Decisions

This wasn't the first fight Sub Zero wanted to have in this tournament. Reptile at least got to fight a monster. And both Mileena and Kotal Khan seemed to have other capable subordinates about. But instead Sub Zero was forced to fight a withered old man who looked as if he might fall over and die at any moment.

"Begin!" Kotal Khan commanded. With the command the two warriors spread their legs and put out their fists, prepared for battle.

Sub Zero wanted to end this quickly and do so in the a way that wouldn't kill the old man. He swung a sloppy punch forward which was meant more to humor the old man. But surpsingly Shujinko managed to block. Sub Zero followed with a more direct jab which Shjinko also blocked. Perhaps in his prime he was a great warrior and could react this way on instinct. But Sub Zero was done playing around.

He took a step forward and swung another punch. This time Shunjiko simply turned his head and avoided the attack all together. His snow white hair flowing all around.

Then the old man lunged forward, surprisingly moving past Sub Zero's defenses and managing to land a single punch in his chest. But Shujinko did not punch like a man in his seventies. In fact he punched as well as a man of Sub Zero's own age. But how could that be? In another swift motion uncharacteristic of his age swung up his leg and kicked Sub Zero across the face with it. Knocking the younger man off his feet and flat onto his back on the ground.

There was no shame in being knocked down by an opponent but Kitana felt nothing but embarrassment. Her sister's cackling laughter didn't help either.

"Get up." She hissed." Get up!" Sub Zero shook his head as he propped himself up. But he didn't have much time as Shunjinko gave him no rest and was quickly on him. Raising up his foot and preparing to crush his head then and there on the pavement. Sub Zero quickly rolled out of the way causing Shunjiko to crack the stone ground.

"Your appearance does not give away your abilities." Sub Zero said as he stood up." How can that be?"

"Practice." Was Shujinko's answer. He moved in faster than he had before swinging a fist up at Sub Zero's face. The Grandmaster narrowly managed to move his head aside and avoid the punch. But Shunjiko was quick and followed with another, an uppercut to the chin. That one caught Sub Zero and caused him to stumble back. He advanced once more swinging now at his chest.

But Sub Zero managed to swing his arm down and grab the punch. Now it was his turn to attack. He moved forward swinging his other arm up and punching Shujinko in the face. With the full force of the Dragon Medallion he would have been able to take his head clean off but that wasn't how he wanted to win this fight.

Instead he managed to daze the old man and send him stumbling back, Sub Zero prepared to move in a strike once more. But instead Shunjiko held out his hand and shot a ball of fire directly at him. And with such a short distance between them Sub Zero could do nothing but be burned by the fire. To everyone's surprise when the fire cleared he was not dead only mildly blacken.

He himself did not care. This opponent had the one weapon he could counter easily.

Sub Zero extended both hands forward and shot a ball of ice at Shujinko. The second it hit him he would freeze on contact. And before it would take all the air from his body Sub Zero would release him. Shujinko would be unable to continue the battle and he would be the victor. The fight was over.

But to his surprise Shujinko held out his hands and shot a ball of ice of his own. The two blasts caused an instant chill to come over the room and when they collided the ceiling, the floor and nearby pillars were covered in ice.

"Fire and Ice?" Sub Zero said confused.

"I'm afraid I haven't been entirely truthful with you Grandmaster." Shujinko said as he began walking towards him."It is true I do not look my age. But it is simply a side-effect of my power."

"Power?" Sub Zero questioned.

"Yes." He nodded." You see I possess the ability to copy the ability of my opponent, so long as I have seen it." A person like that would be a great weapon whatever side they choose." And you have now provided me with a power I've never seen before." He took a step forward and extended his hands shooting another ball of ice at him. Sub Zero raised his arms up and from the ground came an ice wall. The blast exploded against it, forming icicles around the walls Sub Zero erected to protect himself.

But before he could think he saw a figure in the ice before him. Then then the ice cracked and Shujinko appeared through it punching Sub Zero right in the face. He quickly followed with a second punch to the other side.

But when he went for a third Sub Zero brought up his arm and blocked and moved forward swinging a punch of his own. But Shujinko brought up his own arm and blocked. Then with both legs he jumped into the air and swung a round kick. Sub Zero put up both arms and blocked but with Shujinko's great strength he still managed to knock Sub Zero off balance.

With both feet on the ground Shujinko put both hands forward and shot another ball of fire, hitting Sub Zero in the chest and knocking him to the ground.

"Empress Mileena has offered me the powers and abilities of any warriors I defeat in this Tournament!" Shujinko told." In such a bountiful place as this my power is sure to rise a hundred fold! And I will start with yours!"

The swelling feeling in his face, the taste of blood in his mouth and the blank vision in his right eye all remembered Sub Zero of another time. A time where he felt weak and victimized. But that would never happen again.

Shujinko walked forward and gripped Sub Zero by the back of his head.

"It's all over." Mileena smiled. There was nothing anyone could do except stand back and watch the slaughter. Kotal Khan seemed pleased, one of his enemies would finally be gotten rid of.

Shujinko held out his other hand and prepared to put a ball of fire right through Sub Zero's face. But when he looked at him and their eyes met he found himself filled with an uncontrollable fear. And as Shujinko stood there Sub Zero acted.

He gripped the old man's arm and swung his head forward, smashing it against Shujinko's. The old man's head went flying back, spitting blood and teeth into the air. Sub Zero kept his grip on the old man's arm and with it kept him in place so he could drive his other fist into the old man's stomach.

Shujinko gasped for air as he buckled over. But Sub Zero was not done. He swung his fist down and sent him onto his back. Now vulnerable Sub Zero jumped down on top of him with another fist to his face. There was no skill in what he was doing. No style or grace just pure unadulterated rage.

Nobody else seemed to mind. Except for Mileena who might lose this fight. Kitana was prepared for another victory and Kotal Khan would still loose an enemy.

Another punch landed and a few more teeth flew from Shujinko's mouth. Another caused his right eye to swell up like a balloon. And the last sent his head driving back into the stone floor and cracked his head against it.

But the cracking sound must have brought Sub Zero back to his senses as he suddenly stopped his assault, holding his fist in the air. And below him he saw the battered and beaten Shujinko by his own hands. With a deep breath Sub Zero stood to his feet, hovering over his defeated foe.

"Wonderful." Kitana's voice rang out in his ears. But the voice was different it was as bitter and as sinister as Mileena's. He turned his head and looked to her standing out above everyone. "Finish him." she demanded.

And right then and there Sub Zero held his opponents life in his hands. Shujinko was a withered old man and a thief who got all his powers my stealing from others. The world would be well rid of him. It would take only one second to form ice along his hand as sharp as a sword, then another second after that to take his head off.

But Sub Zero would not do it. He would not kill someone who wasn't able to fight back, let alone someone already beaten.

"Kill him!" Kitana commanded when he did instantly do what she commanded. Sub Zero slowly turned his head and faced her fully.

"No." He answered. Needless to say that got the attention of everyone in the room.

"I am your Empress!" she roared." Do not defy me!" Sub Zero however paid her no mind and began walking away towards the door. He might have sworn a vow to serve and protect Kitana but he also swore another vow, one he would not forsake even for her.

"My, My." Kotal Khan said from his throne, rubbing his chin with interest." An interesting development." He waves his hand and D'vorah moved to his side." Follow the Grandmaster." He whispered." Learn what you can."

"As you wish Emperor." She responded. Without a word she turned and left. Lucky for her no one was preoccupied with D'Vorah's exit instead with the scene that had just played out before them.

Shujinko was grabbed by his arms by both Rain and Darrius. The two dragging him back over to Mileena. Then without a care for the old man's wounds or well-being they simply dropped him at her feet.

Groaning Shujinko managed to arch himself up and view his Empress standing over him. And she did not looked pleased.

"E-Empress." He groaned. With another word Mileena pulled her sai from behind her back and stabbed it through Shujinko's head. But that was not all. With a simple tug she managed to rip the head clean from the body before casually flicking it aside and into the ground.

A gruesome sight to behold but watching Mileena deal out her punishment gave Kitana an idea. She turned and began walking in the same direction Sub Zero had.

"Empress!" Ermac said as he and Reptile quickly followed after her." Empress, where-"

"We are done for today." She growled at them." You are both dismissed. Do not follow me!" Before either of the two could comprehend what had happened Kitana had gone.