The quest for Pandora's Box was certain to be a harrowing expedition. News flashed across the world pertaining to the strange object and the world's greatest fighters were vying to all get their hands on the box. Nevertheless, determination flowed within Lili's veins - that box was coming home to her father, come hell or high water. Nobody was going to get in her way.
As for Asuka, she was just simply along for the ride and to have a good time. A mysterious and almighty box that can grant any wish? Seemed like a hoax to Asuka, but checking the peculiar thing out was an excuse to escape her mind-numbing boredom. And perhaps there was that small part of her somewhere in there, that longed to hangout with Lili again.
The two stood at the park as Lili clapped her hands near Asuka's face. "Chop-chop my brutish dear, we have no time to waste." Lili affirmed with a smile as she spun around and began to skip out of the park.
Asuka rolled her eyes and raised her hand as Lili swiftly began to exit. "H-hey! Wait up, damnit!" She gave an exasperated sigh as she ran to Lili. "You owe me a dinner, by the way!" She fumed with a scowl.
"Perhaps that can be arranged." Lili turned to Asuka with a jovial smile. "We will locate Pandora's Box and you can help yourself to one-thousand dinners."
"Pfft..." Asuka crossed her arms as she scratched her head. "We don't even know that the thing's real. Prob' just some toy a prankster tossed- Wait...A-are you insinuating something?!" She yelled with an annoyed pout.
"Oh, hush my dear." Lili sighed with a smirk.
"Quit callin' me that!" Asuka whined. "You make it sound like I'm your plaything or somethin'" She crossed her arms with a grumble.
"You are." Lili giggled.
"Mmmnnngghh..." Asuka's face and cheeks were turning a brooding red, though she did not really seem that irritated. Perhaps there was another reason for the red face. Asuka was racking her brain for a witty remark to shut the snobbish princess up but, her mind kept lingering on those two words.
Lost in a deep thought, Asuka paid no mind to a certain citizen who eyed her out intently. "I think those two might be on the quest for Pandora." The citizen called out to her partner with a bright smile.
Asuka quickly brought herself back to focus. "Whatever, why you gotta always be so weird...Damnit, Lili-" Asuka moaned but the two ladies would soon halt their bickering due to an interruption.
The aforementioned interruption certainly shook the two women to their core, as they looked up to see quite an enigmatic sight of a man. Or, what appeared to be a man. Asuka and Lili could not say that for certain, though, thinking the man could be some kind of feral beast due to his bright green skin and orange hair.
The wild man emitted a guttural roar as he rapidly banged his fists upon his chest hair, or was it fur? Above all else, what was most alarming was the bright and booming electrical charge surrounding the wild man. "WooooWoOwWow!"
Asuka and Lili immediately assumed a fighting stance, however they tilted their heads as what was a young teen decked out in a school uniform came running over, haphazardly waving her hands. "You two! On the search for Pandora?" The teen queried with bright enthusiasm.
"What's it to ya?" Asuka cocked her eyebrow. "And what the heck's with that dude!?"
"We came to watch that supermodel Manon throw down some wicked beatings, and I couldn't help but overhear you! We're on the hunt for the box too!" The girl pumped her fists with a wide smile. "Don't worry, Jimmy here is just excited! Most call him Blanka, though." She cheered. "And my name's Sakura, nice to meet you! What say we search together?" Sakura piped up with delight.
A totally bamboozled Asuka scratched her head but soon wavered her stance with a shrug. "Double the power? Can't say no to that-" Asuka was promptly interrupted.
"No. We're the one's who will get the box." Lili sharply stated. Her fighting stance never faltered. "Don't you have school to attend? You will only get in the way." Lili chided before pointing at Blanka. "And he is utterly repulsive." The princess clenched her teeth with a whine as she shook her head.
"Lili!? What are you doing?!" Asuka blurted out with a deep scowl. "Just 'cause he's ugly doesn't mean you point it out!" She soon covered her mouth as her eyes widened. "I mean...uh..."
Asuka was not the only one scowling as Sakura's mood quickly soured too. "So it's going to be like that is it? How dare you make fun of Jimmy!" Sakura clenched her fists with a fume. "At least we get a good spar before the journey!"
"Now the beast is unleashed!" Blanka roared with fury as he pounded his chest. Sakura and Blanka proceeded to get into fighting stances.
The big crowd that had been overseeing Manon earlier had now gathered around the four fighters with keen interest. "You surely don't believe...you can beat me?" Lili chuckled.
"Guess there's no gettin' outta this anymore..." Asuka sighed as she shook her head. "Let's do this!" The brawler cracked her knuckles.
And thus, the first fight in the quest for Pandora was set to commence. Sakura would be the one to rush forward first, with Lili mirroring for the Iron Fisters. The two ladies were set for a colossal collision, and it would be Sakura who scored the first hit with a solid jab combo to Lili. "Oh yeah!" Sakura cheered.
The jabs did not affect Lili all that much. The pain quickly subsided for her as it was basically the beginning of the match. "My turn." Lili chuckled as she dodged Sakura's next punch and suddenly lifted up her leg and proceeded to vault up into the air with a flip. During said flip, Lili made sure to strike Sakura with a kick that sent the schoolgirl flying high.
Lili landed straight onto the ground with her hands in a handstand as Sakura crashed to the ground with a yelp. Before Sakura could correct herself, Lili maneuvered herself with great elegance and landed her feet straight down onto Sakura, sending a few more sharp kicks her way.
Lili's kicks were sure searing pain for a now wheezing Sakura. "Ergh..." Sakura scowled and decided to scoot backward. "Jimmy, I'll tag you in!"
"WooooWoOwWow!" Blanka bellowed out as he sprung into action. "Come on!" He yelled as he beckoned Lili over but did not make no attempt to rush forward.
"Bah. Relying on defense, is it? How boring..." Lili lamented as she twisted her hair before dashing forward with a grin. Leaping into the air, Lili aimed a kick straight toward Blanka, only to get a shocking surprise. BZZT!
Electrical current surged throughout Blanka's body. The crowd were amazed, but Lili sure was not as the volts shot right through her. Lili emitted a loud shriek as the stinging zap sent her sprawling to the ground. It certainly hurt a fair amount, but it did not seem to overall have much lasting damage and Lili quickly stood back up tall.
Asuka could not help but let out a big chuckle as she saw Lili's hair was all frizzed up and a total mess from the shock. "Hah! You got elec-tricked!" Asuka giggled as she slapped her knee.
"Gaaaah! Quiet, you!" Lili stomped on the ground with a glare to Asuka. Turning back to Blanka, Lili narrowed her eyes with disdain. Lili hated being the laughing stock, and she was about to get serious.
Lili immediately rushed forward with great speed and took another great dive into the air. Blanka looked up with a big grin. "Bwahahah! Ya want a second helping!"
What goes up, must come down. Lili soared up in the air with grace and eventually began to make her descent down to Blanka, who activated his electrical surge. "WooWooWoo!"
After a taxing amount of effort on the body for Blanka, he looked up in horror as he realised Lili had only landed in front of him, rather than going for an attack. "Alas, so much defence is so predictable." Lili gave a sarcastic yawn.
The Monegasque princess then proceeded to string together a lengthy yet graceful combo of swift slaps, perfect punches and knife-like kicks. One, two, six...ten hits? Blanka was yelping in pain as the beast was now getting pummeled to a pulp.
Lili had plenty more in the tank to dish out, however a sudden disturbance broke her concentration. "Stoooooop!" A now terrified-looking Sakura wailed out as she sprinted over to Blanka who was clutching his stomach with a guttering groan. "We forfeit, just please stop!" Sakura pleaded.
"Ouuughghh...N-no...I can...keep going..." Blanka croaked out in-between deep breaths.
"It's not worth it! I don't wanna see you getting hurt anymore, Jimmy!" Sakura woefully cried out.
"Awww!" Blanka pitifully pounded on the ground. "I looooost!" The beast whined aloud.
The corner of Lili's lip flicked up into a smile as she relaxed her stance and gave a curt bow. "Such a lackluster battle...Asuka, can't you do better than this?" Lili pointed toward their oppenents.
"Wha? I-I didn't choose these opponents..." Asuka fumed. "It's all you and your big mouth! You should apologise...Didn't anyone ever teach you some manners?" Asuka muttered as she crossed her arms.
Lili tapped her cheek for a moment as her mouth hung open in deep thought. Eventually, she gave a sharp nod to Asuka as she slowly strode over to Blanka and Sakura. "I can't believe I was acting so improper...I apologise for my insolence." Lili bowed. "My father would be ashamed of me...You are not ugly, Blanka. You have many desirable attributes and quirks. A pleasure to fight you both."
"Yeah! Guy that can just shoot out electricity? Dude that's so freakin' cool!" Asuka gleamed in wonder. It was a freaky sight at first, but Asuka remembered she had been in fights with bears, kangaroos, living demons and all odd sorts at the Iron Fist tournament. Looking at Blanka now, things seemed right at home.
Both Sakura and Blanka's moods gradually lifted up. "I guess things can get pretty heated in battle..." Sakura rustled her hair with a chuckle.
Blanka eventually sat up with a yelp of pain, but a smile shining through. "You are powerful fighters!"
There were then merry congratulations and handshakes all around. "Apologies to keep things curt, but Asuka and I must depart now. Who knows how long until someone opens Pandora?" Lili stated with concern.
"I understand!" Sakura gave a nod. "I'll stay here and wait till' Jimmy's recuperated. Nice fight, gals!"
"Good luck!" Blanka yelled out.
Lili and Asuka ended up leaving the park quite amicably towards their opponents-now-turned-friends. A fantastic first bout, as good as it could go. "Sheesh, the airport is so far away..." Asuka moaned.
"Airport? Oh ho, you jest." Lili cupped a hand to her mouth with a chuckle. "Follow me. We embark on my private jet."
Asuka's eyes sure widened. "Private jet?! Oh man, I'm so glad I joined ya on this trip..."
"Consider it paying you back from when I bought all the expensive sake with your wallet." Lili smiled.
Asuka's eyes certainly widened further. "You what!?"
With the two women squabbling some more, eventually any and all arguments would be quashed for the time being as the two made their way onto the Rochefort private jet. Her pilot soon took-off as the ladies made themselves comfortable.
"Aaaaaaahhhh! I can get used to this!" Asuka spread her arms out with a big grin as she sunk into one of the most comfortable chairs she'd ever experienced.
"Don't get too used to it." Lili chuckled. "My pilot is the best in the business. We shall be at our destination in no time."
"Pssssh! Still got ways to go!" Asuka waved her hand dismissively as she pondered for a moment. "I'm surprised you actually apologised to those two back there...That's gotta be like the first time you've actually listened to me." Asuka lamented with wonder.
"My father taught me proper manners...You simply reminded me that I had been straying from them." Lili stated with a nod.
"I see." Asuka stroked her chin. She could sympathise with Lili's quest, given her own strong bond with her father. "So ya gonna apologise to me anytime soon...?" She smirked.
"I don't fancy the chances of that ever happening." Lili smirked in return.
"So it's only when it comes to me, your rules don't apply?" Asuka whined with a pout.
"Guess that makes you special." Lili gave a chuckle.
"W-whatever..." Asuka looked to the side as silence fell for a brief moment.
"You know, if you're gonna force me to tag along with ya, you could co-operate a bit more." Asuka sighed. "I didn't even get to fight at all in that first match!"
"That won't be necessary. I am more than capable of handling these fights myself." Lili stated.
"Tough talk, princess. But weren't ya saying that if I weren't around you'd be in danger?" Asuka grinned.
"Th-that was just simple lip service, my dear!" Lili gave a nervous chuckle. "Anyways, we shall be landing right about now."
"H-huh? I get your pilot's speedy but there's no way we got to Antarctica this quick!" Asuka blurted in surprise.
"Oh, alas you are correct." Lili nodded. "I believe we are in China."
"Huh? Do you need to refuel or something?" Asuka tapped her cheek.
"No." Lili shook her head. "We're here to fight our next opponents. I've got intel where all the strongest fighters are currently at, and there's some pairs around here."
"What the heck? Why can't we just go directly to the South Pole if your jet is so speedy." Asuka lamented with a sigh.
"Non, my dear imbecile. We must stop over at all these stations to thin out the numbers." Lili stated. "Then we'll be the last one's standing to claim the prize!"
"Imbecile?! That's the dumbest plan I've ever heard!" Asuka chided before shrugging. "But if I get to rough some delinquents up, then might as well...Plus, this jet is doing wonders for my mood." She chuckled before nodding. "Alright, let's see what's in store!"
"Let's." Lili gave a smile as the two exited the plane. They would not have to stray too far to find some kind of trouble, however. As it seemed perhaps the trouble was looking for them.
"Heeeeeeeeeey! You two buttwipes! Over here!" A shrill and rather vexing voice pierced Lili and Asuka's ears as they turned their heads to the source. Unlike Blanka and Sakura who the women were not familiar with, they were all too familiar with the annoying former classmate that stood in front of them with a huff - none other than Ling Xiaoyu.
"Oh, it's just you..." Asuka rolled her eyes as Lili did the same. "Run along, kiddo. We don't have time for you. We're looking for strong opponents."
"Leave them, Xiao. They're not worth it." The deep voice of a man stated as the figure then came into fruition - Jin Kazama.
"Jin?!" The sheer sight of that young man certainly flared Asuka up. "About time!"
"You just keep your slimy hands away! Jin is mine!" Xiaoyu grumbled with a huff.
"E-excuse me? That is NOT the situation! He's my stupid cousi...I-Is that why you trashed my dojo with all those stupid reviews?" Asuka was very much pumped for a battle now. "Buzz off, squirt. Anyways, I finally get to kick your ass, Jin!"
"Oh you're so getting a good whack, you dumbo!" Xiaoyu shouted out. She was about to step forward before Jin held his arm out to stop her in her tracks. "I'll end this quickly." Jin stated as he instead stepped forward and adopted his stance.
"Oh ho ho, a challenge at last for moi." Lili grinned with delight but was stopped in her tracks by Asuka's arm. "This one is mine!" Asuka pumped herself up as she rushed forward, ready as ever for a throwdown. "You're gonna get hurt!"
"I don't have time to listen to your bullshit." Jin simply closed his eyes and charged up his fists with the energy that he could muster.
"Kick her butt, Jiiiin!" Xiaoyu yelled out as Asuka was approaching Jin fast with a fist rocketing right towards his face. Of course, the head of the Mishima Zaibatsu has had his fair share of battles, so Jin knew such attacks were coming and he was ready for a brutal counter.
Asuka's fist shot forward, but Jin thrust his elbow up to block it with ease and sent his other charged-up fist forward to counter with a mighty punch to Asuka's torso.
Except Asuka nimbly stepped back just in time and dodged the punch. Jin proceeded to unleash a flurry of punches and kicks aimed right at Asuka. His patience for his cousin wore thin and he wanted to end things immediately.
Despite Jin's desire and determination to finish this battle at once, Asuka had a flurry of blocks and dodges for every one of Jin's punches and kicks. "You ain't the only one versed in Kazama-style martial arts, idiot!" Asuka laughed. "Heck, I run a dojo teaching em'!"
"Be careful, Jiiiiin!" Xiaoyu yelled out only for Asuka to suddenly land a solid strike into Jin with her knee. "Tch...Quiet, Xiao. You're throwing me off!" Jin lambasted to his partner.
"Pfft." Asuka let out a hearty chuckle at Jin's peril as they continued trading blows and blocks. "I practice the traditional Kazama-style martial arts everyday and have a deep understanding of it to teach it...When's the last time your ass ever got up from your throne and had a proper fight with someone? Too busy waging useless wars, huh?" Asuka yelled out as she spun herself around.
She spun and spun and spun until...KICK! "Go back and practice!" Asuka sent forth a devastating kick fueled by the energy of her vigourous spinning...a kick which Jin had no chance to dodge and thus promptly sent him flying back. As Jin crashed into a heap on the ground, Xiaoyu covered her mouth with a big gasp. "Jin!" She called out as Jin emitted groans of disbelief and shame. "N...nghhh..."
Xiaoyu sent a sharp point towards Asuka. "You dummy! How dare you lay a hand on Jin! You're so getting beat up now!" Xiaoyu pierced the atmosphere with her voice as she dashed forward with quick speed.
Asuka simply gave a sigh. "Let's get this over with." She smirked as she cracked her knuckles and ran forward to deliver a nice three-punch combo. However, Xiaoyu leaped up into the air to dodge all of Asuka's punches and afterwards used the momentum she gained to grab Asuka's arm and flip her onto the ground.
"H...huh..." Asuka clenched her teeth with a chide. How was she on the ground right now? She began to get up, only for Xiaoyu to bend down and circle three kicks straight into Asuka while adopting her phoenix stance - body bent down very low with her arms raised high and knees bent.
"Ack..." Asuka felt the impact of those kicks and was sent back a bit towards Lili. Xiaoyu was one determined young lady and her attacks sure had weight to them, no doubt extra invigorated in this fight for Jin.
"Oh ho ho ho, you are losing to this child?" Lili chuckled as she tilted her head while looking down at Asuka.
"I gotta tag you in..." Asuka sighed with a frown as she clutched her stomach. "I'm just here for the ride...she's fighting for someone...That kinda drive will get ya far..."
"Say no more. Allow me to clean-up." Lili clapped her hands as she entered the battle.
"I'mma take this princess down a noootch!" Xiaoyu yelled out. "I'm pretty strong, you know!"
"You jest, I don't think so-" Lili leaped into the air only for Xiaoyu to thrust her palms out as Lili came down, striking Lili and knocking her back a bit. Xiaoyu followed that up with a few quick kicks for good measure.
"Oh man...we're really losing to her..." Asuka clasped her hands to her face. "I don't wanna look."
"I cannot believe t-this..." Lili sulked with a whine. "When did she get so good...?"
It was then that Asuka's earlier words flashed inside Lili's mind like a lightbulb. Suddenly, a smile came upon Lili's face.
"Xiao's got a beating with your name on it!" Xiaoyu grinned as she stood firm to see what Lili would do.
Lili went forth to run to Xiaoyu and promptly swooped underneath to go for a leg sweep.
"Hah!" Xiaoyu leaped into the air to dodge the sweep. "Nice try!" Xiaoyu smirked as she landed back down, bending into her phoenix stance. But she raised an eyebrow as she could not see Lili in her sights, if only for a tiny moment.
That moment was critical, as Lili only used the swoop to launch herself in the air with a leap of might. Lili was in the sky and was aiming a kick right down at Xiaoyu like a homing missile. "This is for ruining Asuka's dojo with all those brainless reviews, impertinent child!" Lili shouted with ferocity.
"Eeeekk!" Xiaoyu looked up with a shriek.
CRUNCH!
Lili struck Xiaoyu with a solid stomp and the damage was only exacerbated by Xiaoyu's phoenix stance. Xiaoyu could only let out a big whine of agony before her consciousness cut out completely. Lili then gave a curt bow with a giggle.
Asuka's jaw was on the floor with a gasp. "Lili! That...that was awesome!"
"Why thank you." Lili smiled as she walked over to Asuka. "Perhaps it was not just due to me."
"Xiao?" Jin rushed over and tried rapidly shaking the out cold girl awake. "Xiao, get up...the fight is not over..."
"We need not to wait ten seconds...she's not continuing. Trust me." Lili chuckled.
"Curses..." An incensed Jin muttered as he stood up and adjusted his neck. "She was a thorn in my side anyway. I'll just have to find the box on my own." Jin stated with a grunt.
"Actually." Lili raised a hand with a giggle. "It's been rumoured that if one of your party is downed before you reach the box, Pandora will not deem you worthy and the box will not open for you." Lili stated. "You have, in essence, been eliminated."
"Hah! Suck it, loser!" Asuka pointed with a big laugh. "Head of the Mishima Zaibatsu? Head of my ass!"
"Asuka! Manners!" Lili snapped to a pouting Asuka.
"Ughhh..." Asuka rolled her eyes. "Hope you learned a lesson, punk. Feel free to pop-into my dojo classes!"
"T-tch...I cannot believe this..." Jin clenched his teeth in a deep-seated rage.
"Well ya shouldn't have picked a fight with this tough stuff!" Asuka smirked as she pointed at herself and Lili.
"I...did not..." Jin glared. "It was damn Xiao...I never cared about you or some insignificant useless dojo reviews...Just leave me alone." He crossed his arms.
"Asuka, they say they're leaving already." Lili stated as she flicked her hair. "Let us depart."
"Who? The pilot?" Asuka pondered in confusion. "O-oh, okay! Can't wait to raid the snack bar!" Asuka cheered with glee as she raced towards the jet.
Lili began to walk some steps toward the jet but she felt there was a small amount of unfinished business and something was amiss. Just a few words from somewhere within Lili that were striving to come out of her mouth.
"Kazama. I understand that Miss Xiaoyu can be rather imprudent, childish, hot-headed and reckless. But what I can see is she clearly has a deep and divine care for you. You would be utmost a fool to throw that away, especially for some petty power games." Lili spoke earnestly while Asuka's ears perked up at the speech.
"Stay or leave, I honestly do not care. But nobody here is a perfect person, and for all Xiaoyu's faults...her devotion for you is apparent. That is the strongest thing. I believe you will only travel upon a downward spiral without her guidance and nurture. Ahh, it is truly something majestic! The blossoming of a deep friendship...perhaps something more." Lili nodded as Asuka found herself gazing at Lili with a striking smile and a hand to her heart.
"That is all. Ta-ta!" Lili waved with a bow as she skipped along to the Rochefort jet where Lili and Asuka soon departed in search of their next opponents to take down, one step closer to Pandora.
Jin stood firm at the spot he was in for a long while, before he emitted a faint sigh and walked back over to the unconscious Xiaoyu. He sat down next to her and waited for her to awaken, as that deep-seated rage of his ever-so-slightly diminished. No matter how long it took, Jin would wait by her side.