Chapter 5

Barrel Breaking

*Interior barrel stage from Street Fighter 2*

The next day after some insistence from Sakura; Ryu and Chun Li agree to let her complete in the challenge and even bring a friend to compete as well to make a foursome. The gang has recently arrived with the friend waiting in the wings for Sakura's cue to come out and reveal themselves. Ryu and Chun Li each ask who this friend is. Sakura while sporting a great poker face reported with only "You'll see". Ryu wishes it is Ken but knows that that's not possible. Ken has gone into hiding after accusations of orchestrating a criminal plot forced him to abandon his family and business. No one has seen or heard from him since. Ryu and Chun Li hope it's someone like Cammy or Blanka but fear it may be a certain martial arts instructor instead.

"I love the retro look of this place" Ryu bubbled as the others nodded affirmatively. The moment had finally come and Sakura was hyping it up even more. "The moment has arrived. Special guest please reveal yourself to your fellow challengers". Sakura declared.

*The special guest appears off screen to the group*

Ryu can't resist himself from face palming and Chun Li is noticeably agitated but gives great effort to stifle this feeling. Chun Li bites her lower lip heavily and tries to put on a friendly facade. "You can't be serious. You cannot be serious. I knew it. I hoped it wasn't true but I knew this would be the case". Ryu muttered. "Now now let's treat our guest warmly and show some good sportsmanship guys" Sakura implored with a small smile.

*Camera turns around to reveal none other than Dan Hibiki standing in front of them*

Ryu and Chun Li force themselves to nod in response to Sakura's plea. "Sorry about that. Long time no see Dan. Here's to a good match" Ryu offered with a slightly forced smile. "Agreed this should be a lot of fun. I can't wait to compete against all of you" Chun Li piped with a big smile and little if any tension in her or face or voice. The girl deserves a least an Oscar nomination for that statement and delivery Ryu mused to himself as Sakura smiled happily to Chun Li and Ryu's declarations.

They all quickly bowed to one another. Then Dan began the inevitably long monologue they all knew was coming. "Once in a lifetime the incredible happens and a legend of marital arts is born. This has been a long time coming but today my friends is that day. You are all very lucky you will be here to witness it first hand for yourselves. Today is the day the world changes forever.

From today forward Asia no the world over will know the name Dan Hibiki. His legend will ring out far across the world nay the galaxy itself. His dojo and Saikyo style will become the greatest in the land. Martial artists from around the world will come to challenge him and his dojo but they will all fail. However Dan will show mercy and take them on his students. Dan will show them the path to greatness. Dan will help them to become legendary well almost legendary fighters. They will be almost legends as they will still fall well short of my undeniable greatness. But due to my kindness, patience and dedication as a martial arts instructor they will reach heights they never thought were attainable.

Despite my new found glory I will not grow a swelled head. I will remain modest (Ryu cannot resist a small snicker when Dan mentions the word modesty) and not turn away anyone who asks for my tutelage. I will accept all applicants for training as long as they have a basic understanding of martial arts and are of a kind heart. Or will will give up their ruthless nature and dedicate themselves to a pure heart. My tutelage will guide them. However I cannot do it alone I will take on other instructors to help me. They may not be as great as myself but their knowledge and power cannot be underestimated. It indeed does takes a village.

No man is island. I know this because I am modest after all. I Dan Hibiki san now look ahead to the battle before us. I will give it my all. I hope you all give it as much effort and dedication as I do" Dan decreed.

The group paused for a bit waiting about 10 seconds before they were convinced Dan was truly finished with his speech. "You keep you using that word Dan. Modesty. I don't think it means which you think it means" Ryu critiqued. "Oh I am an expert linguist in addition to my amazing fighting prowess. I'm very familiar with it". Dan replied with a confident grin. Are you now? Ryu thought to himself.

"Okay let's light this candle" Chun Li declared. The group bowed to each other and agreed they were all ready to begin the barrel busting competition. The turn order is decided by a series of Jan, Ken, Pon matches. Sakura says she is in an expert at that is game because she plays it all the time in college and rarely loses. Sakura lives up to her claims and wins the right to go first without loosing a match. Ryu gets the right to go 2nd, Dan follows in 3rd and Chun Li gets last after loosing the rubber match to Dan. As per the rules of the Street Fighter II: The World Warrior each competitor gets 20 seconds to brick as many barrels as possible. They all get 20 the first round even Dan surprisingly then Sakura finds a hidden switch that makes the barrels drop faster and changes the counter to give everyone 30 seconds.

The second round begins. Sakura gets 35 barrels, Ryu finishes his round with a killer Shinku Hadoken and gets an incredible score of 50. Dan despite having a touch act to follow after Ryu's impressive performance is his usually cocky self. Dan ends his round with Hisshou Buraiken and finishes just short of Sakura with 32 barrels. "Nice job Hibiki San" Sakura gleamed with a smile while slapping Dan on the back. "That's not what I was going for there. I thought I could take at least another 10 barrels with that last blast". Dan sniffled. "It's a sad day for the Saikyo style arts. Two steps forward and two steps backward. However I will per-serve despite the circumstances. Pressure makes diamonds. I will grow from this defeat. I will use this as motivation. This will be the moment that will inspire me to rise from the ashes like a phoenix and take flight. The next challenge I will pull no punches. (You were pulling punches Ryu mused to himself) I will fly hight into the sky and beyond.

The next challenge we have I will win and everyone throughout the world will know the name Dan Hibiki. My legend will start from humble beginnings (Ryu cracks up as Dan uses the word humble to describe himself. Chun Li gives Ryu an elbow shot in the gut to stifle him) but it will spread like wild fire as my amazing martial arts ability cannot and will not be squelched. My legend will be know throughout the land. That I will promise you! That cannot be denied!" Dan proclaimed boldly.

(Dan paused his soliloquy to take a breath and looked like he was eager to continue but Chun Li refused to pass up this opportunity to stop Dan's ridiculousness so she could have her turn) "Agreed Dan you can't keep a good martial artist (Chun Li has a little difficulty using the the word good to describe Dan) down. Don't let it get to you. Okay well it looks like I'm up". Chun Li stated with a small smile.

She had tried not to show it but honestly she had not been feeling well all day and since they decided the turn order and everyone went it had gotten progressively worse. She wished she could have gone first or second and not last. She dreaded that with each passing turn she was destined to put in a worse showing than if she would have gone the turn before. She had a slight fever and was feeling nauseous. Despite her better judgment telling her to say something and delay her performance she decided not to say anything. She pondered that they could delay the competition but she had reached her breaking point with Dan. She did not want have to start this over again with him or worry the others.

Finally Chun Li took her turn, Chun Li starts slow to the surprise of everyone but battles back at the end with Kikosho for a strong finish. "I don't remember people being able to use specials weird" Ryu conceded slightly bemused. "The special move was off. So I turned it to on. It says it limits everyone to one special move each" Sakura reported. Ryu replied with genuine surprise "Interesting". When the dust settled despite her better efforts Chun Li had failed. But to her dismay to she failed to even beat Dan as she had gotten only 31 barrels. Chun Li felt like she was burning up and she couldn't take anymore. "Hazukashii!" she cried "This is the worst. This is the absolute worst thing possible. I lost to Dan. I can't believe I lost to Dan. I feel, I feel dreadful. I feel dirty. This is the worst thing ever!" Chun Li fumed as she fell to the ground dramatically.

Everyone looked on concerned and Dan looked noticeably offended by it all more than anything. Ryu was quick to try to console the former ICPO agent. Ryu ran up to Chun Li and pulled her up in his arms. He gave Chun Li a warm hug and assured her "Now now. It's not the end of the world. It's just a game. It's just a little friendly competition. I'm sure they're worse things in the world than loosing a contest to Dan. (Ryu ponders what those things could be for a moment) Unfortunately I can't think of anything right now but I'm sure there has to be". "Thanks a lot" Chun Li replied sickly, sarcastically and sadly back as she held her head in her hands. (Ryu loosens his grip a little to allow her to do this) "Hey wait just a minute here! That's not nice." Dan growled back as Ryu noticed how sick Chun Li was looking. "Don't yell. Can't you see she's sick" Ryu divulged. "Let me go I need a minute ". Chun Li replied as Ryu hesitantly but slowly let her go. Chun Li ran to the nearby bathroom and closed the door.

They found out later that Chun Li had ran in there and lost her lunch. It turns out she had a stomach virus. Ryu took Chun Li home while Dan and Sakura left together. Ryu had the presence of mind to apologize to Dan for the whole scene which was noticeably difficult for him to do but Dan was appreciative and decided to forgive Chun Li considering the circumstances. Unfortunately Ryu came down with similar symptoms a few hours later. They must have caught it from each other. A couple of days later they were both feeling much better.

*Three days later. Interior Chun Li's apartment*

Ryu and Chun Li are sitting in Chun Li's apartment. They are both at 100 percent now. Ryu had on a black gi while Chun Li is wearing the red blouse and black jeans she had on during their poker match. The bowl with the papers and the blind fold is in front of them on the table. They are ready for Ryu to select the next challenge when Chun Li's apartment door opens up. A teenage girl walks in wearing yellow and white sneakers. She also is sporting a yellow and white zip hoodie, blue satchel on her shoulder, (the satchel has a teddy bear logo) teddy bear logo headphones and glasses without lenses over her head. Chun Li and Ryu look over at the young girl ."Hey Li-Fen. Come in and say hi to my friend Ryu". Chun Li exclaimed with a warm smile.

Li-Fen walked over and gave a small wave and a small smile and remarked "Hey guys". "Li was over at a friends house the last few times we were here that's why you haven't seen her". Chun Li explained. "Oh cool. I like the headphones. I heard Chun Li's been training you. You must be getting pretty good at martial arts with a teacher as amazing as her" Ryu commented.

Chun Li blushes a little as Ryu says this. "Thanks but I've got a long way to go until I get as good as Chun Li" Li piped. "So what are you guys up to? Some type of game" Li inquired as she noticed the bowl and the blindfold on the table in front of them. "Yeah we're having a contest. A challenge series a best of seven if you will. We're seeing who can win the most challenges directly or indirectly related to martial arts". Chun Li exposed. Li-Fen's ears and eyebrows perked up upon Chun Li's statement. The young was very interested. "Wow that sounds fun. Can I play with you guys? Or at least watch?" Li-Fen probed with a big smile. "Sure" Chun Li and Ryu replied in unison. "So as the winner of the previous challenge I decide what the next challenge will be. While blind folded of course. To deter peeking. Although I would never". Ryu decreed with a proud grin.

"Uh huh" Chun Li retorted flatly. Ryu put the blind fold on put his hand in the bowl. He mixed up the papers well and after about 12 seconds he took a paper out and set the bowl back on the table in front of him. Ryu removed the blind fold and put it on the table. As Ryu looked at the paper a confident grin formed on his face. Chun Li thought oh no this challenge must be right up his alley. "What is it?" Chun Li queried slightly nervously. "Shruiken throwing contest" Ryu beamed. "Wow cool. Im in" Li-Fen declared". "You know how to use Shruikens?" Ryu asked impressed. "Of course she's my student". Chun Li declared with a proud smile. "But what about Dan he's going to want to play. We already have a fourth person with Sakura. What can we tell him? How can we get ride of him." Ryu questioned.

"What can we say? I think we're stuck with him unfortunately" Chun Li gulped. Just then Ryu's phone made a dinging sound. Ryu went over to the kitchen table where he had left his phone and picked it up. Ryu's eyes glowed and a small smirk formed on his face. Ryu beamed "Dan's doing a bake sale at the dojo to drum up business in a couple of days so he's out of the next challenge". "Who's this Dan guy? If he has his own dojo how bad of a martial artists can he really be?" Li-Fen perused. "You don't want to know". Ryu exclaimed as Chun Li gave a shudder remembering her recent humiliating defeat in the previous challenge to Dan. "Put that out of your mind Chun. It's over. On to the next challenge. The Shuriken throwing contest" Ryu decreed while trying to cheer Chun Li up. "What are the standings in this contest?" Li-Fen inquired intrigued. "We're currently all tied up at two a piece so this is the all important fifth match to gain an advantage". Chun Li imparted. "Oooo fascinating. I can't wait to show you guys my Shuriken throwing skills" Li-Fen vowed.

End of Chapter 5

The Shuriken throwing contest is on deck for chapter 6.

Stay tuned