Chapter 5: The Forsaken Road
I expected Lee to flat-out say no to me after I directly told him I wanted to fight. But I swear for a moment, Lee begun to contemplate my request. I looked at him beginning to feel nervous and impatient. My mind was swimming with thoughts – What if he actually says yes. I was riling myself up. I then figured that Lee was prolonging his answer just to make me suffer - it was working.
"I'm starting to regret grounding you in the first place." Lee finally spoke with his index finger leaning against his chin. "These series of events would have been different."
"Well... To be specific." I spoke up, feeling the urge to correct my father. "This wouldn't have happened if you actually spent time with me. With all the purchases you gave me, like that TV in my room; I wouldn't have fatefully turned on the TV and came across the tournament." That was extremely bold of me to put the sole blame on my father. After I said those words, I felt regret. I had to back track my statement. "Not saying it's your entire fault... I take responsibility over it too."
Lee crossed his arms, ignoring me being smart to him. "What makes you think I'll say yes?"
Lee put me on the spot. Why would he even say yes to train his daughter to fight? I needed to come up with something good and fast. Instinctively, I dropped down to the floor and wrapped myself around Lee's right leg, commencing the waterworks.
"Please daddy, I want to fight – Why don't you love meeee."I wailed.
Lee taken aback by my behaviour, tried to shake me off his leg - I held on with dear life. With his strength, he took a step and dragged me along hoping that would get me off his leg. My cries were getting louder and my voice was cracking.
"That's not how a fighter is to act." Lee had managed to get me off his leg. "Who taught you that - Because that is really annoying?"
My cries had stopped and composed myself. " I'm your teenager daughter; you get what you pay for."
Lee rolled his eyes. He helped me off the floor. "Guilt tripping me won't work."
"But Da-ah-ad."I whimpered, getting ready to burst into tears again.
"Fi-fine. I'll train you, as long as you never do that to me again." Lee caved in. The weakness of a girl crying got to him.
I screamed in delight and jumped up, giving Lee a hug. I couldn't believe my tears worked on him. I discovered my secret weapon and I needed to use it wisely.
The provision for my training was to study hard and graduate high school. I took extra credit and even got a part-time job for my own personal gain. It had been two years since Lee begun the training, I wasn't quite as par to him but I was getting there. I was nineteen and I decided to put off going to college. I took a job at the local martial arts studio, helping young kids study the art.
I came home from work late evening one night, coming face to face with a robotic figure at the front door. Lee had established his robot making company, Violet Systems - Which I found flattering that my name inspired the company name.
He had just finished 'Combot' - a robot programmed to do a variety of things from military action and day-to-day household tasks. Combot became the security and housekeeper at the same time. Lee believed that owning a Combot is ultimately the dream of every household and will earn him billions.
"Hello Combot" I said to the robot, studying its features.
"Welcome-Home-Miss-Viola" Combot said in its robotic voice. "Is-There-Anything-I-Can-Do-For-You?"
"Thanks Combot, I'm okay. I think I'll be heading to bed, but I'll call you if I need anything."I awkwardly bowed to the robot, accepting the robot's courtesy.
I headed upstairs and into my bedroom and closed the door behind me. I washed my face and changed into a pyjama pants and a white singlet top. I jumped into bed a fell asleep shortly after.
I don't know how long I was sleeping peacefully for but I felt a terror emote me. I tossed and turned, sensing a nightmare. I recall a red orb gleaming through; it was getting closer towards me. It seemed like the red was blinking on and off. It was now inches away from me and that's when I realised a pair of eyes looking straight through me. The shining red glow and a darker eye transfixed on me. It was daunting and making me feel uneasy. A flash appeared and eyes of the face revealed itself. It was a man with a scarred face with jet black hair. Before I could study the rest of the figure, my eyes shot open and I was awake. I looked to my side at my digital alarm clock, illuminating 4:03am.
I ran my fingers through my hair and shook my head. I sat up and look around my bedroom to make sure nothing was out of the ordinary – Everything seemed fine. The red glow was still imprinted in my head - Who was that man I saw in my dream and why was he so familiar? I flopped back my head to my pillow, looking up at the ceiling. I needed to go back to sleep but I knew my brain wasn't going to allow me.
I went to work the next day as usual. My tiredness didn't affect me much; I drank my usual coffee to perk me up. I returned home mid-afternoon and this time Combot didn't greet me at the door as usual. I didn't think much about it when I walked towards the kitchen to grab a snack. I picked up an apple, tossing it up like a ball and catching it. I headed upstairs; walking through the hallway to find myself walking past Lee's opened office. I peered in to see Lee standing in the middle of the office with luggage bags at his side whilst on the phone.
"Dad? What's going on?" I entered Lee's office in a confused manner.
"Oh Viola, I have an important business trip to attend. I'll be gone for a few days." Lee said buried in his phone, without looking back at me.
My father wasn't paying attention to me so I sat up on his desk with one leg over the other. He had papers all over the desk and one caught my attention. I carefully picked up the document and read it to myself.
"Dad... Are you entering the Fourth King Of Iron Fist Tournament?" I warily asked, without looking up from the white piece of paper.
Lee looked up from his phone and instantly grabbed the paper from my hand. My eyes transfixed on Lee, realising something different about him. His hair was no longer silver, it was dark purple.
"Your hair... Is..."I said staring stunned at Lee's change of hair colour.
"Viola, what are you doing in here?" Lee nudged me off the table for me to stand on my feet again.
"You were going to leave without telling me you were entering the tournament?" My heart sank at the realisation.
"I'm not going to lie to you, Viola. I'm entering the tournament to go undercover. Heihachi can't figure out who I am. This is strictly business related and I don't want you to get involved." Lee rested his hand on the side of my face to reassure me.
"I want to go, I want to have involvement. Please." Tears started to swell up on my face.
"Please don't do this to me. Stay here, I promise I'll be back."Lee moved away from me and grabbed on to his luggage to leave. Lee guided me to the door of the office and closed the door behind him. He kissed me on the forehead, preparing to leave for his flight. I pouted, watching Lee bid farewell, leaving me alone in the house. I sat down on the stairs and took a bite out of the apple that was still in my hand.
"I need to go to that tournament." I muttered to myself with determination.
A/N: Well the next chapter will foresee Tekken 4. Might take me a bit to finalize the happenings of the next chapter since it will be one of the pivotal parts of the story. Eek!