It was a calm sunny morning in Seoul. But at the most famous Taekwondo Dojo of them all, there was some sparring going on between master and pupil.
"HAH!" Hwoarang threw a kick that was blocked by his master's leg, Baek Doo San.
Having trouble breaking down his master's defense, Hwoarang decided to surprise him with a sudden Cheap Shot Snap Kick, but Baek dodged by rolling to his left side just barely, which surprised Hwoarang for a second that would prove to be fatal. Baek stood back up again, hit his pupil with a quick uppercut and then kicked him hard in the stomach, knocking him back. This move was called the Snake Revenge. Baek Doo San won the match.
"ARGH!" Hwoarang grabbed his stomach in pain as he slowly got back up. "Damn it!" he groaned in frustration.
"You still have much to learn, Hwoarang." Baek Doo San crossed his arms and looked at his student with a serious face.
"Thanks for the sparring, master." Hwoarang bowed.
"Likewise." Baek bowed as well. "What are your plans for the rest of the day?"
"Oh, just riding my motorcycle around the city." Hwoarang chuckled.
"Stay out of trouble, Hwoarang." Baek Doo San frowned.
"Rest assured, master. I will!" Hwoarang promised.
"Watch the speed limit." Baek Doo San warned him. "Don't endanger yourself and others on the road."
"I've learned my lesson since my last ticket, master." Hwoarang sighed.
"You better have." Baek Doo San kept a somewhat stern composure. "Hwoarang, you are a great fighter and have lots of room to grow still, but you need to learn to control your anger and aggression more." He lectured.
"I try…" Hwoarang lowered his head.
"You need to try harder." Baek Doo San shook his head. "I was like you when I was your age as well."
"Hard to imagine that, master." Hwoarang chuckled nervously.
"Oh I was once a hotheaded young man like you too." Baek Doo San sighed at the painful memories coming back to him. "My point is, no man is born disciplined. And I didn't become the man I am today overnight." His expression softened.
"Hard to picture myself as being your age, master." Hwoarang said dryly. "No offense."
"Hwoarang, I thought I was going to be forever young too when I was your age." Baek Doo San chuckled. "But age catches up to all of us, and you won't be any different. The only ones who don't age are those who sadly perish when they're still young."
A moment of uncomfortable silence followed the last statement by Baek Doo San. It did put things into perspective for Hwoarang, who was only 18 years old still and had his whole life ahead of him. Who knew what the future had in store for him? Hwoarang's passion has always been Taekwondo and motorcycles. He was so happy when he finally became old enough to be legally able to ride a motorcycle. Fighting and riding were his passions. If he didn't take part in the King of Iron Fist Tournament every single year, he'd probably have tried to become a professional MotoGP rider. So, motorcycles were simply a hobby for him. He also liked rock music a lot and his rivalry with Jin Kazama. Hwoarang and Jin had a sort of highly competitive but at the same time friendly rivalry. They always wanted to beat each other, but had a lot of respect for each other. Hwoarang was also good friends with Steve Fox. Besides them and his master Baek, Hwoarang was not the most social person in the world. He was a bit of a loner and kept to himself. He also occasionally got involved in street fights against gangs, which meant he had made himself some enemies in the streets of Seoul.
So, besides the love for motorcycles, rock music and his fiery temper and competitive nature, Hwoarang's lifestyle didn't really resemble your average young man's. Same could be said about any of the fighters who took part in the King Iron Fist Tournament compared to regular people in their age bracket. They were all busy with their personal problems and training hard for the upcoming tournaments, after all.
Hwoarang rode his motorcycle on the roads of Seoul, minding his own speed. A sign he was slowly maturing, hopefully.
At the Mishima Zaibatsu HQ's in Japan, Heihachi Mishima was preparing for the syndicate's next big operation. They had branches spread all over the world, which gave them a significant global influence in the underworld. One could say the Mishima Zaibatsu was the biggest criminal organisation in the entire world.
But who worked under Heihachi Mishima? Thousands of people, obviously. But the most notable ones were Lee Chaolan, Lars Alexandersson, Anna Williams, Kuma, and Ling Xiaoyu. Or well, in Kuma's case, he wasn't a person, but a bear. But regardless…
Anyway, one of the countries outside Japan where the Mishima Zaibatsu had branches was the United States of America. And, lately, it was preparing some new technology in a more discreet and quiet part of the country in order to not get attention from the local authorities and media. It was something top secret that no one outside of the Zaibatsu knew about yet.
In his office, Heihachi Mishima was drinking a coffee mug when someone knocked on the door.
"Come in." He groaned.
And in came Lee Chaolan, who had his usual cocky smirk.
"What is it, Lee?" Heihachi frowned, not being in a mood to chit chat.
"I was just wondering who you'll send to the US to oversee the top secret technology you're developing there." He chuckled.
"I'm sending you, wise-guy." Heihachi snorted.
"Oh? You're not going to miss me, Heihachi?" Lee Chaolan chuckled.
"Not one bit!" Heihachi slammed a fist on his desk. "Which is why I'm sending you over there. Go annoy the Americans instead."
"Annoy them?" Lee Chaolan raised his eyebrow. "They will certainly love my charm and class." He passed his hand through his hair.
"Yeah, dream on." Heihachi snorted. "Now, get the fuck out!" He waved his hand as he ordered Lee to leave his office.
"You shouldn't be so vulgar, Heihachi." Lee Chaolan flashed a smug smirk before walking out of Heihachi's office.
The Global Justice Network was a worldwide espionage organisation. Dr. Betty Director was the head of it. And recently they had spotted activity by the Mishima Zaibatsu in the US, more specifically in the state of Colorado not far from the city of Middleton. They didn't know exactly what the Mishima Zaibatsu was up to, but they had to investigate it. And there was no one better for the job than Middleton's own, and teen hero, Kim Possible. So, like whenever the Global Justice Network needed Kim Possible, they sucked her into a series of transport tubes all of a sudden one day. And naturally, Kim came in accompanied by her sidekick and best friend, Ron Stoppable as well.
"Dr. Director?!" Kim rubbed her head as she landed in the GJN HQs. "What's going on? Why did you bring us here this time?" She crossed her arms.
"Greetings, Kim Possible." Dr. Betty said formally. "We need you again." She explained.
"What for?" Kim raised her eyebrow.
"We need you to investigate this organization called Mishima Zaibatsu that has one of their branches just outside Middleton." Dr. Betty explained with a serious tone.
"Michi-what?" Ron scratched his head, not knowing how to pronounce the name of said organisation.
"Mishima Zaibatsu." Dr. Betty cleared her throat before saying the name again. "They are a Japanese corporation that's more like a criminal organisation, basically. They're led by a man named Heihachi Mishima." She pointed at the large screen which showed a picture of Heihachi.
"That old man?" Ron pointed at the picture and laughed. "Are you serious?"
"Appearances can be deceiving, Ron Stoppable." Dr. Betty frowned and reminded Ron to not underestimate his enemies ever just based on their looks and age. "Heihachi Mishima is a very dangerous and strong man for his age. He's one of the best fighters in the world."
"I see." Kim scratched her chin. "But why did his organization decide to come near Middleton of all places?" She raised her eyebrow.
"Most likely in order to avoid drawing attention, Kim Possible." Dr. Betty explained. "We know they're working on some new technology that could become REALLY dangerous in their hands, but we don't know what it is yet, which is why we decided to get you to investigate their facility outside Middleton."
"Count us in, Dr. Director." Kim nodded. "Let's go, Ron." She grabbed Ron's wrist and both ran out of the GJN HQ's to head to the Mishima Zaibatsu facility.
Another sparring day at the Taekwondo Dojo for Hwoarang. Again, he couldn't beat his master, but was learning something new everyday. After Hwoarang got done showering and changing to his street clothes, he noticed his master was on the phone with someone. It seemed to be a serious conversation, but Hwoarang couldn't make out what it was about, let alone who his master was speaking to. After Baek Doo San hung up his phone, Hwoarang decided to ask him about it.
"Master, who was that on the phone? Is everything OK?" He asked, slightly concerned.
"Actually, Hwoarang, I have work for you." Baek Doo San looked at his pupil with a serious look on his face.
"What do you mean?" Hwoarang blinked twice, waiting for his master to explain to him what was going on.
"The Mishima Zaibatsu is up to no good again. I suggest you investigate and stop them." His eyes narrowed.
"Who's running that place now? Is it Heihachi again?" Hwoarang rolled his eyes.
"Yes. They're working on some new technology that could be very dangerous and a threat to our world." Baek Doo San nodded.
"Well, that sucks, but what does it have to do with me?" Hwoarang folded his arms.
"One must always do what's right, my student." Baek Doo San said with a somewhat disappointed tone at Hwoarang's words.
"But why me in particular? Jin is not even involved this time, it seems. I have no business with Heihachi." Hwoarang groaned.
"Your obsession with your rivalry with Jin Kazama is really detrimental to your growth as an individual, Hwoarang!" Baek Doo San furrowed his eyebrows as he scolded his student. "You're losing focus on what's truly important and the values I've taught you."
"Fine, I'll go." Hwoarang sighed in frustration. "So, I'll be going back to Japan, then?"
"No. This time you'll go to the US to visit one of their branches." Baek Doo San shook his head.
"That far?!" Hwoarang's eyes widened. "Can't someone else that's closer do it, master?! Like Paul Phoenix or something!" He protested.
"Several people going there would alert the Mishima Zaibatsu." Baek Doo San furrowed his eyebrows.
"I figured." Hwoarang rolled his eyes. "Anyway, when will I go?"
"Here." Baek Doo San handed over a plane ticket to Hwoarang that said 'From: Seoul to Middleton. Time: 17h00"
"Today already?! And that plane departs in 5 hours!" Hwoarang cried.
"Indeed. So I suggest you hurry up and head for the airport!" Baek Doo San ordered him, pointing his index finger at the dojo's door. Hwoarang had no choice but to run out of the Taekwondo Dojo, hop on his motorcycle and head to the Incheon International Airport.