Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Mario or Tekken characters in the
story, though Princess Violet and Brian are of my own imagination.
Author's note: Well, here I am again, this time armed with only a glass of water, my notebook, some post-it notes, and a pen to bring you the second chapter of my tale. Reviews are appreciated.
Chapter 2: Victory and Heartbreak
Brian and I went back into the training hall. By then it was completely filled with students and their trainers. We arrived at the first virtual ring and stood in the waiting line. When the area was finally free I explained how the fight would work.
"First the trainers and students must introduce themselves. Bow and say your name. Then the first round begins. I will be out here coaching you by using a small microphone next to this monitor, and you will have an earpiece so you can receive my messages. The fight will last two to three rounds. If you are champion you will fight each opponent until you lose."
The fighting began with a student of Paul Phoenix's. Brian defeated him with little need of coaching. The next opponents were equally as easy for Brian to conquer.
The official time for dinner had passed by the time Brian faced his last opponent. All of Brian's previous opponents were gathered around the huge central monitor in the middle of the training room. I turned to bow to the trainer and saw it was the man from breakfast.
"Lee Chang," he said and bowed to me.
"Suki Jung."
Brian introduced himself to Lee's student. Round one commenced and Brian won just as easily as he had defeated the others. Round two was different. Lee's student performed a flying kick that knocked Brian to the mat. Brian got up and tried to perform a punch combo, but Lee's student blocked it and again knocked Brian to the floor. Brian lost despite my coaching.
Third round. It started off with Lee's student on top. Then Brian did a backwards kick flip and Lee's man was down. The fight continued until students only had a fraction of their power left.
"OK Brian," I said softly into the mike, "dragon slayer."
Brian quickly did a five-punch combo and Lee's student was knocked out. The crowd cheered.
"Our new champion is Brian McKinley," the voice of the fight announcer said. Today's announcer happened to be Marshall Law. The crowd cheered again. Up until that afternoon Lee's student had been champion.
As Brian was basking in glory, Lee pulled me aside.
"I can see that you are an excellent trainer. Would you mind joining some of the other trainers and I upstairs?"
Lee and I quietly slipped away from the crowd and up the stairs to a private dining room. Heihachi was already seated at the head of the table.
"I heard there was an amazing victory today," Heihachi said to me.
"Yes," I replied, "Brian is an excellent student."
"But it is the teacher that leads the student to victory."
The other trainers slowly came in. When everyone was seated at the table Heihachi introduced them to me.
"To my right is Jessica Lee. She was a student of Marshall Law. Next to her is Yoshi Okama, also Marshall Law's former student. Then there is Ming Chang. He is the older brother of Lee and a former student of mine. And seated next to you is Lee. All were top students from the Tekken facility."
"Hello everyone," I said, "I am Suki Jung. It is an honor to be seated with such great people."
During the meal Heihachi told me a little about each trainer. Jessica was a three-striped black belt in karate. Yoshi was working on his fourth stripe in Tae Kwon Do. Ming was fairly new to the training scene, as he had just come out of instruction six months ago. Lee was an expert in the Mishima style. He had even created some new moves.
Dinner went until about nine o' clock. When the meal was over all trainers left except Heihachi, Lee, and me.
"I have assigned Lee to be your guard tonight," Heihachi said, "I will send him down as soon as you call me from your room."
"Thank you for thinking of my protection, Heihachi," I said. Then I made my way up one more flight of stairs to the door-lined hallway. An unfamiliar smell (at least unfamiliar to the hallway) wafted into my nose. I followed it to Brian's room and knocked on his door." "Cmmph inph" Brian said.
I opened the door and there Brian was, sitting on his bed with a half- empty pizza box next to him.
"Well," I said, greatly amused, "You seem to be celebrating your victory. How did you get a pizza delivery guy in here?"
"Shh...don't tell anyone. I bribed the doorman."
I smiled
"And how exactly did you do that?"
"I offered him a couple slices. Want some?"
I laughed.
"Brian McKinley, you never cease to amaze me. As to your offer,
no thanks. I don't think it would sit well with my crab soup."
"I would have eaten with you, had I known where you were."
"I was invited to a trainer's meeting."
"Oh...well I should probably get some rest. I just want to
say one more thing. I had a great time today."
"You are quite the fighter. It's nice to train someone
who already has an idea of what they're doing.
"Well...goodnight."
"Goodnight Brian."
I went across the hall and into my room, changed into my
sleepwear, called to send for my guard, and went to bed with the
idea that this was going to be the best training session ever.
The following week was pure bliss for me. Brian and I learned
much about each other. Brian had a mom, dad, and younger sister
back in Glasgow. He told me that Glasgow is in Scotland, which
is part of the mysterious "real world." He and his family were
very close. I also learned that he played guitar and sang.
That just made me love him more. Yes, I was in love. Just
seeing him every day made everything all right.
Brian remained champion that entire week, although I usually
went to the trainer's meetings for dinner. I believe it was Lee
Chang who drew me to them. He was so mysterious and I just knew
I had seen him somewhere before. My blissful week ended
abruptly in one night, one that would change me forever.
That night started just like any other. Brian was champion for the day, and I figured I should celebrate with him since I had spent the last few nights eating with the trainers.
Brian practically ran into me on his way out of the ring.
"I..uh...have a surprise for you," Brian said, "but would you mind changing into something a bit more..."
"Formal?" I suggested.
"Yes, precisely. Meet me on the terrace in fifteen minutes."
"Alright," I replied, a little confused.
I went up to my room to change, choosing a knee-length black skirt and a lavender tank to wear. I checked my hair and practically ran out to the terrace. Brian was standing beside a small table with a checkered tablecloth. A candle served as the table's centerpiece. A string quartet played in the background. I noticed Brian was wearing more formal clothes too- black pants and a white shirt. He looked so handsome.
"You told me you play in an orchestra, so I hired this quartet," Brian said as he pulled out a chair for me, "And I hired an Italian chef, just for a little change of pace. Hope you like spaghetti."
"Of course," I said.
Just then the chef came to our table with two steaming plates.
"Here is the finest Italian food anywhere," the chef said, "I also brought some champagne, since the gentleman has told me this is a special occasion."
"Thank you," Brian said to the chef.
After enjoying an exquisite meal, Brian took my hand and led me out to the same cliff we had meditated on.
"This is all so wonderful," I whispered to him.
"I thought you would like it."
At that moment I knew I wanted to stay on that cliff with Brian forever. We both leaned in for a tender kiss. Brian's lips had barely touched mine when he quickly pulled away.
"What's wrong?" I asked, alarmed.
"I..It's not right. Sorry." And he took of running down the path.
Author's note: Well, here I am again, this time armed with only a glass of water, my notebook, some post-it notes, and a pen to bring you the second chapter of my tale. Reviews are appreciated.
Chapter 2: Victory and Heartbreak
Brian and I went back into the training hall. By then it was completely filled with students and their trainers. We arrived at the first virtual ring and stood in the waiting line. When the area was finally free I explained how the fight would work.
"First the trainers and students must introduce themselves. Bow and say your name. Then the first round begins. I will be out here coaching you by using a small microphone next to this monitor, and you will have an earpiece so you can receive my messages. The fight will last two to three rounds. If you are champion you will fight each opponent until you lose."
The fighting began with a student of Paul Phoenix's. Brian defeated him with little need of coaching. The next opponents were equally as easy for Brian to conquer.
The official time for dinner had passed by the time Brian faced his last opponent. All of Brian's previous opponents were gathered around the huge central monitor in the middle of the training room. I turned to bow to the trainer and saw it was the man from breakfast.
"Lee Chang," he said and bowed to me.
"Suki Jung."
Brian introduced himself to Lee's student. Round one commenced and Brian won just as easily as he had defeated the others. Round two was different. Lee's student performed a flying kick that knocked Brian to the mat. Brian got up and tried to perform a punch combo, but Lee's student blocked it and again knocked Brian to the floor. Brian lost despite my coaching.
Third round. It started off with Lee's student on top. Then Brian did a backwards kick flip and Lee's man was down. The fight continued until students only had a fraction of their power left.
"OK Brian," I said softly into the mike, "dragon slayer."
Brian quickly did a five-punch combo and Lee's student was knocked out. The crowd cheered.
"Our new champion is Brian McKinley," the voice of the fight announcer said. Today's announcer happened to be Marshall Law. The crowd cheered again. Up until that afternoon Lee's student had been champion.
As Brian was basking in glory, Lee pulled me aside.
"I can see that you are an excellent trainer. Would you mind joining some of the other trainers and I upstairs?"
Lee and I quietly slipped away from the crowd and up the stairs to a private dining room. Heihachi was already seated at the head of the table.
"I heard there was an amazing victory today," Heihachi said to me.
"Yes," I replied, "Brian is an excellent student."
"But it is the teacher that leads the student to victory."
The other trainers slowly came in. When everyone was seated at the table Heihachi introduced them to me.
"To my right is Jessica Lee. She was a student of Marshall Law. Next to her is Yoshi Okama, also Marshall Law's former student. Then there is Ming Chang. He is the older brother of Lee and a former student of mine. And seated next to you is Lee. All were top students from the Tekken facility."
"Hello everyone," I said, "I am Suki Jung. It is an honor to be seated with such great people."
During the meal Heihachi told me a little about each trainer. Jessica was a three-striped black belt in karate. Yoshi was working on his fourth stripe in Tae Kwon Do. Ming was fairly new to the training scene, as he had just come out of instruction six months ago. Lee was an expert in the Mishima style. He had even created some new moves.
Dinner went until about nine o' clock. When the meal was over all trainers left except Heihachi, Lee, and me.
"I have assigned Lee to be your guard tonight," Heihachi said, "I will send him down as soon as you call me from your room."
"Thank you for thinking of my protection, Heihachi," I said. Then I made my way up one more flight of stairs to the door-lined hallway. An unfamiliar smell (at least unfamiliar to the hallway) wafted into my nose. I followed it to Brian's room and knocked on his door." "Cmmph inph" Brian said.
I opened the door and there Brian was, sitting on his bed with a half- empty pizza box next to him.
"Well," I said, greatly amused, "You seem to be celebrating your victory. How did you get a pizza delivery guy in here?"
"Shh...don't tell anyone. I bribed the doorman."
I smiled
"And how exactly did you do that?"
"I offered him a couple slices. Want some?"
I laughed.
"Brian McKinley, you never cease to amaze me. As to your offer,
no thanks. I don't think it would sit well with my crab soup."
"I would have eaten with you, had I known where you were."
"I was invited to a trainer's meeting."
"Oh...well I should probably get some rest. I just want to
say one more thing. I had a great time today."
"You are quite the fighter. It's nice to train someone
who already has an idea of what they're doing.
"Well...goodnight."
"Goodnight Brian."
I went across the hall and into my room, changed into my
sleepwear, called to send for my guard, and went to bed with the
idea that this was going to be the best training session ever.
The following week was pure bliss for me. Brian and I learned
much about each other. Brian had a mom, dad, and younger sister
back in Glasgow. He told me that Glasgow is in Scotland, which
is part of the mysterious "real world." He and his family were
very close. I also learned that he played guitar and sang.
That just made me love him more. Yes, I was in love. Just
seeing him every day made everything all right.
Brian remained champion that entire week, although I usually
went to the trainer's meetings for dinner. I believe it was Lee
Chang who drew me to them. He was so mysterious and I just knew
I had seen him somewhere before. My blissful week ended
abruptly in one night, one that would change me forever.
That night started just like any other. Brian was champion for the day, and I figured I should celebrate with him since I had spent the last few nights eating with the trainers.
Brian practically ran into me on his way out of the ring.
"I..uh...have a surprise for you," Brian said, "but would you mind changing into something a bit more..."
"Formal?" I suggested.
"Yes, precisely. Meet me on the terrace in fifteen minutes."
"Alright," I replied, a little confused.
I went up to my room to change, choosing a knee-length black skirt and a lavender tank to wear. I checked my hair and practically ran out to the terrace. Brian was standing beside a small table with a checkered tablecloth. A candle served as the table's centerpiece. A string quartet played in the background. I noticed Brian was wearing more formal clothes too- black pants and a white shirt. He looked so handsome.
"You told me you play in an orchestra, so I hired this quartet," Brian said as he pulled out a chair for me, "And I hired an Italian chef, just for a little change of pace. Hope you like spaghetti."
"Of course," I said.
Just then the chef came to our table with two steaming plates.
"Here is the finest Italian food anywhere," the chef said, "I also brought some champagne, since the gentleman has told me this is a special occasion."
"Thank you," Brian said to the chef.
After enjoying an exquisite meal, Brian took my hand and led me out to the same cliff we had meditated on.
"This is all so wonderful," I whispered to him.
"I thought you would like it."
At that moment I knew I wanted to stay on that cliff with Brian forever. We both leaned in for a tender kiss. Brian's lips had barely touched mine when he quickly pulled away.
"What's wrong?" I asked, alarmed.
"I..It's not right. Sorry." And he took of running down the path.