The backdrop was that of a rather large statue of Buddha resting on her side. Scores of people huddled along the sidelines, some leaning along the trees, others on rocks. Sagat was fervishly stretching and loosening his body for the fight. Practicing his newfound "Tiger Uppercut" along the side of a nearby tree, his visions were only that of Ryu. Adon was merely a means, an outlet of his rage for his defeat. No, it was not defeat. He merely lost by accident. "Yaaaaa!" A rocketing knee pierced the tree, forcing it do keel over limp to the ground. He was ready. Adon was by the statue, stretching himself as well. He was prepared for this fight as well. "This time Sagat, you will fall and suffer the humiliation you deserve." Flexing for the crowd who favored him, he knew that he couldn't remain arrogant or it would distract his focus. A supposed judge in rag clothes called the two fighters together. He explained the rules of the first "Alpha tournament" and blessed both fighters. "You are not worthy to carry on the title of Muay Thai champion, Sagat. I will make sure all see that." Sagat's teeth grinded as if turning into powder, "You miserable worm. How dare you defy your master. I will crush your body into pulp." "READY..." Both fighters embraced their stances, "FIGHT!" Sagat expells his ki, "Tiger!" and connects with Adon as he attempted a jump attack. Sagat rushes in and tries to stomp a grounded Adon, but he rolls to the side and sweeps Sagat off his feet. He merely follows through and rolls backward and gets up, only to be the victim of a Jaguar kick. "Hm hm hm hm. Feeling weak, Sagat?" In a high arrogant voice. Sagat just clenches his teeth and runs in, delivering swift elbows and shin strikes. Adon deflects them and retaliates with a rising knee strike. It connects with Sagat's chest, and his scar. Suddenly, Sagat's mind brings up memories of how that scar came to be. He envisioned Ryu's uppercut tearing through his chest again, and again, and again. He lands with a 300 pound thud. This painful memory overrid any compassion and humanity he felt; it took over his conscious from that moment on. He got up and flew toward Adon. Adon gave him a side shot to the ribs. Sagat wasn't even phased. He brushed it off and connected his fist with Adon's face and continued with the same arm's elbow. His left arm's elbow continued the slaughter. Adon rolls backward to catch a breath. He knows he is in trouble. Sagat's good eye was almost completely white. His fury shone through his flesh as his muscles spasmed uncontrollably. Again, Sagat jumps in and is blocked by Adon. As he lands, he grabs Adon by the face and lifts him in his palm. Adon scrambles to free himself to breath. Sagat pulls him in and delivers several knees to the abdomen and throws him backward. Adon, now choking and grasping for air, was desperate. Sagat definitely had a good 100 pounds on him and his strength rivaled his speed. His good eye was the target. Sagat flew in once again, only to see Adon spring backward and up a tree. Using his massive leg strength he sprung off the tree with his right leg extended at Sagat's face. Sagat saw his opportunity and showed Adon the fruits of his labor, "TIGER UPPERCUT!" He connected gracefully with Adon for seven devastating hits. Each hit released a burst of ki which burned Adon as he rose into the air. Landing with perfection, he watched Adon fall from the heavens, smoking and bleeding. He walked over to a near unconscious Adon, kneeled over him and spoke, "You are pathetic." Ignoring the crowds around him in cheering, he merely walked away, feeling empty still, "Ryu, I will destroy you. This is just a step toward your demise", his rage is slowly becoming his master. As he was distancing himself from the crowd he hears a voice from behind the statue, "You are a worthy fighter, Sagat. I could use you in my elite team." Sagat turns to the side to see a man in a red outfit with a blue cape and red hat. He had the widest grin in the world and reeked of evil. "I don't need your promises or bargains," continuing his walk away, ignoring the speech presented to him. "Even if it means getting even with Ryu?" Sagat stops in his tracks, "O.k. you have my attention." The mysterious one merely smiles, "Good. I have a great business proposition for you...."
His mind was afluster of confusion and painful images. On one hand he sees his father beside him, both walking into nothingness yet talking on a topic apparently interesting. On the other hand an image of Sagat pulls up crushes his father into dust. Dan is helpless in all this. He seems to be pulled away by a great force. As his open mouth expels air yet no sound, he tries to run against the vacuum effect that is pulling him away. Almost as if he is running through water, he gains no ground in his pursuit. Sagat and his father Go increase in distance from him. Dan begins to cry, but still no sound comes from him. The last thing he sees is Sagat's face get closer to his, "You're next, boy!"
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, Fatherrrrrrrrrr!"
"Dan! Dan, wake up!" His old flame shakes him by the shoulder to free him from this nightmare. His eyes snap open and looks around. He is sweating profusely and breathing sporatically. "Dan? Are you alright?" She places a warm cloth on his forehead and wipes off his face and neck with another cloth. He finally becomes fully aware, "Ch...Chun Li? How? What am I...where am I?" She gives him a reassuring smile, "Relax Dan. I brought you here after I found you almost dead in an alleyway. His mind recalls, "That's right! Did you see anyone around me?" "Nope. No one was even near you. I did, however, find this folded note resting on you." He snaps the paper from her hands. She acts a bit surprised by the rude action just taken, but she realizes his condition. He looks at it with anticipation. It's in scribbled Mandarin but legible. It speaks of Sagat's location in Thailand and his battle with Adon that has already commenced. He stands up, "That's it! I'm going there. I will get him." He stumbles backward to the chair again, feeling the physical pain now of his beating. Chun Li lifts his legs onto a table and tries to take off his black t-shirt. He quickly stops her and shakes his head, "Please, Chun Li. Not this shirt." She merely shrugs her shoulders and takes off his outside shirt only. It's been a few hours now and they finally got back to talking of the good old days together. Chun Li was presently 16 and they had dated a year ago. It wasn't too serious yet they did feel something for each other. It was that year ago when Dan's father moved out into the more remote countryside to train for the Street Fighter tournament that they stopped seeing each other. The distance outweighed their infatuations for each other. He told her about his father's demise and she spoke of her dad's recent promotion to captain of the Hong Kong Police Department. "So Chun Li, have you been dating anyone since?" "No, not really. I have been so busy with school and I just started to learn Wing Chun so I haven't had much free time. You?" "Nope. Just practicing and practicing." Inside each of them, they could feel a portion of their affections for each other again. They stared at each other more intently. She was wearing shorts that ended about mid-thigh. She was in great shape and the shorts only complemented her slender figure. Dan was no slouch either. All his training earned him a well-developed upper body. "Would you like to shower before you go?" "Sure. That would be great." Getting up carefully he started walking over to her to get a towel. She bent over to pick up some of his dirty clothes to wash for him before he left. She had a loose shirt on that was visibly accessible. Dan's chest grew warm with memories of how she looked in a bikini. She gets up and sees his face all blush. She gives him the towel and an accepting yet suspicious look, "Take your time Dan," she says as she places the towel on his forearm, allowing her fingers to gently glide across his skin as he walked away. Dan stops for a second after he realizes what happened, looks down and lets out a big sigh, then keeps on walking. A cold shower was definitely needed.
Heading back to China again, Ken, Ryu and Master Gouken were comfortably enjoying their trip on one of Ken's small yachts. "Don't worry, Master. I told my dad to give me a small yacht. This is good enough." Ken sat in a recliner and sipped some bottled water. Ryu and Master sat on the floor with legs folded. "You guys should really take it easy. Just sit on a chair for a little while." "No thank you Ken. I am comforable like this," Ryu states. Master suddenly feels an evil premonition. His eyes open with shock and fear. "What is it Master?" Ryu turns his head and asked. Even Ken focused his attention on Master. Master's eyes spoke of a great evil. He lastly spoke, "There has been a great sin cast in our way of life, disciples." Their attention became greater. "There is little time. I feel as if you path in life is nearing the end yet I must show you my final teachings before this event occurs." Ken drops his liquid and kneels in front of Master, "What is it Master? What is this 'evil'?" "Ken, we must get to the dojo quickly. There is little light left within me." Ken springs up and cranks the yacht's motors to full speed. "Sensei, what is wrong," Ryu implores. "I still have to teach the two of you how to focus your ki in the most efficient ways that you have been trained for. This, I must do before that evil surfaces." "What 'evil', sensei?" Master's face was clear of any emotion and remained silent for awhile. Finally he spoke in a depressing and monotonous tone, "Messatsu."
The evening was closing in. Dan was feeling refreshed from his shower and gathered his belongings. The warm outside breeze felt good on his clean body. He picked up his duffle and was ready to say goodbye when he saw a sadness in her eyes. "What's wrong Chun Li?" She exploded on him, "What's wrong? What's wrong?! You've been back for a day and you're leaving already! I haven't seen you in a year." "I know but," "No buts! I realize we have gone our separate ways but seeing you again brought back all these feelings inside of me." She rushes toward him and hugs him. He feels speechless but at the same time would love to stay for awhile longer but his incompleted purpose has to be fulfilled first. He gently pushes her off to arms' length and responds while looking into her glassy yet innocent eyes, "I am sorry Chun Li. I appreciate you helping me today but I cannot rest until I take down Sagat. My life won't be at ease until this happens. I am sorry." He lets go of her and turns about face to begin his quest. "Wait." She screams. He stops and turns around to see what she wants, "What Chun Li? I said I am so..." He couldn't finish his sentence when she thrust herself onto his lips. The surprise dissipated fast and soon he found himself wrapped into her kiss. Those soft, warm lips graced his with a raw passion. He was down this road before, but nothing this intense. It tasted like he remembered. She smelled of such beauty and youthfulness. The slow and rhythmic breathing between lip presses were slow and reassuring. Such a raging fire burned in his chest from this. In a minute it was over. They separated and looked into each others' eyes. "Goodbye Dan. I wish you the best of luck." "I'm really sorry, Chun Li. But I must." She smiled then turned around to walk away. He did the same, ready for the journey ahead of him. "Hey Dan!" she screams from a distance. He turns around to face her, "I believe in you." He smiles and responds with a thank you. She enters her house. He looks up at the rising moon and clears his thoughts. As he leaves the property, he is as ready as he'll ever be. This will be the biggest quest of his life.....
Think it was Chun Li? Never though such a romance was possible, huh? Yes or no
Next chapter, driver, and hurry