Fight For You

Chapter 1: Shadowed Past

Ling's knuckles were raw, her skin scraped and bleeding as she leaned against the cold alley wall, her breath steadying after another underground fight. The dim light barely illuminated her bruised face, yet there was a spark of satisfaction in her eyes. She had won again, another fight checked off on her path toward her ultimate goal—Mitsaya Kwong's downfall. It was a dangerous path, filled with blood and grit, but for Ling, danger was as familiar as the Bangkok streets she'd grown up on.

"Ling, you're doing it again," came Ying's voice, cutting through Ling's dark thoughts. Ying's concerned gaze met hers, her best friend's familiar face a comforting sight in this world where betrayal lurked around every corner.

Ling managed a slight smirk. "Doing what?"

Ying shook her head with a sigh. "That look, like you're fighting the whole world."

"Maybe I am," Ling replied, her voice tinged with a bitterness she tried to mask. She knew Ying could see through it, though. She always did.

As they walked away from the alley, the hum of Bangkok's nightlife surrounded them, vibrant and chaotic. But Ling was lost in her own storm, memories stirring beneath her hardened exterior. She could still feel the faint ache in her chest, the echo of an old wound that had never truly healed. This night, under Bangkok's neon lights, memories of her mother resurfaced—the woman who had once been her world, a woman who Mitsaya had taken from her.

Flashback: Ling's Mother

The memory was sharp, tinged with the bittersweet scent of jasmine. She was only nine, small enough to fit in the crook of her mother's arms but already aware that their life was marked by fear. Her mother's laughter was soft, like a lullaby Ling could still hear in the quietest moments. They were in their small apartment, tucked away in a modest part of Bangkok, but it was the safest place Ling had ever known. There, she was just a little girl with wide eyes, safe under her mother's gentle gaze.

She remembered sitting cross-legged on the floor, her mother's hands brushing through her hair, gentle fingers easing out the tangles. Her mother had called her "Nong Ling," always with a smile that seemed brighter than the morning sun. Her mother's voice was a lull, warm and soothing as she hummed a lullaby, one of the few things that made the world feel safe.

"Ma?" Ling's young voice broke the silence, and her mother's eyes softened as she looked down.

"Yes, my little one?"

"Are we... are we going to be okay? I heard... I heard Daddy yelling last night. He said he was going to make us rich, but you didn't look happy."

Her mother's hand stilled, the warmth in her gaze faltering for a moment before she quickly masked it. "Sometimes grown-ups argue, Nong Ling. Your father... he wants things that he believes will make us safe, but he doesn't always understand." Her voice softened, a note of sadness hidden beneath her gentle tone. "But I'll always protect you. Always, Nong Ling."

But her mother hadn't been able to protect her. Months after that night, Ling remembered her mother's hand slipping from hers as they were forced apart. Mitsaya's face had been cold, his grip unrelenting as he separated them. She could still hear her mother's voice, shouting her name as Mitsaya's men dragged her away, her mother's cries fading into the distance, leaving a hollow ache that had never left her heart.

Present Day: Bangkok's Streets

Ling blinked, pulled back to the present as the noise of the streets surged around her. Ying's gaze softened as she noticed the flash of sadness in Ling's eyes.

"You're thinking about her again, aren't you?" Ying asked gently, placing a hand on Ling's shoulder.

Ling didn't respond for a moment, her gaze fixed on a distant point. "He took her from me, Ying. He destroyed everything. My mother deserved better than that." Her fists clenched, the rage simmering just beneath the surface. "If I can stop him—if I can bring down his empire—maybe I can find some peace."

Ying nodded, knowing better than to offer hollow words of comfort. Instead, she gave Ling's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Then we'll do it together. Whatever it takes."

Just as Ling took a breath to steady herself, they noticed a familiar figure moving toward them through the crowd. Gap and Fluke had arrived, their playful banter contrasting sharply with Ling's somber mood. They were dressed impeccably as always, Bangkok's nightlife glittering around them like a playground built just for them.

"There she is!" Gap grinned, throwing an arm around Ling's shoulders. "Our undefeated champion. Are you going to let us buy you a drink to celebrate, or are you too busy being mysterious and brooding tonight?"

Fluke smirked, his gaze sharp and calculating. "I think our girl has other plans, Gap. We might be just her entourage tonight."

Ling managed a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. The invitation she had just received from her father's tournament weighed heavily in her pocket, a tangible reminder of the fight that lay ahead. Her mind raced with thoughts of what awaited her in the Iron Fist Tournament and the dangers that came with it.

Ying gave her a knowing look, sensing the turmoil within her. "You don't have to do this alone, you know."

Ling's gaze softened, her friends' loyalty grounding her in that moment. She had been alone for so long, so used to shielding herself from vulnerability. But here, surrounded by people who cared, the weight felt just a little lighter.

With a quiet nod, she steeled herself, her mind made up. "This is something I have to do. But... I could use all the help I can get."

Gap, Fluke, and Ying exchanged glances, a united determination settling among them. "Then we're in," Gap said, his tone uncharacteristically serious.

Ling reached into her pocket, pulling out the invitation to the tournament, the symbol of Mitsaya's empire glaring up at her like a challenge. "The Iron Fist Tournament. This is my way in."

Ying nodded, her gaze fierce. "Then let's make sure Mitsaya regrets ever underestimating you."

Ling pocketed the invitation, her eyes hardening with resolve. As they moved forward, blending into the crowds of Bangkok once more, she knew there was no turning back. The tournament would bring her face-to-face with the demons of her past, and she would confront Mitsaya not just for revenge, but for the family he had ripped away.

In her heart, Ling felt the faintest echo of her mother's voice, her promise to protect her, a reminder of the warmth and love she'd once known. With her friends beside her and vengeance driving her forward, she was ready to reclaim everything she had lost—and maybe, just maybe, find a new path, one that would finally bring her peace.