Disclaimer: See previous chapters
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Epilogue
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United States, Grand Championship Tournament, Finals"YEAAAAAHHHHHH!"
The massive crowd in the stadium cheered aloud at the two martial artists in the ring as they delivered an incredible display of skill and strength. Both were dressed similarly and their fighting techniques matched, but the style and motions were clearly different, at least by those who observed with a closer eye. They were also sweating quite a bit, showing that they had put much into fighting and to their credit; their opponent was equal to the task, making it a very exciting and worthy match.
But in the end, there can be only one champion…
"It's time we ended this, Mel."
"Sean, you took the words right out of my mouth."
Fists leveled, the two street fighters lunged at each other. Sean began to duck low in order to make a low tackle, but Mel surprised him by rolling on the ground right past him. Mel quickly returned to his feet and charged at Sean, whose back was now facing him. Sean whirled around and just managed to defend against the incoming punch the young man. The force was enough to make Sean wince, as he was already hurt from Mel's previous attacks. The boy had grown into quite the formidable warrior. His years of travel and training with Shinji had served to forge him into a true martial artist and a good man.
But Sean wasn't out of the fight yet…
Pushing back the punch, Sean retaliated with a high roundhouse kick, one that Mel ducked, but put him in a position to be caught by Sean's second leg, which kicked him to the side. Outside the ring, Eliza and Elena were watching the fight, each hoping for one of the combatants to win.
'You can do it…' was the simultaneous thought within them.
Mel rolled back to his feet as Sean pressed on, rushing up to the young man, Sean burst into the air and attacked with his unique special move, posing to finish the match now.
"Tornado Kick!"
Mel was smacked by the first two, but managed to block the remaining ones and as Sean whirled down to the ground, Mel saw his opening, grabbed Sean's shoulders and hurled him into the ropes. Aside from Shinji, Sean had also served to be Mel's training partner, although Sean had more experience than he did. But that was made up in Mel quickness and ability to counter mostly anything that was thrown at him, like now. Sean flew right through the ropes and it looked as though he would fly out the ring. But the elder warrior had grabbed the ropes and swung around, throwing himself back in the ring and saving himself.
Or not…
As soon as he came back in, he was met with a fierce side kick from Mel and it was followed up with a forward knee. Sean parried the knee and struck upward with a punch, but Mel evaded it awkwardly and punched the side of Sean's face. White stars literally filled Sean's vision as he tumbled on the ground. He managed to roll back up to his feet again, but felt a little groggy from the strike. But he was able to see the aerial form of Mel descending upon him, his fist ready for his finishing blow, a new special technique developed to strike hard on an opponent and knock them out.
Ryutsuiken…Dragon Hammer Fist…
On reflex, Sean clenched his fist together and shot up, launching a move that he had worked years to learn and master as his own. The famous blow that made Ryu the winner of the first Street Fighter tournament and would be seen many times by all those who practiced the Anasatsuken karate art.
"Shoryuken!"
The two blows soared through the air and it seemed that they would collide with one another. However, it would be that experience that Sean possesses that would give him the advantage, he had launched the technique afterward, giving him a good target zone and direction. And once that was done, the rest was up to the blow itself.
POW!
Mel's face was knocked back and the young man felt to the mat. Sean landed a moment later, breathing heavily and watching to see if Mel would get back up. The referee counted and only when he reached nine did Sean relax and at ten, Sean was declared the winner.
"Presenting this year's champion! Sean Matsuda!"
The surrounding crowd cheered as Sean's arm was lifted in victory. However, Sean's focus was on Mel, who was beginning to rise groggily. Sean moved over to him as did Eliza and Elena from the outside and Sean held his hand down to him.
"You did great, Mel."
Mel blinked and then looked around slowly. "I lost? Ah, man."
"Don't worry about it. If it means anything, you put up one heck of a fight."
"Not enough I guess." He gazed down briefly and then looked over at his mother. "I guess its back to the drawing board. But just you wait." His bruised face rose up to Sean's as he took his hand. "Next year, I'm taking you down."
"Hah." Sean replied as he helped him up. "I look forward to it, kid."
"What this? Everyone, if I may have your attention…" The audience quieted a bit from the stage announcer's announcement. "I have just been informed that there is to be an exhibition match for the champion of the tournament."
Sean blinked. "An exhibition match?"
Outside the ring, Mel went to meet up with Elena and his mother, who appeared to be hiding a chuckle. He was about to think it was about how he looked (it was a hectic fight after all), but noticed that Eliza's gaze was elsewhere.
"The champion, Sean is to partake in this special match against the former United States champion, Ken Masters!"
"What!" Mel and Sean said in unison. Eliza continued to chuckle lightly as a figure emerged from the locker hall on the side, decked in his familiar red gi and fighting gloves. The crowd cheered as Ken made his way to the ring, grinning all the while and waving at the audience as he approached the ring. Suddenly, he broke out into a dash and leaped up high, literally flying from the floor over the rope and into the ring, turning around to give his classic peace sign to everyone.
"Always showing off." Eliza sighed
Mel turned back to her. "You knew about this?"
The blond woman nodded amusedly. "I'm surprised he didn't blab it out, the way he's been acting and training all these months."
Ken finally turned to the dumbstruck Sean, who is still surprised by Ken's return. Ken waved at him and then taunted with a grin.
"So, do you think you can surpass the master now?"
Blankly, Sean turned to Elena, who gave him a smile and a nod of encouragement. 'Go for it, Sean.' Sean nodded back to his wife and settled in his fighting stance. He was still sore from his fight with Mel, but he couldn't pass up this fight. For the first time ever, he would be able to fight his mentor…as an equal
"I'm ready for you, Masters."
Ken nodded as he went into his own stance. "Let's go."
FIGHT!
Japan
"Hey back off. I said I was sorry."
Late afternoon in an alleyway beside a tavern, a young woman was being backed up against a wall by three men, all dirty looking. One of them had his chest stained with alcohol; it was this man that was in the lead of the other two and currently cornering the woman.
"Ah, ah." he replied, his speech slurred by alcohol. "Sorry ain't gonna do it. You spilled my drink and you have to owe up for it."
"Please, just let me go and I promise to pay for it later, really." the woman pleaded, trying not to show any signs of fear, but failing badly.
"Not going to happen missy." he grinned. "We'll just have to..."
"...Leave."
The sound of the new voice caught their attention and upon turning around, they were greeted by a lone figure with long, black hair tied in the back and a scar running down his eye. The lead drunkard turned to him and snarled.
"What was that?"
The man's voice was straight and even. "Leave the woman be."
"Butt out of this, pal. This don't concern you."
"Perhaps. But you are going to leave her alone regardless."
The woman looked past her soon to be assailants at what would hopefully be her rescuer. She wanted to run past them all and get away, but the other two were blocking her routes. She had to get out; she didn't want this man to be hurt because of her. But she had no options in this regard and was forced to wait back and hope that an opening presented itself before things got out of hand. 'How do I keep getting in these situations?'
"Pal, this is your last warning..." the man slurred, obviously getting annoyed and angry at his interference.
"My thoughts exactly."
With a growl, he motioned to his two compatriots. "Deal with him."
The two men moved up beside the lone figure and charged. The man stepped off to the side to dodge the first one and sent an elbow into the face of the second as he came. The man gave a cry and dropped to the ground while the first one, who had run into a wall, turned back and charged again. The sole figure merely turned his head and in an instant, his leg snapped back in a sharp kick, catching the charging man in the gut and sending him down with a low moan of pain. The figure then turned back to the leader, who watched this all. The woman too, saw this and was amazed.
"Bunch of chicken-$!" the leader swore. "I guess if you want something done right..."
Turning to the sole figure, he pulled out a knife from his beer-stained jacket and advanced slowly, waving it side to side threateningly. But the lone man showed no signs of fear as the man came closer and closer. Suddenly, the leader stabbed his weapon forward, aiming it straight for the figure's side. But the lone man stepped back and snapped his palm downward, causing the leader to drop the knife. A growl of pain and soon the man was charging at the lone one in rage. But the lone man sidestepped slightly, grabbed the drunk by the collar and flipped him over. But he continued to hold onto the jacket so that now the man was beneath him. With a swift lunge downward, the lone fighter shot his forehead into the man's face, knocking him out instantly. Only then did he release him to slump onto the floor. He then looked up at the woman, who was staring in complete awe at the entire scene.
"Are you alright, miss?"
"Y-Yes." she stammered out finally. A smile soon lifted up on her face and she continued. "Thank you so much!"
The man nodded. "I saw what happened. It really was an accident, but I'm afraid these..." He looked down at the fallen drunks. "...gentlemen had too much in their system as it was."
The woman sighed. "Yeah. But really, you were something. Wow, you must be a street fighter or something." Her face suddenly flashed with shock. "Oh my, that reminds me. I was on my way to meet a friend. She had just returned from a trip." She then added sheepishly. "That's why I was rushing."
"A friend?"
"Yeah. I haven't seen her in quite a long time, so I was a little excited when I heard she was coming. You might have heard of her; she's a street fighter too."
The man tilted his head slightly. "Maybe. What is her name?"
"Sakura Kasugano."
The man's eyes widened. "Sakura...!"
"I take that as a yes, uhh...I didn't get your name."
"Kairi."
Now it was the woman's turn for her eyes to widen. "THE Kairi? Sakura's Kairi?" A grand smile beamed across her face and she instantly grabbed the man's hand.
"Come on!"
"Wha...?"
- - - - - -
A few minutes later, a train rolled out into a station and settled to its stop. Passengers soon exited the transport, most notably a woman, where plain blue jeans and a black shirt. On her head was a white headband that waved in along with her hair. The woman moved toward the exit, grabbing her bags as she did. Upon exiting the station, she looked around in search. It was brief, for her eyes soon settled on a young woman who was standing by the side of the station.
"Kei! Hiya!"
"Sakura!" The two women ran at each other and hugged each other. Kei backed away, smile literally plastered on her face.
"It's been awhile. How are you?"
"Better now." Sakura nodded. "I learned a lot out there. You should have come with me, really."
"Oh, Sakura. You know I don't have nearly enough energy to even keep up with you."
"Maybe." Sakura then gave her friend a closer examination. "Hey, what's with that look?"
"What look?"
Sakura backed away and gave her a skeptical glance. "I know that look, Kei. What are you up to?"
"Well..." she started slyly. "...on the way here, I got into a little trouble and this gentleman was there to help me."
Taking a step off to the side, Kei indicated to the lone figure in the shadows just behind her. Sakura took only a brief look before recognizing the person as he came out of the shadows.
"Kairi..."
The man nodded to her. "It's been awhile, Sakura."
Kei only stood to the side as the two faced each other, light smiles on their faces that hid the deeper feelings within. Sakura especially.
'It would seem...that fate has brought us back together after all.'
Osaka, Japan
The carnival light lit up the night sky, accompanied by sounds of joy and amusement. People moved about, enjoying themselves as they played games and went on the rides. However, on a building top not too far away, a dark figure overlooks the display with contempt. These people were as insects to him, to serve only as an annoyance. But there were worse things than that, that being the figure that had just soared up and landed behind him. The dark figure turned, whipping his red cape off as he faced his nemesis.
"I will rid myself of you now, peon!"
The second figure, clad in a white skeleton outfit and mask, simply pointed at him.
"Your evil will never triumph, Shadowgeist!"
A snarl could be heard under the black mask of Shadowgeist. Even before their battle on the island, they had been battling each other all across the world. Their histories were unknown, but they represented the two opposites of good and evil. It was something Shadowgeist had enough of and was now going to end it, by destroying his light counterpart.
By destroying Skullomania…
As the two faced off head to head, auras flared around the two in a show that would declare their readiness to fight. Their fists suddenly shot up into the air in unison, creating a blast of wind as they absorbed their energies into it, and they charged, unleashing their most powerful of arts.
"Skullo Dream!"
"Dark Dream!"
KKKRRRRRAAAAPPPPPOOOOOOWWWWWW!
Hong Kong
'It's been a while indeed...'
Cori had just arrived at the Xiang house and stared at it for a long while, her yellow scarf fluttering lightly as a vehicle passed behind her. She began to walk up to the door, but paused and instead, began walking around it. She didn't have to go up to it. She already knew there was no on in the house. She did however; sense the ki of fighters in the back. Moving through the backyard, she came upon a small dojo training area. Moving close, she soon found the source of the energies she felt. Though they weren't who she was really looking for, she smiled all the same, glad to see friends after such a long while.
Chun-Li and Mikoto...
Mikoto had changed slightly than when Cori saw her last. Her long hair was now cut short, just barely touching the shoulders. Chun-Li on the other hand, didn't seem to have change at all and upon looking at the two, Cori could make out a slim resemblance between them, although they weren't related by blood. Cori made ready to speak to them, but instead kept silent and simply watched the two women before her in practice. Silently, their bodies moved together, their forms in synch with each other and their motions fluid, like a dance. Their breathing was steady and even and Cori could even feel the alignment of their respective auras. The two women finally returned to their original positions, thus finishing the kata. With a light breath, the women opened their eyes and smiled briefly before turning to the entrance to see their visitor.
"Cori? Is that really you?" Chun Li replied as she looked at the girl. Nodding, the young woman moved close as the other two clasped her in a warm hug. Mikoto stepped back as did Chun Li, however, Chun still held her in her arms.
"My, you've grown. I guess three years was too long."
Cori smiled. "My apologies. I've been working out some...things."
Indeed, for she had chosen that time period to learn more about her powers. It had led her to Italy where she found her mother's dwelling and the true extent of her powers. Although there was still much for her to learn, she had decided that she had spent enough time in isolation. But Chun Li wasn't wrong in her observation. Cori's physical appearance seemed had been enhanced by her training, resulting in her giving off a mystical and somewhat mysterious aura.
"So we see." Mikoto replied. "You look great."
"Thank you. How have you been?"
The young woman smiled broadly. "Great. I've become a full-fledged doctor now."
After the Mediterranean incident some years ago, Mikoto applied for the position, passing her tests and earning several degrees. Her peers were impressed with her grade, especially considering her young age and she was thus given a certificate award for most promising achiever.
"That's great. I knew you would."
"We all did really." Chun Li beamed. "Miky is really too smart not to have made it."
"Mom, please..."
"It's true. It's a parent's prerogative to brag about their children."
For the Chinese woman, those words represented the greatest achievement in her life. More than being the lead investigator in bringing down Shadowloo as well as the Organization, more than all the crimes she helped stop worldwide, her daughter topped them all. It was what she had fought for in the third tournament and unlike the second, this left her with a true sense of fulfillment.
The fight for the future...
"Is Shinji around?"
At the question, the two women gave a silent smile. It had been clear to them that she shared a special relationship with their son and brother. While she, Shinji and Mel were tight friends, they saw a greater bond between Shinji and the young woman (which Mel would never shut up on and get headlocked as a result.), and they would have loved nothing more than to see the two of them develop a romantic relationship. Unfortunately at this time...
"Afraid not. He went journeying a couple of months ago."
"Oh. I see..." Cori replied, a little sadly
Mikoto was quick to note this. "Don't worry. He usually does this during the summertime. He'll be back in a couple of weeks."
"During which, you can stay here as our guest." Chun Li added.
"Oh, I don't want to impose on you." Cori replied, raising her hand. "I could always return..."
"Ah, ah, ah." Chun Li replied, waving her finger. "You've been away for three years. I would like to have you around. Miky is usually busy at work so I would appreciate the company."
"Yeah. And when I come back from work, we could do all kinds of stuff together." Mikoto soon clasped her hands. "Please?"
"Well..." Cori could sense an ulterior motive in their combined request, but it wasn't negative. If anything, they seemed to be up to something more positive, perhaps connected to the reason of her coming by at all. She had come to visit Shinji and... In any event, it didn't seem that the two women would let her leave anyway.
"I can't seem to argue back, can I?"
"Nope."
With a wistful smile, Mikoto nodded, looking away for a moment and releasing a single thought into the air.
'Shinji...'
Unknown
'Cori?'
The young man stopped in his tracks and looked up into the stormy skies. For a minute, he thought he had heard the voice of his longtime friend echoing. 'Maybe it's just the wind' he reasoned. Still it was nice to have at least imagined to have heard her voice. It was one of the things he knew could bring a smile to his face. Her voice...
With a deep sigh, he returned to his walking, trudging through the open grassy field. He was the near spitting image of his father now, especially now that he wore his father's crimson headband. It was given to him when he first decided to travel alone, to discover his own meaning of the fight. When he was in school, he would be able to go out in the summer months, often with Mel. But now, as an adult, he traveled for longer times, learning more about his own skills and how to improve.
It was why he was here now...
His eyes soon lifted and in the distance ahead, he saw a single figure in the field. Clad in white and standing amid the storm, the figure soon turned to look upon Shinji. Time had not changed the former vagabond and he was still as powerful in form as he was in skill. His head was clear of his usual headband, as his son now bore it, but he was a figure known to many a street fighter.
The Wandering Warrior...Ryu...
Shinji soon stopped before him, simply looking into the eyes of his father and sensei. He knew he would never be like his father, a true disciple of the Way. But he could try. He could seek to understand why his father left every summer and autumn on his travels; learn to know what made him the warrior that he was. It was what motivated Shinji to make his own travels. And now he was at a pivotal moment. He had fought many and his skills had improved. But in order to know how strong he truly was, he would have to confront his own father.
Shinji gave a low bow to Ryu and to his half-surprise, Ryu returned it. To Ryu, this was to be a simple opponent. His son and student, yes, but still an opponent. And for every fight, there was the possibility of something to learn, win or lose. Raising Shinji had taught him more he ever thought possible and he was grateful for that. But what could be learned to face him as an opponent? That was a question he never thought he would ask. Again, Shinji has brought him something new to consider. Gazing at his son, he gave a brief smile.
"Are you ready?"
Shinji stared back at his father, anticipation filling his very core. Slowly, Shinji took a step back and raised his fists, pivoting his and setting his feet into the grass. Excitement... To actually face one of the world's greatest street fighters... Shinji didn't think he would be into it this much. 'Perhaps this is how he feels...' And this was just before the fight actually started. His resolve and focus now clear, he answered, although it was plainly clear what that answer was.
"I am."
Ryu gave a light nod and then settled into his own fighting stance. Shinji immediately felt the fighting power of his father, whirling within him as the winds whipped in the skies above them. But Shinji would not back down, not from this. Especially since this had been something he had been looking forward to since he took up the martial arts. The two now kept a constant glare on each other, no longer looking at each other as father and son, or even teacher and student.
It was simply warrior to warrior...
The two held their place, none of them moving aside from the slight shuffling of their bodies. It was their style not to attack for, to leave that to their opponent. But both Shinji and Ryu knew that the younger fighter would move first. For one thing, it was because he was young and thus lacked the patience of the elder warrior. Second, Shinji wanted the battle more. He had been looking forward to this for a long time and would simply not wait any longer than he had to. With a cry, Shinji rushed at Ryu, while Ryu settled back in wait. The battle would begin between the two generations of warrior, as it always has since before the first tournament.
The fight will live on...
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I would like to thank all those who have reviewed this fanfic and would like to personally apologize for having put this off for so long.
Dispassion, jasondragon, Dilasc, Maynar Namiya, bushinguy, Tiger5913, Shadowsin, donkeykong27, Kikoken, claymade, Jin, Peachrocks, Unknowner, Ghost the Lost Soul, Ghostwriter155, Vammy, and noctorro
Sayonara, and let the fight live on...