AN: Special Thanks goes again to Story's Shadow for writing the USM portion of this chapter.
-Manhattan: Avengers' Tower: Several minutes later: Seven Days Until The Tournament-
Raiden, Yuki, and Director Fury had caught up the Avengers gathered there on everything. Some of them looked at Raiden with horror and disgust.
"You can't send them into this fight! They're kids!" Captain Marvel admonished.
"It's out of the question," Captain American affirmed.
"Not gonna happen," Hulk added, his anger threatening to explode at any moment.
"Friend Raiden, I understand the hardships of trying to find warriors suitable to battle in this tournament. But I fear you are making a grave mistake," Thor said in worry.
"I said much the same," Yuki affirmed.
"I understand your disgust with this...this is not something I want. If the magic wasn't wielded so recklessly by Shao Kahn's sorcerers, you wouldn't be in this position. I have studied you and your stories and I believe these three young warriors are worthy," Raiden explained, his voice soft and to the point.
"They're kids!" Hulk scoffed.
"Friends, please! Lord Raiden isn't trying to-" Iron Fist tried to say.
But his words couldn't be heard over the berating from the Avengers.
"Guys! Come on! We can do this! We're not-" Spider-Man tried to say.
But his words weren't heard as well.
Both of them tried to speak, but all talking stopped when the horrific noise of metal being slowly sliced was heard. Everyone turned to see White Tiger ending a slow, loud scratch along one of the walls.
"We're doing this," she affirmed, her voice a snarl.
"...Do...Do you know how expensive this place is?!" Tony shrieked, mortified.
White Tiger walked up.
"I get it, you're all worried. But we're not kids. You chose us to be Avengers for a reason! We've fought everything from petty thieves to elders of the universe! And I'm certainly not going to stand by and let some megalomaniac slaughter and conquer, not when I have a chance to fight against that," she proclaimed, baring her claws to everyone there.
Raiden gave a small smile.
Iron Fist and Spider-Man walked up to stand on either side of her.
"She's right. The three of us have fought and bled to protect this city and this world. We believe in ourselves and each other. This Shao Kahn, he believes no one can beat him...that he's invincible. But we've beaten guys just like him. We're not going to stand by and let him win. We're going to stop him, with or without your permission...though...it would be nice not to have to go on about this and still go, even if we have to sneak out to do it," Spider-Man added and joked.
White Tiger elbowed his arm. He whimpered as he rubbed it.
"Lord Raiden chose the three of us for a reason. Perhaps there are others better suited to this task, but he has seen what this enemy is capable of. He knows how they fight. My friends are talented and determined in their wills to do what is right, they won't back down from this. And they would find a way to go to face this enemy...and I would be right there with them. We must help seek and restore balance, or the coming storm will swallow all those in its path," Iron Fist proclaimed.
The trio stood their ground. Power Man and Nova came to stand by their side.
"We weren't chosen, but we back them up. These three have saved the world countless times over. I've got mad respect for all of you, but these are my brothers and sister," Power Man proclaimed.
"I'm...not exactly happy about not being chosen...but they're right, these three are capable of beating the losers trying to do the usual villain stuff we deal with...I believe in them," Nova added.
The other Avengers gazed at one another, taken aback by the the five's boldness.
Thor was the first to step forward.
"While I'm not entirely fond of this, I have seen you in battle. I fear for your safety and I wish to discuss this more Lord Raiden. But he did choose you for a reason. And a god such as Raiden, I know doesn't such decisions lightly," Thor said, placing a hand on Iron Fist's shoulder.
"Thank you, your majesty," Iron Fist said, bowing.
Spider-Man smirked under his mask.
(Gotta say, not sure I've ever had a god's permission to fight like this.)
The others gazed at one another, sharing a look they all knew, and sighed.
Captain America walked up to Raiden.
"Raiden, I ask for you to train them here...for us to supervise," he said, hesitant.
Lord Raiden nodded.
Yuki walked up and put her arms around the five young heroes.
"While I don't like this, you standing up for each other was very sweet," she cooed.
"Ummm... thanks?" Spider-Man replied.
White Tiger grumbled under her breath. Yuki chuckled, but backed off.
Raiden faced his chosen.
"There isn't much time before the tournament. Your training must begin as soon as you are ready," he said.
"As if it will be enough," a familiar voice taunted.
Everyone there jumped into a fighting stance.
A green mist suddenly appeared in the room. From it appeared someone Raiden knew all too well.
"Shang Tsung," Raiden snarled.
"So these are your chosen, Lord Raiden? They don't appear to be much," the sorcerer scoffed.
"Why don't you come over here and see for yourself?" White Tiger growled, flexing her claws.
The sorcerer chuckled.
"At least they have spirit," he mock praised.
"This the guy who sold out his realm for a fancy house?" Hulk asked, fists clenching.
"Yes," Raiden simply said.
"You dare set foot in our home!" Thor bellowed, gripping Mjlonir.
"I just came to greet Lord Raiden and to send the emperor's thanks for once again agreeing to this tournament," Shang Tsung replied.
"It will be the last tournament. Shao Kahn will not taste victory this time," Lord Raiden replied.
"You've said that for the last nine tournaments and we know how those ended up. But I must admit, this one is shaping up to be the most interesting one ever. Another Earthrealm for the emperor to conquer after he takes the one back home," Shang Tsung taunted.
"That's never going to happen," Captain Marvel hissed, her fists glowing and radiating with power.
"I might not have authority in your world, but we're not in your world. We makes you think I can't have you in cuffs and dragged off into a cell right now?" Director Fury threatened, gun out.
The sorcerer smiled.
"My, this world will amuse the emperor. It amuses me," he laughed.
"He comes here, I'll have a missile with his name on it," Fury replied, one good eye narrowed in hatred.
"I'm sure you will. Not it will do any good," Shang Tsung scoffed.
"Leave Shang Tsung. Now," Raiden command, his eyes crackling with electricity with the sound of thunder booming.
Shang Tsung chuckled.
"We'll see each other again soon. Enjoy the tournament when it comes, you won't ever see your world again," he chuckled.
Then his body was swallowed the green mist from before, with both of them vanishing.
Spider-Man shivered.
(That's not ominous at all.)
-Outworld: Shao Kahn's Throne Room: Six Days Until The Tournament-
"I was very impressed with the first warrior you chose to represent my throne. I take it by your presence here you have selected your second warrior?" Kahn questioned his lead sorcerer.
"Indeed I have, my lord." Tsung said as a portal opened and out of walked a tall bearded man wearing in orange camouflaged jacket, and a sadistic glare in his eyes. "This is Kraven the hunter–"
"Kraven, while you might have impressed my sorcerer, why should I choose you to represent Outworld in Mortal Kombat?" Kahn quizzed the man before him. Kraven pondered for a second before chuckling softly.
"You are lucky to have my skills on your side, emperor." Kraven said with his exotic accent. "I have hunted many dangerous beasts over the years... and I have only met one I could not kill–"
"Irrelevant." Shao Kahn dismissed.
"Not entirely." Kraven said with a sadistic smile, earning a look from the emperor. "Your sorcerer has informed me that one the three selected champions of my world just so happens to be... White Tiger... She just so happens to be the one beast I could not kill. I hear you believe death should follow combat, is that true, emperor?" Kraven asked Shao Kahn. Kahn answered by nodding his head silently. "Then should our paths cross in this tournament, I will not only take what I desire, I will finally kill this beast. As I did her father, I will grant her a... warriors death."
To Be Continued...