Hwoarang's New Look

by dunkingman

Throughout his fighting career, Hwoarang always kept his hair dyed red. He finally decided to change it in hopes of performing even stronger in the seventh King of Iron Fist Tournament. He also has a bad habit of spending too much money during the tournaments, so he asks to spend the week at a friend's home in order to save money before the new tournament begins.

1. Crashing A Friend's House

Hwoarang's New Look

Baek Doo San Dojo, Seoul, South Korea…

Baek: "Again Hwoarang! Make your middle stance deeper!"

Hwoarang: (Annoyed & Thinks.): "Fuck this guy man!"

Hwoarang was practicing his form for like the 50th time in front of his master. The 7th official tournament was coming up within a few months and Baek wanted to make sure Hwoarang would be mentally and physically prepared for it. After another 10 repetitions of the form, Hwoarang was finally done with form training. Baek told Hwoarang me could leave if he was too tired to go on. Hwoarang took the latter advice and walked out. Back on his bike clothes, Hwoarang drove out of the dojo in his new motorbike and headed over to one of his friend's house to hang out with them for a bit.

Jubu (Dapping.): "Hwoarang?! What's up?"

Hwoarang: "Training my ass off for this tournament. Baek insisted I'd train under him before I leave for Japan. Freakin' sucks dude."

Tako (aka Taco, playing on the PS4.): "Old man working your ass off huh?"

Hwoarang: "Working? More like slavery to me!"

Jubu (Closing the door.): "Speaking of work. How's the job working out for ya."

Hwoarang (Still annoyed.): "It's going. Although I'd much rather run the streets and fuck with people. At least the pay is decent. Tako! What game is that?" (Looks at the TV.)

Taco: "Oh this? This is Assassin's Creed 2. I'm replaying this shit."

Hwoarang: "Is it a 2 player?"

Taco: "Nah. The ps3 had a multiplayer mode, but I don't think the ps4 version has it because it's a collection of three games I downloaded."

Hwoarang: "Aw crap. I was gonna play you. Where's your computer Ju?"

Jubu: "I'm my room. Why?"

Hwoarang: "I'm going to watch YouTube."

Some time later…

Jubu: "Hey, Hwoarang! We're about to go out for a bite! Wanna come?"

Hwoarang: "What's that?"

Jubu: "Me and Taco are hungry. How long are you planning to use the laptop?"

Hwoarang: "Alright. Just give a sec." (Types.) "Thank you Xiao!"

Hwoarang accompanied two of his friend as they trekked to the local dinery for some barbecue. Hwoarang ate very little of his food. There was a lot on his mind, especially about this new tournament. First off, his old rival had returned to fight in the tournament, meaning Jin Kazama. Hwoarang wasn't able to fight him during the special tag tournament since he and his master prematurely lost against Kazuya and Anna. Baek suffered greater injuries, and given his age, it took longer for him to recover from the fight than Hwoarang did. It is unlikely Baek will re-enter the tournament because of his weakened back.

Then there was this reappearance of a new woman, who claimed to be a Mishima. She only appeared once by temporarily interfering with a conference Heihachi was holding after announcing the new tournament. Hwoarang finally got to watch the video he had heard rumors about for several months. This new woman had to be strong if she scared the living daylights out of Heihachi. Hwoarang then though about the whereabouts of his old friends at the tournament. How many of them will show up? Something crazy was going to happen this time around and he didn't like it one bit.

Taco: "Oi! Hwoa! Why are you staring out the window for? You see any bitches?"

Hwoarang: "Nah."

Jubu: "He's probably not looking forward to training again." (Biting his rib.)

Hwoarang (Comes up with an idea.): "I'm changing my hair."

Taco (Confused.): "Huh? What did you say?"

Hwoarang: "Yeah, I'm going back to my natural color."

Jubu (Has Blue dyed hair.): "Really how come?"

Hwoarang (Mood swing.): "Cause, I feel like it! I've had red hair for like 4 years now. I'm changing it up! You got a problem with it? I'll kick your ass!"

Jubu: "No! No! Bro! It's cool with me! Uh where are you gonna it change at?"

Hwoarang: "Isn't it a hair salon not too far from Taco's place?"

Taco: "Yeah it is. I'll show it to ya once we walk back to our bikes."

Hwoarang (Smirks.): "Sweet!"

Hwoarang's friends were quite surprised he wanted to change his hair color. Especially since he kept his hair red for the last 4 years. Once Hwoarang's hairdo was complete, he looked more sophisticated than usual by keep a red streak of red hair overlaying his left side. Taco teased him about keeping some red hair around, but Hwoarang verbally lashed out at him again and just left the two bums standing in fear. In a few days, Hwoarang will leave for Japan after finished his training with Baek.

4 Days later, Incheon International Airport …

Baek drove Hwoarang to the airport so he could get ready for the upcoming tournament. The previous training day had Hwoarang's muscles sore from everywhere, but he endured the pain as kept he walking behind Baek until they stopped before entering the security area. Baek gave him some final warnings before Hwoarang departed.

Baek: "The tournament draws near. Do what you can to bring honor to our school and country. Stop the Mishimas from fighting each other once again. I wish I could compete, but my body won't allow it. So I'm putting my trust in you Hwoarang. Do we understand each other?"

Hwoarang (Nods.): "I understand Master Baek. I'm in it to win it!"

Baek: "Be careful my student. This is goodbye."

Baek hugged Hwoarang very tight. It actually crushed Hwoarang in the arms and ribs. Hwoarang felt embarrassed and told his master to cut it out.

Hwoarang (Protests.): "Okay! Okay! Master Baek! People are staring at us! Let go!"

Baek (Let him go.): "Alright, alright! Take care Hwoarang!"

Hwoarang: "You too!" (Goes into the security checkpoint area.)

Several hours later, Ling Xiaoyu's home, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan…

Hwoarang made it to Japan and had to board several trains to get in the area where Xiaoyu resided. Xiaoyu offered her residence as a temporary stay for Hwoarang at least until the tournament was officially underway. Because they met each other at third tournament, and both share concerns for their fellow fighter Jin, Hwoarang and Xiaoyu got along fairly well. She was probably the only girl who didn't annoy Hwoarang to no end. Well, sometimes she did. Anyway, Xiaoyu would allow him to stay at her place so Hwoarang had to tell himself to be on his best behavior for he did not want to waste all of his hard earned money at a hotel.

Hwoarang (finally approaches Xiaoyu's front gate.): "Damn! This place is bigger than I thought." (Rings the bell.)

It took a while for someone to show up and open the gate door so Hwoarang rung the bell about three more times. The gate finally opens where Xiaoyu stood on the other side. Xiaoyu gave a look at Hwoarang like she didn't know who he was. That is until Hwoarang finally spoke.

Hwoarang: "Aw man! What a relief! I thought no one was home! Xiaoyu! What's up?"

Xiaoyu: "Uh? Hwoarang?"

Hwoarang: "Yup It's me Hwoarang!"

Xiaoyu: "Oh! Hwoarang! I mean! I didn't recognize you for a minute there! What happened to your hair? It's black!"

Hwoarang (Rubbing his head.): "Yeah, it's a new look. Should I have kept it red?"

Xiaoyu: "No! It looks cool! Um let's come inside!"

Hwoarang (Grabs some of his luggage.): "Yea. It's hot out here."

Xiaoyu's new Japan residence was up on the hills out looking the city of Yokosuka. It was about two stories high which included a large front garden for Panda to roam around and play in. Panda was currently training on her own as Hwoarang looked at the bear's direction before going inside. Eventually, Xiaoyu and Hwoarang sat down in the living room to catch up on old times.

Xiaoyu: "Well, Hwoarang? Are you ready for the tournament?"

Hwoarang: "As ready as I'll ever be."

Xiaoyu: "Hmm…You usually say things like, I'm gonna beat everyone up! Or no one can stop me! Why the sudden change of mood?"

Hwoarang: "Hmph. Good question. Something is real fishy about this tournament. Of course a lot of them are, but man the world could be on the verge of war again. We've only had a few months of peace. That is until Heihachi retook the Zaibatsu, and now this tournament pops back up. Have you heard about his wife?"

Xiaoyu: "I know. Panda and I have tried all sorts of websites to find her. No luck though. Some forums say she might be fake, an imposter. I don't think so. I mean you saw the look on Heihachi's face right, at the conference."

Hwoarang: "Yeah. I've never seen the old geezer look like that. Never. It looked like he just shit an elephant or something."

Xiaoyu (giggles.): "That's so disgusting."

Hwoarang: "If someone could scare Heihachi like that, they must mean serious business."

Xiaoyu: "Well, one of us will have to fight him or that woman at some point during the tournament."

Hwoarang: "Her name was Kazumi right?"

Xiaoyu: "Yeah. I hope she's not a bad person."

Hwoarang: "Nah. I think's she eerily creepy. She's supposed to be dead too. How the fuck did she come back alive?"

Xiaoyu: "I don't know. Records say she died when Kazuya was just a small child. So, you think she's a recent experiment from G Corp?"

Hwoarang: "Hell if I know. Whether she's a clone, a robot, or a demon I'll kick her ass since she's the wife of Heihachi! They're all going down! Including Jin!"

Xiaoyu (Hands on her face.): "No! Not Jin!"

Hwoarang: "At this point in time, I'm not taking any chances. Jin revealed his nature back in Egypt. I don't think for a second he's gonna bring peace to the planet if he somehow wins the tournament again."

Xiaoyu: "Not even you can believe that Hwoarang?! It's not his fault he's a part of this dysfunctional family."

Hwoarang: "Oh yeah! You better hope I'm wrong about it! First he turned into that thing (devil), almost killing me, and then he damn near killed my master and our rebel squadron out in Cairo last year. Sorry, but the guy is not much different from his pops and grandpa."

Xiaoyu: "Just don't kill him Hwoarang, if you do fight him."

Hwoarang: "Xiaoyu. When we fight anything is possible."

Silence for 2 minutes…

Xiaoyu: "Well…you missed Miharu earlier today. She had to leave right before you got here since it was her turn to watch her grandfather."

Hwoarang (Roll eyes.): "Oh that girl."

Xiaoyu: "Hwoarang she really does like you. You can at least act like you're interested."

Hwoarang: "Her stalking annoys me to no end."

Xiaoyu (Laughing.): "We'll you better get used to it since you're staying with me."

Hwoarang: "Anyway. Is that Panda joining the tournament?"

Xiaoyu: "Yep. Are you worried?"

Hwoarang: "Worried? Hah! It's an animal, but I've faced worse."

Xiaoyu: "She's worked harder than ever. I think she will surprise a lot of people."

Hwoarang: "I hope I see Steve there. He's been lowkey since the last tournament."

Xiaoyu: "I think he's officially in. I checked the entries last week. I remember seeing his name there."

Hwoarang: "Sweet!"

The front door opens and Panda rushes to Xiaoyu…

Panda (frantic growl.): "Xiaoyu! Xiaoyu! There's a limo outside! It's that girl! She's with Alisa!"

Xiaoyu: "Really? Let's go out and see."

Now outside, there was a large limo parked right in front of the main gate. An old man got out the car first and opened the passenger side back door to let out his employer and also Alisa came out of the vehicle behind her. Xiaoyu opened the gate to see Alisa, the old man, and a familiar face in Lili.

Xiaoyu: "Wow! Today is a weird day with all of these guests! How are you guys?"

Alisa: "Good afternoon Xiaoyu! I'm doing excellent!"

Lili: "Bonjour! I'm glad to have found this place thanks to you Alisa Bosconovitch. And oh dear!"

Xiaoyu: "Oh, you know Hwoarang and Panda don't you Lili?"

Lili: "Uh I remember the bear! Hi!"

Panda (Bear wave.): "Hello."

Lili: "But what is he doing here?"

Hwoarang (Folds arms like a boss.): "I was gonna ask you the same shit!"

Alisa: "I detect Lili's blood temperature rising."

Xiaoyu: "Hwoarang! Don't be so rude!

Hwoarang (Turns his back.): "Ugh. Whatever."

Alisa: "Hwoarang's blood temperature is going up as well."

Lili: "Anywho? I'm here because I met Alisa while shopping out in the streets of Yokohama, and I wanted her to show me where Xiaoyu lived. And I wanted to be certain that you girls would be in my music video shoot tomorrow."

Xiaoyu: "Oh yea! Of course Lili. I didn't forget at all! Neither did Panda, Miharu, and Alisa. Alisa is the one who kept reminding us."

Alisa: "The pleasure was all mine."

Lili: "Oh! It makes me so feel happy some fellow fighters I know feel the same way as I do about music!"

Xiaoyu: "I've never been part of a music video before, so I'm pretty excited."

Lili: "Good. Say I'm thirsty. Do you have any tea in your establishment Xiaoyu?"

Xiaoyu: "Yea. We do have tea. Um I don't know what type of tea you're into but please come inside all of you!"

Hwoarang (thinks.): "Man this sucks! And it's only the first day!"

10 minutes later…

Lili: "Hahahahaha! Oh how embarrassing! I didn't know Jin was such a klutz!"

Xiaoyu: "Yeah. He really did brake the teacher's fish bowl by accident. Still got punished for it with detention."

Lili: "This is too good! I hope to use this information to my advantage if I fight Jin in the tournament!"

Hwoarang (Thinks.): "This shit is torture!"

Xiaoyu: "Just don't kill him okay Lili?"

Lili: "Oh I won't soil myself to murder. However, he should be punished for his transgressions." (Looks at Hwoarang.) "By the way. Is Hwoarang visiting you as well? I'm just curious."

Xiaoyu: "I'm letting him stay at my place until time for the tournament."

Lili: "Really? I'm surprised. I didn't know you were friends."

Hwoarang: "That's none of your business!"

Xiaoyu: "Hwoarang!" (Looks at Lili.) "He and I go way back, like since the third tournament. So I don't have any problems inviting old competitors into my living space."

Lili: "Well. When I first entered the tournament, Hwoarang was one of my first fights and he's been a bully towards me ever since."

Xiaoyu: "Hwoarang is that true?"

Hwoarang: "Bully her? I might have told her some bad things, but that's because she was always stalking me! Now I know what Asuka goes through with this princess!"

Lili: "You lie! You take great pleasure in sending me messages calling me ugly and spoiled! I will take great pleasure in making you regret those nasty remarks when the tournament starts!"

Hwoarang (Grinning.): "I'm not worried! You won't make it far anyways!"

Lili (Stands Up.): "Sebastian!"

Sebastain: "Yes Lili."

Lili: "Prepare the limo. We have overstayed our welcome here. Thank you Alisa and Xiaoyu for the friendly hospitality! I will see you at the set tomorrow!"

Alisa: "Goodbye Lili! See you tomorrow!" (Happily waving.)

Xiaoyu: " Um I'll follow you to the gate Lili okay."

Lili: "You're too kind Xiaoyu."

After the door closes Alisa makes a comment to Hwoarang…

Alisa: "I'm not sure what has transpired between you and Lili, but maybe you should be more careful with your words. They can make an impact on someone just as bad as actions do."

Hwoarang (In a bad mood.): "Great. Now I'm being lectured by an android."

Alisa: "I'm human, just like you!"

Hwoarang: "A human that can fly and shoot projectiles? You should be disqualified from the tournament for having gadgets!"

Alisa: "That's odd. I'm far from being the only competitor with external weaponry. That much is the truth."

Hwoarang: "Yeah, they should ban you and that weirdo ninja, those JACK models, and that stupid kangaroo!"

Alisa: "Such lofty demands for disqualification are ludicrous! The Zaibatsu would never allow it!"

Hwoarang: "That'll change until I win."

Alisa: "That remains to be seen."

Hwoarang: "Do I hear a tone of resentment coming from you?"

Alisa: "Not at all. Your blood is rising again."

Hwoarang: "Listen to yourself? What normal human talks like that?"

Alisa: "What do you mean?"

Hwoarang: "Your blood temperature is rising? Seriously? What's in that tin can head of yours?"

Xiaoyu reenters the living room and see Hwoarang standing up…

Xiaoyu: "Hwoarang! She's gone now! Are you happy!"

Hwoarang: "Really? What a relief."

Xiaoyu: "You've been here for only 30 minutes and already you've managing to get on the bad side of people who come to my house."

Hwoarang: "I didn't know you were having other people here, especially Lili."

Xiaoyu: "It was a surprise for me, but you heard she bumped into Alisa here. We promised Lili to be at the video shoot tomorrow. You're more than welcome to come join us."

Hwoarang: "Lili's doing a music video? Man, I dunno."

Xiaoyu: "You never seen my house up until now. After that outburst with Lili, I'm not sure if I should leave you alone here."

Alisa: "I've looked into Hwoarang's juvenile records in his homeland of South Korea. He has multiple accounts of theft and assault. I wouldn't leave him here Xiaoyu."

Hwoarang (shocked.): "You gotta be shittin' me? She can read my record?"

Xiaoyu: "Hmm…sounds like you have to come with me after all. If you don't you can find somewhere else to sleep!"

Hwoarang (on his knees.): "This sucks!"

At this point, Hwoarang would need to behave himself. He was not looking forward for tomorrow. Lili got on his nerves so much and even Miharu was coming along for the shoot. The beginning of the tournament couldn't arrive any faster.