Chapter 10: Opening Night

Three weeks later, Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan

Today is the beginning of the King of Iron Fist Tournament: Tag Edition. Many of the featured competitors for opening night arrived at the dome, along with some 50,000 enthusiastic fans. The Changs and Armor King came early so they could watch the matches. Their competition tonight would be the duo they've all been training for, the jaguar clan's heralded warrior King, and Vale Tudo protégée Craig Marduk. Julia went in this tournament under her new nickname Jaycee and wearing a mask. Only a few people knew it was really her. She challenged her mother to a fashion contest, but Michelle's suit was still not yet available. It didn't matter for Julia's prize tonight would be winning King's respect.

From the other corner of the dome, Craig Marduk did his usual warm up and self pep talk to get fired up. Craig didn't care who Armor King was, he was gonna demolish him! King stayed on the TV, looking at the end fight between Lars and Alisa against Bob and Ganryu. Interestingly enough, this Bob character had a very similar body type as that vigilante King and Craig fought back in Australia six months ago. Bob was with Ganryu so it had to be the same guy right? In no time, the fight was over. Lars and Alisa stood in victory over the sumo and Bob.

King: "Hey Craig, the fights over. We better get going."

Craig (hyped.): "Alright! I'm ready for that imposter Armor King!"

King (stands up): "I don't know. His style is just like my mentor's. Maybe they are brothers after all."

Craig: "Doesn't matter to me. Armor King's gonna wish he never made enemies with us! Let's go King!"

King: "You got it!"

The two make their way into the main stage, waiting for their names to be called. The main announcer calls out for Craig Marduk. He billed at a massive 7 feet tall and currently weighing 390lbs. King waits for his name, but he has to think about the aftermath of this fight. Will Armor King keep his grudge against him or can Armor King learn to let go, move on from seeking vengeance. King's Theme music begins to play, the announcer calls for King's name. King, not as gigantic as his partner, billed at 6'7" and 295lbs. He calmly walks into the cage, as the fans chants his name.

Backstage, Jaycee and Armor King have yet to get out of their rooms. Michelle gives them a short prayer before their fight.

Michelle: "May the spirits guide the both of you to victory."

Armor King: "Lovely prayer beautiful."

Julia (Jaycee): "We can do it. We will win this fight!"

Michelle: "I will be near ringside, if you need some pep talk. Now go get em!" (Winks.)

Armor King and Jaycee make their way to the main stage. Before arriving at the curtains, Jaycee stops Armor King one last time, so she would know where Armor King's mind state was.

Jaycee: "Mentor, promise me this."

Armor King: "Eh?"

Jaycee: "Don't lose your emotions. I know you are fighting the murderer of your brother. Promise me you won't kill him."

Armor King (Turns around and extends his hand.): "Alright, but promise me that you will give it your all against King. He is as strong as they come."

Jaycee (Claps Armor King.): "I promise."

Armor King: "Their calling for me, Julia…er I mean Jaycee. Remember, we are the ultimate team!"

Jaycee: "Yeah!"

The announcer called for Armor King to enter the cage. Armor King's theme music was real chilling and spooky like. He billed slightly smaller than King's, being at 6'5" and weighing 280lbs. Armor King appeared like a ghost in front of Craig and King, with smoke all around the cage. He stood with his arms folded, not fazed by the arrogance of Craig and the intense look King gave him. The announcer finally calls for Jaycee to enter the cage.

Jaycee: "Ok. Here I come King!"

The crowd cheers in admiration of the masked luchadora wrestler. She walked really fast. Michelle could see her from the catwalk at ringside, slightly annoyed by the number of whistles she could hear from perverts. Jaycee kept her gaze on King, who stood at the right hand side of Craig Marduk. Her heart raced as she finally met King face to face. Jaycee stops her walk and nods at Armor King to her right. It was time to battle.

Craig and Armor King walked closer, mean mugging each other some more. King was left to contend with Jaycee, who stood 14 inches shorter than he did and weighing 170lbs less. Jaycee wondered why King didn't attack her yet. She had butterflies in her stomach as she gazed at King's body. In King's mind, fighting someone of this stature must be joke or something. How could Armor King decide to pair up with a lucha libre woman off all people? Was she even good? He folds his arms waiting to see what she was going to do. Jaycee notices King's reluctance to fight.

Jaycee (Thinking.): "He's folding his arms? I must not be intimidating him. No! I must be brave dammit! I won't lose to him again!"

Craig and Armor King starts pushing each other, until they are distracted by a barrage of strikes Jaycee gives to King because he was disrespecting her by just standing there.

Jaycee (Does a Shoulder Screw Drop.): "You will face me King! Keeeyah!"

The force of Jaycee's movement makes King leave his feet and flip over along the corner of the cage. Craig looks in surprise at the woman's agility and power. Armor King takes advantage and executes a DDT. Craig's head hits the mat loudly, the sound resonates the arena, and the crowd reacts in approval. Craigs shakes his head in pain.

Armor King: "Why don't we leave the couple alone and get down to business then."

Craig: "Couple? We don't even know the bitch!"

Armor King: "You're gonna love to hate her after you lose!"

Craig (Fuming.): "Why you? Rrrrrrrwwwaaaaaa!"

Craig tackles Armor King along the cage's barricades and left lifts him up for a body slam. On the other side, King rubs his head after taking that maneuver from Jaycee. Jaycee proceeds to attack King once more. However, King wouldn't be caught off guard this time. Jaycee goes for a flying side kick. King catches her left and proceeds to put her in a spin cycle. Jaycee goes around and around, until King let go. The momentum sends Jaycee at the barricade. The impact can be felt all around the arena. Michelle watches in concern. She felt it was time to start coaching.

Michelle (yelling): "Jaycee! Are you ok?"

Jaycee (looks at Michelle from the cage.): "M..mother?"

Michelle: "Listen, don't use jump attacks on King! He can read them! Stay on the ground and roll out to evade his sweeps!"

Jaycee senses King rushing to drop kick her while she was getting up. She evades his attack by rolling off the way Michelle mentioned. King makes sure he doesn't hit the cage and gets back into stance approaching Jaycee. Meanwhile, Marduk tries to get on top of Armor King after his pin down. Marduk misses Armor King's head while trying to punch it. Armor King catches Craig's left hand and twists it. Armor King rolls Craig over and does an arm wrist lock on Craig's left hand. Craig uses more on his strength and picks up Armor King using the other hand. He tosses him like a ragdoll and Armor King is sent to the mat. Craig taunts for the crowd. Feeling pissed, Armor King drop spin kicks Craig from his back. The momentum sends Craig over the cage.

With the other fight, King easily evades Jaycee's attacks. Timing it perfectly, King grabs Jaycee by the neck and connects her head on his knee to bash it. Jaycee stumbles as King clotheslines her to put the girl down. King does a Moonsault Press on top of her. Jaycee yells in pain. Michelle has a worried look on her face, seeing King never broke a sweat from Jaycee. To finish Jaycee off, King picks her to do his signature throw, the Muscle Buster. However, King is caught off guard. Armor King comes in, using a shoulder tackle to knock Jaycee out of King's grasp. King slides on the mat from the impact. The crowd goes wild from the latest action.

Armor King: "Let go of her you traitor!"

King (rubs his back, struggling to stand): "Armor King. This is anti-climatic meeting at this stage so soon."

Armor King: "Shut up! Your words won't save from your fate!"

Jaycee (Sees Craig tossing a table heading for Armor King.): "Armor King look out!"

Armor King: "What? Aaaaaarrrrrrr….."

The impact of the table stuns Armor King. He hits the floor not moving. Craig hops back in the cage with eyes feasting on Jaycee. King nods with Craig and they proceed to close in on Jaycee.

Jaycee (Thinking.): "Shit! This isn't good. Armor King is down. Craig and King are coming. What can I do?"

Though his vision was blurry, Armor King shakes his head. He notices King and Craig cornering Jaycee. He had an idea and proceeded to exit the cage. Jaycee tries to somersault from the cage fence to perform a Huracanrana on Craig. It backfired as Craig catches Jaycee in the air. He tosses Jaycee to King who catches her and does a power bomb. Jaycee was hurting bad and in serious trouble. The duo high five each other in victory. They though the battle was almost over. Little did they know, Armor King stood on top of the cage and jumped off the post. The black jaguar uses his signature Capital Punishment attack on the back of Craig. The impact surprises King and he back pedals. Craig was instantly knocked out because of the force of the gravity combined with Armor King's channeled ki attack.

King: "You're still standing?"

Armor King: "I'll come back from the dead to beat your ass King."

King: "Why risk your life to avenge him?"

Armor King: "No more talk!"

The jaguars wrestle each other. Each fighter taking blows. Jaycee from a distance sees her mentor fighting King. King headbutts Armor King and proceed to do a move his old mentor taught him, the Jaguar Screwdriver. Jaycees interrupts and hits King with an elbow strike.

King (Drops Armor King): "Not you again! Go away!"

Jaycee: "No King! I love you!"

King (Confused.): "Huh?"

Jaycee moved faster than ever before, She hits several vital spots on King's torso. His defense was weakening as a result. Armor King gets up and senses the rise in Jaycee's aura. With all her might Jaycee connects with a Hunting Tomahawk. The forces sails King right towards Armor King who catches him. Armor King knocks out King with a vicious Rear Suplex. Michelle, in the crowd, jumps with joy. The crowd went nuts over that tag assault. Jaycee held her knees, breathing heavily. Armor King comes back up from pinning down King. He held up his end of the promise. No killing Craig or King either. Jaycee looks up to see Armor King extend his hand once more.

Armor King: "That was a pretty awesome attack you just did."

Jaycee: "Thanks. I owe you one for saving me from King."

Armor King: "You see. We are the ultimate team!"

Jaycee (Shakes Armor King's hand.): "Yes! We are!"

They stood there in admiration of one another. Michelle had tears in her eyes over that moment too. The medical team came in to check up on Craig and King. They were both put in stretchers and carried out. Jaycee wanted to follow, but Armor King held her and said no. It wouldn't be the right time to follow. For now, the two went backstage to recover. Meanwhile, Katsuhiro was watching the fight on TV at his office. He was pretty upset over the outcome of this fight. However, he couldn't help but gawk at this luchadora wrestler in pink. She could be very useful as a personal bodyguard for someone like Katsuhiro.

Notes: So yea. Armor King and Jaycee beat the champs Craig and King. What will the media's reaction be after this latest upset?