By RyuDragon

On the ground of the Temple of Order of Light, there were several students sweeping the dead leaves. They each wore a white monk robe and a pair of white cloth shoes. They were doing the chores dutifully and silently.

Suddenly, there were two men came approaching them. The younger man spoke to one of the students. “Greetings, students of the Order of Light.”

The student whom the young man spoke to looked up and bowed. “Greetings to you, sir.”

The young man smiled. “I’m sorry if I interrupt your work, sir.”

“Not at all, sir. We were just doing our daily chores.”

“I see. The students of the Order of Light are still the way I knew a couple years ago from my first visit here, diligent and polite.”

“Thank you for the compliment, sir. But I believe I do not know you sir. If I may ask your name ?”

Still smiling, the young man replied. “Well, when I was here a couple years ago, I’m sure that we haven’t met. When I was here a couple years ago, this temple was almost wiped out by the force of evil.”

The student frowned. “A couple years ago…” Then his eyes widened. “That means you are the ‘Soul Fighter’ Ryu Dragon ?”

The young man nodded. “I am the one called Ryu Dragon. I come here to visit my old friend, the High Priest Genryo.”

The student made a sign and bowed. “Unfortunately, sir. The High Priest Genryo had left this mortal realm about a year ago.”

Ryu Dragon looked surprised and saddened. “The High Priest Genryo had died ? I’m really sorry that I hadn’t heard the news. He was such a good friend.” He silently closed his eyes. “So who is the high priest at the moment, would it be Brother Jun ?”

“Correct. It seemed that you know High Priest Jun too.”

Ryu Dragon smiled. “He was a good friend of mine, and the former High Priest Genryo too.”

“In that case, allow me to take you and your companion to meet our High Priest, sir.” – the student. He was about to turn around, then suddenly poked his head lightly. “Ah, I’ve been so impolite to your companion. If I may ask for his name ?”

Ryu Dragon smiled. “His name is Gouki.”

***

The dojo was quite crowded with thirty students – all wore a set of pink Gi. They were practicing the Saikyo Ryu katas under the master of Saikyo Ryu style, Dan Hibiki. He wore his pink Gi and black muscle shirt under the Gi. His brown hair was tied in pony tail style.

Suddenly, a man and a woman came. The man was about twenty-seven years old. He wore a white T-shirt, blue jeans jacket, a pair of blue jeans pants and a pair of white ‘Dragonfly’ sneakers. He carried a small gray duffel bag. The woman looked about thirty years old. She wore a red tank top covered with a black jacket, a pair of blue jeans pants, and a pair of black high heel shoes. They step into the dojo, then took off their shoes. The man cleared his throat, attracting the Saikyo Ryu master’s attention.

Dan turned and saw the pair. He walked toward them. “Yes ? May I help you ?”

The young man bowed slightly. “Are you sensei Dan Hibiki, the master of Saikyo Ryu style ?”

Dan nodded. “I am he. And you are ?”

“Ryu Dragon.” – He took out the invitation letter. “I come as you asked.”

Dan took the letter and inspected it. Satisfied, he smiled then offered his hand. “Nice to meet you, sir.” He turned to the woman while shaking Ryu Dragon’s hand. “And she is…”

“She is Yuki Yasumura, a friend.” – Ryu Dragon introduced her to Dan.

“Please come in.” – He gestured his guests to come into the dojo and sit near the window. “I’ll be joining you shortly.” – he bowed then turned to dismiss the students.

One student walked toward Dan and spoke of something to him. Ryu Dragon’s eyes went wide when he saw who the student was. It was the same high school student that he encountered two days before. The one that he forgot to meet to have a match. “Ooops.” – he said.

Yuki turned to him. “What is it, Ryu ?”

He flinched. “See that student ?” – he pointed at Claude, who was talking with Dan. She nodded. “He challenged me two days before, the day I met you, and I forgot all about it. Bet he’s mad at me.”

“Oh boy.” – is all she said.

***

On the Saikyo Ryu dojo’s backyard…

“So, he is here ?” – a man.

“According to sensei, he is the one.” – a boy.

“Thank you then.” – the man nodded at the boy. “Let’s go.” – he made a signal. Then from the shadow, five figures emerged.

***

“Ryu Dragon, this is Claude Kujiranami.” – Dan.

Ryu Dragon flinched nervously. “We’ve met before, Mr. Hibiki.” He expected Claude to look angry, but was surprised when he saw Claude grinning.

“Definitely.” – Claude extended his hand toward Ryu Dragon.

“Just call me Dan, Ryu Dragon and Miss Yasumura.” – Dan.

“Then you can call me Dragon, or Ryu, whichever you like.” replied Ryu Dragon.

Dan nodded. “And this is Ryu Dragon’s friend, Yuki Yasumura. Miss Yasumura, this is Claude Kujiranami.”

“Just call me Yuki, Dan.” – she extended her hand toward Claude. “And nice to meet you, Claude.”

“So, what was the invitation about, Dan ? And, actually, how did you know about me ?” – Ryu Dragon.

The master of Saikyo Ryu style just smiled. “I will tell you in a moment. I’m really sorry that I have to leave you two for a while. I’ll be right back in a minute with some tea and your answer. In the meantime, why don’t you changed to your Gi ?”

“So you’re asking for a match ?” – Ryu Dragon tilted his head to the side curiously.

“I’ll be right back, and yes, there’ll be a match.” Then before Ryu Dragon or Yuki could reply, Dan and Claude had already walked to the back of the dojo.

Ryu Dragon and Yuki looked at each other. “I don’t like this.” – Yuki.

Ryu Dragon shrugged. “I’ll go there.” He pointed at the men’s toilet. “And changed, don’t worry, I’m sure he is harmless.”

“I still don’t like this.” – Yuki.

He smiled. “I’ll be back.” He walked into the toilet and quickly changed to his Gi. Although he was sure that Dan had no bad intentions, he still had to be careful. He tied his old red bandana, stuffed the other clothes into the duffel bag, and got out the toilet. He talked with Yuki for about a minute when suddenly he felt familiar powers behind him. He turned and his eyes went wide. Standing about eight feet away were two of his friends. One was blonde with as muscular body as the other one, wearing red gi and yellow wrist protector. The other one was brunette, wearing white Gi, red wrist protector, and red bandanna.

“Ryu ! Ken !” – Ryu Dragon shouted in excitement and disbelief. He felt the intense feeling from them as they seemed don’t recognize him. “Uhhh… guys, hello, its me, Ryu Dragon. Remember me ?” Then he saw their eyes. They were crimson. He felt a bad feeling. “Yuki, move away from me.”

“What ?” – Yuki. “Ryu, aren’t they your friends ?”

“They are, but there’s something wrong with them. Now move away from me.” – Ryu Dragon.

Without anymore argument, she moved away to a corner of the dojo.

He sensed their power rising fast, so he raised his power too. Then they charged toward him.