-Chapter 2: Test Your Might-

She stood alone against five members of the local garrison. They were wasteland warriors, hardened and rugged men who'd braved the elements by mastering their fate to truly become conquerors. But they themselves were subservient to a single conqueror, to the man above all they called 'ruler'... 'emperor'.

The thing is, she was no pushover either.

Some might've thought that Mileena was not dressed for kombat. Her violet unitard, gloves and boots seemed more dressy than functional. But she was a powerful and violent kombatant, her sais were sharp and her mind was focused. She was ready for anything.

She parried the two swords that slashed at her, striking back with a split-kick that knocked them both away. She rolled under the thrusting spear one of the others attempted to attack her with, quickly leaping onto his back and driving her sais deep into his flesh with a shriek. She cartwheeled off of him as he stumbled forward, quickly spinning around to catch another swordsman between her legs. The tumbling hurricarana she threw him into knock him off his feet as he remained on top, driving her armored knee into his face and crushing his skull.

The koliseum was devoid of an active audience. But Mileena still performed for an audience of two. Shao Kahn sat on his massive stone throne while the wily Shang Tsung stood beside him. Their eyes were always on her, father and creator watching the girl work, grins forming on their faces as a second warrior soon joined his crushed fellow in the dirt, his neck slit by a razor sharp sai.

A third fell when Mileena pierced his torso and flayed him wide open, his innards spilling across the ground before she flipped over and drop her heel into his skull, crushing him into the bloody sands beneath. The fourth attempted to run her through on his spear, only for Mileena to stab a sai clean through his hand and wrench his weapon from his grip. Turning it on him, the warrior was soon skewered as the blade thrust through his chest and out his back, Mileena quickly cleaving upwards as she bisected him. Tossing the weapon aside, Mileena rolled forward and cross the ground, the force of the impact enough to shatter the legs of the final warrior, who cried out in agony moments before Mileena's boot was driven into the back of his head, the assassin having teleported behind him.

She dropped to the ground as he did too, breathing heavily as she tossed her hair and savoured her victory. A simple clapping was heard and Mileena turned towards Shao Kahn as he stood. "A fine display, Mileena! It seems you are in peak condition as always." He applauded with a proud laugh. Mileena cross her sais and bowed before him.

"In your name, Father, I shall slay the Earthrealm fools for you and you alone." She promised.

"Yes. Raiden and his pitiful prospects will not know what hit them." A pleased Kahn agreed. He stopped when a pained groan filled the arena and all three turned to see Mileena's final victim still alive and struggling to crawl away.

"It would appear she missed one." Shang critically mused. But Shao waved off his worries.

"Hardly a concern." He rumbled. "Mileena, this exercise must have worked up your appetite." He called to her with a sinister grin. Mileena's brown eyes shone with eagerness. "Go ahead... slake your hunger." He offered. The Outworld Princess dutifully sauntered over to her victim, the dying warrior turning over as he realized she was coming for him. Mileena put a sensual sway in her hips, ensuring she had his full attention. An almost girlish giggle left her veiled mouth as she stood over him, dropping to her knees as she straddled his waist. The warrior looked on with wide eyes as Mileena's clawed gloves glided up and around his face, ensuring his focus was still on her. His terrified brown eyes met hers as Mileena slowly pulled down her mask to reveal a face with flawless features. Everything about her was perfectly sculpted, the definition of beauty.

And then it began to change.

Brown eyes turned amber with slit cat-like pupils. Her mouth expanded, lips receding as their width spread along her cheeks as her teeth grew and morphed. They were many and sharp, lining the entire length of her jaw like a Tarkatan. No longer did she have any resemblance to her genetic twin sister. Now she looked monsterous.

His expression of sheer terror was enough to loose a malicious giggle from Mileena and she let a long almost snakelike tongue run across the edges of her broad teeth. It was almost sensual in away, like she was getting off on his terror and her own hunger. The warrior's breathing quickened as she leaned down, culminating in a scream of terror as her jaw unhinged and she lunged forward.

The final sounds to fill the Koliseum was a sickening crunch, a wet splat, and the booming laughter of Shao Kahn…


Mileena awoke with a start, sitting upright in her bed as the dream faded. 'Not a dream. A memory…' She was alone in her quarters at the Wu Shi Academy but, even still, Shao Kahn's echoing laughter felt as real as ever. Mileena rubbed her eyes and struggled with the emotions that arose from such a memory. The mere thought of Shao Kahn aroused anger and sorrow. She could feel ghostly fingers gripping her throat, feel the ragged edge of his armor as it drove into her flesh, feel the sting of his words as he disowned her as a daughter and claimed her as a servant. 'It's been almost five-hundred years… and I am still not over it.'

With no chance of going back to sleep and little else to do, Mileena got up to prepare for the day.


Emerging into the training grounds of the Academy, Mileena discovered her fellow champions were already present. In addition to some already here at the Academy, Raiden had collected others he deemed suitable to fight for Earthrealm. Among the newcomers included Lieutenant Sonya Blade, an American special forces operative and career soldier who excelled in Tae Kwon Do, and Johnny Cage, a Hollywood superstar who featured in a variety of martial arts movies. He was a black belt in karate… and nothing else.

While the actor was dressed in the orange yoroi robes given to Wu Shi students, Sonya had adopted a more traditional set of workout attire consisting of a green-white sports bra and similarly-coloured leggings.

In addition to the Americans, Raiden had selected two Shaolin to take part in the tournament training; Kung Lao, an expert in the graceful and acrobatic martial art of Wing Chun and renown for his skillful use of a razor-rimmed chakram hat, and Liu Kang, a master of the hard hitting Pao Chui and Jun Fan martial arts. Both of them wore their own unique robes, evidence as their positions as veteran Shaolin and fighters compared to the newcomers.

Mileena knew them all in name only. She had no idea what any of her fellow allies were like in person… except for Magnus, that is. And when Mileena caught sight of him, she found herself pleasantly surprised by his sudden change in appearance.

In the days since their arrival, Magnus had been groomed by the monks. His beard had been trimmed and shaped, parts of it braided with metal trinkets. His hair had also been cut, shaven down the sides with the remaining top length braided into a ponytail that was long enough to rest between his shoulder blades. The cleanup made him look rather focused and dedicated, the beginnings of a warrior to be moulded versus that of a random drunk at a bar.

Mileena's arrival turned a few heads, namely those of Magnus and Johnny. The actor shamelessly whistled. "Wow… I had no idea the Shaolin were also Babes R' Us." He remarked aloud. The Norwegian said nothing, simply looking her up and down with non-verbal appreciation. While Mileena had agreed to wear the lowers pants of the common yoroi robes, she had refused the upper gi, claiming she felt constricted and limited in her movements. Instead she wore a sash tied tight enough to preserve her modesty… although it did leave her navel and shoulders on display while also accentuating just how sizeable her bust was. She ignored Johnny and strode closer to Magnus.

"Mileena." He greeted quietly.

"Magnus." She replied in equally reserved tones. Nothing more was spoken. At that moment, a thunderbolt struck the training ground and teleported Raiden onto the scene. Liu and Lao turned to offer a traditional Shaolin bow.

"We are ready to commence with training, Lord Raiden." Liu told him. Raiden nodded and strode forward, flanked by his students as he faced his four chosen champions.

"Each of you have been selected to participate in a grand martial arts tournament against Outworld; a ruthless realm of conquerors," he addressed them. Mileena's gaze looked towards the ground as he spoke, a simple gesture that did not go unnoticed by the thunder god, "Outworld would like nothing more than to enslave Earthrealm and its people."

"Well, apart from that, sounds like a piece of cake!" Johnny casually remarked. "Reminds me of Caged Rage Part Two, where I was this nobody who was supposed to-"

"This is no movie, Johnny Cage." Raiden interrupted. "What you are about to face is vastly more important than your egos or your quests for revenge. This is a sacred mission. The fate of billions depend on you." Magnus crossed his arms, digesting everything quietly. Mileena fidgeted in place, saying nothing but radiating nervous energy. Sonya arched a brow with hands on her hips, seemingly in disbelief. Johnny just rolled his eyes.

"Great. No pressure." He muttered. Sonya stepped forward.

"You can't be serious. A handful of people in some… monastery are gonna save the world?"

"Indeed, Sonya Blade." Raiden affirmed with a nod. "The essence of Mortal Kombat is not about death but life. Mortal men and women defending the world with a purity of soul. A few giving their lives so that all might live."

"So why us?" Johnny asked. "I know there's plenty of other guys… and gals who could do a better job than us." Raiden drew closer to him, fixing him with the same divinely-piercing gaze Magnus and Mileena knew well.

"I have looked into your souls. And although you may not know it yet, you have the potential for greatness." He stated simply. That seemed to brighten Johnny's mood.

"Well, you want great, look no further than me: Mister A-List." He cockily declared, jabbing a thumb towards his chest.

"We shall see, Johnny Cage." Raiden mused. "Today, all of you will demonstrate your skills and abilities. You will prove to us what you can do… as well as what you will do." The thunder god stepped back to stand in line with Liu Kang and Kung Lao opposite of the foursome. "Magnus Shadrix, step forward." The Norwegian did so, taking a spot between the two lines. "You will face him, Johnny Cage. Show us all what you are capable of." Raiden commanded. With a stretch of his arms and a roll of his shoulders, Johnny looked to Sonya and Mileena.

"Check this out ladies." He winked and strode forward, earning impassivity from Mileena and a groan of annoyance from Sonya. "Alright, let's do this in one take." He commented, squaring off opposite of Magnus. "Ah, just like Thunder in the Desert. Pain to shoot, but great locations." The Norwegian looked him up and down, unimpressed. 'Prissy thing with too clean a face. Talks more than he acts.' He surmised.

"Skald." He remarked with a smile. Johnny paused.

"Excuse me?"

"You are a skald. Someone who tells stories to entertain." Magnus stated, slowly getting into a Glima stance; legs apart and arms cocked. "You are no kombatant." Johnny frowned in disbelief.

"Me? Not a kombatant?" He repeated. "Oh it's on, Beowulf. It is on." His stance was incredibly over-exaggerated, not nearly as tight and close as Magnus' was. The Nordic man believed he had every advantage.

He moved in close, looking for a grapple in order to throw the actor to the ground. But Johnny struck with three kicks in a row before executing a backflip that caught him on the jaw. Magnus stumbled back, more surprised than hurt as Johnny landed on his feet with a smug look on his face.

Magnus narrowed his gaze and moved in close again. Johnny attacked again with a kick, but Magnus was ready and swatted it away before lashing out his own push kick. The actor sidestepped and swung a hard punch. But Magnus ducked and caught his arm, finally grappling Johnny into his zone. With impressive strength he lifted the actor off the ground and then slammed him down on his back, moving to try and pin him. But Johnny was nearly twice as dexterous and rolled him off, catching Magnus with a rising elbow as he did.

Rolling to his feet, Magnus was ready as Johnny tried to pursue him, the two winding up with arms locked in a clash. "I can do this all day! After all, I'm a global martial arts superstar." Johnny sneered.

"It is unwise to boast prematurely." Magnus retorted. Bending a knew and focusing on his upper body strength, Magnus threw Johnny's arms up and landed a straight punch that caught the actor square in the chest. Johnny stumbled back.

"Hey! Watch the merchandise!" He snapped. Magnus merely beat his chest with one fist.

"Sjøgud, Høstgud, styrk meg!" He chanted, psyching himself up for another round. Taking that as a challenge, Johnny moved to execute a lunging sidekick…

But instead, he quite literally flew across the ground on one foot, a green glow suddenly enveloping his body as he drove a kick right into Magnus' hastily-raised arms. He struck with a lot more force than intended, sending the Norwegian sliding back with a powerful Shadow Kick. Johnny paused, staring wide-eyed as his gaze flicked between his outstretched foot and the recovering Magnus. Those watching we just as surprised.

"Holy shit! That's not special effects!" He exclaimed. "I've done that move dozens of times and I've never had that happen!" Liu and Lao looked to Raiden with intrigue as the thunder god nodded slowly.

"Most impressive, Johnny Cage. At last your potential is revealed." He stated. Johnny gave him his full attention.

"What was that?"

"I will elaborate at a later time. Continue." Raiden answered simply. Johnny appeared flabbergasted.

"Later? I just had some weird glowy green shit appear around me and you're gonna explain it 'later'?" He huffed. "Nah, if later means ending this fight now, one flawless victory coming up." With that, he bolted towards Magnus and dropped down into a sudden split, rearing back and driving a hard punch…

Right between his legs.

The Nut Kracker struck home for the unfortunate Norwegian, Magnus doubling over as his eyes bugged out of his head. He clutched the sore spot, wheezing and gasping for air as Johnny hopped back to his feet. "Done and done. Gets 'em everytime."

From the sidelines, Liu and Lao collectively winced while Mileena flinched as she watched Magnus curl over in pain. "I'm a woman and even I felt that from here." She said quietly.

"That's not real fighting. Just a cheap shot you'd use in a bar fight." Sonya scoffed.

Pain continued to wrack the Norwegian. But as his coherency returned, Magnus turned his pain into fervor and his fervor into fury. 'I underestimated him. I will not do so again.' Loosing a guttural exhale, like that of an animal rearing up, Magnus pounded the ground with a fist. "Krigere vil falle når bjørnekloen slår. Jeg skal kjempe til Valhöll!" He growled, fighting past the pain and bringing himself to full height. Johnny looked puny, terrified as the Norwegian embraced yet another part of his heritage. "Fryktløs skal jeg drikke blod fra mine fienders sår. Sammen skal jeg rase på slagmarkene til lik! Krigens far befaler meg!"

A wild look came over him and with eyes suddenly full of fury, Magnus powered ahead with a lunge as both of his fists began to crackle with electricity. Taken aback, Johnny tried to strike with another kick only to find his limb grabbed as Magnus lifted him head over heels and threw him to the ground. Magnus pounced, lashing out with a sudden left cross that smashed into Johnny's face. He drew back his arm, poised to land another.

"Hold, Magnus Shadrix!" Raiden boomed. The thunderous command was enough to freeze Magnus where he was above a petrified Johnny. "This is a display of ability, not about inflicting grievous injury on one another." The chastisement brought Magnus down from his bloodlust high and he stood slowly.

"I was just returning the favour." He rumbled in a low voice.

"Helluva favour! What'd I say about aiming for the face?!" Johnny whined from the ground. "And what the hell's with the zappy-hands?"

"The two of you are in possession of unique abilities that stem from your arcana." Raiden stated as Johnny picked himself up.

"Ar-whatnow?" He repeated in confusion while dusting himself off.

"Arcana is the power of the soul. Unique to Earthrealm are the gifts it can bestow to those it manifests in. It is the result of Earthrealm's life force, the Jinsei, appearing within certain individuals." Raiden explained. Johnny blinked and then back stepped with hands raised.

"Maybe it's because I got smacked upside the head, but that's a whole lotta mumbo-jumbo for this guy." He remarked.

"Wait a minute… did you choose us because you see we have this… arcana thing?" Sonya suddenly questioned.

"No, Sonya Blade. Not all of you are in possession of arcana. Even among my own students, not all of them have manifested such power." Raiden replied. "But in the case of Magnus Shadrix and Johnny Cage, your arcana is indeed present but not yet fully refined." Magnus looked down at his hand, clenching his fist as he recalled how the electricity had manifested during his bar brawl.

"I've always been able to do that… on occasion." He murmured.

"Yours appears to be that of a lighting elemental. Elementals are among the strongest forms of arcana power if honed correctly." Raiden explained. "As for you, Johnny Cage-"

"Why don't we just call it my 'star power' and be done with it?" The actor interrupted.

"Call it what you will. But if you continue to train, you will have a better command over your arcana." Raiden continued. Johnny said nothing and simply strolled back to the sidelines. Magnus offered a small bow in recognition before returning as well. "Sonya Blade. Step forward." Raiden then commanded. The lieutenant did so, approaching the fight line with a soldier's crispness. "You will face Mileena. The two of you shall test your might against one another in a display of all the skills you possess." Answering the summon, Mileena strode in opposite of Sonya, the two women squaring off. The lieutenant narrowed her eyes and Mileena could tell that Sonya was all business.

"Don't bother holding back. Whatever you can dish out, I can handle." Sonya challenged. Mileena did not know what skills Earthrealm militaries imparted to their soldiers, but she was very aware of her own.

"Be careful what you wish for." Mileena replied. "You may find yourself pushed to your limits."

Johnny rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Cat fight!" He whipped out his phone and tapped the recording feature. Magnus watched him and rolled his eyes.

"Must you be so juvenile?"

The two women were entirely focused on each other. Sonya's disciplined nature ready to go head-to-head with Mileena's stoic disposition… a woman with a reputation she was entirely unaware of. Not that knowing it would deter her, Sonya was never one to back down from any threat or challenge.

They clashed in a flurry of high-speed movement. As Sonya launched an arc kick, Mileena rolled backwards and executed a handstand to kick Sonya in the back. Launching her away, Mileena executed a forward flip that drove Sonya into the ground. Rolling back to her feet, Mileena was ready when Sonya picked herself up and charged in again, striking with two jabs and a rising knee that Mileena easily parried. Sonya then tried for a sweeping leg kick, something Mileena was able to vault over with ease as she executed a dive kick that struck Sonya across the face.

"Damn!" Johnny exclaimed from behind his phone.

The two women clambered to their feet. "I'll be ready for that next time." Sonya commented, wiping dirt from her face with the back of her hand.

"Provided there is a next time." Mileena retorted. Sonya booked it towards her foe, closing the gap as she lashed out with an overhead elbow that she converted into a shoulder shunt. Mileena blocked both, and followed up with a spinning high kick and turned into a handstand. Wrapping her legs around Sonya's head, she threw the lieutenant to the ground before somersaulting back to her feet. She attempted to capitalize on her foe's downed state, but was intercepted mid-lunge by Sonya as she kicked her to the ground and dropped down hard, driving her knees into Mileena's gut.

"Oooooh!" Johnny whooped like a stage-side wrestling fan. "These girls are on fire!" Magnus rolled his eyes yet again, more concerned with observing the ways Sonya and Mileena fought. Sonya's Tae Kwan Do was a quick, hard-hitting, disciplined form that could meet Mileena blow for blow. She was a flurry of movement; smashing elbows, rising knees, even cartwheels that Mileena was impressed by. But the Outworlder in disguise was no slouch either. What she could take, she could also give.

A low strike caught Sonya in the gut and a spin kick clubbed her across the head. Turning pain into fuel, Sonya darted in close and struck with a rising elbow followed by a left hook. Mileena parried the first and blocked the second, but failed to account for the leg sweep and rising knee. From there, Sonya lept up and grabbed Mileena by the head between her legs and throwing her with her own momentum. Mileena hit the dirt as Sonya whirled, fired up and ready to continue. "Is that all? Come on!" She goaded. Mileena picked herself up and remained crouched, low and poised to move at a moment's notice.

"You don't want all of me." Mileena retorted. Sonya scoffed.

"Scared? Yeah, you should be." She sneered. "Fuck with the Blade, you get cut." Accepting the enthusiasm of her opponent, Mileena elected to put an end to this showcase. Perhaps they might have been evenly matched, but there was one speciality in Mileena's wheelhouse that Sonya could not account for.

And so she closed her eyes and began to concentrate.

After a few moments she snapped her eyes open, revealing that brown had been replaced with catlike amber. Then her lips began to recede, mouth growing wider and longer as her teeth morphed into long fangs that filled her maw all the way across. In no time at all, her Tarkatan features had been revealed and earned mixed reactions from her fellows.

Magnus' eyes widened in surprise, as did Sonya's as the lieutenant felt a shiver of fear… for the first time in a long time. Liu Kang and Kung Lao were aghast. "By the Elder Gods!" They gasped. Raiden remained unmoved. Johnny was nearly hysterical.

"What in the actual fu-?!"

Without delay, Mileena lunged with a snarl, snapping her jaws as she suddenly vanished in a flume of fire-like violet light. Confused, Sonya's gaze darted left and right, failing to catch Mileena's sudden reappearance up above. She pounced on Sonya and powered her to the ground. The soldier steeled herself, refusing to show any form of weakness as Mileena loomed over her. A long serpentine tongue slipped from between her open jaws, dangling in a prehensile fashion mere inches from Sonya's grimacing face.

"I could kill you if I wanted to, Lieutenant Blade." Mileena hissed. "But I choose not to." With that, she stood up and backed away, letting her long tongue lick her chops one more time. Sonya hurriedly picked herself up and took a few steps in the opposite direction. Most of the onlookers were stilled shocked by the sudden reveal.

"Can't believe I lost to a… a freak like that." Sonya muttered with a huff. Mileena caught the remark and stiffened slightly, closing her eyes to relax herself. Soon enough her mouth receded to normal, teeth included, until there was no sign it had ever existed.

'That was a mistake. I should never have revealed that to them… at least Magnus hasn't said anything.'

"Your Mianquan is very good, Mileena." Raiden complimented. Mileena cocked her head.

"Is that what you call it…" She mused, trialing off. "Not a name I've heard for it."

"Lord Raiden… are we just going to overlook what just happened?" Kung Lao asked, still freaked out.

"Man! That almost went from adult film to snuff film." Johnny remarked. "Hey, is that another one of those arcana things? How badly do you have to lose at the gene casino to earn that for a power?" Again, Mileena stiffened. Raiden glanced at her and then back to Johnny Cage.

"It was forced on me." Mileena said simply. "I did not choose it or earn it." Johnny frowned.

"So… what is it? Hell, I'm still fuzzy on this whole arcana thing." For that, Raiden had an answer. He stepped towards the four.

"Perhaps this is something better shown than told." He decided. Summoning a thunderbolt, he teleported all of them away from the Academy…


When they rematerialized, they were harshly greeted by a howling wind and driving rain. Most of them reacted to the dramatic temperature shift. "Ugh! How come these things aren't anywhere nice and sunny? Would it kill to learn a lesson in Pasadena?" Johnny complained. Magnus scoffed.

"If a little rain bothers you, you know nothing of the world." He said derisively. It was then that they finally noticed the large temple across from them. It sported a combination of traditional Japanese and Chinese stylings, shaped like a pagoda, with archaic dragon heads mounted on either sides of a heavy wooden doorway.

"Come." Raiden urged, throwing open the twin doors. The others followed, Sonya and Johnny grateful to be out of the way.

The thunder god led them down winding passageways as constructed materials gave way to caverns and hewn stone. Many gates stood in their way, each one opened by Raiden's crackling magicks. The aura of the place began to change and shift, the visitors feeling lighter on their feet the more doors they passed through.

At long last, they passed through a final gate and laid their eyes on something astonishing on the other side.

A large stone chamber, 100 metres in diameter, boasted many carven statues depicting scenes and persons foreign to the collective. At the heart of the chamber, a glowing blue liquid like cold lava flowed like blood through arteries. Something about this place felt alive and made the others feel alive. "Woah… talk about mood lighting." Johnny whistled.

"This is Earthrealm's life force: the Jinsei." Raiden explained.

"Like gazing upon the Elder Gods themselves." Liu Kang mused comfortably.

"This chamber is the heart of Earthrealm. From here, life is given and nature flourishes. I built my Sky Temple over the Jinsei and guard it with many magical wards." The thunder god continued. "This is the power of Earthrealm. It is life itself. And it is from this power that arcana manifests in select few."

"What kind of power grading are we talking about here?" Sonya questioned, ever the analytical. "Are there different scales to compare against?"

"All arcana is different." Liu explained. "Seldom are two ever the same."

"It can take almost any shape and form." Kung Lao continued.

"As for how powerfully it can manifest, that depends on the history of the person in question." Raiden stated. He turned to Magnus, studying the Norwegian for a moment. "Magnus Shadrix is descended from a Viking tribe; the Ynglings, claiming the gods as progenitors. The Ynglings are part of an ancient royal dynasty, known for their power and wisdom." Raiden told them all.

"You know as much of my history as I do." Magnus noted.

"Hold on, if you're the descendent of a royal dynasty… doesn't that make you a prince?" Sonya wondered. Magnus slowly folded his hands behind him, pondering that question. His gaze met Mileena's curious stare for a moment before he regarded Sonya again.

"I've never looked at it that way before." He quietly replied. Mileena's gaze continued to study him, up and down as she looked over Magnus with a newfound appreciation in her eyes. But with that look came questions. 'He's a prince? Then what was he doing all alone in a bar? Perhaps a… no, I can't think like that. Shao Kahn disowned me. I'm not his daughter, I'm not a princess…'

"Your divine ancestry is the likely reason for your elemental manifestation." Raiden said. "Training and honing your arcana will give you a great edge in kombat." Magnus nodded slowly.

"Seems I have my work cut out for me." He mused. Then he smirked. "It's funny. I am a Njordborn and yet this 'arcana' of mine would suggest I should be called a 'Thorborn'."

"In time you will come into your power as you train alongside your fellow champions." Raiden promised. He then looked back to the group. "Do not be discouraged if you do not manifest arcana. Sometimes the strength of character is stronger than any supernatural ability."

"I'm not worried." Sonya said boldly. "If anything, this just makes me want to train harder so I can beat people who have all kinds of weird shit."

"You get 'em, sister," Johnny said, "As for me, Ray-dude, I'd love to summon that green stuff on command instead of at random. Just so long as I don't start growing weird fangs or anything." He added. Magnus looked to him sharply.

"Mileena's ability is nothing to be mocked, skald." He stated with a frown. "If anything it should be embraced and appreciated. It gives her a decided edge over our enemies." Mileena stayed silent. But when their eyes met, her look was a fond one. A silent way to say 'thank you for coming to my defence'.

"Ugh, okay… I know people are into all kinds of shit, so I'm just gonna leave that in your wheelhouse, alright?" Johnny callously remarked and Magnus rolled his eyes yet again.

"You will make a more formidable showing working together than fighting separately." Raiden stated. "You know much but there is still more for you to learn. Together, Liu Kang, Kung Lao and I will train you all to ensure you are at your best when it comes time for the tournament." He told them all as his hands crackled with divine power. "Let us return to the Wu Shi Academy. It is time to begin…"