Goro: Prince of the Shokan

Chapter 6 - The Great Kung Lao

I rode on an outworld horse to Shao Kahn's great palace, along with a group

of officials from Kuaton, including my father. " Their staring grows irritating," I said as I grinded my teeth.

" Take it as a compliment Goro, the puny humans in these parts have never layed eyes on something as mighty as us." father reassured.

As we approached the walls of the palace a guard stopped us. " Halt, no one may enter his majestys palace without permission."

" Lower your weapon and let us pass," I growled.

" He comes with permission of Shang Tsung, he is to enter the Mortal Kombat

tournament. " father explained.

" Prove it," the guard demanded.

With that I took the guard by the head and flung him

into the wooden doors, flinging them open. On the other side stood Shang Tsung. " Let them in Reiko," Shang Tsung ordered.

I held out a hand to Shang Tsung. He took a glance at my

massive hand and gestured for me to lower it. " When you arrive in Earthrealm you must face the current champion."

" I should be hearing this from the emperor, where is he?"

" I am afraid the emperor will not be able to join us, he is off on a military campaign actually in another realm."

" I see."

" Yes indeed, anyway you will have to face a Shaolin Monk, Kung Lao."

" A man from Earthrealm will not be a challenge. "

" Do not underestimate him, he beat me and he is approved of by earths god of thunder. "

" I would even do away with this god of thunder if I had too. And beating you isn't a task to be known for, if you recall our little meeting in the shokan mines. "

Shang Tsung ignored my comment. " The tournament starts next week. "

" You still haven't discussed what will benefit the Shokan people for this tournament business. " father reminded him.

" Shao Kahn will allign his army with yours, with the improved military we will aid you in wiping out all existance of your enemies, the Centaurs. Also when Earthrealm is ours you will receive a quarter of its land for the Shokans and your people will be second only to Shao Kahn. "

" I have to agree with this proposal Goro, you will be doing us a great deal for your people. It will end all bloodshed of Shokans."

I thought for a moment. I do not like to help this dirty sorceror, but for the well being of my people...," I accept all terms, how will I go about getting to earthrealm?"

Shang Tsung smiled, he waved his arms around and chanted some magical spell. A large

swirling portal opened before me. Shang Tsung stood with his robes blowing around with the air being sucked into the portal. " After you Prince Goro."

I looked back at father, he nodded.

I walked towards the portal and leapt through it.

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After climbing throught the ranks of the tournament I met up with Shang Tsung in his observation balcony.

" There is the pathetic monk," Shang Tsung said angirly.

I could tell Shang Tsung despised Kung Lao more than anything else.

Even though my victory would allow Shang Tsung to keep his life from Shao Kahn, Shang Tsung definetely wanted Kung Lao to do more.

" It is time." I announced.

I walked down the staircase from the observation balcony. As I neared the door to the arena I continued to watch Kung Lao practice his techniques. Kung Lao wore green and red fighting robes, and atop his head was a very strange hat with a very large brim. I put four of my hands on the door frame to help myself through the door. Only when I did this, did Kung Lao realize what he was up against and gazed in awe. Untill after a few seconds he came to his senses and got into a fighting stance.

" I will fight for all that is good and the safety of Earths people." He declared.

" I will fight for the well-being of my people, to get for them what they deserve," I said.

Kung Lao ran to me at full speed and kicked me across the chin. I threw a fist at him but he twisted his body to the side and flipped striking me twice across the jaw with his feet. He leap into the air and tried to bring his foot down onto my face but I caught it and flung him around. He spun around in the air and landed on his feet as he skidded to the edge of the arena. He ran to me, I put out all four arms to intercept him but he suddenly did a slide through my legs. I quickly spun around striking him across the face with my two arms. I leapt into the air with my fist extended. He rolled to the side as I came crashing down, Making the tiles on the floor fly out of place. He then punched me in the stomach and attempted to perform a roundhouse, I saw it coming however and caught his foot, I then punched him over the side of the ring. He instantly jump to his feet once more and launched an attack, but yet again I blocked,countered, and threw him to the side of the ring,

He was nearly defeated, I waited for Shang Tsung to confirm my victory but the shaolin warrior

once again returned to his feet. I charged at him with furiously. Suddenly he disappeared.

" What kind of trick is..," He suddenly reappeared behind me, kicked me in the shoulder,

and delievered a flury of punches to my chest. I swiped after him but he crouched and tripped me up. I fell back a little bit, wobbling, as I tried to regain my balance, he ran at me full speed and kicked me out of the ring, I stumbled over and fell on my back. The crowd gasped at the site of the great Goro actually being put onto the ground by a mere mortal. Shang Tsung groaned up in his balcony. Kung Lao approached me and took off his hat and held it high, which was then I noticed the sun reflecting of the razor sharp metal brim. This would be the end.

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" Goro," father said a day before the tournament," The Centaurs have called in reinforcements throughout the land, we cannot get any of our allies here for all routes are blocked by the Centaurs. They have weapons,men,and everything on their side. They will soon break through, we have only been bearly fending them off. We do not have a foothold anywhere for an attack. We need land in earthrealm, we need Kahns reinforcements. When they break through they will kill our children,our wives,and any chance for the Shokan race to live on to the future. It is all on your shoulders Goro. For Shokan," he yelled.

" For Shokan," I shouted.

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He was right. I could not fail. Losing my own life is one thing, but losing the lives of my

fellow Shokan would be unacceptable. No, I could not let the Centaurs or this monk erase all traces of my people. I will fight. I will forever fight for the people of Shokan.

I opened my eyes and rolled to the side dodging his foot. I then used all four arms

to raise my self from the ground. I stared at him with an intense hatred. He swiped at me with his hat but I caught his hand, I headbutted him and punched him across the ground. I stretched out all of my arms and roared, making the entire arena shake. I ran towards him, he responded by launching his hat at me, I brought two of my arms down on top of it, smacking it into the ground as it scrapped across the tiles making sparks fly, eventually bouncing far from the monks reach. I ran at him, he was very quick, being able to dodge all my attacks. Unfortuneatly he made the fatal mistake in trying to take me head on. Every thing he threw at me I blocked, and with two extra arms, I could punish him for his feeble attempt. His face was bruised and bloodied as I continued to punish him with the strength of the Shokan people. He shook it off and attempted his teleport trick once more, I was ready however. I crouched down and extended all four arms and spun around, hitting anything around me. I struck him in the stomach multiple times as he coughed. The final one was so powerful he flew into the far wall. He kneeled over panting. " I have failed raiden, forgive me." he pleaded to his god.

" Yes you have failed to ruin my peoples life."

He stared at me, knowing he could not win, he threw a slow punch at me but I

batted his hand away.

" Finish him, " Shang Tsung demanded, smiling, barely able to contain his twisted idea of excitement.

I grabbed Kung Lao by the head and leg and raised him over my head.

I pressed my two upper arms into the center of his back. I then suddenly yanked down on his leg and head quickly while pushing my arms into his back with my all my strength instantly breaking his back. He screamed as he could hear his own spine snap. I carried his broken corpse over to Shang Tsung.

" Your soul is mine! " Shang Tsung reached out his hand as the soul slowly came out through Kung Lao's mouth and entered through Shang Tsungs fingertips.

Shang Tsung reached his hand into the air, feeling his new found power. He couldn't help but laugh sinisterly. My people have been saved for now and that is all that matters. When Shang Tsung calmed down he turned his attention to me. Lightning and rain poured from the heavens. " People of Earth, I present to you the new champion of Mortal Kombat, Prince Goro