Hey, I'm back!

After a very nerve-racking end to my freshman year, I'm back to writing again.

This particular fic is a tribute to the Japanese televison franchise Super Sentai, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. While this will probably be a bizarre fic at first glance, I do hope that it is as enjoyable as King of Iron Fist Tournament 6, if not moreso enjoyable.

For those of you that wanted a sequel to KIOFT6...here you go. It doesn't contain any sort of tournament, but it expands upon events after KOIFT6.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

This fic was written in memory of Machiko Soga, who died last May at the age of 68.
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Introduction: Revival

I am Kazuya Mishima, the one true heir of the Mishima Zaibatsu. I tell myself this over and over again, and I have yet to grow tired of it. I never knew my mother, and my relationship with my father is, to say the least, remarkably sour. Voices constantly whisper within the dark recesses of my mind and my heart, goading me to ruin. Sometimes it is difficult to tell which voice is my own and which is that of my “other self.”

I have garnered many, many enemies over the years, and scarce few allies. The ones I had gained, however, I treated them as if they were mere puppets…until recently. Until the previous King of Iron Fist Tournament, where one of my former associates at G-Corporation decided he would play mind games with my already-crowded psyche. He alone managed to turn my Devil powers inside out and nearly killed me using methods that didn’t seem to have anything to do with conventional science. Looking back on it, I would have certainly been slain if not for her…Jun Kazama…the mother of my offspring.

I will not go into the details of how she came to be amongst the living once again. The methods that were used are strictly confidential, even for you. You can ask her yourself; but she will most likely tell you the same thing.

Despite her naiveté, Jun has always had a good grip on reality. After being dead for the past seven years, she regained memories of her former life rather quickly…including her attempt to relieve me of that particular voice in my head that I am so well-acquainted with. Although my…compassion seems to have become more apparent since her return, my fists are still as powerful as they ever were…perhaps even stronger, now that the voices in my head are beginning to become quieter as my mind becomes stronger…or so I originally thought. The tale I will soon tell you disproves that.

Aside from Jun, there is my adopted brother, Lee Chaolan. He and I were never “good friends,” but Chaolan has always been willing to lend a hand if I asked him for it. Perhaps it is fear of my wrath that keeps him from refusing, though he has fought me in combat a few times with the soul of a dragon. Nevertheless, he is a valuable ally, and we have both agreed that when the time comes, we will take the Zaibatsu together.

I never asked for redemption, and I never intended on actively seeking it. Perhaps, deep down, Jun was fully aware of this. Of course, she will never admit to it. It is a simple matter of pride and honor. We are warriors: both she and I realize that we must pave our own way through fate.

And fate granted me with a chance to both get my revenge and my redemption simultaneously: the destruction of G-Corporation. My desire for revenge against them is so great, that I have even sided with my loathsome father. Of course, familial ties were not what brought us together, but a common foe: a foe that I intended to destroy by any means necessary…

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KLANG!

The metallic sound of metal hitting metal echoed throughout the massive room as a middle-aged Japanese man hurled the gargantuan battle ax that he was carrying onto a large table in the center of the room. Wiping the sweat off of his brow, the man brushed off his purple tuxedo that he was wearing and took a look around the room.

Twenty-two years ago, this room was a laboratory where dark experiments were carried out using live animals to create monstrosities of nature for the Mishima Zaibatsu. After Kazuya Mishima lost the power of the Zaibatsu, his father Heihachi shut down the facility in an attempt to cover up the illegal activities the company had undergone. This room, and the building that it resided in, eventually became forgotten: condemned into obscurity on the outskirts of Tokyo.

Even if this doesn’t work out, at least being here brings back some old memories, Kazuya thought as he pulled out a small handbook from under his pocket. Now where is that crippled fool? My pocket agenda says that he arranged to be here right about-

Hearing the door behind him creak, Kazuya raised his head and turned around. Limping in front of him now was a bald, frail-looking man wearing a white lab coat and dark black pants and shoes and his eyes covered with orange shades. Despite his appearance, Kazuya knew that this old man was more sinister than his visage led people to believe.

“Hello, Dr. Abel,” the Japanese man nodded as the elder man continued to limp towards him with his walking stick clicking on the cold metal floor, “I hope you have brought your copy of the book with you: unfortunately my hands were full carrying this impressive item you see on the table here.”

“Of course I brought the book with me. I may be crippled, but I’m not senile,” the scientist said as he handed the large book that was under his free arm to the Japanese man. “I wouldn’t see why you want this rubbish for the experiment: all this hocus-pocus lunacy is child’s play.”

“I thought the exact same thing only two weeks ago,” Kazuya growled as he opened the book to the bookmarked page, “and I can guarantee you that not all of it is ‘lunacy.’ This particular book happens to come from my father’s library. If I wasn’t going to use it, Heihachi would have used it first…and I’m not about to let him spoil all my fun.”

“Speaking of whom, I do not think he will be too pleased when he finds out that I’m working for you now,” Dr. Abel hobbled over to another area of the room and pulled an electrode out from a dial on the wall and then stretched it out until it was long enough to follow him back to the table at the center of the room.

“And that is why I am paying you top dollar for you skill…and your silence,” Kazuya walked over to Dr. Abel and too the electrode from his hand and replaced it with a $1000 American dollar bill. “Even though all of us are after G-Corporation, there are still some things I want kept private.”

“After this, I’ll send you all the equipment you need from my private lab. I don’t have the strength anymore to be directly involved, but if it means taking down that treacherous Bryan Fury and his current employers at G-Corporation…” Dr. Abel’s voice became cold and bitter as he trailed off. At the conclusion of the King of Iron Fist Tournament 4, Bryan Fury had attacked him and nearly killed him, but instead severely damaged the old man’s spine. Abel was fortunate that he could still walk at all, although just barely. I was the one who brought him back from the dead, Abel thought angrily as he turned his back to Kazuya, how dare he do that to me, the ungrateful lout…

“Very well…now let’s begin.” Kazuya put the book he was holding on a nearby chair and clipped the electrode onto the blade of the battle ax that was lying on the table and picked it up. With a loud scraping sound, Kazuya used the long and heavy weapon to carve a large circle around the table, and then he carefully drew a distinct pattern inside the circle he had created. It would have been easier to do this in chalk, rather than ruin the tile work, Kazuya mused as he finished drawing the pentagram, and sat the ax next to the table, but if I want this to succeed, the ax has to be the one that draws it.

The ax was nearly seven feet in length, its handle made of a sturdy wood and its blade metallic and dark gray. Kazuya had purchased the ax via an online auction from a reliable buyer in Egypt. Carbon dating proved it: the ax had originated from the 16th century. The auctioneer had dubbed the ax “Kutules” and back when it was first created, it belonged to a powerful and evil warrior.

“Dr. Abel…please hand me the scalpel that you have just finished sterilizing. Bring the gauze tape with you. Once you have done that, go over to the switch that will activate the electrode on the ax.” Kazuya removed his trademark red fingerless gloves from his hands and put them in his pocket while the scientist handed him a surgical scalpel and a roll of gauze tape. Once he put the gauze in his pocket and Abel hobbled over to his position…Kazuya slit his palm and let his cursed blood drip onto the table that the ax was leaning on. “Okay, doctor…HIT IT!!!”

Pulling down the lever that activated the electrode, the blade of the ax began to glow a bright blue as sparks began flying out of it, one million volts flowing into the blade. As the blade continued to shoot sparks, the carvings on the floor started to glow along with it, eventually passing that glow onto the table that Kazuya was bleeding on. The blood sizzled: quietly at first, but in mere seconds hissed loud enough for even Abel to hear.

”Umo gue-gue famitsao. Umo gue-gue famitsao. Umo gue-gue famitsao…”

Kazuya quietly chanted an incantation of the blood spread across the table, and then seemed to rise like a loaf of bread. The chanting became louder as Kazuya wrapped his hand in gauze tape, stopping the flow of blood onto the table. But the pool continued to spread across the table, and its texture continued to fluctuate.

Within seconds, the blood-blob formed into a shape of a humanoid figure; it was at least six-and-a-half feet in height, and its muscles were big and powerful. More seconds pass, and the body developed more distinguishable features: spiked metal shoulder pads ebony in color, two iron armguards as spiked as the pads, dark brown pants with a black skull covering the crotch area, and iron boots that seemed to have rivets dug into the ankles. What was most intriguing about the creature was that its skin was a sickly beige color, and on its chest was its pinkish heart, beating for all to see.

Now shouting at the top of his lungs, Kazuya’s neon blue ki crackled in his hand and he put it just above the creature’s head, which was bald and its mouth covered in black rubber. Suddenly, Kazuya stopped chanting, placing the crackling hand on the forehead of the monster. With a mighty shout, Kazuya roared as the creatures eyes shot open: white orbs that were as if they were pearls. “MEZAMERU…ASTAROTH, BLACK GIANT OF ARES!”

As Kazuya screamed that mighty command, Dr. Abel quickly cut off the electricity running through the electrode. Taking a few steps back, Kazuya watched the creature as he rose up into a seating position and scratched his stomach. “Hmmm…what am I doing here?” Astaroth mumbled as he looked around the room. “I’ve never been in a place like this before…”

“Welcome back to the land of the living, Astaroth,” Kazuya said calmly as he crossed his arms while the creature turned his head in surprise.

“You there; where the hell am I!?” Astaroth’s voice was filled with murderous intent as he jumped off the table and landed with a loud thud. “Are you the wise guy who has brought me here!?”

“That is correct. You are now in the twenty-first century, and I was the one who revived you. As of now, you are officially under my employ.”

“BAH! The mighty Astaroth works for no one,” the monster picked up his ax. “Now why don’t you do me a favor and die, peon!?”

Imbecile, Kazuya thought as he dodged Astaroth’s downwards slash, the ground cracking as the blade smashed against it. Looks like it’s time for a little discipline…

“Hmph…so managed to dodge,” the creature said with a hint of amusement while he pulled his ax from the tile work. “Let’s see if you can do that again…”

“I won’t have to,” Kazuya’s left eye glowed as he began walking towards Astaroth. However, the creature did not do anything to guard himself. What’s this, Astaroth thought as he struggled to get his blade into a killing position, I can’t seem to move my arms! Why that little-

Moving with lightning-quick speed, Kazuya’s hand lunged towards Astaroth’s chest. Before the creature had a chance to scream, the Japanese man ripped out the creature’s beating heart. “Do not underestimate me, brute. I am much more powerful than I appear to be…”

“AAAAAAAAAAAAGH,” the creature let loose a primal cry of agony as he clutched his chest. “You maggot! Give that back to me right now!”

“I would be glad to…all you have to do agree to do what I say and I shall give it back. You cannot lift your ax against me anyway because it was my blood that revived you. You might as well make the most of the situation that you are in.” Kazuya tossed the heart up and down as if he were playing with a baseball. Although he was rather disgusted with holding such a slimy object in his hand, Kazuya did find the creature’s agony amusing.

“Grrr…” Astaroth stopped screaming for a moment and sat down on the ground. Although tearing the man’s heart out and returning the favor was prominent on his to-do list, he currently had no way of doing such a feat. So until I find a way to break those ties… “…what kind of instructions? If it doesn’t involve carnage and mayhem, then you might as well kill me now!”

Kazuya smirked as the creature stood back up and brushed himself off. “I can guarantee you that much blood will be shed before my use for you has ended. After that you can do whatever you wish. Doesn’t sound like a bad deal, no?”

“…what’s your name, peon?” Astaroth glared at the dark-gray haired man with anger, but at the same time he was gaining some sort of respect for this man…something that he shouldn’t have been capable of feeling. Bah…damn human blood…

“My name is Kazuya Mishima,” the Japanese man gave the creature back his heart, which Astaroth snatched from him and shoved it back into his chest, “Here is your first assignment…”

Very interesting indeed. And I noticed the SCalibur connection. And I noticed the JCAdventures connection. I want more. I liked it, and I want to see what happens next.

Such greatness. The Uncle chant was marvelous. Quite possibly the best chi spell in existence.

I'm waiting with baited breath for the next installment.
-DC

I go away for 3 months, and to my surprise, you write another interesting Tekken Fan Fic.

Good stuff man! I'm anxious to read what happens next. I'd figured you'd put some SC characters into the mix because we talked about this a while back.

Although, Kazuya is a little out of character.

I will leave it up to you to figure it out. If you are still confused, I will gladly elaborate the error. Otherwise, I still like it.

”Umo gue-gue famitsao. Umo gue-gue famitsao. Umo gue-gue famitsao…”

AHH, i be packin like green bay, crackin when i see ray, run the block when it comes to rock call me green day

So the story modes for Dragunov and Lili are out on youtube...I WAS RIGHT!

The Russian government DOES want the Devil Gene! And if you look at the final screen of Drag's prologue where he's getting briefed on Devil Jin(who gets tortured by the Russians in Drag's ending...so I'll be sure to cover that in this fic when Sergei makes a cameo and explain why he acted like he did in my fic despite how he acts in DR)...there are 3 mugshots just under Drag's chin. One of Jin...one of Kazuya...AND ONE OF ASUKA(or at least, looks a heck of a lot like her.)

If I find out she's an EWGF-less Mishima after all, I will eat my shoe. That's all I gotta say there.

Lili's ending is funny too...gotta love how she falls in love with Ganryu. Just goes to show don't count out the sumo pimp!

Anyhoo, Tekken is copyright Namco-Bandai Games, Inc. Super Sentai and Kamen Rider are copyrights of Toei and Bandai Ltd.

In other words, Tekken, Kamen Rider(also known as Masked Rider) and Super Sentai are all owned by Bandai.

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Episode 1: Trouble on the Horizon

“Jin! I’m home!”

Opening to door to the great Mishima mansion, Ling Xiaoyu cheerily skipped into the main lobby and put her jacket on a nearby rack. Now in her final year of high school, Xiaoyu, with her slim body and long black hair tied back in pigtiails, was in particularly high spirits due to the knowledge of being so close to the next step of her life: the business world. Although her old dream of building her own amusement park in her homeland China was still one of her goals, Xiaoyu could now see that there were bigger, more important things to do before venturing into personal entertainment.

She now had a responsibility as a key figure of the Mishima Financial Empire.

At the conclusion of the previous King of Iron Fist Tournament, Heihachi Mishima and Jin Kazama agreed to run the Mishima Financial Empire together in an effort to stand strong against the recent advances of G-Corporation. Though the two of them were blood-related, Jin greatly distrusted Heihachi, and that bothered Xiaoyu a great deal. She loved both of them dearly, and she promised herself that she would do anything to keep their alliance alive. Thus, when both Jin and Heihachi asked her if she was willing to take a more active part in the Financial Empire’s activities…Xiaoyu leapt at the chance.

At the moment, most of the key members of the current Mishima Financial Empire were away. Heihachi was somewhere in the mountains on a training trip, Jun and Lee were on business in the states overseeing a major deal, and Kazuya was simply “away to contemplate his next move.” Jin and Xiaoyu were the ones in charge while everyone was out doing their business…and that meant they had the place all to themselves: a fact that Xiaoyu relished.

“Jin?” Xiaoyu called out his name again, curious as to where her dear friend happened to be. She had helped arrange his daily schedule before she left for school: Jin had no appointments today. I wonder where he is…maybe he’s in the study?

One of Jin’s favorite places to go when he needed peace and quiet was the study room. A rather spacious room, the study allowed Jin do just about anything that required silence. It had a desk at which he could sign papers or do legal work involving his share of the Zaibatsu, and it was large enough so that he could practice his martial arts technique or perform a few kata. Xiaoyu had used the study for that purpose on a few occasions, and she was inclined to agree that the study room did have its benefits.

Xiaoyu’s hunch was correct. Sitting at the desk in deep contemplation was a black-haired Japanese youth with his hair slicked back so it was standing in a point, his bangs hanging slightly in front of his face. Xiao smiled as she looked at Jin sitting there so silently. He truly was beautiful, with an impressive physique to boot: no matter how many times she saw him, her heart always skipped a beat.

“Hello, Xiao,” Jin, wearing a dark gray muscle shirt and black sweatpants with red flames etched in them, murmured quietly as his gaze didn’t move from the desk. “I didn’t here you come in. I’m sorry…”

“No need to apologize, Jin,” the young woman replied cheerfully. “You probably have your mind on something. Any chance you can tell me what it is?”

Pulling something out of his desk, Jin lightly tossed an object to Xiao, who caught it with one hand. The object was platinum in color, about the size of a computer mouse, and on it were two transparent yellow windows in the shape of kanji that she knew well: the two symbols meaning “Iron Fist” or “Tekken.” Noticing a strap underneath the device, Xiaoyu wrapped the strap across her wrist and wore the device as a bracelet. At least, that what I think I’m supposed to do with this thing…Jin has one strapped onto him, as well, except the kanji on his doohickey is red…

“Hey Jin,” Xiao walked over to Jin’s desk, noticing that his expression hadn’t changed at all since she entered the room. “What are these things?”

“To be honest, I have no idea,” Jin shook his head as he looked up to make eye contact with Xiao. “When my mother left this morning, she gave me three of those things and told me that something bad was about to happen…that the conflict between the Zaibatsu and G-Corporation was about to spill wide open and it would be up to us to make sure that it was contained so that no innocent bystanders get caught in the crossfire…and then she just left it at that.”

“You mean, just like that she left?”

“Exactly, and I haven’t been able to get my mind off of it,” Jin stood out of his chair and walked to a nearby window, looking out at the massive estate of the mansion. “I remember the last time my mother told me that something bad was about to happen…and sure enough it happened, and I believed her to be dead for the next seven years. When Mom says that something is going to happen, chances are that it’s guaranteed. She also told me that-“

BZZT!

Walking away from the window and back to his desk, Jin turned on the intercom and saw that the transmission had come from the front door. It seemed he had a visitor. “How may I help you?” Jin said with sincerity as he spoke into the intercom.

“Hey, Jin! Any chance you could let me in?” The voice was obviously female, with an accent that Jin instantly identified as an Osaka dialect. Before Jin could turn the intercom off, however, Xiaoyu was already racing to open the door for the familiar voice.

Opening the door, Xiaoyu spotted her friend: a voluptuous Japanese teenager with short brown hair, wearing a white tanktop, a silver sleeveless jacket, and a pair of light blue jeans. It was none other then Asuka Kazama, Jin’s cousin from Osaka. “Asuka! It’s been a while,” Xiaoyu said as the two girls hugged each other for a couple of seconds before going inside. “What brings you to Tokyo?”

“Nothing much,” Asuka said as she put the two suitcases she was carrying onto the couch in the main lobby. “I’m just here to visit my relatives, and also to give Kenichi his schoolwork, being that he’s at Mt. Fuji now.”

“Oh, that’s right...he’s the cute brown-haired guy you introduced me to,” Xiaoyu snapped her fingers as she recalled the 18-year-old youth who competed in the previous King of Iron Fist tourney. “Yoshimitsu told me at the arcade last week that he’s doing really well, and he’s already reached the rank of ‘genin’ or whatever it is that denotes rookie ninjas. He also told me that Kenichi’s actually learning to use that sword that he carried around with him the last tournament!”

“Are you joking? Kenichi hates using swords,” Asuka raised an eyebrow as she heard Xiaoyu mention “sword” and “Kenichi” in the same sentence. “If Kenichi is using a sword, I’m just going to give him some room so I don’t get hacked to bits along with him!” Although one of the reasons he left was because he wanted to give me some time to think after all that happened to us during the last tournament, Asuka added in her mind as she recalled her friend and rival’s solemn words before she left for Osaka. What an idiot! I didn’t want time to myself. I wanted to get freakin’ NAKED with him…and maybe have a few more sparring matches…

“Well, anyway,” Xiaoyu continued, “you’re welcome to stay here, Asuka. Maybe we can share a room!”

“Hmmm…late night pillow fights,” Asuka rubbed her chin thoughtfully before raising an eyebrow and smiling. “That’s sounds kick-ass! Now where’s the TV room? Kamen Rider is going to be on any second now, and I want to watch it on your awesome hi-def television!”

“Hello, Asuka,” Jin walked into the main lobby just before Xiao could show Asuka to the recreation room. “It’s good to see you again. I’m afraid my mother isn’t here right now…however she did leave you a present.”

“She left me a present?” Asuka repeated the words with a hint of surprise. “Well, that was nice of her! Come on, I wanna see!” Catching the item that Jin threw at her, she looked down at the object in her hand with curiosity. It was just like the devices that Jin and Xiaoyu were wearing on their wrists, except the kanji on Asuka’s happened to be milky white. “Cool gadget…what does it do?”

“Your guess is as good as mine, Asuka,” Jin walked with the two girls into the recreation room. “I’ve spent all morning trying to figure what these things do. I guess it’s something that’ll come to use later.” Picking up the remote from top of the television, he went over to a couch and sat down next to Xiaoyu and Asuka. “I think Kamen Rider is on TV-Asashi…”

Pressing the ‘on’ button on the remote, the TV instantly displayed a sharp crisp picture and the speakers activating along with them. However, what the trio witnessed was not the famed tokusatsu hero destroying a fiend in a rubber suit, but a black-haired Asian woman dressed in formal business attire with a microphone in her hand.

“-47 people have already been confirmed dead in the Marunouchi Building slaughter that has been going on the past hour, thirty of them policemen that were sent in to stop the suspect responsible. The suspect has been confirmed to have done all of this using nothing but a giant battle ax. So far firearms have proven ineffective against this juggernaut. Negotiators are about begin-“

Jin quickly turned the TV off and put on some shoes. It couldn’t have been a coincidence that his mother had told him that things were about to go crazy in Tokyo, and the very same day someone is killing innocent people in a crowded part of the business district. One thing was certain: Jin Kazama would not stand idly by while bystanders got hurt. “Xiao, Asuka…let’s go.”

Last edited by Psychoblue on Jul 8th, 2006 at 03:28

(continued from last post)

1 hour later…

You did well, Astaroth, but I would have preferred if you didn’t slaughter the policemen, Kazuya’s voice whispered in the behemoth’s ear via a miniature radio as the monster walked down the stairs back onto the first floor. I told you only to kill everyone within that office space. I don’t wait blood being spilled if it doesn’t have to…at least, not while I’m not there.

“Hey, they entered the space, and that made it my turf,” Astaroth smiled beneath his mask as he put his bloody axe down and buttoned up his trenchcoat that he wore inside the building. “Tell me, boss…what’s a television?”

…a television is something that I’m sure you would find fascinating. When you return, I will show you what a tele-

“There he is!”

Darting around to see where the voice had come from, Astaroth looked down and saw three young people pointing at him. After looking at them for a second, the behemoth felt a feeling of excitement pulse through him. Each one of them possessed an impressive fighting aura. Now that Soul Edge is gone, Astaroth murmured as he picked up his axe and jumped down the staircase, I can harvest these souls for myself!

Landing on the ground level with a thud, Astaroth looked at Jin, Asuka, and Xiao with amusement. It seemed that they intended to challenge him.

“Hey buddy, Kamen Rider got cancelled because of you,” Asuka pointed an accusing finger at the golem. “No one does that to my favorite show and gets away with it!”

“I don’t know who this ‘Kamen Rider’ is, wench,” the giant bellowed as he continued to observe the group in front of him, “but you better watch your tone, or else you’ll find your head on the ground…and your body still standing up!” The giant began to tap the butt of his axe on the floor: lightly at first, but quickly beginning to increase in force and volume. When the tapping evolved into banging, something began to burst from the floor, like a zombie crawling out of its grave.

The creatures were obviously reptilian, but they stood on two legs and had five fingers like a human being. Their skin was red in color, and their bodies were covered in sleeveless bronze body armor with sliver ankle braces and armguards. Their eyes were wide and their teeth were sharp. With their long prehensile tails, Jin originally mistook them for long-extinct raptors. Upon closer inspection, however, he could see that these creatures were not at all natural.

“Here’s the deal,” Astaroth planted the blade end of his axe on the ground and leaned against it slightly, “if you peons want to play with me, then first you must defeat all of these lizard-men. Either way…you die here!” Seeing the three youths begin to panic slightly Astaroth bellowed out that awful order: “KILL THEM ALL!”

The creatures reached Asuka first, who sent the first creature that reached her crashing into the ones behind her with a forward palm thrust. Grabbing one of the creature’s legs, she pulled it towards her then tossed it over her shoulder in a vacuum throw…Right into Jin’s roundhouse kick then sent into careening into more of the creatures.

Following Asuka’s example, Xiaoyu flipped over a lizard-man’s bite and grabbed the creature by its tail as soon as she landed behind it. Using of the strength she could muster, she knocked it into the air with a high kick, and then grabbed the creature’s tail in mid-air and used it as a bludgeon against its comrades. This sent the creature and its comrades flying backwards.

Damn…I can’t take much more of this, Jin cursed under his breath as the creatures continued to pop out of the ground faster than he could knock them out. I just have to stop from dogpiling on us. Hearing a scream, Jin looked and saw Xiao and Asuka surrounded by the lizard-men and the sound of blows landing. Dogpiling on us…just like that! Wading through the hordes of monsters, Jin did his best to come to their aid, but try as he might there seemed to be no end to them.

His gaze turned to Astaroth, who was now walking toward the mob of monsters where Xiaoyu was, his ax in his hand. My god…Xiao! Jin doubled his efforts to break through the lizard-men. If he didn’t hurry up…he didn’t even want to think about what Astaroth would do.

“You’re first, China-girl,” the golem wiped off his axe and raised it over his head just as Xiao knocked away a lizard-man that tried to grab her. “Say good-night!”

“XIAO!” Jin’s red ki began to crackle around his body as he knocked away the lizard-men holding him back and made a mad dash towards Astaroth.

But as his ki crackled…the kanji on his wrist device began to glow. The light from the device was so bright that even Astaroth put down his ax in curiosity.

The red light engulfed Jin’s entire body, causing everyone in the room to avert their eyes so as they wouldn’t become blinded. Jin let loose a roar as the light continued to embrace his body and soul, changing him for better or worse…and when the light faded and the screaming quieted, Jin had taken on an entirely different appearance…a powerful mix of red, gold, and platinum.

The torso was now adorned with platinum body armor with two shoulder pads of the same color attached to it. On the body armor a red jewel that shone as Jin breathed heavily. The rest of the body was covered with a red body-suit, with the wrists and boots being the same platinum color as the torso. Around the waist was a golden belt, bond together with a platinum buckle bearing the two kanji “Tekken.” Jin’s face, and his entire head, was now covered with a round red helmet, with only black visor with gold trim in front of the eyes allowing for sight. At the side of the visor on both sides was the number “5” written in gold.

Holy Toledo, Xiaoyu was mesmerized along with everyone on that floor as she took a look at Jin’s new attire, Jin morphed into a superhero!

Looking back up, Jin ran towards Astaroth and sent him spiraling backwards with a right hook, and then darted back around to see all of the lizardmen move away from Asuka and Xiao and converge onto his position. However, as soon as they reached them, Jin sent fifteen of them flying into the air with a powerful uppercut: his Electric Thrust Godfist, the tail of the first lizard-man uppercutted launching the creature behind with it, until it became a domino effect. It was clear that Jin was much more powerful when he was like this. All Xiao and Asuka could do was gape in wonder.

“What…are you waiting for, girls,” Jin yelled as the lizard-men began running away from Jin and back towards Asuka and Xiaoyu, believing them to be easier targets. “Gathering your ki triggers it, so please hurry and help me out!”

“R-right,” Asuka and Xiaoyu nodded as they focused their energy into their fists…and just as Jin said, it activated a reaction in their wrist devices. However, unlike Jin (whose ki had been brought up by rage), Xiao and Asuka were quiet as pure energy surged in their veins…following Jin’s lead in morphing into something greater.

The light around the two young women faded as they looked at their new garments. They were almost exactly like Jin’s, except where there was red on Jin with a number “5” on the helmet, there was now yellow for Xiaoyu with the number “4” and white for Asuka with the number “2”…except while Xiaoyu’s jewel was yellow like her suit, Asuka’s was a bright pink. Another feature exclusive to the two girls were that just below the belt, there was a skirt of their respective colors

But the skirt wasn’t what bothered Asuka.

“Hey, what the heck is this?” Asuka shouted out her discomfort as she looked at that horrid girlish jewel that was between her breasts. “I’m supposed to be the white one! Why is there this pink thing right here? I HATE PINK!” Looking up at the lizard-men still charging at her, Asuka began to spin towards the horde. “Now I’m mad. TAKE THIS!”

After the third spin, Asuka sent a wide arc of lizard-men sprawling backwards with her Spinning Heel Drop. Once she did that, she once again began landing blows upon the monsters, having much more luck getting her attacks through the creatures’ thick hides than before.

Not to be outdone by her friend, Xiaoyu flipped over another lizard-man and this time landed on its head. Riding the creature like a rider on a bucking bronco, Xiaoyu used her ‘steed’ to run down its comrades as it kicked and thrashed trying to get this yellow-clad woman off of it. Once she felt she had done enough, she smacked it in the temple, and the creature crumpled to the ground unconscious.

Just as Xiao and Asuka were about to engage the next set of creatures, however, a loud shriek pierced their ears (which, fortunately, were protected slightly by their helmets.) Every combatant turned around to see Jin and a fallen lizard-man that was bleeding at the mouth…and it was missing the bottom half of its mouth, which was now in Jin’s other hand.

Jin had ripped the creature’s jaw out.

Seeing such a feat of gargantuan strength, the remaining lizard-men quickly retreated into the holes that they came out of. “What are you doing? Get back here, you cowards,” Astaroth shook his fist at the creatures as the last one dug its way back into the earth. Looking at the three youths, Astaroth prepared to engage in battle…until a familiar voice yelled in his ear.

Astaroth, what’s taking so long? Get back here now or I’ll paralyze your lungs!

Grrr…spoilsport, Astaroth muttered to himself as he ran past his opponents and smashed the front door of the building open without stopping his run. I’ll get them next time…they can count on it!

Asuka and Xiaoyu thought about chasing after him, but their bodies ached from the reptilian mob they had just faced. By the time the decided to let it pass, Astaroth had already gone out of sight.

Hearing a rather disturbing panting noise, Asuka and Xiaoyu slowly turned back to Jin and realized the sound was coming through him. His red suit was now covered in crimson as the creature at his feet bled to death and breathed its last. Clearly Jin hated killing, and after he just brutally slaughtered the creature that had tried to two of the most important women in his life, it was certainly quite unsettling.

“Ah man,” Asuka looked at Jin with a hint of worry in her voice, “…sounds like he’s beginning to freak out…”

Undoing the clips at the sides of her helmet, Xiaoyu unmasked herself as she slowly walked towards Jin with her arms outstretched. She had seen Jin deal with this before prior to the previous King of Iron Fist Tournament, when he was running the Zaibatsu alone. Xiaoyu was always aware that she was the only thing standing between a calm Jin and a Jin that reveled in bloodshed.

“Jin…calm down,” Xiaoyu gently hugged Jin from behind and stroked his back, “…it’s over…so please…calm down.”

The panting became quieter as Xiaoyu lightly embraced Jin. After a few seconds, the panting had ceased entirely, and Jin regained his composure and dropped the jaw in his hand. Holding Xiao’s hand with his free hand, Jin looked behind him and nodded at his friend. Even though Xiao couldn’t see his face due to his red helmet, that was Jin’s way of saying it was OK.

“So…the bastard got away,” Asuka walked over to the couple and handed Xiaoyu back her helmet. “I guess we’ll get him next time, right guys?”

“…yeah…that’s right, Asuka.” Jin straightened himself and nodded in approval while Xiaoyu clipped her helmet back on. “Next time we’ll send that freak into the depths of Mt. Fuji!”

“Hey Jin,” Xiaoyu pointed at Asuka’s “2” on her helmet, “I noticed how there are numbers on our helmets…but if you’re 5, and I’m 4, and she’s 2…what happened to 1 and 3?”

“Hmm…I guess there are other people with these powers, Xiao,” Jin said as the trio began to walk out the door. “Chances are we’ll meet them soon enough, though. Now come on: let’s head back so I can shower this offal off of me…”

As soon as they walked out the hole in the wall that was once the door, however, there were deafening cheers and a mob of paparazzi…apparently a shower would have to wait…

-------

Just who are these mysterious ‘Shinkengers’, whose name was announced by the woman in white? The Shinkengers, who stemmed the slaughter caused by the mysterious killer with a battle ax earlier today, told the press that they would track the monster down, and then left in a limousine that was parked nearby. In other news-

Kazuya turned the television off as he looked next to him and saw Astaroth sitting on the couch that Kazuya had brought in (being that he was going to be spending an awful lot of time in the abandoned lab, he might as well make it cozier). “You did well, Astaroth,” Kazuya nodded his head at the behemoth, “but what are you going to do with these interlopers? Remember, I want nothing to be traced back to me.”

“…I’m going to strangle the life out of them,” Astaroth grumbled.

“You will do no such thing…you can break their arms and legs, but I want them brought to me in one piece. I must know the secret of their transformation,” Kazuya walked away as Astaroth picked up the remote control and turned the television back on.

Who are these interlopers, Kazuya stroked his chin as he went to get a drink of water. I must find out how they acquired that much power without my noticing…but until then…let there be war!

First response!

Such supreme ownage. The pink jewel thing was hilarious.

On a more serious note, I'm interested to see how you'll introduce...ahem, 1 and 3. Also, I really liked how you incorporated the moves of the characters into the fic. Great stuff. In addition to that, Lizardman putties are always appreciated.
-DC

Second Response

I love everything about this story. When you first told me about the plot i wasn't so fond, but after reading this i can see this becoming really good. Obviously i know who 1 and 3 are, but i won't spoil it for the others. Unless they allready know

Anyway, here are the things i thought were neat:

1 - Jun Kazama being the one who gave them the wrist bands.
2 - Xiaoyu being so close to Jin but not seeming like some sort of bunny boiler.
3 - Jin Kazama keeping character and being quite tranquil although he had to slaughter a load of lizards.
4 - Lizardmen replacing the putties, NEAT.
5 - Astaroth.
6 - Kazuya Mishima.
7 - Asuka's " I HATE PINK" classic.
8 - Asuka's want for Kenichi Naked, so badass
9 - The fact that you left Astaroth's fighting till later, im glad you left the fight at that point.

The only thing i hope you don't do is to kill Astaroth off straight away and replace him with someone else. I like him a lot, he's a sweet character for this story.

Well done mate, real cool stuff.

P.S: The odd typo appears, but i suppose i of all people can't complain

Hey there!

First I'd like to start off by saying thank you very VERY much to DigitalCount for drawing the Shinkenger team!

Click here!

Yeah, that's kind of a spoiler who ShinkenBlue is going to be...but who cares! It'll be a TZ exclusive spoiler!

Next I hope to upload the Shinkenger theme song!

And so, Episode 2! Enjoy!

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Episode 2: Kicked Up a Notch

“Hey girls, I think I might have found something,” Jin ran out of the Mishima mansion’s library with a stack of papers in his hand as he called out to Asuka and Xiaoyu, who were in the recreation room watching television. It had been only a day since the three youths battled the strange monster and its horde of reptilian creatures; only a day since the trio received the power to morph into fighters that Asuka dubbed “Shinkengers.” Although Jin and the others were still curious as to if there were others with that kind of power, their primary concern lay in finding out just who that monster with the battle axe was.

“Fortunately, I was able to find information on our pale friend via the Internet,” Jin spread the papers out on a coffee table as Asuka and Xiaoyu turned off the television and walked over to where Jin was standing. Lying on the table were numerous illustrations of the creature, some of which dating back to the sixteenth century. Most of the pictures featured him ravaging houses, ripping off heads, and standing amongst a field of skulls. Each of the documents referred to the creature as “Astaroth.”

“So this Astaroth guy is over five-hundred years old,” Xiaoyu picked up one of the pictures from the table and gave it a closer inspection. “I wonder why he’s decided to show up now…”

“I’m more worried about who he’s working for,” Asuka turned away from the table and began to pace across the room whilst rubbing her chin thoughtfully. “Did you notice how he ran away right before he was going to fight us? It seems to me like he’s getting orders from someone else; especially since he only killed people in a certain room.”

“Hmmm…that’s a good point, Asuka,” Jin turned around and headed back to the library. “If we can find out what office he attacked, then maybe we can make some connection between-“

Suddenly, Jin felt a buzzing in his pocket just as he was about to leave the room. Taking out his cell phone and flipping it open, Jin put it to his ear while Xiaoyu and Asuka looked in curiosity. “Hello?”

“Jin! I hope you’re reading for your ass-beating!”

The Japanese youth rolled his eyes as he heard that familiar voice. In all honesty, he would have been content if he didn’t have to put up with it. “What are you talking about, Hwoarang? I’m really busy right now…”

“‘Busy!?’ I’ve been waiting for three years now for you and I to get our rematch! First I had to put up with the idiots at the army, and then I hear that you got shipped off to Russia, and after that you’re the head of the Zaibatsu! The last time I was getting ready to face you, that damn grandpa of yours knocked me out of the tournament! I’m tired of waiting: we’re settling this now, King of Iron Fist or no,” Hwoarang’s voice was full of agitation as he yelled over the phone. “I’m right now at the Mishima High School courtyard, in front of the golden statue of that big idiot: be there in forty-five minutes.”

“Forty-five minutes? Hwoarang, this is a little sudden: I don’t know if you keep up with the world news or not, but there’s a giant monster on the loose and-“

“Again with the excuses! When are you going to stop running away and finish what you started!?”

Jin was silent as he heard Hwoarang say those words. Jin had promised Hwoarang a rematch in the past, but he continued to hold it off as other events occurred in his life…events such as his thirst for vengeance upon his Mishima kin, and his mind being torn apart by his Devil Gene. However, that was a year ago: Jin had now moved on from those nightmares, and could now pursue that rematch. Maybe fighting Hwoarang will keep me primed in case Astaroth shows up, Jin mused as he prepared to accept Hwoarang’s challenge. I’ve never been one to break my promises, and I don’t intend to start now. “Hwoarang, I’ll be over there in a moment.”

“Well, now that’s more like it,” Hwoarang’s satisfaction was clear in his voice as Jin hung up his cell phone. “I’ll be waiting right here!”

------------------

Mishima High School
5:00 PM

Mishima High School: the alma mater of Jin Kazama and the current school of Ling Xiaoyu. Owned and operated by the Mishima Zaibatsu, it is a school reserved for students with an exceptional desire to succeed. Many of the graduating students go on into the upper echelons of society, ranging anywhere from managers of major restaurants to executives of large businesses. In the courtyard was a twenty-foot statue of Heihachi Mishima, the founder of the school, made entirely of gold…

…a statue which three Korean men promptly spat on as they arrived in said courtyard.

“Man, too bad school’s out right now,” one of the men said, a black-haired individual wearing khakis and a leather jacket. “I wanted to get my hands on those fine Mishima High cheerleaders…”

“Har har! You and your hormones, Choi,” another man, a bulky character with his hair in a mohawk dyed green wearing the same outfit, laughed obnoxiously at his comrade’s comment. “Hey boss Hwoarang, did you hear what he said?”

“Yeah I heard what he said,” the ‘boss’ Hwoarang replied as he hung up his cell phone. “And don’t laugh like that, Jae…it makes you sound like an ass.”

Hwoarang, with his spiky red-orange hair, was wearing a black sleeveless jacket with orange trim, with a design of a human skull splashed across the back. His black jeans and spurred ebony shoes hid his powerful legs that had won him worldwide renown, while his trademark goggles were bound across his forehead.

“Sorry about that, boss,” the one known as Jae apologized as Hwoarang sat down on a nearby bench. “It’s just that I’m trying to keep my spirits up. All the other guys either quit or were offed in gang wars when you were in the army. Choi and I just feel…you know…down in the dumps.”

“And that, Jae, is why we’re more than just gang buds: we’re family now.” Hwoarang stood back up and patted Jae on the shoulder. “We used to play everyone for fools in our street fights, up until that bastard Jin Kazama showed up. That’s why I brought you along to Tokyo with me: I want to you see me defeat Jin fair and square. Then we’re going to rebuild our gang.” Hwoarang turned around and outstretched his arms to the setting sun. “Once I do that, you and Choi are going to be my lieutenants. We’re going to weed out those other gangs…the kind that give gangs like us a bad name!”

“It’s good to hear that boss,” Choi walked in front of Hwoarang as he put his arms down and finished his speech. “Jae and I were always wondering when we were going to do some good in the world…what made you decide to turn over a new leaf?”

“Ehh…I dunno,” Hwoarang shrugged as he continued gazing into the sunset. “After Master Baek came back, I’ve been doing some thinking… all these other gangs; they don’t know what it means to be a fighter! I mean, yeah, we caused trouble and we’ll keep on causing trouble with no regrets, but we never attacked innocent people or stuff like that…” A mischievous grin adorned the Korean’s face as he finished his speech, “…or maybe I just want to clean up a bit so when the Olympic committee comes to town they don’t screw me over because of some stupid ‘indecent citizen’ BS!”

“Now that’s the boss we know,” Jae laughed as he reached for his coat pocket. “That reminds me: before we left yesterday, your master asked that I give you this.”

Taking the object out of Jae’s hand just as his subordinate pulled it out of his pocket; Hwoarang inspected the item with curiosity. It was about as big as his fist; a platinum device with two black windows on it in the form of the two kanji meaning “Tekken.” Looking at the strap beneath it, Hwoarang put in on his wrist. “So what is this supposed to do? You said Master Baek gave this to you?”

“I dunno why he gave it to me, boss,” Jae rubbed the back of his hand lightly as he put his other hand in his pants pocket. “He just said that I should give it to you before you take on Kazama. Kinda weird, you know what I mean?”

“Maybe the old man’s finally gone senile,” Hwoarang mused as he inspected the object further. “However, I’m not going to turn down free stuff. Looks pretty expensive…”

“Hwoarang!”

Turning around upon hearing the voice behind him, Hwoarang cracked his knuckles in anticipation. “Well, it’s about damn time!”

Wearing his trademark black-and-red pants and red armguards with silver beads embedded into them, Jin took off his muscle shirt and tossed it to Xiaoyu, who was trailing behind him along with Asuka. Asuka was wearing a white-shirt and a pair of jeans, while Xiaoyu was dressed in a black sports bra, a yellow sweater jacket, and white sports pants. “I’ve been thinking about what you said, Hwoarang…and you’re right! It’s time we finished what we started!”

“Now that’s what I want to hear, Jin.” Hwoarang undid his jacket and tossed it to the nearby Choi as his two subordinates backed away, revealing his toned abdominal muscles. “Let’s go cra-“

“THERE YOU ARE!!”

Everyone in the court yard jumped up in surprise as a voice filled with murderous intent boomed in their ears. Jin, Asuka, and Xiao immediately assumed a fighting stance as they turned to face the source of the voice: a massive individual with sickly beige skin carrying a giant battle ax. Standing next to him was a medium-sized individual covered up completely in a black cloak, his face hidden beneath a hood.

“I’ve been looking for you three! This time I’ll crush you for sure,” Astaroth spun his ax in the air with primal fury as he made violent gestures to the trio that interfered with him the day before.

“Hey, buddy, wait your turn,” Hwoarang, oblivious to the golem’s vendetta, stepped forward to confront the monster. “I’ve been waiting a lot longer than you have to fight this guy, so butt out!”

“Hey, boss, isn’t that the guy we saw on the news while we were on the plane?” Choi took out a knife from his jacket and pointed it at Astaroth. “Maybe if we take him out, we can drag him to the cops and get some major cash!”

“God, are you honestly that much of an idiot?” Asuka slapped her forehead as she heard the black-haired Korean utter his ambition. “That guy is serious trouble! He’ll eat you for lunch…literally!”

“We’re pretty serious trouble too, sweetheart,” Jae cracked his knuckles and walked up next to Hwoarang as Choi prepared for battle. “It’s your call, boss…what do we do?”

“I say we take this idiot’s ax and shove it up his ass! Let’s do it, you two!” Coming at Astaroth with a full run, Hwoarang shouted out his order as Jae and Choi followed his lead.

Suddenly, the fighter in the hood jumped into motion and roundhouse kicked the three fighters away simultaneously, sending them careening into Jin, Asuka, and Xiaoyu. “Sorry about that, asshats,” the hooded fighter uttered smugly as he assumed a fighting stance, “but first you will have to deal with me!”

Xiaoyu ran over to Hwoarang and helped him up. Looking at his wrist, however, she noticed that he was wearing the very same contraption that was given to her the previous day. “Hey, Hwo…where did you get that thing on your wrist?”

“What difference does it make, Xiao? Now get the hell off of me,” Hwoarang pushed her aside while Jae and Choi brushed themselves off and prepared for attack.

However, Choi looked at Xiao’s wrist and noticed the device on it. “Hey boss, she’s got the same doohickey that your master gave you!”

The hooded fighter started jumping up and down and pounding his chest like an ape. “If you morons are done kissing,” the fighter said with impatience as it assumed a stance that was clearly that of Muay Thai kickboxing, “I’ve got a little ass-kicking for you!”

“The only one who is going to get a ‘little ass-kicking’ is you, nutjob,” Asuka pointed her finger at the hooded one dramatically as she, Jin, and Xiaoyu stepped forward in confrontation. Charging their ki, their wrist devices glowed in unison as their bodies were enveloped in a blot of light.

Hwoarang and his two lieutenants shielded their eyes as the glow intensified while the respective suits of the Shinkengers formed around the bodies of Jin and his two female friends. “What the hell?” Hwoarang raised an eyebrow once the light faded and he gazed upon what stood on its place: three individuals masked with helmets and dressed in jumpsuits of the same color: one was red, another yellow, and the last one white.

“Aw man, that’s so freakin’ awesome,” Choi stared in wonder as the Shinkengers assumed their respective fighting stances. “I used to love this show when I was a kid. Hey boss, you have one of those gadgets too, right? Join in on the fun!”

“Don’t be a douchebag,” Hwoarang shook his head in disagreement. “Why the hell would I want to embarrass myself in that!?” However, once he saw Jin send the hooded fighter nearly fifty feet into the air with a Thrust Godfist(a feat which Hwoarang didn’t deem possible), Hwoarang’s skepticism quickly turned to amazement. You’ve got to be kidding me…did Master Baek send me this thing because he knew Jin had one, too? Well, I’m not going to let Jin get the upper hand no matter how ridiculous he looks, Hwoarang looked at his device as he pondered what to do next. I guess once I get rid of these guys, Jin and I can duke it out and I can get rid of this thing…

Following Jin’s example and charging his ki, Hwoarang rolled his eyes as his wrist device glowed a dark purple and light enveloped his body. As Jae and Choi jumped back in surprise, Hwoarang said one sentence before the light engulfed him completely: “This is so retarded…”

Once the light faded, Jae and Choi’s jaws hanged open in awe and wonder as their leader took on an entirely difference appearance: an intimidating combination of black, gold, platinum, and purple. The design of the suit was very much like Jin’s, except wherever there was red, there was now black, and the number “1” replaced the “5”. Across Hwoarang’s upper legs were three black buckles, and in the center of his chest was a violet jewel, pulsating like a heartbeat. “Hey boss, you turned into a Pow-“

“Shut up, Choi. It’s embarrassing as it is,” Hwoarang shouted as he ran into the battle. “Thank god I’m wearing a helmet so no one can recognize me…”

Jumping in front of the hooded fighter and kicking him away, Hwoarang stepped backwards a few times until he was side by side with Asuka. “Don’t get the wrong idea, babe. I’m just here so I can clear a path for Jin and I to fight on.”

“Heh…then let’s begin kicking ass,” Asuka gave Hwoarang a thumbs-up as she resumed her fighting stance along with Jin and Xiaoyu.

“I’m not even going to ask why you were chosen to get a morpher,” Jin said dryly while watching the hooded fighter flip back onto his feet. “However, I’ll be glad to accept your help. For now…welcome to the team!”

“Grr…I hate to break up this moment of team spirit,” the hooded fighter grabbed his cloak and began untying it as he spoke, “but I think it’s high time that I stole the spotlight again!”

Tossing off his cape and mantle, the now unmasked kickboxer made his true appearance known. His skin was midnight blue, and there was dark orange hair growing from all across his body. There were orange bands tied around his elbows and knees, and yellow bandages around his hands and feet. What was most intriguing to the Shinkenger quartet however, was his ape-like face.

“Time that I introduce myself,” the ape-faced kickboxer pointed a finger dramatically at the Shinkengers before assuming a fighting stance. “I’m Mong Kong, the Muay Thai gorilla! And this is the part where you beg for mercy!”

Tossing aside his guard, Mong Kong leapt high into the air and landed right in front of the Shinkengers. Taking advantage of their surprise, the monster began his assault by hitting Hwoarang with a knee to the face, turning around quickly to catch Jin’s punch. Countering with another knee strike to send him flying, Mong Kong pounded his chest a couple of times before seeing his next two opponents.

Asuka and Xiaoyu both shot out their palms at the creature, sending the creature careening backwards and giving time for Hwoarang and Jin to catch their breaths. However, Mong Kong recovered faster than expected, and knocked the two girls down with a running shoulder check. Seeing Hwoarang come at him again, Mong Kong ducked down under his forward kick and sent him flying backwards with a spinning uppercut. “That’s the spirit, kiddies! Keep those blows coming,” Mong Kong jumped up and down slightly while swinging his long arms. “I’ll take you all on at once! After all, that’s what I was made for!”

“’This is what you were made for,’” Jin repeated as he blocked Mong Kong’s elbow strike with one of his own. “Just who made you, anyway? Was it G-Corporation and their vice-president Sorel? This certainly seems like his sense of humor.”

“Hah,” Mong Kong laughed as he kicked Jin in the shin then sent him away with a roundhouse kick. “Sorry, but I don’t know who you’re talking about. But know this: after I beat the tar out of you and break your limbs, I’ll drag your busted selves to our lair…where you can meet our master as he dissects you!”

“Sorry, pal,” Hwoarang sent the preoccupied creature high into the air with a standing 180 degree roundhouse kick, his Talon Sky Rocket technique, “but I’m the only one who’s going to be dissecting Kazama!” Knocking Mong Kong’s body in the air once again as if he were a child with a soccer ball, Hwoarang pointed at Xiaoyu and jumped up after the monster, kicking him in Xiaoyu’s direction.

“I got it!”

Xiaoyu knocked Mong Kong straight in the air with both hands as a volleyball player would before spiking a ball…which is exactly what Xiaoyu did as she slapped the creature’s body to Asuka, who jumped up with a leaping roundhouse kick to send him spiraling…

…right into Jin, who had been crackling with his red ki while rearing back for his ultimate technique, the Eighth Gate of Hell. Letting loose a devastating punch, Jin hit his mark right into Mong Kong’s chest, piercing the creature and finally sending him screeching to the ground.

“D-damn it…” Mong Kong struggled to breathe as the gaping hole in his chest shot out sparks like a sprinkler in a backyard. “Remember: just because you defeated me…doesn’t mean that you’ll be so lucky with the terrors to come!” The sparks continued to shoot out as he fell two his knees. Finally, as his body hit the ground, he was engulfed in a fiery explosion. When the dust cleared…he was gone, body and all.

“Heh…just like on TV,” Asuka dusted off her hands as she admired the handiwork of her teammates. “Don’t worry about us, monkey-man! No one can defeat the Shinken-“

“GAAAAGH!!!”

A death cry reached the ears of the quartet as the darted around behind them…upon doing so Hwoarang felt sorrow strike his heart. Standing in front of him a few meters away were Jae and Choi, their crimson blood pooling on the ground with massive gashes in their backs…and standing next to their bodies was Astaroth, his axe dripping with their fluids.

“Unforgivable! I’m going to send you straight to hell for that!” Jin made clear his disapproval of such a cruel act and ran towards Astaroth with his fist raised. Hwoarang, too grief-stricken and angered for words, let out a primal yell and followed after him.

“Be fortunate that my boss has asked that I leave you alone for now,” Astaroth retorted smugly as he knocked the wind out of Jin with a devastating thrust using the back of his axe. “He just wanted me to send you a message with the demon he created especially for you: the best is to- ACK!!”

Dropping his axe, Astaroth grabbed Hwoarang, who had latched onto his neck trying to snap it, and held him above his head. Letting the enraged Korean flail for a few seconds, he slammed Hwoarang into the ground then stood on his neck until the Korean’s struggling slowed. “You wouldn’t be the first who’s wanted revenge on me, peon,” Astaroth said as Hwoarang passed out. “But just remember: I won’t be an easy target!”

Turning to Xiaoyu and Asuka, who remained in their fighting stance, Astaroth scoffed and said to them, “Nurse your friends back to health. I didn’t do anything serious. But just remember: the best is yet to come.”

Rushing to Jin and Hwoarang as Astaroth walked away, the two girls couldn’t help but wonder how soon they would be able to find the fifth Shinkenger, and even when they did…how they would defeat such a creature that took out two of the best fighters on the planet with ease.

This section had everything. From Hwoarang's annoyance to Jin's mild amusement to Astaroth's determination, you conveyed the tone quite well and kept the group in character. That, I find, can be one of the toughest things to do when you're working with a Ranger team -- to make sure you don't have them mesh too well immediately.

I found the part with Astaroth murdering the two lackeys quite shocking; is this going to be one of those personal vendetta type things where the one Ranger always goes off on his own against the main bad guy? Because I can easily see Hwoarang doing so and getting put in his place for attempting something so foolhardy.

2 things: Saw PRMF in action for the first time today, and...wow. Better take that to PMs. The other thing is, you're making me blush with the props for the picture. Now everyone's going to be wondering about the others...who could they be?
-DC

When you mentioned the Muay Thai Boxer, i thought Bruce would be under the hood, but no, only a demonic gorilla ! =D

Really good way to intorduce Hwoarang into the story, the Gorilla was uber col and Astaroth remained his badass self without once coming out of character.

If only Jae could have survived the blow, he was badass too, i imagined him a bit like "Blob" out of X-Men Evolution XD





Well done mate.

Well you are expoloring your creativity. Indeed continue further. I shall read along and see if I can give something more detailed later

@Firebat: This may surprise you, but it was actually your King Power fic back in January that inspired me to write something like this! I really think you should go to youtube and watch some Super Sentai(just type in Dekaranger or Magiranger or Boukenger to find episodes). I STRONGLY suggest something called Gaoranger vs Super Sentai. Only in Japan can you see the Black Ranger uses Sumo!

At last, the main five are complete! After that, I'm going to be taking a break to focus on Summer school some more.

Now featuring the official theme song of Tekkenshu Sentai Shinkenger: Unlimited by Aikawa Nanase

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Episode 3: Punch out! The Five are Complete!

Established 1872, the Tokyo National Museum, or Tōkyō Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan, is the oldest and largest museum in Japan. The museum collects, houses, and preserves a comprehensive collection of art works and archaeological objects from Japan and other Asian countries. The museum holds over 110,000 articles, which includes 87 Japanese National Treasure holdings and 610 Important Cultural Property holdings. The museum also conducts research and organizes educational events related to its collection.

Astaroth had been watching television when he noticed a news report on an ancient shield that had arrived from London to be put on display in the Tokyo museum, at which point he called me into the room and informed me that the shield in question was actually one that he had fought against back in the 16th century. Astaroth demanded that he be allowed to retrieve this “Elk Shield” and crush it into dust so that he may settle a vendetta he had with the previous owner.

I was reluctant at first, due to how this would certainly bring unwanted attention to me if Astaroth was to be followed by the Shinkengers, whose identity Astaroth continued to keep secret. However, if this shield was worthy of Astaroth’s attention to a point where he feared its power, then it could prove useful to me.

Of course, not everything went as planned…
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“Grr…we’re wasting time!”

Hwoarang pounded his fist on the coffee table as his patience wore out. It had only been one day since he was forced to bury his friends Jae and Choi thanks to the golem known as Astaroth after coming to Japan to fight Jin Kazama. Swearing vengeance on his friends’ graves, Hwoarang had agreed to help Jin, Asuka, and Xiaoyu take Astaroth down…on the condition that he was the one that delivered the finishing blow.

The four of them had spent most of the day practicing their martial arts technique, being they still had no idea where to find Astaroth or what his next move would be. Jin was particularly disturbed by the strength of the “Mong Kong” monster that fought them. Even though the Shinkengers managed to destroy him, the gorilla had strength far above any human levels. Furthermore, they now had concrete proof that Astaroth was taking orders from someone else.

Hwoarang, of course, had just about had it with investigating something that couldn’t possibly be found with the little evidence they had. As Jin began going over what he had found, the Korean made clear his agitation.

“How can we just sit here on our butts, when that monster is out there running free!? I said I’d help you, but only if you’d help me get what I want!” Hwoarang stood up and headed for the door of the mansion. “It’s becoming pretty clear that I won’t be getting it listening to you!”

“Hwoarang, don’t be an idiot,” Asuka ran after him and grabbed his hand. “Let’s say you do find him…what will you do then? Last time, he stood on your neck until you passed out! Try imagining what he’ll do if you go at him alone!”

“Get your hand off of me, bitch!” Hwoarang angrily snatched his hand away and turned around. “You don’t know what it’s like to lose someone who’s close to you! So don’t preach to me about keeping a cool head!”

“What did you call me!?” Asuka quickly assumed a fighting stance. “Say that in my face, asshole!”

“THAT’S ENOUGH!!!”

Jin’s voice boomed with such power and ferocity that Asuka and Hwoarang immediately ceased quarreling. “I don’t like being the dark any more than you do, Hwoarang, but there’s no way we can take him out without first finding the last of our group!” Jin took a deep breath and sat back down as Hwoarang and Asuka walked back over to the coffee table. “However…I think we might be very close to finding that person…”

Standing up and walking over to the nearby answering machine, Jin pressed a button on the machine and a woman’s voice began speaking:

Hello, Jin? This is Vicky returning your call about Steve. As a matter of fact, he did have some kind of device on his wrist like the one you described when he left for Tokyo last week. He told me that Lei Wulong gave it to him in the mail and told him to keep it on him at all times. At any rate, I called Steve and told him that you called about him, and he says that he’ll be glad to talk to you when he has a chance. Good luck on whatever it is you’re doing!

“Jin!”

Xiaoyu ran into the room just as the others finished listening to the recording. “Astaroth has been spotted at the Tokyo National Museum!”

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“No doubt about it: this is definitely the genuine article.”

Astaroth looked at the display case in front of him after shoving aside a few more security guards that impeded his path. The shield inside the display case was blue in color, a gold insignia marked on its front. Astaroth was still unsure as what Kazuya would want with such an object, but he didn’t really care. As long as he could desecrate the weapon of one of his former enemies, he was a happy golem.

But as he reached for the display case, however, Astaroth received a violent electric shock. Roaring in pain, Astaroth pulled his hand back in surprise. It seemed that the shield was booby-trapped. Raising his axe in frustration, he prepared to smash case open when he heard a voice behind him.

“Astaroth…please allow me. Our lord would be displeased if we damaged the shield.”

Standing behind the golem was a most peculiar individual: he was wearing black suspenders and a white knit shirt with a rose pinned near his heart. His hands were covered in black gloves, and in each hand there was a foot-long metallic rod. What was most intriguing about him, however, was that his head was not shaped like anyone else’s: it was the shape of an oversized horseshoe magnet, complete with a silver color and red-and-blue tipped ends.

“Hmph,” Astaroth let out a grunt as he let the bizarre figure pass. “I suppose you’re right, Polevolt. What do you have in mind?”

Clicking his Escrima sticks together, the one called “Polevolt” held them over his head as they began to crackle with yellow electricity. Once they were at full power, a beam shot out of each of their tips, surrounding the glass display which crackled with its own power. After a few seconds of the energies clashing, the glass case exploded and the shield flew towards Polevolt as if it was a spaceship caught in a tractor beam like in old science-fiction movies.

Catching the shield as it came his way, Astaroth tucked it over under his shoulder and nodded to Polevolt. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

“I’m afraid I can’t let you do that, guv…”

Turning around at the unknown voice with a heavy English accent, Astaroth and Polevolt laid eyes on a handsome, medium-built Caucasian man with blonde hair. He was wearing a long-sleeved light blue knit shirt and navy-colored fingerless gloves, the red union jack on the back of each hand and a gold stud on each knuckle. His sapphire leather pants shone in the light as he pushed his nose-pinch glasses slightly. “That shield there happens to come from the Museum of London…and it certainly wouldn’t be proper n’ all if I let you take it, eh?”

“Pah,” Polevolt lowered his Escrima sticks and put his wrists to his hips. “Who do you think you are, you ninny? Take a hike!”

“’A ninny?’” the blonde man wagged his finger and clicked his tongue. “You ought to be taught some manners, mate. But as for my name: I am the UK Stingray and World Middleweight Boxing Champion Steve Fox!” The man performed a quick flurry of punches before assuming a fighting stance.

Astaroth readied his axe as he noticed something quite familiar on Steve’s left wrist: a silver device with two blue windows in the form of the kanji “Tekken.”
“So you’re the last one!” The golem began pounding his axe on the marble floor and called forth his Lizard-men. “This time there will be no escape!”

As three red-skinned reptilians popped out from under the floor and bared their fangs at him, Steve whistled in amusement and awe. “Crikey…those are some big crocs,” Steve slapped his forehead sarcastically as he gave his best Steve Irwin impression.

Underneath the humorous remarks, however, Steve began to sweat. He had never seen creatures like the Lizard-men, and was a little bit concerned with lack of knowledge of what the creatures were capable of.

“GET HIM!”

Astaroth and Polevolt shouted their order simultaneously as the trio of Lizard-men hissed and charged at Steve while the English boxer resumed his fighting stance. Dodging to the right as one Lizard-man attempted to bite him, Steve punished the reptile with a couple of powerful left-handed haymakers. The next Lizard-man took a swipe at the Englishman with its sharp claws, but Steve evaded that attack as well by bending over backwards, then countering with a punch to the top of its head as he straightened himself out.

The third one that came at the British boxer, however, was a tad more skilled than its brethren. Rather than coming at Steve blindly, it chose to begin the fight on the defensive. Steve let loose a series of straight punches that seemed like blurs to the naked eye, but not one of them hit its mark as the Lizard-man moved it head like a cobra and evading each strike. Once Steve let his guard down to catch his breath, Lizard-man spun around with lightning speed and sent the boxer sprawling with a tail whip.

As Steve’s body flew in the air, however, his wrist device began to glow a blue light, and instantly enveloped his entire body. Flipping onto his feet, Steve felt the warm energy course through his body. Well...it looks like it’s morphin’ time!

The blue light slowly dissipated as Steve admired his transformed state: a stylish fusion of blue, gold, and platinum. His torso was now adorned with platinum body armor with two shoulder pads of the same color attached to it. On the body armor a sapphire jewel that pulsated with power. The rest of the body was covered with a blue body-suit, with the wrists and boots being the same platinum color as the torso. His blue gloves were studded with golden spikes, and around the waist was a golden belt, bond together with a platinum buckle bearing the two kanji “Tekken.” Steve’s face, and his entire head, was now covered with a round blue helmet, with only black visor with gold trim in front of the eyes allowing for sight. At the side of the visor on both sides was the number “3” written in gold.

“Faster than lightning, stronger than steel...” Steve tapped his helmet once and gave a thumbs-up to the Lizard-man that was tilting its head in curiosity, “…and a helmet to keep me face pretty in case something happens. I still haven’t thought of a good name for meself…”

Rubbing the lower part of his helmet in deep contemplation, Steve let down his guard and the Lizard-man ran at him to resume its assault. However, Steve rocked back and forth and avoided forward stabs from the Lizard-man’s claws, all while still rubbing his chin.

“Ah! I have it now,” Steve punched the Lizard-man with a right cross that was so powerful that it forces the creature to spread its arms out. Following with a powerful left uppercut, Steve completed his sentence. “You may call me…ShinkenBlue!” The Lizard-man fell down on its back as it faded into unconsciousness with the uppercut knocking it out. “Pleasant dreams, worthy adversary,” Steve gave a two-fingered salute to the fallen creature as he ran back to where Polevolt was standing.

“Hey, wait just a moment there,” Steve raised an eyebrow behind his helmet as he noticed that Astaroth was missing. Pointing to Polevolt, who now had the shield propping his foot up, Steve brought up his question: “Hey guv, where did our mutual friend go?”

Steve’s question was quickly answered as he felt monstrous arms hug him from behind, one of them holding a giant battle ax. Lifted off the ground, Steve flailed his legs wildly as he was brought into a crushing embrace. “I’ll strangle the life out of you,” Astaroth roared as he tightened his death-grip on Steve.

“Oh yeah?” Steve shouted between struggled breaths, “It just so happens-ugh-I like to start each day with a good hug!” Ugh…who am I kidding? Everything’s…going black…

Last edited by Psychoblue on Jul 23rd, 2006 at 15:27

(continued from last post)

However, just as Steve was about to lose consciousness, Astaroth roared in pain and dropped the British fighter. Gasping for air, Steve quickly unclipped his helmet and took a deep breath while Astaroth turned around.

“What?” Astaroth raised his axe and narrowly blocked a kick to his face. “How did you get in here!?”

Now standing in front of Astaroth was Hwoarang, fully dressed in his ShinkenBlack armor. Rather than answering with words however, he flipped awe from Astaroth’s low ax swipe and spread his arms out, allowing Xiaoyu and Asuka to propel themselves off his shoulders and drop-kick Astaroth in the face.

“Ugh...quite a close call there,” Steve took another lungful of air and picked up his helmet. Turning to a red-clad fighter, Steve clipped back on his helmet and gave a thumb-up. “I don’t know who are mate, but thanks for the assist.”

“Don’t mention it,” Jin shook Steve’s hand once the blue-clad boxer recognized Jin’s voice. “Now let’s put that axe-wielding psycho in his place!”

Astaroth shook off the blows he received and resumed his fighting stance as Steve and Jin rejoined the Shinkenger group. “I will send you all to hell,” Astaroth spun his axe around wildly as he prepared to rend their souls. “Not a hair of you will be getting out alive!”

I beg to differ, Astaroth’s headset radio buzzed lightly in his ear as he confronted the group. Let Polevolt deal with them and return to base.

Astaroth let out a roar of anger and sent Hwoarang, Xiaoyu, and Asuka sprawling as he ran for the door. Damn, Kazuya says I need to go now, Astaroth grumbled to himself after listening to his headset raido, what does that fool have up his sleeve now…?

“Damn! He’s getting away,” Hwoarang quickly got back onto his feet and ran after Astaroth. However, he didn’t get farther than ten steps when he felt a sharp pain in his back. Turning around to face the source of the attack, he saw Polevolt with his Escrima sticks crackling with energy. “Hey, magnet-man, did you do that?”

“Damn right I did, you cur,” the magnet-head pointed his Escrima sticks at the quintet as he kicked the shield under his feet aside. “My name is Polevolt the Escrima magnet and if you want to save this Elk Shield, you’ll have to get through me first!”

“I’ve got no problems with that, weirdo,” Xiaoyu and the others jumped out of the way as Polevolt dove towards them sticks-first and landed on his face. “You hit Hwoarang, and I’m going to make sure to pay for that!”

Scrambling back onto his feet, Polevolt caught Hwoarang’s axe kick with his forearm, and retaliated by sending the Korean youth into the air with a vertical swat of left Escrima stick, then juggled him in the air with repeated stabs of both sticks and sending him sprawling with another swat.

Next up were Steve and Jin, who came at Polevolt simultaneously with two powerful punches. Blocking both punches with his Escrima sticks in an “x” position, the fiend kicked both of them away with a roundhouse kick, then ran up to Jin before he could hit the ground, hitting him in his kneecaps with both Escrima sticks. “You seem to be the leader of the bunch, my crimson friend,” Polevolt put his foot on Jin’s chest and prepared to deliver a killing blow. “Let’s see how gung ho you are after I smash your skull!”

However, Jin was saved by a timely intervention in the form of Xiaoyu’s Shooting Star technique, which kicked Polevolt five times before being sent flying off Jin as Xiaoyu gracefully landed from the flying kick flurry. “Don’t worry, Jin,” Xiaoyu put out her hand and helped Jin back up as Polevolt turned to face his next opponent. “I’ll make sure that you stay safe!”

“Thanks, Xiao,” Jin dusted himself off and resumed his fighting stance. “Be sure to help the others too, though.”

Polevolt narrowly dodged a kick from Asuka and punished her with a blow to her ribs. As Asuka gripped where she had been struck, Polevolt took advantage of her weakness and sent her sprawling backwards by hitting her with both Escrima sticks as if he were a golfer hitting a tee. Asuka crashed into a display case, shattering it as she stuggled to get back up.

“Now that is no way to treat a lady,” Steve ran over to Asuka and helped her up before resuming his fight with Polevolt. “You ought to be taught some chivalry!”

Quickly ducking under Polevolt’s horizontal swat, Steve began pummeling the fiend with a flurry of punches. The punches rained down upon Polevolt’s abdomen, causing him to drop his Escrima sticks. However, the punches did not cease, as Steve’s Gatling gun technique seemed to paralyze Polevolt in place. Finally, when it seemed that the punches would never end, Steve sent the creature flying into the air with an uppercut.

“Thanks for the assist, Steve,” Hwoarang gave a two-fingered salute as he caught Polevolt with his foot and began to juggle him the air as a soccer player would a ball. Jumping up in the air and sending his flying with a tornado kick, Hwoarang issued his warning: “Xiaoyu, heads up!”

Already prepared for the monster, Xiaoyu shot out both her palms simultaneously and sent the creature flying towards Asuka, who then sent it towards Jin with a jumping roundhouse kick.

“Time to end this,” Jin crackled with his red ki and charged up his ultimate attack. With Polevolt coming at him headfirst, Jin let loose his most powerful technique: the Eighth Gate of Hell. Shattering the creature’s two head spikes, Jin sent the creature screeching to the floor, bleeding sparks just like its predecessor Mong Kong. After trying to get back up, Polevolt let loose a death cry and exploded in a fiery plume that shook the foundations of the museum, leaving only a big black spot on the marble floor.

“Another one bites the dust,” Asuka dusted off her hands as she ran over to Jin. “Just goes to show that you don’t mess with the Tekkenshu Sentai Shinkenger!”

“Is that what our name to going be?” Hwoarang rolled his eyes beneath his helmet. “As long as our roll call is more badass than our name, I’ll deal with it…especially since next time we’re going to finish off that freak once and for all!”

After dusting himself off, Steve walked over to the shield that Polevolt kicked aside and dusted it off as well. Putting it back on its stand within the now-shattered display case, he walked over to Jin and shook his hand. “I don’t suppose I bother you and ask if I could join your group, eh guv?”

“The more, the merrier: welcome to the team.” Jin nodded to Steve as he let go of his hand. Xiaoyu clapped in approval as Jin and Steve walked up to where she, Hwoarang and Asuka were waiting for them. “OK guys…there’s a big crowd out there, so let’s be sure to keep our helmets on so that whoever it is Astaroth is working for doesn’t figure out who we are.”

“Ha! I can deal with paparazzi,” Hwoarang scoffed the quintet walked out of the building to face the people gathered outside. “It’s fangirls I have problems with…”

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“Astaroth…”

Kazuya walked over to the golem that was sitting on the couch sulking. “Do not consider this a loss.”

“HOW CAN I NOT!?” Astaroth got up and smashed the coffee table in front of him. “I COULD HAVE DESTROYED THEM! WHY DID YOU HAVE ME BAIL!?”

“Because,” Kazuya smiled evilly as he handed Astaroth five photographs, “while you were fighting, I overheard their voices. Tell me…are these the Shinkenger you saw?”

Astaroth looked at the photographs and nodded each time he saw one. Kazuya took them from him and continued smiling. “Those are five of the greatest martial artists in the world. That’s why I had you pull out: now that we know who they are, we can reconsider our plans...”

Walking away from Astaroth as the golem reached for the remote and turned on the television, Kazuya’s smile faded and turned into an angry grimace. OK, Jin…you want to play hardball? I’ll give you hardball! By the time I’m finished with you, you’ll be begging me for mercy!

Last edited by Psychoblue on Aug 1st, 2006 at 22:49

Your characters have great personality. Good discriptions, I really like it. Lots of soul.

Hello everyone!

I just thought I'd let you know that I might not have Episode 4 up as soon as I like, as this weekend I have lots of schoolwork to do, then the weekend after that I'm going out of town, and the weekend after that...it's off to college!

The next update might take anywhere from this weekend to next month, so I would like to apologize in advance. Hopefully I can get it up soon, though!

Man, I am a terrible reviewer. I'm sorry that I haven't gotten to replying sooner than this.

Faster than lightning, stronger than steel? Is Steve blue or gold?

Capital work, once again. Firebat pointed out some things in his review; they're quite helpful points. The only thing I have an issue with at this point is the way that the monster gets destroyed. Is it always going to be a Tekken Ball mode-style finisher? Not that it isn't creative, but maybe they could also do some sort of team attack. But, it's your show.
-DC

Steve's dialogue was spot on, although, obviously, no one in Britain actually speaks like that anymore, the stereotypical voice of the British was portrayed brilliantly and in general i found Steve's character very intriguing and interesting to read.
You kept the chapter up to pace and not once did i go off-track and stop reading. Hwoarang's despair for his friends death could have been emphasised more and "Polevault" could have been more physical than instead just prodding everyone with his sticks. But the utter greatness of the chapter made up for these minor faults.

Well done Psycho, another successful chapter.

@DC: LOL! It actually took me an extra second to get that "blue or gold" line. I didn't even notice that until you pointed it out! God, what a badass theme song that was...

Anyway, I implemented a new team-up attack here.

@Firebat: Thanks for the critique. Power Ranger fic were actually the first kind of fanfic I ever tried(or was it Godzilla fics). I didn't put any of them online though, as I was around 13 when I did them, though. King of Iron Fist Tournament 6 was the first fanfic I ever put online for everyone to see.

Once I get back to college in two weeks so I can DL Gao eps, I can upload them on youtube. Even though the plot is pretty cheesy in Gaoranger, it does have perhaps one of the most testosterone-driven theme songs ever.

Author's note: The war in Tekken's Israel is in no way, shape, or form related to the one going on now in the real world's Israel. Just thought I'd point that out.

Well, now that I got the public disclaimer out of the way...enjoy!
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Episode 4: Way of the Soldier

Mishimas were never known for top-notch parental abilities and I am no exception. I have yet to do anything with my son Jin that would be considered “fatherly” in any way, shape or form. In all honesty, if Jin were to die a horrible death, I would not shed many tears, if any. Of course, his hatred of me is quite understandable: I was never there for him growing up, and I am the reason he is cursed with the Devil Gene that eats away at him so.

However, he himself has never really attempted to get on my good side, either. The previous King of Iron Fist Tournament is ample proof of that. When he was looking for the whereabouts of Jun, for example, I offered him my hand in assistance, and all I received was a fist to my cheek. Was I not his father? Was I not the one who gave part of my vaunted power so that his mother whose bosom he clings to so desperately could live again!?

I have tried to turn a deaf ear to his threats for some time, selling myself to the notion that we had a common goal and would be much better off working together than butting heads. Even I have a limit to my patience, however. So when Astaroth confirmed that Jin was part of this Shinkenger group, I quickly made plans, and a new creature, to punish him.

At the same time, I also prepared to implement the next stage of my primary scheme…

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The Mishima Peace Conference is sponsored by the Mishima Zaibatsu and sanctioned by the UN. In order to gain the trust of the leaders of the world after his son’s chilling reign over the Zaibatsu, Heihachi Mishima created the “Tekkenshu” to curb world hunger and to solve global conflicts. Once he had gotten a good foothold into world affairs with his Peace Crusade, he founded the Mishima Peace Conference to be held annually, similar to what the United Nations implemented. Since Heihachi Mishima was not available to attend, however, Jin Kazama would be the lead speaker at the conference, which was to be held at the Tokyo Dome.

There was one person in particular Jin was looking forward to seeing again: Doren Sharon of the Israeli Defense Force. With his country once again in the process of falling into war, the first lieutenant decided to oversee the conference himself to guarantee that negotiations went smoothly. Doren’s fighting prowess with his unique fighting style of Krav Maga made him a semi-finalist in the previous King of Iron Fist tournament, but his true claim to fame was his peacekeeping abilities.

It’s too bad I can’t ask for Lt. Sharon’s help against Astaroth, Jin thought as he waited for the Israeli’s flight to arrive as he sat near the gate, but there is no way I can ask him to fight that thing! He’s just a normal man, while Astaroth is a monster…

Suddenly, Jin noticed someone coming to sit next to him. The man was fairly tall, dressed in a brown trenchcoat and wearing beige pants with black leather boots. His messy black hair and pale skin made him stand out, but what really got Jin’s attention were the man’s pale blue eyes and his scar just above the left side of his lip.

Sergei Dragunov! What is HE doing here!?

Jin had run-ins with the Spetsnaz officer in the past, and none of those run-ins were pleasant experiences. When the two first met, Dragunov subdued Jin and dragged him to Russia, where he was subjected to inhumane experiments. Even though Jin returned to Japan in one piece, he would never forget the pain he had to endure while in captivity. “Hello, Dragunov,” Jin said coldly as he glared at the Russian man. “Probed anyone lately?”

Dragunov’s head slowly turned to meet Jin’s gaze, and then turned away once again. “…that was uncalled for, Mr. Kazama…”

“…so you can talk,” Jin raised an eyebrow as he heard the Sambo expert speak: something that he had never heard him do. “How about you tell me what you’re doing here?”

“…I am not here to fight you,” Dragunov spoke very quietly in a thick Russian accent while his gaze did not leave the door to the docking gate. “That is all you need to be aware of…”

Now arriving, Gate 21, non-stop from Tel Aviv. Welcome to Tokyo.

It did not take long for Jin to find Doren as the door to the gate opened and a flock of people came rushing out of it. Doren was a good six-and-a-half feet tall, with a powerful physique to boot. He was wearing purple-and-blue camouflage pants and brown army boots, as well as a gray t-shirt with the letters “IDF” splashed across the chest in blue. His handsome face, wire-rim glasses, long black hair tied back in a ponytail and a thick singular bang hanging across the right side of his face made him instantly recognizable to Jin.

Doren spotted Jin and waved hello as he walked over to where Jin and Dragunov were sitting. “Hello there! It’s good to see you two again!”

“…you mean you know this guy, Doren?” Jin raised an eyebrow as Doren spoke to Dragunov with such familiarity. Even though Jin was aware that Doren beat Dragunov in the previous King of Iron Fist Tournament, he didn’t expect him to be formally acquainted with such filth.

“Are you kidding me? I still owe the captain a rematch,” Doren smiled as he put down the backpack he was carrying and looked out into the crowd of people that were exiting Gate 21. “By the way, can you help me spot my wife? She has white hair and she’s wearing-“

“DOREN!”

Jin, Doren, and Dragunov all jumped up in surprise as a loud, female voice rang in their ears. Running towards them was a stunningly beautiful young woman with snow white hair, wearing a white t-shirt, black jean-shorts, and a dark red leather jacket with the sickle and hammer of the Russian flag etched on the back. What caught Jin’s attention most, however, was not her intense beauty, or even the gourd that she was carrying in her hand.

It was the fact that her eyes were a very pale blue, just like Dragunov’s.

“Doren, why didn’t you stay behind and wait for me?” Natasha continued to shout as Doren backed away slightly and put his hands up.

“Hey, easy, ‘tasha,” Doren rubbed the back of his head lightly. “Everyone was getting out of the isle really quickly! I didn’t have time to wait up! Besides, we all get out of the same gate!”

“Natasha,” Dragunov walked toward the woman as she put down the gourd and backpack she was carrying. “It has been a very long time…”

“…BROTHER!” Natasha quickly forgot about her husband and wrapped her arms around Dragunov. “It really has been a long time! You’ve become quite the national hero back in mother Russia, from what our aunts and uncles tell me!”

Unbelievable, Jin looked on in astonishment at he watched the two siblings break their embrace. That Russian scumbag has a family!? Jin approached Natasha and shook her hand, temporarily ignoring the fact that she was the little sister of a hated enemy. “Hello, Mrs. Sharon. My name is Jin Kazama, and I fought your husband in the last tournament.”

“I’ve read all about you in the papers,” Natasha returned the handshake as she gripped Jin’s hand firmly. “Perhaps later, we can show each other some special moves…”

“Special moves?” Jin raised an eyebrow as he let go of Natasha’s hand. “But…I thought you were married…”

“BWAHAHAHA,” Natasha erupted in a hearty laugh as she picked up her backpack and gourd once again and began heading for the luggage claim. “Doren told me you were strong, but he never told me you were funny, as well!”

“…I find your humor in ill taste, Kazama,” Dragunov hissed at Jin as they, along with Doren, walked after Natasha to the baggage claim.

“Hey, captain, lighten up,” Doren walked between Jin and Dragunov when he noticed the violent intent burning in their eyes. “It was just a little joke! I mean, I’m her husband, and I didn’t find it offensive!”

“He’s exactly right, Sergei,” Natasha handed her elder brother a small metal bottle that she pulled out of her backpack. “This is supposed to be a time of family and friends, so drink up and be merry! I even brought my own home-brewed vodka that you enjoy so much!”

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After five minutes of navigating across the labyrinth that was the Tokyo Airport, the unlikely quartet finally found their way to the luggage claim. Although Jin still did not enjoy being around Sergei Dragunov, he was still fascinated at how differently he was acting as opposed to when they first met. Dragunov had always struck the Japanese youth as a man who did not speak because he was always plotting something dark to please his superiors. When he first saw Dragunov at the airport, Jin had expected the Russian to attack him.

But to his surprise, Sergei had yet to do anything of the nature. He not only spoke, but engaged in proper conversation with both his sister and Doren. I still don’t trust him though, Jin thought to himself as he sat down next to Doren while Dragunov and Natasha went to the other side of the luggage claim to find their belongings. I’m willing to bet he’s just waiting until his family isn’t watching him to do something evil…

“You don’t trust him,” Doren said out of the blue as he continued playing his Sony PSP, almost as if he knew exactly what Jin was thinking. “I suppose being nicknamed ‘the White God of Death’ does have an effect on one’s social popularity…”

“Actions speak louder than words, Lt. Sharon,” Jin turned to meet the Israeli’s gaze. “You probably don’t know what that monster you call a brother-in-law is capable of.”

“On the contrary, I know exactly what Sergei is capable of, and what kind of sins he’s committed in the past,” Doren turned off his PSP and put it in his pocket. “However, people change over time, Jin. Initial impressions aren’t always set in stone, so be sure to keep that in mind. Besides,” Doren’s voice became quieter as he finished bitterly, “compared to my past, Sergei’s is probably a fairy tale…”

“…again, actions speak louder than words,” Jin turned away and looked out to where Natasha and Dragunov were picking out luggage from the winding track at the baggage claim. “However, I do trust you, so I’ll give him another chance…”

Suddenly, the sound of gunfire fell upon their ears as everyone in the luggage claim stopped whatever it was they were doing, confused as to where the shots were coming from. Quickly jumping into action, Jin and Doren rushed out the entrance of the airport to take a look outside, with Natasha and Dragunov quickly following them.

What they saw was utter chaos…

The parking lot was littered with the bodies of policemen and lizard-men as the Tokyo Metro police fired upon a large horde of the creatures, who were trying to approach the airport. Some of them fell to the hail of bullets, while others pressed onward to savagely rip apart the officers before he or she had the chance to use their weapons.

Oh no, Jin looked on in horror as he watched the lizard-men continue to literally tear through the perimeter that the police had set up. Why did they have to show up on the day that the world leaders are arriving in Tokyo? Jin was about to transform when he noticed that a news van arrive not too far away from where the action was happening. Blast! I can’t morph here if there are cameras on me! This might just be a ploy by the enemy to find out who I really am…

As Jin continued to think about what his next move would be, a blood-curdling scream pierced the air as the luggage claim was infected by the same chaos that was going on outside. Popping out of the floor was another lizard-man, but Jin noticed that this one was different from the others. Rather than a red hue that its breathen sported, the skin on this reptile was dull silver, with pink stripes splashed across it. Once it had fully exacavated itself, the lone Lizard-man began picking up luggage from the track and tossing it as if it were in a school cafeteria having a foodfight.

“Doren, can I trust you to handle things in here?” Jin continued to shout, even though Doren was next to him. He was caught between a metaphorical rock and a hard place, and he needed to get somewhere where he could morph with no one watching. More importantly, if Dragunov was occupied elsewhere, Jin wouldn’t have to worry about the Russian deciding to stab him in the back.

“Don’t worry about us, pretty boy,” Natasha answered her husband’s question as she popped open her gourd and took a swig of its contents. “Just do what you have to, and we shall handle things inside!”

As Doren, Natasha, and Dragunov rushed back inside to engage the creature attacking the luggage claim, Jin quickly looked for a place where he could be alone. Spotting an alleyway, Jin waded through the crowd of people that were fleeing the luggage claim and ducked into the alleyway, quickly charging his ki and transforming.

Whenever Jin morphed into his Shinkenger alter-ego, he always felt slightly-lighted for the first couple of seconds. The rush of having such energies course through his veins in such an instant certainly took time to adjust to. Once he shook off the disorientation, Jin left the alley and again waded through the frightened mob to enter the parking lot and confront the lizard-men...