“Due to the recent intrusion of a mass murdering drunk, we urge all citizens who are in Chesnauk, Seattle to stay indoors until the police can crack down on this dangerous slayer.”
The sounds from the ancient television echoed throughout the desolate room, filling the man's ears as he knelt down on both knees, his head against the ground.
“Lord, this…this is Guardo again. As you have just heard, apparently there is a mass murderer, of all things, leisurely roaming the city. Lord, even if I have to pay an expense for it, I beg of you, please keep Sannon and Qiao safe as they return home. We just moved here to get away from chaos, and all I ask is that you please help us to maintain at least some peace while we sort out the complex things. And, as always, thank you for sending them into my life. In Jesus name, Amen.”
The man got up off of his knees and stood up while continuously taking deeper and deeper breaths, attempting to calm his nerves. However, the shaking would only cease once the pair returned to their home.
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“Dammit, Sannon! Would you get off that machine already? Its pitch-black outside. Therefore, we sh--” Annoyance filled Qiao when he witnessed his best friend, Sannon, calmly dismissing his warning by turning his head back to the game. "Hello?! Earth to Sannon!"
“Relax, man. I need to finish this game. Then, we'll go.”
“How can you say that so carelessly?! Guardo's going to flip if we're late!” Immediately, Sannon broke out into a cold sweat. "You should know this, even more so since he doesn't have his meds with him."
“I do know that, man. It's just, I really never get to play games that often, an--” However, before Sannon could finish, Qiao walked over and yanked his ponytail, bringing him to the ground and pulling him away from the accursed Pac-Man machine.
“Wait, no! What the hell, Qiao?! I was on the last level.” Sannon said in a confused voice.
“What the hell is the matter with you? Why do you have to be so selfish all the time?” Sannon, without saying a word, released himself from Qiao’s grip, and brought himself to his feet. As they walked out of the store, which had dazzling red and green blinking lights around big, illuminated letters that read, “CORNERSTONE”, Sannon threw his black hoodie over his head, concealing most of his face, and discreetly walked behind Qiao, slowing down his pace.
“He knows I don’t like to be called selfish, so why the hell does he still say it?!”
“He knows that Guardo can easily get panic attacks, so why does he still do things that will induce that?!”
Street lights illuminated the sidewalk just enough so Sannon could easily follow Qiao from behind. The sidewalk beneath their feet was a little slippery due to recent snowfall the night before, and on their left, there were a number of houses lined up next to each other. Some had festive lights and inflatables, while others were empty and gave off a dark and gloomy vibe, but they were all relatively the same size. All the way on their right, the same thing was present. The night sky was clear and beautiful on that night, with billions of stars lighting up the darkness.
As they continued to walk, the sound of crazed footsteps was suddenly made audible. Sannon and Qiao halted and simultaneously swung their heads back, trying to figure out who, or what, was making its way towards them. Suddenly, a middle-aged man clothed in filthy, old rags who looked like he hadn’t taken a shower in weeks gradually started to come into view.
“Excuse me, gentlemen. Do you happen to have $700 that I can borrow? I will pay you back with 3% interest!”
The once angry preteens now looked at each other, dumbfounded.
“Mister, you can’t be serious! Do we look like we have $700 just lying around to give to strangers?” Qiao responded.
“So, is that a no?”
“Yes.” they both said simultaneously. The man sighed, and looked up at the sky.
“You know, I didn’t want to have to resort to this,” the man said as he put his right hand in his pocket. “But, you leave me no other choice.”
“Sannon,” Qiao whispered. “This guy, he doesn't seem right in the head. Let’s try and get out of here ASAP!”
Sannon responded with a nod, just as the mysterious stranger spoke out again.
“How about 4% interest? However, be mindful, youngsters; this is the highest I’ll go.” This time, Sannon responded.
“Sorry Sir, but I'm afraid that we’re broke. We're also kind of in a hurry to get home, considering how late it is, so we don't have time for this.”
The look in the man’s eyes at once shifted from needy to rage-filled as he pulled out a Brahma knife from his pocket. Without hesitation, the delusional tramp flung the knife right at Sannon, who was standing the closest. However, he was able to swiftly dodge it, just as the man charged at him. Immediately, Qiao ran behind the man as Sannon lowered his body and prepared for impact. Being the smallest of them, Qiao was worried that Sannon wouldn't be able to withstand the impact, but he couldn't let this distract him from his objective.
Sannon was prepared to charge at the man’s lower torso, but to his dismay, he pulled out another Brahma knife and promptly swung it, which nearly cut Sannon in the chest. Qiao, who almost fell flat on his face because of the slush, pushed the man down with all his might, but he didn’t fall so easily. Instead, he swung the knife behind him just as Qiao ducked, successfully dodging a lethal attack. Sannon saw the man with his head turned as a grand opportunity, and, in order to embrace it, he cocked his right arm back and threw it into the man’s toned abdomen. He'd planned to deal a critical blow to the lunatic's stomach, but the only thing that was dealt a critical blow to was Sannon’s knuckles. It was like punching a stud in a wall, causing Sannon to nearly break his hand.
“Damn, is this guy even human?”
Once in his sight, the man was ready to thrust the knife into Sannon’s skull. However, thanks to his superb reflexes, Qiao grabbed the man’s arm from behind and stopped him right in his tracks. Sannon, who was squatting on the ground, holding his hand, immediately sprang up and was able to deal a heavy uppercut to the lunatic. Qiao let go as Sannon landed his jab, causing the man to stumble back, nearly falling on the ground.
At once, Qiao and Sannon regrouped to the front out the man, and with fire in their eyes, they charged at him, both dealing deep slugs to his face. However, this time, the man fell to the ground. Qiao immediately ran over to retrieve the knife from the unconscious man, just as another unfamiliar voice called to them on the other side of the street.
“Hey, you two! Great work there!” The man walked over to them and immediately picked up the unconscious psychopath. “You guys sure saved me a lot of trouble,” he said.
“Glad we could help,” they both responded. “Even if it was strictly self-defense.”
“Say, where did you youngsters learn to fight like that?”
“The Japa--” However, before Sannon could say anymore, Qiao slapped his mouth to prevent him from finishing.
“J-just uhm...natural-born talent, I guess,” Qiao responded,causing the man to lean in real close.
“There’s no need to lie, youngster. You and your secret are safe with me. So, let me ask again: Where did you youngsters learn to fight like that?”
“You know, we really need to be getting back home now! C’mon Sannon, let’s go,” Qiao said.
“It's pretty dangerous out here. How about I walk you guys home? It shouldn’t be too far from here, right? And, while we are walking there, you can tell me all about where you learned to fight.”
“Qiao.” Sannon looked Qiao right in the eyes. “This guy isn’t going to leave us alone, so let’s tell him. Maybe he won’t be a racist prick.”
“Oh, so you guys are from Former Korea? Splendid, so you must’ve learned it from the Japanese!” Qiao and Sannon gasped, looking at each other in utter disbelief.
“How was he able to figure that out so quickly?!”
“You’re probably wondering how I came to that conclusion so fast, right? Well, let’s start our walk and I’ll tell you,” the man said as he started to walk. Qiao and Sannon, though hesitantly, started as well. “If I had to guess, I’d say you guys aren’t any older than 12 years old, right?”
Sannon hesitantly responded. “Who is that bastard and why are you carrying him?”
“Oh, I’m surprised you didn’t ask sooner! He's apparently wanted for the murder of countless Chesnauk residents.”
“Wait. A murderer?! Are you serious?! And you just fricking stood there while we were almost gravely injured, or even killed?!”
“The Japanese are very strong fighters. Based on your looks, I knew you were Asians, but when I saw you fight, I was confident that you two were Japanese soldiers!”
“Is he really this dumb?!”
“No, we obviously aren’t soldiers. In fact, I am the Japanese one here! Qiao is Chinese,” Sannon impulsively said. Qiao immediately started hyperventilating, just as the man quickly halted. Sannon, who realized his grave oversight, rushed to Qiao’s side and tried to calm him, while also trying to stay cool-headed himself.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
The man, his back still facing the boys, pulled out his phone and started viciously typing something. “Say, you are Chinese, are you not, youngster?”
“N-n-no, Mister, I’m not--”
“Therefore, why are you in America, a nation with such heavy prejudice against Chinese immigrants?” The man put his hand on his chin and pondered for a quick second. “That’s the question that came into my mind. So, in order to avoid any unnecessary trouble, I have a proposal for you two.” Even though Sannon was trying to stay brave for Qiao, his heart involuntarily started to pound out of his chest, just as his breathing got faster and faster.
“Dammit, I really screwed up this time. Well, I guess there’s no going back now.”
“If you tell me why you came here, what your motives are, and, most importantly, why you are cooperating together, this meeting shall stay between us.”
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Yalu River: 6 years ago
“Sannonki! Get your butt down here! Your father is about to leave for Yalu River!” As soon as he heard his Mom, little Sannonki immediately dropped his Nintendo 3DS and charged down the stairs.
“I can’t believe I am actually going to spend some time with Daddy today!”
He made his way to the door, quickly grabbing his small, brown work boots, and, after saying goodbye to his Mother, went out to meet his beloved Father.
“Daddy! How’d you know I wanted to go to Yalu River?!” His father chuckled.
“Mommy told me when I left for the base last time. I know how much you love fishing, so I knew you’d enjoy this,” his father said, just as Sannonki ran over to give him a huge hug.
“Thank you.”
The house, located in the tiny, formerly Korean town of Kodomo, was a beautiful sight to see under the warm sunlight of the elegant summer day. The small yet spacious one story home stood atop a hill, and in the distance, Yalu River could be seen. Its wood was new and freshly painted a soft brown color, which contrasted the bright green, freshly cut grass and the various flowers which were placed all around the house. On its left side, there was a beautiful vegetable garden, and, as Sannonki’s father’s big, red truck started up, a white cat, which had been sleeping on top of the house, was awoken suddenly.
“Since we are only a minute or two from the river, aren’t we really close to the border, Daddy?”
“That’s right, Sannonki! But, you have to remember what I’m about to tell you: Do not look at anyone who may appear across the bank, understand? They are very bad people.” Sannonki nodded in agreement, just as the two pulled into the lake’s entrance. Once they gathered their fishing equipment, the two quickly made their way down to the bank.
“Daddy, how big do you think the fish are here,” Sannonki asked. His father smiled as he pointed into the river.
“I’ve heard they’re really big! But, that’s just a rumor. We’re going to have to find out on our own, now aren’t we?” Sannonki was about to reply, but the sudden cry of anguish which flooded Sannonki's and his father's ears stopped him.
“Bangbang wo! Wo è le,” the stranger cried. This caused Sannonki to almost look at the malnourished boy that appeared across the bank, but wanting to follow his father’s orders, he repressed this impulse.
Who is that boy?!”
The two spent the whole day fishing, only taking a break once to go out and eat at a nearby diner. Of the 8 hours spent fishing that day, the two caught a total of around 6 fish, with Sannonki being able to catch the biggest one. However, although the day ended on pleasant terms, Sannonki didn’t. Who was that boy? Why was his cry filled with such anguish? Why did his father not want him to acknowledge the boy? He simply could not understand, so the next day, Sannonki snuck out of the house and made his way to the lake, hoping that the boy would be there. Sure enough, the boy was there once again, but this time, Sannonki came close to the water and called to the boy.
“Hey! My name is Sannonki Megatte,” Sannonki shouted, as he started to wave at the boy. “What’s yours?” Again, like the previous day, the boy shouted at Sannonki, but this time, he was holding his stomach and crying.
“Bangbang wo! Wo è le!”
“He looks like he hasn't eaten in years! Maybe he wants some food.”
At once, Sannonki ran back to the lake’s entrance, his new destination being his house. “Wait for me!” he shouted. Around 20 minutes later, Sannonki returned with a Japanese dish known as “Katsudon.” Yalu River was very big and had great width in many areas, but over to the left there was a much more shallow and narrow part, so shallow, in fact, that Sannonki could walk across to the other side, the water only up to his knees at the deepest points. As he made his way to the malnourished boy, a man suddenly grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back forcefully.
“What are you doing, kid? You do know where you are going, right?”
“Yeah. To give food to that boy.” The man was taken aback slightly, but continued to pull Sannonki back.
“The Japanese aren’t allowed over there.”
“Are you Japanese, Sir?”
“No, I am actually a Vietnamese immigrant who transferred over here around 5 years ago in pursuit of a career for--” However, before the man could finish, Sannonki gave the bowl of Katsudon to him.
“Sir, can you please give this food to him? I don’t speak his language, but I can tell that he is dying to eat.” After glancing at the boy and then at Sannonki, he pondered for a bit, but ultimately decided to deliver the food to the little Chinese boy. The second that the man handed the bowl to the Chinese boy, he instantly began viciously chowing down on the noodles and meat with his bare hands. As he ate, tears flooded from his eyes.
“Feicháng xièxie.”
“I’m Guardo by the way, kid,” is what the guard said to Sannonki when he returned from the other side of the lake. As the days passed, the boys saw each other very often, and with Sannonki attending a new Elementary school nearby, he could easily sneak out after school, claiming he was going to play with his friends.
Life seemed great for the next 3 years, as the boys played games like Shogi, Go Fish, and many others, but what they really liked was playing fighting games. Often, the guard would allow them to see each other and they’d wrestle and pursue their mutual passion for fighting daily. However, that all changed one fateful day.
“Hey, Sannonki! What are you up to, bud?”
“Nothing really, just waiting for my best friend to arrive!”
“Do you want me to bring you guys some Katsudon?”
“No way! You’re the best, Guardo!” However, a little bit after Guardo left, the boy arrived, but this time, he wasn’t his usual self. He was, instead, brutally beaten, blood covering a large majority of his body. There were also two mysterious people standing behind him, heads down and their hands resting in their pockets. Suddenly, the woman pulled out a gun and shot at Sannonki, but miraculously didn’t hit him. Immediately, Sannonki raced out of their as quickly as possible, just as Guardo came back.
Another shot was fired, this time causing an anguish-filled shriek to escape Sannonki's lips as it pierced through his skin. Sannonki’s father, who had heard the first shot, drove over with his wife and swiftly swiped up his son and was about to run when suddenly, everything went black.
He fell to the ground, dropping Sannonki, just as blood started gushing out of the newly formed hole in his head. Sannonki’s mother let out a blood curdling scream as she sprinted over to her husband. She grabbed the .44 that her husband always had on him, and shot 5 times at the woman, eventually causing her to fall to the ground and yell in a foreign language.
That might have seemed like a win for Sannonki’s mother, but that only caused the huge Chinese man, who was also behind the boy, to sprint over and viciously slug her in the face. Guardo, not saying a word, swiped up Sannonki and was on his way to retrieve the beaten 9-year-old boy from across the lake when suddenly, Sannonki’s mother uttered her last words.
“Young man!” She coughed up blood just as the man mercilessly punched her in the gut. “Protect my little angel at all costs!” At the moment in which that last syllable was uttered by the helpless and heartbroken woman, the mammoth put his beefy hand over her face and slammed her skull into the ground with all his strength, resulting in a loud crack. Guardo, with tears flooding uncontrollably from his eyes, picked up the other boy and fled the scene as quickly as he possibly could. All the while, Sannonki was screaming and sobbing involuntarily, which hindered Guardo greatly. He didn’t want to make the situation any worse than it already was, so he booked a night in an inn southeast of Kodomo.
“Sannon--”
“No. I... I don’t want to hear it. Nothing you say can change what’s in my heart.” Guardo went over and put his hand on Sannonki’s shoulder, attempting to try and calm him down. However, that only seemed to have the opposite effect.
“I don’t care what my mom said to you back there, or what you want me to do in the distant future.” Sannonki got up off of the bed. “This world needs reform, and it seems like I’m the only one with the passion to change it!”
“Sannonki,” Guardo put his head down. “No matter how angry, sad or hurt you feel right now, it will pass. You just have to hang in there. Don’t declare such bold statements that will have no meaning lat--” However, before he could finish, Sannoki slapped him in the face and pointed to the Chinese boy crying in the corner.
“You see that?! Is that how you want this world to progress?! Is it?!” Guardo didn’t say a word; he only put his hand on the red imprint on his cheek gifted to him by Sannonki. “People like him don’t deserve that kind of treatment. People shouldn’t have to deal with this. Not only has China caused it, but my nation as well, therefore they both need to be overthrown.”
“Sannonki, you can’t fight a country by yourself. That’s complete insanity.” Sannonki was about to reply, but instead they both snapped towards the Chinese boy in the corner.
“I too...want reform.”
Sannonki walked over to the Chinese boy and held out his hand. “I won’t say you’re a coward for not understanding, Guardo. In fact, you’re the only normal person in this room. But don’t try to stop us.” Sannonki turned his head to the boy. “What is your name?”
“I am... Qiao.”
“Qiao," Sannoki grabbed Qiao's outstretched hand and lifted him to his feet. "Let’s reform these nations, for the sake of all the innocent lives being destroyed because of their tensions.”
“No one is normal, Sannonki." Guardo sat back down onto the bed. "We’re moving to America, 'reformers'.” This was it; they couldn’t it back any longer. Tears instantly began to flow out of the boys as they ran over and collapsed onto Guardo.
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Chesnauk, Present Time
“So, you two have been together for quite some time, haven’t you?”
“Yes, and we will continue to be together. We won’t let anything come between us and our ambitions, not even high tensions between powerful countries!” Qiao looked at the man as his breathing returned to normal.
“If we both are human, then that’s all that should matter,” Qiao said. “It doesn’t matter if you tell anyone about our friendship, because we will end those great tensions with these four hands no matter what and put East Asia at peace.”
“Well, besides the fact that you two sound completely insane, you both do possess above average fighting prowess, so that’s a start, at least.”
“Yeah, but haphazard copying of Japanese techniques won’t get us far. The reason we were so happy to come to America was because we saw it as an opportunity to improve our skills, but we haven't been able to find a place to do so yet.” In response to this, the man handed him a card that read: HAJIME SCHOOL OF MARTIAL ARTS
“Check downtown Seattle tomorrow, you two. I’ll be waiting.” Then, just as suddenly as he had appeared, he vanished, leaving the two preteens completely dumbfounded.
“What the hell? Where did he go?!”
“Doesn’t matter,” Qiao said, as he looked up at the night sky. “Because we’ve just taken a huge step in making our ambition a reality.”
“Yeah. Let’s just hope Guardo is as agreeable as we hope he’ll be.”
“Wait, that reminds me: weren’t we on our way back to Guardo?!” Suddenly, the pair broke out into a cold sweat, remembering their previous objective. The sky had gotten noticeably darker ever since they left the store.
“Aw, dammit! He’s probably in fetal position worried sick! Let’s go! Hurry!!”
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At the turn of the year 2020, the Japanese took advantage of the world’s fear of nuclear warfare, and converted back into an imperialist nation. During this new era, which is presently named the Ashita period, Japan conquered Taiwan, Korea and Australia, putting Japan and China, once again, on horrible terms. Ep Man's immense influence swept all across East Asia, inspiring the majority to look down on guns and settle disputes with their fists. Asian prejudice spread worldwide, especially in America, where the Chinese were looked at as “weak” and “cowardice” for not standing up for Taiwan or Korea. Two nations which are on the brink of a nuclear war to end all wars, and all life, on Earth. However, there are two young men who have devoted their lives to ending these tensions and restoring peace at all costs.