I am not sure if I really want to make this chapter a drabble or not. But yeah, the battle is about to start and a hint of lemon will come in this chapter~ Oh I better play sexy music as I write this chapter. What song can I recommend for this?

I don't know! I am just mixing most songs I know on my computer while writing this. So, let's get on with the story!

Chapter 9

It took a while before Azril can fully recover from Bryan's 'attack'. Can I really call that an attack? I think Bryan just violated Azril's dignity in front of his mentor. He was sitting cross-legged with a cup of green tea while Riana and Kurt sat opposite.

They're doing their best to comfort him. Well, what do you expect from a guy who works at a cafe with his favourite selection of rock and heavy metal bands. Pop and rock really are the big wars in the music industry. Rap is almost close.

"Think of your favourite song at the moment," my sister encouraged. "Think of Avenged Sevenfold or maybe Slayers."

He only sighed loudly. Not even Kurt, who approached him to climb on his arm was pushed away. Man, poor guy! I patted him on the back. "Hey Azril. Feeling alright? Sorry about Bryan though."

He took a deep breath before nodded. "Yeah. Didn't expect Bryan to pull off a stunt like that. Hell, didn't know he would actually dance aggressively."

"Only Bryan," I chuckled. "Take your time. We're going to be here until Kitana and Jade call us to leave. Oh, Kristina is the other disciple in case you're wondering."

He grunted. "I know Kristina. The news that came out yesterday spreads like wildfire here. But I got to say, I'm impressed. Ermac could've pulled out her intestines like from The Mummy movies. Through her nose…"

"Knowing Kristina," my sister added. "She could handle herself in any situation. You know, she wanted to beat the shit out of Kahn when we first met him."

Smiling, I left the two- no three of them to continue their chat. Maybe a walk around would help me ease my mind. I'm gonna need it since I may be fighting Sub Zero's disciple after all. I just hope Azril is okay.

But I stopped my tracks with a view that I won't get tired of: Jade warming up. Well, I can't help myself can't I? Not when you have a beautiful woman of light ebony skin in an outfit that could practically make me hard.

Her graceful skills, her eyes…God, I-

"Hey," a voice interrupted. "What are we looking at~" In reflex, I quickly punched the person close to my personal space. It was Bryan.

"Seriously Nash," he groaned. "Do you really have to punch me when I asked you something?"

"Why can't you stop snooping?" I asked him angrily. There are times when I am annoyed with him. This is one of them. But Bryan only grinned like a Chessy-Cat. "What's this? Nash has a boner for Jade! Oh my god, I'm so-"

I quickly covered his mouth, shoving him to the wall. "Why can't you keep your mouth shut? Do you want to let me die?!"

Unfortunately, my voice was loud enough to make the Edenian beauty stare at the both of us. Great…just fucking great! My one and only chance to reconcile with Jade may be ruin due to Bryan's busybody attitude. Getting the message, Bryan scrambled off somewhere, probably looking for Johnny Cage. I am waiting for a beatdown but she simply approached me.

"Nash," she said my name which is like music to my ears. "Is everything alright?" I nodded vigorously.

"Then," she continued. "I'd like to show you something tonight. It's just to get to know one another." I blushed. Is this really coming true? Am I finally getting to know my sexy Edenian warrior on a personal level? I better tell Riana this! Without thinking, I accepted the offer.

Finally! I can spend time with the woman of my dreams. A smile was plastered onto my face as Sub Zero called me to fight his disciple. I'm glad Azril looks well, he needs it if he wants to survive. Then again, I am pretty sure he will be fine.

When the fight begun, I decided to allow him to make the first move. From the previous fights, both Riana and Bryan in a way used offence instead of defence. I'm going with the second option. When I did, Azril moves forward into my trap.

Before he could throw a punch, I grabbed his fist before twisting his right arm which caused him to grunt in pain. But I was not expecting a swing from his other hand to my face. Literally, Azril's slap was strong enough to make me stumble back.

"OOHH!" Bryan cried. "Nash got bitch slapped!"

Regaining my footing, I rushed forward to attack his stomach. He may be taller, swifter than me but I have the muscles to bring more damage. He dodged my attack so I have to come up with another strategy: Making him tired.

So I either use the offence attacks and then tried to dodge his upcoming attacks. Seeing him struggle to keep up, I took this opportunity to kick him in the face! What surprised me is how he countered my kick with his! Oh, I see a challenge now! We kept up the pace, hoping one of us will fall.

Eventually, the both of us were sweaty and tired. I can hardly think or hear the background noises. I can only focus on my opponent. Seeing Azril so wobbly on feet gave me an idea. I ran forward, he got into a stance as I when he was about to counter with a punch, I ducked then kicked him at the thighs to make him fall. Once he fell, I placed my foot at his chest. The both of us stare into each other's eyes, waiting for the fight to even. In the end, Azril's eyes soften and he looked up at me with defeat.

I won the match.

Bryan was whooping with joy, Riana gave me two thumbs up and my mentor, Kitana was smiling in approval. Yes! Now I have redeemed myself from that incident, I'll have to prove myself in the next tournament. Looking down at my opponent, I stepped back to allow him to catch his breath. Then, I offered my hand to help him up.

"Looks like you've proved yourself" Azril commented. "Then it won't be a problem for us to meet in the next match."

"Yeah," I smiled. "I didn't hurt you too badly, did I?

He shook his head. "Nash, in Mortal Kombat no one is going to show mercy to you. Even if we are friends. So I suggest you prepare yourself for the worse." He was about to leave when-

"Hey Snowflake!" Bryan called which made him cringed. "Where are you going?"

"First off, don't call me Snowflake," Azril sighed. "Second, I am going to meditate. Something you don't do to calm yourself in a situation like this."

Oh snap! This left Bryan with his mouth hung open. But he recovered before tossing me something into my hands. It was a balloon that wasn't blown up. I glared at him.

"You'll thank me later!" he cackled before running off to find Johnny Cage.

Just after I was congratulated, I went to find Riana. I wanted to ask her about something. She's outside watching the snow all by herself. I sat down next to her. We didn't say anything to each other. Just the howling of the wind while the snow falls is already a peaceful moment between us. Then, my sister decided to break the ice.

"You did good," she complimented. "That was an awesome technique."

"Yeah," I cleared my throat. "So about the time the both of us were at the Flesh Pits, what's going on between you and Reptile?"

My sister snapped her head at me. "What do you mean?" I don't know if it is the cold but her face looked red.

"How the hell did you get comfortable talking to him?" I demanded. "Reptile isn't someone that will open up and talk willingly."

Riana shrugged. "Beats me. He asked about Kurt so I answered for him. Then it went on from there. Gotta say, he knows where to find the juiciest grubs for our little dragon."

"You mean YOUR dragon," I arched a brow. But if this is the answer, then I won't ask further. But I'm keeping an eye on Reptile if he ever shows up. I'll interrogate him if he's alone.

…

After visiting the Lin Kuei, we decided to head back to Edenia. While Kitana and Jade were at the front, I have the opportunity to tell the good news to my sister. She was rubbing Kurt's back to calm him down.

"Guess what?" I nudged her excitedly. "Guessed who made up with Jade~"

Riana turned to pull me into a hug. She was squealing softly. Even Kurt climbed on my head as a way of congratulating me. "Alright! So you're going with her tonight, right?"

I nodded excitedly. But her expression changed to a frown. "Nash, aren't you forgetting something?"

Wait, did I? My sister groaned in frustration before whispering into my ear. "Nash, you're supposed to train Mileena tonight. You promised Shang Tsung, remember?"

Oh shit! How the fuck could I forgot about that! Shang Tsung will sure turn me into ashes if I don't show up. But I promise Jade…

"Sis!" I begged her. "Please help me! I promised to make amends with Jade. I don't want to blow this."

My sister eyed me sternly. "You know this is your problem, right? You must learn how to take full responsibility of your decisions."

"I know!" I shook her shoulder. I am about to have a panic attack. "But please cover up for me just for tonight. I will let you know every detail of my time with Jade once we get back."

"Hmm," she sniffed. "I'm not sure about this. I kinda want to rest for tonight."

"Pleeeaaasse!" I pleaded. "Just for one night."

"Fine," she sighed. "But you owe me big times. And I want the juiciest details when you get back."

I tackled her into a hug and squeezed her. Kurt nipped my hand, honestly not liking the sudden tackle from where he was sitting. "You're the best big sister ever!"

Riana rolled her eyes. "Well, you're my only brother. But that doesn't mean I'll let this one slide."

So the decision has been made. I'll go out with Jade tonight while Riana can train Mileena.

…

Third P.O.V

'Nash, I'm going to kill you when I get out of here alive!' Riana thought angrily as she dodged another fatal attack from the female Tarkatan. She was now wearing her skimpy pink outfit that covered her nipples and the nether region. Riana was more worried about those serrated teeth.

She was so glad that Kurt was left behind at the Edenian Palace. At least he is safe from being eaten or become a toy for Mileena to play with. It was difficult enough to convince Shang Tsung that her brother is exhausted from his battle with her friend today. She kept counting her lucky stars on how many times she will survive for today.

"You're a lot slower than your brother~" the Tarkatan purred. "But you look tasty with all that flesh!"

"Believe me," Riana panted. "You'd die from eating me." She wished she could have a weapon or at least gloves that are strong enough to break the Tarkatan's teeth.

The fight lasted for what seemed like hours. Riana was about to collapse from fighting. But Mileena didn't feel like fighting again. "When your brother comes, tell him I'll be waiting~"

"Not on my watch, bitch!" Riana growled before giving Mileena the black eye which she howled in pain. Mileena was about to retaliate when Shang Tsung demanded her to follow him. She glared at Riana before following the sorcerer out of the room. Riana collapsed onto the floor in exhaustion.

"Do humans really do that when they are tired?" a raspy voice inquired. Riana didn't have to look up to know that it was the Zaterran. She had forgotten he was watching the so called 'match' the whole time. He didn't even made a sound.

"Honestly Reptile," Riana sighed. "I'm too tired to even answer that."

But the reptilian warrior just knelt down to get a closer look. He was still curious about this human. From all the fighters and Earthrealmers he had encountered, no one has ever had a conversation that does not involve death threats or insults to provoke him. Instead, she talked to him like a friend. Plus, she allowed him to let her pet wander on him freely. Shaking his head, he laid down next to her.

"Are you going to eat me?" Riana asked dully. Honestly she doesn't care at the moment. She just wants to be on her bed, with Kurt next to her. She propped herself onto the side to take a good look at him. Reptile may look scary with the lizard-like appearance, the hint of acid dripping from the corner of his mouth and his eyes which reminded her of an iguana's but from their previous conversation, he seems alright to her.

In fact, she doesn't know how she can be so comfortable around him.

"It would be a shame," he hissed. "Then we wouldn't have this conversation. Let me ask you this: why aren't you afraid of reptiles?"

Riana chuckled. "You won't believe me if I told you this: I was fearful of any cold-blooded animal. It kinda stopped when I turned ten. I don't know, it just happened. Can't explain that to you."

"Then you got your pet?" he asked. She nodded. "Where is he by the way?"

So Riana told him how she left her beard dragon back at the palace. For safety reasons. The Zaterran only listened attentively. He never knew he'd be listening to someone for a conversation rather than an order. It felt new to him. In fact, he doesn't mind having this human for company.

"I want to ask you something," Riana this time sat up. "Why work for Shao Kahn? You have awesome abilities to camouflage into your surroundings, you can spit acid at the people and you can stretch your tongue. How is it that someone like you with those abilities work for someone like Kahn? He's appearance screams 'untrustworthy' to me."

The reptilian warrior stood up, looking away. Riana wanted to know. Who knows how long Shang Tsung is going to keep her here in her brother's place so might as well she has someone to talk to.

"He promised me," he told her quietly. "He'll bring back my race."

Riana didn't know what to say. She didn't know he's the last of his kind. He must be very lonely. To add salt into the wound, he is seen as a monster. Without thinking, she stood up and gently touched his scaley arm. This took the Zaterran by surprised.

"Reptile, I may not be the best at comforting," she told him. "But I'm sorry you're the last of your kind. But that won't stop you for fighting, right? We'll just have to make the best of things. Just know, there are some people who will help you."

Reptile could only close his eyes before facing her. "I see. How long do you think you'll be here?"

Riana shrugged. "Until Shang Tsung sends me back to Edenia. In the mean time, what do you want to do?"

"Honestly, this is as interesting as it gets."

Riana smiled. She has a found a new friend in the Mortal Kombat world besides her own mentor. Speaking of her mentor, she wondered where Jade went with her brother. She hoped they went to a place that's better than this Flesh Pit.

Oh where is the lemon? Ha ha, I tricked you! It will be in the next chapter. That and maybe we see more of our disciples interact with other MK characters. This chapter was supposed to be Nash's fight with Azril. Tell me what you think!

Also, I noticed there isn't that much fics for Reptile, is there?

Leave a review and tell me what you think!