Disclaimer: I don't own The Bouncer or Dragon Ball Z; they belong to their corresponding owners.
A/N: The Black-Hooded Sion Saga is finally here! It'll tell the backstory of Sion's own doppelganger. This is something I've been thinking of for years, but I never finished; unlike the Mikado Saga. I'm not sure why really. Anyway, here is how it all began.
Act 1
It all started several months after the Mikado incident. And late one night Sion began to get very intense nightmares, and flashbacks. He was standing in thick fog. As he frantically looked around it cleared up, and he noticed he was standing inside the Mikado Dome. He remembered this was where he first saw Duaragon. Only, it was completely empty and the piano was abandoned. He watched him kill his master right before his very eyes! Only this time, Wong said that it was Sion's fault that he couldn't save him. Startled, he noticed that Dominique was resting at the same place she was before, and he was fighting Dauragon alone, but still with one hand. There was no panther; it was just Sion and the tower of terror, one on one, mono y mono. The battle ended well with Sion as the victor, until the sucker punch sent him flying back a few feet. Stunned, the floor collapsed right beneath him as Dauragon snapped a finger. Then he woke up.
His eyes shot open and he was laying in a bed close to Dominique. Slowly, without causing any disturbance, he went out and snuck to the door. He hesitated and looked back as he started to open it. But the android was still resting soundly. Satisfied, he marched to the lavatory. He needed to perk up. It was his own birthday after all.
It was on a Saturday during the late summer; Edge was just as humid as ever. And Fate was getting ready for the occasion. Volt, Kou, Boss, and Echidna were setting up the festivities.
As he was hanging up some décor, Kou said, "Hey, this place should be jumpin'; we hadn't had a full-blown bash in so long!" Correction, they have celebrated other birthdays before, but none of them were incredibly special. They were mostly small, quiet, and casual. Except when the patrons lose their way over their drinks.
"Don't be so sure, Kou. After all, they always have me." Echidna pointed at herself sitting on a stool. Ever since she became Fate's new bouncer, she was mostly there for attention; however, it was only used to mess around with troublemakers. Her appearance may be sensual, but she'll quickly turn to a vicious beast when needed.
Volt's face soured a little. "You're not planning on giving Sion any lap dances, are you?"
"Of course not, Volt. What do you think I am! Besides, there's going to be some young ones coming here. Goten, Trunks, and Ayame should've gotten their invitations right about now."
"Hm. Well I'm not sure who should watch over the bar."
"I'll do it. No problem." Kou responded, as lively as ever. Just as long as I don't get another assignment. He hoped that Leann, his boss and the head of LUKIS, wouldn't interfere with the party. Especially as soon as his comm starts ringing; it has gotten him in trouble many times before.
"I wonder if Wong would participate; he seems capable." Boss said. They had become close friends since they met, and they happen to be around the same age as well. Everyone obliged, they did notice as he was giving Sion a couple spars from time to time.
"Good thing he'll be 20; I despise underage drinking." Legal drinking or purchasing alcoholic beverages is 20 years in Japan. Much like the United States, they have very strict laws, perhaps even more tighter regulations than across the Pacific.
Meanwhile, as he, Dominique, and Wong got done with breakfast, Sion called Ayame, and even Capsule Corp of the occasion. Even though the nightmare was still fresh in his mind, he never talked about it. Ayame and Trunks said they got their RVSPs, and will show up at 8 pm sharp as instructed. They will actually get Goten as well and head to Fate using the Nimbus. She also said she will wear her cap that Dominique stitched for the birthday bash.
The three minors entered the bar promptly. Sion, Dominique, Wong, Volt, Kou, Echidna, and Boss were waiting, and Krillin and Android 18 were the special guests. While she was called by Sion, Ayame suggested to bring them, as he and the android would be very interesting since their relationships are similar. Though their daughter, Marron, was babysat by Gohan and Videl. Krillin and 18 were always looking forward to visit, and they gladly introduced themselves to the bouncers, especially Sion. They often discussed with him what it was like falling for an android, and also meeting and saving her from Cell.
One of Sion's gifts was a huge check from Capsule Corp. Bulma wanted to give some charity to the town of Edge since she heard it was under a deep recession. From Goten, there was a pendant that had a tiny Dragon Ball hanging from it. Ayame gave him a mix CD she made with some songs she downloaded for him; each song reminded her of Sion and his friends. Volt and Echidna gave him some fashionable spiky arm bands. Kou was uncertain about his present; he actually gave him a stuffed sleek black panther. It was a decent choice since it kind of reminded him of Kaldea's metamorphosis. Wong gave him some new motorcycle gloves, and the Dog Street logo was attached to them; they were incredibly flimsy and they actually had room for Sion's fingers. And Dominique gave him a painting she made; it had a large image of Sion and her side by side walking away beneath the night sky. The Dog Street logo was at the top right corner, while her emblem, a pink heart with an arrow piercing through it, was to the left corner. Sion appreciated every single one.
Goten, Trunks, and Ayame hung out at the second floor, while the others celebrated near the counter.
"Boy, you are a lucky man, Sion." Krillin remarked, as they were talking about his missions rescuing Dominique from the Mikado Group. He greatly admired him of his courage and devotion to her.
18 might be Dominique's coach on how to use her agile, strong figure properly in times when she ever needs to defend herself. "Because she'll know when the time is right, if someone dares to take advantage of her one day."
It was quite a relief that Boss wasn't too alarmed as he found out Dominique is an android, instead of a human. He was glad that she could still be Fate's own mascot, since she'll always live on.
Just then, there was an enormous chocolate cake brought to them. Only, it was actually a fried ice cream cake! Then, of course, Boss was ready for the patrons' orders.
"Whilst sake, also known as rice wine, is the national drink of Japan; lager-beer, pronounced beer-ru in Japanese, is the most popular drink." he pointed out each selection he'd chosen for Sion's party. And Boss stocked every one on the shelves. "Widely available brands include Kirin, Sapporo, Suntory, and Asahi."
Since it's Sion's birthday, he gets to pick the first drink, aside from making the first cut on the cake. "Hm...I'm gonna pick...that one!" The jukebox stopped playing an awkward tune known as "The Bouncer" by Kicks like a Mule. As daring as always, he'd chosen the most potent, the Sapporo. Everybody gasped at this choice, except Goten, Trunks, and Ayame who looked perplexed.
"Sion..?" Wong whispered, wide-eyed.
"Are you sure about this..?" Dominique said as she laid a hand on his arm.
From upstairs, Goten and Trunks queried, "What is it?", "What did he pick?"
"He picked the Sapporo..." Echidna mentioned.
Ayame asked, "What's that?"
As a connoisseur, Boss explained what it is. The Sapporo is known to have 100% malt beer and has a "touch of class". It's known as the oldest drink brewed in Japan since it was made back in 1876.
Yet, Sion still went with it, but only from a shot glass just to taste it. He never seemed to be bothered by the aftertaste; if anything, he was enjoying it. Then he ordered a small glass. Everyone else chose their own respective drinks, despite their shocked expressions, especially Wong's. The three minors never understood, so they didn't mind. Instead they just asked for a few soft drinks. The Sapporo was definitely by far the hardest beverage the Boss ever had in his inventory; he hopes that Sion won't do anything foolish...
Kou eventually finished his shift within a few hours, and it was Echidna's turn. Thank goodness most of the patrons were sober, except of course the 20-year old. He got a little more cocky as he wanted to have up to three more small glasses, one at a time.
"I think you had enough..." Dominique said. Wong and Volt couldn't have agreed more. His head was really swimming as he held it. He tried to clear it as he took a few deep breaths.
"What's wrong with Sion?" Trunks said curiously.
"I...think he had a little too many." Ayame answered. She still wishes she won't dare to wrap her lips around a longneck when she grows older.
As he was given another slice of the chocolate fried ice cream cake, his appetite became ravenous before he scoffed it down. The Saiyan boys were impressed, though the rest of the guys were almost turned off. As they were muttering, something was beginning to awaken inside of Sion, Ayame was the first to feel it. She gazed over to him, and Sion actually offered to head outside by himself. He was wobbling, he held onto his stool, and he became still for a few seconds before he fell to his knees. His body was burning up immensely, then Wong and Dominique decided to escort him back home. A wave of exhaustion swept over him, and he rested on the cold, concrete floor. His master and beloved both carried him as each arm was around their shoulders.
Sion wound up within his own bed. Dominique decided to give him some space, as she left the bed only for him. His blank face was illuminated by the moon's glow, then he began to tremble as he felt strange.
"Where am I?" He woke up on a roof and felt a cool, refreshing breeze. He thought he was still dreaming until he made a quick inspection: his gloves felt tighter, he donned on a black-hooded jacket instead of the usual red one, and even his entire attire was shrouded in shadow. He was wearing his neck collar as well.
"What is this? How did I..?" he grinned at his new outlook. "Wow. This feels...amazing."
He gazed at the full, large moon ahead of him. And his confidence began to grow. He desired for a certain lust, for blood, for violence, for dominance. His fists clenched while his heart and mind started to pound and race within him. With every beat, he felt anew, reborn. He closed his eyes for a few minutes as he absorbed the thrilling sensation, and took a deep breath. The alcohol, his first drink, must've fed and awakened his prowess. He also had a flashback of what Dauragon had said in the Galeos, about forgetting the past, and not caring of what happened. Those feelings were gone and replaced by "this new indulgence. The pleasure of fighting for the sake of fighting!" Yet, Sion wasn't afraid of the delivery, but enthralled. His worries began to vanish and he just sneered as he saw the moon again. He was more hungry and ready than ever!
With his new signature hood up he goes on a fighting spree as he picked them among whatever gang he saw. No matter how tough, intimidating, or strong they were, it was no match. He was lusting over his newfound powers and appearance within every passing second. It was as if Sion's senses just skyrocketed, including his endurance, strength, and speed. It was almost like an intense adrenaline rush.
By the time the night was over, he wound up inside his empty, disheveled bed, as if nothing happened. Yet, his experience was still vivid and exhilarating. He'd never felt this great before, and he still had this unusual demeanor. Because of that, Sion decided to continue wearing it. This did give him a more sinister complexion, but he felt so confident, that he never wanted to give it up. He also put on some more Dog Street apparel including a thick, leather belt with a canine skull; some grey shorts that were slightly below the knees; and black socks. He set Dominique's pendant aside, and he wore the spiky, collars that Volt and Echidna gave him on his arms.
During the day, things seemed normal. However, everyone noticed Sion as his own polar opposite, or as his own antithesis. They thought Sion has some kind of Dissociative Identity Disorder, or a Multiple Personality Disorder. The bystanders figured Sion's now a loner, sometimes he's been called a shadow. He shows no fear, remorse, or worry, and always living in the moment while reveling in his destruction to others. Wong disapproved all this as he said he's a lot worse. Acting more of a delinquent, he's definitely not the same person as he once knew him. Dominique eventually caught on, both by Wong, and seeing him strutting his stuff and just showing off. One time, one of Sion's friends called Ayame and even she was shocked of the news. She knew something was very ominous about him the moment he was drinking and savoring more over the Sapporo.
At night, that was when his darkness rose to the surface. And it happened to be during his shift on another clear evening with a full moon. When he stopped by the bar after a couple drinks, it was time. He had hardly talked to anyone, not even Volt, Kou, Echidna, or Boss. While he was outside he kept gazing up at the moon, shining down on him, filling him with that same lust he felt before.
He thought to himself, This...this is my true calling; I will be Fate's own mascot. To represent all of Edge. I'll be known as the wolf of Dog Street. Yeah...the lone wolf of Dog Street. I shall be the city's own top dog!
With a sneer, he thought it was so fitting for him, as the predator of the night, the one who seeks out alone, the alpha male, Fate and Edge's very own.
By the time someone said his shift was over, Sion didn't know who since he was deep in his own thoughts, he decided to extend it. He proudly said, "I'm a bouncer, as I make a living and a difference risking my life for Fate and for Edge. I love...my...job." The dark energy kept on manipulating him.
Soon it was closing time, and Boss decided to extend everyone's hours: "Ok, people, here's how it's done. This could only be temporary 'cause I'm not certain in terms of hours and payment. Volt will take half a night while Echidna takes the other, Kou might take one whole evening until closing, and Sion will take the next. Happy hour may be subject to change." However, the mad dog didn't like to hear of it; he actually wanted to take all the shifts for himself, without any regard to his co-workers. They were really appalled he would say something like this...
"You're actually taking our hours away?! After all we've worked for?!" Kou retorted.
"Sion...this isn't like you, at all! Mr. Wong was right about you, you're not yourself!" Dominique cried.
Volt and Echidna just stood speechlessly, as they recalled some similar incidents that happened between them as Master Mikado's most promising bodyguards.
Then he just shook it off and asked, or demanded, "Just give me another Sapporo!" However, Boss didn't approve of it very much because he was nearly frightened of Sion's sudden demeanor and appearance.
Finally, the bulky bouncer stepped up. "Sion, that's enough!"
He faced him with a tight expression. The last thing he wanted is to be challenged, "What's the matter?! Am I stealing your spotlight, Volt!? You should be familiar of all of this by now! With you and Echidna. As for me, I'm the one who should be the bar's own mascot!" His desire was finally out in the open, and he showed no signs of recoil.
Suddenly, something was upon him as he recollected a time when he tried to end his life once, just about a year ago:
A man was scared of Sion's reckless fighting, "Ah-Ahhhh!
"Hey, hey, you're scaring away my customers. Why don't you take it someplace else?" an old man begged for mercy.
"I think that's my job, Boss." Volt stated as he stepped up to him.
Sion was mostly interested. "Those piercings make you look like a demon straight out of Hell. You think you got what it takes to take me there?" He was still devastated over the loss of Kaldea Orchid, and he figured that this was the quickest way out...
Down, but not out from that short, painful fight with Volt, Sion got back on his feet, panting heavily. "I'm...not dead...yet..."
"Not bad...for a little kid..." Volt praised, just as worn out.
"What do you think about working for me, boy?" Boss said after he speculated the fight.
"What..?"
"He works for me as a bouncer." he pointed to him proudly. "It's your choice. No one is going to stop you from leaving if you want to..."
After a pregnant pause, he finally said, "All right, I'll do it...But only until I can beat him..!"
"You...you've tried to erase me. All so big, and bad. I'd lost to you last time. I'm so pumped up and determined right now; it's not gonna work this time!"
Before it escalated when Sion raised a fist, Kou wanted to break them up, "Guys, knock it off! You'll both cause another frenzy again!" He warned as he remembered the giant brawl Sion made.
His anger kept on going towards him. He pushed the meddling bouncer away, and as Volt countered, he easily avoided every blow.
Ayame on her Nimbus noticed the catastrophe within Fate; she was actually too scared to get herself involved. Then, she distracted herself as she felt someone's strength fading and immediately headed to that spot.
Barely taking anymore punishment, Sion performed a Hurricane Blitz, knocking the wind out of Volt and shattering a stool. Sion took a few deep inhales and made a menacing, shaking fist over his head. Echidna rushed to his side, and braced for the worst. "It's time to end this!"
Dominique desperately held his arm back! Then he reacted as he accidentally injured her with a backhand slap knocking her to the floor. Trembling in fear, she laid there as helpless as a distressed damsel while Kou ran to her. "No!" He gave her a hand and kept saying soothing words to her, as she was held close to him. She knew at that moment Kou was her only defense who hasn't been incapacitated or awestruck.
Noticing Dominique's fright, the black hooded thug stopped as he froze at what he just saw; everyone became deathly silent as a graveyard. Through her tears, she managed to say, "Sion...who are you..?"
He just stuttered with a pale, blank look, and shook his head. "I...I don't know..." Slowly, he walked backwards 'til he reached the outside of the saloon. Still feeling empty and numb, he began to wander aimlessly, not caring what could happen to him...
Ayame on the Nimbus stopped in front of the bar and the bouncers just as they were leaving, "Guys, we have an emergency here! It's Wong, we gotta help him!"
"Volt's injured from the fight he had with Sion!" Echidna informed. "I don't know what got into him."
"...It was Sion..?"
Kou stepped forward from the crowd, "I'll check it out."
Ayame hopped off since Kou can't ride it. "Ok, but we gotta hurry, Wong's life is at stake, here!"
At a dark alley, Sion wound up witnessing a group of drug dealers beating the blood out of someone that was around four times their youth. Hardly feeling the urge, Sion tried to make out who was at the center of the crowd. After awhile, he saw it was...Master Wong!?
He had a flashback to when he was 16, and a certain event happened to his mentor. He hasn't returned from Mikado in days. It eventually extended to a year even, and Sion was getting increasingly worried. Kaldea was living with him at that time during a cool, long night:
"What is it?" she said, with deep concern as he was looking out the bedroom window.
"Master Wong hasn't come home."
"What..?"
"He said something weird a while ago, but I didn't expect him to leave so suddenly..."
"Have you notified the police? He could have been involved in some accident." Kaldea presumed.
He retorted with complete denial and disbelief. "No accident could kill him! Even if someone tried to murder him..." his voce softened as his throat became tight. He was close to breaking in tears at such a thought. "...that old man wouldn't die..!"
Wong had never returned since that day...and now he was being brutally beaten by this street gang he wound up with. And he was dying, just as how he was when Dauragon killed him..!
Dominique, Kou, and Ayame rushed to his aid. The Z-Fighter gave Wong a Senzu Bean to revive him while Sion fought each member in a violent rage. Unable to contain his fear, anger, and pain, he eventually started to split! The dark matter emitted from Sion's body as he was screaming in severe agony, holding his head as if trying to keep his mind from short-circuiting! Everyone took cover and stood in horror as they watched Sion exorcise this demon inside! As he pushed harder, more of the vile exited from his body until it became a shadow of himself with his hood up. Then Sion looked normal and he collapsed as he fainted.
Kou led the group as they ran to the fallen bouncer. Then they saw the horrid afterimage standing on a ledge several feet above them! Dominique even let out a short scream at that eerie sight!
"...Could this be..?" Wong muttered.
"This is...his doppelganger..." Ayame had a loss for words.
"There are two of him!" Kou cried. This was all of Sion's darkness kept inside him! He looked down at the terrified quartet with a hard glance and then vanished as quick as a blown-out candle.
While Dominique and Wong were nursing him back to health, and with Sion dealing with an intense fever, he didn't remember what happened to him as he woke up in Dominique's bed. Except when he was having excruciating pain and losing his master; he was glad he was still alive. He was given plenty of fluids from a bowl, and he sipped whenever the broth touched his lips. There were some intervals in which he spoke weakly, but often times he would slip into unconsciousness again. He noticed the dog collar with the hanging chain was stolen. In a groggy voice he assured her he doesn't necessarily need it, even though sometimes it was used as a neck guard.
He discovered his darkness was always inside of him since he lost both Kaldea and Wong as they mysteriously disappeared. It was also present as he fought against random people, Volt, and Mikado and its cronies; however, it wasn't consuming him at the moment, until very recently. He realized the darkness assimilated him, transforming his outlook and personality. He tried to apologize many times for his actions, though Wong kept telling him to save his strength. Then during his sickness, Sion reflected on all the guilt and despair, causing him to lose his will to fight:
Orphaned as a child, Sion first saw Master Wong after watching him participate in a street fight, and was eventually taken in by him despite being so late. He was raised as both his son and disciple. Living with him and through rigorous training in Wong's martial arts, Sion grew up. As a teenager, he met up with Kaldea Orchid, a smart and curious, yet frail girl, much like Ayame. Of course, she was known as a very talented pianist, playing a variety of songs they both enjoyed. Everything was swell for Sion, until Wong mysteriously vanished when he was 14. A few years later, living entirely on his own devices, he eventually got involved in a relationship with his childhood friend, and then he congratulated her on being hired for a prestigious position within the Mikado Group. It wasn't long when her parents informed Sion that Kaldea died in a most unfortunate work-related accident. He was completely devastated and went on a self-destructive spiral after that.
Sion's feelings of sorrow at the loss of his loved ones soon turned into resentment and anger, as he picked fights and desired for someone in the dangerous slums of Edge to end his life. A man who witnessed his desperation directed him to the saloon of Fate on Dog Street. Sion stirred up a large bar fight, and attempted to provoke the attention of Volt Krueger, Boss's recent employee, to kill him. Surprised at his courage and endurance, Boss offered him the chance to turn his life around and start again with the opportunity of being a bouncer.
Of course, he still remembered all the nightmares and his negative experiences when he lost Kaldea again at the Galeos, his fatal bouts with Dauragon, losing his mentor for real...
Through his negativity, sometimes Sion wished himself to just die on the spot, though Dominique, Ayame, and especially Wong wouldn't allow it. He even said he'd "forbid you to do such a thing!"
Ayame wished she would speed up his recuperation by giving him a Senzu Bean, but Korin said he only had one at his disposal, and it was used for an emergency only! As Sion continued resting, he kept having nightmares of killing people by fighting them all over the city, but in reality, it's Sion's darker self doing the dirty work.
A/N: I'm not very much of a drinker, as I mostly despise the taste and the aftereffects. However, I kinda like Mike's flavors. Anyway, I did some research on those Japanese brands, hoping to find the most potent for Sion. I believed the Sapporo might be a nice choice, maybe. The painting was a homage to an image made by MichaelMayne.
"The Bouncer" from Kicks like a Mule was a song I picked by accident. During those Kazza days, I was downloading some good songs from the game's soundtrack. Then, I picked this song by mistake; I figured it was probably a part of it since it said "Kicks like a Mule," as a possible reference to Sion's moves...I was a complete idiot, but I don't regret it. It's still a nice, upbeat song I'd found.
I hadn't mentioned in the story 'cause it was just background music, but I was thinking of "Killing in the Name" from Rage Against the Machine as Sion started to transform. It was another song that I could relate to Sion in an awkward way; I pictured him actually singing it, as the artist almost sounded like him. While I was playing The Bouncer, I picked it up somewhere and like the other song, "The Down Town," I thought it was catchy, until I found out what the lyrics were really saying. This might be significant to Sion's dark self, like what if he was actually a rebel? Like a complete polar opposite with nothing but hate and rage inside him, and always like a lone wolf?
Also, if you've played The Bouncer, you'll notice that people in Vs. and Survival Mode have alternate colors and outfits. Sion, however, was missing his black outfit. According to an online guide, it said that Sion's black wardrobe needs to be unlocked via Survival Mode. As it is completed, and if you defeat Sion's doppelganger, he'll be used along with his distinctive look and theme song. He has two names, Jet Black - Sion, and Black-Hooded Sion. The enemies and stages will of course be based off of Survival Mode itself; that was where I had the most inspiration, aside from Sion's doppelganger.
So that's it for Part I. Part II should be up soon, hopefully.