Chapter 8

"Mr. Cage, your ambition is admirable, to say the least," Cheng admitted, tapping Johnny on the shoulder. "Tell me something, is it true that 'Punchfest 3' is being developed?"

Cage was surprised. He figured Cheng to be some type of mystical monk who was only concerned with meditation and enlightenment. He shot Cheng a smile. "Alright, don't tell anyone, but part three is actually delayed. Once people started thinking I was a fake, I had to find a way to prove myself before people would buy the tickets again, you know?"

The salty ocean air was complimented by the robust scent of wine from the pair's mouth. They continued to walk along the sand, both wondering just how large this island really was. The peaceful scenery, the stars bountiful against the dark blue backdrop of the sky. The tides rushing in and out with the calm air.

Man, I miss Los Angeles.

"By the way, you may want to be a little more careful with the women on this island. Sonya included."

Cage gave Cheng a look, an innocent "you got me" as he shrugged his shoulders. "Come on Cheng, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. You can't tell me you've never...appreciated the beauty of a woman."

Cheng responded by giving a stern look. "Well," Johnny sputtered out," then again you look like a monk so...uh..." Cheng continued his steely stare. Slowly, his composure lightened and he gave out a cheeky grin. "I am but a man." The two burst out laughing. "Cheng, I bet you get all the ladies with some special monk powers you got."

"You would be surprised. In case you didn't know, Hollywood stars date more women than monks who train and fight with other men from sunrise to sunset."

"For real, Cheng. Not one girlfriend?"

Cheng looked to the sand, remembering some of his past days. The few childhood romances. Then the fateful time when he had become the head of the order. "Married once." He smiled and looked up. Cage let a confused look slip from his face. Cheng wasn't exactly old. "Really? Don't tell me you're one of those Asians that look like they're twenty five when they're really forty."

Cheng then returned Cage's "you got me" expression and jokingly shrugged his shoulders for good measure. "In all honesty," Cheng replied, "I really am not that old. But it is not unusual for a young man in my order to take to a wife at a relatively early age, compared to Americans anyway."

"Then what happened?"

"I cared for her, my father approved of her. But she did not love me as much as I loved her." He kept the smile on his face.

"Wow, that's a bum deal man."

A bad wind. Sharp, as quick to enter as it did leave. Cheng stood still, put his arm across Cage's chest, ushering him to stop. Both of them stayed quiet; Cage's head twisted left and right unsure of what he was looking for; Cheng slowly shifting his eyes, then his head, until they both turned around.

Meeting their gaze was a ninja clad in blue accents on top of his black uniform. Vapors of chilly air constantly swirled and left his body, his aura even colder than the ice his body seemed to suggest. With every step there was conviction, a readiness to kill. Soon they were but face to face, with Cage raising his fists. Cheng continued to leave his arms behind his back; his smile replaced with a stoic expression of discipline. There was no anger, and there was no joy. "What do you seek?" Cheng asked.

With each word, the ninja's mask emitted bone-chilling air. "I am Sub-Zero. I have come to have an informal spar with you, Cheng Xin. From one fighter to another, I have not seen you fight, but I can sense your skill." Johnny Cage butted in. "Listen pal, I don't know what you're trying to pull here-" Cheng gestured to Cage for his silence. "He's not trying to pull anything. It is as he's asked. He wants to have a little bit of fun and practice. It would be advantageous for both of us to see what's coming up in the tournament."

"Cheng, I got a bad feeling about this." Cheng pointed to a rock about ten meters away from him and Sub-Zero. "Stand over there. One of us will win and one of us will lose. It's the same as if it were a real match, except now we won't have to deal with putting on a show for an audience." "Putting on a show? Cheng, did you not see some the losers get killed, just because they lost?" "Exactly. A show." Cage shook his head in disbelief, walking away to give the fighters room.

Cheng closed his eyes, drew in a deep breath for a few seconds, and spent over ten seconds exhaling. Slowly raising his left fist palm up, and putting it to the left of his left breast, he proceeded to raise his right arm and extend it to his front, with an open palm faced upward. He thought of his father, and opened his eyes. Sub-Zero kept both arms bent at the elbows, his fists closed, and let out a small chuckle.

"I did not expect to fight a woman today."

Cheng smiled and thought back to all of the confused looks he got from his followers when he demonstrated his kung fu. Again, he thought of his father. "The martial arts emphasize discipline, skill, and potential. Kicks, punches, strikes; they all move horizontally or vertically. Even diagonal strikes are composed of this. It does not matter what you practice so long as you do it well, as we both shall soon see."

Sub-Zero wasted no time, lunging forward and releasing a flurry of punches. Cheng blocked each one with a palm or forearm, matching his opponent's pace. When Sub-Zero tried to sneak a low kick to the shin, Cheng took a small leap upwards, then firmly planted a the hell of his palm into Sub-Zero's forehead. He stumbled backwards, shaking his head. The sight of Cheng smiling filled him with inconceivable rage.

He approached Cheng slowly, then jumped and alternated a snapping left kick then right, again being blocked by the Cheng's unyielding palms. Not even a moment passed when Sub-Zero landed and again threw out his arm for a fierce strike. Cheng caught him, grabbed both of Sub-Zero's arms, took a small step back to make distance, and kicked the ninja cleanly in the chest. Pulling him back in with his arms, Cheng forced Sub-Zero's stomach into his knee, took another step back, kicked him in the chest again, pulled him back inwards, and tripped him to the floor. Turning him onto his stomach and locking the arms he never let go, Cheng had Sub-Zero beat and helpless. "Yes, a friendly warm up is always appreciated," Cheng spoke. Johnny Cage let out a sigh. He couldn't tell if he had been holding his breath for the duration of the bout.

About fifteen meters behind Johnny cage was a stone wall that separated the group from the main arena. A magenta garbed ninja peeked above the wall. The wind gathered her hair, grazing her shoulders. Her orange eyes glowed with hungry anticipation, but she would have to wait until tomorrow before she'd get to play with her new toy.