Disclaimer: I don't own Tekken
A/N: Welcome and thank you for stopping by. Well, this is a continuation of the last chapter and, as the title says, this is the climax of the story, so I'll get right to it. And, here … we … go:
The King of Iron Fist Tournament 8: VIII for Vendetta
Penultimate
Kamikage had been thoroughly duped: he was in the ultimate stage of the finals, 'Super Arena': a large, open-air sports arena set in the heart of the Japanese city. Large spotlights shone into the air as bright as ever and strobe upward as they shot light all around. Digital boards set all around the upper decks flashed with information about the upcoming fight. Gigantic video screens on both ends were set to display the action with the huge square ring in the center as its focus. The entire venue was a giant festival of lights and sound, and, with the crowd being decidedly younger than the older turnouts, the life, energy, and electricity of place was unbelievable.
It all made sense now. The bystanders that helped him were staff, and they led him here because he was in the finals. The older Nodachi was completely thunderstruck, standing at his entrance. The whole time he'd been in the building, he hadn't stopped to consider anything or even think. Now, the whole world was watching, and he was stuck...
The announcer's voice set off wild cheers as it rang out, "Ladies and Gentlemen, fighting fans of all ages, welcome to the King of Iron Fist Tournament 8 Final Round! Introducing first, from Kobe, Japan, he is an executive that brought this all to you, and he's a great fight at that… Kamikage Nodachi!"
The spotlights of the whole arena centered on him; there was only one thing he could do now. He composed himself and casually walked out to cheers, taking his place in the ring. Kamikage took a long look at the crowd until his eyes landed on the VIP section placed right up front. Most of KGI's upper circle was present and seated in the area, Lee being on notable exception. Only two scions were seated: on both sides of KGI's first lady Ling Xiaoyu were Akane Hirano and Jun Kazama. Upon seeing Jun, the Princess of the Iron Fist tauntingly waved at him, just as he mother used to with 'Greetings'. The older Nodachi just looked on utterly astounded.
The cheers only grew as the announcer's voice continued on, "And our second finalist, from right here in Shinjuku, Japan; Oh yeah! The Tekken Prince himself, Haku Kazama!"
A natural showman, Haku made an entrance just like he was right at home. He burst through the curtain into the arena to an eruption of cheers and whistles. The Prince of the Iron Fist stopped midway down the aisle to acknowledge the crowd before running into the ring and facing the still stumped Kamikage.
"To the thousands in attendance and millions watching at home, Kamikage Nodachi, Haku Kazama…" The announcer's voice resonated as the audience joined in, "Get ready for the next battle!"
Noticing Kamikage's listlessness, Haku said, "Hey, what's the matter over there? You look lost."
Kamikage just stood speechless, in utter disbelief. His mouth hung slightly ajar as he slowly looks at Jun and then back at Haku…
"Alright. Well, I haven't forgotten what you did to my cousin…" Haku said before jumping into stance, "You still have to pay for that."
Kamikage distractedly looked off, and turned back before going into stance…
The announcer's voice blasted through the arena to the eager cheers of the fans and onlookers, "Let's start this party with a bang! Round 1! Fight!"
Haku immediately started evading attacks with his many stances like 'Phoenix', 'Hypnotist', 'Rain Dance', 'Back Rolling' where he would run and roll over Kamikage's back to get behind, and 'Vaulting' where he used Kamikage's shoulders to flip behind him. Meanwhile, the older Nodachi was out of it. He got lost in the battle easily. He whiffed often and mistimed attacks. It all lead to a relatively easy triumph for Haku… The Prince of the Iron Fist ducked under an 'Oni Front Kick', launched with 'Wave Crest Power', bounced him with 'X Marks the Spot', and finished with a snap version of Xiaoyu's 'Raccoon Swing' called 'Wolverine Slice'. Kamikage barely made a noise as he hit the ground…
The announcer's voice loudly proclaimed as the crowd went wild, "KO! Haku wins!"
Haku thought to himself, "Who would've thought? I might… I might actually have a shot at this."
Kamikage got up to his hands and knees, stuck in his distraught haze. He just was in total incredulity at how his plans had just been dashed, and he was lost to what he could do now. He had a decision to make … and he did, choosing the only option for him. Haku quickly got into stance as Kamikage got up, when the older Nodachi gave him a death stare if there ever was one, a gaze of madness and killing intent. The twins and Akane saw it, and it sent a cold chill up all three of their spines. Without a word, Kamikage went into fighting stance…
"It not over yet!" The announcer's voice rang out, "Round 2! Fight!"
The second round had an immediately different air than the previous one. At the outset, Kamikage ducked to the right, kicked out the back of Haku's knees to get him to kneel. He pulled Haku's head back and drove his elbow into Haku's head and chest with 'Skull Smash'. The older Nodachi proceeded to lock his younger opponent down with circular moves, making it hard for Haku to evade. Kamikage utilized moves like 'Roundhouse to Triple Spin Kick', 'Double Back Fist', 'Shattered Spine', 'Engetsusen', and 'Spinning Demon to Left Hook'. At last, Kamikage grabbed Haku's arm, and went behind him as he put a hand over the young Kazama's mouth.
The older Nodachi harshly whispered into Haku's ear, "You think you've outsmarted me? You didn't change anything! There's no escaping this! All that's changed … is the number of witnesses."
Kamikage forcefully drove his knee into Haku's back twice, the second time lifting the Kazama son right off the ground. Haku crumbled to his knees with a pained gasp. Symbolically, the older Nodachi held two fingers to the back of his young enemy's head, like holding a gun execution-style. He simply kicked Haku to the ground, having made his point...
The audience let out stunned gasps as the announcer's voice rang out, "KO! Kamikage wins!"
Meanwhile, Sven and agent Tealfire were walking through the stadium, on patrol while waiting for any leads. The Tekken Force Captain soon got a call…
Tealfire asked out of curiosity, "Sir, was that good news?"
Sven hung up and answered, "Good news and bad… The helicopter we were looking for was recently spotted en route to this location."
Tealfire brimmed with optimism, "That's good. That means the culprit must be here."
Sven continued, "But, we also found out who the owner is… one Kamikage Nodachi."
Tealfire reacted with shock, "What? But he… He's a KGI executive."
Sven steadfastly said, "It doesn't matter. He still has to answer for his crimes. We need to find him."
Agent Tealfire looked around when he saw something, and pointed out, "Um… Actually, sir. I don't think that'll be a problem."
Sven looked through a window into the center arena … and saw Kamikage in the ring! Instantly, Sven connected the dots and figured out the real targets…
Sven urgently called into his radio, "All units! I repeat, all the units stationed in the stadium! Ready your weapons and prepare for a seizure and arrest operation!"
Kamikage madly said, "Get up! Get up. GET UP!"
Haku slowly rose to the crowd's delight, and got back into fighting position. Kamikage could feel it now. He was so close now. He craved it. He needed it. Now, he was going to take hold of it. The older Nodachi eagerly got back into fighting position.
"This is what it's all about. This is for the ultimate prize!" The announcer's voice boomed with the audience shouting in unison, "Final Round! Fight!"
Haku began stancing and evading like his life depended on it, fighting with what little spots he got. Kamikage was not slowed, continuing on unfazed and glancing off all Haku's offense with no sign of pain. He even managed to menace the others. A t one point, he missed an attack right in front of the KGI section. Kamikage shot a bone-chilling momentary stare before chasing the Kazama son again. Finally, he caught Haku back rolling with a 'Glorious Demon God Fist', crowned him with 'Right Splits Kick', and launched him with 'Twin Pistons'.
With that, Kamikage began trying to kill Haku with each madness-enhanced and hate-filled strike. He shot multiple 10-hit combos and punished his Prince of the Iron Fist with ridiculously long juggles. He thrashed away with his most brutal strings including 'Rampaging Demon', 'Demon's Wrath', 'Spinning Demon to Left Hook', 'Soul Annihilator', 'Impaling Knee Twin Thrust', and 'Reign of Terror'. Enduring all this punishment, Haku started to slowly and painfully succumb. He fought up to his feet only to be agonized more, and Kamikage would drag him up when he couldn't stand himself. He knocked Haku face-down with 'Double Face Kick' and stomped Haku's kidneys with 'Oni Stomp'. Haku let out a groan in pain as Kamikage ground his foot in…
Several referees came running out, with one going right to the older Nodachi, "Sir, please, a moment… We must check him."
The official stepped between the two. Kamikage tried to push past, but was still held back, his venture abated. The refs, meanwhile, had to check to see if Haku could still fight; with Kamikage continuously pulling him up, it was almost impossible to tell from afar. Soon, they came to a decision, and Kamikage knew it. He heard hem talking to each other. He noticed their downtrodden looks and slow headshakes. He then saw them gesture to his official…
The referee spoke into a radio, "It's over. Haku Kazama is no longer able to compete. I repeat, st…"
Unwilling to be turned away once again, the older Nodachi snapped. Kamikage knocked out the official before he could finish, and then the others. With that out of the way, he went back to the murder-in-progress of Haku. He lifted the Kazama Son, and began viciously kneeing him over and over in the abdomen before kicking him away with a front kick to the chest. Haku could only limply and helplessly fall back down. Preparing to do fatal damage, Kamikage tore off his jacket, leaving the vest and shirt, and ripped off his gloves as he approached Haku.
The crowd control transparent barrier was still active since the fight was technically still going on, but the sight was not softened or lost on the crowd. The audience could only watch on in horrified silence, with some screaming and pleading for a stop, Xiaoyu especially. In the ring, Kamikage stood over the young Kazama as Haku had to us his would-be-killer's body for leverage to stand, Kamikage simply enjoying the sight of Haku in pain. Not waiting any longer, Kamikage lifted and slammed Haku onto his spine, drawing a gasp of pain of the young Kazama.
The older Nodachi mounted the object of his rage, sitting on his middle, and lifted Haku's head by his hair. Brutally and repeatedly, he began punching Haku, with the rapidly-weakening Kazama unable to even get his hands up to defend. The sound of his fist crashing down over and over was cringe-worthy, disturbing, and horrifying. As the whole surreal and troubling ordeal seemed to go in slow motion, each blow seemed to resonate for miles. Jun was shocked speechless, and Akane was driven to tears as they both realized just what they were witnessing.
Kamikage screamed with loathing, his eyes mad, "IT SHOULD'VE BEEN YOU! YOU SHOULD DEAD! IT SHOULD BE YOU! I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU!"
Going for the kill, Kamikage wrapped his hands around Haku's neck and started to squeeze. Haku, his face crimson mask by the beating he'd already taken, bled from both nostrils and both sides of his mouth. Too weak to even kick and barely grasping Kamikage's hands, Haku's life began slipping away as he was clutched so hard that blood the blood in his mouth streamed out and tears poured from his eyes...
Finally, an entire horde of officials came sprinting in and forced Kamikage away … but not for long. The older Nodachi deftly and immediately began knocking each of them out one by one left and right. Lying in a pool of his own blood and near death, Haku had almost resigned himself to his end … when he unexpectedly and inexplicably sensed something deep inside him suddenly awaken and fill him up. It was some kind of energy, a brand new one, one completely different from the first one. This one was stronger, calmer, and it caused no pain. It even seemed to have a sort of healing effect. Soon, enough of it enriched him and powered him … to allow for one more flurry…
Haku use his newfound energy to get up to his knees as Kamikage tossed the last official aside and charged at him again. Unleashing every last ounce of his new power he could harness and aim, Haku sprang up and launched Kamikage very high with 'Cyclone Left'. He struck with a 'Shooting Star', bouncing his enemy again much higher than normal. Haku then dashed forward and sent Kamikage flying back ward with Jin's 'Right Roundhouse Punch'. The older Nodachi spiraled backward and spun out on the ground. In truth, Kamikage had actually managed to wear himself out attacking Haku. It was also unhelpful that the power Haku used was unreal in its strength and something Kamikage had never felt before. Nodachi tried to stand but he couldn't, collapsing to the ground while Haku barely stood…
The announcer's voice blasted through the arena as it broke into joyous pandemonium, "KO! It's over! The Prince now has the throne… Here is your winner and the NEW King of the Iron Fist: Haku Kazama!"
Unable to hold fast any longer, Haku fell into seated position just as the barrier came down, and Xiaoyu, Jun, and Akane jumped the barricade and ran to his side. Kamikage slowly rose, and held his now hurting shoulder as he started toward the reunited family. As he shambled toward them, the insanity that he'd kept hidden for years was now out for all to see. His once slick hair was now wild and tousled. His brilliant tie was now torn. His once crisp suit was now wrinkled and windswept. His once pristine cuffs and cufflinks were now stained with blood. His once calm and even keel visage was now crazed and marred by insanity.
The three women braced themselves as they saw him coming, but they didn't have to for long. Quickly, Sven and his squad of Tekken Force troops swarmed the main arena, emerging from the stands and both entrances, and surrounded Kamikage, all fully armed and all readily pointing their guns at him.
Sven, aiming his assault rifle with one hand, ordered, "Kamikage Nodachi, you're under arrest for the attempted murder of Yushin Vincent Chaolan! Surrender now or we will fire!"
Surrounded on all sides, Kamikage couldn't even see the twins just past them anymore. He looked at them all, and finally looked at the ground, his eyes going from crazed to devastated. Suddenly, two bombs fell from the sky and sent out extremely bright flashes into the arena, temporarily blinding and distracting the troops…
"Hold your fire!" Sven yelled out as he was forced to look away.
While they were all distracted, Mitsuko dropped down, setting off two smoke bombs for cover, and leapt back into the chopper with Kamikage in tow. With both safely on board, Dragunov promptly sped off, leaving the arena behind them.
Mitsuko took her mask off as she said, "Whew. Talk about cutting it close."
Lying on the floor of the helicopter, Kamikage looked at his bloodstained hands and knew how close he came at achieving his goal. The recognition caused him to break into an evil and crazed chuckle, but it soon mixed with and slowly became a sorrowful sob…
As the proverbial dust cleared, the announcer's voice rang out, "What an amazing and breathtaking final act! And after almost 20 years, we have a brand new fighting champion!"
Fireworks blasted and exploded skyward as confetti and streamers rained from above, the stadium celebrating once again and people cheering . Sven directed his men, and the troops scattered according to their orders. Slowly, Haku felt the power inside him wan as he calmed down. Along with it, everything in his vision blurred and began spinning as he felt himself fading. Haku finally could barely make his three loved ones reach for him and Sven running toward him … as he slipped away…
End Chapter
A/N: There you have it. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it. Now, we're going to be taking a short break next chapter to update the side-story, so I hope you come back for that. Thank you again for reading, I hope you liked it, and I hope you come back for the next installment. Please R&R, and, as always, Rant, Rave, and Review.