If it is in normal style, then it is speech.
If it is in italics, then it is thought.
If it is in bold, then it is the individual's natural tongue.
If it is underlined, then it is Devil and the Creature.
Generally, if it is in italics and has singular quotation marks ( ' ' ) then it is Mental Speech.
Don't own any characters except Razer, Detective Burton and the rest of the gang (excluding Hwoarang).
All other characters belong to Namco.
Chapter Twenty-One: Once More
There was nothing but a smirk on Razer's face two days after her little adventure with Hwoarang, after the recovery from a tickle onslaught for those two days, and meeting a fan of theirs. Nothing but a smirk, and no thoughts crossed her mind aside from that of pure revenge.
She recalled her laughter in the first round when she found Red was fighting Bryan Fury. It was too funny. But now she knew in the back of the Korean's mind, whilst he was laughing, he was also scared shitless as she slipped into her stance against Heihachi Mishima. Again. Both of them swore that the drawing was rigged.
It still didn't matter because she and Hwo knew that the Greek could survive a beating as inflicted by him. They didn't last time. And to make things even better for her, aside from being far more motivated and willing for revenge due to the capture, her recovery time was much faster than it had ever been due to the creature within (which is what she called it now)… For example, the church incident all those weeks ago.
All of her friends came again, including Jin, who was standing behind the main group, though not many noticed (and those who did were aware of who he was). In fact, Hwo had rested his crutches next to him. Next to the Korean himself were Miharu and Christie, and beyond them was a recovering Lei, Julia, Steve and Xiaoyu. The three that knew of Kazama had chosen to sit this way for that specific reason – to protect his identity.
"C'MON RAZE," Xiao screamed, throwing her fist in the air, "YOU CAN DO IT!!"
If I could not last time, what makes you think I'll win this time? She thought, rolling her eyes.
How about you allow me to fight for you this time?
No. I have come prepared. I have a plan.
And what might this plan be?
"Number 15 v.s. number 20. 3, 2, 1, FIGHT!"
Razer seized the initiative, ripping from her stance, automatically roaming free of Tae Kwon Do restriction, and charged at the old man, squatting down low, doing a sweeping kick in her Mother's style just as a punch went flying over her head. Heihachi did not predict this, and slipped, falling on his back.
She stood back up and did a Right Axe Kick, about to fall into Teaser, however she caught sight of the Murderer rolling out of the way. He attempted to do a sweeping kick of his own as he rose, however the Greek had leapt in the air, clear of it, and slammed her knee into his temple, using the lower half of her leg to shove him away and back onto the floor.
Your plan is to continue attacking and not allow him any moment to fight back, isn't it?
A slight nod acknowledged the creature within. She slipped into the back of her mind, already seeing a folly.
The 20-year-old launched an elbow into the rising man's skull, thereafter grabbing him by his head, summoned strength from within herself and the entity, and threw him to the other side of the arena, already feeling that desire for death flowing through her veins… Something she would not push away this time.
Heihachi simply lay stunned on the floor. She had either held this back last time, or he was losing his touch… He tried to stand once again, only to be met with a knee to the chin and a Misdemeanour roundhouse to the back of the head, followed by a sharp kick in the direct centre of his spine. He growled angrily.
Two fists and a Bolt Cut came his way, the latter slamming into the side of his neck. He growled again and made an attempt to grab the Greek, however she was too nimble at the moment, and had side stepped out of the way, thus leaving him open for an attack, which she had taken advantage of. He winced when he felt his arm be securely held, and a foot slam into his right side, along with pushing, such forceful pushing, until it made his neck snap the opposite way, causing him to fall to the floor. Fuck her Dead End throw.
Razer seized his arm as he fell and threw him to the other side of the arena again, chuckling darkly. He went flying as she chased after him as quick as possible. She could not help but grin. Look how powerless he is now. Look at him. He had been so strong two years ago, playing with her as if she were a rag doll…
And now it was the complete opposite. She was the superior predator, and he was the mediocre prey.
Mishima, who was also grinning darkly, was already rising and already in his stance by the time his opponent arrived. He launched a right punch, and it was caught so quickly, so easily… He didn't understand it. The arm was jerked upward, thus sending the 75-year-old man to stand a little taller – a set up for the next attack… The next act of punishment, of revenge.
Athane jumped up again, slamming her right foot squarely on Heihachi's collarbone, causing him to grit his teeth. She used it as a lever, back flipping off him, smashing her right knee into his throat, and forcing his head up as she back flipped, that snap in the back of his neck ensuing again.
The Japanese man stumbled back, his hand on his throat. He attempted to relax his breathing and calm his boiling blood, his brown eyes watching as she landed firmly on squatted knees, her right hand brandished on the floor, keeping her balance upon landing. He just didn't understand it. Not a hit on her yet, and he was suffering.
He would have to use it to his advantage if he were going to win. If she was to continue her onslaught of attacks, she would tire herself out sometime. Ah, the arrogance and stupidity of the young people of today…
Something wasn't right in Razer's green eyes. Hwoarang squinted, trying to get a better look of her face as she rose, as she looked back up at her opponent, but was met with nothing but a dark grin and a killing glare. The glare itself was enough to make him shiver and cringe. It appeared the creature was coming alive behind those brightening windows.
"You see it too…?" Jin asked reluctantly in a whisper, still standing directly behind the Blood Talon.
"Afraid so, Fatal Lightning," He whispered back, using a nickname he just thought up of to hide his identity.
"I can smell it… She wants to kill him… She wants to taste his blood…"
Hwoarang shrugged his shoulders, watching as she delivered a mean right hook, "We can't do anything."
"I fear for her, Hwoarang. The creature is eating her alive from the inside. It is going to hurt or kill her."
Sienna eyes tore from the battle and to the owner of the panicking voice, "What're you feeling?"
"It is… trying to take over. And Razer is not fighting it. She is too bent on revenge. She's…"
Crimson red blood fell from Heihachi's arm. He glared at the girl in front of him, somewhat seeing faint evidence of a transformation. Today, like last time, were the much-sharper-than-they-fucking-should-be nails, or miniature claws. The elder Mishima stumbled away from another swipe, reading his fists painfully.
"Oh God, she's letting her take over, she wants her to take over –"
Jin came and sat down next to Hwoarang on the floor, moving his crutches out of the way, resting his arms over his knees, seeing a different Razer Athane to the rest of the world. He could see the dark aura around her already. He could smell the blood thirst rise, and the fury seize her heart.
'What are you doing?'
Razer looked from Heihachi, who had thrown a weak punch that came into contact with her guarding forearms, and looked quickly at Jin, furrowing her eyebrows. Her distraction was a wasted opportunity as the old man attempted to attack with more force, but it too was blocked, 'What does it look like? Fighting.'
'No… I mean… Inside you… You are letting her win!'
'I am not!' She yelled angrily, turning away from her boyfriend and refocusing on his Grandfather, doing three round house kicks in a row, two blocked, the final one sending him face first into the concrete floor.
"She is not listening to me," Kazama replied to the Korean softly.
Hwoarang sighed and leant forward, resting his chin on his hand, tapping his cheek in waiting.
Julia leant forward as well and spoke across to her Korean friend, "Is something the matter, Hwoarang?"
He just shook his head stiffly, chewing the inside of his mouth.
She nodded, her brown hair following suit. Her eyes drifted past him to number 13, who was sitting next to him, who appeared to be talking to him, who appeared to know him. What was he doing here this time…? Something… was seriously up. She'd be up against him in three days anyway…
Heihachi, who was getting more and more back into the game, attempted to throw another fierce punch. He threw his shoulder into it as well, and as a consequence, was left open for another attack. A knee met his rib cage, and as he cried out, his arm was seized. Following this was another right punch, as strong as he had sent previously. He stumbled back once he was shoved away, only to be met with Machine Gun Kicks.
The veteran fighter parried all four blows, before seeing his opportunity to fight back properly. He used the Flash Punch combo, and to his joy and surprise, all of the punches connected. He grinned darkly as the tainted being across from him winced, taking a few steps back, holding her face just as she did two years ago.
He let his right arm fall onto her, before punching her once again with his left hand, sending her further back. The tables had now turned as he continued his assault, aware that she was now back in the game and healthily blocking and parrying. A residing chuckle began to make itself known.
The elder Mishima started to laugh louder when she landed on her back, and then sat up in what appeared to be a submissive position, her chest heaving up and down in accordance with her breathing. But whatever.
As he readied to stamp his foot onto her body as he loved doing, he was suddenly tripped over. Something was hacking at his legs, and then at his torso as he fell to one knee. The attack was dauntingly familiar to him.
And then he remembered way back to his first match against that dancing Brazilian, Christie Monteiro. Somehow the Greek had stolen this move from her, or she had the 19-year-old whore bag teach it to her.
Christie stuck her fist up in the air, shaking it vigorously, "WOO YEAH! THAT'S MY GIRL!"
Lei smiled and looked to her, "Is that one of your moves?"
"Yeah. The Ipanema Wings move. It's a really handy attack because of what you just saw. It unsuspectingly trips up the opponent. She asked me to teach it to herm so I did. Actually I've taught her a lot. She knew about this match for ages."
"And you didn't once think about telling me," Hwoarang drawled angrily, taking a quick glance at her.
"She didn't want you to worry," Christie replied honestly, frowning a little, getting a little upset and nervous.
Wulong scratched his chin, interrupting before a fight burst out here, "I find Razer's style interesting… It's not just one. It's many. It's like she's a Hybrid Martial Artist or something. I mean, there is obviously the Tae Kwon Do and her Mother's Style, but she has taken some moves from Capoeira as well, and some of Jin's moves from way back when…"
The Korean grinned silently to himself, I wonder if they'll change the database to say Hybrid Technique…
Razer could feel sweat drip down her face as she fell back onto her feet from the handstand stance, only to be met with kicks to her legs. She took to Capoeira again and span her right leg around and into Heihachi's face, making sure to throw force into it, before tearing into the rest of the Leg Whip Mars Attack Flip.
"WOOOO!!"
"Christie, if she is using Capoeira, why isn't she dancing like you do?" Lei asked, looking at the girl.
"I quote – 'dancing sucks. There is no way in fuck I'm doing that. I'll just tap my feet as always'."
"Ah…"
The elder Mishima rolled back onto his feet, only to be met by a constricting hand to his throat. He attempted to breathe and failed to do so. Choking… How lovely. He attempted to tear her hand away from his throat, but failed that too. She didn't even let up when he pushed extremely hard on her wrist's pressure point.
He looked into the Greek's eyes, seeing specs of red appear in her now forest green eyes… The eyes he remembered from two years ago, not longer dying but bright. He smirked, watching as the red took over, as he felt more heat emitting from her body, as he felt blood trickle down his throat from the possible miniature claws. He laughed breathily and spoke, "You are changing. Excellent."
Razer paused, her grip letting up slightly. She looked to her other clenched fist, indeed seeing slight hints of transformation, mainly shown by the faint black markings that were appearing on her hand, her wrist and her arm. She opened her mouth a little and allowed her tongue to trail across her teeth, feeling fangs there.
Heihachi grinned and pulled away from her grasp, taking advantage of this distraction, sending his right fist squarely into her neck. He laughed as she was sent back, as she sat up from her back and stared ahead of her.
…Why am I letting this happen…? She asked herself sadly, clenching both her fists.
'You can still win without the creature's strength, koidito.'
She looked to Jin, and past the shadows of his hood, she knew he was smiling supportively. She nodded at him and stood back up, having moved out of the way of another coming kick in the process, 'Alright. I'll try.'
As the 20-year-old once again confronted the 75-year-old, conducting a blocked Back Lash, Hwoarang leant slightly towards Kazama and whispered to him a question, "Eh, what the fuck did you just do? She's alright now."
"I did nothing. She realised what was happening, and is now holding the creature back."
He smiled and shouted out to his best friend, "C'MON RAZEEEEEEEEEEE! KICK HIM ONCE FOR ME!!"
She too smiled and performed the Cheap Snap Shot kick, sending her foe back, "GOOD ENOUGH?"
"THAT WAS PERFECT! THANKS!"
Xiao and Miharu laughed, looking at the Korean as he folded his arms. The Chinese girl yelled from across the bench, pointing at him accusingly, "AND YOU WERE WORRIED!! HAH!! DON'T LIE, WE COULD ALLLLLLLLLL SEE IT IN YOUR FUCKING SHINY-ASS BROWN EYES."
He casually gave her the finger and bounced his left leg, watching the rest of the match, his mind a happy mess, She's gonna win. She's gonna win and get revenge for what happened at the Zaibatsu. She's gonna get revenge for the torment he has given her these past two years. She's gonna show him what it's like to lose.
Those thoughts were somewhat like a curse, for only a few minutes later the Greek was on the defensive against the Japanese man, as he threw punch and kick after punch and kick, even managing to throw in the 'electric noogie' thing once again. Heihachi swiftly kicked her in the thigh, causing her to limp back and away.
He crossed his arms and grinned, "I will admit you have impressively and vastly improved since our last encounter, Miss Athane… But I am still going to make you wish you were never born into this cruel world."
"You know something, Heihachi?" Razer asked, standing tall and proud, also crossing her arms, the same type of grin still on her face, "I've learnt something ever since meeting you. Ever since you stormed into my life, and at every turn, gave me something negative to hold onto and to want to wish away…"
The ache in her thigh was too powerful to ignore. Athane sat on the ground, leaning back on her hands, looking up at the Japanese man with the same grin still, "I don't have to win to know that I can kick your ass any day. And as for now, I would rather live to fight you that other day. But that day is not today. I've caused enough damage to you to know its going to take you a long while to recover, and when you fight your next opponent, they'll have the advantage of full health…"
Her next words were with venom, as always, "Where you will be weak, and snivelling, and still injured from my blows…" She pulled back her tone of voice a little and closed her eyes… "There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that I will be the cause of your downfall…" …and then opened them once again, "I forfeit."
The elder Mishima stared incredulously, as the announcer yelled, "Number 15 wins!!"
"WHAT!!" Hwoarang growled, surprised and angry, blinking repeatedly and disbelievingly.
Julia scratched the back of her head, slightly shocked and definitely questioning, "That can't be right!"
Heihachi limped slowly off the arena, leaving Razer where she sat, leaving that smell of pride hang in the air. He was in so much pain… Oh God, so much pain. It was fair to say she delivered worse blows than Jin did in the final match of the King Of Iron First Tournament 3. He began to wonder if his Grandson allowed his devil within to supply aid during that time, just as she allowed then.
Speaking of that Kazama filth, he spotted her sitting next to that Korean street trash. It appeared the redhead wanted something, as he grabbed his crutches and 'walked' over to him, "What the fuck just happened?"
"She's letting me go…" Mishima stated wearily, smirking, walking to the infirmary, "And that is that."
"She's letting you go?!" He yelled, confused, "What the fuck what the fuck what the fuck!?"
Miharu saw the source of this outburst and noticed him getting tired. She took his arm and started to walk him back to the hotel, "C'mon sleepy. Don't get yourself all worked up. What's happened has happened."
"I don't understand…" He trailed, coming to a stop, "Just total 'what the fuck' all around."
Ling came up and patted his back before walking up ahead with Christie, Julia, Lei and Steve. She turned away from the Korean and the Japanese people, disappearing like the rest of the crowd that came to watch was.
Razer breathed out and turned her head to Kazama with a grin, patting a spot next to her, 'Come here.'
He obeyed mindlessly, standing, going up the steps, before coming to sit next to her, cross legged. Jin put his gloved hand over hers and smiled at her honestly, "I am proud of you. You walked away. Thank you."
She intertwined her fingers with his and sat there with a wide smile on her face.