C.Nash1: Hey man, I'm REALLY sorry I've not been able to come! I've been so busy this summer I've had no time to stay up late enough...EVEN ON SATURDAYS! Tell Shin that I'll try to get on soon, and I hope he's enjoying high school(if he's not still being home-schooled)

Well everyone, time for the next battle!

Shinkenger...ROCK ON!

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"Hey girls, I think I might have found something," Jin ran out of the Mishima mansion's library with a stack of papers in his hand as he called out to Asuka and Xiaoyu, who were in the recreation room watching television. It had been only a day since the three youths battled the strange monster and its horde of reptilian creatures; only a day since the trio received the power to morph into fighters that Asuka dubbed "Shinkengers." Although Jin and the others were still curious as to if there were others with that kind of power, their primary concern lay in finding out just who that monster with the battle axe was.

"Fortunately, I was able to find information on our pale friend via the Internet," Jin spread the papers out on a coffee table as Asuka and Xiaoyu turned off the television and walked over to where Jin was standing. Lying on the table were numerous illustrations of the creature, some of which dating back to the sixteenth century. Most of the pictures featured him ravaging houses, ripping off heads, and standing amongst a field of skulls. Each of the documents referred to the creature as "Astaroth."

"So this Astaroth guy is over five-hundred years old," Xiaoyu picked up one of the pictures from the table and gave it a closer inspection. "I wonder why he's decided to show up now…"

"I'm more worried about who he's working for," Asuka turned away from the table and began to pace across the room whilst rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "Did you notice how he ran away right before he was going to fight us? It seems to me like he's getting orders from someone else; especially since he only killed people in a certain room."

"Hmmm…that's a good point, Asuka," Jin turned around and headed back to the library. "If we can find out what office he attacked, then maybe we can make some connection between-"

Suddenly, Jin felt a buzzing in his pocket just as he was about to leave the room. Taking out his cell phone and flipping it open, Jin put it to his ear while Xiaoyu and Asuka looked in curiosity. "Hello?"

"Jin! I hope you're reading for your ass-beating!"

The Japanese youth rolled his eyes as he heard that familiar voice. In all honesty, he would have been content if he didn't have to put up with it. "What are you talking about, Hwoarang? I'm really busy right now…"

"'Busy?' I've been waiting for three years now for you and I to get our rematch! First I had to put up with the idiots at the army, and then I hear that you got shipped off to Russia, and after that you're the head of the Zaibatsu! The last time I was getting ready to face you, that damn grandpa of yours knocked me out of the tournament! I'm tired of waiting: we're settling this now, King of Iron Fist or no"Hwoarang's voice was full of agitation as he yelled over the phone. "I'm right now at the Mishima High School courtyard, in front of the golden statue of that big idiot: be there in forty-five minutes."

"Forty-five minutes? Hwoarang, this is a little sudden: I don't know if you keep up with the world news or not, but there's a giant monster on the loose and-"

"Again with the excuses! When are you going to stop running away and finish what you started?"

Jin was silent as he heard Hwoarang say those words. Jin had promised Hwoarang a rematch in the past, but he continued to hold it off as other events occurred in his life…events such as his thirst for vengeance upon his Mishima kin, and his mind being torn apart by his Devil Gene. However, that was a year ago: Jin had now moved on from those nightmares, and could now pursue that rematch. Maybe fighting Hwoarang will keep me primed in case Astaroth shows up, Jin mused as he prepared to accept Hwoarang's challenge. I've never been one to break my promises, and I don't intend to start now. "Hwoarang, I'll be over there in a moment."

"Well, now that's more like it"Hwoarang's satisfaction was clear in his voice as Jin hung up his cell phone. "I'll be waiting right here!"

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Mishima High School

5:00 PM

Mishima High School: the alma mater of Jin Kazama and the current school of Ling Xiaoyu. Owned and operated by the Mishima Zaibatsu, it is a school reserved for students with an exceptional desire to succeed. Many of the graduating students go on into the upper echelons of society, ranging anywhere from managers of major restaurants to executives of large businesses. In the courtyard was a twenty-foot statue of Heihachi Mishima, the founder of the school, made entirely of gold…

…a statue which three Korean men promptly spat on as they arrived in said courtyard.

"Man, too bad school's out right now," one of the men said, a black-haired individual wearing khakis and a leather jacket. "I wanted to get my hands on those fine Mishima High cheerleaders…"

"Har har! You and your hormones, Choi," another man, a bulky character with his hair in a mohawk dyed green wearing the same outfit, laughed obnoxiously at his comrade's comment. "Hey boss Hwoarang, did you hear what he said?"

"Yeah I heard what he said," the 'boss' Hwoarang replied as he hung up his cell phone. "And don't laugh like that, Jae…it makes you sound like an ass."

Hwoarang, with his spiky red-orange hair, was wearing a black sleeveless jacket with orange trim, with a design of a human skull splashed across the back. His black jeans and spurred ebony shoes hid his powerful legs that had won him worldwide renown, while his trademark goggles were bound across his forehead.

"Sorry about that, boss," the one known as Jae apologized as Hwoarang sat down on a nearby bench. "It's just that I'm trying to keep my spirits up. All the other guys either quit or were offed in gang wars when you were in the army. Choi and I just feel…you know…down in the dumps."

"And that, Jae, is why we're more than just gang buds: we're family now." Hwoarang stood back up and patted Jae on the shoulder. "We used to play everyone for fools in our street fights, up until that bastard Jin Kazama showed up. That's why I brought you along to Tokyo with me: I want to you see me defeat Jin fair and square. Then we're going to rebuild our gang." Hwoarang turned around and outstretched his arms to the setting sun. "Once I do that, you and Choi are going to be my lieutenants. We're going to weed out those other gangs…the kind that give gangs like us a bad name!"

"It's good to hear that boss," Choi walked in front of Hwoarang as he put his arms down and finished his speech. "Jae and I were always wondering when we were going to do some good in the world…what made you decide to turn over a new leaf?"

"Ehh…I dunno," Hwoarang shrugged as he continued gazing into the sunset. "After Master Baek came back, I've been doing some thinking… all these other gangs; they don't know what it means to be a fighter! I mean, yeah, we caused trouble and we'll keep on causing trouble with no regrets, but we never attacked innocent people or stuff like that…" A mischievous grin adorned the Korean's face as he finished his speech, "…or maybe I just want to clean up a bit so when the Olympic committee comes to town they don't screw me over because of some stupid 'indecent citizen' BS!"

"Now that's the boss we know," Jae laughed as he reached for his coat pocket. "That reminds me: before we left yesterday, your master asked that I give you this."

Taking the object out of Jae's hand just as his subordinate pulled it out of his pocket; Hwoarang inspected the item with curiosity. It was about as big as his fist; a platinum device with two black windows on it in the form of the two kanji meaning "Tekken." Looking at the strap beneath it, Hwoarang put in on his wrist. "So what is this supposed to do? You said Master Baek gave this to you?"

"I dunno why he gave it to me, boss," Jae rubbed the back of his hand lightly as he put his other hand in his pants pocket. "He just said that I should give it to you before you take on Kazama. Kinda weird, you know what I mean?"

"Maybe the old man's finally gone senile," Hwoarang mused as he inspected the object further. "However, I'm not going to turn down free stuff. Looks pretty expensive…"

"Hwoarang!"

Turning around upon hearing the voice behind him, Hwoarang cracked his knuckles in anticipation. "Well, it's about damn time!"

Wearing his trademark black-and-red pants and red armguards with silver beads embedded into them, Jin took off his muscle shirt and tossed it to Xiaoyu, who was trailing behind him along with Asuka. Asuka was wearing a white-shirt and a pair of jeans, while Xiaoyu was dressed in a black sports bra, a yellow sweater jacket, and white sports pants. "I've been thinking about what you said, Hwoarang…and you're right! It's time we finished what we started!"

"Now that's what I want to hear, Jin." Hwoarang undid his jacket and tossed it to the nearby Choi as his two subordinates backed away, revealing his toned abdominal muscles. "Let's go cra-"

"THERE YOU ARE!"

Everyone in the court yard jumped up in surprise as a voice filled with murderous intent boomed in their ears. Jin, Asuka, and Xiao immediately assumed a fighting stance as they turned to face the source of the voice: a massive individual with sickly beige skin carrying a giant battle ax. Standing next to him was a medium-sized individual covered up completely in a black cloak, his face hidden beneath a hood.

"I've been looking for you three! This time I'll crush you for sure," Astaroth spun his ax in the air with primal fury as he made violent gestures to the trio that interfered with him the day before.

"Hey, buddy, wait your turn," Hwoarang, oblivious to the golem's vendetta, stepped forward to confront the monster. "I've been waiting a lot longer than you have to fight this guy, so butt out!"

"Hey, boss, isn't that the guy we saw on the news while we were on the plane?" Choi took out a knife from his jacket and pointed it at Astaroth. "Maybe if we take him out, we can drag him to the cops and get some major cash!"

"God, are you honestly that much of an idiot?" Asuka slapped her forehead as she heard the black-haired Korean utter his ambition. "That guy is serious trouble! He'll eat you for lunch…literally!"

"We're pretty serious trouble too, sweetheart," Jae cracked his knuckles and walked up next to Hwoarang as Choi prepared for battle. "It's your call, boss…what do we do?"

"I say we take this idiot's ax and shove it up his ass! Let's do it, you two!" Coming at Astaroth with a full run, Hwoarang shouted out his order as Jae and Choi followed his lead.

Suddenly, the fighter in the hood jumped into motion and roundhouse kicked the three fighters away simultaneously, sending them careening into Jin, Asuka, and Xiaoyu. "Sorry about that, asshats," the hooded fighter uttered smugly as he assumed a fighting stance, "but first you will have to deal with me!"

Xiaoyu ran over to Hwoarang and helped him up. Looking at his wrist, however, she noticed that he was wearing the very same contraption that was given to her the previous day. "Hey, Hwo…where did you get that thing on your wrist?"

"What difference does it make, Xiao? Now get the hell off of me," Hwoarang pushed her aside while Jae and Choi brushed themselves off and prepared for attack.

However, Choi looked at Xiao's wrist and noticed the device on it. "Hey boss, she's got the same doohickey that your master gave you!"

The hooded fighter started jumping up and down and pounding his chest like an ape. "If you morons are done kissing," the fighter said with impatience as it assumed a stance that was clearly that of Muay Thai kickboxing, "I've got a little ass-kicking for you!"

"The only one who is going to get a 'little ass-kicking' is you, nutjob," Asuka pointed her finger at the hooded one dramatically as she, Jin, and Xiaoyu stepped forward in confrontation. Charging their ki, their wrist devices glowed in unison as their bodies were enveloped in a blot of light.

Hwoarang and his two lieutenants shielded their eyes as the glow intensified while the respective suits of the Shinkengers formed around the bodies of Jin and his two female friends. "What the hell?" Hwoarang raised an eyebrow once the light faded and he gazed upon what stood on its place: three individuals masked with helmets and dressed in jumpsuits of the same color: one was red, another yellow, and the last one white.

"Aw man, that's so freakin' awesome," Choi stared in wonder as the Shinkengers assumed their respective fighting stances. "I used to love this show when I was a kid. Hey boss, you have one of those gadgets too, right? Join in on the fun!"

"Don't be a douchebag," Hwoarang shook his head in disagreement. "Why the hell would I want to embarrass myself in that?" However, once he saw Jin send the hooded fighter nearly fifty feet into the air with a Thrust Godfist(a feat which Hwoarang didn't deem possible), Hwoarang's skepticism quickly turned to amazement. You've got to be kidding me…did Master Baek send me this thing because he knew Jin had one, too? Well, I'm not going to let Jin get the upper hand no matter how ridiculous he looks, Hwoarang looked at his device as he pondered what to do next. I guess once I get rid of these guys, Jin and I can duke it out and I can get rid of this thing…

Following Jin's example and charging his ki, Hwoarang rolled his eyes as his wrist device glowed a dark purple and light enveloped his body. As Jae and Choi jumped back in surprise, Hwoarang said one sentence before the light engulfed him completely: "This is so retarded…"

Once the light faded, Jae and Choi's jaws hanged open in awe and wonder as their leader took on an entirely difference appearance: an intimidating combination of black, gold, platinum, and purple. The design of the suit was very much like Jin's, except wherever there was red, there was now black, and the number "1" replaced the "5". Across Hwoarang's upper legs were three black buckles, and in the center of his chest was a violet jewel, pulsating like a heartbeat. "Hey boss, you turned into a Pow-"

"Shut up, Choi. It's embarrassing as it is," Hwoarang shouted as he ran into the battle. "Thank god I'm wearing a helmet so no one can recognize me…"

Jumping in front of the hooded fighter and kicking him away, Hwoarang stepped backwards a few times until he was side by side with Asuka. "Don't get the wrong idea, babe. I'm just here so I can clear a path for Jin and I to fight on."

"Heh…then let's begin kicking ass," Asuka gave Hwoarang a thumbs-up as she resumed her fighting stance along with Jin and Xiaoyu.

"I'm not even going to ask why you were chosen to get a morpher," Jin said dryly while watching the hooded fighter flip back onto his feet. "However, I'll be glad to accept your help. For now…welcome to the team!"

"Grr…I hate to break up this moment of team spirit," the hooded fighter grabbed his cloak and began untying it as he spoke, "but I think it's high time that I stole the spotlight again!"

Tossing off his cape and mantle, the now unmasked kickboxer made his true appearance known. His skin was midnight blue, and there was dark orange hair growing from all across his body. There were orange bands tied around his elbows and knees, and yellow bandages around his hands and feet. What was most intriguing to the Shinkenger quartet however, was his ape-like face.

"Time that I introduce myself," the ape-faced kickboxer pointed a finger dramatically at the Shinkengers before assuming a fighting stance. "I'm Mong Kong, the Muay Thai gorilla! And this is the part where you beg for mercy!"

Tossing aside his guard, Mong Kong leapt high into the air and landed right in front of the Shinkengers. Taking advantage of their surprise, the monster began his assault by hitting Hwoarang with a knee to the face, turning around quickly to catch Jin's punch. Countering with another knee strike to send him flying, Mong Kong pounded his chest a couple of times before seeing his next two opponents.

Asuka and Xiaoyu both shot out their palms at the creature, sending the creature careening backwards and giving time for Hwoarang and Jin to catch their breaths. However, Mong Kong recovered faster than expected, and knocked the two girls down with a running shoulder check. Seeing Hwoarang come at him again, Mong Kong ducked down under his forward kick and sent him flying backwards with a spinning uppercut. "That's the spirit, kiddies! Keep those blows coming," Mong Kong jumped up and down slightly while swinging his long arms. "I'll take you all on at once! After all, that's what I was made for!"

"'This is what you were made for,'" Jin repeated as he blocked Mong Kong's elbow strike with one of his own. "Just who made you, anyway? Was it G-Corporation and their vice-president Sorel? This certainly seems like his sense of humor."

"Hah," Mong Kong laughed as he kicked Jin in the shin then sent him away with a roundhouse kick. "Sorry, but I don't know who you're talking about. But know this: after I beat the tar out of you and break your limbs, I'll drag your busted selves to our lair…where you can meet our master as he dissects you!"

"Sorry, pal," Hwoarang sent the preoccupied creature high into the air with a standing 180 degree roundhouse kick, his Talon Sky Rocket technique, "but I'm the only one who's going to be dissecting Kazama!" Knocking Mong Kong's body in the air once again as if he were a child with a soccer ball, Hwoarang pointed at Xiaoyu and jumped up after the monster, kicking him in Xiaoyu's direction.

"I got it!"

Xiaoyu knocked Mong Kong straight in the air with both hands as a volleyball player would before spiking a ball…which is exactly what Xiaoyu did as she slapped the creature's body to Asuka, who jumped up with a leaping roundhouse kick to send him spiraling…

…right into Jin, who had been crackling with his red ki while rearing back for his ultimate technique, the Eighth Gate of Hell. Letting loose a devastating punch, Jin hit his mark right into Mong Kong's chest, piercing the creature and finally sending him screeching to the ground.

"D-damn it…" Mong Kong struggled to breathe as the gaping hole in his chest shot out sparks like a sprinkler in a backyard. "Remember: just because you defeated me…doesn't mean that you'll be so lucky with the terrors to come!" The sparks continued to shoot out as he fell two his knees. Finally, as his body hit the ground, he was engulfed in a fiery explosion. When the dust cleared…he was gone, body and all.

"Heh…just like on TV," Asuka dusted off her hands as she admired the handiwork of her teammates. "Don't worry about us, monkey-man! No one can defeat the Shinken-"

"GAAAAGH!"

A death cry reached the ears of the quartet as the darted around behind them…upon doing so Hwoarang felt sorrow strike his heart. Standing in front of him a few meters away were Jae and Choi, their crimson blood pooling on the ground with massive gashes in their backs…and standing next to their bodies was Astaroth, his axe dripping with their fluids.

"Unforgivable! I'm going to send you straight to hell for that!" Jin made clear his disapproval of such a cruel act and ran towards Astaroth with his fist raised. Hwoarang, too grief-stricken and angered for words, let out a primal yell and followed after him.

"Be fortunate that my boss has asked that I leave you alone for now," Astaroth retorted smugly as he knocked the wind out of Jin with a devastating thrust using the back of his axe. "He just wanted me to send you a message with the demon he created especially for you: the best is to- ACK!"

Dropping his axe, Astaroth grabbed Hwoarang, who had latched onto his neck trying to snap it, and held him above his head. Letting the enraged Korean flail for a few seconds, he slammed Hwoarang into the ground then stood on his neck until the Korean's struggling slowed. "You wouldn't be the first who's wanted revenge on me, peon," Astaroth said as Hwoarang passed out. "But just remember: I won't be an easy target!"

Turning to Xiaoyu and Asuka, who remained in their fighting stance, Astaroth scoffed and said to them, "Nurse your friends back to health. I didn't do anything serious. But just remember: the best is yet to come."

Rushing to Jin and Hwoarang as Astaroth walked away, the two girls couldn't help but wonder how soon they would be able to find the fifth Shinkenger, and even when they did…how they would defeat such a creature that took out two of the best fighters on the planet with ease.