XXXXXXXXXXX

JIN

Soon after I arrived back home I was told about the news of Onaga. Both Dad and Asuka told me that there was a deadly force rising in another realm and that a god of thunder needed our help to defeat this creature. I thought they were crazy, until I saw the look in their eyes that told me they weren't lying. Then again, I have an evil, demonic form, so I can't think that Onaga is a stupid story, because from the sounds of it, it's not. I didn't like this at all

I waited a few hours, when the sun rose, before calling Julia. Soon after the last tournament, she returned home to Arizona to continue her research, now that she had the data she needed, but has stayed in contact with me. I was hoping to visit her when I headed south after Mother, but had been called back. Hopefully, I wouldn't get a large phone bill for a long distance call and to a mobile at that. She picked up on the third ring

"Hello?"

"Hey, Julia, it's Jin here"

"Oh hey, how's it going?"

"Dunno right now. Apparently I'm going to another realm to fight a dragon king"

"Seriously? So am I"

"What?"

"Yeah, Heihachi called me last night and told me to come. He said if I helped him, he'd give me a lot of funding for my research. Not that I really need it, but it could come in handy someday"

"So, you're here in Tokyo?"

"Yeah, just got here about an hour or so ago. I'm at the Zaibatsu, where Heihachi had let me stay when I arrived"

"Who else is coming with us, cause so far, there's me, Asuka and Dad"

"Well, there's me, Hwoarang, Lili, Steve, Christie, Nina, Paul Phoenix, King, Yoshimitsu, Bryan Fury and oh yeah, Heihachi as well"

"What? Heihachi is coming?"

"Yeah, he wants to see this Onaga guy"

"Okay then. Is everyone there?"

"Yeah, we're waiting for you guys. And yeah, Raiden said to bring weapons if you can"

"What kind of weapons?"

"Any kind. A weapon that can be deadly if used correctly. Like Nina has brought her katana and knife, but then again, she's an assassin. Yoshimitsu's got a sword, but he's always had that and Paul is bringing nunchakus"

I laughed

"You serious? What are you taking?"

"Don't know. I haven't brought anything, but hey, there's you"

"Jin, hurry up, we're going," called Dad

"Okay, Julia, we're coming over in about fifteen minutes, so I'll see you then, okay?"

"Alright, see you, love you"

"Love you too"

I hung up, grabbed my bag of belongings and followed Asuka out to the car

XXXXXXXXXXX

I told Julia we'll be at the Zaibatsu in fifteen minutes. It took us forty minutes to get there. Apparently Dad found out we needed weapons after calling Heihachi, so he took us to a sword shop to browse around. I bought two samurai swords with straps, while Asuka only got one. Dad bought one that had a demon's head engraved into the hilt, while the hands were bat-like wings. The demon's fangs slid down onto the blade, giving extra strength in structure. Satisfied, we drove to the Zaibatsu

"Ah, Dad, I don't think we've used weapons like this before?" I said

"What? Heihachi never taught you? Shit, I was taught when I was a child"

"Well, maybe you can teach us," Asuka said

"That's the idea, Asuka"

We left the shop and arrived at the Zaibatsu. I got out of the car, carrying the swords in my left hand, while my bag was in my other hand. I headed for the Zaibatsu, as someone threw themselves at me. I dropped my bag and wrapped my arm around Julia. She looked up at me. I smiled

"Hello, Julia, I've missed you too"

"It's been a long time"

"Well, three months is a long time, despite the fact we've seen each other a few times. But then again, they weren't very long visits"

"Yeah, I know, I'm sorry, I'm really wrapped up in my research"

"How is that going by the way?"

"It's going really good. We have some plants that are growing and adapting to the Arizona climate. It won't be long before we'll be able to replenish our tree stocks"

"Awesome. Ah, here's Hwoarang"

Hwoarang stopped before me and sneered

"So, Kazama, looks like we're in the same boat here"

"Seems to be, yeah, and your point is?"

"Even though we're gonna be fighting to save Earth, you and I are gonna have our own fight"

I rolled my eyes

"Just accept defeat, okay? I kicked your ass like three times now. I think its time to quit while your ahead"

"What's with the weapons?"

"Here to prove my point. Quit while your ahead or you will become a head"

"Oh, you're so funny, Kazama, but we'll see who will lose their cool first against the Dragon King, eh?"

"I'm taking a guess it will be you?"

Hwoarang rolled his eyes and walked away. I followed him into the Zaibatsu and up to the dojo, where everyone had gathered, training or talking. Julia, Asuka and I walked over to where Lili, Hwoarang and Christie were sitting. Steve was up practising his punches with King, while his mother, Nina, was going through her sword moves. Dad walked in and headed over to Paul Phoenix to annoy, while Yoshimitsu and Bryan Fury were having a glaring match across the room. I looked around and saw Heihachi talking to a tall, pale man wearing all-black

"That's Raiden," said Asuka

"Oh cool. Um, don't gods usually wear white?"

"Not this one, obviously," answered Christie, "You wear black"

"Yeah, but not all black. See, the flames are white, not black"

"Does it matter?" asked Julia

"No," I admitted, "I was just curious"

"Everyone, gather round," boomed Heihachi

We all stopped what we were doing and walked over to him. He had a samurai sword hanging by his side. Raiden was standing behind him

"It is now time to go and fight for our planet," Heihachi began, "And with the help of Raiden here, we will travel to OutWorld to begin the battle against the Dragon King. Anyone who doesn't wish to fight can go"

No one volunteered to leave

"Fine, let's go"

A bright, white light engulfed us all. I was blind for about a minute. And when the light cleared, I saw I was somewhere I had never imagined to be

XXXXXXXXXXX