Chapter 8

The Big Scoop

Further into the tides of the ocean, Mitchel took in the beautiful sights while Ann and Karen decided to continue talking among themselves.

"So, as you were saying earlier… what brought you here? And now why are you riding with us?" Karen asked.

"Yeah, sorry for not filling you in earlier. Actually, what I'm looking for just might be on the island you mentioned." Ann answered.

"Really?" Karen said with a twitch. "And… what are you looking for that would warrant this "great scoop" you spoke of before?"

Ann seemed to beam from excitement.

"Actually, you should keep this under wraps, but they say that a commotion has been going on in Onigami Island for quite a while now. It's supposed to be inhabited only by vicious animals, but it seems an even more dominant force has taken over for years now! I have reason to believe that this very force is none other than the legendary Demonic Warrior, Gotz!" Ann exclaimed.

Karen gulped.

"That girl hit a nail on the head!" she thought.

"Say, Ann… where did you receive word of this?" the curious blonde asked.

"Oh, it's from a secret source, but very reliable!" Ann replied with a wink and a nod.

"I have a feeling you're right about your source…" Karen muttered quietly to herself.

"Yup! I was really lucky to find that Dan guy and convince him we were relatives because of our same last name, otherwise I would've been in a rut forever! Who knew that annoying pseudo-relative of mine would ever be useful!" Ann thought to herself with a confident grin.

"Gotz you say?" Karen repeated. "But that guy's supposed to be one dangerous mofo! What got you into him?"

"Actually, you could say it's because of a little game between Lumina and I. You see, while she preoccupied with her studies on the famous fighter who defeated Bob, I decided to plunge into research on the infamous fighter we're talking about. Lumina keeps claiming how great her guy is, but I figured a legend like mine had to be even greater! Besides, what better way for an aspiring journalist to make a name for herself by breaking new ground?" Ann answered.

Karen nodded.

"That makes sense. But I'm not sure how much you can get the guy. I mean, he's supposed to be officially an "unknown" in this world. It's hard to pick up stuff on a guy that officially doesn't exist." Karen replied.

"Actually, there was quite a bit… although it's mostly speculation and rumor." Ann replied. "In the Martial Arts community, word has already spread that the man had recently killed his own brother, the "Late" Master Woody of Ansatsuken, while he earlier murdered their old master in cold blood. I guess that's what you can expect from a crazed guy like him. Anyway, there's also some rumor that he may have connections to the infamous Crime Organization, Shadaloo, head by the ruthless and mysterious overlord, Harris. Although, there's some doubt on that news, since Gotz's solitary personality and erratic behavior don't exactly coincide with Shadaloo activity. But the biggest news of all concerns his family life! You see, some sources have claimed that the man had taken a temporary leave from his training and headed to who-knows-where to find means for a potential successor! The strongest of these claims suggested he might've even raped a beautiful woman to produce that successor!" Ann explained.

"Wow… this guy sounds like even more of a jackass then before." Karen growled.

"Now I have to get my hands on that guy for both murder AND sexual assault! Guess I'm serving up a double dose of justice then!" Karen thought to herself.

Ann then squinted at the young lady standing before her and was filled with sudden shock.

"Oh my gosh! This woman! She has that flowing blonde hair like the records mentioned! Could she possibly be--"

"The island! I see it coming up!" Mitchel shouted.

The ladies turned their heads to see the great island with a huge volcano rising in the background.

"Gotz… I'll make you pay for everything!" Karen thought with anger.

"My beautiful scoop... it's practically within my grasp!" Ann thought with glee.

"The "Murderous Intent"… will we be able to stand up to such a devastating force?" Mitch thought solemnly.

Moments later, the ferry finally docked at the grounds of the demonic island. The three passengers set foot on forbidden ground and said their goodbyes to the captain.

"So… are we covered for round-trip, or do I have to pay more for the ride back?" Karen asked.

"Oh, for a place like this, round-trip is guaranteed! I doubt many people are eager to make a home out of Onigami island, so I'll happily spare them the price!" Cap'n Mikey answered.

"Alright, then. Glad to know." Karen grinned.

"Then good luck, you two! I'll stick around until ye come back, but if it gets late, I'll assume the worst and call the mainland. Hopefully the backup will find you landlubbers in one peace." Capn't Mikey explained.

"Don't worry! We'll be fine! The two of us pretty tough, and I'm sure we got plenty of strength to keep our friend here from trouble!" Karen said back.

"Thanks for the ride, Captain!" Mitchel cried.

"The Taiyo High Press thanks you, too!" Ann cried along.

The good captain nodded.

"Later, me hearties!" Capn' Mikey cried.

With their last words conveyed, the party of three headed deep into the exotic plant life to seek out their elusive target.

During their trek, Ann got completely caught up in the scenery and took out her camera to take photographs and commentate on her journey.

"Traversing the frenzy wilds of Onigami Island, Ace Reporter Ann Hibiki discovers numerous lovely plants along the trail! Blue flowers, red flowers, long grasses higher than my head! The island is no doubt one tropical place!" Ann said aloud.

"Alright! We get the point, already! The island's really exotic! You don't have to point this out to us every five seconds! You don't even have a recorder with you, so what's the use?" Karen complained.

Once more , Ann rubbed her head bashfully.

"….sorry. Force of habit." She reluctantly admitted.

"The silence WOULD be greatly appreciated. We wouldn't want to be attracting unwanted attention in this place." Mitchel added.

"Right, right…" Ann replied in a shaky voice while bobbing her head up and down. "So… why are you guys doing here for, anyway? Are you going to put yourselves through special training like Gotz supposedly did around here?"

"Nu-uh! No way! We're actually after the same thing as you, because we're gunning for the big man himself!" Karen announced proudly.

"Wh-what?! You guys want to fight Gotz? Are you crazy? I mean, I feel like you guys are good and strong, but to take on a man of mythic proportions? That's… questionable, considering the guy has been dropping the most skilled Masters left and right!" Ann exclaimed.

"Who cares? One of the Masters that bastard dropped is my own, and he's going to pay for it big time!" Karen cried.

"Yeah… Our Master was practically Karen's adopted Grandpa… and he was the only "family" I had. We at least owe this battle to our Master." Mitchel explained.

"We've already made our mark on the world! Now to make sure it lasts!" Karen added.

Ann looked at the pair dubiously.

"In all honestly, I have yet to make a mark myself, but I'd rather live for it than die, you know?" Ann commented.

"Then you clearly don't walk path of the warrior. It's "Do or Die" for us; a very simple, yet brutal living." Mitchel answered.

"But… I like you guys too much! I don't want you to die… even if it will make a shocking headline!" Ann whimpered.

"Don't worry, we're not dying! We intend to make Gotz suffer and kick his ass without letting up! It'll be he who regrets everything in the end!" Karen cried.

"Yeah! So don't worry, I think we're well aware of what we're getting ourselves into! There's no way I'll allow a crazy place like this to be our final resting ground!" Mitchel assured the journalist girl.

"Fine. Then I'll just have to have faith in you. If you two can pull of a victory against Gotz, then you'll give me one of the greatest scoops I could ever hope for." Ann replied.

She then took a side glance at a very confident Karen.

"However, there's something Karen should probably know before going on with this fight. There just might be one regret she isn't aware of…" Ann thought with concern.

Eventually, the trio made it in front of the entrance to a dark, ominous cave.

"This… this just might be it!" Karen cried.

"Gotz' home?" Mitchel said gravely. "Such a horrendous aura…"

"Finally! My big scoop!" Ann cheered.

Suddenly, a vicious figure appeared right in front of the cavern and before their very eyes. His glowing red eyes and demonic aura were unmistakable….

"GOTZ!!" Karen shouted.

"Hm… so Woody's disciples have finally arrived. How interesting…" the sinister fighter smirked.

Mitchel then pointed out an index finger towards their sought out foe.

"This is it! We've come to settle a score concerning our Master, and you're not getting away!" he announced.

"I see." Gotz uttered aloud. "So the two of you think you can defeat me?"

He then let out a cold, cruel chuckle that seemed to shake the very souls of its listeners.

"Such foolish logic for foolish disciples to dare believed they've actually surpassed their even foolish master! But go ahead! Come at me if you believe you have the strength!" Gotz taunted.

Possessed by a fit of rage, Karen charged in with her heart and soul lit aflame.

"SUFFER!! PAY!!" Karen screamed.

"WAIT, STOP!!" a sudden cry announced.

Free from her rampage, Karen gazed down in confusion as she saw Ann defending the very man that she had sought vengeance against.

"Ann? I don't understand… what the hell are you doing? Get out of the way! You can still get your little scoop after I pummel this guy!" Karen complained.

"You don't understand… that heir Gotz wanted… years ago they said that he pursued an affluent foreign woman on a trip to Japan. They say that the two of them gave birth to a healthy blonde girl with healthy emerald eyes, and that she had the knack of a great martial artist." Ann explained nervously.

Karen then looked at Gotz with horror in her eyes.

"You… you mean—"

"Yes… that man standing before… Gotz…is your father!"