Well, this is it. This is it! We will finally meet our final disciple. What adventures will our previous ones have and how are the MK characters will deal with him. Let's find out.

Chapter 8

The next morning, I woke up with a throbbing headache. Damn, how long was I asleep? Did anyone wake me up earlier? Did I talk in my sleep. Shit! If Kitana finds out about last night…

I rushed to the washroom to at least make myself look presentable before meeting up with my mentor, she was sitting at the garden with Jade, Riana and even Kurt. How cute, he has a little plate of food and water for himself. Riana must have convinced the servants otherwise. Kitana had a disappointed look. Jade avoid making an eye-contact with me. Riana pretended to look down at her plate which has two buns. She doesn't want to get involve.

"You're late," she commented. "We were almost done with breakfast."

"I'm sorry!" I raised my hands up in defence. "I-I didn't know it was this late! Why didn't anyone wake me up?"

"You should learn how to wake yourself up," Kitana answered. "In times like this, you must train your body how to instantly wake up. You will need it."

Great. First day of training and now I'm being lectured? What the hell! But I decided not to argue, knowing what the Edenian princess is capable of. But the three of them got up.

"Come," Kitana gestured. "We are going to visit the Lin Kuei. Apparently, the fifth and final disciple has been found." What? Sub Zero's place? Finally! I want to know who is he or she. I just realised the current disciples are the people I know. I wonder if this last disciple is someone I recognise.

But I didn't even have breakfast yet…

While travelling, Riana slipped two buns in my hand. I looked at her and she winked. Oh sis, I love you! I gobbled down the buns hungrily. I'd be dead if I had to fight on an empty stomach. We eventually made it to the temple. God, if Bryan were here, he'd be-

"Nash!" a familiar annoying voice yelled. "Do you wanna build a snowman?" Not this shit again….He was accompanied by his mentor.

"Hey Bryan," Riana waved. She ripped a bit of the cloths on her sleeve to wrap it around Kurt. He looked like he's wearing a scarf. Bryan was eyeing Kurt. "Gurl, that colour doesn't suit him. If I were you, I'd go with sandy yellow coat velcro instead of a zipper and maybe a matching brown scarf."

Says the said guy who is wearing probably three layers of clothing consisting of a black t-shirt under a red turtle-neck sweater and a maroon coat to give the final touch. Seriously, when does this guy have time to present himself?

Riana simply listened with open ears but she herself was standing close to me. We huddle each other for warmth. Even Kurt nuzzled into the crook of my sister's neck.

"Hey!" Johnny Cage walked up to us. "You must be the other two disciples. Heard ya from Bryan. So, here we are waiting for Coldilocks to come out with his apprentice." I'll admit, the cold puns are getting to me.

Speaking of which, Sub Zero came out of the temple. He hasn't wore his mask so his goatee and full face was in view. Gotta say, he reminded me of Khal Drogo from that show my sister watches, Game of Thrones. All of us bowed to him in greeting, except Johnny Cage who gave the Grandmaster a thumbs up.

"Kitana," he nodded to the Edenia princess. "Cage and Jade. So these three must be your disciples I have heard about? There should be another one." The three of them nodded. Bryan was adjusting his glasses, Riana held Kurt close to her chest and here I am, watching everything unfolds before me.

"So where's your snowman?" Bryan interrupted. "We didn't come all this way for nothing!" This earned him a smack from the back with Jade's pole. Can't help but look at her legs…

"Well, he is coming out," Sub Zero told him. "He's almost done meditating." So it's a guy…do I know anyone am I close with in class besides Bryan? I hope it's not one of those assholes that picked on the three of us back in class. And where are Kristina and Sheeva?

Suddenly, a tall Malay guy with small facial hair emerged behind Sub Zero. He was wearing a black tank with a Meshuggah picture printed on the front. He had plain pants and is he wearing slippers?! Isn't he cold? He looks so familiar…

"Sup," he greeted dully. "The Grandmaster told me we would have visitors. I didn't expect you to come here, Riana. How did you get here in the first place?"

"Azril?!" my sister exclaimed, rushing up to meet him. Oh, Azril! Now I remember, he's a friend of Riana. They went to the same university together. How did I also know him besides him visiting our house? We went to the cafe he works part-time during the holidays. The cafe is called After Black which is the only cafe where you can have a cup of cappuccino and a slice of cake while heavy metal is played in the background. Sure, there are some pop or rap music but that place is dominated by rock. Bryan would usual asked him to switch to a song from Katy Perry, Kristina doesn't mind anything as well as I do but Riana…

Two words: Linkin Park.

I have never seen my sister sing in a cafe but as you play that band or any rock band, she'll be sure to sing the lyrics. I think Azril gave us a discount because SHE is the only one among us who have the same taste in music like him.

Is rock still popular? Who the hell still listens to Breaking Benjamin? Or Nightwish? Or even Green fucking Day!

"How the hell are you so calm?!" she demanded, shaking him. It's funny because she could only be tall as his midsection. But he simply shrugged.

"Dunno," he sighed. "One day I was coming back from home after my shift, next thing you know I am on the Xbox One. Then this happened. Nothing blows my mind, really."

"Azril," I called. "Aren't you worried or scared that all of us including you may never go back home? Or see our families again?"

He nodded. "I know. But why feel sorry about it. What matters now is to not be killed and adjust yourself. Right now, train and hone some skills. You would agree with this statement, Bryan?"

Bryan stared at him with his mouth wide open. If it stays there, he'd be having dry snow as snack. Regaining his composure he replied: "Yeah you're right. Can I have an hot hazelnut latte with a Pokeball foam art? This weather is making me thirsty."

Goddammit Bryan! How could you think of artisan coffee in a time like this?! But Azril calmly walks up to him. Sub Zero watched with interest. But I'm still baffled with how Azril is taking this so well. Like Kristina but a bit laid back.

"Bryan Lim," he sighed, gripping both his shoulders. "Are we at After Black at the moment? No. So I suggest you make and grind your own beans. When in battle, either you die and not go home or live your life as the pussy who screamed in the previous tournament."

Bryan was shocked and stepped away from him. I would be too. I turned to my sister, hoping she might give an answer to her friend's action. But she simply nodded. Wait…she has seen him like that before?!

"Bryan Lim," he murmured softly. "More like Brain Limp."

"Azril," the Cryomancer beckoned him to stop. He instantly did and bowed. "That's enough. I am certain he will learn his lesson. Now that my disciple has been introduced, who would like to spar him to redeem themselves of what happened at the tournament yesterday?"

Wait…is that the reason why Kristina is not here? Because she won? Oh man, do I even know if Azril knows any fighting stances? I then feel something heavy on my shoulder. It was Kurt.

"I will go first," Riana announced. "Just because my brother will need it more." What?!

"Then it is settled," Sub Zero confirmed. "Your brother will finish last. Now, are you ready?"

Riana got into her fighting stance and nodded. Azril stretched out a bit before facing her. "Don't hold back."

"Wasn't planning to," she grinned. Diana rushed first but Azril stayed where he was before blocking her. Once she's blocked Azril used his foot to kicked her in the sides. But Riana was not going down so easily.

She actually regained her footing, cross both arms in front of her chest to counter Azril's upcoming kick. That being said, she head-butted him in the gut. Once he's down, Riana quickly stomped on his chest.

It was too disturbing to watch.

Considering my sister's size, that one stomp could probably kill him. But Azril smirked. "You still got a fight in you. But you must learn to mind your surroundings!" He punched her in the crotch.

My sister yelped before falling on her back. Kurt screeched in distress. I tried to calm him down. Everyone watched as the both of them did not get up. My sister was clutching her nether region while Azril held his chest.

"There," the Grandmaster concluded. "A draw. A little improvement but still needs more training."

My beloved angel helped her up, supporting my sister. "You did good, Riana. We can rest up before we can train." Riana only nodded. Kurt leaped from my shoulder, running towards his owner. He climbed up with ease, nuzzling my sister's cheek. Riana petted him but looked at her fallen friend.

"You can stand?" she asked. Azril slowly got up, still clutching his chest. "Yeah, I'm fine Riana. Now, who's next?"

"Move over bitches!" Bryan pushed me aside and got in front of Azril. "You got some nerve telling me off. Now, let's see if I can keep your mouth shut."

Kitana looked at me. I don't blame her. Even Jade looked shock. "Are all of your friends like this?"

"You're about to find out."

Riana and Kurt stood next to me. But I am feeling uncomfortable when Jade decided to stand on the opposite side of me. I couldn't help it. She's too damn hot! God, what is it with me and hot women in Mortal Kombat?

Bryan gave Johnny Cage a thumbs up, which his mentor clicked his tongue in response. What is he doing? Bryan took off his coat, only leaving him in his turtleneck sweater. What's interesting is a tiny device strapped onto his stomach. No…

"Let's dance, Snowflake!" Bryan laughed, switching on the device. Music came out, loud for both Outworld and Earthrelm to hear.

Oh my gosh, look at her butt

"FUCK'S SAKE!" Riana screamed in anger. "WHY?!" Ow. I think I may bust my eardrums. Even Kurt is struggling to stay on her shoulder. Wow, I wished I have a camera to capture this moment:

Sub Zero's eyes were three times their size, shocked and confuse maybe. He even rubbed his temples in frustration. Johnny Cage…was bouncing along to the song, Kitana and Jade looked disturbed. And Riana, looked like she wanted to destroy the music device.

Azril first was confused but then it gets worse when Bryan started to twerk. Yeah, I wished I was joking but he did! I have never seen a man's face contorted into disgust. If I want exaggerate, his face will be greener than Reptile's.

God, even this fight scene is not going to last long. Why? Bryan is using his butt to knock Azril out. Let's not forget he increased the volume of the song. I don't want to hear anymore Nicki Minaj after this…

Also, some of Bryan's fighting moves were based on dance moves. When Azril is stunned, Bryan grabbed his head and…grind his pelvis to his head. Let's just say humping your opponent is more cruel than anything in this world.

I want to erase my memories of this fight!

"I'm gonna be sick…" My sister gritted her teeth. "If I ever find another music player, I'll blare out Drowning Pool in his face."

Suddenly, Azril rushed back into the temple. All of us stared at him running off. Then, vomiting was heard…

"Whoo! I won this round!" Bryan cheered while trying to strip his pants.

"PUT SOME PANTS ON!" Riana screamed before shielding Kurt's eyes at the scene. She stormed into the temple, probably checking if her friend's okay. Sub Zero cleared his throat.

"I am speechless," he admitted. "Sometimes I questioned our alliance, Cage."

"What can I say," Johnny laughed. "We're an awesome pair." Both mentor and disciple fist-bumped each other. Only now is me. I'll have to wait until Azril is alright with a stronger stomach.

In the mean time, I got to do something I have been holding back. I approached Jade slowly. "Um..Jade?"

The Edenian warrior looked at me. "What do you want?"

I looked at her right in the eye. "I want to apologise for what happened yesterday…I know you might wanna kill me now but please hear me out! I didn't know humiliating your opponents is a crime here…"

Jade sighed. "Nash, you know I will not forget what happened to me. It's your fault everyone at the tournament saw me at a vulnerable state. But as you are still inexperience, Kitana will train you as much as I will with your sister."

"So," I mumbled quietly. "Can we start this all over again?"

Jade eyed me, then nodding slowly. "Very well. I'd like to see improvements from you if we battle again." Oh, you will see me soon, baby…

Now I feel relieved, I should tell this news to Riana. After my match with Azril of course! But there's something else I want to ask my sister:

What the hell is going on between her and that Zaterran.

My god Riana, calm down! And yes, Azril is the fifth and final disciple of this story. Yay! Now let's see what the five will be facing in the next chapter. How is Nash's fight going to be with him and making amends with Jade.

If you have trouble pronouncing Azril's name, try thinking of it like this: AS-REEL.

Please leave a review and tell me what you'd like to see more of.