The next day dawned and the tournament began again, however instead of just beginning the matches like normal, Shang Tsung got up from his chair and walked to the edge, and spoke: "Welcome to the third day of the tournament. We are reaching the culminating point in the tournament. Therefore, I have decided to move things along. The winner of the next match will face our reigning champion, Prince Goro in a one on one fight to the finish. After much consideration, I have decided on who those two lucky combatants shall be: Liu Kang and Johnny Cage."

Both Liu and Johnny stood unable to speak, too stunned to move. Shang Tsung motioned for the two warriors to move to the arena, but both hesitated. "What do we do now?" Johnny asked, worriedly.

Thinking long and hard. "Shang Tsung must have had this planned. He wanted us to fight."

"What are you two waiting for? Go!" Sonya urged. With some slight nodding, Liu and Johnny headed down to the arena, where they took their opposite sides in the arena.

"All right." Liu said, sighing. "You ready?"

"Yeah…" Johnny said, hesitantly. "Let's go." Both fighters took their stances and prepared for combat.

"Begin!" shouted Shang Tsung.

Johnny was the first to attack as threw a kick at Liu, who blocked with his hands, Johnny continued the attack switching from kicks to punches, Liu avoided Johnny's attack and jumping to the ground, he threw his leg out and threw it at Johnny's legs, this attacked caused the movie star to trip and fall to the ground, but Johnny took his arms and flipped back to his feet. Liu had just managed to get to his feet when he saw a little green ball of energy hit his face. Holding his face in pain, Liu had no time to dodge Johnny's kick to the chest.

Rolling on the ground, Liu recovered and jumped out of the way of Johnny's next Force Ball, and suddenly he launched himself through the air with a kick that connect with Johnny's face knocking the movie star on his back. Taking this moment to catch his breath, Liu watched as Johnny got to his feet and came running at him, Johnny threw his leg at Liu's side, who blocked and threw a fist at the movie star's face, however Johnny proved agile and back-flipped out of the way.

As Johnny landed, he took this opportunity to deliver his Shadow Kick to Liu's wide open chest, which knocked the Shaolin Monk back near the edge of the arena. Holding his chest, Liu got to his feet as he saw Johnny running at him, he rolled out of the way to avoid any incoming attack and got to his feet.

Placing his hands together and knee up in the air, Liu charged his energy into a single attack and out of his hands came a fireball which took the form of a dragon striking the surprised movie star in the chest knocking him once again on his back. Johnny rolled to his chest and got to his knees moaning in pain. Liu used this break into the battle to catch his breath, but as he neared the movie star, he would soon realize what a mistake he made as suddenly Johnny hit the off-guard Monk and flung him into the air, then with a leap into the air, Johnny flipped around and taking his right leg struck Liu in the chest causing him to plummet to the arena.

Hitting the ground, Liu moaned in pain as several cracks formed where his body impacted the arena.

"Had enough yet?" Johnny asked, cockily.

Liu coughed as a response, but he quickly got to his feet and smirked. "I don't think so." He replied. With a bit of a cry in his throat, Liu attempted his Flying Kick move once again, however Johnny managed to duck under the attack and as Liu landed, he quickly ducked to avoid Johnny's Shadow Kick, and then seized the opportunity to land an uppercut on the off-guard superstar's chin.

Landing on his back, Johnny stood up and jumped at the Shaolin Monk, bringing his foot down on his face, but Liu tilted his head and ducked out of the way. As Johnny landed on his feet, he turned and tried to rotate his foot around, but once again Liu was able to dodge it. Suddenly he punched Johnny across the face taking his opportunity to strike. But just as he did so, Johnny flipped and struck Liu in the chin with both legs.

But this attack gave Liu the chance he needed to end the fight as just as Johnny landed, he took this opportunity to leap into the air and strike Johnny repeatedly in the chest with his legs and as soon as the attack was done, Liu kicked Johnny once last time knocking him out of the arena and into the wall before him causing the movie star to hit the ground.

"Liu Kang wins."

Suddenly the crowd erupted into loud cheers once again applauding at the match. The best one yet, many of them thought. As Johnny got to his knees and tried to stand, he was aggravating himself as it was work to even to get to his knees, but he tilted his head up and saw Liu standing there with his hand extended, Johnny smiled and took it.

"Great fight." Liu said, smiling as he helped Johnny get to his fight. "You fought well."

"Yeah, that was a damn good match." Johnny admitted. "I think I want a rematch sometime later."

Liu chuckled. "You'll get one."

As the two men congratulated each other on a well fought battle. Shang Tsung chuckled. "Just the one we wanted, his defeat should bring about the end to those foolish Monks and give us the victory we need to overrun Earthrealm."

"Reptile." He said loud.

"Yesssss Master?" Reptile hissed from the shadows.

"When theday is over, I want you to eliminate Johnny Cage."

"It shall be done." And without a word, Reptile once again disappeared into thin air.