The Third Chance
"What's up, folks?! Alright, listen up. If you want to prove to everybody that you're the greatest fighter in the world, then enter the Dead or Alive tournament. Now remember, this isn't a place for senior citizens who think that all they need is just an iron fist. This is a place for real fighters who have an iron body. So, if you really are one of those fighters, then come on to the tourney, or else I'll come to your house and drag you in myself. See ya at the fights!"
– Zack, the host of the upcoming Dead or Alive tournament.
Mishima Zaibatsu
Many people around the world saw Zack's announcement of the next Dead or Alive tournament on television. The announcement was also seen by Heihachi from the headquarters of the Mishima Zaibatsu and is not happy with the implication.
"Senior citizens? Iron fist? Is that a challenge to me?!" he angrily says as he looks at the screen.
"What's wrong, sir?" asked one of the Tekken Force soldiers.
However, Heihachi sits down in his chair and, unexpectedly, begins to smile.
"Fame Douglas's daughter," he said. "She had this clown to announce the next Dead or Alive tournament and insult me like this. Following in your father's footsteps, aren't you, Helena? Heh! I should have destroyed DOATEC years ago when I had the chance. Now, that won't be such an easy task."
"What does this mean for your plans for Kazuki, sir?" asked the soldier.
"The attack on the village was to guarantee that he would enter my next tournament. This will not change that. However, if I were to win this tournament, that would be a victory for the Mishima Zaibatsu. I never back down from a challenge." Heihachi stands up from his chair and confidently says "Maybe it'd be better to kill two birds with one stone. If Kazuki finds out that I'll be entering the tournament, he'll be entering as well just to get a piece of me…and he'll fall to my fists once again."
G Corporation
Days later, Heihachi publicly announces that he will be entering the Dead or Alive tournament. This news shocks everyone around the world, as this would be the first time that a Mishima would be entering a Dead or Alive tournament.
Just as everyone else did in the world, Kazuya, along with his bodyguard Anna Williams, watches the video of the announcement at G Corporation's headquarters. Unlike Heihachi, Kazuya cares little about the Mishima Zaibatsu's competition with DOATEC but he is familiar with them, as well as the Dead or Alive tournaments.
"I knew the old man would never back down from a challenge like that," said Kazuya about the announcement of the tournament. "If he enters, then so will I. This is just another chance for me to defeat Heihachi."
Suddenly, a thought occurs in Kazuya's head.
"What if DOATEC was under my control? If I were to take over DOATEC, I would be able to get my revenge on the ninjas and Heihachi. They wouldn't stand a chance."
"Taking over both DOATEC and G Corporation?" asked Anna. "Sounds interesting."
"Well, this is a kill or be killed world," said Kazuya. "All that matters to me is having an advantage over my enemies. Heihachi didn't take down DOATEC but he's going to regret that he didn't. Me taking over DOATEC will be a reminder of all the past failures he's made in his life. All in one move." Kazuya then makes a fist and says "But in order to guarantee that, I must also get Jin and Kazuki's powers. Then, nobody will stand in my way."
"This is quite a change to be entering a tournament that will not award you the Mishima Zaibatsu," said Anna. "As a matter of fact, in this tournament, all you will get is the prize money. Trying to take over DOATEC after winning the tournament doesn't seem like a sure-thing."
"That's because not many people have the guts to do what I do. With my Devil Gene powers, I could easily take DOATEC away from Helena by force. If I have to kill her to do that, then so be it. This tournament is merely a way to understand DOATEC and once I win it, DOATEC will be mine."
Kazuya laughs evilly as he left eye starts glowing.
Mugen Tenshin Village
In preparation for the Dead or Alive tournament, Kazuki undergoes a rigorous training as he climbs mountains with weight balls chained to each of his limbs. As he climbs the mountain, he thinks back to what he was told by his superiors before the training began.
"This is it, Kazuki," said Hayate. "This time, you're not fighting for acceptance or answers about your past. You're fighting for us, your family and clan. It falls on you to make Heihachi and Kazuya pay for what they did to us."
"This is your chance to show us everything you've learned, Kazuki," said Ayane. "If you fail, then everything you learned had been for nothing. Remember your experiences and make them your strength."
"The path of a shinobi is a harsh one," said Hayabusa. "All of us are prepared to follow that path. So, are you prepared, Kazuki?"
As he thinks about these words, he quickly leaps up on the mountains until he reaches the top.
Withstanding powerful blows from Hayate, keeping up with Ayane's constantly changing speed, and heightening his senses with Hayabusa's attacks, Kazuki pushes himself further than ever, with a burning desire to defeat his two main enemies. This battle is on his own terms and he's determine to win it.
As the day approaches for him to leave for the tournament, Kazuki checks on his Shiden and Ayame, who have now fully recovered.
"No matter what, I will never let anyone else harm you ever again," he says to them. "I was unprepared for the battles that I had before and because of that, I take great responsibility for what happened to the both of you. This is my chance to correct the errors of my ways."
"You don't have to blame yourself, Kazuki," said Shiden. "Anybody would have fallen victim to Heihachi's trap and few have survived to tell about it. I'm proud to know that it was a member of our family and clan that survived. For that, I can never be disappointed in you."
"We all learn from our mistakes," said Ayame. "What's important is that we learn not to make them again, grow out of them, and become better. I can already see that in you, Kazuki. Don't you ever think otherwise."
"I promise I won't," said Kazuki. "I've learned a lot and now I have no more questions. From now on, I'll just move forward on the path that lies ahead."
Muramasa Village
Inside of the house of the hidden Muramasa village, Kasumi kneels in her blue kimono, with a smile on her face, as she thinks happy thoughts.
"Ms. Kasumi?" said the voice of an elderly man. This person goes by the name Muramasa, which was inherited by his father, who looked after Kasumi for years.
"Yes, Muramasa" said Kasumi she turns around, toward the door.
"You have a visitor, my dear," said Muramasa, as Kazuki walks up to the door.
"Kazuki!" said Kasumi as her eyes light up. She stands up and quickly walks up to her son.
"I wanted to see you again before I go to the tournament," said Kazuki. "I want to thank you for everything you've done. Without you, I probably would have gone a much darker path. I'm very grateful that you kept me from doing that."
"You are my son and I wanted nothing more than to make sure that you were on the right path," said Kasumi. "If I didn't bring you to the Mugen Tenshin Clan, then I wouldn't be doing my duties as a mother."
Kazuki steps out in front of the house and looks around the village.
"So, this village is where I was born?" he asked.
"Yes," said Kasumi. "This is the village where I stay after I left our home. Jin also stayed here briefly as well." She then looks at Muramasa and says "This man's father has looked after me ever since I came here and now he's doing the same thing. You should be grateful to the Muramasa family. They have been very helpful to us."
Kazuki turns and bows to Muramasa.
"Thank you, sir," he said.
"You don't have to mention it," said Muramasa. "We are all like family here, so we must protect each other. We made sure that your mother was safe from any danger and that you were born a healthy child. Oh, how my father would have loved to see how much you've grown."
"Well, I must say that I'm deeply grateful for what your family has done for my mother and me," said Kazuki. "I hope I get to know more about you and this village."
"Well, whenever you need me, I will always be here," said Muramasa. "Consider this as your home as well."
"Now, let's say we…go for some Strawberry mille-feuille, right mother?" said Kazuki.
Kasumi laughs and says "Sure,"
New York Gym
In local gym in New York, Bruno Douglas goes through his own training with the mercenary and bodyguard Bayman. With the Dead or Alive tournament approaching, Bruno decides that he should add some more techniques to his style and turns to Bayman as the one who can teach him.
"Remember Bruno, that there will be warriors who fight for different reasons," said Bayman. "Some fight for family, some fight for revenge, and there are even some who fight for power. Those reasons will drive them in their fight, depending on how much they want it. What do you fight for?"
"I'm fighting for my goal, which is to prove that I'm the best," said Bruno.
"How much do you want that?"
"I really want it. It's something I've trained for ever since I became a fighter."
Bayman slowly walks up to Bruno. "Then you better fight like it. If you want it that bad, you better prepare yourself…for the worst."
"'The worst'? asked Bruno.
"In the battlefield, anything can happen and it will not always be in your favor," said Bayman. "What will you do when that happens?"
"No matter what, I will not give up," said Bruno. "I know my matches will not be easy, so I am prepared for when that happens."
"I'm not talking about just the matches," said Bayman. "I'm talking about in general."
"…What?" asked Bruno as he looks confused.
"When you started your fighting career, you didn't know that you would be the target of an assassination, did you? That shows that no matter what, there will always be someone standing in the way of your goal and they don't have to be in the ring to do that. Therefore, when you enter the tournament, always be aware of where your enemies are and when they will strike."
Bayman quickly takes out his knife and, with swift speed, points it at Bruno's throat. Bruno is frozen by the speed of Bayman.
"Always expect the unexpected," said Bayman.
"Yes, sir!" said Bruno. "I…understand."
Standing outside of the gym door, professional wrestler and former MIST scientist Lisa Hamilton, who had just finished working out at the gym, listens in on the training and conversation between Bayman and Bruno.
"Bayman must be trying atone for what he did in the past," she said to herself. "Why else would he take Bruno under his wing despite what he did a long time ago? That has to be the reason for that."
Violet Systems
Jin, stands outside on the balcony of the Violent Systems headquarters and as he looks at the sky, Lars walks up behind him.
"So, you're not going to be entering the Dead or Alive tournament?" asked Lars. "With Kazuya and Heihachi competing in the tournament, Kazuki will be facing an uphill battle once again. I wouldn't be surprised if those two would pull some kind of trick just get at him."
"It's possible but this time, I know that Kazuki is ready," said Jin. "This is what he wanted; a fight on his own terms. While I would like to take down Kazuya and Heihachi myself, this particular battle is not for me. It's for Kazuki. It's a personal battle that I can't get in the middle of. So, this time, I just simply place all of my confidence on him instead."
"I see," said Lars. "You want him to free himself from questions that surrounds his bloodline and become his own man."
"Yes," said Jin. "At first, he wasn't ready to accept who he is but now that he has, he can finally move on. Now all that's left is where it leads to."
To Be Continued.
