Disclaimer: I don't own Tekken

A/N: How's it going? Thanks for reading, and if you're checking in, thanks for coming back. It's here; the final battle is starting. I hope it's good, I hope I can write it well, and … I mostly just hope you like it. On that note, let's get to the fight. And here … we … go:

The King of Iron Fist Tournament 7: A Final Tragedy for the Finest Future

Clash of Ages: Battle of the Three Kings

Seemingly alone, Jin reached the end of the path in the slight darkness and silence of the Isle, coming to its very center. The center sat in a very large rock clearing, a field of rock formations jutting out of the ground laid off to the side. Another forest of trees sat directly across from Jin, and a cliff with mist shooting up out of it sat afar off across from the rock field. The isle itself, in addition to its already grim visage, was only made more ominous with the slight illumination coming from the dull lights all around.

Jin had not been there long before he was alerted by movement in the far woods. He turned slightly in that direction to see a very familiar figure emerging from the shadows, his single red eye seemingly glowing in the night. Right after that, another very familiar figure walked up through the rock field. The three kings had found each other, Heihachi and Kazuya emerging in the center. On instinct, the three met in the center's apex, assumed that signature stance they shared, each of them squaring up and folding their arms across their chests.

"It's about time," Heihachi expressed, "A person could grow old and die waiting for you two."

Kazuya offered a snide reply, "You're already halfway there … and you'll go the other halfway momentarily."

Jin chimed in as Heihachi growled at Kazuya, "Well, if it isn't my two cursed ancestors. I see you got my invitations."

Kazuya conceitedly replied, "Yes, and it was very kind to offer yourself … and bring my other nemesis along. Now, I can take out the one in front of me and the one behind me in one instance."

Heihachi scoffed, "Hmph! You're both overconfident. You two may have been the last ones standing the last time, but I'm back now. That just means one thing, my demon offspring… You both will be crushed."

"Is that so?" Kazuya replied, "Just refresh my memory… what was it that drove you into the mountains for four years?"

Jin cut in, firing back at Kazuya, "The same thing that stuck you in a basement for four years. Seriously, you're here right now because you lost to my younger cousin. If you couldn't beat my little sister, what means you think you'll beat either of us?"

Kazuya responded with an evil chuckle, and said, "Thanks for me reminding, boy. Just for that, I'll be sure to slaughter her first before visiting your wife."

Heihachi added, "Actually, the kid has a point, Kazuya; that little Kazama girl did take you out. I should stomp for that alone; I'll bet you're the first one to go down."

Ignoring Heihachi's two cents, Kazuya continued with an evil smile and depraved satisfaction, "On second thought, maybe I'll still start with that girl of yours if for no other reason than … I'm too excited and eager to hear her beg for the life of her children…"

Heihachi's head snapped toward Jin with surprise; Jin's slight raise of his eyebrows showed he was surprised by the claim as well.

Picking up on this immediately, Kazuya revealed with wicked approval, "That's right; I know. I happened to spot her a little while ago… How along is she by the way…? Word is she's having twins, is that right? Here, I was expecting to end one life, and instead I'll be ending three… Three times more enjoyment, I guess.

Jin dropped his head, and averted his eyes. Meanwhile, his leg started to twitch, and his fists clenched in anger and frustration. The pleasure and enthusiasm in Kazuya's voice was the main reason he didn't want either of them to know. Still, he managed to keep himself back … for the moment.

Jin finally replied after composing himself, "I see the passage of time hasn't made either of you any more humble … or any quieter for that matter."

Heihachi responded first, "You're one to talk. The last time I checked … you called your destruction to this place."

Kazuya added, "Yes, tell us, Kazama… Just what are you expecting to happen here?"

Jin paused a moment, letting the question sink in, and then succinctly conveyed, "I expect only what will happen here. There's no tournament, no one around, no place to go; it's just us three. There won't be losers, only victims; no winner, only one survivor. The one who wins this fight is quite simply … is the only one who isn't dead."

"How wise of you to say…" Heihachi responded, "I agree wholeheartedly."

Kazuya added, "Finally, something the three of us agree on."

Jin continued, "We've fought each other countless times for countless years. Now, this … will be the last time!"

"I couldn't agree more; there won't be any mercy…" Kazuya said with a smirk as he switched his focus to Heihachi, "Do you think you can keep up, old man?!"

Heihachi slowly untied the belt holding his gi shirt closed, and menacingly growled back, "You should worry about yourself; I'll be just fine."

With that, Heihachi removed his gi shirt, and tossed it aside, revealing the results of his rigorous, unforgiving training over the past four years. The most noticeable difference was his new physique; his entire upper body was much more chiseled and defined, definitely more than years ago … maybe ever.

The next moment, his body tensed, veins became prominent in his arms and neck, and his fist clenched as he revealed himself even further. The ground underneath them began to tremble as Heihachi began slowly pouring the power out of himself. At first, it started out slow … but then, it exploded into full force! Bolts f electricity surged around and sped off in all directions from his body. A fierce blue aura gathered around his body, feeding off his energy, and aggressively spiked upward like an electric current. The Heihachi-produced light show continued to shine abnormally through the dim area for a few more moments. Finally, feeling he'd made his point, Heihachi relaxed and the display waned, allowing the darkness of the night took over again.

"Impressive…" Kazuya responded with a smug smile, "But if that's all you've got… Then, it's a good thing the fight will take place here. There's plenty of good gravestones for both of you!"

Kazuya uncrossed his arms, and offered a counter to his father's exhibit. The ground beneath the three of them again began to tremble, and the air around suddenly shifted towards him. The younger Mishima began to laugh threateningly as he poured his own power out around him, and after a brief instant, they both erupted intensely. Red bolts of lightning crackled and surged all over him. A violent red aura flared upward off his body like a fire feeding on his force. Soon, Kazuya eased himself as well, and his visual assault on the area slowly tapered off.

Heihachi haughtily fired at his grandson, "Well, Jin, it doesn't look good for you. Are you regretting what you've gotten yourself into yet? There's still time to run while you can."

Kazuya quickly added, "I have a better question: … Do you have any last words?!"

"…" Jin remained silent before calmly answering, "Just a few…"

Jin uncrossed his arms and calmly assumed his power stance; it was his turn to show what he's got. The air again rapidly shifted and whipped toward Jin as he calmed himself in order to gathered his strength. As he started to slowly push it out, the ground underneath started to shake. The trees behind him also began to shake, their leaves rustling significantly. A strong, steady white aura began to emanate and rise off him like steam, illuminating the area until it almost hurt to look in his direction. As Jin continued to slowly release his power, his aura and the light only rose and grew until it was bigger than him! Having proved he wasn't going to be easy to defeat either, Jin relaxed, and the aura slowly waned, though its glow remained for a few more moments.

Jin then concluded, "The Mishima name … and its blood curse end here!"

The three kings of the Iron Fist engaged in one final standoff as each man's eyes slowly fell upon each of his two opponents … a final moment of peace and silence. With the talking finished, the three slowly assumed their fighting stances, each stepping forward slightly and bringing their hands up. The tension and anticipation rose for another moment until … the three men charged at each other. The fight of all time, the fight for all of Tekken, a fight 25 years in the making, the ultimate battle… had begun.

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Miles away, many of the Tekken fighters, those whose fates were closely intertwined in the outcome of the fight, could feel the impact. Lili and Hwoarang both stopped as they started to climb into her limousine, seemingly catching the feeling at the same time…

Driving away from his latest lead, Lei was halted at a red light, when an odd sense of … dread washed over him. Stunned by the suddenness and randomness of it, Lei froze as he sat back away from the wheel. HOOOONK! The super policeman was shaken awake moments later; the light had just turned green…

Yoshimitsu sprinted full-speed through the forest, faster than the eye could see. Suddenly, he stopped … and he didn't know why. The Manji Clan leader, going on a hunch, drew his sword; it was glowing and pulsing with an animated red aura, a sign of instability. Yoshimitsu wasn't sure what, but something very serious was happening…

Zafina was gripped without warning by an ill-omened sense of alarm, something she was all too familiar with. She stopped just as it hit her, and slowly turned in the direction of where it came from. Many of the fighters felt the same thing, but Zafina was the only one of them on the mainland that had any idea what was actually going on.

Lars and Lee could also feel the battle starting and even more so due to their proximity to the actual event. At times, they could even hear it faintly especially the triple light shows just moments before.

"Did you feel all of that?" Lee asked the Tekken Force Captain as both they continued to stare deep into the isle.

"Yes…" Lars replied before asking, "Do you think they could actually kill each other?"

Lee responded with some uncertainty, "Those three… I'm not sure, but I know they'll tear this whole island apart trying."

Meanwhile, another boat was speeding through the water toward Ground Zero Isle. Aboard were two young women who also had major stake in the battle's outcome…

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Warfare… It could be best described as pure warfare. Even for the Mishima, it was unbelievable the amount of brutality and hatred three men who were family could have for each other. The sound of them fighting and of the tremendous power they were bombarding each other with was almost deafening. Flashes of blue, white, and red cascaded through the area with each impact. The thumping of each blow taken and blocked reverberated and pulsed through the island like thunder. It was a virtual maelstrom of ferocious punches and kicks, and furious blows of deadly intent and power.

As with combat of multiple combatants, the three could barely keep each other back. When one of them was knocked down, the other two kept fighting, and the third didn't stay down very long. After a few brief moments, they would simply get up and get back in the fight. Also, if anyone where actually watching, it was almost impossible to see who had the upper hand at any given moment; the three were just too resilient and strong, and the battle was too frantic. Then, if anyone of them got it, the other two would fight back into it, and the unforgiving three-way stalemate would begin again.

Heihachi was the first to the first real advantage of the fight… It wasn't long before the fight rolled into the nearby woods. Heihachi was knocked aside by a downward elbow, a 'Skull Splitter', and a straight sidekick, a 'Blade Kick', from Jin. The two of them began to go back and forward, both having a flashback of their last fight four years ago. In fact, they became so fixated on each other that they didn't notice Heihachi … until it was too late. While Kazuya and Jin were distracted by their own clash, Heihachi sliced down a tree with an unbelievably powerful 'Kidney Smasher', separating it from its trunk. The older Mishima caught it before it fell, and heaved it at his two descendants. The tree slammed into the two and pinned them to two other trees. Pressing his advantage, Heihachi ran down, and attacked them both simultaneously by pummeling on the tree that connected them, the force crushing them even further into them. Soon, however, the tree was unable to stand up against any of them, and the trunk snapped, caving under Heihachi's might.

Kazuya was next to grab the reins of fight… Heihachi brought the fight back to the island center, but he couldn't keep both of them down at the same time. Kazuya, fed up at this time, fully tapped into his power, and proceeded to break through. The younger Mishima sprouted his wings, and fiercely grabbed both of his opponents by their throats! Despite their avid attempts to break free, Kazuya quickly flew them to one side overlooking a hill, and proceeded to violently throw them down it. Heihachi and Jin slammed through countless trees as the only seemed to build momentum as they went down, and came to a vile landing, crashing at incredible speed into the boats Kazuya and Heihachi used which rendered both inoperable (and giant piles of scrap).

At the top of the hill, Kazuya retracted his wings, and both of his eyes began to brightly glow with vibrant red light as he brought energy into his eyes, outshining any other light in the area and readying for his next attack. Heihachi and Jin eventually climbed from the wreckage, just in time to see what Kazuya had aimed right at them. With all the energy he needed ready, Kazuya blasted a blood-red laser beam down at them, the beam utterly destroying the large swath of trees in its path. Jin, having no time to think, reached down as deep as he could into his power reserve, quickly retaliated by firing a pure white beam of light back, and met the laser halfway. The resulting collision and struggle between both energies practically vaporized any remnants of the trees in the path, and made the path flat against the hill, as if no trees had ever existed there at all. While the Kazuya and Jin continued their beam deadlock and energy tug-of-war, Heihachi swiftly ran up the hill, ducked down as he neared Kazuya, and broke the struggle by pelting him with a 'Demon Uppercut'. Kazuya's focus averted, his laser broke, allowing Jin to release his beam.

Kazuya and Heihachi again engaged, but Jin wasn't as quick to rejoin. The sudden outburst of his power brought every one of his 'symptoms' screaming back, with his chest starting to collapse inward the most prevalent… But this was no time to stop or wonder. Ignoring the pain coursing through him, Jin ran up the hill, and got back in the fight. Nevertheless, Jin was soon in trouble once again…

Jin was thrown backward, and the momentum caused him to roll over the edge of the cliff, saving himself only through a desperate grab at the cliff!!! He desperately clung to the ledge to keep from plummeting into the abyss, and proceeded to scoot over to an outward-shooting spike in the edge. Again, however, his effects endangered his life, in much more obvious ways this time as they prevented him from recovering from his hazardous predicament. When Jin tried to lift himself, his chest seized up, and robbed him of the air he needed for the effort. His vision started to blur as he searched for foot-holes. Not far away, Heihachi knocked Kazuya down momentarily, and looked for Jin, only to find him struggling to pull himself up.

Heihachi proclaimed as he slowly approached Jin, "All the power in the world, and you're still destined to fall, just like your father… Farewell, Jin Kazama!"

Blue lightning surged around Heihachi's forearm as he raised it into the air, and Heihachi finally slammed his fist down into the rock and unleashed pure power in the single strike, his 'Lightning Hammer'. The stone spike crumbled and detached from the cliff; Jin and the rock formation both plunged into the chasm, and disappeared into the rising steam. While all that was going on, Kazuya sat back, watched and simply watched it unfold, making no attempt to save his son.

As he turned back to his remaining descendant, Heihachi proclaimed, "One down … one to go."

Kazuya commented, "I was just thinking the same thing. So, the battle that started it all is the battle that will finish it…"

Heihachi and Kazuya started to fight once again, and, over time, Heihachi started to gain the better of the battle. Suddenly, a very strange, very loud sound filled the isle center, something that sounded like the wings of a bird. Heihachi could tell it was coming from the cliff, walked over to the edge, and looked over into the curtain of white fog. Jin swiftly flew up out of the mist, speeding toward the edge, and before Heihachi could react, Jin let loose a massive, 50-foot charged 'Angel Twister' (a light version of Devil Jin's 'Devil Twister'). Heihachi was catapulted spiraling high into air and backward. Immediately afterward, Kazuya sprang up into the air, quickly unfurling his wings, grabbed Heihachi by the ankle out of mid-air, and launched him toward the field of rock formations at the opposite end of the center. The older Mishima went crashing through many rock formations before coming to a stop in a heap of stony rubble, completely motionless.

Jin retracted his wings, and immediately fell to his knees. Everything began to bare down on him. The strain of the battle … the severity of his condition … the energy he used to come back from his near death experience… It all hit him at once, and it all was taking its toll. Kazuya meanwhile couldn't help but notice Jin's resistance of his seemingly fast-approaching breakdown.

Kazuya let out a maniacal laugh to himself as he retracted his wings and said, "Seems the old man has fallen down and can't get up…" Kazuya then started walking toward Jin as he continued, saying mockingly "That means I have you all to myself… What's the matter, Jin? You don't look so good. Care to surrender?"

Jin said with labor, "Not … a chance."

Kazuya gave a snide remark with evil satisfaction, "That's a spirit… Never say die!"

Kazuya eagerly yanked Jin to his feet, and the two began to fight again. A one-on-one encounter, the fight was very reminiscent of their last, only this time Jin was the one severely reeling. He simply couldn't trade blows with Kazuya but he was still taking the same punishment. As much as he could , he tried to make each one of his shots count, using as much power in each shot with success.

Incredibly, Heihachi came to, and saw the two of them fighting and not noticing him at all. Using their distraction once again to his advantage, The Mishima-ryu master struggled to his feet, and readied for one more attack. Meanwhile, Kazuya managed to get the better of the fight and grabbed Jin by the throat, letting out a laugh as his victory seemed imminent. Then, as Kazuya prepared a killing blow, Jin noticed Heihachi closing in fast. Waiting for the right moment, Jin ripped away from Kazuya's grasp, and spun the younger Mishima around as he himself dove at of the way. Kazuya realized what happened just as Heihachi unloaded with an unbelievable 'Dragon Uppercut'… A shower of red and blue sparks flew through the air upon the enormous impact… Kazuya was sent somersaulting upward before hitting the ground with a sick THUD!!!

As Heihachi recollected himself from his own outburst, Jin struck. Without haste, Jin took the older Mishima by the head, and tossed him into the air. As Heihachi floated, Jin ripped through him with a straight beam of white light, blasting him with a 'Salvation' (a light version of Devil Jin's 'Obliteration'). Heihachi hit the ground … and now he was finished. For the first time in the whole time, Jin was in control, but here was a problem… He could capitalize. The use of his power amplified his symptoms and his fatigue, making it hard for him to function especially after a large outpour like 'Salvation'.

Immediately, Jin collapses to his hands and knees. Heihachi was down for the count, Kazuya was barely moving, but Jin was still too spent after using so much energy in his last attack. He just couldn't take advantage in time; Jin fought to his feet just as Kazuya was doing the same.

Kazuya growled, "Miserable old fool… Oh well, at least you took care of him, Jin. Now it's time for me to send you after him."

Jin replied with labor, "Do you … ever stop talking?!"

Kazuya and Jin began fighting one more time. It was decidedly slower this time, but still neither was giving an inch, backing down, or letting up. Eventually, Kazuya again pulled away as Jin's condition caught up with him and his body began to falter. Being the altruistic person he was, Kazuya began to pummel his weakened opponent, and ended up knocking Jin back to the top of the path they carved earlier, with a 'Rampaging Demon' combo. Jin fought with everything in himself to stand, but just he stood, Kazuya spun low to the ground toward and uncoiled upward, launching him with a 'Lightning Uppercut'.

Jin rolled painfully down the hill, and came to a stop at the bottom near the shore, his lower body landing in the water. Kazuya walked over to the top of the hill, and looked on with vile satisfaction at his deed.

Kazuya laughed evilly and maniacally before yelling at Jin, "This is it for you, Kazama! Say Goodbye to everything and everyone! But don't worry; I'll be sending them after you shortly. This three-way struggle … is over! It's time to die!!!"

Kazuya finally prepared his final onslaught. He shot his wings out of his back… His power began pouring out as he charged up… His aura returned much more violent than before… The ground under him rumbled as it cracked and collapsed… The air rushed to and around Kazuya…

Jin was understandably desperate by this time; he had to stop Kazuya or it was all over. This was Jin's last chance. Jin stood, his ankles completely submerged in water, and unfurled his wings, a sight much less majestic than usual; tiny streams of blood flowed from and ran down patches of his wings, demonstrating the extended severity of Jin's shape.

The Kazama heir then prepared for his own final attack… Jin's aura returned much brighter than before, lighting up the dark shore and shining into the night sea… His wings fully extended backward… The water at his ankles rushed backward against the tide until Jin was standing only on sand… Jin stood up straight, and drew one arm back while extending his other forward, reaching down and focusing every single inch of power in his body into the next attack…

The preparation over, the collision was on. Kazuya flew full speed down the incline, and saw red as he thought, planned, and envisioned Jin's destruction. Jin kept his eyes set upon Kazuya, waiting for the right moment, and, when it came, he took a powerful step forward and attacked with a severe thrusting punch… However, Kazuya was ready for it, stopped right in time, and caught Jin's fist in his hand! Red and white energies clashed and intertwined as their powers met…

"Pathetic!" Kazuya said mockingly, "What was that anyway? Your 'Eighth Circle of Hell'?! Don't you know that I am Hell?!"

"No…" Jin replied forcefully, "But this is something you'll never see… 'Seventh Gate of Heaven'!!!"

It was at that moment that Kazuya made a gripping realization. Jin's power wasn't focused in the hand Kazuya himself was holding, but the opposite one! The first part of the attack was a decoy! Kazuya was too close to even dodge… Jin took another powerful step forward and let loose all his angelic Kazama power into a tremendous Right Roundhouse Punch! The punch seemed to connect with Kazuya in slow motion…. Jin's fist impacted right into the corner of Kazuya's red left eye… Kazuya's face gave way… His body snapped in the other direction…

The impact was nothing short of incredible. The sound of it was akin a speeding jet, producing a huge sonic boom… A colossal wave of water shot backward from Jin… The resulting shockwave shifted the sand away from both of them and bent the trees closest to them backwards...

Kazuya screamed in pain and disbelief as he was catapulted backwards like he was shot out of a megaton cannon. His power dissipated from his body like a red cloud of dust as he traveled all the way back up the hill and into the island center. The impact was still powerful enough that Kazuya's body created a large crater when it finally crashed down to the ground. Finally, Kazuya's wings slowly retracted as he passed out.

Back at the bottom of the hill, Jin finally relaxed, and slowly retracted his wings. Once more, Jin collapsed but fully this time, and started to drift in and out of consciousness. The water, as the influence upon it dissipated, quickly rushed back in, running over Jin in the process.

The fighting was done. A 25-year conflict had finally been resolved. And, though he didn't look it… Jin had won!

End Chapter

Next Time: "Because I wasn't strong enough… wasn't strong enough to stop it… to get the words out… I'm definitely not strong enough … to see you like this…"

A/N: Whew! What a fight! Well, that was the final battle; I hope I was able to do it justice, and more than anything, I hope you enjoyed it. The next chapter … is the moment of truth, the moment of tragedy. Thank you again for reading. Again, I hope you enjoyed it, and I hope you come back. Please R&R, and, as always, Rant, Rave, and Review.