The Last Journey of Kratos

by The Son of Sparda 343

Kratos has finally gained his revenge against Olympus. He never has to worry about the gods again, But unfortunately fate has other plans when a wounded thunder god ask the Ghost of Sparta to participate in a tournarment called Mortal Kombat. R&R thanks

7. Chapter 7

Disclaimer: I don't own God of war or Mortal Kombat.

(Speech)

Regular

Thought

Flashback

Yelling

Chapter 7

Later that night, the final stage of the tournament was about to begin. The combatants all gathered in Shang Tsung's throne room. Raiden, Liu Kang and Kung Lao stood next to each other, Sonya stood next to Jax, Scorpion and Sub Zero and finally Kratos stood alone leaning on a pillar watching the events unfold. Once he saw that everyone was present Shang Tsung began to speak "Kombatants! I would like to introduce this new warrior created from Shao Khan. He is many warriors, their souls fused into one being." During the introduction a man if you could call him that stepped forward. This warrior was wearing red and black clothes, had a mask over his face and the true weird thing about him was that was that his eyes were glowing green. "Behold…Ermac!" Shang Tsung announced.

Ermac then began to glow a brilliant shade of green creating a force of energy that showed his strength. While the other warriors stood in awe, Kratos was unimpressed. When Ermac was done powering up he then walked to the other side of the room. Raiden then began to speak to Liu Kang "Be careful, Liu Kang. Do not underestimate this one. He is unlike anything you have faced before." Liu Kang nodded his head and began to walk towards the center of the room. While walking, Shang Tsung then said "Liu Kang! You are the only Earthrealm warrior to progress this far in the tournament." Liu Kang then got into a fighting stance and said "I am ready." Ermac then looked at his opponent and said "We are many. You are one. We will destroy you."

Ermac was the first to attack. He rushed towards Liu Kang and threw several punches at the Shaolin warrior. But Liu Kang blocked most of them before he grabbed Ermac's fist and kneed him in the stomach; before doing a drop kick to his chest. While Ermac was knocked back Liu Kang did a back flip in mid air landing on his feet. Liu Kang then proceeded to rush towards Ermac. But before he could attack, Ermac used his hand and began to close it like he was griping on something. Liu Kang soon found himself unable to breath and was then lifted in to the air by greenish energy surrounding his throat. Ermac used his telekinetic powers to strangle the Shaolin warrior before throwing him towards a pillar. While flying through the air, Liu Kang brought his hands together and fired a fire ball towards Ermac. But Ermac teleported out of the way and he reappeared above of Liu Kang and slammed his elbow into his gut causing Liu Kang to hit the ground.

Fortunately though Liu Kang was able to recover quickly and did a sweep kick under Ermac's legs causing him to fall to the ground. Liu Kang didn't stop there and did an ax kick to his spine, then he kicked Ermac away from him. But Ermac teleported while sliding across the ground and appeared behind Liu Kang. Ermac then punched him in the back of the head Liu Kang turned around and tried to retaliate with a kick, but Ermac caught the kick to his side and punched him in the face. Ermac then followed up with two punches to the gut one to the face and finally a round house kick to the face while in mid air. Liu Kang stumbled a bit but was able to get his bearings again and tried to kick Ermac in the chest.

But then Ermac teleported into the air and smashed his body to the ground causing a shockwave of energy that knocked Liu Kang back a little bit. Ermac then grabbed Liu Kang trying to throw him but the Shaolin warrior fought back with a drop kick pushing Ermac away. Liu Kang then punched Ermac in the jaw and elbowed him in the face he then did a jump kick to his chest knocking Ermac back. Ermac teleported behind Liu Kang and was about to finish him off. Then suddenly Liu Kang turned around and did a front flip kick knocking Ermac of guard he then did an uppercut to Ermac's jaw knocking him in the air.

When Ermac was coming back down Liu Kang then delivered a high kick to underneath the jaw, the audience could hear bones breaking. Liu Kang then jump into the air when Ermac landed on the ground, when Ermac stood up Liu Kang did a bicycle kick to Ermac's face before doing another dropkick but this time to the face. Ermac landed on the ground and tried to stand up only to have a fire ball hit him in the chest knocking to the ground. Ermac didn't get back up after that and Liu Kang relaxed and replied "Earthrealm will never fall into your master's hands." Raiden and Kung Lao then walked up to Liu Kang and congratulated him on his victory everybody then began to walk away. When everyone was gone Shang Tsung was approached by a beautiful women dressed in blue and the woman said "This Liu Kang is a greater threat than anticipated. I will ensure that he doesn't make it to the final challenge." Shang Tsung then said "No Kitana, even if Liu Kang defeats his other opponent he will never beat Goro. Instead I want you to go after another target and this one could prove useful to us."

The next day Liu Kang was practicing several forms of kata, while he was in the middle of practice Raiden walked up to him. "You must remember Bo Rai Cho's teachings. If my vision to come true, you must not let emotion overpower you." Raiden spoke calmly. Liu Kang then turned his full attention on his mentor and asked "These visions of yours. What causes them?" Raiden then replied "These visions were sent by my future self. Perhaps to ensure some kind of outcome." Liu Kang then replied with his own theory "Either that or they were sent to you to prevent an outcome." Raiden was then stuck with another vision this time it was of himself in his final hours. "He must win." Raiden then looked down at the ground and said "He must win. Those are my final words before I die." Raiden then began to surmise "First I thought that Kratos was the one who must win. But after I saw these visions I now believe that it is you who must win, Liu Kang." Liu Kang confused then asked "Then way did your future self even summon Kratos in the first place."

Raiden then began to say "I believe I did it in case things went horribly wrong." Liu Kang then nodded in understanding. Raiden then pulled out his amulet and added "This amulet of mine was forged by the Elder Gods. It cracked here in the present when these visions started to occur. If we choose wisely then the future will be secured and the cracks will begin to heal." Liu Kang then replied encouragingly "I trust you will make the right decisions, Lord Raiden." Raiden put a hand on his disciple's shoulder and said "We must trust in the Elder Gods, Liu Kang." Raiden then took his hand off of Liu Kang's shoulders and teleported away in a flash of lightning.

Kratos was walking by himself when he reached the arena for the final stage of the tournament. "Soon this tournament will be over. Then I will be able to return to my own time." But for some reason a part of Kratos didn't want to return to his time. "Why? Why is it that I want to stay here?" Of course Kratos knew the reason why "It is because of that woman. That Sonya. Even though she reminds me of my wife because of her fiery spirit, she is not Lysandra." Before Kratos could dive deeper into his thoughts he was interrupted by a familiar voice. "Hey, Kratos." Kratos turned around and saw Sonya Blade approaching him. Kratos just nodded hello and Sonya began talking "What are you doing here?" Kratos then replied "I came here to think to myself alone." Sonya then said "I am sorry, am I disturbing you?" Kratos was about to say yes but instead he said "No." Kratos then wondered why he said no. Sonya then smiled and said "Soon this tournament will be over. What do you plan to do after this?" Kratos not looking at her just responded "After this tournament I plan to return to my own time."

Sonya then asked "Where are you from anyway?" Kratos replied quickly "I was born in the Greek city state of Sparta." Sonya then asked "So you were in the Spartan military." Kratos nodded before replying "I was a captain in the Spartan army." Sonya was impressed and replied "Impressive. I am part of the special forces of the U.S. and my father was a marine for my country." Kratos had no idea what a marine was but he assumed that it meant soldier in this world and simply nodded and replied "So you are a warrior for your country?" Sonya nodded and Kratos then added "Then your father must be proud." Sonya then smiled weakly and said "I hope he is. He is dead." Kratos then replied "I am sorry." Sonya then said "It's okay you didn't know." Both Kratos and Sonya were silent each not knowing what to say to the other.

Then Kratos and Sonya were approached by the two women that Sonya defeated before. Sonya looked at the duo and said "What the hell do you two want, another ass kicking." The green woman brought out a staff and looked at Sonya with fury in her eyes. But Kitana brought her hand up and said "Restrain yourself Jade." The woman known as Jade then calmed down and relaxed. Kitana then began to speak "Our business isn't with you woman. Our business is with the Ghost of Sparta." Kratos then stepped forward and said "What do you want with me?" Kitana then said "Shang Tsung has acknowledged your incredible strength. He has asked you to come and serve Outworld and the emperor Shao Khan." Jade then also began to speak "This is a great honor."

Kratos then frowned and said fury in his voice "Insolent wenches, I serve no one. Return to your master and tell him that I am coming for him. Shao Khan will meet his end by my hands." Kitana then said "be warned Shang Tsung said that if you did not join us; he gave us permission to kill you." Kratos then replied "YOU DARE ATTACK THE GOD OF WAR! THAT WILL BE THE LAST MISTAKE THAT EITHER OF YOU MAKE!" Just then Sonya got into a fighting stance and said "Kratos you take the Kitana. I will handle Jade." Kratos nodded and unsheathed his blades. Kitana then got into a fighting stance and said "Do not underestimate me, Spartan."

Kitana then threw her fans at the Spartan, but Kratos was able to deflect them with his blades and rushed forward and attacked using the Blades of Exile. Kitana jumped into the air and tried to kick him in the face. Kratos saw through the tactic and grabbed her foot and threw to the wall behind her. Kitana was able to flip herself in the air and was able to hit the wall with her feet and was able to push of the wall.

Kratos then ran towards her using the Boots of Hermes to increase his speed, but Kitana jumped into the air and using her fans dashed through the air like she was flying. She then landed behind the Ghost of Sparta and tried to attack him, but Kratos turned around quickly and began to hit Kitana with his blades slashing her across the stomach and chest. Kratos then jumped into the air and slammed his blades down on the Outworld assassin knocking her back with a shockwave and a plume of lava.

Meanwhile with the other two warriors. Jade jumped into the air and tried to kick her opponent, but Sonya moved back avoiding the kick and she then did a cartwheel kick against Jade knocking her to the ground. Jade did a back flip and landed on her feet she then threw a shuriken at Sonya. Sonya dodge the attack and got close to her and gave two jabs one to the stomach and the other to the face before finishing the combo with an uppercut to the jaw knocking her into the air.

Sonya then jumped into the air and wrapped her legs around Jade and did a back flip that threw the other woman to the ground. When Sonya landed on the ground Jade was already back on her feet and charged at her. When Jade was close enough she jumped into the air and slammed her Bo staff into the ground. But Sonya moved back before it could hit her. Unfortunately though a shockwave of purple energy was released and it knocked Sonya to the ground. When she tried to get back up Jade moved forward and was encased in green energy, then she did a front kick to Sonya's gut knocking the wind out of her before she landed on the ground.

Kratos and Kitana were still fighting. Kitana once again threw her fans at the Spartan. but Kratos blocked the attack with the Golden Fleece sending the energy that was in the fans back at Kitana with twice the strength. Kitana was knocked to the ground, when she got back to her feet, Kratos grabbed her by the throat and slammed her into the ground three times before tossing her to the side Kratos then began using Apollo's Bow and started firing tons of arrows at Kitana.

When she saw the arrows approaching her, Kitana took out her metal fans and began blocking and deflecting the arrows. When Kratos saw this he then switched back to his blades and dashed towards her. But before he got close Kitana used her fans and began to levitate Kratos in the air. Kitana then began to attack with her fans knocking the Spartan backwards while also giving him cuts across his body. Kratos did a backwards roll so he could land on his feet and started attacking with his blades; while Kitana blocked most of the hits. But Kratos soon attacked with the Valor of Hercules which knocked Kitana back. Kratos then threw his blades at Kitana impaling her in the chest and pulled himself towards her slamming his body into her knocking her to the ground. Kratos then walked up to her grabbed her by the throat and head butted her before punching her three times the third knocking her to the ground where she stayed not getting back up.

When Kitana was finished, Jade and Sonya were still fighting. Jade was trying to get through Sonya's defenses with her staff but Sonya was blocking or dodging her hits. Sonya then did a back flip and using her hands she pushed herself into the air and did an arc kick to Jades face. Jade stumbled back and Sonya took this opportunity to grab her by the head and brought her knee up to her face, then turning around threw her over her shoulders. when Jade was able to get back up Sonya finished her off with a blaster from her wrist cannon knocking Jade unconscious.

Sonya then walked next to Kratos just in time to see Kitana rise to her knees looking at the ground in defeat she then began to utter "Do it." Sonya was confused and asked "Do what?" Kratos then said "She wants me to kill her." Sonya was surprised, but before she could say anything Kratos began to walk towards Kitana. Sonya then rushed forward and stood between Kratos and Kitana. Sonya then said "What are you doing?" Kratos then replied "I am going to put an end to this." Sonya then said "I can't let you do that, Kratos. She is beaten there is no need to take her life." Kratos then replied with fury in his voice "She and her ally just tried to kill us. If we don't kill them now they will only try it again." Sonya then replied with equal fury "I am not moving from this spot if you want to kill her you are going to have to go through me." Kratos was surprised but he did admired Sonya's bravery.

Kitana then added "The God of War speaks the truth, Jade and I tried to kill you both. I have failed my Emperor….my father." Kratos and Sonya were stunned by this revelation "Shao Khan is your father?!" Kratos said. Kitana nodded and then replied "I have disgraced him; the only way to make amends to my father is with my life. You must kill me." Kratos then sheathed his blades and said "I take orders from no one." He then pushed passed Sonya and kneeled towards Kitana; Kitana then looked at him in the eyes. Sonya was also wondering what Kratos was going to do. Finally Kratos began to say "If Shao Khan is truly your father. Then he must do what any father would do. It is the duty of all fathers and that duty is to protect his child." Kratos said these words with a hint of sadness and regret when he looked at Kitana. Kratos then stood up and walked away from the three women. Sonya was taken back, but smiled warmly at Kratos' decision to spare Kitana's life she then turned to Kitana and asked if she was going to be alright. when Kitana nodded she too began to walk away leaving behind an unconscious Jade and Kitana pondering the words that Kratos said to her "The duty of a father is to protect his child."

When night came Liu Kang, Raiden and Kung Lao walked towards the arena ready for the final parts of the tournament. When Liu Kang and Raiden were at the center of the ring Shang Tsung then began to announce "Kombatants! Only one Earthrealm warrior remains. The Shaolin warrior, Liu Kang." Raiden nodded towards Liu Kang, while Kung Lao put a hand on his shoulder and smiled at his friend. Liu Kang smiled and nodded at the two. Liu Kang then went to the other said of the ring, while Raiden and Kung Lao went to join the audience. Shang Tsung then resumed and added "Can Liu Kang handle such an enormous responsibility of having Earthrealm's fate in his hands." When Shang Tsung saw that Liu Kang was ready he then said "Your opponent will be the sorcerer Quan Chi." Just as he said those words a dark portal opened up and out of it walked Quan Chi. Liu Kang got into a fighting stance, when Quan Chi was close he too got into a fighting stance and said "You have already lost boy."

Liu Kang ran towards Quan Chi and threw a couple of flaming punches at the sorcerer. But Quan Chi was able to block them. Then Quan Chi teleported into the ground disappearing from sight. When Liu Kang was trying to find him Quan Chi fell from the sky and knocked the Shaolin monk to the ground, then Quan Chi stomped on his chest three times before kicking him away. Liu Kang then rolled to his feet and fired a fire ball towards Quan Chi, while he in turned fired a green flaming skull at the Shaolin. Both attacks collided with each other and they canceled each other out. Liu Kang then ran towards Quan Chi and delivered a flying kick to Quan Chi's chest knocking him back.

Quan Chi then teleported once again, but this time Liu Kang moved back when he landed on the ground and grabbed the sorcerer. Liu Kang the delivered a back hand to Quan Chi's jaw and two punches to his face before running on top of Quan Chi and kicking him to the other side. Quan Chi landed on the ground hard, but he got back up and pointed to the ground causing a shockwave of energy to knock Liu Kang back. Quan Chi then teleported towards Liu Kang and punched him in the gut, but Liu Kang caught the attack in one hand and punched Quan Chi in the throat with the other hand while it was on fire. While Quan Chi was trying to breath normally again, Liu Kang ran towards him and did an Bicycle kick to his face which knocked him back. But Liu Kang wasn't finished yet he then delivered two punches to the face before doing a front flip kick and did an uppercut to his jaw and then finished him of by jumping in the air an doing a round house kick knocking Quan Chi back down to the cold, hard ground. Quan Chi got up and run towards the Shaolin warrior to attack him but Liu Kang ducked under his kick and delivered a high kick to the jaw knocking back to the ground and unable to get back up.

Liu Kang then relaxed his guard and walked up towards Raiden smiling. Raiden just looked at him and replied "You have done well, Liu Kang but the tournament is not over yet. There is still one more opponent you must face before the final match." Liu Kang just said one word "Goro." Johnny over heard the conversation and asked Sonya "What's a Goro?" Sonya just shrugged her shoulders having no idea what they were talking about. Shang Tsung then announced with irritation in his voice "Liu Kang it has been years since an Earthrealm warrior has progressed this far. But the reigning champion is far beyond your ability to handle." Liu Kang just took a deep breath and exhaled. Shang Tsung then said "To the Lair with you!" and using his magic Shang Tsung created a portal underneath Liu Kang's feet which sucked him in whole.

When another portal opened up Liu Kang fell hard on the ground. Pain traveled throughout his body but he was still able to stand up. he then put his fists up in a defensive stance and looked around for his opponent until he heard a voice coming from behind him. "I did not expect to fight in this tournament." Liu Kang turned around quickly and saw a giant of a man or maybe a monster. He had four arms, lightly tanned skin, fangs and a ponytail. The creature was also wearing armor like that of a gladiator. The creature then added "But eventually even the Shaolin can produce a warrior worthy of a Shokan." The creature who Liu Kang knew as Goro began to walk up to him. Liu Kang got into a fighting stance and said "I know who you are. I am ready for you." Goro then laughed before adding "I will give you a death worthy of a warrior." Once he said that Goro also got into a fighting stance.

Liu Kang then rushed towards Goro, but Goro slammed all four of his fists into the ground cause Liu Kang to be knocked into the air by the explosive shockwave that followed. Liu Kang recovered in mid air and kicked Goro in the face and then punched him in the chest, stomach and face. But then Goro grabbed both of Liu Kang's fists with his upper arms and said "Don't tell me this is all you have to offer Shaolin." Goro then used both of his lower fists to punch Liu Kang in the stomach knock him back. When Liu Kang stopped himself he spat out some blood in his mouth and was about to attack Goro, but Goro was right on top of him and he twisted his body punching him with both his left fists and backhanding him with his right fists.

When Liu Kang hit the ground he did a sweep kick underneath Goro knocking him to the ground Liu Kang then jumped back and launched several fire balls at the Shokan. All of them hit their target but Goro stood up and let out a rage filled roar he then began to jump in the air. That's when Liu Kang also jumped into the air giving Goro a bicycle kick with flames on his feet. When Liu Kang landed on the ground he began punching Goro with flaming fists, Goro then began to try and block his offensive but then Liu Kang ducked and gave him an uppercut to the jaw and then did a high kick to the same area. But his attack didn't do anything it only made Goro more furious. Goro then charged forward and tried to punch Liu Kang, but Liu Kang then attacked with Flaming punches to the gut and the final punch was in the solar plexus knocking the wind out of him. When Goro held his gut Liu Kang finished him off with a flaming kick to the face and then he delivered a flaming ax kick for good measure knocking Goro out.

Liu Kang then looked at the fallen Goro and said "It seems the Shaolin trained a warrior greater then a Shokan." He then put his hands together and took a deep breath and exhaled. Just then a portal opened above his head and he was taken to the final part of the tournament.

Shang Tsung sat on his throne in his personal chamber where all the other warriors have gathered to see the outcome of the match. Shang Tsung looked at Raiden and smiled arrogantly while Raiden only looked at the ground and was hoping Liu Kang was victorious. Just then the portal to the lair opened up and everyone was looking at it giving the portal their full attention, even Shang Tsung stood up and watched it. Then suddenly out of the portal appeared Liu Kang. Shang Tsung bitterly walked towards Liu Kang, while Raiden breathed a sigh of relief. Both Liu Kang and Shang Tsung faced each other and Liu Kang said demandingly "Now only one fight remains Shang Tsung! Face me….in Mortal Kombat!" Shang Tsung looked at the Shaolin and said venomously "So be it."

Liu Kang try to do a flying jump kick towards Shang Tsung, but he counted by summoning a flaming skull from the ground knocking Liu Kang to the floor. Liu Kang got back on his feet and fired a couple of fire balls at the sorcerer they both were able to hit. Shang Tsung then ran towards Liu Kang and attacked but Liu Kang blocked every one of his attacks; so Shang Tsung went for a sweep kick and knocked Liu Kang to the ground. Than Shang Tsung once again summoned a flaming skull hitting Liu Kang in the back causing him to fly in the air. Liu Kang was able to recover in mid air and tried to kick the sorcerer in the face. But Shang Tsung side stepped the attack. Liu Kang the tried to Kick the old man but Shang Tsung blocked the attack and delivered two over head punches to the skull before giving him a sidekick to the knee causing Liu Kang to fall to the ground.

Liu Kang did a back flip and was back on his feet then gave Shang Tsung a Bicycle kick which knocked Shang Tsung to the ground. When the sorcerer got up he saw Liu Kang coming towards him. When Liu Kang was close he tried to punch Shang Tsung, but Shang Tsung ducked under the attack and put both hands on Liu Kang's chest and began to suck a portion of his soul. Liu Kang began to feel weak and his skin was disappearing showing his muscular structure. when Liu Kang fell to his knees Shang Tsung delivered a devastating knee to the jaw, bones could be heard cracking. Liu Kang was then back normal, but he was on the ground having a hard time getting up; but eventually he was back on his feet. Shang Tsung the rushed towards his opponent and tried to do a sweep kick. Liu Kang knew what the old man was going to do so he jumped into the air and gave him a kick to the chin knocking Shang Tsung back.

Liu Kang then added another bicycle kick knocking Shang Tsung back further right before he twisted his body and gave the old man a kick to the left cheek. When he was knocked back Shang Tsung used his magic and transformed into Liu Kang. This transformation shocked the audience. Before anybody knew it was Liu Kang fighting against himself Shang Tsung used every attack that Liu Kang was using. The two warriors were at a stalemate until Liu Kang grabbed himself by the shoulders and punched himself two times; the third and final punch was a flaming uppercut that knocked Shang Tsung on his back.

Shang Tsung then transformed back and did two back flips and shot a flaming skull into the air and it was going to hit where Liu Kang was standing. But Liu Kang jumped forward and did an amazing flying kick to Shang Tsung's gut knocking the air out of him he then did another bicycle kick before landing on the ground and doing a high kick to Shang Tsung jaw knocking him back to the floor where he had a hard time getting up and when he did he could only support himself on his knees.

Liu Kang looked at the defeated sorcerer and said "Say it." Shang Tsung then looked at Liu Kang beaten and broken and said the one thing the Earthrealm warrior wanted to hear "I concede." the rest of the Earthrealm warriors cheered, and then suddenly the room was filled with a golden light. Kratos confused replied "What sorcery is this?" Raiden looked at the God of War and said "The Elder Gods acknowledge Liu Kang's victory. He has saved Earthrealm." The Earthrealm warriors surrounded Liu Kang and all of them congratulated the young warrior on a job well done.

It was then that a portal opened up in the room and the warriors of Outworld went back home in defeat. But Kitana and Jade looked back at the Ghost of Sparta and both of them had the same look of lust. But Kitana was different there was something else in her eyes it almost looked like admiration and if Kratos didn't know any better it would have looked like she was smiling warmly at the Spartan from behind her mask. After a brief look the two female warriors went back to Outworld.

Liu Kang and the other Earth Realm warriors turned back to Raiden as he approached them. Raiden then put his hands together and bowed to Liu Kang in gratitude for saving Earthrealm. Liu Kang returned the gesture in kind. Kratos then walked up to the thunder god and said "Raiden if this is over send me back to my own time." Raiden nodded and then did a chant asking the Elder Gods to return the Ghost of Sparta to whence he came.

But for some reason nothing happened Kratos was still in the room. The God of War looked at Raiden and said annoyed "Why isn't your spell working, God of Thunder?" Raiden was confused Earthrealm was saved; there was no need for the Kratos to even be in this world anymore. It was then Raiden decided to look at his amulet to see if the cracks were still there. They were, but what scared Raiden to his very core were that not only were the cracks still there, but new cracks begun to emerge on the amulet's surface. Raiden then looked at Kratos and said "it would seem that the future has not yet changed. It looks like we still need your help God Slayer."

Meanwhile in Outworld the warriors who participated stood around Shang Tsung who was kneeling to the emperor of Outworld, Shao Khan. "You failed me!" Shao Khan bellowed. Shang Tsung winced at the emperor's yelling but he began to look at Shao Khan in the eyes. "Five hundred years I have waited, and now because of you, I need to wait five hundred more!" Shang Tsung then pleaded "My lord. All is not lost."

Shao Khan then turned around and walked to his throne while spitting out "Curse the Elder Gods and their tournament. I should have just taken Earthrealm by force!" When he took a seat on his throne he then added "But I am bound by their rules." Shang Tsung tried to get through to him but Shao Khan wasn't paying any attention to him and he replied to himself "Rules that cannot be broken." "My lord!" Shang Tsung said again. This time he looked at Jade, Reptile, and Kitana and gave them a simple order "Kill him." Reptile and Jade grabbed the old Sorcerer and Kitana took out her razor sharp fans ready to end Shang Tsung's life. Seeing he only had one more chance to get out of this, Shang Tsung looked at Shao Khan and blurted out "But what if the rules were changed?" Shao Khan then put up his and said "Kitana…. Not yet." Kitana then bowed and put her fans away. Shao Khan then leaned over in his throne and said "Continue…" Shang Tsung then let out a sinister smile knowing he had just saved himself from death.

Back in Earthrealm. The Earthrealm warriors and Kratos went to the Shaolin temple where the award ceremony was about to begin. Liu Kang walked towards Raiden and began to bow to him. Raiden returned the bow. A Shaolin monk then walked up to Raiden holding a medallion with Chinese symbols and a dragon carved in the center. Raiden then took the medallion from the Shaolin monk and proceeded to give it to Liu Kang. Liu Kang then bowed his head so Raiden could put it on him. When the medallion was on him everyone began cheering, except for Kratos who just sat there unimpressed. But little did they know that even though the battle was won, the war was not yet over.

AN: Finally done. Can't believe I wrote this while having the flu. I want to say thanks for sticking with this story and making it popular. I am glad you all like my story, but know I think I am going to take a break from this story so I can come up with some new ideas for the next act. Don't forget to vote on the poll of "Who should Kratos sleep with?" I am interested on what you guys and gals have to say. Also I am going to put something I might regret, but I think its funny. Here what should have really happened in the fight between Liu Kang and Shang Tsung.

Liu Kang: Say it

Shang Tsung: Never

Shang Tsung tries to attack only to get a bicycle kick to the face.

Liu Kang: Say it

Shang Tsung: NOOOOOOOOO!

Liu Kang then did a flaming flying kick

Liu Kang: SAY IT!

Shang Tsung: I am your bitch.

Liu Kang: I can't hear you.

Shang Tsung: I AM YOUR BITCH!

Liu Kang: Damn right you are.