Shackle the Dragon - T

[Lei Wulong]

Genre: Crime and Action.

Warnings: Violence and Swearing.

Rating: T

Summary: Enter Hong-Kong Detective Lei Wulong, a laid-back uncle and a secret Lucky Chloe fan. While Lei is trying to enjoy his vacation in Japan, he gets approached by a young man, who claimed to have been assigned to be his new partner, who informs him of Feng Wei’s whereabouts. Lei follows his new partner to China, taking his great-niece niece. This is his chance to avenge all the victims in his rampage.

[Lei Wulong]

Chapter 1

“And if you gaze for long into the abyss… the abyss gazes also into you…”

Those were the words spoken by the de-facto leader of the Mishima Zaibatsu, Jin Kazama.

The air was hot and dry. And the Sun was at its peak as the temple and the sand reflected the Sun’s bright rays. Taking center stage, were a pair of men. One was Jin Kazama, clad in his black and red suit, as it barely concealed his powerful figure. Another was a blonde man dressed up in the red and black standard Tekken Force armor, but he noticed that on his breastplate was the face of a lion. This man somewhat resembled a lion in a way, with his god-awful haircut and unruly hair. Lei noticed through observing the fight that he emitted purple lightning ki. Something only descendants of the Mishima family have. Lei wondered… was this man also a Mishima?

Lei hid behind a pillar, dressed up in a black long-sleeved shirt, with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He had on a pair of khaki cargo pants that were fastened onto his hips with a belt. Concealing his face, Lei had a pale-blue-colred turban. One could tell by his eyes that he was a foreigner, but Lei had the turban just to keep cool in this hot climate. Lei was personally no stranger to hot climates, but the desert is very dry, in contrast to Hong-Kong’s wet, humid, tropical heat.

Lei listened to the conversation between the two unfold as he soon realized why Jin started the world war in the first place. It was to awaken some beast name Azazel. Lei recalled hearing that story from that “girl” he encountered at the village. Lei agreed with the Tekken Force officer with the lunacy of Jin’s plan. However, it wasn’t long before this “Azazel” soon appeared before the men, emerging from below the temple. Lei took notice that this thing looked like a golden super-buff Anubis.

“I exist in a higher plane than your earthly laws! Now no one can stop me!” He growled, surprisingly in a language that they could all understand.

“No one except me!” Jin blurted.

“Fool! You will destroy yourself as well!”

“Let’s put an end to this!”

Lei staggered back as Jin’s aura exploded and created a shockwave that even shook Azazel. Once he recovered, Lei pulled out his cellphone, and began recording what was happening. Lei watched as Azazel tried to zap Jin, but it was fruitless as ultimately, Jin punched him, and soon disappeared into the abyss below. Within a few moments later, a bright white light appears as Lei drops his phone. He quickly picks it up. Lei waited and waited, but Jin never appeared. Deciding this to be a lost cause, Lei decided to leave the temple and write up his report.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“What do you mean my report is getting censored?!”

It’s been a few days since the incident at the Middle East. Right after Lei had left the scene, the temple collapsed and Jin Kazama suddenly disappeared. Lei had returned to Hong-Kong to report his findings to his boss, as well as showing him video footage of what he had saw.

“I think you might have gotten some kind of desert-fever. There’s no way Jin Kazama died fighting a demon that was going to bring about the end of the world. Besides that, what if the locals find out about this! It would cause mass-hysteria all throughout the mainland!”

“The locals called it ‘Azazel’ and that he would return to cast judgement on everyone. He disappeared after I witnessed an explosion at a temple that mysteriously disappeared the next day.”

“And this temple does not show up on any of the satellites.”

Lei groaned. “You have to believe me! Jin Kazama sacrificed himself to fight this monster!”

“Other than that, your report is solid. In the meantime, the UN will be swarming the area for more info. Thank you for your findings, detective. Now you can go back and focus on capturing Feng Wei.”

“Actually, you know what? I’m just going to go on vacation. Let him be someone else’s problem! I’m done!”

With that said, Lei left the police station, after putting and advance on his vacation. He was just about done with police work at this point and just about ready to retire. Plus, he needed to be there more for his great-niece from the mainland. Seven years ago, when the girl was only twelve, Lei’s brother, Fulong had dropped her off at his doorsteps. It was because she was kicked out of various schools all across Shanghai, and Lei’s nephew, Zhulong didn’t know how to keep her under control. Seeing Lei is a cop, he figured Lei would set that girl straight. Lei immediately taught the girl Zui Quan, wanting to instill discipline and keep her mind focused and sharp. As a result, she was doing better in school, and was no longer being a delinquent and pulling pranks. She was shaping up to be a proud young woman. Lei managed to get the girl a part-time job at the local precinct and supported her dreams of becoming an action movie star. Lei Xiang Ying eventually adopted a Western name that all the Hong-Kong youth adopt nowadays, Cheyenne. It had a nice ring to it and that was what everyone called her nowadays.  Though, Lei still called her by her given name, as he has always referred her to such since she was a baby.

Lei soon found himself at the doorsteps to his apartment. He fumbled through his keys before finding the key that belonged to his apartment. He soon unlocked the door, taking a step inside before announcing his presence to his niece.

“Lucy! I’m home!” Lei shouted.

Cheyenne immediately stood up from her seat. The girl is now 19 years old, and it showed. She had those long ebony locks done up in a large, loosely done fishtail braid that left a few strands of her hair framing her pale, rounded face. Cheyenne enjoyed showing off her midriff, as she had a red lotus belly-button ring, something Lei wasn’t too fond of. But she was a teenage girl, what was he to do? Lei also wasn’t very fond of her wearing short-shorts and crop-tops. Again, girls will be girls. He just really didn’t want his niece to embarrass him with such revealing clothing, but he wasn’t sure how to tell her that she should dress up more “conservatively”.

“Uncle Wulong? You’re here early?” She had a hand over her rosy lips in surprise.

Lei let out a heavy exhale as he took off his empty gun holster that was on his shoulders, hanging it up on the coat rack. “I’m going on vacation. I think I need a break from police work.”

“Did you get fired?” Cheyenne placed both hands on her hips.

“No.”

“Did you get laid off?”

“No.”

“Did you get demoted?”

“No.”

“Did you lose your badge?”

“No.”

“Did you get in a wreck?”

“No. I’m just taking a little break is all, okay, Xiang Ying? No need to panic.” Lei gave her a hopeful smile.

“I don’t know. The last time you said this, Pai left you.”

Lei looked at Cheyenne as though she said probably the most stupid thing ever.

“I’m serious!”

“Well, anyway, I suppose I’ll just enjoy my vacation. Any ideas? Anywhere you’d like to go that you have in mind?” He smirked.

“Well, I always wanted to go to LA.”

“Done! I’m going to start booking tickets to LA!”

“But Uncle Wulong! I have a job! I can’t just drop everything and go to LA like you can!”

“Tch. Just tell them you’re on vacation.” Without another word, Lei left for his bedroom to go grab his laptop, only to return to see his laptop lying on the coffee table. He picked up the laptop, sitting on the couch next to Cheyenne. Lei then pulls out his reading glasses from his pocket and puts them on.

“Are you sure everything’s okay?” Cheyenne asked once more, her voice laced with concern for her uncle.

“Yes, yes. It’s fine. Really.” Lei would retort with a hopeful smile once more.

Just as Lei was looking up tickets, he glanced at the TV for a moment and took note of an energetic blonde girl in pigtails in a cat costume. The way she danced, and her bubbly persona left the Hong-Kong Super Cop entranced.

“Hiiiiii! I’m Luckyyyy Chloe!” The girl on TV announced.

It was a commercial for a G-Corporation product. As much as Lei detested the likes of Kazuya Mishima and anything G-Corp related, he found himself liking the young girl’s catchy song. As well as her cute dance steps. He wondered if the girl knew anything sinister about the true nature of G-Corporation. Maybe he’ll tell her in person, if he ever gets the chance.

Lei made note to order some of Lucky Chloe’s songs for later, but right now he had to order tickets to LA. It wasn’t long before he noticed tickets to her live concert in Japan were going on sale.

“Uncle Wulong, are you seriously looking up plane tickets for LA?” Cheyenne asked as she noticed Lei was staring intently at the computer screen with his glasses on.

“No, actually, we’re going to Japan.”

“But you said we’re going to LA!” She threw her hands in the air in frustration.

“Change of plans. Let’s go to Japan!” Lei closed his laptop, smiling excitedly. “We’re going to go see Lucky Chloe!”

“Oh! Are you going to use that opportunity to get close to Kazuya?”

Lei grimaced. “No, Xiang Ying. Seriously. Fuck the Mishimas… besides that… I need some bright uplifting music in my life, anyway.”

Cheyenne wasn’t sure what to think but shrugged. Going to a Lucky Chloe concert would be fun. After all, it’d be nice to see her uncle finally let loose and relax every once in awhile. “Same here. K-Pop is getting kind of boring, anyway.”

“I’m going to enjoy this vacation and do some soul-searching. My life has been an absolute mess lately. I’m seriously thinking about retiring.”

“Wh-what? Are you serious?”

“I mean, think about it. I’m getting too old for this shit. No wonder my father died so young.”

Cheyenne was now seriously worried about her uncle. “Well… whatever. You do you.” That was all she could say as she shrugged. Once Lei’s mind is set, there’s really nothing anyone could do to change his mind. Her grandfather couldn’t convince his own brother to stay in China to become a psychologist. How can she convince him to not retire? Being a cop is everything her Uncle is. It’s who he is. He can’t just retire…

Lei then tugged at his hair. “I need to cut my hair again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It’s been a few days. Lei was now in Japan, drinking himself to a stupor. He didn’t make it to the Lucky Chloe concert, but he and his niece went to do some sight-seeing at the Kyoto castle. However, all Lei could think about is the sudden loss of Jin and his failure to capture him before he went and killed himself. Why did that kid have to go out and do something so reckless and get himself killed?

Lei looked up at the TV screen and noticed Heihachi on the screen. He was announcing the seventh King of Iron Fist Tournament. Lei wasn’t looking too hot, himself. He had cut his hair, and soon discovered his hair was graying. He hasn’t shaved in nearly a week now, and he looks disheveled. Cheyenne has complained that his underwear was showing, but Lei honestly just didn’t give a damn anymore.

“I’m so sick and tired of cleaning up their mess! Why does everyone expect me to fix everything! I’m done! So done!” Lei slams his drink as he ask for the tab.

“Yeah. The mess that the Mishimas leave behind is a bit too much for one person.”

Upon hearing the British accent, Lei turned his head to look at the stranger. He was a young brunette man with his long, bouncy hair at shoulder-length. He had a large, worn, olive green jacket over his white dress shirt and black tie. Lei knew that this man was a detective. Though, a half-Asian one. He couldn’t help but notice something very familiar about those hazel eyes of his.

“We should just let them destroy themselves! After all, that’s what they always want to do… maybe then this damn war will end!”

Lei chugs the last bit of his glass before turning to the stranger. “Yeah… but in the end…” Lei raised his index finger. “Someone still has to clean up the mess. Especially the one Jin made.”

Suddenly, Lei felt himself get grabbed by the shoulder, as he was yanked out of his seat, and then punched in the face. Lei staggered and fell as the stranger caught him. Lei took one good look at his attacker. It was Miguel Caballero Rojo. Lei remembers him from the last tournament. He’s this drunken man who always fights drunk and angry. If he recalls, this man hates Jin for killing his sister, something Lei could understand all too well. But he didn’t need to take his anger out on him.

“What do you know about Jin?” He asks, grabbing Lei by the collar.

However, Miguel soon dropped Lei as he was kicked in the head by the British stranger. Lei was freed as he initiated his fighting stance. Lei stood back-to-back with the stranger as soon the entire bar was riled up. Lei focused on Miguel, dodging, blocking, and weaving from his attacks. Just as Lei was going to hit him, he gets knocked in the head by a pool stick. This left Lei open to get hit in the head with a double-fist slamming down on his head. It left Lei dizzy and disoriented as he was soon hit by a powerful punch to the chest, finishing him off with a kick that sent Lei across the bar. Those brass knuckles that he wore didn’t help the situation at all. Not to mention, Lei was genuinely drunk, and unlike what’s seen in fiction, Lei is a horrible fighter while intoxicated.

The stranger soon jumped in, taking out several drunken thugs with a single roundhouse kick. He then rolls under the table, and kicks the table. Lei then catches the table, and rolls with it as he uses it as a weapon to fight off all the drunkards. However, Miguel managed to smash the table into pieces as Lei was now unarmed. The stranger jumps in front of Lei, using fast strikes and punches to momentarily stun Miguel. Just long enough for Lei to go into his drunken stance and do a spinning headbutt. Miguel holds his gut as Lei performs a sliding kick, still lying on the ground. Miguel trips and falls on his face.

The Spaniard rises up and observes his surroundings as well as blocking punches and kicks from the stranger and other drunkards. Eventually the fighting stopped when someone shouted, “Run! It’s the police!”

Nothing stopped a massive bar fight faster than those four words. Once the bar was cleared, Lei got up, spitting blood into his glass. However, what he didn’t expect was to see Cheyenne of all people enter the bar.

“There you are, Uncle Wulong! How dare you? Get into a fight with a bunch of people! You’re so embarrassing! Ugh!”

“But he started it!” Lei pointed at Miguel who was leaving the bar.

“He’s right. That guy did start it.” The stranger added.

“Who are you?” Cheyenne asked.

The man cleared his throat. “I’m Detective James Sa Ciu-Min. I’m your new partner, Detective Lei Wulong.”

“And I’m his great-niece, Cheyenne Lei Xiang Ying. Nice to meet you.” The girl gives Sa a friendly wave.

Lei took note of the young man’s name. He had a Chinese surname. He appears to possibly have a Chinese father, but an English mother? She was probably a British who was living in Hong-Kong before the handover. Would explain the accent. Did he move to England after the handover in 1997? Lei spat more blood, expressing his disbelief. “After I told them that I work alone!”

“Listen, I need you to cancel the vacation and reopen the Feng Wei case! I’ve got a lead!”

“Yeah! Reopen the case!” Cheyenne cheered.

Lei groaned. “Listen. I’m on vacation. If you got a lead then why aren’t you following up on it?”

“Because, Lei… I need your help. I was just assigned to you, okay? And I really want your help!”

“Well, too bad!” Lei crossed his arms. “I’m not interested.”

“Oh, c’mon Uncle! Why you gotta’ be like that?” Cheyenne crosses her arms.

“We found Feng Wei’s current location.”

“Then why the Hell haven’t you caught him yet? It’s easy, just send in the military and capture him! There problem solved! There you go, partner! Didn’t need me to come down and help!”

“The locals refuse to do anything about it. I feel like it requires someone who is very skilled in Kung-Fu, and you’re the best fighter on the force, Lei.”

“Tch. Flattery will only take you so far.”

“Listen, there are witnesses and victims of his wrath! We need to stop him, Lei!”

Lei soon snapped back into reality. At first, Lei thought Feng was done hurting people and humiliating them, and ruining their dojos. But now, Lei realizes that he’s still at it again. Lei remembered the attack on the dojo run by Sifu Yi. It was one of the worst attacks as his master was now paralyzed from the waist down and could no longer run the dojo. Asuka’s father walks around with a cane and Asuka now has to run the dojo. A lot of the students left thanks to the humiliating defeat done by Feng Wei. He was running away from his responsibilities and his destiny. Lei remembered the words from his master.

“He is strong. Very strong. You are stronger. Remember this. Evil moves fast, but good moves faster than light shining from your illumination. Good versus evil equals confrontation. It’s your destiny… you must defeat Feng Wei and restore honor to your fallen clan.”

Even though his master literally just recited a rap from a beloved cartoon series, he had a point. Lei had a job. And he vowed to protect and serve many years ago. He couldn’t run away from his calling, no matter how bad things get. Lei needed to stop Feng Wei and put him behind bars once and for all.

“Yes. You’re right. We need to stop him. Sa, where is he?”

“He’s in the Guangdong Province. Allegedly, that’s where his former master’s dojo is located.”

“I see… Sa… Xiang Ying… pack your bags. We’re going back to China.”

“So, I’m actually going with you?”

“Well, I mean… we’re on vacation. You might enjoy it. Besides that, I could use some back-up.”