Celebration

"Everyone may adjourn. We will return after Tonight's supper." Shang Tsung stated. Everyone began to leave the area. Tesla, Raskal, Rain, and I were the only ones left. Raskal and Tesla looked upon a laid-out Rain.

"It's nice to see you're awake," Raskal teased. "I thought we lost you for a second there."

"With your condition, I'm surprised you don't lose a lot of things," Rain responded.

"At least we didn't lose a match. You really let that Earthrealm boy defeat you like that? No wonder why your sister Tanya was able to defeat you so well," Tesla teased.

"Half-Sister!" Rain corrected. "She had help from Jade." He thought about what he said and realized that he embarrassed himself even more.

"Excuse me…" Chan interrupted. He was expecting a harsh response. "If I may ask, exactly how did his half-sister beat him?" he asked. Raskal and Tesla looked at each other and returned their attention to Chan.

"Her story states that she used a spell that slowed him down. Afterwards, she used a powerful fire blast to ultimately take him out," Tesla explained.

"If I may add, Tanya was only sixteen at that time," Raskal stated.

"That's all lies. She can't use magic. Well, she can now. However, at that time, she didn't even know any magic," Rain confirmed.

"Actually, I believe Rain's story," Chan stated. Raskal and Tesla were dumbfounded by his reply.

"Wait, you agree with him? Even after you beat him?" Raskal asked.

"Actually, I agree with him because I beat him," he added. "The description of the fight from Tanya's point of view is similar to mine. I don't think its luck that caused me to dodge his attacks. For some reason, when I believed that I could dodge his blade, it actually happened. However, my fire is no magic. It was a gift from the Elder Lords."

"This information changes the facts how?" Tesla asked.

"Well, if she did use a fireball, he could've easily extinguished her attack. Not to mention that his water bubble would've killed her," he responded. "The only reason I survived was because of the charm that froze the water and immobilized Rain."

"Great analysis kid. You're absolutely right," Rain stated. Tesla and Raskal were impressed. Chan helped Rain to his feet.

"I'm curious…why would you associate with your enemy?" Tesla asked.

"Well, this conversation helped me realize that not everyone from Outworld is a bad person," Chan responded. Raskal reluctantly agreed while Tesla chuckled at his answer.

"That only applies to Raskal, kid. I went easy on you. The evil things Tesla and I would, could, and will do can't be reasoned with, especially when you face her in the finals," Rain commented.

"Trust me, our match will be brutal. You will learn the true power of fire and darkness. And this time, no one will be able to save you," she added as she kissed Chan on the cheek and gave him a sinister smile.

*Later that night*

Chan, Johnny, Jax, and Sonya begin walking down the halls of Shang Tsung's tower. They enjoy the sight of his royal walls. As they walk inside the cafeteria, two of Shang Tsung's guards walk in front of Chan. The trio became skeptical.

"Here to get our interviews?" Johnny Cage asked.

"Do you always crack jokes?" Jax asked.

"Trust me, Jax, he's serious," Sonya responded.

"Shang Tsung has an invitation to the VIP area of the Cafeteria for Hornbuckle," one Guard stated.

"How do we know you aren't lying?" Sonya asked.

"Shang Tsung is not allowed to challenge Hornbuckle, nor is he allowed to make someone fight him outside of the tournaments," the other guard answered. "In plain terms, he has benefits for being Earthrealm's champion."

"It's alright, Sonya. I'll be safe," Chan stated. Sonya still refused, but Jax placed his hand on her shoulder. She decided to let it go and they continue to the cafeteria.

The Guards escort Chan to the 6th floor of the tower, which was two floors below Shang Tsung's Throne Room. They spot a particular room and point Chan in its direction. As Chan approached the door, he prepared for the worst. However, before he could grab the handle, the door opened. Jade was standing at the door dress in her royal garb. Even though she was a servant, she still carried herself as someone of higher class.

"If it isn't the Earthrealm Champion. Welcome to the VIP. My name is Jade, and I will be serving you today," she greeted.

"It's...nice to meet you," Chan greeted. Jade showed him to his seat, but he froze up at the door. He spotted that there was only one small round table with three chairs. Two of those chairs were occupied by none other than Shang Tsung and Kitana.

"Earthrealmer, you've finally arrived," Shang Tsung stated. "Please, sit." Chan was skeptical about the whole thing, but he decided to comply for the moment. He looked down at the food on his plate with suspicion. Kitana noticed it and decided to stick her fork in his food. She proceeds to sample his food.

"Thanks for your concern," Chan responded.

"You know it's illegal for me to kill you outside of the tournament. This is more of a…victory present."

"Victory for Earthrealm?"

"No, you fool; victory for Outworld!" Kitana stated firmly. Shang Tsung gave her a cold glare and she did the same to him. "We need people like you in Outworld. It provides stability and honor. Don't get the wrong idea about us from Raiden, we are good people in Outworld; we just do bad things to keep the Realms in Order."

"I know. I talked to Raskal and Tesla already," Chan stated.

"The right and wrong examples respectively."

"Why did you really bring me here?"

"We only need one more victory for Outworld to merge with Earthrealm. Kitana has convinced the Emperor that she could persuade you to surrender Earthrealm to Shao Kahn in exchange for your lives," Shang Tsung explained.

"Then why are you here, Sorcerer?" Chan asked. Shang Tsung felt a bit offended, but he understood Chan's concern. He rose from his chair and prepared to leave the room. Kitana was slightly disappointed.

"So, you're really going to leave us here alone?" she asked.

"I didn't come to interfere with your dinner," he said. "Oh, and please enjoy the dinner, Shaolin." Shang Tsung was gone from the room. Only Chan, Kitana, and Jade were in the room. It was silent. Kitana decided it would be best for her to break the ice.

"So, I was wondering...is your brother single?" Kitana asked. Chan slightly blushed and became embarrassed.

"How...how would I know? He's dead," Chan remarked.

"No, he's not. We all know your real name, Hornbuckle. Who do you think gave you your codename?" Kitana asked.

"I...wait what did you guys do?" he asked.

"Isn't that the question of the day?" Kitana asked sarcastically. "I know you felt something was 'off' about that match today. And I'm not talking about Rain's aim," she explained further.

"You know about that too? You have to tell me what's happening with me!" he shouted.

"Calm down, Hornbuckle. Or shall I call you Chan Kang?" Kitana mocked. "Before we talk about anything else, I have to make an announcement in this room."

"And what's that?" Chan asked.

"It has come to my attention that I will be having an entertainment event in this room. As a matter of fact, you were in this event," she stated.

"You know as well as I do that it's against the rules for me to challenge someone to Mortal Kombat. I'm Earthrealm's contender for become the champion."

"Are you this stuck up all of the time? It's just a quick spar with Jade. Besides, what will happen if I let it slip out that you aren't legally supposed to be fighting in this tournament?" she confirmed. Chan glanced at Jade who slowly pulled out her magical pole's hilt. She used her energy to form the hilt into a two-sided metal pole. She then directed it towards Chan.

"So, what do you say Shaolin? Will you take my hand and dance?" Jade challenged. Chan looked at Kitana.

"Don't worry; I won't get jealous this one time," she stated. Chan grew nervous. He didn't want to engage in a fight, but he felt that he had no choice. He stood up from his chair and walked to the empty area of the room. He was ready to face Jade.

"Round One..." Kitana began.

"You know better than this Snowman." Chan falls on the ground after being surprised by the new voice. He got onto his knees in a praying position.

"Forgive me Lord Raiden. I didn't mean to do this," he pleaded.

"Wait what? This isn't Raiden you idiot. I'm a female; Raiden's a male. Do we really sound alike?" Frost questioned. She was standing on top of the table that both he and Kitana sat at. She took Chan's words into offense.

"Oh, it's you," he sighed in relief.

"What are you doing here? Don't you know you're in the presence of Outworld's princess?" Kitana stated as she rose from her chair.

"How did you evade the guards? How did you even get inside of this room? When did you get inside of this room?" Jade asked.

"Pipe down kids. What I want to know is why are you fools sitting in this room playing teatime when the greatest match of all time is about to occur?" Frost asked.

"Who's match?!" All three of them shouted in frustration.

"Isn't it obvious? Subzero and Scorpion."

End of Chapter 7

(Upcoming—Fire and Darkness)