Disclaimer: Same as before.

Chap. 16

You must fight with your soul, not with your power! To become a true martial artist is to understand that. You try in vain to look for the answer. But, it lies within you. Keep that in mind… even when you confront that man!

Rose.

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Akuma stood over a fallen Ryu, his kanji symbol blazed on his back. Akuma turned briefly to look at the fallen warrior. "Such a waste." He then began to walk away, not caring that the two women behind him scrambled to Ryu.

Sakura began to shake him, "Ryu. Ryu, please get up." Tears began to form, "Please. Don't die." Sakura then looked at Chun-Li, whose eyes were hidden behind her hair, but the tears were clearly seen on her face. Gently, she bent down and softly kissed Ryu's cheek. Her body began to tremble as she suddenly rose up, anger clearly in her eyes.

"Akuma!"

The demon didn't stop as though he didn't hear her.

"Face me, demon!"

That caused Akuma to stop moving. Sakura looked at Chun-Li in shock. She was never like this. So angry. Chun-Li herself realized that she had never been this mad before. Not even when she learned that Bison killed her father. The man she loved was now dead and she was determined to either avenge him...or join him. Akuma kept his back to them.

"Do you really think you can stand up to me, woman?"

Chun-Li fists clenched tightly, "If it's the last thing I do, I will destroy you!"

Sakura looked briefly before rising, "Right. You won't walk away from this one, Akuma."

A small chuckle was heard coming from the demon, "So you wish to join your fallen love, is that it? Such a weak emotion, yet it has its usefulness. Very well. Let's see what you got."

Chun-Li stood side-by-side with Sakura as she whispered, "Sakura, listen carefully. I have an attack that might be able to stop him, but it's going to take a little while to gather the energy."

Sakura nodded and gave a little smile, "No problem. I've fought with him anyway, so I can hold him off a bit."

Chun-Li warned, "Don't overdo it. If you need to get out, then do it. And if necessary, leave this place."

"Nani?"

"You heard me. If this doesn't work, then you will leave. Run and don't look back."

"But I can't leave..."

Yes, you can. And you will. Understand?"

"....Yes."

With a cry, Sakura jumped at Akuma, whose hands were folded. "Ah, the child goes first, he sneered. Sakura let out a kick, but Akuma vanished and reappeared elsewhere. Sakura attacked again, but he simply teleported again. Sakura suddenly had an idea and attacked again. Again, he teleported, but this time, she was ready for it.

"Midare-Sakura!"

She rushed at him in a fury of Sho-o-ken's and actually hitting. However, he didn't budge and when the attack finished, Akuma remained where he was. Sakura landed right in front of him.

"That may have worked before, but you face my true form. You are powerless."

A swift kick sent Sakura flying and Akuma came toward her. She still hadn't fully recover from her last battle with him. But she stood back up and re-summoned her energy.

"That's a good girl. Keep on trying."

Sakura's hands cupped together and drew in the energy, Shinkuu...HADOKEN!!!!!!"

The blue sphere flew at full speed toward Akuma, but he did nothing to avoid it and it hit him head on. A massive explosion erupted and Sakura covered her eyes, amazed that she was able to call back that much power. But her surprise turned to dismay as Akuma kept walking out of the smoke. Sakura had used up the last of her energy in that blast and he ate it. Akuma warped again and reappeared in front of her, frightening her to floor.

"So be it.  You'll be first."

Suddenly, a kick hit Akuma in the side of his face and away from Sakura.

"Sakura! Get out of the way! NOW!"

Sakura saw Chun-Li holding a bright sphere of energy and felt a lot of power coming from it. Quickly, she scrabbled away while Chun-Li ran straight for Akuma, who was recovering from the kick. Akuma turned around just to see the woman warrior put her palms in his face.

"Kikosho....GOKU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

An immense ball of pure light engulfed them; tearing up the area they were in and throwing Sakura back. Sakura grabbed on to a branch as the shockwaves emitted and dissipated. In place of the explosion was Chun-Li, her palms still in the same position. She bent down to the ground to recover. There was no sign of Akuma anywhere.

"I....did it. I...defeated him. Ryu..."

"Don't be so presumptuous."

Chun-Li looked up to see Akuma, hovering in the air.

"I must say. That was truely remarkable. Such an attack could have actually crippled me, maybe even destroyed me had I not warped in time."

Chun-Li looked up helplessly. She had put all of her power, her energy, her very being into that blast and he simply avoided it. She looked at Sakura, who was lying on the ground, slowly getting up herself. Akuma cupped his hands together and the dark energy returned with a vengeance. Chun-Li looked over to Sakura, who was nearly up. Good. At least she'll make it. Looking back up, she prepared for the inevitable. Ryu. If there is an afterlife, I hope to see you there. I only wish I could have told you sooner.

"Tenma!!!!!!"

Chun-Li held her arms open.

"Gou!!!!!!!!!"

She closed her eyes, waiting for death.

"Zankuu!!!!!"

I love you, Ryu.

The dark sphere came at her like a deadly wave, ready to engulf her. The sheer sound of it was almost deafening. But she heard something. A shadowed figure appeared before her. Sakura? Get out of here.

"Shinkuu Hadoken!!!!!!!!!"

Chun-Li watched the valiant, yet futile attempt as a sphere of energy collided with Akuma's. But amazingly, it did the job. Akuma's fireball was diverted away. What? Sakura did that? It was when the light cleared that Chun-Li gasped. Before her was not Sakura. The figure was male, bathed in a bluish-white light. A red headband fluttered through the air. Energy streaked around him like a storm, but in a controlled fashion. She couldn't believe it.

Ryu was alive!