AN: Special Thanks goes to Story's Shadow for editing this chapter. Thank you my good friend.

-Meanwhile, USM Dimension-

"I do not like this news at all," Thomas said in a low tone.

He and his senior knights could be found in the chambers where their round table resided. Thomas had been resting in his chambers until a messenger had reported to him that the council had requested him for an emergency meting. Upon taking his seat at the head of the round table, Thomas had been informed that multiple knights, as well as innocent families had been attacked by demonic entities, some within their places of residence.

"Your majesty," one knight began when it was clear that Thomas was not sure what to say, "I propose we raise all our knights, home and abroad to a status of red alert."

Thomas took this in with much thought before answering.

"All in favor of Hugh's proposal say 'I,'" Thomas said.

"I," rang out from all knights in attendance.

"The motion carries," Thomas affirmed.

"Squire," Thomas called.

A young man left his post in the corner of the room and made his way to his kings side.

"Please inform our messengers to inform all knights of this motion," Thomas ordered.

The squire bowed and quickly left the room to inform the messengers.

"Even though we have passed Hugh's proposal, I must ask: what else can be done to prevent bloodshed, and to protect the innocent?" Thomas added.

The knights didn't respond, but pondered on this.

"I have several ideas of my own, but I now pose this question to you all: what else can we do?" Thomas asked.

There was silence for a few seconds, until a different knight cleared his throat, which gained everyone's attention.

"With the permission of this council, and his majesty, I propose we prepare our forces for war–"

"War?'" a different knight interrupted.

The former knight nodded to which the second sighed.

"While I agree that steps must be taken to avoid bloodshed, should we really compromise our order's secrecy–"

"What good is secrecy when innocents are being attacked?!" The first knight retorted, bewildered.

The second knight didn't respond, lowering his head in shame.

"Our demonic enemies have ramped up their attacks not only on our knights, but also innocent bystanders. How long can we truly hide in the shadows while they spill innocent blood in their attempt to damn as many souls as possible!" the knight hissed.

Several knights began muttering to themselves and whispering to each-other.

Thomas raised a hand, silencing the muttering and whispering.

"While the New Knights Templar have operated from the shadows for many years, our enemies are now conversing in the light. Perhaps we should adapt to the changing world, while not compromising our beliefs," Thomas suggested.

This earned head nods from most of the knights. Thomas took all their reactions in.

"I propose at the very least, we prepare our knights for the possibility of war, so as to not be caught flat footed. All in favor say 'I.'" Thomas stated.

-Meanwhile, Shang Tsung's Island-

After finishing his speech which welcomed all present to the tournament, Shang Tsung had moved all present from the main hall, to an outside area designated for the Mortal Kombat tournament. Nervous excitement could seemingly be felt in the air as all warriors gathered around waiting to see who would open up the tournament.

"Raiden, do you have any idea as to who will be fighting first?" Spider-Man asked in a low whisper.

"Usually Shang Tsung will declare who's fighting. Or he will call upon a warrior to challenge another in Kombat–" Raiden's answer was interrupted by Tsung taking his seat upon the throne which looked down at the fighting grounds, and raising his right hand for silence.

"The tournament will now officially begin!" Tsung announced with a smirk.

This earned cheers from many there.

"Spider-Man, come forward." Tsung ordered from his throne.

(Guess that answers my question.)

Spider-Man with pats on the back from Ava and Danny, walked through the crowd and took his place on one side of the fighting area.

"Spider-Man, your opponent shall be... Reptile!" Tsung ordered.

Suddenly a dark green black reptilian humanoid clad in black armor materialized and appeared on the other side of the fighting area.

Spider-Man's eyes widened slightly.

(Ummm...that could be a problem.)

The entity hissed, revealing several needle-like teeth.

(*Gulps* And those too.)

Reptile chuckled as he hissed.

"I have never tasted arachnid."

"Bleh! And you won't ever!"

Tension hung in the air like a thick mist as both fighters eyed each-other and where seemingly doing the same thing while remaining silent, and that was sizing up and analyzing each-other before Tsung gave the order. But the silence was broken by a single word.

"Fight!" Tsung announced as he slashed his hand downwards.

Reptile made the first move by launching a small dart-like projectile from his mouth at his enemy, who dodged the attack and fired a web-ball at Reptile. The reptilian side stepped the attack and rushed forward. He leapt into the air and aimed to give a dive-kick to his enemies chest. Spider-Man however having sensed the attack, quickly back-flipped away before he fired a line of webbing at Reptile's feet. His aim was true as he ensnared his opponents feet and then proceeded to flip Reptile over his head and slam him face first into the ground.

Reptile grunted in shock. His surprise was shared by many from the crowd. Spider-Man puffed his chest out as he approached his opponent.

"Sorry little guy, can't eat if you don't have teeth!"

The man who'd hit on the military woman chuckled at this.

Reptile though was not as injured as he appeared though as he quickly flipped into a combat stance and began laughing at Spider-Man as he quickly went invisible.

(Oh no.)

Several seconds later Spider-Man's spider-sense went off, but it was too late. Unable to see which direction the attack was coming from, Spidey moved into Reptile's range and was punished was a deep slice to his chest, courtesy of the claws on Reptiles right hand.

Spider-Man cried out in pain.

Raiden's eyes widened in shock.

"No."

His voice was a whisper, but his alarm was blaring. Shang Tsung smirked at this. He turned to see Spidey holding the cut, grunting.

(That hurt... a lot.)

Reptile then continued to press his advantage by delivering several rapid fire punched and kicks to Spider-Man's face and torso, causing Spider-Man to reel over in pain. Shang Tsung chuckled, for he could already see a new Earthrealm champion falling in the first fight. Spider-Man gasped and grunted, hand clenching into a fist.

(Can't give up!)

Reptile went invisible again, laughing.

Seconds went by. Spider-Man gasped and grunted, closing his eyes.

(C'mon Spidey Sense!)

After a few seconds it went off.

Spider-Man quickly caught the invisible fist of Reptile and proceeded to fire a web shot right at where he guessed his enemy's face would be. His aim was true as Reptile snarled angrily and dropped his invisibility and began trying to tear the webbing that covered his eyes off of his face. Spider-Man though having realized now was the perfect time to end this fight. He kicked Reptile backwards into the air and followed it up with a line of webbing, then proceeded to pull Reptile back towards him using the webbing.

(Time to end this!)

Spider-Man jumped into the air and then began whirling Reptile all around him, causing the reptilian cried out in shock, and then released him. The momentum carried Reptile into a solid stone wall, where he crashed into it with a monstrous crash, and then slid down the wall where he landed on the ground rather painfully. Reptile tried to stand but couldn't fight the pain and fell unto his back and just laid there and let the dankness of unconsciousness take him.

Shang Tsung frowned.

"Spider-Man wins." Shang Tsung announced as he raised a hand to signal the ending of the fight.

Spidey chuckled as he fell to one knee.

"You fought well," Raiden said in an approving tone as he made his way into the now ceased combat zone and offered Spider-Man a hand.

"I barely defeated that thing," Spider-Man grunted in as he took Raiden's hand and was helped to his feet.

"With each fight you will improve. The first fight is never the easiest, nor is the last. But there is always time to improve and correct whatever mistakes you made in the previous battle," Raiden said.

He helped Spider-Man out of the combat area, being met with support from his friends and allies, and waited for Shang Tsung to announce the next battle.

To Be Continued...

AN: Please let me know what you think about the first fight in the tournament. Also please let us know who you think will be fighting next.