Mortal Kombat: The Movie (Digest Version) (3 page)

“Missed me,” Johnny said. He pulled out a knife and slashed the cord connecting the spike to Scorpion. The ninja howled in rage.

Scorpion raised his other hand to shoot another spike.

“Hey, I’ve already seen your rope trick,” Johnny said. “Show me something new.”

He ran toward Scorpion. When he got close enough, he leapt into the air, delivering his famous shadow kick. The ninja fell unconscious.

“Like that,” Johnny said. He pulled out a pair of dark glasses and slipped them on.

The monk marked down the victory on his scroll.

A monk led Liu into the Great Hall.

“My match is here?” Liu asked.

In answer the monk bowed and stepped back. Liu turned to look around the hall. A figure was standing at the top of the stairs. It was Sub-Zero, another one of Shang’s ninjas.

The ninja approached. Liu took his stance. Then the fight began. It ranged up and down the length of the Great Hall. Liu used all of his skill and strength. He was faster than the ninja. Just a little faster. The battle was going his way.

A sudden blast of cold struck Liu. He saw a blue glow surrounding Sub-Zero.

“Oh, no,” Liu said. He knew how fast the cold could get to him. There wasn’t time for him to reach Sub-Zero from where he was standing to defend himself. Liu took a step back, kicking over a bucket of water. The water froze as it spilled across the floor. Kitana’s words came to him.

“Use the force that brings life,” Liu whispered. “Water!”

Liu picked up a second pail of water, still attached to a carrying handle. He swung it around and around his head, faster and faster. He let it go, and the bucket of water flew toward Sub-Zero.

As the bucket tumbled through the air, it spilled water. The ninja let loose his cold blast. The blast struck the water, freezing it into a long spear of ice.

Before Sub-Zero could move out of the way, the icicle hit him, pinning him to a pillar. Sub-Zero looked down in disbelief as his own weapon was turned against him. Slowly, from the center out, the ninja froze into a glittering sculpture of solid ice.

Liu looked up from the sight of the frozen ninja. Princess Kitana was watching from a distance.

The monk marked down the victory on his scroll.

Prince Goro of Shokan, the reigning champion, sat brooding on his throne. He looked up as a figure entered the underground room. Shang Tsung stood before him.

“Is it time?” Goro asked.

“Yes,” Shang replied. “We’ve let these humans win enough.”

“At last,” Goro said. He rose, stretching himself to his full height. Then he fastened his cape around his shoulders and walked from the room.

The sun was setting over the island. Drums beat in the Great Hall. A group of Outworld warriors, impressive in their bone armor, cleared a space in the center of the room.

“Now for the final bout of the day,” Shang said. “The fighter from the realm of Earth who was won the most bouts will have the honor of fighting the champion of Outworld.”

Goro strode into the hall behind the warriors.

A monk was leading in a man, a human fighter. It was Art Lean, a martial arts champion.

At the other side of the ring of warriors, Goro had removed his cape. Art Lean advanced to the center of the ring and bowed to the four-armed giant.

Goro returned the bow with equal formality. Then both fighters took their defensive stances. A moment passed before either moved. Then Art attacked, punching and kicking. Goro didn’t seem to feel the blows.

Art leapt into the air, delivering a staggering kick that knocked Goro half a step backward. The Prince of Shokan bellowed with rage, then counterattacked.

Art dodged the fists of his opponent, but he couldn’t get through the four-armed defense to follow up his earlier victory.

Then Goro reached out with his two lower arms and grabbed the human fighter. The crowd fell silent.

“You fought well,” Goro said.

“Finish him!” Shang called.

The Shokan giant looked at Shang, then began to pummel Art Lean with his two free hands. Art slumped in his grasp.

“Bring him to me,” Shang said. “His soul is mine.”

Goro carried Art’s body to Shang. The emperor’s sorcerer reached out his hand and pulled Art’s soul from his body, making the spirit into another of his captive warriors.

The shrieking of a thousand other imprisoned souls filled the hall.

“Excellent,” Shang said. “Flawless victory.”

A monk marked the victory on his scroll.

Johnny, Liu, and Sonya turned away in shock and horror. They saw Rayden standing before them, dressed as a coolie.

“You could have stopped that,” Liu said.

“I told you,” Rayden replied sadly. “I cannot interfere.”

“That’s why I left the temple!” Liu said, anger burning within him. “All this mumbo jumbo about the power of reason and light. Where are you when we need you? Where is that power?”

“The power is in you,” Rayden said. “If the gods decide men’s destiny, then there is no free will. No choice. In Outworld, the emperor makes every decision. You have only to obey. Is that what you want?”

“What choice did he have?” Liu asked, pointing to where Art Lean lay silent and still on the floor of the Great Hall.

“He chose to fight and die a free man,” Rayden said. If Outworld wins this tournament, no mortal man will ever have that choice again!”

“How can I defeat a sorcerer like Shang Tsung? I’m not my ancestor. You were right. I’m not ready!”

“The true warrior learns from his own experience,” Rayden said. “You have carved your own path to this place and this moment! Everything you need is within you now, Liu Kang. Unlock that power and you will win.”

Lord Rayden turned, and in a moment had vanished again in the crowd of humans and Outworlders.

Next morning the sun rose out of the deep blue ocean. On top of the cliff overlooking the sea far below, Johnny Cage was practicing his moves, using a chain as his weapon. Sonya Blade approached, watching a moment to see him work out. The chain was whipping in complex patterns, nearly too fast to see.

“Johnny?” Sonya said at last.

Johnny finished his routine and turned to face her.

“Go ahead, say it,” Johnny said. “You’re impressed.”

He waited a moment for a reaction. “Aha! Is that a smile?”

“What are you doing?” Sonya asked, ignoring his last remark.

“I always charge into things without thinking,” Johnny said. “So this time I’m working on a strategy.”

“A strategy?” Sonya echoed.

“If we don’t have a strategy, Goro will kill us off, one by one,” Johnny explained, looping the chain in his hand.

“You’re going to stop Goro, all by yourself? You’re going to protect us from the big bad monster, is that it? Just like in your movies?”

“I’m going to challenge Goro. Shang Tsung won’t be expecting that. I figure he–”

“You can’t do that!” Sonya said. “It’s not how the tournament works.”

“I can beat him!” Johnny said.

“You can beat him!” Sonya exploded. “
You
can beat him! You are the most egotistical, self-deluded, stupid person I’ve ever met!”

“What? Because I don’t want to see anyone else bludgeoned to death for Shang Tsung’s entertainment?”

“Don’t you dare do this to protect me, Johnny Cage!”

“You!” Johnny exploded. “You think I’m talking about you! You call me egotistical?” He paused. “Wait a minute. Are you worried about me?”

“Ooh! Listen to him! You’re being absurd.”

“You are worried.”

“I am not.”

“You are. You like me,” Johnny said.

“You wish!” Sonya said. She turned and walked off, not looking back.

Johnny watched her go. “The girl’s in love,” he said. Then he returned to his workout and practice, while the sun rose, and a gentle breeze blew over the gardens.

Sonya found Liu Kang on the tournament field overlooking the arenas where the fighting was already taking place.

“How are we doing?” she asked.

“We’re getting destroyed,” Liu replied.

A group of black-cowled monks walked past, carrying a human fighter in their arms. The man was unconscious, his arms hanging limp.

“That good, eh?” Sonya said with grim humor.

A voice from behind startled them. Liu and Sonya turned, to find Shang Tsung standing amid a group of monks.

“I have a present for you,” Shang said, looking directly at Sonya.

“I don’t want anything from you,” Sonya told him.

“That’s not true,” Shang said. “There is one thing you want very much.”

“Shang turned, and looked behind him. Sonya followed his glance. Kano, the crime lord, was waiting there inside the ring. He was stripped to the waist, ready for battle. His red eye was glowing.

Shang stepped aside. A monk holding a scroll walked up to Sonya and led her to the ring.

“Sonya – stay cool,” Liu said.

Sonya stepped into the ring and waited for Kano. She looked at him with a frozen expression.

“How ya doin’, babe?” Kano said, his features twisting in a smile. “Did you miss me?”

“Not particularly,” Sonya said. “I’m here to bring you back to justice.”

“Justice? Some other,” Kano said. He reached into his boot and pulled a knife. It flashed as he tossed it from hand to hand and spun it in his fingers.

“This baby brings back memories,” he said.

“You used it to stab your mother in the back?” Sonya asked.

“Guess again,” Kano said. “It put a big smile on your partner – from ear to ear.”

Sonya moved into a fighting crouch, hands before her. She attacked. Kano blocked easily. Then it was Kano’s turn to attack, and it was all Sonya could do to keep the whirling knife from cutting her.

“It won’t help you,” Kano said. “I’ve studied all your moves, sweetheart.”

Sonya’s face grew pale. She jumped into a handstand, then dropped her legs around Kano’s neck. The knife flew from his hand as they fell to the ground.

“Study
this
!” Sonya snarled. She squeezed Kano’s neck. His face grew red, and he clawed at her legs, but there was nothing he could do to break the grip.

Shang Tsung leaned closer. He watched Kano’s face with deep interest.

“Don’t do it, Sonya – that’s what he wants!” Liu called.

“That’s right. Finish him!” Shang shouted. “Pay me tribute with his death!”

The sound of shrieking souls, the slaves of Shang Tsung, echoed over the field. The same sound had filled the Great Hall the night before, when Shang took Art Lean’s spirit. Kano had gone limp.

“If you kill him, Sonya, Shang Tsung will own you,” Liu said quietly.

“No!” Sonya shouted. She let go of her grip on Kano’s neck and stood away from the unconscious thug.

“You disappoint me,” Shang said. “That isn’t wise.”

“I don’t answer to you,” Sonya replied.

“One day soon,” Shang said, “you will. All if you will!”

The sorcerer turned and stalked away, surrounded by his servants.

Silently a monk recorded Sonya’s victory on his scroll.

“Goro! Goro!” Johnny shouted.

The actor was standing in the statuary garden, shouting the name of the Shokan prince. Johnny was wearing his fighting costume.

“Goro! Goro!”

Shang Tsung approached Johnny, stopping at a slight distance. The warriors and monks who accompanied the emperor’s sorcerer stopped as well.

“Is there something you want?” Shang asked.

“A Big Mac and a large order of fries,” Johnny replied casually, “but I’ll settle for that tub of lard with the four arms.”

“You’re challenging Goro?” Shang asked, amused. “You weren’t supposed to fight him now. Are you that eager to die?”

Shang paused. Johnny looked at him.

“I’m not the one who’s going to die,” Johnny said.

“I see,” Shang said. He looked into Johnny’s eyes. “You’re very foolish. You think that you can protect your friends. Make no mistake. They, too, will die – after Goro has destroyed you.”

“Then what’s the problem?” Johnny asked. “Get this Goro guy out here.”

“As absurd as your demand is, I will grant it,” Shang said. “In return, I reserve the right to challenge the winner – or another of my choosing – at the place appointed by me for the final battle of the tournament.”

“You got it, pal!” Johnny said.

While Johnny and Shang were talking, an old man dressed in a beggar’s rags approached. When he looked up, everybody knew at once by his glowing eyes that the beggar was really Lord Rayden.

“No!” Rayden shouted. “This match should not take place!”

“The rules are quite clear, Lord Rayden,” Shang said. “How do you say it? ‘A deal’s a deal’?”

Shang walked off, laughing.

Rayden stood in the garden, under the shadows of the statues, facing Johnny.

“What have you done?” Rayden demanded.

“Exercised my own free will,” Johnny said, glaring at Rayden. His breath was coming quickly. “Made a choice. This is our tournament, remember? Mortal Kombat! We humans fight it!”

Rayden waited a moment for Johnny to calm himself. Finally the god of lightning spoke.

“Good,” Rayden said. “At last, one of you has understood.”

Liu Kang and Sonya had approached while Rayden was talking with Johnny. They, too, looked at the movie actor with appraising eyes.

The Outworlders had swept the garden near the mouth of the tunnel to Goro’s domain. Drums beat wildly. Fighters from all over the island were gathering outside the line of Outworld warriors.

Liu stood in the crowd with Sonya beside him. Another fighter walked past – Princess Kitana, with her four ladies-in-waiting beside her.

“Liu Kang, your turn will come,” Kitana said.

“How?” Liu asked. “Whoever wins, it’s over.”

“No,” Kitana replied. “It’s not over yet.”

“What do you mean?” Liu asked.

“Trust me,” Kitana replied.

Johnny stood in the empty space cleared by the warriors. He leaned against a statue, wearing his dark glasses. The length of chain he’d practiced with earlier hung casually from his right hand.