Story of the Dragon Ch. 6
By Eliad Sholomovich

HONG KONG CHINA

Chun li and Ryu left the hospital the next morning. Ryu hadn't told her how he recieved his wounds. Despite Chun li's persistant questioning he assured her that when the time was right he would tell her. She knew he wouldn't tell her yet because if he wanted to, he could be just as stubborn as her. So she decided to let the subject rest for now and enjoy Ryu's Company. Ryu's left shoulder was casted so he knew that if they were attacked he would have to count on his feet.

When they arrived at Chun li's apartment the floor and couch was stained with dried blood so was the carpet. Ryu scrached his head in embarrassment "I apologize for ruining your apartment" she giggled " Don't worry about it. I'm used to changing my furniture every time you visit" she teased him. He didn't take the remark as she expected instead he lowered his gaze in guilt and sighed "I guess I cause nothing but trouble". She slapped him on the back of the head " hey" he protested while rubbing his head "what was that for?". She gave him a serious look "don't you dare speak such nonsence again, you saved the world from Bison while avenging my father you .saved me and our friends countless times and you still think you're nothing but trouble. Well listen up buster you better switch your attitude or else I will, you get my drift". Ryu nodded "I didn't know people respected me so much for beating Bison I beat him with such force for only one reason. My promise to you during the second tournament". Chun li thought to herself "Wow he went against Bison power and minions for me ". She had always had feelings for Ryu but the last statement only strengthened them more. They continued to talk for a few minutes when the phone rang. Chun li picked it up "Hello. Yes this is Chun li. Oh, hi Cammy how are you?. yeah ,I'm fine. Really? you're coming to Hong Kong next week. O.k I'll wait for you flight 223 from N.Y. Bye" .She hung the phone. Ryu looked puzzeled " Who was that Chun li?" .She was about to answer when the phone rang again. She picked it up again "Hello, Oh ,yes boss, I'm sorry sir. I'll be there right away. goodbye sir" She hung the phone and ran into a nearby room closed the door. Ryu was confused but was patient enough to wait for her to answer him. A few minutes later she came out of the room in a business suit she quickly opened the fridge drank a glass of orange juice "I have to go to work Ryu , so I'll be back late at night so please feel at home. Oh, and if you want to train DON'T!! do it in the house. If you want to train go upstairs you can train on the rooftop. see ya later" . She then left the house in a dash. Ryu stood there for a minute "well I guess the rooftop's better than not training at all" he left the apartment and closed the door. he climbed the stairs and entered the roof. He started to train bet quickly found out he couldn't execute any serious move without his right arm and hand. so instead he began to meditate and again channel the chi. He wound wouldn't heal right away but If he did this technique for 3 hours in every morning and evening he persumed his arm and shoulder whould heal by next week.

A DARK UNDERGROUND CAVE IN THE HIMILAYAS

A figure was sitting on a throne surrounded by ancient statues and carvings. behind the throne lay another cave full of ancient artifacts of priceless worth. the figure was shrouded in shadows but its eyes glew in sapphire green Shadowbane had always liked the darkness. Even thougth light didn't harm him he enjoyed being hidden and mysterious. There was a time where he would have walked in the sun to bring presents for his family. But now he knew nothing but pain and sorrow. Shadowbane was not humanfor a very long time he was a very old and powerful vampire .Now he wasn't even that anymore he had already mutated over the centuries. He was a little older than 2 million and he wasn't native to earth. Shadowbane was a nomadic being moving from dimension to dimension learning and growing more powerful every journey. He would never have done such acts of evil in the past. But the pain of his loss still burned bright in his heart. He still remembered the day he left his house to bring some jewels for his wife on her birthday when he returned he saw his underground cavern a mess with signs of a fight, He ran to his child's room only to see a human holding a silver sword in hand and beneath him lay the bodies of his wife and child. Shadowbane caught the human by the neck and slammed him with godlike strength on the wall.The hunter knew Shadowbane was evolved beyond his brethren while They were vulnruble to silver, sunlight,water while he was immune due to his heritage as desendent to the lord of darkness the infamous Kain of Nosgoth (from legacy of kain blood omen and legacy of kain 2 soul reaver) so he didn't even fight instead before death he mumbeled "I'm glad I slayed those two monsters 2 less bloodsucking demons for us humans to destroy". He had married his wife 2,000,000 years ago on his native dimesion called Delcrator when he was still quite young.He furious at the mortal's remark and because of it From that day on he pledged to destroy the lives of the human race on every dimension he would find them. He used a illusion spell to fool the mortals into thinking he is mearly a powerful human like Bison or Akuma. Know he waited on his throne for his scouts to report on the Ryu situation.

A WEEK LATER

Akuma and Bison were waiting in a back alley next to the H.K airport. Thet had been secretly been following Ryu and Chun li for the past week. Shadowbane ordered them to wear some strange skull ring. He claimed that it would mask their Chi. They didn't understand why Shadowbane was so secretive but didn't want to angry the powerful being at leaset not yet. Akuma pointed forward two figures one male the other female entered the airport both were identified as Ryu and Chun li. Bison whispered to Akuma "We need to follow them and see what their up to" Akuma nodded and they waited silently in the shadows for the couple to enter the airport.both of them were disquised cleverly in the garbs of a monk with a hood that consealed their faces. Ryu and Chun li had been together the entire week talking, going on long walks and were now going to the airport to meet their old friends. Chun li had been told by Cammy not to tell a word of the Current situation about the mystery organization to Ryu. because she knew Ryu was being tailed because of Bison and Akuma. They would have to tell him when the time was right. Ryu was anxious to see his friends again it had been a year since he had seen any of them .They waited near gate 5b where plane 223 from N.Y's passengers were streaming out. Ryu was thinking about the ambush that happened a mere week ago . "I wonder who those ninja's were. They weren't Bushin that's for sure". Ryu that he was lucky they underestimated him at first and thanked God for his luck. His line of thought was interupted by the sight of his friends. He waved to them and they began to approach. he flexed his aching left arm. He wasn't wearing the cast anymore because his arm had healed. His hand had healed but still hurt . The week he promised Chun Li was over but in a way he wished it didn't, he had become attached to the chinese woman during the week and was a bit sad for he knew that soon he would have to leave China and restart the search for Akuma. Little did Ryu know that Akuma was right here so close to him. When Cammy,Guile,Ken,Guy, and Dan arrived he greeted them with hugs and words of greeting.

Akuma spotted the other street fighters. "Bison , look other street fighters have arrived". Bison operated his communicator. A dark screen greated him he was already accustumed to his new "master's" shadowy behavior.

"Master we have just spotted the arrival of some street fighters should we still engage the target anyway?" Shadowbane's voice answered them "I'm sending a portal to the men's room enter it and return to base. These new fighters presence wasn't planned it's too risky to try anything now". Both Akuma and Bison entered the men's room and checked that no one was there they told Shadowbane the coast was clear and a glowing blue portal appeared a few feet in front of them they entered and vanished exactly when Ken entered the room.A few minutes later they were out of the airport and they were all talking about what new things happened since the last time they met and all. Ken's son Mel was getting stronger in his shotokan training, Dan's dojo was a success, Guile told them of his promotion offer.Guy told them that he finally was able to arrest Rolento and Sodom a few months back.Apparently both Chun li and Cammy got promoted. All this time Ryu was silent but no really noticed because he wasn't the talkative type. But they stopped talking when Ryu told them he was ambushed by the ninjas a week ago. "whats wrong he asked?" they remained silent for a few seconds and continued to talk about gossip and stuff. Ryu was getting upset he now knew they were hiding something when he heard they were all coming together. He was suspicious because he knew such occasions happen rarely and never for no reason. he decided its time he made them tell him. He stopped walking and instead turned around and started walking the opposite direction. The rest of the group turned as well and stopped him "And where do you think you're going buddy" Ken said. Ryu answered quietly "Back to Japan unless you tell me what you're hiding from me". Ken looked at Cammy. She sighed "You win, I didn't think you're taht perceptive Ryu.Listen O.K luv I swear we will tell you soon ". Ryu seemed satisfied with the answer and continued walking with them towards midtown Hong Kong.