Way Of The Warrior
A short time after the events of Street Fighter 3…
Ken Masters decides that it is time that his son Mel be trained in the ways of his style. While training his son, Ken is surprised to see how quickly he advances. Mel learns the advanced techniques of Shotokan at you much younger age then Ryu and Ken ever did, and he is also alot stronger than Ryu and Ken were at his age. Ken begins to think that Mel might grow reckless at such a young age, so he decides to push Mel harder in the teachings hoping it will make him more discipline. Not too long after his 17th birthday Mel gets into an argument with his father about how he is being pushed too hard in his training. When things heat up between the two Eliza tries to settle them down, but she can do nothing. Mel is so enraged at his father that he engages him in battle. Ken beats and embarrasses Mel to an extreme degree. Ken tells his son that if he can’t keep his feelings in check that he will always lose. After the fight Mel goes to his room to recover and thinks things over. Meanwhile Eliza talks with Ken and tells him that he is pushing Mel to hard. Ken tells her its for his own good, but Eliza knows things will only get worse, she talks with her son about maybe going on a vacation by himself so that he’ll have sometime to himself and do some soul searching, and if he decides not continue his training she won’t think any less of him and will always love him. Ken over hears the conversation from Mel’s doorway and says *“Ditto.”*Mel thinks to himself that his father may not be all bad, and what he was doing might of been in his best interest, but Mel thinks that maybe his father should of told him first that he was going to push him harder with good reason.
Mel decides that it is probably best for him to take a vacation, but he has an ulterior motive in mind behind his trip. Mel tells himself that he will take a trip around the world visiting different countries, which hone the legendary fighters his father told him stories of. In his trip around the world Mel meets up with various fighters such as General Guile, Sean Matsuda, Lt. Cammy White, Dhalsim, Edmond Honda, Elena, Fei Long, Ibuki, Makoto, Sagat, Sakura Kasugano, Yun, Yang, and Zangief. All of the fighters teach him techniques either out of the kindness of their heart, or by Mel proving worthy, or in most cases Mel dipping into his wallet for a pay off. Mel asks each fighter the question *“Why do you fight?”*to get a little insight on why he himself should continue fighting.
Before heading back to America Mel knows that there is one man he must see, Ryu. Mel searches all of Japan in search of Ryu, but no one has seen or heard from him in four years. Mel figures there’s only one place he could be, the old Shotokan dojo that he spent most of his life training at. When he arrives at the dojo located in the distant mountains of Japan, Mel notices that it is not in the best of shape. The roof is close to caving in and the wood is so old that it doesnt look like it will be of much use for any given time. Mel thinks to him “This place could definitely use some work.” Mel walks around in search of Ryu and finds his fathers long time friend and rival under a Sakura/Cherry Blossom tree in full bloom meditating near the grave of his master Gouken. Mel stares at Ryu for a while, and then he closes his eyes and remembers the first and only time in his life when he met Ryu. It was short time before his father started to train him in the martial arts. He remembers his father and Ryu sparring with one another before Ryu left to go back to Japan. Mel always wished to be as great of a fighter as Ryu, but somewhere along the way in his father’s training he forgot this.
When Mel opens his eyes he is met with Ryu’s. This startles Mel.
*“Its been a along time Mel.”
“It certainly has Ryu.”
“Why are you here?”
“Ummm…I…uh…”
“I see, you and your father have been having troubles.”
“How did you know!?”
“I could just tell. I knew if Ken began to train you, that it wouldn’t be to long before the two of you began fighting. The two of you are just alike.”
“I am nothing like my father!”
“I see.”* Ryu says while cracking a small smile. *“So you’ve left home in an effort to make yourself a better fighter while traveling the world have you?”
“Something like that.”
“And now you want me to train you?”
“I would be honored if you would Ryu.” *
Ryu stares into Mel’s eyes for second before speaking. *“I want to show you something.” *
Ryu heads back over to the Sakura tree with Mel following behind.
*“My master told me that when I was able to predict where the leaves would fall only then would I have nothing else to learn.” *
Ryu places his hand on the tree, closes his eyes and gives the tree a powerful punch. The sakura petals begin to fall all around him, and at lightning quick speed Mel sees the leaves around himself and Ryu begin to disappear. He can only see Ryu move in blurs of motion, but in a matter of seconds its all over, the sakura petals are all gone, and not one of them touched the ground. Ryu opens his hands and eyes together at the same time and Mel watches as the pedals come pourout of Ryu’s hands and into the wind.
*“I don’t believe it.”
“Whats not to believe?”
“That, what you just did.”
“You’ll have to learn to believe, if you wish to succeed.”
Mel glances over at the tree. “This tree reminds me of home.”
“Do you miss your home?”
“Only my mother. I remember seeing her under our tree as the sakura pedals would fall and get caught in her hair.”
“Sakura…” *Ryu says softly to himself.
*“What was that?” Mel asks.
“Oh nothing, I was just thinking of an old friend.”
“Sakura Kasugano…???”
“How did you know?”
“When I met her she spoke of you.”
“You met her?”
“Yes in my journey. She was one of the only individuals to teach me something out of the kindness of her heart.”
“How is she?”
“She is very powerful and very beautiful. She told me to tell you “Hello” and she hopes your journey is going well. In the time I spent with her she taught me more than I could of possibly fathomed. She even showed me a picture of you that she took when you were alot younger.”
“I’m glad to hear she is doing well. When I met her she was very young and free spirited and dreamed of becoming a great fighter. Im glad she obtained her dream.”
“Whats the deal with you two?”
“What do you mean?”
“I noticed that when you both speak of one another, you both have this weird tone in your voice.”
“Sakura pulled me back from a dark place once, and I don’t know what would have become of myself if she hadn’t.”
“Alright, whatever, its actually none of my business, Im sorry about asking.”
“Don’t feel bad Mel, you were just curious.”
“Say Ryu, I noticed that the dojo looks like it’s in pretty bad shape. You need some help fixing it?”
“I’ll make a deal with you Mel. If you help me fix the shrine, I’ll teach you everything I know about the martial arts.”
“Wow! Really!? I’ll make a few calls and get a construction team here, and the dojo will look better than new in no time.”
“No.”
“No?”
“No outside help. We must do this task on our own.” *
Mel is puzzled, but he does not question Ryu. They both immediately get to work on the dojo. While Ryu cannot teach Mel techniques while they are building, he teaches/tells Mel the things that he himself has learned and experienced on his journey. Ryu hopes to teach Mel the things that it took him a lifetime to understand, because he does not want Mel to wander and search his for something his whole life like he did. After the two finish the dojo they agree it looks perfect and Mel’s martial arts training begins. Ryu decides it best that Mel and him spar so he can see what Mel knows and far he as come. In the battle Ryu notices the techniques of other fighters that Mel has incorporated into his style. Ryu also sees that Mel attacks out of anger rather than fighting with his spirit. Ryu tells Mel that he must let go of the anger that he holds against his father, or it will lead to his own destruction. Over time and with Ryu’s teachings Mel learns to let go of his hatred. Mel learns the most advance techniques of the Shotokan style, while creating and mastering techniques of his own. Mel’s training with Ryu lasts 6 months. At the end of Mel’s training Ryu and Mel fight yet again. This time Mel is much more powerful than he was the first time he faced Ryu. The two fight and it is a great battle, but in the end the master succeeds. Ryu tells Mel that he has progressed a great deal, and he may even be better than his father, but Mel tells Ryu that being better than his father is no longer a concern his, and with those words Ryu says “I have nothing more to teach you Mel Masters.”
Mel wants to show Ryu his thanks for what he has done for him, Ryu says he needs nothing, but Mel is very persistent and forces Ryu to a night out in downtown Tokyo. Their first stop is a clothing store. Mel tells Ryu that he’s gotta start wearing something other than that old white Karate Gi. Ryu goes along with Mel, and gets some new clothes, but neglects to remove his (trademark) headband that his best friend gave him long ago. Mel tries to introduce Ryu to a normal life by taking him everywhere from movie theaters to bars. Ryu is uncomfortable at first, but later loosens up and becomes more adept to modern living. When the two arrive back at the dojo Ryu thanks Mel, and admits that for the first time in almost forever he had fun. Both Ryu and Mel are very tired after the full night and decide it best to get some rest.
Around 4 a.m. Mel awakes to the sounds of fighting. He looks outside the dojo to find his master engaged in battle with the deadly Akuma. Mel quickly tries to intervene and help his master, but Ryu tells him that it is not his fight, and for him to stand down. Mel obeys his master, and watches the two masters of their style prepare to commence battle once again.
*“Akuma, why do you seek to kill me?”
“There can only be one true Master of the Fists!” *
The two engage in battle. Fist fly, powers explode, and Mel can only stand and watch the greatest battle the world has ever seen. Slowly but surely Ryu proves to be much more than Akuma expected. It is apparent that Ryu’s skills have surpassed Akuma at this point. In the end Ryu stands victorious over a beaten Akuma. Akuma admits that Ryu is now the supreme Master of the Fists, and now all thats left is for Ryu to kill him. Ryu says that he is not a murderer, and tells Akuma to leave. Ryu turns his back on his defeated foe. Akuma feels disgraced to have lost and not died, he thinks to himself that if Ryu would not kill him willingly that he would make Ryu kill him. Akuma stands to his feet and with his last bit of strength performs the Raging Hell Murder towards Mel. Ryu sees this coming and knows he can only do one thing, Ryu charges a Denjin Hadou-Ken fueled by the murderous intent he had long forgotten. A giant force shakes the ground as the final blow is delivered by Ryu, killing Akuma. This action comes at heavy price though. Upon killing Akuma the murderous intent buried within Ryu erupts. Ryu’s inner evil has completely swallowed him this time, there is no turning back now. In disbelief Mel engages Ryu only to be thrown to the ground. He hears his master speak, but his voice is different, it is now that of a being with the Murderous Intent.
*“I do not wish to fight you Mel Masters. It is not yet time for you and I to battle. There is a far more important warrior who I seek to fight before you.” *
Mel’s eyes widen as he realizes who Ryu is speaking of. Mel quickly stands to his feet and charges Ryu.
*“I won’t let you!!!” *
Before Mel can make contact with Ryu a powerful fireball hits him, knocking him unconscious. When he awakens it is already sometime in the after noon. After remembering what happened, Mel’s first thought is that he must get back to America and back home. Mel catches the first flight he can back home. When he arrives at his home he greeted by his mother who embraces him. She tells him that she got and kept all the letters and postcards Mel sent to her over the course of his trip. Ken greets his son with the the words
*“So the kid is finally back?”
“Its good to see you dad, and Im glad to see your doing well, I really am, but Im hardly the child I was when I left.”
“Is that so? Then prove it to me.”
“I have no intention of fighting you dad. There are more important things to worry about than that right now.”*
Mel brings his mom and dad up to speed on his trip and what happened to Ryu. He tells his father that Ryu will no doubt be coming here looking to for a fight with his long time rival.
*“Thats fine by me. Ryu and I have a score to settle anyways.” *
*“Is that all you care about!? Settling your old score!? Don’t you even care that your friend has been pushed over the edge and into darkness!?” *Mel says.
Ken pauses for a moment and then walks away.
*“I can’t believe him!” *
*“Thats just your father Mel. He doesnt like to get emotional about things. Deep inside he knows that Ryu is his best friend, but right now he’s not trying to let that cloud his judgment on the matter.”
“I guess…”* Mel mutters.
In the wait for Ryu, Ken trains himself feverously. Ken tries repeatedly to tempt his son into fighting with him, but Mel ignores him and meditates as much as he can. Ken begins to notice that Mel is more unlike himself (Ken) and seems to be more like his friend Ryu with each passing day he is around his son.
Ryu finally arrives at the Masters’ Mansion. Ken is prepared to do battle. Eliza and Mel watch the two at a safe distance. Ryu and Ken exchange no words, but rather stare at one another before heading into battle. When to two rivals engage (in the battle that the have both waited a lifetime to participate in) it is a sight to behold. The two warriors give it their all, but Mel notices a ways into the fight his father starts slipping. Mel sees opportunities in the battle in which his father couldve gained the upper hand, but he does nothing, and this leads to his defeat at the hands of Ryu.
*“Arent you going to kill me now?”
“No.”
“Whats the matter, has going evil made you soft?”
“Why did you not fight with all your spirit?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You withheld your true might from our battle. Why?”
“Because in that black soul of yours I believe my friend still exist.”
“Fool! Your friend is gone, I am all that remains now!”
“Oh yeah!? Then why do you still wear the headband I once gave you?” *
Ryu looks up as if to see the headband and then pulls it off his head.
*“This old thing? I merely forgot it was there. If that was your concern then you really are a fool.” *
Ryu throws the headband to the ground.
*“Do you not remember the promise you once made to me Ken Masters? Remember your promise the next time we meet and do not hold back, because I surely won’t.” *
Ryu walks off into darkness. Mel and Eliza run over to Ken. While Eliza helps him up, Mel picks up the headband, and can only watch the man who was once his master walk off into the darkness.
A short time later news of the next Street Fighter tournament breaks out. The top fighters from all around the world gather for the fight or the tournaments prize 1 billion dollars.