Chapter 9: Time of Reckoning
It felt great, this feeling of immortality that Nina instilled within herself. But deep down she knew that nothing was as it seemed. Making a full recovery was possible since she practically hibernated for almost a week, but now she was without a means of preparation or place to go to. Stressed out, she decided that only getting out of the forest should be her main priority.
Once the cliff was a feint memory, Nina headed aimlessly into the city fully aware of the news that was spreading. The King of Iron Fist was back with a vengeance and Nina was all but thrilled.
"They'll all be here…" she said to herself, "including Steve."
Anxious, she disregarded the people who stared at her as she walked by and rudely barged into an unsuspecting person's home. Her clothes were in ruins and she was dirty from both the perspiration and the wilderness. She needed a bath, plain and simple. Even if it meant using a total stranger's shower she was still a beautiful and well-groomed woman and had to keep it that way. Eventually the owners did notice a smell waft from the living room all the way upstairs into the bathroom and assumed it to be their child.
"Pewww! Ichiro is that you? Did you fall in something on the way home?" wondered the mother.
There was no response. She got an annoyed look on her face and knocked on the door like she was the police.
"Ichiro! What is that smell!"
Water started to run and it muffled her voice. Nina knew the woman was right by the door but she didn't care. As soon as she was clean and dressed she would leave them well alone…or if she had any clothes she would. No way could she wear that suit now so instead she'd have to borrow from the Mrs.
The lady went back into the room and waited for her 'son' to come out but was caught off guard by the sight of a young woman peering out of the door.
"What the? Who the hell are you!" she demanded to know in a startled voice.
Nina rolled her eyes and while trying to keep the towel around her from falling came up the woman.
"Listen, I need some clothes and I don't have time to explain why. Just give me something."
"Excuse you? I want you out of my house right now or I'm calling the police!" she threatened.
"No you won't." Nina edged closer. "This is an emergency and I need to keep moving or I might fail."
"Y-you're a criminal aren't you? People are coming to my house to find you…"
Annoyed, Nina pushed her out of the way and fumbled through the dresser and the closet, utterly disgusted with what she found. The woman was already dialing numbers on the phone.
"I guess this'll have to do…" she said pulling out a slimming purple jumpsuit.
"Hey, no! That was a gift from my husband!"
"Tough old hag. And tell your so-called husband that no one in their right mind would give this to somebody as a gift unless they we're trying to cut calories. See ya!"
She blushed, staring at her figure before reaching for the phone again. When she looked up to see her Nina had disappeared.
Once again the participants of the last tournament were gathered together for another fight-a valid fight so says Heihachi Mishima. This meant that most of the fighters would have to relive nightmarish battles, especially Jin Kazama. Ever since Jinpachi's 'rebirth' that same evil that controlled him has come back.
But for Steve and Lili there was no risk or hazard. Nina's son was perfectly content with another round so long as she showed up. Lili had to win for her father's sake so no amount of stress could bring her down.
In the lobby of the grand suite that Heihachi provided for the fighters, Steve was impatiently pacing back and forth. Lili just sat behind him staring out of boredom since the first round didn't start until tomorrow.
"Steve, you'll make a hole in the ground if you keep doing that! Sit down I'm sure she'll come eventually."
"I can't. I don't even think I'll be able to sleep until she walks through that door."
After 15 minutes of waiting the door finally spun around and around and someone came in. Steve had nodded off when he sat down, but arose quickly to see who it was. It wasn't Nina. Instead a wave of silver hair caught the boxer's eye and immediately a sigh followed. Lee Chaolan walked in trying to be all suave as usual but it didn't impress anyone.
"Hello everyone! The new King of Iron Fist has arrived!" he proclaimed proudly with his hands in the air.
There was dead silence until the smart mouthed Hwoarang yelled, "You suck!"
Embarrassed, Lee cleared his throat and did a double take at Steve and Lili. He gave a knowledgeable sneer and approached them.
"Well, well if it isn't the test-tube baby! How goes your search for mommy?"
"How do you know about me?"
"Did some research on all of the competitors before I got here so I'll be ready for what I'm up against and this lovely lady too."
Lili rolled her eyes with discontentment. "What are you like forty-something? Keep walking Mr. Grey Hair…"
"Wha? No way that's impossible! The silver dye is supposed to be covering it!" he played with his hair nervously and continued on his way.
Behind the nearest wall he could find he saw the deadly brunette propped up and sporting some casual wear for a change. She had on a red blouse with a skirt that barely went beyond her knees and crimson pumps. Her makeup however seemed to still draw attention to herself. Lee was stunned.
"Interesting fashion choice, Anna. It is so unlike you to not show any skin even at an event like this."
"Save it, Lee. Only reason I'm dressed all insecure is to avoid attention from a certain Neanderthal…"
"Who? I mean there are so many others than myself to choose from…"
Just as he'd said that there was a thunderous blast coming from the hotel door followed by a booming roar. Anyone for mile could hear the battle cry of the self-proclaimed champion Craig Marduk.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" he wailed with satisfaction. "Who's ready to get their ass whooped by me, the new King of Iron Fist?"
Neither a comment nor an answer was given to him. All fighters in and outside the Tekken circuit declared him a dumb brute with no moral or useful values whatsoever.
Lee turned back to Anna. "That's him?"
She upsettingly nodded and strutted off back to her room. The silver devil sighed and caught sight of a golden hue. He spun around and sure enough there was Nina, the woman Steve had been pursuing all this time. He was already standing up and waiting to greet her.
"Hey, do you remember me? Our last encounter may not have been pleasant but-"
Nina completely ignored Steve. It was as if there was a brick wall between them and there was no way to get past it, but that still didn't kill his drive. She made her way over to the registration counter without sound or expression and in the same manner went to find her room. Obviously she wasn't in the mood to deal with the other fighters.
Disappointed, Steve sat back down next to Lili.
"Are you sure it's her?" he asked depressingly.
"Yeah, but maybe you should forget about this and use the tournament for another benefit. She knows who you are but doesn't seem to care."
"I can't just let this go! If she is what she is and hasn't accepted it then I have to show her that there's nothing to be ashamed of! Even if we end up fighting each other…"
Time went by fast, so fast in fact that once Steve and the others finally retired, it was already the next day. There was so much to be done and so much at risk, but that's what they live for. Today was the day of reckoning for the Tekken wards.
Note: Promising longer chapters in the future so try to bear with me!