Chapter XXI: Bygones
A group of young boys playing catch suddenly stopped and stared as a foreboding figure slowly walked down the dirt road in front of them. One boy didn?t even notice as the ball smacked him in the face, he was too transfixed on the man in the worn karate uniform, with his cold expression and his long black ponytail blowing in the wind like a war banner.
?I think I know that guy.? One of them said. He was holding the ball and did not want to throw it yet. He knew his friends would give him gruff and he?d rather argue with them while holding his ball than not.
?No you don?t! What?s his name?!?
?I don?t know him like that, but I think I?ve heard of him. They say he?s a demon?a demon of battle. He travels around looking for tough guys to beat them up. He thrashed an entire dojo a couple towns over a few days ago. He must be strong to take an entire school by himself?? The boy now tossed the ball to the right of him.
?My brother knows karate! Why doesn?t this demon fight him? I should go get him-?
?Don?t bother. They say he only fights strong opponents.?
?Hey shut up. Ok he?s gone now let?s get back to the game. I got to be home by dinner??or else?? the boy imitated his mother?s voice.
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When Gouken received the mail with the Masters Corporation logo on the envelope he tossed it aside, dismissing it as unimportant. A couple days later Retsu found it and opened it. He immediately walked into the dining room were Gouken was enjoying some roasted chicken.
?Gouken did you make a promise to train this businessman from America?s son??
?What businessman from America?? Gouken was still staring at his food as he spoke, holding a piece of chicken just a couple of inches from his mouth.
?Kenny Masters of the Masters Corporation!? Sometimes Retsu was sure Gouken played dumb. It made it easier for Retsu to be annoyed. This was one of those particular instances.
?Masters? Kenny?.he never told me he was a businessman! But I met him when he was still in university though-? Gouken paused to shovel more food into his mouth.
?So I take it you met him a while ago. In Japan??
?Yeah. He was vacationing. How did he find out where I am??
?He?s rich. He says he?s thinking about sending his son to you. He wants him to have discipline and focus. Here?s the letter.?
Gouken regrettably put his food down to read the message. Kenny didn?t seem all the way committed to sending his son across the ocean to be trained. But he had remembered an offhand and intoxicated promise now clear in Gouken?s mind. Back in a smoky ex-boomtown club when Kenny Masters said:
?Gouken you?re strong let me tell you. I want my future son to be trained by you. Even if I have to send him to Japan! I don?t want my son to be a wimp. No sir.?
Gouken wrote Kenneth Masters II a letter back stating that if he was unsure about sending Ken to be trained, wait on it another year or so.
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Goutetsu had received the telegram a week ago. It was a formal challenge left unsigned. Things like this no longer shook him. He had been through it too often. Either his opponent would show up or not. He?d either win or lose. But as Goutetsu thought these thoughts he knew he was oversimplifying. One thing jumped out at him?that is very possible?very likely for someone of his breed to win and lose at the same time in the same battle. But Goutetsu could easily jump back to simplification. Either his opponent was stronger than him or he (or she) wasn?t. But still this one felt different, so he told Afaik about it. In a roundabout way. He talked hypothetically about his death, about how if it happened Afaik would turn the compound into an orphanage. That made Goutetsu smile. Even though Goutetsu didn?t exactly outright say he might die today to his wife he thought she got the message.
Goutetsu sipped tea in the kitchen as his other hand fumbled with the old bead necklace his master had given him. Thoughts of the past didn?t leave him with regret, only the happiness of nostalgia. Once Goutetsu was satisfied with the tea he put his necklace back on and walked to the door.
?Afaik!?
?Yes dear??
?I?ll always love you.?
?The feeling is mutual you senile old man.?
Goutetsu walked out of the door and began to stroll down the beaten path to the woods. He felt like some meditation. Then his eye caught a figure down the road. He wore the clothes of a fighter.
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Retsu opened the door, wondering what caused the weak knock. He found a little boy staring back at him. His hair was a dark brown and a little too long. He had a stern face for an adult, nevermind a child.
?I?m here to speak with Master Gouken.?
?Any business with Gouken you can tell me. My name is Retsu.?
?Well Retsu sir?my name is Dan Hibiki. I am the son of Go Hibiki. I wish to train here and become strong.?
?Oh! Well?what a strange day for us. Two new students within a couple of hours! I would also be your possible master.?
?Yes possible master Retsu.?
?Ha! You?re a funny one. But Dan Gouken is not here right now. Please leave an essay on why you should become a student here. You know, for us to look over later.? Retsu wanted to mess with the kid a little.
?Um…yes of course! Can I bring the essay back tomorrow??
?Take longer than that to write the essay! What do you think this is? Put more than one day of thought into-?
?But I?ve thought about becoming a student here longer than a day! I?ve-?
Retsu had always wondered about seeing just how badly these prospective students wanted to be trained, and why they wanted to be trained. He felt there needed to be some sort of test and that Gouken was a little too accepting. Afterall?you didn?t just want anybody.
?And what makes you think it is so easy to become a student here? Just because you are the son of Go Hibiki??
?I just wanted to see-? Retsu was satisfied with this kid so far. He didn?t need to mess with him anymore.
?Come back tomorrow and we?ll see. Same time. No promises though Dan Hibiki.?
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?Gouki; what brings you back here?? Goutetsu knew the answer to his question; he was just anticipating his former student?s response.
?I have come to challenge you Goutetsu. To a fight without limits. I must know who is the absolute strongest between us.?
Goutetsu nodded as he stroked his beard.
?An ultimate contest. In the event of your death where would you like to be buried?? Goutetsu stated the question so effortlessly it sounded like he was talking about a mid day chore.
?It does not matter.?
?Fine, Afaik will take care of me if I perish.?
A breeze began to lightly blow, playing with Goutetsu?s long solitary braid and leaves on the ground. It was a dull sky, the sun felt far away and hidden. The clouds were an formless, shapeless grey ocean inching along the horizon. He heard the caw of a raven in the distance.
?So, shall we get started?? Goutetsu smiled as he unbuttoned his shirt, exposing his bare chest. It was too cold to take the shirt off completely. Goutetsu drew a deep breath as he cracked his knuckles; staring at Gouki with a concentrated gaze. He let the air out of his lungs and opened his mouth to speak.
?Feel free to attack me, I am ready.?
Gouki instantly obliged. Throwing a quick punch that Goutetsu effortlessly slapped away, followed by a flurry of punches that Goutetsu easily avoided by sharp turns or his body and head. A hop backward allow Goutetsu to dodge a sweeping horizontal chop and Goutetsu capitalized on the opportunity. A simple and direct straight punch to the face that made Gouki stagger.
?You?re going to have to fight harder than that if you plan on besting me.? Goutetsu said coldly. Gouki growled as he shot out a high side-kick that Goutetsu sprang backward to avoid. Before Goutetsu could regain his footing Gouki was upon him; kicking and punching while chasing his former master deeper into the woods. Little skirmishes. Gouki would meet Goutetsu, they would exchange a few attacks then Goutetsu would spring backwards and Gouki would rush after him. Gouki knew he was being lead somewhere but did not care. Let the old man have his fun.
Tall, old trees now surrounded the two fighters as Gouki hacked furiously at Goutetsu to no result. Goutetsu suddenly stopped bouncing backward, deflected a roundhouse and viciously punched Gouki in the chest, knocking him off the ground and crashing into a tree. The force shook leaves from the ancient branches, the free leaves floating around Gouki?s slumped body, his back against the base of the trunk.
?You?re not strong enough yet Gouki. Perhaps you should just walk away to train. To get stronger to fight another day.?
Gouki chuckled as he lifted his head; an odd smile on his face.
?You know nothing of my strength Goutetsu. I am not the boy that left your care years ago. The longer we fight, the closer you are to your defeat.?
Goutetsu closed his eyes as the sneer from his reckless youth showed itself.
?Then get up and prove it. Because right now I think you are all talk.?
As if he were more than human, Gouki rocketed forward and punched Goutetsu square in the jaw, rocking his head backward and making him stagger a few steps. Goutetsu recovered in a flash to catch Gouki?s wrist. Gouki pulled back the outstretched limb and attacked with a spinning back kick that Goutetsu avoided. Before Goutetsu could respond a gou-hadoken burrowed into his chest, dragging his body several feet but still he stood. Gouki sprang high into the air and fired off another gou-hadoken. Goutetsu swatted away the ki blast, it smashing into a nearby tree, destroying the base of the trunk.
Before the remains of the tree could crash to the ground Goutetsu and Gouki were trading blows again, their faces blank. Gouki attempted a vicious roundhouse, Goutetsu ducked the kick and Gouki?s attack tore off a piece of a trunk.
Goutetsu responded with a gou-shoryuken that sent Gouki sailing into the air; then crashing to the ground with a hard thud. Goutetsu straightened his posture and folded his arms as his once student groaned to his feet.
?Gouki. Why did you challenge me? You are strong, but not strong enough.?
?I came here to kill you or die trying Goutetsu. You?and what you represent are old relics of our art that need to be smashed and swept away.?
?And what have you contributed to Ansatsuken Gouki? What have you added to our style that renders me obsolete??
?I will show you. I will show you what you kept from me, hid from me! The secret to great power.? Gouki clenched his fists as he shouted. Gouki began to turn inward, letting his anger boil. He had found satsui no hado for himself and he believed it to be the method to become stronger. He opened the gates and funneled every thought of malice, pain and humiliation into his desire for strength; and it began to bring his uninhibited power to the forefront.
Goutetsu noticed a visible purple aura surround Gouki, it seemed to breathe the way it moved; it was as if Gouki?s anger and will for power had possessed his body.
?Satsui no hado?that is your secret? Becoming a beserker?! I?m insulted. Gouki you are a brat. Gouken was always stronger than you and it drove you insane. You could never be satisfied with your own power, always comparing yourself to others. Gouki you are a fool, I will do what I can to show you how weak you truly are.? Goutetsu?s facial expression was now hard as stone as he took stance.
?Goutetsu! I AM stronger than you! I will break you and him! I will show you both!!?
Gouki rocketed forward with a fire burning in his eyes. He drop-kicked Goutetsu into a tree. Before Goutetsu could regain his wits Gouki was right in front of him, punching him across his head, maing his head rock from side to side. In between an attack Goutetsu delivered a fierce uppercut followed by a gou-shoryuken. Gouki flew back but Goutetsu caught up with him to bury his fist into Gouki?s chest; sending him sailing even farther. Goutetsu dashed after Gouki to finally strike with a brutal flying kick that spiked Gouki to the ground in a cloud of dust. Gouki did not move as Goutetsu walked over to him. He did not move as Goutetsu folded his arms 6 feet away from him. Goutetsu looked up at the sky again. This time he could see the sun, and it looked like just a yellow ball.
Goutetsu launched a gou-hadoken at the still Gouki. Gouki leapt to one knee and rolled out of the way. As the ki ball struck a tree trunk Gouki nailed Goutetsu with a gou shoryuken. Goutetsu composed himself in the air and landed on his feet 10 feet away from Gouki.
?You are stronger than when you left. But you are a fool to think you were that much stronger.? Goutetsu spat on the ground, then noted to himself that there was still more blood in his mouth. He swallowed it.
?Almost everything. But as you said once?..our art is an evolving art.? The purple aura around Gouki was now a thin glow off his flesh. Goutetsu ran up to Gouki and faked a punch with his left hand. As Goutestu went to to punch with his right he ate an elbowstrike that dropped him to his knee. On one knee Goutetsu blocked a kick attempt and guarded against a gou hadoken that made him stumble backwards after it connected. Gouki let Goutetsu stand to his feet. Gouki let Goutetsu compose himseld and return to stance. Then he pounced again, and straight punch that Goutetsu slapped away was followed by a jumping front kick that connected. Goutetsu then slapped away two more front kicks, deflected 5 more punches and avoided another horizontal chop to be caught by the spinning elbow that made made his arms go limp. Gouki fired another gou hadoken; this one was so powerful all the purple flash from the attack made him shield his own eyes. He jumped backward and stood there. He knew parts of him ached in pain but at the moment it did not register to him as significant. The throbbing he only found annoying.
Out of the trees shot a white gou-hadoken, Gouki went to slap it away but it overpowered him in an instant. It slammed into his body in a brilliant flash and then Gouki was on the ground 15 feet back. Gouki at once calmly rose to his feet. He took stance.
Goutetsu rocketed forward. Gouki clenched his fists and did not move, waiting for him. Goutetsu stopped a couple inches from Gouki and ducked under a roundhouse kick. Goutetsu dodged a straight punch and punched Gouki once across the jaw and delivered three more punches to his body while Gouki staggered. Goutetsu charged to continue but Gouki recovered to lash out with a sidekick. Goutetsu caught his leg with both hands and threw him to the ground a few feet away. Gouki launched a gou hadoken from the ground, it was a fast and desparate purple fireball that kicked up dust as it sped towards Goutetsu. Goutetsu launched a white ball of ki himself that shattered Gouki?s ki attack and Goutetsu?s within a foot of Goutetsu?s body.
?This will end soon.? Goutetsu thought as Gouki charged at him. When they met they began fighting furiously, exchanging blows like berserkers. Goutetsu ignored the pain from blows inflicted on him and Gouki just did not feel them enough. Gouki elbowed Goutetsu across the face, knocking his back against a tree trunk. Gouki wasted no time, pouncing on Goutetsu punching feverishly while Goutetsu held up a resilient guard stance. There would be the perfect moment to counteract; Goutetsu knew he would see it when it presented itself. As Gouki attacked the tree trunk behind Goutetsu began to splinter and crack. Disturbed leaves rained down upon the both of them.
As Gouki stepped back to charge a powerful ki attack Goutetsu took his opportunity, the heel of his foot knocking Gouki?s chin and body upward. A well placed jumping high kick. As Gouki fell Goutetsu fired a gou hadoken that slammed into Gouki?s falling body with tremendous force, knocking him through the last wall of trees. Gouki flew totally out of the woods and he came crashing down into a field clearing. Goutetsu wiped blood from his mouth as he walked over to Gouki?s currently motionless body.
He stood over his former student, his usually warm face devoid of emotion and his hands behind his back.
?Rise to your feet.?
Gouki attempted a sweep but Goutetsu casually avoided it. Gouki leapt up and attempted a punch but Goutetsu caught his fist and punched him so hard in the face it would have shattered the average man?s jaw. Gouki fell to one knee, his head low spitting blood.
?You?re only helping me??
Gouki looked at Goutetsu, smiling with blood oozing through his teeth. Gouki shot up and kneed Goutetsu in the ribs; breaking one. Goutetsu elbowed Gouki in the temple and jumped back, holding his side with the opposite arm. Gouki didn?t chase after him, only straightened his posture and folded his arms, his face painted in anticipation. His eyes wide and wild. The aura around Gouki began to change; it was like purple mist rose from his body.
Goutetsu slowly shifted back into fighting stance, his face staunch.
?Well Gouki?go ahead and show me.?
A second later both men sprang into the air and clashed with each other; exchanging blows for a fraction of a second before landing on the ground. Gouki did not waste time; he lunged for Goutetsu the moment the ball of his foot touched the grass. For both fighters time began to expand. Gouki cocked back his fist and fired off a straight punch that Goutetsu defended against by putting his forearms close to his chest in the shape of an ?x?. Goutetsu tried a quick roundhouse but Gouki caught his leg and began to flip him. A hard chop to Gouki?s shoulder foiled the attempt and in response Goutetsu received a backfist across the face. Gouki then tried a gou hadoken at brutally close range. With a well placed kick to Gouki?s outstretched arms the ki blast?s trajectory was thrown off, it whizzed past the target and into the woods behind them both. Goutetsu then grabbed Gouki by his arm and flipped him forcefully away. Gouki did a quick recovery in mid-air and landed on his feet. The entire exchange lasted only 4 seconds.
Gouki suddenly turned and dashed forward, running as if he knew where he was going. Goutetsu followed, firing gou hadokens along the way but missing everytime. They ran for several minutes until Gouki suddenly stopped and turned back around to fire a gou hadoken of his own. Goutetsu slapped the attack away without breaking his sprint so he could jump up and drop kick Gouki so hard he flew 30 feet back before slamming against a rock wall.
As Gouki got up his mind caught hold of something: the sound of rushing water.
?You remember this place. It is where you and your brother first learned how to properly meditate.? Goutetsu?s voice had a hint of his old warmth to it.
?Fitting that I prove my superiority to you here.? Gouki said emotionlessly.
Goutetsu looked down at the hand that deflected Gouki?s ki. It throbbed and burned. Gouki had changed. His blows felt like his fists and feet were coated in acid. He was different now. He was a vessel for the killing intent and it flowed though him like an endless steady stream. Goutetsu wondered if perhaps Gouki had mastered the mode of being, seeing as how he is able to stay in it for so long without burning out. His ki had a deep purple color to it and it rose from his body like smoke from a bonfire or like saliva dripping from a hungry predator?s open jaws. Goutetsu remembered that Gouken?s ki now had a blue hue to it. Gouken too had changed. He had conquered satsui no hado within himself while Gouki embraced it. He knew in his heart one day the two brothers would clash violently. But for now Goutetsu was staring at Gouki, and he was wondering just how much longer this fight would last. Goutetsu silenced his inner thoughts by drawing in a deep breath. He cleared his mind and let the air out. He then charged, a moderate jog to conserve strength towards his opponent. Gouki dashed forward, water splashing around him as his footsteps stabbed though the ankle high water.
Gouki stopped bothering to guard against his opponent?s attacks and barely made an effort to avoid them now. He felt no pain from them; his only mission was to draw more of his former master?s blood. Goutetsu was putting everything he had into the fight but for every blow he connected to Gouki he received five. This continued for minutes until Gouki landed a punch to Goutetsu?s stomach that jolted Goutetsu?s whole body and made him scream in blood. A second later an elbow crashed down unto the top of Goutetsu?s head that made him collapse into the water face first. Gouki picked up Goutetsu?s limp body and stared at it, focusing his power for a technique he had been waiting to perform for too long in his mind.
?The famed shun goku shatsu?heh?it won?t work on me son?? Goutetsu?s voice was weak, a pained whisper.
Gouki paused, his grip on Goutetsu?s wet shirt slackened.
?My conscience is clear of guilt?of shame?fear. It won?t work on me?I have no demons you can turn against me?so stop with the parlor tricks and kill me like a man!?
Goutetsu?s voice gained strength again as he broke Gouki?s hold on him and knocked him away with a messatsu gou hado. Gouki sailed backwards and crashed into the water as Goutetsu returned to his feet. The old master turned his back on his opponent as he began to limp away, choosing the place for his last stand.
A few minutes away he was there. A clearing with a sheer cliff just 15 feet away. It was his favorite place in the whole world. Goutetsu looked out at the sun and sky for a brief moment before turning around to find Gouki 10 feet away from him.
?It has been a good fight Gouki. You are very strong. But you?ve never been a weakling. It is such a shame you cannot see that.? Goutetsu smiled.
?Just promise me that you will pass down what you know someday. That is all I wish. I do not mind dying as long as it is in battle with a worthy adversary and the teachings of our great art continue. Now?? Goutetsu spat blood on the ground and slid into fighting stance one last time.
?Let us finish.?
Goutetsu?s blows were few but the strongest Gouki had ever felt. Gouki knew Goutetsu wanted to make him remember how his fists felt. Gouki felt honored to engage in this last battle and he fought like it. Clean, precise devastating attacks that prepared Goutetsu for the great beyond. The two fought like this for only a few moments, edging closer to the cliff. Finally Gouki knocked Goutetsu to his knees and Goutetsu did not rise to his feet again.
Goutetsu slowly reached for the bead necklace on him and tossed it to the ground before Gouki.
?It is done. You have proved yourself. Now…do it.?
Gouki hesitated.
?DO IT!!?
A powerful messatsu gou hado erupted from Gouki?s palms and slammed into Goutetsu, engulfing him in purple flame. The ball of purple flame leapt off the edge of the cliff and tumbled down until it could no longer be seen. The cliff was still as Gouki stood in silence, unable to formulate thoughts or words. He silently picked up the worn and bloody bead necklace and placed it over his head. A condor sailed above him in the deep grey sky.
?Farewell?.?