A/N: This take place a few days after the final scene of MK: Rebirth. Read that for details.

The streets of Deacon City was a cesspool of crime and corruption.

It's been rampant since the attack a few years ago orchestrated by Anarky. The vigilante known as Kabal put a stop to the terrorist, but it wasn't enough. The bombings took a large toll on the city. It was doubtful it would ever be rebuilt completely. Then the tournament happened. They released a known criminal out into the world, but they got another in return.

But there were a few that fought. Not many. But a few. They continuously fought against the disease that infested Deacon City's streets. The vigilante was out there, everyone knew. But sightings had ceased. In fact, the only reason anyone knew he was still alive was that known criminals were found dead. The manhunt continued every day.

It was a different crime that swordsman Kenshi Takahashi was responding to today however.

They got a rather strange 911 call. The person on the line sounded scared and specifically asked for Kenshi.

And Kenshi alone.

He was given a deadline of 30 minutes.

So, he suited up and left. He chose to walk. Roughly twenty minutes later, he arrived at the location provided. He stopped in front of the door and pressed his right ear with his finger.

"I'm here," he spoke quickly.

"Congratulations, you're halfway there," the voice on the other end of the communicator replied. "And with plenty of time to spare."

"Good for me." Kenshi rubbed his hand on the door. "So I just walk right in?"

"Yep. That's what the call said, at least."

"Gotcha. Oh, and Kurt?"

"Yes, honey?"

"Don't get into any trouble while I'm gone."

A chuckle on the other end. Kenshi hung up and turned the door handle. He heard the tumblers shift as the door creaked open. He listened closely before taking a few tentative steps inside. It looked as though this place used to be a hotel. At least that was the vibe he was getting from it. To his left was a receptionist's desk. To his right was a couch. Nothing else, really. Wait. There was a bar as well.

Before he went further in, he stopped. Giving a quick sniff of the air, he dropped to the floor.

Three shurikens flew threw the air and embedded themselves in the door. Kenshi pulled out his gun, jumped to his feet, and dived behind the nearest form of cover. Unfortunately for him, the nearest form of cover was a couch. He took the safety off, put in a full magazine, and waited.

He put his finger to his ear. "Stryker, I need back up."

Static.

"Stryker?"

"He can't hear you," a voice called out. It was deep and quite hoarse. "Once you entered the building, all electronics were jammed. That just leaves you and me."

"Yeah, I got that," Kenshi muttered to himself. "Who the hell are you anyway?"

Kenshi focused his hearing. He couldn't detect anyone in the same room as him. That's what he thought at least.

His attacker leaped over cover, sending two more of his throwing stars at Kenshi. The swordsman held out a hand, blocking the projectiles with his telekinetic powers. His face scrunched up as he sent them back.

The attacker dodged one but caught the other. He chuckled before dropping it. "Looks like you got my invitation. Name's Mavado."

Kenshi raised an eyebrow as he straightened himself out. "You made the call?"

Mavado was dressed in mostly black. He wore a mask over his face, with only his eyes showing. On his back was a ninjato and a collapsible staff. He wore a leather trench coat, a black shirt, and black combat pants. The trench coat only had a sleeve on the right arm, with a gauntlet strapped to his left hand. On his hip was a M1911A1 pistol. Across his chest was a bandolier of grenades and various pouches.

He reached for the staff and pressed a button. It extended to it's full length before he gave it a slight twirl. "You, my friend, are going to be a lot of fun."

Mavado charged Kensh, swinging his staff downard. The swordsman rolled out of the way, before sending a heel kick into Mavado's side. He let out a hiss of pain, but jerked the staff backwards. Kenshi grabbed ahold of the weapon before pulling it close to him. He sent an elbow into Mavado's sternum before twisting his arm and hitting his nose with the back of his fist.

The both broke apart. "You're good," Mavado stated, giving his staff a brief twirl. "But, just a fair warning, I've been holding back."

Without another second's hesitation, Mavado leaped forward and slammed the staff down on Kenshi's shoulder. The swordsman shouted in pain, before the staff smacked him in the face. He staggered back before the weapon was driven into his stomach. Mavado pulled the staff back before giving him a left hook across the face. He then left the staff fall so that he was grabbing the very end of it before swinging around. It hit Kenshi in the right bicep.

"Come on!" Mavado shouted. "You've got to be better than this! You were doing so well before!" Kenshi gritted his teeth and pulling out the katana on his back. The Sword of Sento. It glowed a bright blue as he pulled it from its scabbard. "The Sword of Sento," Mavado proclaimed, clapping. "Now this is a party!"

The swordsman ignored his words. Instead he ran up and began slashing. Each blow was blocked by the staff. He swung down? Blocked. He swung in from the side. Mavado jumped out of the way before performing a backflip, kicking Kenshi square in the jaw. After Mavado landed, and Kenshi's teeth stopped chattering, he held out a hand and ripped the staff out of his hand.

It flew through the air before landing behind the couch. Mavado wasted no time in pulling out his sword and clashing with the Sento. Kenshi jumped through the air and landed next to Mavado, attempting to slash him across the side. The merc blocked the blow before sending a fist towards the swordsman. Kenshi dodged to the left, performing a leg sweep. The maneuver knocked Mavado to the ground. When he fell on his back, all the air was knocked out of his lungs. But he saw the blade coming down on his head, so he quickly rolled out of the way.

As an effect, the Sento was driven into the floor. Mavado took this opportunity to rush to his feet and tackle Kenshi. The merc used his momentum to send them both into the opposite wall. When they crashed into it, this time Kenshi's air was knocked out.

Mavado rammed him with his shoulder before bringing his sword up. He attempted to drive it into the sword, but Kenshi pushed him away telekinetically. Mavado flew through the air, crashing into the couch and caused it to fall over. It offered him enough cover so that he could regain his bearings quickly.

"This has been fun, Kenshi," Mavado called out. "But it's time to end this."

He jumped up from behind cover, ready to pounce. If only his sword wasn't ripped from his hand and landed in Kenshi's. Before Mavado could react, Kenshi held out his hand, the Sento flying into it. The swordsman glared at Mavado as best he could, which was hard, considering the blindfold. But one could say he pulled it off.

Mavado chuckled. "Well," he sighed, "this is embarrassing."

With his quick reflexes, he pulled out his pistol and began foreign madly. Kenshi dropped Mavado's sword before diving out of the way. Mavado fired four shots, smiling all the while. He laughed as Kenshi struggled to find a place to hide.

"Run all you want, swordsman!" Mavado grinned. "You ain't getting away!" Then a ringing filled the air. Mavado groaned. He reached into his pouch and pulled out a phone. "Yeah?... Yeah, he's right here... Nope, not even close. Running scared… You're done already? Alright. I'm still getting my pay?... Then it was a pleasure serving you."

He snapped the phone shut. "You're in luck, Kenshi. I'm done."

"What?" Kenshi was thoroughly confused at this point, letting the swords droop slightly.

"Yep," the merc replied, putting his gun back in its holster. He walked over, picked up the staff, and returned it to his back. "I've done my job. You're free to go."

Kenshi blinked. "The hell are you talking about?"

Mavado rolled his eyes before sighing. "I was paid to distract you. Not kill you. Someone else is getting that little pleasure."

"I hate to disappoint you, but I'm not dying anytime soon," Kenshi hissed.

"Uh-huh, sure. Look, it's been fun. I had some laughs, you had some laughs, we fought a bit, it was great. Let's call it a draw. 'kay?"

Kenshi shook his head in disbelief. The nerve of this guy to think that he was just walking away like that. Not once had any of his fights stopped because they had 'done their job.' They either fought to the death or surrendered before he shoved his blade in their throat. At the very least, he'd never been interrupted by a phone call.

"If you think you're getting away, you're even more delusional than I thought."

Mavado clapped his hands together before taking that deep breath. "Here's the thing… you really don't have a say in this." He opened his hands, a small marble falling to the ground. He gave Kenshi a wink before it fell to the floor.

That tiny marble was actually a flashbang. It didn't blind him whatsoever, you can't blind a blind man, but it was loud. His senses couldn't handle the loud explosion, as he reached to cover his ears, but it was too late. It went off, temporarily deafening him.

He fell to his knees. He hasn't been in this much pain for a while. After some of the pain goes away, he realizes he's dropped his sword. He reaches out for it weakly before grabbing old of the handle and using it as a can to steady his balance.

It takes a few minutes, but his hearing returns. And Mavado's gone. Perfect. He grunts before returning the sword to its scabbard and walking outside. That's when he's assaulted by his communicator.

"Kenshi! What the hell have you been doing?!"

Kenshi winced. "Nice to hear from you, Kurt. What is it?"

"Oh, thank God. When you weren't answering I thought—"

"Details, Stryker!" He snapped. "Give me details on what I've missed!"

"It's the Deacon City Mall. Some psycho started lighting the place up with a flamethrower.Calls himself Blaze."

"When did this happen?" Kenshi asked, already sprinting towards the mall.

"Immediately when the comms went down."

So that's what Mavado was talking about. "When I'm done with this, I need to speak to Jax."

'It is done?" An old voice asked.

"Yep. Just like you asked.Still not sure why you didn't want me to kill him," Mavado's voice replied on the other line.

"I still have plans for him, boy, that's all you need to know," the old man replied. "The money is in your account."

"Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Tsung. Call me anytime you need me again."

Shang Tsung smiled. "Of course." He hung the phone up before turning towards the officer. "I'm ready to go back to my cell now."