Serenade for the Lost Ones

Crest Grove Cemetery, about 35 miles northeast of Phoenix, Arizona…

"Armando…why did he take you out? Why did he have to kill you?"

It had been over a year since the untimely death of Armor King. Many fans from around the world gathered at his funeral in Mexico, but the jaguar tribe decided to bury him back in America out of protection. Of course the killer had many fans too. They speculated that the murder was a hoax and that Armor King was still alive. After all, he had a younger brother.

The younger brother did not pursue professional wrestling as a career. Instead he helped his fellow tribesmen with their agricultural business, though he practiced wrestling as a hobby. After hearing about his brother's death, the younger sibling stopped his job and took on the persona of his brother. He did this out of honor for Armando, but someone else wanted to avenge his brother. The fellow tribesman hailed as the leader named King. King had done the honors by beating the killer in the latest King of Iron Fist Tournament. However, King spared the killer's life. This made the other Armor King very disappointed and angry. To calm his spirit, the new Armor King visited his brother's grave before he sought out to find both the killer and King.

Armor King II: "Armando. I'm sure you realize by now why I'm here. My spirit can't rest until I find out why King didn't carry out the execution of that murderer! It's been a year, and yet it feels so much longer since you've been gone. I'm so conflicted on which action I should take. I know what needs to be done, but can I do it?"

As if a spirit had heard his thoughts, a melancholy voice could be heard from a far distance. The cemetery was huge with no vegetation and yet he could hear this voice so clearly. He looked to his right and there appeared to be woman standing there. Out of curiosity he walks closer to her.

The woman stood in front of two large tombstones with new flowers surrounding them. She wore a long olive coat stopping at her knees, but it didn't cover the front of her body consisting of white jean shorts, a gold t-shirt with arm sleeves to match, and a green bandana covering her long ponytail. Her long brown cowboy boots made her appear taller that she really was. She was singing a song towards the double graves until a shadow crept up in front of the graves. The woman turned her head and stopped singing.

They both started at each other for several seconds until Armor King spoke out of concern.

Armor King: "Excuse me, does my appearance frighten you?"

Woman: "No, not at all. It's just…I heard you were dead. Aren't you that wrestler that participated in the King of Iron Fist Tournament 20 years ago?"

Armor King: "That wasn't me. It was my brother."

Woman: "Brother?"

Armor King: "There are two of us. Well, we both tried to keep it secret."

Woman: "I fought another man like you way back then. Yet he wore a regular jaguar mask."

Armor King: "King."

Woman: "Yea. And yet I heard he passed away several years back. I didn't know there were more of your kind."

Armor King: "It's complicated. Anyway, you were singing just now, what was that?"

Woman: "An ancient chant. It was for my parents buried here."

Armor King: "I see." (Then he sees something unusual in one of the graves. "Are those Chinese words there?"

Woman: "Yes. My father is from China. He met my mother here in America. It was love at first sight for them, but…."

Armor King: "Let me guess…someone was out to get your family."

Woman: "Well sort of. Long ago my dad used to work under Heihachi Mishima as a burglar. He told him to travel here in Arizona and take away about our tribe's pendant. Even though my dad lied about being a state park ranger to my mother and our immediately family, she still forgave him anyway. Love has a funny way of changing people. To hide his identity, he changed his name and moved to the big city, working a new job. He would travel from the city to my grandmother's house about every month to spend time with us, until I was about 13. On the day he was suppose to return, but he never showed up. At first I thought he died in an explosion at his job, but I didn't learn the truth about him getting killed until mother told me some 5 years later."

Armor King: "The Zaibatsu found your father took him out huh."

Woman (nodding): "It made me so furious, I joined their fighting tournament, even taking the pendant they wanted so badly from a ninja who stole it from me, but she never worked for the Zaibatsu."

Armor King: "What happened to your mother?"

Woman: "She grew very ill right after I rescued her from the Zaibatsu. Her last request was to be buried next to father. So since then, every year after that, I come here to pay my respects. Is there someone out here you know buried here."

Armor King: "My brother is here too. I have come to do the same thing."

Woman: "Oh no. When did he pass?"

Armor King: "It's been a year. The one who killed him is now free from his cage, but I will put an end to him!"

Woman: "You sound like just like me back then. But I couldn't let myself give in to my anger. I needed something to ease the pain, and I eventually found it thanks to the spirits."

Armor King: "I don't understand."

Woman: "If you have someone or something to protect, that is what helps me move on and build a new purpose. There is someone out there like that for you right?"

Armor King: "I have nothing anymore. My brother was all I had left within my tribe."

Woman (grabs his hand, and starts walking the same direction he walked.): "Maybe I can change that."

Armor King (Surprised by her grip, mashing a pressure point on the right hand.): "What's the meaning of this?"

Woman: "Let's talk some more. I want a drink now."

Armor King: "But I don't even know your name?"

Woman: "Michelle…Michelle Chang."

Inside Michelle's van…

Armor King: "Now how am I supposed to get my hotel?"

Michelle (driving.): "We can go get your car later. I just want some company that's all."

Armor King: "I could have at least followed you."

Michelle: "But then you'll make a run for it and ride off to who knows where."

Armor King: "I change my mind. I don't wanna go to the bar."

Michelle: "Oh because you're still in the mask? Take it off."

Armor King: "I don't need my identity exposed!"

Michelle (frowns, then a light pops in her head.): "Oh I think I know a spot. But we need a reservation. It's very private. I promise."

Armor King (folds his arms in disgust): "Hmph."

Michelle: "Just try not to scare people with that mask on, k tough guy."

Chunkers Cavern…Scottsdale, Arizona early night…

After a half hour drive, Michelle booked a private table at this fancy bar in the more affluent area of the Phoenix metro. Because it was still early in the night, there would be little to no people recognizing Armor King. Michelle made a reservation in one of the private rooms, just big enough for the two of them to sit close. The waiter got their drink orders and closed the curtains after walking away. In the dim neon red light high above, Michelle and Armor King kinda looked at each other. Michelle gave a smirk while Armor King just stared at her unresponsive.

Michelle: "Pretty nice spot huh?"

Armor King: 1'The rum better be good in this joint."

Michelle: "Oh it is trust me. Sooo…what do you do other than dress like a cat?"

Armor King (somewhat embarrassed.): "I work in a farm."

Michelle: "Oh…I like farming, but where I live isn't exactly agricultural friendly."

Armor King: "Now what do you do?"

Michelle: "My tribe hires me to do risky jobs like hunting animals or catching trespassers harming the wildlife in our parks. Every now and then I travel to other places around the country for exploring. Oh and my other hobby is jewelry making, but in my native custom of course."

Waiter (opening the curtain.): "Drinks are here. Enjoy yourselves you two."

Michelle: "We will. Appreciate it!"

Armor King's rum, which was a brand from Trinidad, was very strong, perhaps too strong, but he kept right on chugging. Michelle wasn't that thirsty, for all she wanted was company.

Michelle: "I'm impressed you can drink through your mask like that."

Armor King (hiccups): "It's nothin'…really."

Michelle: "Are you okay?"

Armor King: "Nah …I'm good."

Michelle: "I just got a margarita, but this place does sell some strong booze. People walk outta here wasted all the time."

After awhile, Michelle began to notice Armor King not drinking anymore. He was even leaning back and forth trying to stay upright.

Michelle: "Okay I think we better go, you're about to timber."

Armor King (irritated.): "Gggggrrrrr….I smell…gunpowder."

Michelle: "Huh? What are you talking about?"

Armor King: "You're right….We…better…go."

Michelle left a large wad of money on the table, helping Armor King get up and leave their curtain room.

Armor King (stumbling): "The smell…is getting stronger…we should…exit the…side door."

Michelle: "Okay, now you really lost me."

Suddenly Armor King separates himself from Michelle's hold and rushes to the side door towards the west wing of the bar.

Michelle: "Hey! Where are you going?"

Gunshots fire…

Bullets began spewing from the front entrance. Some soldiers began to make their way inside. They were wearing black armor with red stripes on the sides. Michelle chased after Armor King who didn't get very far because there were more soldiers with assault rifles aimed at him. He was too drunk to do anything.

Michelle: "Armor King! What is this?"

Head soldier in charge (Takes off his helmet.): "Armor King, so Craig's suspicions were right all along about you still being alive."

Michelle (thinking): "Craig? So this guy still thinks there's one Armor King."

Head soldier (Looks at Michelle): "And who are you?"

Michelle: "Just a concerned citizen. You guys aren't the police that much I know."

Head solider: "Just keep your nose out of this woman! Take him out fellas!"

Instinctively Armor King uses one of his patented Shoulder Charges and hits three of the soldiers at one time. Michelle helps out by taking down two guards standing across from her using the triple spinning kick combo. Another soldier from behind tried to shoot at her but he's a bad shot. Michelle rushed at high speed, connecting with a Double Palm Push, knocking the soldier down. She leaps in the air and finishes him off with a stomp to the helmet.

Armor King takes out two more soldiers simply by mashing their heads together, leaving their leader all alone.

Head soldier: "Oh please…just spare us! I only did for the money! This is Craig's fault! You gotta believe me!"

Michelle (behind Armor King, grinning.): "Have you sobered up yet?"

Armor King (cracks his knuckles.): "Gggrrr!"

Armor King did not care as he grabbed the leader to execute a classic wrestling throw used by the King's before him, the Armor King Driver! The force of the move could be felt all around the parking lot as the head of leader smashed on the asphalt. Armor King gave a howl in the air in satisfaction. Michelle though that might have been overkill, but this guy did try to kill them, so it really was nothing to gloss over. Police sirens could be heard from a distance.

Michelle: "We better get out of here!"

Armor King nodded as the two warriors quickly found the van and got out of the lot right before police could cut the corner and seize the crime scene. Driving away from Scottsdale, Michelle couldn't help but ask Armor King about those men.

Michelle: "You mind telling me who that was back there?"

Armor King: "Fallen Angels."

Michelle: "Fallen Angels?"

Armor King (still dizzy from drinking): "Yeah. They're one of the few gangs affiliated with the Zaibatsu, which is why they came packing on us. I heard that there are many prisoners in this state and California who are apart of their group. Craig must have bribed them after he got out of jail in Barstow. I went there first, but he was long bailed out. Since then those fools won't leave me alone."

Michelle: "Ok so what now?"

Armor King: "We need to separate, but first take me to my car."

Michelle: "Are you sure?"

Armor King: "Yea, I can't get you mixed up on this."

Michelle (after much thought): "Fine. But on one condition."

Michelle didn't mention anything else until they arrived back at the cemetery where they first met. Armor King got out of the van, but not before Michelle gave him a note. Keeping her hand on his, she made him look at her.

Michelle: "This is my home address. I gonna go ahead and drive there once I drop you off. I want you there by Sunday. If you don't show up Sunday at sunset, then I will come after you. Got it?"

Armor King: "And just how are you gonna look for me?"

Michelle (smiles): "I got friends in high places. If you're lucky I may be able to help find this Craig guy too."

Armor King: "I don't need another headache, but I'll consider your offer."

Michelle (winks.): "Most definitely!"

The jaguar man stood by his black raggedy car, confused as to what to do? Pursuing his brother's murderer was a no brainer for him, but getting help from this woman? Maybe he was going soft, but perhaps she could do him some more favors.

Notes: Been a while since I did another story. Not too many stories for the old school characters of Tekken. So if you want a deeper look into this story just follow it or make a reviews. Thanks for reading!