Chapter 7
"Hello Gen," Dorai said warmly.
"Dorai!" Gen said. "Welcome back, old friend."
"I assume you know why I'm here?"
Gen nodded, "Yes, and I think you're the only one who can get Chun Li to wake up. I tried so hard to reach her, but Bison's grasp is too strong." He lowered his head in disappointment.
"I have but one request," Dorai asked as Gen looked back up at him.
In Ryu's dream state…
Teenage Ryu and Ken were sitting with Master Gouken discussing how their training was almost at an end.
"It been quite a while, but I think it's time for me to go back home," Ken said.
"You have become more than a student of mine, Ken. I am proud to call you my honorary son." Master Gouken replied. "There is not much more I can teach you. You and Ryu are my finest pupils."
"Thank you, sensei," Ryu said and bowed to him.
"Ken, will you go and prepare lunch, I want to talk to Ryu about something in private?" Ken nodded, bowed, and left the room.
"Sensei? What is it that you want to discuss with me?" Ryu asked.
"You need to leave here right away, Ryu!" Gouken said sternly.
"But Master, my training remains unfinished. I must stay with you and complete it!" Ryu begged.
"Silence! You will do as you're told! You must remember who you truly are, what you're supposed to be doing!"
Ryu ran to Master Gouken and hugged him tightly, "Please don't make me leave just yet. I've missed you so much." A teenage Ryu began to age and change to his normal self.
Gouken noticed the physical change. "How long have you known you are in a dream?" he asked.
"I knew the second something tried to wipe Chun Li from my memory. I made a promise to her I'd never forget about her again." Ryu explained. Master Gouken looked upon Ryu, he noted the wrinkles forming around his eyes.
"It's been so long, Ryu. You are hardly the boy I used to train. And now, about to get married?! You better get on with this wedding of yours before my soul passes on forever. I want to see grandchildren running around! Why are you still here?"
"Because I knew you'd come to me. You were taken so abruptly I never told you all the things I wanted to…what you mean to me."
"Ryu…" Gouken smiled warmly at him. "You never failed to show me how you felt. Your actions told me every day. I am so proud to call you my son." Ryu cried at his feet.
"I have longed to have this conversation with you," Ryu said through his tears. "All this time I have felt responsible for your death. I should have been there for you."
"Nonsense, Ryu," Gouken replied as he placed his hand on Ryu's head, "It was my time to go, whether I lived to be 100 or killed by Akuma. We never know what life will give us. That's why we have to enjoy it to its fullest when we are alive because in our last moments, we finally realize the beauty in this world and suddenly we're turning one second into 1,000 because we finally understand the magnificence in everything."
"But Master…" Ryu began to say.
"I had a wonderful life, Ryu. You may not be of my blood, but you are my son. You honor me everyday by living your life."
"I will never forgive Akuma!" Ryu said in a stern voice. "I will have my revenge on him. I will avenge your death."
"If that is the path you choose, then so be it. But do not forget what happens when one is consumed by hatred and darkness. Akuma fights for reasons different than you. If you succumb to the dark hadou, there's no turning back. Remember that." Gouken explained.
"You have taught me well. Please, have faith in me, Master."
"If that is what you truly desire, then here is a challenge." Master Gouken disappeared, and Ryu was in a large grassy field. Structures were burning in the distance, the landscape was uprooted, and the air felt heavy. Ryu heard a familiar voice. He turned and felt a deep abdominal punch that knocked the wind out of him.
"The time is right, Ryu. Come on, let's have that fight you're so willing to have." Akuma devilishly said.
"Akuma…" Ryu replied with rage as he got up from the ground. All humanity left from Ryu, he glowed a dark purple and eyes glowed red.
"Yes! Unleash your full potential!" Akuma encouraged, "Finally, a worthy opponent!" A gigantic blast beamed in his direction, nearly hitting him directly. He laughed. "Is that all you've got?!"
Ryu ran toward Akuma full speed with intent to kill. A full-scale battle ensued between the two. Every punch and kick Ryu released, he felt his power growing. Euphoric, he felt. So much power coursing through his body, he felt like he could defeat him in one blow. He kept attacking and chasing Akuma wherever he went. In all the chaos of the fight, Ryu's rage consumed him. It felt so free to let himself give into the dark hadou. Just when Ryu as about to finish Akuma with his last blow, he felt a jolt. His body was on the floor, all he could hear was clamor around him. He tried opening his eyes.
Back in the commons room…
Everyone was in distress, still not knowing how to help their dear friends. Menat continued to try to reach Chun Li. Eliza and Cammy embraced one another. Ken was holding Chun Li's hand. He trembled, very worried for her. He looked up and saw Gen approaching him and Chun Li. As Gen came to her side, Ken could feel the presence was not his. I know this aura…it can't be!
"How?!" Ken was struck in bewilderment. Possessing Gen's body, Dorai hugged Chun Li. Eliza and Cammy were confused by Ken's comment, but Fei Long knew exactly what was occurring. He dropped to his knees and began to cry.
"Sifu?" Fei Long said softly. Dorai held Chun Li tightly. From the shadows Bison watched in disgust. He could sense Dorai's strong presence. Perhaps it's time to make myself known. Still possessing Rose's body, Bison floated into the commons room where everyone was gathered around Ryu and Chun Li.
"Try everything you can, fools! Those two will never wake from those dreams!" Bison chuckled as he looked down at everyone in the room.
"Master Rose! Please, I know you're in there! Fight it!" Menat yelled.
"Bison, you just can't leave Ryu and Chun Li alone, can you?" Fei Long asked.
"Those two are responsible for destroying my body. I thought a good ol' fashioned payback would serve them well," Bison replied with a dastardly smile.
"You're asking for it, you asshole. I'm going to wipe that stupid smile off your smug face," Ken said. He readied himself for battle. Everyone looked on. About to attack, Ken felt a strong hand on his shoulder, he looked back. "Ryu?!" You're awake!" Everyone was overjoyed to see him finally conscious.
"Impossible! My spell was unbreakable! How did you mange to escape it?!" Bison snarled.
"I could have broken your so-called spell any time I wanted to," Ryu said confidently. His reply angered Bison even more.
"Curse you, Ryu! Well, looks like the spell is still at work for your bride to be. Her mind is much easier to twist and manipulate."
"We'll never give into you, you monster!" Ryu charged toward Bison and began fighting him.
"Be careful, Ryu! That is still Rose's body!" Menat reminded him. While Ryu battled Bison, Dorai, still in Gen's body, continued to embrace Chun Li.
In Chun Li's dream state.
Chun Li and Ken had been married for 3 years and they had twin boys. Finally, a life Chun Li had always wanted; a wife, a mother, and professional. They had many mansions in many countries, traveled frequently, and did all their business together. In all the lavish places they could afford, Chun Li still loved her father's dojo and the garden next to it. One afternoon, she was sitting in her garden with the twins. They were having their afternoon tea and refreshments.
"Boys! Don't get too close to the pond, I don't want you falling in again!" Chun Li was concerned.
"No fall, mama! Very careful!" the boys said in unison. Chun Li shook her head and smiled. It warmed her heart knowing the twins can grow up in the same dojo she did. As she was sipping on her tea, she felt a tickle to her sides, she stiffened her body and quickly turned around.
"Ken! You brute! I almost spilled my tea!" Chun Li said with annoyance. "You know I hate to be tickled!" Ken could only laugh. He loved getting her riled up.
"Have to keep you on your toes," he smiled and kissed her on the forehead.
"Oh, never mind that! Have you seen my dad around? He asked to meet me here," she asked.
"Nope. I can send the butler to look for him. He can watch the boys too, so daddy can have a little alone time with mommy if you catch my drift," Ken leaned in to kiss Chun Li.
"Sorry I'm late!" Dorai said as he walked into the garden.
"Better luck next time, stud," Chun Li whispered to Ken. Dorai sat down at the table with Chun Li.
"Hey Pops, we were just leaving. I'm taking the boys to Victoria Park, join us if you want," Ken said.
"Thank you, but there's something I must discuss with Chun Li. I'll see you all later." Dorai replied. Ken left with the twins.
"Is there something the matter, daddy?" Chun Li inquired. Dorai sighed.
"Come with me," he said. He led her to a bench by the pond. "Look under the seat, tell me what you find." Chun Li was confused by his request but still complied. She felt underneath it and found a letter.
"What's this? A letter?" Chun Li unfolded the letter and began to read it. Dorai watched her expression change. "Daddy…what is the meaning of this letter?" A look of worry was in her eyes.
"Sweetheart, this is the letter I wrote to you before I died," Dorai began to explain.
"Died? What do you mean? What are you talking about?"
"Chun Li…none of this is real. You have to wake up!" he pleaded with her.
"You are scaring me. I don't understand," Chun Li said.
"This life, this is all a sham created by M. Bison. You are supposed to be getting married to Ryu!" A flash of her waking life crept into her memory.
"What was that? What are you doing to me? I'm married to Ken. It's always been Ken, dad." Chun Li cried.
"No, today is your wedding day," Dorai urged. "Think hard, I implore you!" Chun Li closed her eyes. She felt hot and uneasy. No, this is my life. I'm exactly where I want to be. Ken and the twins and the business, this is all I ever wanted. Flashes of Ryu came into her mind.
"This is wrong, very wrong, what are you putting into my head?" Chun Li resisted the memories.
"I've been watching over you, Chun Li. I had to come back. Bison was planning his revenge on you, I couldn't let him get you like he got me." Dorai felt Chun Li's opposition. I have to make her remember no matter how much it hurts. He put his hand on her forehead. Memories flooded back in her head; meeting Ryu years after he disappeared, singing for him, their trip to Ken's winter mansion, walks in Victoria Park, the fight with Bison on the airfield, being pregnant with their child, picking up her wedding dress with Fei Long.
"No!" Chun Li screamed. She cried into her father's arms. Weakly she said, "I remember…I remember it all"
"I been trying to get through to you so many different ways," Dorai explained.
"It was you, wasn't it? The fire in the dojo? The voice that called my name before the cliffside broke apart. It was you!"
"Yes, it was all me. I'm not the only one who has been watching you, Bison has as well. Anytime he would try to attack, I was there with a counter in some shape or form to keep you safe."
"Then what is this we are in? How do I know it's really you? How is Bison still alive?" Chun Li asked.
"My dear sweet Chun Li, so inquisitive. I'm here to help get you out of this dream." Dorai said, "Are you ready to wake up?"
"Wait…if this is truly a dream, then when I wake up, you'll be dead again. Everything I have experienced here will cease to exist. How can I let this go?"
"Our dreams will always give us what we want, but I'm here to give you what you need. This already has been a blessing to talk to one another again. I know you are in safe hands with Ryu. There's no one else in the world I would trust your life with."
"But daddy, there's so much I want to tell you, ask you, share with you…" Chun Li cried.
"I hear you, always. I love you, Chun Li. I will always be there for you. Talk and I will listen." Dorai hugged Chun Li tightly. Chun Li felt saddened yet extremely grateful she got to speak to her father one last time.
In the commons room…
Everyone looked on as Ryu battled Bison. It was a fierce and intense battle, but Ryu felt mightier than he ever had. Bison tried everything in his power to defeat Ryu, but he fought back harder.
"You leave me no choice, Ryu," Bison teleported himself to Chun Li's sleeping body. He pushed Gen away, picked her up, and teleported outside the venue. Everyone scrambled outside.
"Give her back, bastard," Ryu warned. Bison let out an evil laugh, he knew he gained the upper hand in the battle.
"It's time for you and Chun Li to die! Time to pay for what you did to me!" Bison's grip on Chun Li tightened, he tried to squish the life out of her.
"No!" Ryu yelled. Everyone watched in horror as Chun Li was about to die at the hands of Bison. "No!" Ryu said again. "I've had just about enough of you!" His eyes began to turn red. His body glowed deep purple.
"Come any closer and I'll snap her neck like a chicken bone!" Bison yelled. Ryu was beyond all reason. He wanted to do one thing and one thing only, kill Bison. Slowly he crept toward him. "I mean it, Ryu!" A glowing ball of energy began to form in Ryu's hand. He wielded it forcefully and intently.
Bison knew the fight was not in his favor and he pressed on Chun Li more. More and more until she was on the brink of death.
"He's killing her!" Fei Long yelled. Cammy, Eliza, Gen, and Ken watched powerless. Ryu's energy sphere was about ready to be released. Menat ran to Ryu and pleaded with him.
"Please, please don't shoot that energy. You'll kill both Master Rose and Chun Li." Menat cried. Ryu was beyond reason. He was blinded by hate and rage. He shoved Menat aside.
Meanwhile, Chun Li slowly began to wake up. She felt immense pressure on her body. What is this I feel? Where am I? Bison? Rose? I can sense both of them. Chun Li was aware of the danger she was in. Father! If you can hear me, please, I need your help…one last time!
The air became deathly still. All the sounds around quieted. Chun Li opened her eyes. As she looked around everything was frozen in time. She wiggled out of Bison's grasp and ran toward Ryu.
"Ryu! Ryu, I'm awake! Can you hear me?" Chun Li yelled.
"He can't hear you, Chun Li," a familiar voice said. Chun Li turned and saw Rose floating toward her.
"Rose! What happened?" Chun Li asked.
"I'm using the last of my power to reach your mind. It's true Bison has possessed my body, but he can never take over my mind," Rose said.
"We've got to help Ryu! If he can't control himself, the dark hadou will take over him!"
"I have spent much time with Ryu working and helping him to control himself in this state. I trust he can contain himself but I want you to help him. You must get him to listen to you," Rose explained. Chun Li wasn't happy with Rose's answer.
"Listen to me? He is full on dark mode, how can I get him to listen to me?" Chun Li questioned.
"If there's anything in this world I know, it's love. Use whatever you can to break through to him. I can teleport you to Ryu, but you have to work fast!" Rose cautioned. "My hold won't last much longer. I grow weaker by the second. Can you do this, Chun Li?"
Chun Li mustered all her strength, "Yes." In a flash, Chun Li was back in Bison's grasp. She was then teleported next to Ryu. As she looked on, she saw herself still in Bison's hold. Must be part of Rose's ploy to give me time to calm Ryu. She looked at Ryu possessed by the dark hadou. I've got to try to get through to him, somehow…someway. Ryu got into his stance ready to throw his hadoken. He was angered beyond all reason. All he wanted to do was kill. Chun Li put her arms around Ryu. He tried to shake her off, but she would not let go. All she could think to do was give him her strong and powerful love. Chun Li emanated a wave of pure affection. Ryu's anger began to subside. He came out of the hold the dark hadou had on him.
"Chun Li?" Ryu said softly.
"Ryu! I thought I'd lost you." Chun Li let out a sigh of relief.
All the while, Bison figured out Rose's trick. "I'll have you both skewered!" In a sudden move, he ran toward Chun Li and Ryu, who were still in an embrace, with a powerful skull driver attack.
"Chun Li! Ryu! Watch out!" Ken yelled. He could only watch in horror as he saw Bison's attack go straight for his best friends. As the attack neared the two lovers, a shock wave threw everyone back. Confused by the commotion, Ken looked around making sure everyone was unharmed. He searched for Chun Li and Ryu. Ken gasped at the sight he saw.
Ryu had created a gigantic force field around himself and Chun Li using the powerful energy ball he was going to use to throw at Bison. He wanted to protect her at all costs. Bison tried again and again, but to no avail.
"I've had it with you, you son of a bitch!" Ryu yelled. Again, he mustered all his strength into a powerful energy ball. He grounded himself and let the flow of power come from all the living things around him. Electric beams flew around him reaching out in every direction. Chun Li felt his vast power. She knew a blast like that would kill Bison for sure, yet she worried for Rose.
"Don't forget Rose is still in there too," Chun Li reminded Ryu. "We've got to separate her body from Bison's soul!"
"I can help with that!" Menat confidently said as she joined Chun Li and Ryu, "We've got to work together! If you hit her one millisecond too soon, Rose will die in the blast. Follow my direction!"
Watching from the distance Ken, Cammy, Fei Long, and Gen worried for their friends. Ken decided he was going to help them no matter the cost.
"Come on guys, let's help Ryu and Chun Li!" Ken yelled. The four fighters attacked Bison and distracted him from the power Ryu grew in his hand. Meanwhile, Chun Li gathered her strength. She wanted to lend her power to Ryu.
"This is it, Ryu! We rid ourselves of Bison once and for all! I'm with you for life, we can do this!" Chun Li said.
"There's no one in the world I would have by my side to share my troubles with. This is for you, for our future," Ryu replied. Determined to kill Bison, Chun Li and Ryu linked their power together. Their ki energy flowed as one.
"Remember on my count!" Menat reminded them. Ken and Fei Long managed to pin Bison into one spot with Gen and Cammy reinforcing their hold. With their energy ball at its peak, Ryu and Chun Li waited for Menat's cue. She went over to Rose's possessed body, put her hands near her head and began chanting an ancient incantation. Slowly and forcefully, Bison's soul came out of Rose's body. Using all her power to hold Bison in place, Menat gave the signal to Ryu and Chun Li!
"Now!" She yelled. An enormous amount of energy was release onto Bison's soul.
"No!" Bison yelled as his soul imploded. Chun Li and Ryu held onto each other as they saw a shock wave release from Rose's body. Everyone was thrown back all around the venue. The air was lighter, the ominous presence was gone, and the dark cloud that loomed over everyone had dissipated.
Protected by his body, Ryu checked if Chun Li was unharmed.
"Chun Li!" Ryu feverishly called. "Chun Li!" Slowly waking from unconsciousness, Chun Li managed to get words out.
"Isn't it bad luck to see your bride before you get married?" she weakly said. Ryu smiled, he knew she was going to be alright. He lightly kissed her. Ryu helped Chun Li up from the ground and found her a chair to sit in. He went to check on everyone else. All seemed fine but there was no trace of Rose or Menat. I hope they are uninjured, Ryu thought.
Coming from inside the venue Eliza flung herself at Ken.
"I was so worried about you!" she said. "Where is Chun Li and Ryu? Are they alright?"
"We're fine," Chun Li answered walking with Ryu towards her. "I'm so happy we're all unharmed! Thank you everyone for your help. I don't know if we could have done it without all your help."
"Come on, little sis," Fei Long answered, "You could have done it with one eye closed and an arm tied behind your back." He leaned into Chun Li and gave her a hug. "I'm so happy you're ok!
"Is Bison really gone? For good this time?" Cammy asked.
"Yes…Yes, I think he is," Ryu replied. He grabbed Chun Li's hand. "I'm sorry this is how our wedding day turned out."
"That's alright. We are all alive. I'm just thankful for that." Chun Li said.
"I second that!" Ken added joyfully. Chun Li smiled looking around at all her loved ones.
"Just look at you all! There's no way we can be ready on time for the wedding!" Eliza cried.
"Wedding?" Gen said. "Do you think these two still want to go on with today after everything that happened?"
Chun Li walked over to Gen and calmly said, "There's nothing that can stop me from getting married to Ryu today. Things will go on as planned."
"Are you sure, Chun Li?" Ryu asked.
"Yes. Let's do this! I've waiting for this day for years. I'm not letting one more day go without us being married." Impressed by her resilience, Ryu kissed Chun Li's hands.
"I like that attitude!" Eliza jumped in the air. "Let's get you all back inside and get this show on the road!" Everyone walked back into the venue.
To be continued…