As always, reviewers get the spotlight.

iceangelmkx - Whistler? No, I'm not even going to ask who or why, and no, not nine more to go. Just nine more to go until I find myself out of brain juice for new characters. I really would hate to have cannon fodder characters who do nothing but lose. That'd be wrong.

bushinguy - Just because I disappear for two weeks doesn't mean you need to worry about a lack of one reviewer. You're trying to hold on to perhaps not the most competent or efficient of reviewers, or more bluntly, a lazy reviewer with little enthusiasm to do so.

Now, on to the next character of chapter one, Geki, the original clawed ninja.

Geki - Using Geki means you want to play a game of agility and swiftness. He is well endowed with many useful abilities, as well as a swift, long jump (and wall jump) and even a ranged attack. He does have Vega problems however, and can lose his claw. His claw empowers his punches moreso than provide range, though his reach is slightly reduced from the loss if it occurs.

Shuriken - Basic ranged projectile usable on the ground or when airborne. Used with a backwards quartercircle and the punch button. It is quick, and fires quickly too, but it's damage is only so-so, and it can deflected with just a simple jab.

Ninja Vanish - Geki's teleport spell. Works like most any other teleport spell, really. Backwards or forwards Dragonpunch motion plus all 3 kick or punch buttons. It's a basic teleport, and it's best to learn when you'll need which distance and direction.

Backlash - With a semicircle backwards and the kick button, Geki dives to the wall behind the enemy and lunges at them. The kick used determines power and recovery time on a missed backlash.

Super Combos

Jutsu - A small bauble of sorts is thrown near or far from Geki and then bursts into flames, covering that area of the screen. With two quarter-circles forward and punch, it is thrown in front of Geki, and with kick, it is thrown further. Levels do nothing to determine power as the move engulfs and does four hits of combo, but the reach and damage do increase.

Assassinate - This move causes Geki to run at his foe with his claw ready. If he strikes him, he will instantly appear behind them and stab them in the back, dealing some good damage. Done with two quarter-circles backwards and the punch button. Each level increase how quickly Geki lunges, and the damage his single attack does.

Chapter 1 - Upon the Shadow of My Victim (Geki)

Fear can keep anyone in check, and under control. It has quelled the rebelling of nations before they can even begin, and it is enough to provide this fleetingly balanced planet from all-out war. Without fear, people truly aren't willing to live too long, but as it stands, fearless people are amongst my most dangerous enemies.

I am a man of the shadows. You will never know I am there, but you will be frightened as you look over your shoulder in every which direction until you find the source of your discomfort, only to find that your own shadow was hiding the terror all along, until it is too late. You may wonder what this has to do with fear, and I'll tell you honestly, very little. To scare a man to death won't kill him, and even the bravest of men can die just as easily as a coward. As such, there is no problem killing a brave man at all.

That however is not always a situation I am able to handle. I am an assassin, and I stalk my prey in the deep of night, but not always am I fortunate enough to get such an easy task. Sometimes I do not get the fortune of a single foe, and surely enough, when the first strike is made, it is easy to know that there is someone there, stalking and haunting your shadow. I hide upon the shadow of my victim, but even the shadows lose their black, protective shroud in due time as light fills the darkness.

I am not a threat without the darkness to protect me, and truth be known, I am not as powerful in hand to hand combat as you might think. That is why I wear a claw on my hand, to hold my distance and hope for it to rend flesh in every strike I never wish to take. I am a ninja, if you must know, and though I am without honor, I am not without fears, or flaws. My name is Geki, if it truly matters to you.

That is why I have come to Thailand, where I am sure I can find many warriors without fear. I must take this challenge upon myself, and overcome fear. I must master the emotion itself in order to become the perfect ninja. It will not be easy, and I do not intend to emerge victorious against all my foes, but as the, there are many lessons learned in defeat, and none learned when victorious. I anticipate defeat, as I am not in my environment of the darkness.

You are probably wondering about what a ninja truly is, and to answer your questions, I will tell you quite honestly to take everything you think you know about the ninja ways and cast your false beliefs away. A ninja is not a godly warrior with unmatched wit, agility and magic, or anything else that television media may feed you. We are men, and sometimes women just like you. What defines a ninja is their use of the fighting style known as ninjitsu, which is definitely favoring of the agile and the quick, is simply another form of martial arts, just like karate. Ninjas are not heroes or high ranking commanders. Having grown up in a shinobi background, I know many secrets that I will not share with you, but know that ninjas existed in feudal Japan, and are often the shadowy men who are void of the honor which Japan is so notably recognized for. That 'honor' is true rubbish. If there was 'honor', then there would never have been the feudal wars that plagued Japan for centuries. There would have never been the need for anyone to take up the specialties that a ninja excels at.

I knew you were going to ask, so listen up, as I tell you just once what a ninja truly does. A ninja does the duties of an honorless man, from scouting the enemies of his hiring lord, to terrorism, and obviously assassination.

Wait, why do I care what you think? Go back to thinking that ninjas are flying, master martial artists who use swords and can't be beaten. If that is what you want, then what I want is for you to get out of my sight for making fun of my lineage, and heritage.

So, you're still here? Goodཀ I'm glad that not everyone likes to stereotype my kind by the false lie told by your cinematic dictatorships. I begin to wonder if even the Japanese themselves truly do understand what ninjitsu is, and hope that my own country has not forgotten the truth about the life of a ninja. If you still think ninjas are heroes, I can perhaps understand your strange misconception. It's probably that you've heard of Bushin, and while it technically is ninjitsu, I can't honestly say I respect it.

Even amongst those who partake, it seems one such warrior is a Bushin. Perhaps he is not someone I can respect. Or, maybe he is. I don't quite know yet until I meet him, so I cannot honestly call him a friend or foe. They are foolish to partake in such honorbound paths, for there is supposed to be no honor amongst thieves. A ninja is a thief at his simplest, for ninjitsu is an art of stealth and agility.

You may think this is a close minded way of thought, but I assure you, I am always willing to learn to understand other ideals and cultures, but what I say about the art of ninjitsu has been this way for hundreds of years. My great grandfather was a ninja, and his great grandfather, and his great grandfather as well.

I feel though that I am digressing just a bit too much. Besides, my bushin 'friend' is here. I am curious to understand what his views on his teachings may be. I don my purple hood, for I am not ashamed to be a ninja here at this tournament, and would rather my face remain unknown, at least for now.

"Konichiwa," I greet him, as we both stand outside the doorway to the arena where it will all begin. The man is wearing green, and unsurprisingly, he does not seek to hide his persona. Perhaps, as a Bushin ninja, he is not a hunted or loathed man.

He eyes me, perhaps cautiously, but I am not sure. A ninja is a deceptive man, and I am not sure I can trust any impressions or words at face value. "Hello." he replies, his tone dry and calm. Though I may sound mistaken, he certainly doesn't sound much like the heroic man I'd associate with Bushin. Regardless of that, I am not to let myself fall for a stereotype in any way, shape, or form. "You are a ninja, so I see. I wish you good luck if you are here to fight."

He seems awful uninterested. "Indeed." I reply in a silent tone, "I guess there is little to discuss bushin warrior."

His eyes widen ever slightly, but I can spot the widening easily with my honed vision, vision honed for not only the dark, but for perception as well. "You almost insult me with such a term," he replies with discontent and shame, surprisingly. Perhaps he is fallen from grace, perhaps he is simply trying to keep a low profile... I do not know for sure, but I will not try and figure it out directly. No, that is not the way of a nightly stalker like myself. Perhaps if I find it worth my time, I will inquire later.

My father used to tell me that the eyes were a gateway to the soul, but that the soul was deceitful and filled with concealing darkness. I still believe those words, and hope father knows that I still follow his wise words. I am no fool, I know my human limitations.

To be honest, I have no qualms with any ninja clans, even Bushin clans. I am here to fight, and that is all. Thus, I await, and will remain on 'business', and shall do what a ninja does best: Remain silent, yet deadly. Wait, what does flatulence have to do with anything?

That is where a huge, bald man with an eye patch made the scene and started to welcome us in a commanding voice. I presume that he is Sagat, the man in charge of this endeavor. Just looking around this room filled with warriors lets me know I'm in for quite a challenge, and I'm actually glad. I wouldn't want things too easy, and I must conquer in the brightness of the day. The weather forecast predicted there would be much sunlight, if not partly cloudy for the next week or so. Thus, I don't have much shading to fall back on at all.

Sagat speaks of how tomorrow begins the big event. I will be as ready as I can for it, and must make my first attack count. I am at a disadvantage in open, fair combat of that sort, and killing is a disqualification based on the rules that have been set by the man in charge. In short, this isn't exactly my usual line of work. Excellent!

Do you know what this spherical item in my hand is? It's called a smoke bomb, and makes itself useful for quick escapes. It is important to run away when you are a ninja and are facing certain doom. Regardless, I'm sure a few of these will come in handy for a sneak attack as well. I cannot ever be too careful, can I? After all, even if I must learn to overcome my disadvantages and my heritage, I am still a ninja, and I will always live upon the shadow of my victims.

A/N: Well, it's another chapter done. So, tell your friends about this story, tell them to tell their friends, and tell them to review as well. I'm not writing for my health. In fact, I could be out there exercising, the way I practically never do so anyways, so give me a reason to remain writing and not o sluggish at it. Next chapter is... well, it's a surprise really.