***NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR***

Thank you for following volumes 1-5 which I started writing 4 years ago (so if you haven't read these yet and wish to start with the complete beginning - 'Streets of Rage - Beginnings - volume 1' is the place to go...

- A bit about me:

I have really enjoyed getting creative with these stories and sharing my imagination and ideas in them to somewhat parallel with the games. Please note that I am not a professional writer (I am still working on my writing structures) but despite that, I really hope you enjoy reading this.

- Up to here:

Although this story contains several 'flash back' scenes, it's set almost a decade on from the fall of Mr X (Series 4) and almost 9 years after series 5 which ended in Axel being exiled away to the wilderness to serve a sentence for the crimes he had previously committed. So we are up to this point where everything has completely changed and the lives of our heroes have been turned upside down.

So without further ado, here is Chapter 1. Hope you enjoy the read :-).

Chapter 1

Another dawn rises over the endless feral land. During this time of the year, rain is rare and the earth which was once green for several months is now arid and dry. At this time of morning, the air is cooler and fresh with the sound of birds dominating. The orange sky is a colourful twilight with the moon and stars still in clear view. Occasionally at this time of morning predators lurk nearby, more commonly as snakes and bears.

In the distance a wild hare grazes at the little vegetation remaining in the shade under the trees. It pauses for a moment on a higher alert, ready to run away from danger.

#GUNSHOT#

Breakfast is certainly a must, whether you are a predatory animal or a human being and this is the second hare that Axel has caught this morning. When he was brought to the wilderness after arranging a deal to serve a reduced sentence for his crimes outside of the city without prison, the only things they left him with were a knife, a torch, an axe, a shovel, nails and a water purifier. After a month of non-stop venturing around empty wilderness, he found a spot close to a stream with the right amount of altitude to detect any dangers or indiginous people on the hunt nearby.

It took Axel just under 2 months to build his own logged cabin by collecting wood from forested areas before constructing an adequate and comfortable logged shelter. He also farmed his own patch of land in order to grow vegetables. As time went by, he modified the structure to make it stronger, more spacious and homely. And although the authorities made it clear that they would serve him a death penalty if Axel returned to Wood Oak before his sentence was over, they never specified in writing that anybody else from outside could not visit or provide him with help. So after a further 2 months, Adam and Max located his whereabouts with Luca's help by tapping into a satellite program. The two fighters agreed to make the 4 day journey via ship then drive through rough terrain to assist Axel and provide resources once every 6-8 weeks.

This could be anything from getting out there a supply of bullets, clothing, water, first aid as well as any general essentials. Life for Axel has been this way for the past 8 years with the emphasis on every day survival whilst maintaining his training in the most peaceful of places. He has lived without any electricity or power as well as the luxuries that Axel used to take for granted before being exiled.

After a short walk back to the cabin, he opens the door and drops the two dead hares on the wooden table. He dips his hands in a bucket of cold water then he washes the sweat off of his face. He then returns back outside the cabin to a logged bench as he takes out his knife to skin both of the hares one by one.

"Can I do that this time?" A voice asks, calling him from the back of the cabin.

"No..." He smiles "But you can start the fire instead!" As he replies, a young boy steps outside to greet him.

"But you said…."

"I said what?" Axel raises his eyebrows, interrupting the boy's sentence.

"You said you would show me how to skin a hare…." the young child gazes up at him with the same determined blue eyes.

"Yeah, when you're at least 10!" Axel laughs. "But for now, you stay away from this knife you hear me?" He warns.

"What if I see another bear?" The kid answers back.

"Then use your fire to scare it away…." Axel casually shrugs.

"What if I run out of energy?" The boy asks again.

"Well that's a smart question that I'm refusing to answer right now. You are getting too stubborn for your own good, you know that?!" He comments with laughter, scuffling the boy's short blond hair.

"Does that mean you'll show me then?" The kid cheekily grins back.

"Go and start the fire Leon…!" Axel replies back this time with an unamused look on his face.

"Okkk…" he sulks.

"Hey!… Where's my good morning?"

"Sorry daddy, good morning" Leon cheers up, wrapping his arms around him and giving him a hug.

"Ready to start the fire? Show me what you got" Axel says nodding to the pile of logs they collected together yesterday.

The child stands in front of it, closing his eyes for a moment then taking a deep exhale whilst pushing his palms forward. With ease, he projects an orange fire bolt forward it that immediately starts the flames.

"Well done kiddo, that's an improvement from yesterday."

"Alright!" Leon jumps up happily punching the air.

"Don't get too excited, we still need to do some work on those hook kicks. And then there's that homework for school you gotta finish- we only have a week left until you start back"

"I know dad" Leon half heartedly smiles.

"What's wrong?" Axel asks, feeling concerned.

"I wish I could stay here with you!" He frowns, feeling sad about having to leave again for school.

"I promise you the next 5 weeks are gonna breeze by, they always do right? Besides, you're usually excited to go and stay with your uncles and see your friends, what's changed this time?"

"Why can't you ever come with us?!" Leon unhappily replies.

"Who else is gonna keep the bears away from this place?" He smiles, regretting that he has to hide the truth from his son who is too young to understand.

"Speaking of visitors…." Axel stands to his feet when an old truck approaches from the far distance. "Go and set up your room I think your uncle is coming to stay this time round". Leon rushes back inside the cabin.

"Sup bro?!" Adam steps out of the truck removing his shades.

"Man you get slicker every time I see you, the SIF must be paying you well" Axel grins. (SIF standing for Special Intelligence Forces).

"And every time I see you that beard and waistline grows!" They both laugh, mocking one another.

"Your two days early…" Axel raises his eyebrows.

"I know, I figured I could get a head start transporting these supplies over" Adam says as the two of them start unloading the truck. "And I got some business to take care of in the city".

"Work is that bad huh? I still miss it…"

"Nah, not work. I got family shit to deal with" Adam replies, lifting several crates of water with ease.

"Sammy ok?" Axel queries.

"Yeah Skates is doing well, he got his own place now."

"So what's up then?"

"Keri, who now goes by the name of Kim Houston has agreed that the kids can come over to Wood Oak and spend some time with me from now on."

"Wow, I'm happy for you man! Sasha and Chris must be excited to get to stay with you instead of supervised visits over there".

Adam shakes his head with disappointment. "Chris isn't coming this time, the boy barely remembers me. Cherry on the other hand couldn't be happier. Her mom says she's been going off the rails so guess whose turn it is to parent!"

"Cherry? Is that what Keri had her identity changed to?"

"Don't ask! I mean it was hard enough raising Sammy but God help me dealing with a teenage girl for the next 3 months!" Adam laughs.

"Yeah, I don't envy you there! Plus you'll have Leon for the next 5 weeks…." Axel replies.

"Yeah but Leon is as good as gold! He listens, helps out, even let's me train him and he studies. You know I haven't met any other 8 year old as mature as him or as skilled."

"You say that now but…" Axel laughs.

"But what?" Adam asks.

"He's becoming more and more like his mother. He might look like me but Leon has her personality. And now he's starting to ask questions about her, I'm not sure how to deal with that yet".

"Uncle Adam!" Leon runs forward excitedly. Instead of giving Adam his usual hug, he catches him in the stomach with a right hook.

"Owww! Didn't see that coming! God, your punches are good for a kid!" Adam replies caught off guard for a moment.

"Leon! What did I tell you about sparring? Apologize to Adam right now!" Axel glares at him feeling annoyed.

"It's not my fault he let his guard down!" Leon shrugs back. "Dad told me you should never let your guard down...ever!" The young boy gazes up at Adam.

"Well your dad is right!" Adam smiles back. This time he blocks a second punch towards his arm, before lifting Leon up off the ground then swinging him around in the air over his shoulder. The kid laughs out loud with joy, having fun play-fighting.

"I think you're gonna need one of these later on" Adam smiles whilst pulling out an ice box containing a crate of beer.

"Ow I think so too….. Thanks". Axel takes the crate.

"Can I try some?" Leon asks, still hanging over Adam's shoulder.

"No!" Both men answer at the same time.

"I told you… he didn't get that trait from me!" Axel shrugs as the three of them walk inside.

The Thursday morning schedule at Y-Tower is no different from any other day as Mr Y sits at his desk, bored out of his mind and twiddling his thumbs.

"Send him in!" He barks at one of his secretaries whilst yawning back in his luxury chair.

"Senator Peters, to what do I owe you this honour?" Mr Y sarcastically grins as he urges him to sit down opposite.

"Mr Y '' he nods at the young man wearing his sharp suit. "There are several reasons why I'm here. First let me congratulate you and your sister on becoming Wood Oak's finest young entrepreneurs, it's quite an achievement. And also the Y-Musicians project is running nicely with over 200 new recruits" he compliments.

"Let's cut the crap Senator and explain why you're really here. I don't have precious time to waste." He crosses one leg over the other then he sits back in his chair listening.

"I'm sorry Sir but these speakers you've installed underground all over the city are causing mayhem amongst several communities. I'm requesting that a full independent investigation is carried out for possible radiation or water contamination".

"And how may I ask, does music and speakers affect that? When my sister and I established the Y-Syndicate six years ago we made a promise to invest in local talent, giving young performers the opportunity to shine. Our clubs underground and the speakers we've installed around the city are all legit and Wood Oak is a much happier and unique place because of it. Our brand new Sky Train project has also been a success across this city…. I mean how many more things do you want me to spell out that we've done to benefit this city?" He glares at the Senator feeling offended.

"It's just… some people are getting sick after long periods of exposure to these underground speakers" the Senator replies.

"If it's a cause for concern, I'll have some of my team investigate the wiring and set up of our speakers." He reassures him "was there anything else?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact there was".

"Fire away then" Mr Y crosses his fingers together and pays attention.

"It's about Axel Stone. His sentence is due to finish in the next couple of months."

Mr Y laughs. "And you think after all those years of living in the wilderness he's still the same fighter? I could only imagine what losing your partner and child does to a man. Besides, he signed over all of the deeds to the old syndicate that belonged to my own father! There's nothing remaining here for him. I pay you and your colleagues enough so if Axel returns to the city, deal with him!" He demands.

"You haven't met him before, he's a dangerous fighter. Your father was obsessed with killing him and using his power."

Mr Y sighs. "Times have moved on now Senator. Like I said, if he returns you and your officials need to deal with it. We're untouchable right now with our recruits and I intend on keeping things that way. So these petty little vigilantes have no value pursuing anymore. Even Officer Hunter can't get to us right now! But…. there is one fighter I want you to get hold of for me". His pupils dilate with excitement as he leans forward.

"Who?" The Senator raises his eyebrows.

"Arrange a meeting with Thunder's agent. Max is proving to be quite a fighter on the underground scene. I heard he once lost his business, a former love, even his house. He went bankrupt a few years ago so eventually Hatchet turned back to his roots in underground fighting. Although he is one of the older fighters, he has proven to be very capable. Set up that meeting by Monday".

"Ok" the Senator agrees.

"Nora?!" He calls then she rushes into the office. "Escort the Senator back downstairs please". Mr Y puts on a smile as his guest is encouraged to leave.