AN: Holy shit! It's been a month since I've updated this. And I am surely sorry. This will be rectified, and soon. I hope this chapter being very long at least partially makes up for this. Dont expect another month-long delay. I wouldn't forgive myself if I made another. It's tournament time so you'll have to suffer through some more of my poorly-written fighting scenes, and I apologize for that.

SKARLET

As she had been informed, the opening ceremonies of the Mortal Kombat tournament included the first challenge, as well as the welcoming Feast for all Kombatants, which would be repeated each day, thrice, for the remaining time it would take place. And her place was to look after all of the Kombatants, of course, until she was to fight herself.

Given her poor performance against Mileena, Skarlet didn't believe she herself was much of a challenge, and was not particularly looking forward to the tournament. With Shao Kahn and Shang Tsung both overlooking the process, she was left to tend to Mileena. And being with Mileena meant she could not spend the time she wanted with Kitana.

In stark contrast to Kitana, Mileena was strange. She did outrageous things, had utterly no control of her emotions, and had extreme fixation on certain things. This was the first time she was to supervise Mileena eating before the tournament to conform with a different schedule, with the orders to never tell of how the princess had eaten or how she looked while doing it. This order had made sense to her once the princess had shed her mask and revealed a large scarred mouth filled with the sharp teeth Skarlet had only seen on the Tarkatans.

The dining hall was only scarcely lit, Skarlet alone with Mileena as she dined at the table, on a sizable portion of meat by herself.

To keep watch, Skarlet stood by her side, and took momentary hesitant glances at Mileena's feeding. Mileena would mumble and talk to herself during the process. And sometimes, Skarlet herself.

Mileena had ordered her to focus on keeping watch, and averting her eyes, but had confused her with others to focus on her when giving directions.

"Take a seat, Skarlet."

Skarlet took the seat Jade had usually taken. Hesitantly, Skarlet's curiosity had led her to examine Mileena's feeding. As the first time she had viewed what had been meant to keep a secret from Kitana, Mileena's mouth.

Her teeth were exceptionally sharp, and relatively flexible. However, unlike the teeth of a usual Tarkatan, they were curved inwards rather than the straight teeth she had seen. The gums holding the teeth into place were also highly unusual. On a normal Tarkatan, they would only be shown sparsely, and were a dark red, rooting the teeth into place. But something about Mileena's gums were different. They were stretched horrifically wide, reaching nearly to her ears. Scars ran along and with the curve of her gums, which were fleshy, and red. Stains of dried blood covered the roots of her teeth, which were held in place softer.

She ate with a certain carefulness, which Skarlet had not observed of Baraka. Rather than attempting to crush the meat and bone into place, Mileena was careful, attempting to eat like those with typical teeth. Curling her gums and using the flexibility, she was taking small bites at a time, with some restraint.

The blood mage was hardly subtle unless it was ordered of her, and with her seat turned towards Mileena, the slab of meat the princess was making work of was put back onto her plate, and Mileena's eyes shifted towards hers in an instant. Squinting to ascertain how long Skarlet had observed her closely, her eyes widened.

"DON'T LOOK AT ME!"

Violently, and without sufficient time to move her head, Skarlet's neck shifted instantly after the command had been given, violently snapping to the left. Skarlet clutched her head in pain, and did not move it at all. Despite this setback, Skarlet could still hear Mileena's feeding, and merely stared blankly ahead as it went forwards.

This tournament was going to be thoroughly long, and thoroughly tiring. Unlike Jade, Skarlet was assigned to a wide range of tasks by multiple people. And during Mortal Kombat, she was sure she was to be of use by Shao Kahn, his daughter, and his sorcerer.

Raising her right arm and placing her elbow upon the table, she rested her head in her hand, idly looking towards the open way out of the dining hall. The ships of Earthrealm's warriors would arrive at the shore soon, and upon their arrival they would be directly funneled into the dining hall. Skarlet didn't quite understand the purpose of the tournament much at all, but that wasn't very important to her. All she had understood was it was an event of great importance to The Kahn, and most of his subjects. And she was meant to participate as the third to last challenge.

Despite its supposed importance, and her own participation, Skarlet was apathetic of its place. After this tournament she wouldn't be plagued with watching Mileena often, and would have some time to focus on what she had actually enjoyed. Using the paints Kitana had given her, and being around her, and Jade if such a chance was given to her once more.

Squinting her eyes, Skarlet kept her mind focused on her hearing, just to make sure Mileena was still present. The sound of gentle gnawing still filled her ears, and she sighed in relief. Of course, until remembering directly afterwards she would need to supervise the feast. In frustration, she shut her eyes for a moment, and thought of the brush.

The hall was thoroughly decorated for the entrance of the Earthrealmer warriors. The interior was illuminated by numerous candles despite their inferiority compared to the lanterns at hand. The floors were polished and waxed, the broken bricks replaced and thoroughly cleaned. Unlike the relatively worn down hall she had accompanied months ago in the recent weeks the hall had been completely renovated. The chairs were different, the tables were replaced, and the Tarkatans had thrown a certain into the fires to turn them a frightening green.

And even so, Shao Kahn ordered the Tarkatans to clean once more after Mileena's brief early meal to prepare. Skarlet doubted it was him seeking the approval of the Earthrealmers. Instead, it was somewhat of an intimidation. And intimidating it was at the moment.

At two sides, directly ahead, and to the left of the entrance at one of the tables is Outworld royalty, and its warriors. Filling out the table, and ordered to keep off of their food until the Earthrealm warriors had arrived. Kano, Reptile, The Lin Kuei minus both the warriors they had called Smoke, and Scorpion. At the Main table were Shao Kahn, Kitana, Mileena, Jade, and Goro, with Skarlet standing to the side. Shang Tsung stood at the top of the steps facing the entrance, patiently waiting.

Shang Tsung paced from side to side at the top of the stairs, until shadows appeared before the door, and the Tarkatan guards walked to each side.

In preparation for the event they had donned special outfits. Raising spears by their sides, the Tarkatans were fitted with special masks in the shape of a wolf, split diagonally into black and white, and wore thickly woven brown robes. The two at each side slammed the bottom of their spears onto the ground to signal the arrival of the enemy.

Watching closely, Raiden stepped forwards. He was followed by the other warriors, ones he had chosen. Five in total trailed him, wearing a wide variety of dress. Skarlet glanced over to the table of Outworld's warriors, and then to Goro. They were sorely outnumbered, and Skarlet sighed in relief.

The party went to their table and had each taken a seat facing the front. Actively watching Shang Tsung, they awaited his welcome. Focusing on the warriors from the other world, Skarlet examined them with her eyes, until a call came into earshot.

"Skarlet, watch over the warriors while they feast." Shang Tsung orders "Both Warriors. The Lin-Kuei, and Kano cannot be trusted."

Skarlet walks down the steps, and rests next to one of the green flames. Her eyes rapidly dart around the room, to each individual until she feels sick. Continuing to listen, Shang Tsung begins his grand speech, spreading his arms to each side, and raising his voice.

"Kombatants. This feast, as provided by the Emperor of Outworld- Proceeds the opening ceremony of Mortal Kombat, a tournament for the ages. I, as the master of Mortal Kombat and ultimate challenge, will explain the rules in time. For now, I implore you to feast beforehand. The first challenge will happen in an hour, during which the opening challenge will occur." He explains, before emphasizing his next sentence. "And depending on the winner, and how they feel of their Kombatant, the loser may die."

"Enjoy this feast. It may be your last, Outworld has a tradition of providing high profile prisoners with a fitting last meal."

Spears all around slam themselves into the ground to signal the beginning of the feast, and Skarlet looks on as Shang Tsung returns to the table. Cringing, thinking of walking around for an hour, Skarlet sighs. She walks to the table with the warriors of Earthrealm to begin with, and stands at the end, watching on.

Most of them seem particularly serious. It's little surprise. Skarlet did not know what a merging would entail, but assumed it would end in a result unfavorable to most, if not all Earthrealmers. She keeps an eye close upon Raiden, knowing of his reputation from what she had heard from Shao Kahn. The Kahn did not care for him much at all, and his distaste for the protector was clear to any who had listened to him speak of Earthrealm.

Her presence near the table was hardly quiet. One with a large hat, not made of straw but with a rim forged from metal, had been watching her closely, and another in front of her, unlike the others.

Said man sat at the table in front of her, wearing an unusual outfit, a bastardization of one worn by a shinobi, with remnants of a white substance on his face. He's taking full advantage of the plate ahead of him, taking a full slab of meat ahead, and attempting to saw it into small squares with an ornate pair of silverware.

Backing away from the table, her eyes shifted to the table of Outworlds warriors, and remembers the clarification made by Shang Tsung during his order. Looking at the table of Outworld's warriors and hired ones, Kano is still gone, and will be joining the feast late. For some business he has with the Tarkatans, and the other warriors are in place.

Deciding she has spent enough time at the Earthrealm table, she heads over to the one with the Outworld warriors, and heads in closer, next to the Lin Kuei. Knowing each of their titles, she examines them closely at the table. In Blue robes, Bi-Han is the only one to eat in the feast, and even then, he does not have much of an appetite. Cyrax and Sektor do not touch either their plates, silverware, or their chalices at all. Bi-Han takes quick glances in her direction, and Skarlet notices.

Nothing of interest is happening, and nothing of interest is likely to happen until the opening ceremony and first challenge. Walking away from the tables, she stands in the space in-between them, and merely keeps watch of what is happening. Only Baraka, Reptile and the man she had observed earlier are really engaging in the feast and not letting it go to waste. Baraka, in the typical Tarkatan sense, crushes entire scores of meat, and Reptile is merely able to swallow entire chunks whole with the bone. The man, although eating small pieces at once, is doing so at a decent speed. The others seem to have less appetite, or none at all.

Watching over, she merely remains at the middle between the tables. Those involved in the tournament, bar Sektor, Cyrax, and Raiden eventually cave and begin eating. Regardless of how insulted they may be, warriors need to eat. Most at the very least. The Earthrealmers eat small portions however, besides for the empty plate of Raiden, and the full one of the White-Faced Man.

Eventually however, Kano returns, stepping through the wide entrance and walking directly to his seat. He's ignored by most, but the only woman participating but Skarlet, the one at the Earthrealm table, is watching closely. She turns herself in her chair, and her face narrows with a sight Skarlet is relatively familiar with. Rage. She has rules to upkeep.

Going to the table of the Earthrealmers, she arrives next to the woman, and looks down upon her. Clutching the dagger to her side, she emphasizes her point. "Is there an issue?"

Still with some kind of rage, she speaks through her teeth, lying. "No." A simple choice to deescalate the situation. Skarlet offers some consolation.

"The challenge begins tomorrow. Wait and you can challenge any at their table." She explains.

Deciding to see what the woman had been so angered by Kano with, Skarlet makes a final trip between tables. Rapidly, he is catching up with the food eaten by others. Holding onto the leg of a large Outworld bird and taking large bites. Eating loudly and without care for any etiquette doing so. Every so often, taking a brief break to take a large gulp of his chalice.

Behind him to his left, she watches this go on, waiting for him to take notice of her. And when he does, she wishes she hadn't gone over.

"Waitress, my chalice is empty." He says, turning himself and holding said chalice in his left hand. He looks inside, as to examine it before holding it out to her. Narrowing her eyes, she's about to tell him off until Shang Tsung gives another order. Walking towards the scene, he looks to his side at Skarlet.

"Skarlet, would you make rounds around the tables and ensure our guests receive refreshment?"

Begrudgingly yet instantly, Skarlet takes a hold of one of the many empty platters at the table, and takes the chalice out of the Smiling Kano's hands. Shang Tsung leaves her, and she makes said rounds at the table. Observing her, Baraka empties his own and Skarlet lifts it. Only one man, the said one which she had seen eating heavily at the earthrealm table needed a replacement.

Rolling her eyes, Skarlet walks with the platter outside of the stone laden room, and heads towards the stack of kegs placed horizontally, each with a tap on their bottoms. Reaching for one relatively full for a good flow, she looks for a place to set down the platter.

Something's wrong.

The platter feels heavy in her hands, and is getting heavier each second. Her fatigue, once was from performing her duties, but was growing exponentially. Shaking her head, she attempts to just power through and fulfill her duties, but she gets an even more uncomfortable feeling than weakness or fatigue. She feels nauseous. And in pain. The blades of her shoulders feel inflamed with her carrying of the platter. Certain other areas of her back, chest, and abdomen begin a course of pain as well. holding the platter out from her own body, she clutches at her side with her left hand.

Breathing heavily, she holds onto the tap for stability, wishing and hoping for the pain to somehow pass, but it stays. It gets harder and harder for her to breathe, and her knees bend, keeping her close to the floor. She falls backwards against her own wishes, releasing the tap, and a torrent of wine in turn, and the strength leaves her body, sending her back onto the stone floor.

Pain from her fall is nothing compared to the one which racks her body. The chalices and platter collide with the floor, making a sound that's awful to the ears.

In shame of wasting the wine, and her failure to perform the simple task, she had no choice but to lie back on the floor while pain attacks her in various places. Shutting her eyes, she falls unconscious despite her awareness.

SHANG TSUNG

The sorcerer had made a mad sprint towards Skarlet once she had fallen, making his way from the table at the front to the exposed kegs as fast as his heavily aged legs could take him. His frantic run across the stone had alerted all around, and he kneeled in front of Skarlet, who laid on the ground twitching slightly and unresponsive.

Her red robes stained from the wine, he quickly turned off the tap before gripping her shoulders tightly, and shaking her rough. Frantically, he held two fingers to her wrist, and recoiled once realizing how fast her pulse had come. Mumbling swears to himself for this moment, he stains his own robes by taking ahold of Skarlet's unconscious body by the waist. Looking behind him for a moment, all eyes are on him and the mage in his hands.

Looks of horror, confusion, and from the Kahn, anger are present on their faces and he lifts himself to his feet. Slinging her over his arms he tries to make it to the exit, but Shao Kahn's heavy footsteps follow. He does not dare to turn, but he can hear his mighty voice behind him.

"HEAL HER!" He yells, and the sorcerer understands.

With her on his back, dripping a trail of red wine behind him, he rushes not towards his own pits with his equipment, but toward the quarters of the visitors to outworld. This is for one very important reason. Shang Tsung indeed cannot heal her. His medicine is for disease, and horrific injury caused by trauma. Skarlet's very heart was going irregular. Nothing he has would help, and if Skarlet died, his face would be turned into a red mash upon the floor, as Shang Tsung has observed before happen to others.

So instead he goes to Quan Chi. Although one may assume a necromancer unable to heal for numerous reasons. Mainly being their own profit on death, Death and Life were part of the same kinds of Magic. And one who was very proficient in one, could usually perform the other. Quan Chi is not due to join until the tournament, and being of the Netherrealm, could not enjoy their feast.

Clutching Skarlet against his weak back, he makes it to the necromancer's quarters as fast as he could, and reaches for the knob of the door, turning it and feeling the lock block his own progress.

"Is the feast over?" He hears, muffled from the other end of the door.

"Not yet. I require your assistance. Skarlet- She dropped unexpectedly to the floor. I cannot discern how to help her."

The lock is undone and Quan Chi makes it to the door, opening it inwards. Looking towards Skarlet's unconscious body, he clears the table inside of his quarters in an instant, forming a soft green light over the organized tower of his texts, and shifts them aside to the floor, letting them down. Shang Tsung picks Skarlet off of his back, and lies her on the now cleared table.

Watching on wearily, Shang Tsung observes Quan Chi come closer to Skarlet, and check her pulse on his own.

"Her heart is irregular." Quan Chi remarks. Placing his hand over her body, a concentrated green light forms from his hand, and he hovers it over Skarlet's chest. "She is an Earthrealmer, correct?"

"She is."

Quan chi finds her heart, and roots his hand in its place. Energy flows from his hands into Skarlet. Although it flows fine into her, he retracts his hand, and appears to be confused. "Earthrealmer's are susceptible to issues of the heart. I had assumed it was merely chance. But Skarlet's heart is strange. It is not working correctly." He explains.

"Will she live?" Shang Tsung frantically asks, leaning over the table.

Placing a hand over Skarlet's abdomen, Quan Chi recites a spell, one which attaches to the mage's middle, and illuminates her torso. The brilliant green light clings to her very organs, and through a projection, the insides of Skarlet are shown to both. Quan Chi and Shang Tsung stare at the sight before them, and Quan Chi's tone becomes interrogative.

Her insides are not one of an Outworlder, not at all. Although her bones appear as one, her insides are a scramble of organs. One which although not identical to, resembles an Edenian. Skarlet's heart is still normally sized, yet is beating too slowly. She is growing various organs in different places, and her heart is attempting to transfer even more blood.

"Which Kamidogu was she cut with?" Quan Chi interrogates.

"T-The Dagger of Outworld."

"Do not lie to me, Shang Tsung."

Shang Tsung shakes his head. "I do not lie. Shao Kahn cut her with the dagger, and he did it years ago." He explains.

"As you may see, Skarlet is turning into an Edenian. The daggers each contain the lifeblood of the realm. Skarlet has been cut with the Edenian Dagger." Quan Chi states, "And she has been recently."

The sorcerer tightens his fists.

Shao Kahn is already disrupting his plans.

"She will not die, and with rest she will heal. The strain on her heart is great, but it will strengthen." Quan Chi alleviates the aura of magic revealing Skarlet's organs. "But I suspect you do not have time for her to heal."

"That I do not."

"Well then, give her enough blood before her debut and she will be able to sustain herself for long enough in the tournament. Until then however, let her rest."

Quan Chi was knowledgeable. Knowledgeable enough for Shang Tsung to believe him. But standing next to Skarlet atop the table resting, Shang Tsung's mind shifted to what he had said of the dagger. And with the use of another dagger, Shao Kahn had thoroughly betrayed him. His control over Skarlet was weaker, much weaker than it had been when Shao Kahn had initially cut the Mage. Shao Kahn was but in the first steps to getting rid of him, and replacing the sorcerer with another.

Despite all of Shang Tsung's power, it was no question to Shao Kahn that his loyalty could not be trusted to be upheld in certain circumstances. Shang Tsung stood emotionless, yet tense at the thought. He needed to work harder, and complete the clone quicker. Shao Kahn needed to die.

However, Quan Chi was observing him, and seemingly knew of his feelings. "Whatever you are planning, I advise you to wait. It does not benefit either of us for you to disobey your master."

In response Shang Tsung gritted his teeth, and leaned over the table to pick up the mage once again. Once keeping a steady stance carrying her unconscious body, he opened the door outside of Quan Chi's quarters with him still observing.

Shang Tsung was to open for the Mortal Kombat Tournament shortly, but before doing so, he needed to lock Skarlet back up inside of the Pits, and to tighten her bindings thoroughly.

Making great haste, Shang Tsung arrived at the dining hall once again, and had observed two separate lines exiting, with the sides of both of the warriors walking together towards the location of the opening ceremony. At the head of the table in the back remained Shao Kahn, who was finishing his own meal, and wiping off his hands with a cloth provided by a nearby guard. He had a serious look on his face, and stared down Shang Tsung as he arrived. Shao Kahn was alone. Goro had headed to his chambers, and the Princesses and Jade to their own to change clothing for the ceremonies.

In front of Shao Kahn, he meekly offered an explanation. "Skarlet is alright."

"I have already lost a warrior from the Lin Kuei's incompetence, Shang Tsung, ensure this does not happen again." Shao Kahn orders, "Her health greatly upset my daughter." He says, finishing cleaning off his arms. "I will be watching the ceremony, Shang Tsung. And clean yourself, the wine has worn a stain in your robes."

After this order, Shao Kahn walks away, and leaves the mess at the table for the guards, who near instantly attend to the tables and rush for their own supplies in preparation for tomorrow's repetition of the feast, yet at a smaller scale. The guards worked a fine machine, rushing to clean off the stone floors and lift all utensils and plates left upon the tables.

Looking down to his robes, Shang Tsung observed a visible stain, and sighed.

The princesses and Jade had changed clothing for the opening ceremony. Their outfits had been swapped for more ceremonial clothing, based upon the clothing of the ancient noblewomen of Outworld. Both princesses had their hairstyle changed and presented differently, as well as separate outfits, with Kitana donning a kimono and Mileena with a less conservative outfit with mail and large pauldrons. Jade had changed into armor, colored green to fit.

Shang Tsung stood off to the sides with the princesses, and observed around the corner, as the guest Wu-Shi monks had come to fill in the space before the throne, and the Tarkatan Guards formed a crowd before it.

Attempting to scour his mind and recite just a few more times before his entrance, Shang Tsung was interrupted with the abnormally cold hand of Kitana placing itself on his arm, unprotected by the vest.

"What?"

"Is Skarlet alright?"

Brushing her off, Shang Tsung replied with venom. "She's fine. It does not concern you princess. Your only place in this tournament is to be presentable."

Ignoring Kitana's reaction of annoyance and genuine offense, he eagerly awaited the arrival of each of the warriors, which in time had come. As soon as the warriors stepped in front of the display, and raised their spears he stopped internally practicing.

With several slams of the ends to the floor, it signaled his entrance, and he locked his hands to his back to show a dignified stance. Walking from cover, with the three women following him closely, he steps towards the throne, and up the steps until he reaches the balcony just above the gong, which is manned by a guard.

Standing to the forefront, those who accompany him stand off to each side of him. Moving forwards, he stands just above the recently polished and restored iron medallion above the gong, which is carved in the image of a mighty dragon. Taking a deep breath, Shang Tsung stretches both of his arms outwards, and begins his recitation of both the opening, and the rules.

"Kombatants... I am Shang Tsung, the runner of the Mortal Kombat tournament. By your sponsor, whether it had been the Emperor, or the protector of Earthrealm, you have been chosen. Chosen to defend your realm, or for the honor of aiding Outworld's conquest!" Shang Tsung raises his right hand further, tightened into a fist. "Regardless, every single day, either by choice or by force, a challenge shall be made, and the loser will be disqualified, and may be killed."

"But first! Before our first challenge, I must explain the rules. The rules are upheld by the Elder gods themselves, and any violation leads to a swift and righteous death." Shang Tsung lowers his left hand and places it on his back. His right hand remains up and he begins explaining the rules, by revealing a finger to represent each rule number.

"One! Every 50 years a new tournament is to be held, so long as Outworld pursues a claim. If the claimant wins ten Mortal Kombat's in a row, they may invade and merge realms. The grand champion of the tournament, the one who grants the win, is granted Immortality until the next tournament."

"Two! Fighters of each realm cannot engage in combat both until the tournament begins, and until a formal challenge has been granted."

"Three! Only one challenge may be given each day, and once challenged, Mortal Kombat cannot be refused by either party."

"Four! Any weapons, abilities, or otherwise can be used. Danger is an integral part of Mortal Kombat, and once a party wins, they have the right to kill their defeated opponent."

"And lastly, Five! Those who break the rules violate rules of the Realms and Elder Gods, and will be granted death in a swift and timely fashion."

Shang Tsung ends his recitation of rules, and stretches out his hands. Moving backwards, he finds a seat on the throne behind him, and rests in it. As the throne sits on a raised platform, he retains his view. Next is the part he was looking forward to, choosing the first Earthrealmer and letting them choose their opponent.

"Earthrealmers, come forward!"

The guards shift off to each side, and from between them the Earthrealmers all step to face Shang Tsung near the Wu-Shi academy monks, who all meditate in silence, as if it will help during this tournament.

He overlooks each one of the champions. And there is only one correct choice.

A man in a bastardization of a shinobi's robes, wearing a beret and with white stains upon his face

Shang Tsung calls for him. "As the runner of this tournament, I choose the first challenger, to challenge a lower warrior of Outworld. And I choose the white-faced man."

JOHNNY CAGE

Once he had heard the scary old man in charge of this Death-Tournament say the "White-Faced" man Johnny had remained in relative denial. He did not respond immediately, though the insulting nickname could only refer to him. Bringing a single finger to his face he could touch it and smear off an off-white color onto his fingertip. Johnny wished he had stayed in his trailer just a bit longer to get it off, and now he was embarrassing himself in front of all of these guys.

But he did have to ask someone to make sure, and these guys were technically aliens. So he turned to his side to Kung Lao, who was beginning to step away with all of the other warriors. "Does he mean me?" Johnny asks.

"Obviously you fool! Now don't get yourself killed!"

That wasn't too encouraging to him. Not at all in any way. Reluctantly, Johnny placed his hands to his mouth in an attempt to amplify his voice and shouted back to him. "YEAH?"

"Now pick your opponent to challenge to Mortal Kombat. Outworld champions, come forward!" Shang Tsung orders.

And all of them come up at once to his right, each standing in a line and presenting themselves. It's all of the lower warriors. Goro is somewhere else, Shang Tsung is only going to fight the person who gets far enough, and Skarlet is probably in some Outworld hospital right now. Johnny's pretty sure those are their names, at least.

In the line, he examines each one and remembers all of the information he remembers from Raiden. And all of them, besides the lizard man and the guy with blades for arms, have some pretty crazy tech alongside them.

The ninjas are off the fucking table. The red-robed one has wrist mounted rockets, the yellow one has deployable bombs, and the blue one can literally make ice with his hands. Meaning that if he could touch him, it's practically over. The other two will also blow him to bits, and his green energy isn't exactly adapted to that stuff. The other yellow one, apparently not part of the first group, has swords on his back and a blade mounted to a chain on his hip.

Kano's a normal guy. But he's got a robotic eye that can shoot laser beams and a knife. Besides, Sonya'll probably kill him for taking her challenge from her.

That leaves two. The guy who has a mouth full of horrific teeth and blades mounted to his arms. And the lizard who's got claws. And that leaves a relatively clear answer for him. Pointing to him he makes his choice.

"I choose him."

Each one of the Outworld warriors but Reptile steps back into the crowd, and Reptile himself sinks to the ground in an animalistic stance. Whipping an extremely long tongue out of his mouth from left to right Johnny sinks to the other side of this arena, preparing his own stance to fight off Reptile.

From above both Kombatants, Shang Tsung's booming voice sounds.

"You have chosen Reptile! Now, Mortal Kombat will begin!" He pauses for a moment. "Now FIGHT!"

A guard manning the Gong underneath the dragon medallion roughly strikes the surface with a hammer, letting out a loud booming noise. The noise signifying the start of the fight.

Both stand still, waiting for the other to take the first move. Johnny racks his brain and utterly despises the fact that the only weaknesses of lizards he knows is that they're cold blooded, and since he's not an ice ninja, he's got no advantages.

"Fuck it-" Johnny mumbles to himself.

Propping himself up on one leg he raises his right leg. The green energy manifests around him and illuminates his lower body. Unleashing it, flashes of his body appear in a line as the energy propels him towards Reptile. His signature green kick is aimed towards the guy's head however, and seeing it coming he narrowly misses.

Reptile ducked down to avoid his foot and with a cry sinks the claws into Johnny's left leg, tearing through his pants and leaving a gross gash which drips blood.

Getting him off, Johnny swings his raised leg towards Reptile, and forces him off of his leg with a hard kick. Feeling the wound with his hand, Johnny cringes and grits his teeth. Reptile responds by making a horrid cry with his mouth, and forcing his hands together, from a drool-like substance manifesting from his arms, he forms a green bubble filled with some kind of poison, and rockets it towards Johnny.

Forcing his arms together, he forms a thin barrier of green energy which disperses the bubble on contact, but a small amount creeps through the barrier and lands on his sleeves. With a horrid smell, the poison corrodes through his sleeves over only a few seconds, and through the thinnest piece, sinks to his skin, roughly burning it and leaving a red welt upon his arms.

"Alright, no more playing around." Johnny says, grabbing the beret on his head and throwing it to the ground, Roughly stomping it to the stone.

Before attempting something again, Johnny thought for a moment. His encounter with the poison showed the green glow wouldn't be enough. And judging by the inflamed red patch on his arms, getting into contact with his poison was much more horrible than the gash on his leg.

Johnny rushed forwards, propelling himself with the energy once more. Going in for an overhead punch, Reptile dodges once more shifting himself to the right, but his opponent expects this. Reptile's agility and thinking is countered. Instead of aiming for the face of Reptile, Johnny tightens his right arm and slams his elbow into his face, colliding with the hard scales and disorienting him.

Going with the momentum of his fall, Reptile plants one foot upon the stone to stop himself, and turns, slashing into Johnny's side with his right hand. The claws tear through the side of his mock ninja robes and even the shirt underneath, leaving a thin line imprinted on the surface of the skin with scratches for each claw.

Rearing back his head, Reptile shoots poison out of his mouth directly onto Johnny's torso. The poison tears through the fabric of the robes, and Johnny mourns the work which the costumers had gone through to produce it for a moment. The poison wears away until it reaches the undershirt, and leaves a few holes before dissipating.

Reptile's agility seems to be too much for him to handle for his current strategy. Although he could manage to hit his target with some deception, Reptile is defensive in his moves. Reactionary to Johnny's attacks. Being careful isn't the right move, it just lets Reptile get through his defenses. He has to force his combatant to play his way. And that way is reckless.

Taking off the tatters of his robes, he rips them in half neatly at the seams, and ties each side to his hands. With meager protection along his chest, and arms covered once more in this makeshift yet helpful armor, he cracks his knuckles. "Let's do this."

"Finally serious are we?" Reptile responds unexpectedly, in English through a surprising display. "Blood for the Kahn!" He spits, twirling a paradoxically long tongue.

With a sense of mutual respect, Johnny and Reptile rush towards one another, and lock hands in the middle, just in front of the silently meditating monks. Gripping onto one another's hands, they root themselves into place. Reptile's claws barely dig into Johnny's knuckles but draw no blood. Reptile is the first to release the grip, and breaks free.

Clawing at Johnny's middle rapidly, he tears through the white undershirt, and manages to scratch at his midsection. The deep pain racks Johnny, and he forces Reptile off. Bending over forwards he grabs onto Reptile's torso and his feet light a bright green with the activation of his powers. Instead of propelling himself forwards, he propels himself with reptile upward. Sending the two high in the air, Johnny makes his grip tighter on Reptile, digging his claws farther into his chest.

Crying out in pain, he points Reptile downwards during their descent, but only manages to get his back pointing against the ground.

The horrific fall at such a tall height has done a number on Reptile. He stays on the ground longer than he should, and is lowering himself to the ground in some kind of defensive measure. Johnny himself is dizzy as all hell, the world spinning and he looks downwards to examine his abdomen. And it's quite bad. The gashes are bleeding profusely, and Reptile's claws did a number on him. He can't take much more.

So he takes advantage of the opportunity. Readying his energy once more, he speeds his kick forwards atop Reptile's hunched body, and slams his foot downwards onto his back. Reptile falls back upon the stone floor, seemingly defeated.

"If you wanna call it, It's okay with me man." Johnny explains, squatting in front of Reptile's motionless yet still conscious body, lifting with each breath. "I'm not going to kill you."

In an instant, the motionless body springs back to life with little energy, and Reptile's jaw unhinges unnaturally wide, like a snake's. Snapping forwards, he tries to take out Johnny's already scarred leg, but is stopped in his progress. Johnny's right arm, covered in the half of the robes stops the teeth from eviscerating the leg, but pokes multiple holes in his right arm, seeping blood into the cloth.

Reptile stands back up, and unleashes a flurry of attacks with his feet, and the large claws upon them. Despite Reptile's great agility, his attacks are avoided. Johnny flings himself backwards with the energy, and begins a final assault.

"Punch out, you and me." He says, pointing to Reptile.

"Let's finish this!" Reptile cries.

Both run towards one another and attack. Reptile attempts to tear him into ribbons with his claws, and Johnny is fighting the only way a guy like him can with only fists. Boxing.

Keeping his arms away from his face, he manages his blows with his right doing the work, and the left to prevent the claws from touching his skin. Rearing back a punch, he hits Reptile square in the face, but his opponent merely steps back and staggers for a second. Reptile is moving erratically, attempting to get at his arm through the robes, and in some part's he's succeeding. The cloth is getting torn upon his left arm quickly, and there are moments of the claw slipping forwards and making small gashes.

Still, Johnny fruitlessly tries to knock him unconscious some way or another, but even with the small times he's been able to hit Reptile, his sheer determination has powered through, though he is still making some progress.

Shaking his head, Johnny can think of only one thing. A certain spot that may or may not be sensitive to his opponent, depending on anatomy.

Dropping to the floor in an instant in a perfect split, he tightens his fist and strikes upwards towards Reptile's groin. And if he's lucky, there will be something there. But based on what little he does know about reptiles, it's wishful thinking at best.

His fist collides with Reptile's groin, and apparently there are balls there of some kind. Instantly his opponent cries out in pain and clutches his privates.

"Sorry!" Johnny chokes out.

But he decides to finish it here, the cracker is his last resort. Reptile is left standing and disoriented.

Leaning back his leg, he rears an upwards forceful kick, which connects with Reptile's jaw at an angle. Turning around Reptile, he sticks out his knee. Grabbing onto Reptile's head, he forces it onto his knee.

With one final hit, to make sure he's down, he positions himself in front of Reptile, and does a firm backflip. Mid-air he hears the horrid sound of a jaw clacking, and is sure his opponent is down from the count. After all, in his experience a cracker and a combo does not leave someone standing.

Reptile manages to stand rigid for one more second, before slumping over onto the floor, eyes shut.

Holding his hand up into the air, Johnny cheers for himself, before the gong is rung by one of the Fox Mask guards.

Shang Tsung's voice calls out to him, and Johnny looks to the balcony above the medallion.

"Excellent. I see our first challenge has been exciting." He announces. "Now, if you would. Decide his fate. Adhere to your previous opinion, or Finish Him."

"What? I'm not going to kill him-"

"Very well then. Now consult with your teammates, and my Guards will show you Earthrealmers to your quarters."

He's dismissive and seems to be slightly disappointed both that he won, and that he didn't kill Reptile. Johnny feels guilt as what Shang Tsung had urged was highly disrespectful. This guy was supposed to be an asshole but this was a pretty big betrayal. Kill him just because he didn't win.

Johnny walks to his teammates from Earthrealm and feels great. He just eliminated an opponent and got through the first round. Adrenaline still pumps through his body, and he can't really feel much. Only the wetness of the blood pouring from him on select parts of his body.

Sonya's the first to rush to him. And Johnny's eyebrow raises. Though her look is less swooning and more genuine concern. She grabs onto his right arm and Johnny gives a line.

"See my match? See what the Cage can do?"

Immediately she rolls her eyes and presses on his arm below the robes. "Your arm!" There's an open wound on the major artery of his arm, and it's now when he freaks out.

"Fuck!" He examines himself once more and he's oozing blood all over the damn place. Looking back to the fight scene for a moment reveals a small tinge of green blood from Reptile's mouth, meaning the large puddle of red is all his.

Staggered, he limps over to Shang Tsung's direction. He's speaking to the two hot women next to his throne but Johnny's sure he can get his attention. Yelling out, he calls for some help. "Hey- Y-You got a palace healer or something? If I don't stop bleeding I'm gonna die-"

With a bout of dizziness and the world beginning to spin Johnny collapses to the floor. Heavily breathing and in terror he can feel himself going unconscious. Facing the ground he lies motionless with no assistance.

A foot hooks at the side of his body, and props him upwards. Staring into the person's eyes, It's Kung Lao, who is speaking to Sonya, though the voices around Johnny are starting to distort.

"He'll be fine."