Chapter 2: Tiger Jackson

Gainey Suites Hotel, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

It was early morning when Julia woke up. After cleaning herself up and changing into some clothes, Julia left the hotel and went out for breakfast. Back in college, she used to eat at this local restaurant where they served really good omelettes, that is what she was in the mood for. After arriving at the restaurant, Julia settled in, but an unsuspecting person approaches her sitting at the corner. Julia puts on her glasses to see who this man really was.

Tiger: "Miss Julia Chang. It's been a while since we last crossed paths."

Julia (Looks at Tiger.): "Oh, Tiger! It has been a while! How are you?"

Tiger: "Doing what I do best, making people laugh and dance to my music."

Julia (Smiles): "That's wonderful. Would you like to sit here and eat with me?"

Tiger: "Oh yea, shoot why not? We need to catch up on lost time."

After the two ordered the food, Tiger informed Juila on what happened in Tokyo about the reappearance of Ogre.

Tiger: "Girl there was a crazy attack going down in Tokyo yesterday. Many buildings were burned down and people screaming all over the place cuz of that monster appearing. It was on some Godzilla shit!"

Julia: "Impossible, I thought for sure Paul Phoenix had killed Ogre with his ultimate attack. Guess I was a fool to believe that."

Tiger: "Nah, that monster is back in this world. That's means there will be another tournament no doubt."

Julia: "Are you sure about that?"

Tiger: "Oh yea. I Gotta start training. Get back into shape. Been a while since I last got into a fight. I've been watching your fights Julia, you get better and better each time I see you."

Julia (Flattered.): "Thanks Tiger, I like to think that my skills as a fighter have improved, even if I have critics."

Tiger: "Like who?"

Julia: "Well there's my mother, then the old man Wang, who taught my grandfather some moves."

Tiger: "Old timers huh. Just like my grandpappy always telling me to do something the 'right' way. Damn that got on my nerves!"

Julia couldn't help but smile at Tiger's tantrums, and then her cell phone rings. She picks it up from her small purse. It was her other friend Christie Monteiro. The two hit it off as buddies after the last King of Iron Fist Tournament.

Julia (On the phone.): "Hey Christie. Let me call you back, I'm in a restaurant with some company. Alright Thanks. (Hangs up.)"

Tiger: "Who is Christie?"

Julia: "You never heard of her? She is a Capoeirista from Brazil. I know you would like her a lot because of her fighting style. An amazing girl."

Tiger: "Is that right? Care to show me some pics?"

Julia: "You perv! I can see our dinner coming our way. I'll show you Christie after we eat."

Once Tiger and Julia finished eating and paying their tab, the two left the restaurant. Tiger struts his way to Julia's van so he could see this Christie Monteiro girl. Inside, Julia pulled up some photos of the last King of Iron Fist Tournament through her phone. Julia showed pictures of her and Christie after their battle, the time the two women went clubbing, and some individual pics of Christie just goofin' off and being funny.

Tiger (Impressed.): "Hot diggity dawg, she is a ten! I thought you were pretty Julia, and you are, but this chick is something like goddess! Tell me is she seeing anybody?"

Julia: "Not that I know of, but she has been trying to find her old master Eddy."

Tiger: "Eddy? Eddy Gordo?"

Julia: "Yea him. You know him?"

Tiger: "Yea, he's cool and all, but why girl trying to find him?"

Julia: "She won't tell me. Eddy is the one who taught her how to fight, so it must be something."

Tiger: "Call Christie back, find out what she wants."

Julia: "Well alright."

Julia calls her back

Christie: "Hello."

Julia: "Hey. Its Julia, I'm returning your call."

Christie: "Oh thank goodness! Well I called because I saw something major that happened on TV just now. Some monster in Japan, attacking the city. It felt unreal."

Julia: "Yea I know a lot of people are talking about it."

Christie: "Julia…I saw Eddy yesterday too."

Julia: "What? Where Christie?"

Tiger (muttered.): "Well she ain't single."

Christie (Crying.): "Back in his hometown, Rio. I found out he opened up an orphanage for parentless children. I managed to catch up with him at the subway, but he left me. He only shook his head and left."

Julia: "Oh no. I'm sorry Christie. You were so close."

Tiger (surprised.): "It's like that huh?"

Christie: "I mean…I had no idea he was back in the country, until my cousin told me. Eddy saw him the other day. They talked but Eddy said to him not to tell me. I don't understand it?"

Julia: "Everything will be okay. I'm sure Eddy is still upset with your grandfather's passing. Maybe he's trying to forgive himself before settling down. Ya know, kinda like how my mother felt after her father's murder. She didn't feel like talking to anyone for a long time until she found me as a baby, stranded along a cliff during a hiking trip. I think that's when my mother finally found peace."

Tiger: "What a blessing."

Christie: "That's amazing Julia. Eddy better find whatever he's searching for because I'm tired of his absence. Maybe I should leave too. Ever since I've been back home, it's been nothing but peaceful for me."

Julia: "I think there is someone I know that might keep you happy. That way you can relax and maybe take your mind off Eddy."

Christie: "Really? Who is it?"

Julia (Winks at Tiger.): "I'll help you book a flight later today to America where you can meet him."

Christie: "Really? Oh thank you Julia! Call me again when you get a chance k!"

Julia (Hanging up.): "I will, bye."

Tiger (Pleased.): "I don't know how you did it, but thanks for hooking me up. Eddy don't know what he's leaving behind."

Julia: "I don't have a say in that Tiger. I just want all of my friends to enjoy life and not feel down."

Tiger: "I heard that. Well, I'm off to the studio. Got some songs to finish. Let me know how the wrestling gig works out for you."

Julia: "Sure thing. See ya around!"

Tiger (Leaving the car.): "You be easy girl!"

Later that day

Julia fulfilled her promise to Christie and booked her a flight towards Phoenix beginning the next day. Then Julia receives a phone call. It was her mother again.

Julia: "Hello mom."

Michelle: "Hey Julia. Good news, I found someone who knows lucha libre."

Julia: "Wow that quick mom?"

Michelle: "Yes. Now I would have called you sooner, but the man insisted we look for his friend and find the place where he could stay and train you."

Julia: "Ok great. Where are you now?"

Michelle: "We are here in Phoenix. To save time, I'll text you the address of this place. Can you meet us there?"

Julia: "Sure. Let's do it."

Michelle: "We'll see you soon then." (Hangs up.)

Nightfall, South 67th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Julia used the GPS to arrive at this barren warehouse stranded along the south side of the city. She had a creepy feeling about this place, but she did spot her mother's van. As she got out of her car, Julia spotted a light coming out of the doorway. Julia enters the warehouse, but she sees no one except a wrestling ring. She continued her search, even going until upstairs at until she heard some moaning. The voice grew louder with each step Julia took. By the time she stood near the office door, she recognized the moaning. Opening the door, Julia discovered a shocking scene. Her mother was pinned down on a table, breasts exposed, getting banged by a jaguar man, but it wasn't King. This one called himself Armor King, the one King and Marduk tried to ambush at the last tournament. Good thing for Armor King, his mask stayed on his head.

Julia: "You! What are you doing to mother? Let her go now!"

Michelle: "Julia no!"

Julia: "Hiyaaaah!"

Julia does a flying kick and it hits Armor King in the chest, sending him over to a wall. The impact doesn't make him fall down, but he is shook. Julia proceeds to use an elbow strike dead into Armor King's midsection. The wrestler blocks her attack and picks her up to perform a Jaguar Screwdriver. This knocks out Julia, for she hit the back of her head on the hard floor. Michelle puts her bra back on, somewhat disappointed that Armor King went hard on Julia like that.

Michelle: "Armor King, was that really necessary?"

Armor King: "She would've killed me if I didn't stop her."

Michelle: "I didn't want her to meet you like this. You felt so good inside me last night that I couldn't wait for Julia to come."

Armor King: "It's fine Michelle. Just let me talk to her when wakes up. I'll tie her hands to be on the safe side."

1 hour later

Julia woke hit a nagging pain on her head. She was lying in the middle of the wrestling ring. A bag of ice fell off her head once she sat up. Her hands were tied up too. Then the jaguar man sees her waking up and proceeds get in the ring to talk with her.

Armor King: "So you're finally up."

Julia (backs away): "Armor King, why did you rape mother?"

Armor King: "Rape? Don't be ridiculous, I'm surprised she hasn't told you yet. We've been dating for the past year."

Julia: "What? This can't be? I mean where is mother?"

Armor King: "She's getting all of us something to eat. In the mean time I'm going to be your lucha libre teacher. Because I hit your skull on the floor, you won't be able to wrestle within the next 48 hours. Another fatal hit to your head, and you'll will likely die."

Julia: "You're teaching me? First my mother keeps this secret from me, and now the boyfriend wants to teach me lucha libre? This is crazy."

Armor King: "Do you want to fight King?"

Julia: "King? I…"

Armor King: "Yes or no?"

Julia (blushes): "Yes."

Armor King: "You better cooperate because I'm the only one who can defeat him. But with your kung fu combined with lucha libre, you can stand a chance against King by yourself. Here, use this knife and read this book."

The wrestler tosses Julia a pocketknife and a book titled "The Hidden Secrets of Lucha Libre".

Armor King: "Get that knife to cut the ropes and begin reading that book. I'm going to meditate until Michelle comes back with food."

Julia: "You're not going to help me get out these ropes?"

Armor King (Walking away.): "No. Think of this as your training."

Julia (Grabs the knife, upset.): "You are so mean."

Julia uses the knife to cut the ropes. She struggles for a few minutes, but manages to slice the ropes, using her strength to break loose. Afterwards, Julia picks up the book, she wanted to leave the ring, but Armor King from a distance warned her not to.

Armor King: "You will not leave the ring until you finish reading that book!"

Julia: "Are you serious? This book is over 200 pages!"

Armor King: "Doesn't matter. Do what I say!"

Julia (Pouts, but begins to read): "This guy is more of a dick than Wang!"

Later Michelle comes back with food. It was some fried chicken bought at a grocery store. Normally Julia hated eating fried foods, but she would have to eat it tonight under Armor King's watch. It was 1AM by the time Julia got to the final page. Her mother was asleep upstairs while Armor King returned to meditation. He opens his eyes when he heard footsteps once more.

Julia (Yawning.): "I have finished reading. Can I go now?"

Armor King: "If that's what you want. Keep the book. You'll need it for a questionnaire tomorrow. Come back here at Noon. No later than that."

Julia: "Alright."

Julia leaves the warehouse very tired, but she was used to late nights through college. She wasn't going let a lengthy book stop her from gaining knowledge. It was fascinating to learn the history of it all and testimonials from the legends themselves. Armor King went upstairs after locking the warehouse up. He went to bed with Michelle, carefully not waking her up. His mind drifted to King as he laid there. He wondered what that traitor was up to these days.

Notes: So Julia meets her trainer from Armor King who she caught doing her mom. How embarrassing. In the next chapter, King and Craig will begin their first mission under their boss.