A new challenger!

[universe_strongest]

So, you finally got around to making me a journal, huh? 'Bout time! I've been wanting to get in here for so long!

Listen up, people! I'm Paul Phoenix. Strongest fighter in the universe!

...Stop shushing me, mun. These people need to know who's the best! Me!

Comments

[notblackwesker]

........

[universe_strongest]

[Commense epic stare down!]

[notblackwesker]

[Raven is not a participant in this stare-down. Though you probably couldn't tell due to the shades on his face, the look Raven gives Paul is, in fact, almost one of..... pity.]

So this is the man said to have once rivaled the Mishima's in terms of skill.....


....I wonder what happened.

[universe_strongest]

[Scowl.]

I still can! The last time I fought Kazuya, he only won because the light was in my eyes!

[notblackwesker]

I see.

And your excuse for the bear...?

[universe_strongest]

[Ahem]

Bear... wh-what bear?

[Shifty eyes.]

[notblackwesker]

....Never mind.

[Raven prefers not to spend too much time dwelling on the fact that a bear is apparently qualified enough to be in consideration for head of the Mishima Zaibatsu anyway.] But, to your original point- be advised;

Being the universe's greatest fighter comes with a price...

Are you truly prepared to pay that price?

[universe_strongest]

[Hey, Kuma is a freak of nature. HE KNOWS KUNG-FU! Whoa.]

Here ya go being all philosophical and junk. You people put way too much serious stuff in fighting. Martial Arts is a sport. Like football. ...But with more black eyes.

Point is, there shouldn't be a price. It's all in good fun! Or at least, it's supposed to be.

[He pulls a cigarette and lighter from the inside of his gi. Yes, his gi has pockets.]

Guess that's what I'm fighting for in a way.

[notblackwesker]

[What simplistic thinking.]

Mn. So, what you're saying... is that what the rest of us tournament fighters are forgetting- in between various battles to prevent the world's destruction- is... to have fun with it.

[universe_strongest]

[Just have a blank stare for a while.]

...Yes. That is EXACTLY what I'm saying.

[notblackwesker]

.......

I'm really not sure why I bothered to begin with... I suppose that such a response should have been expected.

[An exhale.] Well. At least you've got... spirit.

[squeal_like_a_piggy]

..........

[universe_strongest]

[Commense epic stare down!]

[squeal_like_a_piggy]

So you're still around, huh?

[universe_strongest]

Of course I am, toots! Can't get rid of me that easy!

[squeal_like_a_piggy]

An unfortunate truth.

[universe_strongest]

Oh don't give me that. Just 'cause of your fancy shmancy clothes and stuff don't make you better than me, Williams.

[squeal_like_a_piggy]

Oh, honey; I'm much more than a pretty dress. There's plenty more that makes me better than you than that.

[universe_strongest]

Didn't say anything about pretty. Just fancy and expensive. [Light's up a cigarette.]

Put an expensive dress on a dog, and it's still a dog.

The king of fighters would like a word with you.

[aragami]

That's a hilarious joke.

Bahahahaha! Paul isn't any slouch by any stretch of the word, but he's in so far over his head. xD

[universe_strongest]

[Smug grin goes here.]

Nope. No joke. I'm the best in the universe! The only reason no aliens ever show up on Earth is 'cause they're afraid of me kicking their asses!

fighting game characters and their egos jeez

[aragami]

Yeah, yeah, if you're so great, how come I never heard of ya before?

No kidding. Besides, half of Paul's character is chest-pounding.

[universe_strongest]

Well, obviously, you've been living under a rock!

...This probably won't end well.

[4starsavior]

Really? 'Cause I've met a buncha people who've said that before.

Oh God no, this is going to end horribly.

[universe_strongest]

Really! I'm the strongest fighter ever!

XD

[4starsavior]

So what sorta stuff have you done? [Goku's way too gullible for his own good, and figures this could give him ideas for training.]

x3

[universe_strongest]

Well, for starters, I've fought the supposed 'Devil' and won.

[Okay, so Kazuya wasn't in Devil form at the time. And he didn't win. But details, right?]

[vaudevil]

Well, well. Long time no see.

[universe_strongest]

Oh, hey! Uh... Chaolan, right? Been a while!

[vaudevil]

[How could Paul forget a former student like this? This makes Lee a little sad.]

Of course, who else?

[He quickly gets over it and grins.]

I've been wondering where you've been hiding lately.

[universe_strongest]

[It's been a long time. ...And hanging around with Marshal and Forest is a guaranteed recipe for blows to the head. Lots of 'em.]

Eh, mainly I've been doing odd jobs and entering tournaments when I can to help Law pay off his boy's hospital bills, and rebuilding my bike when I can.

[Awkward head scratch. You're Heihachi's adopted kid, right? To ask for money, or not to ask? That is the question. Wait, pride kicking in. Who needs handouts? NOT HIM!]

Ha ha!! Oh boy, the money bit...*dies*

[vaudevil]

[Lee simply nods and listens with a smile. Okay, some things never change and he's glad about that. That's up until he hears about the accident.]

The last time I saw Forest, he was six years old. Has it really been that long? How is his condition? I have to admit, I'm a bit saddened about this news. I should pay more attention to gossip.

*takes a bow*

[universe_strongest]

[Paul waves his hand dismissively.]

The kid's fine. He was in the hospital for a couple weeks and then he was back annoying his dad. Marshal's restaurant thing is still... struggling. Doesn't help that those two don't exactly take criticism gracefully, and the last time a gang tried to do the whole protection racket... they kinda went overboard and wrecked their own place.

No, the real casualty was my bike. But, she can be rebuilt. I'm just glad Forest's fine.

[vaudevil]

Whew, that's a relief.

[The news about the restaurant makes him laugh.]

Well, they are a walking demolition crew. I hope they don't have to worry about gangs again.

[He's still laughing from the image.]

Sorry about the bike.

[universe_strongest]

Yeeep. And with yours truly hanging around their shop, no gang is stupid enough to come within a mile of the place.

[...Of course, having someone that looks like him bumming around the place in his sweaty gi after training sessions can't be good for business either.]

I've been building her from the ground up this time. She's gonna be a real beauty when I'm done with her.

[Any kind of self-propelled vehicle would be a beautiful sight to him after having to pedal everywhere, really.]

LOL I remember that scene. :D

[vaudevil]

[Lee's smile definitely looks forced. If he knew about the irony of a bicycle and the bike on Paul's back, he'll never let Paul live that moment down.]

Oh, I have no doubt. I'm sure you'll have that bike of yours done in no time.

[Then his mind switches gears...as if there's nothing unusual about that.]</small. Have you ever thought about, oh, getting a job?

Best scene in that game. :D

[universe_strongest]

[Doesn't help that the bicycle keeps falling apart.]

And she'll be stronger and faster than before. [We have the technology after all.]

Hm? Like... a normal 9-5 job? I tried once upon a time. People kept complaining about my hair. I couldn't work for people who didn't understand me. Besides, fighting is all I'm really good at. Once I get my bike built and Forest's med bills paid off, I'm gonna look into opening another dojo or something.

YES!!

[vaudevil]

Oh, I have no doubt! I'll be waiting to see her when she's done.

[He snickers a bit at the whole hair thing.]

Oh? Can't a man keep the one little thing that sets him apart from the rest? Pity.

[universe_strongest]

I'll be sure to drive her past your place when I'm done.

[He nods emphatically, totally missing the snickering.]

I know! When people think 'Paul Phoenix,' the first thing they think of is my kickass hair! It's iconic! But no, people keep complaining about my hair hitting the top of doorways or something. Says it's 'unsanitary' or something.

[Scoff.] Buncha lightweights.

Superlate comment but I had to tag another old-school Tekken dude

[harakickyourass]

... Paul Phoenix. It has been some time.

[S'up Paul. Just sitting here, on top of my sword. Like you do.]

We Tekken-ites gotta stick together! :D

[universe_strongest]

Oh, hey Yoshi. Still... still kinda weird I see.

[Seriously, how do you manage that kind of balance?]

Even if we have received no real character development in years, WE STILL FIGHT ON.

[harakickyourass]

[Mechanical implants. Ancient hereditary techniques. I am in fact a blue space-alien from Dimension X. Really, take your pick.]

I can change my nature no more than you can change yours. I am, as ever, the Voice of the Voiceless Many, Divider of Equality and adamant opponent of oppression. And you...

[Small pause, as he tries to find the words to describe Paul Phoenix that won't be. well. Insulting.]

... You are still an ardent believer in your own strength.