Regrouping

Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles, CA, USA…

The next day came as Michelle spent the night over at the hospital where Armor King received surgery and was resting in his room. She sat by him as they both slept overnight. When she woke up, Armor King was still in a deep sleep, even unmasked. Already feeling hungry, Michelle stretched herself a bit before leaving to find the cafeteria. When she got there, Michelle would text Julia to call her. In a surprise, Michelle received a call from Julia right after she ate her portion of breakfast food. Michelle went over to the hallway to answer the phone.

Michelle: "Hello?

Julia: "Mom?"

Michelle: "Oh hey Julia! Morning!"

Julia: "So how is he?"

Michelle: "Still sleeping like a mummy. His surgery went well, but he will be out of action for some time."

Julia: "I see. I'm planning to see him later today. Me and the guys are already getting ready to leave for the airport."

Michelle: "Really so soon?"

Julia: "Yeah. I think we can talk about what to do next once we settle down to where you are. Where is your hotel?"

Michelle: "Uhhh I guess it's on Wilshire Boulevard. I'll have to send you the address."

Julia: "Ok no problem. I will see you soon. Later mom."

Michelle: "Ok Julia. Don't be in a rush."

Julia: "I won't then. Bye."

Michelle: "Bye."

Later in the afternoon at the same hospital…

Julia, Tiger, and Forrest wasted no time in making it to Los Angeles so that they could see Armor King at the hospital. Michelle waited for them in the lobby. When they all met up, the women gave hugs. Michelle even hugged both Forrest and Tiger for coming all this way and putting up with Julia's demands. Although the latter remark kind of belittled Julia in a childish manner. The group soon reentered Armor King's room, where he was still in deep sleep.

Julia: "Oh…Armor King." (Shaking her head.)

Michelle: "I know. This time his rehab sessions could last up to 6 months or even a year. Craig really messed him up this time."

Julia: "I suppose, what's done is done. Maybe things would be different if King chose to help us, but he has his heart settled on helping the children of his tribe orphanage."

Michelle: "Perhaps, but it's best to let the spirits work things out for us."

Julia: "And yet the war still goes on."

Michelle: "Julia how soon were you planning to sabotage another Mishima base?"

Julia: "Actually I was looking at a G Corp armory base. It's one of their biggest in the Pacific Region. It used to belong to Violet Systems before G Corp forces took it over. If we can placate it, then that will completely disrupt the trading and distribution of firearms that G Corp uses. I'm still figuring out some way of doing that without using a lot of manpower like we did last time. Although, I have not heard back from Condor today. I was really hoping we could use Jane's help again."

Michelle: "Wow! You have really put in a lot of thought into this such a short amount of time."

Julia: "Well…with the King of Iron Fist Tournament going into elimination rounds, I feel that it is important that we keep up with this so maybe our friends in the tournament will see what we are doing and maybe pitch in to aid us. So far I think that in time more fighters will help."

Forest: "Yeah I mean we are here right Tiger."

Tiger (Looking at his phone): "Oh yea. The sooner we end this war, the quicker I can get back to doing my performances."

Everybody laughs at Tiger's comment…

Michelle: "I need to see one of these performances Tiger. Julia told me about it before."

Tiger: "My stuff is on the web for you to check out. I mean I record my shows all the time, but of course you can get in my shows for free. I can text my manager right now and give him your name. That way he can put you on the exempt list for tickets."

Michelle: "That is very kind of you Tiger. I will catch your shows live one of these days."

Julia stomach growls…

Julia: "Oh spirits! Was that me?!"

Forest: "It sure was alright! I wonder if there is good Chinese spot nearby. I could go for some dumplings right about now."

Michelle: "I was hoping Armor King would wake up by now, but I don't know when that will happen."

Julia: "Can someone notify us when he does?"

Michelle: "I can ask the nurses at the office desk. I will be right back."

Michelle leaves for a moment, then re-enters as the other continue to talk about dinner options…

Tiger: "How bout this spot, got a good buffet too?" (Looking at his phone again.)

Forest: "Ehh I dunno. I know my pops used to own a buffet. The buffets are not the cleanest places in the world to eat. Let's try this! It's in between the hotel and the hospital." (Shows his phone to Tiger and Julia.)

Julia (notices her mom re-entering.): "What did they say?"

Michelle: "They said it's fine to have them look after him while I'm gone. They will call as soon as he wakes up. I might come back here later tonight, it depends on my mood."

Julia: "Okay. Let's go to the restaurant Forrest recommended. I'd rather sit down in a more quiet space."

Michelle (Looking at Armor King.): "I will be right back beastie."

Everyone starts leaving the room…

Then after dinner…

By the time the group finished eating dinner at the Chinese place Forrest picked, Julia bid her mother goodbye at least for tonight. On the way back at the hotel, Julia finally heard back from Rodeo. He was actually on his way back to Arizona, but he did not know that the group was in Los Angeles. So Rodeo said that he would spend the night there and then meet with Julia tomorrow at the hospital.

Next day, Back at Good Samaritan Hospital…

Armor King eventually woke up from his long sleep. He couldn't move around much due to his injuries, but the nurses still helped him to at least use the bathroom. The wrestler was very sore and stiff with casts on all limbs, but he was very much alert now, conversating with Michelle. Eventually, Julia came back with Forrest, Tiger, and then Rodeo who just arrived from talking with his superior officer over at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Julia: "Armor King! It's good to see you!"

Armor King (Back in the bed, but of course his mask is back on his face.): "Julia. Is that you?"

Julia: "Of course! We were worried about you and everything since the fight ended. How are you feeling?"

Armor King: "Like complete dogsh*t!"

Forrest and Tiger contain their laugher over Armor King's outburst…

Michelle: "Beastie! You did not have to say it like that!"

Julia: "Again I'm sorry you are going through this Armor King."

Michelle: "Julia. It's ok. Armor King made the choice to fight Marduk on his own. It wasn't like any of us forced him to do it."

Armor King: "Don't tell me that fool is in this hospital too! Grrrrrr!" (Hurting.)

Michelle: "Relax! You're already too tense!" (Wiping Armor King's chest with a dry rag.) "And no. Marduk is not here. He's in a different hospital. The guy is in just as bad shape as you despite winning."

Forrest: "Phew. Well that's a relief."

Armor King: "Hold on. Who are these guys?"

Michelle: "These wonderful men have been helping Julia in destabilizing the military apparatus of the Zaibatsu and also G Corp. Oh wow! Now I'm sounding smart like my daughter!"

Everybody but Armor King laughs…

Michelle: "So you see that one to right of Julia. He's the son of Marshall Law."

Armor King: "What? You're kidding!"

Michelle: "Nope. It's true. Looks just like him."

Forrest: "Aw shucks, you're embarrassing me Misses Chang."

Michelle: "Don't be embarrassed Forrest. And the one with the afro is Tiger Jackson."

Tiger: "What's up?"

Armor King: "Uh huh."

Michelle: "And the taller one behind Julia is Rodeo Mont-."

Armor King: "Rodeo?!"

Rodeo: "Uhhhh…Hey!" (Nervous laugh.)

Michelle (Remembers.): "Oh yeah! That's right! You two met already!"

Julia (Knowing this could get ugly quick.): "Oh boy."

Armor King: "Is this a joke! Grrrrrrrrr!"

Michelle: "Beastie stop!"

Rodeo: "I meant no trouble by coming here sir. I only came because I had to meet Julia."

Armor King: "You mess with her! And you'll be sorry! Ya hear! All of you!"

Forrest and Tiger looked at each other very awkwardly…

Julia: "Don't worry Armor King! These are my friends! They were only trying to help me! Honest!"

Armor King: "Tch! Whatever!" (Turning away in disgust.)

Michelle: "You know, this is childlike of you beastie. They were worried about you"

Rodeo: "Ahem. So, what is the next move Julia?"

Armor King: "Did he just say 'next move'?"

Michelle (smacks' Armor King on his shoulder making it hurt.): "Yeah but not what you think!"

Julia: "How soon can your men arrive in California?"

Rodeo: "I can call them up right away and they will be here in no time at all."

Julia: "Alright then. Now all we can do is hope I hear back from Condor about Jane. I'm going to need her help once again hacking into the security system at the armory. At least we don't have to worry about surprise weapons like last time."

Rodeo: "When was the last time you spoke with Condor?"

Julia: "Uhhh…not since he left us back in Texas. Maybe I can try again now. It is only 11 AM here."

Rodeo: "Jane was a big help last time. I would try to get her back on our side, before she changes her mind or gets prevented to move out or something."

Julia: "Well, in that case I will be right back." (Walking out the room door.)

Tiger: "So, ehh…what's on TV?"

10 minutes later…

Julia: "Hey I'm back! I got good news!"

Michelle: "Did you get him?"

Julia: "Yeah. He was tied down at his job and he checked on his superior officer who is doing fine. He said he can pick up Jane once we all get ready to leave for Hawaii. He will even notify a US Navy pilot he's friends with to give us a small ship to use as we get closer to the armory base. So we are back in the saddle guys."

Rodeo: "Good deal."

Forrest: "Do I get to blow stuff up again?"

Julia: "Why? You want to?"

Forrest: "Well yeah! I mean, it was kinda cool to blow up some train tracks. Not gonna lie."

Julia: "I think we can come up with something. Once I've finalized our assault plan."

Michelle: "You guys be careful really. I know I say that over and over again, but this could get ugly really quick if either Mishima catches us messing with their properties."

Julia: "Right mom. I am well aware of that, but we cannot have them push innocent people around anymore. I'm just doing my part to help end the global war between the conglomerates. Hopefully more people will get the message."

Michelle: "How soon are you leaving then?"

Julia: "When I hear back from Condor about Jane. Then we can fly to Honolulu. The armory is on the Big Island. That's why we need the ship. Until then…I guess we will just relax and enjoy the city a bit."

Tiger: "Right on! Let's hit up the streets!"

Rodeo: "I'll pass. Some people will try to harass me due to my old football career."

Julia: "Ok I will call you Rodeo as soon as I hear back from Condor."

Rodeo: "Roger that. It was good to see you again Armor King. I hope you will have a speedy recovery." (Salutes.)

Armor King nodded but was still embarrassed…

Michelle: "That's better beastie…I will stay with him a little longer. You guys can feel free to go and enjoy the rest of the day."

Julia: "Cool. Maybe we will come back 1 more time tonight and then we can leave for Hawaii tomorrow. We will see you later."

Michelle: "Okay. Later guys."

The others: "Bye. See you."

Closes the door…

Michelle: "It's amazing the type of woman she is becoming. Far for mature than I was back at her age."

Armor King: "Maybe, but they better not let Julia get her or worse."

Michelle: "I know Armor King. I have faith in her friends that they will pull this off and be okay. I can't wait until this is all over."

Armor King then stopped looking at Michelle and drifted back to sleep and now it was all quiet in the room once again…