The next morning, Sean rubbed his eyes so he could wake up. He looked at his companions, noticing that Ken and Alex were still asleep. Ryu's sleeping bag was neatly folded. But there was no Ryu. Sean sat up and noticed a lone figure in the distance. Ryu's training, he thought.

Sean quickly folded his beddings together and headed towards Ryu. Ryu was standing with his weight rested on his back foot, right hand out, left hand kept close to his body. (The stance in the anime while he was practicing his shoryukens. ^_^)

"You woke early," Ryu spoke.

Sean scratched the back of his head. "How long have you been awake?"

"I woke at sunrise," Ryu responded.

Sean nodded. "Okay."

Ryu relaxed his stance and sat on the ground, Indian-style. He gestured towards Sean.

"Meditate with me," he instructed.

Sean sat next to Ryu, and took up the same position.

"I hope we're ready…" Sean said quietly.

"As we grow closer to our battle your fear intensifies," Ryu observed. "This is only natural. We must really on each other, and on our abilities. In the end, however…fate will decide who shall be the victor."

Sean nodded. He closed his eyes, trying to concentrate on his breathing. Ryu did the same. It would be quite some time before either spoke again.

I just hope we'll be okay, Sean thought. I thought I was ready for this…but…anything could happen today! We could all die, one of us could die, some of us could die…or Ryu might turn evil and end up killing us all…What a way to go…

"It is time," Ryu declared softly, an hour later.

Sean and Ryu got up, noticing that Ken and Alex were waiting, wide awake, back at the camp site. After the four packed away their belongings, a tense silence filled the air.

"Back out now, while you can," Alex joked.

"No way," Sean said.

The four sensed a presence, and they turned simultaneously. A figure in a black cloak, his face shielded, had appeared. Alex stepped forward.

"Who are you?" Alex asked.

The figure raised his arm and gestured the four to follow him. Knowing that he would take them to Gill, the four obliged.

"Great," Sean muttered. "Couldn't they at least have a pretty lady guide us to our doom?"

"I told you that you could leave," Alex said.

"Sorry if I'm trying to make a joke."

No one said anything after that, but the three older men understood. The feeling of dread had washed over all of them, and Sean was desperately trying to make the situation as light as possible. For everyone's sake…

The four traveled in silence for nearly an hour until they reached an area of stone pillars that stood eight feet tall. And in the center of the area, stood a man draped in white. Ryu remembered all too clearly the blue and red complexion.

"Welcome, gentlemen," he greeted in a voice that seemed to echo all around. His cold eyes narrowed. "I've been waiting for the day that I would fight you again, Ryu."

Ryu stepped forward. "Then let us begin."

"I see you brought some friends…I suppose I could use some entertainment…So you four will team up against me…?"

Alex stepped beside Ryu. "We can fight two-on-one or four-on-one."

"I think it would be best if we fight two-on-one. Just…in case," Ryu said.

Alex nodded. "I understand." He gestured to Ken and Sean, and they walked over.

"I'm waiting, gentlemen," Gill boomed.

After a briefing from Alex, Sean and Ken stepped up. Alex and Ryu stepped back. Gill's lips twisted in a bitter smile.

"Very well, then."

Gill charged forward. Sean and Ken leapt to the side. Sean jumped in the air, performing his tornado kick, his feet connecting with Gill's face. Ken attacked with a series of punches that connected to Gill's chest and stomach. Ken and Sean took a step back to assess their work when Gill suddenly kicked them both. Sean and Ken flew to the ground.

Alex and Ryu watched in tense silence on the sidelines.

Sean slowly got to his feet as Ken shot towards Gill. Ken jumped in the air to kick Gill. The kick was easily deflected. Ken received many punches, all in his vital areas. Gill also did a kick that caused damage to Ken's left shoulder. Ken cried out in pain, clutching his left arm. Ken gritted his teeth. Gotta think fast, he thought. He glanced over at Sean, who was hunched over, trying to get his wind back. Sean looked up and nodded. Ken tried to make himself look helpless so Gill could come over and supposedly finish the job. Sure enough, Gill walked over. When he was in range, Ken tightened his right fist.

"SHORYU-REPPA!"

Gill staggered back, stunned by the multiple blows.

"HADO-BURST!"

Gill flinched in pain as he was hit in the back by Sean's burst of fireball. Gill quickly turned and shot an iceball at Sean. The student didn't see it coming. It hit him with a force that caused him to fly back several feet. Gill walked over to an exhausted Ken and grabbed him by his bad shoulder. Ken grunted with pain.

"That was very foolish…" Gill said quietly and tossed him to a distance where he would not bother him.

"Ken!" Ryu cried out.

Alex rushed over and struck Gill's stomach. After Sean got to his feet, he moved to assist Alex. Ryu watched the fight with his arms crossed, deep in thought.

"A most interesting battle…" came a soft voice. "Why are you not fighting?"

Ryu looked around and frowned. Suddenly, a form materialized beside him. Ryu's eyes widened. There was no mistaking the bright red hair, glowing scarlet eyes, and the black gi.

"Akuma."

"Yes…"

Ryu instantly took a defensive stance. Akuma shook his head.

"I am not here to fight you. I am here to assist you. If I had known that Gill would return…I would have given him a much more torturous defeat…." Akuma responded. "Do you remember the last time you fought him? In one night, I trained you how to use the evil intent to its potential."

"You used me," Ryu accused. "You weren't interested in my abilities. You wanted to finish Gill yourself."

"That is where you are wrong, Ryu," Akuma responded. "I am very much interested in your fighting skills. If you would only let yourself give in to those skills and train, we would have an incredible battle against each other."

"No," Ryu hissed. "I refuse to-"

"Do you honestly think you can win against him in your condition?" Akuma questioned. "You're weak, Ryu. Look how easily Ken was defeated."

Ryu's eyes shifted to the battle. Sean had been beaten badly. He lay very still on the ground.

"Ryu!" Alex called.

Ryu ran toward Alex. Damn you, Akuma! he thought. Because of you, I may lose everything…

Alex paused to breathe. "What took you so long?" Alex asked. His eyes glared at Ryu accusingly.

"I…" Ryu swallowed. "Sorry."

"You all right?" Alex asked. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Ryu responded, "I'm fine."

Gill looked exhausted. He had bruises all over his body and his hair was a tangled mess.

Let's finish this, Ryu thought. I hope he doesn't have enough energy to resurrect himself…

Ryu leapt in the air to get close. Gill rushed forward to attack him. Ryu delivered a kick to Gill's shoulder. Gill grapped Ryu's ankle and threw him to the ground. Ryu landed on his back, wincing in pain. However, since Gill had been distracted, Alex saw an opportunity to grab him and slam him onto the ground. After Gill got up, he narrowed his eyes. Alex stood several feet away, studying him.

"I sense…another presence…" Gill boomed. He moved, keeping Alex in his peripheral vision. His gaze moved to Ryu.

Does he know that Akuma was here? Ryu wondered as he got to his feet. Alex's eyes shifted to Ryu in puzzlement. The three men stared in amazement as a woman climbed up the hill to the area. She wore a blue Chinese dress, and her long dark hair was pulled up into two buns, one on each side of her head.

Chun Li…Ryu thought. What are you doing here?

"Ryu, look out!" Alex called as Gill shot a ball of fire towards him.

The warning registered a little too late. Ryu looked up, seeing the weapon, feeling its heat. Suddenly, he felt a force shove him down to the ground. Chun Li clasped her hands behind her head, shielding her and Ryu's face from the flames that whizzed by.

When the fire cleared, Chun Li moved to look down at Ryu. "Long time no see, stranger."

Ryu's jaw dropped in surprise. "But…why…how…?"

"You guys all right?" Alex called.

Chun Li got off Ryu just in time to see Gill grab Alex by the neck. "Alex!" she cried. She rushed forward to help him.

"Chun Li, wait!" Ryu called out.

As Gill tossed an unconscious Alex aside, Chun Li kicked him in the small of his back. Gill staggered and kicked her hard in the stomach. She flinched, then Gill grabbed her by her neck and shoulders.

"So this is the legendary Chun Li…" Gill said.

Chun Li brought her legs up and kicked Gill hard in the chest. The action caused him to release her, and she fell on her back on the ground. As she got up, Gill shot another ball of fire at her. Chun Li was knocked aside as Ryu shielded her from the flames. Parts of his karate suit were singed.

"Guess we're even, huh?" Chun Li queried as the two stood up.

Ryu dusted himself off, gazing at her with serious eyes. "I am glad to see you, but I wish you did not come."

Chun Li's eyes dimmed. "Oh. Ken and Sean are…?"

"Unconsious…dead…I don't know…" Ryu responded quietly.

His words may have seemed cold, but she understood. Ryu didn't want her to die. Ryu didn't want her to see him die. She swallowed.

"It's too late for me to turn back now," she replied, bringing her fists up.

"I know."

Gill stood from a distance, examining them. "This is most interesting. I never imagined that I would be fighting you two…"

"There's a first time for everything," Chun Li murmured.

Ryu felt his heartbeat thud in his ears. His heart was pounding. But as she said…it was too late to turn back now. Fight to win or die trying.