Disclaimer: Tekken belongs to Namco Bandai!

A/n: almost done…only three chapters to go…O_O…

Choice

"Are you insane?!" Jaez blurted out after several moments of ominous silence.

Havoc was slightly taken aback. Julia and Verity were still speechless; they were gaping at the three standing figures with their hands over their mouths.

Jaez continued, "There is no way we are going to leave this world. Earth is our home and we are not about to give it up to go to Hell!" her eyes were narrowed dangerously. She looked about ready to send the demon crashing back through the double doors. Taking a step forward, Jaez' left hand twitched, but before she could do anything the demon spoke again, quickly.

"My Lady. I am afraid that I don't know what else to say. There is no choice. The council has been ruling for three thousand years because no one believed that the Royal Line would return. The Line had been thought to be…dead. But since that is no longer true, it is up to you to decide who will continue your legacy…in your realm."

Jin simply stood there, jaw and fists still clenched. They all watched as the demon bowed respectfully and retreated.

As soon as Havoc had closed the doors behind him, Julia sprang up from the couch, "NO! Neither of you are going to Hell!"

Verity also stood up, "You guys aren't seriously considering that brute's…ultimatum, are you?" she was shocked.

Jin and Jaez said nothing.

Julia continued, "Those demons have been ruled by that…council…for the past three thousand years. They can keep being ruled by them if they want. There is absolutely no reason for one of you to give up your life here to go to some God-forsaken inferno!"

Verity nodded in agreement, "Yeah. There is no reason for you guys to go live with those things."

Jin finally spoke. His voice was low, "That would work…only if we could guarantee that the portal could be sealed…"

Jaez finished, her voice also low, "…but we don't know how to do that. No one knows how to do that…"

Julia shook her head, and a few tears escaped slowly from her eyes, "Please. Tell me there is something that will let you both stay here."

Jin turned around to face Julia and Verity. Jaez was still glaring at the doors. She hadn't so much as moved a muscle. Jin walked forward and Julia stepped into his embrace, still sobbing, "Please tell me that this isn't happening…"

"We should go home," Jin said in a rather detached voice, "We'd be better off talking about this there."

Verity shrugged sadly, and walked out of the office. Jin and Julia followed, but Jaez stayed in her place, a firm expression set in her face.

"Jaez?" Jin walked back after motioning for Verity and Julia to continue walking, "What are you doing?" The two best friends had entered the elevator and a small "ping" announced their descent to the ground floor.

"Jaez?" Jin repeated. She was still looking forward in a rather aimless stare. Jin frowned and stood in front of her.

"We both know who has to go…" Jaez said quietly.

"We'll talk about this at home Jaez. We'll figure something out," Jin assured her, if rather weakly.

Jaez finally turned her gaze up to Jin. She had a somber expression that echoed in her eyes.

"Whatever," Jaez walked lifelessly out of the office.

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*following morning*

"You can't do this," Julia was still begging them to reconsider any alternative.

"This isn't fair. For either of you," Verity stood in the main doorway of the Mishima mansion. Julia stood next to her, and they were both attempting to block the way of the resolute Kazama twins.

"You don't honestly believe that anything you do can stop us, do you?" Jaez snapped.

"There is little more we can do. Please don't make this any harder than it has to be," Jin said desolately.

Julia shook her head, "Please…" she ended softly.

The twins said nothing more and pushed past the two girls. Julia fell to her knees and continued to cry. Verity kneeled next to her and hugged her as she watched the twins get in the Hummer and leave.

At the Mishima Zaibatsu, Jin and Jaez got out of the car and wordlessly walked to the conference room where Havoc and a few other demon commanders would be waiting. Lars met them at the main entrance.

"The Guard commanders arrived about fifteen minutes ago," Lars informed them.

"So we haven't kept them waiting long?" Jaez asked.

"Not at all," Lars responded.

"Good," Jin added, "The sooner we get this over with…" he drifted off.

"Yeah," Jaez said simply.

"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Lars questioned. Jin and Jaez had told him about the ultimatum when he had come over for dinner the previous night, "For all we know there might be something else we can do. Maybe assign one of the Royal Guard commanders as temporary replacement?" Lars tried to be hopeful. He didn't want to lose either his niece or his nephew. They were the only family he had left.

"No. I don't think so," Jin said solemnly. The three of them paused at the door to the conference room. Jaez looked at them for a moment and then was the first to walk in.

Jin and Lars glanced at each other briefly before they followed her in. Three demons were standing at the far end of the room, talking to each other. Havoc turned around and then bowed to them.

"Have you made your decision?" he asked.

"Yes," Jin and Jaez said simultaneously.

"And who has been chosen?" said one of the other demons.

Before either of them could open their mouths to say who was the unlucky one, the doors to the conference room swung open. Several Tekken Force guards were shouting but the intruder said nothing and barreled through. Some of the soldiers tried to stop him but they were thrown back. He was followed by another frailer man, who paused at the door and waited.

Everyone was surprised and turned to look at who had arrived.

"What the…" Jaez was shocked.

"What is he doing here?" Jin's eyes narrowed.

Lars stared, "Kazuya?"

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Next Chapter: "Trade"