Chapter 9: The Matchup

Some Wresting ring in Yokohama, Japan

About two weeks have passed since King and Craig touched down in Japan. After hearing about the news of a new tournament, King and Craig wasted no time training. Lili did not accompany them for she wanted to search for Asuka Kazama. Lili was told by Katsuhiro that Asuka was in Hong Kong under the protection of the police department. Lili found that unacceptable and left for she wanted Asuka to be her partner at this tournament. Craig was somewhat relieved at the fact that she left. The girl was so talkative and bossy. The only thing he liked from her was the dome service. King was grateful for Lili's departure as well. Now out of the ring, the two men were taking a break from performing throws with training dummies.

King: "Yo Craig, you need a drink?"

Craig: "Yeah, give me a Powerade."

King (tosses a Powerade to Craig): Catch!"

Craig: "Thanks man. I may need more than one though."

King: "Fine whatever." (Tosses another one.)

Craig: "Can't wait for this tournament King. The money we can get from winning this thing will be unlike anything we've earned at the wrestling circuits."

King: "Money is nice. But I just want what is best for my people."

Craig: "Don't you have enough to restore the orphanage?"

King: "No. I only have enough to restore the nunnery for right now. The nuns usually look after the children. Not to mention the drug cartels are still running amuck the town so I need constant security protection too."

Craig: "So it's not just the orphanage itself then."

King: "No."

The door opens and it is a woman who is an employee of Shibata LP. She carried a schedule of the upcoming fights in the tournament. Since King and Craig were past competitors, they were automatically selected to fight in the opening night.

Craig: "Hey Kikyo! What cha got there?"

Kikyo: "In my hand is a schedule of your opening fight matches. You will have 3 fights before the elimination rounds. Your first match will be at the Tokyo Dome on August 4th.

Craig (Hi fives King.): "Sweet!"

King: "Who do we fight?"

Kikyo: "Your first fight starts at 6:30 against a newcomer lucha libre female wrestler named Jaycee and her partner is none other than Armor King the 2nd."

Craig: "Armor King?"

King: "Jaycee?"

Craig (takes the paper from Kikyo.): "Let me see that! Damn its true! Armor King is back! I thought we kicked his ass into retirement last year!"

King: "Dude don't be surprised. This Armor King will no doubt want a rematch against us. But who is this girl?"

Craig: "I dunno man. But she's is packin'! I like her!"

Kikyo: "Well you guys can keep that. Call my number when you boys are finished in the ring."

Craig: "That we will baby! (Kikyo turns and walks away.) "That we will."

King: "I'm going to the showers Craig."

Craig: "Alright. Think I'll pump some more iron while I wait."

King wasn't surprised that Armor King II would make a return at this tournament. Yet, he could understand why Armor King II held a grudge against him for forgiving Craig. It wasn't easy for King to forgive Craig at first. King was also enraged about Armor King I's murder. King bailed Craig out of jail, to fight him at a tournament 2 years prior. After his victory, King went to visit Craig in the ICU to finish off what he started. King raises his fist as he views Craig breathing through the oxygen tank. King noticed the photo of Craig's family. They would lose Craig had King went about taking his life. Killing Craig will not bring his mentor back, plus he would be acting no differently than both Armor King I and Craig.

When he fought Craig a second time, King felt some common ground with him. Through his cockiness and arrogance, King noticed some humility within Craig. They both wanted to be the best, no matter how big the odds were. Craig fighting Armor King I was a mistake. Armor King I's health was always hanging by a thread. The alcoholism only made it worse. King swallowed his pride as a jaguar, and chose to forgive Craig for his crime. Because he felt that Craig really was an honest fighter.

Despite that, King was looking forward to facing Armor King II once again. Maybe he could convince him that revenge is not the answer, but forgiveness would help heal the wounds of the heart.

67th South Street, Phoenix, AZ, USA

Back in the old warehouse at South Phoenix, the Changs and Armor King were doing some intense training. Even Michelle decided to learn some new wrestling moves from Armor King. In the ring, she sparred Julia in a 1 on 1 bout. The two fought in practice wrestling gear. They were allowed to use their original kung fu moves along with their new grappling moves. After exchanging blows, Michelle manages to sneak an arm whip on Julia and spins around her back to execute a Rear Suplex. Julia rolls back up and catches Michelle by surprise with a Huracanrana throw. Armor King stood on the sideline in amusement until he heard a familiar voice.

Emilio: "Hey Armor King my friend!"

Armor King (Turns around.): "Emilio! Good to see you again!"

Emilio: "Listen, I just received this notice in the mail about a King of Iron Fist Tournament?"

Armor King: "Sorry about that. I made Julia change the mailing address in our registration. It must be our fight schedule. Can I see it?"

Emilio: "Oh sure, that's why I came."

Armor King takes the envelope and rips it open. Indeed, it was the brochure of the fight schedule. They were to arrive to Tokyo in August, but the very first matchup immediately caught Armor King's attention. In the ring, Julia front kicked Michelle in the stomach and did the Wild Stallion throw. This stunned Michelle so Julia ran to the corner of the ring and leapt in the air to perform a Somersault Drop. Michelle had enough presence of mind to roll away as Julia hit the surface hard. Julia hurts her torso in the process.

Emilio (Watching the action.): "That's amazing!"

Armor King (Hops into the ring.): "Enough you two! We got the schedule of the tournament."

Both women were struggling to stand up. Eventually they composed themselves to hear the news.

Armor King: "Are you both ready to hear the first matchup?"

Michelle: "Why so serious all of a sudden beastie?"

Julia: "Yea. Let's hear it."

Armor King: "Our first fight is a non-elimination one, but right off the bat we face Craig Marduk and King!"

Michelle: "Wow…so soon?"

Julia (gasps): "Oh my gosh! No way!"

Armor King: "That's right. This is exactly what we've training for all these months. Julia!"

Julia: "Huh."

Armor King: "You and I will face them. I don't want Michelle to get involved in this, but you better bring your A game against King."

Julia: "So you want me to fight King?"

Armor King: "Yes. Is there a problem?"

Julia: "No. This is what I want. I will give it all I've got against King and win!"

Armor King: "Alright then. Now I can face Craig Marduk with no worries whatsoever!"

Michelle: "So I'm stuck on the sidelines. Ah, it's been so long since I fought in my last tournament."

Armor King: "Don't take it wrong way beautiful. Next fight, you can take my spot. What do you say to that?"

Michelle (Smiles.): "Of course I won't say 'no' to that."

Emilio (To Armor King.): "Hey my friend. I gotta get going. My wife is texting me. She has a fever, but I wish you all good fortune at the tournament."

Armor King (Shakes his hand.): "Alright my friend. We won't let you down."

Michelle: "Thank you Emilio for using this garage as a practice facility."

Julia: "Right. We appreciate it Emilio."

Emilio: "Aw shucks girls. You're gonna make an old man blush."

When training was over, Armor King and the Changs closed down the warehouse and left to a vacant home in Glendale. It wasn't much, just a 2 bedroom house with 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, living room, and garage. Armor King had feel asleep in the living room, leaving Michelle and Julia in one of the bedrooms. Michelle came in Julia's room for she had finished the laundry. She opens the closet and notices the latest outfit of Jaycee. Julia was on her laptop emailing her associates back at home until she sees Michelle staring at the costume.

Julia: "Is something wrong mom?"

Michelle: "This is a beautiful costume. Almost looks like a flower."

Julia: "Really, looks like it could be a bird to me with all of the feathers on the mask."

Michelle: "Maybe I should get a lucha libre outfit."

Julia: "That would be cool mom."

Michelle: "Where do they make these costumes anyway?"

Julia: "That one was done by some fashion designer in Los Angeles, but I can't remember the name. Maybe the original Jaycee knows."

Michelle: "Then perhaps one day, we can track her down."

Julia: "I can let Monica do it for us. She knows the old Jaycee fairly well."

Michelle: "Alright! When I get my costume I will call myself Emcee, to rhyme with yours. What do you think?"

Julia: "Mom are you serious?"

Michelle: "You bet I am."

Julia (laughs.): "This will be so funny to see. Mom fighting as luchadora."

Michelle: "Hey! I take everything I do seriously! I bet this new costume will be hotter than yours!"

Julia (Continues laughing.): "Ok. When you get your costume, we can have a vote off to see which one's is hotter, mine or yours."

Michelle: "Then it's settled!"

The two started at each other with intensity. One could almost sense the electricity animating inside the room. Michelle leaves her daughter alone, so she could have the opportunity to contact her friend. Julia would do just what her mother requested. No way would she lose to her old lady in a luchador fashion contest.

Notes: So Julia finally has her opportunity to fight King at the newest tournament. Will she and Armor King defeat him and Craig Marduk? Come and see the action in the next update!