I don't own Tekken...
Schmalstieg: thanks for your review...I'm trying my best to update as soon as I can and I'm glad you liked the chapter.
Reina-183: I just hope I can build the other characters relationship as good as you say I'm doing with Jin and Ling...:/ it's been hard...but I'll try. ï
Note: after this chapter prepare yourselves for the Iron Fist Tournament! ï
Devotions
FUJI-NION
26th MAY 2010
Ling was expecting Heihachi for about half an hour. She was bored because she hated when people were late. She had never been late in her life, so she was always expecting the others to be punctual. Jin was punctual; they met everyday at half past nine in the morning so why couldn't her Headmaster be punctual too?
She was getting hungry, when finally a black Mitsubishi stopped in front of the Hotel.
-Good morning!-she said waving at Heihachi.
-How are you?-asked Heihachi.
-Fine...-she answered looking at Eddie who was getting out of the car.
-This is a friend of mine. His name is Eddie Lima, he is here to watch you in the tournament.
-I hope you'll do ok...miss...-started Eddie.
-Xiaoyu.
-Have you been training lately?-asked Heihachi.
-Yes, of course!
-Dr.B. will arrive later. He had to solve some business first. You can go practice for the rest of the morning...meet us at lunch time in the restaurant, ok?-said Heihachi.
-Sure.
Ling had to take her breakfast alone. She was angry with Heihachi. She never thought that he would send her to practice like that. She had hoped that he would be more kind, after all she was going to represent his School and she was risking her life.
Ling spent all morning trying to find Jin. Heihachi had ordered her to practice so she would like to do it with Jin, but he had vanished without a trace.
In the meanwhile, in the hotel bar, Heihachi was talking with Eddie.
-I think it's time for you to know some of my ideas...-said Heihachi.
-What do you mean?
-You have done a very good job in my company...and as you probably know, half of that company profits are used by me.
-Yes, I know...
-So...I want to show you the use I'm giving to those profits! What I'm trying to say is that I am going to give you the change to join my partnership with Dr. Boskonovitch.
Eddie looked at Heihachi. He could be lying, but he could also be telling the truth, and that would be a perfect opportunity to learn more about his plans and to know who Dr.B. really was.
-And what does that partnership includes?-asked Eddie.
-Total devotion!
-You mean loyalty?
-Yes...if you want to say that word!
-Can you be more specific?
-Sure...Dr.B. and I are science men...we believe in the power of science because science is a human creation!
-So, Dr.B. is a scientist?
-Yes...a very intelligent one! He's studying genetic biology. He learned that some human beings have an extraordinary strength, beyond our imagination!
-Human Beings?
-Yes...and he is now prepared to see if that strength can be passed to a normal person...
-Does that mean that he's working with human experimental subjects?
-Yes, occasionally. He needs to test his theories.
-Isn't that against the law?
-For me nothing is against the law...remember that, Eddie!
-Who are his subjects?
-You will meet them, sooner or later! But don't worry about that...
In that moment Dr.B. arrived and he wasn't too pleased to see Heihachi talking with Eddie.
-Soon we'll have a partnership with three members, doctor!-said Heihachi.
-I need a word in private!-said Dr.B.
-I was just leaving...I'm going to unpack my things...-Eddie left immediately, but he was sure Dr.B. wasn't going to be as easy to fool as Heihachi.
-What did you tell him?
-Not much...-said Heihachi.
-I don't trust him...
-Don't worry. I have two men watching him 24 hours a day...did you bring the serum?
-Yes. You just have to make sure she drinks that!
-She will have lunch with us...
-I had to use Jin's DNA...
-Fine...
-The serum will only make its effects two hours later. I don't know how she will react so you have to be careful, because she can lose control...
-Ok.
-And there's a chance that she may not enter the tournament in case of going into a coma.
-Don't worry about that! In the meanwhile, you have to stay in the lab. Nina will arrive soon and she's beginning to suspect...
-Yes. I heard Anna...she can remember more stuff.
-But you said she would never have her memory back!
-No...I said she would POSSIBLY not have her memory back!
-Great...
-Have you seen Jin around?
-No, not yet. He is probably hiding from me...What about Fury? Is he prepared?
-He's in his room...sleeping...but he's fine.
At lunch, Heihachi was much more caring towards Ling. Eddie was still thinking about what Heihachi had told him. It was when he noticed Ling that he realised he was looking to one of Dr.B's experimental subjects. Everything was making sense.
That was the reason why Heihachi was being so nice to that young girl, and that was why Dr.B. was also there in Fuji-Nion.
-In the second phase will only be sixteen fighters. I want you to be one of them...-said Heihachi to Ling.
-I'll try my best.
-Are you expecting someone?-asked Eddie noticing Heihachi was always watching the restaurant door.
-Yes, I am! Anna and Nina will be here soon.
In that moment Heihachi was called to the reception because he had a phone call.
-I'll be right back...can I bring you a drink on my way back?-asked Heihachi.
-I want an orange juice.-said Ling.
-A whisky, please.-said Eddie.
-Sure.
When Heihachi left, Eddie saw his chance to speak with Ling.
-So, are you alright, Miss Xiaoyu?
-Yes. But you can call me Ling...
-Do you know Heihachi a long time ago?
-No...actually I only met him last year. I'm studying in the Mishima School in Tokyo.
-Have you been here all alone?
-I met a friend...he's very nice...
-Good...have you been to the doctors lately?
-Dr.B. will see me before the tournament.
-That means you're a healthy girl...
-Yeah...I suppose.
Eddie didn't know what more to ask so he looked at Heihachi who had finished his phone call and was pouring something in Ling's juice.
Eddie knew he had to stop Ling from drinking that.
-Anna and Nina aren't here yet. They called to say they're late. We should probably start without them...
Heihachi gave the juice to Ling and a whisky to Eddie, who was still thinking. Then Eddie saw a fat lady passing behind Ling's chair with a small white dog. Eddie stretched his foot and hit the dog, making him bark.
The lady bent down to pick the dog up and accidentally pushed Ling's chair. Ling dropped her glass and there was juice all over the table.
Heihachi was mad. He was completely furious with the fat lady, who had apologised at least five times.
-I'm sorry...-said the lady again.
-That's ok!-said Ling trying to clean her dress.
-That stupid old and fat bit...-yelled Heihachi.-I'm going to sue her!
-It was just a glass of juice...-said Ling.
Eddie was very relieved. He had prevented that Ling drank that juice and whatever it was inside.
One hour later, Ling was in her bedroom wishing Heihachi was still in Tokyo.
FUJI-NION
28th MAY 2010
In the last two days Jin had been watching his grandfather, Ling and Eddie. Ling didn't seem very happy but he couldn't risk being caught, so he had to hide.
Jin had also looked for the tekken forces, but it seemed that the Tournament organisation hadn't allowed armed soldiers in Fuji-Nion.
Jin knew Heihachi was a very persuasive man and actually he didn't know Heihachi had those suites in the Empire Hotel. When he went with Ling to her room, he had seen that the suite where she was hosted it was supposed to be for him. That meant Heihachi wasn't lying when he told Ling that he had thought about sending his grandson to the Iron Fist.
But Jin knew also that is grandfather could be very manipulative. Every year he had sent Jin to one of his many mansions around the country during the holidays. They never went on holidays together, but that gave Jin the opportunity to improve his techniques, including the Kazama Karate Style.
In the meanwhile Heihachi was still very furious about the incident in the restaurant. Dr.B. had told him he didn't have anymore serum.
-It's better this way...-he said finally.
-What do you mean?-asked Dr.B.
-I'm not mad about that stupid woman that ruined our plans anymore! She gave us the chance to watch how young Xiaoyu will manage in the tournament...fighting only with her own power...
-She can die...she's too young.
-She won't die...
-She's not that strong...she's not Jin!
-We'll have to wait and see...
In the meanwhile, Hwoarang and Baek were training. Julia went for a walk; she was a bit tired of listening Hwoarang and Baek always picking on eachother.
-I'm starving!-said Baek after the practice.-Does Julia know how to cook?
-I don't know...
-You don't know!? But...
-We're just friends...how many times will I have to tell you!?
-I've seen how she looks at you...
-Shut up...
-I think I just have to ask her if she knows how to cook!
-Yes I can...-said Julia who had just arrived.-You two weren't arguing were you?
-No!-they both said.
-Good...
In the Empire Hotel Heihachi was making sure that Eddie was going to accept his proposition.
-I won't take "No" for an answer.-said Heihachi.
-I know...I'm quite glad that you trust me this much...
-In that case, come with me.
Eddie was taken to Heihachi's suite. That suite almost seemed like a mansion. Heihachi was a man with expensive tastes. He showed Eddie a secret door behind a beautiful Persian carpet on the wall.
Eddie entered and soon realised they were in a laboratory. Dr.B. was working when they both arrived.
-Welcome to the IQ laboratory!-said Dr.B. not feeling very happy.
-Thanks...
Eddie was shocked with so many modern technologies in such a small place. Then his eyes saw something he wasn't prepared to see. There was someone inside a capsule with water.
-Oh my God! Who is he?-he asked.
-One of the contestants!-explained Heihachi.
-Don't touch anything...-warned Dr.B.
-Is he dead?
-No...he's in a cryogenic sleep...he spent too much time outside this time.-said Heihachi.
-He has to recover his strengths, because sometimes he gets pretty violent.-explained Dr.B. -He'll be alright!
-Bryan and I have a deal...he wanted to be the first to test Dr.B's theories. That would give him a huge power. Things were fine, but it wasn't permanent. Bryan got mad and he vanished for a while. When we found him he wasn't very well...we are taking care of him for now.-said Heihachi.
-He has to win this tournament...-added Dr.B.
-What about the girl? I thought you wanted her to win!
-Ling is different...I'll tell you later.
FUJI-NION
31st MAY 2010
-What are you doing out here?-asked Julia to Hwoarang, who was sitting outside his room.
-Baek is snoring...and I can't sleep!
-Tomorrow will be the big day...
-Yeah...do you think you're ready?
-Are you worried about me?
-No...I mean...it's not that I'm worried...it's just that the Final FX was hard enough...
-I made a promise to my sister! I won't break my word!
-I understand...
-Why don't you tell me about Baek? What's the story? Is he your brother?
-No...he's not my real brother! But we were raised together...until...
-Until what?
-Until I abandoned them...
-You left your family?
-Yes.
-Why?
-I knew I didn't belong there. My adoptive mother was an angel...she was very good to me. She was the only mother I met!
-So what happened?
-She took me when I was just a baby. She had two children already. Baek was eight and Huri was almost two years old. I was the youngest. I always knew I wasn't their real brother...Dad died when I was three. Baek started to work and so did mum. She worked so hard...I was tired to see her suffer. So I left...
-But didn't they love you?
-Yes they did...Baek was my master. He thought me everything I know...but I was different.
-Why?
-Because I'm Korean...
-Baek is Korean too...right?
-He is Korean but no one in the village knew that! His parents died during a riot in Seoul. My adoptive mother took him because she was his parents' best friend. Then she returned to her home land. Everyone thought he was her son...with me it was different. I'm red hair, how could I be her son? And they were always blaming me for everything...
-You left them because the other kids were hard on you?
-Sort of...I left without saying a word. I was fourteen...mother thought I would die...I just wanted them to have a better life. I never meant to hurt them.
-You did it for them...you shouldn't blame yourself...
-You don't understand...they're dead.
-What?
-My mother and Huri. They died...my mother died three months after I left...Baek has no one and it's my fault! He still blames me...
-That's not true...he still has you and if he's here it's because he forgave you...Don't be so hard on yourself!
-It was my fault...I deserve his hate! I want him to hate me...
-That's stupid! You want him to hate you because you want to be punished...
-I let everyone down...I'm an idiot!
-I felt that way too...when Michelle...you know...
-It wasn't your fault!
-I should've been there for her! I miss her...
-I know...
-Michelle and I aren't real sisters either. I only found out a few years ago...my mother found me in the forest when I was a baby.
-But...you real seem like real sisters!!!
-That's because we're both Native Americans...I'm probably from a different tribe. But it doesn't matter; I was always treated like one of them. The idea to come to Japan was mine!
-What are you talking about?
-We wanted to prove our courage...it's kind of a tradition from our mother's tribe.
-What? You still have those traditions? Like circumcisions?
-That's a Jewish tradition...
-Oh...yeah...sure...whatever!
-Michelle and I always liked to keep our traditions alive...I suggested that we could enter the Iron Fist to show our courage and our best techniques...
-So you think it's your fault too?
-Yes...but...
-Michelle wasn't forced to come, right?
-Right!
-It's not your fault then.
-I still miss her a lot...
-I know...
-You brought me back to reality, you know? I'm here because you helped me...I want to say thanks again...
-You welcome.-said Hwoarang starting to blush.
-I'm going to win this tournament! For Michelle!
-You still may have to face me...
-I'm not scared of you!-Julia said holding his hand.
They both stared at the stars and stayed there in silence. In that moment Julia felt no regrets about being in Japan, and Hwoarang was starting to believe that probably Baek was right, Julia was really making him nervous.
A few yards from there, Jin was experiencing a new pain. His chest seemed about to explode and his head was hurting so badly he couldn't even keep his eyes opened.
All he could think of was death and vengeance. He wanted to kill his grandfather; he wanted to make him suffer like he was suffering from that horrible pain. He had been submitted to experiments and since he ran off, he was suffering occasionally with terrible pain all over his body. Everything was worse at night.
Then, when he was on his knees, Jin saw a woman figure coming towards him. It was probably his mother, Jun. She was always taking care of him; she was always by his side. She was his salvation. His memories of her gave him strengths to keep on going, to be a better person and to fight against the evil gene that was inside of him and that Heihachi wanted to have.
But soon Jin saw it wasn't Jun, that woman wasn't his mother, it was Ling and her beautiful and innocent smile. Jin understood what he had to do. Ling was in danger and she needed protection. He was going to be with her during the tournament to make sure Heihachi wouldn't do to her what he had done to him.
He was going to protect Ling until the end because she was important to him; actually she was the most important person to him in that moment.
Then, the pain stopped suddenly.
-You'll be safe Ling...I promise you...-he said before falling asleep.