Disclaimer: I don't own The King of Fighters…

A/N: Hello, fellow readers and writers. I finally got some free time and thus I am back, my apologies for the delay. Well, we're getting even closer to the end as this is the last side-story before we get back to the main story. This one is a sequel to one in the previous installment, so let's get to it. And here … we … go:

The King of Iron Fist Tournament XVI: Where the Heart Is

Invasion Aversion

"Okay, Athena-sama, they're coming." Momoko's words floated into Athena's mind.

The day had come for Chin, Bao, and Kensou to return, and the three psionic women were eagerly waiting, Athena and Momoko preparing a special welcome with Kyrie amplifying their power. Meanwhile, the landscape around them bathed in warm orange twilight, Kensou, Bao, and Chin traveled down the path to their temple home when the old master sensed something up ahead. Deciding to help it along, he stopped his two charges…

"Is something wrong, master? Bao asked, wondering.

Chin responded serenely, "I just have one more test for you both: look ahead of us and tell me what you sense."

Kensou said confidently, "No sweat: let's do it, Bao."

Bao spoke as he sensed, "Well, there's Momoko-can, Athena-sama … and there's a woman with them! And she's … wow!"

Doing the same, Kensou added, "She's really strong too. All three of them are gathering energy for something. I wonder what…"

They did not have to wait for an answer. A visual homecoming, many colored sparks soared upward and burst over the temple like fireworks, the pops and crackles blending into a wondrous cacophony overhead. The words 'Welcome Home' were written in the air in purple-and-pink flame trails and framed by the small explosions. Bao and Kensou were thoroughly in awe of the affectionate spectacle. Something, however, picked at the back of Chin's mind, but he simply decided to focus on the show instead.

"Athena!" Kensou excitedly exclaimed as he hugged her.

Normally mortified but too happy to care this time, Athena hugged him back and said, "Welcome home, Kensou-san and Bao-kun. We missed you."

The greetings continued in similar fashion: Momoko hugged Bao about the neck; Kyrie greeted Chin with a bow; Bao naturally became mesmerized by Kyrie, and even Kensou was a slightly distracted by her, his eyes tearing away from Athena for a few fleeting moments. Eventually, the group made their way to the candlelit pavilion for dinner. Their eyes widening upon seeing them, Kensou promptly dove into the platter of baozi and Chin into the sake, the six exchanging stories of training, hilarity, and like, simply enjoying the family gathering. Kyrie eventually excused herself, and Bao could not help but watch her walk away, eliciting a corrective pluck from Chin.

The group continued to converse when suddenly, in the midst of it all, they all stopped, Kensou dropping his meat bun and Chin putting his gourd down. All of them looked in the same direction from the same ominous sensation, a feeling that they were being watched, a feeling that they were not safe. Athena's blood also went cold from the familiar impression. Someone … was there.

A sudden wind whipped around them, blowing out every candle in the area. The temperature around them plummeted as the night seemed to darken even further. A revenant soon rose up and reassembled in front of them, with muscles, flesh, and blood morbidly appearing on the bones next. Long red and black robes followed and covered the figure, including a black half mask over its mouth. Just as they suspected, it was the living wraith and specter of their lives, Ron…

"Gee, Sonny, did you have to arrive now? We just sat down for dinner." Chin greeted him, sounding nonchalant despite his heightened focus.

Ron responded with an unsettling cordiality, "Master Gentsai… I promise that you can go back to your feast if you simply give me what I want: the Dragon Spirit from the boys … their lives at the very least."

Kensou jumped up with Bao, and proclaimed, "Then, you just made a big mistake. We've been waiting for you, and now we're ready!"

"I'm shaking." Ron replied dryly.

Suddenly, Ron fired a skull-shaped projectile, his 'Nightmare Catcher', and, though the psycho soldiers jumped free, the blast completely cleared the table. Kensou, upon inspecting the aftermath, let out a brief sharp shriek of shock upon the baozi's decimation…

Kensou angrily stated, "You're gonna pay for that. You want the dragon; try to take it!"

Athena firmly added, "We've all gotten stronger, and we will beat you. You can't scare us this time."

"My dear, I would like to respond but I'm not sure if you're trying to convince me or yourself," Ron calmly retorted, "As for simply taking what I came for … I intend to."

Both Kensou and Bao went into fighting stance and, at once, tapped in: a fierce blue aura flickered around them as the ground under them shivered. With it came an audible din finally sounding like a roar. The brief outburst rattled even Momoko and Athena….

Kensou proclaimed with chilling seriousness, "I'll say it again: this time is going to be different; this time, you're going to pay."

Now sounding at least half-impressed, Ron commented, "Hmm. It seems you are not bluffing; it will be very difficult to engage you by myself. Now, I wish I had come prepared…"

A rapid series of sweeping wind gusts unexpectedly rushed through the pavilion. The psychics braced themselves against the squalls, and looked up to see almost thirty more ghastly masked figures all about them! This was the section of the Hizoku that Ron took with him upon his defection, along with a prominent member clad in yellow and black at Ron's side, Lin…

Chin let out a long whistle as he lifted up his hair to see, saying, "Hmm, you're very serious about this, aren't you?"

Ron replied matter-of-factly, "Indeed I am. Just as I planned, you have significantly developed the Dragon Spirit to impressive levels, and for this, I am grateful. And now that you have served your purpose, the time has come for incubation to end, and the harvest to commence."

"Just for a moment, per favore…" An independent female voice interrupted, floating into everyone's minds, "I would like to protest that decision."

In a welcome surprise, Kyrie teleported into the area in a burst of purple sparks, briefly lighting the space with her aura as she levitated opposite to Ron. Ron's eyes widened in surprise upon sensing her…

Kyrie continued, "Please forgive my rudeness, but I believe you are the phantom that Master Chen spoke of… You're the reason I've returned to my childhood home."

"Eliminate her, right now!" Ron ordered with alarming urgency.

"Sir…?" Lin voiced the confusion of the other deserters.

Ron reiterated just as urgently and with more anger, "I said now! Do it!"

All the deserters attacked at one with shots of poison, armaments, and ghastly projectiles of various forms … only to fail. In midst of her 'Stride' defense, Kyrie's aura worked as a complete protection field! The Psionic Gypsy sighed exasperatedly as she confidently 'walked' forward through the air with her hands on her hips. All the attacks were negated and fell ineffectively to the floor or rocketed backward at points. Kyrie strolled all the way atop the table without a taking a single hit. Lin quickly recognized the growing futility and endeavored to act himself, coating his arm in poison as he leapt forward … but Kyrie instantaneously teleported and met him before he could even attempt to attack. Her index and middle fingers pressed against Lin's forehead, she single-handedly fired a huge concentrated blast of psionic energy, her 'Epiphany' attack, point-blank into him, a purple jet of light exploding out of the back of his head with a booming sound equivalent to a shotgun blast! Lin limply collapsed to the table before Kyrie stepped over him.

Regaining himself after the demonstration, Ron commented, "Now, this quite unexpected. I must say, she is quite impressive backup, Master Chin."

Chin replied with a smile, "Yes, I'm very proud of her."

Kyrie pointed out, "Now, if that impressed you, just imagine if I was actually fighting."

Ron said confidently, "I'm sure. However, there is much more to me as well… Your presence is very inconvenient but it has little effect on the outcome of this encounter."

Kyrie calmly retorted, "Let's not count our hands before they're played."

Ron raised his hands into fighting stance with the fallen Hizoku preparing as well. Bao and Kensou tapped in to the Dragon and got ready to fight. Momoko began stepping in her fighting position, and Athena steeled herself as she tried to shake away any doubts. Kyrie brought her power to the surface. Chin downed two gourds as his body turned bright red and began staggering into his stance with a hiccup and a burp. However, the interruptions were still not finished.

All the while, a low fog rolled into the area, Lin regaining consciousness and jumping out of the way just as it gathered. Suddenly, two more figures emerged from the mist, a man and a woman in elaborate Chinese robes with his in purple-and-black and hers in green! Both had long ponytails, her silver hair shaped like a scorpion's tail. Her hands were obscured in large sleeves, and his slender limbs contrasted his stately face, even while they bore an unsettling resemblance to Ron himself. Somehow, it was Duo and Xiao Lon…!

Ron commented with more exasperation than surprise, "Another of my sons … and my only daughter."

Duo Lon added, "Yes, and the other three Devas should be on their way as well."

Ron expressed, "After so long, you have finally managed to run me down, and now of all times."

Duo Lon revealed, "After your attack on these people last year, I decided to stay close for when you would return. Also … there is no way you could raise this many wraiths without me sensing it."

Aiming for a different approach, Ron said, "And Xiao, you have come for me as well? Even after I ensured you would be safe? And tasked Lin to protect and watch over you."

"Is that … true, Master Lin?" Xiao Lon asked confusedly.

"Every word…" Lin confirmed immediately.

Duo Lon quickly entreated his sister, "Don't listen to this man, Xiao. He has taken away more from us with his bare hands than he could ever give. Any care he had for us … was thrown away when he destroyed most of our clan."

Ron continued, capitalizing on the hesitation, "And what about this clan you are trying to avenge, my dear daughter? With the exception of your brother, is this not the same clan that has isolated you since you were born simply because of your mother? Is this not the same clan that, if not for Lin and Duo Lon, might have taken your life…? Are you really going to risk your life for a clan that, I'm sure, continues to despise you?"

Duo Lon asked out of unease, "Xiao, you are not seriously considering this, are you?"

The Hizoku princess remained silent as the conflict within her became evident. Kensou started to interject, but Kyrie and Chin keep him quiet…

Ron relaxed and stated confidently, "My dear, do take all the time you need to consider what I've said. A s for you, heralds of the Dragon Spirit… it is very fortunate for you that there has been one too many deviations for us to continue this encounter any further. However, when we meet again…" He looked right at Xiao Lon as he finished his statement, "I'm sure we'll be more than ready to make the spirit mine."

Lin and the other deserted Hizoku finally disappeared in gales of wind, and Ron disintegrated as he teleported away. The lights all flickered backed on, and the Psycho Soldiers all relaxed though Xiao and Duo Lon were utterly silent. The storm had passed away…

Kensou exhaled loudly and said, "Well, we can call that bullet dodged."

Chin yawned, and said, still nonchalant, "Yes, and with no fight, there is only one way I can find to release all of this undue tension."

THUD! Chin fell to the ground, instantly asleep with a large bubble coming out of his nose…

Looking to the two youngest ones, Kyrie inquired, "Are you both alright?"

Momoko asked, slightly confused, "Did we … win?"

Kyrie pondered as she looked to where Ron stood before responding, "No, my dear; I don't believe so … not yet. Athena, how are you?"

Slow to speak, Athena dourly responded, "I think he was right; we were fortunate… There were so many of them, and I don't know why but … I couldn't feel or sense anything from them. They were strong but empty inside. It almost seemed like they were… I don't know if we could have won…"

Kyrie replied encouragingly, "Yes, the odds looked decidedly against us, but I've seen such odds defeated many times before. Our physical and mental prowess is quantifiable; however, the difference is the heart we have and share. We will win when he comes again; do not let it trouble your mind."

Duo Lon, meanwhile, finally asked, "Is this true? Are you really conflicted about what to do?"

Xiao Lon responded with difficulty, "I have always been. I love you, brother, and I know he has betrayed us … but he is still my father as well, and if not for him and Master Lin, I wouldn't have lived this long. I just … don't know."

"I understand, so I will tell you now…" Duo Lon said, with resolution in his voice, "No matter who stands between him and I, I will torture's Ron's soul with my own hands for what he's done or have my own torn in the process. However, that is my burden; I will not force it onto you… It rests with you what you do, without any judgment on my part."

Trying to ease the growing tension, Kyrie interjected, "It would be an understatement to say your timing was immaculate. I just want to thank you for arriving and helping us; even we don't know how this would have ended if you hadn't… I know this may be a bit forward, but … when he finds us again, I hope we can count on you to aid us again?"

Duo Lon cordially responded, "I promise to fight alongside you when he darkens your door again."

Duo Lon and soon Kyrie looked at Xiao Lon, but the Hizoku princess simply looked away as she remained silent; her decision was unknown to her as well.

At a well-hidden lair, Ron and Lin discussed the latest encounter with their targets…

Lin voiced his opinion, "I'm not so sure we couldn't have won that skirmish, even with the prince and princess involved."

Ron snidely pointed out, "When did you make that deduction? While you were unconscious?"

Lin shrugged off the comment and persisted, "I just think that with our numbers and your power, we could have been successful, no matter the circumstances."

Ron confidently explained, "I think you underestimate the Dragon Spirit's power… Still, our retraction wasn't about just winning and losing; it was about keeping the advantage. And from what I got, I do believe we have regained it."

Lin expressed, "I'm afraid I don't understand."

Ron suddenly looked up and away as he became aware of something, saying, "According to my senses, you will find out very shortly… Get the door."

Quite lost at this point, Lin made his way to the entrance, and almost recoiled in shock when he saw who had come. He nonetheless led the visitor to Ron…

Very pleased, Ron greeted, "I thought you would come, and I'm very happy that you have. Welcome."

He slowly approached and opened his arms … to Xiao Lon! With her returning the gesture, father and daughter embraced in reunion.

End Chapter

A/N: There you have it. Thank you for reading, and I hoped you enjoyed it. I know it's been awhile, and I know this is rather short. However, there are only two chapters left, so school and work permitting, I will get them to you as soon as possible. Again, thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed it, and I hope you come back to read more. Please R&R, and as always, Rant, Rave, and Review.