Chapter 40
Raiden's Ship
After several hours of sailing, Johnny Cage was beginning to get bored due to the waiting. Despite the tension, it turned out that Ruby was able to bring her board game with her. Currently, Ruby, Yang, Jaune and Qrow are seen undergoing an intense battle of wit and what not, or in Jaune and Ruby's case, failing miserable.
"Okay you've got to be cheating somehow." Jaune complained as Qrow just rolled his eyes
"Get good kid." The Older man said
While most of the teens were watching the game, Sonya alongside Pyrrha were leaning on the edge of the ship.
"I can't believe she brought that thing." Sonya said in an amused tune
"Typical Ruby behavior." Pyrrha said. "But look at the bright side, at least it helps reduce the tension of what we're about to get involved in."
"I guess you're right." Sonya said as she looked out into the ocean. It didn't take long for her view to become clouded as a sudden fog began to envelope the area. Both Sonya and Pyrrha got into a defensive position as they noticed something resembling a Leviathan swim past the ship
"You should stay away from the edge." Liu Kang said shocking the duo with his presence
"Seriously Kang, I almost blasted you." Sonya said after getting over her shock
"Sorry." Liu Kang apologized. "Regardless the ship is under Lord Raiden's protection. Anything out there, is not friendly."
"Thanks for the warning." Pyrrha said
It was then that they felt the ship shake a bit forcing everyone out of their thoughts. What ever shook the ship also knocked down Ruby's board game
"What the hell was that?" Johnny asked.
Liu Kang looked out the ship as the sky was beginning to darken. Some of the ship's residents noticed some floating creatures resembling skulls. Seeing this Liu Kang then realized what was going on…
"We are approaching Outworld," he announced. As if agreeing with him, the fog instantly disappeared, revealing the massive Kingdom of Outworld. With the fog gone, the group began noticing multiple ships heading towards the same location, but one particular ship seemed to stand out most. This being the ship of Quan Chi, being larger and more sinister compared to the other. What caught the attention of Beacon's former students was the presence of Scorpion standing at the front region of the ship with his arms folded.
"Well, at least we know he'll be participating." Cardin said causing him to receive various glares from Scorpion's former allies.
Meanwhile on Ironwood's Ship…
Like on Raiden's ship, the residents of this ship took notice of Quan Chi's ship with different thoughts. Though, Marrow was more vocal.
"Best guess is that's the bad guy." Marrow said referring to Scorpion
Later
After leaving their respective ships, Fujin had successfully gathered the warriors of Ironwood's Ship and is currently meeting up with Raiden and his warriors.
"Brother." Fujin greeted as he approached Raiden
"It is good to see you Fujin." Raiden said
"Likewise. I see that you've gathered warriors for the tournament," Fujin said as he approached them. "Good. We will be heading towards the tournament grounds shortly."
As the two gods discuss, Weiss rushed towards her teammates.
"Weiss!" Ruby tackled her with a hug
"I hope you weren't planning on saving the World without me." Weiss joked
"Ice Queen, long time no see." Johnny greeted causing Weiss to sign at the nickname
"Don't forget us." Neptune said as he approached with Sun
"Missed me?" Sun asked
"Only in your dreams." Smoke joked
"Salutations!" Penny greeted causing Pyrrha and Ruby to gasp
"Penny? How…I-" Pyrrha tried speaking but was cut off
"There's no need for you to apologize." Penny said. "As you can see, I'm back and in combat shape." With that Ruby enveloped her in a hug
"Alright, let's finish this thing as soon as we can!" Yang exclaimed.
"If only it were that easy," Blake said.
Sonya eyes then met the man next to Fujin. "And who might this be?"
The said man then got closer to the group as well. He then put a closed fist into his open palm before giving a bow. "I apologize for my inappropriate manners," he said in a professional tone. "My name is Hotaru. I am the chief commander of the Seidan Guard. It is an honor to meet such esteemed warriors from Remnant."
"Dude's way too formal." Johnny whispered to Liu Kang
"The Seidan guards are elite warriors that guard Delia's temple of Elements." Liu Kang explained. "They're more about upholding order."
"Will you also be participating in the tournament?" Weiss asked
Hotaru nodded his head. "Yes. I also intend to punish the traitor Havik. While I am the only guard participating in the tournament, my Seidan Guardsmen and I will escort and defend all of you with our lives."
"That's nice to hear." Winter commented.
"Now then." Raiden said before he turned around. He brought his hand up before shooting electricity which ended up taking an oval glowing shape. "This portal will lead you to Outworld."
Hotaru then motioned to the portal. "I implore all of you to gather single-file so we can proceed in an orderly fashion."
"Man, this guy's a nut for protocol, isn't he?" Sun muttered.
"I honestly don't know what's wrong with that," Blake said.
One by one the warriors entered through the portal. Once everyone stepped through the portal they saw that they were surrounded by people dressed similarly to Hotaru, armed with Naginatas and katanas at their hips.
As the warriors grouped the Seidan Guards began positioning themselves to their sides, all walking in perfect sync.
The warriors of Remnant then saw where they were. They were located in front of a giant building that could definitely be described as a huge palace, with the noticeable shape of a skull wearing a samurai-like helmet decorating the top of the palace. The lights that were seen through the 'eyes' of the skull gave it an ominous look.
They also gazed at the surroundings. There wasn't much greenery to be seen from where they stood, seeming to be mostly a wasteland that was populated. Another thing to notice was the unnatural color of the night sky, with it being purple
"Lovely place," Qrow commented
"If this Shao Kahn wanted to go for a supervillain look, then mission accomplished," Neptune said as his eyes narrowed. This place really gave him the creeps.
"We don't have time to waste. Let us proceed," Raiden said before walking towards the palace. The guards gave a salute before walking alongside the group.
As they walked through the entrance of the palace, the residents of Remnant couldn't help but gawk at the people who were there. Some of them looked like normal humans, but there were also many who had features like claws and long sharp teeth, others were tall and muscular with four arms, and there were also some who looked like a combination of a human, horse, and bull.
And many of these Outworlders also gave the heroes quite a number of stares, knowing who these newcomers were and why they were here.
"Great, new breeds of Faunus." Cardin muttered
"Shut up Cardin." Sonya said
They walked through the courtyard and into the main building of the palace, entering a long hallway that their group could pass through. It was decorated with many weapons and statues, many other decorations colored red as blood.
After passing many hallways they walked up to some huge double doors. They stood there for a few moments before the doors opened, giving them a view of what seemed to be a large arena. There were many people gathered in the stands, consisting of those races that they saw back there and more.
In the middle of the arena was a throne made of stone, with the backrest shaped like a skull with ram horns. However, everyone's eyes were drawn to the person sitting on that throne. Despite sitting down, the warriors could tell that the man was quite tall. He was also very muscular, definitely more than Ironwood. He wore spiked boots, gauntlets and shoulder pads, two leather straps interlocking on his chest, with his private areas covered by shorts and a red piece of cloth. But the most noticeable feature was the skull samurai helmet that wore, similar to the design on his palace, with the red slitted eyes looking right at the group.
The man on the throne looked at them approaching before rising from his throne to his full towering height. He then spread his arms. "Welcome, contestants and representatives of Remnant!" he exclaimed getting some cheers from the people in the crowd.
"I already don't like him," Hive commented, to which a lot of them seemed to agree.
"I am Emperor Shao Kahn!" the man introduced himself, his deep voice echoing through the arena. "Conqueror of Kingdoms, and the rightful ruler of Outworld!" He then walked over closer to the group before continuing. "As you were probably already informed, you will be fighting for Remnant in this Mortal Kombat tournament. But don't think of me conquering your Kingdoms as something to be dreaded but as a privilege, to become something greater than you were before."
Ruby gritted her teeth. "Why should we view you attacking us as a good thing?! Just who do you think you are?!" Ruby yelled getting Shao Kahn's attention.
Nobody was sure how Shao Kahn would react to Ruby's outburst, but to hear him laugh came a bit unexpected.
"I see you have fire in you, girl," Shao Kahn commented. "It just might help you last longer."
Shao Kahn then walked back to his throne. "Now, the tournament itself will proceed tomorrow. Until then you can enjoy my palace as you wish. Some of my guards will show you your rooms. Now be gone."
The group then turned around and walked away from the throne.
"Be ready, all of you," Raiden said. "Because tomorrow, your fate will hang in the balance."
The warriors of Remnant were currently being escorted by the Seidan guard led by Hotaru and accompanied by Raiden and Fujin. They just finished meeting with the Emperor of Outworld, and just from a glance, they could tell they don't like him. And when he spoke it didn't help the situation.
"Can you believe the nerve of that guy?!" Sun asked in frustration. "I mean, who does he thinks he is. 'Think of it as a privilege', 'Now be gone'. He acts like he already won!"
"That's the nature of Shao Kahn," Raiden said. "It may seem arrogant, but he was successful in conquering many Kingdoms, and in his eyes, yours is just another one in line to fall."
"Well, he won't win," Ruby said with narrowed eyes. "All of us will make sure of that."
"Ruby is right," Liu Kang said. "Whatever challenges he has, we will overcome them."
Raiden cracked a smile. They definitely had enthusiasm, he had to give them that. He just hoped that the tournament will proceed smoothly. "What you did back there Miss Rose was brave, but I advise you refrain from drawing anymore attention to yourself."
"He's right." Qrow added. "You're already in alot of danger as it already is."
Hotaru raised his hand which made all the Seidan guards stop in their tracks simultaneously, also making everyone else stop. The group saw that they were located in a hall with several doors lined up on each side, indicating this is where they would be staying.
Hotaru then turned towards the group and motioned towards the door next to him. "This room is where you will be staying." he said after which several guards broke formation and gave an opening to the door. With that the group walked in while mentally preparing for the tournament.
The next day came sooner than anyone would like, and the warriors were once again in the coliseum from yesterday. Before entering the coliseum, those that were participating had to register their names at the gates entrance. Unlike yesterday, their numbers were more as other fighters seem to have appeared late.
Raiden and Fujin stood with the warriors, with several Seidan guardsmen positioned around.
The Emperor of Outworld himself came to the scene much to the adoration of the crowd and walked in front of his throne.
"Kombatants and spectators, welcome to this special occasion!" he announced with his arms raised. "The Mortal Kombat tournament held in Outworld itself!"
The crowd once again erupted into cheers.
"This is it," Sonya said. "It's all up to us now."
"Yeah, no pressure," Yang jested as she looked at her friend.
"The participants of the Remnant have gathered!" Shao Kahn said while gesturing to the kombatants.
"I'm surprised he didn't insult us," Neptune commented.
"And now, let me introduce some warriors and Generals on the side of Outworld!" Shao Kahn exclaimed as another door opened
"The Outworld sorcerer, Shang Tsung!" Shao Kahn announced as the crowd cheered.
Next came a man who had no visible hair on him, with very sharp teeth and no lips, slitted eyes, clawed hands, and several bony protrusions on his arms. He was dressed in a white vest, black pants, and boots.
"The Tarkatan Leader, Baraka!"
The next was a boy with short black hair and eyes that had black pointed tattoos over them. He was dressed in a black sleeveless bodysuit, with a red west, fingerless and spiked gauntlets, and red shin guards.
"Army general, Reiko!"
Some of Remnant warriors raised an eyebrow at how Young Reiko was to be a General
The next was someone most of them already knew
"Princess Kitana!"
Penny fingered her chin. "It's hard to believe Shao Kahn is her father." Liu Kang merely stayed silent
"I don't see the resemblance," Sonya commented.
Next came a girl that strongly resembled Kitana though with shorter hair and slitted eyes.
"Princess Mileena!"
Winter narrowed her eyes. "I'm surprised that Shao Kahn would let his daughters fight in this," she said
"I think it shows how much confidence he has in them," Weiss said.
"As much as I hate to say this, he seems to be a better father than ours." Winter signed
"The sorcerer of the Netherrealm, Quan Chi!"
Most were already narrowing their eyes at the Sorcerer's arrival
The being coming behind Quan Chi really gathered the attention of the group. The man was incredibly tall and heavily muscled, with black hair held in a ponytail, and the most striking feature being his four arms, with three fingers each. The only article he wore being the belted loincloth.
"The Shokan prince Goro!"
"Whoa. This guy look like they could snap us like twigs," Neptune said.
"No need to worry," Kung Lao reassured him. "Size isn't everything in a fight."
Behind the Shokan prince came a woman who seemed to be the same species as the two. She wasn't as tall or muscular but still impressive in those areas
"The Shokan General, Sheeva!"
The next kombatant was a man with Horns, whose lower half was that of a horse
"And finally the Centaur King, Motaro!" With Motaro introduced, Shao Kahn sat on his throne with Shang Tsung now taking the stage
"Kombatants!" Shang Tsung exclaimed. "Now, the rules are simple! You will fight one on one, some fights as duos or handicaps depending on how well you all progress. If the kombatants of Remnant are successful in getting at least one of their champions through the tournament, they will have to face one more kombatant!" Shang Tsung grinned as he looked at the warriors. "Me!"
"That old geezer is the final challenge?" Johnny asked. "they might as well just give me the belt." This resulted in him getting slapped upside his head by Sonya
"Now, let the first fight of Mortal Kombat begin!" Shang Tsung announced
The crowd cheered while the warriors of Remnant tensed. The time has finally arrived.
"The first combatant will be… Baraka!" Shao Kahn exclaimed as the Tarkatan walked in front of the group. "And his opponent will be…Ruby Rose!"
"Well shit." Qrow muttered.