The Edge

Reptile did not like to be late and it was not his intention to be it. During his leisure time allowed to him by the Empress he choose to hone his skills by surviving out in the forest of Outworld. There were plenty of wild creatures to test his skills. Nature had their hierarchy but when Reptile entered he was at the top. But it was this training that was making him tardy.

He was flying through the forest on his way to the Palace. But out here in the middle of the Forest he felt something strange. Everyone one of his senses was telling him he was being watched.

He stopped in his tracks and sniffed at the air. Someone was defiantly nearby.

"Show yourself!" He commanded to the forest. And his watcher appeared from all around. Rock and stone, pebble and sand flew around him until it took the form of Tremor." You!"

"Yes." His voice boomed as he showed his stone arms." And I have been given an important task. To keep you from leaving this forest alive." Reptile opened his mouth and hissed, showing his sharp teeth.

"Do your worst!" And they flung themselves into battle.

Meanwhile back at the Palace.

The warriors had gathered and from his throne Kotal Kahn could see the crowd had certainly diminished since the Tournament began, but perhaps not in the way he'd like.

Mileena had certainly lost many supporters but Kitana was going strong. And Kotal himself was certainly down some supporters since this all began and who knew where today might take them? It was time in his mind to end this Tournament once and for all.

He scanned the crowd and his eyes came to rest on Sub Zero. He'd certainly learned a lot about the Grandmaster even though they'd never had a conversation. And if what Kotal had heard was true he had two great weaknesses to exploit.

"Erron." Kotal said as he waved him over. With both hands on his belt Erron leaned into his Emperor as the Khan did the same." Now is your time. The Grandmaster's powers are augmented through magic. The Medallion around his neck." Erron tilted his head slightly to view that very thing." It increases his powers. But should it be removed he will be reduced to that of a Mortal man." And of course everyone knew of his reluctance to kill there was no need to mention that. Erron Black nodded his head.

"I understand." Erron nodded. Kotal said nothing more and sat back in his chair while Erron walked away." Grandmaster." Erron called gaining Sub Zero's attention." I khallenge you to fight." He pulled both revolvers from their holsters. And Sub Zero could not back down from the challenge. He turned and prepared to meet this foe in the middle of the room.

"Be careful." Kitana said to him. He nodded to her over his head and stood before Erron Black.

"I accept." He answered.

Now they had to simply wait for the Emperor's call. Sub Zero stood with his fists out ready to fight while Erron flexed his fingers over his holsters.

"Begin!" Kotal shouted. As soon as he had finished Erron drew his guns and fired three bullets from each. Six went flying through the air at Sub Zero. But all he had to do was extend his arm and shot something of his own. The ball of ice went from his hands and through the air, chilling it. Passing by the bullets, freezing them and crumbling them within seconds. The ice continued on its way and towards Erron.

But the cowboy ducked and rolled out of the way, forcing the ice to freeze the wall behind him. As he rolled into a kneeling position Erron fired another two bullets from his gun.

This time Sub Zero choose not to freeze the bullets and instead just stood there. The bang of the gun and hissing of the bullet could be heard but Sub Zero remained unmoved.

Then he swung out his arm and seemed to catch the bullet as if it was a fly from the air. Even blind in one eye he could see it coming. Erron watched as he opened his hand and dropped the two recently fired bullets to the ground.

Now Sub Zero would advance. He jumped forward and swung a kick at Erron. But the gunslinger ducked between the leg and when he came up swing the butt of his gun into the necklace around the Grandmaster's neck. Metal clanked against metal and nothing more happened.

Erron had tried to break it in that strike but it didn't work. Now he would pay the price. Sub Zero swung his arm forward and punched Erron in the face. The hit was not enough to kill him, Erron knew at least that. Sub Zero would not kill.

He stumbled back, trying to regain his balance, coming back to back with a pillar. Sub Zero jumped the distance between them kicking up his leg and swinging it around.

Erron rolled under the kick forcing Sub Zero to kick into the pillar and crushing it into pieces. Sub Zero quickly turned but noticed that Erron Black had gone.

Not disappeared but merely taking shelter behind another pillar as he loaded his weapons.

"Come on out and fight!" Sub Zero said moving about the room." Your reliance on your weapons is your weakness. Without them you could not hope to face me fairly."

"Your weakness is your holding back." Erron Black finally replied. He jumped out from behind the pillar and two bullets from each gun before ducking back into cover. Sub Zero easily jumped aside as the bullets flew past him. But one managed to find it's mark and hit the medallion dangling around his neck. It did not shatter and the bullet simply flattened against it. But there was a small crack on the face of the Dragon.

Noticing this from his hiding position Black knew he would have to keep his attacks up. He quickly finished reloading and held his pistols out, ready for another attack. But Sub Zero was quickly on him.

Kitana enjoyed watching Sub Zero fight. He was confident but not arrogant. Powerful but not overbearing. There would be a good place for him once she'd taken the throne.

Sub Zero laid another punch on Erron's face sending him onto his back. But as he fell Erron raised his gun and aimed.

"Both eyes open." He muttered to himself. He drew the hammer back on the gun and fired.

With another well placed bullet the Dragon Medallion cracked and shattered into pieces. The source of Sub Zero's tremendous strength, speed and power was all gone. On top of that the bullet kept going and shot right through his chest.

"No!" Kitana screamed. Sub Zero brought his hand up to his chest to cover the burning sensation inside it. Looking down he could see the blood beginning to pour from his wound. Another sound suddenly got his attention. The sound of a hammer pulling back and a gun cocking.

Looking forward he saw Erron Black aiming down his sights and about to fire another bullet. Sub Zero raised his other hand and began forming an ice wall before him. Erron Black fired off three shots and by the time Sub Zero's wall was complete the bullets were frozen inside them, but one had almost managed to hit him right between the eyes.

Wounded and bleeding badly Sub Zero placed his shoulder against the Ice Wall and tried to balance himself. With his hand over his chest Sub Zero shot some ice through the small wound, stopping the bleeding. He tried to stop now to both look and listen for where Erron Black would strike from next.

And the second the metal tip showed itself Sub Zero leaped out from behind the wall. Grabbing the barrel of the gun with one hand. Instantly freezing it and cracking it in his hand in one move. But it was a small price to pay since Erron Black had two pistols and the second was pointed right at Sub Zero's head. The hammer on the gun clicked but Sub Zero had even less time to jerk his head back to avoid the bullet. Which he narrowly did but instead of going through his head the bullet went through his right shoulder instead.

Sub Zero fell back and collapsed on the floor. The fall causing his chest wound to re-open and bleed again while his shoulder continued to bleed.

Ermac looked on in horror, but not more than Kitana. Kotal Khan smiled from his throne.

"Finish him." He commanded. Erron Black stepped forward and prepared to do as commanded. He pulled the hammer back on his gun and prepared the next bullet to be fired.

"Nothing personal." Erron said to him." Just Business." Ironic since Sub Zero managed to save Erron when he came bearing terms yet now it was Erron who would kill him.

But as he pulled back on the trigger Sub Zero raised his weakened arm and shot a blast of ice. The ice traveled up the barrel of the gun, freezing not only the bullet in the chamber but the entire gun. It became so cold than Erron Black could not hold and quickly let go.

And while he was distracted the weakened Sub Zero managed to jump to his feet and with his left arm punched Black in the face. It wasn't the strongest punch he'd ever thrown but it was enough to knock Black off his feet and put some distance between them.

With deep breaths Sub Zero raised his head to see Erron standing several feet away. But without his guns even the wounded Sub Zero felt confident. Black had relied heavily on those weapons throughout the entire tournament, no doubt without them he was powerless.

But it seemed Erron Black had one last weapon. He reached behind his back and under his poncho to reveal the entire arm of a tarkatan, blade and all. A single slice from that would cut Sub Zero in two. He would have to not give him the chance.

In reaction he formed ice around his left forearm and created a sword of his own. Erron Black the more agile and less wounded of the two moved in with both hands on his blade. When he was close enough he raised it above his head and came swinging down with it. But Sub Zero was quick and managed to blocked with his own. Erron quickly backed off only to quickly step in again. Sub Zero followed his example and stepped around him, avoiding the attack. But in his wounded state he was slow and stumbled in the process.

Erron capitalized on that and swung around with his blade and managed to slash Sub Zero across his stomach, forcing even more blood from him. The Grandmaster stumbled back buckled over as he pressed his free arm to his side. He now used his ice sword to balance himself.

With both hands on his sword Erron moved in closer. Sub Zero did not move. Standing still with one pressed on his side and the other to balance him.

Kitana looked on in dreadful worry in her blue eyes. Kotal Khan was smiling from ear to ear.

"Finish him." He spoke.