And then he got up.

'What th-', thought Heihachi and in that moment he noticed it. The skin where his fist had connected brightened as if a golden light shined from inside Phoenix's wide chest. The younger man clenched his fists and Heihachi distinctly saw the tiniest of flames, almost like mere sparkles, escaping them. The boy's gifted.

'Fucking hell', it was all Heihachi needed now, while he barely was able to fight back. But it explained how Phoenix became the USA's best fighter. It made sense and it was Heihachi's mistake not to expect that.

"So this is how we play it now?", Phoenix snarled angrily. The American apparently preferred to win a fight without fighters relying on their gifts. That would explain why no one has ever noticed his powers during his fights. Heihachi respected that – to choose to win basing only on the pure strength of your fists. Heihachi would prefer that too if this was a normal sports event. But it wasn't.

Still, there wasn't any time for musing. Paul attacked him with doubled speed and practically flooded him with powerful punches and kicks he could barely block and that singed his skin. Finally, with great difficulty he managed to shift to offensive but his first punch ended with Paul intercepting it and easily throwing him to the ground. His vision not only swam dangerously but even blackened for a second. He immediately attempted to get up only to get hit with Paul's most powerful punch that sent him a couple of meters away and made his vision darken again. He started to feel nauseous and his breath became hoarse. He forced himself to get up again, dodged two of Paul's kicks and got sent to the floor with the third kick. A kick that normally should barely make him sway. Another punch caught him before he could stand up, followed by a low kick and yet another punch aimed at his head. A pause followed. The stadium was quiet. His vision swam.

He realized he won't win this fight.

Paul, to his surprise, waited.

Heihachi knew that too long on the ground and the judge will call Paul's win.

'You swore to your father's memory you'll be fighting until death, Heihachi, you swore it!', whispered a part of him, a part that promised himself once he won't give up even if they're going to beat him dead here in the stadium. If he forfeit now, he'll be a loser. He's going to fail his father and the Mishima name again. He failed when he did not listen to his mother not to befriend Kazumi, since mother did not trust her. He failed when he went against father's orders and married Kazumi instead of a girl his father chose for him. He failed when he did not break Kazuya's neck when he was still a child and a menace only to the closest instead to the whole world. He failed to save his father from dementia. He failed when he fought Kazuya during the first tournament. And now he is going to fail again. His life looked like a chain of failures seen from this moment, when he was lying sprawled on the fighting arena, just like once again he was a little boy beaten up by his father.

But another voice, the voice that helped him keep on the top of the world for so long and survive everything that life threw at him, the voice of cold, emotionless logic was telling him that he won't get anywhere dying now. Fighting to death shall also be a loss.

"You won," he uttered unwillingly and closed his eyes for a short moment.

He heard the judge declaring Phoenix's victory. He did not hear American saying anything, as if the victory did not please him at all. He concentrated and pushed himself up. If he lost consciousness here and now, he'd wake up in Kazuya's private chambers for the chosen, that is if he would wake up at all. He felt strong arms helping him up and stabilizing him.

"I need no help," he snarled. What he needed now was to present Kazuya with a further show of his weakness.

"Yeah, right," smirked Phoenix quietly and louder he addressed the judge and people nearby, "Don't worry! I shall personally take Mr Mishima to a medical center! Worry not!", he grinned and waved to the wildly cheering stands.

"The hell! Leave me!", Heihachi barked.

"Dude, you may have spent your whole life in this peaceful piece of the world that is Japan, with bodyguards watching after your wealthy butt, but I live in the US. You'll have a lifespan of an alley cat there if you don't have eyes around you," murmured Phoenix.

Heihachi stared at him. Paul smirked and let his own eyes wander through the crowd, stopping on Kazuya's men in civilian clothes.

"I know you might think I'm not the sharpest katana in a samurai's shed," Paul smirked again, "but I know when I'm surrounded by guys who want someone dead."

Heihachi was still staring at the American. If the man wasn't gifted, it was entirely possible he would be lying now at Heihachi's feet dead, if medics overseeing the tournament did not manage to resuscitate him after Heihachi's electric punch. And yet, he was pushing them through the crowds, supporting Heihachi and throwing menacing glares at the grim men mixed between Paul's enthusiastic fans. Of course, no one dared to lay a finger on them. Phoenix was America's beloved fighter. Even the US president mentioned from time to time how he enjoyed watching the famous New Yorker's matches, saying he sees 'American spirit' in them. And Kazuya had much too many ties with US corporations to risk worsening the relations with proud Yankees which would definitely happen if their beloved representative was publicly attacked or taken into custody right after he came to the top of the Tekken Tournament.

"Where am I taking you?", asked Paul grinning pleasantly, as if they weren't just basically saying 'fuck you' to Kazuya's assassins.

"That white car is mine."

"You sure the driver is still the same guy as when you left the car?"

Heihachi again stared at Phoenix. The American obviously wasn't as stupid as Heihachi always thought him to be.

"He can kill a man before you could finish your piss. And he's not alone."

"Trusted?"

"Enough."

Paul nodded. Heihachi entered his car and turned to Paul before shutting the door.

"I owe you."

Paul shrugged. "It's nothing personal, don't think I help you out of kindness. I just want you to be alive and healthy enough, so we could have a proper fight. Fuck Kazuya for taking that away from me today"

Heihachi chuckled. "That's the spirit."

He shut the door. It was maybe a minute after the driver pulled out that Heihachi finally let himself start vomiting. Half an hour later he was already unconscious.

Xxx

He awoke with the most horrible headache he'd ever had in his life and that was saying something, since he used to drink vodka late into the early morning hours with rich Russian kids when he was young. He groaned when he pushed himself into a sitting position. His trusted, now very severely looking doctor, reached out with a glass of water.

"Drink a lot," he said curtly.

The water was gone in an instant and the doctor poured him another glass. Heihachi again felt nauseous.

"Shit. He really did me well this time," he murmured.

"We've discerned the toxicant. You should be dead, Mishima-san. Cyanide is not picky."

"Huh," honestly, what could he say to that?

"You must be particularly gifted."

"Lucky me."

Doctor's eyes narrowed. Now that Heihachi had drunk three glasses of water he realized the doctor actually looked mad.

"I've told you countless times it was the most deranged idea to take part in this hellish tournament!" Kawabata snarled. "Kazuya organizes this tournament to draw you out, and you dance into his arms!"

"More like fight my way there," he answered unimpressed.

"We've had a deal! The deal was you'd bring that bastard down, not get yourself stupidly slaughtered!" Heihachi drank another glass of water.

"The tournament was Lee's idea and it was a good idea. Don't worry, I've promised many people Kazuya's head and it's gonna roll. Trust me on that," he let his hate fill his words.

The doctor was not impressed. He wasn't here for Heihachi's money nor prospective power, not out of fear, love or respect. He was here because long time ago his daughter was raped and Kazuya was the most obvious suspect. Still, many witnesses assured everyone in the court that the girl was lying about leaving the pub with young Kazuya that night. Heihachi however was extremely good at sensing people's lies and beat up the boy to the point of him ending up in the hospital and cut off all money from him for a long time. And, soon after Kazuya has overthrown Heihachi and commenced his grim rule the girl just disappeared. Kazuya always had a perfect memory when it came to any real or perceived slights. And nothing cements trust as well as hatred. At least as long as the object of detest was alive.

"You should have forfeited the fight the moment that dart reached you! If you die, who in this world full of cowards and asslickers is going to have both brains and balls to take care of that bastard? You involved us all and it better not be in vain."

Heihachi glared at him. Trusted doctor or not, the man should know his place. The doctor glared back. Some men apparently feared no gods.

"I know what I'm doing. I am not telling you how to do your job, so please refrain from behaving like you know better than me how to handle these things. You're just a doctor."

"Yes, I'm a doctor, not Jesus to bring you back from the dead."

"Better tell me how long I was out?"

"More than thirty hours."

Heihachi closed his eyes as his loss at the tournament fully hit him.

"So Paul's fight is tomorrow?"

Something shifted in his doctor's eyes.

"Yes."

Heihachi worked with people practically his whole life. He's been learning from his father how to manage an already huge company since he went to primary school. He's been dealing with clients, business partners, subordinates, competitors, politicians, activists, military, all sorts of experts for decades now. And he had Kazuya for a son. He immediately knew when someone was withholding something from him.

"Kawabata, I thought I could trust you."

"What?"

Heihachi growled. "You tell me now, what you are hiding or I'm sure there are many other doctors who hate Kazuya and will be willing to work with me."

"You Mishima bastards are all the same."

Heihachi went pale with hatred.

"Don't you ever dare to compare me to Kazuya again," he hissed as he pulled Kawabata by his collar. "I would-"

"I'm sorry," Kawabata suddenly looked very tired. "But how many friends do you think you'll ever have if you can't stop yourself from threatening even the people you supposedly trust?"

"I don't believe in friends nor do I completely trust anyone," replied Heihachi angrily, but he released the doctor. Kawabata gave him a long, flat look. Heihachi did feel a slight pang of guilt. After all, the doctor has never given him any reasons to be suspicious before and has been a great help since Heihachi stumbled upon his door that dark night, a couple of years ago.

"I apologize," he admitted reluctantly. "But you are keeping something from me, doctor. And these are not good times to keep me in the dark about anything."

Kawabata sighed exasperatedly.

"Your people got a message from Chaolan. He can fix it so that Paul won't appear to fight Kazuya. He also can arrange things with the media so that everyone will assume you should step in, as a fighter who got furthest."

Heihachi's eyes widened. The doctor sighed.

"Yes, that's the reaction I had expected. You're going to go into this fight even though he almost-"

"He didn't. That is what matters, Kawabata. He did not manage to off me all this time, even now. I shall be fine. He shall be dead. I promised you that and I won't back on my words on this."

The doctor just shook his head.

Xxx

The man who stood in front of Heihachi, on the other end of the fighting arena, used to be his son. He remembered vividly how happy he was when Kazumi told him with a joyous grin she was pregnant. He remembered the pride when the gynecologist told them they're going to have a boy. The girl would be good too, but a boy! His son! The son he could raise like father raised him! He remembered when he first took the loudly crying small creature into his arms and the first time he called him the name they've chosen for him – the name that was a symbol of their love, a combination of the kanji from both their names.

And after that all went... almost literally to hell.

The man who stood in front of Heihachi now never considered Heihachi his father. There never was an ounce of love or even respect for his progenitor in him. And Heihachi never saw anything of himself in this vile, cruel, egotistic creature. He looked at Kazuya and now it felt so alien and illogical to call him his 'son'. There was just a monster to be slaughtered. And he couldn't even make himself grieve what was coming. There was going to be nothing but relief.

It was late evening. The whole stadium was completely covered in darkness, apart from the fighting arena. Heihachi was sure it was for Kazuya's practical reasons. No one could see what his men were doing among the stands, especially not Heihachi on the flooded by light stage. But it was also eerily matching. Kazuya for many years now was a creature of the night in Heihachi's eyes. He took that after his mother.

Heihachi let his eyes wander on boy's clothes. For this fight, he has actually chosen his favorite violet suit with an elegantly matching golden scarf. His black shoes were perfectly polished. All this was sending only one message to everyone watching – 'I'm not even going to sweat'.

Heihachi's eyes narrowed. So far Kazuya avoided publicly showing his other form. Not that it never happened that some gifted could physically alter their bodies, but something in Kazuya's appearance betrayed it was more than simple special power. He emanated corruption, wickedness, threat. Heihachi hoped it would remain the same as always during this match – that Kazuya would hesitate to turn in front of so many people, in front of the eyes of many cameras. But when he looked at the other man's smug, cold expression, and looked at his clothes of choice, he couldn't help but worry that Kazuya would not let him land a single hit. And in his true form, Heihachi might not be a match.

'You've already killed it once. You killed Kazumi,' whispered the logical part of his mind. He let that memory flash before his eyes – of his beloved wife dying strangled by his own hands, the loathing in her eyes that showed him she's been turned into a monster. He let the hatred towards the heinous Devil Gene fill him and let the resolve steel his mind and body. He will be a match, Devil form or not. He will kill Kazuya.

The judge declared the beginning of the fight. Kazuya stood still, stance taken, but nothing more. He waited for Heihachi's first move with a smirk on his face. Heihachi rushed at him, attacked with everything he's got, the most powerful punches and kicks, with the best speed he could muster. Kazuya grinned and bought it. His speed was better than Heihachi's, even if his strength was slightly lacking in comparison. He dodged gracefully and skillfully, and landed many more hits on the old man, than Heihachi landed on him. He clearly prepared well for this tournament. He was going to beat his father again in front of the world, and this time even easier than before. He was grinning triumphantly. He did not know Heihachi had not come here to beat him. Heihachi came here to kill him.

There are two types of evil psychopaths in this world. People who assume everyone might be equally evil as they are. And people who assume others aren't as wicked and actually counted on it. He knew Kazuya banked on the fact he was beloved Kazumi's son. He knew Kazuya assumed if Heihachi never killed him before and never even tried to send any assassins after him during this couple of years and during the very tournament, it was because he was not able to slaughter his own child. He knew Heihachi all his life grieved after Kazumi. He thought Heihachi weaker than himself. So he fought, eagerly showing his perfected Mishima karate abilities to spectators. He thought he had the luxury of besting Heihachi through the style Heihachi prided in and taught him.

That was his mistake. Heihachi did not fight to best Kazuya in Mishima karate. Heihachi did not fight to show anything to anyone. Heihachi did not care now for kicks and punches and dodging and counters. All Heihachi cared for was one particular opening. All the fight was only to achieve it.

And he finally did.

Notes:

I'm no native and I hope using Yankee isn't too offensive. I think it's something Heihachi would use, but I'm not absolutely certain of the offensiveness level of this term. You can give me something else, only slightly derogatory, and I exchange if this too strong.

Yeah, I know how cyanide poisoning symptoms really look like. But they also look like whoops, you're dead, so since Heihachi did not die, we can assume he took it like a very heavy poisoning. You're free to suggest me any other more suitable poison, cause honestly I was researching quickly killing, only small amount needed poisons and guess what? It's not that easy to properly research how to quickly kill a human with a dart, dammit.

About Kazuya's description – remember, this is Heihachi's POV. He might not be 100% reliable narrator. Or he might be. Who knows. Well I do, but oh well.

Yes, I know Kazuya seemed reluctant to fight Heihachi before and suddenly he is all sure of himself. Like it was explained – he assumed if Heihachi did not try anything sneaky before, even after getting almost killed with a cyanide, he's gonna fight honourably. Also, he has his plans if things go wrong. Also not forget there is also Lee in the shadows, whispering to Kazuya's ears what's needed to be heard by him.

Also, my first fav on this one! 3 Thank you! It is only what I get from the readers that's stopping me from total procrastination! Well, okay, stopping is a big word here, more likely making me feel more guilty about not writing, heh. Also I promise this fic is not gonna be abandoned. I don't abandon anything I started publishing. Only, knowing me, it's gonna take me a decade to finish it or sth. To my excuse I work two jobs to make ends meet :( and I also try to read as much as I can in English since as you can see I still struggle with stuff like prepositions, tenses and probably many more.

And, yeah, in case you're wondering, the volcano is gonna have a guest role in the next chapter ;)