-Avengers' Tower, The Next Day: Two Days Until The Tournament -

Yuki stood before the three chosen by Raiden, clad in ice shogun armor and wielding an ice katana. Raiden stood to the side, arms crossed.

"Begin!" Raiden stated.

Spider-Man laughed as he lunged forward, firing off web shots. Yuki slashed the webbing with her blade, slicing them with ease. Iron Fist and White Tiger rushed forward. Yuki grunted as she kicked out, sending Spider-Man skidding back as she dodged strikes from Iron Fist and White Tiger. Her blade deflected and blocked slashes from White Tiger as she moved back as the feline heroine pressed forward.

"Kiiyyaahhh!" Iron Fist shouted, leaping up and flying down with a kick.

Yuki ducked under the strike. As Iron Fist landed on the ground she quickly stood back up and slammed her elbow into his back.

"Whoa!" Iron Fist yelped in surprise.

"Come on guys! Let's show her what real heroes can do!" Spider-Man proclaimed, running up to join the fight.

-In the observation room-

"She's pretty good," Sam chuckled.

"Eh, I could take her," Hawkeye scoffed.

Hulk grunted.

"Than go down there and fight her," he taunted, 'gently' elbowing the archer.

Hawkeye grumbled.

"Haven't seen someone use a sword like that in a long time," Black Widow said.

"Indeed, she's very impressive," Thor agreed.

"Raiden said she's of the royal family in Japan in their reality. I would imagine they'd give her considerable training," Steve said.

"Come on guys. Ice shouldn't be that durable again the tech our friends are using," Iron Spider argued.

"Don't be so quick to cast aside someone's abilities just because you don't understand them. Her power is magical in nature and given she uses ice, we've all seen what one with those powers can do," Steve stated.

-Training room-

Yuki slashed with her sword, blocking strikes from White Tiger's claws and cutting apart Spidey's webbing. But she found herself dodging their flurry of kicks and punches.

"I must admit, you three are better than I expected," she praised.

"At least that's better than calling us 'children'," Iron Fist accepted.

"I guess," Spider-Man mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.

(Seriously, I know it's coming from a place of concern...but infantilizing teenagers and young adults is not a good way to show concern, let alone respect. At least she's getting the picture.)

"Whatever, I say it's time we end the lesson," White Tiger hissed, flexing her claws.

The trio rushed forward.

Yuki stood her ground. She blocked a slash from White Tiger's claws from her right side, quickly striking out with her sword. Then she kicked out with her right foot to hit Spider-Man who flanked her. He leapt over the kick, firing off some webbing. He managed to get one of them to stick to her right foot.

(Yes!)

Iron Fist struck out with an open palm strike. Yuki ducked under the attack, then struck back with her elbow. But Iron Fist quickly moved to the side, avoiding the hit unlike last time. White Tiger snarled as she quickly slashed with an uppercut, trying to knocking the blade out of her opponent's hands. Yuki quickly separated her hands, her blade staying in the right one. But Spider-Man quickly webbed her right hand.

"Ha! Gotcha!" He taunted.

Yuki's left hand quickly formed another ice katana. She slashed at them, knowing they'd dodge out of the way. Swiftly cutting the webbing holding her hand and foot, she stood ready with two blades.

"Enough!" Raiden called out.

He walked forward. Yuki and Iron Fist bowed to him and he bowed back. His chosen stood, facing him.

"The tournament shall begin soon. I pray to the Elder Gods what I have taught you in this short amount of time will be enough. Shao Kahn's warriors have trained their entire lives in various forms of combat and are each dangerous in their own way. But with the warriors from our dimension, I hope that it is enough. I shall return soon, I must speak to Director Fury," Raiden stated.

He then disappeared within a bolt of lightning.

-Triskelion, Director Fury's office, moments later-

Raiden appeared from a bolt of lightning. Director Fury sighed as he put down his phone.

"Raiden," he simply said.

"Director Fury," Raiden replied.

Director Fury pulled up a holographic screen on his desk. He pushed a view buttons on it. To the side of the two appeared a large holographic screen, showing Thomas.

"Thomas," Director Fury said.

"Director, why have you called me?" The man asked.

Raiden stepped forward.

"The tournament shall begin in a few days time. I will be taking the young warriors I have chosen from your world to defend both our realms. But I must warn you. Have your soldiers ready for what may come," the thunder god explained.

"I pray you have chosen wisely, Raiden. We have been preparing as you and the sorcerer have advised, though not without some...skepticism from some here," Thomas replied.

"That is their choice," Raiden replied.

"Thank you...for your understanding. You say this Netherrealm is full of demons? But ones that are more...forward, with their bloodshed?" Thomas asked.

"Yes. Warriors and soldiers, they are vicious and dangerous. They are not to be underestimated," Raiden answered.

"Understood," Thomas replied.

"But you're certain that your chosen can be Shao Kahn's forces?" Director Fury asked.

"I have faith in those I've chosen, from both our realms," Raiden replied.

"Well, my agents have surprised me before in impossible odds. I just hope yours can as well," Director Fury stated.

"Shao Kahn will not win this time," Raiden said.

Fury nodded to him. Then he turned to Thomas.

"Just to be certain. It is likely that this enemy will have his armies attack major population centers. I have agents around the world preparing for invasion. The Avengers have sent word to their allies around the globe. The Guardians of the Galaxy are also remaining here for the time being. Thor hasn't heard anything from Asgard yet, but he believe he should soon," Director Fury elaborated.

"Good. Tomorrow, I will take my chosen to Earthrealm to gather and set off for the tournament. For now, I must pray and meditate. May the Elder Gods protect us all," Raiden proclaimed.

He then disappeared in a bolt of lightning.

-Raiden's Sky Temple-

Liu Kang and Kung Lao bowed to one another then took fighting positions.

"Have you heard anything from Lord Raiden?" Liu Kang asked.

Kung Lao charged. He threw a punch which was blocked, then he twisted around striking out with a kick which was also blocked. Liu Kang threw a jab, but Kung Lao pushed it to the side and back-flipped back.

"No, he should be talking to you not me," Kung Lao replied, slight annoyance in his voice.

Liu Kang gazed at his friend with sympathy before charging forward. He swung a punch, but Kung Lao blocked. Liu Kang quickly followed with a few quick jabs. Kung Lao blocked or pushed away each strike. But Liu Kang quickly did a sweep kick. Kung Lao gasped, but managed to jump over the strike. He saw Liu Kang coming forward and he quickly struck out with a defensive punch.

"I'm sorry my friend. I told Lord Raiden that you could fight beside me," Liu Kang tried to comfort, blocking the strike.

Kung Lao grunted as he jumped up, striking out with two swift kicks. Liu Kang quickly pushed both down, careful to avoid injury. A moment after he landed, Kung Lao lunged forward with a punch. This was responded with the arm being pushed aside at the wrist. Liu Kang followed up with an open palm strike. Kung Lao ducked under it and retaliated with his own open palm strike. Liu Kang grabbed his friend's wrist with his other hand, just a moment before the blow could land. He then used his other hand to grab Kung Lao's shoulder and threw him to the side.

"Like that did any good! Our masters feel I'm a disgrace!" Kung Lao scoffed as he flipped with the momentum and landed gracefully.

"You are not a disgrace!" Liu Kang replied, his voice full of sorrow.

Kung Lao grunted as he rushed forward, letting loose a flurry of swift punches. Liu Kang grunted as he dodged each attack then turned his body in a full circle as he let fly a kick. Kung Lao ducked under it then retaliated with a kick himself after he quickly stood up. Liu Kang's momentum barely let him manage to twist to the side, grabbing his friend's ankle before pushing it away.

Kung Lao grumbled as he rushed forward, striking out with a swift kick. Liu Kang quickly dodged to the side then struck his friend's chest with an open palm strike and sent him skidding backwards. Kung Lao put a hand on his chest, panting and coughing.

"G-Good move," Kung Lao grunted.

Liu Kang hurried over to his friend.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-" he started to say.

"I'm fine!" Kung Lao interjected.

Liu Kang sighed.

"Kung Lao, you're my best friend. I did not want to enter this tournament without you. While I have faith in Lord Raiden, I argued we needed you in the tournament. I fought for you for as best I could and Lord Raiden himself admitted that he didn't feel happy with the choice our masters made...he sadly said that our order had made their decision after long and careful deliberation," he elaborated, putting a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder.

Kung Lao sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Thank you, brother...I just...I'm the descendant of the Great Kung Lao! Former champion of the tournament generations ago! Me fighting in the tournament wasn't only for myself, but also to avenge and honor my ancestor," he explained.

Liu Kang's sadly smiled at this.

"I know. Even though you weren't chosen, I will fight with the fire you inspire me with in each battle," Liu Kang said.

Kung Lao smiled, even if it was small.

"Thank you," he replied.

The two bowed to one another.

"Shall we go again?" Liu Kang asked.

Kung Lao grinned.

"Of course, after all, you need the practice," he answered.

Liu Kang chuckled. The two took stances again. But just as they prepared to engage in combat, a lightning bolt roared into and struck the floor. The two men gasped and turned. Their vision fixed on Lord Raiden. The two quickly bowed to the thunder god. Lord Raiden bowed back to them.

"We have been awaiting your return Lord Raiden," Liu Kang said, still bowing.

"Thank you, Liu Kang, Kung Lao," the thunder god responded.

"Have you found the champions you sought?" Kung Lao asked, still bowing.

Yuki walked out from behind Lord Raiden.

"He has...though to my...uncertainty. I see value in what they can do," she said.

The thunder god and two men stood up.

"Liu Kang, Kung Lao, meet the champions of another world," Lord Raiden said, as he and Yuki stood to the side.

The two young monks laid eyes on three figures, one young woman and two young men in striking uniforms.

"We have much to do," Lord Raiden proclaimed.

To Be Continued...