A Newfound Alliance

The Alpha fights continue. Now in its second tournament, the roster increased dramatically, thanks to both popularity and the downfall of a Japanese gang known as Mad Gear, whose now-defunct members strive to find respect in the fight. Ryu and Ken concentrate diligently on their techniques, without the aid of Master Gouken. Dan has just entered Thailand, and nears the end of his bitter-sweet journey of revenge.

After an exhausting hour of arguing with Thailand border officials, Dan is finally allowed into the country. He is too focused on the task before him to let such impudent men stop him. At least the nearest town was only an hour's walk. Dan was looking a lot more rugged these past few months now. His hair was now tied in the back to the length of a foot while he let a few strands hang low over his forehead as well. A five o'clock shadow started to itch his face. The 'ol pink gi started to become rather weathered but his black tee that covered his painful past remained constant. Every morning he would glide his hands across those four raised scars, almost feeling the pain of Sagat's fingers searing through his chest again. This was one mission that he would not stop. Entering a small rustic village he noticed that a small kickboxing tournament going on. It seemed that some of the locals have engaged in sparring competitions. So, after gathering some fruits and a jar of milk he headed over to enjoy his meal while having some entertainment. The two present fighters looked impressive, especially the one with the traditional headband on. His attacks were fast and accurate. He seemed to claim his powers from the Jaguar. Dan smirked to himself at such an 'idol' to follow by. Adon looked over in the middle of his fight at the newcomer and recognized him. His opponent failed to stop but Adon gave him a rising knee to the chin to end the fight.

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"I know you. Sagat killed your father in the first tournament." Dan spit out his milk, which unluckily splashed Adon, "What about it? Why do you care?" Dan stood up while the crowd stepped back, "And who the hell are you?" "I am Adon, Sagat's disciple." Instantly Dan's internal fire exploded. His eyes narrowed and focused. He dropped his melon piece and shook his fist violently in Adon's face, "You are who's disciple?" "Oh, that's right. You probably have come looking for him, didn't you?" Adon kept a rather calm composure and stood there with his arms crossed. His face remained in an almost cheery mood. Dan, however, slowly got into fighting position, "Where is Sagat?" "I don't know, you little punk. What makes you think you could beat him?" "By beating you right now! Ikuzora! (let's go)" Dan takes a swing at Adon, who deflects it and gives an elbow strike into Dan's chest. Dan falls back a bit as Adon speaks, "Don't waste your time with me, boy. You don't stand a chance at beating me." Dan doesn't listen. He comes in with some fast attacks that connect with Adon, but do little to phase his ego. Adon counters with his patented Jaguar Kick that hits directly on Dan. He rolls backward to get some space, only he doesn't see Adon spring up a tree and fly at him with a Jaguar Strike. "Give up, boy," he says in a high-pitched laugh, "I won't hesitate to kill you." Dan only grew more angry. He comes in with an inside cresent and is blocked but follows up with a ga do ken. Adon is momentarily stunned by the burning sensation which gave Dan time to trip him up. He finishes the attack with an extended right arm, "Doshita! Doshita! (what are you waiting for)" Unfortunately, he timed it wrong, as Adon rolled back once, got up and delivered a barrage of elbows and knees. Dan could only sit there and feel the pain of bone and flesh strike him. He fell back, landing on his hands and knees, coughing up some blood. He noticed his black shirt torn from his chest with the scar exposed, "So that's what Sagat gave you," Adon speaks, "He was telling me something about it, but now that I see it." Dan stared into the ground and felt all his adrenaline surface. His voice became deep and forceful, "Do not talk about my scar." He quickly got up and swung a backhand at Adon. It connected but Adon grabbed the arm and held it in a locked position, "You are pathetic, boy. If your old man couldn't do it, what makes you think you can?" "ORETE SAIKYO! (I am the best)" Dan blurts out from nowhere and flips around his arm to get out of the position, he then grabs Adon's wrist and flips him to the floor. Adon gets up, only to feel Dan's Ko Ryu Ken delve into his chest. Dan continues with an arsenal of swift kicks into Adon, who couldn't stop him. Finally, Adon manages to gain enough strength to block one of Dan's shots and deliver what was termed an "Alpha counter". His countering knee was just enough to stop Dan's attack. Both fighters were now exhausted and merely stood there, stooped over and trying to catch their breath. They stared at each other, hoping the other wouldn't retaliate. "Where is Sagat?" Dan asks once more. Adon realized that this guy wouldn't quit until he told, "Well, since I am no longer his disciple, I guess it wouldn't hurt." "And why is that?" "My own reasons, boy." After a few minutes, they caught their breath and sat down. More as neutral individuals now, Adon summoned his disciples to fetch them some tea. For the rest of the day they talked; about each's reasons for hating Sagat, and about his untimely baldness. Was this for real? Each couldn't believe that they were talking like this. But they kept their distances, as one did not trusted the other enough, and probably never will. Well, at least Adon had a new ally, even if his attitude was greated than his skill....

Ken was working on destroying this tree with his Sho Ryu Reppa technique but his constant anger hindered the full potential of the attack. Ryu merely focused on his shinkuu Ha Do Ken attack off a cliff ledge. His mind was more focused, secure. The morning turned into noon and they converged for some lunch. Ryu was rather skilled as a chef, since he has been on his own since he was a young teen. Steamed rice, eggs and fish that Ken caught earlier was on the menu. Both sat down and vigorously ate their meals in front of the dojo. Little was exchanged inbetween bites as they really had nothing to speak about. But this after noon was different. "Ryu?" Picking his head up, "Yeah, Ken?" "When are we going to hunt down Akuma. This patient crap is really edging me." "We cannot do anything until we have mastered each of our new techniques." "I'm ready, Ryu. We can...." "No, Ken. I saw how you were handling your Sho Ryu Reppa. You aren't ready." Ken slams his chopsticks down on the plate, "Dammit, Ryu! Don't you tell me how good I am. I can take him." Ryu, still patient although Ken was up in his face, gives him a polite stare, "Ken, we cannot go out yet. Remember when Akuma stared down at me, like I was next on his list. I am not ready, and neither are you. REMEMBER WHAT MASTER SAID" Ken's face turns from anger to pity. Master's words were always inspirational, and regardless of their symbolic or metaphorical meaning, they were useful tools in keeping Ken from being irrational in his decisions, espcially ones that dealt with human opponents. He slowly sits back down and resumes his meal. "One more week Ken." Ken looks up at him in surprise. "One more week to train. Then, we will go find Akuma." Ken smiles a bit, as does Ryu, almost. They finished their meals, get up and go over to the riverbed to practice some meditation.

The next morning came along. Dan woke up with one hell of a headache. "Too much fun last night," scratching his head and tasting his morning breath, "need to find Sagat." The fire was merely a flicker now and his ally had left, somewhere in the night. He knows where he has to go, and knows what he has to do. Adon's warning to him about Sagat's power was almost unheeded, as if he was going to take advice from a guy in boxer shorts! Bah. Regardless, he sets out for the location of the "Alpha fights", located somewhere around Bangkok.

The Dan we know is starting to surface. Keep going

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