AN: First and foremost, sorry for the delay in putting out the next chapter. I recently had a business trip to Los Angeles and devastating defeat at the hands of writer's block to which I am still recovering. Anyway, thank you, oh loyal fans for reviewing our fics (well, his mostly…damn), we do appreciate it. But enough b.s., on with the chapter. BTW this chapter coincides with Unsung Hero - Chapter 8.5 to 9. Figure that one out…
The odd thing about getting knocked unconscious is that no matter how long you're down for, you never get up feeling rested. Most people would rather drink $150 in cheap liquor and wake up to that rather than a concussion. Also, ki sometimes has a nasty habit of incinerating things. These are all things that Bryan slowly came to realize as he made his return.
"Uuuhhh…" Bryan moved slightly. Hisarms and legs felt shaky, but strength was slowly returning to them. He managed to place his palm on his head. Standing wasn't an option yet.
Son of a bitch. Ok, mental note…leave getting ass kicked off schedule from now on. He tried getting to his feet…unfortunately the light pole apparently had more coordination then he did. Bryan pondered an odor hanging in the air while he used the pole to right himself. A large dent made the perfect leaning spot.
What is that smell? Smells like …burnt … fabric … dammit …
Looking down revealed that he was wearing the singed remains of a white gi. This was the only decent looking gi I have left. Now I have to wear the soda stained one … stupid Sakura…
Bryan looked around to make sure the coast was clear then began to change his clothes. He was just pulling up his 'pants' when he felt an odd prickling on the back of his neck. Bryan spun around and tied his pants in one fluid motion to face a thin looking Indian man, barely wearing anything. Oh great…a pervert. I swear if he says anything, I'm gonna kick his ass. I am not in the mood right now and I don't need some sick fuck staring at me with thoughts of lust going through his head. Just play it cool, Bryan.
"You know thinking something wrong is just as bad as saying it. Those actions are prohibited in my teachings anyway. You have nothing to fear, child."
Bryan's eyes shot wide open and his jaw dropped.
"You…you can read minds? What the…" fuck?
"BOY! What did I just say?! I can see why you have been chosen. Your mind is weak and full of filth. Which path did you choose?" the man snapped; his eyes focused on Bryan's.
It was at this point that Bryan noticed that the man wasn't touching the ground nor was he jumping. It was more like an agreement between the two. Bryan stood there even more dumbfounded than before.
The man stepped to the ground as if getting off a chair. His legs seemed to go to the ground by his choice alone, not gravity's. The skull necklace he wore clattered as he walked closer to Bryan. "I must know, which path did you choose? Did you follow the apparition in your dream?! Tell me!"
Bryan squinted his eyes. "I don't remember. My heads still a little screwy from the last hit that 'Terry' guy gave me…jerk…I can't wait 'till I meet him again." Bryan brought his fist up and clenched it, "I'm gonna drill his face good!" The angst in his voice brought a change in his aura that not only the Indian man felt, but Bryan as well.
I've never felt my own power before. Is this…what I've had all along? It feels so…immense! Bryan spread his fingers in front of his face and just stared. He noticed a faint red whisp of ki.
"NO! Do not continue to search for that power! The path you are choosing is not of pure heart. You know not of what you seek. If you do not desist now, I will be forced to make that choice for you!" The man brought himself into a stance unfamiliar to Bryan.
Bryan was mesmerized by the new energy. "You … would stop me from becoming strong? All I've ever wanted was to be strong like Ryu, and now I know how." He clenched his teeth and a wild look overcame his eyes. "Do you think I would stop after everything I've done to get to this point? You're wrong. This IS the right choice. This is the power I need to prove myself." What's going on? That didn't sound like me. I feel funny…
The man sighed. "I apologize for this but I cannot allow another into this world. I will have to take action on your own behalf. I will cleanse you of your evil."
Bryan took his stance and readied for the first attack. It didn't come. The man just stood there, taking a deep breath. His lungs looked like balloons as they inflated way more than humanly possible. He could hear whispering in his head and the man's ki began to expand.
"FLAME!"
Bryan was startled by the wall of flame now approaching him. No! Not again…this is the last shred of clothing I have left! He brought his arms up over his face assuming that skin is as good at blocking fire as it is … other things.
"ohcrapohcrapohcrapohcrapohcrapoh…"
The burning and pain never came, leaving the screaming like a little girl completely unnecessary. Bryan opened his eyes from behind his arms and stared at the swirling flames licking up his body. It is just like the man said. Just become stronger.
Bryan pointed through the flames at the man. "HA! Your fire sucks. How can a weakling like you expect to defeat a warrior like muuuuuh…!" A fist clipped off the end of Bryan's rant. His head reeled, not fully recovered from his last encounter. Bryan stood puzzled at how he was struck from that distance. He then felt another spike of ki.
What the…why am I feeling energy behind me when he's in front of me. Wait a sec…where did his signature go! Hmmm…I have an idea…
Bryan gave in to instinct and flung himself backwards. He spun counter-clockwise once and gave a kick using the momentum from his body wholly directed at the location of the ki. Suddenly the man appeared 8 inches from the attack.
"!!!"
Bryan's foot connected 100 with the man's head and sent him flying sideways. Why did his skull feel like rubber? Is this part of his technique?
"Well played child. I did not expect you to be so advanced in ki detection. You are an interesting find. Unfortunately you will not reach your full potential. I will not make the same mistake twice."
Bryan laughed on the inside. Idiot, doesn't he know that history repeats itself? Suddenly another fist caught Bryan in his face followed by a kick that definitely did not feel like rubber…more like a telephone pole.
"You are very wise. History DOES repeat itself…unless you remember what you did wrong. I will lend you some advice. I am a master of limb manipulation and body contortion."
HA! I knew that last move seemed familiar. I used to know someone else who could do that…
FLASHBACK TIME!!!
"Hey Bryan! Look look look…I'm Piccolo! Watch…" Klyde threw his arm out and it stretched a good foot longer than it should have but it was still successful in grabbing the cheeseburger off of Bryan's plate.
"Klyde…you're such a shmuck. Piccolo is a Namekian…IN A CARTOON!!! He can do that because he has special powers. Now don't you feel stupid for dislocating your entire arm?"
"Nope" Klyde replied with a sly grin.
"What about the pain? It must really hurt." Bryan's sentence fell on a blank stare and the same stupid smile. "How can that be possible?"
"Easy!" Klyde flashed a toothy grin and a thumbs up with his non-dislocated arm. "I just scored a free burger! SNARF!!!
…and the burger was gone forever.
Bryan fell to his knees, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
BACK TO REAL TIME!!!
" sniff I paid for that burger too…damn you Piccolo" Bryan snapped out of his little world and faced the man. "Your nifty tricks got you this far but not for any longer…I hope you like getting beat by a teenager!" His body is unprotected when his limbs are extended. I've got him!
Bryan rushed at the Indian, dodging a low double punch and ducking a high kick. This placed him in a favorable position.
"SHORYUKEN!" Bryan launched upwards, sure of his attack. However, all he touched was air. Dammit, he teleported again! I hate being airborne. I'm helpless like before.
The man waited no time to follow-up the attack. He jumped in the air, flipped twice and grabbed Bryan with his legs. He then spun Bryan two more times before using the momentum to form a nice 3 ft wide crater in the brick.
"Ow..." Not again…I'm losing like before. Where is the power he is so afraid of? I want it. I don't want to lose again, ever! I'll do anything to win.
"Oh no…I must stop this now!" The Indian ran towards the teenage warrior, who was slowly rising to his feet.
What's going on? It's like I'm watching a movie through my own eyes. Bryan blocked the man's first kick with one arm. His ki was growing. Visible smoke was faintly pouring from his eyes. Bryan backflipped away and leapt towards the man, planting his feet on his chest and launching himself into the air. His mouth began to form words.
"…metsatsu…kujo…KOUSEN!!!"
These words released a massive beam of ki downward. I can't stop it! The energy completely engulfed the man. I only want to defeat him, not kill him…please stop!!!
…coward…
The energy fazed out and Bryan fell. His hands were still smoking from the attack. The Indian man was unconscious but his body and clothes were unharmed. His ki was weak.
Cool! I didn't think I was capable of this. I wonder why that guy wanted to stop me. He was probably jealous of me and wanted to take me out before I was unstoppable. Too late for him, I wonder what his name is? Oh well, I can't wait to show Klyde my strength. I wish he could sense me like I can sense him. He would definitely be jealous.
AN: Ok so the chapter was supposed to be longer but I couldn't find the right way to lead to the next part. I guess instead of one long chapter I'll have two short ones with the same goal. HA HA!!! I am so smert!
Klyde: Dude, you're wearing your pants under your underwear again.
Tewks: Oh, right…I know, it's a new fashion.
Klyde: Really, where's it from?
Tewks: I saw it in a store…it's in Canada, you probably haven't heard of it…
Klyde: Right…well when you're done being stupid, hurry up with the next chapter, you're falling behind!
Tewks: Yeah yeah whatever… runs off
Klyde: He won't do it. Looks like I have to save this crappy fic all by myself. sigh