Disclaimer: I own nothing that is not mine.

Chapter Twelve

The next few days passed by uneventfully until Raiden came to take the girls to the boat that would bring them to Shang-Tsung's island, where the tournament was to be held.

"Remember," he told the girls before they boarded the boat. "Once we're on Shang-Tsung's island I will have no authority. You needn't worry though. Sub-Zero, Scorpion, and Ermac will be with you. They will protect you, but they are not allowed to interfere with a match so you must be careful." With that he disappeared in a blinding flash of lightning.

"Kinda hard to be careful when you can't see anything," Emma grumbled as she rubbed her eyes. She was met with mutters of agreement. The group boarded the boat and soon it pulled away from the dock and out into the vast, quiet ocean.

One hour later

Sub-Zero and Ermac stood off to one side of the boat talking. Emma and Ella sat a ways in front of them on some crates and sacks, and Tori had wandered to the side of the boat and stood looking out over the water. Scorpion was nowhere to be found, probably off sulking somewhere Sub-Zero thought. He and Ermac had made sure all three girls stayed in their sight. It wasn't the other competitors that bothered him. No, they were nothing to worry about. The one that worried him was Shang-Tsung. Sub-Zero knew the demon sorcerer was somewhere on the boat, and he would no doubt try to approach the girls once he saw them. They just had to stay alert.

Tori stood watching the moon reflect off of the dark ocean water. Everyone on the boat was doing their own thing, so she was left to her own thoughts. Unfortunately the only thoughts on her mind were of a certain ninja specter. Why was she even thinking of him anyway? She could've been thinking about more important things, like if she and her friends were going to live through the tournament, but no, her thoughts were focused on an idiot who had no other cares except for his quest for revenge. Speaking of Scorpion, where was he anyway? Tori looked around to find that the Shirai Ryu was nowhere in sight. She sighed before turning back to the water. He was probably mad that he couldn't kill Shang-Tsung even though they were on the same boat. She hadn't seen the demon sorcerer yet and she hoped she wouldn't. She had never liked him.

"Ah, so you are one of Raiden's chosen warriors." Tori spun around to see a man dressed in bright red robes, almost like Ermac's. His long black hair fell to rest at his shoulders, and he had an equally black mustache and beard. Tori didn't need to be told who he was, she already knew.

'Shang-Tsung!' He smiled at the look on her face.

"I see you already know of me," he said in a heavy accent. "Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Shang-Tsung, and you must be Tori. I am honored to meet you." He bowed to her. She waited until he straightened back up before speaking.

"What do you want?" She was usually polite to people but she considered Shang-Tsung an exception. He continued as if he hadn't noticed.

"Why I just wanted to meet you, that's all." Tori's eyes narrowed.

"Oh really? Why me? Why didn't you go to Emma or Ella?"

"Ah, but of course. I was going to talk to them after I was done with you."

'Yeah right, you just approached me because my 'guard' isn't here,' Tori thought. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Sub-Zero and Ermac watching carefully, ready to spring forward at the nearest sign of danger. Shang-Tsung wouldn't be stupid enough to attack her now though, not unless he wanted his ass barbecued by Raiden. They were still in the thunder god's domain, and they would be until they reached the island. On top of that, it was against the rules to fight before the tournament. By now Shang-Tsung had noticed Sub-Zero and Ermac and had decided to take his leave.

"Well, there are things I must be attending to. It was a pleasure to meet you," he said as he took a step towards her. In a blur of gold Scorpion was standing in front of Tori, blocking her from Shang-Tsung.

"Scorpion?" Tori stared at his back in surprise. She'd begun to think he wasn't even on the boat. Sub-Zero and Ermac, who had started forward, stopped dead in their tracks, staring at Scorpion in disbelief.

"If you so much as lay one finger on her, I'll gladly rip your arm off and beat you to death with it," Scorpion growled. Shang-Tsung snarled, finally dropping the 'polite' façade.

"Ah, Scorpion, I had thought you weren't on the boat, too much to hope for I see."

"You'd be wise to watch your back. I don't need another excuse to kill you," Scorpion said. Shang-Tsung smirked.

"Oh yes, other than the fact that you're too weak to make a scratch on me."

"What," Scorpion growled as he started forward. Without thinking, Tori reached out and put her hand on Scorpion's arm. He glared at her, but held back from attacking Shang-Tsung. At the sight of this, and amused smirk spread across the sorcerer's face.

"Ah, I am pleased to see you keep your dog on a short leash," he said to Tori. Her eyes narrowed and she moved to stand in front of Scorpion, who looked ready to rip Shang-Tsung limb from limb.

"I can't do anything now because of the tournaments rules, but trust me, when I get the chance, I'm going to put a dent in that ugly thing you call a face," she said in a low voice.

"I'll look forward to that," Shang-Tsung said before walking off. Tori stood there, watching his retreating figure as it disappeared below deck.

"Why did you do that?" She turned at the question and saw Scorpion staring down at her.

"Do what," she asked.

"Stop me." She pondered it for a moment. Truthfully she didn't know why she had stopped him. She had done it without thinking.

"I guess I did it because I don't want you to get into trouble," she said hesitantly. Scorpion snorted.

"That's it? That's the only reason you stopped me?" Tori felt her cheeks heat up at his question.

"And why else would I stop you, huh," she asked defensively. Scorpion's eyes narrowed in annoyance.

"I don't need you looking out for me. I can take care of myself."

"Fine, be that way," Tori shouted before they stormed off in different directions. All the while Sub-Zero, Ermac, Emma, and Ella stood there watching this argument take place.

"What was that all about," Ermac muttered to Sub-Zero as Tori stormed past them. Sub-Zero watched Emma and Ella follow her before he looked at Scorpion, who was on the other end of the ship.

"I have no idea."

Author's note: Enjoy!