Where is one who can stand against me?" And then he disappeared again,into nothingness.