Chapter 6: Get To Know Me

Canyon de Chelly, Apache County, Arizona, USA

For the last five months, Julia Chang trained under Armor King to learn about lucha libre. If Julia wasn't getting her ass kicked by Armor King in the ring, the two would often travel together to perform in wrestling events whether in the US or Mexico. At this time, Julia requested that she return home and check up on her reforestation project. With some of the prize money from her previous amateur matches, Julia did manage to keep the project from going bankrupt.

Within Apache County, lies the Canyon de Chelly Park. A park that was once filled with trees and wildlife, but overtime life here has died out because of climate change and human activity. However, with the use of the Genocell, even with global warming on the rise, wildlife can make a return here. Julia envisioned the valleys being filled with evergreen trees. If she could make this place look like Mogollon Rim, a mountainous valley in Central Arizona, then her hopes to reforest the desert will be fulfilled.

Julia wanted her new mentor to see her project first hand. Armor King couldn't help but be impressed at some of the things the Navajo Bioengineer Team was accomplishing. So far, the evergreen trees only took over about 10% of the entire valley. There was still much work to do. Julia then took Armor King to the Spider Rock monument, her favorite hiking spot.

Julia: "Here it is, Spider Rock. Isn't it amazing?"

Armor King: "Yea, that is pretty cool. That sandstone is taller than most skyscrapers."

Julia: "I can't wait for the day that we green up this part of the canyon."

Armor King (sits down): "I would like it better if jaguars could come back."

Julia: "Well I can't make that guarantee, I don't wanna scare tourists."

Armor King: "Wishful thinking. The jaguar use to roam lands like these before man showed up."

Julia (sits down too): "Your right. My people made these valleys their home for centuries. There was enough wood to build actual housing, but Mother Nature had different plans."

Armor King: "It's interesting you say that. Your mother took you in as your daughter. Yet you do not look like your people. Were you ever curious about your real parents?"

Julia (Shook her head.): "No. I mean, if I wanted to, I could analyze my DNA. But I don't care. I got teased about it by some natives, but mother protected me from their harassment. She is the only family I have left. Now tell me more about yourself. How did you get into the jaguar tribe?"

Armor King: "The jaguar tribe was actually started by escaped slaves who did labor in the Yucatan peninsula. The slaves were both of Indigenous and African origin. For nearly 400 years, the tribe has made its living within the jungles, fighting for the freedom against the Spanish Empire. In modern times, things have slowed down, and many of our people have assimilated into Western culture. Tribesmen like me, partake in wrestling since it channels the warrior spirit inside us. My mother, who was Cuban, took me and my brother to Mexico and discovered the jaguar clan back in the 1970s. My mother couldn't keep us because she was on the run. The CIA was on her tail, because she was dealing with cocaine that she borrowed from another dealer who was American. The jaguar tribe accepted orphans as it was, so they saw no problem with it. It was there where I first began wrestling."

Julia: "Did you ever find your mother?"

Armor King: "No. The previous King found out that she died in prison back in the late 1980s. I never knew my father."

Julia: "And you lost your brother 2 years ago to Craig Marduk. Now you have no family. I'm so sorry Armor King."

Armor King: "It's alright. The jaguar tribe will always be my family, no matter what."

Julia: "I would like to meet your people one day. If they raise orphans, I bet they are very caring people at heart."

Armor King: "Maybe one day, I will take you and Michelle to see them. But it's so few of us now. The last orphanage closed down because of the death of our last King."

Julia: "Is the current King trying to restore it?"

Armor King: "I doubt it. That fool is too busy with wrestling and neglecting his leadership role within the tribe."

Julia: "You could do it right?"

Armor King: "The orphanage is in the sole responsible hands of the gold jaguar (King), it's always been that way. If I did it, there would be controversy by some of the fellow tribesmen."

Julia: "Oh. That's a shame. You seem worthy enough to run in my eyes."

Armor King: "I've never been much of a kid person anyways."

Julia (Stands up.): "Well the sun is going down. We should get back to mom's house. I hope she cooked."

Armor King (Gets up.): "We aren't in the big city anymore. I'd say it a must she cooked."

Suddenly, Julia's phone rings. It was her mother, but she was feeling down.

Julia: "Hey mom! Don't worry we are coming back home. Armor King and I were just hiking the canyon, that's all."

Michelle: "Julia…."

Julia: "You sound sad mom. It's something the matter?"

Michelle: "I'm fine, but I have something to show you when you come home."

Julia: "Alright." (Hangs up.)

Armor King: "What's the matter?"

Julia: "Mom didn't sound too happy. I wonder what's up?"

Armor King (Starts running.): "Come! We need to get moving!"

Julia runs with Armor King back to her jeep. It would take a while to get back to Michelle's house. When they arrived, everything seemed normal. They even smelled some of the food Michelle cooked over the course of the day. Michelle was sitting on her sofa in the living room when Julia and Armor King entered the house.

Michelle: "Guys I'm in here!"

Julia: "Well, is everything ok?"

Michelle: "I managed to save this press conference of Kazyua Mishima on my TV. Look."

Michelle plays the replay.

News reporter: "Good evening. I'm Kathy Witherspoon with this breaking news update. The G Corporation's CEO, Kazuya Mishima, has announced yet another Tekken Tournament scheduled for August 2012, but with a few twists.

Video

Kazuya: "The G Corporation and Jinpachi Mishima will play host to the next King of Iron Fist Tournament. Tag Edition. This time fighters can use a partner if they want to quickly advance up the rounds. Solo teams are also accepted. The prize money for this tournament is 500 million dollars. All former competitors will be sent special invitations to return to the ring. New fighters will have to fight in the prelims if they want a spot in the tournament. I wish all competitors good luck. You will need it."

Video end

Kathy: "As you've heard, this will be the first King of Iron Fist Tournament with a tag partner. The opening matches will be held in Tokyo, Japan at the Tokyo Dome. All competitors must be registered to enter by August 2, 2012. Keep it right here on channel 12 as we take a short break."

Replay ends.

Armor King clenches his fist in anger. He knew it would be a matter of time before the Mishimas would announce another tournament. Michelle stood up and went to hug Julia which caught her by surprise.

Julia: "Mom…it's ok."

Michelle: "No! It's all because of Ogre, he's returned to this world!"

Julia: "As the current guardian of the pendant, I have to fight. We can't let the Mishimas capture Ogre a second time."

Armor King: "She's right Michelle. But she won't do it alone."

Julia: "That's right! Didn't the news say it was a tag team tournament?"

Armor King: "It did."

Julia (Breaks free from Michelle.): "We won't let the Mishimas have their way! Will we Armor King!"

Armor King (Extends his hand.): "Let's show the world what wrestling can really do!"

Julia (Clap and shakes Armor King in approval.): "Yeah!"

Michelle: "In that case, I'm coming too! The Mishimas and Ogre will not have my child!"

Armor King: "That's the spirit! With 500 million, it will refund the reforestation project by at least 10 times!"

Julia: "I know! We could have a whole forest in the Monument Valley if possible!"

Michelle: "Ok…ok. Now can we eat? The food is getting cold."

The trio went in the kitchen to eat. After dinner, Julia immediately used her laptop to enter herself, Armor King, and Michelle in the tournament. An issue arose though. Julia wanted to go in as her wrestler name JayCee. She called her mother to her room and asks for her advice.

Julia: "Hey mom! Come here for a minute!"

Michelle (In her bath robe): "What's up?"

Julia: "I just put you and Armor King in the tournament, but my name. I want to fight as JayCee. That would make me a new fighter right? I would have to compete early, just to be official."

Michelle: "Hmmm….Maybe if you put your real name along with your nickname, then the staff will know. I mean if that's what you want to go by."

Julia: "Are you sure?" (Michelle nods.): "Ok, here it goes."

Application completed.

Michelle: "You have been in these tournaments before. I don't think the hosts will place you out there with the newbies just because of your new name."

Julia: "I guess you're right. Thanks mom, sleep well."

Michelle (Leaves the room.): "You too Julia."

It was getting late, but Julia couldn't really sleep. Her anticipation of this tournament was building. To fight as JayCee will definitely help with promotions and sponsorships from all sorts of people. Another reason for Julia's struggle to sleep was hearing the constant laughing and screaming of her mother with Armor King next door to hers. Julia tossed and turned, but couldn't sleep.

Julia: "Ugh. They act just like children!"

So much for a good night's rest.

Notes: Lili travels with King and Craig to locate Asuka Kazama in Japan. Meanwhile, Julia visits her great aunt and asks to foresee events in the future and learn more about Ogre's reappearance in the world.