Marshall Law
Today was going to be a good day, today was going to be one of those days where everything went according to plan. Soon there was going to be money flowing and all of Marshall Law's dreams would becoming into fruition. Sitting Indian style on the floor looking out the window into the street, Law watched the people walk by. It was a funny thought to think that people out there were total clueless as to what was going to happen in the next couple of months.
As soon as Law had seen the poster for the 'King of Iron Fist' Tournament he knew he had to sign up for it. He needed the money, working in a restaurant full time in San Francisco and then commuting back to Arizona. What he wanted the most was to open up his own dojo, a real dojo, the place they had now was some tiny space with windows. He wanted a dojo where more than he and Paul would attend, there was the other guy and he seemed like a rich guy but, aside from the three of them no one had come into the dojo to train or spar; just to ask direction or if they thought it was the dry cleaning place it used to be.
All of that would come to an end though, when he and Paul entered and won the 'King of Iron Fist' tournament they would take the money and open a real dojo together, the rest would be split up between them.
The two of them had met three years ago; when Law had gotten out late from the restaurant he had to take the expense and stay in a hotel that night. Going back to Arizona Phoenix would only result in him not getting enough sleep and not making it back to work on time the next day.
As he walked the streets early in the morning he came up on a biker going through the streets, the man was lost and asked Law for directions.
"Hey!" the man yelled over the roar of the engine; Law barely heard him but, turned his way. The man yelled a little more but, this time Law couldn't make out a single word of what he was saying so he went closer. The man took off his helmet and revealed a pillar of blonde hair as well as a gruff half shaven face. Immediately Law became cautious of the strange man and kept his mind alert. The man on the motorcycle turned off the engine.
"Sorry about that," even his apology was gruff. "I'm looking for Mitsurugi road?" He asked; Law nodded as it was a commonly overlooked street. Law pointed down the road.
"You have to go three blocks down, then make a left at Clifton, go down two more blocks and make a right you'll be on Mitsurugi" he answered, the biker scratched his eyebrow with his pinky and nodded.
"Sounds easy enough," he said He put the helmet back on. "Thanks" he offered and revved the engine back to life and pulled off in that direction.
Law continued down the road in the same direction, taking his time in a sleepy daze he could somewhat hear the motorcycle in the near distance but, he was so tired it could have just been the sound of his own breathing.
He walked for what seemed like ten minutes but, what most likely was another four minutes, and found himself a block away from Clifton. To his surprise the biker was idle at the street and there were several men crowding around, it looked like trouble saw Law kept his distance but, watched.
As Law came up to the disagreement he could hear the aggressors taunting the biker.
"That's a real nice bike you've got there" One of the men said; his way of speaking was obnoxious, every word was drawn out, as if he was trying to make the sounds more understandable to a person hard of hearing. He touched the bike by running his finger across it, even that action was obnoxious, pseudo-sexual even and the biker, reluctantly, kicked the stand down and climbed off the bike. Calmly he put the helmet on one of the handle bars and stretched his neck.
"Look, I'm looking for Mitsurugi road," he started. "I don't have a problem with you guys and you don't want a problem with me." He warned; at this all the men, all six of them, seemed to perk up in unison. The obnoxious man laughed and a skinny alternative came up behind him and began to speak.
"What's the problem?" he asked. "We're just admiring your bike" Even he somewhat stretched out his words.
"Mitsurugi road." The biker simply restated.
"Wait, wait, wait," the obnoxious one began again. "Why don't you let us borrow this bike?" he asked; the biker sighed and shifted his weight to his left impatiently.
"Look guys," the biker started. "I'm only going to warn you one more time-" he started but, the skinny one pulled out a switchblade and came closer.
"We insist." he hissed, there was silence in the air as the knife was pointed at the biker and then:
"Ahahahahahahahahaha!" the biker laughed so loudly his voice might have carried for miles, his shoulders bounced up and down as he did so and he even hunched over to catch his breath.
'He's crazy' Law thought to himself.
"What's so funny, bud?" The obnoxious one asked; the biker let the residual laugh die out and stood straight.
"What's funny?" he asked back. "What's funny is that you think that, that little butter knife is going to scare me." his last two words were snagged in another fit of laugher, the two main men seemed offended while the other four looked around at each other confused.
"Well why don't we just see?" the long winded one spoke, the biker rubbed his face in laughter but composed himself just in time to say:
"Why not?"
The knife came dashing forward at the biker and the biker didn't seem to move until the last moment, he moved to the side and grabbed his attackers arm with one hand and slammed his other fist into the man's gut. The sheer impact of the blow startled Law even from his distance away. It was so strong that the attacker dropped the knife and was lifted off the ground several feet. When his feet touched the ground again the biker shoved his shoulder upon him and sent the attacker flying backwards.
The other man stared, slightly baffled at the display.
"Who's next?" the biker asked; at that taunt all of the men came at once to the biker and he despaired none. Within moments of throwing fist and kicks all of the men were on the ground writhing in pain and the biker seemed to not be disturbed at all. The men picked themselves off the ground and began to run off into the night, at that the biker seemed disappointed.
"That's it?" he asked aloud but, there was no answer, so he shrugged and took his helmet, put it on and got back on the bike.
In the darkness, not uncovered by the streetlight the biker could not have seen one of the men had returned with a gun but, from where Law was he could see. So quickly he ran over to warn him but, knew it would be too late, so he sprung into action.
With a sprint and a jump Law was in front of the gun, a quick hop with his knee out landed into his stomach and Law turned with his back facing the assailant and threw his fist backwards and smashed into his face and the man fell to the ground comatose.
The biker turned instinctively at the action and saw Law standing over the body and the gun lying next to the beaten man. The biker climbed back off the bike slowly and took off his helmet. and looked at the scene a little longer in silence.
"Thanks." the biker said truthfully, he nodded.
"No problem, he had a gun." Law answered; the biker scratched the back of his head.
"I see," the biker said. "Those were some pretty good moves you did there." the biker admired.
"Oh, thanks. I took martial arts as a boy" Law answered.
"Is that so?" The biker asked. "What kind?"
"Jeet Kune Do" he answered; the biker nodded understandingly.
"Very nice," the biker complimented. "I've yet to try that style."
"Which art is your main focus?" Law asked; the biker smiled and flexed a muscle in his left arm.
"Judo" the biker revealed; to Law that made sense after seeing how he fought. "I guess I owe you one." the biker said.
"No, not really." Law shrugged.
"Yes, I do." the biker said dismissively. "By the way my name is Paul." the biker explained. He put his hand out for a handshake and Law obliged.
"Law" he answered back. "Well, Marshall is my first name but, I hate it when people call me that." Law explained.
"Marshall Law," Paul repeated, despite Law's explanation of hating his first name. "Sounds like the name of a fighter" they shook hands finally, applying pressure, Law felt his hand being crushed for a moment and then it was over.
"I do a little fighting." Law explained.
"You're so skinny!" Paul exclaimed at the handshake. "Your hand fits in mine three times over. If you're going to be a fighter you'll need to beef up!" Paul explained.
"I never said I wanted to be a fighter-"Law reminded.
"Sure you do!" Paul said jovially. "With moves like that you could make good money," Law's face was skeptical. "More than you can make at the 'Lucky Dragon'" he read the name off of Law's uniform.
"I'm not that good." Law protested.
"Sure you are," Paul went on. "I'm on my way to a small tournament now. I bet if you entered you could place in the top two." Paul suggested.
"I have work tomorrow," he looked at his watch. "Actually later today!"
"Ok, I'll make you a deal." Paul started. "We enter the tournament if you win, or come into second place and I win, I will give you two thirds of the prize money." Paul suggested further.
"I don't know." Law said, suddenly a little remorseful he had gotten himself involved.
"First prize is six thousand bucks." Paul cooed; at the sum Law was quiet. He could use the money and this guy did seem like he could win, hell maybe even he could win.
"Where is this tournament?" Law asked pensively. Paul smiled widely.
"It's in Santa Modesto, today at noon." Paul explained; Law hesitated. "I'll take you there," he patted the motorcycle, Law seemed to waver some. "And back." Law couldn't help but smile at the man's determination and for some reason he felt he could trust him.
"Fine." Law sighed; Paul laughed a hearty laugh.
"Good," he boomed. "get on!" Paul put on his helmet and climbed onto the bike.
"Wait, on this?" Law asked. "But, I don't even have a helmet." Law protested.
"You only need one if you plan on falling off!" Paul answered back.
"Then why do you have one?" Law asked, already getting onto the bike. Paul seemed to think for a moment and took off the helmet.
"Here" he said handing it back to Law. "And hold on."
It was hard to believe that was three years ago but, in the time since they had won a couple of tournaments together and apart. Law was in the upper tier but, Paul was undefeated and he took pride in that.
In the years Law had learned that there was no one more trust worthy than Paul. Even in times of total desperation Paul had never faltered in his loyalty to Law, the two were two peas in a pod and worked together to make a better life for each other.
The plan was the same as always. The two of them would enter the King of Iron First tournament with the intention of splitting the prize money. Between the two of them they would probably see the majority of the fighters. Hopefully the end result would have one of them in first place and the other in third, that way if the first place person lost to Heihachi Mishima, the third place could defeat the second place and fight Heihachi.
It was like getting two chances and it was more of an advantage than most of the other fighters. In the meantime from registration to the tournament Paul and Law trained everyday against as many fighters as they could find. The biggest challenge (besides fighting the legendary Heihachi Mishima) was going to be adapting to fighting against different fighting styles. The tournament was global so there were going to be styles they hadn't encountered before, so they drove around the area looking for as many martial arts dojos to spar and train with the sensei.
The result was a good one, Law felt more rounded in his fighting ability and he could tell that Paul felt the same way. The tournament was going to be a fun success in Law's opinion. They would see foreign lands and fight with other fighters, there was a lot they were going to learn and even more they were going to win. Of course the plan was to enter with their friend too, he had no interest in the money but, simply wanted to gain ownership for the Mishima Zaibatsu. In the case that he won he would give the cash prize to Paul and Law. He was a good fighter too, Law taught him directly in Jeet Kune Do.
Outside a man entered the dojo and Law got up from his Indian position to greet this man. Most of the people Law knew or had seen walking the streets before but, not this man. He had dark skin and a face that didn't seem to be able to smile if he wanted to. A seriousness that only came from being weathered away by pain and anger, his hair stood on top of his hair like a black flame and his muscles bulged from his clothes.
"Hello," Law asked coming closer and rubbing his palms against his pants. "how can I help you." He put his hand out to shake the strangers but, the man, who was Asian, did nothing to acknowledge the formality.
"I'm looking for Paul Phoenix." the man spoke, his voice was deep, almost too deep for someone of his age. His eyes scanned the dojo and Law saw the familiar look of surprise and disappointment, it wasn't much of a dojo.
"Oh Paul stepped out some time ago," Law looked at his watch. "but, he actually should be back sometime soon." Law explained. The man's eyes stopped surveying the room and looked at Law directly. The gaze sent a chill up Law's spine.
"Are you Marshall Law?" The man asked; Law felt embarrassed at the question, suddenly he didn't want to be himself.
"Yes, I am." Law answered; the man's gazed seemed to soften slightly.
"I met Paul Phoenix a few days ago, he said we could spar again," the man explained.
"Oh, well um" Law wasn't sure what to say. "He should be here soon," The man frowned slightly.
"I can wait." he said.
"Well good," Law said. "In the meantime would you like something to drink or anything.?" Law asked; the man simply said.
"That won't be necessary."
Law attempted to start a conversation with the strange but, whenever he asked him a question the man gave one word answers or didn't answer at all and then in the silence all he did was stare at a wall without moving or saying anything. Eventually the door to the dojo opened while Law was in the back, he quickly went to see who it was and to his relief it was Paul.
"Oh good, you're back," Law started. "This man-" he gestured to the Asian man.
"You," Paul spoke, the man turned to him. "Now, this is a surprise."