AN: Special thanks goes to Story's Shadow for writing this amazing chapter, thank you my good friend.
-Raiden's ship, several minutes later-
Raiden and Fujin stood at the nose of the ship, overlooking the sea.
Everyone else was scattered around it.
Iron Fist and Liu Kang sat in lotus position at the center, meditating. Spider-Man sat at the high-test point that could support his weight, gazing at the horizon. Yuki leaned against the side of the ship, watching the fish swim by, with White Tiger and Nightwolf standing beside her. Hilda stood away from the others.
Raiden had been quiet the entire trip, but something couldn't be held in.
"Brother...I want you to know whatever happens, I'm honored to stand with you again."
Fujin smiled, eyes closed.
"As am I."
Raiden smiled.
"I spent several days after our fight, stewing in my own stubbornness and guilt. The latter I didn't realize at the time."
"We may be gods, brother, but that doesn't mean we don't make mistakes. I spent time amongst the mortals...seeing proof in what I believed about them...and also seeing them capable of the things I dreaded most. Mortals are complicated...though I guess gods are as well. Both make mistakes, both understand things each other don't. I wish you could've met some that I came to know fondly...and others not so much."
"For now, let us hope for the best. I pray to the Elder Gods the chosen triumph."
"I know Liu Kang is ready. Those from this other Earthrealm, I trust you've chosen wisely. All the others I know will do there part."
Spider-Man sat down, thinking.
(This...This tournament...my spidey sense is already telling me this isn't good. I mean, I knew it wouldn't be...but...but his haunting feeling...I don't like it...something's very wrong...I don't think Raiden lied to me...I don't feel any danger with him...something else is working here...it's not good...and I don't like it...whatever it is...it's bad...)
Spider-Man rubbed the back of his neck, hairs standing. All he could see was the sea and the horizon. His eyes moved across the horizon, not spotting the island Raiden spoke of. But he felt something tell him they were getting closer.
Liu Kang and Iron Fist sat in Lotus position, calm and focused. Despite their quiet and peaceful personas, the two found themselves talking more often than they had with most people. Iron Fist smiled as he spoke.
"I haven't entered a martial arts tournament in years. And none like the one where it was decided I should be honored with the power of the dragon."
"You are indeed gifted. To have a great dragon's power is a true honor. You are indeed most fortunate and blessed. I am humbled to have the magic of fire, perhaps a gift from the Elder Gods...I hope it gifts me with the power of a dragon to face what's coming."
"I have heard whispers from Raiden when talking with the monks here. I didn't mean to pry, but this 'Goro' was something of strain and stress."
Liu Kang nodded.
Their eyes were open now. Liu Kang frowned, but not at Iron Fist.
"He's the current champion of the tournament. He's won the nine out of ten victories needed for Shao Kahn to merge with Earthrealm. He defeated Kung Lao's honored ancestor millennia ago...that marked the beginning of Outworld's victories...every champion Raiden has recruited and trained before this time have fallen to him or other warriors."
Iron Fist eyes went to the warrior monk's hands, they were twitching slightly.
"You're afraid."
Liu Kang's eyes widened slightly but then relaxed.
"Yes...but not of him...of what will happen...if I fail."
Iron Fist patted his shoulder.
"You aren't alone, my friend."
Liu Kang smiled.
"No...I'm not."
Yuki looked down seeing less and less fish swimming by the ship. Nightwolf saw this too.
"We're getting close. The animals won't be near a place of evil like the island if they can help it."
Yuki rubbed her chin.
"Clever little minos."
Nightwolf nodded.
"This place will be the test of our lives...or one at least. What we shall face there...will be for our worlds...and I pray to the Great Spirit we succeed."
Yuki nodded.
White Tiger flexed her claws, eyes slowly studying them. Nightwolf turned to her.
"Calm yourself, focus your energy for the fights ahead."
White Tiger grumbled, retracting the claws.
"Oh, I'm focusing my anger on what lays ahead. I'll get my claws on this Shang Tsung, and he'll know you don't mess with my world."
Yuki chuckled.
"Oh, I like this one. You have the passion of a tiger alright."
White Tiger simply nodded. Then her gaze went to Hilda, who stood in the shadows of the sail of the ship. Yuki followed her gaze.
"Don't like her?"
"Something's...off about her...Raiden seemed so sure she'd bring our worlds victory...that people like her would...what's so special about them?."
Nightwolf eyes narrowed slightly as he rubbed his chin.
" When I met her, I did sense something powerful...something different I guess...part of me wonders about her...but she is here to protect Earthrealm. That should speak for itself."
White Tiger grumbled, but nodded.
Raiden and Fujin walked to the warriors. The thunder god spoke.
"We are about to cross to the island. We are nearly there."
Everyone turned. A fog suddenly appeared, swallowing the ship. All sight of the ocean was gone.
White Tiger snarled, extruding her claws. Yuki's ice armor formed and she held an ice katana in both hands. Raiden raised a hand to them. The two women slowly relaxed, retracting their weapons and armor.
Fujin turned his head.
"We're here."
The fog slowly rolled away, as the sun shined through it. As the last of the fog faded away, all on the ship were greeted with the sight of a large island.
Spider-Man's eyes widened.
(Ok...I gotta admit...that's pretty cool.)
The island was tropical in nature, sandy beaches and cast with greenery. At the center of it, those on the ship could see structures that towered over the surrounding jungle. They too were of the like of Shaolin monasteries and temples.
While Spider-Man looked in awe, Raiden's eyes danced with electricity.
"Behold: the island of Shang Tsung...and the residing arena of the Mortal Kombat Tournament."
To Be Continued...