AN: Ok now we're getting back into the swing of things so without further a-do (uh duh), here's the next chappie!.
Four days have gone by since Bryan had left Texas. He had already become a tad claustrophobic from being cooped up in the air force deluxe airliner (complete with iron 'safety' seats!) They had landed for a brief moment in Hawaii for some fuel and supplies but none of the personnel on board, including Bryan, were allowed to leave the aircraft. Bryan spent most of the time listening to Guile's 'war stories' and performing in a few sparring matches with him and the crew. Performing is the only word suitable. One the crew mates had made a comment on how Bryan and Guile sparring looked like some redneck trying to fight off a tornado with a shovel. Twice the aircraft had suffered some damage from the two 'accidentally' using ki. Guile just shrugged and patted the skin of the plane and chuckled.
"Don't worry, she may be old but she's one of the finest ladies in the sky!"
… this was usually while Bryan and the crew were duct taping parts down to keep her skirt from coming off.
Several more hours passed and Guile voice came over the intercom.
"Hey kid! Make sure you have the cargo strapped down tight. Were going to be making our final approach and we're not landing on a ahem official runway, ok?"
Bryan grumbled to himself. For some 'unknown' reason, some of the cargo came loose in the back of the plane. Of course this had nothing to do with the equation: Bryan + flight controls – supervision. He sighed nonetheless and finished strapping down the unmarked boxes in the back. He could feel someone watching him, someone familiar. He looked around for a little and couldn't see anyone in the back with him. He did know that there was one very tall airman that always had an eye on him but he wasn't sure it was him. Bryan could also sense a bit of resentment and anger coming from the guy but he just felt it was just because he was there.
Guile's voice rang over the intercom and Bryan winced. Does that guy always have to have his voice set to max volume or what!
"Ok were going to land now. Everyone buckled up or something. This could be a little rough."
The sharp dip in the aircraft's flight was enough to give Bryan butterflies. The landing was enough to shove his brain through his intestines. The plane came to a complete stop fairly quickly and the back hatch dropped open. Guile was standing on the other side.
"Hey kid, here we are. Welcome to Russia. I hope you find whatever it is you are looking for."
Bryan picked up his duffle bag and walked out the back of the plane.
"I'm looking for my friend, remember?"
Guile smiled. "Yeah me too. Well take care of yourself. I have a feeling we'll run into each other again."
Bryan nodded and started walking towards the city of Moscow. It was getting late and the sun was getting low in the sky. He could feel the temperature lowering with each crunch his feet made in the snow.
Man…this sucks. Why the hell did I come to Moscow! This is so reckless. I'm acting like Klyde. Heh, maybe I should have just flown to Japan instead of hitching a ride. Bryan readjusted his duffel bag and heard the gold coins jingle inside. I sure have the cash for it! Although, paying in gold coins does get a person the wrong kind of attention.
An hour went by and it was now dark out. Snow was lightly falling and Bryan was starting to shiver. Brrrr…I don't think I'll make it to town if the temp keeps dropping like this. I have to make some sort of shelter.
Suddenly the hair on the back of Bryan's neck stood up. He could feel somebody following him. He threw his duffel bag against the tree next to him and whipped around. Approximately 300 hundreds pounds of snow immediately fell from the tree and completely squashed Bryan.
"Mphghmmm! Arggghhhhh……."
Wow, great move. He'll never expect me setting a trap on myself. Stupid…snow…cold…
The cold had gotten to Bryan and he was starting to get numb. He felt pressure on his shoulder and was lifted from the snowpile in one fluid movement. His body was shaking.
"Ничего себе мальчик! Действительно ли Вы являетесь сумасшедшими? Вы собираетесь мерзнуть до смерти здесь."
Bryan's head shot up. Oh yeah, duh. This is Russia…the land of where people speak RUSSIAN. He shook himself a few times to remove the snow and turned to the voice.
"Hey thanks for ….. wow." Bryan's jaw dropped when he saw a man standing in the snow wearing boots ….. and a (I hate this word) thong. (I don't care what any body says or thinks….its a freakin' thong…ew)
Bryan took a step back. The guy appeared to be mostly made of hair and muscle. The cold was clearly not affecting him. This was the type of guy that you'd wantover your house for snacksif a bear decided to break in and steal stuff. (They've been known to do it….shut up…)
"Вы хорошо? Это не было очень шикарно из Вас. Снег - резкая хозяйка."
The gruff sound of the man's voice combined with his size made Bryan's blood start pumping. Now he felt a little warmer but very insecure. He looked around for a place to take off to but he figured the guy has to know the whole area and it would be pointless.
What do I do if this guy attacks me? I mean I couldn't come anywhere near Guile and this guy looks like he could eat him alive.
The man's face was set on one expression. It was hard for Bryan to tell his intentions.
Я известен как Zangief. Как Вас зовут?
The man reached his meaty hand towards Bryan. Bryan reacted (wrongly) and pushed it away to the side and hopped a step backwards. He was already in his fighting position.
"Stay away from me dude! I don't want any trouble."
Bryan suddenly feel a spark of heat fill his right palm. He looked down and saw ki forming into a blue ball slowly. This ki was different to him though. It wasn't stable. It had miniature eruptions and splashed out in plumes on the surface. There's that feeling again! The energy leaving Bryan's body and entering the growing ball made him feel better, like relaxed exhaling after a long workout. His senses were becoming intoxicated leaving his wide eyes glued to the anomaly. Suddenly the blue ki began to pulse sporatically. Purple flares could be seen breaching the surface. It's that ki again...who's ki is this...?
The Russian man stared on in shock. He was standing six feet from a boy in his mid teens making ... and controlling ... fire with his bare hands. The boy had a face full of confusion. This wasn't the problem. The man was noticing a faint but obvious smile appearing on his face. The air was becoming ionized with feelings that made his blood pump faster. He looked down and saw that the 3 feet of snow surrounding the boy was now gone ... the water evaporated as well. He hunkered down his shoulders and raised his hands up as to wrestle the boy. I thought the last one I saw out here was weird. First electricity and now fire? Boy, I really need to get out of the motherland and start training abroad.
Bryan stared on continuously at the now solid purple ki. It still wasn't stable and was growing more violent. Where is this coming from? His memories of being picked on as a kid began to roll through his head. A presence was felt, as though placing a hand on his shoulder. What's going on! Who is doing this!
The air around the two stilled. The snow was floating downward and all sound became mute.
The presence's force exploded from within Bryan's chest. He winced his eyes shut from the blast. The power was incredible.
A voice boomed in his head.
THIS IS YOUR TRUE POWER! ACCEPT IT!
A shockwave much like a grenade blast shot out from the energy ball. Bryan's muscles became as raw steel and his face contorted. He appears to be being blown backfrom his hand. The Russian man's face showed his shock and surprise as he could feel the sheer force of the power emanating from the boy. Bryan's aura suddenly exploded outward, blasting all the fallen snow immediately away. The Russian squinted and put one arm up to shield his face. One final shockwave and Bryan's aura stabilized. He was standing there, both fists clenched, looking at the Russian like a wolf to a fawn.
"Что Вы делаете!"
Bryan turned towards the man. He moved his mouth like a puppet would and spoke.
"...die..."
The Russian understood that word and made his move on Bryan. He lumbered forward, arms gaping, hoping to end this before it got any more difficult. Bryan appeared to take one step towards him yet somehow managed to slide the entire distance between the two. The Russian closed his arms yet felt only air. Bryan had passed through him completely. He turned around and the big man felt his heart drop for the first time in many years.
Bryan was in mid leap, charging his ki to his hands.
"Metsatsu-kujo-KOUSEN!"
A loud explosion resounded through the forest. Most of the snow in the trees was now settled on the grounds from the vibration. Bryan landed from his attack and flexed his neck.
"Get up...I didn't even hit you."
The man was laying on the ground next to an oblong crater. He was clearly unconscious.
"Pathetic..." Bryan gritted his teeth at the same time emitting a slight whisp of smoke from his eyes. He walked over to his dufflebag, hefted it to his shoulder and took off running towards Moscow.
A figure made its shape in the darkness surrounding the unconscious Russian. It walked up next to him and rolled him over with his foot.
"Excellent...everything is going...well"
The figure tightened his body and grunted. A faint shockwave shook the terrain. He whipped around and walked slowly back into the darkness. The sound of a heavy beaded necklace jangling accompanied him into the distant.