Time: 6:37PM – Underworld
"I'm going to kill you!" said Liu to Three Dragons via private channel.
Three Dragons aimed his Oblivion at Liu. "Surprise!"
The dragon went too close because he did not have time to dodge, and Three Dragons shot him directly in the shoulder. Liu skidded across the pavement like a ragged doll as Three Dragons was getting away fast. Liu's energy shield was damaged in half, angering him more.
"You're fucked, Liu!" Three Dragons said. "Almost as bad as you fucked yourself up claiming Nightmare."
Liu got up only to be met by a few Phantom Task soldiers shooting him with anti IS firearms. Liu got pelted by small resistance before he took to the sky. Liu has no time for small fries, knowing that they were served to slow him down away from Three Dragons. Up in the air, Liu has lost sight of Three Dragons, much to the dragon's confusion.
Just as Liu found the yellow Lamborghini dodging traffic, he received an error message that AA guns fired its heat seeker missiles coming towards him. Apparently, Liu completely forgot it due to his mind being fixated on killing Three Dragons. 10 missiles chased down Liu to no end, forcing him to take evasive actions through a series of barrel rolls, twists, and shooting back.
One by one, the missiles exploded before Liu sliced the remaining rocket. Liu dove down the surface, firing his Venom Slug fully automatic towards Three Dragons. The foe did not break a sweat, evading barrage of projectiles before he made a sweeping left turn. The berlinetta screeched from its tires against the pavement as Three Dragons blew past slow traffic at lightning speed.
"What's wrong, Liu?" asked Three Dragons. "I thought you were better than this. Why are you being rusty, huh?"
"This is the beginning of an end for you," said Liu, gritting his teeth.
"We'll see about that if you can catch up…"
Liu was in hot pursuit of his prey blowing past between big rigs in hopes to shake off the dragon. Liu was not fooled by Three Dragon's simple tricks as they trade fire. Despite going over 119 mph, Three Dragons kept steady behind the wheel, firing his Oblivion simultaneously. Diving at low altitude, Liu burst fired his Venom Slug at Three Dragons, forcing the latter to increase his speed over 127 mph. At this kind of speed, it's suicidal to drive congested streets, but Three Dragons was not concerned. Taking riskier maneuvers, Three Dragons blew pass red light intersections, nearly getting himself t-boned.
Liu said, "You can't hide forever for what you did to Righteousness Union."
"You better watch what you wish for, boy."
Three Dragons got gutsy playing chicken to go head on against a tanker truck. Three Dragons provoked Liu to shoot a flammable tanker, hoping to get himself torched. The tanker honked its horn at Three Dragons, but he was beyond listening as he put the pedal to the metal.
Three Dragons smirked. "That's it…I dare you to pull the trigger."
The dragon pulled to the right, avoiding the tanker by one inch. It appeared his dreams came to fruition when Liu shot the combustible cargo. However, Liu deployed Heavenly Emperor, slicing the tank away from the truck. With the tank hurling towards Three Dragons, Liu shot the petroleum projectile, exploding it in a mess of smoke and fireball.
Three Dragons' eyes shot in disbelief. "What the-?!"
The shockwave pushed Three Dragons off balance, nearly wiping out before he quickly regained control. Fire obscured his vision against the window and hood, but it subsided as he returned fire to one another. Three Dragons glued his foot to the gas pedal, not slowing down for one second.
"Huang Lingyin must have tucked you in bed really good," said Three Dragons.
"How many dicks did you suck to hire crooked cops to protect you?" Liu retorted, throwing a metal beam that almost wiped out Three Dragons.
"Word on the town is she is a trick, and you think she is faithful to you!"
Three Dragons hurled cruel insults to Liu and his girlfriend, but Liu kept cool to not let words get the best of him. Liu went for an overhead slash as Three Dragons pulled a 180 degree drift on a narrow road. The dragon took too many risks to shake off Liu, but he was not showing signs of fear. In fact, Three Dragons was actually enjoying the thrill, and watching Liu crash would make him even happier.
"Give it up, you fuck! You're wasting your time killing me when I can just end you right now!"
"You never learn to shut up," said Liu. He had enough of Three Dragons' prideful, arrogant insults. "Your pride and arrogance are the reason you're bound to fall."
Three Dragons weaved in and out of traffic with Liu still behind his tail before they went to the highway at breakneck speed of 160 mph. Three Dragons thought straightway would give him an advantage of speed, but little did he know that this was Liu's biggest strength.
"!" Three Dragons checked his rear view mirror that Liu was not in his sight. He was not taking any chances to slow down as the dragon increased the pace up to 186 mph down the tunnel. Fearing that Liu might ambush him, Three Dragons cocked his Oblivion, gunning at 203 mph.
Turns out that Liu flew over the tunnel to intercept Three Dragons, and this was the perfect opportunity to end the cat and mouse chase.
"Got you now, you son of a bitch…" said Liu, charging at Three Dragons.
Liu fired his Venom Slug, and Three Dragons returned fire, missing their shots. Liu kept steady of his sight, controlling the recoil until he successfully shot it down. The Lamborghini spun out of control, but Three Dragons shot Liu in return.
They attempted to prevent from crashing, but to no avail. Three Dragons crashed into a protective wall at a violent tailspin, and Liu skidded against the pavement and crashed into a truck. The accident was gruesome with scrap metal and shattered glass littered on the highway. Liu coughed from the dust, struggling to squeeze the trigger on his weapon at the mangled Lamborghini. But he ran out of ammo, much to his disbelief. To make things worse, his energy shield was insufficient to deploy Nightmare, and he can only partial deploy.
"...You got to be kidding me..." Liu muttered, slamming his fist on the ground.
Three Dragons hobbled away from the burning wreckage, trying to load his Oblivion. However, the cannon had to recharge, and Three Dragons growled in anger that it prevented him to kill Liu immediately.
"I understand what Uncle Yuen saw in you," said Three Dragons. "I should have noticed it sooner. You were just a punk. And yet now…you've nearly become a dragon."
Liu remained indifferent. "Spare me the poetry. If you wanted my IS so bad, you should have killed me long time ago."
"People have needs. Once they attained power and money, glory is the last thing they seek. Call it…a legacy. I seek one thing of taking back what's mine."
"You went to war against me, dragging Righteousness Union for something that trivial? Give it a rest already! Nightmare was never intended for you."
"For such a trivial thing, some would give their lives for it. Anyone who takes the high road in a world that answers diligence with indifference is a fool. So I found a new world, one where power is everything. A place I could author my own fate. I spent my life earning money. Whatever anyone needed, I got it for them. Yet, they look me down. In the end, one thing brings Triad to a heel is a title that that commands Triad secrets."
"Righteousness Union was slaved under a shithead like you using power to abuse the weak. Making the family to be in a civil war was the worst. You never stick to the 36 oaths you swore!"
"I know that!" Three Dragons growled. "Don't forget you were part of this too! I don't have the means to stand apart, myself. If I can't reach the top of the heap without your title…I'll mint it myself."
Three Dragons clenched his left fist as fire slowly evaporated from the wreckage. Liu was unfazed by the collateral damage he caused. The dragons knew only one will leave this alive.
Liu said, "Any title a man draws up for himself isn't worth wearing. Titles and glory follow on their own."
"Say what you will, Liu. Diligence is my version of effort."
"Turning your back on Righteousness Union to start your own family is your diligence? Killing your own brothers and sisters that opposed you? If you're so desperate to draft yourself a title, write it in your own blood, not others!"
"And you?" said Three Dragons, shaking his head. "Did you become Triad for protection, fame, or wealth? These factors drive people crazy, susceptible to the world. It takes serious discipline to not change. The underworld is not the paragon you think it is. Finding Infinite Stratos in coincidence was an internal family matter to start. Who's the one who dragged people in to die? At the end, it was us, cutting each other's throats behind Uncle Yuen's back."
"What are you trying to say?"
"This is between me and you we're talking about. You didn't think that Righteousness Union would be in grave danger? Whose blood tipped the brush for the script? Righteousness Union was used as sacrificial pawns hence I had to betray them for a better family. We write in other people's blood, that's the Triad way. Always have, always will, Liu. I aim to pen my title in your blood."
Three Dragons turned his back, removing the torn shirt to reveal his body tattoos. His back piece revealed a menacing dragon coated in painful, colorful ink surrounded by cloud, waves, wind bars.
"You're not the only one with a dragon motif, boy," said Three Dragons, exposing his front tattoos of birds, bamboo and leaves. "I'll kill you, take Nightmare for Kaori…and become the Dragon of Harmonious Association."
Liu kept his cold, stoic face. "You can keep the corny nickname. But…there can be only one dragon."
"Yes…I could not agree more."
"I'll give you your fight, and put an end to this war and you!"
The dragon removed his shirt to reveal his tattoos as the last thing Three Dragons will ever see. Talk was over, Liu and Three Dragons glared with pure hatred, clenching their fists, and charged.
"LIU!" Three Dragons roared.
Kaori and Rin traded blows furiously as another Lion pilot joined in the ring, covering fire. Rin fall back for cover, breathing out of control when she has to deal with two foes. The Lion pilot crept up to get a close up kill shot, unaware that Rin used the windows as a mirror to spot her first.
"Will you just fuck off already!?" Rin shouted, firing her Ryuhou at the Lion that knocked her out. The tiger fired at Kaori, dodging behind a building before she shot back rapidly. Rin flew towards a warehouse to find adequate cover while Kaori pursued her prey.
"Rin!" Kaori taunted, forming small fireball in her right hand. "Rin-rin, come out to play!"
Rin gritted her teeth in disgust at Kaori's nonchalant attitude. The moment Kaori took her time to reload, Rin tackled her and blocked Kaori's elbow hook. Rin slashed Kaori's right eye that dealt a serious blow as she dealt more blows to her face.
"You bitch!" Kaori cried in pain, parrying Rin's overhead slash.
The Phoenix blasted Rin with a burst stream of fire, sending her flying across the landscape. Rin was flung back like a ragged doll as she crashed against a store. Enraged at losing her right eye, Kaori charged her fire at higher temperature, burning everything at her path.
Rin slowly opened her eyes to see her surroundings in fire with Kaori getting closer to kill her. Kaori raised her Vortex for an execution blow, and Rin flew up just in time. The moment they locked blades, sparks fly in all directions, and Rin dealt a serious blow to Kaori's back that sent her hurling to the ground.
"Stay down!" said Rin, catching her breath.
Rin tried to collect her thoughts, only to be interrupted by the raging Phoenix with an overhead slash. The tiger delivered a horizontal slash, followed by a tackle. But, Kaori countered with a devastating headbutt that stunned Rin before she headbutt her twice.
Blood oozed from their forceful blows, but Kaori ignored the damages done, and threw her against the pavement. Rin tumbled violently as her landing stopped. Battered, bruised, and almost out of energy, Rin tried to get up, only to stumble backwards.
"AAAAHHHH!" Kaori yelled, clutching her bloodied head.
Kaori hovered towards the grounded tiger, slowly charging Vortex. Seeing the blades rotating like a chainsaw covered in fire, Rin slashed her legs and face. The tiger lost her balance again, feeling drained out from the brutal fight.
Rin and Kaori struggled to get back on their feet that made them extremely sluggish. Rin grabbed her remaining Souten Gagetsu while Kaori ripped one of her Vortex blades into a makeshift machete. Clutching their respective last stand weapons, they took it to the sky for the final round. Kaori ignited her blade with fire to spiral slash. Rin countered with a side thrust, piercing Kaori's right arm.
Not wanting to lose, Kaori locked Rin in a rear naked choke, squeezing her throat with the remains of her strength.
"Take this, bitch!" Kaori growled, choking Rin.
Blood from Kaori's wounded right arm went through Rin, acting like a lubricant to break free. Rin stabbed Kaori in the stomach, causing her to scream in pain.
Rin stared at the wounded Phoenix. "Am I your bitch now…Kaori?"
The tiger charged her Ryuhou, and shot Kaori point-blank, hurling to the ground. Rin saw Kaori one last time to confirm she was grounded, permanently with blood oozing from her head. The tiger fell to the ground, hoping that Liu will stick true to his words to come back alive.
At the highway…
Three Dragons and Liu partial deployed their IS, staring with intense concentration that filled the highway. Cars drove pass the confrontation to get away from the fight about to explode. The boys anticipated each other's moves, throwing jabs and blocking every few seconds. Liu played it safe, knowing that his life was on the line to kill Three Dragons first before he does.
Three Dragons clenched his left fist against his rib cage to execute a lunge punch. Liu sidestepped in the nick of time, nearly getting hurled ten feet from the powerful blow.
"Nice dodge!" said Three Dragons.
What's wrong with him?
"Show me what you got, Liu."
Three Dragons threw a jab and cross combo while Liu deflected. Three Dragons threw a right hook, but Liu countered with a gazelle punch at his chin, stunning him. Liu delivered a left hook as Three Dragons attempted a straight punch. Liu counterpunch to his solar plexus and chin, knocking him to the ground.
Liu did not drop his guard. "Come on, Three Dragons. You're better than this."
The opposing dragon got to his feet before Liu threw a left straight. However, Three Dragons caught his punch, smirking at Liu's disbelief expression before he twisted his hand upside down.
"Have a taste of the dragon claw!" Three Dragons exclaimed, swiping Liu vertically which made him roll over behind him.
"You're doing well…" said Three Dragons. "But it's not enough to keep up with this!"
Three Dragons threw a backhand as Liu ducked. Three Dragons found an opening to Liu's right hand, and locked him before he twisted in the opposite direction. Getting full control again, Three Dragons bent Liu's right hand with excruciating pain.
Three Dragons smirked, showing superior strength due to Titan –M5 coursing in his body while Liu squirmed to break free. Liu retaliated with his backhand that stunned Three Dragons.
The dragons hurled barrage of punches and kicks to no end, showing impressive fighting techniques. Three Dragons kicked Liu against a parked car that shook the occupants inside. The occupants ran away when Three Dragons dented the hood with brute force. Liu punched Three Dragons that staggered him with blood dripping to his lower lip.
"Don't underestimate me," Three Dragons muttered. "Bring everything you've got!"
Liu and Three Dragons engaged in a violent slugfest, throwing out defense in exchange for an all-out attack. Liu initially had the advantage, but Three Dragons punched Liu that left him dazed.
"What's wrong, Liu?" said Three Dragons, executing a right hook.
Liu growled in defiance. "You bastard!"
The punch did not fully connect when Liu literally used his cheek to parry. Liu countered with a right hook, knocking him to the ground the second time. Three Dragons grew frustrated, not being able to knock Liu off his feet as he tackled him to the ground.
Fueled by hate, the dragons fought without stopping for once. Soon enough, they grappled to deliberately throw against oncoming traffic to end the grudge match quickly. It proved to be an impossible task when both sides showed resistance.
"Take this!" said Three Dragons, kneeing Liu that made him stumbled to the bridge pillar. Liu evaded the finishing blow that left a giant dent. Liu could not believe that Three Dragons showed no signs of wearing out. Despite the powerful blows Liu landed, Three Dragons was still standing like it was nothing.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Liu said, gritting his teeth. "Why won't you die?!"
Three Dragons chuckled, clenching his left fist to reveal his veins glowing light blue. "Titan –M5, boy, the same stuff you stole when I dispatched Kaori. Squall and I modified it to make it compatible for me without showing side effects. You can't match my moves."
Liu kicked Three Dragons, only to be clawed across the face. Liu winced in pain with blood dripping from the scratch marks.
"What did I just say?" said Three Dragons, clawing Liu's right arm. "You can't beat me!"
Liu tried to break free from the restraint, but he received a side whip kick to the face, knocking to the ground. The nemesis folded his arms to relax, watching his opponent slowly recovering. However, Three Dragons did not notice that Liu feinted to claw his right thigh.
"You know, Liu," Three Dragons goaded. "You have a nice girlfriend. I'll show her a better time than you once you're finished. Get her hooked up on Titan –M5, and she will be a money maker for my society. Rin is going to be my sex toy, and I'm generous enough to share it to my men and women."
Three Dragons bragged about how he will use Rin sexually, but he took it too far, infuriating Liu even more.
Liu roared in anger. "You…SICK FUCK!"
Three Dragons was so focused on taunting Liu that he did not notice Liu clawing his right thigh.
"AAAHHH!" Three Dragons yelled, trying to ward off the claw sinking through his skin.
Liu clawed his back in one swift motion before they trade blows with their dragon claws.
Liu slashed his back before they viciously claw each other. Liu's desire to kill Three Dragons raised sky high, throwing aggressive attacks like an actual dragon. Three Dragons locked his arm again, but Liu was not falling for it again, retaliating with a reverse roundhouse kick.
Three Dragons shook off the attack as Liu growled, feeling the wrath to maul him to shreds. Three Dragons showed off his dragons claws in a circular motion to intimidate Liu. However, he was not fooled by a second rate Triad.
Three Dragons tried to kick Liu, but the latter grabbed his leg, and hurled him across the pavement. Three Dragons tumbled like a ragged doll, nearly ran over by a dump truck. The driver made an abrupt stop that dropped loads of steel I-beam. Freaked out by the dragons' appearances, the driver sped away, ignoring the load he carried.
The dragons backed off from being creamed by the payload, making Three Dragons run away at superhuman speed. Liu grabbed one nearby, and chased after his foe.
"Oh no you don't!" Liu shouted, sprinting at his prey.
Three Dragons ran as fast as he could, but Liu was getting closer. Despite the drug giving him superhuman power, nothing beats willpower and spirit. Liu slammed it to Three Dragons, which he swiped it away that knocked off Liu.
They went at it again, only to be interrupted by an oncoming bus, forcing them to the side. The dragons fought for control over the I-beam before Liu hook punched Three Dragons consecutively, and kicked him. Three Dragons attempted to strike back, but Liu grabbed him, and they plummeted to the ground 18 feet.
The I-beam also fell when the dragons were on their knees, catching their breath. Liu recollected his thoughts to cool himself down while Three Dragons slammed his fist to the ground.
"Not bad at all…" Three Dragons muttered, wiping blood from his lips. "Die, Liu!"
Three Dragons charged at Liu, grabbing the I-beam to slam Liu's head. The dragon rolled over before Three Dragons swung ferociously like a barbarian, roaring to show off his strength of Titan –M5. Liu gritted his teeth in annoyance that he cannot fight Three Dragons the moment he used his I-beam as a staff. Leaving no other choice, Liu retreated to recover briefly and strategize.
Liu leaped over a truck, nearly losing his balance while Three Dragons followed suit, clearly enjoying the game. Liu recovered momentarily before Three Dragons swung his I-beam with precision and unbelievable speed. The dragon deployed Heavenly Emperor, parrying every strike Three Dragons hurled.
Three Dragons spun his brute weapon around his body, trying to land a direct hit at his target. Liu tried his best to negate his frenzy strikes, but it's no use. The dragons traded blow after blow as Three Dragons jabbed Liu in the stomach, stunning him in the process. Three Dragons delivered an overhead slash to end the fight, but Liu sliced his weapon in half.
Three Dragons was not deterred before he hurled his broken I-beam like a javelin. Liu ducked before Three Dragons charged towards him. However, a speeding van nearly ran over Three Dragons, forcing him to back off. The opposing dragon retreated with more cars moving nonstop as Liu catch his breath. They ignored the traffic honking at them to get off the road while Three Dragons casually stretched.
An 18 wheeler blocked them momentarily, giving Three Dragons an opportunity to ambush Liu. Just as the truck went away, Three Dragons fired his Oblivion.
"Take this!" Three Dragons shouted, firing Oblivion.
Liu narrowly avoided being shot before he responded by deploying Reaper, and returned fire. With Heavenly Emperor on his right hand, and Reaper on his left forearm, Liu pointed his fusion cannon to ward off Three Dragons.
Three Dragons tilted his head. "I deserved to claim Nightmare in the first place, not you. I earned that damn IS! Now everyone at Righteousness Union is going to bow down to me because you're dead once I erase your life, including Uncle Yuen!"
"This is why you are bound to fall from grace," said Liu. "And you won't be remembered as the late great one."
"I bet all the people will miss you once I'm done with you. I know Rin will. When she mourns for you, I'll be there to comfort her."
"Over my dead body, boy."
The moment Liu picked up on the word 'comfort', he fired Reaper at Three Dragons. They dodged every projectile, firing back with relentless firepower that slightly shook the road. Three Dragons fired nonstop to score a direct hit at his nemesis. No matter how hard they try, their shots miss all the time. Frustrated with Liu not getting hit, Three Dragons charged his Oblivion until the barrel glowed light blue.
Three Dragons appeared to fire, but he lunged towards Liu to get a close up kill shot.
Liu fired towards Oblivion to redirect Three Dragons' shot, staggering him before Liu rammed his head on the bridge pillar. The dragon swept his leg that sent him a back flip, and landed lying face up. The dragon kept his guard up to not get caught by Three Dragons' sneak attack.
By the time Three Dragons got up, he feinted with his right arm and then swung with a left. Liu grabbed his arms to throw it down violently to injure his forearms. Liu connected his right hook to grab Three Dragons from behind, and threw him over to the pavement. Three Dragons slowly got up to his feet, breathing abnormally.
"Come on, Three Dragons…" Liu muttered, walking towards him.
Before Liu can kick Three Dragons, he slashed Liu away before the latter received a left hook to the face. Liu stumbled and tried to throw a side kick, only for Three Dragons to execute a flying reverse round house kick, sending him flying across the road. Liu was dazed, his Reaper was almost out of ammo, and his partial IS armor was torn.
"It was fun while it lasted," said Three Dragons, charging Oblivion to full power. "Any last words you would like to say?"
"…" Liu remained silent.
"Die, Liu King-sang."
Just as Three Dragons pulled the trigger to execute Liu, the latter slashed Oblivion with his Heavenly Emperor, and swung a crescent moon slash that destroyed his cannon. Liu slashed Three Dragons, and kicked towards an approaching car. Liu went for another kick, but Three Dragons evaded the attack, and rammed Liu on the crumbled hood. Liu threw him over against the windshield, leaving a myriad of cracks.
"Take this, you scumbag!" cried Liu, kneeing Three Dragons to the face.
"I'm not losing to you!" Three Dragons retorted, slamming Liu on the roof.
"You son of a bitch!"
Liu tackled Three Dragons towards an oncoming semi truck that came to a stop. The impact left craters of dents as Three Dragons clipped parts of Liu's IS off, flinging him back against the car.
Three Dragons said, "I AM the Dragon of Harmonious Association!"
The dragons stood up and charge, parrying each other's vicious strikes as Three Dragons swiped Reaper away from Liu's forearm. In a spin, Liu slashed Three Dragons before their blades locked, grinding sparks. Liu tried to overpower Three Dragons, but he threw a front kick to his face, stunning the dragon. Three Dragons attempted to stab Liu, only to receive a punch to the chest by Liu. The dragon executed a one-two punch as he tried to clap his hands to Three Dragons' ears.
Unfortunately, Three Dragons got the upper hand the moment Liu left his arms open, and palm strike his chin mid air. Liu became disoriented from the forceful blow to his chin before Three Dragons clawed his face front and backhand. Leaving bloody claw marks on his cheeks, Three Dragons clawed him the third time to the ground.
Liu staggered away from Three Dragons approaching him while he set his eyes to stab him for good. Just as Three Dragons went for an overhead slash, Liu ripped a semi truck door, turned around, and smacked his face with brutal force.
"GAAAHH!?" Three Dragons was astounded, spitting chunk of saliva and blood from his mouth.
Three Dragons lost his balance as Liu smashed him again, shattering the window into pieces. Using as a shield, Liu went defense while Three Dragons swung recklessly to break it apart. Three Dragons pried Liu's shield from his hands, but this was Liu's least of his worries.
Three Dragons grappled Liu for control, but the dragon denied him by applying a front facelock to leg sweep before falling backwards to drive Three Dragons' back first down to the door. Three Dragons laid on his back in more pain when he landed on a jagged piece of metal.
Three Dragons slammed his fist in anger that he was slowly losing to Liu. "This is not over yet, Liu."
Liu and Three Dragons sprinted at full speed with their weapons, inadvertently disarming themselves in the process. Gritting their teeth, Three Dragons threw an uppercut as Liu blocked with his elbow, ultimately fractured Three Dragons' fingers. Liu rotated his right arm, giving it more power to throw a corkscrew blow to the face, spiraling Three Dragons alongside the road like a ragged doll.
"Ugh…!" Liu coughed blood, stumbling across the landscape.
Three Dragons slowly got up, glaring at Liu to intimidate him. Liu was not affected by a mean mug as he kicked him to the bridge pillar. Three Dragons was too stunned to counter before Liu punched him twice, and kneed him to the stomach. Three Dragons snapped back, parrying Liu's punch before he grabbed it. Liu and Three Dragons glared, trying to overpower each other as Three Dragons roared, throwing a right hook.
Liu countered with a headbutt before he did it two more times, and punched him. Three Dragons blocked the finishing blow, again as they were locked in a stalemate. Liu threw a backhand to stun Three Dragons, and the dragon headbutt him with bigger blunt trauma. Even though his head oozed blood from the repeated forceful thrusts, Liu ignored it, punching Three Dragons twice.
Three Dragons kicked Liu to break free, going for their final attack once and for all.
"LIU!" Three Dragons roared.
"THREE DRAGONS!" Liu yelled, charging with their fists.
Ultimately, Liu came on top, and knocked Three Dragons to the ground, permanently.
"Dragon of Harmonious Association…" Three Dragons muttered, spitting blood.
Liu stared at Three Dragons lying on his back, completely defeated covered in bruises and cuts as he could not believe that he lost. Out of energy to fight back, Three Dragons remained motionless.
Three Dragons shook his head. "There's just one thing…I learned from Righteousness Union. A triad who can hold on…has not lost yet."
The dragon kneeled, chuckling. "You…Liu…and the gang from IS Academy…I'll kill you all…"
Liu had enough of Three Dragons being conceited, even when he lost the grudge match. The thoughts of seeing his arrogant smile has pushed Liu's patience to an end. Cross veins popped from his temple, and Liu kicked him to the ground. Even when Three Dragons moved his head, Liu kicked him again even stronger.
Liu kneeled against Three Dragons to take one last look at his nemesis. Liu, in his anger savagely beats up Three Dragons. Each punch grew stronger when Liu had a flashback of Chifuyu, Rin, Righteousness Union civil war, and their rivalry. His knuckles were bruised, covered in blood before Three Dragons, badly injured had last words to say.
"Is that all?" Three Dragons questioned. "Do it…Kill me, Liu. Follow in…your nature…and become a true…triad!"
Three Dragons pulled his last trick up his sleeves to make Liu a monster by making him to take his life. Three Dragons does not realize that Liu was no longer the man he was in the past. Instead, he awakened Liu's strength to a whole new level. Liu build up his anger towards Three Dragons, gritting his teeth as he clenched his left fist. Liu had to end Three Dragons, permanently to mark the end of their bitter rivalry. There was no room for peaceful solutions between dragons.
Liu directed all his energy to his left fist, ready to deliver the killing blow to Three Dragons.
"FUCK YOU!" Liu yelled in righteous anger, executing the final blow to Three Dragons so hard that the back of his head created a crater, killing him instantly from repeated blunt trauma.
The battle was finally over. Liu has emerged victorious, staring at his deceased dragon covered in blood. Liu walked away, ignoring the injuries he sustained as emergency personnel and traffic blew past him. Liu can only think of seeing Rin, hoping she was in one piece. Unbeknownst to Liu, Rin also thought the same thing. After walking for five minutes, Liu returned to downtown, where he saw the gang still standing. Their injuries were minor to moderate, but nothing too serious asides bruises and cuts.
Liu saw the aftermath of the underworld conflict, witnessing the streets lot more dirty riddled with bullet holes, littered with trash, and cops, medics securing the scene. Over 250 Phantom Task members and Three Dragons' followers were arrested. 25 deceased and 82 injured from crooks, civilian, and officers alike.
Officers searched for the top agents and ringleader of Phantom Task, but they were missing. Shen, Kaori, and Three Dragons were confirmed dead the moment they were wrapped in body bags. Liu was finally relieved that the conflict has put to an end. The gang nodded in approval at Liu for a job well done before he was escorted by medics to an ambulance.
Liu saw Chifuyu inside the ambulance wrapped in bandages and a cast on her right arm. The Brunhilde suffered the worst injuries she sustained from Shen while she was administered medicine to alleviate the pain.
"Orimura-sensei, I-"
Chifuyu turned fast, startled to find him there.
"Hey. Easy there, Liu. I can take care of him."
"Yes, Chifuyu," said the officer, guarding Chifuyu before he left.
Liu said, "Yeah. You look more terrible than before. Did you slay Shen this time?"
Chifuyu tried to smile him off, then gave up, turning away. She tipped her head up to the roof in an Oh, God type of gesture, then resumed remaining stoic, as though he weren't there.
"Are you okay?" said Liu, though it came sounding wrong.
Chifuyu turned her head in profile, blinking, waiting for serenity. Then she turned all the way, glaring, her quick, harsh look imploring him, Stop asking me that question.
"Shen is finished for good," said Chifuyu. "Take it from me, Liu. Whatever you heard that I died, it won't matter. The only voice they hear is me still alive. You did what you came here to do, alright?"
Liu grasped his hand. "I defeated Three Dragons," he said in a relieved tone.
"Good, now rest up. You will need it for a while."
Liu only wanted to see Rin, but she has yet to show up, making him anxious and worried. The moment Liu and Chifuyu dozed off, he heard familiar footsteps, which was Rin battered from her fight. She had moderate injuries like Chifuyu, but it was not too severe. Rin could not contain her smile, and she hugged Liu tightly. The dragon hugged back in response rubbing her soft brown hair he liked the most. He was glad that Rin made it out as promised while Chifuyu nodded her head for a job well done.
Two months later
At Café Cruise, Liu encountered Chifuyu, again, drinking a cup of coffee in broad daylight. The good news was Brunhilde made a speedy recovery. However, she was wrapped in bandages on her upper body, band aid on her right cheek with bruises on her forehead, and a cane on her left hand. Liu sat down to settle things with Chifuyu.
"Chifuyu," said Liu, ignoring the formality.
"That's Orimura-sensei to you," Chifuyu corrected Liu. "What brings you here?"
"I just wanted to say thanks."
"For what? It's me who should be…"
"For helping me cut loose ends. Do something I could feel good about. Hell, for helping me stay sane from the bullshit we went through."
"My pleasure. So, what are you going to do now?"
"I don't know to be honest. The adventure is over, but I don't have anywhere else to go. Strange to say it after all that's happened, but Japan kind of feels like home."
Liu left Café Cruise while Chifuyu sipped her coffee. "Yeah, but which Japan…Liu King-sang…"
Sitting behind Chifuyu was Ichika and Charlotte being suspicious.
"And what about Liu?" Charlotte questioned. "Why didn't you tell us before that he is a Righteousness Union the entire time?"
"He proved himself to be helpful to me and the Academy, one way or the other. And isn't that what really matters? Don't worry too much about it."
Chifuyu told the gang everything about Liu's identity after the underworld conflict. Ichika and Charlotte understood to not make a pointless argument with Chifuyu. Liu was finally free from the underworld drama with order restored. All he can do is look forward to enjoy life to the fullest.
Time: 10:03AM - Academy Rooftop
The gang enjoyed a day of relaxation on a clear blue sky with the sun shining bright. Ichika was in a good mood, holding dozens of lunch boxes wrapped in fancy bags.
"Thanks for packed lunches the other day!" Ichika handed the gang lunch boxes. "So, in return, I made something for all of you today!"
Ichika went to the English girl. "For Cecilia, Beef wellington with a side of potato wedges. I think it'll suit your tastes, so this is what I thought of."
Cecilia covered her mouth as if she was surprised. "Ichika-san, this…lacks a bit of failures, very well then."
"Okay…I just don't get you."
"For Mattheus and Joel, I made Carbonade flamande. Hope you guys like it."
The Flemish man and his partner took a bite before they ate more.
"Ichika invested his time wisely to learn various cuisine styles to improve his culinary skills," Mattheus quipped.
"It's good to be open minded and learn a thing or two about new subjects," said Joel.
Ichika checked them out with a smile. "I did what I can do to repay you guys."
He started to feel good, despite himself. "For Rin and Liu, of course, Chinese cuisine!"
The couple was not impressed at the blue boy. "What's with the 'Of course' part?"
"Well," he said. "I wanted to make it special for us."
"It's not the only thing we eat, you know?" said Liu.
Rin and Liu shared an assortment of Peking duck with veggies and rice. They nodded their heads in approval at Ichika.
Liu said, "Mmm…t-this is…well done. You could open up a restaurant of your own."
"Thanks, but I don't have such plans at the moment-"
"What can't you just be thankful!" Rin pouted as Liu chuckled, petting his beloved tiger.
Next, Ichika presented Houki a traditional bento box, and the fox was amazed at the neat presentation.
"I-Ichika…anybody who could be your wife would be really happy…"
"Hmm? What's with that all of sudden?"
Houki fidgeted her fingers. "It's just that…I always put my heart in making things and…what if I don't feel well when a special occasion comes? I was thinking that if you were the one to make things for me, then that would make me really happy…"
"Okay! When your next birthday comes, Houki, I'll make another packed lunch just for you."
Houki dropped hints to show her feelings to Ichika that she likes him a lot. Unfortunately, the blue boy's head was still thick than a black hole. Dark clouds loomed over Houki's head that Ichika did not pick up her easy hint. Minutes later, Chifuyu and Maya arrived to sit next to Ichika as the younger brother gave her a large lunch box.
Chifuyu smirked at his hands, his face. "That's awfully big for a lunch box."
"I ended up making a lot so I left this with you."
Maya said, "Oh, is that what Orimura-kun made? What a loving wife that brother of yours. Is it a multi-national smorgas bord?"
Chifuyu opened her lunch that was a mixture of Chinese, Japanese, and Western food before she gave Maya the What did you just say to me? expression. The gang basked under the beautiful weather, talking about their plans over the summer break. Rin and Liu smiled at each other as she kissed Liu on the head. The dragon returned the lovely kiss, placing his hands onto Rin's shoulder.
"I can take another name, and build a new life. But on the inside, I'll always have that instinct to accept what I am, whether I hate it or love it. Never giving up only gets you so far in this game, no matter how many times you get knocked down, remember that. You won't get another chance."
FIN