By EliadS

Ryu is climbing up one of the mountains in the vicinity of the Japanese town of Kyoto. The sun is in the middle of the sky and sweat adorns the vagabond's forehead, the physical hardship and extreme heat making his climbing much more difficult. Several minutes later as he finally beats the rocky terrain.

He reaches the summit of the mountain, which is a large flat platform of rock. He puts down his duffel bag and inhales deeply. He pants and lies on his back. He wipes his forehead tiredly and reaches for his duffel bag. He takes out a bottle of water, and drinks half of it.

Then he rises to a sitting position and moves to sit in an Indian style sitting position. He closes his eyes and slowly calms down his irate breathing. His heart slowly, returns to its normal repetitive pace. He exhales and opens his eyes. Then he rises to a kneeling position and turns to his bag.

“This is an excellent place to train…quiet, secluded and far from prying eyes” He thinks and takes out his fighting gloves. He straps them on tightly and arranges them to sit comfortable on his hand. Then he enters his stance and his legs tense, he prepares to execute a Kata but is cut short by a weird phenomena.

Suddenly the air around him becomes thick, cold shivers assault his spine and his gut feeling warns him of upcoming danger. He concentrates and then senses a strange and evil power all around him; its power is immense, yet disturbingly familiar. "Gouki…” Ryu thinks and his eyes narrow.

Suddenly a huge explosion erupts just a few feet before Ryu. A fireball of purple flames burns brightly. It emanates extreme heat, and the oxygen in the air seems to dwindle rapidly, the flames lick Ryu's skin and make it impossible to remain in his current location. Ryu flips backwards a few feet away, then he enters his stance, his muscles tensing and his mind preparing for battle.

Then the flames change form, they swirl around, slowly turning into the outline of a large man. Then a purple flash erupts, blinding the World warrior and forcing him to close his eyes.

A lone figure remains where the raging flames were only seconds earlier. It is a 6'2 tall man, and its hair is red and spiky. His skin is a dark shade of brown. The man also brandished a black sleeveless Karate Gi, an exact copy of Ryu's but whereas Ryu has a black belt, the figure has a simple common rope.

The man narrows its glowing eyes and looks at Ryu "So...We finally meet again Ryu" the figure also known to many as Akuma says coldly. His voice throbbing with power.

If it were anyone but Ryu, that someone would probably be very frightened at the moment, at the prospect of facing the Raging Demon in combat.

Ryu however simply nods "Yes…indeed it has…I've been looking for you for 10 years Gouki...It’s time we finally settled the score" Ryu states neutrally, his face and voice unreadable.

Akuma stands, silent and calm, unmoving. Then he opens his mouth "You weren't ready for me then Boy, Now you are. Show me your true power Ryu. Stop holding back the Satsu no Hado…and face me like a man" He says coldly while stomping his foot and entering his stance.

As his foot connect with the ground, it shatters the rock beneath it, sending tremor's through the rocky terrain, causing Ryu to shift his weight and balance, to prevent falling over by the ground's quick shaking

Ryu scoffs at Akuma's remark and his eyes show disgust and pity "No! I’m not you Gouki! I won’t falter and descend to your depths! Now prepare yourself for battle!" He says.

Akuma flexes his neck and shoulders "Perhaps I overestimated you Ryu, you seem to be in a hurry to die by holding back your true potential. Perhaps it’s time I showed you the true meaning of power!" Akuma says and lunges forward. Ryu stands still and awaits Akuma's attack.

Ryu doesn’t have to wait for long as Akuma swing his fist towards Ryu's face, Ryu swats the punch aside with his forearm, then he uses his wrist to swat aside another punch. Akuma then sends a fist at his chest. Ryu crosses his arms and blocks the assault. He staggers back against the strength of the Demon’s blow and tries to gain some distance.

"D*mn that hurt…Gouki seems stronger than I remember" Ryu thinks, as one of his forearms hurt slightly where Akuma's fist connected.

Akuma doesn’t let him gain his wanted distance and turns his body sideways while extended his foot, sending his foot in a slashing arc toward Ryu’s face. Ryu ducks and sidesteps quickly, the kick whistling over his head, before throwing a punch of his own. Akuma laughs at his attempt to retaliate and grabs his fist in his open palm.

Ryu goes wide eyed as Akuma pulls back his other fist and then sends it flying forward, crashing into his chin, Ryu's head snaps backward. Akuma then lets go of Ryu’s fist and repeats the action, this time however while ducking to add to the momentum and strength of the blow, Ryu still slightly dazed from the prior attack falls victim to it.

This time Ryu is knocked off his feet and sent into the air, Gravity soon begins pulling him down as he reaches the apex of his “jump”. He then somersaults in midair and lands lightly on his feet. But before he can think twice Akuma dashes towards him again. The demon's speed so great his movements are almost a blur.

Akuma leaps forward and extends his foot trying to hit Ryu with a jump kick, Ryu blocks his attack by crossing his arms. Akuma laughs and kicks off his forearms and flips over him. He descends toward the ground a few feet behind Ryu.

Ryu releases a battle cry and turns around and begins running toward the descending Demon. Just as Akuma lands on his feet Ryu sends his foot forward and it collides against Akuma's abdomen, pushing him back. Akuma groans and steps backward, to gain some distance. Ryu takes advantage of this fact and steps forward, sending his fist at Akuma’s face.

Akuma blocks the attack soundly and then spins around into a backfist motion. Ryu raises his forearm and deflects the blow with his wrist guard. Akuma turn around again while snarling and swings his fist at Ryu's chest. The latter uses his other hand to swat the punch aside before pulling his fist back in order to punch Akuma. Akuma then leaps backwards, somersaulting as his altitude grows, Ryu's fist hits nothing but air and he bites his lower lip gently, cursing his sluggishness.

Ryu senses Akuma's Chi building within him and cups his own hands, knowing what will come next. Akuma meanwhile cups his hands in midair, bringing them to waist level. Akuma's palms are filled with a swirling vortex of purple energy, a purple glow lighting up and reflecting onto his body and face.

As Ryu summons his Chi, Blue wisps of energy surround his palms and a blue glow emits from his hands, the swirls of Chi within his palms beginning to form a growing sphere of energy. His Chi glows bright, reflecting onto him, his eyes fix onto the descending carefully as he holds his ground.

Akuma then growls loudly before extending one of his glowing hands forward, seemingly pushing the Chi forward. A ball of purple Chi is sent flying towards Ryu. The recoil sends Akuma flying backwards into the air, slowly descending toward the ground.

Ryu grins "Taste my Chi Gouki" he thinks and leaps over the sphere, It crashes onto the ground beneath him as he turns around in mid air while moving his palms to his waist. Then he throws his hands forward just as he is slightly under Akuma’s altitude and shouts "Hadouken".

Akuma grunts as the sphere hits him in midair. It slams into this chest with the force of a sledgehammer and throws him off balance, he lands heavily on his back, and then he exhales through his nose and rolls backward before rising to his feet.

“Clever little warrior, aren't you? That won’t save you though, this time you die” Gouki thinks and his neutral facade shifts to amused one.
“You really think that these meager tricks you muster will actually make me fall?” Akuma asks Ryu as the latter lands a few feet in front of him.
“They did last time!” Ryu says and narrows his eyes before approaching Akuma carefully. Akuma snarls and mutter“Fool” under his breath before dashing toward Ryu.

He stops a mere foot's distance from the approaching Ryu and sends a kick towards Ryu chin; Ryu blocks the kick with his right palm, pushing his foe's leg down. Then he quickly spins around and extends his foot.

Ryu’s foot crashes into his Akuma’s ribcage forcefully in a reverse crescent roundhouse kick. Akuma grunts and then his head snaps sideways as Ryu leaps into the air, swinging his other foot and slamming it into the Demon’s Cheek. This time Akuma is forced backwards by the force.

Ryu then steps forward and slams his fist straight into Akuma's jaw. Then he punches his abdomen and tries to grab the demon's Gi. Akuma’s eyes flicker brightly as his anger rises. He swats Ryu’s hands aside and slams both fists into Ryu's chest, forcing him backwards. Ryu grunts and exhales sharply his lungs are forced to spew the air he had just recently inhaled.

Then Akuma punches Ryu twice with an alteration of his fists. One set of knuckles hits the Warrior’s forehead and the other his ribcage, both blows leaving great pain to their respective collision areas. Then Akuma finishes the short barrage by grabbing Ryu 's Gi with his massive hands. The demon shifts his weight against Ryu and proceeds to hurl him over his shoulder.

Ryu is thrown a few feet forward and lands on his back with a loud thud, He quickly shakes his head and rises to his feet, knowing Akuma is an enemy you can’t trust to cut you any slack.

Meanwhile Akuma cups his hands once more and real flames begin surrounding his hands. The tendrils swirl and amass into a huge globe within his hands. And bright flames surround his momentarily. Ryu crouches and his leg muscles tense. Akuma then throws his hands forward and the sphere of fire shoots forward.

Ryu leaps over it in the last possible second and soars toward Akuma. Ryu then sends his foot crashing into Akuma’s nose. Akuma reels backwards. Then as Ryu tries to punch him while he is still descending, Akuma hmphs and deflects his attack by lifting his forearm, Ryu's fist blocked against his arm.

He then quickly ducks and his fist shakes with the force of the Chi. Ryu lands and curses trying to sidestep, but he's too late. Akuma leaps into a Shoryuken, Ryu’s chin is greeted by Akuma’s rising fist and Ryu is sent flying backwards.

He lands on his back and grunts. Akuma leaps up again and tries to stomp his head as he descends. Ryu rolls aside. Then he balances himself on his hands and spins around while extending his leg to execute a sweep kick, Akuma leaps over it and flips backwards landing on his hands and doing a half somersault to his feet.

Ryu dashes forward and throws a kick. Akuma, tired of playing, catches his foot and swats it aside, then he steps forward and grabs Ryu’s neck, his massive hand clasping around the warrior’s neck and beginning to squeeze the life out of him.

"Now it’s time to die" Akuma says and enhances the pressure while picking up Ryu, holding him in midair easily. Ryu tries to break the hold but can’t as Akuma's superior physical strength prevents him from doing so. He begins choking but doesn't give up and decides to try something.

"I…don't think so…Demon" Ryu stammers while choking and shifts his weight backwards, then he swings forward and sends both feet slamming into the Demon’s upper torso. Akuma is forced to release the death grip and is pushed back.

Ryu then lands heavily on his feet and coughs, exhaling deeply in the great need of Oxygen. Akuma blindly pushes forward, enraged by Ryu's escape, intending to plow through Ryu with a powerful charging kick.

"Tatsumakisinpuukayku" Ryu mutters while coughing as he leaps diagonally upwards and slams his foot repeatedly into Akuma's face with the mighty hurricane kicks. Akuma reels again and again as every kick collides with his face, pushing him backwards and bruising his features.

The final kick is so powerful it manages to send the demon spinning and pummeling to the ground. Akuma then balances himself on his hands and growls angrily and leaps to his feet while channeling his Chi. "So you want to play little warrior? Well It's my turn now" Akuma thinks as he approaches.

As Ryu lands He hears Akuma shout "Messatsu...Gou Shoryu!” Ryu braces himself before being greeted by Akuma's rising fist. This time however his fist is engulfed in bright wisps of purple Chi. The burning fist collides first with his gut, Thus pushing him backwards.

Then as Akuma lands his muscles tense and leaps upwards again nailing his chest this time, burning the skin and Gi in the process. Finally Akuma lands once more and growls loudly and his fist bursts into brighter flames as he brings his fist into collision with Ryu’s Chin,

Ryu cries out in pain and forces himself to somersault forward and lands on his feet, then he collapses to his knees. He gulps and pants pain erupting within his chest, which is now left cut and bleeding. His eyes widen and he rolls to his right side, avoiding a charging Akuma.

Akuma misses Ryu by a narrow inch and leaps into the air and tries to hit Ryu with a spinning aerial jump kick. Ryu rolls to his feet, he absorbs the kick, which hits his abdomen and is pushed back as Akuma kicks off his body, only sheer will power keeps Ryu from falling back.

Then he inhales deeply and summons his Chi while muttering "Shinkuu...” His hands start glowing in Intense blue light, as large wisps of Chi swirled within his hands and begin pulsing with bright energy. The light is so bright and blinding, Ryu is forced to narrow his eyes to very small slits.

Akuma senses the power build up and knows he can’t avoid the dreaded move now. Yet he tries to hit Ryu with a Purple Gou Zenkuu anyway. Ryu’s hands shake under the raging power amassing within his palms. He then throws his hands forward and shouts on the top of his lungs"...HADOUKEN!”

His cry echoes through the mountains and a huge blue flash erupts. A huge beam of Chi is sent aiming itself forward and collides with Akuma's Chest. Akuma is knocked off his feet alit in blue flames, the force throws him back, gliding across the terrain before landing on his back 10 feet away.

Akuma coughs and rises to his feet, His chest, now scorched severely and bleeding furiously. He ignores the pain and urges of his body to cease this fighting. His eyes fix forward toward his target. He bares his sharp teeth and growls.

"Pain is an illusion, I am beyond pain! I will conquer pain and bring death to my foe; I shall not be broken! Not by this little Boy!" Akuma thinks as he leaps forward and lands a foot's distance before Ryu.

He swings his right fist toward Ryu’s nose. Ryu dodges and deflects a follow up punch with his forearm. Ryu then tries to kick Akuma's gut, but Akuma blocks it by lifting his knee, he then stomps his foot onto the ground, causing a powerful tremor to shakes the earth beneath him.

Ryu loses his balance for a second and Akuma smirks. Ryu then falls victim to a powerful elbow slam. The elbow sinks deep into Ryu’s abdomen before Akuma leaps upwards. He hits Ryu’s nose with his knee, then flips around and slams his foot straight into Ryu's forehead, sending the warrior flying backwards.

Ryu lands on his front side, and rises to his feet tiredly, slower than before but still quickly in his current wounded state. He coughs and spits blood and looks at Akuma before cursing under his breath Akuma then nails him with a Gou Hado. Ryu is forced back again, this time by the walloping force of the mighty projectile.

He rises to his feet tiredly and feels his feet shake and his vision blur momentarily. Ryu blinks and Akuma is gone. He raises both eyebrows and looks for Akuma frantically. Akuma then materializes in front of him and steps forward.

The Demonic one then slams a powerful hook punch to Ryu's right cheek, Ryu's head snapped sideways and before he can think twice Akuma forces his foot into Ryu's other Cheek in the opposite direction.

By now Ryu is too weak and he loses his footing, crashing to the ground heavily. Ryu tries to rise to his feet but Akuma kicks his ribcage with such force, Ryu feels as if his stomach leaps up and is stuck in his throat.

Ryu rolto his side, coughing. Akuma looms over him, his eyes full of satisfaction and perverted joy. Ryu looks up at him his eyes reflecting his hatred and disgust toward the Demon. Akuma hmphs and kicks his face and Ryu’s glare is cut.

"You stupid little boy. You actually thought you beat me, didn't you? Now you will die like that weakling brother of mine did before you. And just for you, with you gone, Ken is the strongest warrior and after him, Chunli" Akuma says and stomps Ryu's back, while narrowing his red eyes.

At this remark Ryu feels his anger grow beyond his control. He felt his Chi rage and burst into Life, but not his normal life force, something else, something that he had suppressed and pushed down for years, a force that is only known as Satsu no Hado.

"Must stay in control...Can't submit to it now…A warrior…mustn’t…fight…to kill…" Ryu thinks as he feels a deep and suppressed anger toward the demon rise, his protective instincts at the threat of his friend's demise, fuel his anger even more. The Darkness slowly consuming his soul with it's power and intensity.

Akuma picks Ryu up by the neck and smiles, his sharp teeth gleaming evilly “That's it Ryu…use it…kill me…stop holding back!” He bellows, spraying Ryu with a shower of spit.

Ryu cries out and throw his head back as his eyes are filled with unholy red fire. He feels all the blood in his body boil and his muscles throb in pain. ”Nooo! I am…not him…I can’t turn into…his reflection…” Ryu thinks and pushes down the pain and anger.

The sensation slowly fades away, and Ryu's eyes, return to their former brown color. Ryu then lifts his head and looks deep into Akuma's red eyes. Then he swallows and opens his mouth again.

“I…won’t submit Gouki…I rather die…then become a fool…like you!” Ryu mutters and spits in Akuma’s face, his face twisting with cold contempt and disgust.

“Hmph…Suit yourself fool…farewell you impudent pest…send my regards to Gouken” Akuma says and smirks, then his facade shifts to a calm and concentrated one.

"Shun..." Akuma speaks loudly, his voice booming.

Ryu feels as if time stops. “Is this the end? I…I can’t afford to lose…still got…too much to do…Sensei…Ken…Chunli…Can’t lose…now!” He thinks and tries a move he's never tried on anyone before, a move so powerful, it is even thought to be equal to the Instant hell murder.

Ryu summons all his available Chi and focuses it into his fist "Shin..." He whispers weakly. Akuma is oblivious to the fact and is sure of his victory, His pride clouding his judgement. Ryu’s fist shakes and bursts into blue fire. Akuma raises his fist "Goku..." He says louder than before.

Akuma's fist glows in Purple, and was surrounded by wisps of Dark Chi. Then as if in slow motion, Akuma's fist flies toward Ryu’s abdomen. But before it can connect though Ryu's body bursts into violent blue flames, his eyes flickering in white.

"SHORYUKEN!" He shouts and his chi flows out of him in powerful waves. The scream surprises an over-confident and makes him stop his murderous onslaught.

Ryu's fist seared through his skin, three times. The first slams into his abdomen, the second slashes across his chest and the last one, rises from abdomen to face. Each blow burns Akuma’s skin. The final is so powerful it burns a wound from cheek to eye.

Ryu’s so determined to survive he pours his entire soul into the attack. The technique is so powerful it burns through Akuma's left Eye, destroying completely and beyond repair in a spray of blood, followed by an anguished cry of pain.

Akuma cries of pain echo through the fresh mountain air, the mountains making it booming. So loud that some parts of the mountain begin collapsing in avalanches. Akuma is then sent flying backward, engulfed in blue flames that burn his skin and Gi alike.

Ryu lands on his feet and stands straight, gazing at his fallen foe with shock. He then looks at his right fist, his eyes wide. His knuckles and wrist guard are smeared with blood, Akuma's dark blood. "I…I…did it…I executed the ultimate…ultimate technique…"he thinks before a wave of weakness consumes him.

He groans and coughs, the adrenaline rush ends and his body now leave him weak and tired. He then holds his chest and collapses to his knees. He closes his eyes tightly, as they burn and itch greatly. He hears the rocks move, and forces himself to open his eyes, his vision now a blurry haze.

Akuma tiredly rises to a kneeling position and moves his hands to cover his face, crimson flows in between his large and dark skinned fingers. He feels the warm liquid against his skin and pulls his hands away, he gazes at them, his face the mask of shock, before turning to a reflection of wild fury.

"My vision…I can only see with one eye, why can't I see with my other eye?" Akuma thinks and then realizes what has just occurred, he moves his index finger and experimentally touches his left eye. Immediately he winces greatly as pain flows into him.

"He…he's scarred me! The little b*st*rd scarred me! I…I'll kill him!" He thinks and tries to get up. He grunts and his muscles tense, yet his limbs refuses to comply to his mind, the weakness from wounds and loss of blood too much on even his mighty body.

He coughs “This…this…isn’t over Ryu…I’ll make you pay for this…next time…you won't…win!” He mutters before shouting the final word, then he inhales deeply before intense red flames surround his body, tickling his skin, the tendrils dancing around his limbs like snakes.

Then he fades away slowly until a red explosion erupts as he vanishes, sending a shock wave across the summit. Ryu is knocked back by the wave and lands on his back heavily. He pants and tries to get up, yet his limbs as well, refuses to submit to his mind's wishes.

"No! Come back…you coward!" Ryu shouts angrily into the air, his muscles tensing as he squirms to get back to his feet. The pain grows in his chest cavity, and his breathing is labored. Then a minute later, he gives up, feeling the demon's presence vanish.

"Damn you Gouki...I'm not finished yet,” Ryu thinks and sighs before he is consumed by his exhaustion.

Ryu wakes up from his dream “Gouki!” He shouts and his eyes open widely.

He then realizes he fell asleep after his meditation, his body more wounded then he first thought. He rises to his feet and feels refreshed. It is now mid-afternoon. He looks down at himself and smiles. His wounds are looking much better but are still far from healed.

He sighs "I wonder how the others are? It’s been ages,” Ryu thinks.

Then he smacked his forehead shakes his head "How could I forget? I must see her immediately. Ok, I presume two scenarios. One: she's gonna be extremely disappointed, 2: She’s gonna wound me a lot worse than Gouki could ever try to " Ryu thinks and rushes to pack some of his belongings.

He knows he had a long journey ahead of him, and sighs at the thought.