Disclaimer: The same as before.

AN: Sorry about the long delay, but I kind of got myself stuck writing four fanfics at once. But that's no problem.

Chap. 6

I would like to thank all my fans around the world who have cheered me on during my fights. You guys are terrific.

Yeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!

I would also like to thank my family for being there for me and in all honesty, putting up with me, heh.

Masters!!! Masters!!! Masters!!!

So it is with a heavy heart that I declare to retire the US martial artist championship.

...........

It's time for a new generation to try and claim the prize. Thank you

_________

"Alright. I'm ready."

"We'll see."

Mel sized up his opponent, which didn't take long. Dhalsim's thin frame showed no evidence of any real muscle or power. Perhaps they wrong about him. He doesn't look strong.

"Looks can be deceiving."

Mel blinked. He had forgotten that he could read minds. Damn. Okay, fine. Here goes!

Mel dashed at Dhalsim and launched a low jab. Dhalsim blocked the attack, but it was a feint as Mel bent his arm into a flying elbow. Dhalsim took to blow squarely and staggered back. Mel pressed his attack, using his other fist and hitting him in the chest. Mel then raised his leg to kick, but Dhalsim leaped into the air. However, Mel noticed that he seemed to be moving in slow motion in the air. Deciding to take advantage, Mel jumped after him, but Dhalsim suddenly shifted direction, twirling in a drill-like fashion and smacking Mel back down to the ground.

"You are quite strong. However, your focus is limited. You must stretch your mind outward, not just on the fight but of the surrounding area as well."

Mel grimaced and attacked again, but Dhalsim suddenly disappeared and reappeared behind him. Half-shocked, Mel twirled around with a high jump kick, but Dhalsim vanished again. Mel looked to see Dhalsim a distance away. Mel ran straight at him, but was suddenly smacked down again. Dhalsim had stretched his leg the length across and had kicked him squarely in the face. As his leg retracted, Mel looked in shock. How the...? He can do that? That's just...cheating!

"Your focus is waving."

Mel growled as he got back up. Losing patience, he cupped his hand together. A familiar blue energy surfaced itself into a glowing sphere. Shinji watched it form rapidly. Wow, Mel is getting better at that.

"Hadoken!"

Dhalsim watched the sphere fly straight at him, yet he made no move to avoid it. Rather, he closed his eyes. A shimmer of energy rippled around him and he opened his eyes, now glowing in a fiery orange. The hadoken was just a foot away when...

"Yoga...Reflect!"

The surge fist hit the ripples surrounding Dhalsim and suddenly reversed course, heading back at Mel with shocking speed. Mel saw it too late as his own attack struck him and hurled him to the floor. Shinji instantly ran over to his friend, who was still electrified by it. Neither of them noticed Dhalsim appear behind them as Shinji helped Mel up.

"How did I defeat you?"

Mel looked up at him and then sullenly looked down at the ground.

"Shinji?"

Shinji hesitated, not wanting to hurt his friend's feelings. But he went on anyway.

"Well...he kept being aggressive. He could have waited for you to move first."

Dhalsim nodded and turned away, "That is one answer. But what really defeated him was his lack of focus."

"What do you mean?" Shinji asked.

"To defeat an opponent, you mind must remain clear. You must expect all and see nothing."

Both youths were confused, "Huh?"

A small chuckle was heard, "You will understand in time."

Both of them waited to hear more, but the Yoga master said nothing else. Mel slowly got back up to his feet, "We...should go now."

Dhalsim turned back to them and nodded to them, "As you wish. Please keep in mind what you've learned here and have a safe journey."

Mel turned to walk, but Shinji politely bowed to the Yoga master. "Sayonara, Dhalsim-sensei."

Later...

Shinji and Mel were on the outskirts of the town, heading out of it. Mel hadn't said a word during their walk since they left and Shinji grew worried.

"Are you okay?"

Mel continued to look ahead, but he answered, "Yeah, just a little frustrated." His gaze changed and he was now looking up into the sky. "But we've always been taught to learn from our fights, whether we win or lose. I guess it wasn't as easy as I thought."

Shinji put his hand on his shoulder, "Don't worry. You'll do better next time."

Mel smiled, "You better believe it."

"So where to next?"

"Let's head north. There's a man by the name of Zangief. We could challenge him."

"Are you sure? I've heard he's really strong."

"My point exactly. Imagine what we can learn from him."

Shinji felt a twinge of excitement, "You're right. Let's go."

________

Xiang household, late afternoon

"So you're really going." Mikoto asked.

Kairi turned to Mikoto and nodded, "Yes. I must make sure she's okay."

"I still think you're making a mistake."

"Better safe than sorry."

The young woman shrugged, "Well, take care Kairi. I hope you find her."

Chun-Li came out into the doorway and gave a short bow, "Have a safe trip, Kairi."

Kairi returned the gesture, "Thank you, Mrs. Li. Mikoto." He stopped briefly and hesitantly asked, "Could you...could you tell Sakura I said goodbye."

Chun-Li smiled, "Sure."

Kairi grabbed his bag and walked down the road as the sun set in the sky. Unknown to him though, a certain figure was watching him leave from the upper window.

"Goodbye."

______

Kairi walked down the dismal street, heading to the docks. He'd hoped that he would be able to catch a boat heading there before it got too dark. But unfortunately, the last one won't be back for a half an hour. Kairi frowned. This is a waste of time. But I don't have a choice. Might as well get something to eat. He remembered a store a few blocks back from there and moved to it. But as he did, he felt...something. A presence, a power, almost like he was being watched. He stopped in the middle of the empty road.

"Come out."

It was then that five shadows appeared around him. He almost didn't notice, but his keen senses alerted him as they attacked. Kairi quickly flipped in the air and back as the shadows closed in. Set in fighting stance, Kairi waited as the first one lunged at him before sticking his foot forward, catching him in mid-air and followed up with a rising knee. The second attacker lashed a punch out, but Kairi managed to duck it and smash his face in with a heavy punch. He then turned as both the third and fourth shadows kicked him together, causing him to roll back. Kairi flipped upward as they came at him. Reacting fast, Kairi jumped over one of their heads, latched his feet to the shoulders, rolled on the ground a few times and finally released his opponent, causing him to be hurled into the air and land with a thud. With one more left, Kairi didn't have to turn to realize that he was charging at him again. Crouching low to the ground, Kairi's clenched his fist tightly as the shadow attacked and missed him totally.

"Maryuu-Rekku!"

The rising fist hurled the fourth shadow warrior in the air and he landed as hard as his partner. Kairi took a breath and realized that there was someone else there.

"Impressive, Kairi. I see that the fighting spirit within you has not diminished after all this time."

Kairi searched around for his unseen foe, "Show yourself."

A darkened figure suddenly floated down before him. He was wearing a jumpsuit with strange black and white designs on it. His entire head was masked, designed like an evil skull with a crest on the forehead. A red cape fluttered behind him.

"I know you. I...think I've seen you before."

The shadowy figure nodded, "Our acquaintance had been brief, but yeah, we've met before years ago. I am Shadowgeist."

"Shadowgeist? What do you want with me?"

Shadowgeist waved his finger, "Ah, ah, ah. That would be telling. Let's just say we have a use for you."

"We?"

"You'll find out soon enough. And just to make sure you play along, you should know that your sister is with us."

"Hokuto? If you so much as..."

"Calm yourself. She has been...well cared for, although she is quite a fighter. She is alive. How long she'll remain that way depends on you. You want her? Come and get her."

Shadowgeist tossed a small glint of metal at Kairi, who caught it. Kairi looked back, but Shadowgeist was gone. Kairi looked at the metal. It was some sort of group insignia, although he didn't know who. One thing was for certain. He would track whoever it is down and rescue his sister. She had done it for me several times. Now it's time to return the favor. With that, Kairi disappeared into the night...