Copyright 2001, 2002
Julian McKenzie
Shenmue: Dragons Forever
by Rising Tiger 187 © 2001
Chapter 4 Act I: The Arrival
Chapter 4 Act II: The Arrival
Chapter 4 Act III: The Arrival
Introduction and Notes
Chapter 1: A New Beginning
Chapter 2: Aftermath...
Chapter 3: Friends
Chapter 5: Solo
Chapter 4 Act I: The Arrival
After an unusual turn of events the night before, Ryo was eager to start a brand new day. He awoke to a beautiful bright morning with a frosty nip in the air. It seemed to make Ryo forget about what happened with Joy last night, and what he needed right now was a clear and ready mind.
Ryo walked into the small bathroom in his cabin. It wasn't much bigger than the one he had at home: there was just a sink and mirror/medicine cabinet to his left, a small shower to his right, and a toilet straight in front of him. Ryo turned and looked into the mirror. He looked at himself carefully; he looked focused all right, but he wasn't focused on the image in the mirror, he seemed bothered by something.
What was Joy hiding from me last night? What was she so afraid of that she couldn't tell me?
"Ah, it's probably nothing." Ryo said out loud. He ran his fingers through his matted hair and turned to the shower.
"Hey, where's Wong?" Ren asked. "He's been gone for nearly an hour! Where the hell is he?" Ren walked over to the large dirty crate at the end of the alley where the fence met the brick wall. "Am I talkin' to myself over here or what? Somebody answer the damn question!"
"Ain't none of us know where he is, Ren" Sam said reluctantly. "Maybe he's just got a little side tracked?"
"Side tracked? I told him that after he finished doin' the job to meet us back'ere!" Ren stood on top of the box with his back turned to the rest of the gang. "I just hope he's not in any trouble..."
"Ha! Are you crazy?" Larry interrupted. "Wong's the toughest little son-of-a-bitch that we know! Hell, you should've known that, Ren, he's your friggin' little brother!"
"You probably right, man." Ren turned around and stepped off of the crate. "C'mon, let's go get us some grub."
"Hey Ryo, open up! C'mon Ryo, open the door!" the muffled voice of Joy could be heard outside of the cabin. Ryo was just stepping out of the shower when he heard the noises.
"Ah? Uh, hold on, Joy! I'll be right there." Ryo said while looking for his towel. "Damn, where the hell did I put it?" he searched the small bathroom looking for the dry towel that he thought he had brought with him. "C'mon, where is it?" Ryo looked out into the bigger room; the towel was sitting on his bed. "Ah, found it! Joy, I'll right there!"
"Well hurry up, will ya! It's freezing out here!" Joy yelled from outside. Ryo opened the door with one soaking-wet hand on the knob.
"Oh man, it is cold out here!" Ryo reared back at the sudden change of temperature. "Uh, come in, come in." Joy stepped into the cabin and Ryo closed the door behind them.
"So, what's up?" Ryo asked.
"Wow, Ryo, this place is a mess!" Joy said while looking around the messy room. "We've only been on this ship for a couple weeks and it's starting to look like my old bedroom! What were ya doing in here?"
"Oh, yeah, it's just a little messy, sorry." Ryo said while rubbing the back of his head.
"No need to apologize! I'm in a smilin' mood today!"
"Huh? Oh really? Well, what's going on today?" Ryo asked while picking up a couple dirty shirts from the floor.
"Guess!" Joy said while grabbing Ryo's arm. "C'mon, guess!"
"Uh, I don't know, tell me." Ryo walked over to his bag and put his clothes inside.
"Oh, Ryo, you're no fun at all! Just guess!" Joy said while sitting on the corner of the bed. "I'll bet you'll like it!"
"Heh, alright, I give up, tell me."
"What? You haven't even-oh whatever. If you don't wanna play you could at least pretend to be interested." Joy said while folding her arms.
"Okay, I'm sorry. So what is it?"
"Well... we'll be in China TODAY!" Joy jumped up in the air playfully. "We're gonna reach the harbor by 3:00!"
"Really?!? That's great!" Ryo dropped his bag and looked outside the window. "Finally..."
"You must be excited to see all the sights of Hong Kong." Joy said.
"Oh... yeah." Ryo realized that he was getting closer to his father's murderer. "Uh, Joy?"
"Yeah?"
"Could you... I gotta... put some clothes on." Ryo walked towards the cabin door.
"Oh..." Joy started to blush. "Heh, excuse me."
Chapter 4 Act II: The Arrival
After waiting for so long, Terry finally met Benny Lo, one of the Triads' most powerful leaders. The deal was about to take place, and the final negotiations were to be arranged once Lo arrived at the designated meeting place.
Terry sat on the hood of the black limousine, arms folded. Three of his right-hand men were all randomly standing beside or around the luxury car. The one wearing green army fatigues and a blue headband was Shingo Murasaki, he was leaning against one side of the vehicle. The other, Satoshi Nagata was dressed in all black except for the purple jacket he was wearing, he was sitting on the trunk. Lastly, sitting inside of the black limousine was Pedro Warren, the biggest and most powerful of all the Mad Angels. Together, they looked like they were out to stir some trouble...
"You boys back there, you remember your instructions?" Terry said, his eyes were focused ahead of him. "If there are any slip ups tonight, you'll be sleepin' with the fishes tomorrow, got me?"
"You ain't got nothin' to worry 'bout, boss." Pedro said while stepping out of the car. "If any of those two clowns mess up, their asses are mine."
"Yeah, you're one to talk you big dumb bastard. If it weren't for you, that schoolboy wouldn't have beaten are whole gang!" Shingo walked around the car to step up to Pedro. "For a tough guy you're not all the shit you say you are!"
"What's that s'pposed to mean, bitch-ass? You punks ain't done no better either! All the Mad Angels back in Yokosuka know that I'm the baddest dude around."
"Big talk from a wussy who got his ass kicked by a schoolboy!" Satoshi got up from his comfortable position and confronted Pedro.
"I'll show ya whose gettin' their ass kicked!!!" Pedro reared his fist back.
"ENOUGH!" Terry yelled. "Y'all sit yo' asses down before I beat the shit outta all of you!" Terry turned around and started walking towards all three of his so-called "teammates". "Now I don't wanna have ta tell you boys again-hold up..." he was stopped in mid-sentence by the sound of a car coming in their direction. It was another black limousine.
"Tha's him! Stop foolin' 'round and get ready!"
"Hey, Ryo! C'mon, look at this!" Joy yelled from the upper deck. "Hurry or you'll miss it!"
"Alright! I'll be right there!" Ryo ran out of his cabin while putting on his brown leather jacket. "Hold on-where are you?"
"I'm up here, dumb-ass!" Ryo looked up and saw Joy waving at him from above. "C'mon!"
Ryo ran up the stairs and met Joy on the upper deck. "Alright, alright, what is it?" he said while trying to catch his breath. "What are you screamin' about?"
"Look!" Joy said while pointing out. "It's Aberdeen!"
"Huh?" Ryo turned and looked. What he saw was truly breathtaking.
Waves pushed past while seagulls flew above the Earth's ocean. The sky was a brilliant shade of light blue. The wind while not strong was just enough the make Ryo's hair flap in the breeze. And there, floating above the water's surface was a huge piece of land. The land had many colors to it; they were tiny shops lined along the front. Other ships made their way towards the many piers that this port had. Ryo could see in the distance people who went on their daily routines and opened their shops for business. It was all very busy. For the first time in his young life, Ryo was in China.
"Wow... it's beautiful..."Ryo was clearly awe-struck by the amazingly tranquil sight.
"Isn't it? And that's just what's on the outside too!" Joy said.
"Outside?"
"Yeah, it's a whole different place behind all the busy shops and stuff. There's tons of radical games to play and things to see and items to buy! If Aberdeen is the way I remember it, then it should an awesome way to introduce you to China." Joy put her arm around Ryo. "And if you ever get lost, I'll be there to help you find your way!"
Ryo looked at Joy thoughtfully. "So you know this place well?"
"Of course! I've been here many, many times."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Don't worry, Ryo, it's not like you're gonna actually get lost out there. From what I remember, it's a very friendly place."
"SAM! Get yo' ass down'ere now!" Ren yelled from across the street at the hot dog stand. He was apparently hitting on the girl who worked there. "Excuse me, baby, I'll pay for that dog in minute. You keep it hot for me, alright?"
"Oh you, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm!" the girl giggled.
"Hey Sam! You got the cash man! How the hell do you expect me to pay for all this shit?" Ren walked out into the street where Sam met him.
"Whoa, sorry Ren." Sam said while catching his breath.
"Yeah, that's right! You should be sorry." Ren put his arm around Sam and whispered. "I was just about to ask that fine little lady over at the hot dog stand for her number, then I realized that I was outta cash. Now what d'you do with it?"
Sam looked up. "Who, that girl over there? Whoo, whoo, whoo, she's a looker, isn't she!"
"I know, brotha! Now if I don't pay for the grub I bought, she's gonna think that I's broke! If she think I's broke, then she ain't gonna wanna go out with me! So hand over the dough!"
"What dough?" Sam asked confusingly.
"The money, stupid!" Ren smacked Sam upside his head. Hard.
"OW! I ain't got the money, Ren!" Sam rubbed his aching head. "I thought you had it!"
"What? You didn't hear me yelling for the cash? Damn are you deaf?"
"What?"
"Man never mind!" Ren rubbed his chin and looked at the ground. "If Sam don't got the money, then who does?"
"DAMN IT!" Wong screamed.
The storeowner looked up. "What the...? What happened kid?!?"
"I just got Game Over in Hang On." Wong said. "Son-of-a-bitch!"
"Hey, do you kiss your mother with that mouth young man?" The store owner put his hands on his hips. "You'd best get home and wash your mouth out with soap!"
"Whatever old man." Wong got out a fist full of coins out from his pocket. "Whew, just one more game and I'll go meet brother. Yeah, just two more games and I'll go meet brother... GRRRRRRRRR" his stomach growled. "...Whoa, after I get a hot dog." Wong shoved more coins into the arcade machine.
Chapter 4 Act III: The Arrival
"Hey Ryo, come on, we gotta get off the ship now." Joy said while turning her back. "Wait until you see all the stuff they got here!"
"Yeah, hold on, I gotta pack up one more thing." Ryo called from his cabin. "Now where did I put it?" Ryo was looking for his black leather wallet that contained 25,000 yen. He looked around the room some more, scanning every inch. It must've fallen down somewhere.
"Ryo! C'mon! Hurry up!" Joy yelled from outside.
"Damn, where is it?" Ryo looked under the bed. Nothing.
"Hey!" Joy tapped Ryo on his shoulder.
"Huh?!?" Joy surprised him and he hit his head on the nightstand. "Ouch! Jeez, I can't find it anywhere." Ryo said while rubbing the back of his aching head.
"What the hell are you looking for?"
"My wallet, I musta dropped it somewhere."
"Oh. Hey there it is!" Joy pointed down at the dark corner of the bed. She bent down and picked it up.
"You got it?" Ryo asked.
"Yeah, but it's stuck behind..." the words suddenly became obsolete when Ryo's eyes slowly became focused on Joy's rear end. His gazed sharpened as Joy's butt moved around while trying to get the wallet. Ryo was stuck in a moment that seemed to go on for hours until...
"Hey, here ya go." Joy stood up and turned around with the wallet in her hand.
"Huh? Oh! Ahem." Ryo quickly cleared his throat and snapped back to reality; he hoped that Joy didn't notice him staring. "Uh, thanks."
"No problem, now let's get outta here!" Joy grabbed Ryo's hand and ran out the door.
The black car, followed by two smaller luxury cars, slowly came to a stop a couple feet from Terry's. The driver quickly got out of the limousine and opened the back door. Suddenly, a tall thin man with glasses and gelled, combed-over hair stepped out of the car. He was wearing a beige business suit with a brown and black striped tie. The glasses he wore were big and round, and the frames were black in color. The man walked around, looking at Terry with a look of disgust on his face.
"What the hell is he looking at?" Terry asked Pedro. "Hey, you boys keep an eye on him. It's only been a couple minutes and I'm already gettin' a bad feelin' about him."
"Yeah, don't worry boss." Shingo said while cracking his knuckles. "We'll watch'em."
Out from the other two cars stepped out a bunch of guys who didn't look any better than the Mad Angels who surrounded Terry. One of them was tall and dressed in a white suit with a maroon dress shirt. Another shorter guy had a brown jacket and blue jeans on. The next guy who stepped out of one of the cars was bigger than the other two; he made them look like ants. He wore a neatly pressed dark gray business suit and black tie. Finally, a medium-sized man stepped out of second car; he wore a white blazer jacket and blue jeans with a black shirt underneath.
"Jeez, boss, these guys look like they mean business," said Satoshi. He leaned over to Pedro. "They's supposed to be cool with us, right?"
"What?" asked Pedro. "Aw, yeah, I think so. Hey Terry?"
"You guys shut the hell up back there!" Terry growled. "Just sit tight!"
The first man with the suit stood next to the hood of the car while waiting for the other person to get out. Suddenly, a short, fat, and middle-aged man stepped out of the limousine. His eyes were small because of his plump cheeks. His lips were in a permanent fish-like manner, also because of his fat cheeks. The man's hair was slicked back and he wore a black suit with a red tie. He walked with a long shiny black cane because of what looked like a limp on his right leg. Slowly, the portly man walked towards Terry with the tall and thin man right behind him.
"Mr. Ryan?" he asked.
"Yeah, tha's me." Terry said.
"I've heard a lot about you." the man extended his hand. "It's an honor."
"Yeah... likewise." he shook the man's hand. "So you're..."
"Benny Lo."
"Really?" Terry said sarcastically. "Well, you don't look like no crime boss to me."
"Oh on the contrary, Mr. Ryan. You'd be surprised at the 'power' that I have."
"Uh-huh, well let's just see. You got the money?"
"Heh, you're in quite a hurry! Well, you'll get your money all in due time. But, before we get things started, let me introduce you to my 'associates'." Lo pointed the man standing behind him with the beige suit and glasses. "This man right here is John Chau, my assistant."
"How do you do, sir?" John asked. He shook Terry's hand.
"Yeah, I do fine." replied Terry.
"Now, that man over there that's dressed in white, he's one of my closest friends. His name is Lee." The man Lo pointed to nodded to Terry. He did the same.
Lo then went in order from the man in the brown jacket, to the man with a white blazer, and then to the large man in the suit. "Those three men over there my other associates. That's Ken, that's Sang, and that large fellow over there is Keung."
"Yeah, yeah, it's nice to meet all of'em." Terry spoke in a slightly irritated manner. "Look, I'm a busy man, Lo. I don't have time for-"
"Ha! That's good! Straight and to the point, I like that. Well if it's the money you want, then..." Lo snapped his fingers and John quickly walked to the limousine and brought out a black briefcase.
"Here you go, Mr. Ryan. I think this will be to your liking," said John while he popped open the briefcase and held it up to Terry. His face lit up.
"Whoa! Looks like I got you figured all wrong, Lo." Terry raised his hands to touch some of the money.
"Ah? Hold on there, Mr. Ryan." Lo said while the John stepped back. "Do you have what I asked for?"
"What? Oh... uh... we r-ran into some trouble... down in Yokosuka." Terry looked at the ground.
"Trouble? What kind of trouble?"
"...A schoolboy." a chilling voice said.
"Huh?" Terry looked back. Lan Di.
"Ah! Mr. Long! You've decided to join us!" Lo walked over to the approaching Lan Di with his hand extended.
"What is the problem?" Lan Di said; he ignored Lo's handshake.
"Uh, nothin' Mr. Long. Nothin'." Terry said.
"Then why don't you have the money?"
"Uh, actually..." Lo cut in. "...Mr. Ryan here was about to explain to me why he doesn't have what I asked for. A schoolboy you said?"
"Uh, y-yeah, I guess so." Terry backed up a little.
"Well, it looks like we're going to have to negotiate a little longer, doesn't it?" Lan Di said.
Ryo stepped onto the pier, he was entranced by the place he was in. "Whoa..."
"Yeah, I know!" Joy said. She grabbed his hand. "C'mon, Ryo, let's go sight-seeing!"
The harbor was bustling with life. Workers and sailors walked about while seagulls flew overhead. Small markets were everywhere as far as the eye could see. Women gossiped about their husbands while children played with toys that they bought from toy capsule machines in the local park not far up ahead. In the middle of this park was a beautiful fountain that was surrounded by benches. Here, more seagulls ate the tiny crumbs and other small pieces of food that any passerby might accidentally drop. It was all very busy, yet at the same time, very peaceful.
Ryo and Joy walked around Aberdeen for a while, gazing at the new environment that they have just entered. Joy was saying how she remembered some of the places here, but none of that information registered with Ryo; he was still awe-struck at the fact that Lan Di was here.
They headed towards the park with the fountain. Ryo looked into the water.
"For luck." said Ryo. He tossed in 10 yen.
Oh shit!
"Ah? Damn, I forgot!" Ryo took out his wallet and saw that he had 25,000 yen. "How am I supposed to use this in a country that doesn't even accept it?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?" asked Joy.
"Uh, I still have yen. Unless this country uses yen for currency then I'm pretty much screwed."
"Hmmm... there must be someplace where we can exchange that money. There's gotta be someplace around here..." Joy looked towards the small street markets and a couple offices near by. "Hey..." Joy walked off.
"Huh? Hey, where are you going?" Ryo stepped forward a little.
Joy turned around. "What? Oh, I'm just gonna see if I can exchange yen for HK here." She walked back towards Ryo. "I won't be gone for long."
"Oh... alright." Ryo said; he looked a little concerned. "Only a little while, right?"
"Yeah," said Joy. She noticed the look on Ryo's face. "Don't worry Ryo, I'll be back soon. You don't have to worry 'bout me. Meet me back here in an hour. 'Till then, you can hang around here if you like."
Ryo looked at Joy. "Yeah, sure."
"Okay, see ya later!" Joy walked off towards the market.
"Yeah." Ryo said. He looked around a bit, taking in the sights and sounds of Aberdeen...
Chapter 5: Solo
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