Chapter 13: Gather for the Tournament
The ten days had past as if they were an instant. And all the different fighters whether they were Star Fox, the Leaf ninja, the Choatix, or Outworld's army all spent their time training and honing their skills. And then all at once the time had come to gather for the tournament.
Naruto and his group arrived on the beach. After the ten long days of training they'd learned a lot about each other, and they were all competition in some of the abilities they'd managed to learn. There were no doubts in Choji's strength, Kiba's brute force, Neji's wisdom, Shikamaru's smarts or Naruto's leadership.
"Well." Said Naruto as he looked around to see nothing." Here we are, but where are they?"
At that time in Corneria the Star Fox team and Banjo did the same.
"Fox." Said Krystal as she put her hand on his shoulder turning him to her. "Are you sure about all this?"
"Yes." Said Fox. "I've made my decision, and I do not ask for any of you to come with me if you don't want to. If you turn back now, I will not think any less of you."
"Too bad." Said Banjo as he stood over Fox." We're behind you all the way."
"You're stuck with us." Added Falco. Fox couldn't help but smile at the people around him.
"I'm afraid I'm too old to be traveling like this." Replied Peppy, causing everyone to turn to him. Then he walked up to Fox." I hope you find what it is you're looking for." He said as he put his hand on Fox's shoulder." Now take care, be sure to keep in touch while you're away."
"Alright." Said Fox." Thank you for everything you've done for me." Then Fox extended his hand to Peppy. Peppy reached out a shook Fox's hand.
"Be safe." Said Peppy as he finished the handshake and then turned and walked away. Fox lowered his head and acknowledged how Peppy sounded like a concerned parent. Then he quickly turned back to see Peppy once more but then he saw that he was nowhere to be found.
Just then their attention was brought to the sound of approaching voices. Everyone turned to see coming towards them the Chaotix. There was Knuckles, Vector, Espio, Mighty, along with Sonic and Rogue with them.
"Hey." Said Fox as they approached." What are you all doing here?"
"We heard about this tournament." Told Vector." And decided to enter.
"All of you?" asked Banjo looking over their large group.
"Yep." Said Mighty stepping up." All of us." He looked back to see Rouge all over Knuckles.
"What about you Fox." Said Vector." Why are you here?"
Fox stood silent for a moment but then answered "Same as you to fight in this tournament." He'd chosen to keep his personal matters out of it, as to not rally so much attention to his main goal. Although their comfort helped him this matter was all his own.
Just then Espio looked over and saw someone else approaching." Oh hey." He announced getting everyone's attention, making especially sure to get Knuckles and Vector's." Look who's' coming." He said pointing off in that direction.
Everyone looked over to see Julie-Su approaching.
"Oh No." said Vector as he ran his hand across his face.
"Julie-Su." Exclaimed Knuckles." What are you doing here?"
"I thought I'd come back and give you a second chance." She told.
"But you said it was over." Said Knuckles." Why would you say that and then totally go against it?"
"Would you believe it was the power of love?" asked Julie-Su.
"Yes." Said Knuckles.
"Then it was that." She replied. Then she looked over and saw Rouge." I care not as to why you are here."
"Looks like this trip is going to be fun." Said Falco.
Meanwhile in Outworld. Shao Khan sat in his throne his fingers strumming against his chair. Present in the room was Shang Tsung, Ermac, Reptile, and any other warriors who fought for Outworld.
"Sorcerer." Shao Khan bellowed. Shang Tsung stepped up." It is time." Shang Tsung only nodded and stepped into the middle of the room. He extended out his arms, his magic energy flowing all around him. Then with the wave of his hands large portals of light opened up in the middle of the room. Although Outworld was in a faraway space and time Shang Tsung could see both the Leaf Ninja and the Corneria group as they had gathered.
For the leaf ninja and the Corneria group something strange began to happen. A mist began to grow and surround them, it surrounded them until It blocked their view from everything around them. Everything was black and they could see or hear nothing. Then a light flashed and a portal of yellow and orange appeared before them.
Looking into it they could see a man waving at them, beckoning them to enter. And being dedicated to their cause whatever it was one by one the warriors entered the portal. One moment they were in their own worlds and the next they were in the middle of the throne room for an inter-dimensional conqueror. And when the portals closed behind them any idea of leaving left with them, all were here now to stay.
Everyone was in shock and horror as they looked around and all the frightening creatures and figures around them.
In this moment Hinata held onto Kiba's hand tightly.
"I'm getting s-scared." She said in his shirt.
"Don't worry." Said Kiba." I'll protect you." Just then Sakura walked up on the other side of Kiba.
"I'm getting scared to." She said.
"Nice place." Commented Naruto.
"We'd best be on our guard." Said Neji." We don't know what awaits us here." Looking around they could see many foul looking creatures. Many tarkatans and monster looking creatures. The Leaf ninja now began to move closer together for some extra comfort and security. They of course thought everyone around them was an enemy." There are many more than we expected, we're surrounded."
Up on the balcony was Scorprion scanning the crowd for a familiar face. Sub-Zero was standing amongst the crowd helping himself to whatever drink he wanted. He paid him no mind to anyone else around him. Cyrax and Sektor were standing amongst the crowd, Eggman somewhere close to them. The Akatski were mingled in amongst the crowd along with Sasuke and Orochimaru close by.
Not too far off was the Corneria warriors who watched the leaf ninja enter.
"Look there." Said Choji as he pointed to the four ninjas." There they are." But then suddenly the beating of the drums stopped and the only thing that could be heard was the sound of wood hitting the ground. Everyone turned their attention from Shang Tsung to Shao Khan. The Emperor fidgeted in his chair as he got up and onto his feet, his towering frame dwarfing most others in the room.
"Welcome to my island, I am Shao Khan. "He said addressing the crowd." You are all here for one reason." He said as he raised a single finger." To compete in the Mortal Kombat tournament." Whether your reason is for the protection for others." He turned his attention over to the leaf ninja who he could spot easily in the crowd." Or be it for personal glory." Shang Tsung scanned his eyes all along the crowd and could see Fox amongst them, there was no doubt in his mind that it was James' son. The resemblance was Khan paused for a few moments taking several short raspy breaths before he continued." The rules of the tournament are simple." He said once he continued." You have to be challenged to a fight; there is no denying the challenge. The fighting can occur anywhere on this island at any time. Should you win you move on should you lose, you are left at the mercy of your opponent. But in the end only one of you will have the fortune of facing me in the final Mortal Kombat battle." He looked around once again at the crowd." The tournament will begin tomorrow morning." He said as he rose up levitating his cane into his hand." Until then, I hope you find this place fit to your liking." He said as he turned his back to the crowd." Because now there is now going back." The Emperor feeling all that needed to be said had been said turned and left the room.