Street Fighter X Mai-HiME: Stage 4 – The True Purpose
"After suffering a brutal beatdown after her encounter against Ryu, a wounded Natsuki ends up being taken care by the man she fought the other night. Though the latter hasn't recognized about Ryu, she begins to realize of who is his. In addition, the world warrior in secrecy explains to Natsuki about their purpose regarding the HiMEs and their possible connection to the Satsui no Hado – the well-known evil power that once tempted Ryu."
The same night, Ryu brought an unconscious Natsuki before his master. The world warrior told his master that the latter took a harsh beating during their first encounter. As Ryu notices glowing on Natsuki's back, it is revealed that she is also a HiME; much to Ryu and Gouken's surprise. Both master and pupil did their best to tend to the wounds of the blue-haired HiME.
Meanwhile, Sakura went into the apartment where Mai and Mikoto reside; with Ken and Yuuichi protecting the two. Sakura warns Ken and company that Ryu had defeated Natsuki earlier. What is left behind in the area where she and Ryu fought is her motorcycle, Ken decides to pick it up and bring it to Gouken's dojo.
The following day...
Natsuki wakes up in a dojo, dressed in a white aikidogi (with black floral designs), black hakama, and a white headband. Not knowing where she ended up after her encounter with Ryu, and unaware who took her in.
"You're awake.", someone appears before her; which it turned out the man whom she fought the other night - Ryu.
Surprised by the latter's appearance, she attempts to attack him. Only to stumble in pain; Ryu apologizes to Natsuki regarding their previous battle, the warrior didn't know he took the fighting too seriously it nearly cost the HiME's life. He continues to nurse Natsuki while she recalls the previous incident.
Natsuki later learns about Ryu as the latter shared his experiences on his journey of searching many opponents throughout the world while taking care of Natsuki; she realizes that she wasn't prepared to battle a famous martial artist. Then, Gouken appears, as Ryu introduces his master to her. Before both master and pupil can explain their motives; Gouken warned both Ryu and Natsuki to keep their discussion secret.
"As if you know that you are here, child; that we came to acquaint you HiMEs for a favor. But first, we must make sure THIS will be only a secret between you and Ryu only."
"What do you know about us HiMEs?"
Gouken continues, "You see, young one. I have heard a mysterious legend that the power of a HiME will surpass any being of evil in this world. As far as I'm concerned, these powers may have a possible connection to the Satsui no Hado.",
"Satsui no Hado!? Never heard of that... Is that some sort of a demonic force?", Natsuki replied in a shocking reaction.
"Yes, my dear. Even though you have no knowledge about it, I will tell you short details of that power. The Satsui no Hado is a form of energy that is rooted in both the darker aspects of natural human instinct, and, on a metaphysical level, the natural occurrence and manifestation of loss, decline, and destruction."
"So, this 'Hado' you're talking about is formed from negative emotions of a human being, and the psychological effect will result of doing something inhuman?" Gouken answers her question, and he believes that the power of a HiME can surpass the Satsui no Hado.
In addition, Gouken tells a story of the said power that killed his master, and detested the man for using it, his brother - Akuma.
"Since being my life as a student of my master, Goutetsu; Akuma and I been training with him for a long years. Goutetsu-sensei taught us this ancient Ansatsuken art rooted with various types of martial arts such as Shotokan Karate, Judo, and Kempo. But what I didn't know from him, is the fatal technique he calls it the 'Shun Goku Satsu' - Instant Hell Murder. When I secretly learned about the Satsui no Hado from Goutetsu-sensei, I just don't want to know where am I going to end up; but my master said that he has not abandoned his humanity, much to the dismay of my brother... Many years have passed, when I heard that Akuma had fought and killed Goutetsu, I begin to part ways from him; I was so disgusted for such remorseless actions of what he did. And from that fateful day from now, I built my own dojo, and I had to purify my fighting style that I won't allow the Satsui no Hado to be part of it. Few years later, I took Ryu in since he was orphaned. I trained him that time, along with a soon-to-be friend - Ken."
"So, your master Goutetsu died during a fight to the death with your brother? Is this the main purpose of the Satsui no Hado - to transcend of one's humanity for power!?", the HiME asks the elderly man.
"I think I'm positive to your questions, child. In my brother's case, he will stop at nothing until he achieves perfection of his power; this means to say, in a battle, Akuma almost never resorts to his true strength since he is yet to find an opponent who is to withstand the full extent of his powers."
Gouken continues the story...
"With Ken and Ryu grown up, Ken return to America to compete in a U.S. Martial Arts Tournament, while Ryu participated in a world warrior tournament. Just a year have passed after he won the tournament, Akuma suddenly appeared before me; challenging me to a fight to the death. Throughout that fight, he gained the upper hand on me, just when he did the Raging Demon on me, I was about to empty my soul; the timing went wrong. So, I was in comatose for a couple of years, to which Ken and Ryu thought I died. But several years have passed, I have awoken from my slumber. That I have managed to seal the Satsui no Hado within Ryu with the Power of Nothingness - my newfound power that I have acquired upon my awakening."
When Natsuki finally learns about the purpose that if anyone in general who utilize the Satsui no Hado, will turn them into people who kill each other with their fists. As said above, Gouken believes that a HiME's power will surpass the Satsui no Hado, as a possibility if the Power of Nothingness won't be effective enough to suppress the murderous intent inside Ryu.
In the middle of the evening, Ryu sees Natsuki target shooting outside the dojo using her pair of pistols she calls it as an "Element". Ryu witnesses the HiME's ability to handle a weapon. Ryu asks himself, can she even fight unarmed? Ryu appears before Natsuki, impressed with her weapons handling. "Wow, you sure know how to handle these kind of weapons in your age.", says Ryu. Natsuki mentions that the weapon she wields is her element - the name for the objects the HiMEs can create. Then Natsuki shows her Child to Ryu.
"Duran!", she shouts.
And out came a silver wolflike creature sporting two revolver-like cannons on its back. Ryu learns about the true nature of the HiMEs even summoning their Childs. Natsuki introduces her Child, "This is Duran. I named him after our deceased pet dog. Since you notice the cannons on its back, it uses three cartridges loaded on its cylinder. The Silver cartridge creates icicles, Chrome cartridges are explosive rounds, while the Flash cartridge produces blinding light. On the other hand, it transforms into a hoverbike for alternative transportation." The world warrior was amazed of Natsuki's Child how it fights, even when it took on Sakura.
Ryu also reminds her, "Since its a mechanical beast, you better keep your eye on it as if it was your pet. Because, if you don't; you don't even know what's going to happen." Natsuki reluctantly accepted his advice before continuing her target shooting.
The next day, Ken along with Sakura return to the dojo, along with them is the motorcycle he found in the spot Ryu and Natsuki fought. Ken rides the motorbike with Sakura on their way to Gouken's dojo.
Natsuki was even more surprised when Ken found her motorbike left behind. "Even after you fought Ryu, you should've carried your motorcycle with you, kid. Leaving it behind may have a possibility anyone can steal it.", sneers Ken. Natsuki thanked the blonde warrior for returning the motorcycle to its rightful owner. Ryu learns that the other two girls - Mai and Mikoto - are still at school. Leaving Natsuki temporarily absent after sustaining a serious injury two nights ago. Natsuki, after learning a little knowledge about the Satsui no Hado from Gouken and Ryu, believes that she must find a way or any secrets to prevent the awakening the evil within Ryu. So, as said by Gouken, this must be kept in secret. And one thing what Natsuki has in mind, due to lacking experience or training in fighting; she yearns to train and spar with Ryu.
"Ryu, is it? I just have something in mind about you.", says Natsuki. "You see, your fighting spirit is so fierce, I just want to train and spar with you anytime. I know you have fought many opponents in your journey, and many people looking up to you, including myself; now that I realized such strength in you. I just want to be aspired in your fighting style."
Ryu, on the other hand, approves the latter's request, "Hmm... So you really want to learn a lot in fighting? I guess you're always welcome here in the dojo, either way you're also welcome to spar with me, Ken, or even with master. Someday, I'm going to look forward on many worthy opponents, including yourself."
Sakura looking at both Ryu and Natsuki what would they look like if they were together; teases them, "Hey, Ryu-san! It looks like you got yourself a new student after me! Heehee, I bet you guys are the perfect two!" Natsuki first denies Sakura's statement, she states that she refuses to be much close to Ryu - saying she wants to battle him someday, as the latter follows to deny Sakura's statement. Before Natsuki should put her skills to the test, she decides to return to school. Not knowing what would've been her consequence of her absence.
Characters:
-Ryu
-Ken Masters
-Sakura Kasugano
-Gouken
-Akuma (mentioned)
-Natsuki Kuga
Trivia:
-While Natsuki wears a white aikidogi with floral patterns, black hakama, and a white headband in this chapter; this is a reference to Asuka Kazama's player 1 outfit in the Tekken games, as well one of Ryu's alternate outfits in Super Street Fighter IV. On the other hand, the white headband is also implied to belong to Ryu, which he wears it during the Street Fighter Alpha series.
Author's Note:
To add dramatic effects, I think it's much better Natsuki learns about the Satsui no Hado in secret thanks to Gouken. In addition, Sakura's teasing on Ryu and Natsuki is just to think if they are compatible crossover tag team partners?
Until then, stay tuned for more Street Fighter X Mai-HiME.