A/N: Sorry for the wait! Exams, work, writer's block...you know how it is. Anyhow, hiatus is now over as I think I know where I want to take this story from here on out! I'd say we're about halfway done, so stick with me and don't forget to review!
"That was some of my closest friends you manhandled out there in the hallway. If you even think about trying anything funny, I won't hesitate to put a bullet through your skull."
Jun paid no mind to the shallow threat that the Tekken Force officer had given her. She was currently walking back to the lobby of the hotel, accompanied by said officers who all had their guns pointed directly on her back. She didn't care; it wasn't like she had any reason to cause any more trouble anyway. She had failed to even remotely make peace with her son, as he instead accused her of something she already knew:
She was a bad mother.
Of course, knowing something and actually hearing it are two completely different things, and even though Jun thought her resolve would be able to help her through her confrontation with her son, the outcome had in fact been very different. She felt as though Jin had ripped her heart from her chest; what was arguably the only reason Jun still drew breath had suddenly disappeared from her reach. She was so close...so close to breaking free of the shackles that had been binding her for the better part of her adult life, but now...now it seemed as though her son truly wanted nothing to do with her, and she was now at a loss of what to do next.
Her thoughts were broken by a familiar voice.
"What's going on here?"
The leader of the officers escorting Jun saluted Lars, "Sir. This one forced her way into Jin's headquarters, and we are escorting her back to the lobby. We have strict orders to terminate her status as a participant in the tournament and send her back-"
"That won't be necessary."
"But sir! She-"
"She was going to see her son. I doubt you would hold it against her if you had children of your own comrade."
The Tekken Force officer started, "H-her son?!"
Lars crossed his arms and gave a stern look at Jun, "You may all go back to your posts. I will escort Ms. Kazama from here on out."
The Tekken Force officer sighed but nodded, "Yes, sir."
When they had left, Lars gave Jun a bit of a pitying look before walking away. Jun felt obligated to follow him.
"I knew it. I knew there was something off about you."
Jun said nothing, but sighed deeply as her shoulders slumped slightly.
"Hey, it's okay. I'm not going to kick you out of the tournament, and I doubt Jin will follow through with his orders to do the same."
Jun shook her head, "There is one more thing I must do, then I will leave."
"You're just going to leave?" Jun thought she could sense the smallest hint of disappointment in Lars's voice.
"He wants nothing to do with me; I saw it in his eyes. I have no reason left to be here."
For a moment, the rebel leader pondered what exactly Jun meant by the word 'here'."
"He's lived a long time without you. Perhaps he simply needs a little more time to adjust." Lars sounded hopeful.
Jun turned to face him then. Lars was surprised to see light tears brimming on her eyelids, "What he needs, or rather needed, is a mother who is there for him through thick and thin. I was a fool and a coward to leave him as I did. I thought I was making the right choice, but I see now, all too clearly, that Jin's hatred has consumed him. With no one but the devil inside him at his side for so long, it was impossible for his values to not be corrupted. To try and save him now would do more harm than good..."
The Swede crossed him arms and looked unimpressed, which was strange considering he was usually rather gracious, "You're wrong, and I think you know that you are. Not only that, but I think you also know how to solve this, but you're afraid to do so."
The Japanese woman let out a single, abrupt laugh, "You certainly know me very well, don't you Lars?"
"Do you know what my own mother used to say to me, Jun? She would tell me that whenever things get too tough or overwhelming, just take a step back and look at what you are trying to accomplish. When it comes down to it, the only thing that matters is what you're truly passionate about – that's what you should go for. Nothing else matters even half as much."
Jun sighed, "I don't see what this has to do with my current situation."
Lars just chuckled as he again started walking away from her. This time, Jun opted not to follow him as he called out to her.
"If you were truly passionate about saving your son, you would know what to do."
With that, the Rebel Commander disappeared down the hallway towards the main lobby of the arena.
Jun looked down at her hand and made a fist, "Living in denial...running away from the inevitable...is that how you see me, Lars?"
Xiaoyu and Asuka meanwhile had since returned to the infirmary and were trying to come up with a new plan to get to Jin.
"Grandpa Heihachi always has to complicate things!"
"Wait, that guy's your grandpa?!"
Xiao rubbed her hands on her face, clearly frustrated from once again being detoured from reaching Jin. She was beginning to feel as if they were simply fated to drift apart...as if their one measly year together was all he was able to afford her...
"No! You can't think like that!" she suddenly exclaimed.
Asuka threw her hands up in defense, "Easy, Xiao. I was just asking a question!"
Xiaoyu smiled sheepishly, "Oh, right. Um...no he's not my real grandfather. I just got used to calling him 'grandpa' because he took me in and everything when I first came to Japan. It's kind of a long story, actually..."
Lili sat up in her bed looking a bit disgruntled. It was probably because she wasn't receiving the same luxuries she usually would if she were to spend all day in a bed in her home in Monaco. Sebastian wasn't here, after all.
"Do you not miss your family, Xiaoyu? When was the last time you saw them?"
Xiaoyu rubbed the back of her head awkwardly, "It's been a couple years now. But...I can't say I miss them that much. They were always so pushy and bossy; they tried to control everything I did and always told me I was too careless. I guess I miss them, but I don't think I'll be paying them a visit anytime soon...why are you guys looking at me like that?"
Asuka glanced at Lili then back at Xiaoyu, "I guess we just don't get how you're so happy all the time. I know that if I was away from my dad for so long I'd probably be an emotional wreck."
Lili nodded, "I would likely feel the same; father may be a burden at times, but I love him all the same."
The Chinese girl just shrugged, "As bad as it sounds, I guess I never felt that strongly towards my own family. With the exception of my real grandpa Wang, I never had a strong connection to any of my real family. I think that's probably why Jin and I bonded so well at school. We both only really had ourselves to worry about. No one else really mattered to us."
"Geez," complained Miharu, "stick a knife in me why don't ya?"
Xiaoyu giggled, "Shut it, you know what I mean."
"Man," Asuka shook her head in disbelief, "We might be related, but I still can't believe Jin actually did relatively normal things like go to school at one point in his life..."
Xiao sighed deeply, "That's because he was normal, once upon a time. But now..."
3 years ago:
"Jin!"
Mishima Polytechnic had just let out for the day. Jin Kazama currently had his backpack slung over one shoulder and was headed back to Mishima Manor, where he resided with Ling Xiaoyu. As usual, the said girl, who also happened to be his only friend, had easily caught up with him as he left the school grounds.
"Xiao."
The girl smiled up at him with her hands folded behind her, "What's up?"
Jin shrugged slightly, "Nothing. How was your day?"
"Oh, you know...boring as ever. Hey, guess what?!"
Jin merely quirked an eyebrow at her expectantly.
"You know Panda right? Well Heihachi said that he was going to teach her how to fight! You know, so I'd have a bodyguard here and stuff. Pretty cool right?"
"I think that's unnecessary. I've seen you training before back at home; you seem perfectly capable of handling yourself."
Xiao beamed at him, "You really think so?"
Jin nodded and gave her a tiny smile.
"Thanks, Jin."
"Hey, Xiao."
"Yeah?"
"Would you like to spar when we get home? I need practice...and I also don't really want to do homework tonight."
"Of course I do! It's been forever since we last trained together. Think you can beat me?"
He grinned, "That isn't the point of sparring...but yes, I do."
Xiao smacked Jin's shoulder, "Hey! Arrogance gets you nowhere, tough guy. You're the one who told me that, remember?"
"Of course."
"Where'd you hear that anyway?"
Jin's smile faded, "It was something my mother used to tell me."
Present:
"You guys lived together?!" Asuka looked like she was going to faint. Lili and Miharu just laughed.
Xiao nodded slowly, "Mhm. Probably one of the best years of my life, to be honest. Jin was so simple back then; he still kept to himself a lot, but he would still be willing to talk to people and at least try and act somewhat normal at the same time. He wasn't this power-hungry warlord who wreaks havoc across the globe and shuts out everyone he used to be close to from his life. He was just Jin. Just my best friend..."
By this point, Xiaoyu's happy demeanor had all but vanished and she now looked to be on the verge of tears.
"He was the only one I had for the longest time. That's why I have to get him back. I know you all think I'm just some love struck teenager, but I just...I need him."
Finally, the Chinese girl broke down and she began to cry silently. Instantly, Miharu moved beside her and held her. The two other girls exchanged silent glances briefly before Asuka stood up abruptly.
"Well then," the Osakan raised her fist in the air, "what are we waiting for, Xiao? Let's go talk some sense into my turd of a cousin! No use sitting around here, right?"
Xiaoyu looked up slowly at Asuka. Upon seeing the other girl's look of pure determination, her tearstained face broke out into a grin.
"Right!"
Jin sat at his desk with his face in his hands. Lately, he and the devil within him had become somewhat tolerable of each other, and so the devil rarely tried to take control of Jin's conscious if Jin did not will it himself.
Now however, was a different story.
For the first time in a while, Jin was trying to resist the devil's attempts to take control over him.
You did the right thing. You know this.
Then tell me why it feels so wrong.
Perhaps because you refuse to let go of the compassion you hold for your mother, despite her utterly abandoning you.
She bears your mark...she showed it to me.
What of it?
It was you that caused her to leave me. You didn't even tell me that she still drew breath.
You didn't need to know. It would have only gotten in the way.
If I had only known of her existence a year ago, none of this would have happened. There would have been no war, no suffering...no innocent lives lost...
Precisely why I didn't tell you.
I could have simply left on my own and seeked her out. We could have overcome the curse we now share together...
I guess it's too bad she showed up so late.
"AAAGGHHHHH!"
Jin yelled out in frustration as he threw his fist into the wall beside him.
"Damn you, mother! Why now?! WHY HAVE YOU COME BACK NOW?!"
He collapsed to the ground and held his head as familiar looking markings covered his chest and face.
You know what you have to do.
Devil Jin looked up from the ground slowly as an evil smirk played on his lips, "Precisely."
Jun made her way down towards the arena. She didn't feel nervous or anxious about facing Heihachi; after all, she didn't see much reason to live anymore anyway, so she might as well take him down with her.
As she walked into the lobby, two girls immediately blocked her path. Jun recognized the one with pig tails as the girl who she almost lost control over, but couldn't recall seeing the other one. She looked at them expectantly instead of forcing her way past them.
"Jun Kazama, right? Jin's mom?"
Jun suddenly felt a strange aura coming from the other girl. It felt familiar; like a sense of kinship.
"Who are you?"
The girl with pigtails put her hands on her hips, "Ling Xiaoyu, and I've got a couple questions for you that I-"
"Not you," Jun looked towards the other girl, "You...are a Kazama?"
The other girl crossed her arms over her chest, "Don't recognize me? Maybe if I throw some purple shit on you it might jog your memory a bit."
Jun looked down at the ground, "I see..."
"It's Asuka. And apparently I'm your niece. But we'll sort all that out later. Right now we're looking for your annoying twit of a son. And don't even say you don't know where he is or how to reach him because we all know that's the only reason you're here."
Jun shook her head slowly, "You are too late. It's over. Now move."
It wasn't a question. After giving the two girls a moment to step out of her way, Jun simply shoved past them towards the arena. It wasn't that she wasn't curious about this new found relative, rather that she simply couldn't allow herself the luxury of getting close to her.
In her eyes, Jun had disgraced her family name and wanted nothing more than to rid herself of it.
Asuka clenched her fist, "We're not done talking here; don't you run away from us!"
Xiao put her hand on Asuka's arm, "She's not going to tell us anything. We're going to have to find a new way to get to Jin. Let's go watch Jun's match with Heihachi; something tells me everything isn't exactly going to play by the rules."
The announcer stood in the middle of the arena surrounded by the screaming fans as usual.
"Welcome back to the King of Iron Fist Tournament! We've got a special match lined up for all of you today! I am pleased to announce that despite the news of his death, our next fighter is alive a well! And not only that, but he's looking better than ever! Give it up for one of the toughest fighters ever known, and the creator of the original King of Iron Fist Tournament: Heihachi Mishima!"
The crowd roared with excitement as Heihachi smugly stepped out into the arena. He crossed his arms, knowing that this fight was easily going to be in his favour. He wasn't even the slightest bit worried about Jun, having already defeated her previously in the King of Iron Fist Tournament 2.
Jun emerged shortly after to almost equal excitement from the crowd, no doubt due to the reputation that she had unwillingly brought upon herself from her previous matches. Heihachi smirked at her from across the arena with his arms still crossed. Jun felt her anger rising, but put zero effort into quelling it.
She simply didn't care about her morals when it came to Heihachi, and nothing in the world would make her see different.
"Let's get this over with, shall we, Jun?"
As usual, Jun said nothing, but even she could not keep the anger from showing on her face. Heihachi obviously noticed this, as he let out a single amused laugh.
"Not in the mood to talk? Very well; prepare yourself!"
The former head of the Mishima Zaibatsu's smug demeanor suddenly left his face and was replaced by a mix of fury, focus and determination. He began dashing towards Jun at a blinding pace, but the Kazama held her ground. She knew Mishima Fighting Karate well, after all she had fought Kazuya before.
Heihachi first went for his spinning demon, which Jun fortunately predicted right and blocked, leaving him off-balance. She then wasted no time in going for her demon slayer. The attack connected right with Heihachi's jaw, but something was off: Jun felt an equal amount of force hit her own face. She then realized that for the first time, her demon slayer had failed to lift her opponent off the ground. Instead, Heihachi had somehow managed to absorb the full force of the blow and shove he own foot in her face. A moment later Jun was sent flying halfway across the arena and landed painfully on her back. The crowd roared.
"You are going to have to try harder than that, Jun. Your attacks may be able to cause a great deal of pain to an ordinary man, but you now face a Mishima! Show some respect!"
Jun ignored him and got up slowly while rubbing her jaw, "You're arrogance is sickening, Heihachi."
The man crossed his arms again, "Hmph. Why don't you do something about it then."
Jun took a deep breath, "Very well."
Without further ado, the two fighters were at it again. This time, Jun was the one who went on the offensive. She ran full speed at Heihachi, then stopped short attempting to bait him out. For a moment, he was caught and threw out a careless jab, which Jun easily dodged. She then attempted to grab the Mishima's now vulnerable arm and force him to the ground.
Unfortunately, her elaborate plan of attack was halted, as yet again Heihachi broke free of Jun's grasp easily. The Kazama was not detoured by this however, and as the man went to bring down his foot upon Jun's skull, she dodged and grabbed his leg. Using all of her might, Jun twisted Heihachi's leg and finally succeeded in forcing him to the ground.
Wasting no time, Jun suddenly flung herself on top of Heihachi while he was still grounded and tried to bring her elbow down on his windpipe. To her dismay however, Heihachi caught her arm before it connected and managed to throw her off of him. He then got up quickly and charged at her again.
Expecting another spinning demon, Jun crouched down to block it. Her eyes widened when she realized, too late, that Heihachi's fist had started radiating electricity.
Despite her best efforts to dodge what she knew to be the fearsome Electric Wind God Fist, an excruciating pain suddenly surged through Jun's entire body and she cried out while being flung into the air. As soon as her body had left the ground however, she was reacquainted with it as Heihachi smashed her back down with a mighty roar. Somehow, she managed to roll out of the way as Heihachi again brought his foot down, but as soon as she did she collapsed onto her hands and knees and started coughing up blood.
"Is that really all, Jun? I was expecting a lot more, even from the likes of you! Hahahahaha!"
The Mishima was so caught up in his laughing fit that he didn't realize that someone else was laughing along with him. Someone who happened to still be on her hands and knees in front of him...
Asuka's eyes widened from the viewing room above the arena, "Oh god, it's happening again."
Xiaoyu furrowed her brow, "What are you talking about?"
The Osakan just shook her head, "Just watch..."
"You want more?"
Heihachi stopped laughing abruptly. Jun's voice had changed, and he noticed a purple slime start to envelope the floor of the arena. She got up slowly and grinned evilly at him, her now yellow eyes attempting to pierce his soul.
"Because I can give you more, Heihachi. I can give you a lot more!"
Heihachi's initial shock wore off at the sight of the slime-covered Jun in front of him. Instead, he just shook his head.
"So he got to you to, eh? No matter, I doubt you have what it takes to completely harness your new powers!"
He charged at Jun, intent with landing another Electric Wind God Fist, but was flung away by a purple skull-covered spike emerging out of the ground. The crowd went deathly quiet as Heihachi slowly got back to his feet.
"Something wrong, old man? I'm right here."
Heihachi smirked, "And you say I'm arrogant."
Once again he charged at her, but managed to jump out of the way of each spike before it hit him. Despite the fact that he was closing distance on Jun at an alarmingly fast rate however, she simply smiled at him and made no indication that she was going to do anything about it.
And just as he got close enough to her to attack, the Mishima froze – literally.
As much as Heihachi wanted to move, his body stayed put exactly where it was. Then, out of nowhere, a gigantic purple hand emerged in front of him and slammed down on the man's entire form.
Asuka clenched her fist, "This is just like what happened to Lili..."
Xiaoyu simply stared in disbelief at the scene in front of her, "I...I can't believe what I'm seeing."
As soon as the hand disappeared back under the earth, Heihachi's crumpled, unconscious form was revealed to the crowd. Devil Jun walked up to his body and picked him up by the throat, lifting him off the ground with ease.
"You know, usually I am able to stop myself from going too far, but I can easily make an exception for you."
As she continued to hold him up with one hand, another small dagger-like spike appeared in her other hand.
"Despite your best efforts, death appears to have caught up with you. Goodbye, you pathetic wretch!"
Without any hesitation, Devil Jun thrust the spike right towards the still unconscious Heihachi's neck, but just as it was mere inches away from its target, Jun was knocked away by an incredibly strong force. She rolled a couple feet away but regained her balance quickly, looking up to see who had interfered.
And there in front of her was the unmistakable sight of large black wings, protruding horns and strange markings.
"Hello, mother."
Next up: Jun vs. Devil Jin (?) Remember to review!