AN: I redid the ending for this chapter, cuz I wasn't really that happy about it. About the story being mostly through Izuku's perspective, and maybe switching over to Mileena from time to time? I changed my mind. You'll see later.

Izuku walked down to the beach, relishing in the atmosphere of the waves rolling around the sand. For all of Shang Tsung's faults, his choice in a home wasn't one of them. As he walked along the shore, he felt small drops of rain fall on him. A minute later, rain started to fall all over the island.

Ok, maybe there was a little bit of a fault in this island.

Izuku pondered whether or not to continue his walk, when he spotted a small bit of purple sitting on the sand, near the ocean.

Izuku cocked his head, wondering why Mileena was sitting there. He started to walk to her. As he got closer, he noticed something rather strange.

Mileena didn't have her veil on. What was even stranger was that her features seemed to have changed. From the brief look he'd had at her in their fight, she had large, yellowed teeth that were probably 9-10 inches tall. Now, her large teeth were replaced by a bunch of smaller sharp teeth. As she turned to see him, Izuku also noticed that her bestial orange scelera had been replaced by a pair of reptilian orange irises. And that the few of her front teeth had been replaced by a pair of lips. Lips that wore an expression of surprise.

"You're in my spot." Izuku said.

Mileena looked downwards. "Apologies."

"Nah, it's alright. Not like you could've known." Sitting down next to her, Izuku looked towards the ocean.

"You know, much as I despise your boss, his island's pretty nice. Maybe I'll come back when he's not around."

Mileena shook her head. "I wouldn't recommend that. Shang Tsung's defenses are incredibly strong. Not even Kitana would dare to come here unless Shang Tsung invited her here."

Izuku sighed. "Shame. Was planning on building an actually decent place for the next Kombatants of Earthrealm. That shack has to go."

Mileena chuckled. "Yes. That shack is an abomination. I'd tear it down myself if I could."

"So, everything's alright with your sister?"

Mileena nodded. "Yes. Everything's fine. We've decided to further investigate this mystery when we go back to Outworld."

Izuku smiled. "I'm glad. Kitana's lucky to have someone like you at her side."

The two didn't speak to each other for a few moments, the rain and the waves filling the silence.

"Don't fight him." Mileena said, out of the blue.

Izuku turned to her. "Who?", though he had a pretty good idea of who she was talking about.

"Raiden."

Izuku sighed. "I don't have a choice. I promised Liu Kang that I'd help protect Earthrealm. Besides, I'm a vigilante. I can't just stand by and watch innocent people get hurt, not when I can save them."

"And how many people can you save if you are dead?!" Mileena snarled, her temper getting the better of her.

Izuku smirked. "I won't. I've got a few plans."

"Against a god?" Mileena asked, not looking at all convinced by Izuku's answer.

"Yep. No one is infallible, not even a god. All my life, I've fought against people that I've been told were unbeatable, and I came out on top."

"Hmm." Mileena replied, still unconvinced by Izuku's statement.

The two didn't speak to each other for a few more moments, admiring the view of the ocean. Izuku broke the silence by asking a question that had been bothering him a little bit.

"Last time I saw your face, it was pretty different compared to now. What happened?"

Mileena sighed. "I don't know. After me and Kitana talked, I went to prepare myself for bed. As I looked into the mirror with my veil off, I realized that my face had changed."

"Hmm. That's weird. Any ideas why?"

Mileena shook her head. "No. All I know is that after the events of yesterday, my mind has been clearer, more calm, in a sense."

"Alright, and how'd you feel about it?"

"I don't know. I...I have always hated my features. My sister was always beautiful, while I was the hideous one. Now, the situation should be different, but it still feels the same. Only now, I am slightly less hideous than I was yesterday."

Izuku sighed. "Well, if it's any consolation, you'd fit in pretty well in my world."

Mileena turned to look at Izuku, unamused. "Don't mock me."

Izuku shook his head. "I'm not. Where I come from, people tend to look pretty….strange. In fact, I was kinda the neighborhood freak for looking as normal as I do."

Mileena leaned in. "Really?"

Izuku nodded. "Really. In my neighborhood, one guy could turn his pores into rocks, one guy had spikes growing out of his fists, one girl had horns growing on the sides of her head, and on-"

Izuku saw Mileena giggle, before placing a palm against his mouth. "Enough, you made your point."

Izuku took her hand off his mouth. "I know, I was just trying to get the point across. Hell, one guy I knew had your previous teeth, they were just blindingly white."

"I'll take your word for it." Mileena replied, smiling.

Mileena then put on her veil and stood up. "Be careful." she warned, before walking away.

Izuku smiled. "Always am!" he replied to the retreating figure.

The Next Night

The trio went into the courtyard, unsure of what they were walking into. Goro and Shang Tsung were the only two opponents that Izuku hadn't been able to analyze, due to the fact that they hadn't fought in the tournament. As they walked into the ring, Shang Tsung called out to the audience that had assembled.

"Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, Izuku Midoriya. It has been years since an Earthrealm warrior has progressed this far into the tournament. It is time for you to fight the reigning champion."

Izuku twitched, readying his switchblades in anticipation. Liu Kang tensed up, and Johnny's traditional smirk slipped a few molars. Shang Tsung assessed the three in front of him, before turning to one in particular.

"To the lair with you!" Shang Tsung exclaimed, waving his arm.

Johnny Cage didn't even have time to shout before a portal opened under him, throwing him into Goro's lair.

"JOHNNY!" Izuku shouted, looking at the ground where his friend had been. Liu Kang was quick to reassure him.

"He'll be fine. He hasn't lost yet."

Izuku turned to look at the ground.

"There's always a first time for everything."

P.O.V Switch - Johnny Cage

Johnny was shouting as he fell down, before landing on the ground in a heap. Coughing a bit before slowly getting up, Johnny slowly took in his surroundings.

Shifting into a fighting stance, Johnny turned around, looking for his opponent amidst the bricks and spikes present in the room.

"I did not expect to fight in this tournament." he heard a deep voice state behind him. Johnny quickly turned around. In front of his eyes was a four-armed man.

"Ever since I fought against the Great Kung Lao, no one has ever come close to his progress. For centuries, I have languished, hoping for a warrior equal to the Great Kung Lao to face me. I had almost given up hope. When Shang Tsung ranted and raved about the three Earthrealm Warriors giving him a difficult time, I was taken aback. Would I finally have a battle that would prove worthy of a Shokan once more?"

Goro started walking towards Johnny. "Prove that you have earned your reputation! I challenge you to Mortal Kombat!"

Johnny raised his fists, ready to fight for his home.

Goro threw the first blow, an uppercut that Johnny was able to jump over. Throwing a hook punch and a backfist, Johnny found his strikes blocked by the Shokan warrior. Jumping over him yet again, Johnny hoped to find a blind spot in his opponents defense.

As soon as he touched the ground, Goro stomped where he had been, causing the ground to shake enough to trip Johnny to the ground. Quickly getting up, Johnny rushed to the warrior, able to get in a decent jab in before the Shokan brought his guard up once more. As Johnny tried to throw a feint to his opponent, Goro sweeped Johnny's legs out under him, causing Johnny to fall flat on the ground again.

Johnny kicked the Shokan in the upper leg, trying to get the giant away from him, before jumping into the air again. Goro, however, was not going to allow Johnny to attempt it again, and threw an uppercut, sending Johnny flying. As Johnny was in the air, Goro jumped after him, stomping on Johnny's chest as Johnny hit the ground.

Johnny shouted in pain. It was only thanks to some green energy that flared around his body that Johnny was sure his chest wasn't crushed from that move. Throwing heavy punches into Goro's groin, Johnny was able to get Goro to get off of him. Quickly getting up from the ground, Johnny tried a different tactic. As Goro shook off his pain, he came in with a heavy punch. Johnny, instead of jumping, decided to slide underneath the Shokan. As Goro turned around, Johnny performed a sliding sidekick to Goro's stomach.

Goro, unable to defend against the quick kick, fell to the ground. Johnny prepared another kick, when Goro suddenly started punching the ground. Knocked off balance by the earth shaking under his feet again, Johnny fell to the ground. Goro jumped into the air, intending on crushing Johnny's chest. Johnny, not wanting to go through that pain again, rolled to the side, and as Goro landed, Johnny sent a sidekick to Goro's back. Johnny, not wanting to give Goro a chance to recover, rushed towards his opponent while he was slowly getting up off the ground. Johnny was able to throw a quick hook punch, and followed through with a flying crescent kick strong enough to knockdown Goro. As Goro was launched into the air, Johnny let his instincts take over and performed his trademark combo, a flying backflip kick and following through with a flying elbow strike. This time, Johnny noticed a bright red glow that surrounded him when he utilized those moves.

Johnny, not wanting to lose to his opponent, Johnny fully embraced this strange new sensation that was guiding him, closing his eyes. Opening them, Johnny realized that everything in front of him had slowed down to a crawl, with green energy surrounding his body. Squaring his shoulders, Johnny took advantage and started to punch, jab, and kick Goro all over his body. In Goro's eyes, the human in front of him started disappearing and reappearing out of thin air. Goro suffered dozens upon dozens of vicious blows, but Goro would not fall so easily. Taking a moment to observe his opponent, Goro noticed a pattern that the warrior had fallen into. As Johnny disappeared once again, Goro waited.

One.

Two.

Three!

His arm lashed out, his hands catching Johnny by the throat. With an angry roar, the Shokan pressed his palms against Johnny's skull, pushing hard. Goro heard several cracks from the human's skull, before dashing him onto the floor.

Johnny could barely scream in pain, as all his ribs fractured from the hard throw. He could only cough blood, realizing that perhaps this time, he had bitten off more than he could chew.

The Shokan looked down at his chest, various cuts decorating them. He started chuckling, before erupting in full blown laughter.

As Goro's laughter faded, he looked to Johnny, with a hint of respect in his eyes.

"You have fought well. Far greater than any that have come before you in the last few centuries of this tournament."

He walked up to Johnny, before turning to the sky.

"As a sign of my respect to this warrior, I hereby spare his life!" he shouted, before turning to Johnny.

"May we meet once more in Mortal Kombat, Johnny Cage."

And with that, a portal opened up underneath Johnny, throwing him back to the courtyard.

P.O.V Switch - Mileena, a few minutes earlier

Mileena watched as Izuku started pacing, most likely worried about his friend. Mileena looked to the spot where the human had been standing previously. Goro was considered the reigning champion for a reason, even if he hadn't fought an opponent in centuries. Mileena was certain that the mortal was dead. She wanted to go and reassure Izuku that there was nothing he could do, but in full view of Shang Tsung and the other fighters of Outworld, that would be signing her death warrant.

Suddenly, a voice boomed out to the audience.

"As a sign of my respect to this warrior, I hereby spare his life!"

Shang Tsung looked extremely displeased, but waved his arms to the ground. A green portal flared to life, as the mortal was spat out, in extremely terrible shape.

Izuku shouted the mortal's name, before he and the monk carried him and rushed out of the arena. She turned to her sister, wondering if she was thinking the same thing she was.

Kitana nodded, showing her support. As the audience adjourned, the sisters headed to Shang Tsung's Garden.

P.O.V Switch - Izuku

This was bad.

Johnny had taken extremely severe injuries, injuries bad enough that Liu Kang couldn't risk healing it with his chi, lest he fall unconscious for the next 1-2 days. Now that he and Liu Kang were the last remaining fighters, they couldn't risk a disqualification. On the other hand, neither of them wanted to see their friend in this much pain.

As Izuku clenched his hair in frustration at the situation they'd landed up in, he heard a knock on the door. Hastily checking the front cam, he wasn't sure whether he was angry or relieved to see the familiar getup of Mileena and Kitana.

He quickly opened the door, getting the sisters inside.

"We're a bit busy at the moment. Could you two make this quick?"

Mileena opened her palm. In her hands were a few yellow herbs that seemed to be almost….glowing?

"These herbs are used to heal the fighters of Outworld. It is how our fighters are able to get up so quickly after they suffer extreme injury. Shang Tsung crushes them and makes potions. He calls them Boosted Healers." Mileena explained.

Izuku gingerly took the herbs from her hands, staring at them in disbelief. At that point, Liu Kang took over, smiling at Kitana

"Thank you." he said, gratitude filling his tone.

Kitana turned her head away, almost as if embarrassed.

"Don't get any crazy ideas, human! This is just my way of repaying our debt. We're even now!"

And with that parting statement, Kitana left. Mileena stayed for a few more moments, before she turned and left as well.

An idea quickly sprung in Izuku's head. He gave the herbs to Liu Kang.

"Mix these and give them to Johnny. I gotta go and ask Mileena something real quick."

Izuku ran out of the shack, quickly catching up to Mileena. As Mileena turned around, Izuku sprung the question.

"Could you possibly get me a few more of those herbs? I have an idea."

The Next Night

Izuku walked into the arena, coming right up to Shang Tsung.

"Where's Raiden?" he growled.

Shang Tsung glared at Izuku. "He is not worthy of your time now. He will only come into the ring when Goro is defeated."

Izuku laughed. "Don't make excuses for him. You claim that we can only fight him after we've defeated Goro? I don't believe you. I think he's just afraid. He says he's a god? From what I've seen so far, that doesn't seem to hold true. After all, he only seems to be willing to fight against mortals that can't even properly fight back against him."

Izuku looked towards the sky.

"YOU HEAR ME, OUT THERE?! YOU FUCKING COWARD! YOU CAN'T EVEN SHOW YOUR FACE IN THESE MATCHES, BECAUSE YOU'RE SCARED! YOU'RE SCARED YOU CAN'T DEFEAT THE MORTALS YOU HATE SO MU-"

A flash of lightning nearly blinded the audience, as a man appeared almost out of nowhere.

"I was willing to give my opponents a quick death. Now, you and your allies will die regretting the heresy you have uttered." Raiden growled.

Izuku chuckled, activating a switchblade.

"You know, for a god, you're pathetically predictable."

AN: OH SHIT, HERE WE GO, LADIES AND GENTS!

Alright, so, calming down, there's some other stuff I gotta say.

Goro took out a fighter and reduced the number of Earthrealm's warriors to two.

The credit for this part of the story goes to The4thSnake, who talked about this kind of scenario in his Mortal Kombat (2011) Wasted Plotential video. His characterization of Goro and how he should win a match, but spare the Kombatant (Johnny Cage or Kung Lao) due to having the best fight in the past few tournaments was something that really stuck out to me, so I put it down.

The Boosted Healers thing comes from Mortal Kombat Mythologies, Sub Zero. The thing is, funnily enough, I just typed in "healing potion" in the Mortal Kombat Wiki and got redirected to that. So...yeah.

Hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Just letting you guys know, the next chapter might take a while.