Chapter 3: Old Wolf, New Tricks / Becoming a Master
4 Weeks Until the King of Fighters Tournament
The bustling streets of South Town were perking up. Vendors were overpricing King of Fighter Memorabilia and security was definitely a lot tighter. More visitors from across the globe were arriving and fans couldn't wait to see their favorites compete. One of those, Terry Bogard, was already walking down that road. People began to point and stare, wondering if he really was the legendary fighter from South Town.
"Excuse me?" A little eight year old girl walked up in front of Terry. "Are you the Wolf Man?"
Terry gave the girl a smile. "Yea. Don't I scare you?"
The little girl giggled. "No. You're my favorite. When I grow up, I want to be just by you!"
Terry couldn't help but smile again. "Sure kid. All you have to do is eat your veggies and you'll grow up big and strong too."
"Jenet! What are you doing?" Asked the girl's mother. She grabbed the girl by the hand and continued walking away scolding her. Terry tipped his hat slightly and continued on his way.
Slipping through the crowd, Terry found himself in the back streets of the city. It wasn't the safest part but at this time of day, there wasn't anything dangerous to someone like Terry.
"Hee – Yah!" Screamed a voice. Terry could feel the attack coming and he easily blocked it and tossed the kick away.
"POWER WAVE!" Terry cried. His ground traveling ki blast crashed against a nearby building causing a rather large dent. His opponent was already airborne completely dodging the attack.
Terry turned to face his adversary. Well I'll be damned.
"Kim Kaphwan."
"Terry. It's good to see you're still as fit as ever."
"I'm glad to see you've improved as well. What are you doing around my neighborhood?"
"As you know King of Fighters is beginning soon and my team and I were getting ready to compete."
"Seems a bit early," Terry pondered. Usually Kim and his crew wouldn't show up until a few days before the tournament in order to get all of the training he can. "There's something else isn't there?"
"I cannot fool you Terry. I'm investigating a slew of beatings. It seems there is a man walking around the streets here recently causing all kinds of trouble."
"Huh?" Terry wondered that himself. He's been searching the streets every night and he didn't hear about anyone causing trouble. Unless of course Kim was coming after him. Uh oh…
"Yes. He's been attacking a number of people from violent drunks to the premiere street fighters."
Crisis averted. Terry had be fighting a few opponents and causing some trouble but none of the people he met he would ever call premiere fighters.
"Any description."
"No. No one he fought has ever got a good look at him. But there have been traces of burn marks all over the victim's bodies."
"Hmm… Fire and ki energy can leave a nasty mark. Anything more specific?"
"Some men who found one of the last victims said he was hit by a purple light."
"Purple?" Terry thought for a moment. Who could have used purple ki energy?
"Also. One of the men who recently got out of the hospital said his assailant was looking for someone."
"Looking for someone…" Who…? KAIN! Terry shouted in his brain. The shear thought of that name brought an angered expression on his face.
"Yes. That's everything that is known for now. I'll find him and bring him to justice."
"No Kim!" Terry pleaded. "Listen, this isn't something you should be concerned with before King of Fighters. Don't worry about him. I'll be looking for him."
"But Terry!"
"Hey, you've got a wife and two great kids. What would happen if daddy wasn't around to teach them Tae Kwon Do?"
Kim sighed. Terry was right. He didn't really have much of a purpose being there anyways. This was Terry's city and if anyone new were to find this guy, it would only be Terry.
"You win Terry. As always."
There was no way Terry could hide his grin.
"But don't get so cocky. I won't be slacking off this year."
"Alright Kim," Terry said while giving him a slap on the hand. "Take it easy buddy."
Kim nodded and left his old friend. He would soon be lost in the crowd of fans and in no time back at home where he would be safe.
Disbelief was the first thing that clouded Terry's mind. Kain was rampaging in South Town right under Terry's nose. The only thing he didn't get was why he was looking for Rock Howard. There's only one way to find that out and Terry will only learn that through confrontation.
Kain… You're not going to get away with this!
The serene waters of the forest river were just what Andy needed. Silence. Pure unadulterated silence. This was the meaning of life to Andy. Complete and utter simplicity blanketed in the womb of silence.
"ANDY!" Joe screamed.
So much for that. "What is it Joe?" Andy calmly replied.
"Oh nothing, I just wanted to make sure you were still alive that's all."
That irritated Andy. He was already having enough problems with Mai and just when he would finally get some time to himself to think and train in peace, here comes the loud mouth kick boxer.
"Joe… Don't you have anything else better to do?"
"What do you mean? I've got nothing but blue skies and a fresh bottle of whiskey in my room. There's nothing I can't do!" Joe happily replied.
"What about training?"
"Oh, I took care of that this morning."
Sigh. "That's not what that empty bottle of scotch was saying."
"Oh come on Andy, give me a break. It's a celebration. We're the returning champs. We don't have to take it that seriously," Joe reassured. "Plus we've got Terry – "
"Terry! We shouldn't be relying on Terry! If we do we'll only grow weaker and how could we ever help him if he's in danger if we're weak?!"
Joe took a step back. Andy was right. After what happened last year, there was no way Joe was going to live with that ordeal and especially now when he's experienced it.
"Sorry Andy…"
Finally some direction. "All right, what are you going to do now?"
"Come on Andy. Let's throw down!" Joe proclaimed while throwing his shirt off. Andy smiled at the sight. A good sparring match is just what he needed to sooth his nerves after all that silent meditating.
"Terry?!" Mary shouted. "Terry where are you?"
It was getting pretty late. She was waiting in front of a Chinese restaurant. Terry had promised to meet her there to have a late supper. She was actually pretty excited about this. So excited in fact that she actually dressed up in casual clothing. They were supposed to meet at 9 o'clock and it was pushing 9:30.
Where are you Terry?
*CRASH*
What was that?! Mary thought. It came from behind the restaurant.
Mary peered around the corner. Something was definitely wrong about this situation. It was pretty dark. The old, half-burnt out light flickered as it flailed in the wind. The closest person to her was some real big guy wearing a black suit. She couldn't make any particulars on the face since she was facing his back but it looked like he was talking to someone. She walked out more to get a better view when she saw the other guy.
TERRY!
She had no idea what was going on but it didn't look good. Now it was becoming clear. This guy's suit had the same look as the one a month ago that Terry plastered through a wall. What did he want now? She stepped in to listen.
"Bogard. I thought you would heed our warnings."
"Sorry pal. I've got my own business to take care of. I'm not going anywhere."
The suited male threw off his jacket. He was extremely well built. He almost didn't look human. The man charged forward throwing his fist with a great desire to smash the uncooperative Bogard into fragments of calcium.
Terry was smarter than that. He cleanly stepped aside and allowed his opponent to fly forward. Terry jumped back and fully extended his leg right into his back. The shock sent the suit taking a couple extra steps back but not much.
Bogard frowned. It didn't even phase him. "You know, you Kritzald flunkies are getting tougher by the tournament. What model are you? Cheap-o-dyne Systems Model 007?"
"Kritzald? Don't make me laugh. Kirtzald was executed for being beaten by a mere mortal like yourself. My mission was sent from a being of higher power."
Kain? No… Kain didn't have any henchmen that Terry knew about. This guy might be from somewhere higher above. No time to think about the hierarchy of leadership, this guy came out swinging.
Terry avoided punch and kick, left and right. This guy was on a mean streak and he wouldn't end until one of them was dead. This wasn't looking good.
The suit went for a front snap kick but Terry easily avoided that weak attack. That's before he realized the intial attack wasn't a front snap kick but a heel drop.
Terry's chest burned with a fiery pain. The man threw two more punches right in his mid section and then sent him flying to the other side of the slum with a devastating haymaker. Terry skidded across the ground and finally stopped after a rolling finish.
TERRY! Mary desperately wanted to shout but is she said anything to alert the man that she was watching, she could make the situation a whole lot worse.
Slowly, Terry was back on his feet. He shook his head a couple of times to make sure nothing was loose up in there and then dusted himself off. He was quite a mess.
"Boy you deluxe models really pack a punch," Terry joked. "I think I just might have to go all out." He stated and before the suit could even react, Terry started his counter attack.
"Power Wave!"
The suit quickly jumped over the ground projectile almost wanting to curse at how weak his opponent thought of him. Down below Terry was singing a different tune.
"Rising Tackle!" Terry shot up into the sky. This simple tactic had won him a lot of battles when he started a fight. It was always good to fool your opponent even in the midst of a heated battle.
Terry could feel his heel being slapped about. Shit! He swore in his mind. Terry pulled off a flip and landed on his feet. Only a few more tricks left up his sleeve.
"Crack Shot!" Terry flew in the air and his heel was about to come crashing down on his opponents skull.
FOOL! The suit said in his mind as he stared down Terry almost telepathically telling him he was doomed.
"Huh?" The suit called out. He missed on purpose. Terry's heel came crashing down alright but not at any flesh. What was he - .
"Power – " Terry started his power dunk but his hand was instantly caught and he was tossed to the other side of the slum. He gracefully landed back on his feet now wondering what it will take to beat this guy.
"It's useless Terry Bogard. I have watched movies of every fight you had been in during King of Fighters and I have read detailed files on your physical abilities. You have no chance in beating me."
"Hmm… Movies and books eh?" Terry tried to quip but he was definitely close to hitting the fan because he was already in some serious shit. "I guess I'll have to teach you that even an old wolf can learn new tricks."
The suit was intrigued. What was he missing? Before his mind could even process possible conclusions, Terry dashed forward.
"IWOKEN!"
The Burn Knuckle?! Is this guy taking me serious? He spat. The suit practiced for hours in the simulator how to catch the Burn Knuckle and all you needed was a strong –.
"AAAAHHHHH!" The suit's heart retched. This was the fastest he'd ever seen anyone ever move. He saw his arms were already too late. He had grabbed a hold of Terry's elbow.
Terry cocked back, it was time to finish this.
"BUSTER WOLF!"
A triangular burst of ki energy shot from the ground below. Much similar to the power wave, the blast didn't seem to travel forward but it was used as a sort of shooting back mechanism. The sight was purely marvelous. Mary's jaw had dropped.
The suit smashed against the wall he'd been trying to throw Terry into. His head began to bleed and his chest was a burning vault of fire. What had I been hit with?
Terry approached the suit. His right arm glowed with a marvelous blue energy and that soon quickly followed to his eyes.
"When they find you… Tell your boss I have a message for him!"
"W – Wh – What?"
"Your carcus!" Terry shouted. He began to slam his fist into the ground.
"POWER GEYSER!"
The pool of ki energy engulfed the fallen suit. He didn't even have the strength to scream.
Terry sighed. The sign of a long hard fought battle. He was feeling good. His opponent was lucky he was in such a good mood that he pulled the strength of his Power Geyser or else he'd be a smudge on the wall. As soon as the dust cleared he confirmed that the suit was still breathing and took off. He already knew he was really late and Mary was going to be pissed.
Mary caught Terry walking into her direction. She panicked. What would he say if he caught her watching him? Would he scold her and tell her to mind her business? No, that's not the Terry she knew. What to do? WHAT TO DO?!
"Hey Mary!"
"AH!" She screamed. Damnit I took too long to figuring out what to do and I ended up doing nothing.
Say something stupid!
"Oh – H – Hey Terry." Great one slick.
"Sorry I'm late. You didn't wait long did you?"
"No, um… I just got here!" Bullshit.
Terry just sat there and gave her a smile. Did he even figure I was watching him? What was going on?
"Come on. Let's eat. I'm STARVED!" He said in a cheery voice. Mary had to smile at that. Even after a rough fight he was still the same Terry Bogard.
Terry slung his arm over her shoulder. Mary was in a slight blush. Terry looked at her and smiled.
"Hungry?"
She nodded. Too embarrassed to give a vocal response. This was the first time he was actually being affectionate. She tucked her arm around his rib cage and gave it a gentle squeeze. This was definitely turning out to be a good night.
That ought to bury the incident Terry thought. He felt bed manipulating Mary like that but it must be done. He really didn't want her involved.
They entered the restaurant and the host greeted them as a couple. Mary calmly tried to correct him but Terry let it pass. This will add some icing to the cake.
"King. Take care of the house for us. We should be back in a week or so," Ryo stated. He was going away with his dad for some kind of Ultra Hardcore Survival Training. He wasn't sure on the name. Whenever his dad talks about training he only listens to the first and last words.
"All right Ryo. Have a good trip. Don't forget to protect yourself at night!" King replied. What am I saying?! I'm sounding like his mother. Or worse off, his spouse.
Thankfully, Ryo just played it cool and before she knew it both Sakazaki men were gone. She really wanted to breathe a sigh of relief but Takuma kindly noted that he was going to bring in one of his advanced students to help her train while she was away. Never a dull moment in the Sakazaki house.
"Hey King!" Shouted a young female from the front door. She turned around and found that the third owner of the Sakazaki name had let herself in.
"Oh, hey Yuri."
"What are you up to?" Yuri calmly asked.
"Nothing really. Not yet anyways," she dreaded. She would still have to continue her training even thought Takuma was long gone.
"Oh I see. Where's my brother? I needed to talk to him about something."
"Oh Ryo? He took off just a couple of minutes ago with Takuma."
"WHAT?!"
"Yea, they're going to the mountains for two weeks. Some kind of survival training."
"Oh shoot! That Ryo! Always unreliable!"
"What do you mean?" King asked. As far as she'd known, Ryo was a really great guy. He always took care of things, helped her during training, and even did things that normal guys wouldn't do. Why was Yuri so pissed?
"Darn. How am I supposed to get my gossip now?!"
WHAT?! What gossip?! King screamed to herself. "Um… What – What are you talking about Yuri?"
"Well, every week or so I'd swing by and talk with Ryo and he'd tell me how things were going."
Oh, seems harmless enough…
"And he'd tell me how things were going with you and if he's done anything about it."
"WHAT?!" She shouted to her short friend. She meant to keep it an internal thought but the shock of it all caused it to move forward.
"Yea. Like he's kind of concerned that you've been avoiding him at nights after the night you flashed him."
"WHAT?! That's completely untrue!" King defended herself. That jerk Ryo, I was just complimenting him in my mind too!
"Yea. He says when you saw him with his shirt of, you got all excited."
"HEY! It was just really cold in there that's all!" Said King in a mad blush.
Yuri laughed. She had her fun long enough. "I'm just kidding King. Ryo never said those things. I was just trying to have some fun with you."
"Why you?! Yuri!"
She couldn't help but laugh again. King was so easy. "I thought you could use a little humor after living here so long. It must be killing you here."
"Well, not really."
"What?!" Yuri shockingly replied.
"Sure the training might be hard but it's kind of fun sometimes. Seeing Ryo and Takuma spar and after Ryo would catch Takuma in a slip up, he'd laugh and say what it must feel like to be an old timer."
Yuri had to laugh at that. Ryo wasn't George Carlin but occasionally he would make someone laugh.
"Then there are the times when Ryo would help me train. I really appreciate him for that because it must be hard for him to get in enough time for his training and then help me out."
"Ryo's never going to master Kyokugen!" Yuri joked. King wondered why Yuri would laugh so hard at that.
"What do you mean?"
"He never gets enough time to train for himself. Every time at the dojo, someone always needs his help and only big brother can take care of it."
Oh my God! I'm standing in his way King flustered.
"But don't get him the wrong way. He enjoys doing it."
"Huh?"
"He really likes helping people that aren't as strong as he is. I remember when we were learning at the same time, he wouldn't advance to learn a new move until we both mastered the previous one."
"Wow…"
"Yea Ryo's a real great guy."
Yea. He's the greatest guy I know King thought with a smile on her face.
"I heard that."
King pulled back with a small blush.
"Don't worry King, my brother will come around. At least you're not hounding him like Mai would."
That made King feel a little better. She was still uncomfortable talking about the subject but now the mood wasn't so serious.
"Hey, how about coming by tomorrow afternoon for lunch?" Yuri asked.
"I don't know. Takuma said I have to be training twice as hard for the time he is gone. Plus he's sending over one of his students to watch over me."
"Psssh… I'll take care of him. When's he coming by?"
*KNOCK*
Speak of the devil. "That must be him now, wait here!" Yuri ordered.
"But Yuri!"
Yuri violently opened the door. Standing in front of her was a behemoth. He was easily 6 and a half feet tall pushing 7. His hairstyle came from the late 70's and he was fully dressed in an ivory Kyokugen gi.
"Khushnood!" Yuri pouted, "Why did dad send you?! You're only a brown belt."
"Master Sakazaki said that my devotion for training would definitely compliment King's necessities."
Yuri gave a cracked 'ugh' expression. If her dad wanted to give King training when he was away, Khushnood was his man. Therein lies the problem.
"Nice to meet you Khushnood – "
"That is sensei Butt to you!" Khushnood replied.
King looked at Yuri and she returned a wicked grin. Seconds later, they were rolling around on the ground in hysteria. Khushnood didn't like the proceeding show.
"GET UP OFF YOUR ASS AND PREPARE YOURSELF!" Khushnood ordered. That was all King needed to here. She immediately stood up in attention mode and awaited further orders. This guy sure sucked the fun out of the mood.
"If you will please excuse us Sensei Sakazaki, I would like to begin King's training."
Sensei Sakazaki. Boy this guy changed moods fast King thought.
Yuri looked back at King and gave her a wink. "All right Khushnood. I'll go but I have a favor to ask."
"Yes Sensei Sakazaki."
"Tomorrow King has some plans with a few of her friends and she won't need you to show up for training."
"But I was told by Master Sakazaki to show up every day from dawn until dusk!"
Yuri grabbed Khushnood's hand in both of hers. She looked up at him with puppy dog eyes as she massaged his rough hands.
"Please Khushnood. It would make me real happy."
Red circles formulated around Khushnood's dark skin. He had always had a small crush on Yuri but buried it during his Kyokugen training. Since she was no longer with Sensei Garcia, this was especially appealing.
"O – Okay Sensei – "
"Just call me Yuri, ok Khushy?"
"Yes – Y – Yuri."
Sucker!
"All right King, I'll see you tomorrow. Good luck."
King was amazed at the sight. She didn't know men could be easily manipulated. Especially someone like Khushnood who looked like he was serious about martial arts training.
Before King could blink again, Yuri was gone. She breathed a sigh of relief telepathically thanking her friend for smoothing over the brown brick wall she was about to confront.
"All right King, let's get started!"
King looked at Khushnood with an unpleasant sigh. He was carrying eighty pound arm weights and Takuma's personal kendo stick. She prayed that today would go smoothly with secretly wondering if Ryo was going to have it this tough today.
The rocky hills of the mountain side were a tough climb. Ryo and Takuma had been climbing for almost two hours and this was just the start. Takuma had explained the real priority of the mountain training would be at the top and Ryo thanked the gods above that they were almost there.
"Just a few more feet Ryo."
"Yes sir!"
Finally. Vindication. They had reached the top. The air was much thinner this high up but the smell of the fresh mountain range brought a good feeling in Ryo's lungs.
"All right Ryo. For the next two weeks you will only practice the Kououken and nothing else."
"Why father?"
"Kyokugen Karate's foundation is the strength in one's attacks. You have already mastered the Kohou, Hien Shippu Kyaku, Zannretsuken, and Mouko Raishin Setsu. You have neglected your studies about the Kououken; the only move that gives Kyokugen strength at great distances."
Ryo nodded.
"Now, show me a standard Kououken!"
Ryo nodded again. He took his Kyokugen stance, trust his fist back and threw it forward.
"Kououken!"
The ki blast only traveled one or two feet forward. Ryo sighed. He'd surely been neglecting this technique.
Takuma nodded. He put his arm across his shoulder and thrusted it forward.
"Kououken."
Takuma's blast traveled a great distance striking an opposing mountain. Ryo knew his father's strength and was still way too fresh to achieve that level.
"The key to throwing a Kououken Ryo is intensity. You must think and feel your body charging in its inner power and then releasing it at a great distance."
"How can I increase my intensity father?"
"Focus your mind on nothing but emotions. Let your mind relax and focus on things that make your body more at ease."
"Like what father?"
"When I charged my Kououken, I think about you, your sister, and all of my students. The intensity of my feelings toward them helps me bring forth the power I need to use my Kououken."
"Yes sir."
"All right Ryo. Show me your Haou Shoukouken!"
Ryo nodded. He would need to change his mind set and body position for this attack.
"The Haou Shoukouken technique is the strongest of Kyokugen Karate."
"HAOU!" Ryo cried out. His hands began glowing with a brilliant blue light as his muscles tightened. They were thrown forward with a violent intensity.
"SHOUKOUKEN!" The massive blue ki blast traveled at marvelous speeds. It was twice as fast as Takuma's standard Kououken but dwarfed in comparison. Ryo's blast was almost as tall as he was and gave a small smirk as it crashed into the side of a mountain.
Takuma nodded. "Your form is excellent Ryo. Completely flawless. But your blast is not intense enough."
Ryo nodded.
"The color is still that of a standard Kououken. You need to keep charging it until it reaches the color of your gi."
"But father. There is no way an opponent would let me stand there that long!"
"Correct. That is why you must focus your mind and body on intensity. This is only the first day Ryo. We have a much longer road ahead of us."
Ryo nodded again.
"You must learn to master the Kououken Ryo. It is important for you and the survival of Kyokugen Karate. This will train you and make you the man you will become for the rest of your life."
Ryo agreed. He was going to train long and hard before he would be at Takuma's level. If only he cared for something or someone as much as he did.
(Author Note: Ok we've got the ball rolling. Look's like the story is unfolding pretty good in my opinion. Thanks for the reviews guys, keep them coming. The more reviews I get in the more I get motivated to write. I'll see if I can get Chapter 4 up by Thursday.
Story Note:
- Terry Bogard's Buster Wolf: Ok, I read at a lot of places and a lot of FAQs that before Terry starts his Buster Wolf he says "Are you Ok?" I don't buy that one minute. I don't think anyone would ask if someone was ok before you busted their as in the face. I used my best judgment and said "IWOKEN". If you think about it, maybe Terry is saying "Burn Knuckle" in Japanese instead of English because it would sound funny if he said "Burn Knuckle" and then "Buster Wolf." "IWOKEN" could possible mean "Burn Knuckle" in Japanese because "Ken" means "Fist" and maybe "IWO" means "Burn" or something similar.
- Khushnood Butt name: As far as the Japanese game goes, his real name is Marco Rodriguez. I used Khushnood because that's what he is called in the English version and that is the one I play.
Alright. That concludes Chapter 3. Hopefully I'll see you all for Chapter 4.
P.S.: I plan on carrying this fic right through the KOF '00 tournament so those who think the fic will end early and really want a sequel, you'll get that and possibly more. We could easily see 10 – 12 chapters. Take it easy guys.)
