Love & War
Chapter 12: A New Tournament
Here we are at the Wu Shi Academy to celebrate the new champion of Mortal Kombat, Liu Kang! Liu Kang walks through a congregation of monks and his new friends. He clasps his hands in a prayer and bows his head. Raiden then presents him with a golden medal with a dragon at its forefront and places it around Liu Kang's neck, signifying his status as champion of Mortal Kombat. A big round of applause for Liu Kang!
Later that night at the Academy, Jax is smoking a cigar. Raiden looked at his amulet trying to figure out why the cracks won't heal.
"I don't understand," says Raiden worriedly. "He must win". If not Liu Kang, then who?"
"You got me," says Jax, enjoying his cigar. "Not sure if anyone could've done what he did. Made Shang Tsung look like a chump."
Unknown to them, a young man approaches them. Raiden somehow knew he was coming.
"Here to congratulate us on our victory, sorceror?"
Jax somehow recognized him. "What? Shang Tsung?" Shang Tsung looked much younger and is wearing his MK3 outfit.
Raiden says, "You look revitalized, I see. I didn't realize your master was in a habit of rewarding failure."
"The emperor has an offer, a new tournament." Wait, what?
Raiden scoffs, "I see no reason to participate in any plan of yours."
Shang Tsung explains, "The emperor proposes a single tournament to replace the current system of 10. It will be held in Outworld. If Earthrealm loses, Outworld will absorb it. If Earthrealm wins, Shao Kahn will abandon his claim to it forever."
"Give your emperor my regards," Raiden said, clearly not interested in the Outworld tournament, but considering that Liu Kang may not have been the chosen one, this tournament might give a clear winner in the end. Seeing Raiden's disinterest, Shang Tsung opened a portal. A series of Tarkatans stormed the academy. Apparently, Shao Kahn, couldn't take a loss very well it seems so he sent his cronies to Earthrealm. Raiden fights Shang Tsung while Jax jumps into the fray. There were too many and Jax ends up losing momentum and lost consciousness by a stomp to the face.
Jax woke up, seeing a face that he would want to punch so many times, Johnny Cage. Kung Lao, Liu Kang, Chris and Raiden tended to him. "Anybody got a number to that...? Jax stopped, realized that Sonya is not present.
"Where's Sonya?"
"Shang Tsung took her," Raiden replied.
"We gotta find her."
"We must follow them!" Kung Lao exclaimed!
"Where, exactly?" Chris asked.
"Shang Tsung made it abundantly clear that Earthrealm will be under constant threat unless I agree to a new tournament."
Raiden received another vision, one that shows Liu Kang punching a hole through Shao Kahn's chest.
"Another vision?" Jax asked.
"Yes. I saw Liu Kang win the proposed tournament. I believe we must attend. But my earlier vision of your victory over Shang Tsung was not the solution I sought. Therefore, this premonition must show a event I need to change. Perhap "he must win" refers to another."
"If not Liu Kang, then who?" Chris asked. "You're kind of making him feel bad."
'Hear me, Elder Gods! I accept the terms proposed by Shao Kahn!"
A light from the Heavens absorbs Raiden, which is presumably their acknowledgement of this.
"We go to Outworld."