4Interlude: Where shadows dwell
In an isolated part of South Park, hidden from public view, was a single chamber beneath the ground, dark and poorly illuminated by a single, minuscule light bulb dangling by a single wire. The chamber was so dark, one would have to squint hard to discern anything or anyone hidden within the room's dark confines. Underneath the light bulb was a single round table, cluttered with files of brown paper and other documents, and surrounding the table were a council of six figures, their faces obscured by the shadows cast by the hoods they wore.
One of them spoke, "Is it true, brother? Has a successor of Hokuto Shinken truly come to this isolated town?"
A sigh escaped another's lips, another voice saying, "I have sighted the person myself; there is no mistaking the aura she possessed. And the Big Dipper shines brightly once again in the night sky, just as the prophecy foretold."
Curses and murmurs were uttered by all present save one, but they were quickly silenced by the thumping of a staff on the floor. They turned to face the one responsible, and the figure said, "Since the prophecy has come to pass as foretold, there is no escaping confrontation with the woman of Hokuto in the future. Nonetheless, we cannot allow her presence here to go unanswered; swift action must be taken if we are to rid ourselves of her, this Kenshiro."
"Easier said than done, I'm afraid. Already the practitioners of Gento Kouken and Nanto Hakuroken have contacted her, and word is their followers are keeping a close eye for anyone looking to claim her life. Any hasty attempt to kill Kenshiro will alert them of our activities, and we may be forced into the defensive."
"Damn it, the Celestial Emperor's made his move already? And to think he sent his most trusted Lord General and one of the Nanto Rokusei Ken... this will not be easy."
"Pah!" A figure scoffed loudly, an air of arrogance in his voice, "I say let them come! We defeated them and the Hokuto Clan before, and we'll do so again!"
"And there is no way in hell we will forfeit our hard-earned glory and power! Our ancestors had to bow to the Hokuto Clan's might for far too long, and with their rebellion, we can dominate the world of martial arts as and when we please! And I intend to see it stay that way!"
"But I urge that we take caution as well, for now. There's no telling if-"
"What!? And let them trample over us as they please!? I'll be damned if we are denied our rightful glory a second time!"
"I have to concur with him on this matter. If we remain cautious and passive, there is a chance they can use the reprieve to mount a counterattack and defeat us soundly."
"And if we act too hastily, it would be our downfall nonetheless. What if-"
"Silence!" Said their leader, and with another thump of his staff, the others are stunned into silence.
With a voice full of authority and commanding power, he said, "Arguing pointlessly will get us nowhere at this point. Though we must take decisive action against Kenshiro and any who aid her, so too must we tread with caution; we may never know who may be going against."
"With this, I have new orders for all of you," Said the leader, "I want the Woman of Hokuto and her new compatriots watched for any movement. I want immediate reports on any suspicious activity being plotted by them. At the same time, I want a message delivered to her."
"What should the message be, my Lord?" Asked one of the figures.
"It will say these words: Begone and leave, lest you wish annihilation."
"Your will be done."
One figure left, saluting his leader before disappearing in the dark shadows of the room, leaving the others awaiting their leader's next orders.
The leader then said, "I want the rest of you to watch this one boy and his family."
He picked up a document and handed it to one of the figures to his right, who passed it around for the others to see.
"Kyle Broflovski, the boy who has taken to forming an... intimate relationship with the Woman. Make sure you do not let him or the rest of his friends and family leave your sight. Should you fail me, I will have your hides. Understand?"
Shaken by fear of their leader, the others chorused a 'Yes, my Lord!', before turning to leave and carry out their orders. Only the leader remained, a slight smile crossing his lips as he laid eyes upon the picture of Kenshiro printed on the document he held.
"Will you defeat us? Or will history repeat itself? Let us see who outlasts the other..."
A/N: Sorry I haven't posted in a while, exams and writer's block kept me from writing for a while, but I'm back! On a long break now, so I'll have quite a lot of time to write before my next exams. Hope you enjoy the short interlude.
Until then, this is Ebanu8.