Disclaimer: I don't own Tekken
A/N: What's up? I'm glad you decided to visit my fic. Again, another long delay. Again, I'm sorry for such a long layoff, and I'll try not to make a habit of this especially with my self- imposed deadline fast approaching. Well, we have a lot to get to, so let's get moving. And here … we … go:
The King of Iron Fist Tournament 7: A Final Tragedy for the Finest Future
Lee Chaolan: Silver Hitman
Things have been looking up for Lee lately. At the closing of the last tournament, he finally got the upper hand on Kazuya, and personally made sure he wouldn't interfere with what Lee had planned next. With Kazuya incapacitated, Lee was placed as head of G Corp. and, as quick as he could, Lee bought out Kazuya's share in the company, making Lee the sole owner and CEO. Then, Kazama G Incorporated was formed when Lee partnered the company with the then recently reformed Jin Kazama. Together, they managed to end the wars around the world, and bring it back to prosperity, which, in turn, came back upon them. With the company enjoying the great success, Lee bonded with his nephew and even managed to fall for a woman during the layoff (not to mention he realized that he wasn't getting any younger).
However, a storm of misfortune recently swept over the inner circle of KGI, and Lee was not immune. Kazuya has returned from his confinement, and is out for revenge against everyone that led to his downfall, including a special amount of hate for Lee himself. Then, of course, there is the root tragedy of this whole scenario with the impending death of Jin Kazama, something that hits Lee particularly hard.
Now, Lee is in the tournament to aid Jin in his bid to finally end things with Kazuya and Heihachi, something Lee himself is hoping comes to pass…
One's Own Legend
There's no place like Las Vegas. Lee stood eagerly waiting his opponent in the 'Vegas Casino' area, basically awash in the explosion of lights and glitz of the city. The area sat out front of a large casino with a gigantic lit sign, bathing the closed off street in its light. In the not so distant background, one could make out the titanic replicas of other world landmarks, but the most catching feature of the entire stage was the unreal video screen canopy over the entire street, ready to display the action of the upcoming fight. Just outside the designated area, a crowd of onlookers and fans had gathered even in the adjacent street, pressing against the metal barricade. Even a line of showgirls stood at the foot of the steps into the casino dancing.
Suddenly, a personalized muscle car drove right up the barricade from an adjacent street, its engine roaring furiously as the people at the barricade parted to let it get close. After a moment, the car's flood lights shone brightly, even overpowering the lights of the casino sign as they fell on upon Lee. The slightly startled Co-CEO shielded his eyes from the intense light until they went out when the driver cut off the car. Finally, the top of the car folded backward to reveal the driver: the large American with the slight goatee from before the tournament festival. Clad in dark blue jeans, a matching jacket, a white shirt with red designs all over it, brown shoes and gloves, the heavy blonde Caucasian jumped from his car, and then over the barricade.
"Well, he certainly has a flair for the dramatic. I'll give him that." Lee thought to himself as the man came forward.
Suddenly, the announcer's voice blasted through the area to the frantic cheers of the crowd, "Bob, Lee Chaolan, get ready for the next battle!"
"Lee Chaolan," Bob said, "It's not often I get to meet a legend. "
Intrigued by the notion, Lee inquired, "Really? A legend, you say?"
"Oh yeah," Bob continued, "I hear all the time in U.S. tournaments about … (as he made air quotes with his fingers) 'The Sliver-Haired Demon'."
Lee replied, "It's been a while since I've used that moniker. I'm surprised it's kept up this long. Nevertheless, I'm flattered."
Bob then stated rather resolutely, "Don't be. I'm just letting you know because … today is the day that legend dies, and I'm the one who's gonna kill it, no sweat."
Lee replied calmly, "Is that so? You sound pretty sure of yourself."
"Why wouldn't I be," Bob continued, explaining "I'm in my prime; you're well into your fifties. Not only that … I promise you've never faced anybody like me. That's just fact, old man."
"You know, when you put it that way, it seems like I should just forfeit," Lee said with slight sarcasm before reverting back o his normal tone, "No. What fun would that be? I guess I'll just have to endure."
Bob simply shrugged his shoulders before going into his fighting stance, "Fine by me… I've been waiting for this day."
Lee slowly got into his fighting stance as well and replied, "Don't hold back. Show me what your generation is made of."
Finally, the announcer's voice blasted into the street, "Round 1! Fight!"
It was fairly obvious that Bob didn't take Lee seriously, and it was only more apparent during the fight. In place of any real strategy, the large American just threw out random attacks, and generally threw his weight around … figuratively and literally. Lee, being a veteran, picked up on Bob's attitude, but he didn't stop it … nor did he want to.
In fact, Lee encouraged it, cleverly padding Bob's confidence. He 'sold' the damage his opponent was doing. He recoiled more and rolled further backward when he was hit. He groaned and grimaced more in reaction. He even took longer to get to his feet. All Lee did to retaliate was give out weak single attacks.
Finally at the height of the deception, Lee quickly turned the match around. Right after Bob let Lee hit the ground without juggling him, Lee quickly followed with a 'Mist Illusion', parrying Bob's next attack by spinning behind him, launched him with a huge low-lunging vertical kick, a 'Blaze Kick', and punished him an extensive juggling combination that sapped most of Bob's health. Moments later, with Bob still dazed, Lee closed in with a ducking forward lunge into a high kick, a 'Deadly Edge', and, while he was stunned, executed an 'Axle Throw', flipping over Bob while spinning his neck and sending him spiraling to the ground.
The announcer's voice immediately resonated to the cheers of the crowd, "Lee Chaolan wins!"
Sitting up, Bob exclaimed with evident surprise, "What was that?"
Lee replied with a smile, "Ah! Didn't think an 'old man' could move that fast, did you?'
Bob growled under his breath to himself, "Did I take him too lightly?"
Hearing this, Lee answered for him in a slightly smug tone, "What do you think?"
Bob quickly jumped to his feet, exclaiming with resolution, "Alright; that's it! Laugh it up because it's not gonna happen again. You're goin' down!"
Lee gave a confident smile and plainly replied, "I look forward to it."
As both men got back into fighting stance, the announcer's voice blasted through the area, "Round 2! Fight!"
Immediately, Bob showed his full colors , and Lee couldn't have been more staggered. The large American was fast … really fast, moving his body at unfathomable speed for a man his size. This disparity threw Lee for a considerable and understandable loop, forcing him to misjudge Bob's attacks and take damage. Soon, Bob almost overwhelmed Lee … almost.
Realizing the danger he was in, Lee quickly went on the defensive and began to dodge Bob's onslaught. That's when he saw his opening: Bob was fast for his size … but not as fast as Lee himself. When Lee dodged or dashed in a different direction, Bob seemed a half a second too slow. Lee now knew what his mistake was and how to rectify it. The whole fight until then, Lee had been treating Bob like a large opponent, when he should've treated him as a quick opponent.
With this in mind, Lee staged a comeback, attacking with his fastest attacks: 'Pulse Blast' … 'Silver Low' … 'Deadly Edge' … 'Acid Storm'. Each time, Bob was a fraction off, and forced to take the damage Lee dealt. Then, with Bob surging forward, 'Mist Illusion' again paid dividends for Lee as he countered Bob's attacked and caught him from the side for what would be the finishing touch: Lee wrenched Bob's left arm, taking him to the ground, and grinded Bob's face into the ground before forcible stomping on his head, performing a 'Lee Harassment'.
The announcer's voice resounded through the area, "Lee Chaolan wins! Please proceed to the next stage!"
The crowd exploded into deafening cheers with the announcement as Lee's picture appeared on the video canopy. Bob didn't notice any of this as all he could do was groan and roll on the ground in pain as he held his head. Lee slowly approached his fallen adversary, and placed a foot on his chest.
"Not bad for an old man, eh?" Lee asked.
Bob was still in too much pain to answer.
Lee began to wave his index finger side to side as he said, "You shouldn't have underestimate me… Better luck next time … kid."
With that barb thrown in for good measure, Lee departed triumphantly to cheers, one arm raised into the air.
---
Platinum Rematch
Another beautiful night had fallen as Lee arrived at the venue for his next match: a large circular fountain with multi-colored geysers shooting up from its center. In some ways, it reminded him of when the base of his pool was used as a stage in the fifth tournament. The fountain was surrounded by fans, curious onlookers, shops and buildings, the largest of which being a hotel named 'Sea Horses' with a fountain and a large stairway out front leading up to its door.
Lee's opponent had already arrived here at the 'Electric Fountain', and Lee was pleasantly surprised to see who it was. Immediately, he recognized the brown boots, blues jeans, and red, white, and black jacket, and knew her short, unruly blond hair and steel blue eyes all too well.
"Leo Kliesen, Lee Chaolan, get ready for the next battle!" the announcer's voice suddenly boomed through the area.
Happy to see the young woman again, Lee courteously offered, "So … we meet again. And I must say, you're even more beautiful now than the first time."
Leo, though nowhere near as anxious as the last time they met, hesitantly replied, "Um … thank you. But I should tell you that I'm involved with someone already."
Amused by it, Lee said with a smile, "Oh? He's a lucky man."
"Yeah, he's great…" Leo continued, "But I'm sure he won't appreciate you flirting with me."
Lee insisted playfully, "Well, he sounds like an understanding man. I don't think he'd mind me just talking to you."
"Actually … he doesn't really like you that much," Leo retorted.
Lee let out an entertained laugh and suggested, "Is that so? I'll have to meet this man."
Unwilling to carry the conversation any further, Leo asked with seriousness, "Are we going to talk all day … are we going to fight?"
Lee, sensing her eagerness, gave her a gentlemanly bow and replied, "As you wish… Let's begin."
Immediately, the announcer's voice boomed through the area, "Round 1! Fight!"
Due to the two fighters' styles, the first round was mostly even all-around. Lee's style of juggles and combos was suited for taking health constantly and gradually. Leo's Hakkyokuken and emphasis on powerful strikes was geared more for taking health in large portions at a time. Their styles contrasting and complementing each other, the damage output of them both effectively offset. It was also pretty obvious that they were still familiar with each other's techniques from the last fight.
Inevitably, the round came down to where both of them had but a sliver of health left. Leo, knowing she only needed one shot in order to grab the win, went into a defensive posture and waited for the right moment to strike. However, Lee, also knowing she only needed one shot, quickly pulled out a near-perfect set-up: Fully expecting it to be blocked, Lee threw out a mid kick, and, as it was blocked, used the momentum to execute a step-up roundhouse kick to Leo's temple, catching her in his 'Mist Trap Throw'.
"Lee wins!" the announcer's voice blasted through the area the cheers of those watching.
Leo offered no words as she rose to her feet, and both fighters simply reassumed their fighting stances.
The announcer's voice reverberated through the area, "Round 2! Fight!"
Neither of the fighters wanted or needed to change their strategy, so the second round was a lot like the first, neither of them letting up, neither giving an inch. The only difference was the caution both had with their action this time. However, that small adjustment meant little to the look of the round as their styles and the damage they caused still offset.
Just as in the first round, it came down to the last traces of energy for both fighters. After a particular hit, Leo was thrown back, but quick rolled just in time to catch Lee closing in. More out of instinct than actual thought, Leo quickly let loose a flying scissor kick to send Lee into the air, and, after timing it right, followed up with a strong shoulder, bursting right into Lee's chest.
The announcer's voice immediately blasted through the area, "Leo wins!"
Lee slowly rose to his feet, and immediately the two fighters' eyes met. The crowd slowly became silent as the intensity in the air became overt and heavy. Lee and Leo locked intently in their stare-down, both breathing heavily and sweating profusely. Not once did they take their eyes off each other, and neither spoke a word, as they tried to think of what to do next or what the other might do. For what seems like an eternity, the only sounds at Electric Fountain were made by the fountain itself.
Finally, the fever of the situation broke as both fighters shed slight smiles before emphatically reassuming their fighting positions once again, much to the delight of the audience who cheered loudly in response.
Once more, the announcer's voice exploded through the area, "Final Round! Fight!"
For the third straight round, the fight was even, but this time, much more intense. Lee and Leo fired out of the gate at breakneck speed, jumping immediately into the encounter. There was no more need for traps and guessing games as they both already knew the other's game so well by this point. The two of them clashed with passion and verve … in their attacks, counterattacks, reversals, set-ups, juggles … everything. They went toe-to-toe, shot by shot, blow for blow, and attack and response. Inevitably captivated by the sight of this, the crowd buzzed with each push and pull of the collision.
In the fight's conclusion, Leo was building momentum, and ready to go in for the kill. In rather desperate fashion, Lee delivered a 'Spin Kick Somersault', which only managed to slow Leo down as she blocked it immediately. However, the last kick pushed her back slightly, not by a lot but enough for her very next strike. Leo charged forward again, this time with a powerful dashing mid-punch, only to miss by inches as Lee avoided her advance with a 'Back Handspring to Hitman'. Knowing victory was just at her fingertips and tasting it now, Leo charged forward one more time, but Lee was ready this time. As soon as he landed, Lee unleashed a strong backhanded uppercut, a 'Scatter Blow', that caught Leo just as she was coming in range and sent her flying backward into the air.
"Lee Chaolan wins!" the announcer's voice burst through the area, "Please proceed to the next round!"
The audience erupted into cheers so loud the windows of the shops shook, and the geyser shot extra high into the air, all in response to the final announcement. Slowly, Leo sat up, a pained groan escaping her lips. Lee, wanting to speak further with her, approached and lowered himself to one knee, making them both eye level.
"Tell Van I said hi," Lee said very quietly.
Leo replied just as quietly, "I think she'd like it more if you told her … in person."
"As soon as the tournament's over…" Lee offered before having a somber thought, "…provided Kazuya doesn't get to me first."
Leo replied sternly while being careful to stay quiet, "Don't speak like that! You can't think that way."
"I'm sorry…" Lee presented before resigning, "Then, as soon as I'm done here, I'll tell her myself."
Having said his piece, Lee quickly rose to his feet as he cleared his throat.
Lee then said in his regular tone, "It looks like we're even … until next time."
Finally, Lee turned and began to leave as Leo got to her feet. The two of them slowly shed smiles as Lee continued to his next match.
End Chapter
Next Time: "No. It was about you… It seems there is something else I must do before I take my leave…"
A/N: There we have it … finally. I hope you liked it, and I hope you come back for more. Please R&R, and, as always, Rant, Rave, and Review.