Masters of the fists.
Iron Fist, The latest in a long line of warriors who wielded the power, Danny Rand is the immortal Iron Fist: protector of the mystical city of K'un Lun. He channels the soul of the dragon Shou-Lao making his fists into powerful weapons. He is among the best, if not the best fighter in the Marvel Universe. He has also been a member of The Defenders and the New Avengers. There have been many bearers of the name Iron Fist throughout history. Danny Rand is believed to be the 66th Iron Fist. He is one of the most skilled martial artists in the world, and his fist can bring down mountains.
Right now he was meditating in one of the many dojos he owns. While he is no Tony Stark, Danny is still very rich, and can afford just about anything he wants. This particular Dojo was located in the mountains of Japan, mostly hidden away from any unwanted visitors. But not everyone if going to have a hard time finding it. Danny's meditation was interrupted when he heard the doors being forced open and a couple of footsteps of someone entering.
"You are trespassing. Identify yourself, or suffer the consequences" Danny said in a calm tone, without even looking at the intruder.
"I am Akuma. Are you the carrier of the Immortal Iron Fist?" Asked a dark voice.
Akuma trained under Goutetsu along with his brother Gouken. Goutetsu taught them Ansatsuken, the Assassin fist. As the brothers progessed under Goutetsu's teachings, a dispute arose on the true nature of Ansatsuken karate and the path to master it. Gouken did not accept the violent nature of their art and left Goutetsu and made his own dojo. Akuma continued to use the art as it was intended to be used for, killing. In order to learn the Raging Demon, Akuma embraced the Satsui no Hadou. Akuma gave up any compassion he held towards other human beings and lost all of his humanity, in addition, he realized limits as a fighter could be expanded, and left Goutetsu's guidance to train alone on an island known as Gokuento. His return marked the end of his master, Akuma demonstrated his power by killing his master in a fight. After the fight, Akuma removed the beaded necklace from Goutetsu and placed it on his neck. Ever since that day, he has been a major threat for Ryu, haunting him and trying to make him give in to the killing intent as well.
Danny stood up and finally turned to face the intruder "And what if I am?".
Akuma gave him a hard look "I have spent years, searching for a foe who can equal the power of my fist. But I was beginning to believe no one could ever hope to match it. But once I learned about the power of the Immortal Fist, there was no question of what I desired to do".
"So you wish to test your fist against mine. Very well, I accept your challenge" Danny declared as he got in to his stance "Don't hold back, I won't".
Akuma said nothing as he just smirked and got in to his own stance. A clash between two masters of the fists were about to commence.
Akuma charges at Danny and starts rapidly punching and kicking him immediately. Danny is caught off guard by the power of his blows, already making it clear he is much stronger than Ken. But Danny manages to kick Akuma in the gut and hit Hm with a Chi blow. Akuma Fires a Gohadoken at Danny who deflects it with a chi powered chop. Akuma throws another blow, but Danny managed deflect it and jumped to deliver a knee in to Akuma's nose, making it bleed. But Akuma had felt far worse pain as he sends Danny back with a blow. Her charges some power in to his legendary fist and Danny does the same. Their fists collides, causing a shock wave that destroys most the dojo, and making the two fighters slide back.
Akuma smiles "You are indeed powerful. Perhaps you are worthy after all".
"Your power is great, but dark. How much of your soul did you sacrifice to attain such corrupt power?" Danny asked.
"I have transcended beyond my humanity. I have reach a level no mortal could ever hope to achieve" Akuma answered.
"Transcended your humanity? You've only thrown it away for power that brings nothing but pain" Danny said, not understanding how anyone would willingly embrace such vile power.
"Pain? I will show you the meaning of pain!" Akuma declared as his aura became more intense.
Danny focused his chi, making his body glow as well. He knew this was a fight he could not afford to lose.
The Two exchange Punches and kicks rapidly and Akuma hits Danny with the Deomon Flip but Danny recovers quickly and kicks Akuma in the face dislodging a tooth and punches him. But Akuma grabs Danny's arm and tosses him to the ground. Danny avoids Akuma's chop, that could have split an anvil in half and uses a chi powered kick that sends Akuma in into a rock smashing it upon impact. Akuma shakes of the hit and leaps at Danny and launches a barrage of punches at kicks at him but is hit by a powered up Iron Fist. But Danny did not stop there, as he delivered several more chi powered blows, each being strong enough to level a small building. Akuma falls to the ground his Gi torn his body battered.
"Yield!" Danny demanded.
"I am Akuma! I yield to no one!" Akuma declared as he let out a battle cry, the Satsui No Hado flaring.
Danny sighs "Then you leave me no choice. I shall have to defeat you, one way or the other".
Danny attempted a fighting stance but he was interrupted by another blast. Akuma levitated forward with an Ashura Shenku. Dannt toppled to the ground as Akuma sent a hard punch to his chest. Danny kicked himself back up, only to meet a hard kick that broke up the ground below him. Danny fell over once again. He knew what he had to do, a well placed Iron Fist punch could end this all. The problem was how is he going to even land the attack.
Danny rolled out of the way of a hard stomp, as he kicked himself up with a backflip. Akuma was not amused with Danny's antics as he sent two more dark balls of energy towards him. Danny sent two projectiles of his own towards the balls of energy. The four projectiles collided, creating a blast full of dark aura.
Danny jumped forward with his fist in the air, but Akuma had other plans in mind. As soon as Danny was close enough, Akuma put his attack in motion. Danny was met by one hard uppercut, that drilled into his chin. As he began to descend he met another hard uppercut to the chin. Akuma drove one more uppercut so high that they could see a view over the nearby trees. As Danny thought it was finally over, Akuma grabbed ahold of his neck and let a dark energy shroud them.
Akuma drove him back into the ground, hard as Danny felt a hard lingering pain surround his body, had it not been for his chi protecting his body, the impact would have killed him on the spot. Akuma clenched his hand firm around Danny's neck with the intent of taking his head off. Danny wrapped his hands around Akuma's arm and began to use all of his strength to pry his arm off. Finally, his hand came loose as Danny let out a large gasp. Danny sent a hard kick to Akuma's face as he rolled backwards. Danny attempted to charge up his fist, only to be intercepted by a Shakunetsu Hadoken.
Akuma launched himself forward landing a solid punch straight into Danny's lip, splitting it open. Danny was launched back by the attack, and before he could recover, Akuma was on him, preparing one of his deadliest attacks. One that only a few could ever hope to survive.
"DIE ONE THOUSAND DEATHS!" Akuma roared and Danny screamed in agony as he felt his vision go black, followed by several flashes. When it was over, Akuma stood over him, the symbol on his back glowing "Messatsu!".
Akuma looked at Danny's bloodied body and shook his head. Seems no mortal man could equal his power. He would need to search for those truly powerful beings to get the challenge he desired. But as he walked away he heard something that made him turn around and to his surprise, Danny was not only alive, but standing up. His left arm were broken, but other than that, he was still ready to continue.
"Trying to use my sins against me? I have plenty. But I have learned to accept and overcome them. I cleansed my soul a long time ago" Danny said.
"You are impressive, I must admit that much. But with only one arm, you won't be able to hold me of much longer" Akuma said, debating if he should continue the battle, since it no longer was on equal grounds.
"One fist... I all I need" Danny declared as he focused all his remaining power in to his right arm.
"You are going to gamble everything on a final strike. Very well, I shall grant you a warrior's end!" Akuma declared as he focused his own power.
After a few moments both let out a mighty battle cry as they charged each other for one last attack. Their fists collided, causing the entire mountain top to shatter, and sending them bow flying of the mountain itself. Danny landed in snow, and his vision faded fast, before going black.
When Danny woke up, he was laying in a bed. His injuries had been treated and he was in no real danger anymore. He looked to his side and saw a man meditating on the other side of the room. He was elderly man with a white beard and prayer beads around his neck. He wears a single sleeved, navy blue-colored karate gi and sports a long, white braid of hair adorned with a single prayer bead.
This was Gouken. Like Akuma, he was a student of Goutetsu. Eventually, the two brothers began to differ in the methods and usage of their fighting style. Akuma became bent on completely mastering the style, and embraced the killing and dark aspect of the art to the point of succumbing to the Satsui no Hado and wanted to embrace it to his fullest extent to become more powerful. Gouken, on the other hand, developed his own style of the art and wanted to embrace the peaceful and spiritual aspect of the art by removing the Satsui no Hado: turning fatal techniques such as the Hadouken and Shoryuken into tools for self-defense, removing their killing potential. After succumbing to the Satsui no Hado, Akuma fought and murdered Goutetsu for not embracing it to his fullest extent and left behind both his master's dojo and his brother in order to train by himself to grow even more powerful. During this time period, Gouken founded his own dojo, and took Dan Hibiki as his first pupil. However, Gouken learned that the reason Dan wanted to learn martial arts was for revenge, and Gouken rejected him for his motives, fearing that his anger would lead him down a dark path. Later, Gouken found an abandoned orphan baby, Ryu, and took him under his wing. Ryu was joined by a second student, Ken Masters, who was sent from America by his father, a good friend of Gouken's, in order to learn humility and respect for a bright future.
After losing his rematch against Akuma, Gouken was believed to be dead. But he survived thanks to achieving a new power that countered the Satsui No Hado, and only ended up in a coma. But Now he was awake and ready to continue on with his life.
"I know you... you are Ken's master" Danny said weakly.
Gouken opened his eyes "Former master. He outgrew me a long time ago. I know about you too, Daniel Thomas Rand-K'ai, Master of the Immortal Iron Fist. Even my brother was badly injured by it".
"He's still alive?" Danny asked.
"My brother is harder to kill than anyone I know. He will want a rematch once he recovers" Gouken said.
"Then I need to focus on recovering and continue my training so I will be more ready for him next time... would you be willing to help me with that?" Danny asked.
"If you wish. Once you recover enough to fight, I shall help you regain your strength" Gouken said.
"Thank you, Master Gouken. I will be honored to learn from you" Danny said.
"I have feeling I will learn more than a few things from you as well, young Rand-K'ai" Gouken said.
And with that, Danny had met a new teacher. One he will learn a great deal from.
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