Prologue - Return of the Martyred
Location Unknown
Bony, elderly hands curled and wafted about a small globe of glass, while a bald, elderly face locked dulling blue eyes with great concentration upon the sphere. 'I hope this works, I hope I am not too late.' his mind raced as fast as his elderly joints could bend to his will.
As bright light filled the otherwise dark and empty room, energy pulsated from the old man's hands. "Who…" spoke a voice faintly at first, feminine and by far echoing as though there was no body to hold it. "What's going on?" it spoke with fear and concern.
The elderly man spoke, "There is no need to fear me, Rose." his words were calm. "It warms by aging heart to hear your voice after so long."
"Chad?" the ownerless voice asked in shock. "Its been so long!"
"It has." Chad smiled. "I am glad you were able to come on such short notice." following which, he paused to sigh saddened. "I trust you are aware that I would not disturb you from your eternal slumber unless there was urgent business."
"Yes." the voice spoke matter-of-factly, without any indication towards any form of emotion. "I know well that trouble is on the rise again, and that I must once again do my part."
"You know what I am going to do." the man confirmed, for this was not a question in the least.
"I do." the female disembodied voice spoke. "Yet, you know well as I do that reconnecting my soul with my body could very well kill you." it paused, considering carefully the next words to say for a second. "Worse yet, I will be weaker than I had used to be for some time."
The old man frowned again, knowing well he would do this without second thought. "I have a currently benign tumor in my brain. Day by day it is growing more fatal. I do not want to live a life of uselessness and suffering. As such, I wish to do one last useful thing before I die.
The voice known as Rose knew well what would happen. "You have always been a good person and friend." This was oddly hard to digest however. In spite of how great it would be to live once more, there would indeed be consequences. Regardless, business was business, "Do you know where I'll be when I awaken?"
With a curt nod that would prove useless due to a lack of any form of true visual notice, Chad spoke, "Yes, I believe your body will be somewhere in the area where you had died. Regardless, I think once I attempt the revival, a body will form if there is none o be found. It is unknown where it will be exactly, but I'm sure you can manage just fine."
The disembodied female voice was quiet for a few seconds, but then spoke solemnly, "I not sure I will be able to remember much or not, but I wanted to say thank you, and sorry for putting this burden upon you."
The man could not hold back a few tears. How could this woman even think of apologizing when it was she who had thrown away her own life in the first place for a greater good? "It is time." he paused. "This whole meeting will seem like a strange dream once all is said and done. Good luck Rose, and farewell." he smiled as a tear rolled down his cheek. "I wish you a better life this time around, even if not much will change."
At that, the glowing glass sphere lost its light and the room darkened. "Well… its been a good run, I guess." Old man Chad shrugged, he was doomed to die in pain, why not put the last minutes of your life to good use.
With that final thought, the man then channeled his energy, as swirls and spheres and bright light filled the darkened room. This was it, a time of portents had come, and death was less than an hour away for Chad.
Thailand
Furious feet, and a tirelessly avaricious thirst for power, that was the way of Adon. The sharply straight hair of a reddish orange that was his hair seemed to slightly dull in color with age. Yet ago had not stopped the Muay Thai god's rigorous training and determination never skip a beat. With a leap to the air, the jaguar warrior's feet flew ahead of him and kicked the thin air of the Thai jungles around him. There was no time to even think that rest could be acceptable if he ever wanted to fight 'him'… again. Akuma… he had been a most dangerous foe, and even years after the battle, Adon still kept his training fierce. Even to this day, that battle remains unforgotten as though it were yesterday.
Two Years ago
The battle had been fierce, and though Akuma had indeed fought many battles, Adon certainly had agility that black robed warrior rarely encountered. Black robes indeed adorned his skin with an unnatural darkness and his hair was as red and wild as the man whose follicles let it grow. Still, he could tell easily that the Thai Emperor was losing his will and stamina. "I am impressed." The seemingly demonic man commented, a smile. "Perhaps, I may give you a rare treat and let you live."
This caused the Muay Emperor's eyes to widen, as his breath heaved heavily in exhaustion, "How dare you!". It was just not right for such a fight of sheer power, only to live and go on in humility. As he retained balance, the Muay Thai God swallowed all pride and continued to fight. Lifting his bandage covered hands, Adon swiftly chopped the air around him, "Jaguar Rend!" he shouted. It was his newest technique. Jaguar Rend, a long ranged way to maul your foe like a tiger. As he unleashed its energy, white light in the shape of claw marks thrashed the air. This was a technique that Adon hoped would attract more to the ways of the Jaguar Muay Thai.
Akuma unleashed a toothy grin, smiling as he puffed his chest, and dived at the slashing energy, taking it head on. As the energy claws sunk the flesh, they did not even make Akuma wince. "You have potential." Akuma smiled as he continued past the claws, and dived at Adon with a kick. Adon only barely dodged to the left, only to find Akuma switch directions as swiftly as the Muay Thai god had, himself. The foot connected with Adon's stomach, sending him reeling to the ground, only to receive one more swift kick to his head as hunched over in pain.
"D-damn you!" hissed Adon as he staggered, weak, angry and enraged, as he felt himself losing consciousness.
Akuma kept a determined gaze at his beaten foe. "Be glad you yet live." the ansatsuken replied with all the indifference in the world. "I give you a chance to end your hunt and survive. The next time we battle, I will not give you such liberty." and that was the last thing Adon remembered before his consciousness was lost.
Present
"Rising Jaguar!" he shouted involuntarily as he unleashed a rising knee kick into the air, severing a rock nearby cleanly where it struck. 'I am the god of Muay Thai! I WILL show Akuma that I am superior!' his ego determined, though fear hidden beneath this mask of confidence. After all, a legend isn't something fun to be when not around to bask in your status. It was then with another leaping kick that he noticed something.
Out of place, in a bed of green grass was a carcass, a human carcass. At least, he thought it was dead at first, and seemed very much to have a different complexion than what any local should have, for the skin was far too pale. Her hair was a deep shade of purplish-blue, and its lengthiness seemed to defy laws of physics as it split to different points, a thin zigzagging line. There were two or three noticeable at the edges of her hair. 'She looks familiar…' Adon thought to himself as he looked at her carefully. The fact that this woman was without a shred of bodily covering did not phase him in the least. He was the Muay Thai God after all, fear to such pleasantries would be a sign of weakness. There was one thing though. To her left, he noticed something thin, long and yellow. As he touched the object, he knew well. "I remember her!" he shouted aloud to the empty jungles, since even the wild cats were smart enough to fear a Muay Thai master unless they had some fighting training as well. The conversation played out in his mind at that moment, surprising himself.
"People are obsessed with power, which in turn, destroys people. Can't you see it? Can't you see where your aspirations will lead you?" said a woman in a soft-spoken manner, as her purple hair defied laws of physics in a mystical manner.
"Ruin and destruction, right?" he scoffed, "I know full well what it is! But Muay Thai's power is far beyond your comprehension!' he boasted bravely. "Have you just sought to waste my time, or are you done talking?"
"You should not be so full of yourself, Adon, current Muay Thai emperor." the woman sighed. "I see I wont be able to convince you otherwise." her determined, unwavering facial expression unchanging from deep thought as she walked past him, high heeled shoes carrying her feet as she stepped.
The memory stopped there. 'She must have been a fan, being able to know my name.' he thought proudly. 'Still, I got a strange sense of emotion when she spoke to me.' He might as well not leave her to lie there in the middle of nowhere. 'Wait, she called me emperor! I am the God!'
As he put an arm behind her head to carry her, he heard a slight and woozy moan, not to mention that he felt a strange sensation contort his mind. In that instant, eyes as purple as the woman's hair shot open. "W… what?" she asked to the air around her, only to realize that she was being lifted off the ground. That's when she saw who. With red, rigidly straight hair, and strange yellow headband wrapped around it, this man seemed familiar to the woman. "You are…" she paused for a second, "Adon." she recalled in her often unwavering tone.
Adon nodded to that, "Yes," he confirmed, perhaps proud of how far stretched his fame seemed to be. "and you're naked."
The woman now realized this, and with eyes wide, she eyed the Muay Thai Emperor with disgust.
Adon rolled his eyes, "You honestly think I've never seen better?" to which he sighed. "I think this is yours." he added as he held out the yellow cloth.
Rose ignored the gloats, but was glad to still have access to her scarf, the catalyst for some of her power. "Thank you." she said calmly, before quickly snatching the scarf into her hands, still embarrassed by the situation she was in. A slight redness covered her cheeks. Though much of a martyr, Rose was still a bit materialistic, and a slave to the decencies that society demanded. "The name is Rose by the way." she added.
"How did…" the Muay Thai God never got to finish his sentence as Rose replied before he could.
"Put simply, I am a psychic." she stated, letting the subject hang there.
"Well what the hell are you doing here?" the Muay Thai legend continued to demand, "You'd best be damn glad that the wild beasts know well to fear the Muay Thai god, or you'd have been there latest meal."
"It is complicated to explain." she stated.
Adon crossed his arms at that, "Well then don't bother with your small talk."
"But just know that if I am alive, then I have been brought back to it to serve a purpose." her eyes seemed to lose focus for a second. 'I am not feeling as strong as I used to be.' she thought to herself, 'It will be difficult to rebuild my soul focus.'
"Brought… back?" the red haired kicking warrior wondered. Something about those words didn't sound right to him. "You certainly don't seem like any other person I know, what gives?"
Rose gave Adon a curt gaze, "I thought I'd just be wasting your time." she noted.
"Uh, well I did…" he trailed, thinking carefully of how he worded what he would say next, "but… uh," he stammered, this was not easy to figure out what to say. His glanced all about in every direction, only to catch sight of something far out of place. "What's that?" he pointed to a three dimensional rectangle that, funny thing was, was not there ten minutes ago while he was destroying the very air around him with Muay Thai power. "That your stuff?"
Rose quickly glanced, and its splendor of reds and purples. "That is indeed mine. If you don't mind, I will explain more after I am done." It was about time that Chad had finished the package with something decent to wear.
For Adon's sake, nearly a minute or two to get set again was far too long, and was even most kind as well. "My, aren't you speedy." he said with a harsh tone, only to be crept out by Rose's lack of reactivity to the insult. "Anyway… I'm sure any strangely disgusting thoughts about why you could have been like that just now are way off." to which he gazed at the woman again. Now she was fully dressed, looking just like she did years ago. Lots of excessive purple leather, high heels, and a red vest. 'Typical overtly greedy first world slobs.' he thought, before going wide eyed, 'Oh shit! Did she read my mind?'
"It is difficult to explain," Rose's voice was a bit loud, as her gaze became stern. Indeed she had heard his mind, but she really didn't care… much. All you need to know that I am a psychic, and my powers originate in my soul." to which she glanced around quickly. "I do not have time to explain, regardless. Just know, that in due time, you will play an important role in what I have prophesized."
"Is that so?" Adon's high pitched voice seemed to grow more interested, 'Perhaps it will be my legend! My Muay Thai legend!' "Do tell…" he smiled.
Rose sighed for a second as she focused on the vision, "A once friend and teacher may need your help in the near future." she spoke. 'As great as it is to be alive, I do not feel like I am doing my job. Something… I do not feel like my full self.'
Adon merely laughed. "Ha ha! You mean Sagat, don't you?" he bawled out into uncontrolled heckling at that point. "Ha ha ha, yes I cant think of any significant teachers other than him. If he's out to seek MY title of Muay Thai God, he will not have it!"
"This is more serious than that, Adon." Rose sighed as she tried to focus over his loud and obnoxious laughter. "You should try to rekindle your friendship. Friends are important to have…" she paused, nearly choking on her words, "by your s-side." 'If I had only realized that truth myself back then… Poor Guy.' another sigh escaped her lips.
"I suppose that's why Sagat marred the name of Muay Thai by joining that bastardly scumbag… uh, Bison I believe he was." Adon shrugged, it was trivial information at best. "Something about some kind of Physic power," to which Rose's eyes snapped wide. "I refused his offer though. I'll earn my power through sweat and blood, not by cheating life."
"It's Psycho Power!" Rose snapped, as she grabbed he Muay Thai god forcefully by the bands that held his arms. "It is a destructive, mind consuming evil that must not be scoffed at!" she calmed with a short breath, "You do not know anything! You do not know what its like to be a part of that sickening man." her face cast itself down towards the ground in regret, not even considering that she may just be talking to an enemy. She didn't care, the pressure was by far too much. "What it is like to be haunted by the darker side of your own soul." a single tear escaped her eyes. "I think I may have said too much." she spoke, still head downtrodden.
Adon blinked, honestly having no clue what to say about all this to make it better. "Look… Rose, uh…" he thought for a second before putting his arm on her shoulder, "if it's a rough subject, then you don't have to hurt yourself." he smiled, but deep down, a strange jolt struck his mind as he said all of this. It sent an eerie chill up his spine.
The violet haired woman nodded. "Of course," she gave a rather slight smile, perhaps one of the biggest smiles she made ever, "Thank you." To which she gave him a hug. She had no idea why, other than it was perhaps all that she could, or would want to offer at this time.
This of course, caught Adon by complete surprise. "Hey!" he complained, both flustered and still chilled from the strange energies he sensed in the woman. As she released her grasp and began to walk off, Adon spoke again. "Wait!" he called. "How about a battle." he asked. "I've been busy training and I haven't had anyone to fight for a while. It's… kinda dull."
Rose turned her head to meet his gaze. "No, I don't have time." she shook her head as well. 'I must make my way to central Africa, and quickly.' "Besides, you dare attack an injured woman?"
Adon snorted in disgust. "You dare think lightly of me? I am the Muay Thai God. Men and women are equals in my eyes."
"I see…" she trailed, perhaps not believing it, "I must depart now!" she snapped to attention. "Remember what I said. I have a very strong feeling we'll be meeting again."
"Right…" the Thai warrior rolled his eyes. 'Sagat is a has been, and is not important to me!' he turned to see Rose walking away, perhaps staring, before shaking his head and returning to the fierce practice that lay before him. "Jaguar Rend!" he called to the air, and it was back to business as usual.
Author's Note: So, what the hecklin' ho-dad is goin on? Well, you'll just have to read… and review, and then some if you want to find out.