I f*cking love Colossus.
Back in Fitz's throne room, several masked guards were escorting a new kombatant. He was covered in a mask of cloth and red clothing. "Kombatants! I present to you the newest carrion of Grant Ward. He is many souls fused together. His name is Cyclops!" Fitz said.
Cyclops assumed a fighting position as he glowed green. As he glowed green, he also crackled with a magical light and energy. Steve looked impressed again as Rhodey laughed.
"Be wary, Piotr, he is unlike anything you have fought before." Storm warned. Piotr stepped up to face Cyclops. "Piotr Rasputin. You are the sole Earthrealm warrior to progress to the final round of the tournament." Fitz said. "I am ready." Piotr said.
"We are many. You are one. We will destroy you." Cyclops said. They began to fight an intense match. After an intense battle, Piotr came out on top. "Earthrealm will not fall into your master's hand." Piotr said.
With the fight over, the kombatants began to leave. As they left, Jamie walked over to an unhappy looking Fitz. "He's a greater threat than anticipated. I will ensure he does not make it to the final challenge." Jamie said. Fitz nodded his approval and Jamie left after Piotr.
Later, in the forest, Piotr was practicing while Storm watched. "Remember Black Panther's teachings. For my visions to come true, you must not let emotion overpower you." Storm cautioned.
"Your visions? What causes them?" Piotr asked curiously. "My future self sent them to me. Perhaps to ensure some outcome." Storm answered.
"Or to prevent some." Piotr muttered. Storm gasped again as another vision hit her. This time, it was of her future self. "He must win!" Future Storm shouted before disappearing.
Storm stared in shock at the vision. "'He must win'. Those are my last word before I die. I believe it is you who must win." Storm mused. Storm took off her amulet.
She stared at it for a long moment. "The amulet was forged by the Elder Gods. It first cracked after my first vision. If we choose wisely, the future will be secured and the cracks healed." Storm murmured. "I trust you will make the right decision." Piotr said.
"We must trust the Elder Gods, Piotr." Storm cautioned. Storm teleported away in a flash of lightening.
Piotr went to resume his training when Jamie walked into the clearing. She instantly began to attack him, but he blocked the attacks. Piotr kicked her away. Jamie tried again, only to be kicked away again.
By now, Jamie was angry and rushed at Piotr to attack. Piotr just grabbed her arms and stopped the attack.
Though she never hit him, Piotr looked rather impressed. "Show me more." He said. Jamie pushed him back, "Do not underestimate me, Shaolin."
They began to fight. Despite having ten thousand years of experience behind her, Jamie lost to the Shaolin Warrior. "I'm impressed." Piotr commented.
"Do it." Jamie said, looking down. "Do what?" Piotr asked. "Kill me." By now, Jamie was sitting up.
Piotr knelt down next to her. "Why would I do that?" He asked gently. "I came to kill you. I have failed my father. My emperor." Jamie whispered. "Grant Ward is your father?" Piotr asked in shock.
"I have disgraced him. You must kill me." Jamie insisted. "I will not." Piotr said. Jamie looked at him in confusion. "This encounter never took place. You have disgraced no one." Piotr said.
He began to walk away. A thought hit Piotr and he turned back around. "I hope we meet again. Under...different circumstances." Piotr said before finally walking away. Jamie sat there, puzzled at what had happened.
Later that night, Piotr walked into the courtyard with Coulson and Storm flanking him. Earthrealm's remaining warriors, along with Fitz and Jamie waited in anticipation.
"Kombatants! Only one Earthrealm Warrior remains!" Fitz announced. Storm and Coulson nodded, Storm putting her hand on Coulson's shoulder.
Coulson then placed his hand on Piotr's shoulder and they all nodded. "The Shaolin, Piotr Rasputin. Is he ready to carry such a burden? Earthrealm's fate is in his hands. His opponent shall be...Pyro." Fitz said.
Pyro appeared in a burst of flame. Piotr assumed a fighting stance. "I do not fear you, demon." Piotr declared.
"Fighting with Pyro...the sorcerer, Strucker!" Fitz finished. Strucker teleported through a portal and laughed. "You have already lost." Pyro declared. They all began to fight.
Despite all the odds being stacked against him, Piotr somehow managed to come away with a win. "As I said, I do not fear you, I pity you." Piotr said.
As Fitz's eyes narrowed with displeasure, Piotr walked up to Storm. Well done," Storm said, "But the tournament is not yet over." "Thing." Piotr breathed. "What's a 'Thing'?" Steve whispered to Natasha.
Natasha shrugged in answer. "Piotr Rasputin. It has been years since an Earthrealmer has made it this far. But the reigning champ is far beyond your ability. To the Lair with you!" Fitz declared. Fitz opened a portal beneath Piotr's feet. He fell through it and landed in the Lair.
It was the prison Natasha had fought in earlier. The only difference was, though, there was a large, and empty, throne. Piotr stood abandoned around, seeing no one.
"I did not expect to fight in this tournament." Thing said. Piotr whirled around to face the four-armed humanoid being. "But eventually, even the Shaolin produce a warrior worthy of the Shokan." Thing finished
He stalked forward to face Piotr. "I know who you are! I am ready for you!" Piotr yelled. "I will give you a warrior's death." Thing said.
They began to fight. It was a long and hard fight, requiring all of Piotr skills and abilities. But he pulled away with a win. "It seems the Shaolin trained a warrior better than the Shokan." Piotr said.
Sensing Thing was out cold, Piotr clapped his hands together in prayer. A portal opened behind him and he looked at it with grim determination. Back in Fitz's throne room, Storm and the others waited to see who the victor was.
Piotr stepped through and Fitz sneered unhappily. Storm took a deep breath of anticipation as Fitz stepped down from his throne.
"Leopold Fitz! Only one fight remains. Face me...in Mortal Kombat!" Piotr declared. "So be it." Fitz sighed. The two began to engage in a serious fight.
The fight was tough, Fitz bringing all of his shapeshifting and fireball powers to his full power. In the end, though Piotr managed to knocked down Fitz with a vicious blow. "Say it." Piotr said. "I concede." Fitz sighed.
The Earthrealm Warriors all cheered. "Well done, my friend." Coulson congratulated. "He has saved Earthrealm." Storm nodded her approval.
A large beam of light, emanating from a portal, descended into the room. The other Earthrealmers surrounded Piotr, offering him their congratulations. "That was awesome." Natasha congratulated.
"Congratulations." Wolverine said. "Way to go!" Mack added. "MVP Baby!" Steve happily said. Fitz and his minions all took a portal back to Outworld.
Jamie left last, casting a longing look towards Piotr, who smiled at her. Jamie left through the portal after that. Piotr turned to Storm, who bowed. Piotr bowed back.
Coulson put his hand on Piotr's shoulder and Piotr nodded at him. Storm looked down at her amulet.
To her shock, there were more cracks on the amulet. Storm pondered over it, worry on her face.