Sonya watched the Sorcerer carefully.
She knew well enough that the handcuffs securing Shang Tsung to the chair underneath him wouldn't last forever.
But hopefully they would last just long enough to keep the man in their custody, at least until Fujin could find a more suitable holding place for him.
Until then, she was on guard watch.
Which was something that Shang Tsung looked quite entertained by.
Given the hearty grin on his lips.
"Age has treated you well, Sonya," Shang Tsung spoke.
And the quick scope of his eyes moving down along her body followed his words.
Sonya knew well of his initial attraction to her, of his borderline obsession, but she made the assumption that it had passed- especially given the years, and given his former death and resulting resurrection. And yet, she could still see that fire in his eyes when he looked at her. She was twenty-seven years past the Tournament, and she hardly resembled much of her younger self these days.
It didn't seem to matter to the Sorcerer though, who was certainly looking better in his stolen youth.
"I think I prefer this version of you," he continued.
"You never let go of me, did you?" Sonya pressed, minding her distance as she leaned back against the only door out.
The small holding room didn't offer much in terms of space, but it was the best they could do under short notice.
She wasn't afraid of the Sorcerer though.
She excelled in close combat.
He didn't.
"I've tried," Shang Tsung answered, seemingly entertaining himself by answering her questions. "But in the end, they always looked like you."
Sonya didn't press him on what he meant.
But she had a feeling she understood the gist of it.
"Tell me, General-"
A mocking tone pronounced her rank.
"- what would it take? Even just once?"
Sonya felt a knot in her stomach at the question.
Paired with the curling of his lips, she knew what he was implying.
"Would a different form change your mind? Maybe something familiar, perhaps?"
And just like that, she watched as Shang Tsung flawlessly shifted into an image of Cage in his younger body.
Sonya chuckled at the transformation.
"You're thinking of the old me," she spoke. "I've already seen it, I've already done it, and I'm no longer interested in it."
Sonya made a swiping motion with her hand.
"What else do you have?"
It was the curling of his lips that broke the illusion.
It was too snake-like to match the person he was attempting to imitate.
"How about something holy, then?"
The image of Cage shifted into the form of Raiden now.
And Sonya found the image of the Thunder God tied to a chair humorous.
What she wouldn't have given to do that two years ago.
"The guy who almost got me killed earlier? Pass," she waved off.
"Almost killed you? How interesting," Shang Tsung spoke, using Raiden's voice to speak.
"You're here to show, not speak," Sonya reminded, as she waved him off once more.
"How does something forbidden sound?"
Her curiosity was piqued by the remark.
Only for her to watch as the Sorcerer shifted into Jax now.
She should've seen that one coming.
"That one's close," Sonya admitted. "Why don't you keep that one in the back pocket for now."
"I had my hunch about it."
She was sure he did.
Who didn't, after all?
But there was a reason it was marked as forbidden.
Mostly in that Jax was married.
"How about something comfortable then? From what I've witnessed," Shang Tsung offered.
This time, she got to watch as he transformed into Kenshi now.
And seeing Kenshi tied to a chair was a rather familiar sight to her.
"He's an idiot you know, you would be wasted on him," the Sorcerer remarked. "Of course, he's also easily persuadable- perhaps that could work to your advantage."
"It already does," Sonya noted.
She didn't like the shape of Shang Tsung's grin on Kenshi's lips.
But the Sorcerer was more than likely already aware of that.
"Don't you have anything that would surprise me?" she asked.
Shang Tsung grinned at her challenge.
And without announcing, the Sorcerer shifted into the form of Kuai Liang now.
Sonya had to admit that it was something different.
"Do you prefer the cold?" Shang Tsung questioned. "Or would you prefer it-"
He shifted into the body of Hanzo.
"Hot?"
"Hm, do I go for the man who helped defend Earthrealm against Kotal, or do I go for the man who betrayed Earthrealm for Quan Chi?" Sonya mused out loud. "But they're a bit close to each other; it would be like fucking one brother over the other. What else do you have?"
"How about something cruel then?"
Shang Tsung went from one evil to another.
As he shifted from Hanzo to Kano now.
Sonya felt herself gag this time, especially when the Sorcerer gave a lick of his lips.
"You know, I've changed my mind," she spoke, as she pushed herself from the door and moved towards him now.
She watched as Shang Tsung spread his legs for her, no doubt to perfectly imitate his current character.
Sonya reached down and pushed his legs back together, before she seated herself on his thighs.
And Shang Tsung shifted back to himself at the touch.
"I don't really need those other people."