Chapter 22: Reconciliation

Mishima Estate, Nara Prefecture, Japan…

The invasion of the Mishima Estate was well underway. Many Rebel Forces began shooting at the opposing soldiers of the Shibata LP. Julia tagged along the ninja Raven and his group in order to enter the catacombs to find Heihachi Mishima. From the southeast corner of the estate, Michelle and Armor King broke inside the warehouse section of the estate. They had no idea where they were going. Lars was too busy commanding his troops in order to give any insight on entering the estate. Some Shibata militia were inside the warehouse when the duo trespassed the area. In defense they fired their rounds of ammo off their machine guns, but Armor King uses his armor as a shield and knocks the guards out with his shoulder tackle. Michelle comes from behind, somersaulting in the air and takes out the three remaining guards who were more frozen at the sight of her fiancée to do anything. Armor King grabs one of the soldiers by the neck and forces him to speak on how to find the prison cells.

Armor King (menacing.): "Tell us, where are the prison cells?"

Soldier: "You need the access code to get in the elevator. The…cells will be on the 3rd floor going down."

Armor King (Letting go.): "Put the code in, now!"

Soldier (fearful.): "Alright! I'm going!"

The soldier runs towards the elevator door and panel. On the panel, he puts in the code to summon the elevator. When he finishes, the soldier is rewarded with a chop to the jugular vein by Armor King. The duo entered inside the elevator and waited until it stopped at the prison level. The door opens and from the looks out it they were underground but no sign of any prison cells.

Michelle: "Armor King how are we going to be able to find King and these cells? It's so dark in here."

Armor King: "Not to worry. With my heightened sense of smell, I will be able to pick up his scent. This place is huge though, so it might take some time."

Michelle: "Well lead the way big nose!"

Armor King (embarrassed.): "Hey!"

Michelle (smiles.): "What? Can't take a smart remark?"

Armor King: "I'll get you later, c'mon."

Michelle still laughed at him for Armor King hates to be teased. At the central hallway of the catacombs, Julia, Raven, Lei, Alisa, and Xiaoyu raced they're way to the central chamber were the Gate of Ogre was said to be hidden. Also, Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima were being held as special prisoners at the chamber. The group didn't know this until they finally arrived at the scene.

The area had skulls and bones scattered all over the walls and floor. The only light available were the fire torches glowing a lavender color. Near the other side of the chamber, the group did spot the capsules containing Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima. They were alive, but barely. Their bodies were floating inside the capsules with tubes coming out of their arms, and breathing with an oxygen machine. The women shrieked in fear of the sight. Lei could only shake his head. Raven remained stoic. Standing in the middle of the capsules was a large stone gate. Lei pinpointed that this gate is in fact the Gate of Ogre.

Lei: "See that gate? That's the Gate of Ogre."

Raven: "Yeah. No mistaken it."

Jaycee (Julia): "Our best hope is if I can get a clear shot with my pendant to immobilize Ogre and send him back to the void."

Xiaoyu couldn't keep her emotions at bay. She started to run at the other side to free Jin and Kazuya.

Xiaoyu (Tearing up.): "Don't worry. I'm coming to save you both!"

Lei: "Xiaoyu, wait!"

Raven (muttered): "Women."

All of sudden, a green flash of light appeared in front of Xiaoyu. The force knocked Xiaoyu off her feet and down into the dusty ground. The light began to fade it revealed a powerful but familiar face, Heihachi Mishima. His body glowed with tremendous energy, revealing a mythical aura. He grinned down at Xiaoyu.

Heihachi: "Well if isn't my naughty student. Came to save my grandson huh?" (Looks at the others.) "I see you've brought friends too. They are just in time to become snack food for my new pet."

From the pockets of his hakama, Heihachi pulls out the crests of Upachio. The crests create a portal from behind Heihachi. It grew bigger and bigger until a monstrous figure came out of it. It was True Ogre and Heihachi could control the beast! True Ogre gives out a raging roar in preparation for a feast.

Going back to where Armor King and Michelle were, they did track down the cell where King's scent grew strongest. There was a code needed to open the cell, but Armor King simply pulled the door with all of his might. He was successful in prying out the door and saw King lying of floor asleep. The sight made Armor King annoyed.

Armor King: "Will you look at this. We are busting our asses and he's sleeping through it all." (To King.) "King! King! Wake up!"

King (opens eyes.): "Ugh…wha…huh?!" (Shocked to see Armor King and a woman.) "Armor King? Wha…How are you here?"

Armor King: "Never mind that! It's time to get out of here! This place is under attack!"

King: "Under attack? Are you freeing me?"

Armor King: "Yes. It's not like I really care, but you can't die here."

King: "Ok, but the others are still captured."

Michelle: What others?"

King: "Who is this?"

Armor King: "This is Michelle Chang, mother of Julia Chang, and my future wife."

King: "Chang? Julia? It sounds familiar."

Armor King: "The others you don't have to worry. We have other fighters looking for them specifically, like us finding you."

King: "Alright then. I'm ready, just surprised you would come save me."

Armor King: "Don't push your luck. That girl is the real reason I'm bailing you out."

King: "Girl?"

Michelle: "He means Julia, but we have to go now!"

King: "Uh, ok."

The trio hurried out of the hallway where King left his cell room, however an explosion smashed the roof near the doorway leading to the corridor. This corridor was linked to several hallways of prison cells but at the other side stood a hyper Craig Marduk with a plasma laser gun on his shoulder. Some of the debris hits Armor King since he lagged behind Michelle and King. The underground rocks and metal sheets have Armor King pinned. He couldn't get free. Michelle rushes to help him out, but the rocks were pretty heavy. She was unable to pick them up by herself. Craig sees Armor King's vulnerability and points the laser gun at his direction.

Craig: "Hey Armor King! No hard feelings man, but you and King both have to die!"

King runs directly at Craig before the trigger could be pulled. A hard tackle was given to Craig by King in order to stop the firing of the gun.

King: "Craig! You would do anything for money, but to kill me and my friends is something that I will not stand for!"

Craig (standing up, realizing his gun is at the floor between him and King.): "King. If only you hadn't stuck your nose where it didn't belong, none of us would be here right now."

King: "You may be right. But that doesn't mean we were doing great things. A life of crime only leads to regrets. Do you honestly want that Craig?"

Craig: "I don't live on regrets, I live on promises!"

King (Wild guess.): "It was Heihachi wasn't it? He promised you something more than what Katsuhiro offered, am I right?"

Craig: "That's right! Eternal youth! If I were to silence you now, then I can keep this lovely body of mine for another 100 years! No maybe 200! You won't be able to stop me for long friend! Keep regretting not helping your orphanage, for it too will be forgotten!"

King: "I guess that's it then. Let's find out whose resolve is stronger, friend."

Back at the central chamber (Julia…)

Back inside the catacombs, Jaycee and company stared at the monstrous demon facing them along with Heihachi with his newfound power. True Ogre blew out his fire breath at the fighters. They all dodged out of the way to avoid further damage. Jaycee flipped over to the far side of the catacombs. However, she had nowhere to go once she stopped because True Ogre came after her. She unhooks the pendant collar off her neck and uses its power to subdue Ogre. Holding the pendant in the air, it glows a bright sky blue. True Ogre's eyes catch the light and the monster stops its motion. Lei Wulong standing with Alisa notices the reaction Ogre was having.

Lei Wulong: "That's it Jaycee! You have it under control!"

Alisa: "Go Jaycee go!"

Jaycee commanded the monster to turn around and walk towards the Gate. However, the Gate was still closed. Jaycee had no idea how to open the Gate, but here comes Heihachi. Heihachi teleports behind Jaycee and punches her in the air. In the air Heihachi jumps, catches Jaycee, performs a power bomb on her head. Down goes Jaycee and the pendant drops from her right hand. The light disappears and Ogre's gaze no longer controlled.

Back to the South Corridor of the Catacombs…

King and Craig were in a heated battle. Neither fighter could overpower the other. Their bodies absorbed punch after punch and various slams onto the hard steel surface. Michelle felt helpless to get her fiancée out of those rocks. Yet, she couldn't help but watch the fight. Such willpower and toughness they both exhibited. Sounds of footsteps could be heard from Michelle's right ear. She looks to her right and sees someone who she least expected.

Michelle: "G…Ganryu!"

Ganryu (breathing heavily.): "I knew it! Michelle! It's you!"

Michelle: "How in the world did you find me?"

Ganryu: "Thanks to Lee Chaolan! He told me…I would…find you here! I still want to marry you Michelle! (Offers her a ring.)

Michelle (looks down at Ganryu, but had to be honest.): "I'm sorry Ganryu. I'm engaged."

Ganryu (breaks down.): "Nnnnnnnooooooooo! I'm too late! Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!"

Armor King (at Ganryu.): "This guy is crazy!"

Michelle (Changing the subject.): "Ganryu! I need you right now!"

Ganryu (surprised.): "Really? Anything Michelle! Anything!"

Michelle: "Can you help me carry these rocks off this gentleman here?"

Ganryu: "The rocks sure!"

Michelle: "Good! Come on!"

The two work in unison as they push off each heavy rock off Armor King's back. Ganryu's strength proved to be very helpful. After the last rock was taken off, Armor King slowly gets back on his feet.

Armor King: "Thank you guys! I owe you both!"

Michelle: "No problem!"

Ganryu (looks at King and Craig.): "What are they doing?"

Armor King: "They are figuring each other out, to see which one is telling the truth."

Ganryu: "The truth?"

Armor King: "The truth on how to live in this world."

Both men were tired and battered. Craig didn't bother to get the gun off the floor. He knew King was well aware of that fact as well. Craig needed to finish this guy off so he could go about silencing anyone else who invaded the estate. So with that thought in mind, Craig gets in three point stance. King responds by kneeling on his left leg prepared to clothesline Craig. As if someone told them to go, King and Craig charge at each other like rams. Each man extends his right arm for a clothesline. The impact shocks the room as both men collide at each other. King and Craig's necks were absorbed by the impact. The wrestlers hit floor and neither man is able to stand up.

Armor King: "It's over. A draw."

Michelle: "So much for learning the truth."

More explosions could be heard from a distance and more debris began falling from the rocky roof.

Armor King: "It's not safe here. Let's get these men and leave!"

Michelle: "Alright! Ganryu grab King for me!"

Ganryu (Salute.): "Yes m'am!"

The group tried to enter the elevator where they came from, but it was no longer working. However, Ganryu said he came from a staircase along another hallway. They rushed over to it as fast as they could even with heavy men on their shoulders. In a matter of minutes, they make it up towards the temple section of the estate. The building itself began to lose its settlement along the valley. Many bodies could be seen along the valley from the warfare. It was a sad scene. The trio finally made it up the hill were Lars's team was stationed. Most of the Tekken fighters were present, but Michelle did not see Julia's group.

Michelle: "Don't tell me, they are still trapped inside!"

But her worries would be short. An android carrying two people in her arms, a cop, and a ninja carrying Jaycee made back up the hill. Everyone cheered at the arrival of this group, for they were the ones who went up against Heihachi. Michelle rushed over to the ninja holding Julia. Her mask remained on her face, but she was unconscious.

Michelle: "Oh thank you spirits! Julia can you hear me!"

Raven: "Sorry, she got caught blindsided by Heihachi. She needs to rest and get medical attention. (Hands Michelle the Kyah Pendant.) "Here, she wore this too."

Michelle: "I see, thank you Raven." (Raven walks off.) "Wait! Are you leaving already?"

Raven (Not turning around.): "No. There is one more person that's not here, but I think I know where to find her. And you're welcome."

The ninja jumps down into the valley and runs off. This man must have saved Julia's life. For that, Michelle was grateful for someone as strong as him to help Julia. Michelle was even happier because she found Julia's admirer, King the II, or the 21st Gold King safe and sound. Speaking of King, he was also knocked out along with Craig Marduk. Both men were being treated by the Rebel Forces medical group. Armor King came to Michelle's side and prompted her to send Julia to the medical tent. He also made sure Ganryu wouldn't mess with the girls while inside. So at last, the sign of Mishima era could very well be over, at least for Michelle's sake.

Notes: Only one more chapter in this story. Thank you to those who have been following my story. The last chapter will be posted some on the weekend. Feedback is well appreciated.