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 Angel.
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-Eight: Hesitance
They are at the secret garden where you fought Raven. Keep going.
They had started fighting. She could sense it.
Damn… Had she been out of touch for that long? Asuka was right.
Razer sighed, still running, ignoring the throbbing pain. This was a match she had to see. He needed her.
He turned backwards and slammed his heel into his student's sternum, hard.
Baek felt awful that he had to fight Hwoarang. How could he be matched up against his already injured student, who had only fought a day or two ago against a phenomenal foe? It was unfair. Everyone needed at least a week's rest, right? It was a tournament for God's sake – the third round… People can be killed in this thing.
The youth groaned in pain once said foot evacuated. The Blood Talon came at his master with a few swift kicks, trying to mix up the level and range of his attacks, despite the pain in his ribs. He aimed for the legs, the torso, the head, from a variety of differences, desperately trying to remain unpredictable.
This man knew him practically inside out. He was the only one whose knowledge of him rivalled Razer's.
He wished she was here. It always made it easier for him to be able to turn his head and see who he was fighting for. Her check up should've been over by now, right? Just a couple of injuries from her scuffle against Asuka, which she won… Right? Nothing serious? She didn't need to lie down in a bed or anything?
"Focus, Talon!"
A sharp kick greeted him in the head. Hwoarang growled angrily, his hand climbing to where he was struck, rubbing it. He withdrew his hand and looked at it, seeing blood on the tips of his fingers, and on his glove. He looked up, leaning back just in time to avoid a kick across the face.
Seeing that as an opportunity, he grabbed Doo San's leg, and hooked his own leg behind the grounded one, pulling it back towards him, sweeping his mentor off balance. The elder's back smashed into the flowery ground, and before the younger Korean could attack him whilst he was on the ground, his opponent rolled out of the way, knowing that he tended to abuse that power (or 'spam' as Razer used to say).
Baek, now on his back, hurriedly lashed out a foot stomp, watching as it struck his opponent's shins, watching as he buckled forward a little, legs sliding apart after the attack. He stood up, kicking his student twice with his left leg, the second kick crashing down onto his back. His heel slid down that muscled back, and he couldn't help but wince in pain as well.
This was going to be a long fight on this mid-Monday day.
"You can't do this! I am busy!"
Kill him.
On her way, she had been intercepted by one of Raven's friends, Eagle, and was currently being dragged back towards the 'ship'. He had a deathly grip on her left upper arm, and though she had already tried to wrench it off, she failed. She wanted to physically attack him, but she couldn't bring herself to do it.
He, Crane and Raven were trying to help her, after all. Not kill her. They were trying to develop a cure for the corrupt angel within, not murder her and extract the gene to keep it for themselves, and use it for whatever sick purpose they wanted. But nonetheless, she continued to struggle angrily, a feral growl coming up from the back of her throat.
"Miss Athane, I have a sedative. If you do not relax, I will make you relax."
"It's not me!"
"Then control her."
"Why did Raven not warn me that I had to go get another 'check up'…?"
"Raven's a busy man. He's pursuing Heihachi Mishima as we speak. He believes he is the 'darkness' he has told you about."
He's wrong… She thought quietly, still trying to fidget. Razer's green eyes remained open, darting around frantically. She herself was fine, but it was the entity that was panicking to this extent, essentially freaking out, trying to escape the grasp. Sure, the 20-year-old was pissed, and she had other stuff to do, but…
"Hush up. We're almost there," Eagle remarked, hurrying along, trying to avoid the strange glances coming their way.
The flame was still flickering in her mind. It was angry, it was confused, it was wary, and it was in pain. She assumed he was angry that she was not there at the moment. She assumed that he was confused because she wasn't there. It was obvious he was wary of his opponent, Baek, and in pain because of the attacks… But she wondered if her not being there right now was adding to that pain.
Her phone vibrated again. The Greek pulled it out with her free arm – another text from Seong-Hada:
'where r u? he needs u there! he keeps hesitating…'
She managed to reply:
'i… can't b there… something unexpected has come up… plz tell him i'm sorry… & tell him 2 stop hesitating! tell him 2 picture that its kazama or sumthin… hope it helps. idk when i'll b back. don't txt again, this is really important.'
'uh… kk… b careful.'
Seong-Hada looked up from his phone and slid it back in his pocket, sighing. What was so important that she had to run off, let alone not tell her best friend that she couldn't be there cheering him on like normal times? He furrowed his eyebrows and looked down at his hands, which were clasped together and perched on the railing, sighing.
Maybe it has to do with that creature thing… He thought to himself.
"Don't doze off on me, Hwoarang!"
"I'm trying…" He whispered almost inaudibly, ducking forward, avoiding another kick over his head.
Yeah… It must be. Otherwise she'd be here. And even before all this, at the hideout, she was always with him. There were times where she left, and he just looked so worried… He stayed up all night many times, until she got back. I guess this explains why she left. Must've needed to release the thing for a bit before it tore her up inside.
"Stop it!"
Baek's shrill cry of anger came with a disgruntled growl from his student. The youngest Korean's head snapped back towards the action, and away from his shaking, pale hands. He fiddled with the end of his long-sleeved, dark blue shirt, glad that he had bought it in England, glad that Steve's Aunt was so willing to pay for it.
"Why are you hesitating?" Doo San inquired angrily, eyebrows furrowing quickly.
…Why is he hesitating? He's never hesitated before, the 19-year-old pondered.
Hwoarang unleashed a Cheap Snap Shot Kick, aimed directly as his Master's stomach. He grimaced as his opponent doubled over, both arms wrapped around his torso, the air sucked out of him from the sheer force of the attack. He immediately dropped his stance and took a step towards him, "Baek, I'm sorry… You alright?"
A sharp punch greeted him in the side of the head, along with two low kicks, and one high one. When the 21-year-old slammed back into the ground, the concrete pathway, the elder Korean crossed his arms and remained where he was, "Do you not recall what I have said to you in the past?"
He propped himself up on one elbow, looking at the flowers beside him. They swayed gently due to his heavy breath, even as he spoke, answering his Master's question on why he was hesitating to attack, "I can't do this to you, Baek. I don't want this fight. You're… you're practically my fucking Father."
"Watch your tongue."
The Blood Talon smiled a little at that remark and managed to stand once more. Quickly brushing dust off of his clothes, he just stood there, sadly looking at the person opposite him. He didn't want this fight at all. He would've much preferred to fight against Razer, though it'd slim the chances of helping her out. But this… this wasn't fair. He was 48-years-old. Baek wasn't a young man anymore.
"Sometimes you'll have to fight someone you care about, Hwoarang, and they may not show sympathy for you."
He paused for a bit, looking down at his feet, before looking back up and nodding, slipping into stance, watching his mentor do likewise. It was going to be hard, but he had to do it, he realised, as the rocket pendant swung back and forth underneath his shirt, "Let's try this again, shall we?"
"Yes, let's start this again," He replied, delivering a sharp kick to his student's shoulder.
Seong-Hada smiled, watching as his leader's right shoulder was sent flying back, as he was now standing side on. He should've known that that's what was bothering him. But even now, as he unleashed the punch and two kicks that were dubbed Chainsaw Kicks, he still saw the split-second hesitance before initiating the attack.
He mustered up his voice and cupped his hands around his mouth, shouting out in Korean, "Hey Hwo! Pretend its Jin!"
Doo San quirked an eyebrow, briefly looking at his younger student, before looking back to his opponent. He did not question anything, though, when his older student's gaze darkened immediately, as a Misdemeanour roundhouse kick suddenly said hello to the back of his head. He went down with an angered cry, but he was not out.
Stay the fuck away from me.
"For God's sake Miss Athane, control that thing!" Crane yelled angrily at the thing backed up in the corner. She and Eagle were without Raven this time, without their prime fighter, and they were currently cornering a 'Devil' Razer, who had transformed upon entering the vicinity.
"I'm trying…"
And you continue to fail.
"Shut up!"
Eagle had his finger to his ear, where he was trying to contact Raven. So far, nothing came up. Perhaps he was currently engaged in combat against Heihachi Mishima. He doubted it, though, but it was still a possibility nonetheless. Neither he nor Crane were fighters… Raven was the specialist in that regard.
"Eagle! Do something!" Crane growled angrily.
Where's that fucking sedative… He thought to himself, shoving one of his hands mercilessly through his pockets, looking for the damn valium pills. It would calm the anxiety, and perhaps relax the corrupt angel within just enough to have the true Razer overpower it with ease. Sure, she'd be really sleepy thereafter, but that would be better than tearing apart two innocent humans.
He found the two pills and pulled them out of his pocket. Eagle looked up in victory, but then frowned. How the fuck was he going to get in her mouth and down her throat, whilst remaining in one piece? He sighed angrily. A slingshot wouldn't work in this situation, as amusing as it would be.
The being in the corner suddenly became animalistic, lashing out at Crane. A shriek ripped through the area. Both operatives looked at the woman's arm, seeing blood start to drip from the new, large tear in her white lab coat, which was slowly becoming stained with blood; like faded red ink on pure white paper. Her red eyes narrowed into slits, almost cutting through the darkness as they pierced him, Shove those down my throat, and I will see to it that you die.
Claws gleamed in the light that suddenly shone in the room. 'Devil' Razer looked away, her dark sanctuary gone, and growled in frustration, sinking down a little. She brought up a hand to shield her eyes, and even then that did very little. She tried to peer past the light, past the two forms, to see who had entered the room and flicked on that damn light.
With a deep breath, she identified the individual to be Raven. How lovely.
"Would it have killed you to answer?!" Eagle shouted. His companion shrugged and quickly assessed the situation.
Another growl ruptured deep in the back of her throat as the true Razer's voice came out, as she tried to take control again, as she managed to sink herself lower to the floor so she was on her knees, "Hold me down! Quick!"
Stay the fuck away from me! All of you! The voice was quivering like mad.
"Hurry up! I cannot hold her off for much longer!"
Raven saw the opportunity and ran over immediately, using his strength to hold down the youth. Crane joined him, using what was left of her strength to do so, a knee across both of the huge, black wings. The Greek also attempted to restrain herself, to restrain the corrupt angel, and looked to Eagle expectantly.
The operative stepped forward and knelt down in front of the creature, who was currently more human than beast. Whilst the other two held her down, he popped both pills into her mouth, "Swallow them. Try not to chew them up."
In Athane's head, the creature was screaming at her, DON'T!
A hurried gulp was the thing's answer.
"Number 22, Hwoarang, wins!"
"...Why did you do that, Baek?" The Blood Talon whispered, clutching his ribs yet again. It wasn't that his Master had struck them, it was just he had moved around so much that the pain had sharply intensified once more.
Doo San smiled and shrugged, breathing in and out heavily. He had surrendered the match to his student, stating that neither needed to be tested further, and that he was quite happy for the 21-year-old to continue on in the tournament. That was one of the two reasons he joined, actually. Just to test his skills out. It had been twenty years since the last tournament he was involved in, after all. It wouldn't have hurt.
He felt so weak, sitting there amongst the flowers, holding his ribs. He felt so tired, so sore, and so frustrated. Tired because of the match, sore because of the previous wounds and the new ones inflicted in this match (such as the nasty bump forming on his shin), and frustrated because of other issues running through his head at the moment… such as why the fuck his best friend didn't come.
"You actually have a cause in this tournament, Hwoarang. I don't. I may as well have given the match to you. You've proven yourself a worthy adversary, and your skills have improved vastly since the last time we sparred under proper conditions, as opposed to running into each other at the gym in the army, thinking it was someone else. Good job, kid."
He scratched the back of his head and smiled. Praise from his mentor.
"Now get off your ass and go back to the hospital."
Hwoarang stood wearily, almost tipping over from exhaustion and pain. He raised his head and looked at his mentor square in the eye, almost as though he were silently saying 'okay, but after I find out why the fuck Razer wasn't here'. Hesitance. Defiance. The 48-year-old sighed and ran his fingers through his grey hair.
"I'll go look."
The two older Koreans looked to the youngest one, who had just spoken. Seong-Hada was leaning off the rails now, and turning to his right, leaving the area in a hesitant, yet speeding step. He too was curious as to why she couldn't come. It was unlike her, and there was an element of uncertainty in her text messages.
"We developed something experimental using the blood you gave us," Crane informed stoically, going elsewhere to fix up the wound that the corrupt angel's claw marks had left. It was safe to say that the creature was immobilised.
The Greek, who was lying on her side, under close surveillance of Raven, spoke up in a slur, "Which is…?"
"Well," She began, now tying a bandage around the bleeding wound, "We managed to get a look at the genetic strain of the angel within the blood. It is not savagely attacking your genetics, but rather chipping away at trying to control you wholly. It is like a tumour, growing silently. At some instances it appears, such as now, and at others it is practically invisible. But you have a strong will, Miss Athane, and that has stopped her from seizing you completely, not to mention the will of someone else, though we are not sure on that. Probably the origin of the angel."
My… Mother…?
Eagle cut in, rummaging for something of importance on the table, "In the sample we were able to remove the strain and take a closer look. It is diseased, somewhat. Well not diseased… actually… it's very hard to explain. It wasn't supposed to be this way. She was supposed to be good. Somehow, it became corrupt once you were born, or something along those lines.
"We tried many things on the strain, wondering what they would do. Nothing worked, except, to our surprise, holy water. Funny how the religious people always said that holy water banished demons and other silly stuff like that. But hey, whatever. It took a highly concentrated amount, though."
"So what you're saying is, all I had to go was go and take a swim in fucking holy water?"
The frustration was noticed. Eagle shook his head, "No. That wouldn't have attacked the gene directly. You needed to have it directly on the gene, alone. But continuing on, the gene changed. Where as it was a… blackish colour before, so to say, the portion we acquired is now white. It was no longer aggressive, and it did not change back.
"Out of sheer curiosity, we put it back with the blood sample. Guess what happened?"
"Nothing…?" She whispered, hopeful.
He smiled wholly and nodded, strolling over with a needle in hand. He looked down on her as Crane came to his side, her arm now bandaged and the wound cleaned, "Yes. It did not attack, it did not do anything. It was peaceful with yourgenes. So we were wondering, perhaps you would like us to inject this pure strain and see if it can set to work in fixing the rest of your system. Or at least, to see what happens."
"And you couldn't just shove the fucking needle in my arm while it was active?"
Crane shook her head, squatting down to her level, helping her sit up, avoiding the two horns that were still protruding out of the youth's head, "No. The corrupt angel is now unconscious, peaceful somewhat. You are still in her form because she does not have enough strength to revert. You'll have to do that by yourself. Any how, this way it will not be trying to fight off the pure strand, and the pure strand will have a better chance of fixing it up. Now, we are not aware of the consequences, so if there are any, you will just have to deal with it. Do you want this?"
Razer paused, hesitating for a good long moment. What would possible consequences be? Would it be as though the body is fighting a foreign invader, like a virus? Would the corrupt angel fight against the new strain? Would she herself be able to support the new strain and defend it? What was going to happen? How would 'she' change? How would the mortal, she herself, change with the new strain?
Quivering blood red eyes met blue ones as she nodded the slightest bit, still full of hesitance.
Stages:
Hwoarang v.s. Baek Doo San: Secret Garden, Tekken 5
