This was all Ryu heard and saw. Ryu was standing in the graveyard, just standing there as if he suddenly appeared. He was back in his usual white gi and red bandanna. All he could recall was talking to the Council then suddenly appearing here.

"Yes. I’m back". Ryu clenched his fist in power, he found a new energy surging inside of him, and something he couldn't identify or know how it was there but it was there. *Must be the hidden power the Council told me about. Ryu picked up his duffel bag, which he found right next to him and looked inside of it.

Ryu's jaw dropped when looking inside of the bag. There was over 1000$ in each type of world currency, Franks, Deniaries, Pecos, Yen. There were even several different outfits for him to wear.

*Is everything fitting for you Mr. Hoshi? *

Ryu was in a state of surprise for a few minutes before gaining composure.

*Yes Council, but how were you able to fit all of this in one simple duffel bag? *

*Our power stretches vastly beyond that you need to know, Mr. Hoshi. The money in this bag will never end; this should help you along your journey. Good luck*

Ryu then turned his head, to find his grave in front of his eyes, he stared at it for a few seconds, then laughed lightly over the fact of seeing his own grave. *Ken would have had a kick staring at his own grave*.The stone marker read: Ryu Hoshi. A man whose compassion lead him to greatness, but it saddens the world to see him passed on. Rest in peace my freind: Ken. Ryu laughed lightly again to himself and picked up his bag and made his way out the graveyard.

------

It is said when a fighter becomes a master of his art; he gains new senses and instincts. One of the senses is the ability to sense fighting spirit or chi. Even though Ken Masters may have retired form street fighting, his instincts never dulled, as did his senses. And Ken sensed something was wrong.

"Ken honey is something the matter?" Eliza asked. She found her husband once again in the main room sitting in the same chair, lost in his thoughts. Ken just wasn't the same when Ryu had died. His usual energetic self became depressed and saddened. Eliza would sometimes go to bed worrying because Ken would still be in that same chair thinking. Ken looked at his wife and smiled. " No nothings wrong dear, just thinking"

Eliza grinned and sat in Ken's lap in the chair and gave him a kiss. "So what were you thinking about"

Ken gazed upwards and stared at the ceiling of their vast mansion. "You know when Ryu died I felt a link that me and him had die, but now all of a sudden I feel the link reestablished. As if..." Ken pondered as he made visual contact with his wife again. "As if he were.... Alive".

Eliza was puzzled. Though she didn't know much about fighters and their instincts, Ken did tell her how a master of their art could sense chi.

"Are you saying that Ryu came back to life. Li-like a zombie" Eliza asked dumbfounded. Ken laughed at the comment his wife made" No nothing like that, then again he could be here to eat fighters brains" Ken mocked as he got out of the chair making Eliza fall on her bummy. Ken did an imitation of a zombie, which made Eliza laugh.

"Easy now brain muncher" Eliza chirped.

"Sorry honey" Ken said grinning. He held a hand out toward his wife, which she greatly took and helped her up.

-----

Ryu was on the streets of the city. It was still raining but the lightening and thunder had stopped. Ryu scanned his surroundings. Poor homeless people huddled together under a box to keep warm, prostitutes trying to make a living on the corners and small gangs huddled up together planning something, which wasn't bound to be good. Sighing Ryu drudged on, his bare feet splashing the puddles of rainwater. Ryu walked by alley suddenly heard voices coming from the area. "Give us the purse girly and no one gets hurt" the voice stated. Obviously it was a punk, "Touch my purse and die" the female voice said, obviously she was unafraid. Ryu honored her bravery but he knew she would be hurt. This is when took the steps toward the alley.

Asuka sighed, her light brown eyes full of annoyance as she stood before the group of 3 guys stood in front of her. They were all dressed in leather, leather jackets, pants and black shirts. Asuka sighed again, she knew she could probably beat the living crap out of all 3, but she didn't want to send anyone to the hospital or the morgue. But her senses were getting the better of her; she wasn't the type of woman you annoyed, not unless you had a death wish. Asuka was late for an appointment with her Uncle B.B again, while rushing out her apartment she decided to take a short cut in the alley not want to risk her uncle's wrath. But to her annoyance it was populated with some not to nice people.

One of the punks stood up to her again, obviously the leader. He spoke again to her, hoping to get his threat pass. "Ok little girl give me the purse now or this might turn ugly" the punk stated as he flipped a pocketknife from his jacket pocket. Asuka fought the urge back to take that knife and jab it into his leg and twist it, The wound would never heal and his punk butt would be limpin' for life but thought better of it. She just stood there and spoke no words. But she was ready to defend herself.

"I believe he woman wishes to be left alone" a voice from the shadows spoke. The punk turned around along with his 3 goons to see who dared to step up to him. Asuka turned to see him as well; she liked what she saw. The man seemed to be 6,0; he was wearing a white gi over his body and a red bandanna on his forehead. The man's body was very muscular from the looks of it; he might as well be a fighter.

"Look here" one of the punks said "mind you're own business unless you wanna see some blood shed" the Punk sneered at Ryu. Ryu turned around, his back facing them. " I will not leave the young woman unguarded, but I’m warning you one last time stay away from her or prepare to fight" he said in a cold tone.

The punks however were not convinced. One of them who looked like the muscle of the group clenched his fist in anger at the man. He dared to challenge them! Hey was one of the toughest gangs on the circuit. "I can't let this a-----e talk to me this way!" He bellowed in rage as started a dash toward Ryu, his fist raised to strike.

Ryu's back was still turned around from them, his head bent down as his bandanna swayed in the wind. As the punk was about to land a punch on him Asuka almost cried out Watch out but was cut off short as she saw the large man's frame soaring above her head.

The punks were in shock as they saw their muscle man soar above their heads and land hard on his back on the alley's brick wall and slowly slump down in pain. "Why YOU!" one of the punks bellowed as they both dashed toward Ryu who was now facing them. Asuka was in a state of surprise, this guy had tossed one of the largest men she had ever seen onto an alley wall and prepare to fight the other 2 as well. * The man must be a fighter like me* she wondered * I've never seen this fighting style before, looks like some type of karate* Asuka pondered as she studied his moves. Ryu was quick in the beating he gave the punks. One punk launched a punch towards Ryu which he quickly cough and flipped him over his shoulder as he did the last one, the other punks leaped into the air and aimed a jump kick at Ryu. Ryu merely stepped aside from his direction and placed several lighting punches on the punk’s body and face. The poor man merely groaned and passed out later.

"Are you alright?" This snapped Asuka out of his gaze as she faced the man who had fought the 3 creeps for her protection which wasn't needed."Ummm... Yes! I’m ok nothing broken" She quickly spoke. Ryu smiled, he was relieved that the woman was all right, he took the time to study the woman. She had light brown hair that seemed shine lightly, light brown eyes and lightly tanned skin. She was wearing a black skirt and a white turtleneck sweater, in her arms clutched the purse the punks threatened her for. Asuka cough the strange man who helped her looking her over, this made her feel slightly annoyed, he frowned lightly. This got Ryu's attention " Oh I’m so sorry I didn't mean to stare" Ryu quickly said while blushing. It’s alright" Asuka reassured him. "It happens". Asuka studied the man before her again. He looked to be of Japanese decent. *He's kinda cute* she thought smiling to herself then she frowned *What the H**** am I thinking!!?*.Ryu was still there. Dumbfounded on what to say next to this woman before him. *She is quite attractive* Ryu thought. Asuka studied him some more. Those techniques he used were something she had never seen, she wanted to test them out. *It's been to long since I've had a real fight"

"Hey you" Asuka said as she spoke to Ryu. "You’re a fighter aren’t you?”

Ryu looked up to her and answered the woman’s question. "Yes I am. Why do you ask?" Asuka answered him. "I’m part of distinct fighting arena called The Grid, ever heard of it?” "No I haven’t. Is it around here?"

"Yeah, you look to be a good enough fighter to last there without getting hurt too badly, hold on let me give you the location and password,” Asuka said as she looked through her purse. Finally she held out a piece of paper towards Ryu and told him. "On this paper is The Grid's location and the password, remember only at night". Ryu took the piece of paper from the strange woman and stuffed into his duffel bag and thanked her. "Thanks.ummm miss"

"Yes?" Asuka said, as she was about to leave the alley.

"What is your name" Ryu asked.

"Asuka"

"Asuka. That’s a nice name." Ryu pondered. He quickly snapped out his trance.

"My name is Ryu"

"Well Ryu see you at the Grid. Good luck, you'll need it"

"Thank you"