Curse of the Jin
Disclaimer: I own none of these characters. All characters that come from Fatal Fury, etc. come from SNK.
Author's Note: Important. This fanfiction assumes that Real Bout Fatal Fury (and all events associated, including stuff that happened in RBFFS and RBFFS to an extent) happened in 1996. Also, the events of King of Fighters 2000 has happened.
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Chapter 2: Hope, Suspicion, and the Supernatural
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"Osu!" Jin Chonshu said, psyching up after his bout with one of the other trainees. It sure felt good to win- though it was a little unfair, seeing as he had so much more fighting experience than anyone else here- much more- though they didn't really know that. Chonshu knew that the other trainees had some hint that he was special… But they didn't know exactly what. Most of them decided that the speed of his attacks (for the Jins were very rapid fighters) were just some inherited natural talent.
Kim did know the source of his power, however. Chonshu wasn't surprised that he didn't look all that impressed. Chonshu laughed. "That was pretty good!"
"Yeah, sure, Mr. Arrogant," The other trainee grunted, as he struggled to get up.
"Hey, hey, I'm not arrogant, I'm just a sarcastic ass," Chonshu said, helping him up.
"Thanks," The trainee said, dusting himself off and going over to another group. At this point, Kim strode over to Chonshu.
"That was good, Jin. You're improving in the manners department," Kim said, his face stern. The Reformer of Evil was remembering the first time Chonshu practiced with his other students. Kim had scolded him for using rather cheap tactics (such as making use of the Jin family's speed). That wasn't the worst part. When Chonshu began to use his teleportation tricks, Kim forced him to scrub floors for a week- twenty-four hours, seven days a week, that is. Chonshu learned his lesson.
"Thanks, chief." Chonshu said, scratching the back of his head and holding a hand out to shake Kim's.
"That's Master Kim to you, Chonshu. Have more respect for your elders!" Kim said, taking Chonshu's hand and shaking it firmly. Maybe a little too firmly for Chonshu's comfort. Kim suddenly placed both of his hands on Chonshu's shoulders. "Chonshu, I have a proposition for you."
"What's that, Master Kim?" Chonshu said, looking a little surprised.
"… I wasn't sure if I should do it before. Chonshu, even though I placed you in your age group, I think you're ready for some of the higher tourneys that we're participating in abroad," Kim said. Chonshu couldn't believe his ears- was Kim Kaphwan, the rigid "temperamental fighter of justice" (as Chonshu had described Kim in his last letter to Chonrei) going to let him leave the school, and go out and actually represent Korean Tae Kwon Do?
"Master Kim, if you're saying what I think you're saying, I am prepared for anything. BELIEVE ME. I am ready." Chonshu said, nodding enthusiastically.
"Are you sure?" Kim said, scrutinizing Chonshu. "You've got the physique of a thirteen-year-old, and you've been here only four years. It's 2000, and there are many powerful fighters in the tournaments I have in mind for you."
"No sweat," Chonshu said, raising a fist. "I can handle it."
"… I also must inform you that you are not allowed to use any of the Jin family's techniques. None at all."
"Oh, come on! Everyone's got their own little tricks-" Chonshu retorted, or at least tried to, before Kim silenced him with a look.
"None. AT. ALL. I mean it, Chonshu. If you're going to represent Tae Kwon Do, you're going to have to hold back on those powers. They aren't completely based on the training and honing of skills, and you know that."
Chonshu sighed. He did know that… The blood of the Jins… Though most of it's power was locked away when Chonrei tore up the scrolls, Chonshu still had a cerain level of access to it. He also knew that his blood contained a… demonic essence. Chonshu always wondered why Kim had taken him in, knowing this. He decided at some point that it was the ultimate project for the Reformer of Evil. Still…
"Chonshu?" Chonshu snapped out of his thoughts when Kim spoke.
"Oh… Absolutely, Master Kim." Chonshu replied, knowing that trying to convince Kim otherwise was futile. He'd finally get to go somewhere else, anyway! He didn't want to miss this chance.
"Chonshu, the tournament will be against other Tae Kwon Do contestants, and was normally intended for people three ages over you. I'm sure you'll do fine... It'll be held in the United States, at the place where they're constructing Second Southtown."
"Second Southtown? What do you mean by- Oh…" Chonshu remembered the previous events of this year. Master Kim and other participants in the King of Fighters 2000 had seen first-hand the destruction of Southtown as the Zero Cannon fired upon it. Scores of lives were lost, and the town was almost completely obliterated… Chonshu remembered seeing it from a distance.
He thought of all the lives lost.
He also remembered Delta Park.
"Don't sweat it, Master Kim. I'll do my best to prepare for it. When does it take place?"
"You've got three months to train before we depart for Second Southtown. I'm glad you accepted, Chonshu."
"Jin Chonshu isn't a craven, no sir. I'm glad you gave me the opportunity, Master Kim."
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Chonshu was back on his bunk, and busily writing
Dear Chonrei,
Good news!
Master Kim is finally letting me participate in a tournament, and I'm finally going to get out of Korea! This is wonderful!-
Chonshu looked over at the plane that he and Chonrei had started on three years ago. It had been so long, since then. The reason they were taking long was because both of the brothers had been mailing the model back and forth, and they were spending a long time altering the design and talking about what kind of paint job they would use on it. Chonshu continued to scribble quickly
We've got three months to train, wish me luck! Oh, and I'm sending you the last part. We have to attach the last wing (I did the other one, and a really good job you could say), and then we're finished. Three long years, and we're finished.
Hope to tell you about my crushing victory (or defeat),
- Chonshu
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It was one week before the tournament in Second Southtown (still not anywhere near finished construction) was going to start. Kim and Chonshu were packing, hoping to arrive and scout out the other contestants. Chonshu found out that Kim was very competitive… He wasn't being a lunatic about it, but he was always looking at reports of recent Tae Kwon Do masters (and the students they were sending at this tournament), going "hmm" and "hrmm".
Chonshu was also anxious…
The longest time that Chonrei had ever spent replying was two months, and it was almost three months.
Perhaps Chonshu was just being overly worrisome.
Yeah… Chonrei's probably just really busy.
Chonshu received a letter that morning. He brought it to his bunk. His roommate was sleeping in the upper bunk, so he could read what was inside it privately
Youngest of the Jin brothers, this is Tung Fu Rue.-
Chonshu suddenly felt extremely worried… It was Chonrei's master, Tung Fu Rue! He of all people, sending the letter… Something must've happened to Chonrei! He continued on, his eyes pasted nervously to the letter
You must head to Hong Kong. Immediately. Take a ship, I will meet you at the docks.
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Although Chonshu had trouble convnincing Kim to let him leave for Hong Kong, when Chonshu told him that his brother needed him and could have been in dire condition (even though Chonshu didn't actually know this), Kim assented.
"Nisan…" Chonshu murmured, sitting in the small room of the rickety ship he was using. It was nothing like most of the grand vessels that Chonshu had used previously… But it was the one that would leave for China the earliest. Chonshu felt that time was of importance, for some reason… Why? Chonshu knew that thinking about this was making him too nervous, and decided not to dwell on this, and looked outside.
Those storms looked rougher than the captain of this ship had claimed. The captain said that he could weather most storms with ease… But this one looked serious. What Chonshu meant by serious, was that a storm like this could probably take down a barge ten times a ship this size.
Chonshu bit his lip. It had only been a day since they left. The weather had changed too dramatically… It was a completely sunny day when they had left Korea. Chonshu had jokingly said that only a divine act of Heaven could possibly change the sky. He was beginning to think that perhaps it had.
Suddenly, Chonshu saw something that couldn't have been possible. The clouds were swirling… This wasn't some wind-based phenomenon, a tornado or a hurricane or some such… They were forming into the shape of a dragon. Chonshu, for some reason, was too transfixed to call for help. The dragon gave off a roar, and was heading rapidly for him. It opened it's mouth, as if ready to consume the entire ship.
Chonshu turned to run out of the room and warn the captain… He was horrified when he found that the door wasn't there. He whirled around… There was no door…
The room seemed to be getting smaller…
In his desperation, Chonshu began slamming on the walls with his fists.
The window was getting larger, the dragon was becoming more clear and visible… It's roars mixed with the clash of the waves and the thunderous lightning…
Chonshu cried out, as the dragon suddenly shot through the window, and engulfed him… He collapsed, and everything went black.
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End of Chapter 2.
Author's Note: Weird chapter, huh?