Disclaimer: I own what's mine

Chapter 5. The Tournament Master

Beast Boy gazed in wonder at his surroundings, after half an hour of ascending a staircase that titans found themselves in an enormous Japanese Temple with a crowd two hundred strong. What appeared to be the temple's guards stood in the dark corners of the room, shooting murderous glares at those that dare made direct eye contact with them. In front of them was an enormous wooden gate, above that was a speaking altar. Johnny set his bags down by Beast Boy.

"Cozy little place isn't it?" Johnny muttered.

"Makes me feel right at home." Cyborg replied.

"I wonder where the resort is." Robin added.

"Are we supposed to be waiting for someone to take us to our rooms?" Raven asked.

There was a thunderous roar of a gong, and all was silent. High above them, standing on an altar, an elderly Chinese man came into sight.

"I am Shang Tsung," the man announced, "the master of this tournament, I welcome you, one and all to my humble island home."

Beast Boy felt a cold chill run down his spine when he heard Shang Tsung's voice; there was something about him that didn't feel right.

"You have been invited here because you are the best fighters the world has ever known," Shang Tsung continued, " and you have come here with one purpose: to compete against one another in this tournament of champions. Although many of you have come, only a select of you will make it into the final rounds, and only one of you will be crowned champion."

Shang Tsung's eyes passed over Beast Boy, seeing this the little green titans instinctively diverted his eyes away from the sinister essence.

"Beside me is a gateway to the heart of the island, it is here that you will find food, water, and lodging. I invite you now to eat, sleep, and train, for the tournament begins at dawn."

There was a deep rumbling noise and the gates parted, revealing a beautiful garden and a massive building in the horizon.

"I will leave you now to attend whatever it is you need to," Shang Tsung turned to walk away but stopped himself, "one last thing, a fair warning to all of you; when you step through that gate you will enter another world altogether, you will know no such thing as friend, foes will await you at every dark corner, only the strongest will survive in this tournament, those that are not prepared for the difficult path ahead, I implore you not to step through the gate."

Shang Tsung disappeared from view, slowly but surely the crowd began moving through the gates and into the garden.

"I wonder what that was about." Beast Boy said aloud.

"He's just trying to separate the men from the weenies." Cyborg commented.

"Yes, but did he have to be so brutal about it?" Starfire asked.

"It's a tournament Star, those that have what it takes enter, those that don't go home." Robin said.

Deep within the Temple:

Kano, assisted by some of Shang Tsung's men was guided to a massive throne room. Sang Tsung, seated on the throne flashed Kano a murderous glare.

"I told you to kill the green one!" He shouted, "Was that task so difficult?"

"It wasn't my fault-" Kano started.

"I have no use for excuses!" Shang Tsung roared, "He alone can upset the balance of this tournament!"

"I could've killed him one hundred times over," Kano pleaded, "but Scorpion interfered.

"Scorpion?" Shang Tsung repeated, "What is he-ahhh yes, Sub-Zero is competing as well. It is only natural that Scorpion follow him here, but what reason would he have to save the titan?"

"Maybe he just felt merciful." Kano said.

Shang Tsung hissed, "I doubt it, something else it going on."

"My men are standing by, just one word from me, I'll have all of them butchered just give me the word." Kano muttered.

"No," Shang Tsung said firmly, "they must be defeated in the tournament, if we resort to murder, we take the risk of angering the elder gods, if this happens Outworld will forfeit the tournament and we'll have to start all over again."

Shang Tsung's eyes narrowed, "And believe me, Kano, the emperor will not tolerate such a thing."

Shang Tsung stood up as Kano tried to stand straight, but his wounds wouldn't allow it and he hunched back down.

"So, we have to off them in the tournament, huh?" Kano said "Well, in that case, let me go up against the green one again, mono a mono."

"I don't believe you truly deserve the chance Kano," Shang Tsung replied, "not after your failure."

"Come on!" Kano implored, "Just give me a chance, I can kill him, and then the only thing we'll have to worry about are his friends."

Shang Tsung stood silent for a moment, then the sorcerer outstretched his arms, "Don't move." He instructed.

There was a green flash of light that engulfed Kano. The mercenary groaned in pain as his ribs mended, bones snapped back into place, and flesh wounds healed. After a few seconds the light disappeared and Kano stood tall-healed, refreshed, and ready to kill.

"That's better." Kano said grinning.

"Be warned Kano," Shang Tsung croaked "this is your final chance, if you fail me again, I will take your soul myself."

"All I need is one chance," Kano replied confidently, "so-when do we fight?"

Shang Tsung eyed Kano, "Sooner than you think."