The Invitation

Lucky for Bobby the next day was a Saturday and that meant he got to sleep in late. Even past eleven in the morning he was shirtless in his pajama pants lying in bed, drooling on the pillow. His snoring was so loud they could hear him from out in the alley.

"So what was it like Hank?" asked Dale. He of course was refering to the events of the previous night.

"Gentlemen it was one of the greatest moments of my life." Hank told with pride." I can now die a happy man."

"Dang ol beautiful man."

"I wish we were there to see it." Bill said sadly. They could hear Bobby's snoring had stopped which might have meant he was awake. Bobby rose from his bed and wandered into the kitchen looking for breakfast.

"Oh Bobby honey." Said his mother." Could you take out the trash for me?" Bobby yawned his reply, turning and taking the bag out of the can and then making his way outside.

There was suddenly a strange sound heard in the alley. It was a tapping sound. The four men looked up and down, left and right trying to find the source of it. Looking to his left Boomhauer was the first to see it and the sight of it caused his eyes to open and his jaw to drop. Bill standing next to him followed his gaze and had the same reaction when he saw it. Dale and Hank followed after that. A woman was walking down the middle of the street but she wasn't dressed like any lady Hank and his friends would associate with.

She had a dark complexion with long black hair flowing back and forth as she walked. Wearing long black heels, a green skin-tight outfit that revealed more than necessary with a green veil to match covering her mouth.

She strutted past the men turning their heads as she went. But then she turned on her heel and turned to Hank. She said nothing as she stood there with her hands on her hips and looking at him with emerald eyes.

"Hello." Hank said nervously." Can I help you?"

"I'm looking for someone." She said to him." A Mr. Bobby Hill, he was said to have lived in Arlen."

"You're looking for Bobby?" asked Hank shocked. Everyone turned their heads as the boy in question appeared. He drowsily lifted the trash can lid and discarded the trash bag in it.

"Bobby!" she yelled in delight upon seeing him. Bobby turned his head and was slapped awake when he recognized Jade standing there.

"Oh my god." He muttered in shock.

"I've found you." She said with open arms as she walked up to him. She put both hands on his head and leaned in to kiss him on his left cheek and then the right.

"B-Bobby." Said Hank speaking up." You, You know this girl?"

"Yea Dad." Bobby said. He gulped and turned back to Jade." What are you doing here?" He asked her. Jade took a step back.

"I've come here to give you something." She said. Everyone watched in shock as she reached for the ends of her outfit, acting as if she would take it off.

"BWAH!" Hank cried out.

"No, No!" Bobby said grabbing her by her wrists." You don't have to do that."

"I must." She replied." Kitana has ordered me to find you and give you a gift."

"Bobby." Hank spoke up." What's going on here? Who is this girl?" Bobby gave his father a nervous smile before turning back to Jade.

"Let's-Let's talk inside." He said. He took Jade by her hand and took her into his home.

"Uh Bobby." Hank said." I don't think that's a good idea." But Bobby either didn't hear his father or he didn't care because he continued on his way.

He walked in through the sliding door and entered into the kitchen.

"Oh Bobby." Peggy said." I've made eggs and-" She turned around to face her son but stopped when she saw Jade with him. He ignored his mother and walked out of the kitchen taking Jade with him. The girl waved to Peggy as she left the kitchen.

And Peggy was so shocked she dropped the plate to the ground. Looking at that girl her worst fear had been realized, Bobby had become like his grandfather.

"BOBBY!" Peggy yelled in the Kitchen.

"BOBBY!" Hank yelled as entered the house.

Bobby led Jade into his room. She walked in as he closed the door and locked it behind her, hearing the roaring voices of his parents.

"Now." He said turning from the door and to Jade." What is it you want?" But Jade had already made herself comfortable and was sitting on Bobby's bed, apparently to preoccupied with it to answer him.

"Your bed is so soft." She said as she began bobbing up and down on his bed. Bobby sighed and looked away from her. When he did he looked out the window and saw Bill, Dale, and Boomhauer standing there. Bobby walked over and closed the blinds on them and then turned his attention to the bobbing Jade.

"Jade." He said to her." What are you doing here?" She stood up now.

"I have been ordered me to give you a gift." Hank and Peggy were standing on the other side of the door with their ears to it, they did not like the sound of that.

Once again Jade reached up and dug her hand deep in the groin area of her garment. Bobby closed his eyes for what was to come next.

"Look Jade I-"

"Here you go." She said. Bobby opened his eyes to see Jade showcasing a golden envelope before his eyes." This is for you." Bobby took the envelope and opened it, there was a letter inside. Jade stood back as Bobby opened it and began reading it.

It read:

"Warrior you are invited to the Mortal Kombat Tournament. Fight for the glory and honor of yourself and your realm against the strongest warriors across the universe"

It was sighed at the bottom by "Empress Kitana of Outworld"

"Another tournament." Bobby said with a frog in his throat.

"Uh-Huh." Jade said with a nod of her head." Isn't it wonderful!"

"No!" Bobby yelled flailing his arms." I thought you were gonna change things! I thought the fighting and killing was over!" Jade looked at him strangely.

"I think you misunderstand." She said. Bobby looked at her confused." The tournament is not for blood and konquest like it's predecessors. This tournament is for fun." But beating somebody else down didn't seem like fun to Bobby." The Empresses has set it up as an act of good-will with the other realms. And there is other fun to be had besides the tournament. Even if you don't fight there is the beach and luxurious living quarters to tide you over. And she told me that to make sure you to bring you as her honored guest, if not for the tournament then for the other activates." Now that was something Bobby could get in to, it sounded like a vacation.

"Well I like the sound of that."

"Good." Jade clapped. A crowd had now began to form outside Bobby's room. Besides his parents Dale, Bill and Boomhauer come inside. And Joseph who had come over to see Bobby was greeted with the strange sight of the crowd.

"Well I'll have to pack and get my things."

"Don't worry." Said Jade taking him by his arm." The Empress will make sure you are taken care of." She turned and began leading him away.

" Can Joseph come to?" Jade looked at him confused." My friend. Tall, black hair police uniform." None of that rang a bell to Jade." He was at the Tournament with me." Still nothing." He has a weird look on his face all the time." Bobby admitted.

"Ah yes the strange one." Jade exclaimed." If he is a friend of yours and a warrior or Earthrealm he is a welcomed guest of the Empress."

"Great!" said Bobby." We can grab him on our way out."

Everyone was still crowded around Bobby's door trying to hear but was going on inside. But everything was quiet. Then suddenly the door swung opened and Jade walked out dragging Bobby behind her.

"Bobby where are you going?" Hank managed to say.

"Uh we're just going on a vacation Dad." Bobby stammered.

"Vacation?" questioned Peggy." Oh my God! Hank their eloping!"

Anyone hardly had time to say anything as Bobby was already half-way down the hallway. But it was now that he spotted Joseph.

"Hey wait." He said to Jade." There's Joseph." She turned around and saw Joseph amongst the crowd. She walked back and grabbed Joseph by the collar of his shirt.

"C'mon. "said Bobby." You're coming with us." But Joseph didn't argue he just smirked as Jade grabbed him and led him away with Bobby.

"AH!" exclaimed Dale." Joseph's joining them to?!"

"Shame!" Bill said in shock.

"The audacity!" Hank roared." I thought we raised our kids right. Not in my house I tell you what." Hank led the way with his band of friends following behind him.

Jade led Bobby and Joseph outside, stopping in the alley.

"Dude what's going on?" asked Joseph." HeHe who's your friend." He smirked at Jade.

"Joseph my friend we're going on a little vacation." Bobby snickered." But how are we getting there?" He turned to Jade.

"Relax." She said. She reached into her outfit and produced a small glass jar." Leave everything to me."

"Bobby!" called Hank's voice. The boy turned to his father marching towards him." Come back here boy, you've got a lot of explaining to do."

"And here we go!" said Jade as she slammed the glass onto the ground. A dust storm swarmed all around them kicking up the air. When Hank and his friends appeared in the alley Booby, Joseph or Jade weren't there. They'd disappeared.

Bobby and Joseph had once again teleported. They left the alley and rainy street behind and found themselves landing on a similar black street just like ones they just left. But they were paved with tracks. There were buildings to their left and right from centuries past with red cobblestone sidewalks. There was so much color and light coming from everywhere they looked. It seemed as if all culture, all people melted into this one place of happiness. On a street sign they saw it read 'Main street USA'. And right straight ahead of them was a castle. It stood at the center of it all, with a hole amusement park surrounding it.

"Oh my God." Bobby exclaimed softly.

"Come." Said Jade." The Empress will want to know you're here." She led the two away. And it wasn't long before they found who they were looking for. Jade looked up and pointed Kitana out to Bobby and Joseph. But she wasn't alone with her was Sub-Zero, and the two were enjoying a merry-go round in a magic carpet. They flew up and down, high as buildings and low to the ground until at last the ride finally came to a stop.

Bobby watched as the couple exited the riding noticing some slight differences. Kitana was dressed as she normally was except for her hair which was in a ponytail, held together by 2 light blue bands and a blue head-band with a diamond covering her scalp. The only noticeable difference on Sub-Zero was a round two eared hat.

"Jade!" Kitana exclaimed upon seeing her friend.

"Bobby!" said Sub-Zero upon seeing him. He walked over and hugged the younger man." So glad you made it."

"Jade. You found him." Kitana said hugging her friend.

"Good to see you all again." Bobby groaned under Sub-Zero's hug. When he was set back on the ground he spoke again." What happened in Outworld? Is the war really over?"

"Yes." Kitana beamed happily." For many months we battled. But at last we were able to capture my sister. Since then her forces have scattered."

"Did you uh" Bobby stammered." Finish her?"

"She is still my sister." Kitana told." And one by I hope she can free herself from hate and live in peace."

"But if you're here." Said Bobby." Who's in Outworld?"

"We have someone trustworthy watching over her." Told Sub-Zero.

Mileena had been imprisoned in the dungeon since her last defeat. She would not submit to her older sister's rule so this was the only place they could keep her. But of course she was still a Princess and her cell was decorated as such. But either Mileena despised the set up for one reason or another because she tore it all down and destroy it.

She stood panting in the aftermath of the destruction when she heard a noise behind her. She slowly turned around to see none other than Scorpion standing there. Mileena quickly straightened out, covering her face and running her hand in her hair. Scorpion just raised his eyebrow, now he was thinking this was a bad idea.

"How did you do all this?" asked Bobby looking around at the place.

"We rented out the area for the tournament." Told Kitana." Now only kompetitors and guests can stay."

"And we hoped you would be among them." Said Sub-Zero putting a hand on Bobby's shoulder." You are the Hero of all the realms and many warriors have come from far and wide to face you in battle." But Bobby knew better than most that the stories everyone was saying about him were more fiction than fact.

"I'm afraid my fighting days are over." Bobby said. Sub-Zero looked at him confused.

"Say it isn't so." Gasped Kitana.

"I'm afraid it is." Bobby nodded. He did not come here to fight, he came here for a vacation. And from the looks of things it would be a great vacation indeed.

"Well that is your choice." Sub-Zero said not sounding mad at all." You saved me from the Netherrealm. Here you are our honored guest."

"Jade see that these two are taken care of." Said Kitana." We'll meet you at the Flying Pachyderm."

"Well thank you." Smiled Bobby." But you don't have to do that just yet, I'm okay with hanging out for a while." Jade nodded and walked off in the other direction, she still had other matters to attend to.

They all heard the sound of delightful screams overhead. Looking up they saw a log fly down from the top of the mountain and climaxed at the bottom with a big splash.

"Oh let's go on that one next!" giggled Kitana. She grabbed Sub-Zero's hand and led him away.

"C'mon boys!" Sub-Zero said to Bobby and Joseph. Bobby followed after them but stopped when he noticed Joseph wasn't with them.

"Joseph are you coming?" He yelled over his shoulder.

"Later Bobby." Joseph said." I'm gonna do other, stuff." Bobby knew what that meant. He rolled his eyes and followed after Sub-Zero and Kitana.

The next thing Bobby knew he was screaming at the top of his lungs as he was flung down a water slide. He was splashed left and right as he was pushed around in his little inflatable raft until at last he was flung out of the slide and into a pool of water.

His raft tipped over so when he hit the water all anyone saw was his raft. Until at last Bobby appeared out of the water with a hearty laugh forcing Sub-Zero and Kitana to do the same. But the three were then silenced by the sound of a thunderous rumbling. They looked in the area around them and saw not too far away a wave had picked up and was sent crashing down on anyone there.

Kitana quickly left her spot and headed over to the wave.

"Wait, Kitana!" yelled Sub-Zero." Don't run!" He chased after her and Bobby went after him. And it was as they approached this new pool that Bobby saw some familiar faces amongst the piles of bodies washed up by the wave.

"Fox! Naruto! Bobby said surprised. The two looked up and saw him standing there and were just as surprised to see him as he was them. The two quickly stood up and embraced Bobby happy to see him after all this time." Well how have you been?!" Bobby asked. "How did you get here?!"

"Excuse me." The three turned around to see none other than Ermac sitting in a beach chair under the umbrella, though he was hardly dressed for this place. In his hand was a book and laying down next to his right was a tanned woman with blonde hair and an orange bikini sitting in the sun. " But you're chattering is disturbing my reading."

Just then the thunderous sound was heard again and it got everyone's attention.

"Our reunion can wait." Said Naruto with a smile." C'mon!" He quickly turned and reached back into the water with Fox close on his heels. Bobby wanted to go join them seeing not only that Sub-Zero and Kitana had joined them but Naruto's other friends were there as well. He was having so much fun he's almost forgotten that his parents had no idea where he was. Before he did anything else he'd have to call them.

"Ermac." He said turning the man's attention from his book once more." Do you know if there's a phone around where somewhere?" Ermac looked at him confused." You know a phone." He extended his thumb and pinky finger creating the device in his hand." So I can call people far away." Ermac still seemed to not know." Oh hell I'll go look for one. "And Bobby stormed off annoyed as Ermac turned back to his book. He flipped the page and them immediately turned to the woman next to him.

"The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven." He said to her. She only nodded her head slightly in acknowledgement.

As Bobby looked around the sandy area he passed Reptile building a sand-castle. Though the creature pouted when it was destroyed by the upcoming water. Not only that but he saw the best interpretation of the stars and stripes he'd ever seen, wore tightly around the waist of a woman he was passing by. But couldn't make out her top half since it was covered by a newspaper she was reading.

But meanwhile back in Arlen everyone was in a panic. Since Bobby and Joseph disappeared they'd done everything they could to try and find them. They looked all over town from the High School to the Hotel Arlen. But when their search turned up nothing they decided to turn the professionals.

"Yes my son was abducted." Hank said into the phone.

"And mine!" Dale yelled at him.

"And another boy as well. Their names are Bobby Hill and Joseph Gribble." Hank waited as the man on the other end of the phone spoke." Yes I'm sure they ran away together." He waited again." No their not eloping together, there was a woman involved! Yes, yes a woman showed up and took the two away. No I don't know where they went that's why I'm calling you." With a sigh Hank hung up the phone.

"So what did they say?" asked Peggy.

"They said we should check the churches." Bill and Peggy shrieked.

"Hank!" yelled Dale grabbing onto his friend's arms." We have to find my son!" Just then the phone rang and Hank shook Dale off and answered it.

"Hill residence, Hank Hill speaking."

"Dad!"

"Bobby?!" Everyone in the room jolted and turned to him.

"Yea it's me."

"Where are you, son?" Peggy crossed her fingers and muttered 'not, married'.

"I'm in Florida." Bobby said.

"What? Well what are you doing there?"

"I needed a vacation. And Joseph needed one to."

"Son I don't know what we did you upset you but you don't have to run away. Just come home and-"

"Dad we didn't run away. We'll be back in a few days, don't worry about it." Hank was about to say something when he heard someone yell in the background of Bobby's call 'My top came off!'" I gotta go Dad." Bobby said next and the line went dead. Hank was left looking at the phone confused.

"What did he say?" asked Peggy. Hank slowly turned his head and looked at his wife and friends.

"He said he and Joseph would be back in a few days."

Joseph meanwhile had gone off to find Jade. Since they first arrived here all he'd done was try and wow her with his manliness. He eventually found her sitting at a desk talking to two of the large, muscular men.

One was shorter than the other with bright attire of blue, yellow and green. He had large lips and a brown tuff of hair on his forehead. Draped on both his shoulders were two golden belts.

The other man was bigger than the other, in fact it was the biggest man Joseph had ever seen, maybe even bigger than Shao Khan. He wore a long black trench coat with a blur knight like mask on his face. On his shoulder was only one golden belt.

"Names please." Jade said with a pen in hand.

"Kid Muscle and Kevin Mask." The smaller of the two pointed to himself and then his big friend." And we are The Mighty-"

"Just call us Kid Muscle and Kevin Mask." Kevin interrupted. Kid pouted his disappointment.

"Fighting style?" asked Jade.

"Professional wrestling." Kid told.

"Awards?"

"22nd Choujin Crown Champion." Kid pointed to himself." And tag-team champion."

"Tag-team champion as well." Kevin added. Jade looked at Kevin with his single belt and snickered at him." What's so funny?"

"So he has two belts and you only have one."

"And?"

"Well technically he has 1 and a half belts and you have only a half, since a tag team is two people."

"You could look at it like that but-"

"So you're just his carry on?" Jade asked pointing to Kevin.

"What?!" he roared.

"Do you have to cut his food up for him too?" Jade asked to Kid." Hold his hand when he crosses the street?" Kid however found it funny and laughed with her. Kevin however was furious.

"Why you saucy little minx!" he yelled slamming his hand on the desk." Let me tell you something, I-"

"Save it for the competition Kev." Said Kid with a hand on the bigger man's shoulder." C'mon, let's go get some ice cream!" And Kid went on his way with Kevin, glaring over his shoulder at the smirking Jade.

After they left she turned back to her work.

"Hey." A voice said above her. She looked up to see Joseph sitting on the table before her." Whattca doin hot stuff?"

Meanwhile back with the others. Everyone had just been washed to the shore again by the typhoon. Kitana had left the water and made her way onto land.

"Come on everyone." Said Kitana as she wrapped herself in a blue towel." It's time to unveil the Tournament bracket." She led the way and everyone quickly dried themselves off and followed her. Bobby was part of that group. He knew he wouldn't be fighting but it would be fun to watch, he'd at least cheer his friends on.

So they all gathered back where he originally arrived standing in a group before the big castle. Kitana and Sub-Zero took their place on a small stage overlooking the crowd. There couldn't have been more than a few dozen of them there.

"Heh." Bobby chuckled. "At least the lines for the rides will be short."

"Hey dude." Joseph snorted as he came up from behind Bobby, getting his friends attention.

"Hey Joseph. Where have you been?"

"Busy. Signing us up."

"You what?!" Bobby screamed turning to his friend.

"I signed us up. It would really impress the chick if I fought in this thing." Bobby could just imagine Jade with long eyelashes fluttering at Joseph and the boy in a naïve attempt to impress her signed himself up. But why would he involve Bobby in this.

"Attention everyone!" called Sub-Zero on a platform."The names have been placed, the roster for the Mortal Kombat tournament is up." He pointed to a sign that appeared behind him, projecting into the air. The crowd cheered and Bobby saw why Joseph had signed Bobby up with him. It was a tag-team tournament. And according to the roster Bobby and Joseph were a team, not only that but they were in the first round.

Bobby didn't recognize the name of one of the guys on the opposite team but he did recognize the other one. Noob Saibot.

"Oh God." Bobby jolted." Oh God no." Just then he was grabbed by the collar of his shirt and hoisted him into the air.

"We just keep running into each other don't we?" A sinister voice said. And Bobby came eye to eye with the unnatural color of Noob Saibot's.

"Oh No." Bobby squeaked.

"Eh put him down." Said another man appearing behind Noob." Save it for da ring." Noob listened to him swiftly opening his hands and dropping Bobby to the ground. Joseph moved in and helped Bobby to his feet.

"You and I finally get our match." Noob pointed to Bobby." And I've waited a long time for it." He let out a sinister chuckle as he turned his back to them. "Let's go Mars." Said Noob shoulder checking the man with him. Noob's tag partner Mars, an equally big man and just as menacing looking looked at the boys standing before him. He smiled and then ran his thumb across his neck in a menacing matter. Then he turned and walked away.

That left a ball of fear deep inside Bobby's stomach.

"The competition will begin tomorrow morning at nine." Told Sub-Zero to the eager crowd.