Chapter 20: Akuma's Trump card
"Where is my guiding light?"
Disclaimer: I own no one!!! Well, except for Zenrei and Hinotama, but that doesn't count!!! ^__^ Kotou: Long time no see! How's everyone? OK, sorry for the wait but my computer died!! I am now just reviving it, sadly all of my chapters are lost, so if anything happens to my account...well, that's it!!!! Eh, why don't I just get started with this chapter and stop ranting on and on!!! Oh, and a BIG THANKS to all of my reviewers and to those who have put me on their favorites!!!! YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!!!!
Ling gave Miharu a speechless expression. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Miharu, it can't be!" She said aloud. "I thought Lastat was killed!" Europa turned and faced her mother.
"Mama!? Is that...is that...Daddy!?" Asked the young girl. Miharu slightly nodded her head.
"Yes Europa...that is your father." Europa's eyes welled with tears. She couldn't believe that her father was standing right in front of her, but his heart was as cold as ice. Ling had only slightly remembered Lastat.
*~*~*~*~*~
It was a cold January evening when Miharu Hirano invited Ling Xiaoyu out to go skating at a nearby Omni. Miharu had put on her newly bought skates while Ling put on her rented ones.
"It's been quite a while since I have skated." Said Ling. Miharu chuckled and grabbed onto the rail.
"That's OK Xiao, I don't really know how to skate either." A smug smile appeared on Xiaoyu's lips.
"I never said I didn't know how to skate, I merely said that it's been a while, so don't expect much!" Miharu laughed and began towards the rink.
"Come on Xiao, let's get going!" She said. The two of them were off, exploring the slick and spaced rink. Not many people were out, so it was to both their advantages. Miharu stayed close to the edge while Ling, being the show off she was, stayed more towards the center. Twice she had lapped Miharu. When Ling came around once more, Miharu grabbed her shoulder, pulling her to a complete stop. "Xiao!! Stop!" Miharu yelled. Xiaoyu looked at Miharu who was wobbling from side to side.
"Alright Miharu, I'll skate by you." She said. Xiaoyu skated slowly and rhythmically along with the music. Poor Miharu, she kept falling down and embarrassing herself, but Xiaoyu was always there to comfort her. All of a sudden, the lights were dimmed and the disco ball began twirling as the light beamed off it, causing the bright sparkled to illuminate the floor. The strobe light was on slow and a young man appeared in the center of the rink. The song changed to a light slow dance beat. All the couples, though there were few, accompanied themselves in the center of the rink.
"Xiao," Miharu breathed. "He is absolutely handsome!" She shrieked. Xiaoyu slapped her head so hard, she lost her balance and fell on the ground.
"Good God Hirano! Please not this again!" Xiaoyu cried out. Miharu skated slowly past her.
"Come on Xiao, give me your hand! We're going to skate his one so we can get a better look!" Miharu said, extending her hand out towards Xiaoyu.
"No way Hirano! I am NOT going to skate around and look like a lesbian just so you can get a better look at some guy who caught your eye!" Xiaoyu yelled. Miharu could tell that she wasn't going to agree from the start, considering the fact that she had called her "Hirano". Xiaoyu had only said that when she was very disagreeable about something, or just plain angry.
"Please Xiao! This would mean so much to me if you did!" The thought of fulfilling Miharu's selfish desires did not suit Ling, but Miharu was her friend. She had to make a decision.
"Fine Miharu. I'll skate with you, but I am NOT holding your hand!" Miharu chuckled and nodded. They were quite close to the man. Just by a simple glimpse, Xiaoyu could tell that he was indeed handsome. Miharu began slipping and sliding.
"No! Not this again, not now!" Miharu shouted. She grabbed onto Ling's arm as they both tumbled left to right. "We're going down!" She shrieked. They closed their eyes. Ling had hit the floor hard, landing flat on her ass.
"Ow!" She yelled. "Miharu, are you alright?" She asked, looking towards her side. Miharu was not there. Instead, she was in the arms of her crush. She looked up towards the man and noticed that he had saved her from certain embarrassment..
"Thank you." Miharu shyly whispered. Ling shook her head and skated out of the rink, sitting on the bench and watched as Miharu and the man skated around for the entire song. "My name is Miharu Hirano," Miharu said shyly, seeing as this was the most gorgeous man she had ever laid eyes on. The man held onto her hand firmly.
"My name is Lastat. Hello Miharu." He said in his dark rich voice. Miharu felt like she could melt in his arms. They held hands and to Miharu, she envisioned that they were a couple. The entire song seemed to drag out for Miharu. It was as if time seemed to stretch so that she could enjoy this time with him. "It almost looked like you were going to fall," said Lastat, "but here you are, skating without a single mistake." The two skated on and on, while Xiaoyu had felt empty inside, and yet, she was happy for her friend.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"I remember now." Ling said quietly. Miharu came out in front of Lastat, gazing into his icy blue eyes. He stood there, coldly looking back at her, as if he were looking past her. Her heartbeat was uncontrollable, unstoppable.
"Lastat, why are you doing this?" Miharu asked. "Why have you not returned to me, and your beloved daughter? She's six now and she has no father." Jin lowered his head. He had heard everything Miharu was saying from the bottom of her heart. He felt bad because he was once in the same situation as Europa, always wondering what it would be like to have a father; always praying for a perfect family; but those were just pointless, petty dreams. Lastat had not answered. He kept his still posture and looked over at Zenrei who was slowly recovering her health.
"Well Lastat, tell me now, what would you like to do here?" Akuma asked. Lastat did not answer. He had so many devious tricks up his sleeve that anything would do. The only thing he had to look out for was Zenrei. Her very presence had made him feel weak, but to be a minion of Lord Akuma, weakness would not be tolerated.
"I believe that I would like to try out something new my Lord." He said in his low voice. Ling, Jin, Razan, Kazuya, Hinotama, and Jessica were all prepared for whatever this evil, sinister plan this man wanted to try. "My Lord, is it true that these are the contestants of the King of Iron Fist Tournament?" He asked. Kazuya's eyes widened as he had heard the mentioned tournament.
"What do you know about the tournament?" Kazuya asked. Lastat laughed evilly and slowly approached the arrogant Kazuya.
"Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't only worthy contestants able to join?" Lastat had hurt Kazuya where it counted most, his pride. Kazuya clenched his fists and without thinking, threw a punch at Lastat. Lastat swiftly dodged the punch and caught it with his bare hand. "Like I said, those who are worthy can only enter the tournament." He said with a smug smile plastered onto his face. Razan stood there, wondering what Lastat had planned.
"What do you want?!" Razan shouted. Lastat turned his head around and looked at her. His eyes burned in her heart, they were tearing away at her soul, eating her heart out from the inside out, that was how she felt. Lastat walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry, they are in good hands." He said.
"What do you mean!?" Razan shouted. In one swift motion, Akuma grabbed Zenrei by her waist and lifted her onto his back.
"Let go of me!!" She shouted. Zenrei kicked and screamed. Lastat leaned his head back and laughed out loud.
"No!" Razan shouted. She chased after Akuma, trying to catch him off guard. He quickly moved to the right, side stepping out of the way. "You coward!" Razan said. She was completely disgusted with him. She hated him with a passion. Her job was to save Zenrei, not to ensure her demise.
"Razan!" Zenrei cried. Akuma held Zenrei by her neck and hung her six feet from the ground. Zenrei struggled to escape, but she was far too weak and extremely drained from her energy.
"Zenni!" Ling shouted. Akuma saw the most pathetic look on their faces.
"You can have her." He said. He threw Zenrei onto the ground. She rolled over a few times, but weakly got back onto her knees. Kazuya walked to her side, but Lastat got their first, Holding her up by the pigtails.
"Stop this Lastat! This isn't like you! It doesn't have to be this way!" Miharu pleaded. Zenrei was crying from all of this pain she endured. But worst of all, her Angel's light was slowly fading.
As JiEun struggled to free herself, she took notice of what was really going on. She knew that the two men were out to capture Zenrei for her special powers. From what she could tell, these men were evil, thus meaning Zenrei must also be evil.
"Zenrei! I knew you were a devil! That's exactly why they have come to take you!" She shouted. Zenrei heard every word. She was beginning to fear that her friends and family were in danger because of her. "Why don't you do all of us a favor and leave! I am innocent, I shouldn't have to be killed because of you!" Zenrei felt a sharp pain. She WAS putting her friends and family in danger.
"You're right." She whispered. "I shouldn't put my friends in danger." She looked up at her loving parents. Images from the past crossed her mind as she remembered her life spent with them. "I won't hurt my family anymore!" She yelled. Europa ran up to Lastat who was holding Zenrei by her hair.
"Zenni, what are you talking about? You aren't going anywhere! You can't leave us!" She cried. Zenrei did her best to try and smile, but tears flowed freely down her cheeks. Europa and Razan had been her best friends since they were young. JiEun was right, there was no need to put them in danger.
"I will never leave you. As long as you remember me in your heart, I will never leave."
"No!" Europa shouted. "Zenni you're not going anywhere! That's a promise!" Europa charged at Lastat, but Razan grabbed her. "Please, let me go!" She pleaded. Razan shook her head.
"I can't let you do that. You're going to get yourself killed." She said. Razan walked a little further with Europa. "Listen to me," She whispered. " I have an Idea, but this will only be between the two of us, ok?" Europa listened tentatively to everything Razan said.
Lastat held Zenrei high. She twitched and turned as she struggled with all her might to get free. Ling couldn't take anymore of this. She had had it with all of this stupid fighting. She would not give up. She would not lose her only child.
"Let her go!" She yelled. She charged at Lastat with full speed. She felt incredibly motivated. Her heart was filled with the desire to get her child back, and by any means she would. She clenched her fist and leaned her arm back. Lastat went to dodge it, but Ling was too quick. Ling moved her entire body to his right side and quickly landed a strong, fierce, punch. Lastat had tumbled to the ground, letting Zenrei out of his grasp. Ling had been too preoccupied with the fight that she hadn't even noticed Zenrei on the ground. Jin ran for her but was cut off by Akuma.
"I don't think so." He said with a broad grin. Razan appeared behind Akuma in a split instant. She spun around quickly and thrust her dagger in his back. Akuma gave out an ear-piercing scream, which then gave Jin the chance to take his daughter back. He ran hurriedly away from the battle scene, but Lastat had teleported in front of him. His Long straight black hair swayed with his elegant motions. He had just challenged Jin to a battle.
"What do you want?" Jin asked annoyed.
"I want the girl, but of course." He said in his rich dark tone. Miharu and Ling watched as Jin fought Lastat. They seemed to be both equally matched. Another battle was going on, the battle between Razan and Akuma. Akuma was down and Razan stood proudly over him.
"Had enough yet?" She flaunted. Akuma breathed heavily, stressing over the pain. He took out the dagger from his back and let his blood lazily flow down his spine. He shook off the discomfort and stood straight up.
"You are a sneaky one, aren't you?" He asked.
"It takes one to know one you bastard!" She yelled aloud. "I am not done with you yet! I will kill you slowly and painfully, for I have the light on my side!" She said. Akuma looked at her oddly; he did not know what she was trying to say. "I am the sister of Jun Kazama! I am another descended Angel!" A pair of bright glowing wings exceeded from her back. The wind flushed her hair perfectly to give her a heavenly appeal. Akuma gritted his teeth. He could not yet become his true form, not without the help of Zenrei. He took out his dark bushido sword and swung it towards Razan.
"You will not cleanse me! I am not afraid of you!" He shouted as he stood in his fighting pose.
"Nor I you," Razan said strongly as she flaunted her wings to the side. His dark blade spread evil throughout the entire field. The dark was too powerful for the light and slowly, Razan and Zenrei felt their energy being drained.
"You insolent twerp!" He yelled as he swung his blade. Razan gracefully dodged the strike, but when the dark energy was released, she felt a bit weakened. Akuma was thriving on the power of the sword as his hunger for bloodshed grew. "Stand still!" He swung again and this time, Razan backflipped over his head and landed behind him. She then kicked the back of his legs so that he would plummet to the ground. As he fell, the sword landed next to her. Just being close to her, she could feel it's immense darkness take over her. She grabbed the sword to try to take it away from her, but it burned in her hands.
"How can that be?" She asked. Akuma grabbed his sword back and stood over Razan.
"Now...you will die." He said as he held the sword high over his head. Europa skid in front of Razan holding her arms out to Akuma.
"You won't touch her!" Akuma still held his sword high over his head, but he had seen that child before. It was the child whom he had killed a few hundred years ago. It was the child whose parents he had killed. Even though Akuma wasn't reincarnated until about twenty six years ago, his spirit's memory was quite clear.
"Europa. It is you. You've...come back just to fight me?" Europa did not know what he was talking about. She looked over at Miharu who was gazing speechlessly at her. Apparently, Miharu had been keeping this secret from her for a long time. "Now Lastat!" Akuma shouted. Miharu and Ling looked over to Lastat who had punched Jin as hard as he could in the stomach. Jin fell forward as Lastat ran towards Zenrei.
"Leave me alone!" She cried. He swept in front of her quickly and took her gently by the shoulders.
"Don't be afraid. It'll be over before you know it." He said. He quickly punched Zenrei in the stomach, knocking her out. Then, He grabbed JiEun and began to leave. Ling had ran from her spot and chased Lastat. He actually stayed put just for her so that she could catch up to him.
"Give Zenrei back!" She yelled. Miharu came up from behind Ling and knocked her onto the ground.
"Miharu get off of me!" She shouted. "He's got Zenrei!" Miharu cried as Ling tried to escape.
"I can't Ling! I just can't let you do that!" Ling struggled. She did everything she could to set herself free, but Miharu wouldn't let up. She stayed close to her. Lastat laughed and took to the sky. In a split second, Ling's entire life was taken away from her.
"No!" She shouted. Her tears spread wildly across her cheeks. She grabbed the dirt under her as she cried. When Razan turned around, Akuma had disappeared too, along with Hinotama and Jessica. She fell to her knees as her wings disappeared also.
"I can't believe it. I can't believe I let them get away." Razan said as she bowed her head down. Miharu let go of Ling so that she could get up.
"Why? Why did you stop me Miharu?" She asked. Miharu wiped the tears from her eyes.
"We can save him! I can't let you kill Lastat. Even though he is evil now, I can't bare to see him end up dead!" she cried.
"Miharu! Get it through your head! Lastat isn't the same anymore. He's evil, cold hearted, and he is working for Akuma! He could have killed you and Europa if he wanted to." Ling's voice was loud and full of pain. Miharu understood why she had felt so bad, but there was something she was missing.
"If Jin had turned into Devil, would you have killed him?" She asked. Ling softened her eyes a bit, she was unable to retort. "Ling, you would have done anything and everything in your powers to save him. And I feel, that is what I must have to do."
Noise came from the bushes behind them. They looked back and saw Hworang and Julia. She was running as fast as she could, panting and breathing through her mouth. Hworang stood beside her, with an extremely worried look upon his face.
"Ling! I can't find JiEun! I think she might have came this way to play with Europa and Zenrei!" Julia said with anxiety. Ling looked down with disappointment. "Ling? What's wrong?" Both Julia and Hworang noticed the warm, fresh tears splashed on her cheek.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lastat had laid Zenrei calm and neatly on Heihachi's desk, right where he would notice her. "The plan shall commence shortly, until then, we will just have to wait and see what happens." He pet Zenrei lightly along her soft smooth cheek. "I hope you don't get too comfortable here, you won't be here long!" He raised his eyebrow and leaped out of the window. Heihachi had walked in and seen her lying on his desk. A bright red light gleamed from his eye, beaming onto her body.
Kotou: I would have added more if I had the chance, but this chapter had to end short. Sorry it took so long but once again school was not on my side with this one! Especially with finals! I had taken them on Monday and Tuesday and now I have the entire week off!!! OH YEAH!!! So expect more!!!
Jai Ne!
"Where is my guiding light?"
Disclaimer: I own no one!!! Well, except for Zenrei and Hinotama, but that doesn't count!!! ^__^ Kotou: Long time no see! How's everyone? OK, sorry for the wait but my computer died!! I am now just reviving it, sadly all of my chapters are lost, so if anything happens to my account...well, that's it!!!! Eh, why don't I just get started with this chapter and stop ranting on and on!!! Oh, and a BIG THANKS to all of my reviewers and to those who have put me on their favorites!!!! YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!!!!
Ling gave Miharu a speechless expression. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Miharu, it can't be!" She said aloud. "I thought Lastat was killed!" Europa turned and faced her mother.
"Mama!? Is that...is that...Daddy!?" Asked the young girl. Miharu slightly nodded her head.
"Yes Europa...that is your father." Europa's eyes welled with tears. She couldn't believe that her father was standing right in front of her, but his heart was as cold as ice. Ling had only slightly remembered Lastat.
*~*~*~*~*~
It was a cold January evening when Miharu Hirano invited Ling Xiaoyu out to go skating at a nearby Omni. Miharu had put on her newly bought skates while Ling put on her rented ones.
"It's been quite a while since I have skated." Said Ling. Miharu chuckled and grabbed onto the rail.
"That's OK Xiao, I don't really know how to skate either." A smug smile appeared on Xiaoyu's lips.
"I never said I didn't know how to skate, I merely said that it's been a while, so don't expect much!" Miharu laughed and began towards the rink.
"Come on Xiao, let's get going!" She said. The two of them were off, exploring the slick and spaced rink. Not many people were out, so it was to both their advantages. Miharu stayed close to the edge while Ling, being the show off she was, stayed more towards the center. Twice she had lapped Miharu. When Ling came around once more, Miharu grabbed her shoulder, pulling her to a complete stop. "Xiao!! Stop!" Miharu yelled. Xiaoyu looked at Miharu who was wobbling from side to side.
"Alright Miharu, I'll skate by you." She said. Xiaoyu skated slowly and rhythmically along with the music. Poor Miharu, she kept falling down and embarrassing herself, but Xiaoyu was always there to comfort her. All of a sudden, the lights were dimmed and the disco ball began twirling as the light beamed off it, causing the bright sparkled to illuminate the floor. The strobe light was on slow and a young man appeared in the center of the rink. The song changed to a light slow dance beat. All the couples, though there were few, accompanied themselves in the center of the rink.
"Xiao," Miharu breathed. "He is absolutely handsome!" She shrieked. Xiaoyu slapped her head so hard, she lost her balance and fell on the ground.
"Good God Hirano! Please not this again!" Xiaoyu cried out. Miharu skated slowly past her.
"Come on Xiao, give me your hand! We're going to skate his one so we can get a better look!" Miharu said, extending her hand out towards Xiaoyu.
"No way Hirano! I am NOT going to skate around and look like a lesbian just so you can get a better look at some guy who caught your eye!" Xiaoyu yelled. Miharu could tell that she wasn't going to agree from the start, considering the fact that she had called her "Hirano". Xiaoyu had only said that when she was very disagreeable about something, or just plain angry.
"Please Xiao! This would mean so much to me if you did!" The thought of fulfilling Miharu's selfish desires did not suit Ling, but Miharu was her friend. She had to make a decision.
"Fine Miharu. I'll skate with you, but I am NOT holding your hand!" Miharu chuckled and nodded. They were quite close to the man. Just by a simple glimpse, Xiaoyu could tell that he was indeed handsome. Miharu began slipping and sliding.
"No! Not this again, not now!" Miharu shouted. She grabbed onto Ling's arm as they both tumbled left to right. "We're going down!" She shrieked. They closed their eyes. Ling had hit the floor hard, landing flat on her ass.
"Ow!" She yelled. "Miharu, are you alright?" She asked, looking towards her side. Miharu was not there. Instead, she was in the arms of her crush. She looked up towards the man and noticed that he had saved her from certain embarrassment..
"Thank you." Miharu shyly whispered. Ling shook her head and skated out of the rink, sitting on the bench and watched as Miharu and the man skated around for the entire song. "My name is Miharu Hirano," Miharu said shyly, seeing as this was the most gorgeous man she had ever laid eyes on. The man held onto her hand firmly.
"My name is Lastat. Hello Miharu." He said in his dark rich voice. Miharu felt like she could melt in his arms. They held hands and to Miharu, she envisioned that they were a couple. The entire song seemed to drag out for Miharu. It was as if time seemed to stretch so that she could enjoy this time with him. "It almost looked like you were going to fall," said Lastat, "but here you are, skating without a single mistake." The two skated on and on, while Xiaoyu had felt empty inside, and yet, she was happy for her friend.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"I remember now." Ling said quietly. Miharu came out in front of Lastat, gazing into his icy blue eyes. He stood there, coldly looking back at her, as if he were looking past her. Her heartbeat was uncontrollable, unstoppable.
"Lastat, why are you doing this?" Miharu asked. "Why have you not returned to me, and your beloved daughter? She's six now and she has no father." Jin lowered his head. He had heard everything Miharu was saying from the bottom of her heart. He felt bad because he was once in the same situation as Europa, always wondering what it would be like to have a father; always praying for a perfect family; but those were just pointless, petty dreams. Lastat had not answered. He kept his still posture and looked over at Zenrei who was slowly recovering her health.
"Well Lastat, tell me now, what would you like to do here?" Akuma asked. Lastat did not answer. He had so many devious tricks up his sleeve that anything would do. The only thing he had to look out for was Zenrei. Her very presence had made him feel weak, but to be a minion of Lord Akuma, weakness would not be tolerated.
"I believe that I would like to try out something new my Lord." He said in his low voice. Ling, Jin, Razan, Kazuya, Hinotama, and Jessica were all prepared for whatever this evil, sinister plan this man wanted to try. "My Lord, is it true that these are the contestants of the King of Iron Fist Tournament?" He asked. Kazuya's eyes widened as he had heard the mentioned tournament.
"What do you know about the tournament?" Kazuya asked. Lastat laughed evilly and slowly approached the arrogant Kazuya.
"Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't only worthy contestants able to join?" Lastat had hurt Kazuya where it counted most, his pride. Kazuya clenched his fists and without thinking, threw a punch at Lastat. Lastat swiftly dodged the punch and caught it with his bare hand. "Like I said, those who are worthy can only enter the tournament." He said with a smug smile plastered onto his face. Razan stood there, wondering what Lastat had planned.
"What do you want?!" Razan shouted. Lastat turned his head around and looked at her. His eyes burned in her heart, they were tearing away at her soul, eating her heart out from the inside out, that was how she felt. Lastat walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry, they are in good hands." He said.
"What do you mean!?" Razan shouted. In one swift motion, Akuma grabbed Zenrei by her waist and lifted her onto his back.
"Let go of me!!" She shouted. Zenrei kicked and screamed. Lastat leaned his head back and laughed out loud.
"No!" Razan shouted. She chased after Akuma, trying to catch him off guard. He quickly moved to the right, side stepping out of the way. "You coward!" Razan said. She was completely disgusted with him. She hated him with a passion. Her job was to save Zenrei, not to ensure her demise.
"Razan!" Zenrei cried. Akuma held Zenrei by her neck and hung her six feet from the ground. Zenrei struggled to escape, but she was far too weak and extremely drained from her energy.
"Zenni!" Ling shouted. Akuma saw the most pathetic look on their faces.
"You can have her." He said. He threw Zenrei onto the ground. She rolled over a few times, but weakly got back onto her knees. Kazuya walked to her side, but Lastat got their first, Holding her up by the pigtails.
"Stop this Lastat! This isn't like you! It doesn't have to be this way!" Miharu pleaded. Zenrei was crying from all of this pain she endured. But worst of all, her Angel's light was slowly fading.
As JiEun struggled to free herself, she took notice of what was really going on. She knew that the two men were out to capture Zenrei for her special powers. From what she could tell, these men were evil, thus meaning Zenrei must also be evil.
"Zenrei! I knew you were a devil! That's exactly why they have come to take you!" She shouted. Zenrei heard every word. She was beginning to fear that her friends and family were in danger because of her. "Why don't you do all of us a favor and leave! I am innocent, I shouldn't have to be killed because of you!" Zenrei felt a sharp pain. She WAS putting her friends and family in danger.
"You're right." She whispered. "I shouldn't put my friends in danger." She looked up at her loving parents. Images from the past crossed her mind as she remembered her life spent with them. "I won't hurt my family anymore!" She yelled. Europa ran up to Lastat who was holding Zenrei by her hair.
"Zenni, what are you talking about? You aren't going anywhere! You can't leave us!" She cried. Zenrei did her best to try and smile, but tears flowed freely down her cheeks. Europa and Razan had been her best friends since they were young. JiEun was right, there was no need to put them in danger.
"I will never leave you. As long as you remember me in your heart, I will never leave."
"No!" Europa shouted. "Zenni you're not going anywhere! That's a promise!" Europa charged at Lastat, but Razan grabbed her. "Please, let me go!" She pleaded. Razan shook her head.
"I can't let you do that. You're going to get yourself killed." She said. Razan walked a little further with Europa. "Listen to me," She whispered. " I have an Idea, but this will only be between the two of us, ok?" Europa listened tentatively to everything Razan said.
Lastat held Zenrei high. She twitched and turned as she struggled with all her might to get free. Ling couldn't take anymore of this. She had had it with all of this stupid fighting. She would not give up. She would not lose her only child.
"Let her go!" She yelled. She charged at Lastat with full speed. She felt incredibly motivated. Her heart was filled with the desire to get her child back, and by any means she would. She clenched her fist and leaned her arm back. Lastat went to dodge it, but Ling was too quick. Ling moved her entire body to his right side and quickly landed a strong, fierce, punch. Lastat had tumbled to the ground, letting Zenrei out of his grasp. Ling had been too preoccupied with the fight that she hadn't even noticed Zenrei on the ground. Jin ran for her but was cut off by Akuma.
"I don't think so." He said with a broad grin. Razan appeared behind Akuma in a split instant. She spun around quickly and thrust her dagger in his back. Akuma gave out an ear-piercing scream, which then gave Jin the chance to take his daughter back. He ran hurriedly away from the battle scene, but Lastat had teleported in front of him. His Long straight black hair swayed with his elegant motions. He had just challenged Jin to a battle.
"What do you want?" Jin asked annoyed.
"I want the girl, but of course." He said in his rich dark tone. Miharu and Ling watched as Jin fought Lastat. They seemed to be both equally matched. Another battle was going on, the battle between Razan and Akuma. Akuma was down and Razan stood proudly over him.
"Had enough yet?" She flaunted. Akuma breathed heavily, stressing over the pain. He took out the dagger from his back and let his blood lazily flow down his spine. He shook off the discomfort and stood straight up.
"You are a sneaky one, aren't you?" He asked.
"It takes one to know one you bastard!" She yelled aloud. "I am not done with you yet! I will kill you slowly and painfully, for I have the light on my side!" She said. Akuma looked at her oddly; he did not know what she was trying to say. "I am the sister of Jun Kazama! I am another descended Angel!" A pair of bright glowing wings exceeded from her back. The wind flushed her hair perfectly to give her a heavenly appeal. Akuma gritted his teeth. He could not yet become his true form, not without the help of Zenrei. He took out his dark bushido sword and swung it towards Razan.
"You will not cleanse me! I am not afraid of you!" He shouted as he stood in his fighting pose.
"Nor I you," Razan said strongly as she flaunted her wings to the side. His dark blade spread evil throughout the entire field. The dark was too powerful for the light and slowly, Razan and Zenrei felt their energy being drained.
"You insolent twerp!" He yelled as he swung his blade. Razan gracefully dodged the strike, but when the dark energy was released, she felt a bit weakened. Akuma was thriving on the power of the sword as his hunger for bloodshed grew. "Stand still!" He swung again and this time, Razan backflipped over his head and landed behind him. She then kicked the back of his legs so that he would plummet to the ground. As he fell, the sword landed next to her. Just being close to her, she could feel it's immense darkness take over her. She grabbed the sword to try to take it away from her, but it burned in her hands.
"How can that be?" She asked. Akuma grabbed his sword back and stood over Razan.
"Now...you will die." He said as he held the sword high over his head. Europa skid in front of Razan holding her arms out to Akuma.
"You won't touch her!" Akuma still held his sword high over his head, but he had seen that child before. It was the child whom he had killed a few hundred years ago. It was the child whose parents he had killed. Even though Akuma wasn't reincarnated until about twenty six years ago, his spirit's memory was quite clear.
"Europa. It is you. You've...come back just to fight me?" Europa did not know what he was talking about. She looked over at Miharu who was gazing speechlessly at her. Apparently, Miharu had been keeping this secret from her for a long time. "Now Lastat!" Akuma shouted. Miharu and Ling looked over to Lastat who had punched Jin as hard as he could in the stomach. Jin fell forward as Lastat ran towards Zenrei.
"Leave me alone!" She cried. He swept in front of her quickly and took her gently by the shoulders.
"Don't be afraid. It'll be over before you know it." He said. He quickly punched Zenrei in the stomach, knocking her out. Then, He grabbed JiEun and began to leave. Ling had ran from her spot and chased Lastat. He actually stayed put just for her so that she could catch up to him.
"Give Zenrei back!" She yelled. Miharu came up from behind Ling and knocked her onto the ground.
"Miharu get off of me!" She shouted. "He's got Zenrei!" Miharu cried as Ling tried to escape.
"I can't Ling! I just can't let you do that!" Ling struggled. She did everything she could to set herself free, but Miharu wouldn't let up. She stayed close to her. Lastat laughed and took to the sky. In a split second, Ling's entire life was taken away from her.
"No!" She shouted. Her tears spread wildly across her cheeks. She grabbed the dirt under her as she cried. When Razan turned around, Akuma had disappeared too, along with Hinotama and Jessica. She fell to her knees as her wings disappeared also.
"I can't believe it. I can't believe I let them get away." Razan said as she bowed her head down. Miharu let go of Ling so that she could get up.
"Why? Why did you stop me Miharu?" She asked. Miharu wiped the tears from her eyes.
"We can save him! I can't let you kill Lastat. Even though he is evil now, I can't bare to see him end up dead!" she cried.
"Miharu! Get it through your head! Lastat isn't the same anymore. He's evil, cold hearted, and he is working for Akuma! He could have killed you and Europa if he wanted to." Ling's voice was loud and full of pain. Miharu understood why she had felt so bad, but there was something she was missing.
"If Jin had turned into Devil, would you have killed him?" She asked. Ling softened her eyes a bit, she was unable to retort. "Ling, you would have done anything and everything in your powers to save him. And I feel, that is what I must have to do."
Noise came from the bushes behind them. They looked back and saw Hworang and Julia. She was running as fast as she could, panting and breathing through her mouth. Hworang stood beside her, with an extremely worried look upon his face.
"Ling! I can't find JiEun! I think she might have came this way to play with Europa and Zenrei!" Julia said with anxiety. Ling looked down with disappointment. "Ling? What's wrong?" Both Julia and Hworang noticed the warm, fresh tears splashed on her cheek.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lastat had laid Zenrei calm and neatly on Heihachi's desk, right where he would notice her. "The plan shall commence shortly, until then, we will just have to wait and see what happens." He pet Zenrei lightly along her soft smooth cheek. "I hope you don't get too comfortable here, you won't be here long!" He raised his eyebrow and leaped out of the window. Heihachi had walked in and seen her lying on his desk. A bright red light gleamed from his eye, beaming onto her body.
Kotou: I would have added more if I had the chance, but this chapter had to end short. Sorry it took so long but once again school was not on my side with this one! Especially with finals! I had taken them on Monday and Tuesday and now I have the entire week off!!! OH YEAH!!! So expect more!!!
Jai Ne!