Our Kind of Love
Bobby had hardly slept that night. Even though Kitana had sent him up with one of the most luxurious rooms in the entire park, a special sweet inside the castle. Even though he had a king sized mattress extra soft, even though he had room service on demand for 24 hours none of that compared to the feeling of fear he felt deep inside.
The next morning he arrived at the gym and found some of his friends and fellow competitors already there. Fox and Naruto were working with the punching bag while Ermac and Reptile sparred in the ring.
Bobby hardly took two steps into the room before he was noticed.
"Bobby!" Fox said upon seeing him. He quickly walked over to greet him." Are you ready for your match today?"
"Uh." Was al Bobby could reply with. Fox and Naruto looked at him confused.
"Don't pressure him." Spoke up Ermac." He's trying to remain calm before the fight. Then when it begins he'll unleash the warrior within!" His friends smirked and agreed in that statement but it couldn't have been more the opposite.
Right at that moment Kid Muscle and Kevin Mask arrived in the gym.
"Kid Muscle!" Naruto said upon seeing him.
"Hey Naruto!" Kid said excited to see him." And Fox McCloud to." He walked up to the two with a goofy smile on his face. While the two were trying to get back to their own home world they had ended up in Kid's and eventually helped him and the rest of the Muscle League." Hey Kev." Kid called back to his partner." You remember Naruto and Fox right?" Kevin rolled his eyes and walked to the opposite side of the gym.
"He's as cheerful as always." Commented Fox.
"Kid." Said Naruto getting his attention." Come here, I'd like you to meet someone." He grabbed onto Bobby and showcased him to Kid." Kid this is Bobby Hill!" And Kid Muscle jolted when he heard that.
"The Bobby Hill?" He asked. Bobby thought this was strange since he'd never seen or heard of this man before. But as apparently his reputation preceded him." Kid Muscle." He said putting his hand out." Pleased to meet you. I've heard a lot about you Kid."
"Really?" Bobby asked." All good I hope."
"I hope so to. Your friends have talked a lot of game about you I hope you can show me your moves in the ring."
"What?" Bobby asked with a pale face.
"They said you were a very good fight." Kid said." Maybe in the next round you can test yourself against me."
"Well uh." Said Bobby as he started looking around the room at everyone in it." I was kinda hoping that since we were all friends, we could ya know take it easy on each other." A short silenced filled the room.
"No." They unanimously agreed. Bobby gulped down his fear once more. Right at that moment Joseph walked in.
"Hey dude." He said to Bobby.
"Bobby!" called Jade as she appeared in the room." It's time." The words Bobby dreaded." Follow me please." He and Joseph went after her with all his friends wishing him good luck on his way out.
Jade led them into an elevator but a very strange one. It was half-way across the park and the inside was filled with seats. He and Joseph strapped themselves in as she suggested and after a terrifying ride up it finally stopped.
Jade unstrapped herself and Bobby and Joseph followed were to an exit door. When they emerged they found themselves on the top of the ride nearly 200 feet in the air. The only other thing up there was a table where Jade would sit at, a wrestling ring in the center. And in the center of the ring was Noob Saibot and Mars.
Hank, Dale, Bill and Boomhauer were sitting in the living room of the Hill's home watching Football. They were in the middle of the Cowboy's game and watching intently as they ran for a touchdown.
"C'mon! Go! Go!" they cheered.
The Tv played the cowboys for one minute and then went black.
"Ah!" screamed Dale." What happened?!"
"Dang ol' Bill's big bottom man, dang ol' changed the channel again."
"Don't worry I've got the remote." Said Hank with the device in his hand. He clicked the button on the tv and began flicking the channels back to the Cowboy's game. But it was as he was flicking the channels that he saw something strange. He was in an area of cable he didn't know he owned on channels he didn't know existed. And on one of these channels he saw a familiar image so he stopped.
There was a woman dressed in a very similar manner to the way the woman who had dressed Bobby and Joseph was on tv. Only this girl wore all blue.
"What are you doing Hank?" asked Dale." Get back to the game."
"Just a second Dale." He said not looking at his friend.
"The first match is about to begin. Let's go ringside with Jade to see how it's looking." The camera then flashed to an all too familiar face, Jade.
"It's looking wonderful your majesty. With the first two teams already in the ring." Jade said as the camera turned to her.
"Ah! It's her!" Dale shrieked pointing to the screen.
"The girl in the blue is prettier." Bill said with a red face. Boomhauer nodded his head in agreement. Hank stayed on the channel and they listened.
"Let's see how these two teams stack up." An image was displayed of both men on the opposing teams. And it didn't look good for Bobby and Joseph.
Bobby's stats read:
Height: 6'0
Weight: 197 lbs.
Fighting style: Expert. Mastered many martial arts form many different masters.
Record: Undefeated, the champion of Mortal Kombat and considered the strongest warrior in all the realms.
Joseph's read:
Height: 6'2
Weight: 205 lbs.
Fighting Style: Advanced. Mix of Wrestling and Boxing.
Record: 0-0
Mars' read:
Height: 6'6
Weight: 320 lbs.
Fighting Style: Pro-Wrestling
Record: 2-1
Noob Saibot's read:
Height: 6'8
Weight: 360 lbs.
Fighting Style. Expert. Ninjutsu, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Sambo, Sumo
Record: unknown victories- 1 loss
In Outworld Scorpion laughed at seeing the 1 loss on Noob Saibot's record. In Arlen Hank his friends jumped at seeing the names of both Bobby and Joseph appearing on the screen.
"Oh so that's where they went. "Hank said." Their part of a competition. He how do you like that. And look my boy's got an undefeated record, that's even better than my old high school football record."
But the stats didn't look good for Bobby and Joseph. Dwarfed by over a half a foot and out weighted by nearly 300 pounds.
"This is sure to be a wonderful match-up." Jade said despite how one-sided it looked. The camera panned over the ring which had been set up in a pro-wrestling like fashion.
In one corner was Bobby standing stiff while Joseph stretched out his arms. In the other corner Mars was doing push-ups with his body vertical in the air. Noob had his leg stretched out into the corner.
"Don't worry dude." Said Joseph. "We'll be fine."
"We are so gonna wreck dem." Mars said to Noob. Noob did not appear to have heard him as his eyes looked over the edge of the ring and to the ground below. A small crowd had gathered and he was scanning their faces. Fox, Naruto, Kid and all the others had gathered down there. Kitana and Sub-Zero sat at a small booth observing everything above them all. But above all of them Noob focused on one in particular. Whoever it was completely covered from head to toe in a big brown trench coat and hood, strange attire for this weather.
"So who's gonna start first?" asked Joseph.
"You, you!" Bobby said almost immediately. He quickly jumped outside the corner." I'll have the white flags ready."
"Bah. Relax dude this'll be easy. Besides everyone knows this kind of stuff is fake." But it wasn't fake in Outworld, Bobby knew Joseph knew that. At that comment Mars jumped to his feet and looked at Joseph with a sick smile.
"I'll take him. You got a problem with dat?" He asked over his shoulder.
"The other one is mine anyway." Noob said as he jumped over the top rope and into the corner. Now it was only Joseph and Mars in the ring.
"And it looks like we're ready to begin." Commented Jade." It begins at the ringing of the bell." Joseph and Mars stood in the ring and looked the other over. The bell sounded with 3 quick and rapid strokes." Begin!" yelled Jade.
Joseph walked into the middle of the ring with his fists up while Mars just stood there with his hands at his side.
"C'mon Joseph!" Dale cheered for his son." Take him down!"
Joseph took a step forward and swung a punch only for Mars to turn his head and dodge. Joseph tried again but Mars turned his head in the other direction and dodged once more.
"Hey Kid." He said standing across from him." You think Wrestling is fake?" Before Joseph could even consider the question Mars swung his fist forward and punched Joseph right in the face.
Joseph was not only knocked off his feet but sent flying back and into the ropes. The audience gasped and none looked more surprised than Bobby when he saw Joseph bleeding from his nose. And he must have been hurting more than that since he was having trouble standing.
"AH!" Dale yelled in fright his hands clutched around a pillow.
But before Joseph could fall to the ground Mars closed the gap between them and punched Joseph in the face once more, sending him in on direction. But then the next punch sent Joseph the only way.
"Joseph! Joseph!" Bobby yelled. But his friend didn't appear to have heard him. Mars swung another punch and Joseph's head snapped back." Joseph!" Bobby yelled and he reached out and touched his friend's shoulder. And then everything went quiet as Mars shifted his eyes from Joseph to Bobby.
"The tag has been made." Called Jade's voice. And Bobby gulped down his fear as Mars took a few steps back and into the middle of the ring." Now it's Bobby Hill, the champion of Mortal Kombat's turn to fight!" And at the sound of his name the audience cheered.
"It'll be alright Dale." Said Hank putting a hand on his friend's shoulder
Bobby helped Joseph out of the ring and into the corner, looking over his shoulder in fear at the man in there.
"Come on!" said Mars with his arms wide open. Bobby gulped." Now it's-" But then Mars was also tapped on the shoulder. He turned around and saw Noob Saibot had already made his way into the ring.
"My turn." He said pushing Mars out of the way and standing in his place.
"And Noob Saibot makes the tag as well." Commented Jade.
Scorpion was Outworld sitting in chair right in front of Mileena's cell which was right in front of the tv. In his hand was a box of popcorn.
"Hehe this is gonna be good. "He said watching the tv screen as Noob Saibot entered the ring. Scorpion sat back in his chair holding the popcorn out in his left hand. Mileena was standing right behind him, she stretched out her arm and took a handful for herself.
"Come. "Noob Saibot waved to Bobby. Still feeling great fear Bobby slowly entered the ring and stood before Noob Saibot. His legs shook with fear as he stood before the bigger man. But then much to his surprise Noob Saibot held out his hand and waited for Bobby to shake it.
Bobby knowing good sportsman ship reached out and took Noob's hand. But then second he did Noob squeezed his hand down on Bobby's. Then he swung up his leg and kicked Bobby in the groin. And at the same time he swung his arm back, bringing Bobby to him. With his other arm extended out he hit Bobby in the face, sending him onto his back.
"Bad sportsmanship!" Hank yelled from his living room. And the crowd at the fight seemed to agree with him and they booed Noob Saibot. Though he didn't seem to care what they said. Noob turned and walked away from Bobby and into one corner of the ring. Once again he looked down to see the crowd below.
Now he noticed something about the one person. A long, thin, cream colored leg poked itself out. And Noob's body jolted and his eyes opened, stunned at what he saw.
Noob Saibot's back was to Bobby so he didn't see the boy crawling away. Instead his eyes once again went to the crowd down below scanning for a familiar face. Though he couldn't exactly make it out he saw sure he recognized someone down there.
"Hey dumbass!" roared Mars voice." The Kid's getting away!" Noob turned his attention from the crowd down below to see Bobby crawling across the ring, trying to get back to his corner. Noob just chuckled under his mask and jumped out of the ring himself.
Then reached his hand under the ring and pulled out a large 2x4. He tucked held it in one arm and prepared to grab the top rope and jump back into the ring. But before he could jade stood in his way.
"Weapons are not allowed-" that was all she managed to say before Noob slapped his hand over her face and pushed her away. Then he jumped back into the ring.
Bobby was still crawling so it didn't take Noob long to cross the ring and hover over him. Bobby rolled over onto his back and saw Noob raising the 2x4 up in the air and over his head. But before he could swing down Bobby decided to give him a taste of his own medicine. He kicked up his legs and struck Noob Saibot in the groin.
The Wraith did not react except drop the 2x4 from his hand. The crowd cheered in agreement with Bobby's reaction.
"Yea Bobby!" yelled Bill.
"Give him a taste of his own medicine." Said Hank. Bobby didn't care much how Noob reacted he quickly turned and tried to get away. But he didn't get far.
Noob shot out his hand and grabbed Bobby by his head. Then he quickly wrapped both arms around the boy, swung his own body back and slammed Bobby onto the ground with a German Suplex.
Bobby's body bounced across the ring like a limp noddle. Noob walked over to him, passing Mars as he did it. Noob's teammate reached his hand out and waited for Noob to tag him. Noob only looked at Mars' hand and then the man himself. Mars nodded his hand and waited for Noob's cooperation.
Noob instead walked past his partner and proceeded his attack on Bobby. Bobby was facing away from him so Noob grabbed him by the back of his head, sticking his right index finger into Bobby's eye. The boy screamed out in pain as Noob Saibot picked him up and suplexed him across the ring once more.
Noob rose to his full height and glanced at the ground. That long thin leg was still poking out and whoever it belonged to kept their attention on Noob. And it seemed as if the two, despite being hundreds of feet apart were having a conversation as if they were face to face. The wind lowly picked up and Noob saw something else about this person. The color of blood.
"My turn!" roared Mars as he tapped Noob on his shoulder. Before Noob could realize it Mars was already standing in the ring with him.
Bobby had managed to crawl to his corner.
"Joseph." He groaned weakly as he did.
"Bobby." Joseph groaned in a similar fashion." How are you feeling?"
"Oh I've been better." Bobby said. He looked over his shoulder and saw Mars coming towards him." Joseph there's no way we can beat these guys head on. We're gonna have to do something." And Bobby quickly turned and told his plan to Joseph.
Mars didn't hear them as he marched over to Bobby. He stood over Bobby, reached down and put both hands on the back of the boy's neck. But then something happened.
"Now!" Bobby yelled. Mars looked up and saw Joseph standing before him holding a 2x4. He swung hard and hit Mars across the face with it. It hardly moved him but he did manage to drop Bobby. Mars shifted his head back and turned to Joseph. But then he watched as Joseph dropped the 2x4 to the ground where Bobby caught it.
Then in one swift motion Bobby swung around and hit Mars on his left knee. It staggered him and caused him to keep his left leg up. But then Bobby swung around and hit him in his right knee. This time the damage was much worse and a bone-crunching crack filled the arena. The only thing louder than that was Mars' scream.
However nobody sympathized with them. Noob and Mars had formed a team of brutes with little honor or moral character, to see this happen to them was what some called 'Justice'.
"Hey!" He yelled to Noob." I need help!" Noob finally turned his attention from the crowd and looked at his beaten partner. He looked right at him, not even blinking once. If this had been Bobby and Joseph the two would undoubtedly jump in to try and help the other, however that wasn't the case here.
Noob turned around and showed his back to Mars. Then he jumped up and off the tower they did battle on. He came crashing down to the crowd below. All those in the way quickly moved aside as he came crashing upon them, all except one.
Noob Saibot stood straight and tall against the person in the large trench coat. And with a flash of red the person discarded their heavy gray clothing to hardly anything at all. And all as red as blood. The two didn't say one word as they looked at each other. She turned and began walking away and Noob walked with her. She put one arm up and around his big shoulders. And then they made their exit together.
"You sum bitch." Mars groaned on the mat. But none were more angry than Scorpion in the Netherealm.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!"he yelled at his tv screen which showed Noob Saibot making his exit. He tossed his bag of popcorn at the screen forcing it to go everywhere."GET BACK TO THE RING YOU PANSY!" But Noob continued to walk away. Scorpion in a fit of rage pick up his chair and smashed it against the wall. Then with a defeated sigh he leaned against the wall. Mileena stretched her arm out and tapped him on the head. Scorpion turned his head and looked at her, which in reply she batted her eyelashes at him. Scorpion let out an aggravated sigh as he rubbed his eyes.
"The winner by default is Bobby Hill and Joseph Gribble!" announced Jade. And the audience cheered their agreement with that.
But although they won both Bobby and Joseph looked like they had lost. Bobby at least felt it with his face all mashed up and bleeding. Joseph's face was mostly swollen but he still smiled and cheered.
Later that day after the tournament was over Bobby and his friends were all floating down the lazy river. One by one they all floated down the river in their inflatable tubes.
"You shouldn't be going alone." Said Jade to Joseph. His face had been mostly bandaged up from the fight." Let me share one with you." Jade showed him a tube built for two. Joseph smiled at Bobby and then floated away with Jade. But Bobby was less than happy.
He had said he didn't want to fight and that was true. So ready to back out of the tournament he paddled himself through the group moving past Joseph with Jade, Fox to the front of the group where he found Sub-Zero and Kitana in a tube built for two.
"Princess." Bobby said getting her attention.
"It's Empress now. But you can just call me Kitana." She smiled to him.
"What would I do if I wanted to back out of the tournament?"
"Back out?" she repeated." You can't back out, you're a competitor." But Bobby had said what he meant and that stood true even now.
"I don't want to fight." He said. Kitana gave a quizzical look to Sub-Zero next to her. All the while their tubes twirled round and round in the water.
"Give that is what you wish." Said Sub-Zero." Talk it over with your partner. And if he too would like to withdraw so be it."
"Thank you." Bobby smiled. Then he paddled back between everyone to the end of the group where he found Joseph. Then he explained the dilemma to him.
"No." Joseph responded.
"No?!" Bobby said shocked.
"Dude we can't drop out now. We've come too far!" The current began to turn Joseph away from Bobby. And it was after Jade passed him that the conversation continued." Besides." Joseph leaned in and whispered." I'm making real progress with this chick." He pointed over his shoulder to Jade.
"Joseph we can't do this!" Bobby said.
"I'm staying in dude." Joseph said. And Bobby grumbled his annoyance. Now whether he liked it or not he was in this for the long haul.
"Sprinklers!" called Sub-Zero. Water began shooting out from the bushes and trees hitting the group from all around.
The sprinklers came and went and then the group was heading into a cave.
"So what did you all think of the fight today?" asked Kitana.
"That first match was something." Said Fox looking over his shoulder at Bobby and Joseph." Never would have seen that happening."
"And what did exactly happen?" asked Kid Muscle.
"Well Noob Saibot left, disqualifying his team." Spoke up Ermac.
"No." said Jade splashing water onto him." It was more than that."
"Then what was it?" He asked back.
"True Love." Said Jade crossing her arms and leaning back. But several people voiced the opposite opinion.
"What do you think?" Kitana asked turning her head to Sub-Zero. He was silent for several moments as he though the entire scenario over.
"I think." He finally answered." If somebody like him can love, and someone can love him for who he is then good for them both."
And that got Bobby to thinking. Love. He had it in abundance. Mostly coming from his mother in the manner one would expect but it came from his father in it's own way. And Joseph who was the closest thing Bobby had to a brother showed love in his own way.
But the love they were talking about was the special kind. The kind that only two souls destined to be together by some higher power, that kind of love. All this time Bobby had though that other soul for him was Connie.
He mused over that idea as a telephone that night. His fingers hovered over the numbers as he considered calling her. He knew her number by heart. But what would he say. Sure, he could tell her about everything that's happened, everything that's happening but what would she say. She would try and say something smart but it couldn't amount to anything. Maybe she could understand the idea of other worlds, magic, coming back to life but would it really matter.
Bobby sighed in defeat as he moved himself away from the phone and sat his head back on his pillow. He shut his eyes looking at the white ceiling above him.
The next morning Bobby arrived at the same gym he had the day prior. It wouldn't make sense to not show up. One way or another the rules would be bent and he'd be allowed to compete. So with nothing else on his mind Bobby arrived to find Jade waiting for him.
"This way please." And she led him away.
Hank had been watching the tv religiously. After seeing Bobby on it he could watch nothing else, waiting until his son showed up on the tv screen again.
Bobby had not seen Joseph all morning. He assumed he'd gone for early to try and wow Jade in any way he could. But the woman was in front of him and his friend was not.
"Have you seen Joseph?" he finally asked her.
"Hm?"
"My friend. My partner in the tournament."
"Your partner is waiting for you in the ring." Jade said. She motioned to her right where the ring was. Not located on any rooftop this time, this ring was located in the middle of a pool. There were two trailed on opposite ends, Bobby was about to walk down one. Surrounding them was the audience." Good luck." Said Jade as she walked in the other direction. Bobby just nodded at her and headed on his way.
"Welcome back." Sub-Zero said to the tv screen. "To the Mortal Kombat tournament."
"This is it!" Hank exclaimed. In the room with him were his wife and friends.
"And today the excitement continues. Right Princess?" He asked turning to Kitana.
"That's right my handsome prince." Kitana replied." Today has Bobby Hill going up against the Tag-Team Champions Kid Muscle and Kevin Mask."
Bobby made his way into the ring. Already he saw well ahead of him Kid and Kevin stretching on their side of the ring just like Noob and Mars had the day before. However Bobby knew no girl would show up and have them disqualified. It would in fact be the opposite.
Bobby tilted his head and looked up into his side of the ring. He didn't see Joseph in there as Jade had suggested. His eyes were so fixed on the ring that he didn't notice the person before him as he rounded the corner.
"Hill." Called a voice. With a plain look on his face Bobby turned to see a woman standing before him. She wore big black boots with camouflage green short shorts with a white tang-top but something colorful underneath that with silver dog tags hanging from her neck. Her face was covered by dark sunglasses, a green hat on her forehead with two silver bars on the front. She looked him up and down from head to toe."You look terrible."
It took Bobby a second to recognize who it was and he jolted in surprise.
"Sonya!"
"It's Captain now." She pointed to her hat." And I see you've changed to." She reached out and poked Bobby's jelly belly." We'll have to work on that."
"What are you doing here?" Bobby finally asked.
"Pulling your dumbass threw another problem." She reached behind her back and pulled out a pair of black finger-less gloves." Put those on, your hands won't get so cut up." He caught them awkwardly at his chest. Still shocked by the simple fact she was there he watched as she climbed up and into the ring. From there she removed her hat and sunglasses, putting them together before discarding them onto the ring floor. Then she took off her tang-top to reveal an American Flag colored bikini top. Then she looked back to see Bobby standing there looking at her." What are you waiting for?" she asked him. She stretched one arm behind her head.
"You're fighting with me?!" Bobby shrieked as he jumped into the ring with her.
"You catch on quick Hill." She said putting her arm down and stretching out the other.
"But what about Joseph?"
"Your friend was pre-occupied." She answered.
The now did an above angle of the ring. But Hank and his friends quickly noticed that it wasn't Joseph standing in the ring with Bobby.
Bobby stood in awe as he looked at Sonya. 3 months he'd been away from her and he found himself knocked for a loop. He found that he had so much to say but no breath to say. But that didn't matter because it was all summed up in a look he gave her. And the one she returned to him. Then there was the action that followed.
Bobby moved in a wrapped his arms around her and locked his lips with her's. But she did not lash out or strike him, in fact she put her hands on his head and held him close to her.
Hank was not alone seeing it this time. His wife was there, his friends and neighbors, along with the entire audience and the privileged few who were watching this broadcast.
"Yea Dude!" Joseph called from the front of the audience. He stood with Fox, Naruto and Ermac. On the other side of the ring Kid Muscle smiled at Bobby.
Finally Bobby let her go and released his lips from her's.
"God you've gotten fat." Said Sonya looking down at his stomach. Not the most romantic thing you'd expect after that, but that's what Bobby expected from her and it made him smile. Truly now after all he'd been through it was Sonya who could truly understand him. She'd who'd been with him every step of the way, she who he truly loved." We'll have to work on that." She said looking him in the eye. Bobby just smiled a goofy smile in response." But first." She said cracking her knuckles and turning around." We have work to do." There stood Kid and Kevin on the other side of the ring ready to fight." Are you ready?" she asked.
"Yes ma'am." Bobby responded.
And the bell sounded three times and together Bobby and Sonya, the funny man and his warrior woman rushed into the middle of the ring. Money and famed meant nothing to Bobby. As long as he had his friends and as long as he had her, that's all he really wanted.