AN: We have now returned to the tournament, and oh boy do we have an interesting and exciting matchup for this chapter. Hope ya'll enjoy.

-Shang Tsung's Island, Arena, Present-

Those on the island gathered around the battleground. Shang Tsung sat in his makeshift throne, surrounded by his servants and allies. Quan Chi stood beside him, arms crossed and face expressionless. Raiden's gaze was to a far off part of the area, looking past a few of Shang Tsung's servants.

"Lord Raiden, what is it?"

"I sense Shang Tsung is about to include one of his most dangerous pawns."

Spider-Man walked up to where they were.

"No sweat, we can beat down any loser that man with the dumb mustache sends at us."

Raiden didn't respond, he just simply crossed his arms and waited. Shang Tsung rose from his seat, a big smile spread across his face.

"For the next match! The outsider, Iron Fist, shall fight!"

The crowd called out, baying for blood. Raiden and his allies turned to Iron Fist, the young king of Kun-Lun stood silently with his arms crossed. His eyes narrowed on the sorcerer. He turned to Raiden, the thunder god nodded. Iron Fist sighed and bowed to him before making his way to the arena. Spider-Man whistled for his friend.

"Let's go, Fist!"

Iron Fist pressed his hands together and breathed slowly. Shang Tsung smirked.

"And his opponent: Sektor!"

Everyone watched as a lean, muscular Chinese man emerged from the crowd. His black and red attire marked by the insignia of the Lin Kuei made Raiden narrow his eyes. Spider-Man just laughed.

"So Danny has to beat some guy with a bad hairstyle? You got this Fist!"

Iron Fist didn't respond, he just continued to breathe yet his gaze never left his opponent. His opponent, Sektor, moved and had an aura similar to one he once considered a friend. The older man's face was marked by an arrogant scowl.

"A boy?! This is who Raiden sends into the tournament?! Pathetic!"

Iron Fist's eyes narrowed.

"A lion is a mighty beast, but its focus is often to the sky not seeing the serpent below."

Sektor raised an eyebrow at this but then just scoffed.

"Veiled words will not give you victory."

"We shall see."

Sector's eyes narrowed and his brow furrowed. Shang Tsung returned to his seat and raised one hand in the air then sliced it down as he shouted.

"Fight!"

Sektor grunted as he raced forward. He leapt up, throwing out a kick at Iron Fist. But the young king weaved to the sighed, circling around his foe. The Lin Kuei quickly turned, a wide arcing kick flying forward only for Iron Fist to slide under the strike. He threw out one punch, aimed at Sector's lower torso. But the Lin Kuei brought one hand down, pushing the strike to the side then lashed out with his free hand. It carved at an arc, the strike aimed for Iron Fist's throat.

Iron Fist pushed the attack to the side with his free hand and slid around his foe as Sektor turned to face him. The Lin Kuei lunged forward. One kicked aimed for his foe's hip, but Iron Fist brushed the strike away with one hand. Sektor threw one flattened hand forward, aimed for Iron Fist's left arm. But the young king blocked with his left elbow as he quickly moved it into place. Sektor reached his right hand forward, wrapping around his foe's left arm then pulled him towards him. The Lin Kuei then jabbed his foe in the face with his free hand three times before Iron Fist pulled himself back and kicked out with his left foot.

Sektor grip was gone as he dodged the attack. He smirked at Iron Fist, who moved one hand across his jaw.

Spider-Man's eyes widened.

"Wow, this guy's serious."

Fujin sighed.

"The Lin Kuei always are. Your friend is in for the fight of his life."

"He can do it."

Iron Fist moved one hand forward and pulled the other back, the former flattened and the slightly clenched. Sektor scowled as he rushed forward and so did his opponent. The young king struck out with a jab, aimed for his foe's face but the Lin Kuei brought up one hand, pushing it up then struck out with his free hand. The punch struck at Iron Fist's armpit. The young king groaned, feeling the ache of the strike. He grunted as he pulled his arm down, pushing down the strike from Sektor's other fist.

Iron Fist twisted around, kicking back out at his foe's torso. Sektor side stepped the attack then struck out with one hand. The blow hit Iron Fist above the knee. He gasped in pain then he quickly responded with a sweep kick. Sektor flipped over the attack. He quickly landed after his opponent rose to his feet. Iron Fist leapt up, throwing both legs forward and flying towards his foe's head.

The Lin Kuei brought up both hands to either side of his head, blocking the double attack. As the young Kung Fu hero landed on the ground, Sektor knelt down as he spun around with a sweep kick. The attack knocked Iron Fist off his feet, but he quickly recovered as his hands pushed him off the ground and onto his feet.

Spider-Man's eyes shifted from the back to back strikes. Then he turned to Raiden.

"S-So, uh, just how bad are these Lin Kuei?"

"The Lin Kuei are an ancient order of assassins, they are amongst the deadliest fighters in Earthrealm."

"...Oh...that's great..."

(*Chibi Spider-Man appears and cries out: THAT'S BAAAAD!*)

Iron Fist grunted backflipping over another sweep kick from Sektor. He landed then raced forward, throwing several jabs at his foe's chest only for the Lin Kuei to brush aside the strikes. He caught a chop from the young Kung Fu hero by the wrist then struck out with his fist. The jabs landed on Iron Fist's face were swift and brutal. Sektor then threw a vicious uppercut to Iron Fist's chest then released his grip on his opponent only for him to leap up and kick out at Iron Fist's mid torso.

Iron Fist gasped as he hit the ground. Spider-Man gasped.

"Come on, Fist! You got this!"

Iron Fist grunted as he stood up, spitting out a little blood. Spider-Man's eyes widened a little at this. Sektor smirked then he rushed forward. The young Kung Fu hero blocked the jab from his foe, pushing aside the next then retaliated with his own. But the Lin Kuei pushed the strike aside with his arm. He twisted around, his foot hitting Fist across the jaw. Then he lunged forward, one jab after another slammed into Iron Fist's face or upper torso. Sektor then grabbed Iron Fist around the jaw with one hand then threw a swift punch that pounded into Iron Fist's face.

Raiden's eyes narrowed as Sektor continued his assault. One fist slammed into Iron Fist's face then the next slashed with an uppercut that struck Fist's chin and sent his head reeling back. The Lin Kuei quickly followed this with a kick, slamming into Iron Fist's waist and sending him skidding back.

Jax turned to Spider-Man.

"Your boy's taking a beating."

"No, Fist's got this. He has to."

Iron Fist moved his head out of the way of another jab, pushing up the arm throwing the next jab then quickly slammed his free hand into Sector's chest. The Lin Kuei skidded back slightly, only for him to scowl and rush forward again. He threw a swift jab forward which was brushed aside by one hand from Fist. The young king used his elbow to block the strike aimed for his lower torso then quickly struck out with his free hand. The blow hit Sektor in the face, making the Lin Kuei scowl before striking back.

Iron Fist side stepped the back to back kicks Sektor launched, quickly ducking down and threw a sweep kick. It knocked the Lin Kuei off his feet, but with one hand he launched himself back onto his feet. The Kun-Lun king rushed forward striking out with a flat hand at Sektor's face, but the Lin Kuei caught his opponent by his wrist then retaliated with a swift punch that struck Iron Fist below the elbow.

Then he arced a flat handed strike at Iron Fist's waist, the side of his hand chopped where it was aimed. Then Sektor threw Fist's hand down and leapt forward, kicking out and striking Iron Fist's face. The young Kung Fu hero gasped, blood flying from his mouth.

The Lin Kuei then swiftly turned around, an open palm strike hit Iron Fist's face again before being pounded by another swift jab. Sektor smirked as he jumped up and kicked out again, his foot slamming into Iron Fist's chest. He raced forward after landing on his feet, throwing several swift jabs and chops at his opponent's face.

Spider-Man's eyes went wide.

"He's gonna kill him."

White Tiger watched as Spider-Man tried to lunge forward, only to be tackled and held in place by Liu Kang and Kung Lao. Spider-Man shrieked in surprise and anger.

"NO! LET ME GO!"

Both of the young Shaolin monks were thrown off, Spider-Man sending them flying back. He tried to move forward, only to find Yuki Anna's blade at his throat. Spider-Man's eyes were wide.

"Have faith in your friend, Spider-Man."

Spider-Man turned back to the fight, whimpering.

Sektor threw a vicious palm strike forward, hitting Iron Fist's jaw and knocked him on his back. The Lin Kuei smirked as he approached the young Kung Fu hero, pulling out a triple bladed weapon that looked like the insignia he wore on his attire. Iron Fist frowned slightly.

"You would sell out your own world for a tyrant?"

"The Lin Kuei does as tasked. I follow the Grandmaster's will."

"Then you should be taught a new lesson."

Sektor lunged forward, striking out with his blade. But Iron Fist leapt to his feet and with one hand summoned the power of his name and shattered the blade and sent Sektor flying in a chi blast. The Lin Kuei shouted in complete shock as he hit the wall behind him, cracking it around him. Like Sektor, nearly all those present who didn't know Iron Fist were wide eyed and slack jawed at the power of this young hero.

Iron Fist took another stance, one hand flat and the other with his power that he let retreat. Jax rubbed his eyes.

"D-Did I just see what I thought I saw?"

Raiden smiled.

"You saw the power of the Iron Fist."

Sektor spat blood, eyes narrowed on his opponent.

"Magic or not, I will complete my mission."

Iron Fist didn't respond, just waited. The Lin Kuei grunted as he rushed forward. He struck out with a kick, but Fist blocked with both arms as he then quickly pushed aside the jab Sektor threw. He twisted around, dodging the palm strike thrown at him. Sektor grunted as quickly turned, throwing a chop back at his foe. Fist jumped back from the attack then lunged forward again.

He blocked the side kick from Sektor with one hand then brushed aside the palm strike that followed. He lunged forward, his left knee slammed into Sektor's lower torso and made the Lin Kuei literally fold over. Iron Fist quickly dropped down, striking out with a sweep kick that knocked down his foe. Iron Fist quickly got to his feet as Sektor leapt onto his.

The assassin grunted as leapt forward. Iron Fist weaved around the kick, turning to retaliate with his own kick. But the Lin Kuei assassin brushed the strike aside with one hand then lunging forward with a chop aimed for his opponent's throat. The Kung Fu hero pushed the strike aside with one arm then blocked the next attack with the other. Sektor threw a flurry of jabs and chops at Iron Fist, who brushed aside or weaved around the attacks.

Sektor grumbled as he pushed aside the flat handed strike from Fist, twist around and slamming one elbow into Fist's chest. The Kung Fu hero clenched his teeth, wincing as Sektor turned around and hit his back with his other elbow. He hit the ground but managed to stay on his hands and feet.

White Tiger grumbled, nose scrunching and face burning.

"Take him down, Fist!"

The young king pushed himself over the sweep kick from Sektor. He continued to evade the kicks as Sektor pressed his advantage. Fist pushed him back onto his feet as Sektor leapt at him, kicking out. Iron Fist side stepped the strike, grabbing his foe's knee with one hand then sweep kicking the leg he was standing on.

Sektor grumbled louder as he fell on his hands and pushed himself back onto his feet. He grunted as he lunged with a jab. Fist pressed the strike to the side with one hand then aimed a horizontal chop at Sector's waist. The strike was blocked by Sektor raising one leg. Iron Fist quickly through a jab forward, but Sektor halted it with both arms one on top of Fist's hand and the other below. But Fist quickly pulled the strike back slightly then quickly pushed it forward, sliding through Sector's arms and striking his mid torso.

Sektor scoffed as he leapt up and twirled in the air, one leg kicking out and slashing down and against Iron Fist's face. The strike knocked Iron Fist to the ground. He spit out more blood, wincing.

Spidey's eyes widened.

"FIST! NO!"

Sektor jumped and throwing up one foot up. As he fell he slashed his foot down, but it only hit the ground as Fist rolled to the side. He grunted as he got up, moving his head to dodge the kicks Sektor threw forward. The young hero lunged forward, his flat hand slashing across Sektor's face. The Lin Kuei's hand went to his face, as he pulled it away he saw blood on his fingers. A cut laid under his eye.

Iron Fist flicked the blood of his fingers.

Spider-Man's eyes widened.

"Whoa."

Sektor shouted as he rushed forward, pulling another blade from within his robe. Iron Fist's eyes narrowed. Sektor grunted as he slashed with the blade, acting it at his opponent's neck as he dodged the jabs and side chops from Iron Fist. But the Kung Fu hero side stepped and weaved around the blade. Iron Fist followed Sektor's movements, dodging him and causing the blade only to strike air.

Iron Fist ducked under a horizontal slash from Sektor then quickly twisted around and slammed one elbow into his foe's chest. As Sektor folded over, Iron Fist skidded slightly back then slashed a kick forward. His foot struck Sektor's jaw and sent him reeling. The Kung Fu hero jumped forward, a few fingers striking at Sektor's hitting Sektor along the arm of the hand he held the blade. But Sektor grunted as he used his other elbow to strike against his foe's fingers. Iron Fist grunted as he pulled his hand back.

The Lin Kuei surged forward, pushing the side jab Fist threw with one arm then jabbed with the blade in return. Fist moved his head to the side. He wrapped his arm around Sektor's then struck the hand that held the blade. Sektor's grip loosened instantly and the weapon dropped to the ground. Iron Fist then twisted around, both hands on Sektor's hand. The Lin Kuei grumbled as he forced around before Iron Fist struck out with a jab, hitting Sektor's armpit. As the assassins skidded back Iron Fist lunged forward, twirling around and throwing a kick which hit Sektor in the face again.

But the Lin Kuei managed to balance him and rush forward. The chop he slashed forward was caught by the wrist. Fist pushed his arm down then used an open palm strike, hitting Sektor in the face again. As he stumbled back Iron Fist lunged forward and up. He twirled around, one foot twirling forward and slamming into the Lin Kuei's face. Iron Fist didn't stop he threw this same kick repeatedly which hit his opponent every single time. Sektor grunted and gasped, spitting out more blood.

He glowered at his foe and raced forward again. He jumped up, twirling around and throwing out another kick. But Iron Fist slid under the strike then leapt at his foe as he landed. One jab struck Sektor's face again, then a palm strike slammed into his upper torso, and then a chop slashed down into Sektor's shoulder. The Lin Kuei yelled as he threw a punch forward aimed at Iron Fist's face. But the Kung Fu hero slid under the attack and around his foe. Sektor turned quickly, pulling out a blade in either hand. His eyes went wide as he saw his foe called upon the power of his name in one hand then threw a punch forward. His blades shattered and he cried out as he flew back. He skidded across the ground.

Sektor tried to rise only to fall, unconscious and bleeding.

Shang Tsung frowned.

"The winner is Iron Fist!"

Spider-Man cried out in joy as pushed Yuki's blade away then rushed over to his friend. Iron Fist fell to his knees, the chi energy retreating. The young king grunted, wincing slightly. But he got to his feet as Raiden approached. The thunder god bowed to him. Iron Fist smiled and bowed back. He then fell to his knees again. Raiden knelt down and used his power to heal him.

The others walked forward. Jax's arms crossed.

"Damn kid, that's one helluva punch."

Iron Fist chuckled.

"I did my best."

"That's for damn sure."

Sonya smirked.

"I think Shang Tsung's fighters are in more trouble than they thought."

Spider-Man patted his friend's back.

"Knew you could do it."

Yuki raised an eyebrow at this. Spider-Man just chuckled nervously. Soon Iron Fist was fully healed, no blood, scratches, or bruises apparent.

"Namaste, Raiden."

"You're most welcome. You fought and won honorably, young Rand. Well done."

Iron Fist bowed to him as he finally rose.

Kung Lao grinned widely, looking to Iron Fist.

"This 'Kun-Lun' taught you that? Impressive."

"I did my best."

Liu Kang smiled.

"I'm glad you're on our side."

Iron Fist smiled. Raiden turned to Shang Tsung, who watched as Sektor was carried away by his guards. The god of thunder turned his allies.

"The Lin Kuei will no doubt seek to avenge Sektor's defeat, you must stay focused and ready for this. They do not give up easily, but I know you all can win."

Some of those gathered nodded.

Raiden looked past the crowd, seeing the very briefest glimpse of a shadow moving in the shadows.

"This tournament will be a truly a test for you all."

AN: What did you all think about this first fight upon returning to the tournament? Give Story's Shadow a huge round of applause everyone, he did an outstanding job.