The heroes had all moved to the courtyard where the tournament was to continue. Johnny Cage was still physically sick from the ending of his prior match. Although Tremor was likely deserving of such a fate, being a black dragon, Johnny couldn't help feeling that he had done something wrong. Of course Johnny didn't actually kill Tremor, but a simple death would've been more merciful as far as Johnny understood. Raiden explained the soul stealing technique to be a form of eternal enslavement. Something Johnny Cage wouldn't wish on even his worst enemy. The others seemed uncomfortable from the event, with the exception of Sonya who believed that was a fate fitting for each Black Dragon. Johnny couldn't understand her no matter how hard he tried.
Lance had told the group she had a very traumatic experience with Kano, but refused to elaborate. Johnny had already pieced that information together after the events over the pit. She froze the second she laid eyes on Kano. Something Johnny made sure to mention to Lance. Her partner would be able to look out for her at the very least, but Johnny still was unsure. Maybe someone else should take Kano down, that way Sonya could focus on the rest of the tournament. The opportunity was present with Kano attending the current matches with his goons.
Plus the black dragon were supposed to be the real deal, according to Lance at least, so Johnny could stack some real wins here.
By challenging Kano, Johnny assumed he'd finally earn Sonya's respect. Something he was finding hard to do so far. He assumed she saw him as a joke, even after everything he'd already accomplished. He could save her the trouble of battling Kano, earn her respect, and ensure Kano doesn't get the best of her again. Plus he could take out a bit of the frustration that he'd been building up.
"The next match will be…" began Shang Tsung before Johnny quickly jumped on stage.
"I want another match." He stated confidently to the surprise of everyone.
"You fought Tremor only a couple hours ago, Johnny Cage. Surely, you want time to rest from your last match." Suggested Shang Tsung.
"I'm ready to go now, unless that's a problem?" Asked Johnny to which Shang Tsung was genuinely curious.
"Who is it you wish to challenge, Johnny Cage?" Spoke Shang Tsung.
"Kano." He stated firmly, once again causing shock to wash over the heroes. Shang Tsung, however, was quite intrigued.
"Very well, but since I am granting this request, you must accept another challenge that has been issued against you."
"You got yourself a deal." Stated Johnny with Shang Tsung grinning.
"What are you doing?" Asked Sonya in frustration. "Kano is mine."
"Last time you faced him you froze, so I figured I'd take care of him myself, and save you the trouble." Explained Johnny. Sonya was about to argue further when Lance interjected.
"Let it go Sonya." Lance stated firmly. "If you fought him now, I don't think it'd go well. After what happened on the bridge…"
"You told him?" Sonya asked furiously. Johnny was shocked by the outburst. "I froze up one time, but I'm ready. I'm prepared, I'm here for this. I'm ONLY here for this… to kill that bastard!" She screamed.
"That may be part of the problem, Sonya Blade." Said Raiden, interrupting, and agreeing with the others. "I had planned for you to help defend the realm, and have your revenge both, but it has become clear that I was wrong to recruit you so soon after what happened to you. You are not yet ready to face Kano."
Sonya was devastated. Her mission to kill Kano had driven her through so many opponents in this tournament, and Raiden was not only stopping her from this fight, but from further participation as well. She stormed off on the verge of tears. Johnny didn't know how bad she'd been hurt by Kano and he hoped she would get over it after Kano was gone. However, he couldn't have expected an outburst like this. Johnny genuinely thought he was helping.
"Hey." Lance began. "I get what you're trying to do right now, but if you die, you'll be another body weighing on her conscience. Don't put her through that." he said. Johnny nodded.
"It's settled then. For the next match Johnny Cage will be facing off against Kano." Johnny quickly took his spot as Kano hopped down onto the courtyard across from him. "Fighting with Kano is Jerek and Tasia." Johnny quickly changed his attitude from that of a confident hero to a cornered animal.
"How is this fair?" Johnny shouted out in frustration.
"It was a match made at your request, Johnny Cage. Maybe you should specify the terms next time." Finished Shang Tsung.
"One dead actor, coming up, in a tick." Stated Kano as he and his top lieutenants prepared for action.
It was annoying he had to take on all three, especially considering Tasia was already eliminated from the tournament. But at this point it was too late. "Fine… I'm Johnny Cage, I could take on your whole fucking clan if I wanted to!" He spoke arrogantly. His allies watched on in fear of his fate.
Johnny had already tussled with Jerek and Kano on the bridge above the pit. He also briefly fought Kano on the pier in Hong Kong. Jerek was a good fighter, but not enough to challenge Johnny alone. No, Kano was the real threat. Jerek and Tasia were just insurance for the mercenary. Johnny Cage couldn't best them alone during their first meeting. He was confident he could now. He'd prove to Sonya, and everyone else that he wasn't a fake.
Jerek rushed first with his knives out, Kano close behind. Johnny dodged the pair of mercenaries as they tried to dice him up. The actor unleashed a pair of force balls that sent both the criminals back into the ground. Tasia flew in with her swords and Johnny dodged with his superhuman reflexes. Tasia shot up before slamming both swords down and Johnny flipped back to a safe distance and counterattacked with a shadow kick he drove deep into her abdomen. She flew back as Jerek tossed his knife at Johnny. At near super speed, Johnny Cage caught the blade mid air by the handle.
"God damn I'm good." He said before striking Jerek with an elbow, knee and flurry of punches. Before he could knock Jerek out of the fight Kano tackled the actor to the ground. Before Johnny could do anything he felt Kano Crack him across the face. Then again, and again. He ignited his shadow in anger and the energy blasted Kano back as Johnny got back up. A fireball nearly took him out but he dodged it at the last possible second before firing a force ball at Tasia who wasn't fast enough to dodge as the force ball lifted her from the ground and sent her a dozen feet into the crowd.
Johnny smirked but Kano shot at him in his signature Kano Ball. He wasn't fazed and instead lined up a spinning back kick that knocked Kano right out of his Kano ball. Jerek rushed to the aid of his ally, but Johnny brought a knee up into his jaw before a hard cross and front kick put him on his back. Jerek came back with an assault of punches, but Johnny dodged them all. Surprisingly Jerek followed with a headbutt that did connect. Johnny wrapped around Jerek and the two tumbled onto the arena wrestling for control. Right as he came out on top he saw Kano charging his eye beam. Quickly, the actor rolled away and shot to his feet with his shadow before slapping the laser off into the sky as he'd seen Liu Kang do once before.
"What the fuck is with this guy?" Asked Jerek as he spit out a mouthful of blood. Kano only grunted in response.
Johnny took note of the crowd, most were entertained to say the least with his allies more worried than anything. Tasia was still unconscious and certainly out of the fight. As he scanned the audience he locked eyes with Raiden who nodded to the side just enough for Johnny to understand. Kano came rushing again, as Johnny turned his attention back and he sidestepped, tripping Kano as he did so. Then met Jerek with a kick to the privates before dropping into the splits and delivering the most devastating nut punch to date. The entire crowd winced as Johnny effortlessly stood out of the splits and turned to his last opponent.
"He's certainly good, but was that really necessary…" Said Jade as she watched from beside Shang Tsung.
"The black dragon are nothing but thugs, Jade. The fool's victory may be surprising but not impressive." Said Kitana.
"I disagree, sister. I saw this one fight a few times now. I think he poses quite a threat." Began Mileena.
"What have you seen in his matches thus far, Mileena?" Asked Shang Tsung curiously.
"As far as human fighting styles go, his is fairly refined, and he's in good condition, but it's his power that has my attention." She explained.
"What about it?" Asked Shang Tsung, cutting in.
"Kitana would remember better than I, but didn't Kung Lao have an ally with similar abilities?"
Kitana eyes lit up in realization. "Yes actually, his name was Tomas. He was one of the best earthrealm fighters I'd ever seen."
"Now you see why I believe we should remain cautious." Finished Mileena.
"I will have him taken care of. Assuming he survives this fight." Finished Shang Tsung.
Johnny Cage had Tasia and Jerek both knocked outta the fight, but he'd been put on the defensive by Kano as the two traded blows. Technique was no longer a factor as they traded blows at full force. Johnny used his shadow, and Kano hit Johnny with a devastating headbutt, but the two stayed standing as they both hoped the other would fall.
Realizing this strategy wouldn't work, Johnny shot back and threw a few force balls, each of which Kano dodged. Then the actor shot forward into his shadow kick. The mercenary was prepared, catching Johnny and driving an elbow down into his knee. Johnny fell, but shot back with a punch that Kano also caught before twisting the actor and grabbing him around the neck. Johnny screamed as he flipped Kano off of him and they wrestled on the ground. Kano rolled on top as he tried to drive his knife into Johnny, but the actor jammed his thumb into Kanos good eye. They struggled for another minute before Johnny could feel Kano's knife beginning to press into him. He fought against it with one arm, still jamming his thumb into Kanos' good eye with the other. It was clear Johnny was about finished as he could barely keep Kano from impaling him. He quickly felt his blood begin to boil at the mere thought of dying to someone such as Kano.
With an angry scream Johnny blasted Kano off of him using his now active red Shadow energy. Kano looked back at the actor as he flipped to his feet. Johnny shot towards Kano with a much faster red shadow kick, but before Kano could react Johnny stopped, flipping over the mercenary before spinning around with a devastating red Shadow punch. Kano spit so many teeth out many thought his face would be irreparable.
"Eat shit mother fucker! You just got Caged!" yelled Johnny as he danced around the arena. Kano was obviously finished after that, yet Johnny Cage hadn't won easily, he was fairly wounded. Shang Tsung was visibly displeased with the outcome which very much pleased Johnny Cage.
"Have them thrown in the dungeon." Stated Shang Tsung. "Their souls will make a fine snack later."
"Well done, Johnny Cage." Spoke Raiden as he helped the actor down from the courtyard.
"Yeah, a real flawless victory. Well, except for my cracked jaw, broken arm, and possible burst organs." Joked Johnny.
"You're hardly that injured, but I will heal you." Stated Raiden.
"Ok, Cage. I'll admit it. That was pretty good. What was that red energy?" Stated Stryker.
"Not sure, first time I've seen it red, but it seemed to do the job for me." said Johnny as he observed the masked guards carrying the black dragon thugs away.
"Yes, but now you must face another challenger tonight. One that has challenged you in particular." Reminded Nightwolf. "They will most certainly be dangerous."
"Everyone here is dangerous, right? Nothing I can't handle." Joked the actor. "You think Sonya will forgive me?" He asked her partners.
Pedro scuffed. "As if that'll ever happen."
"I think she will." Lance said, elbowing Pedro. "But it's gonna take some time." Stated Lance. "She's stubborn like that."