Disclaimer: Tekken is property of Namco and all of its affiliates.
Chapter 4: Action!
"Ladies and gentlemen!!!! Welcome to the Fourth Iron Fist Tournament!"
The broadcast was being transmitted live, via satellite, all over the world. Heihachi Mishima set his feet on his desk, and a sly grin appeared on his face.
"Sakari!"
Glaring and swearing, Sakari Ioshira sauntered into her boss's office, "Sir?"
"Grab a chair and get comfy. We're about to watch the battle of the century," he spoke, smiling evilly.
Sakari swallowed, but grabbed herself a seat, and positioned it in front of the TV.
* * * * * * * *
While the crowd roared, Christie Monteiro sighed, praying softly in preparation. She pulled on her gloves, and carefully tied the sides of her white pants.
"You're gonna knock 'em dead, Chris," Dionne said to her friend, giving her a pat on the shoulder for encouragement, "They're gonna wish they'd never even heard the name Christie Monteiro."
Christie smirked a bit, and nodded, "Thanks."
"Ladies and gentlemen! Without further ado, presenting the lovely Latin dream, Christie Monteiro!"
Dionne gave Christie thumbs up, and she smiled nervously, running into the makeshift arena in front of the airport.
"And also, may I present the walking tower of fear, Craig Marduk!!"
* * * * * * * *
Christie looked up at the muscle-headed giant. He was approximately 6'7 with a clean shaved head. She inhaled deeply, and he offered a sickening smile.
"Hey babe. How about after this, daddy gives you a real fight back at the hotel?"
Christie rolled her eyes, Get real, shit-for-brains! Before the pervert could utter another syllable, Christie was moving back and forth, and he started to watch her legs. He growled, and lunged at her. Immediately, she was on her hands. She spun her legs like a helicopter, and sent him falling on his butt. She allowed her legs to go down, and went beneath her hands. The staggering tower of muscle was up again, but the agile femme fatale was too much for him. She leapt up, and wrapped her legs around his neck. She walked on her hands beside him, positioning herself behind him, and placed all her weight into her wrists. She slammed the man down on his neck, and jumped up with cat-like reflexes. The mondo tower of fear staggered as he stood, and attempted a blind jab. Christie easily avoided every hit. Craig stood, but apparently off balance. Christie put a hand to the ground, and launched a sidekick to Craig's head. He didn't stand a chance. He immediately fell to the ground, and was down for the count. Christie grinned as the announcer boomed.
"The victor: Christie Monteiro!"
* * * * * * * * *
Arching a brow in shock, Heihachi Mishima nodded, "Impressive,"
"Indeed," Sakari replied, "Here's the next match up of the day," handing him the list.
Glancing over, he grinned, "Oh if this isn't the best part of my day."
She sighed, "I figured as much, sir,"
"Were these selections random?" Heihachi asked gleefully, grinning.
"Yes sir," Sakari spoke simply.
"Damn. I couldn't have picked these better myself! This is going to be one of the most entertaining tournaments yet," he grinned evilly.
Sakari swallowed, Not if I have anything to do with it.
* * * * * * * * * *
Christie ran off the stage at Dionne.
"Told you!" Dionne giggled, giving her friend a high five.
Christie grinned, "Muscle head went down pretty fast, huh?"
"Say that again, sis,"
"You were great," came a booming masculine voice.
Christie looked up to see the gorgeous blonde boxer. Today, he was in slightly long boxing shorts and his gloves hung over his shoulders. He wore a white wifebeater, and sneakers. She could have melted.
"Thanks," she spoke softly.
"I'd hate being matched up to you," he joked in his thick accent, winking. Christie blushed immensely.
"Why don't we…"
Interrupting teen love, the announcer proceeded on to the next fight.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the next fight is sure to be just as promising as the last. Kazuya Mishima vs. Violet!"
Dionne's ears perked up, and a dark presence was behind her, "Excuse me,"
She looked up, and was almost blundered over as a hooded man walked practically walked over her, "Excuse you indeed, asshole,"
The man ignored her, and went out into the audience. She grunted, and simply followed after him to get a seat in the crowd.
"So, you were saying?" Steve flirted genuinely.
Christie smiled, "Would you like to go for breakfast?"
He smirked, "We'd better make it fast; think I'm matched up today,"
* * * * * * * * * * *
*"So where'd you come from after all this time, Mishima?" Violet demanded coyly of Kazuya.
He grabbed the man's arm, and brought his leg across the man's face, then rounded it back against the other side. Violet went cartwheeling.
"Worry about blocking your ass rather than my past locations and addresses," Kazuya spat haughtily.
Wiping blood from his lip, Violet rose up, and executed a Hitman's combo. Kazuya instantly recognized the move and his eyes widened, "Lee Chaolan you little bastard!"
Lee grinned, and executed a few fast kicks to his brother's face. He kept the kicks going until Kazuya finally jumped up and executed 3 spin kicks to an uppercut. Lee went sailing back, but rolled over, and stood again. Blood now seeped from his eyebrow and his lips. Kazuya narrowed his eyes, and watched his foster brother intensely.
"So much for being a daddy's boy," Kazuya muttered, charging into Lee. Lee fell back, and coughed blood. Kazuya nodded, and the announcer rubbed in his victory.
"Kazuya Mishima wins!"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Jin grunted, and nodded. Now there is a better chance I will face him in the tournament.
"Hey buddy," a rowdy voice snapped. Jin looked to see the woman he had bumped into on his way to the seating area. He sighed.
"What's your deal?" she demanded haughtily.
He removed his hood, and the woman was shocked. Her eyes dictated thus.
"Jin," she spoke softly.
"You would never understand 'my deal'. Never," he snapped angrily. He turned to walk away, but the young woman grabbed his arm, and turned him to face her.
"Never, huh? Your uncle who just got his ass beaten by that Mishima is my guardian! He betrayed me as well! We're in the exact same boat, and I hate the Mishima's just as much as you do!" she growled.
"Why do you think I care? Everyone in the damned tournament has a reason to hate Mishima's. You and I are no exception. *You want pity from me? Look it up in the dictionary!" Jin barked, storming away from her after hooding his face again.
Dionne clenched her fists, and attempted to regulate her breathing as she went towards the exit in the opposite direction.
* * * * * * * * *
Ling sighed and cracked her knuckles. Breaking the barrier of silence, she let out a ferocious war cry and executed a fortune cookie combo on the training dummy. She cartwheeeled around, and punched the dummy behind her back, and lifted her leg to execute a high kick. The wooden head went sailing, and Ling smiled in pride. She wiped her hands, and went to grab a towel. Soon, the head fell and knocked the teen unconcious. A mysterious figure dressed in black nodded, "That was easier than I thought," she muttered, putting the sedative needle away. She dragged the girl back into the locker rooms, and left her equipment sitting on the training bench.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Grinning cynically, Heihachi watched the ESPN cameras switch over to the mall setting. The announcer walked in the center, and the crowd began to go wild. He put a hand up for silence.
"Ladies, and gentlemen! The next and final fight of the day is sure to have blood boiling: Steve Fox vs. Nina Williams!"
Roaring and screaming, the crowd was sure to put pressure on even the calmest fighter. Soon, Nina walked through the crowd, and headed to the ring. Steve soon followed, and jabbed a bit at the air.
"Come on, baby. Show me whatcha got," Nina hissed, taunting the young man. Steve's eyes went wide for he recognized the voice. She grinned smugly at him, and winked.
"FIGHT!"
Steve launched a steady jab at the woman. She fell back, but shook her head. She took him by the arm, and flipped him. He winced in pain, and jumped back up, ignoring his lower back. She smirked, and gave him a jab before sending him flying with a powerful blast of energy. He went sailing back, and he coughed. He stood, but she was already charging into him. He hurriedly rolled over, and slowly pulled himself up. She shook her head.
"Let it go, Fox,"
He shook his head, and launched a strong punch to her midsection. She flew back, and fell straight onto her back. Steve ran over and charged, sending her back further. She coughed, and didn't get up.
"Steve Fox wins!"
He smiled a bit, and the crowd went wild.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Evening…
Christie pulled out a sleek brown dress. It was spaghetti strapped and ended at her knees. She wore simple high-heeled sandals, and her hair was down and flowing past her shoulders. I wonder what Steve will think? She caught herself thinking. Immediately, Christie smiled. She had to admit, she was starting to like the British heartbreaker. She headed to her friend's room, and knocked. Opening the door soon after the knock, Dionne greeted her friend. Christie gasped.
"Girl, you look gorgeous!"
Dionne blushed, but it was true. She sported an off the shoulder, black suede dress. It was v-neck, and had style-shredded fabric hanging as sleeves, and at the bottom of the dress, which cut at her midthigh. She sported matching leather knee-high boots, and a simply onyx pendant with silver hoops.
"Whom are you trying to impress?" she joked.
"Look who's talking," Dionne retorted, motioning her head at Christie. She smirked, and they headed to the party.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The ballroom was immaculate, and the interior was gorgeous. Crystal gleamed from every corner of the room. The floors were made of solid glass, and diamond accented the chandeliers. Mellow music serenaded the crowd, livening them all up and boosting their spirits. Gorgeous in tuxedos, the men socialized in small groups with either women, or colleagues.
Jin, sporting an Armani tux, glanced around the room, uncertain whether to walk in or not.
"What's wrong, Kazama?" came a haughty voice, "Scared of the old man?"
Turning and immediately regretting it, Jin rolled his eyes, "Go away, Korean,"
Hwoarang smirked, "Let it go, Jin. You've gotta move on. Kick their asses, and take back what's yours,"
Jin looked surprised at the Korean calling him by first name, "If I wanted your advice, Hwoarang, I would have asked for it," he snapped.
Hwoarang shrugged, and headed inside. Jin sighed, knowing he was right. He was about to open the door to walk in when the two Latina's sauntered past him. One smiled at him, and the other stopped in front of him.
"Di, let's go," the first one called.
She shook her head, and motioned her head, indicating to go in. The girl shrugged, and went inside. Jin faced the one that stood in front of him.
"You again," he spoke, a tinge of amusement in his voice.
She looked down, fiddling with her hands and words, "I'm sorry about earlier,"
He nodded, "Fine," turning his gaze toward the inside.
She looked up at him, "Jin,"
He faced her now, his eyes narrowed, and his features darkened.
She offered her hand, "We're on the same side here,"
He looked at her hand, and finally grasped it firmly.
She smiled at him, and his lips quirked. The door opened, and an older, taller man walked out, and noticed the teens. He grinned, and they separated.
"Don't let me bother you, I'm just coming out for a smoke," he teased them, walking near a bunch of trees.
Dionne looked down, "Why don't we go inside?"
Jin swallowed, and opened the door for her. She smiled.
* * * * * * * * * *
Christie was worrying about her friend. Was she nuts going up to Kazama like that? In her thoughts, she bumped into a few people. She accidentally hit one person, and almost stumbled. He caught her from the back, and smiled.
"Why Chris are you falling for me?" Steve joked, his eyes dancing with humor.
Christie turned crimson, and stood, remaining silent. He chuckled, "A dance?"
She simply offered her hand, and he took it, leading her to the dance floor.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Lee sighed, walking around. He swished his drink in the glass, and the cut at his abdomen smarted. He winced a bit, and bumped into a young couple. Jin glared at his uncle, and the young lady clenched her jaw.
*"I never thought I'd see you two together," Lee spoke calmly, "Come to think of it, I never thought I'd see you talking to anyone," he added, looking at Jin.
"Funny how things change," Jin hissed, stepping in front of Dionne to move in his uncle's face.
"It's my fight. You're just a pawn," Dionne spoke softly. Jin stepped back, and she stepped forward to Lee, "What do you have to say for yourself?" she snapped, "Care to explain how you left me alone to fend for myself?"
Lee's eyes flashed with sadness, but momentarily it was gone, "No," he spoke simply.
Her eyes widened with anger and pain, "You asshole…" she hissed, going to slap him.
Jin took her arms, "He's not worth it," he assured her, "It's not worth being disqualified,"
Lee smirked, "Or is it, darling?" moving his hand across her cheek. She snapped at him, and he chuckled, walking away.
"Heartless bastard," she spoke, looking down. Jin swallowed, finally letting her go. To his surprise, she flung herself into his arms. He stood there, not knowing what to do. He looked down at her, and she held him close. He looked up again, and looked into the eyes of his father. He seemed cold, undaunted, and cynical. Jin could never figure out what his mother saw in the man. Kazuya turned away, and Jin narrowed his eyes. He blinked, and focused back on Dionne again. She slowly let him go, and wiped her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she spoke softly, "I'm sorry,"
The seriousness of his countenance never subsided, even as he wiped the tears from her cheeks and eyes, "It'll all be over soon," he promised.
She sniffled, and to his surprise, she kissed his cheek softly, "Thank you,"
Surprise was dictated in his eyes as she walked away. His cheek was warm, and he closed his eyes, thinking of his mother. Her kisses soothed his soul, and her voice calmed his every problem. He opened his eyes, and was alone in the crowd again. He sighed, and headed in the direction he last saw his father.
* * * * * * * * * * *