Hi, I'm back again and I have finished my exams! Woohoo! Now I can update my stories but will have to send it here in my university library. Not that I mind, but it feels good to write again at certain places where it is available.

So yeah, you weren't expecting a Reptile lemon, did you? Well, there's more lemons not only with our boy, Nash but with other characters in my OCs as well so look out!

And please enjoy the story!

Chapter 22

3rd P.O.V

Azril was never the type for parties. All his life, he usual leaned against the walls as he watched the event unfold before his very eyes. Observing was a useful key when you don't socialise much. But he will do what he could to satisfy other people's needs rather than his own. He watched as some people were chatting away like starlings or laughing like maniacs over cups of wine. He himself could never drink. Not even a shot.

It would damage his liver and it would've resulted in him being useless. He despised being useless to people's eyes.

Sighing deeply, he drank a bit of water from his glass. He could not understand why some ladies in their fancy dress or attire that required more skin needed to follow or crowd around him. He had Nash to be the women's magnet or even Bryan despite him getting a beatdown from either gender. When some women from the party invited him to dance with them for fun, he politely refused for he himself doesn't have the lively vibe like his friends.

Speaking of friends, he wondered if they truly accepted him for who he is or they just hung around him out of fear and pity. He shook his head to dismiss the negative idea. 'No. Riana accepted me for who I am. In return, I am her logic. Nash is like the brother I never had since my own brother abandoned me for a very good reason.'

Which was true, since he couldn't express himself even if he wanted to. He learnt that rational thinking was the only solution to survive. If he is careful, he might even get some valuable resources from his crafty mindset. For now, he will have to play a different game. Similar with life and death but more strategies and wits than skilled movesets. Then, Azril felt a cold yet firm hand on his shoulder.

"Aren't you going to socialise?" asked Sub Zero. Azril noted that his mentor was wearing the outfit he used in tournament where it covered his biceps and chest to conceal his identity as a Grandmaster. The mask he wore too shield his beard from any women who were interested in 'small talks' with him. How women found men with beards attractive was a mystery to him.

"I'm not sure who to socialise with," Azril sighed. "Don't worry about me, Grandmaster. Please, enjoy your time or attend to your matters. I can manage."

"Azril," Sub Zero's voice was a bit stern. "You are my disciple. And as your mentor, it is my duty to be concern about your well being. There is nothing wrong with socialising with anyone. We are talking at the moment so that's your starting point."

Azril only nodded. There's no point arguing when you don't have backup thesis or evidence to assist you to counter. He and Sub Zero talked about what's coming for them. He deduced that Shao Kahn may want to conquer and merge Earthrealm with Outworld and Edenia. He hoped it is this game's Earth and not the Earth he and his friends came from. As much as he is making a small earning of Koins, he wants to go home more than anything.

Only because he is more familiar with the roads of Kuala Lumpur than the different realms in Mortal Kombat.

"I'm sorry we have to bring Frost," Sub Zero patted the young man's shoulder apologetically. "She went on a rampage back at the temple due to the changes we need to make so the best thing to do is bring her out with us."

"She lacks humility," this time Sub Zero sighed. "But I hoped this event could teach her a thing or two. She has been obsessed with you, Azril."

Azril snorted. "More like an easy target to pick on. After all, I am the outisder so I am treated as such. I am sorry that I am an extra weight you have to worry about."

But Sub Zero made Azril looked at him in the eye. "Stop doubting yourself now. You can brood later. Right now, we need to work together if we make out of this event alive, full limbs and stable sanity."

Azril wanted to smile but he couldn't.

In fact, he had forgotten how.

"Hey, Snowflake!" a loud voice caught his attention. He rolled his eyes as it was Bryan who ran up to him and his mentor. He checked him up and down to judge his attire.

Bryan wore the most tight suit and pants anyone could ever imagined. His dance pants was a shade of grey-black while he wore a long-sleeved shirt with collar. His buttons were flashed with gold along with his cuff links. Azril sometimes wondered where did he learnt how to make and choose his own style of clothing.

Honestly, Azril would where what was available and fitting for an event. He doesn't need to stand out. Following the mass seemed like a better option because no one will ever suspect you of committing anything out of the ordinary. Then again, he lacks better judgment of people because he had limited time to indulge in himself.

Besides, other people's needs are more important than your own, right?

"Wow," Bryan whistled lowly. "You look fine, Azril! Any ladies you scored tonight?"

"If you mean winning a woman's heart," Azril sighed. "No. And I am not interested. Just coming here is enough."

Bryan frowned. How could anyone be content by just coming and not socialising. They're humans for god's sake! Socialising is what people crave for and if they do not have at least one person to confide to or have a conversation with, their mental health would be at risk.

"Come on~" he whined, tugging the older guy's sleeve. "The night is young and there's so much to do! Why don't I show you what we can do. Maybe you could give me some pointers in fighting, eh?"

Azril looked at his mentor, who gave him a gesture to mingle with other people. In fact, Sub Zero would like to observe how his disciple interact since he's an excellent barista at the cafe. Also, he is a skilled fighter who could keep his cool without breaking down so easily.

So, he allowed Bryan to lead him by the sleeve to the centre of the party. Azril noticed people were only indulging in mild conversations. No one was dancing, not even a single tournament or match was made. The emperor Shao Kahn was lazing on his throne, obviously bored from this even. Though, Azril has never seen the tanned short-hair woman next to him. When their eyes met, she had a small smirked on his face.

Azril's expression hasn't changed the slightest bit.

"Yo peeps!" Bryan called out to the four people chatting among themselves. They were Cassie Cage, Jacqui Briggs, Takeda and Kung Jin. The four of them looked at Bryan with a mix of surprised and disgust. Well, can you blame them for having Bryan under the same roof as them?

Then their expressions changed when they saw Azril walking towards them. Something does not sit right with him, so the others thought. Azril regarded them with a nod and nothing more. "Guys," Bryan shook his taller friend excitedly. "I'd like to to meet my old pal, Azril. Come on, Azril! Don't be shy and say hello."

"Hey," Azril greeted them with a sigh. He does not know what else to say. It's best to be silent as he has short words to say to anyone, really.

"Nice to meet you," Kung Jin gave him a friendly smile, reaching out his hand to shake in greeting. Azril returned the gesture, seeing it is necessary or else things will end badly. "I'm Kung Jin and this is Cassie, Takeda and Jacqui."

"Azril," Azril introduced himself with a sigh. Everyone except Bryan were mildly surprised by how emotionless he greeted him. Even the sparkle in his eyes seemed dull and hollow in comparison. The four Special Forces team were unsure how to communicate with him.

"Azril!" Bryan scolded him lightly. "Come on, you can do better than that! Try saying something in a sentence. You can't answer with just a word!"

Azril became quiet. He does not want to hold a light conversation with anyone at the moment. He's thinking about what his mentor had told him about Frost being here with them. She was nothing more than his rival. Always interrupting him when he decided to read his manga he bought from a dealer at the marketplace. Apparently, Outworld has a lot of hidden dealers selling Earthrealm goods. One happened to be the mangas he never had.

"I am Sub Zero's disciple," he told the four Special Forces members without a pause. "Not a cryomancer like him or Elsa but I am learning how to use what I have in battle."

"There you go!" Bryan nodded in encouragement. He looked over at the four with a nervous smile. "He's not a social butterfly. I'm trying to help him out." Azril scoffed, for it's not really necessary for Bryan to help him with this trifle matter. But the Special Forces team were slightly impressed that the Bryan they thought was just an annoying boy who has no concern for others.

Well, he's still annoying but they never thought he would help out someone so willingly.

"The Lin Kuei master's apprentice, huh?" Takeda commented. "I guessed that makes us rivals in a way. I was trained by my master, Hanzo Hasashi at the Shirai Ryu. Fire and ice are the biggest rivals."

"I am aware," Azril nodded. He didn't want to tell Takeda that he knew his master from playing the game. It would be awkward. Or they would call him crazy for a heartbeat. He noticed the young son of Kenshi stealing glances at Jax's daughter, Jacqui. It was a sweet gesture, reminding him of his shojou anime and manga.

"But I'm not a pyromaster," Takeda told him. "I rely on my whips in battle. How about you?"

"Daggers," he answered bluntly. The was an awkward silence among all of them.

"So where are your daggers?" Jacqui enquired. She was adjusting her cybernetic gloves she made in honour of her father, who lost both of his arms and were replaced with heavy metallic ones he used in battle. Azril wondered if Riana got her idea for her weapon from the Briggs family.

"Hidden in my sleeves," Azril replied. He rolled up one of his sleeves of his jacket to show them his sharp daggers. He knew exactly how to sew pouches to keep them hidden. Well, he had to learn other domestic skills to adapt into any environment. Sewing, cooking, cleaning tabletops and polishing silverwares, you name it. Always back home he had to entertain the guests that came to his home while his mother either isolates herself in her room or was out for a long period, leaving everything to him.

Of course, here is different.

"Impressive," Cassie whistled. "You made the hidden pouches yourself?"

Azril simply nodded. All the four Earthrealmers were murmuring to themselves. Azril rather not eavesdrop or it would end badly for him. He decided to pull Bryan away from them, his way of saying he wants to be somewhere else.

"Come on!" Bryan whined. "You were doing so well! I was hoping you would be more approachable."

"It tires me easily," Azril sighed. "Watching the party is already enough for me."

Before Bryan could say something, Azril tackled him to the ground as a blast of ice was almost inches away in freezing the young boy. Bryan screamed from the sudden force of Azril. He was trembling beneath him as Azril looked back at the attacker.

"Frost," he murmured at the angry female member of the Lin Kuei. She was still trying to kill him despite the number of times she had been defeated by him in every sparring matches or her surprise attack.

"What the fuck!" Bryan exclaimed. "Who's that chick, your girlfriend?"

"Rival," he answered sharply. He got into position to defend himself from her attacks. Bryan scrambled towards the side among the crowd of people who began to watch them. Even the tyrant ruler Shao Kahn seemed fascinated by this tall young man about to battle the hotheaded female cryomancer. An irony, really.

"Azril, I choose you!" Bryan points his finger directly at Azril to make him fight. Azril rolled his eyes at his friend's attempt at referencing. But he stepped into Frost's opposite direction, readying his stance for battle. Unlike Frost's obvious anger, Azril was indifferent about this. If he wins, Frost will think of another way or if she wins, he'll have to use defence with anything that is considered a weapon.

"Are you ready?" he asked dully. Frost's answer was an enraged growl as she charged forward with her hands ready with her ice powers. Azril simply stepped away, allowing Frost to trip on her own feet and the ice was shot to an innocent bystander who just walked into the fray. When Frost charged at him again, she made an icicle dagger out of her powers. Azril sighed. If she wants to fight with a weapon, than so will him.

Taking out the dagger hidden in his sleeves like a magician, he deflected her easily. He could hear the crowds gasped in awe and even cheering for the both of them. Azril can't understand why do people see this as entertaining. Either him or her will die tonight. He guessed this must be what the Romans felt in the when gladiator matches became a sort of entertainment. Blood, violence, rape, hypocrisy. All the qualities to be a civilian.

How tragic as a human being, really.

Then, Frost's dagger ripped across his suit which revealed a bit of him underneath. Bryan was calling her a 'bitch' and swearing in different languages Azril couldn't decipher. Bryan was hit on the head to shut up. Azril was too focused on the woman who wants to slit his throat. But at the same time, he's disappointed at his torn shirt.

"You really have to be this difficult?" Azril asked her as he dodged another attack. "It took me a week to save money to buy this suit. Oh well, at least I brought my needle and thread."

"He has a sewing kit?!" Bryan yelled. "What kind of guy brings a sewing kit to a gala?! Or battle?!"

"I guessed he wants everything to be in order," his mentor, Johnny Cage chuckled in amusement. He has never met anyone like Bryan's friend who won't express an emotion and is efficient in all of his work. Gotta give props to him.

As Frost attacked again, Azril dodged while sewing his torn shirt. The crowd was amazed at how a young man could fight and sew his clothes at the same time. In fact, there isn't a scratch on him at all. Sub Zero watched his disciple with pride but his expression changed when he watched Frost attacking him without any rational thought. He was hoping in a way, Azril would teach her about how to think logically while Frost could teach his disciple that emotions are needed to balance the soul.

A dangerous game he is playing and if he missed a step, there's no end for the both of them.

"FINISH HER!" Shang Tsung commanded as Azril knocked Frost down by giving her a square kick right on the cheek. He placed his foot on her chest to prevent her from moving. Her grunting and struggling to get him off was futile. Bryan was cheering for his friend. He was so glad that Azril is not going to die.

"No," Azril shook his head. The crowd gasped. No one dared to defy the rules while the emperor was watching. Azril looked into both Shao Kahn and Shang Tsung's eyes. "Better keep her alive for she will have a different tactic in killing me."

"How dare you defy-" Shang Tsung stopped when the emperor raised his hand to silenced the sorcerer. His eyes behind his bone helmet bore into Azril's with power, where no one said a wore and neither did Azril.

"So," the emperor murmured. "You want to keep her alive because she plans on killing you in various methods?"

"Most likely," Azril confirmed. Bryan's jaws dropped from the decision his friend made. He's willing to let himself die?! Does he not want to go home to his family at all?

"Then," Shao Kahn announced. "Wish granted! I hope to see you in the upcoming tournaments. But try and make anymore requests, you will be the first volunteer to die by my chosen sport. Am I clear?"

"Yes, emperor," Azril bowed down to him, an action he observed from others who have interacted with the tyrant leader. It's better to know everything than know nothing. He then noticed how everyone in the crowd was silent and some had their mouths agape. Azril will never understood that gesture at all.

He stepped away from Frost, allowing Sub Zero to carried her away. Both of them met eye-to-eye, indicating that they'll discuss this further in detail back at the Lin Kuei temple.

Bryan ran towards him, gripping both his shoulders to shake the insanity he just has witnessed. "Azril dude, what the hell were you thinking?! No one makes deals with Shao Kahn!"

"It was necessary," Azril shrugged. "Besides, you would do the same thing if you were pressured to kill in front of a whole crowd. Everyone would fear you and then try their best to kill you because how you decided to execute the fallen."

Bryan blinked. To be honest, Azril has a point. If he is going to stay in this world forever, he'll have to improvise.

And it all begins by facing the music.

…

Kristina never would have thought she would be stuck in this predicament. She wondered if Riana had ever been in a situation where she has no choice but to entertain two well-endowed men in a storytelling conversation about the sports she played or even popular culture.

Wait, did she really thought of the both of them as well-endowed. She must be out of her mind! Then again, why think where as you could act to get the job done easily?

"So basically," Kristina began her explanation to both Ermac and Erron Black. They were sitting at a round table, with a few glasses of whiskeys and even a few grapes. Funny as it sounds but Kristina kinda enjoyed how they took in her story. It's nice when someone takes interest in the games or sports she played and wanted to know more about it. "It's a shooting game between teams and you fire paint bullets if you caught the other team. Winner takes it all kinda thing."

"Interesting," the construct murmured with curiosity. From this girl's explanation, it sounded like an something the gunslinger would participate in. But he too would like to try it. His body is decomposing from maintaining all the souls that resided within him. He could hear them snickering but he mentally blocked all of them to listen to Kristina in peace. "Will you show us sometimes?"

"Sure thing, Ermac!" Kristina nodded excitedly. She never would have thought Ermac would be interested. "Though all the equipments would be back at my world. A damn shame. We'll just have to make due with the guns McCree ripoff has along with me."

Erron Black was unamused at what Kristina had called him. He took another gulp of his drink. He'll admit that she looked cute with her smirk. "Is that a challenge, darlin'?"

"Not your darling," Kristina smirked. "And I've been practicing through paintballs and skeet shooting. One day, I'll get you into my sights at high noon~"

"We'll see about that," the cowboy smiled behind his mask. This girl would be the end of him! He never would have thought he'd found great company in a trash bag of ghosts and a scrawny girl who could tugged him hard. Not that he's complaining!

"Anyways," Kristina sighed as she mixed her wine with a bit of whiskey. "You guys looked strong enough to handle things on your own. Why take orders from Shao Kahn?"

"He's more powerful than all of us combined," Ermac answered. "We understood your concern but there are no other alternatives. Unless you have a proposition."

"Dunno," Kristina shrugged. "Not a strategist like my friends but I guessed we'll have to observe Kahn's actions and movements. Ermac, you served under him so I bet you know him better than anyone else."

The construct had never felt this way of being asked of anything. He was commanded to serve and be the weapon for the emperor. He sighed, even the souls in him went quiet.

"Sadly it's very vague."

You think we'll find a replacement?" Erron Black asked. "So long as he could pay me than what the current one has offered and is not a maniac. And to overthrow him would be idiotic if you want to die young. But I guessed either one of you disciples will have to since he brought y'all here."

Kristina nodded. "Yeah, I guessed we'll have to take matters into our own hands. Say Ermac, you can teleport, right? Why don't we go and investigate for some clues in Kahn's bedroom? I think we might found our solution from there."

"Perhaps," Ermac nodded slowly. "But are you willing to risk it?"

"Good day to die hard," Kristina finger-gunned him. "Hey McCree wannabe, wanna join us?"

"Don't call me that."

"Aww," Kristina cooed, poking the cowboy's arm. "You're no fun but are you in or not?"

"I have nothing else better to do," the cowboy confirmed. "I'll pretend didn't hear that."

After it is confirmed that the three of them are willing to investigate, Ermac teleported them into the emperor's room. He still is baffled why the souls in him were snickering or even placing bets in in. He tried to mentally block them like before but their excitement grew louder in him.

He hoped it was temporary.

Aww, I think Bryan and Azril were acting like brothers in this chapter. The big frigid brother who has to deal with his annoying little brother. Kinda bold of him to ask Shao Kahn for a request. Yet he impressed everyone and even got favours but won't express it, huh?

Smile dammit! What a frigid bitch!

And Kristina, you and the men better not find trolls in the dungeon or get caught in the Whomping Willows! You will get deducted from earning points!

Please review and tell me what do you think of Azril's decision or Kristina's weird friendship.