Well, it seems I've dragged myself into more chaos and troubles. And as usually, it is the prelude to fight. But I'm sure my next fight will be even more intensive than the one against Saffron, Herb, or this chinese-dragon I had to kill to save Shampoo. I can feel it in my bones, my guts, my blood. This will be the fight for my life...
Because I'll fight against Shen Long, the mythical dragon, the head of the dragon clan, and Feng Huang, the true phoenix, the ancestor of Saffron. For one thing: the control of my life. And I'll rather die than submit myself to their will, to join them and become an immortal without life, desire, subject to the will of the gods.
...I'm tired. Nobody has ever asked me what I wanted to do of my life. Genma Saotome, this man who also is my father, has taught me the Art. I'm grateful for this, because I've realized that what Happosai and Cologne have said about me is true: I don't have to understand the puspose behind the Art, because I breath it, I live it, I'm the Art. Thanks to Genma Saotome. But he has made my life a living hell, a hell Ryoga can't even imagine. The Neko-Ken, the pledges, the curse...
Then there is Nodoka Saotome. My mother, whom I have no knowledge dating from my infancy. My memory erased by the training. I do love her, but the seppuku pledge had made our first encounters a true challenge. I still resent her a bit for accepting the pledge made by my father and a six years old boy, me. But now she has seen the truth, and she back me. In her eyes, I'm free to do as I want, I'm free from all engagements made by others than myself. Perhaps the others will in time realize that this is the only issue.
Happosai. The Grandmaster of Anything Goes. But should I say now former Grandmaster? He has given me his title, as well as his knowledge. I realize now how powerful he was, how inventive. While not having three thousand years of tradition behind him, like Cologne, he had joined every bit of knowledge about the Art and Chi manipulation, and created a whole new way of fighting. Now, with his knowledge, I can see that my father possesses the knowledge of the meaning behind Anything Goes, Soun Tendo retains only the techniques, and Akane knows only the bases. And I can see why Happosai accepted me as his heir. I thank you, my old perverted master. I will take care of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts. The Art will grow.
Cologne, one of the Elder of the Chinese Amazons. A whole knowledge about mystics arts, like the Art, Chi, and magic. Also a training figure. I'm sure I wouldn't have succeeded against Herb or Saffron without her training. Perhaps if my father had some of her training methods I would be a better man. In the end, like my mother, she has accepted the fact that I would never marry Shampoo, or join the Amazons. I thank her for that, and hope she will continue to lead the Amazons, with her newfound knowledge about modern civilization. Old Ghoul, truly I will remember your teaching, and live a long life.
Soun Tendo, my once-to-be father-in-law. It was failure since the start. How could you want me to marry a girl who didn't realize that the Art means control? How could you not teach her that? Nabiki and Kasumi have learnt it, but there are not martial artists, not anymore. I've learnt the little knowledge about the Art you knew, and then pass on. You were once a great martial artist, but you have forgotten one thing: control. So you will be forever unable to see your dream come true.
I have to rest now. The challenge has been issued, I will fight in two days. Two more days to prepare for the fight of my life.
Against two gods. Against Fate. Against Chaos. For Control. For my Life. For the Art.
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(Posted Sat, 04 Dec 2004 01:17)
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