January 23, 2000 It's finished, folks! Lee Chaolan has been dutifully watching over me for two years, and thanks to his vigilance, "Phoenix Reborn" is now complete. "Phoenix Reborn" is my Tekken 3 fanfic novel (sorry, Paul Phoenix fans, but Paul has only a bit part :). This novel is dedicated to Dark Ki (BrendenKyo@aol.com), keeper of the Karma Citadel (http://members.xoom.com/BrendenOki_), who has helped me immensely with the creative process. "Phoenix Reborn" takes place in the same continuity as my other six video game fanfics: The Spinning Blade (Mortal Kombat 2 short story) The Dragon's Jaws (MK2 short story) The Most Necessary Evil (MK1 short story) The Blood On My Hands (MK2 novella) The Coming of Winter (MK1/Killer Instinct short novel) Ashes of the Phoenix (MK3/Tekken 2 novel) and two of John Evans' MK fanfics: Inheritance Til Death Do Us Part You can find all of these at my web site, http://members.aol.com/sglkht (as well as assorted miscellany about King of Fighters '98, Mortal Kombat, Tekken, Persona, Primal Rage, and more). Alternatively, you are welcome to e-mail me for any of the above fanfics, including John Evans' stories. (If you wish to post "Phoenix Reborn" or my other fanfics on a web site of your own, then all I ask is that you contact me and let me resend you the chapters. This is because no matter how much I proofread, there are always a few typos that I fail to correct until after the final draft has been distributed). "Phoenix Reborn" is the sequel to "Ashes of the Phoenix"; it features Tekken 3 characters with a few guest stars from Soul Edge, and Shingo Yabuki from King of Fighters '98. Apologies to my Mortal Kombat fans, but no Mortal Kombat game characters are slated to appear in person. The chapters have been posted to alt.games.video.sony-playstation, rec.arts.anime.creative, rec.games.video.arcade, and rec.games.video.sony, over the past two years. The full novel is available on my web site at http://members.aol.com/sglkht (my site is called "Victar's Tekken and Mortal Kombat Fanfic Archive.") I will also e-mail any of my fanfics to anyone who's interested; just send me e-mail at vctr113062@aol.com (please do not post fanfic requests to Usenet newsgroups). "Phoenix Reborn" brief timeline: July 2, 1994: Kazuya Mishima wins Heihachi Mishima's Iron Fist Tournament August 11, 1996: beginning of the Great Invasion interrupts Kazuya's Iron Fist Tournament February 23, 1997: end of the Great Invasion June 8, 1997: the Orochi Blood Riots ravage Tokyo May 20, 1998: Jin Kazama born May 15, 2013: Toshin Expedition December 1, 2017: Heihachi renews the Iron Fist Tournament January 30, 2018: The first of various interviews conducted... What Has Gone Before... In 1997, Lei Wulong turned the course of the Great Invasion when he vanquished the Devil-possessed sorcerer Kazuya Mishima in single combat. Six months after the monstrous invaders were driven from the Earth, Lei married Jun Kazama. Lei and Jun raised a son, Jin Kazama. However, the greater part of Jin Kazama's telepathic and sorcerous powers truly came from his biological father, Kazuya Mishima. Lei and Jun kept the identity of Jin's 'real' father secret from their child, in order to protect Jin from his grandfather: Heihachi Mishima, the President and CEO of a syndicate that controlled a third of the world. On Jin's fifteenth birthday, he learned the truth about his heritage, and the immortal Toshin murdered his mother. Her sacrifice banished the Toshin from the Earth for five years. Heihachi discovered that he had a grandson, and convinced Jin that Lei Wulong had murdered Kazuya Mishima in cold blood. Believing Lei to be a murderer, and blaming Lei for 'abandoning' Jun to the Toshin, Jin pledged his life to his grandfather and went to live in the Mishima syndicate. Four and a half years later, in December of 2017, Heihachi Mishima renewed his syndicate's Iron Fist Tournament... Dramatis Personae of "Phoenix Reborn" Brackets enclose rough approximations of the pronunciations of non-English names. Corrections are welcome. Video games that characters are from are listed in parentheses, after their ethnicity/nationality and age. Ages reflect how old a character is at the time of the Iron Fist Tournament of December 2017, unless a character died before then, in which case the age represents how old the character lived to be. Similarly, general titles and descriptions usually pertain to a character as of the Iron Fist Tournament of late 2017. ****Video Game Characters**** Note: characters marked with a "+" are not playable/fightable in various games, but they are from the games' official storylines. Armor King is playable in Tekken 1 & 2, but not Tekken 3. +Doctor Abel: employee of the Mishima syndicate, scientist, professional rival of Doctor Boskonovitch, reanimator of Bryan Fury. Israeli. Age 88. (Tekken 3) The Angel: a.k.a. "Pistias Sophia," she is a manifestation of Death, justly feared by living beings. Transcends all mortal dimensions. Ageless. (Tekken 2) Anna Williams: a.k.a. "Lightning Scarlet," employee of the Mishima syndicate, daughter of Richard Williams, half-sister of Nina Williams. Half Irish, half Arabian, citizen of Ireland. Age 20 (biological). (Tekken 3) +Armor King: a.k.a. "Incarnation of Evil," black panther-masked wrestler, veteran of the Great Invasion, former rival of King the First, teacher of King the Second. Nationality unknown; African in heritage. Age unknown. (Tekken 3) Doctor V. Boskonovitch [bohs-coh-noh-vich]: father of Jessica Boskonovitch, scientist, professional rival of Doctor Abel, creator of the (currently dismantled) Jack-2 production line of android soldiers, former slave of the Mishima Syndicate, friend of Yoshimitsu. Russian. Age 66. (Tekken 3 for the Sony Playstation) Bryan Fury: a.k.a. "Snake Eye," former detective of Interpol and rival of Lei Wulong. Fatally wounded in "line of duty," reanimated by Dr. Abel as prototype for a Cyborg Army. American. Age 29 at clinical death. (Tekken 3) +Catsclaw: veteran of the Great Invasion, member of the Outworld Investigation Agency, minor sorcerer, close friend of Michelle Chang and her family. Native American (Cherokee). Age 45. (Mortal Kombat) +Mrs. Chang [chayng]: Bernard Chang's wife; Michelle Chang's mother; Julia Chang's adoptive grandmother. Native American (Navajo). Age 69. (Tekken 2) Chizuru Kagura [chee-zoo-roo kah-goo-rah]: a.k.a. "Heaven's Appointed Guardian," wife of Goro Daimon; mother of Taiyou Kagura & Tsuki Kagura; priestess of the Sacred Mirror; survivor of the Orochi Blood Riots; friend of Shingo Yabuki; respectful former comrade of Kyo Kusanagi-sama. Japanese. Age 44. (King of Fighters '98) Eddy Gordo: a.k.a. "Avenger," ex-convict (falsely convicted for patricide), capoeira master. Brazilian. Age 27. (Tekken 3) Forest Law: a.k.a. "Flaming Dragon," martial arts dojo teacher-in-training, traveling companion of Paul Phoenix. Chinese-American. Age 25. (Tekken 3) Goro Daimon [goh-roh die-mon]: husband of Chizuru Kagura; father of Taiyo Kagura & Tsuki Kagura; caretaker of Kagura's Temple; survivor of the Orochi Blood Riots; friend of Shingo Yabuki; respectful former teammate of Kyo Kusanagi-sama. Japanese. Age 49. (King of Fighters '98) Gun Jack: a.k.a. "Reckless Killing Monster," the one Jack-2 unit that has been reconstructed since the production line was dismantled. Soviet manufacture. Age 7 [spent 18 of the last 25 years inert]. (Tekken 3) Heihachi Mishima [hay-hah-chee mee-shee-mah]: a.k.a. "King of the Iron Fist," father of Kazuya Mishima, adoptive father of Lee Chaolan, grandfather of Jin Kazama, President and CEO of the Mishima syndicate. Japanese. Age 74. (Tekken 3) Heishiro Mitsurugi [hay-shee-roh mee-tsoo-roo-gee]: employee of the Mishima syndicate, descendant of the legendary Mitsurugi of centuries past. Japanese. Age 20. (Soul Edge) Hwoarang [hwah-rang]: a.k.a. "Blood Talon," gang leader, former student and slave of Baek Doo San. Korean. Age 400+ (appears 19). (Tekken 3) +Jane: caretaker and reprogrammer of Gun Jack. Russian. Age 27. (Tekken 3) Jin Kazama [jeen kah-zah-mah]: a.k.a. "Fatal Lightning," son of Lei Wulong and Jun Kazama, grandson of Heihachi Mishima, high school senior, sorcerer-in-training, healer, extremely powerful telepath and empath, acting vice-president of the Mishima syndicate. Japanese, also part Korean and part Ainu in heritage. Age 19. (Tekken 3) Julia Chang [julia chayng]: a.k.a. "Restless Gopher," adopted child of Michelle Chang's mother, high school graduate. Caucasian, raised as Native American (Navajo). Age 18. (Tekken 3) Jun Kazama [june kah-zah-mah]: a.k.a. "Ecology Fighter," sorceress and healer, wife of Lei Wulong, mother of Jin Kazama, veteran of the Great Invasion. Japanese, also part Korean and part Ainu in heritage. Age 38. (Tekken 2) +Kazumi Mishima [kah-zoo-mee mee-shee-mah]: Deceased. Sorceress and telepath; wife of Heihachi Mishima; mother of Kazuya Mishima; grandmother of Jin Kazama. Japanese. Age 29 at death. (Tekken 2) Kazuya Mishima [kah-zoo-yah mee-shee-mah]: Deceased. Master sorcerer, powerful telepath, son of Heihachi Mishima, adoptive brother of Lee Chaolan, biological father of Jin Kazama, former President and CEO of the Mishima syndicate, former ally of the Shao Kahn in the Great Invasion. Japanese. Age 28 at death. (Tekken 2) King the First: a.k.a. "Beast Priest," jaguar-masked professional wrestler, veteran of the Great Invasion, rival of Armor King, patron of the Church of the Virigin Mary's Mercy. Mexican. Age 48. (Tekken 2) King the Second: a.k.a. "Anger of the Beast," jaguar-masked professional wrestler, successor to King the First, student of Armor King. Mexican. Age 28. (Tekken 3) Lee Chaolan [lee chow-lahn]: Guardian of the Grey Kingdom. In former life, was once a.k.a. "silver-haired devil," adoptive son of Heihachi Mishima, vice-president of the Mishima syndicate, adoptive brother and slave of Kazuya Mishima. Chinese, raised in Japan since age 12. Age 27 at death. (Tekken 2) Lei Wulong [lay woo-long]: a.k.a. "Super Police," chief detective of the Hong Kong Police Force, husband of Jun Kazama, father of Jin Kazama, rival of Bryan Fury, vanquisher of Kazuya Mishima in the closing weeks of the Great Invasion. Chinese, citizen of Hong Kong. Age 46. (Tekken 3) Ling Xiaoyu [ling zhou-you]: a.k.a. "Pixie," distant relative of Wang Jinrey, high school student. Chinese. Age 16. (Tekken 3) Mokujin and Mokujin [moh-koo-jeen]: a.k.a. "The Wooden People," male-female pair of vaguely human-shaped, sorcerously animated, wooden training dummies, excavated in the Toshin Expedition. Property of the Mishima syndicate. Origin unknown. Age 2000 (carbon-dating). (Tekken 3) Nina Williams [nee-nah williams]: a.k.a. "Silent Assassin," freelance professional killer, daughter of Richard Williams, half-sister of Anna Willaims. Half English, half Irish, citizen of Ireland. Biological age 22. (Tekken 3) Ogre: see the Toshin. Panda: a panda bear, Ling Xiaoyu's beloved companion. Chinese origin. Age 8. (Tekken 3) Paul Phoenix: a.k.a. "Hot-Blooded Fighter," bouncer/drifter/biker, veteran of the Great Invasion, friend of Forest Law's father, traveling companion of Forest Law. American. Age 47. (Tekken 3) Pistias Sophia [pee-stee-ahs sophia]: see the Angel. +Richard Williams: Deceased. Father of Nina Williams and Anna Williams. Irish. Age 52 at death. (Tekken 2) Seung Mina [sung mee-nah]: veteran of the Great Invasion, matron of the Order of Light, descendant of the legendary Seung Mina. Korean. Age 38. (Soul Edge) Shingo Yabuki [sheen-go yah-boo-kee]: fighter; survivor of the Orochi Blood Riots; former resident of Serenity Consolation Asylum; Jin Kazama's teacher at the Mishima Industry Senior Specialty School; friend of Chizuru Kagura; eternally loyal disciple of Kyo Kusanagi-sama. Japanese. Age 37. (King of Fighters '98) Taki [tah-kee]: employee of the Mishima syndicate, descendant of the legendary Taki. Half Japanese. Age 20. (Soul Edge) Tiger Jackson: nineteen-seventies style dancer. American. Age 27. (Tekken 3) The Toshin [toh-sheen]: a.k.a. "The God of War," ancient, soul-devouring instrument of death and destruction, once worshiped by the Aztecs. Known to manifest as a shape-changing Ogre, among other forms. Transcends various dimensions. Ageless. (Tekken 3) Tracy Wong [tracy wahng]: detective of the Hong Kong Police Force, Lei Wulong's partner. Born in America, citizen of Hong Kong through marriage. Age 38. (Battle Arena Toh Shin Den 2) Vivarexis, the Dragon Eternal: the greatest and most Powerful of all the Guardians of Paradise. Transcends mortal dimensions. Ageless. Wang Jinrey [wahng jihn-ray]: a.k.a. "Fighting Philosopher," veteran of the Great Invasion, prophet, old friend of Jinpachi Mishima and Jun Kazama, distant relative of Ling Xiaoyu. Chinese. Age 104. (Tekken 2) Yoshimitsu [yoh-shee-mee-tsoo]: a.k.a. "Mechanized Space Ninja," leader of the Manji Group of Robin-Hood style thieves, friend of Doctor Boskonovitch. Origin unknown. Age unknown. (Tekken 3) ****Others**** Akashi [ah-kah-shee]: female orderly of Serenity Consolation Asylum. Japanese. Age 24. Constance Fury: Deceased. Mother of Bryan Fury. American. Age 30 at death. Eijiro Fujisawa [ayee-jee-roh foo-jee-sah-wah]: ex-convict. Japanese. Age 32. Guatemoc [gwah-tay-mock]: collateral descendant of the last Aztec emperor. Mexican. Age 45. Haw, Wa-duck [haw, wah-duck]: officers of the Hong Kong Police Force. Chinese. Age 22 and 47. Ishida: see Mantarou Ishida. Kimura: see Masahiro Kimura. Kobayashi [koh-bah-yah-shee]: employee of the Mishima syndicate, senior officer of the Tekkenshu. Japanese. Age 64. Mantarou Ishida [mahn-tah-roh ee-shee-dah]: employee of the Mishima syndicate, bodyguard, second cousin of Kimura, son of the Ishida who was Kazuya's bodyguard in the Great Invasion. Japanese. Age 26. Mariko Kimura [mah-ree-koh]: Masahiro Kimura's wife. Japanese. Age 25. Masahiro Kimura [mah-sah-hee-roh kee-moo-rah]: employee of the Mishima syndicate, bodyguard, second cousin of Ishida, son of the Kimura who was Kazuya's bodyguard in the Great Invasion. Japanese. Age 26. Father Michaels: Catholic priest, Mishima syndicate informant. Irish. Age 64. Michiko Iwakami [mee-chee-koh ee-wah-kah-mee]: female television documentary host. Japanese. Age 28. Nanao [nah-nah-oh]: street fighter. Japanese. Age 38. Satake [sah-tah-kay]: employee of the Mishima syndicate, member of Heihachi's honor guard. Japanese. Age 36. Shiina [shee-nah]: employee of the Mishima syndicate, member of Heihachi's honor guard. Japanese. Age 30. Suzuhara family [sue-zoo-hah-rah]: a clan of Japanese yakuza (mafia) who once incited Kazuya's displeasure. Tagami [tah-gah-mee]: Kazuya's chief bodyguard, prior to the Great Invasion. Japanese. Age 31. Taiyou Kagura [tie-yoh kah-goo-rah]: daughter of Chizuru Kagura and Goro Daimon; twin sister of Tsuki Kagura; acolyte of Kagura's temple. Age 14. Japanese. Technicians A, B, C, D: employees of the Mishima syndicate, research team for its cryogenic division. Japanese (A, B, & C) and Korean (D). Ages 40, 32, 51, & 29. Tsuki Kagura [tsue-kee kah-goo-rah]: daughter of Chizuru Kagura and Goro Daimon; twin sister of Taiyou Kagura; acolyte of Kagura's temple. Age 14. Japanese. Yamada [yah-mah-dah]: employee of the Mishima syndicate, junior officer of the Tekkenshu. Japanese. Age 25. Yukie [yoo-kee-ay]: female member of Hwoarang's gang. Japanese. Age 15. ****The following video game and other characters are referred to, but not personally present in "Phoenix Reborn."**** Baek Doo San [behk doh sahn]: Deceased. a.k.a. "Killing Hawk," employee of the Mishima syndicate when run by Kazuya Mishima, former master and controller of Hwoarang. Korean. Age 27 at death. (Tekken 2) +Bernard Chang [bernard chayng]: Deceased. Michelle Chang's father, Julia Chang's grandfather by adoption. Hong Kong Chinese. Age 34 at death. (Tekken 2) Bruce Irvin: Deceased. a.k.a. "Nightmare Impact," Servant of Kazuya Mishima, during the Great Invasion. Thai-American. Age 32 at death. (Tekken 2) Jack-2: a production line of android soldiers, created by Doctor Boskonovitch and used to defend the Mishima syndicate during the Great Invasion. The Jack-2 line was dismantled after the Great Invasion, due to operational difficulties unsolvable by any but their elusive creator. By the Iron Fist Tournament of 2017, only one Jack-2 remained unaccounted for. Soviet manufacture. Age 5 at destruction. (Tekken 2) Jackie Chan: Deceased. Famous Hong Kong action movie star. Go see "Drunken Master II," "New Fist of Fury," or "Supercop." Hong Kong Chinese. Age 59 at death. (He has his own NES and arcade video games, plus a game in volume 2.6 of "Blender" CD-ROM magazine, believe it or not :) +Jessica Boskonovitch: Deceased. Daughter of Doctor Boskonovitch. Russian. Age 6 at death. (Tekken 3) +Jinpachi Mishima [jeen-pah-chee mee-shee-mah]: Deceased. Father of Heihachi Mishima, grandfather of Kazuya Mishima, great-grandfather of Jin Kazama, old friend of Wang Jinrey. Japanese. Age 80 at death. (Tekken 2) Kuma [koo-mah]: a grizzly bear that Heihachi Mishima keeps as a pet. Descendant of the Kuma whom Liu Kang killed in the Great Invasion. Age 8. (Tekken 3) Kung Lao [kuhng lahoh]: Deceased. Shaolin monk, member of the Order of Light, warrior-mage, fighter in the resistance to the Great Invasion. Iberian-Chinese. Age 23 at death. (Mortal Kombat) Kyo Kusanagi [kyoh koo-sah-nah-gee (hard "g")]: god of courageous fighting souls. In former life as a mortal, was a champion of the King of Fighters Tournament; friend and mentor to Shingo Yabuki; ally of Chizuru Kagura. Japanese. Age 20 at divine ascension. (King of Fighters '98) Liu Kang [loo kayng]: Shaolin monk, grand champion of the Order of Light, warrior-mage, fire-breathing were-dragon, veteran of the Great Invasion. Chinese. Age 44. (Mortal Kombat) Marshall Law: a.k.a. "The Dragon," veteran of the Great Invasion, father of Forest Law, friend of Paul Phoenix. Chinese-American. Age 47. (Tekken 3) Michelle Chang [chayng]: Deceased. a.k.a. "Wandering Warrioress," warrior-mage, fighter in the resistance to the Great Invasion. Half Native American (Navajo), half Chinese. Age 20 at death. (Tekken 2) Orochi [oh-roh-chee]: ancient, serpent devil-god of blood and insanity; ancestor to a host of demon children. Transcends various dimensions. Ageless. (King of Fighters '97) Raiden [rye-den]: Japanese god of thunder venerated by the Order of Light, protector of the Earth Realm, recorder of "Ashes of the Phoenix." Transcends various dimensions. Ageless. (Mortal Kombat) Rugal Bernstein [rue-gahl burn-steen]: a.k.a. "Omega Rugal," megalomaniacal mass-murderer and despot. Nationality unknown. Age unknown (presumed dead). (King of Fighters '98) Scheherezade [shah-hrah-zahd]: woman of ancient Arabian legend, who told her husband 1,001 stories in order to lift his murderous curse. Shaka the Zulu: famous Zulu warrior chieftain of African history. Shao Kahn [shahoh kahn]: Banished to the ends of Time. Entropy personified, the source of the Evil that sought to devour the Earth in the Great Invasion. Origin unknown. Ageless. (Mortal Kombat 3) Shermie: Lighning Devil of Orochi blood, past co-conspirator of the Orochi Blood Riots. French. Age 22 at presumed death. (King of Fighters '98) Queen Sindel: benevolent ruler of Edenia. Former corrupted Queen of the Shao Kahn, before she regained her honor and banished him to the ends of Time. Edenian. Nigh-ageless. (Mortal Kombat 3) Smaug [smog]: evil, treasure-hording dragon of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy novel "The Hobbit." Read it. And then read "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Sub-Zero: veteran of the Great Invasion, ice sorcerer, scientist, renegade Lin Kuei, younger brother and successor to the Sub-Zero who first became entangled in the Shao Kahn's plots. Chinese. Age unknown (presumed to be in his 40s). (Mortal Kombat 3) +Yuki [you-kee]: goddess of those who love courageous fighting souls. In former life as a mortal, was the reincarnation of the eighth princess Kushinada, and one true love of Kyo Kusanagi. Japanese. Age 18 at divine ascension. (King of Fighters '98) ****Places, Organizations, etc.**** The Black Abyss: unknowable nether void that compels irredeemably evil souls. "Ashes of the Phoenix": a chronicle of the Great Invasion, as recorded by the thunder god Raiden. Visit my web site at http://members.aol.com/sglkht or e-mail me at vctr113062@aol.com for a copy. ^_^ Chizuru Kagura's Temple: and outpost in Tokyo dedicated to protecting the Earth from supernatural evil. Goro Daimon is its caretaker. Church of the Holy Trinity: an Irish Catholic church, near the Williams home. Nina Williams used to attend it regularly with her father. Church of the Virgin Mary's Mercy: worldwide foster care charity, supported by King The Crossroads: an interdimensional nexus point. Cyborg Army: a legion of reanimated corpses made into computer-controlled soldiers, as envisioned by Doctor Abel. Bryan Fury is its Prototype Alpha. The Dragon's Tail: a disreputable Tokyo slum bar, and favorite hangout of Hwoarang's gang. Divine Sanctions: cosmic bans that greatly restrict supernatural interference in our world. Edenia: a world ruled by Queen Sindel. Formerly called Outworld, when it was the Shao Kahn's home base for the Great Invasion. Ginza: Tokyo neighborhood famous for its stores and shopping; Japan's "Fifth Avenue." The Great Invasion: when the Shao Kahn, aided by his ally Kazuya Mishima, attempted to annihilate all life on Earth. It lasted approximately six and a half months, until a small force of mortals first defeated Kazuya, then banished the Kahn and his legions to the ends of Time. One-fifth of the world's population were killed; many plant and animal species were wiped out in the ecological devastation. The Mishima syndicate, under Heihachi's guidance, played a key role in restoring much of the Earth's natural life. The Grey Kingdom: a place of refuge for mortal souls that are not irredeemably evil. Heaven's Dagger: an ancient artifact linked to the Toshin, alternatively considered to be holy or cursed. Julia Chang is its heir guardian, as was Michelle Chang before her. HKP: Hong Kong Police (Force); Lei Wulong is its most celebrated detective. Ikebukuro: a western neighborhood of Tokyo, known for its skyscrapers. IPO: International Police Organization, or "Interpol"; Bryan Fury used to belong to its Hong Kong division. Iron Fist Tournament: a blood-sport fighting competition, hosted by the Mishima syndicate. Ivory Claw: an organized crime cartel, with roots in China. Lei Wulong and Bryan Fury were instrumental in expelling them from Hong Kong. King of Fighters Tournament: an annual, globally televised fighting competition of the 1990's, hosted by diabolic figures for sinister purposes. Kotoku: area of Tokyo, located east of Ginza Leucrotta Castle: the "summer home" of Limbo's demon nobility. Limbo: a netherworldly Moebus-strip realm. Lords of the Grey Kingdom: also "Grey Lords," the Grey Kingdom's enigmatic rulers, who serve as its judge and jury. Lee Chaolan works for them. Mishima Industry Senior Specialty School: private high school owned and run by the Mishima syndicate; Jin Kazama and Ling Xiaoyu attend it. Mishima syndicate: corporate conglomerate that directly or indirectly controls a third of the world. After the Great Invasion, Heihachi Mishima reclaimed his position as its President and CEO. New Era: the glorious utopia that Kazuya Mishima once envisioned for the Earth. Order of Light: a Shaolin society and training ground devoted to the forces of Light. Seung Mina is its current matron. Orochi Blood Riots: when the King of Fighters Tournament, in the summer of 1997, sparked a fiery massacre in the heart of Tokyo. Outworld: see Edenia. Outworld Investigation Agency: American military bureau devoted to contacting and exploring other realms. Catsclaw is a senior officer within it. The Paradise: a place of reunion and happiness, open only to pure souls who share the bond of mutual true love. Sanctuary: the primary base of the heroes and heroines who fought against the Great Invasion, now an autonomous territory within the continental United States. Serenity Consolation Asylum: an institution located near the Mishima syndicate, devoted to the care of the mentally disabled. Shinjuku: a western neighborhood of Tokyo, known for its skyscrapers. Tekkenshu Corps: the Mishima syndicate's private mercenary force. Temple of Light: home to the Order of Light, currently located in China's Honan Province. Toshin Expedition: archaeological expedition into an ancient Aztec tomb. Sponsored by the Mishima syndicate. Ultratech: a multinational corporation famous for its ruthless power struggles, advanced scientific patents, and televised blood-sport fighting tournament. (Killer Instinct) Wilkinson Public Assistance Project: site of Bryan Fury's childhood home. Yad Vashem Self-Defense Force: private, mostly Semitic militia. Yakushima: one of Japan's Osumi Islands, located off the southern tip of Kyushu. Site of Jin Kazama's childhood home. Victar "What are you living for? Where did people come from? Where are they going?" "What are you living for?" "I don't know." "Me neither." "Tell me." "Tell _me_." "There is no meaning." "I want to change!" "That's a waste of time." "I _can't_ change." "There is no meaning in life. You should know that." "I don't want to be alone. Someone get me out of here. It's so dark in here." "You and I are the same." -"Persona" CD soundtrack