Bruised Ego
Flashback, Emilio Rodriguez Orphanage, Sorocaba, Brazil…
Just past the age of seven, little Katarina bounced around from home to home across her hometown. Many of the families couldn't support themselves with their own children let alone raise an orphan. Not to mention, the frustration of not being loved made the little girl become more ungrateful towards her potential adoptees. Back in the orphanage for a 4th time due to her erratic behavior, Katarina made up her mind to run away for good.
So one night, Katarina managed to sneak out the gates when all of the children were asleep. The big city was no place for a seven year old to wander around all alone, but she didn't care. Katarina was free to do whatever she wanted. It was early in the morning hours as the girl ventured further into the central business district. Little did the girl know, another man was watching Katarina. He had a thing for younger girls and was curious to see one wander at night by herself. Katarina never saw him driving by her. She decided to stop near an alleyway to take a leak within the darkness. When she got finished, that's when the man approached her.
Creeper: "Ola little girl! What are we doing out so late tonight? Where are your parents, hmmm?"
Katarina: "Huh?" (Gets frightened.) "I don't know you! Leave me alone!"
Creeper (Walking closer.): "You been walking aimlessly like you don't know where you are! Maybe I can help you. Don't be afraid."
Katarina: "S..stop!" (Walking back.)
Creeper: "But you're lost right? C'mon!" (Quickly grabs arm.)
The girl cries for help and the man picks her up. Katarina's pleas grew even louder. The creeper almost made it back to his car so he put his prize in the trunk. That until an incredibly large man commanded that he stop.
Martelo: "Put the girl down!"
Creeper (Looks up.): "What the fuck?"
Martelo: "I've had a long day. Don't make me hurt you!"
Creeper: "I found her first! I don't care how big and tough you look! You get lost!"
Martelo immediately grabs Katarina first with one hand. With the other hand he grabs the creeper high up in the air. This man's strength was unreal. The creeper could not believe it. He was dangling in midair and could not get out of Martelo's grasp. With ease he smashes the creeper hard onto the trunk of his own car. He gives the creeper a warning.
Martelo: "You are lucky that I don't live in this town. I better not ever see or hear you mess with little children ever again! Entendi!"
Creeper (Scared): "Okay! Okay! Just don't hurt me!"
Martelo shoves him away from the trunk. The creeper pops back up and frantically grabs his car keys. He drives away in a hurry. Finally, Martelo placed Katarina back on her feet who was humbled by being saved.
Martelo: "Are you okay little one?"
Katarina: "Uh huh."
Martelo: "Do you have a home? Where is your mom and dad?"
Katarina: "I don't have a home. Or family."
Martelo (Scratches his head.): "Let me guess. You ran off from a foster care place?"
Katarina (mute)
Martelo: "I see. Come with me them."
Katarina: "Why?"
Martelo: "If you don't, I can't help you again. This will be your only chance. Now what do you say?" (Smiles.)
Katarina (hangs her head in shame.): "Fine! Whatever!"
Martelo's home, Santo Andre, Brazil…
Martelo was in Sorocaba for a bounty on the night he encountered Katarina. He grew up an only child but had a female sibling who was adopted. This is one reason why Martelo decided to take Katarina in. Another reason is that he found out about Katarina's parents getting murdered by goons. The very goons that he could eat for breakfast in combat and collect a price for their heads. Martelo lived in a much bigger area than where Katarina was from, and yet the girl still could not find herself to trust him, especially when she found out his job occupation.
Katarina: "You kill people?"
Martelo (Sitting down on his couch.): "If it comes to that."
Katarina: "So what happens if I do something bad? Are you going to kill me?"
Martelo: "No. Not you Katarina."
Katarina: "If the feds come and capture you for killing someone. Then I will be all alone again!"
Martelo: "Even so. I won't let you get in trouble because of my actions."
Katarina: "How! I'm just a girl!"
Martelo: "True. But I will show how to be stronger."
Standing up, Martelo walks to his punching bag hanging just by the window. He got in his stance and made a strong turning side kick. It was so powerful, that sand started pouring out of the bag. Katarina's eyes widened.
Martelo (Turns around smiling.): "Katarina! I will teach you how to protect yourself so you can survive in this crazy world we live in."
It was at that moment when the young girl's worries began to fade.
Present time, Itacimirim, Brazil…The alarm clock sounded off waking up the adult Katarina inside the beach hotel where Seu and his gang were lodging. It was 7:00 am. Slowly getting out of bed, Katarina couldn't help but feel sad about the dream of meeting her father for the first time. With only her button white shirt covering her body she walked out to the window viewing the beach and the Atlantic Ocean. Leaning her body on the glass door, Katarina mind started to drift.
Katarina (Thinking.): "Martelo, where are you? I miss you more and more every day! Now I've gotten myself into a vicarious position. This boss of mine Seu. Seu is nothing like you papai! He is not strong. He is little. He is ruthless. He is not as handsome as you. The only thing he has is money. Money for me to fight in this tournament. I only did it to find you! Papai, you always tell me where you are going. I try to do the same, but now you never return my calls! It's been half a year now! Please! Just please don't be dead!" (Crying.)
Meanwhile, Salvador International Airport, Salvador, Brazil…
A taxicab provided by the Zaibatsu was waiting for its guest to come out of the front entrance. Finally, he showed up. Eddy Gordo made it back to the country from a private plane from Europe. He felt much better after is recent bout with an old rival in Hwoarang, in which he barely lost. Now it was time to refocus his train of thought on this next fight. Somehow Eddy knew that this new woman would not play fair and she might set an ambush to kill him. He managed to smuggle some smoke bombs in his duffle bag if such a turn of events were to take place.
4 hours later, Garcia d'Ávila Tower House, Mata de Sao Joao, Brazil…
The venue for this bout takes place at an old ruin which used to be a fortress. It is also a symbolic place for the locals, especially the ones who partake in Capoeira. Eddy was the first one to arrive at the fortress and he felt very calm in both body and mind. His mestre told him about places such as this for how holy and sacred these areas were for the people who used to live in them. Eddy would not let him down, at least not today.
Coming from the other side of the fortress was Rolando Seu's limo with him and Katarina inside. About two armored trucks were behind them. They finally stopped in the back side of the fort. Seu did not want to give the impression of intimidating his prey. So Katarina got out of the cab alone, but not before Seu encouraged her to fight.
Seu: "This is it. I'm counting on you to win my dear!"
Katarina: "Not to worry. I'll get the job done."
Seu: "Good! We will wait here until the fight is over."
Katarina nods her head and begins walking around the fort. Eventually she spots Eddy Gordo in casual clothing, but without his leopard jacket (It's getting hot.) He was leaning near a wall with his eyes closed over a shaded palm tree. There was an official from the Zaibatsu who also stood near Eddy and he alerted the Capoeira mestre than his opponent is finally here.
Official: "There she is. Your opponent."
Finally in the grass area, the fighters stood about 10 feet away from each other.
Katarina (Hands on her hips.): "First I want to say I have nothing against you personally. I apologize for stalking you back in Japan. It was just a scouting job. Nothing more."
Eddy (Looks around, looking for snipers.): "I will be the judge of that."
Katarina (Feisty.): "What's the matter? Your attention should be on me! And only me!"
Eddy (Looks back at her.): "Then let's do this." (Assumes ginga stance.)
Katarina (On guard.): "Yeah! Vem aqui!"
Official (From a safe distance.): "Fight!"
Katarina did not allow for Eddy to start his pace movements by dashing at him full speed. She broke his defense with her Snipe's knee attack knocking him down. Eddy gets back on his feet and escapes low to the ground avoiding a flying spin kick from Katarina. Eddy uses a headbutt to hit Katarina in the belly, throwing her off balance. He tried an Armada kick to stomp her, but she cartwheeled out of the way.
Meanwhile, Rolando Seu managed to get inside the fortress ruin. He used binoculars to view the fight scene from above the tower.
Seu (Grinning.): "Good! Good!"
Katarina grabbed a swipe attack from Eddy's right hand. Then she connected with her Phoenix Kick Flurry all over Eddy's upper body knocking him down once again. Katarina laughed at him since he couldn't keep up with her speed, but Eddy was far from done. She rushes to try and soccer style kick Eddy, but the Capoeira mestre tripped her again using his Ipenema Wing kick combo and boots her off out of his way.
From about 50 miles away from the fight scene…
High above in a helicopter, Faron Barros had contacted the military and local police near the fight area to counter ambush Rolando Seu and his cronies. Thanks to his connections, Barros pinpointed the fight location and confirmed Rolando Seu to be in the area. Christie also accompanied Barros, but she had no experience in military training so she could only watch like Barros and hoped that Eddy would be okay.
Back on the ground…
Despite being the aggressor in this fight, Katarina took some punishing blows because of Eddy's elbows, meia luas & Rasteira kicks. Eddy had several scars on his arms and chest because Katarina wore high heels, but her kicks were not as powerful compared to a guy like Hwoarang. In frustration, Katarina tried to grab him again, but Eddy timed his movement perfectly. A powerful round kick penetrated Katarina on her ribcage after she couldn't catch Eddy. Her sunglasses fell off due to the force. Finally, Eddy seized his moment to finish the match. He assumes esquiva position.
Eddy: "Time to end this!"
Eddy first did a spinning elbow hitting the same area where Katarina got hit by the round kick. A series of Meia Lua Compassos was given around Katarina. Then Eddy went back to a handstand position and kicked her up in midair once again. Katarina's falling body was met by a strong Parafuso (540 kick) from Eddy. She collapses on the ground several times before coming to a halt. Breathing hard Eddy wiped the bloodstains from his face. The official ran to see the condition of Katarina. She was still moving but was in tremendous pain. 20 seconds went by and Katarina still did not get up.
The official declared the match to be over. Eddy was the victor. The mestre wanted to bury the hatchet and find out more about this woman Katarina. Who did she work for and why was she interested in him? His answer would come in an unexpected way. Two armored trucks drove under the grass and stopped right in front of Eddy, the official, and Katarina. About 10 men with AK47s emerged out of the vehicles with Rolando Seu coming out last.
Eddy (Assess the situation.): "I had a feeling this was a trap."
Seu: "Senhor Gordo! I cannot allow you leave this place alive!"
Eddy (Iconic finger point.): "Who are you?!"
Seu: "Someone who plans to take over your family's company! That's who! Katarina! KATARINA!"
Katarina finally started to gather her thoughts. She slowly rises up looking at her boss calling her name. She was in a lot of pain.
Seu: "To be honest, I didn't think you were skilled enough to beat someone like Eddy! Well, you can forget about continuing this tournament if you can't win! It will be a shame for your father to find out your unfortunate demise!"
Katarina (Angered.): "Bastardo! He (Barros) was right all along! Aaah!" (Collapses in pain around her ribs.)
Seu (Ticked.): "I don't know what you are talking about! Nor do I care! MEN! Raise your weapons! AIM!"
Eddy (Thinks while reaching in his pants pocket for the smoke bomb switch.): "This damn button better work."
A helicopter from above could be heard by everyone. Then sirens were ringing loudly as local police cars began to surround the armored vehicles of Seu. Barros peaked his head out of the chopper and ordered Seu to surrender on a speaker.
Barros: "All of you! Drop your weapons now!"
Seu (Looks up at Barros.): "It can't be!"
Barros: "Seu! You are under arrest! Put your hands up nice and slow!"
Seu (Enraged, but gives in.): "Damn! Put the guns down! Do it!"
All of Seu's men lowered their weapons first, then they raised their hands in surrender. The police began to engage them all, handcuffing them. A medical chopper, along with Barros chopper, landed close by to attend the injuries of both Eddy and Katarina. Ironically, both choppers belonged to Violet Systems. Eddy declined to have a stretcher, but then he could see his disciple from a distance as she rushed over to hug him. Christie shed tears of relief for it had been well over a year since she last saw her mestre. Barros, however, went over to Katarina as she was put in a stretcher. Barros wondered what her connection was with such a dangerous man in Rolando Seu.
