Read Mortal Kombat: The Movie (Digest Version) Online
Authors: Martin Delrio
“Let me carry it.”
“The torch is fine.”
“Give it to me.” Sonya tried to grab the torch. Instead she knocked it out of Johnny’s hand. The torch fell into one of the crevices between the pathways. It fell for a long time. Its light grew dim, then went out. A long time after that came the sound of the torch hitting bottom.
“Face it, we’re lost,” Sonya said.
“When you get to know me better,” Johnny said, “you’ll realize that I never get lost. I never have to ask for directions, and I always find a parking spot. Usually there’s money in the meter.”
“Look!” Liu said. “There’s a light down there. Listen.”
The three could hear a low sound, like men’s voices, but they couldn’t make out the words. A patch of light, like reflected firelight, glowed in the darkness ahead of them. And in the patch of light Johnny could see a shadow – but the shadow had four arms.
“I don’t suppose there’s a little guy down there, doing shadow puppets,” Johnny whispered.
“I don’t think so,” Sonya whispered back.
“Come on,” Liu said. He led the way toward the light.
Soon they came to a cavern full of stalactites and stalagmites. It was lit by blazing torches. Black jaguars roamed around the cavern. A narrow ledge ran around the room. Johnny, Liu, and Sonya followed the ledge to a place where they could see who was in the cavern room.
Two people sat at a table heaped high with food. One of them was Kano, the Hong Kong crimelord. The other one was a big man in a cape.
“Hey, give me some of that,” Kano said, grabbing some more food from a passing monk. Then Kano continued a story he had apparently been telling to the other man in the room.
“So then he freezes this guy and he shatters. You can see his guts and everything! Almost lost my lunch!“
“Disgusting,” said the man in the cape.
“And if that Shang Tsung guy’s so great, how come he’s got such a crummy looking boat?” Kano asked. “Guy gives me the creeps. ‘Treasure these moments...’”
“Kano...” Sonya whispered, in her hiding place on the ledge.
“That was his intention,” said the man in the cape. “Shang Tsung is a great sorcerer. The wise cultivate his favor. Those who challenge his power... become his slaves.”
“Haven’t seen any slaves around,” Kano said. He belched, covering his mouth with his hand, then reached for another plate of food.
“Shang Tsung enslaves souls,” explained the man in the cape. “He learned the black arts from the emperor himself.”
“Ah, yes, the emperor. You’re some kinda royalty, too,” Kano said.
“That’s very perceptive of you,” the man replied. “I am Goro, general of the armies of Outworld and Prince of the subterranean realm of Shokan.” Goro stood and removed his cloak. He stretched his hands. He had strong shoulders – and four muscular arms.
“Subterranean?” Kano asked. “That’s something like... underground?”
“Yes, something like that,” Goro replied.
“Yeah, well I’m kind of an underworld chief myself,” Kano said. “You know, back home.”
“How lucky for them... back home,” Goro said.
As he spoke, Shang Tsung and his ninjas entered the throne room.
“It’s true, Prince Goro,” Shang said. “Why else would I choose such a disreputable-looking cretin? Look at him. No dignity. No manners. But in the realm of Earth, men like him can amass wealth and almost godlike power.”
“Yeah, well, I’d like to get back to my amassing as soon as possible,” Kano said. “When do I get paid?”
“After you’ve fought the girl,” Shang told him. “That was our ‘deal.’ Only remember, she mustn’t be harmed... only humiliated. I have... plans... for the beautiful Sonya.”
“Well, let me at her, then,” Kano said. “Think I like hiding down here in a cave like some kinda slimy toad?”
Goro leaned forward until his huge head was level with Kano’s. The Shokan prince leaned his hands on the table and stared at Kano.
“No offense intended,” Kano said nervously.
“None taken,” Goro said. He reached out one of his lower hands and lightly slapped Kano on the cheek. Then the four-armed giant stood and spoke directly to the demon sorcerer.
“To what do we owe the honor of your visit, Shang Tsung?” Goro said.
“I came to warn you that Kung Lao’s descendant is competing in the tournament. You must handle him carefully.”
“I saw this Liu Kang in the hall. He reminds me of his ancestor,” Goro said. “He’ll pose no problem.”
“Don’t underestimate the power and resourcefulness of these... humans! It will be your downfall,” Shang said.
Goro looked at Shang in silence for a moment. Then he spoke aloud.
“You lost to Kung Lao, a common monk! I defeated him... and every human since... for the last five hundred years. This time will be no different.”
“This is no time for foolish pride,” Shang said angrily. “We have never been so close to absolute victory. Which is why I’ve come to tell you of another danger... the Princess Kitana.”
“The Emperor’s adopted daughter?” Goro asked. “Why should I worry about her?”
“Kitana is ten thousand years old and the rightful heir to the throne of Outworld,” Shang explained. “She uses her age and wisdom to lead the rebellion against the emperor. She alone keeps alive the memory of the ancient realm before our benevolent master came and conquered. Her pathetic followers pose no threat to us in Outworld now... but she must not be allowed to join with the forces from the Realm of Earth. Especially Liu Kang!”
Johnny, Sonya, and Liu were still hidden on the ledge, listening carefully to what was being said below them.
“What’s so special about you?” Johnny asked.
“I don’t know,” Liu replied in a whisper.
“The Emperor will not tolerate failure,” Shang said, “and neither will I.”
“I do not fail,” Goro said.
Just then a jaguar roared. It was looking up at the ledge where Johnny and the others were hidden. Goro turned to look in that direction as well.
“Let’s get out of here,” Liu said to his two companions, speaking softly.
Kano noticed that Shang Tsung and Goro were no longer talking.
“What is it?” Kano asked.
“We aren’t alone,” Shang said.
Goro gestured to the Outworld guards who waited in the room, and pointed to the ledge. Johnny and his companions ran into a tunnel which led away from the cavern. Four of the guards started to chase them.
The tunnels were narrow and twisty. Eventually, the tunnel through which Johnny, Liu, and Sonya were running connected with several more tunnels to form a larger room.
The Outworld guards were still chasing the humans. All three of the fighters from the Realm of Earth could hear them. Liu pointed down the tunnel which joined theirs to the left. A woman dressed in red silk stood a distance away in that direction, holding a torch and gesturing to Liu to follow her.
“She must be the Princess Kitana,” Liu said. “I think she’s trying to help us.”
“I think you’re a little hard up for a date,” Johnny said.
“Come on,” said Liu. “She’s trying to lead us out.”
“Forget about her,” Johnny said. “She’s ten thousand years old!”
“Never underestimate the attraction of an older woman,” Liu said.
“Are you nuts?” Johnny said. “Liu! I hate this!”
Liu didn’t answer. He ran down the tunnel the princess had been standing in.
“Okay, so which way do we go?” Johnny asked Sonya.
“If this were one of your films,” Sonya said, “you’d know the way out.”
“So... you have seen my films. Which ones?” Johnny said.
“Does it matter?” Sonya asked. “They’re all the same.”
“They are not!” Johnny exclaimed.
“Yes they are!”
“They are not!”
“The woman is always in jeopardy, and you always rescue her.”
“Look, I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”
They followed in the direction Liu had gone.
Just then, in the room which Liu had entered, the reptilian creature Shang Tsung had spoken to earlier emerged from its hiding place. It had been invisible against the stone wall. It stepped in front of Liu and sprayed a stream of poison in his face. Liu dropped to the floor of the room, screaming.
“What happened, Liu?” Johnny asked a moment later when he arrived with Sonya.
“There’s something... I think it’ following Princess Kitana,” Liu said.
“Which way did Kitana go?” Sonya asked.
“I don’t know,” Liu replied.
“Great!” Sonya said.
“All right,” Johnny said. “This way. Well, come on then...”
Liu asked, “Do you know where you’re going?”
“Relax, I know exactly where we’re going. Princess Kitana went this way. I can smell her perfume,” Johnny said.
They came out of the tunnel, in the cavern where they had started. Goro and Kano were gone, but six Outworld guards remained, armed with lances.
“Okay. Six of them,” Johnny said, glancing around the room. “Not to worry. That’s two each.”
“You can count,” Sonya said. “I sure hope you can fight.”
The guards split up. Sonya was left facing one, Liu facing two, and Johnny saw the remaining three walking toward him, holding their lances in front of them.
“Three? Home come I get three?” Johnny asked.
Then the fighting began. The Outworld guards were good fighters, strong and fast, but the three humans were stronger and faster. They soon beat the guards.
“Just the way I like them,” Sonya said, looking at the six guards lying on the ground. “Dumb and ugly.”
“Piece of cake,” Johnny said.
“Piece of cake, huh?” Liu said.
“Oh, get over yourself!” Sonya said.
“What is it with you guys?” Johnny said. “We’re standing, they’re not! What more do you want?”
All at once the three were aware of someone else in the room – an old man dressed like a peasant. The newcomer was Rayden.
“Congratulations!” Rayden said. “Now show me what you plan to do about... them!”
Hundreds more Outworld guards were silently filling the cavern.
Sonya, Liu, and Johnny took defensive stances. But before a fight could break out, Rayden stood and walked between the humans and the Outworlders.
“I don’t think so,” Rayden said. “Wait for Mortal Kombat to begin.” The god of lightning turned to the three humans.
“This,” he said, “is the way out.”
“Catch you later, guys” Johnny said to the guards, giving a cheerful wave with his hand.
“Now you’ve seen what you’ll be facing in the tournament,” Rayden said, when all four of them reached the garden again.
“You mean Goro?” Johnny asked.
“And Shang Tsung,” Rayden said.
“Will Shang Tsung fight in the tournament?” Liu asked.
“If he chooses,” Rayden said. “As a former champion he has that right. And he’s far more dangerous than Goro. His demon power comes from the souls of vanquished warriors.... To fight Shang Tsung is to face not one, but a legion of adversaries. Remember that.”
“Then how can we win?” Sonya asked.
“Goro can be killed,” Rayden replied. “Shang Tsung’s power can be destroyed by mortal men and women. You can overcome any adversary, no matter how bizarre their powers may seem. There is always a way! Only one thing can defeat you... your own fear.”
“Who says we’re afraid?” Johnny asked.
“You must first face your fears if you are to conquer them,” Rayden said. “You, Johnny, are afraid you’re a fake. So, you’ll rush into any fight to prove you’re not. You’ll fight... bravely enough... but foolishly... carelessly... and you’ll be beaten. You, Sonya, are afraid to admit even you sometimes need help. If you are afraid to trust... you will lose.”
“What about me?” Liu asked.
“You fear your own destiny,” Rayden replied. “You already fled it once, when you went to America.. and now that fear has brought you guilt for the death of your brother.”
“I am responsible for Chan’s death,” Liu said.
“No!” Rayden exclaimed. “Every mortal is responsible for his own destiny. Chan believed this. Why can’t you?”
“I’ve tried!”
“Despair is the most dangerous fear of all,” Rayden said. “Guilt over the past... dread of the future. These are your enemies. I know all this. And so does Shang Tsung.”
“How?” Liu asked.
“He can peer into your soul and use the fear he sees there against you,” Rayden replied. “Tomorrow the tournament begins. You must be prepared!”
Dawn rose over the island. Shang Tsung sat on a throne overlooking the tournament grounds. Many black-hooded monks stood around him. Silence fell as Shang rose to speak.
“From this moment on,” Shang Tsung cried, “my island will be your battleground. Let Mortal Kombat begin!”
Monks holding scrolls walked among the fighters, taking them to the arenas where their bouts were to take place.
Liu was surprised when he saw his opponent. It was Princess Kitana. He felt unsure of himself. He had thought that the princess was his friend, yet here she was, fighting against him.
She attacked, and he blocked, but did not counterattack.
The princess’s eyes grew cold. She tripped him, knocking him to the ground, then pinned him. Her lips were close to his ear.
She whispered in his ear: “To win your next match, use the element that brings life.”
“What” Liu asked, puzzled. He broke free. When he looked outside the ring, he saw Shang Tsung watching.
Ah, Liu thought. That’s it! This is how Kitana has arranged to speak to me without Shang suspecting. If I don’t win this bout, her message will do me no good.
With a dazzling display of skill, Liu attacked the princess. No matter what Kitana did, she couldn’t stop him. Liu pinned her down to the mat.
“Remember my words,” Kitana said. Then the monk approached to give the bout to Liu, and mark the victory on his scroll.
A hooded monk led Johnny Cage to a fighting ring. The monk bowed and moved aside, and Johnny could see his opponent. It was Scorpion, one of Shang’s ninjas.
At the last moment, Johnny ducked under the spike. The spike buried itself in the ground.