Part One

Chapter 1 - Reunions

This city is bigger than I thought, but at least it’s beautiful at night Ryu thought to himself.

He was walking along a long bridge which was lit up beautifully. He saw many cars passing by, and looked out and saw many ships flowing in the water beneath him.

He looked father across the waters and saw another bridge which was even more beautiful than the one he was walking on.

That must be the Golden Gate Bridge in the postcard Ken sent me Ryu thought, Ken definitely picked such a nice place to live in.

Ryu felt tranquility being in such a dazzling environment. After his huge flight with the being known only as Gill, he once again remembered how it felt just to relax and enjoy nature after an adrenaline pumping battle.

The air had the sweet smell of the sea, and the lights and buildings decorated the city perfectly. A cool breeze passed by, blowing through Ryu’s hair and his bandanna flowed along with the wind.

Very different from back home in Japan Ryu thought to himself, yet it’s still just as beautiful.

After many hours of walking and exploring, Ryu finally set down his duffel bag. San Francisco at last! Now, where is that Masters Estate again…? Ryu grumbled as he picked up his duffel bag once again and continued walking.

After many MORE hours of walking, Ryu finally reached his goal: The Masters Estate. It was widely known across the city and Ryu had no trouble finding directions.

The Estate hasn’t changed much from when he first saw it. It still had its two mile front yard, and huge mansion that only a man of Ken’s father’s wealth could afford.

Ryu just stood at the front gate not too sure of what he was to do next. It was completely dark, and he estimated it was about midnight.

Guess I’ll just have to ring the bell… he thought, until his warrior sense sprang into
focus, warning him of an opponent nearing!

 “Hey there ol’ buddy! Took you long enough to get here!” a familiar voice yelled out as the figure jumped out from behind him.

“Ken! It appears your skills in stealth are still not at their optimal levels!” Ryu responded.

“Yep, That’s you all right! So why did you decide to walk anyway? I could’ve bought you a plan ticket!”

“I like walking. It lets me be closer to nature.”

“Heh heh, you never change ol’pal.”

 

“It seems you never change either. So how is your wife and son?”

“Oh, Eliza is inside watching The Tonight Show, and Mel is soundly asleep. They both are just great. It’s just so wonderful being a husband and a father.”

“Just don’t let your family hinder your skills as a fighter!”

“Nah, of course not! I still train all the time and still teach my student Sean. He’s growing quite powerful, just like the guy who instructs him hahaha!”

 

“Let’s just hope he does not develop his master’s ARROGANCE as well!”

Laughing, Ken punched Ryu on the shoulder. “Well, let’s not waste time standing out here in the cold chatting, let’s go in and catch up on some… OLD TIMES!” Ken whistled and waved up his arm, and a limousine out of nowhere quickly arrived.

“Does that mean what I think it means?” Ryu smiled, knowing full well what Ken was up to.

 ********

Chapter 2 - Memories

Ryu and Ken, dressed in their respective white and red gis, stood only a few feet away from each other inside the Masters Estate dojo.

Both were eager to engage in battle once again. Both had the same memories as one another in their younger years and in their older years as they fight with and against each other in the past tournaments.

“So show me what you showed this Gill!” Ken taunted.

“I am not too sure if you can handle it! To make this match fair, I shall fight at a lower level!” Ryu retorted.

“You’ll see that I’ve ALWAYS been the better fighter!”

“Enough talk… let’s BATTLE!”

Ken, being the offensive cocky fighter he always was, lunged at Ryu with a straight punch first, which was easily dodged. But Ken was fast, and he quickly followed the missed punch with another punch to Ryu’s gut.

Ryu anticipating such a follow up attack blocked it.

Knowing Ryu would block low, Ken delivered a kick towards Ryu’s head, smiling knowing he would make the first attack.

However, Ryu knew his opponent well, and parried the kick, following up with a punch right to Ken’s chest knocking him backward. “The first blow. Perhaps it is your marriage that holds you back from training? Or perhaps it’s your arrogance?” Ryu said he got back into fighting stance.

“You may have delivered the first blow, but I shall deliver the last!” Ken responded.

Ken leaped in the air with a flying side kick, which Ryu blocked, but still pushed him back with powerful force. He landed and quickly crouched and kicked low, forcing Ryu to crouch low to block. Smiling, Ken quickly stood up, raised his foot and performed his Inazuma Kakoto Wari, chopping down with tremendous velocity at the crouching Ryu.

Ryu tired to block, but the overhead kick was too powerful! Ryu rolled back, and tried to recover.

Ken took this opportunity and already charging at the recovering Ryu leaped in the air “TATSUMAKISENPUUKYAKU!”

Not prepared to block the powerful hurricane kick, Ryu was hit across the side of his head countless times.

The attacker landed from his kick, but Ryu knowing full well of this move, as he knows how to do it himself, took the opportunity to counter attack. Ryu stepped forward and brought his knee up and nailed Ken right in the crotch! Ken yelled as he realized he was hit in a vital area… but that wasn’t it.

After landing his foot, Ryu pivoted and delivered a powerful high side kick – the joudan sokutou geri – causing Ken to fly far back.

“You must learn to KNOCK DOWN your opponent with the tatsumakisenpuukyaku my friend… mine has always been more powerful than yours,” Ryu told to a kneeling Ken.

Ken growled under his breath and leaped up in the air to jump kick Ryu, but Ryu spun and performed his marvelous roundhouse, knocking him out of the air he was once in.

Ryu’s roundhouse was one of his favorite moves, and he knew so well when to use it.

Ken however knew he’d use this to hit him, and Ken timed his landing and rolled right behind Ryu as he recovered from the roundhouse.

”IKUZE!” Ken yelled out. Ryu knew what was coming and knew he didn’t have enough time to block it. “SHINRYUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUKEN!”

Ryu was pummeled by multiple blows as he was lifted into the air by Ken’s powerful torn of the dragon punch. However, knowing Ken’s super attack, he knew how to take the damage. Anticipating where each blow would land, Ryu positioned his body so each hit would deliver minimal damage.

Both Ryu and Ken landed on their feet and Ken saw Ryu standing with no signs of heavy damage.

“What??? How could survive THAT?” he asked puzzlingly.

“You are predictable as always, Ken. That has always been your weakness.” Ryu stepped forward punching for Ken’s face, but it was blocked. He followed up the blocked punch with another punch to Ken’s lower right side which was also blocked. Another punch followed, but it was also blocked as well as the next four punches.

Ken smiled, “I’m just too quick for you Ryu!”

Ryu twitched at his snide remark, and that was all Ken needed to counterattack with a short, but powerful… “SHORYUKEN!!” Ryu fell backwards to Ken’s mighty dragon punch and tumbled backwards. Ken’s shoryuken is a powerful one…Ryu thought to himself.

After landing from his first shoryuken, Ken decided to be flashy and executed another shoryuken, going higher into the air than the first.

If I know Ken… he’s gonna do his flaming shoryuken right after he lands…

Ken landed right next to Ryu and… “SHORYUKEN!!!” His fist burst into a flame and Ryu easily blocked the predictable attack as Ken rose to the roof with his third and most powerful shoryuken.

As Ken began to land Ryu spoke, “If I must say it again, I will! You are just too predictable my friend! Now suffer from your mistake!” Ryu flipped backwards and dashed forward at the landing Ken, landing his left elbow right in Ken’s gut, and brought his forearm up and backhanded Ken right in the face!

Ken tried to regain balance, but Ryu ducked low and foot swept him, taking his feet off the ground, causing him to fall forward… but he never hit the ground… he continued his attacks as he punched Ken right in the face with his left fist, stopping his fall, and followed up with an uppercut right to his gut.

The wind was completely knocked out of Ken, but more attacks followed up, Ryu kicked Ken right in the head with his left foot, following up with a right punch back to his face.

Ken was too stunned to do anything, and Ryu finished his combination of attacks with a powerful roundhouse kick which sent Ken flying. Ryu put his hands together, calling up his energy inside him… “The finishing blow! Shinkuu…”

“HEY!!!” a female voice yelled.

Eliza entered the dojo in her nightgown, her hair a mess, “People are TRYING TO SLEEP!!!”

Ryu lowered his hands, while the collected energy swirled away.

Ken regained his bearings and walked up to his wife “Okay okay okay! We were just about finished anyways! Just go back to bed!”

“Cause a disturbance like this again and you’re sleeping on the couch buster!”

Ryu chucked, seeing that Ken and his wife indeed were a great married couple.

Ken kissed Eliza goodnight as she headed back to the bedroom, and walked back towards Ryu.

“Heh heh, well that sure brought back a few things. Leave it to a woman to always interrupt a battle between men, eh Ryu?”

Puzzled, Ryu simple said, “I guess.”

“Well, we can finish this some other time ol’buddy. We should go to sleep. I’ll show you your room.”

“Very well, even a warrior requires rest…”

Ken walked his long time friend down the halls of the estate to Ryu’s bedroom. “Heh, you never change Ryu”

“You haven’t changed much either.”

“Hey now! Being a father has changed me a LOT! It’s a totally exciting and wonderful experience Ryu.”

“I suppose. At least you have people to love and love you back.” Ryu said as they both finally arrived to the bedroom Ryu was to sleep in.

‘Heh… so what about you Ryu? Have you fallen in love with any ladies you have come across in your journeys?”

“…No.”

Ken sighed. “You really have to keep an open eye buddy! You might realize one day you had someone but by then you’ll realize it’s too late!”

“Too late?”

“It happens all the time. A woman loves you but you just never realize it. And by the time you do, she’s gone!”

Ryu was speechless. “Then I suppose the fault lies with me then if that ever happens.”

“Heh heh, just like you to always cut yourself down. Look, as a best friend, I only want to say to you that there is more to life than just the fight, Ryu. You have to take a grasp of what you can truly get a hold of!”

“… I suppose you are right. But for now, I just want to fight until I meet my one true challenge.”

“Well Ryu, your one true challenge is out there… but it won’t be a fight.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You’ll find out one day. Good night! Seeing you again sure brought back a lot of memories.”

Ken left Ryu’s bedroom leaving him to think about his last words.

Ryu, exhausted from battle, unfolded the bed and drifted off to sleep pondering what Ken had told him. …my true challenge… isn’t a fight…? Then what is it…?

 ********

Chapter 3 -Flashbacks

Hong Kong

Students were training long and hard in the style of both the praying mantis and the crane. Grand Master Gen overlooked his students, remembering the days when he was their age. He was still one of the best grand masters of the world but his age was against him and he decided to leave the world teaching as many students as possible the ways of mantis and crane kung-fu. Class ran for about a few hours and Gen decided to retire and let his aide take over for the remainder of the session. His aide was a woman… beautiful… hair shaped in two buns… dressed in white kung-fu uniform rather than her usual blue traditional Chinese uniform she always wear to tournaments.

Chun-Li learned quite a bit from Grand Master Gen already. Already an expert in the Wushu style of kung-fu, she’s added the praying mantis and crane style to her repertoire. She took over Gen’s place and instructed the students for the remainder of the session

After Bison’s sudden death to a mysterious warrior, Chun-Li decided to retire from Hong Kong Interpol and settle down and teach other students the true way of martial arts. She realized she only trained to fight for revenge and didn’t want other students to take the same angry path. She seemed content with her life right now, but something was empty inside her. And she knew exactly what it was…

“I must be crazy to have followed him here in Japan…” Chun-Li thought to herself as she washed her body in a hot spring.

“Hey! Check out the two cuties fighting over there!” another woman in the spring pointed. She had long hair that flowed all the way down her back and wore a spiked guard pad on her right shoulder. Chun-Li indentified her as Linn Kurosawa, a Japanese warrior rumored to really be a cyborg created to battle armies of alien infestations. However, those rumors were definitely false and Linn was 100% human. Chun-Li looked in the direction Linn was pointing at and finally saw the person who she followed all the way here to Japan. It was indeed Ryu… the man who defeated her in the second Street Fighter tournament and went on to defeat her arch nemesis. She sighed in relief seeing that she finally found him.

Ryu was in engaged in battle with his best friend and rival, Ken masters. Chun-Li, was well as other spectators around the hot springs, watched as one of the two best warriors in the world fought. It was clear that Ryu had the upper-hand and Chun-Li sighed and though to herself, “That Ryu… he’s so powerful…”

“You got lucky this time! Next time, the outcome won’t be the same, I swear!” Ken said as he recovered from his eventual defeat.

“Not surprising to hear such a phrase from you my good friend,” Ryu replied.

“Well, I let you win this time so you’ll be all pumped up for your next challenge ha ha! I hear the holder of this tournament is some freaky half-red half-blue guy… and I don’t want my best buddy to lose to a freak!”

“He is probably very powerful… but no matter what his appearance is… he is still defeatable. Do not worry.”

“That’s you all right! Well, ha ha, I guess this tournament is over for me then… time to go back to SF to my WIFE and SON… something you don’t have!” ken jokingly said.

Ryu didn’t react to Ken’s humor. “Farewell then, I hope to fight you again soon my friend.”

“I’ll look forward to defeating you after you win this tournament! But do ya need a lift? I got a jet right outside here to take you there right now!”

“Thank you, but I am afraid not. I will walk as usual.”

“Okay, but if you’re late, don’t blame me! See ya!” Ken headed to his private jet which was right outside the springs. He said his goodbyes and wished Ryu good luck on his next battle.

As Ryu picked up his duffel bag and began to head out, Chun-Li hopped up from her spring and dashed down to the walkway to try and talk to Ryu.

“Whoa whoa wait honey! You’re gonna go talk to that cute guy NUDE? You’ve got some guts there!” Linn called out as Chun-Li finally realized she had no clothes on.

“Eeep!” she shrieked as she ran back and picked up a towel and wrapped it around her wet body. She headed back down to the walkway right in front of Ryu. “Ryu, wait!” She looked right into his eyes, and they looked just the same as she saw them in the last tournament.

Ryu stood stunned for a brief moment at the beautiful figure in front of him, wet, and only in a towel. “Ch-China-Chun-Li? W-What are you doing here…? It’s been so long since I’ve last seen you!”

“I… I came… to see…” ‘you’ was the word she wanted to say,”… the tournament!”

“I see. You didn’t want to compete in the tournament yourself?”

“Well… no, because Bison was the only reason I came to the last tournament. And since you killed him already, which I thank you SO much for, I decided not to compete anymore and just be an observer.”

“That’s understandable. But Chun-Li… I may have defeated Bison… but I wasn’t the one who killed him.”

“R-Really? But I thought you were the winner! And since Bison was killed…”

“It was Akuma, Chun-Li…” Ryu interrupted, “…after I defeated him, Akuma suddenly showed up and performed the Shun Goku Satsu on him… instantly killing him. It was the same technique he used to kill his brother… and my master. He then disappeared from me once again, telling me that I must find my true power…”

Chun-Li was surprised by this information. “Oh Ryu… I’m… I’m so sorry!”

“That is perfectly all right. But I suppose I’m doing what you did in the last tournament… seeking the man who killed the most influential man of my life.”

Chun-Li smiled in with a complete understanding. “So Ryu, you participated hoping Akuma will appear in this tournament?”

“Yes, but I also participated for the fight as usual! My next challenge… a mysterious man named ‘Gill’ is supposedly a very powerful warrior. I want to see if I can defeat him!”

“Your fighting spirit never changes Ryu…” Chun-Li smiled. Ryu was so single minded. Chun-Li loved how he dedicated his life so much to fighting that it made him naïve to the real world. “So what are you going to do after this tournament?”

Ryu thought a bit. “I really don’t know, Chun-Li… I suppose I’ll just keep on fighting…”

Chun-Li bit her lip a bit, nervous at asking the next question. “Don’t you want to… someday have a social life? Meet more people? Maybe even… get married like your friend Ken?”

Stunned at her sudden questions, Ryu replied, “I… I am… content with my life how it is right now. I… I don’t need anyone.”

Sloping her eyebrows, Chun-Li said slowly, “…I… I see…” Even though she was disappointed in Ryu’s response, she could still sense that Ryu’s words were not completely truthful or at least she hoped.

“Well… I guess I should be going then. It was really nice seeing you again, Chun-Li. I hope one day we can see each other again.” Ryu said as he began to walk his own way.

“Wait! Ryu!”

“Yes?”

“…good luck. And I hope you find Akuma…” That was all she could say. She wasn’t sure if she could say anymore.

“Thanks. Farewell!” Ryu walked off, disappearing into the sunset… his hair and red bandanna flowing in the wind. Chun-Li reached out for him as he walked away, but just grabbed at the air…

Chun-Li slowly walked back to her spring next to Linn.

“Hey Chun, you and that guy have a thing going or something?” Linn asked as Chun-Li returned.

“I…I think I’m… falling in love with him. I guess the main reason why I was here was just to get another chance to see him again…” Chin-Li replied.

“Whoa! I don’t blame you!”

“It’s not just his looks, Linn… there’s something about him that makes me not stop thinking about him. H-He seems so alone… just like me… and he’s really naïve about the real world.

Linn smiled in response.

“We…we both feel the same emptiness inside… I know we do. Ever since he promised he’s avenge my father for me… I somehow knew when I looked into his eyes that he could be a man who could take care of me… and I want to do the same for him. I know he has a huge heart the size of his dedication to his fighting… and I want to make him happy… forever…”

“Wow… he must really be something special…”

Chun-Li smiled and closed her eyes enjoying the warmth of the hot spring. She rubbed the tower against her neck, and down in the valley between her breast…

“Oh… R…”

“…Ryu…” Chun-Li said out loud, holding her hands at her chest.

“Huh…? Chun-Li sifu, who is Ryu?” a student asked.

“Oh… sorry… I was just thinking about something. Continue my student.” Chun-Li said confusingly coming back to reality. She continued instructing the class until it was over, and she picked up her belongings and walked towards her apartment.

Oh Ryu… Chun-Li thought to herself. I hope we do meet again like you said…

 ********

Chapter 4 - Journeys

San Francisco

Ryu woke up, stretching and fully rested. It’s been a while since I’ve slept that peacefully: I’m so glad I came. He jumped out of his sheets and immediately places his two feet on the edge of the bed. He placed his thumbs on the floor and started doing thumb push-ups for his morning exercises. As he did each push-up he observed his surroundings. Such a nice room. This room alone is a mansion compared to what I have back at home. After he was done doing his one hundred thumb push-up, he began to make the bed. Even guests must be hospitable to their hosts. Before he finished, he was interrupted by his door suddenly opening, revealing his best friend and rival Ken.

“Good mornin’ pal! HEY! You’re making the bed? We got maids to do that! Just forget about it and let’s have some breakfast!”

“Breakfast?” Ryu’s ears sprung, “That sounds quite nice.” It’s been a long time since Ryu ate a first course meal, and he immediately dropped the bed sheets and followed Ken to the dining room.

The dining table was already filled with steaming pancakes, sizzling meats, fresh baked pastries, condiments, and everything else that made a breakfast complete. Ryu still remembered the last time he ate at the Masters Estate and his mouth watered to the memories of all the delicious meals.

Ken and Eliza sat together along with Mel sitting right next to his mother. Ryu sat at the other end of the long table. “Go ahead and eat all you want, buddy!” ken offered.

“Oh I will Ken! I will!” And eat he did. Ryu may have been a polite gentleman and honorable warrior in almost every way but, at the dining table, his cleanliness was at the level of the average pig. Pancake after pancake was consumed, sausages and bacon were swallowed down in seconds, and pastry after pastry was gone one after another. The plates kept piling up and Ryu just kept eating to his heart’s content.

“Wow Mommy,” Mel said as he tugged at Eliza’s shirt. “Uncle Ryu is a machine!”

Eliza giggled in response, “It’s so nice to see you still so healthy, Ryu!”

“I still don’t understand,” Ryu said between bites, “why…” *chew* “…with so much good food like this…” *chew* “…you don’t pig out every day!” *gulp*

“Well, not every meal is like this,” Eliza smiled, “we always have a big feast like this for very special guests, especially you!”

“I will forever be in your debt for such a meal!” Ryu mumbled again while eating.

“So Ryu,” Eliza continued, “what are you planning to do now?”

“I suppose I’ll just settle down for a little bit here. The last battle I had was huge and even warriors must take long rests from battle. I was hoping to catch up on old times with Ken and maybe see more of this beautiful city.”

Ken put an arm around the chair of his wife, “Heh heh, sure! I’ll take you out right after breakfast, if it ever ENDS that is! OH! And by the way, you never did tell the details of your fight with that guy Gill yet! Tell us all now!”

Ryu put down his fork and swallowed his last bite, “It was indeed an intense battle. Gill was indeed the half-red half-blue being you claimed he was, and I discovered those colors representing his abilities to control the powers of fire and ice!”

“Interesting!” Ken laughed.

“He was very powerful… one of the most powerful warriors I’ve ever fought… but the challenge was what made it so exhilarating!”

Ryu stood a few feet from where a tall golden haired being stood. The being was only known as “Gill” with no clothes on except for a pair of underwear. He stretched his arms, calling up both the power of fire and ice at each hand and clenched his hands into fists. Waves of lava crashed in the background, and Ryu observed the surroundings of the stone arena. The sky was lit beautifully with stars and the Mediterranean Sea was seen out in a distance. At least, this battle will have beautiful scenery.

“So you are the one everyone talks about… you are Ryu eh? Let’s see if you are as powerful as they say you are!” Gill smirked.

Ryu said nothing in response. He simply got into his fighting stance and stood, ready for battle.

“Nothing to say? You must be the strong silent type. Then I shall end your silence by filling the air with screams of your suffering!” Gill started first by leaning backward and putting his hands together. He called forth a ball made of fire and hurled it in Ryu’s direction.

Already channeling his own energy, Ryu immediately retaliated with his own attack. “HADOKEN!” The ball of pure energy nullified Gill’s fireball and Ryu once again stood, taunting Gill to fight more.

Gill simply laughed. He approached Ryu with a punch with his blue arm. Ryu blocked the attack with his forearm but immediately felt the cold sting of ice burn his skin. Ryu cringed in pain, and Gill followed up his attack with a punch with his red arm, hitting Ryu’s upper right arm. His skin felt a new searing pain of the burning flames, and Ryu jumped backwards to avoid anymore contact. Smiling, Gill lunged forward with his shoulder to ram Ryu but Ryu crossed his arms to block the impact. Gill hit Ryu’s crossed arms with his shoulder, and the force was so strong it knocked Ryu to the floor. Gill smiled again. “Feh, Loser.” Gill leaped up in the air to stomped on a downed Ryu’s head.

Ryu looked up seeing Gill’s legs headed straight for his. “I’m going to give you a tast of what I gave Sagat! SHORYUKEN!!!” Ryu leaped in the air, performing his trademark shoryuken, knocking his opponent out of the sky. Gill landed on his back with a thud and stood up immediately.

“I’m almost impressed.” He simply said as he dusted himself off. Gill charged forward again with his shoulder, and Ryu counterattacked with a punch. As Gill slid forward, he ducked Ryu’s punch and grabbed his neck!” I did say almost. Loser.”

Holding Ryu up with his hand, Gill used his knee to slam into his abdomen and used his other fist to punch him in the face. Ryu raised his arm and brought his elbow down as hard as he could against Gill’s forearm but Gill didn’t even feel it. In response, Gill crunched Ryu’s neck harder and Ryu gasped for air. “The battle is over already. It appears you are obviously not as strong as everyone says. Now, receive your death.”

Gill squeezed Ryu’s neck tighter and grinned. Ryu used every least breath of air he could find and used to channel energy in one of his hands. When just enough energy was accumulated, he opened his hand right in front of Gill’s face and a small ball of energy launched out, exploding right in his eyes.

Reeling back, Gill released Ryu and rubbed his face at the pain of the explosion. Ryu dropped to the ground and he used this opportunity to attack! “TATSUMAKISENPUUKYAKU!” One hit from Ryu’s powerful hurricane kick to the head knocked Gill backwards and slammed him into the wall. “Underestimating your opponent will always lead to your defeat, monster!” Ryu said as he caught his breath.

“Heh heh,” Gill laughed as he wiped the blood off his mouth, “it appears now you are showing your true abilities. This will be a battle we will both enjoy!” Gill stood up and charged at Ryu with a barrage of punches. Ryu knew that blocking them would be an unwise maneuver, and he simply dodged each punch. When he saw an opening, he delivered an elbow smash to the gut, and pushed him back with a side kick.

Angered, Gill raised his foot high above Ryu’s head and came down with a powerful axe kick. “DIE!”

Ryu timed, and caught the leg coming down upon him, and said, “I’m afraid it will not be today!” Ryu jumped up as high in the air as he could with Gill’s leg still in his grasp and flipped him over his head and slammed Gill’s head right into the concrete with a sickening crack sound.

Exhausted, Ryu lowered his hands and stood in front of the body. It’s over now. Ryu turned around and started to walk away when suddenly he looked over his shoulder and saw Gill’s body float in the air. Gill stood upright in mid-air and spread his body in an X formation, channeling energy all throughout himself.

“HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!” Gill laughed evilly, “YOU THINK YOU CAN DEFEAT ME??? I AM UNSTOPPABLE!!!” Ryu stood back into his fighting stance, waiting to see what Gill would attack with.

“NOW, FEEL THE WRATH OF MY TRUE POWER!!!” Gill raised his hands in the air, and the earth shook beneath Ryu’s feet. Ryu maintained balance, and began to see small rocks hit the ground. The rocks became larger and larger and eventually small meteors cam crashing down! Ryu dodged and swatted as many as he could, but the laws of averages were against him and he was hit by multiple meteors. When the meteor shower was over, Ryu staggered, almost out of energy. Gill laughed once again. “YOU ARE A GOOL IF YOU TINK A PATHETIC PERSON WHO CALLS HIMESELF A WARRIOR CAN EVEN HURT ME!”

“This… battle… is… still… not finished!” Ryu responded.

“IT ENDS NOW PATHETIC HUMAN!” Gill rushed forward with another mighty shoulder charge hoping to finish a wounded Ryu… FOR GOOD!

Ryu, seeing the charge coming right for him, closed his eyes and concentrated all his remaining energy on one final blow. Gill’s body still charged forward at Ryu and with closed eyes, Ryu ducked low and uppercut Gill right in the stomach. Another uppercut to the stomach with the other fist was followed and Ryu shouted, “SHIN…” Ryu completed his move by rising up with his fist with all his energy, “SHORYUKEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Both Gill and Ryu soared sky high, and Ryu’s most powerful punch took Gill’s body flying right into the waves of crashing lava as Ryu landed safely on his legs. Gill’s screams died out as his entire body was incinerated by the lake of intense liquid fire. Ryu knew the battle was truly over now, feeling Gill’s energy die along with him. Ryu bowed to the lake of lava, turned and walked away.

“Whoa Ryu, you used your shin shoryuken on him eh?” Ken said, amused.

“Indeed. Never have I performed a more powerful move in my whole life,” Ryu replied.

Eliza, wide eyed, said, “I’m just glad you made it back alive! You fought a monster!”

“And Uncle Ryu wasted him! He’s way more powerful than Daddy! Uncle Ryu must be the best fighter… in the UNIVERSER!” Mel added.

Ken slapped the back of his head, a little insulted, “Hey now, Son! That’s not for certain!”

Both Ryu and Eliza chuckled, and Ken gave his son a noogie. “Ok ok kiddo, why don’t you go out and play with the dogs!”

“OK Daddy!” Mel eagerly grabbed a baseball and ran outside.

“Kids… aren’t they just something, honey?” Ken laughingly asked his wife as he kissed her on the forehead.

“Yes dear, he is the best thing that could have happened to us,” she answered.

Ryu smiled, seeing his best friend so happy.

“So Ryu,” Ken started, “Fei Long made a Hong Kong new movie, and it starts tonight in the US! It’s called ‘Flying Dragon II’ the eagerly awaited sequel to his first movie ever made! Wanna catch it? I got reserved seating just for us!”

“Would I ever!” Ryu answered gleefully.

“WOW DADDY! Remember the part when Uncle Fei Long punched that guy like a million times in like one minute? That was so cool!!!” Mel exclaimed as the group walked out the movie theater.

“Yep. That’s Fei Long for you!” Ken replied as he put his hand on his son’s shoulder and another hand around his wife’s shoulder. Ryu walked by himself behind the Masters family, looking at the stars. “Hong Kong flicks never cease to amaze me, ha ha!” Ken continued.

“Hong Kong…” Ryu said aloud, “I… I haven’t been there for the longest time.”

Eliza looked over her shoulder. “Hong Kong? You want to go there Ryu?”

“I’d love to. It is such a nice place, and I could pay my respects to Grand Master Gen as well. He was a good friend of Master Gouken.” Ryu replied.

“But you’ve only been here in SF for one day! Please stay longer at least!”

“Oh, of course my lady!” Ryu smiled, “Then I shall leave in about a week I suppose. Until then, you two can show me more beautiful sights in this wonderful city!”

Ken smiled, “Anything for you good buddy.”

A week later…

At the gate of SFO airport, Ryu hugged Eliza, “Goodbye Ryu, have a safe trip!”

“Farewell Eliza, I will miss you.” Ryu reached over and gave Eliza a kiss on the cheek.

Ryu bent down and gave Mel a hug, too. “I’ll miss ya Uncle Ryu!”

“I’ll miss you too Mel! Oh and here!” Ryu opened up his duffel bag and handed the boy a small carving of a dragon. “I carved it just for you!”

“Oh THANK YOU Uncle Ryu!” Mel screamed happily.

Ryu smiled and looked up at Ken who was smiling as well, “Just remember Ryu, one more round!” Ryu and Ken gave each other a huge best friend hug.

“Farewell my good friend. May our paths cross again very soon.”

Ryu waved to Ken, Eliza, and Mel, and walked down the ramp that led to the plane that would take him on his next journey.

“I’m surprised you talked him into flying this time, dear!” Eliza said as she watched Ryu leave.

“Well, I just told him that if he flew I’d give him an even bigger feast next time he came!” Ken and Eliza laughed together and the Masters family walked back to their home arm in arm.