Immortal: haha, I'm very flattered by your opinions. I'm a huge fan of the oldschool SF characters too. That includes the Final Fighter characters. Really reminds me of back in the day. God, I'm old.
Chan: Alright, I'm sorry about reminding you about your boyfriend! Let's hope that doesn't negatively affect your opinion on Kenny.
Vammy: Yeah, I threw Chun Li in there because she's real important about revealing Kenny's role in this story. And I guarantee more story depth because of it! About the fighting styles, it's not something I made up. Haven't you guys noticed it too when playing the SF games?
Jami: You betcha! Definitely more chapters coming up.
Kikoken: I dunno … Akuma may have a chance by implanting the Satsui no Hadou inside Ryu. I mean, this story takes place during the Alpha 2 tournaments and Evil Ryu is still seen after that, right?
She had gotten more than she'd bargained for. That was the first thought that entered Chun Li's head as he stepped gingerly into the arena. She had been sitting in the sidelines just a few moments ago, listening to the roars of fans that sat along the bleachers and balconies, reaching up to at least four stories high; four stories of sick minded street fighter fans that enjoyed seeing people beating the shit out of each other - and she was there to do just that - beat the shit out of the man that killed her father.
But years of strict training in the Interpol institute had etched itself into Chun Li, as she put a stop to her feelings of animosity. As much as she'd love to kill the man that murdered her father with her own bare hands, there was also an entire world that wanted their piece of Bison. She had to follow orders; capture the man, dead or alive, preferably alive.
Chun Li glanced at an immense television screen hanging from the roof of the dome. Her heart leapt into her throat as she realized the T.V. screen was showing her face.
"From Beijing, China," the obnoxious announcer yelled over the squeaky speaker system, "Xiang Chun Li!!" The crowd started up with their rowdy cheers again as colorful balloons zigzagged across the arena, while random bits of colored confetti fell from out of nowhere.
On the surface, Chun Li appeared calm as she walked slowly onto the ring that awaited her just a few meters away. She was like an immaculate image, not even a single shred of confetti seemed to have fallen on her shoulders. Underneath her collected exterior, her heart thumped, pumping adrenaline through the rest of her body. She clenched and unclenched her fists, gritting her teeth tightly at the same time.
It was her first step into the ring. She felt its softer texture underneath her foot, in great contrast to the rock hard cement of the ground. But something didn't seem right. Her instincts were telling her to get out of there. She felt a slight breeze at the back of her neck and ducked instinctively, feeling a great gust of wind come from where her head used to be. She saw the shadow of a thick, muscular leg swing above her. She rolled forward to prevent any further attacks from her assailant.
Chun Li stood up, fists in front of her body, ready to attack. She couldn't believe the cheap tactics her opponent displayed. The match hadn't even started when he'd attacked, hoping to knock her out. To make matters worse, the crowd roared in appreciation! Chun Li didn't want to be associated with these barbaric fans, and kept trying to convince herself that she was only here on a mission. And it was scum like the man that stood before her that was standing in her way.
She sized him up, realizing that he was a freak upon her first impression. He wore a blue samurai mask, going around his whole head, only revealing his mouth. A large crescent moon was attached to the top of the helmet. The man was massive in size, but his bulk was hidden underneath a large orange shirt with a kanji character displayed in white on the front, reading "death". He seemed to be wearing some kind of football pad underneath the shirt on his shoulders, just to make himself look more threatening. He carried two katana blades, one in each hand. Each was raised and pointing directly at Chun Li.
"And from Metro City, America," the obnoxious announcer continued, "here is Sodom!!"
Without wasting any time, Chun Li dashed forward not even a second after the announcer had yelled "Fight!" She grabbed Sodom's wrists and twisted them outward. The man screamed in pain and released his katanas. Chun Li smiled as she heard the metallic clangs as the blades it the mat. Still holding onto Sodom's wrists, she kicked forward, planting her foot deep into his abdomen, hoping to knock the wind out of him. She then brought her supporting foot up and kicked him in the jaw while releasing her grip on his hands simultaneously, performing a back flip in the air and landing on her feet again. Sodom's body reeled back from the powerful kicks Chun Li had inflicted on him, but he'd caught his balance. She was a quick fighter, but not too strong. With his size, he could easily crush her. The hard part was catching her.
Chun Li realized this as she started continuing to attack Sodom. She would jab her foot or fist forward at the man and quickly pull back before he had a chance to retaliate. Whenever he made a dash for her, she would dodge him expertly and perform a hook kick to the back of the head.
Things were going well for the Interpol agent until Sodom lunged at her. Again, she dodged him, but was unaware that he had anticipated her to do that. He turned around to face her, his dark gaze meeting her terrified eyes. He reached out and grabbed her easily as she grunted in surprise. Sodom jumped into the air and effortlessly flipped her upside down, slamming her into the ground as he came down. But upon impact with the mat, he hadn't just released her. He maintained his grip as he simultaneously pushed her body into the ground and ran it along the mat.
Chun Li screamed as the heat from the friction from her body against the mat started to peel away at the layer of dead skin on her back. It seemed like an eternity, but finally, the man had released his grip and jumped away from her to a safer distance. As Chun Li got up, the burning didn't stop. She winced in pain. In that short amount of time, Sodom had hurt her as much as it had taken her all round to hurt him. But she was determined not to be defeated by him. Chun Li had been studying the martial arts since she was a little girl, being trained only by the best. She had to avenge the death of her father, she had to find Bison. And no way in hell was she going to let some freak stop her in the first round of the tournament.
It only took a split second to concentrate her chi. With lightning speed, she shot her leg forward once, twice, three times, traveling forward and connecting each smashing blow with Sodom's jaw, ribs, chest and abdomen. "Senretsu Kyaku!" Chun Li cried while she performed the move. She continued assaulting him with her deadly barrage of kicks and there was nothing Sodom could do but absorb the blows.
His battered body smashed into the mat with a dull, wet thud. That was the last movement his body made, as he lay completely still amidst the wild, cheering crowd. Chun Li stood over Sodom, frowning at what she'd done. She knew she'd used her skills for the wrong purpose. The martial arts were meant for defense, but Chun Li had used it offensively because some opponent was in her way of getting at Bison. That's what her gut instincts told her, and it happened each time she fought in the Street Fighter tournaments.
But she shook her head, always telling herself that it was for the greater good if it led her to Bison. She had been so deep into her thoughts that she'd hardly noticed the grip of the announcer's calloused hands on her forearm, raising it high into the air to declare to victor of the match. She closed her eyes, savoring the victory while saying a short prayer for Sodom's well being. She'd never met the man in her life, but hoped for the best for him nonetheless as a fellow human.
* * *
Guy stood silently in the shadows in the sidelines of the tournament arena with folded arms, staring grimly at the results of the match that had displayed itself before him. An uncomfortable feeling of anger and uselessness welled up inside. He had traveled all the way from Metro City to destroy the remaining members of the Mad Gear gang that participated in the Street Fighter tournaments, only to find that someone else had done his job; a woman! Guy always believed he had no sexist opinions, but the conservative nature of his upbringing made him initially think otherwise.
He'd met the woman before, Chun Li, that is. She had participated in the initial Street Fighter Alpha tournament and was a member of Interpol, an attractive one, no less. Guy knew that her mission was based on revenge, something he'd always looked down upon. But when he analyzed his own reasons, he was somehow able to justify it with the fact that he was doing it to destroy evil for the sake of the world. Yes, it was Chun Li who was vengeful. But she came to Osaka to participate in the tournament as an agent of Interpol, not out of her own free will. That could've only meant trouble. Had it ever occurred to him that perhaps there was a greater threat than Sodom and Rolento of Mad Gear? Especially when one Interpol agent had taken Sodom down so easily?
"GUY!" the announcer declared suddenly, calling the Bushin master up to his registered match. The announcement was so sharp and loud, it had caused him to jump in surprise. His fellow tournament competitors looked at him, some of them trying to suppress their childish giggles with compressed lips.
Guy walked towards the arena after the paramedics had carried Sodom's beaten body from the ring. From the other end, he noticed his opponent approaching. It was a familiar figure with black matted hair, a white karate gi that was torn at the shoulders revealing muscular arms and clenched, solid looking fists wrapped in the protection of armguards. Guy's opponent needed no introduction. The headband told everything.
They met face to face in the ring, each one smiling with recognition of the other fighter's skill. Two masters of their respective martial arts, Guy and Ryu stood facing each other, waiting patiently for the match to begin.
"Did you see her fight just now?" Guy asked under his breath just enough so only Ryu could hear.
He nodded in acknowledgement. "Chun Li is a good fighter."
"Just make sure you can take your eyes off her long enough so that I don't beat you this match," Guy said, smirking like a child.
Ryu gave him a confused look. Whatever the Bushin warrior had been implying, he knew it wasn't good and he was going to pay for it.
* * *
"Oh, I can't believe the nerve of that guy!" Maki said, folding her arms in frustration. She smirked, and let out a loud, unattractive laugh. "Pardon the pun!" But in all truth, she was pissed. After coming from the States, accompanying Guy, she couldn't believe he'd made her sit out for the big fight. Or maybe it was the fact that she was sitting beside a complete dolt who couldn't stop stuffing corn dogs and popcorn down his throat.
"Mmm, you should really try this!" Cody said, tapping Maki's shoulder with one hand. The other was held above his mouth, ready to dump a handful of popcorn into it. Knowing Cody, most if it would join the small remnants of the stuff that decorated his cheeks, white T-shirt, and blue jeans.
"Well maybe I would if you'd save some for me!" she yelled mercilessly into his ear.
Cody winced, rubbing his ear in pain. "Geez, Maki, you don't need to be such a cow about it."
"I'm sorry," she replied regretfully. "It's just that … that Guy over there would let me sit here and watch him fight. Who does he think I am? I am a Bushin warrior too, you know!"
"Ah, you're just mad that we missed the registration date," Cody said, shrugging Maki's anger off as if it happened frequently. "Here, buddy, how about some popcorn?" He reached across the angry girl towards the young boy that sat beside her. "It's really good."
"His name is KENNY!" Maki screeched.
"Mmm, thanks, Uncle Cody," the boy said with a smile spreading on his round face. Cody smiled as he could literally feel his heart melt. This was the first time in his life that anyone had ever referred to him with the title "Uncle".
"You see, girl?" He said, popping another handful of popcorn into his mouth and chewing it loudly. "You gotta sit back and enjoy the show like our buddy Kenny over there." He reached out and scraped the boy's cheek gently with his knuckle.
Kenny couldn't believe his luck. He'd run into Maki and Cody on his way into his seat. Well it was more like they'd run into him. He had been walking around, navigating his way around the Dome's complicating architectural maze of halls when the blonde girl, whom he didn't recognize as Maki, pointed him out. She introduced herself and how they helped Ryu and Ken last night bring Kenny back to the hotel. Forgetting everything that his parents had taught him about talking to strangers, Kenny sensed that the girl and the guy that was with her were good people. They bought him food and drinks and he didn't even have to spend the money Ryu had given him. Well, junk food didn't really compare to that wholesome McDonald's meal he had last night, but it had been awhile since he had to opportunity to indulge in such luxuries anyway.
"Your boyfriend's right," Kenny said to Maki who seemed to respond with wide, shocked eyes. Their crystal blue color made her gaze even more threatening. "Watching this fight is fun, you just gotta be cheering for the right people to win!"
"Aren't you cute …" she said with a slight tone of sarcasm. "He's not my boyfriend."
Cody rubbed his head, giggling nervously. "Heh, I've already got a girlfriend and she's NOTHING like this one over here," he said, jabbing his finger into Maki's shoulder.
She responded with a frown and was about to slap Cody until Kenny yelled out, "Look! Something's happening to Ryu!"
Cody and Maki joined Kenny, staring out at the ring. They could see the Shotokan master on all fours before Guy. Their first impression was that perhaps Guy was beaten him into submission, but the black aura emanating from his body suggested otherwise. Even from such a distance, they could see Ryu grabbing his head, muscles in his body clenched as he struggled to control some unseen force. Guy had even backed up in fear. Upon seeing Guy's reaction, Maki immediately knew what it was. She looked over at Kenny who sat glaring at the ring, eyes wide with fear. His pupils had shrunk as he held tightly onto the bleachers with a force so great, his knuckles had turned a yellowish white.
The Satsui no Hadou was making itself known again. There was no way of telling whether Ryu would be able to control it this time or not. She prayed to whoever was listening that Ryu was a powerful enough warrior to do so, although that concept contradicted everything she'd studied about the dark arts. If Ryu fell victim to the Satsui no Hadou now, Guy would be killed in the ring in front of the millions of fans who had no idea what was going on. There'd be no help for him.
There was nothing she could do. Kenny covered his ears while Maki reached out and screamed in desperation at the top of her lungs, "GUY!!!!"