Chapter7: Destiny

Ryu woke up, scarred battered and bleeding, but still alive somehow. It was a wonder how he survived the fall, but the fact that he was only bleeding was a miracle, though he was bruised too. He rolled over and looked up at the cliff he had been thrown from, but his mind was preoccupied with what he had done..by utilizing the Dark Hadou. He couldnt believe he had done it, it wasnt the first time he used it, but in such a crucial time as this, relying on that dark energy was a mistake he couldnt afford to make. Ryu knew that if he conquered Shin Akuma's dark energy with his energy, he would be no better, and suffer the destiny of walking a blood stained life of murder. This was not what he wanted, not in the least.

He ripped the top part of his gi off and proceeded to wrap it around the more gaping wounds on his body. As soon as his gi touched the skin it was soaked with blood. Some of the wounds had already scabbed over, but the more threatening ones were still bleeding, some worse than others. Finally he managed to tie up all the major injuries, and then proceeded to leave the area and head for the nearest city.

Ryu was now at the base of the mountain, where just above him his training dojo was located. The area he was located was near Mt.Fuji, therefore he hadnt learned of the events that transpired in Southtown. He turned and gave one last gave to his charred dojo and the burned mountainside before turning and heading to the final part of his journey.

As he walked, many thoughts circulated through his head. He figured he had two main problems on his hand: a very psychotic Rugal, and the ominous shadow of Shin Akuma lurking over his shoulder. He reasoned that if he were to defeat Rugal, or at least the form he battled with, he should be able to defeat Shin Akuma also. His way of coming to this conclusion was by the fact that he felt the same dark energy in Rugal that he had felt in Shin Akuma, except that it seemed even more evil, maybe even as violent, but not as powerful. Still, he knew that with the strength gained from that fight he should be ready to confront Shin Akuma. However, Ryu was still very unaware of the battle that took place in Southtown, the death of Ken, and the power that had transformed Rugal into a self- proclaimed "god."

Without warning a storm broke overhead. The clouds began rolling in, along with the rain,storm,lighting and thunder. It would appear Ryu was awakened in time, but in time for what. Lightning struck a tree right in from of him, splitting it in half, and catching it on fire. Suddenly the tree exploded and

in a massive ball of fire and cinder. In the flames a figure walked out, tall and menacing, almost the same build as Akuma..but his aura..his aura was completely different. Out of it stepped the true master of Shotoken...Gouken.

"Master Gouken.." Ryu said solemnly, bowing his head. "But how can it be..."

"Ryu, I have come to give you a message. You must not give in to the Dark Hadou as my brother did, for if you do, you yourself will become no more than a bloodthirsty beast. Ryu, a great challenge awaits you back in Osaka."

"You mean my battle with Shin Akuma?"

"All in do time, but there is a more pressing problem. Rugal has reached his maximum state of power, and he must be stopped. But be warned, he has mixed his humanity with the dark energy, giving him more desire for conquest rather than just blood. He seeks to become a god, and he will stop at nothing, his lust for evil cannot be satisfied. You must crush his evil with pure light...you must defeat Rugal."

"What do you mean,master, I dont understand. Isnt my fight to be with Shin Akuma?"

"As I said, everything will come together in Osaka...I must go now. I lend you my strength Ryu, do not forsake what you know to be true..do not succumb to the Dark Hadou." With that statement he vanished into the shadows.

Ryu staired at the burning remnants, but inside he felt more power. However, everything he knew would be tested when he arrived at Osaka. He was unaware of the entire situation, but he knew he had been chosen, and that he would follow through with, to the end, no matter what the cost. It was all or nothing, now or never...time to go for broke.