Lidia Sobieska threw down the letter in disgust.
Her country was becoming a playground for the Mishima and G-Corp war. She had contacted Heihachi Mishima and demanded he remove his Tekken Force from her country. He seemed to have stationed his troops near the capital, as a barrier to potential G-Corp soldiers. He also did all this without Lidia's permission.
Heihachi's letter was clear; he had no intention of removing his Tekken Force from Poland, and the only way he would was if Lidia participated in The King of Iron fist tournament 7.
The worst thing was, Lidia was actually considering it.
She sighed and stood up from her desk, walking over to the window. Her office overlooked he courtyard of the Chancellery. She personally found the place far too grand for her liking, but as the Prime Minister, she had to uphold certain traditions.
Entering a fighting tournament was definitely not one of those traditions...
Lidia frowned, turning back to her desk and picking up Heihachi's letter.
"If you refuse this offer, I am sure you understand the perilous situation in which it would place your country.
If you have any objections, you could always enter the King of the Iron Fist Tournament and propose them directly to me."
Lidia couldn't believe the cheek of this man. Who did he think he was?
It normally would have been unthinkable for her to enter a fighting tournament, being the Prime Minister and all. She had fought in several growing up, even winning a Karate tournament when she was 18. Even when she entered the political sector, she still kept up with her training. It was a good way to clear her mind, making her a sharp politician and later a strong leader for he country.
And right now, her country needed a strong leader.
Before she could think of her next plan, a shrieking alarm blared through the building.
"What the?!" She exclaimed, returning to her desk and pressing the intercom.
"Report?! What on earth is that racket?!" All she received was static from the other end of the intercom.
"Wonderful..." Lidia proceeded to the double doors and shoved them open with frustration. She was shocked to see several of her security team mid-fight with several armoured soldiers.
"The Tekken force?! They dare invade here?!" The cheek of them infiltrating her Chancellery was completely unacceptable.
She charged over to the nearest Tekken Force member, who had one of her security in a headlock. She chopped him on the neck with a swift attack, making his entire body rag doll to the ground.
Her security guard coughed but righted himself.
"Thank you Maam." Lidia nodded.
"Go secure the entrance quickly! Allow me to deal with any pests on this level." The guard looked shocked.
"But Maam, you are in danger we can't just..."
"That's an ORDER soldier! I can handle myself! Now please protect the entrance!" The guard simply nodded and ran off.
Lidia approached 3 Tekken Force members who had knocked out her security.
"I assume it was on Heihachi Mishima' orders that you have invaded my office?!" She asked passionately. The Tekken Force trio simply advanced on her.
"I'll take that as a yes."
The nearest soldier lunged at her, attempting to hit her with a with right hook. She saw it coming from miles away. She calmly swerved her upper body back so his punch missed, allowing her to grab his arm and hurl the man over her shoulder, flipping him over her body and throwing him to the ground with a thud. The man writhed on the red royal carpet before Lidia smashed her fist right into his gut, taking the wind out of him.
She sensed the 2nd soldier running at her and ducked to the side to avoid his incoming punch. His whiff allowed her to swiftly kick at the back of his knee, causing him to buckle. The 3rd soldier attempted to flank her with a roundhouse kick. Lidia calmly ducked under it and performed a powerful thrust into his vulnerable side. He gasped, stumbling away from her. The 2nd guard tried to swipe her legs out with a sweeping kick, but she jumped over it, booting him in the face as she jumped. His face mask cracked on impact and he fell backwards, landing on the first soldier with a thud.
Lidia turned just as the 3rd soldier tried to whack her with a baton he had upholstered from his belt. She winced as she blocked the attack with her forearm, the soldier attempting to push her down the the baton. Lidia held him in place, but felt his strength baring down on her.
"You will submit to the Zaibatsu!" He yelled in her face. Lidia sneered.
"Never!" She quickly shifted her body to the left, making the soldier stumble forward with his own momentum. Lidia followed up with a high roundhouse kick, catching the soldier in the face with her heel, smashing the glass in his visor. He cried out in pain as he crashed to the ground.
Lidia looked down at the struggling man in disgust. Who did Heihachi Mishima think he was? She was incensed to think this man would attempt to invade her country and put her people at risk.
"Guard!" She yelled, with her command summoning some of her security to her.
"Imprison these Tekken Force members, we will set an example to Heihachi Mishima and his Zaibatsu." Three of the guards scooped up the Tekken Force members and took them away. Lidia's secretary appeared, looking over the damage caused.
"What a mess." He said. Lidia returned to her office and he followed. She picked up the invitation to the King of Iron Fist Tournament 7.
"Inform the vice-president that I will be taking a leave of absence." The secretary looked alarm.
"Oh? What for?" He asked. Lidia turned to him and held up the invite.
"I'm going to show Heihachi Mishima what happens when he tries to threaten my people!"
Lei Wulong leafed through his documents on his cluttered desk, trying to find any scrap of info he could.
It was hopeless.
He slumped back in his chair and turned his attention to the old TV he had in the corner of his office. It was playing some Jpop music video starring a blonde girl with pink cat ears - "Lucky Chloe". He actually found himself smiling at the girls silly antics in the music video. Despite that, he was still at a dead end when it came to his investigation.
He scratched his stubbled chin and decided to go and get some coffee. His office over overlooked the precinct, and thankfully today was rather quiet. With the Zaibatsu & G Corp's warring having calmed down a lot, the crime level in Hong Kong had calmed down too.
Lei walked past rows of empty desks to the trusty coffee machine, and jabbed at the buttons to pour himself an instant cup. The stuff tasted horrible, but it helped keep his mind alert.
"Wulong!" Lei was startled at officer calling to him by the entrance of the Precinct. He approached Lei.
"This young lady says she wants to talk to you." Lei looked behind the officer and saw a beautiful young woman waiting by the desk near the entrance. She had glossy brown hair tied up in a ponytail. Lei was sure he had seen her before.
"Sure, send her over." The officer gestured to the woman and she approached. Lei then recognized her.
"Christie?" She looked surprised.
"Yes! How do you know my name?" Lei picked up his cup and smiled.
"Saw you once in one of the Iron Fist tournaments, Capoeira fighter right?" Christie nodded.
"Yeah that's right!" She smiled warmly at him.
"So, what brings you to Hong Kong? And what could I possibly help you with?" asked Lei. Christie sighed.
"I apologize for being pretty upfront, but I heard about you during the last Iron Fist tournament. You were investigating G-Corp right?" Lei was shocked at this girls knowledge.
"Wow. You do know your stuff. Why don't we talk in my office?" Lei led Christie to his office.
"Take a seat." he said, closing the door behind them as Christie complied.
"So, you've really come all this way to talk to me? Why not go to your local Police? You're from Brazil right?" Lei asked her as he sat at his desk. Christie nodded.
"Yes that's right! In fact, I did do a bit of research before coming here actually..." Lei raised a brow.
"Oh, what into me?" Christie nodded again and smiled.
"I needed to know if this trip would be worth it. After all, we are both strangers to one another!"
Lei couldn't argue with that. Still, why would she seek him out?
"Luckily, I new a detective who helped run a background check on you." Lei was startled.
"Wow, that's thorough of you! Not sure if I should be flattered or worried!" Christie laughed.
"Oh no, it's nothing like that! I just wanted to make sure I could trust you with the information I have gathered about G-Corp & the Zaibatsu." Lei put his coffee down. What information? This all seemed like too much of a coincidence, considering he was at a dead end.
"What information? And how did you come upon it? You're a civilian!" Lei exclaimed. Christie nodded.
"Yeah you are right. I'm just a small person in the grand scheme of things. But if I can help make this world a bit better, then I will sure as hell try!" Christie presented a folder and handed it to Lei.
"This is just an outline of the information I have found." Lei looked over the document, which listed numerous dates, operations, assets and files pertaining to the War between the Zaibatsu and G-Corp. It seemed to be an outline of all the goings-on within the companies.
"Where did you get this? You have a source?" Christie nodded.
"My friend, Eddy Gordo worked for the Zaibatsu during the 6th tournament. He left a USB stick filled with info about the Zaibatsu & G-Corp. He didn't tell me why he left it, but he said I could do whatever I wanted with it. So here we are." Lei was dumbfounded. If the document he held was really a prelude to the info he could gain, he would have enough evidence to seriously ruin the reputations of both companies.
Regardless of what the Zaibatsu had done, both they and G-Corp were using the rest of the world as a playground for battle. In order to end this chaos, both needed to be outed to the world for their crimes.
"Well, this is some impressive info Christie, if it is genuine! Still, why come to me for help? Why not the police in Brazil?" Christie sighed.
"We did try, but there was a higher up in the force there that kept blocking the request to release the info to the public. Upon further investigation, I found his name on the USB stick, implicating him in some money laundering initiated by G-Corp! The officer I spoke to told me to try somewhere else, and with someone I trusted too. That's why we did a check on you Lei, we wanted to make sure you could help us!" Lei sat down in his chair, impressed at this girl's precautions.
"Well I've gotta say Christie this has come at the perfect time! I've been trying to expose the truth behind both companies for ages, but it's next to impossible with the power behind both of them!" Christie smiled warmly.
"Trust me, I want them taken down as much as you do!" She looked down slightly, betraying an underlying sadness. Lei frowned.
"What is it?" Christie sighed deeply, standing up and walking over to the window, viewing the busy Hong Kong traffic.
"Eddy, my friend who provided the information, he's missing. Has been since the 6th tournament. If I give you the rest of the information, can you help me track him down?" Lei nodded.
"Yes of course! It might not be easy, but perhaps we can find some leads with the information he left." Christie smiled and nodded.
"I certainly hope so." Lei smiled back. Finally, a lead! He would take the Zaibatsu down, no matter what!
"So this is the Archers of Sirus' HQ."
Zafina peered up at the grand Cathedral. She suddenly felt very small. She knew of the Archers by reputation, with her clan having records on them. The Archers seemed to have existed for as long as Zafina's clan had, and were rumoured to possess great knowledge of the supernatural, not to mention, specialize in exorcisms. Zafina only hoped she they would be able to help her.
That's if she could find anyone in this grand building.
She felt dread flow through her. Why was this place to quiet? Master Raven had said they were expecting her, so where was everyone?
"I don't like this..." she thought. She looked up at a marble staircase and ascended it, her footsteps echoing like hammers on anvils.
Zafina paused, feeling uncertain. Why was it so quiet?
She could feel Azazel bubble inside of her, angry and hungry for blood. She tried to remain calm, but her anxiety was growing.
"Ah, you must be Zafina." Zafina froze, and looked up, peering through the sunlight blinding her through the stained glass windows. A figure looked down on her, dressed in white.
"Who are you?" She asked in frustration. The uncertainty was starting to make her mad. The figure swung over the balcony in a dramatic fashion, and landed perfectly in front of her.
He was a handsome man, dressed in a pristine white long coat and suit, looking both smart and authoritative. His right arm was wrapped in black cloth, and he brought it up to his hair to slick it back with confidence.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. Master Raven told me you were coming. I am Claudio, the leader of the Archers of Sirius." He stepped forward and held out his hand. Zafina reached out with her crystallized arm, and shook it.
Suddenly, a shock of pain rippled through her body. Azazel was angry. Claudio's presence had enraged it. Zafina snatched her hand away from Claudio and held it, the crystallized flesh glowing angrily.
"Claudio... Run!" She screamed, as she felt herself being overpowered by Azazel's rage. Her vision blurred as hatred flooded through her. She couldn't stop it...
"Damn..."
She felt herself fall into blackness.
"Who is she?" Asked Xiaoyu, looking over the woman Claudio had brought to his private quarters. She lay on a bed, sweating and shivering, as if she has some kind of sickness. Claudio sighed, looking at the young girl sadly.
"Her name is Zafina, she came here on behalf of the UN. Master Raven informed me of her background, that she is part of an Ancient clan in Egypt. They are guardians to a temple that houses the origin of evil..." Xiaoyu looked alarmed.
"Is that what that arm is? Evil? What happened to her?!" Xiaoyu looked down at Zafina with concern. Her left hand looked like it was made of crystal, and it seemed to be glowing. Xiaoyu wasn't sure what it was, but it made her feel nervous.
"You can thank your Kazama friend for this." He said enigmatically. He looked over Zafina, examining the crystal hand with caution. Xiaoyu looked at him incredulously.
"What has Jin got to do with this?!" Claudio looked at the girl, her innocent eyes filled with confusion.
"Master Raven briefly told me Zafina's story – that she had to take the soul of the demon Azazel within her own body to prevent it from being unleashed on the world. It appears Jin's worldwide war caused this creature to wake up. I've never felt a presence like it." Claudio laid Zafina's arm back down with care, and left the room. Xiaoyu looked at the arm again, feeling deep sorrow.
"But why? Why would Jin want to do this? I know him! He wouldn't want to harm others he just wouldn't!"
Claudio returned to the room with a bowl and a cloth. The bowl contained a perfumed liquid.
"Jin possesses the Devil's Power, so perhaps that malice motivated him to cause harm to the world." Xiaoyu shook her head furiously, as tears started to well up in her eyes.
"I don't believe it!" Claudio looked down at her with melancholy.
"We can ask more about it when Zafina wakes up. Perhaps she can tell us what Jin's true intentions were. In the meantime, I want you watch over her. Use this ointment on her arm it should stabilize the demon within. I have something I must attend too." He handed Xiaoyu the bowl and left the room.
Xiaoyu took the cloth and dipped it in the ointment, tending to Zafina's affliction. Zafina stirred, groaning, but staying settled for the moment. Xiaoyu felt sympathy for her.
She just hoped that this wasn't a sign that Jin was beyond saving...
Claudio stepped into the pure white room. It had been a long time since he has needed to use this space, but it was the only way he could contact her...
He sat down in the space, allowing his mind to become clear. His arm began to glow the bluish light, focusing his energies and reached out.
The powers he had possessed since childhood, allowed him to combat the demonic forces of the world. It also allowed him to reach out to others who could do the same thing. The woman, she had been the one to help him control his powers, and in time, she taught him to harness them.
"Are you there?" He asked. He felt her presence. He opened his eyes slowly, blinking at the white light of the area he found himself in. As always, communicating with her brought him to a beautiful vast garden – an Eden within his mind.
She stood there, dressed in white as always – an angelic silhouette surrounded her. Her ebony hair blew gently in the breeze. She was the perfect picture of serenity and grace.
"Jun... It's been a while hasn't it?" Jun smiled warmly at him and bowed with respect.
"Indeed it has Claudio." She stepped forward and took his hand in greeting.
"I have news, your son is still alive, but his actions may have summoned something. There is a woman, Zafina, who bears an affliction of Azazel. It is possible that Jin's warring was all part of the plan to bring Azazel out." Jun looked down in sorrow.
"He has caused so much grief in the name of good, Azazel's power would be one hundred times more devastating to the world than any mere men could cause. But there is still much to be done. The world must be healed, and we will be the one's to bring about this change." Claudio nodded.
"What would you like me to do?" He asked her. Jun turned looking up to the sky with her hands over her heart.
"Help Zafina contain the beast. It will surely be want to be freed with Kazuya now wanting to war with the world. In the meantime, I think it is time I reached out to both Jin and Kazuya myself. The wrongs they have committed can still be corrected. There is still time to save them both." Claudio nodded.
"It will be done. We can still save this world." Jun looked back at him and smiled.
"Yes we can." Claudio bowed and closed his eyes, returning to the white room as before.
Jun approached the alters, a shrine her family had made centuries ago. It was here that she could commune with the spirits, harnessing energies from her powerful ancestors. It took a lot of concentration, but she was able to focus and reach out to the guardian.
"Are you there? Angel?" She asked, her voice echoing into the ether. Jun felt a warmth caress her shoulders, like sunlight shining down from the sky. She turned from the shrine and there she was, Angel, resplendent and pure. Her heavenly visage reassured Jun immensely, who had been feeling deep sorrow at the thought of what the world had come to because of her son.
"The time is at hand child." Said Angel, fluttering down as lightly as a feather. Jun nodded.
"I will save them! Kazuya... Jin..." Angel smiled warmly.
"It is you that can help defeat the devil my child, and now is the time. You have spent so long hidden from the world, learning the secrets of your ancestry and the power it holds. Your bloodline holds the key to stopping evil!"
Jun held her hands on her heart, content that all she had prepared for was about to pay off.
"I am ready." She said firmly. Angel reached out her hand and Jun took it.
"The Devil will fall, and Kazuya and Jin will be saved."