Author's notes: This story is mostly based on Tekken 4 and the currently (2004) released information on Tekken 5 and its characters. Though some infos were taken from Tekken Official, some situations, events and characters are all fanmade. This is also the sequel to my previous fanfics, Tekken 5: The Kazama-Mishima Connections & The Kazama-Mishima Connections 2. Rated G
Disclaimer: Kazuya Mishima, Jun Kazama, Jin Kazama, Asuka Kazama, Wang Jinrei, Ling Xiaoyu, Hwoarang, Steve Fox and all Tekken characters referred in this fanfic are the property of NAMCO. This is only a fan fiction from the imagination of an obsessed fan. No copyright infringement intended.
Chapter 22: Sayonara
"OKAASAN! IIE! YAMERO KUDASAI!"
"MOM! CHOTTO MATTE KUDASAI! MOM!"
Jin and Asuka continuously screamed out for their mother whilst trying their best to free themselves from their imprisonment. However, Jun stood, unfazed, her eyes taking on a glazed, far-away look. Kazuya seemed to be in complete shock, his lips never opening to speak, his broad shoulders silently slumping in defeat.
"OKAASAN!"
"IIE! IIE! This can't be happening! This just...can't...be..." Asuka slowly slid back down to a squatting position. Her first sobs followed the tears that trickled down her face. "After everything we went through...after all we did just to get you back..."
"Gomen nasai..." Jun bent her head down to avoid the pained expressions on the faces of her family. "This is exactly the reason why I rejected you back in the tournament. I didn't want to see you hurt. I wanted you...all of you...to hate me. That way, I could die knowing that you won't have to mourn for my loss..."
"How could you even think that, Mother?" Jin was having the hardest time at trying to keep a straight face. There were already tears at the corners of his eyes. "We can't hate you. We could never hate you."
"Hai. I know that now," Jun let out a shaky breath and put one hand over her tattoo. "Still, I wish you would...because no amount of shouting, pleading or crying can stop me from what I am about to do."
"Th-there's still time, right?" Asuka let out a nervous laugh. "It's...it's not too late, right Dad? The four of us can still make it out of here alive! We could help Mom seal the door and--"
"I'm the only one who has the power to do that," Jun interjected. "But like I said, it isn't enough. Ogre must be eliminated no matter the cost."
"But why you!" Jin thundered. "Why does it have to be you! Why couldn't it be someone else! Of all people, WHY YOU!"
"I've asked myself that a thousand times," Jun nodded softly. "And I've long since found the answer. It is my destiny: a road paved for me since my birth. I'm the only one who has the power to ensue this task. I was never meant for this earth...but I was meant to save it."
"TO HELL WITH THIS WRETCHED PLANET!" Kazuya roared unexpectedly and pummeled his encasement with such force, a slight crack appeared on the surface which just as quickly, dissipated. "Why should we care for a world that has brought us nothing but sadness and grief!"
"Kazuya..." Jun shook her head in chastisement, "You can denounce your nationality because of your hatred for your father and the trauma you experienced under his tyranny; but that doesn't erase the fact that you were born and raised in this country...in this world. Through your innumerable suffering, we both know that there were good...wonderful times as well, most of which, I was fortunate enough to have shared with you.
"Why smother the positive things in life with the negative? Surely...you yourself must admit that those moments compensate for all the hardships. You gave up so many things just to bring us all together, didn't you? Other than that, I love this world...because you, my family, live in it. It is because of you that I want to save it."
Kazuya grew speechless again. Meanwhile, Jun turned her attention to her children. Her eyes were now sparkling with unshed tears. A dazzling smile rippled along her lips.
"My...look at you, Jin," she let out a half-laugh. "You've grown into such a fine young man. I'm pretty sure you won't have any trouble finding a wife someday. Why, I bet the waiting list is a mile long! Ha...it's funny how fast time flies. One minute, you're a rambunctious toddler, always finding ways to hurt yourself. Now, you're all grown up: strong, brave, determined...just everything I hoped you would be. You make me proud. You've always made me proud."
"Mother...please. Please don't do this..."
"And Asuka..." Jun met her daughter's tear-filled eyes and let out an encouraging smile. "My little cherub. I wish I could've watched you grow into the beautiful young lady you are now. You were a mere few hours old when I last saw and held you. I'm sorry I left you..."
"I...I understand why you did it, Mom..."
"I know you do," Jun's smile tightened. "But that doesn't make me regret it any less. When you become a mother yourself one day, you'll understand the hurt I felt when you were taken away from me. And...uhm...," Jun let out another soft laugh as she recalled a distant memory. "Did you know...that it was your father who named you? Kazuya thought it was rather unfair that Jin was somewhat named after me. So, he named you after himself...but he had a hard time searching for a name he thought would best fit a Mishima daughter. At first, he planned on naming you Kasumi, but it sounded weak to him," Jun's reminiscent laughter rang like bells. "Just like Kazuya to see strength even in a name. After a while, he decided Asuka would be best; a strong enough name that wasn't too feminine..."
Asuka swerved her head towards Kazuya and was met with her father's brief confirmatory gaze. Then, a booming clap jolted through the room, throwing the family out of their moment. They all rested their eyes on the pulsating sphere that enveloped True Ogre. The beast was still trying to break out of its shell but the enduring cracks on the surface of the orb told them that it was close to finishing its task.
"There isn't much time left," Jun held her palms up towards her children, an iridescent blue glow gradually making its way along her body and up to her hands. "This...is my last gift to you. Use it as you deem fit."
The same blue aura also surrounded Jin and Asuka's bodies. They scrutinized the way the markings on their body lightened just a little; but the most noticeable changes was the reflection they saw from the orbs that encased them. The dark shadings just below their eyes disappeared and though the symbols on their foreheads remained, the red jewels at the center turned into the same shade as their mother's: a pleasant light blue.
"W...what's happening? Mother?"
"I...feel...different...lighter. What did you do, Mom?"
"You'll see soon enough, I suppose," Jun answered gently. She put her arms back to her sides and took a few steps backward.
A ray of light suddenly shot down from above and highlighted Jun's slender figure. The instant it did, her scratches and bruises disappeared. Little by little, her black wings morphed into a brilliant shade of white. If it was the mysterious lighting, the tears in their eyes or simply their imagination, Jin and Asuka thought they saw their mother's hair take on some golden highlights.
"It's time..." Jun whispered, the glow around her, brightening with each passing second. "Jin...take good care of your father and your sister. Asuka, you do the same with your brother as well. And Kazuya..."
Kazuya kept his eyes down, an angry pout on his full lips.
"Kazuya...Kazuya please. Look at me..."
Stubborn as ever, Kazuya turned his face away.
"Kazuya...watashi no ai..."
Those words were enough to make Kazuya's head spin back towards Jun. He watched mutely as she blew a soft kiss his way and kept her palm up in a lingering wave. Her overflowing tears sparkled like crystals down her cheeks.
"Aishteru gozaimasu..." Jun whispered, her small voice broken, but sincere. Putting her hand over her heart, she added, "All of us...will never be apart...as long as we keep each other here. S...Sayonara..."
Jun raised a closed fist towards her family and when she opened her hand, a powerful force blew the orbs that held Kazuya, Jin and Asuka out of the entrance and along the lengthy hallway. Only when the spheres reached the platform across the pitfall did it vanish and release the Kazamas and their father to the floor. Standing quickly, they watched in horror as the great door at the distance drew slowly to a close.
A/N: Jin Jun ; Asuka Kazuya ; SQUEAL! yeesh, I'm such a childish fangirl. As far as I know, Asuka is actually a unisex name, in the same way Sam, Alex, Andy and such names can be used for both sexes; not too feminine, just a bit masculine and such. An estimated five more chapters to go! Still a lot, huh? Oh, if you don't recall the pitfall thing, re-read or remember Chapter 15: Devil Within. BANZAI!
Chapter 23