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Chapter 6 Kobra's Venom
Still groggy, Beast Boy rubbed his eyes and yawned while he approached Robin out in the courtyard. He had been summoned by Tsang Sung's voice over the hotel intercom, the old crow had instructed the titans and several other fighters including Johnny Cage to meet down at a beach not far from the resort. The hotel he and the others had stayed in was very luxurious, the rooms were enormous complete with king size beds and an enormous bathroom, true to what the guy had said the hotel also had a spa (which Starfire spent half the night in), a bar/grill was in the lobby (no guess where Cyborg was), an enormous gym complete with pool and training area was located on the grounds (Robin's been there for hours) and to Raven's delight; there were ancient ruins located on the island which she spent meditating in all day yesterday (She just got back a few hours ago), which left Beast Boy alone with a bottle of a vodka and two Chinese hookers…he wishes.
"Dude," Beast Boy said approaching Robin "how long have you been at it?"
" Half an hour." Robin replied, "What are you doing here?"
"Just taking a walk," Beast Boy replied, "you know you really should get some rest, if you burn yourself out now you'll be fighting in fatigue."
"I was Batman's sidekick for years Beast Boy," Robin responded "I'm used to a lot worse than this."
Beast Boy nodded, "So, in what order will we be competing in?"
"No idea," Robin answered picking up a towel beside him and wiping it over his forehead and arms, "I guess they're going to tell use when we get there."
"Speaking of competing," Robin continued, "Where are the others?"
"Well-" Beast Boy started.
"Right here." Beast Boy head Cyborg behind him and turned to face him, Starfire, and Raven.
"We heard the message, and got here as soon as we could." Cyborg continued.
"So this tournament is finally going to begin." Raven said dryly.
"Great," Robin said excitedly "now I get to see some action."
"You seem pretty eager." Johnny stepped out behind the cover of a bamboo thicket.
Dressed in a karate Gi, he stared down at Robin.
"You guys weren't going to go without me, were you?" Johnny asked playfully, when something got his eye.
A beautiful blonde with piercing blue eyes, dressed in a military style jacket walked past the titans. Beast Boy caught Johnny's stare and giggled.
"Wow, she's a looker." Cyborg said.
"You know…I'm going to stay here for a little while," Johnny said finally "you guys go on without me."
With a dreamy look in his eyes, Johnny took off after the woman while the titans continued their way down to the beach.
Tsang Sung: seated on what appeared to be a throne on a platform overlooking the beach threw his arms open in welcome as the group of fighters approached.
"Ah," He said finally, "my combatants, I bid you all welcome."
Beast Boy observed his surroundings: they were surrounded on all sides by water, and what appeared to be the fighting arena was a patch of grass and sand which took the shape of a dragon head. Several palm trees encircled them, swaying peacefully in the wind.
"One among you is about to partake in the first fight of the tournament," Tsang Sung explained, "Though it was difficult to choose whom would fight first, I believe I made a wise decision."
"Wonder who's up first?" Beast Boy thought.
"Robin of the Teen Titans," Tsang Tsung announced, "step fourth."
Though surprised, Robin obediently followed Tsang Sung's instructions. Beast Boy shuffled uncomfortably, something didn't feel right.
"All right!" Cyborg cheered.
"Show them whose boss, Robin!" Starfire encouraged.
"Yeah, go get them Robin." Raven added in a monotone voice.
"Whom I am up against?" Robin called to Tsang Sung.
"Me." Answered a voice.
A muscular, blonde haired man dressed in a karate Gi stepped out from behind his hiding spot from behind a palm tree. He had the darkest blue eyes; a cobra insignia was visible on his chest.
"This is Kobra," Tsang Sung introduced, "he will be your opponent for this round."
"He doesn't look so tough." Cyborg whispered.
Kobra cracked the knuckles on both of his hands and smiled cockily. Robin got into a fighting stance.
"Let Mortal Kombat begin!" Tsang Sung shouted.
As if on command, Kobra launched into a brilliant jump kick, Robin found himself barely able to dodge and readied for a counter attack-but Kobra was too fast. The second his feet touched the ground the warrior spun around and hammered Robin with a painful blow to the face. Seeing Robin was defenseless, Kobra swept the young hero off his feet with his right leg.
"Okay, I take back what I said earlier." Cyborg said.
Robin rolled to the side to avoid a blow from Kobra's foot. Using swift reflexes, Robin distanced himself between his opponent. Kobra let out a battle cry and whipped his hands in the air, there was a blinding flash of light and Robin ducked while a fireball flew over his head and exploded on the earth behind him.
"Whoa, how did he do that?" Robin puzzled.
Tsang Sung grinned as he observed Robin; the boy was beginning to understand what he was truly up against. Robin dodged another oncoming blast while Kobra leapt forward in another jump kick. This time Robin was ready; he caught Kobra while in midair and flung him to the ground. Kobra spun in an attempt to sweep Robin once again.
Robin dodged and Kobra leapt to his feet-just as Robin's fist smashed into his face. Blood mixed with spit as several of Kobra's teeth were knocked out his jaw. But the immense pain did not prevent the warrior from continuing the fight. Kobra countered with a swift blow to Robin's ribs, Robin had the wind knocked out of him.
Seeing his chance, Kobra gave Robin a jab to the face. Robin felt himself losing balance; Robin blocked another jab by Kobra and smashed his fist into Kobra's ribs. Kobra fell limp from the pain, and Robin roaring like some crazed Tarzan, Robin flung Kobra to the beach's shore. Kobra felt the ice-cold sea water across his back and stood up, ready to resume.
Robin was instantly upon him, Kobra found himself dodging and blocking a barrage of attacks by the young hero. All of a sudden Robin's leg snapped forward and Kobra felt his knee break in two. From seat on the platform, Tsang Sung grew uneasy, Kobra was weakening, and if he didn't get back in control soon, Robin would certainly defeat him. Growling Kobra caught Robin with a right hook and sent the young hero spiraling into deeper water. Robin stood up; the ocean was up to his knees. Though wounded, Kobra had no intention of letting up.
Snarling a curse, Kobra fired several more fireballs; despite the water weighing him down Robin managed to dodge. Roaring Kobra lunged forward right into Robin's kick. Kobra saw nothing but stars as his world faded to nothing but black. His body fell limp as he hit the sand.
Robin stood over him, expecting him to get up and resume fighting. After several moments it became clear that Kobra was down for the count.
"The winner!" Tsang Sung declared, trying to conceal the anger in his voice.
The other titans rushed over to Robin:
"You were awesome!" Beast Boy said.
"Didn't know who he was messin' with!" Cyborg added.
"You are victorious!" Starfire chirped.
"Yeah…go Robin." Raven added.
Robin smiled, but his attention was brought back towards the fallen Kobra. Robin looked up towards Tsang Sung.
"Shouldn't he receive medical attention?" Robin inquired.
"He will," Tsang Sung reassured, "but first, Mortal Kombat must continue-the next fight will take place in the bamboo thicket not too far from here. Follow the stone pathway and you will find it."
The titans turned to a stone pathway hidden amongst some palm trees and saw it led to a dark bamboo forest in the distance. The other fighters started for the pathway, as did the titans, but Beast Boy remained still. Something didn't seem right about that place, telling himself that he was being paranoid, Beast Boy shook off the feeling and continued on-completely unaware of the horrors that awaited all of them.
Author's Note: And what will become of Kobra? You'll find out soon enough...