Chapter 10: It Begins

The air was calm, a breeze coming through King's hotel balcony. It was still dark out, but this was the morning of the tournament. Today was the day that it all began. He would eventually be allowed to prove himself. While he didn't want to, he was beginning to null Peter's words.

He was slowly thinking about killing Marduk again. What would he do? He was a man torn between revenge and morality. If only everything could just change. If only the circumstances were different, then he could let Marduk live. But Marduk had committed a serious crime not only to humanity, but to King's own heart. He would not allow Marduk to walk free after what he had done.

King had finally decided. Marduk was finished.

Elsewhere, Peter and Julia stared into each others' eyes. Today was the beginning, and it would last for a few weeks. They were all at risk, and the two young fighters knew it. With a small voice, Julia told Peter "It's time. Today I might be able to get closer to reforestation. But you, what do you want from this tournament? You never told me what you planned to use the prize for."

Peter looked at Julia, his look becoming more fierce. "I want justice, and this will help me to get it."

One by one, all the fighters began to awaken. They all sensed the tension in the air. Some felt confident, some felt doubtful, but all were ready to battle. Julia and Peter left to go check out their fighting schedules. Peter looked for King, but couldn't find him. He hoped that he was going to be okay. Along the way, Peter and Julia bumped into one of their old friends, Ling Xiaoyu.

"Hey guys!" Xiaoyu said cheerfully as she hugged both. With her, was a girl that neither Julia nor Peter had recognized. Noticing their confusion, Xiaoyu said "Oh I'd like you to meet my best friend. Her name is Miharu Hirano. She's participating to test her skills, and to help me find Jin."

The young red headed girl had hair that reached her shoulders, the ends puffing up. This complimented her thin light brown eyes. She wore a black t-shirt with black jeans. Shyly, she reached her hand out to Peter and Julia and said "It's nice to meet you. I think you guys did very well in the last tournament."

Taking her hand first, Julia replied with a thanks as did Peter. Trying to see what type of person Miharu was, Julia asked her a question. "So, do you have the newbie jitters?" Miharu laughed before nodding, her cheeks becoming red instantly. Peter found her to be pretty, but he dare not tell that to Julia. Miharu replied "Yeah, I'm really nervous, but Xiao told me to be confident. Anyways, you guys had felt this way during the last tournament, since all three of you were new to it."

The group laughed together, but they soon got serious as they noticed the attendant pinning up the fighting schedule. Together, they walked to the list to see who they were all to fight.

"I'm fighting Nina Williams." Peter said out loud.

"I got a girl named Sasha Abhaya." Julia muttered.

"I have to fight Lei-Fang. She must be new this year." Xiaoyu noted.

"And I'm up against Hwoarang, is that the jerky red headed dude you told me about Xiao?" Miharu said, as Xiao nodded while laughing.

Just then, King stood beside Peter and said "Good morning all, let's see who I am fighting…ah Steve Fox, he's that new boxer."

"So, everything okay?" Peter asked King as the two wandered away from the group. King nodded and replied "Yeah I'm fine. I'm just wondering what to do with the prize if I win. I think I'll donate it to the orphanages around the world." Peter nodded and said "That's very noble."

The two of them sat there in silence, each thinking about how difficult it might be to win this year, what will all of the new contestants this year.

An hour later, all the fighters stood in the lobby of the hotel as they looked up to Heihachi Mishima. His body could be seen against the glass ceiling as a background. He began to speak. "Good morning to all. As you well know, the tournament begins today. I will be watching you as you make your way to the grand prize over the next few weeks. With that said, good luck and LET THE TOURNAMENT BEGIN!"