A Secluded Lakeside in Japan
Stillness that was all that could be said of the surrounding forest. Not a blade of
grass stirred, or even a rustling of the trees. It was as if everything had stopped
to witness the lone fighter in the clearing his full attention directed on a massive
boulder protruding out of the ground. Focus.
"SHINKUU HADOKEN!!!"
The huge fireball impacted with the boulder causing it to disintegrate under the
sheer power of the blow. As the dust cleared all that could be seen of the rock
were a few scattered fragments and loose grains of sand to be blown by the wind.
His morning session over, Ryu stopped to breathe in the cool air letting it soothe
his tense muscles. Thinking that a cool bath would be nice before continuing on
with his training, he proceeded to take a swim in the nearby lake.
"That was a good swim", Ryu thought after his bath. "But I might as well get back
to practicing now that I'm all fresh and ready".
Seattle, Washington
"Are you serious, Sensei???", the youth asked. "If I do what you want I'll become
the best fighter in the world?", he added.
"That's right", came the reply. "You do just that and you'll have surpassed even
me, Sean".
"Ha! That would even be better. Well, I guess I'll be on my way then", Sean remarked.
"And one more thing, you'll have to bring back his headband as well to prove that you
did manage to beat him", said the Sensei.
After Sean had left, the Sensei started thinking about this whole business. Sean had
come to him a few months ago asking to become his student. He had accepted, of course
and now this.
"Ken, are you sure that was a good idea?", asked a voice from behind. Ken turned to
see his blond, attractive wife standing in the doorway.
"Don't you think Ryu should have at least a say in this?", she added.
"Not to worry, Eliza", Ken answered. "Sean was starting to get a little too cocky. I
figured that a little trip abroad would teach him some manners".
"Reminds me of someone I know", Eliza teased.
"Ouch! You really know how to hurt a guy", Ken said. "But if anyone can teach Sean
better than I can then it has to be Ryu. And as for Ryu, he'll understand just fine.
Now where's Mel? I did promise him that I'd take him to the circus today".
"He's already in the car waiting for you", she replied. "Now you boys go have a good
time".
"We will. You can be sure about that", Ken answered.
A Dusty Village, Japan
Sean had taken the earliest flight to Japan. Now all he had to do was find the place
Ken had told him. After asking around, he finally got the right directions. But it
was a long hike up the mountains. He had to pass through dense brush and vegetation...
not to mention crossing the river which had threatened to sweep him in the current.
It was already late in the afternoon and he still couldn't find Ryu and his master's
old training grounds. He imagined how someone could actually be living in this area.
"Damn!", he thought. "The first thing I'm going to do after I beat him is get back to
civilization. I hate this place"!
By dusk, Sean still hadn't reached his destination. Grudgingly, he had to camp out for
the night thinking that he'd be able to continue on in the morning.
The next day found him surprisingly refreshed and in much better spirits than the day
before. Climbing a nearby tree to get his bearings, he was surprised to see what
looked like an old dojo a short distance away. It was an hour's walk and he was sure
he'd arrive there by mid-morning. Sean then got down, grabbed whatever belongings he
had and started walking.
The Training Grounds
Ryu had been training since dawn, going through his katas with the honed precision of
a true master. It was in this very place that Master Gouken had trained both Ken and
he in the art of Shotokan karate. Although his master had already been dead for some
time, Ryu still found the dojo a constant source of strength and encouragement... the
place where everything started. It was as if his master was still there urging him
on to perfect his skills. How he missed his sensei's guidance.
"RYU!!!", came a sudden shout. "I've found you at last"!
Ryu turned and saw a black youth in a red colored dogi. "What do you want?", he asked.
"The name's Sean and I've come a long way to challenge you", came the reply. "My
master said that if I wanted to be the best then I had to defeat you. Somewhat like
a final test. Also, I'm to take that red headband of yours so that I can show my
master to prove my victory".
"How did you know where to find me? Your stance... I see", Ryu remarked.
"So this kid's sensei was Ken", Ryu thought. "His cockiness reminds me so much of my
best friend". Inwardly, Ryu was pleased that Ken had decided to send Sean to him for
his "final exam". If Sean was to be the best fighter there was then he'd have to learn
it the hard way and there was nothing more that Ryu liked better than a good fight.
"Okay then, old-timer. You ready yet?", Sean taunted.
"Very well, show me your skills", returned Ryu as he went into his classic side stance.
Sean decided to make the first move. Lunging furiously, he came in with a quick left
hook directed at Ryu's head. Ryu merely ducked under and blocked the spinning side
kick that followed. Sean withdrew a bit then threw in a right punch at Ryu's
midsection intending to catch him off-guard. But Ryu simply parried the attack and
countered by catching Sean by his collar and throwing him over his shoulder. Sean
landed on the ground hard and immediately got up fuming. This time, Sean advanced with
a right hook at Ryu's temple but at the last moment, stopped his fist without breaking
his rotational momentum and went into a Tornado Kick. Ryu wasn't expecting that and
was hit quite hard by the attack causing him to reel from the impact. Sean then
proceeded to floor Ryu with a foot sweep. Seeing his opponent on the ground, Sean
then leapt high thinking about finishing him off from the air.
But like many fighters who fought with Ryu had learned, jumping on him from above was
a BIG mistake. A tragic mistake.
"SHORYUKEN!!!"
The Rising Dragon Fist knocked Sean out of the air and he landed hard a few feet away.
Sean had first felt the fury of the Shoryuken during his training under Ken. Although
Ken's Shoryuken was quite strong, it didn't prepare him for the one Ryu just used on
him. And this one packed a lot of power.
His dogi torn and his mouth bleeding, Sean got up and threw everything he had on Ryu.
Short jabs, lunge kicks, side kicks, fierce punches, roundhouses, he was in a pure
frenzy.
Ryu calmly blocked or parried every attack and decided to end the fight. Ducking low
under Sean who missed a quick roundhouse, Ryu retaliated with a quick gut punch before
following it up with a crouching forward kick and finishing it off with his Joudan
Sokotou Geri.
That kick sent Sean flying quite a distance. As Sean dizzily got to his feet he could
just faintly see Ryu with his back turned a bit and holding what seemed to be a ball
of crackling energy.
"Is he crazy?", Sean thought. "If he hits me with that, he'll kill me"!
Ryu continued charging the ball with energy then suddenly made it dissipate as if
nothing happened. He walked towards Sean and stopped. "You've learned your lesson,
Sean", Ryu calmly said. "If you have not learned from the fight itself, then there is
nothing more I can teach you".
As Ryu walked away, Sean just couldn't accept that he had lost. He cried out like a
wild animal and without warning, charged Ryu with intent to maim.
Ryu turned and fired a Hadoken at the rushing Sean. The fireball stopped Sean in his
tracks, knocking him down for good.
As Sean faded into unconsciousness, Ryu knelt beside him and patiently said, "A true
warrior always fights with his skill. Not with his anger. Remember that, Sean".
At the Hospital, Osaka
Room 308. That was the room Ken was headed. The hospital director had called him two
days ago to say that Sean had been admitted due to a broken leg and a minor concussion.
When Ken asked how Sean had gotten there the director said that a Japanese man in a
white dogi and wearing a red headband had brought him.
When he finally saw Sean, he saw him watching TV. "Hi there, Sensei", greeted an
otherwise healthy-looking Sean.
"Hello to yourself. So how did it go?", asked an amused Ken.
Sean replied, "I guess I still have a lot to learn after all. I really
underestimated Ryu and I got just what I deserved. And oh, he left a note for you as
well".
Ken took the note Ryu had written. It read:
Folding the note and putting it in his pocket, Ken turned to see Sean fast asleep and
Ken,
It was a wise decision sending Sean to me for his "final test". At least
that was what he called it. He has a lot of potential with him but he still has a
lot to learn. I know that being his sensei you'll be able to train him the way
Master Gouken had trained both of us.
Don't worry about the hospital expenses. I've already taken care of the
bill. The doctor says that Sean will be out of the hospital in a few days. His
leg may take longer to heal, though. So long for now... until fate brings us
together again.
Ryu
snoring loudly. Smiling at the way things turned out, Ken shut off the television and
quietly went out the room being careful to close the door so as not to disturb his
sleeping student.
THE END