Disclaimer: I don't own Tekken. Namco does. Characters not mine. La de
da de da.
"Read 'em and weep, boys! FULL HOUSE!!!"
Xiaoyu flinched as the sailors slammed their cards on the table and muttered amongst themselves. Barely avoiding a muffled exclamation Xiaoyu tried to suppress the urge to kick the top of her crate. After spending twelve hours in a cramped box she was in a foul mood. Xiaoyu listened to the men as they filed noisily out the door. Sighing fiercely Xiaoyu wished she'd chosen another crate. Hers had seemed perfect; it had been the only one secured to the floor. That it had been placed carefully in the center of the room should have been her clue: the men used it as a gambling table.
Suddenly Xiaoyu felt a sharp jerk. Shifting cautiously she wondered if perhaps she had reached her destination. She was still debating whether or not to get out and check when another jolt decided her. Xiaoyu kicked grumpily at the lid. Nothing. She kicked again. When she realized she had made no progress at all she felt a sudden urge to cry. The lid must be bolted shut. Savagely rubbing her nose to stave off the tears Xiaoyu gave a furious kick to the top of the crate and the last twelve hours of pent up frustration burst through the lid like children through a school door after detention.
Xiaoyu was still for a moment, in shock. When her brain had caught up with what her body had done Xiaoyu stood up and surveyed the damage. Splinters littered the floor everywhere. Poker pieces were scattered throughout the room and several cards were still floating gently to the ground. Cocking her head slightly to the right, Xiaoyu was impressed. Wow.
She stepped out of the jagged hole and tip-toed stealthily through the mess she had made. Gee, I'd sure be in it at home.She crept up the stairs and nudged open the trapdoor that led to the deck. The light that filtered through hit her with a blinding ferocity. Blinking rapidly Xiaoyu clapped a hand to her eyes and took a surprised step backwards. Onto nothing. She promptly fell down the stairs and landed with a reverberating thump at the bottom.
Sighing, Xiao muttered, "Figures," as three MFE soldiers threw open the trapdoor and stared astonished at the tiny figure rubbing her backside in the gloom.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" one of them taunted.
Xiaoyu brushed herself off. "I think it's called 'stowaway'," she replied. "May I speak to the captain?"
She now wondered if that had been a very smart idea. The large red faced captain was still panting from his last tirade. Xiaoyu doubted if she had gotten more than three words in during the entire half hour the beefy man had been ranting at her.
Xiaoyu cut in hoping to pacify him. "Yes sir, I know this is not a common passenger boat and no I haven't paid the fee, but I would be happy to pay you twice that amount after I win the Tournament-"
"What did you just say?" his voice boomed softly.
At least he was quiet now. This could be good. "I said I would be happy to-"
"DID YOU JUST CALL MY FIRST CLASS PLEASURE LINER A BOAT???!!! A BOAT?!"
Xiaoyu blinked. "Uhhh."
"OF ALL THE STUPID BULL-"
"Hey!" Xiaoyu yelled, fed up. "Stop talking to me like that!"
The overbearing captain froze, astounded. He started to wheeze, then cough, and soon he had launched into an all out roar that Xiaoyu peevishly realized was laughter. He pounded on his dirty thighs.
".Stop.(*cough*).stop.(*wheeze*)." He gained control of himself.
"You want me to stop talking to you like that? Just who do you think you are, missy?"
Xiaoyu drew herself up proudly and looked down on him. "I am Ling Xiaoyu, daughter of Ling Mu, graduate of the Phoenix Dojo, and proud master of the Hike Ken Arts. Remember that; you'll hear it again when I win the Tekken Tournament. When you see the error of your ways that is the name by which you may beg my pardon."
The captain stared, taken aback by her ability to look down her nose at him while he stood half a foot taller. Put out, he countered with bravado, "How is a little twerp like you supposed to win a tournament?"
She smiled cockily and jerked her head. "I could take any three of you at once!" His eyes narrowed. "Oh, really?"
"Yeah. Really." Xiaoyu crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. She smirked jauntily and tilted her head as if to say "prove me wrong!"
The captain's face wore a comical expression of outrage and amusement. "We'll just see about that."
Xiaoyu was led out of the captain's cabin and onto the main deck. Although she had passed through on her way to the captain she was again struck dumb by the shear beauty and luxury of the place. Pristine picnic tables were scattered all around and there was a very large pool in the middle. The deck was decorated with apparent expertise; the drapes were absolutely lovely! Xiao was impressed with the superior feng shwui displayed. She was just starting to muse absently about color scheme when she bumped into one of the two guards following the captain.
The broad-shouldered man was facing her now. Sneering down at her from his six inch advantage he puffed his chest out and barked, "Still think you could take us?" Xiaoyu tilted her head slightly to the right quizzically. Then she noticed that she was standing in the middle of a large ring of elegantly dressed security guards. They were staring ominously. Sharing the center was the captain and the two hand picked warriors. Of the two one shared the same bulky build as the captain. The other was smaller and, from the way he was standing, quicker.
Xiaoyu executed a couple quick hops and slid into her ready stance. Slowly moving up and down to keep her knees from locking Xiao replied, "Ready when you are," in a focused and determined voice.
The men looked stunned for a minute having expected her to be fazed. They recovered quickly. "Let's see what the mouthy brats got!" the captain growled.
He lunged at her wildly, throwing all of his weight into the tackle. Xiaoyu was ready for him. She stepped smoothly to the side and the captain's momentum carried him right by her. Sniffing in contempt for his lack of finesse (not to mention common sense) Xiaoyu jumped forward and landed a step-kick square on his receding butt. The captain landed unceremoniously in a heap three feet away.
He scrambled to his feet hastily and shook with visible rage. When he could control himself the captain bellowed at the two guards who were doing their best to smother grins, if not outright laughter. "WHAT ARE YOU WORTHLESS IDIOTS WAITING FOR?! GET HER YOU FOOLS!!!"
The two guards composed themselves and dropped their hands from smiling mouths. As they began to circle warily Xiaoyu realized with amusement that they were the soldiers she had overheard from the alley. Biting back laughter of her own Xiao slid back into her ready stance.
The sweaty captain was more cautious now. Instead of rushing her he circled to the left so that Xiao was directly between himself the other two guards. Xiaoyu flashed a momentary grin and cart-wheeled left. She grabbed his meaty leg, swung it up over her head brought it down the other side while simultaneously sweeping the other leg out from under him with her right foot. He landed with a hard crash.
He tried to kick her from the ground but Xiaoyu dove swiftly to the side, spun dizzily back to the left, and rolled with blinding speed to the right again. She popped up right in front of the man and landed a resounding uppercut just under his chin. He crumpled.
Xiaoyu didn't stop. She back-flipped over a table before the bigger guard could reach her. Her spine tingled. Xiaoyu used the table as a spring and flipped over the first guards head. Pivoting on one foot Xiaoyu's Mistrust caught the guard in the back. Xiaoyu let her momentum carry her full circle. She rotated her upper body and smashed her open hand into the guard before gravity had a chance to pull his limp form to the ground.
She froze in her Storming Flower position for a moment then relaxed and looked at the smaller guard. He was standing where she'd been a moment ago.
"What do you think?"
He looked at her soberly. "I think you're way too confident."
Xiaoyu raised an eyebrow. "Why shouldn't I be? I beat them, I can beat you."
He shrugged. "Probably.but can you beat us all?"
Twenty soldiers surrounded her.
~
"Read 'em and weep, boys! FULL HOUSE!!!"
Xiaoyu flinched as the sailors slammed their cards on the table and muttered amongst themselves. Barely avoiding a muffled exclamation Xiaoyu tried to suppress the urge to kick the top of her crate. After spending twelve hours in a cramped box she was in a foul mood. Xiaoyu listened to the men as they filed noisily out the door. Sighing fiercely Xiaoyu wished she'd chosen another crate. Hers had seemed perfect; it had been the only one secured to the floor. That it had been placed carefully in the center of the room should have been her clue: the men used it as a gambling table.
Suddenly Xiaoyu felt a sharp jerk. Shifting cautiously she wondered if perhaps she had reached her destination. She was still debating whether or not to get out and check when another jolt decided her. Xiaoyu kicked grumpily at the lid. Nothing. She kicked again. When she realized she had made no progress at all she felt a sudden urge to cry. The lid must be bolted shut. Savagely rubbing her nose to stave off the tears Xiaoyu gave a furious kick to the top of the crate and the last twelve hours of pent up frustration burst through the lid like children through a school door after detention.
Xiaoyu was still for a moment, in shock. When her brain had caught up with what her body had done Xiaoyu stood up and surveyed the damage. Splinters littered the floor everywhere. Poker pieces were scattered throughout the room and several cards were still floating gently to the ground. Cocking her head slightly to the right, Xiaoyu was impressed. Wow.
She stepped out of the jagged hole and tip-toed stealthily through the mess she had made. Gee, I'd sure be in it at home.She crept up the stairs and nudged open the trapdoor that led to the deck. The light that filtered through hit her with a blinding ferocity. Blinking rapidly Xiaoyu clapped a hand to her eyes and took a surprised step backwards. Onto nothing. She promptly fell down the stairs and landed with a reverberating thump at the bottom.
Sighing, Xiao muttered, "Figures," as three MFE soldiers threw open the trapdoor and stared astonished at the tiny figure rubbing her backside in the gloom.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" one of them taunted.
Xiaoyu brushed herself off. "I think it's called 'stowaway'," she replied. "May I speak to the captain?"
She now wondered if that had been a very smart idea. The large red faced captain was still panting from his last tirade. Xiaoyu doubted if she had gotten more than three words in during the entire half hour the beefy man had been ranting at her.
Xiaoyu cut in hoping to pacify him. "Yes sir, I know this is not a common passenger boat and no I haven't paid the fee, but I would be happy to pay you twice that amount after I win the Tournament-"
"What did you just say?" his voice boomed softly.
At least he was quiet now. This could be good. "I said I would be happy to-"
"DID YOU JUST CALL MY FIRST CLASS PLEASURE LINER A BOAT???!!! A BOAT?!"
Xiaoyu blinked. "Uhhh."
"OF ALL THE STUPID BULL-"
"Hey!" Xiaoyu yelled, fed up. "Stop talking to me like that!"
The overbearing captain froze, astounded. He started to wheeze, then cough, and soon he had launched into an all out roar that Xiaoyu peevishly realized was laughter. He pounded on his dirty thighs.
".Stop.(*cough*).stop.(*wheeze*)." He gained control of himself.
"You want me to stop talking to you like that? Just who do you think you are, missy?"
Xiaoyu drew herself up proudly and looked down on him. "I am Ling Xiaoyu, daughter of Ling Mu, graduate of the Phoenix Dojo, and proud master of the Hike Ken Arts. Remember that; you'll hear it again when I win the Tekken Tournament. When you see the error of your ways that is the name by which you may beg my pardon."
The captain stared, taken aback by her ability to look down her nose at him while he stood half a foot taller. Put out, he countered with bravado, "How is a little twerp like you supposed to win a tournament?"
She smiled cockily and jerked her head. "I could take any three of you at once!" His eyes narrowed. "Oh, really?"
"Yeah. Really." Xiaoyu crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. She smirked jauntily and tilted her head as if to say "prove me wrong!"
The captain's face wore a comical expression of outrage and amusement. "We'll just see about that."
Xiaoyu was led out of the captain's cabin and onto the main deck. Although she had passed through on her way to the captain she was again struck dumb by the shear beauty and luxury of the place. Pristine picnic tables were scattered all around and there was a very large pool in the middle. The deck was decorated with apparent expertise; the drapes were absolutely lovely! Xiao was impressed with the superior feng shwui displayed. She was just starting to muse absently about color scheme when she bumped into one of the two guards following the captain.
The broad-shouldered man was facing her now. Sneering down at her from his six inch advantage he puffed his chest out and barked, "Still think you could take us?" Xiaoyu tilted her head slightly to the right quizzically. Then she noticed that she was standing in the middle of a large ring of elegantly dressed security guards. They were staring ominously. Sharing the center was the captain and the two hand picked warriors. Of the two one shared the same bulky build as the captain. The other was smaller and, from the way he was standing, quicker.
Xiaoyu executed a couple quick hops and slid into her ready stance. Slowly moving up and down to keep her knees from locking Xiao replied, "Ready when you are," in a focused and determined voice.
The men looked stunned for a minute having expected her to be fazed. They recovered quickly. "Let's see what the mouthy brats got!" the captain growled.
He lunged at her wildly, throwing all of his weight into the tackle. Xiaoyu was ready for him. She stepped smoothly to the side and the captain's momentum carried him right by her. Sniffing in contempt for his lack of finesse (not to mention common sense) Xiaoyu jumped forward and landed a step-kick square on his receding butt. The captain landed unceremoniously in a heap three feet away.
He scrambled to his feet hastily and shook with visible rage. When he could control himself the captain bellowed at the two guards who were doing their best to smother grins, if not outright laughter. "WHAT ARE YOU WORTHLESS IDIOTS WAITING FOR?! GET HER YOU FOOLS!!!"
The two guards composed themselves and dropped their hands from smiling mouths. As they began to circle warily Xiaoyu realized with amusement that they were the soldiers she had overheard from the alley. Biting back laughter of her own Xiao slid back into her ready stance.
The sweaty captain was more cautious now. Instead of rushing her he circled to the left so that Xiao was directly between himself the other two guards. Xiaoyu flashed a momentary grin and cart-wheeled left. She grabbed his meaty leg, swung it up over her head brought it down the other side while simultaneously sweeping the other leg out from under him with her right foot. He landed with a hard crash.
He tried to kick her from the ground but Xiaoyu dove swiftly to the side, spun dizzily back to the left, and rolled with blinding speed to the right again. She popped up right in front of the man and landed a resounding uppercut just under his chin. He crumpled.
Xiaoyu didn't stop. She back-flipped over a table before the bigger guard could reach her. Her spine tingled. Xiaoyu used the table as a spring and flipped over the first guards head. Pivoting on one foot Xiaoyu's Mistrust caught the guard in the back. Xiaoyu let her momentum carry her full circle. She rotated her upper body and smashed her open hand into the guard before gravity had a chance to pull his limp form to the ground.
She froze in her Storming Flower position for a moment then relaxed and looked at the smaller guard. He was standing where she'd been a moment ago.
"What do you think?"
He looked at her soberly. "I think you're way too confident."
Xiaoyu raised an eyebrow. "Why shouldn't I be? I beat them, I can beat you."
He shrugged. "Probably.but can you beat us all?"
Twenty soldiers surrounded her.
~
