Street Fighter: Endless Path
Chapter 40: David Vs. Goliath
"Good evening, Urien," said Kolin as she entered the lab. "Do you have the results of today's first matches?'
"Yes, but I doubt Gill would be pleased. None of the fighters displayed sufficient ki levels. Even Ryu's levels of Satsui no Hado were far below what would be needed for the cleanse to proceed. And with the backup source still nowhere to be seen."
"Do not fret. Lord Gill has already sensed that Ryu's power has grown stronger since their last encounter. He simply hasn't externalized it yet. Gill has a plan that can get Ryu's dark hado out in the open."
"(Annoyed) In Gill we trust... Following Gill blindly will be our downfall. All these fighters... this tournament... all to fulfill ancient prophecies scribbled on some tattered old scrolls. Tradition and scripture have their place, but with the Twelve program now complete, there would no need for such a theater. Things would be different had Heaven chose a different champion."
"We all have our place, Urien. Yours is blessed at our Lord's side during these crucial days. Our task is not to question him, but to endure that everything goes in accordance with Lord Gill's infallible will. Though it may not be apparent to us, but each of these fighters may have something to offer in this new age. Be they small, large, weak or strong, any one of them could play a role in Lord Gill's grand scheme to bring equilibrium to the world. Even the smallest weight, insignificant on its own, can tip or balance the scales. The roles of these fighters may be beyond our knowledge, but have faith in Heaven's will and in Lord Gill. We will all be rewarded in the paradise to come."
Meanwhile...
This don't even feel fair," said Hugo towering over Alex. "You need an extra tag team partner."
"Size isn't everything," Alex disagreed as he dodged Hugo's punch. Hugo smashed his elbow on Alex's head.
"Damn it, Alex!" Guile exclaimed. "Is he gonna be ok? It's not everyday you have to fight a giant."
"He'll be alright," Tom replied. "He's too stubborn to lose."
"I suppose. Knowing him, he would've done anything to find you, even stepping up to Mr. Big Red & Blue there without blinking. That's a good kid I'd want on my team to go into battle."
"You better believe it."
Alex blocked Hugo's drop kick.
"This is not fun!" Hugo complained. "You are too distracted and making it too easy. Get your head back in the game or I'll do it for you!"
Alex ducked Hugo's clothesline. "Sorry if you just seen your mug on a 2000-year old quilt, you'd be distracted too. Let me make it up to with a Spiral DDT!"
Hugo countered the DDT with a Argentine Backbreaker and tossed him away.
"Snap out of it, kid. I got money riding on you!"
"Put me down for 20. I'm good for it!"
Alex recovered with his Flash Chop. "Time to go to sleep!" He then followed up with a German Suplex. After the fight, Poison tended to Hugo.
"That was some nifty work," said Poison. "If you ever wish to go pro, look us up. You two would make a great tag team."
"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."
"Such a valiant display, chosen one? He would make a worthy disciple."
"Indeed," Gill agreed. "There is a high place within the Society for, though he is not aware of it yet."
"Are you vain enough to think you're anything special? You are nothing, and I am here to prove it."
"Urien. When I found To, I thought our beef was over, but if you want to go..."
"I am not here to fight you, Alex, but I have these two will. Necro, Effie, prove your worth."
