Disclaimer: See previous chapters

Chap. 10

We meet again, Ryu.

Bison. You're still alive?

Yes. But shortly, you won't be.

I've beaten you before, monster.

Yes. But you had your friend Ken to assist you. But he is not here now, is he? And you are on your own. But I'm willing to offer you another chance. Join me.

……………

So be it. Now I will CRUSH YOU!!!!!!!

The party ended a little earlier than Ken wanted. Mostly because many of the people had to return to their usual lives. Many of the guests had already left. Ryu was packing up himself, ready to leave. He thought of the great party Ken had thrown for him. In his entire life, he never really had a birthday party before. He usually spent his birthday in meditation. He would never forget this birthday. It was probably one of the best days of his life. Except for one item.

Chun-Li.

Why couldn't I tell her? Am I really that afraid? I really care about her, so what's wrong? I never felt so...unsure of myself. I guess it's for the best. Chun-Li deserves someone who isn't unsure of themselves and someone who leads a normal life. With that in mind, Ryu finished packing his duffel bag. In it now are the gifts he received from his friends. Flinging it over his shoulder, he walked downstairs to say goodbye to the few that remained. Ken was the first to approach him.

"So you're really leaving?"

"Yes. The sooner, the better."

Ken gave a small nod, "Alright. I won't stop you. But we still have a score to settle, so don't stay away too long."

Ryu smiled, "I won't. I promise."

Mel came up to Ryu along with Eliza, "I can't wait until you come back."

"Sure, kid. Take care of your parents for me."

Mel smiled while Ken gave out a fake moan. Eliza came up, "Are you sure you won't stay for dinner? We don't get to see much of you."

Ryu thought for a while, but responded, "It's a tempting offer, but I should go. And I promised Ken that I won't stay away too long."

Eliza gave him a hug, "Well then, take care."

"I will."

Ryu opened the door and walked out as the others watched. When he gotten a certain distance, Eliza sighed, "It's too bad he couldn't tell her. Chun-Li must be heartbroken."

Ken smiled, "No, I don't think so."

Eliza looked up at him, "What do you mean?"

Ken looked in the distance, "Chun-Li is not the type to let things go like that. I know for a fact that this is not over. Not by a long shot."

____________________

Ryu had walked a long distance down the road. He was near the city limits and soon he would be leaving it for the open road. He was a little saddened for leaving, but this was his way. And he promised to return soon, so that was something to look forward to. Coward. A little voice said in his mind. You're running away. What kind of warrior are you to run away like that? You're a coward. Ryu dismissed the thoughts and approached the bridge leading out. The star shone brightly over them light a lightshow. As he approached it though, he saw a lone figure on the bridge, hair flowing with the wind.

"Chun-Li."

She turned to him and again, they kept open stares. She wanted him to stay so badly. But I can't come in and interfere with his life. It would be selfish of me to deny him his life dream.

"I thought I'd walk with you out."

"That...would be nice."

The two of them silently walked side by side across the bridge, exchanging a few glances along the way. It seemed like the bridge was their last chance; their last time together like this. Chun-Li wished that she could keep walking with him, to just stay with him on his journey. But she knew she couldn't just pick up and leave. Ryu found himself wishing that the bridge would be bigger, so that he wouldn't have to leave her so soon. But this was his life. This was what he was. They then finally reached the end. Chun-Li took a deep breath.

"I guess this is goodbye."

"I guess."

Chun-Li struggled with herself before finally speaking again, "Ryu, before you go, I want you to know, you have been the greatest person I've ever known. Strong and courageous, but gentle and kind at the same time. I just wanted you to..."

"Stop."

"Huh?"

"I'm not courageous."

She looked at him with a certain surprise, "What do you mean?"

"I've acting like such a coward lately."

Ryu found himself in conflict with his own feelings. No, he couldn't let it end this way.

"I can't even tell the woman I love that I love her. I'm a coward. But that has to stop."

"Ryu."

Ryu suddenly took hold of her arms and looked into her eyes.

"I've been so afraid of what might happen, how my life would change. But now, I don't care. My life has been dedicated to walking the path of the warrior, but without you I won't feel alive. The road has leaded me to you." He moved closer and Chun-Li could feel the pounding of her heart, matching the pounding she felt from his own. Is he really going to say it? He continued and found himself searching for the words. "Chun-Li, I l..."

His head suddenly jerked behind him. Chun-Li was startled at first, but the she found out why. She felt an immense surge of energy. Dark energy. And only one person could possibly create such a terrible force.

Akuma.

Ryu felt something else. Another energy surge. It was faint, but Ryu was able to tell. It was Ken. Without another thought, Ryu quickly ran, heading to the mansion. While he ran, he felt many things. Confusion, as to why Akuma would attack Ken. Irritation that he was close to expressing his feelings, but unable to. And a sense of helplessness, the same as when his master fought the demon and he was unable to save him. Ryu ran for a long time, but he didn't notice or care. All he wanted to do was get there. Finally he reached the mansion. Quickly he ran into the yard, searching for his friend.

Ken! Where are you? KEN!!!!!

He didn't have to look far. Near the bushes, he saw Sean crouching over a badly injured Ken. His head was bleeding freely and held a face of shock. Quickly, Ryu went over to them. Sean was crying, but he was also angry.

"Sean, what happened?

"He came. Akuma. He said he had a message for you. Master tried to fight him, but..."

More tears began to come down his face, "I tried to stop him, but he just brushed me aside, like I was a kid."

Ryu checked Ken's body. This was not done by the Shun Goku Satsu. "He's still alive. Sean, where's Eliza?"

Inside, she's calling the hospital."

"Good. Now listen." Ryu took off his headband and rapped it around Ken's head. "He's still alive. But he won't be if we don't hurry. I need you to hold this onto this tightly. I'm going to check if he has any internal injuries. Understand."

The boy nodded and held the headband tight around the wound. Ryu checked the rest of Ken's body. No internal injuries that I could detect. The main strike is that injury at the head. He was attacked from above. But what kind of attack does that? Not even the Tenma Gou-Zankuu uses this kind of force. A new attack?

The paramedics arrived quickly. Ken was loaded onto the ambulance and taken to a hospital. Eliza, Ryu and Sean arrived at the same time. Ken had suffered massive head trauma and faces possible brain damage. Everyone waited in the reception room. Eliza was holding Mel who was asleep. Tear lines had streaked both their faces and Eliza was deeply worried. Sean sat next to her, his face bent down as if he didn't know what to do with himself. Chun-Li arrived later on and heard the bad news. When she asked for Ryu, she was directed to the far window, where Ryu stood. His fists were tightly clenched and his face was clearly one of anger. She could faintly feel his energy turn dark.

"Ryu."

His head turned sharply at her, as if to attack. But on seeing her, his anger quickly disappeared and he slumped on the wall.

"He...came for me. He did that to Ken as a message to me. Sean told me."

"What did he say?"

"He wants to end it. He's tired of waiting for me. He wants to fight me now."

"But you can't. He'll kill you."

"I have no choice. If I refuse, he'll do this again. To someone else I care about. To you."

The thought of her being hurt or killed by Akuma set off a rage in Ryu. Chun-Li felt the dark energy from him and it began to scare her. No. From the Satsu no Hado within him.

"No Ryu. This is just what he wants. He wants you to become upset, to unleash your dark side. Don't give in."

Ryu calmed down and again the dark energy vanished.

"Thank you, Chun."

On impulse she moved forward and hugged him, which he warmly returned. It was then that she noticed. He called me Chun. He really does care. Why did this have to happen now? They parted and Chun-Li sat down with Eliza.

"Chun, thanks for being here. Oh, where Mikoto?"

"Don't worry. I called Sakura and asked her to watch her while I was here."

Eliza looked down again, "This shouldn't happen. Not to a guy like him."

Sean suddenly jumped up, "Mrs. Masters, I'm sorry. I wasn't strong enough to save him"

Everyone looked at him, "If only I had trained harder, I might have...I could have..."

"Sean. It's alright. You did what you could have."

Sean sat back down and began to tremble. Seeing this Eliza put her arm around him and he cried openly. Ryu looked sadly at the boy. It reminded him so much of how he felt when he lost his master. Just then, the doctor came out from the emergency room. Immediately, everyone rushed up to him. Eliza gently put Mel down on the couch and rushed with the rest of them.

"How is he, doctor? Tell me."

The doctor adjusted his glasses, "Are you his family? Mr. Masters is in intensive care, but for the time being, he's alright. His injuries are being tended to and due to his physical fitness, he should recover rapidly. We were fortunate. If his head injury wasn't treated early, we might have lost him."

Sean gave a sigh of relief as he heard the news, but Eliza continued, "Can we see him now?"

"He's resting now, so you'll have to make it brief."

Eliza and Sean stepped forward. Ryu wanted to go too, but felt that only family should go and meet him. However, Eliza invited him to come with them and Chun-Li decided to stay back with Mel. The three entered the room to see Ken bandaged almost everywhere on his body. Despite that, he still managed to bring up a weak smile.

"Hey, guys. Anything new happening?"

Eliza moved forward, "Ken, you arrogant jerk. Thinking you could do something like this to us."

Ken smiled again, "Sorry. I guess I wasn't thinking."

Eliza began to get teary again, "No, I suppose not." She suddenly bent down and hugged him with he did in return (at least as best as he could considering his condition and the pain he was in when she did that).

"Don't worry. It's okay."

Ken then looked over to Sean, who was crouched back against the wall with his head down, "What's wrong? I'll be okay."

Sean bent his head up slightly, "Master, I'm sorry I couldn't help you. I tried, but..."

Ken shook his head slightly, "Sean, don't worry about it. Akuma is a strong warrior. He probably would have killed you if you tried. Besides, from what I hear, I have you to thank for keeping me alive. You wouldn't have been able to do so if you fought with him. So don't beat yourself up over this, alright?"

Sean stood up and bowed, "Yes master."

Ken then looked at Ryu and Ryu nodded, "I should have known your ego wouldn't let you die like that."

"Hey, we all have our gifts." His face then grew serious, "Ryu. Are you going to fight him?"

Ryu's face changed as well, "It seems like I don't have a choice."

Ken closed his eyes briefly, then opened them, "If you do face him, you must know what you're up against."

Just then the doctor came in, "It's time for your rest. You should leave now."

Ken sat up a bit, "Wait doc. Can they stay for five more minutes? I have to tell them something."

All right. Five minutes. But you have to have your rest afterward."

"Okay. Right, doc."

The doctor left and Ken lay back, "It was a few minutes after you and Chun-Li left..."

Flashback...

Ken stretched out, "Well, that was quite the party, eh?"

Eliza spoke behind him, "You bet. This was so much fun. Speaking of which, how is it going with the two lovebirds?"

"Which ones?"

"Which one? Ryu and Chun-Li, who else is there?"

"Sean and Elena. I caught those two in the corner together. Seems that he's learning much from the master."

Eliza playfully slapped the back of his head, "You arrogant jerk."

Ken suddenly grabbed her and held her close, "That's right. And that's why you love me, isn't...huh?"

Ken's head suddenly jerked up.

"Ken? Ken, what is it?"

Ken felt a strange energy. It was ominous, dark and foreboding. "He's here."

"Who is? What's going on?"

His face became grave, "Eliza, I want you to stay inside. No matter what happens, do not come out. Understood."

"Ken, you're scaring me."

"Understood!"

"Yes."

Ken walked outside. After walking a distance in the yard, he felt it. The dark energy was strong here. He was there.

"What do you want, demon?"

"I want you to give Ryu a message."

Ken didn't have to turn around to know that the demon was behind him. He faced the dark warrior. His face was shrouded in shadow, but his eyes burned red and his hair along with it like fire. His sharp teeth also glistened in an evil grin.

Ken stood in battle stance, "Well, let's get this started."

"By all means."

Akuma stomped on the ground, cracking the floor as he did before launching at Ken. Ken blocked the first blow and ducked the spin kick. Ken then jumped at Akuma with a kick of his own, but Akuma jumped away and let out a fireball. On seeing it, Ken quickly rolled under it, but Akuma anticipated the maneuver and sweeped, taking down Ken. Ken however jumped up and let out his own Hadoken. Akuma let the energy come at him and parried it, but that left him open to Ken as he unleashed his Shoryu-Reppa art, coming at Akuma in a blaze of Shoryukens. However, Ken miscalculated the attack's timing and the last couple of hits didn't hit Akuma as much, leaving him wide open. As Ken came down, Akuma's own fist blazed with purple energy.

"Young pup, this is how it's done."

Ken found himself at the mercy of Akuma's Metssatsu Gou-Shoryu. Akuma launched his own barrage of Shoryuken that took Ken down. However, Ken was far from finished as he slowly rose back up.

"Hey, I'm not done yet."

"You will be."

Inside, Eliza was watching the entire fight when Sean came in.

"What's going on? I hear fighting."

Looking outside, he saw Ken battling with Akuma. Sean saw enough to realize that this was a serious fight.

"Ken!"

Eliza grabbed his arm, "No, he wants us to stay inside. We'll get in the way if we go outside. He...can handle this." In truth she wasn't sure. She had seen enough of Ken's matches with others to notice when he was trying or not. And he is really trying here. Outside, the two warriors continued their fight. Their energies began to manifest more openly. Ken was holding his own against Akuma, but Akuma appeared to be overpowering him. Ken was bruised in several areas, but Akuma wasn't without a scratch himself as he was injured in a few places himself.

"I must say. You are a lot stronger than I gave you credit. Perhaps I will actually have to try against you."

"Oh please. I make it an art to know when someone is bluffing. You are trying, demon."

The sharp teeth showed up again, "Perhaps, but now the time for games is over."

Akuma suddenly disappeared in a shimmer. Ken looked in shock as Akuma suddenly sent a fist deep into Ken's gut. Ken reeled back and launched a kick out, hitting Akuma in the ribs. However, Akuma grabbed the leg and smashed his elbow into it. Ken gave out a sharp yell before slugging Akuma in the face. Akuma backed off again and Ken put his leg down, only to find that he couldn't stand straight on it. Akuma charged at Ken with a barrage of punches and kicks. Ken managed to block most of them, but the rest pushed him down. Ken rolled again, but Akuma was no longer anywhere to be seen. Ken looked around before feeling a massive surge of dark energy above him. Ken looked up to see the demon powering up his energy like a evil storm.

"Metssatsu Gou-Hado!!!!!"

The dark ball of energy sped straight at Ken. On reflex, Ken leapt straight up into the air, avoiding the ball of energy and heading toward Akuma. Ken lashed his foot out, knocking Akuma out of the air and into the ground. Ken dived in after him, fist ready to strike. But the demon disappeared again and he smashed the ground. Ken quickly stood up and waited. At the second Akuma materialized, Ken's fist blazed again.

"Sucker. Shinryuken!!!!!"

Ken's fist hit Akuma repeatedly and propelled both of them into the air. Both fell to the ground with Ken standing and Akuma down.

"Alright. Ken did it. He beat him." Sean cheered.

Eliza allowed a smile, but she could feel that something was wrong.

As Ken waited, Akuma suddenly levitated upward.

"Geez, what does it take to get rid of you?"

"A lot more than what you got."

Ken growled, "If that's what it takes, here it comes! Haaaaaaaaaa!"

Ken charged at Akuma, but he didn't move. Ken flew at Akuma and suddenly passed him, surprising Akuma. He turned around to find Ken completely engulfed in fire.

KUZURYU-REPPA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ken's unleashed an insane fury of attacks, combining all of his arts into one technique, ending with a super-powered shinryuken that took him extremely high in the sky. When it ended, Ken landed, tired and spent. Akuma landed a few minutes earlier in an earth-shaking crash. Even though tired, Ken managed a smile. But his victory was short-lived...

"Impressive. I never thought you could summon so much power. It seemed that I severely underestimated you, Ken Masters."

Akuma levitated up again, but his body remained limp as it was airborne. His back was facing Ken and the kanji symbol TEN was emblazed upon it.

"You have been found worthy the see...my true power!"

Akuma's feet hit the ground and the ground shook wildly. Akuma's body began to grow and his hair glowed even more. A fiery aura burned around him and the TEN symbol disappeared and then changed into another symbol. Akuma suddenly stood upright and turned to Ken. Ken was completely shocked by what he felt and saw. Akuma's muscles had grown in size to where it looked like he would burst. His hair had changed from red to white. His eyes flared in the same fashion and electricity flashed around him.

"What...kind of monster are you?"

"I am power made flesh. Are you ready, warrior?"

Ken didn't respond or rather couldn't because Shin Akuma vanished and hit him at the same time. Ken was completely shocked by the strength of the blow. It was as though he was hit by a brick wall. Ken struggled to get up, but Akuma punched his face in and connected it with a Gou Shouryu. Ken flew though the air like paper, but managed to flip and barely land on his feet.

"Do you still think you can win?"

Ken was breathing heavily as the super-demon stood before him. He was injured and exhausted.

"Master!" Sean suddenly rushed outside and charged at Akuma. Akuma saw him coming and let out a Gou-Hado. Sean was knocked back, but it was enough for Ken to catch Akuma with a heavy punch. Ken was about to connect it with a Shouryuken when Akuma suddenly flashed and disappeared. Ken looked around again and felt him right above him. The last thing Ken saw was Akuma diving at him, his hand in chopping position and flaring with deadly energy and the hand came down on him.

Present...

Ryu nodded, "That would explain the blow to your head."

Ken shut his eyes again, "He beat me as though I was nothing, but waste. Ryu, if you do fight him, be careful. He's way more powerful than he lets on. Ryu, you have to..."

Eliza looked back at him, "Ken, that's enough. We should let you rest. Come on."

Ken laid back and closed his eyes again, "I guess I could use some rest."

Eliza kissed his forehead, "I'll be back tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay."

Ken uneasily closed his eyes and the other left quietly. Ryu looked at the condition his friend was in.

I may have no choice. If that what it takes, I will use Satsu No Hado to stop Akuma once and for all!