Disclaimer: See previous chapters
Chap. 2
'The silence of the forest never ceases to amaze me' Ryu thought as he sat within a waterfall in meditation. Although, it wasn't complete silence. The water pouring down from above as well as the various birds that chirped in the air made it all but complete. Nevertheless, in comparison to the other places he's travel, this was the quietest.
Japan, 1519
"It's too quiet."
Ryu opened his eyes and turned to face another boy sitting beside him. He was the same size and age as Ryu, with long, blond hair. Ryu gave an exasperated sigh.
"Ken, it's supposed to be quiet."
The boy frowned. He had been there for nearly a month now. His parents, mostly his mom had enlisted him in the dojo. His mother was acquainted with Gouken and had asked that he be trained there. Gouken accepted and allowed him in. But it wasn't smooth sailing. He was taunted by the other students because of his foreign heritage. While his mother was native to the land, his father was travelling merchant from Europe. This plus his brash attitude made teaching him difficult. But as fortune would have it, he developed a strange relationship with Ryu and he began to see him as his only friend there.
"Silence!"
The boys stiffened. It was Gouken. They knew well enough that they would only receive one warning. Gouken was very strict when it came to discipline. And neither boy wanted to be on the receiving end. Ken immediately shut his eyes and tried to focus. Mind...Spirit...what was the other one? Oh yeah...discipline. His eyes tightened a bit as he tried to prevent his mind from wandering. This...is...tough. He opened one of his eyes to look over at his friend, who seemed to be having no trouble at all. How can he do that? Ken shut his eye. I just have to relax. If Ryu can do it, then so can I. I won't quit. I won't give up...
'I won't give up.'
New York
Ken was on the top of one of the skyscrapers looming over the massive city. His sword at his right hand and his ribs on his left, Ken gripped the sword as he looked at his opponent. It was a man of similar build as him with orange hair and bushy sideburns. He was holding a broadsword in his hands and held it at his side.
"You ruined my career, Masters. Now you must die."
Ken released his wound, "That was 100 years ago. It doesn't have to be this way, Allen. You can still walk away from this, alive."
Allen laughed, "You are in no position to make such a demand. And you won't walk away from this."
Allen lunged forward in a powerful thrust. Ken blocked it, but the force alone was enough to push him back against the wall. Ken growled a bit, but held his ground.
"This is your last chance."
Allen laughed some more, "No. It's yours. And you lost it." His blade glowed with orange energy.
'Rising Dragon!'
Allen shot forward and his blade curved upward into the air, intending to slice Ken's neck. However, Ken sidestepped the strike and Allen went high up into the air.
"If you're going to do it, at least do it right. Shoryusen!"
Ken's own saber flared with fire energy and he soared up as soon as Allen came down. Allen went flying back, almost falling off the balcony. Ken landed from the techniques and found that Allen's head was no longer there.
"I hate this part."
The aura mist flew out of Allen's body on onto Ken. Ken raised his sword into the sky as the lightning of the Quickening surged his body. The lights that were around him began blinking on and off until they exploded altogether. Thunder split the skies, accompanying the cries from the victorious warrior. Soon it ended and Ken fell to his knees, exhausted. Ken then stood up.
"I warned you. But all in all, in the end there can be only one."
Ken gave a short bow and looked at his watch, which thankfully was not shorted out by the Quickening. He then gasped and held his side again, now fully healed, but slight pain nevertheless.
'Aw, crap. I'm late. Eliza going to kill me.'
With that, Ken sheathed his sword and exited the balcony...