Feeling Death's Embrace
United Nations HQ, New York, New York, USA, August 12th…
After winning her fifth match against Bob Richards, Master Raven found out about G Corp's intent to experiment on children and test their blood types for future projects. Projects that include modifying more lethal soldiers in combat. Master Raven had just left from a meeting with her superiors about these developments. It was now more clearer than ever that G Corp needed to be destabilized and shut down as a company altogether. She then contacted one of her subordinates, not only because of G Corp, but to debrief her on the upcoming match against Kazumi Mishima.
Master Raven: "Phoenix…do you copy?"
Phoenix: "Loud and clear Master. How may I be of service?"
Master Raven: "I'm sending you information about my findings at G Corp's Kinder Gym Lab. Before I send you there to begin your next case, I need you as a backup during my fight against Kazumi Mishima."
Phoenix: "Say that again? You are fighting Kazumi?"
Master Raven: "Yes. It will not be an easy fight. Should anything happen to me I will need your help getting out of the area where the battle will take place."
Phoenix: "I understand Master. Where is this place?"
Master Raven: "Hokkaido. The same place where Heihachi dropped Kazuya off a cilff as a child."
Phoenix: "Wow! No way!"
Master Raven: "Yeah. I don't like to be the punching bag off of something so traumatic for Kazumi but job is a job."
Phoenix: "Speaking of Japan, are you heading back to the Manji Village until it's time for the fight?"
Master Raven: "I'm thinking about it. I am worried about the vampire. I will contact Raven next."
Phoenix: "Okay, I just thought about visiting the village soon, I have yet to see it for myself."
Master Raven: "It is a very nice place I will admit. Anyway, the pdf of the Kinder Gym should be on your folder by now. I will call you again, once we find a good meet up spot before the fight in Hokkaido."
Phoenix: "Copy that Master, Phoenix out!"
Master Raven then calls Raven…
Raven: "Raven here."
Master Raven: "It's me Raven. How is everything?"
Raven: "I'm on my way back to the Manji Village coming from Italy. I let Eliza visit her friend, Emilie. Lucky for me she fell asleep and I was able to carry her back on my hovercraft. She won't be too happy that I had to leave her friend's place."
Master Raven: "But is she alright? Eliza I mean."
Raven: "Of course, she is asleep behind me right now."
Master Raven: "Good. Now listen to this. My next fight will take place in Hokkaido. The same place where Kazuya survived a cliff fall where Heihachi dropped him off. I will be fighting Heihachi's wife, Kazumi. She remains undefeated in the tournament."
Raven: "That's going to be a hard match. What will you do before the fight happens?"
Master Raven: "I think I will return to the village again and see Eliza until it's time to go to Hokkaido."
Raven: "Alright. I will notify the ninjas at the Manji Village that you are on your way there."
Master Raven: "Good. I will talk with you soon. Master Raven out."
Raven: "Understood."
Early Morning Hours of August 13th, Manji Village, Japan…
Master Raven finally arrived at the Manji Village. She had already fell asleep on the hovercraft as it was on auto pilot by the time she left the United States. Raven stayed up during the night, waiting for Master Raven to show up. Kunimitsu retired for bed already as was Karasu, the child of the fox ninja and Raven. Eliza was up too, stuck in her temporary hut within the Manji forest, drinking more blood out the cup Lili gave her as a souvenir. She finally learned how to work a television as she was flipping channels. From outside, Raven knocked on the door with Master Raven standing behind him.
Raven: "Eliza? It's me!"
Eliza: "Hmmm…" (Grumps while jumping off the bed.) "What did I do this time?" (Opens the door a little ticked.) "You're lucky I'm not hungry right now! I swear I'll eat you for disturbing me!"
Raven: "Will you get a grip? I already said I was sorry for taking you away from Lili. I don't wanna explain myself again. Now, look who came you see you."
Eliza (Mood swing.): "Hey! It's my other favorite person in the world!" (Hugs Master Raven) "What are you doing back here Hmmmm?"
Master Raven (Pats Eliza feeling embarrassed.): "Uh, good to see you too."
Eliza: "Did you bring more blood for me to drink?"
Master Raven: "No, I was simply making sure you were taken care of."
Eliza (Letting her go.): "Oooh…Emilie gave me something and you should have too."
Raven: "Don't worry, I did order some more blood thanks to the secret UN medical base in Yokohama. It's coming sometime tomorrow."
Eliza: "I thank you Raven, though I prefer to hunt for warm blood myself."
Master Raven: "At any rate Eliza, I'm glad nothing has happened to you since that encounter with Kunimitsu. Hopefully that stays the same." (See the television on in the bedroom) "Look if we are bothering you Eliza then I will let you be."
Eliza: "Nah. I was simply getting bored flipping through channels. I might just sleep again." (Yawns.) "Zzzzzzzz…"
Master Raven: "How does she do that?"
Raven: "That I will never know. Let's put her to bed."
August 15th…
Phoenix, another teammate of Raven's and a subordinate officer to Master Raven, arrived at the Manji Village. She was here to escort Master Raven for the upcoming battle with Kazumi Mishima. Phoenix was stunned to see the beauty of the village and land area. She asked the Ravens to give her a tour after she got off her hovercraft. They both obliged.
After the tour ends…
Phoenix: "What a gorgeous place this is Raven! I don't know about the other 2 guys but Tweet is going to love it here!"
Raven: "I'd figured you would enjoy it here."
Phoenix: "I really wish I could stay longer and enjoy your hot springs, but I must fulfill my duty and escort Master to battle. Master are you ready?"
Master Raven (Approaching her subordinates): "I am."
Phoenix: "I will drive you to Hokkaido."
Raven: "Be careful Master, Phoenix. Kazumi will be unlike any opponent we've ever encountered before. You must be wary of her devil abilities."
Master Raven: "Thanks for the tip Raven. This is why Phoenix is coming with me in case something crazy does happen. Just keep Eliza safe on your end."
Raven (Bows and salutes.): "Understood."
1 hour later, Mount Eniwadake, Hokkaido, Japan…
Phoenix and Master Raven eventually arrived at the stage of the sixth match. Kazumi Mishima was not here yet, so the kunoichis opted to wait near the hovercraft. After waking up from a brief nap during the ride, Master Raven did some stretch routines to start getting loose. More time passed as Phoenix was wondering when Kazumi was going to show up. Thirty minutes to be exact.
Phoenix: "Did this woman get cold feet? The match should be starting now and yet she's not here. I don't get it?" (Feels an eerie Ki coming in fast.) "What the? What is this…ki?"
Master Raven (Opens her eyes from meditation): "She's here."
Phoenix: "Huh?"
An official approaches…
Official: "Master Raven! Come forth! Kazumi Mishima has arrived!"
Master Raven stood up knowing that it was Kazumi who finally made her presence known. The two met face to face in the same plateau where Heihachi trained Kazuya. Kazumi looked at her opponent with some curiosity, but she knew that Master Raven was an elite ninja despite being a foreigner.
Kazumi: "It would seem that the remaining ninja clans are taking in recruits from outside lands in order to survive."
Master Raven (Replies): "Yes. Your point?"
Kazumi: "I can tell by your scars that you have been through many missions throughout your ninja life. Perhaps you will be more of a challenge than Yoshimitsu will be."
Master Raven (In her head.) "She fought Yoshimitsu already? Or is she saying that to throw me off my focus? No matter. I will simply have to give it my all against her!" (Talks) "In that case, I cannot disappoint you now can I?"
Kazumi (Smirks): "Exactly. Let us proceed in battle ninja." (Now in her fight stance)
Official: "Fighter's ready! Fight!"
This time Master Raven approached this fight in a patient manner. When fighting a karate opponent like this, the martial artist should not be so hasty. One wrong move and it could be the end of the fight. Kazumi did much of the same knowing how ninjas engage in combat by using the element of surprise. Not for one second Kazumi would blink at Master Raven, but that would be easier said than done. Circling around each other, neither fighter made an advancement.
Phoenix watched over the rocks from well out of the stage area. She knew Master Raven told her not to help during the fight while coming here, but the subordinate had a hard time accepting those terms. Phoenix had no idea how powerful Kazumi was. If Master Raven was going to die, then Phoenix will have no choice but to intervene and save her master.
Phoenix (Thinks): "Please win master! I know you told me not to get involved and risk a disqualification, but if your life is in danger, then I will have no choice but step in and come save you."
Another 30 seconds go by and still no false moves from either opponent. However, even a veteran fighter like Kazumi had to blink her eyes. At that moment, Master Raven teleported right in front of Kazumi and hit the woman's abdomen with a hard palm heel strike. From there, Master Raven connected again with her Circling Winds combination. Kazumi hit the surface but regained her balance. The ninja almost came back with her Blind Ghost Kick but Kazumi surprisingly blocks the kick! Then Kazumi catches Master Raven with her infamous Tiger Wind Uppercut dead at the chin. Blood came out of Master Raven's mouth for she bit her tongue by accident due to that punch. The ninja bounced on the stage hard.
Phoenix (watches from afar): "Master!"
Master Raven wiped her chin off and proceed with caution back in fight stance. She was definitely faster than Kazumi, but Kazumi strikes with more precision and accuracy. Perhaps a more melee style fight could wear out the Karate expert. Master Raven runs at Kazumi again they both start exchanging hand strikes. The fight certainly wasn't boring for those watching. Suddenly, Master Raven got a hold of Kazumi and executed the Orbiting Moon Throw, kicking Kazumi in midair.
Phoenix (Watching in excitement): "Yes! Keep it up Master!"
Kazumi was back on her feet, but Master Raven tried to strike her from above. Punching the ground the kunoichi missed Kazumi. Kazumi returned the favor by turning Master Raven around with both hands as the Hachijou Karate master executed 10 hard punches into the torso area. Charging up, Kazumi landed a powerful reverse punch into Master Raven's stomach. The impact sent the kunoichi flying at least 30 feet before sliding into the ground. Master Raven's core was in serious pain, but she wasn't going to quit here. Kazumi for once was breathing hard, but was not satisfied with her opponent's intensity.
Kazumi (Back in stance): "Very good, but not good enough ninja!"
Master Raven (Getting up, thinks.): "Agh. Now she's mocking me. And the sad thing is, she's not even grinning about it. Let me see if she can handle this!"
Master Raven summoned a copy jutsu technique, multiplying her body times three. Now there were three Master Ravens. Kazumi raised her eyebrow in surprise, but she knew this woman was no ordinary ninja. The three copies of Master Raven all encircled Kazumi in the form of a three way pincer attack. They all attacked at once. Kazumi amazingly defended herself against three Master Ravens, but her blocking could only hold out for so long. Kazumi got kicked in the face by one clone and was tripped off her feet by another clone before the Real Master Raven did a 360 jump sidekick into Kazumi's chest, sending her flying off.
Phoenix (Still watching): "Woo! That's the way!"
Spitting blood out of her mouth, Kazumi was getting frustrated. This would be the second opponent who would force her to use some of her devil power to enhance her strength and speed. Being from a prominent martial arts family, Kazumi also knew a thing or two about jutsu techniques. Standing up, Kazumi's eyes lit up red and she signaled the clones to come again. The Master Raven clones looked at each other and nodded. They were going for the knock out this time so they all ran towards Kazumi.
Phoenix (In Shock): "What in the?"
Out of nowhere, a tiger came from the sky rolling into the back of the Real Master Raven, knocking her down. The other clones looked on in disbelief. This attack hurt the real kunoichi badly. Then Kazumi used the distraction of hit one of the clones with a lighting uppercut. The last clone tried to attack Kazumi from behind before the tiger came and bit the clone right on her neck. The tiger thought he bit the real person, but both disappeared after being taken out. Phoenix was upset because of this.
Phoenix: "Are you kidding me? A tiger? Is using animals legal in this tournament?"
The official (Hearing Phoenix behind him): "Yep. There are even animal contestants in this competition. Kazumi is not breaking the rules here."
Phoenix: "Damn that Kazumi Mishima! How does she summon animals like that?"
Master Raven had an injured back due to that tiger dropping right on top her. Kazumi approached Master Raven and picked the ninja up with her own hair. Without compassion, Kazumi spoke to her opponent with glowing red eyes.
Kazumi: "You should feel honored ninja. You are the second person to force me into my devil power. Now it's time to end this. Sweet dreams."
Kazumi dropped Master Raven on her knees and then gave the kunoichi a hard karate chop to the neck. Master Raven's eyes rolled back and she the deck. There was no sign of her moving after that. Kazumi's tiger wanted to move in for a snack, but Kazumi wisely ordered her pet no to.
Kazumi: "No! Come back to me!" (Tiger turns around.)
The official ran to check on the ninja's vitals. This match was over.
Official: "The winner of this fight is Kazumi Mishima."
Kazumi looked at the drone that was filming the match for a brief moment. She smiled knowing Heihachi would be watching her fight. Then she and her tiger proceeded to walk away, however Phoenix came from down the cliff below and started running at their direction. Was she going to attack Kazumi? No, instead Phoenix jumps high in the air over Kazumi and her pet. Phoenix really wanted to take out Kazumi while she had her guard down, but her top priority was getting medical help for Master Raven.
Phoenix: "Master! Master Raven?" (Checks her pulse.) "Thank goodness! I'm going to take care of you! Do not worry!"
Kazumi hid her emotions as she glanced over at the ninjas again. She herself wondered why the other ninja girl didn't try to play hero and kill her. Nevertheless it would not have worked, not with the devil power sensing killing intent. Kazumi turned her back to them and continued walking away like she usually did after a match. The tiger loyally follows right behind her. Phoenix picked up her master in her arms despite being the smaller woman. From there Phoenix leaped in the air, trotting back to the spot of the hovercraft.
