Hero of Heroes Ch. 23 - Trust Your Heart
By Night

She looked down at him as he regained his lost breath. He looked back... seeing that worried face he had seen many times before... it was definitely her. Ch... Chun-Li... don't look at me like that... He didn't want her to see him like this... cold, wet, and helpless... yet, he felt his body begin to warm as he looked into those gentle coffee brown eyes... There was a very long silence... and the woman finally opened her lips...

"Ryu... are you okay...?" she finally asked... Her breath was ragged... the journey was a long one... and she had never run that fast ever in her life...

He nodded slowly in reply... but he also had so many questions of his own... and Chun-Li seemed to know exactly what they were.

"I came here for you..." she continued... slowly kneeling in front him... taking his wet hand into hers and placing it on her knee.

"I... but... wh-why..." Her hand felt so warm... Ryu reflexively moved his other hand over her hand... and she did the same in return...

Chun-Li slowly moved her face forward... slowly kissing him ever so gently on the forehead... "Because I need to be with you... by your side..."

"B-but... y-you..." His voice trembled...

"I know..." she interrupted, "I know there is danger... but you coming back to me... is against all odds. I would rather fight... and die with you... rather than live the rest of my life alone... I love you, Ryu..."

"Ch... Chun-Li..." Ryu's heart was racing... even in the cold darkness, his body was already feeling so warm inside... Her face began to move closer... to meet her lips with his own... and he closed his eyes...

"ENOUGH," a deep voice interrupted.

Startled, both turned their heads to face the demon who had been standing there for some time...

"Ah... it appears we have a hero. My favorite."

Chun-Li narrowed her eyes and clenched her teeth. She let go of Ryu's hands, and slowly stood up... As the wind blew, her hair was tossed... as well as the bow of the red bandanna tying it back... "Don't you _DARE_ interrupt a woman about to kiss the man she loves...!"

"Hmph. And it also appears... that we have found what has made Ryu so weak."

She growled in hostility... "If you're going to destroy him... then destroy me too!"

"Hmmm..." Shin Akuma studied her... "I vaguely remember you... you were a part of the second tournament... and now it seems that young Ryu here, has taken an interest in you. Back then, your skills did not interest me, but now you seemed to have... improved!"

"I have improved, for the better..."

"Yesssss... you were able to attack me relatively undetected..." The demon chuckled as he continued to examine her, head to toe... "Your power is quite different... and its limits are what interest me! Let us see how far they reach!"

"Yes, let's!" Chun-Li grinned, stepping into battle stance... but soon after, she felt a small tug at her arm...

"Chun... don't..." Ryu tried hold her back... "Please... his power... it's-"

"Shhhhh..." She put a finger on his mouth to silence him... putting another hand on his shoulder, she continued, "You're hurt... please rest..."

"Ch-Chun-Li..." Ryu's body was too fatigued to stop her physically... and she stood up to face the demon... her body suddenly bursting in a pure blue, whirling cyclone of energy, causing her hair and uniform to flow in the currents of power...

"I've lost the most important man in my life before... I'm not going to let it happen again... not without fighting!"

"Well then... enough talking. FIGHT!" Tightening his rope belt, and stomping his foot to the ground, Shin Akuma stood ready, bursting with a flame of pure energy.

Running forward, Chun-Li initiated the battle... jumping into the air and extending her legs into a flying kick straight in the demon's direction. "YAHHHHH!"

In a flash, he disappeared from his position... but Chun-Li could feel the instantaneous movement of his evil energy... and knew exactly where he was. After landing from her assault, she forcefully propelled her leg behind her... kicking what seemed to be air... but actually connecting with the demon, causing him to reappear from his teleportation!

Shin Akuma grunted, falling down from the blow, and in the distance, Ryu watched with wide eyes. As the dark warrior stood, dusting himself off he chuckled. "Interesting. Most interesting. Already... you show more power than even Ryu... show me more!" The demon charged, flailing his arms wildly into a flurry of punches towards her...

Chun-Li was able to block... but her opponent was attacking so fast that she could find no opening for a retaliatory strike... She was forced to move backwards... deeper into the forest... she just hoped that she would be able to find an opening before she ran out of room...

Back at the shore... Ryu watched helplessly with a worried look in his face... No... she'll get hurt... that... that should be ME fighting! This is my fight... not hers... He tried stand... staggering up to his feet... but unable to walk for more than a few steps... Chun-Li... please... try to hold on... I'll be there... I'll be there...

***

God... there must be somewhere I could...

Deep in the forest... Shin Akuma continued to unleash his seemingly endless barrage of punches and kicks at Chun-Li, barely giving her any room to breathe. She was growing tired of defending... she needed to attack! The more she backed up defending, the more her guard began to wear down...

The demon smiled, knowing her guard would break soon... and he continued to advance... "IS THIS REALLY ALL YOU HAVE???"

Chun-Li clenched her teeth as she blocked attack after attack... she couldn't keep this up forever. One punch came straight for her face... and as she blocked, she moved to her head back and to the side to avoid being impaled by the pointed spike of her bracelet... But from this view... she saw that in the distance was a tree...

Her opponent didn't stop... he continued to press onward... and she kept moving back... Only a few more steps...

"YOU CANNOT KEEP THIS UP, MY WARRIORESS!" the demon roared. He increased the power in his attacks... hoping to finally crush through her guard... but as he lunged forward with a heavy body punch, he missed completely... Chun-Li had backflipped right towards the tree behind her... Jumping up, she planted her feet against the trunk... using it to thrust her body forward into a powerful flying side kick...

Caught completely off guard, Shin Akuma soon found his opponent's boot slam into his face, sending him to the ground.

The Chinese warrior landed, breathing heavily, her arms stretched out at her sides... her blue aura of energy glowing around her... As her hot breath connected with the cool air, she created small clouds of mist. It was cold... but with her adrenaline rushing through her, her body disregarded it... completely focused on combat.

Grunting... the demon did not hesitate... and immediately catapulted himself forward. Chun-Li was ready... she blocked an incoming punch to her body, and followed up with a body punch of her own... but Shin Akuma was able to anticipate... catching her forearm. The demon stepped forward... getting close... very close.

I... I can't break his- Her thoughts were interrupted as she suddenly felt her opponent smash his forehead into her own, causing her to yell in pain...

"EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY SEEM TO BE POWERFUL..." Jerking his head forward, he smashed into Chun-Li's head a second time... "DO YOU HONESTLY THINK..." ...a third time... "THAT YOU COULD DEFEAT THE PURE DARK ARTS OF SHOTOKAN???" Reeling his head back... and driving forward with tremendous force... the fourth and final head-butt sent Chun-Li to the ground...

Her vision was blurry... N-no...! I REFUSE to lose!!! ...As she headed to the ground... she placed her palm flatly against the soft grass... and extended both legs forward as powerfully as she could... striking the demon in the chest with both feet, sending him staggering backwards. Taking this chance, she stood up immediately... but her head was in pain... and her vision was still blurry... Mustn't stop...

The demon was still vulnerable to attack... and Chun-Li shook off the effects of her dizziness... running forward, screaming in a battle cry. Her attack came, delivering a side kick. Shin Akuma was barely able to swat it away... but in one fluid motion... Chun-Li brought her arm over... swinging it into a backhand punch... piercing two of the spikes on her bracelet deep into his chest.

Shin Akuma roared out in pain...

"HOUYOKU SEN!!!" Removing her bracelet from his chest... Chun-Li brought her leg around, striking the demon in head, chest and midsection over and over... and she stepped forward... doing the exact same attack with her other leg. "YAHHHHHH!!!" She yelled out, as she finally ended her move... using her other leg to kick straight up, right against Shin Akuma's jaw, causing him to lift off the ground... and crash back down on his back.

She didn't stop. Her vision was clear... she could see perfectly... and now was the perfect time to end the battle. Jumping into air, Chun-Li did a complete flip... and positioned her heel downward... The finishing blow!

Victory was near... and as she came crashing down... the grounded dark warrior propped his feet up... positioning them so that they'd match perfectly with the woman's feet... and as she landed, her two feet connected with the demon's... and he straightened his legs, pushing her back up into the air.

Chun-Li gasped. The sudden uplift startled her a bit... but as she flew through the air... she felt as if she were flying... and she spread her arms out like an eagle... twirling gracefully in the air until she was re-positioned as she was before... ready to re-land the final strike.

But the demon was gone. His evil aura disappeared from underneath her... and she could feel it instantly moving... right beside her. She tried to quickly retaliate... but it was too late. Shin Akuma reappeared... reaching his hand forward, clutching her neck.

As he hovered in air, blood flowed freely from the stab wounds on his chest, soaking his large bead necklace. He grunted in disappointment. "Such a predictable move. And I thought that maybe your power had potential." The demon looked the woman over... "New packaging, same product."

The hand around Chun-Li's neck began to tighten... and she did her best to breathe as she began to channel her inner energy throughout her body... channeling it right into her palms... I'm... not finished... yet...!

With the last of her breath, she moved her hands towards her chest... facing them forward... and a small sphere of energy began to form...

Shin Akuma could feel the energy build up... and as he looked down... he realized it was too late...

The sphere instantly expanded tenfold... exploding from her palms... engulfing both her and the demon in a huge globe of pure energy...

The demonic one was forced to let go, and the explosion propelled him a good distance away from Chun-Li. "YOU...!" he yelled, catching his breath.

Floating in the air, surrounded by her blazing blue aura, the woman grinned.

That was the first taste of pure energy the demon had felt from the woman. It was brought out from nearly killing her... and perhaps if he attempted again... he could see more! Shin Akuma evilly grinned to himself... and within a split second he brought his hands back to his hips... and protruded them forward... releasing a huge beam of raw energy.

Wh-what...? Chun-Li had little time to think... and she put her hands out in front of her... channeling them with energy to try to repel the incoming beam as it met with her palms...

The sound of pure energy clashing against each other crackled throughout the terrain... The woman was able to use her own energy to nullify the attacking beam, but she didn't know how long she could hold on... It seemed almost too much for her... and she could almost feel herself succumbing... but thankfully... the power dwindled down... and, Chun-Li, relieved that she was able to hold off against the attack, nearly collapsed in the air. But her period relief was short... she could feel the demon instantly moving up from behind her... and she was too fatigued to retaliate... N-no...!!!

Shin Akuma placed both hands together, raising them above his head... and slammed them against the woman's back with a powerful hammer punch, sending her earthbound...

She screamed... Heading towards to earth, she closed her eyes and prepared for impact... but instead of hitting the ground... she felt herself abruptly stop... and safely changing direction to the side... as if someone had leaped out, and grabbed her... She could hear the sound of two feet landing on the ground... and behind her back... underneath her knees... she could feel two strong arms holding her. Opening her eyes... she looked up... and saw a man with fierce determination on his face... looking at the sky above.

"ENOUGH, DEMON!!! Enough testing her! It is ME you want!!! Not her!!!"

"R-Ryu..."

The young warrior lowered the woman he was carrying back onto her feet, and continued to look back into the sky.

"I am no longer interested in you!" Shin Akuma hollered, "You've shown me NOTHING! At least, SHE has potential!"

"It matters not!" Ryu retorted, "As long as I live and breathe... I will still FIGHT YOU!!!"

The demon clenched his teeth... roaring down at his brother's student... and dived down toward his position, fist first.

Ryu and Chun-Li both jumped out of harm's way in opposite directions, avoiding the impact. As Shin Akuma crashed into the earth, Ryu took the opportunity and rushed forward to attack.

"SHOSHI!" From his kneeling position, Shin Akuma leapt straight up, spinning in the air with his leg extended, swatting the charging Ryu away.

"RYU!!!" Chun-Li screamed as she watched her warrior get flying towards the ground. She noticed that the demon was still in the air from his spin kick... and she dash forward... launching herself into a flying side kick that nailed the body out of the air and to the ground.

Ryu was already back on his knees, and Chun-Li immediately ran towards him. "Ryu... concentrate on the moment... feel... don't think. Use your instincts... and most importantly... trust your heart!!!"

Nodding, the young warrior got back up... and together with Chun-Li... they ran forward to the fallen demon.

Chun-Li struck first with a body punch, but Shin Akuma was able to recover just in time to block it. She followed up with more attacks, and the demon was able to block... but he soon saw Ryu coming to join her. With a grunt, Shin Akuma blocked another strike from Chun-Li, and turned his attention to Ryu, stepping forward into his horse stance... delivering a side punch right in Ryu's chest...

The young warrior flew back once again... he was still not fully functional... his body was still hindered and fatigued... but his efforts were effective...

Shin Akuma was open, and that was all Chun-Li needed... She attacked from behind, striking him in the back with a side kick. She immediately followed a punch in the small of his back, and stepped forward... launcher herself towards the sky... taking the demon with her in a barrage of kicks... "TENSHO KYAKU!!!" The demonic warrior was juggled in multiple kicks... and Chun-Li twirled her body upside-down in mid-air... going into a splits... "SPINNING BIRD KICK!!!"

Ryu looked up in the sky, smiling... Chun-Li... He watched as the woman he loved juggled the demon with an endless series of her trademark kicks. But his own body wasn't doing so well... he had put up a hard fight... being beaten by Akuma... the exhaustion from running down the mountain... and the horrendous battle with the sea, struggling to get back on shore... the battle was nearly over for him... but as he saw the demon falling, he fought to get back onto his feet.

Chun-Li landed on the ground gracefully shortly after Shin Akuma landed on his back with a thud. "I will never give up! I will fight to the bitter end!"

The demon chuckled, wiping blood from his mouth as he stood... "Heh heh heh heh heh... and what makes you think you can prevail, my warrior?"

"..." She stood silent, but with an angry, determined look on her face...

"There... is NO WAY you can win! For I know your weaknesses..." His arm outstretched forward... and his palm opened... beginning to channel his inner energy into it...

The woman stared right into the demon's eyes... ready to retaliate to the energy attack coming...

More and more energy collected... and the whirring sound increased...

Give me your best shot...

But the blast didn't come in her direction. Shin Akuma moved his arm... and fired his large red sphere of accumulated energy straight at the staggering man at his side...

"RYUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!" She didn't even need to think. Her heart and instincts instantly made her catapult herself forward... and she dashed for him...

Ryu saw the blast coming... but his body was too weak to move... and he could only cross his arms into an "X" to try to absorb as much of it as possible... He prepared for the worst... but he felt his body suddenly become pushed to the side, forcing him to the ground... and soon after... he heard an explosion... followed by a scream.

She flew back... way back. And when she landed... she didn't get back up...

"CHUN-LI!!!!!!" Ryu felt a sharp pain shoot right through his heart, causing him to scream out her name. Right before him... in less than a few seconds... all seemed lost. The woman he finally came to love was down... and he himself had almost no power left within him... what could he do to stop this evil monster? And to finally have revenge for his master? Concentrate on the moment, Ryu... It was her voice... back in his head... telling him what she told him earlier... Feel, Ryu... don't think... feel... use... your instincts... Ryu closed his eyes... remembering every word she said to him... Trust... your heart... His eyes opened... and he looked at her fallen body... He could feel his hands clenching into fists... he could feel his legs move... and he could feel all fatigue in his body vanishing. He was not going to let anymore happen. At all. In that instant... he felt something spark inside him...

Shin Akuma walked forward with a serious look on his demonic face... Walking past what he thought to be a helpless Ryu, he approached the fallen body of Chun-Li. "YOUR SENTIMENT... WHY HAVE YOU LET THAT WEAKEN YOU???"

The woman could barely get up... but she was able to lift her head a bit to answer, "B-because... unlike you... I fight... from the deep recesses of my HEART! Not my anger!"

"I saw potential in you, my warrior... but it is this same weakness Ryu possess... which makes you worthless!" Standing near her... the demon revealed his palm once again... Swirling with energy... another red sphere was being summoned... "WHAT KIND WARRIOR THAT FIGHTS WITH HEART?"

Chun-Li trembled a bit and closed her eyes... waiting for the final blow...

When more than enough energy was accumulated... the sphere launched from his hand... and when Chun-Li prepared for destruction... she heard another blast come from the side... colliding against the incoming fireball, safely deflecting its trajectory, causing it to miss her completely.

In shock, both Chun-Li and Shin Akuma looked at where the blast came from... and saw Ryu on his feet... his arm stretched out with an open hand... Slowly, he walked forward, looking at the demon with a new, fierce determination in his eyes. When he got close enough... he opened his mouth to answer the question. "A true warrior."

The demon sniveled... growling though his clenched, razor sharp teeth... "I... SHALL GIVE YOU EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE GIVEN MY BROTHER AND MASTER!!!"

Ryu looked at his opponent straight in eye, completely unintimidated.

"SHUN... GOKU... SATSU!!!" Taking in as much dark power as he could... Shin Akuma burst into flames... and he lifted a leg off the ground... floating towards Ryu with extreme murderous intent...

Ryu still stood, doing nothing to stop him. The demon loomed in... grabbing his gi... and in a blinding flash of light, the demon began to perform the most forbidden technique in all of Shotokan...

Chun-Li shielded her eyes with her arm... the light was so bright... and the power being emitted was beyond anything she had felt ever felt... and she thought she had heard Ryu scream... but realized that it was herself... "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"

The shun goku satsu was initiated... and Shin Akuma instantly pummeled Ryu in fourteen of his most vital areas... and the fifteenth blow... the killing blow... went straight for his heart.

The flash of light had faded away... Chun-Li lowered her arm and opened her eyes... not wanting to see what had happened... but she needed to... And what she saw... was beyond her imagination.

The two men stood... face to face... Ryu's eyes were open... and his determined face was the exact same face as before... and in his hand... he had caught the demon's fist... a mere inches away from his heart.