IN THE CITY OF LIGHT
Lee sped down the strip that led to the city of Goddsand.
"How much farther…sir?" Ifritstar asked.
"Not much and you don't have to call me sir just Lee well do" He said as he continued driving.
"Yes don't call him sir, it'll give him a big head and cloud his senses. Which isn't good when we're on the road" Kazuya mocked.
Lee shook his head at the remark and pressed on. Although he had to moderately slow down a couple of times to make sure that Ken's van, Kuni, Dave and the chopper duo kept up with him they made excellent time to the city. In fact no sooner after a snicker from Crystal was the city visible. And was it ever a site to behold.
EVENT: REGROUP IN GODDSAND
TRACK: WICKED CHILD (Castlevania: Chronicles)
As a pearl gleams in the sunlight, so did this jewel of a city did in all its glory. Even the ocean itself from which this city rested near, was a blaze in shimmering solar beauty. Though it's often said that night is the time when a beautiful city shines, such was not the case with Goddsand. The pristine buildings glowed and were emblazoned with natural light. The Sun clearly would never shine better or brighter in any other place in these tragic lands. Although Heaven itself would triumph in comparison, compared to what these travelers have been through this was nothing short of a blessing.
As the group entered the city, needless to say, all were captivated by its angelic majesty. As they marveled at its magnificence, Kazuya's vehicle had come to a stop. All others behind quickly grounded to a halt, lest they collided in the streets. Saiyan Rage pulled up next to Lee and asked about the sudden stop.
"I must escort your friends to the hospital. Do you see that large building over there?" Kazuya asked while pointing to a rather odd looking structure.
Beautiful as this city was , there was one seemingly large stain. The large tower stood in the center of this gem of a city. While one half was beautifully crafted to match the rest of the city, the other side was quite different. A brooding ebony surface, like some monument to evil, cast a sinister shadow over this otherwise heavenly place. Though the meaning was still unclear to these travelers, save their leader Kazuya and Lee, and as large as this structure was, it hardly diminished the profound splendor this mysterious place had.
"That is the Paraferno. That's where I'm staying. Take your group and wait for me in my room. If anyone asks your with me. If they need proof simply say you're with the one in the room past the passage of Balance"
That said, Lee sped down the highway and made a quick right which no doubt led to the Goddsand Hospital. Saiyan Rage gave a waving motion to follow her. Hers and Vincent Wolf's chopper team raced towards the aforementioned building with Ken's van and occupants and Dave and Jo on Nickel and Kuni-bob, Unknown and Gray Fox leaping across the city followed close behind. Speaking of which Unknown was most likely the one least enjoying this splendor. For since she was a creature of the night such a place would quickly drain her and it would be rather difficult to obtain a victim with so many prying eyes. She would have to eventually devise a means of nourishment before she starved. One could go on forever describing just how awestruck the group, save Unknown, was after passing through this divine city. They finally came to Kazuya's hotel. The structure itself was much larger when viewed close up. Which is to say it was large just by seeing it from far away.
(End Event)
The group dismounted or came out of that which brought them here, whilst those without means of travel other the there own physicality came to a stop outside. After Dave secured Nickel outside, well that is after finally convincing the chauffeur to allow him to stay within the outer vicinity, the group proceeded into the hotel. What greeted them was a site of Heavenly beauty and satanic monstrosity. They walked along the immense carpet in lie on the lobby floor. This flooring served as a metaphoric boundary of blood for this hotel. For you see, the interior matched the buildings exterior. That is to say half of the room, on the right specifically, was decorated in such majesty that would rival any billionaires estate. The furniture and walls were nothing short of spectacular as jewel encrusted seats, golden tables and pristine walls accommodated this marvelous side. Though it was naturally lit, there were still chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Perhaps it was redundant but as far as splendor went it was a nice touch. And on the left…well…it was nothing short of horrifying. Monstrous ebony seats, one's that could compare to the thrones of the overlords of Hell, dared hotel occupants to sit in them. The tables themselves were etched with satanic runes and the ebony walls shone a crimson hue as if the wall itself bled with corruption. Torches lit the demonic gloom, and maybe it was a trick of the light but most who would walk down this path would see grotesque faces peering from the gloom enticing them to cross the threshold.
Most of KMAS tried not to even think about the left and kept their gaze on the right. Others just didn't care as they made there way to the front desk. To see such a large and…unique group enter such a place was nothing short of baffling to the employees there. The lobby itself was quite large. To be honest, this group multiplied by 70 could fit inside one half of this enormous room with more to spare, and that's without exaggeration! They finally arrived at the desk and the clerk, astonished to see this rather large group, questioned Saiyan Rage who was about to request a spare key,
"Pardon me ma'am but are you in charge of this group?" he asked.
"I am" she answered.
"I'm sorry Miss but the Paraferno is no place for loitering and I respectfully request that you please leave immediately" he requested thusly.
"Please allow me to explain. Me and my group are with Kazuya Mishima he told us to wait for him in his chambers"
"Oh, I see…Then if you don't mind me asking what room is he in?"
It was rather an odd question to ask indeed.
"How should we know? We just got here" Ron asked
"Quiet! He's in the room past the passage of Balance"
"Ah forgive me then Madam I had no idea"
"It's alright can we have the spare key to the chambers then?"
"I'm sorry but I already gave the key to another person and I can't allow you to wander the hotel without it. However if you'd like, you may wait in the waiting area on either side until Kazuya returns"
"Very well, come on guys" Saiyan Rage instructed.
"Hmmm…perhaps Master Opal had arrived before us?" Red Tiger suggested
"Well it's not unlikely. That Dragon he rode on was way ahead of us" Vincent Wolf responded
As expected, most found themselves a seat in the right waiting area of the lobby while a few went into the area of gloom. After sitting down a profound silence had followed, broken only by the hotel music playing in the background. The music itself was rather odd, it wasn't a choir of magnificence to match the side of light nor a hellish tone to match the side of darkness. It was a rather gloom yet calming tune that echoed throughout the lobby.
EVENT: A SILENT INTERLUDE
TRACK: END OF THE WORLD (Kingdom Hearts)
There they sat, in a nervous silence. Each one of them wanted to say something, anything to shatter it, but to find such words would be like lifting Mt. Everest. And who could blame them? This group had been through Hell and just barely got out alive had it not been for Kazuya. They were even beguiled and duped into following the doppelganger, whom DevilKaz slew. Speaking of which, he also weighed heavy on these travelers minds. Most had feared what he was to begin with and as they made their escape they saw the vile phantasm that he was take off into the skies in pursuit of the Tekken-Shu.
"What now?"
Was the question that screamed in everyone's mind. What would happen now should that madman be successful. For they had seen the horrors of the super soldiers and the power of the Big Seven. Would they readily jump into another battle with those monsters? It was now a question of will. We're they willing to risk their lives in a vain mission? Especially now since the only weapon capable of destroying the super soldiers was now in Heihachi's hands.
Heihachi…The very cause of the entire dilemma. And now he may just as well have won it all. Unknown sat in the darkened portion of the waiting room, very relieved to get out of the light, and with a very worn look on her face, not because she was hungry but because she was right. With the unintentional aid of DevilKaz a nightmare was about to be unleashed upon the world. She made a quick glance to Gray Fox, who liked the shadows accompanied her. Though masked she could tell his feelings were the same both fear and concern.
Dave sat glum in one of the jewel encrusted thrones on the side of light as he pondered the whereabouts of DevilKaz, Mo and Cid. He secretly cursed himself for not being able to assist. He tried in vain to think of a way to help, but he not where they were and could not abandon his group just like that. Whether or not he would continue was not a question for him, he was bound by loyalty to the group and would not leave. Call it pride or knightly behavior but that was his choice.
Ken and Stu were both anxious to get back out there as well, but at the same time were in a state of fear. They had no idea what would happen now! They knew that Heihachi had something planned, they just didn't know what. But nothing was more fearful then what was to Ken. He thought to himself, what would become of Red Tiger should anything happen. He tried to block out such thoughts as he silently gazed at her. She sat trying to comfort Nimar as he gave a few worried purrs. Nimar's feelings, as previously stated were directly in tune with that of the young dragon tamer that was all the more proof Ken needed to know that she too was worried.
Vicci tried to comfort Ron who was rather nervous about the coming doom as well as the satanic side of the hotel. He was very worried about Cid however who he had always stuck by his side. Kuni and KD-Mitsu really did not know what to make of the situation. Kuni paced across the lobby floor trying to come up with someway to turn the tides of battle. KD sat partly leaning on her staff. Like the others she was just baffled by the state this group had now found themselves in.
Xiao to was rather frightened by the situation. She however kept her cool but was worried of where DevilKaz was. Like a sister concerned for an older brother, she rocked back and forth of her chair. She did not know whether or not he was coming back and she feared that the worst may had happened.
Vincent Wolf sat a little farther away from the group in the shadows. He had his reasons this time. He had mistaken DevilKaz's loyalty and felt that it had cost the group dearly. He didn't know however how much of the burden fell on DevilKaz's shoulders however. He did not let it consume him, for he knew another assault would be imminent and had to be ready.
Grrrpoop stood next to Jo. Though Jo herself was also unnerved by the current predicament she was even more concerned for her friend and KMAS leader. In all the years she had known her she had never seen her in such a state before. Saiyan Rage gazed out the window of the side of gloom silently and expressionless. She just wanted to be alone with her thoughts and therefore took the side less populated. She looked past the illuminated city and out into the distance and waited impatiently for Kazuya to return, as well as DevilKaz. Needless to say she was rather worried what Heihachi could be doing to him. Needless to say the feelings of dread were there as well, what Heihachi could do with the Reaver should DevilKaz fail. And she was right to think that way. She was there when Heihachi revealed his intentions and she knew of the powers that terrible blade had. As much as she tried she couldn't pull her gaze away from the window. The fading hope of DevilKaz returning still lingered in the back of her mind. Sullen as the gloom and silent as the grave she gazed transfixed on the skies looking for some sort of life I them besides the solar splendor. It's hard to say exactly the feelings all the group and though it was probably ten minutes after Kazuya arrived, it felt like an eternity.
(End Event)
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Ifritstar leaped from the car serum in hand, and dashed through the doors of hospital. Crystal soon followed after being instructed by Kazuya on how to get back. Ifritstar was already conversing with an ER ward and trying to give him the serum to take to his brother. However before the ward could throw him out, believing he was a panicked hysteric he saw Crystal.
"Dr. Crystal! Good to see you again!" the ward said
"Crystal tell them please!" Ifritstar pleaded.
"Wait this boy is telling the truth! You must take us and that serum to room 316!" Crystal demanded
"Of course miss!" the ward agreed.
That said they raced to the room indicated and there, in a critical stage lied Ifritstar's brother.
"How long has his condition been critical?" asked Crystal.
"Just slipped into a coma two minutes ago" said a doctor.
"A coma? That means he can't drink it"
"So give him an injection!" Ifritstar yelled!
"No if he's in a critical state we should inject it directly into his blood stream. Is there an IV pack available?" Crystal asked
"I'll go get one Doctor!" the doctor said.
"Wait!" Crystal said while handing him the serum.
"Have it ready immediately!"
"Got it!" He said and left immediately, leaving Crystal and Ifritstar alone with his brother. All that could be heard was the beeping of the heart monitor. Ifritstar would not speak he gazed at his brother and at the monitor seeing every few beeps and readings looked more and more grim.
After a long ten minutes the doctor finally returned with the readied IV.
"Set him up now!"
Within seconds he was hooked up and ready with the serum.
"Beginning transfusion now Dr. Crystal"
That said it provided Ifritstar with hope as his brother had been able to hold out long enough. The IV pouch began to drain as Ifritstar's hope grew. But hope is a fragile thing as the mere sound of a piercing beep shattered that hope. The heart monitor began to flat line. Ifritstar became wracked with grief as he watched the bag continue to pump the serum desperately into his brother. But there was no change in the monitor as the last drop of the serum went into him.
"No…come on…please no!" Ifritstar pleaded.
Crystal began to hang her head trying not to give in to tears but Ifritstar could not hold back. And who could blame him? He had joined mainly for the chance to save his brother, hell he even had the serum in his hands. Time can be a cruel thing indeed. But before dementia could sent in his mind a weak voice called out, accompanied by a slow beeping…
"…Bryan…"
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Kazuya entered the hotel accompanied by his brother Lee. All the present KMAS members shook off their solemn thoughts and rose and followed him. But before he escorted them to his room he turned to the group.
"Can a couple of you stay down here and wait for your friends to arrive. Don't worry I won't begin until all have arrived"
"Well I guess I could wait a little longer" Red Tiger volunteered.
"I'll wait as well" Dave chimed in.
"I'll stay to" Xiao said.
"I'll stay here to…uh…in case something should happen to RT…I mean the rest…" Ken said.
Snickers were heard as the rest of the group followed Kazuya into the elevator located between a pristine and ebony set of elevators. No sooner did they ascend then they ascend did a loud yet calm roar fill the pristine skies. People in the streets looked up in awe struck as a great winged beast descended from the skies. An old man leapt from the creatures back, and respectfully dismissed it.
"Master Opal?"
"Yes child I'm sorry I've arrived late"
"But I thought you were upstairs!"
"No I just arrived!"
"Wait then who's upstairs?" Ken asked
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The group dove out of the room and quickly slammed the door behind, shutting out the dreadful screams.
"I told you it was the passage of balance there was obviously an evil part to go with the good" Kazuya said.
"Why the hell do they do this?" Jo asked.
"It's a little accommodation to test the worthiness of those who want to dwell in the penthouse" Lee replied
"Can we just hurry up?" Saiyan Rage asked
"We're already there" Lee said.
They came to a staircase of Ebony and Ivory substance. They made his way up the stairs and found two large gray doors. Kazuya used his key to unlock the door and began to open it.
"I'm glad to be home. And you will be safe here" No sooner did he open the door a fist met his jaw. The assailant was a young man in a blue and white hoodie.
"YOU" Kazuya said!
EVENT: FAMILY FEUD
TRACK: WHO AM I? (FFVII)
"Yes father me" He said as he lunged forth and grabbed Kazuya by the neck. Lee took him from behind and used the back of his leg to hook Jin by the neck and drag him to the ground. This subdued Jin long enough for some of the KMAS members to hold him down while Kazuya regained his composure.
"Still relying on others to do your dirty work father?" Jin spat.
"Why don't you give it a rest?" Jo said
"I don't think you're in any position for insults Jin" Saiyan Rage said as she outstretched her hands to begin her soul rendering attack.
"NO!" Kazuya shouted.
"What? Why?" Saiyan Rage asked.
"Let him up!" he instructed the subduing members.
Jin shoved them off and stood up abruptly. His father glared at him with deep eyes. It was rather hard to say it, but Jin sensed something different about the man who stood before him. There was something missing. When he had fought him in Hon-Maru, he had felt rather disoriented as if some unknown and blinding rage drove every landed punch and kick. But now…there was nothing not even a glimmer of that rage, and it made Jin very uneasy.
The group and Lee were at a complete standstill to see what would happen next. The silence ironically echoed through out the corridor Hours, weeks, years could have past and one would not have known. The hush stillness was shattered by the words of the leader…
"Not as powerful as the last time you punched me…yet it still had some spark to it"
Jin stood and did not acknowledge the half joke his father made.
"I should have expected this eventuality. I had no idea it would come so soon"
"What do you mean?" Jin finally spoke
"Oh come now Jin. I know of your hatred for me. I knew you'd search the very plains of Hell if you had too!"
"What do you care about me? You never did before"
"Indeed…why should I care that I'm actually talking to my son for the first time? Why should it bother me that my only son has been tormented day and night by demonic whispers in his head? How can the very fact that I'm his only parent left leave such a stain upon my soul? What forces of Heaven could possibly make me see the importance of my son being subjected to the same evils of Heihachi as I was only at a much tender age? Why would I care if he so hated me for it, no matter how ill ingrained it is?
"Your sarcasm is not only unnecessary, but disingenuous as well. I have every reason to despise you. I know what you are and what sort of demon you've become. I will not allow you to live a second longer to carry out your plans".
"So you'd rather help Heihachi, the one who not only literally shot you in the back as well as your head, but chained you up in that God forsaken dojo?"
"Don't change the subject father! I know your intentions for your monstrous army, the super soldiers I believe?"
"Jin…you poor insolent fool! Those are not my plans! Have you any sense at all boy? Those are Heihachi's soldiers in which he wants to use to enslave all these lands. I seek only to destroy these demons!"
"Nonetheless! I still have a score to settle with you and you will pay for your mistakes".
"Are you truly that hard headed? Believe me when I tell you I have already paid dearly for them!"
"I care not if your telling the truth or not, I still will make you pay for what you've done to me and what you put my mother through!"
Kazuya was utterly taken back by this statement. His aggravation began to slowly engrave itself upon his face and Jin knew it.
"You're silent now? I should've known. Your clever arguments can never absolve what you've done"
"Shut up! You mindless child!"
"Is that all the cruel demon can say to defend himself for his actions?"
"Let's drop the moral posturing shall we? We both know there's no altruism in this pursuit! Your selfless indignation led you here! I COUNTED ON IT!" Kazuya yelled!
Jin was silenced at his father's outburst.
"There's no shame in it Jin. Revenge is motivation enough at least it's honest. Believe me I know. Hate me but do it honestly!" Kazuya continued
Jin still did not respond. Finally Kazuya stated.
"It appears I will have to handle this else where! Come with me! The rest of you, follow"
Kazuya walked right past his son and into his chambers. The group followed the Lee and Jin eventually went back into his father's chambers from which he emerged. As the group entered their leader's suite they were struck with both awe and fear. Such a balance of the divinity of Heaven and the infernal terror of Hell would never be achieved in any other land. The accommodations were of a peculiar gray color, a pristine looking gray yet one that could slip easily to gloom. Marble colored were the walls and solid surfaces of this room. Statutes and artworks depicted both angels and demons alike. The Penthouse suit itself was extremely large failing only in comparison to the grand lobby. The sounds of music that echoed through this dwelling were similar to the eerie yet soothing tune that played in the aforementioned area. This room included quite a few dormitories, a dining area, living quarters, kitchen and food storage (Though Kazuya much preferred room service) , library, work area and several other rooms that would shame even a great mansion. It was quite hard to believe that one solitary rooftop (Grand in structure as the hotel was), could accommodate so much. Kazuya walked down the midway of it all and headed towards a room marked by a statue on each side of it. On the right was an angel more glorious then all depicted in the hotel, and on the left was a devil more gruesome and terrifying then any scream which echoed through the dismal gloom. The doors themselves were marked by a unique symbol. It looked from afar like a battle axe of different blade shapes. But upon closer inspection it was actually a half bat winged devil shadow joined with half an angel silhouette.
The rest of you, my home is your home. You may make use of these chambers as much as you like. Just don't mess with anything that looks important or valuable! Lee, stand guard by the door and no matter what happens, no one gets in or out do you understand?"
"Yes sir" Lee acknowledged.
"You" Kazuya instructed Jin. "Come with me"
With that the large chamber doors opened to a large chamber which was undoubtedly Kazuya's place of dwelling. Kazuya allowed Jin to enter first and Jin did but not without scorning Kazuya with distrust before entry. The group did not even have time to catch a glimpse of it for no sooner did Kazuya enter were the doors slammed shut and Lee stood guard to obey Kazuya's request. The rest of the group before exploring the room had a quiet discussion.
"What do you think there doing in there?" Kuni thought.
"Well if they don't kill each other I think Kazuya is gonna actually try and reason with Jin" Gray Fox suggested.
"With all that both have been through do you think that is even a thought?" Vicci said
"Who can be sure of anything at this point…" Unknown said rather weakly, her hunger starting to get the better of her.
"Well thankfully DevilKaz wasn't here to see that" KD-Mitsu said.
"Yes he would've blasted Jin without a thought" Vincent Wolf agreed
"Hmph…yes…" Saiyan Rage said. And soon after she turned and went into one of the many rooms that occupied the suite, the others did the same.
(End Event)