SF: A Warrior's Path Ch. 13 - Victory
By Gouki

"Your end is near…"

"Sensei…" was all Ken could manage as he lay on the mattress of his bed. In fact, it was a hotel room he was accommodating, that was until he sorted out his issues with Akuma and the constant images of Gouken’s death that would never stop its constant invasions. Ken’s eyes soon began to close, and it was while Ken stared at the dark scenery created by the shutting of his eyelids that his mind unleashed not only those images, but other recollections of his life before this new saga took place…

Ken during his infant years lived somewhat of a content life with his family. Being the latest of the Masters lineage, the handsome, elegant looks hadn’t passed him as well as the wild blond hair and cool, calm attitude. On some occasions, he could be short tempered but that was only with those who tended to get on his bad side. Other than that, Ken was who you could describe as an normal average kid with a wealthy lifestyle and friendly attitude.

That was, until his father decided to move the family to Japan in order to seal a new business deal.

Forced to leave his friends and happy lifestyle in Seattle, the young Masters grew to form a form of hatred towards Japan. As his mother was Japanese, and his father could speak the language also, Ken was able to pick up a few words. School seemed to be no better for the 7 year old. Getting into trouble and fighting with other students was like a habit for Ken, who wielded an unusual athletic ability for one of his age, and with the knowledge of martial arts from the classes he attended always gave him the advantage over his weak challengers. That was, until one day…

His roughneck attitude and fighting ability quickly earned him a reputation in the school, but at the same time he became arrogant as well as gaining a few enemies. At the same time a new student, a girl in fact by the name of Eliza had been transferred to the same school and with her stunning looks, easily caught the attention of many people, mainly Ken and another student by the name of Shiro.

Known for their "smooth talking" talents, it wasn’t soon enough that Eliza took a liking to both of them and befriended them both. However, Shiro and Ken didn’t share the feeling of friendship with each other. They both liked Eliza, but not each other.

It then became apparent that Eliza favoured Ken, seeing Shiro only as a good friend. Shiro, clearly angry with his rival getting the one thing he desired, gave an open challenge to the American, in a attempt to enhance his reputation for defeating Ken Masters, and perhaps gain the interest of Eliza. Ken who never turned down a challenge, and who wasn’t about to look bad in front of his girlfriend agreed. That one challenge would forever change Ken’s life…

Shiro’s fighting background had surely gained him an advantage over the Masters descendant, but Ken wasn’t one to give up so easily. Knowing that he couldn’t hope to gain momentum by fighting him, Ken used another tactic: His cocky attitude. Using it to hinder Shiro’s focus and skill, the 12 year old soon embraced victory over the Japanese-American student, keeping his reputation and his girl. However, Ken’s utilisation of his fighting skills had been too good and in the end, involuntary beat Shiro in a bad way.

Hearing of this, Ken’s father knew that Ken needed some serious training not to only learn how to control his ability, but to eradicate his aggressive behaviour. An old friend and once a sensei of Ken’s mother, Gouken would accept the request seeing a spirit and determination in the young Master’s eyes. Obviously not taking the news of leaving Eliza light-heartedly, Ken swore to her that he would find her after his training with Gouken and with a kiss the lovers parted…

Ken quickly opened his eyes, unaware that he had drifted off to sleep during his childhood episode. He gave a grin, remembering the promise he made to Eliza. He silently thought to himself if he would’ve gone and searched for her if not for this path that flowed in front of him that he decided to follow. He had of course, intended on leaving the dojo a few days after that final influential phrase Gouken gave to him and Ryu as he prophesised to himself. The thought of Ryu’s name sprung curiosity on where his friend now was, and if like him, he was reaching success within this "Alpha Tournament." Giving a yawn, Ken quickly embarked on the last match he had with a fighter who called himself Birdie. Ken had a good time mocking this pathetic and moronic fighter, though his arrogance almost cost him a loss, especially with those series of sliding headbutts he called by the ridiculous name of "The Birdie." However, Ken’s speed, strength and strategy earned him another victory and with it, more determination to find Akuma and clear up this saga. Unable to fight his weak and tired body’s wish for rest, Ken closed his eyes and allowed his mind to wander into the spirits of his unconsciousness as he went into a deep slumber.

**********

Slow, raspy breaths made their way from Chun Li’s nostrils and bruised mouth as she strengthened her stance as much as she could, hoping to absorb the much needed stamina and fighting spirit. Charlie now looked to finish this fight, clearly intended by the drawing of his right arm back as small yellow waves of energy collected into the enclosed palm. Responding to the Sonic Boom motion, Li immediately summoned forth a Kikoken, her concentration and focus locked completely into the technique. So much so, that she failed to notice the immense amount of chi that was collecting into Charlie’s fist.

Waiting for the bubble of energy to reach him, with a swing of his arm, Charlie unleashed the spiralling energy blade upon the oncoming fireball. Both energy blasts collided and in a small explosion of clashing energies, the chi from each discharge cancelled out the other. However, Li was committed to her first attack and so wasn’t aware in time for the next blades Charlie sent.

With a backfist, leaping roundhouse and uppercut motions, three more energy blasts were consecutively released at Li. Her eyes widened in surprise and fear as they cut through the surrounding air, each one locked directly on its target. She couldn’t risk absorbing the triple surge of energy, in fear of losing this battle. She had to evade it somehow.

Using her legs to leap backward, the soles of her trainers managed to touch something. Something, that when her eyes searched for the source, was a sleek ebony coloured lampost. Using the solid surface of the object, the Wushu Mistress vaulted herself high, sailing over the triple blasts of energy, which soon dissipated into the dry atmosphere. Gyrating her athletic build in a forward somersault, Li gazed down at the crouching form of Charlie and manipulated the forces of gravity, allowing herself to fall swiftly towards him and set up her body in preparation for her assault. Charlie observed the falling Chun Li, his target fall into range of his attack and within a blur of speed, power and motion threw his inner spirit upon Li.

"SOMERSAULT!!" Charlie shouted as his body leapt upward at an amazing velocity and altitude in a backward somersault. Charlie’s legs kicked out in an arc as a blazing trail of energy immediately followed, burning through the air and rushing to meet Chun Li and perhaps end the fight. Which might have done if not for the miscalculation of Charlie’s attack. Charlie had leapt up at the right time, but his opponent had sensed some sort of anti-aerial attack and had positioned herself so that the chi trail missed her by mere inches, during the first frames of Charlie’s Flash Kick. While Charlie had reached the apex of the move, Chun Li was already on the ground, with her eyes closed, and her hands shaped in front of her so they appeared to be holding a spherical object. A small orb of blue energy collected between the small space and was slowly beginning to increase in magnitude. Spinning in a blur of blue lycra and streaming energy, Li thrust out her hands, releasing the sphere of energy she had just manifested.

"KIKOSHOU!!"

Centred around her open palms, a small globe of azure energy appeared and struck with the vulnerable body of Charlie, ribbons of blue chi flowing and swirling around the sphere’s surface. A small vortex surrounded Li and her pulsating orb, trapping Charlie’s body and dragging him further into the attack. Chun Li suddenly opened her eyes and a barrier-like shape emerged from the swirling globe, to which the vortex ended and Charlie’s body was able to soar across and embrace the cold hard asphalt. The ribbons of cerulean energy dissipated, leaving Li’s outstretched palms still facing forward. The Wushu Mistress gave a heavy sigh of relief, as Charlie’s body lay still. A low groan however, rumbled its way from Charlie’s body, clearly stating that the fight wasn’t over. Li’s eyes again assumed their widened poise, for the last time she released her Kikoshou technique, the results had without a doubt, ensured her another victory.

Charlie gave a smile, seeing the oriental fighter’s reaction. "That must’ve been her strongest attack," he silently thought. "Heh heh, victory will be mine and with it, Bison’s demise." Forcing his pain to a far corner of his mind, Charlie stood upright and after taking a few short steps forward, leapt high into the heavens, just as Li did the same.

In a blur of motion, Chun Li’s fist screamed towards Charlie’s chest, who quickly brought up his guard in act of reflex. Li quickly redirected her fist, latching her arm across the First Lt. Commander’s abdomen and a swing of her arm, sent her surprised opponent back down to Earth. Charlie, who hadn’t prepared for an air throw, hit the ground hard. Giving a groan as he kicked himself into a crouching stance, he looked across only to see a hazed image of his opponent as she closed in, her foot drawn back as she prepared to release her Senrestukyaku technique at her momentarily stunned opponent as a final gambit. Or so she thought…

"This ends now, Chun Li…" Charlie thought as he too summoned his chi into his crouched form. A tiny orb of chi quickly appeared in front of Charlie’s arm which was held in front of his face, as if preparing to block the attack but was in fact, the stance he incorporated to carry out his move. Waiting for Li to reach closer to him, Charlie’s lips curled into a smirk as the lingering smell of victory reached his nostrils. Now aware of her mistake, Li couldn’t halt her momentum in time to avoid or block the impact as she neared closer and closer to her defeat. She waited for the pain that without a doubt would soon come.

Charlie launched himself into two identical, but weak Flash Kicks, each one emitting a cry of "Somersault." Pausing for a fraction of a second, Charlie focused his remaining energy into himself, before he unleashed the final stage of his technique.

"JUSTICE!!" Charlie boomed, completing the name and discharge of the "Somersault Justice" attack. Leaping amazingly high, Charlie created a huge trail of yellow energy that crashed into Chun Li three times, totalling in 9 hits on the oriental warrior and signifying a difficult but well-deserved win for the First Lt. Commander. Landing on his feet, Chun Li’s body came soon after, crashing twice on the ground before it lay unmoving. The victorious Charlie slumped down on one knee, exhausted, drained and tired from what just took place. Coughing up immense amounts of blood, Charlie gazed at the bruises and cuts Chun Li had inflicted on him and focused on his next match, and his journey towards Bison. This fight had pushed Charlie to his limits, an indication on just how the next challengers may be and especially Bison himself.

"Soon Bison, you will pay," he muttered. "I guarantee it!"