Raiden patiently watched the martial arts tournament from the stands. He was of course there to recruit world renown martial artist, Art Lean, but like all other earthrealm warriors Art needed to be tested. Raiden wasn't going to send unprepared fighters to their deaths, so Raiden tested his best fighters in extremely dangerous situations. Liu Kang was tested against the best shaolin, Sub Zero had proven his abilities plenty, and Stryker was pitted against a pair of history's most dangerous serial killers. However, not every warrior was capable of winning the tournament, and Raiden knew that. For fighters with a far more grounded skill set, Raiden would give them less significant challenges. For one example Raiden had tested a Russian soldier by sending them to hike a mountain with no equipment, and additionally he'd put them on a time table. Upon reaching the top the soldier was forced to spar with another of Raidens selected fighters. Of course it was difficult for him, but it was very hands off for Raiden. While the soldier was climbing the mountain, Raiden was off recruiting others. In short, Raiden tested his true champions in actual combat situations, and his other fighters were challenged in slightly more controlled environments.
One such controlled environment was his current situation. Raiden had baited Art Lean into a full contact martial arts tournament in South Korea. Full contact is normally illegal in most countries, but with some recent law changes a legal tournament was sanctioned in Seoul. While full contact provided more danger opposed to a regular tournament, it was still much safer than a battlezone or against a monster. With medical personnel on standby it was rare someone would be hurt too badly. It had accomplished its goal of drawing in some of the world's most accomplished fighters, some of which Raiden had contemplated recruiting. Art Lean was of course the only warrior the thunder god was currently scouting. He'd already proved to be a top four fighter in this particular tournament as he advanced to the semi finals.
Of course Raiden had already known Art Lean was a fantastic fighter. He'd spent an entire generation scouting warriors for the tenth mortal kombat tournament after all. Raiden would honestly say Art had the potential to be a top ten fighter out of the sixty or so he was recruiting. However, he still needed to test them. Partially so he could get a better idea of what each fighter was capable of, but also so that the fighters could learn about what they could do themselves. Self growth is as important in fighting as much as it is in life. Of course Raiden knew Art was unlikely to be the warrior to go to battle with Goro, but he needed to give himself every edge. If pushing Art Lean and every other warrior to their absolute max before the tournament won them even just one more match then it would be worth it.
Art Lean currently faced Caesar Cerant in the semi final. Caesar was an opponent Art had faced several times in the past. The two often participated in the same martial art's circuits. As it stood there record against each other was two all, but this tournament was full contact. That meant they didn't need to pull their punches: at least not as much. The winner here would be crowned the better fighter once and for all.
"Raiden." Greeted a familiar man before taking a seat next to him.
"Scouting my fighters, Shang Tsung?" Asked Raiden.
"Nothing in the rules says I can't do some research. And considering you've been sending your fighters to kill mine….."
"Those two monsters in Deacon City were not yours to recruit. They were both of earthrealm." Spat Raiden.
"They may have been born in earthrealm, but Zane only had his abilities because of the time he spent in my flesh pits, and the other only survived childhood because of my sorcery." Replied Shang Tsung. "Besides, fighters may represent whichever side they chose."
"Except fighters cannot be crowned champion when they represent another realm. A fact I'm sure you left out when recruiting from earthrealm." Said Raiden.
"Not that it matters. None of your earthrealmers stand a chance of defeating Goro, and that's assuming they can survive that long. Even the warriors you're scouting now will stand no chance against even the weakest of outworld fighters. Without any powers he'll surely die early." Argued Shang Tsung.
"I disagree." Said Raiden just as Art Lean won his match against Caesar. The crowd exploded into applause and cheering for Art as he advanced to the final match.
"Since you're so confident in your fighter then you probably won't mind that I snuck one of my own fighters into this little tournament. We'll see right now whether skill alone can make a difference." Proposed Shang Tsung. Raiden raised an eyebrow before Tsung continued. "No killing of course, this isn't mortal kombat yet."
"And your fighter made it to the finale?" Asked Raiden to which Shang Tsung nodded.
"I'll have him withdraw immediately if you're not interested."
"I accept your challenge, Shang Tsung." Stated Raiden before the two turned their attention to the match below.
Art Lean warmed up for what he knew would be a difficult battle. What he didn't know was that his opponent would not be of earthrealm. His warm-ups came to an end just as the fighter took his spot across from him. The man was an edenian. Raiden could tell the difference like he was looking at a cat and dog, much like Edenians could spot a human among them with ease, yet somehow humans could never tell the difference. This particular edenian was dressed in a basic white gi; likely to fit in amongst the humans. His hair was black and long enough to reach the middle of his back. Raiden knew this man to be Rain. He was well known as one of the most dangerous assassins of the outworld. Brainwashed to believe he hailed from the war torn realm, much like Kitana.
"Don't worry Raiden, he has been instructed to follow the rules of this tournament. He is unarmed and will not use any illegal moves nor will he utilize his hydrokinesis. I'm aware earthrealmers consider such things unnatural."
Art Lean rushed his opponent with a flying knee that whiffed horribly, but he was able to catch himself on the ground and swing his heel around to catch his opponent's face. Rain stumbled back from the hit, but countered quickly with a jab before spinning into his own back kick that caught Art. He attacked back with several faint kicks before hitting Rain with a hard straight kick to the face. The edenian quickly came back with a left hook followed by a series of kicks. Art wasn't quick enough to evade the combo and took several blows before Rain tackled him to the ground.
They wrestled for control, but Rain's superior strength gave him the advantage as he got a hold of Art from behind. The human was forced to headbutt Rain to get out of his grab; A move that would normally be illegal. Art jumped back to his feet and put some distance between the two. It was painfully clear that Art wouldn't win with any grappling, so he'd have to stick to striking.
Rain rushed again, determined to bring Art Lean onto the ground. He slammed into Art with his shoulder, and tried to wrestle him down, but Art brought his knee up into the Edenians face , stunning him. Art saw the opening and went for a hick kick to end the fight. The kick collided with Rain's jaw and a crack echoed through the arena. The entire crowd winced, but Rain wasn't finished like Art had hoped. With a burst of adrenaline the edenian rushed Art with a flying elbow. Art stumbled, and Rain grabbed ahold of Art's arm before he began bending the elbow back. It seemed like Art was finished as Rain prepared to snap his arm, but at the last possible second Art kicked out the Edenians knee and escaped his grasp before finishing Rain with a spinning back kick. He dropped unconscious as the crowd erupted into excitement once again. Art was quickly handed a large gold trophy as he screamed in excitement.
"It seems like my fighter is more than capable of competing." Bragged Raiden.
"I'll admit this individual has some talent. You usually present passable warriors for tournaments. Which should be commended considering earthrealm has so few, but do not fool yourself Raiden. Rain was holding back much in this fight." Insulted Shang Tsung before taking his leave.
As Shang Tsung disappeared into the crowd of spectators, Raiden was left to consider his final few warriors for the tournament. Most of the obvious fighters had already been recruited, and Raiden found himself with so few options for the final few warriors.
He'd briefly considered calling upon Daegon for warriors, but Sonya and her team wouldn't work with the red dragon no matter the stakes.
Raiden had seen plenty of Caesar Cerant during this tournament. He wasn't on the same tier as Art Lean, yet he was an adept fighter in excellent physical condition, but without any real abilities to set him aside from the rest. He'd likely be killed early.
Raiden also considered trying to get Sub Zero to turn the lin kuei back over to their side, but he'd already asked so much of Bi Han. To turn against his clan and potentially fight his friends in the tournament. Raiden was honestly surprised the Cryomancer had agreed to help. Raiden wasn't surprised often.
Then there was Kabal. Stryker's partner who had no doubt had enough skill to fight in the tournament. However, the black dragon being in attendance could be a serious problem. Raiden didn't want Kabal turning against him or the rest of earth realms fighters during the tournament.
There were dozens of other fighters Raiden considered, but he knew of only one that had the skills he was looking for. Kenshi Takahashi was the last truly gifted human that still eluded him. Raiden struggled to trust Kenshi as he'd proven in the past that his only intentions were to kill Shang Tsung. However, earthrealm needed powerful warriors more than ever before. An uneasy alliance with the swordsman may be a necessity. Contemplating this did him no good. Raiden needed to ensure his chosen warriors were safe. Shang Tsung clearly wants to take no chances going into the tenth tournament. He's already tried to have Stryker killed. The sorcerer may have sent assassins after some of his other champions.