Author's Note: Possible minor spoilers for the new film, but only based on fan theories.

This ficlet is set *after* the events of the upcoming film based on the fan theory that the action in Mortal Kombat (2021) is a pre-tournament attack by Shang Tsung and his minions to take out Raiden's fighters before the main event. I'm assuming a) Sonya survives which is likely, b) Shang Tsung gets the hots for her like he did in 1995 movie (and in Mortal Kombat 11) c) one of the protags dies (I think I know which one but I haven't mentioned the name here) and d) Shang got punished by the Elder Gods but managed to squeak out of the worst of it. Just a reminder this is the latest movie-verse which has Shang Tsung as Outworld's emperor and Mileena as his chief advisor/henchwoman. Enjoy!

Preliminary Manoeuvres

Dedicated to Twinsand - fellow Scorpion lover and Shang Tsung x Sonya enabler…

Outworld's emperor stepped out of the darkness between worlds and into the lair of his enemy.

Sonya Blade whipped around, beautiful eyes widening in shock.

"Shang Tsung!"

He spread his hands in placation, fixing an innocent (or as innocent as he could muster) expression on his face.

"Relax Sonya, I'm not here to fight."

"Yeah right!"

She readied herself into a fighting stance, purple energy flowing around her gloved fists. Again the sorcerer found himself admiring the lines of her, the focus, the power. Far below his own of course, but still more formidable than he'd given her credit for previously.

"Before you do something foolish like break the Elder Gods' sacred rules about attacking another kombatant before the tournament-" he smirked at the irony and she growled "-I'd hear me out. I only wish to talk with you."

"I have nothing to say to you," Sonya spat, energy still crackling around her.

Wise…

"What a pity…" He glanced around the room casually, still keeping the Special Forces commander in his sight. The chamber was sparse but well-ordered, weapons lined up for maintenance, clothes folded - a warrior's quarters. But the feminine scent of its occupant had already set his pulse racing. "There are many things you could learn from me…"

"I don't want anything from you apart from your miserable death." Her voice was clipped and cold. "Why are you here now you've decided to keep to the Elder Gods' rules?"

Shang Tsung suppressed an involuntary flinch. That debacle had been…costly. Damn his fighters and Scorpion! That wretched wraith's interference had ruined everything…

Controlling his expression, Shang Tsung moved slowly into the room. Sonya kept him at a distance, still poised. He stroked the back of a simple wooden chair in his seemingly idle perusal.

Raiden has no taste, she could live in opulence if she were with me…

"I've come to offer you a bargain," he smiled at her, his voice a caress. "I don't want to kill you, Sonya."

"You've changed your tune," she said, energy fading but stance still held.

"I regret our first encounters…" his fingers continued tracing the grain of the wood.

"You killed one of our friends!" Sonya cried. "You tried to kill the rest of us and got that freak Sub-Zero to freeze Jax's arms! What makes you think I would ever side with you?"

"Do you want the one you lost back?" Shang Tsung's sudden look penetrated through her. "I would gladly exchange him…for you."

"What?" she gasped, at last lowering her fists. "What do you mean?"

"His soul is mine, but I can return it in exchange for you."

"You're lying!" she exclaimed, grabbing her belt knives, her expression so full of passionate anger he wanted to take her right there on the paltry bed behind her.

"You seem to know me so well after only a few meetings." Shang Tsung started forward, silk robes whispering like the souls he'd stolen. "If we are already so intimately acquainted, Sonya, there's other things I'd rather do with you than argue."

"You disgust me!" she hissed, light glinting off the blades. "Come any closer and you'll need the Elder Gods to put you back together!"

The sorcerer let out a full-throated laugh. "I've no doubt. But sadly their retribution on you and Earthrealm would be swift."

She grimaced and lowered her weapons. "Get out, or do you need me to call Raiden?"

Shang Tsung snorted. "Do you need to call him just to protect yourself from me? I thought you were one of Earthrealm's greatest warriors?"

Sonya sheathed her blades with a snap and crossed her arms. "I don't know what game you're playing, but I'm not going to fall for it. You've said your piece, whatever it was, now leave. I look forward to wiping the arena floor with you."

"I too look forward to our fight, Sonya," he smiled again. "Just remember when you are on your knees in front of me I might not be so lenient."

She stalked up to him, staring the sorcerer right in the eyes the way so few dared. His pulse spiked again; her scent was intoxicating.

"When you are on your knees, remember our friend, " she said, voice low and hard. "I'll show you less mercy than you did him."

Shang Tsung smirked, restraining his desire. "Until the arena then."

He gave her a traditional bow - fist to palm, lowered head, his long, dark hair falling across his face like a shadow. Her frigid eyes watched him ceaselessly.

No, she would not forgive any time soon. Pity…

He turned and disappeared into a swirl of smoke, savouring the gorgeous intensity of her gaze in that final moment. It would be so sweet to break her. It would be even sweeter to see if she could withstand the pressure.

And stand by my side?

A foolish notion but perhaps there were other prizes aside from the Crown of Earthrealm and he was in the market for another general after Mileena's failure.

Earthrealm will be mine. It must be! Shang Tsung thought as he gazed again on the desolation of Outworld. His realm needed the infusion of another, just like its emperor. His body was already beginning to decay, he needed a new soul. It was happening sooner and sooner these days.

Maybe next time it will be Sonya…He closed his eyes, savouring the fantasy of her defeated and desperate. Bruises and blood marring that perfect skin. Wisps of golden hair fraying, full chest heaving… But no…she would not grovel, not that one…

Her soul would probably sear me in its last defiance, Shang Tsung chuckled as he watched his honour-guard start up the arid slope to meet him. All exceptional and alluring, each in her way, yet none of them close to the Special Forces commander.

Feeling the uncomfortable sensation of lust thwarted, he grimaced. Good as he was at lying to others, it wasn't prudent to do so to himself. The hard truth was he didn't just want Sonya's soul, he wanted all of her.

Inconvenient…I will have to watch this… Even the greatest could be brought low by base instinct. The sorcerer had mastered himself long ago, he would not be distracted this close to the final victory.

But perhaps after Raiden had at last been defeated and her friends destroyed, Sonya's pride would soften. She would need to be chastened of course, but until then he would enjoy her bouts in the tournament while he ended her annoying companions.

The desiccating wind cut through the canyons and clawed at his hair and robes. He knew he cut a commanding figure silhouetted against the somber sky. He needed to. His people still struggled below him in the valleys, bleakly pillaging the last of Outworld's resources. The emperor was a symbol as much as a man. He could not afford to fail again.

Tomorrow the 10th Tournament would start, but the sorcerer had already set his game in motion. Let Sonya stew as to his plans…perhaps she would tell Raiden or not. She was independent and stubborn, fine qualities if tempered, but he knew they would push her to be reckless. The others he would bait in different ways, along with this Johnny Cage who had also been Chosen.

A slow smile spread across Shang Tsung's lips as he felt the familiar thrill of anticipation.

Nine down, one to go…

It has begun…

Author's Note: Hope you enjoyed ;) Drop me a note if you did.

Just an FYI I'm doing my best with the lore, but I'm not a gamer. I've tried to blend a few things from the little we know of the 2021 film, the 1995 film and the games. Also you'll see from my other stories I'm a fan of exploring villain ships, but yes I do get that in canon it would never happen. Still, let's enjoy the charismatic villain vibe that is Shang Tsung!

PS - as Warner Bros in their infinite wisdom have decided not to release MK in the UK now with no word as to when, I still haven't seen the 2021 film so please do not spoil me in reviews or PMs if you have seen it! Thanks.