I apologize for such a long wait on this last chapter of MK: The Gathering. My job started up again and I couldn't find enough time to get to work on this chapter. There already is enough material that I have outlined out for a sequel to this story, although the framework is a lot different than this one. I would just like to finally say thank you to everyone who has read, commented, followed, or favorite this story, all of those actions motivate me to put the best product for everyone to see.

So without further ado…The Finale to Mortal Kombat: The Gathering

As always I do not own any characters I'm about to use….because that would be awesome.

For the last time all of everyone takes their place in the golden arena of the Elder Gods. The Pures and Protectors take their place on the lower level, the Gods taking their place on the middle level, and the Elder Gods on the upper level. The Saurion enters first his camouflage already making him invisible to everyone. Shortly afterwards Liu Kang enters the arena, he finds it unusual not to see at deteriorating corpse being carted out before he enters, it's further confirmation to him that he has reached the final match.

Liu Kang enters the golden circle and Argus stands up from his perch, the same glaring look that has adorned his face throughout the Gathering is gone, it is now a look of resentment, resentment that Liu Kang refused to bow to anyone ensuring that Onaga will get his wish of destroying Earthrealm without interference from the Elder Gods. Many thought that Molloch could have been able to withstand the corrosive mist due to his thick hide. Instead the Saurian has a thin skinned human to deal with instead.

Argus raises his hand and without much emotion signals the beginning of the fight. The Saurian looking for a quick victory, shoots his mists at Liu Kang but Liu Kang's quick reflexes allow him to dodge the projectile, the arena gasps seeing that this is the first time the Saurian has missed while being invisible. Liu Kang fires a ball of flame in the direction of the mist but the ball instead strikes against the golden walls of the arena signaling that the Saurian has already found a new hiding spot. Instead of searching for the Saurian, Liu Kang closes his eyes and concentrates by taking deep breaths, soon his chest begins to light, inside of him, an small flame encircles his heart.

The first time Liu Kang showed this ability to harness fire inside of his body like a dragon was during his training at the White Lotus Society. Bo'Rai Cho thought that Liu Kang was dying but instead noticed that it gave Liu Kang heightened senses and immense physical power. Bo'Rai Cho and the others immediately bowed to the young boy realizing that the power with this Pure is clearly stronger than all the Pures before him.

Liu Kang's hybrid transformation as half human-half dragon continues his eyes begin to reshape into the oval shape, his pupils turn into a deep red, while his irises begin to transform into a golden yellow. The fire within his beastly transformation begins to escape his skin turning his body into a flaming mass. He uses these new senses to feel the presence of the Saurian as he grabs him by the arm and rips him off the ground. The Saurian screams in agony as much of his scaly skin is charred on his right side. With the Saurian realizing that his advantage has been taken away from him unleashes an arsenal of green mist the encompases much of the fighting area. Liu Kang uses his powers to leap over the green mist and he delivers a flaming dragon kick to the Saurian. The Saurian is now badly wounded his chest as a foot size hole in it and his entire right side of his body is burned. The Saurian knows that he cannot compete with Liu Kang's powers, the Saurian simply bows his head and submits his fate. Liu Kang nods to the Saurian before unleashing a fireball though Reptile's chest killing him instantly and as painfully as possible.

"Impressive," Onaga stands and applauds.

The Pures that championed the Saurian are in shock and many begin to tear as they feel the essences in their bodies that give them their power fade away. Argus in a ceremonial fashion rises his out of his seat, "I declare Liu Kang of Earthrealm the winner of The Tournament, for your victory you are now Protector of this new realm and your organs in your body will stop since you are now immortal, they will reactivate upon your activity in Mortal Kombat, congratulations Liu Kang."

Liu Kang nods while the rest of those in attendance ceremonially clap knowing that he will probably only be Protector for a few minutes.

"Onaga, you are the God of Earthrealm, under the rules you are granted one unconditional request."

Onaga stands from his seat, "My unconditional request is to invade Earthrealm."

The Audience bows their heads knowing the fate was coming, that Onaga's promise will finally come true.

Raiden stands from his seat in the lower level, "Than I have no choice but to challenge Onaga to Mortal Kombat."

"Yes Protector Raiden, and you will compete in Mortal Kombat against Protector Shao Kahn, and my army, if you refuse than I will simply destroy the realm until you are weakened."

Raiden's eyes flicker with light, "I accept your terms."

Onaga laughs, "Than I accept your challenge."

Raiden, Onaga, and Kahn all feels their essence within them energize as their organs in their body reactivate signaling to them that they are mortal. A massive portal opens in the skies of the new realm as millions of soldiers of the Immortal Army descend upon the realm. The shear mass of beings cover the region as far as anyone could see. The Elder Gods start to quiver in fear at the mass numbers encircling them while Kratos remains as stoic and unemotional as he has been during the entire Gathering.

Raiden and Onaga enter the golden circle, The Saurian's dead body still lays as a mass upon the floor. The two looks at each other eye to eye, Onaga begins to smile, "Kahn hand me the sword." Kahn unsheathes the sword and with his great physical power he holds the sword perpendicular to Onaga, Kahn then unleashes a small chuckle before burying the sword through Onaga's back and out his chest. The crowd surrounding them in the arena gasp at the betrayal. Onaga now feeling pain for the first time since he fought in the tournament screams in agony, his essence and his powers with it get absorbed into the sword until Onaga is nothing but a lifeless corpse. Kahn pulls the sword out of Onaga's dead body, the immortal heart made from Shinook's sorcery still pumping while being punctured by the sword. Kahn engulfs the hear whole absorbing the resurrection power into his essence.

With Onaga's death, Raiden wins the challenge, Kahn looks up at Kratos, Kratos nods acknowledging the deal between them is finalized. With his newly stolen powers Kahn resurrects the Saurian from the dead, Kahn turns to Shang Tsung who approaches next to him, "Consider this a present for becoming the new Protector of Outworld."

Tsung smiles just before reaping the Saurian's soul killing the Saurian a second time, Kahn then revives the Saurian once more making the Saurian a soulless servant to Sheng Tsung.

"What is your name Saurian?" Tseng asks.

"Saurian's don't have names master," the Saurian responds.

Tseng smiles, "Then as a gift to you I shall give you the name…Reptile."

Reptile bows, "Thank you master."

The Gathering has ended as one by one portals from various realms reopen sending those back to their home realms, a guardsmen of the Elder Gods watches over any Pure that lost their powers for not championing Liu Kang. Finally the last portal opens as the golden temple of Edenia ascends back to its realm. All is left of the new realm is the now abandoned temples, the flickering light of their torches, and Liu Kang the new Tournament champion.

And that concludes MK: The Gathering, I will be taking a small break to get other writing projects going but as I said earlier a sequel is already in the mix to be ready for that. In the meantime my Arrow piece "Hunting Party" will still be continuing so give that a look if you're interested. Thanks to everyone again, and I will return to the MK universe soon.