Disclaimer: See chapter one.

Thank you D for helping me with the grammar

Chap. 17

Interpol Headquarters...

"You called Chief?"

Chun Li briskly strode into the boss's office and closed the door behind. Once done, she sat down in the seat in front of his desk and crossed her legs, waiting.

The man gave a slight grin, "That's one of the things I like about you, Xiang. Always punctual." His smile vanished. "Now let's get to the point. As you know, we can never get our hands on Shadowloo due to their stealthy movements. If not for the noticed increase in crimes worldwide, we may not even believe they exist."

Chun Li's eyes remained passive as he continued, "However, I think this time we caught a break. According to our sources, they are targeting a specific individual. Your job is to find out why and bring him here for protection."

"An individual?" she questioned. She was well aware of Shadowloo patterns and activities; far more so than anyone even knew. Beyond drugs and terrorism, Shadowloo specialized in kidnapping as well. If she could get to their intended target before them, she would have a good lead on Shadowloo. But she didn't want to jump into this assignment/mission, without being certain.

"Are the sources reliable?"

The chief nodded, "Very reliable. One of our agents found an assassin after the police caught him. The assassin killed himself, but we were able to determine his target."

"Who?"

The chief checked the folders before him, "A movie star from Hong Kong. Name's Fei Long."

"Fei Long..."

Shipping port, China, 1597

Chun Li rode into the town on horseback and up to the dock. She slowly climbed down from her steed and strode through the town. As she did, a few eyes (mostly men) were watching her. She knew it had nothing to do with her looks, but the rather the sword she carried behind her. Most women didn't carry swords and even fewer could rightfully had said that it was theirs. Ignoring them, she continued on to the docks, looking around for a particular ship.

Her eyes wavered across the sea briefly before it snapped back behind her. She felt it. An immortal was nearby. She moved back toward one of the building into an empty area along the wall. If an immortal was after her, then this is where they would fight out of side. She slid across the corner and unsheathed the blade just as she detected sound from the other side. Raising it, she suddenly spun around the corner and stuck the sword out.

"Wait, wait! I can explain."

It was a man who looked somewhere around her age. Her physical age anyway. His body, clothed in white, was lean, but muscular. It showed that he had some experience in fighting unarmed. But that didn't matter to her. Her sword was already at his throat.

"Who are you?" she demanded.

"Relax, peace." he exclaimed, trying not to move. "I'm not an enemy. Really. My name is Fei Long."

Chun Li relaxed at his worried expression and slowly lowered her blade. But not too much in case the man tried to trick her. She has had enough surprises in her life.

Fei Long breathed after the sword was lowered. "A woman warrior. I don't think I've met one before."

Chun Li frowned at his comment, "I don't have time..."

"No, no, no." he waved in defense. "I mean no insult. In fact I'm intrigued."

She noticed the way he responded in those last words and groaned mentally. "Well, I'm glad you seen something that...intrigues you, but I have to go."

"Bangkok, right?" he noted. He pointed at where she was standing a minute ago. Chun-Li nodded and he continued speaking. "Well I'm afraid you just missed the ship heading there. There won't be one for a few days."

"Damn." she swore openly. She looked back out at the water briefly and then sighed.

"Well it looks like I'm stuck here."

Fei Long smiled, "Well since you're stuck, might I offer you a place to stay for the time being?" She shot him a slight glare, but he continued, "I promise I'm not after your head." His smile deepened, "It looks good right where it is."

It was open flattery; anyone could see that. But even so, her face did flush lightly. Luckily, her head was turned so he didn't see it.

"Flattery will get you nowhere." Turning around, she gave him a softened look.

"But...I accept your offer."

From that time on, Chun Li and Fei Long got to know each other quite well. He was once a fisherman's son who had gotten in an accident underwater. He was pushed against a coral reef by a current and impaled. However, his immortality kicked in and he emerged from the waters unscathed. For a long time he was unaware of who he was and what he had become.

But then he met his first immortal who fortunately, wasn't interested in a fight. Rather, the immortal told him the rules of the Game and how to survive. He didn't believe it at first until he saw the battle between him and another immortal. His friend was killed and Fei Long witnessed his first Quickening. Angered, he moved in to fight and the immortal was powerless to stop him and soon Fei Long experienced his own Quickening. When he received the power, he also received the knowledge of the two for a brief moment. Realizing that what was told to him was true, he trained himself in the art of sword-fighting, ultimately becoming a skilled swordsman.

But he remained in the town, continuing on his fishing even though he knew one day he may have to leave. In that short time, Chun Li and Fei Long became close and even had the thought of marriage once. But as more time passed, Chun Li wanted to continue her search of Shadowloo. Fei Long didn't agree and they quarreled many times before she finally left on her own once again, leaving behind a note.

Fei,

I'm sorry about this, but I couldn't tell you this because you would try to stop me. I must go. This is what I must do. You just can't understand what I am going through and why I need to do this. Again, I am sorry to leave you. I hope that we may be able to meet again.

Chun-Li

"You know him?"

She nodded, "An old friend."

The chief nodded back with a semi-surprised look in his eyes, "Well, that's a first for you. That may be eve more helpful. In any case, you have to bring him in order to determine why Shadowloo is targeting him. You'll leave for Hong Kong tomorrow."

Chun Li stood from her seat, "Yes sir."

Hong Kong

"Hyyyyaaaahhhhh!"

A lean, well muscled man soared through the air and kicked another man who was holding a chain. The man flew back into a wall and slumped down unconscious. The fighter bent over and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.

"Where is my sister? Tell me?!"

The man's eyes opened slightly, "You'll...never...find her...hah...ha...ha."

The fighter growled and punched him out with a powerful fist. Standing over his defeated opponent, he whispered to himself. "Megumi. I will find you. I promise."

"Cut! And that's a wrap!"

The fighter grinned as the director and the cameramen all clapped at his performance. On the floor, the man that was supposedly unconscious stood up. The fighter/actor turned to him.

"I hope I didn't hurt you too badly." he commented.

The actor shrugged lightly, "Don't worry about it. I'll sleep it off. Good job, Fei Long."

Fei Long nodded and began to move away to his seat when one of the workers came up to him.

"Mr. Fei Long, sir. A person is waiting to see you. A woman. She's waiting in the dressing room"

Fei Long grinned, "A woman, huh? Must be one of my favorite fans."

Fei Long moved toward the room, but before he even touched the door, a chilling sensation swept over him and his frown. An immortal? I wonder who. Cautiously, he opened the door and saw the woman in question stand near the wall.

"Chun Li? It is you!"

Chun Li smile as the man gave her a light embrace. Pulling away, "Where have you been? I haven't heard from you in decades."

Chun Li shrugged, "I've been busy with work."

Fei Long grinned, "That so like you, Chun. All work and no play."

Chun Li slowly moved away from him and sat down. "That's what I here for."

Fei Long frowned and sat down as well, "I guessing this has something to do with my disappearance two weeks ago."

Chun-Li nodded, "I believe it may something to do with Shadowloo."

The man's frown quickly became a scowl, "Them again? Chun-Li, I thought you'd given up on that."

Chun-Li matched his scowl, "Given up? This is not something to just give up. There is someone behind this and I want to find out whom."

"Why? For your father's revenge?"

"I'm looking for justice, not vengeance." she shot back.

Fei Long groaned aloud and turned away, "I can't believe that even after all this time, you still believe that."

Chun Li now stood up, her face now hard as stone, "Whatever my personal feelings are, the point is that you are in danger. I came to warn you because..." She stopped briefly, trying to find the right words.

"I know that it didn't work out for us and that we may never have such a relationship. But I still care about you. Enough to take whatever venom you have to spout at me to protect you."

The back of his shoulders seemed to slump down a bit, indicating that he was calming down. "I guess...I could call it off." he said finally. "We did just finish the final scene after all."

"Thank you."

Fei Long simply shrugged and sat back down, "So what's the plan?"

Chun Li retook her seat as well, "I'm to escort you to HQ and find out why Shadowloo is after you."

His mischievous grin returned, "Escort, huh? Is that what they're calling it nowadays?"

He quickly changed the subject after seeing her face turn into a frown. "Fine, I'll stay for one month." He lifted a finger, "But there's a price tag involved here."

"Are you serious?" she gasped.

"You know I am."

"Fine." she sighed. "What is it?"

Fei Long sat back in the chair and put his arm on the back of his neck, "Tonight, 7:30, dinner, you and me. Well?"

Chun Li groaned, "You just have to make things difficult, don't you?"

His grin never wavered, "It's part of my charm."

Chun Li and Fei Long were seated down in an expensive restaurant with their dinner half eaten in front of them while they were chatting with one another. Chun Li couldn't help but admit that she was having a good time. It had been awhile since she had actually relaxed with a good friend, much less an immortal one. Her friends among them were few, with Fei Long being one of the closest. It made her feel a little sad for not staying in contact with him, but she had her duties to fulfill.

"You're a real workaholic, you know."

Chun Li blinked out of her reverie, "Huh?"

Fei Long smiled sadly, "You were thinking about work again. About your mission."

Chun Li lowered her head, "I'm sorry. I've been doing it for so long, it pops into my head automatically sometimes."

Fei Long took a bite of his meal, "Don't you think that you've been doing this long enough?" He held up a hand before she could protest. "I'm just saying that for people like us, spending a lifetime of revenge can waste away everything else in your life."

Chun Li didn't answer and Fei Long continued, "I'm not asking you to stop, although I think you should. But you need a vacation or something like that. If you keep this up, you start growing wrinkles and grey hair."

Chun Li chuckled at his joke, "I think it's a little late for that. About 500 years late."

Fei Long smiled at finally getting her to relax. But that was short lived after he grasped his head. Chun Li gave him a slight glance.

"Are you alright?"

Fei Long grumbled a bit, "Yeah. Just a bit of a headache. I'll be right back."

Fei Long excused himself and walked away from the table, leaving Chun Li to herself for awhile. She began to ponder over her former boyfriend's words. Maybe she should relax for some time. She could certainly use it. But if she did, then Shadowloo would slip from her grasp once more. No, she had to continue on. But she knew that rest would be more beneficial in the long run. But she didn't want to rest. She wanted to forge ahead, continue in her hunt for the dark organization and the monster leading it. She just wished...

Crrrrrrsssssshhhh!

Chun Li suddenly whirled her head to see Fei Long staggering into the door and colliding with one of the waiter. He was still grasping his head and Chun Li could see him wording groan in his lip. She shot up from her seat, but Fei Long suddenly dashed into the back kitchen. Chun Li followed him into the kitchen, but he had disappeared.

"Which way did he go?" she asked the nearby worker.

"That way."

Chun Li nodded to him and walked off in that direction. She could see the immortal moving down the street as she exited the store. She gave chase and followed him across the street and into an old construction site. He disappeared around the corner and she followed soon after. She found him bending on the floor. It puzzled her, but at least he wasn't holding his head in pain.

"Fei! Are you okay? Why did you run off like that?"

"Simple. So that we could be alone."

Chun Li blinked again, but caution suddenly alert her senses like wildfire and she backed away. And not a moment too late as a sudden slash split through the air. Fei Long was now facing her, holding a jagged sword with a dragon head on the end. His eyes seemed blank; void of any life.

"What is this?" She questioned. "Fei Long, what are you doing?"

"I am not Fei Long." he answered in a completely emotionless voice. "I am Dragon's Shadow, servant of Shadowloo. And as such, I am to destroy all those who oppose its master, Bison. And since you are such, you are to be terminated."

Fei Long suddenly and swiftly slashed out with his blade. Chun Li flipped back and away from the swing and unsheathed her own sword. However, she made no move to him and went into defensive posture.

"Fei! Stop this, please." she pleaded.

Fei Long didn't reply and shifted forward, lashing out again with a horizontal slash. Chun Li was prepared for it and easily deflected it, but the slash was actually a feint and Fei Long pulled back to slash again, this time coming from the left. The attack came so fast that Chun Li barely had time to pull back herself and deflect the second. But that too was a feint and Fei Long pulled back a third time and attacked with a rising vertical slash. The speed of the final slash was enough to force her sword away hard.

The warrioress reeled back and re-steadied herself. She was a little shaken, but otherwise fine. Or so she thought. She blinked as she felt a twinge of pain across her chest. Looking down, she saw that his final slash had in fact connected and left a thin slash on her chest. Blood had already started to seep out of the wound and on her clothing. 'I didn't even see it.' She would have to be really careful. If he could move that fast in rapid succession, then he could end her quickly. She would have to move just as fast in order to deal with him. She just hoped that she can be faster.

Chun Li leveled her sword, pointing forward and near the side of her head. She went into another stance, but again waited for him. Fei Long narrowed his eyes and stabbed forward. But rather than block or deflect, Chun Li spun to the side and dropped her hand down hard, with the blade following and slamming into the stabbing blade. Fei Long stumbled forward but regained his bearings. But Chun Li moved instantly with a slash of her own, causing him to raise his blade in a awkward block.

Fei Long forced his arm to turn in order to attack, but Chun Li was already on him, forcing him to only block. This exchange when on, with Chun-Li forcing herself on him and keeping him defensive. Chun Li then quickly went for a disarming move, but Fei Long had finally managed to recover and he dodged to the side. Gripping the sword with both hands, he raised it and struck with a giant swing. Chun Li raised her blade to block, but she saw the slash would break though.

Moving fast, she applied her other hand on the blade and reinforced the block, causing it to stop. She grit her teeth as she was forced on one knee, but managed to push one end forward, causing his blade to follow and leaving him open. Without wasting a second, Chun Li lashed out with a wicked high kick and floored Fei Long to the ground. Chun Li then twirled around and waited again.

"Target resistance increased. Increasing fighting level."

Fei Long suddenly arose from the ground and gave another slash. Chun Li easily parried it, but then Fei Long's other arm flashed out and a pair of nunchuku smashed into Chun-Li's shoulder.

"Ahhhhhh!"

Chun Li winced in pain and Fei took the advantage with another stab. Chun Li weakly block and the nunchuku came again, wrapping around her sword and pulling it out of her grasp. Fei Long finally gave another slash, crossing across her body again and causing her to fall. As she weakly struggled to her feet, Fei Long stood over her, nunchuku under his left arm and the sword in the air on his right.

"Proceeding to..."

He suddenly stopped short and his eyes began to waver. "Proceeding...stop...terminate…Chun...ahhhhhhhh!"

Fei Long suddenly dropped to his knees and clutched his head again. He weapons fell down and he growled in pain. Meanwhile, Chun Li had reached her sword and quickly jumped to her feet, but by then she had heard his screaming. Turning, she found him on the ground, nearly pulling his hair out. Her caution kept her sword leveled to his neck, but concern was on her face. As the screams died down...

"Fei Long. What's going on?"

The immortal struggled with his head. "Shadowloo...is real... Used me...as an experiment..." he strangled out. "Mind...control...trying...guahh...to fight..."

"Hold on." she encouraged. "Keep fighting."

"No...too strong...losing it..." He slowly raised his eyes and looked into Chun Li's.

"Finish me..."

Chun Li gasped, "What? I...I...can't..."

"Please!" He begged. "They...will come...for...I can't...guahhhhhhhh!"

He screamed again and slumped to the floor. His head arose slowly and glimpsed his fallen weapon.

"Reinitializing targeting sequence."

She saw his gaze and heard his words. He was going for his weapon again. And if he did, she'd risk him possibly beating her and ending her life. Her face pain-stricken, she raised her sword.

"Fei Long, I'm sorry."

The blade came down from behind, severing Fei Long's head and sending it dropping to the floor. Chun Li gave a short cry before the white mist of Fei Long power swirled into her body. Then her head arched back and her hands outstretched as she screamed aloud. Lightning flashed around her and struck various part of the site. Materials and equipment that were left behind exploded and fell from all around her. The lightning struck even more with greater ferocity and then it stopped, leaving thin smoke, a headless actor/immortal and the saddened woman who came out the victor.

Interpol

Chun Li was back in her boss's office, eyes solid and straight forward. After Fei Long's death, it was reported that he had been killed in an accident involving Shadowloo. The film actors and producers, all saddened by his death, dedicated the movie to him. But none of them was more devastated as Chun Li. She known Fei Long for years and even though she hadn't seen him in quite awhile, she still considered him a friend. To have him die by her hand that way was...horrible.

"I read your report." the chief said, interrupting her thoughts. "I'm sorry about your friend."

"Me too." she nodded.

"Dismissed."

Chun Li nodded and left the room in silence. Despite what had occurred, his death had given her a renewed sense of purpose. Bison.So that was the head of the serpent. The one who had eluded her for centuries. She would find him and bring him to justice. She would make him pay for Fei Long and her father's death. She would...

'Calm down...'

She stopped in mid-walk. She was going crazy now. As strange as it sounded, the shock from Fei Long death had still affected her a bit. She continued walking and entered her office where she slumped against the door.

-"I'm not asking you to stop, although I think you should. But you need a vacation or something like that."-

That what Fei Long had said to her that night. Perhaps...for him...

"I guess a vacation wouldn't hurt."

Japan

"Well, until we meet again Ryu."

"The same to you Sakura. May our paths cross again."

The two faced each other and bowed in front of the dojo. When they arose, Sakura began to turn to leave when she stopped short.

"Oh, what the hell."

Sakura suddenly turned back and rushed up to Ryu. Before Ryu could react, Sakura moved her face to his and kissed him. Ryu's eyes were wide open in shock, but he had to admit, it felt good. However, before he could even think to enjoy is, Sakura moved away abruptly and smiled.

"I just wanted to do that once at least. See ya, Ryu."

Sakura turned and skipped away, leaving a totally flushed and bewildered Ryu behind. It took a full minute for him to come to his senses before he lifted his duffel bag and walked off in the opposite direction.

And so... the journey continues again.