Johnny hadn't been expecting to get in easily. In fact, he'd expected a challenge, one that he could properly brag about when he'd beaten it. The night hadn't been too far from what he was expecting, drinking games, tests of strengths, getting even more shit faced in between everything, but he was pro enough to handle himself, no big deal, right? And, it wasn't, at least not for him, that is. Everyone had been expecting Johnny to get through each test without breaking a sweat, and they were right, he was in his element. What people weren't expecting, though, was Jack.

Jack had taken his time when trying to figure out what exactly was going on, someone must've explained it to him though, because only a few seconds later, he was imitating Johnny, flipping over the keg without any assistance. Johnny, on the other hand, was beginning to feel the effects of the trial, and needed some help keeping level. In what seemed like hours later, the buzzer on the podium went off, and the inductees were helped back onto their feet, albeit a little unsteady.

Steven was hunched over, clenching his stomach with his face scrunched up, as if he were going to puke. He had barely touched his keg at the start, before upchucking, and hadn't gotten much farther after that. Johnny couldn't see straight, and his sense of balance had definitely been altered, but he was fine for the most part, proudly flexing his biceps and whooping enthusiastically, having chugged about half of his kegs beer. Jack was another story. The blue blooded male had managed to empty over a third of the contents of his keg, and amazingly, was standing straight up, shrugging and looking at the chaos around him with disinterest.

"Alright ladies!" Aku said, grabbing the microphone again. "I see you're all still standing! Don't worry, we'll fix that right up!" He laughed obnoxiously, earning a chorus of cheers from the Cobras around him. Jack couldn't help but feel a strange sense of familiarity when hearing Aku speak. It was as if he'd met him before, and felt as if he should recognize the man, but couldn't quite place his finger on it.

Before he realized it, Aku had already moved on to explaining the next trial, and Jack had to snap back to reality. "-and so, it is only natural that we have you demonstrate your loyalty, through a little one on one with our beloved mascot!" Without further warning, or a chance for them to understand what was happening, something huge was dumped onto the three, sending them sprawling to the ground. Upon their recovery, though, the trio found that they had been buried in something completely unexpected, Johnny being the first to notice.

"SNAKES!" He screamed in a shrill voice. The normally "macho" minded muscleman shot up into the air, screeching like a banshee, furiously batting at the scaly animals, desperately trying to get them off his body. Their audience broke out into laughter and cheering as he ran about frantically, running into people and falling over himself as he went. Aku grinned at how Johnny was reacted, pleased with how the initiation was playing out. But when he turned his head to watch his other victims, his face fell.

Steven was doing about as well as anyone had thought he would, curled up into a ball on the ground, seemingly frozen in fear. The snakes were mostly ignoring him though. No, what caught Aku's attention was Jack. Jack, who had since stood up, back to his usual proud stance. On his shoulders, on his head, his arms, at his feet, everywhere there were cold blooded creatures. And yet, still, the man wasn't flinching. In fact, he actually looked as if he were enjoying this! Aku watched with annoyance as the other smiled at the reptiles, letting them slither around, and even petting one or two. They didn't seem threatened and didn't even attempt to bite him.

Johnny, however, was still running rampant around the clearing. His constant screaming had been a reminder that he was still there, and the sound was coming closer. Jack had been preoccupied by the slithering creatures around him when Johnny, not looking where he was going, ran directly into him. The two collided and went flying, tumbling off into the crowd as scaled animals were tossed off of them.

The two landed awkwardly, both tangled together with Johnny on top, face to face with Jack. His shades were askew and his hair had become a ruffled mess. Jack looked up, saw his disheveled appearance, and immediately busted out into laughter. Johnny hadn't been expecting the usually reserved Asian to make such a noise, snorting loudly and turning a bright red. "What're you laugh in' at egg roll!" Johnny said, unable to stop from smiling, and soon joining Jack's guffaws. The two laughed with tears in their eyes as the group around them began to applaud, heaving them into the air in a mob of hands and arms.

Jack looked over at Johnny, smiling broadly, and was answered with a goofy grin.

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There had been several other challenges that night, mostly comprised of more drinking, strength tests, and general dicking around. About exactly what you'd expect from a popular fraternity. Of course, afterwards, there was a massive party held at the Cobra house held in celebration of the newest members. Johnny, at this point, was completely hammered, and Jack wasn't far behind him.

"DUDE!" A party-goer shouted over the music, clapping Johnny on the shoulder. "That was awesome! You totally wrecked the initiation! Welcome to Cobra house!" He laughed and downed the rest of his drink, returning to the party with a fist in the air. People had been congratulating the two all night like that, coming up and shaking their hands, taking selfies, and introducing themselves and other cobra members. They'd even given the two nicknames for their accomplishments. "Samurai Jack, whaddup man?!" Another member shouted, high fiving Jack as he passed by. "Elvis! Bro!" Another yelled, nearly tackling Johnny.

Jack had enjoyed the festivities for the most part, but felt that he could use some space. So while Johnny was busy challenging other fraternity members to arm wrestle him, Jack slipped outside.

He took a deep breath of fresh night air, trying to clear his fuzzy mind. He was actually glad that Johnny had brought him along to this event, although it wasn't really his style, he was enjoying himself. He thought about contacting his family, calling to let them know how things were going, update them on what he'd done so far. Before he could get much further in thought though, a familiar voice spoke from behind him.

"So, a Ken becomes a cobra. Never thought I'd see the day." Jack turned around to find Aku standing in front of him. He looked unimpressed, bored almost, with his arms crossed and eyes half-lidded. Suddenly, it clicked. Jack remembered exactly where he knew the other from. "Akuma Kage." Jack replied. "It's been years. How've you been, my friend?" Jack said, smiling. The two had known each other since they were children, their fathers both owners of prestigious companies in Japan. "I'm doing rather well actually, I've been busy here, you know." He said, his tone grim. "Not all of us have the leisure of abandoning our lineage. I for one have taken on the responsibility giving to me as heir to my fathers company. Unlike someone else I know." His eyes narrowed. Jack's eyes sparked with shock and pain. He hadn't remembered his old friend being so bitter.

"I do not understand." Jack sputtered, confused and hurt. "Of course you wouldn't." The other snapped. "You never took anything seriously, did you? Chasing after dreams and fantasies? You're still as ignorant as you were back then, but I've grown up, Jack." He growled, stepping closer. "And you should too."

"HEY GUYS!" A boisterous voice interrupted them. Aku turned around, his demeanor completely shifting. "Johnny, congrats on making it man!" Aku said, matching Johnny's wavelength perfectly. The two began to chat nonchalantly, while Jack, still jarred from his earlier confrontation, stood frozen in the background. "Yeah, totally! Don'tcha think that'd be cool Jack?" Johnny said, bringing Jack back to the present. "Huh, what?" He asked. "Aku says he's got an idea, to officially make us Cobras, you're game arent'cha?"

Jack's eyes darted over to Aku who, for the moment, was wearing a mask of a smile. A mischievous glint showed through his eyes, but not wanting to seem rude, Jack pretended not to notice. "I'm up for whatever you are." Aku's smile turned smirk, giving Jack second thoughts. "That's great." He said, turning back to the blond. "Why don't you guys head on back inside? I'll round everybody up so we can make this happen." Aku patted Johnny on the back, then stood aside to let the two pass. But as Jack began to walk by, Aku grabbed his arm in a tight vice stopping him in his tracks, and whispered icily in Japanese.

"Don't get too comfortable Ken, you're a cobra now, anything goes."

Jack swallowed, his throat going dry. He didn't know what Aku meant by what he'd said, and frankly, didn't want to. But before he even had a chance to reply, his opposite had fled, disappearing to gather up the rest of Omega M. "Hey, you okay man?" Johnny asked in a concerned tone. "Hm?" Jack stopped, nearly running into the taller. "Well, it's just..." He scratched the back of his head, looking slightly embarrassed. "It's just that you seem a little off, is all." After a moment of silence, Johnny spoke again. "I-I'm probably just bein weird." He laughed nervously, waving a hand in dismissal.

Jack smiled. "I appreciate your concern. Thank you, but I am fine. Come, let's go join the others." He said, patting the other on the back as he walked inside. Johnny cleared his throat, trying to hide what seemed to be a blush. "Uh, yeah! Yeah, sure."