What's this? Another chapter? Oh dear I am on a role! Don't worry, I just finished my essay assignment as well. Now the presentation slide is what's left and then to finish off with another study after that. So far, we saw the trio meeting Bryan, a fellow friend and classmate of Nash and Kristina. Now, let's see how our heroes will hold off in this chapter.

Chapter 4

We are so screwed.

Everyone here in this arena wants to watch us fight. Shang Tsung is going to get us up with any random character that could literally murder us in a blink of an eye. Fight without zero experience- except Kristina. Her athlete genes would save her from this chaos. I stayed close to my mentor, hopefully thinking she has anything inspiring to say.

"Don't worry Nash," the princess placed a hand on my shoulder. "Shang Tsung just wants to know how good you are in terms of fighting." Great, like that's going to make me feel better!

First, we watched as Bryan was the first to be tested. As usual, he swore away while one of the guards simply shoved him into the ring. The crowd cheered while the other fighters were waiting expectantly for the old clod's announcement.

"Goro."

"WHAT?!" Kristina, Riana and I exclaimed but we were shushed by our mentors. Why Goro? Does Shang Tsung think this is funny? Watching a guy with zero fighting experience and spent all his life in the computer lab to fight a goddamn giant?! I will silently pray for Bryan's life.

Bryan was literally shaking and whimpering as the four-armed warrior stepped forward while popping the joints in each arm. I am betting my money Bryan either soiled himself or pissed himself out of fear.

"So small," Goro chuckled. "This should be interesting." Bryan quickly backed away to where he came from. But the door to escape was locked. Oh boy…

"Fight!" Shang Tsung announced. Everyone cheered. But then the fight went awry for a reason:

Bryan literally screamed at the most high pitched voice anyone could ever imagine while running around wildly like a headless chicken. Goro was chasing him like a hound. Most of the crowd and fighters were laughing at the scene. Even Kristina. Only Riana looked concern while here I am clenching and unclenching my fists to relieve my anxiety.

I don't know how the hell Bryan still has voice in his lungs when he was literally running while screaming at almost more than five minutes. Even Goro did not bother to chase him again. He decided to lean against the corner of the wall and wait for Bryan to finish his little wild marathon. I'll admit it's funny if it weren't a life and death situation.

Soon, Bryan's pace started to slack and eventually he landed face forward with his glasses crooked. Panting hard and not moving, the crowd went silent waiting for something to happen.

"Are you done?" Goro asked coolly. Bryan lifted his head and nodded tiredly. Goro just got up from his position, laid a fist on Bryan's back which did not look like a real punch. I guessed he was bored from Bryan's drama. The crowd didn't even acknowledged Goro's so called 'victory' because they were bored too. In fact, I would say this match was pathetic.

At least Bryan made it out alive without having a bruise. He quickly muttered about something but it's hard to make out. Johnny Cage will have to give him a weapon at least. And we need to keep an eye on him in case he does something crazy.

Next match was Kristina vs Ermac, the sorcerer and the guy who has like a thousand souls in him. Must be stressful to have different voices inside you, right? Maybe not for an author or a voice actor but still. One of the souls could be from a convict.

Unlike Bryan, Kristina was pumped up for her match. She readied her fists as she got into her fighting stance. Peering at the corner, I could tell Sheeva was proud that she chose the right person to be trained under her. Kristina's body was shaking with excitement.

"Ready child?" Ermac asked.

"You bet I am!" Kristina smiled. "And I'm not a kid!"

The battle was longer than Bryan's but Kristina stood her ground as Ermac used his levitation ability to counter her kicks and dodge her punches. The crowd was wild with the show of a normal human girl and an undead sorcerer battling each other.

"Wow, she's got this," Riana commented.

"Yeah!" Bryan nodded. "She's like a fighting-type Pokemon while Macky is a psychic-type. If Kristina is one, then she should be a Hitmontop." Huh, Bryan does have a point when comparing this battle to a Pokemon's.

"Wait," I interjected. "Wouldn't a psychic type be super effective against a fighting-type?" Oh no…

Kristina's got this despite Ermac literally kicking her ass. Hell, he even made her punch herself with his powers. Bryan keeps naming every move those two had in the battle. He could be a good announcer at a WWE match if I may say so myself. He called Ermac's signature move 'Psychic Punch' while Kristina's 'Thrash'. I could never be creative at making up names for each moves.

In the end, the match was a draw. Kristina and Ermac shook hands to our surprised. I guessed they were hoping for another battle the next time they crossed paths. The crowd as usual went wild and cheered for both my friend and the sorcerer. When Kristina came out of the arena, I tackled her into a hug. "You were awesome out there!"

"Yeah!" Riana nodded. "Who knew you could be on toe with Ermac. We're so proud of you!" Even Kurt, who was on my sister's shoulder crawled towards Kristina's palm to be petted.

"Not bad for a country bumpkin," Bryan chuckled. Kristina smirked and punched him playfully on the shoulder. "At least I did not run around like a bitch, Bryan."

Sheeva walked up to her from behind and lifted her with her lower pair of arms. "I could never be more proud of you," she laughed. "Once the final match is over, I will show you where you will be sleeping and tomorrow, I will train you for the upcoming matches."

This made Kristina fist-bump into the air while squealing with excitement. I wished I was that excited or enthusiastic when I am living with a total stranger. Then again, so was my sister and Bryan but both of them don't seemed to mind. Even if Bryan was swearing and panicking throughout this scenario.

"Next up, Riana!" Shang Tsung called. Oh no…My sister better not fracture her bones or I will go in there and beat the shit out of her opponent. She may be older but I will protect her as she does protect and care for me. Riana took a deep breath before unlatching Kurt off of her and handed him to me.

"Please take care of him," she told me. I just nodded, then hugged her. "Good luck, big sis." I looked at Kurt before stroking his head with my thumb. "Don't worry Kurt. Your mom will be just fine."

Now, this is either a coincidence or Shang Tsung knew about Riana's pet beforehand. Yep, she's going to battle against Shao Kahn's cold-blooded lackey and the last of his kind, Reptile. Ugh, he's so creepy! I'm fine with Kurt and other reptilian animal my sister showed me but this…this is something I would see in my nightmares. His scales were almost a reflect of moss and emerald, pretty rough if Riana accidentally grazed her arm passed him. His teeth are not as serrated as Baraka's or Mileena's but still deadly. Another thing about Reptile is his ability to spit acid on people. Like a komodo dragon, I doubt he would eat his prey after he kills them.

"Riana be careful!" I called out. My sister looked back at me and probably Kurt before nodding slowly. Unlike Bryan with his obvious fear or Kristina's peppy attitude, Riana is a mystery. You can't tell what she's thinking or feeling but her fingers were flickering, a sign of nervousness. The reptilian man opposite her grinned. "You carry an interesting scent, girl."

The battle begun, and immediately Reptile turned himself invisible. All of us were wondering where he went but I focused my attention to my sister. Her eyes were wide behind her wide spectacles, observing where the Zaterran had disappeared. Her hands were clenched into fists, ready to strike while her body become stiff. She even moved in a sway-like motion, hoping to bump into the Zaterran.

Suddenly, Reptile reappeared behind her before kicking her to the ground. I was distraught and tried to reassure my sister's distressed bearded dragon. He was thrashing in my grasp as I struggled to hold him. Then, Riana quickly rolled over to dodge Reptile's strike before using her right foot to kick him in the gut. I sighed in relief. At least she has reflexes. Kurt started to climb onto my shoulder to get a better view.

"Good effort," Reptile told her. "But not good enough!" He then used his claws to give her a scratch. Riana tried to block them away with her punches. I was holding my breath at this moment. Kristina was gripping onto the side of the pole, worried about Riana. Bryan on the other hand, somehow was hiding behind Johnny Cage for protection. Well I'm more worried for my turn after this!

But Riana stopped his claws by gripping them with both of her hands. Now the both of them are in a headlock, sweat rolling down my sister's face while her panting was heard. She's getting tired.

Then Reptile did something that almost made me gagged: he opened his mouth, darting out his long tongue like those of the chameleons and licked my sister's cheek! Riana yelped in surprised.

"Eww!" Kristina gagged. "That's gross!"

Alas, Riana was not able to regain her composure as Reptile finally pinned her down on the ground. In the end of this match, he won. Just before both my sister and the Zaterran were let out, Kurt slipped from my should, ran towards the holds of the arena before crawling on my sister. Riana smiled tiredly as she stroked her pet's back and murmurs something which soothed him. Reptile on the other hand tilted his head in confusion.

"Yours?" he inquired. Riana just nodded before letting herself up and walked out with Kurt on her shoulder. I immediately rushed to her.

"Are you okay?" I asked. "Did he use his acid when he licked you?"

"Can I clobber him for ya?" Kristina offered with both fists pounded together. But Riana shook her head.

"If he did," she explained. "I would have feel a hole in my cheek."

"Woah," Bryan rushed up to her. "Your fight with Reptile almost looked like a porno." This earned him a smack at the back of his head from my sister.

"But the important thing is that you're alright," Jade, my goddess walked up to her and patted her back. "You did well for a newbie."

Ah fuck…Then I remember it's my turn to fight. Riana ruffled my hair. "Don't worry little bro. You got this."

"Do your best, Nash," Kitana smiled behind her mask.

I stepped into the arena, greeted by the crowd. I'm more nervous than I thought. Hell, I might even use Bryan's tactic to get out of here. But the minute my opponent entered the ring, I had my mouth open in a gasp while one hand was hold my crotch:

I am fighting Jade.

Man, he's going to die. I enjoyed writing this chapter. My favourite was Bryan's. So stay tune for more.

Please review!