(SCENE: SHANG TSUNG'S THRONE ROOM) (POV: 3RD PERSON)

As everyone gathered in the Throne Room, some guards enter with a red ninja & green eyes. "Kombatants! I present this latest creation of Shao Kahn. A warrior, forged from the souls of the emperor's fallen enemies. Behold: Ermac!" Shang Tsung announces as Ermac demonstrates his powers by admitting a powerful aura of green energy.

"Liu Kang, be careful. Ermac's power is unlike any other here. One wrong move & you could die at his hands." Oscar warns as Raiden nods in agreement. "Oscar is right. Stay on guard & don't let it down." Raiden adds on.

"Liu Kang! You are the sole Earthrealm warrior to progress to the final stage of the tournament!" Shang Tsung exclaims as Liu Kang steps up. "I will not fail Earthrealm. I shall win." He says as he prepares to fight.

"We are many, you are but one. We shall destroy you." Ermac says, in a voice sounding like million are talking through him, as he too prepares to battle.

The match proved to be a test of both skill & Magic as Liu Kang's martial arts and fire manipulation is pitted against Ermac's soul sorcery & ruthless combat prowess. But, due to Ermac's creation, he does not have either the experience nor the honed skills of his abilities as Liu Kang defeated the construct.

"Earthrealm will never fall into your master's evil hands." Liu Kang says as his group comes over to congratulate the monk of his victory. They then leave the Throne Room as the lady in blue approaches Shang Tsung.

"He now proves to be a threat to my Farher plans. He needs to be eliminated." She says as Shang Tsung nods in agreement. "Indeed. And that Oscar boy too. He holds power greater then Shao Kahn's." Shang Tsung says with a evil smirk on his face.

(SCENE CHANGE: SHANG TSUNG'S GARDEN)

In the garden, Liu Kang is training while Raiden is supervising. Oscar is also present as he is seen relaxing against a statue while having a twig in his mouth.

"Remember Bo' Rai Cho's teachings. For us to be spared from the dark future, you need to learn control over your emotions." Raiden says as Liu Kang stopped his training and turns to Raiden.

"Your visions. What causes them?" He asks. "My future self sent them before his demise. Perhaps he did it as a way to ensure a positive outcome." Raiden speculates.

"Or maybe it's to prevent a negative one." Liu Kang guesses as Raiden has a vision of his future self's last words. "He must win. Those were his last words before dying at Shao Kahn's hands. Yet I cannot decide who he could mean by 'he'. Perhaps this one is best left be until I am certain." He explains as he then takes out his amulet.

"This amulet was forged by the Elder Gods themselves. It started cracking after I received my first vision. If we choose wisely, the cracks will heal & the future will be saved." Raiden explains as he puts his amulet on his tunic.

"I know we'll make the right choices & I have no doubt you'll guide us." Liu Kang says. "We must trust in the Elder Gods, Liu Kang. They'll guide & protect us in our darkest hour." Raiden says as he teleports elsewhere, leaving Liu Kang & Oscar alone.

Suddenly, Oscar spat out the twig he had in his mouth as he jumped onto his feet. "Liu Kang, got company from Outworld." He says as the blue woman approaching them along with another ninja: this time, a brown skinned woman with green clothing.

They attacked them, Liu Kang and Oscar countered their attacks. "You're good, show us more." Liu Kang says as he prepares to battle. "Yeah, still itching for a battle." Oscar adds on as he too prepares to fight.

"Don't underestimate us, fools." The blue ninja says as she prepares to battle. "Doing so will get you both killed." The green ninja says as she prepares to fight.

Liu Kang took on the blue ninja while Oscar battles the green ninja. But like Scorpion & Kung Lao, the blue ninja's wind manipulation was her unfortunate undoing as she gets defeated by Liu Kang.

Oscar & the green ninja were locked in a battle of staff like weapons as Oscar merged his Khopesh swords into a double bladed Glaive weapon. The two seemed to perfectly matched as they counted any strikes the other has made. But, Oscar conjured up a Monkey's tail as he blocked a strike from the green ninja's staff. While holding her in place, Oscar used his newfound tail to knock the ninja down on the ground while he smacks the staff out of her hand.

As the green ninja tries to get up, Oscar stops her by placing a blade against her neck. "Stand down. Your friend lost & you can't take on both of us at the same time." He warns as green ninja, knowing he is right, stands down.

When the blue ninja recovers, she looks down in regret. "Do it." She says as Liu Kang approaches her. "Do what?" He asks in confusion. "Kill us." She says.

"Why would I do that?" He asks as he bents down to her level. "We came here to kill you both. We have failed our emperor, my father." She reveals, shocking Liu Kang & Oscar. "Shao Kahn is your father?!" They both exclaims in surprise.

"We have disgraced him. To save his honor, you two must kill us." She says as Liu Kang shook his head at this. "We will not. Because I don't believe this encounter ever happened. Wouldn't you agree, Oscar?" He asked Oscar. "Yeah, you're right, Liu Kang. This encounter didn't, nor did it ever, happened." He says as he withdraw his weapon, returned it to its sword form & sheathe them. "You see? You two have not disgraced anyone." Liu Kang says as he and Oscar were about to leave when Liu Kang turns to the blue ninja.

"I hope you & I meet again. Under more preferable and different circumstances." He says as he & Oscar leaves the garden, leaving the two ninjas to collect their thoughts.

(SCENE CHANGE: SHANG TSUNG'S COURTYARD)

In the Courtyard, Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Raiden, Oscar & his group enter the Courtyard. Shang Tsung appears to be displeased with them still alive. Liu Kang & Oscar are given signs of reassurance by their friends.

"Kombatants! These two warriors are last hope for Earthrealmers: the Shaolin Liu Kang & the mysterious warrior Oscar Luonto! Are they prepared to bare such a heavy burden on their shoulders?!" Shang Tsung announces as Kung Lao, Raiden & Oscar's group leave for the sidelines.

"Their opponent will be Scorpion!" Shang Tsung announced as Scorpion appears in a jet of flames. "We don't fear you, Specter." Liu Kang says as he & Oscar prepare for battle. "Fighting alongside Scorpion is the sorcerer: Quan Chi!" Shang Tsung announces as Quan Chi appears at Scorpion's side through a portal.

"Your defeat is now inevitable." Quan Chi says as he summons a sword and charges at Liu Kang, who dodges the sword strike. This just leaves Oscar & Scorpion.

"Well? Let's have it! The whole 'disappointing & dishonor' speech." Scorpion says, expecting to hear something along those lines. "I don't have a speech to give. I can only feel one thing for you & that's sorry. You cost yourself the one chance to resurrect your family because you allowed your anger to beat you. So, I don't disappoint nor dishonor for you. Instead, I only feel pity." He says as he draws one of his Khopesh swords.

Scorpion does the same as the two clash in a sword fight. When Scorpion strikes, Oscar blocks the strike and when Oscar strikes, Scorpion blocks. When Oscar was about to strike, Scorpion teleports away from the blow. Suddenly, Scorpion appears behind him and launch his rope spear at Oscar.

Oscar, however, sensed the attack as he deflects the spear. He then grabs the spear as he uses his electrical powers to zap the spear, causing it travel towards Scorpion, who receives the electrical shock as well.

He then stops the blast as he drops the spear. Scorpion was forced to his knees the strength of the electricity Oscar gave him. "You don't understand, Luonto. Having everything taken away from you. If you did, you know the importance of my vengeance." Scorpion says as he stands back up.

"In a way. I do. Like you, I lost nearly everything. But my lost was not caused by a rival clan or anything like that, but it was done by people who I considered friends. They betrayed me and because of them, I was disowned by my family. I once thought of getting revenge, but I decided not to because I now realize what revenge can do to someone." Oscar explains as Scorpion got back up.

"Yes, vengeance can cost your soul, but I lost everything forever. You only lost yours temporarily. Still, you choose to become someone better. For that, you earn my respect. It's an honor to kombat you." Scorpion says as he enters a fighting stance.

"I feel the same, Scorpion." Oscar says as he too enters a fighting stance. The two then engage in hand to hand combat: Scorpion's martial arts against Oscar's trained hands in all forms of hand to hand combat, since he was Quirkless in a school filled with people with Quirks.

As Scorpion's fire was about to go out, Oscar knocked the Specter out with a roundhouse kick to the head.

"Your injuries will heal." He says as he turns to see Liu Kang has defeated Quan Chi. The two then approach their friends. "You two have done well, but the tournament is not yet over." Raiden says as Liu Kang adopts a serious expression on his face.

"Goro." He says as Oscar gains an uneasy feeling in his stomach. "What's a Goro?" Johnny Cage asks as Sonya Blade shrugs at this.

"Liu Kang! Oscar Luonto! It's been decades since a warrior has progressed this far in the tournament. But you two shall meet your end at the hands of our reigning champion!" Shang Tsung announces as Liu Kang takes in a breath in & exhale out. "To the Lair with you two!" He exclaims as he creates a portal underneath the two, causing them to fall through it.

(SCENE CHANGE: GORO'S LAIR)

The portal Shang Tsung opens up somewhere else as Liu Kang & Oscar fell through it. While Liu Kang fell hard on the ground, Oscar managed to stick the landing.

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He grabbed Liu Kang's hand & helped him up. "Need to work on your landing. Just in case something like this happen again." Oscar says. "Duly noted." Liu Kang says as the two take in their surroundings.

"Smells like death & despair in here. Are we in Shao Kahn's bedroom?" Oscar joked as Liu Kang let out a small chuckle at this. "No. Though that would be a fate worse then death." Liu Kang says as Oscar laughs at that.

"INSOLENT HUMANS!!!! YOU'LL PAY WITH YOUR LIFE!!!!" Roared a voice behind them as they turned around to see two large four armed monster like creatures: one scaly like while the other resembles a tiger.

"Easy Kintaro, we'll make them pay for insulting the Emperor. But I must admit: I did not expect to participate in the tournament. Yet here we are. It seems the humans have train warriors worthy of Shokan." The scaly monster, who Oscar can safely say is Goro, says as the two approaches Oscar & Liu Kang.

"You don't scare nor intimidate us! We can take you both on!" Oscar proclaims as he and Liu Kang enter fighting stance. "We shall grant you two a warrior's death." Goro says as they prepare for battle.

Goro takes on Liu Kang while Kintaro handles Oscar. "Your bravado is like your body: easily broken." Kintaro says whil cracking his knuckles. "Don't count your chickens till they hatch, you overgrown house cat." Oscar says, angering Kintaro as he charged at Oscar.

However, due to Kintaro's large size, he wasn't as fast or maneuverable as Oscar that to his advantage. He quickly dodges his attacks and strikes back just as quickly with his swords turned brass knuckles.

Kintaro's strength was depleting at the blood loss as he was forced down on one knee. Oscar withdraw his swords as he transforms one of his legs into hardened stone and backflip kicked Kintaro, launching him back into ground and knocking him out.

"Looks like your bravado was the one to be broken." He says as he sees Liu Kang struggling and rushes to aid him. As Goro knocked Liu Kang down on the floor, he was about to finish him off, but got knocked back by Oscar's flame coated body check.

He then turns to Liu Kang, who got back up. "I thank you. You saved my life." Liu Kang says. "Don't mention it. But can you still fight?" Oscar asks. "Yeah. I can." He says as he & Oscar turned to the approaching Goro.

"You bested Kintaro. You have my interest, but can that be transformed into respect? Face me, Warrior." Goro says. "Challenge heed & accepted, Goro." Oscar says as he and Liu Kang enters a battle stance.

Thanks to Liu Kang tiring out Goro, he was easily defeated. "It seems Earthrealm have trained warriors greater than a Shokan." Liu Kang says as he bows in respect at the fallen Shokan.

Suddenly, one of Shang Tsung's portals opened up behind them as the two enter it.

(SCENE CHANGE: SHANG TSUNG'S THRONE ROOM)

Everyone was waiting patiently for the victor of whoever won. Shang Tsung's portal opens up in the Throne Room as everyone watches in suspense.

When Oscar & Liu Kang emerges from the portal, Shang Tsung was angry & annoyed at Goro's & Kintaro's failure to kill the two. Liu Kang & Oscar turn to Shang Tsung as he stands up from his Throne.

"Shang Tsung! Only one challenge remains! Face us in Mortal Kombat!" Liu Kang exclaims. "Unless you would rather run away with your tail between your legs, sorcerer." Oscar adds on.

"I'll accept the challenge. And I'm not a coward." Shang Tsung says as he enters the stage & prepares for battle. "The latter remains to be seen." Oscar taunts as he and Liu Kang prepare to battle.

Shang Tsung made the first move by firing multiple fiery skulls at them. Liu Kang countered with his fire balls while Oscar transformed his hands to resemble reptilian like creatures with a single horn & whiskers as they streams of boiling hot water.

As the waters collided with the skulls, they created a dense mist that blocks everyone's vision. Oscar used this opportunity to strike Shang Tsung. He slams his hands on the ground while his hands are glowing green, causing several roots to sprout out and charge towards Shang Tsung.

The sorcerer parries the roots as he then used one as leverage to jump out of the mist. When he landed behind Liu Kang, his hands glowed green as Liu Kang was covered in that same energy. Soon enough, Shang Tsung became Liu Kang as he strikes Liu Kang with a flying dragon kick, sending the monk flying.

The fake Liu Kang then tried the same flying dragon kick against Oscar, but he anticipated this as he stopped the kick dead cold. Now with Shang Tsung in range, Oscar strikes back with electrical energy, electrocuting the disguised sorcerer. Oscar then grabs Shang Tsung leg and throws him at a pillar.

Shang Tsung got back on his feet, conjured up flaming skulls from the ground & fired at Oscar & the recovered Liu Kang. Oscar sliced through the skulls with his Khopesh swords while Liu Kang destroyed the skulls with his martial arts.

Liu Kang then fired multiple low leveled fire balls at Shang Tsung, stunning him temporarily with each blow. While this was happening, Oscar had transformed into a Mammoth with pure white fur.

He charged at Shang Tsung, smashing him between Oscar & the pillar. The force sent Shang Tsung flying as he was into the wall, leaving an indent on the wall. Shang Tsung then fell down on the floor as Liu Kang & Oscar, who transformed back into human, approached him.

"Say it, sorcerer!" Liu Kang orders as Shang Tsung struggles to get up. "I yield." He says as he loses consciousness. The Earthrealm Warriors & Oscar's group cheers at this as they congratulate them on their victory.

Suddenly, a bright golden light shines above Liu Kang & Oscar, signifying them the Mortal Kombat Champions. Raiden takes out his amulet to see any changes. But the cracks only healed at a minimal level. Though troubled by this, Raiden saw this as positive progress.

While the heroes were celebrating, the Outworlders retreated through a portal. Although Kitana looked back at Liu Kang & gave him a smile before she enters through the portal.

(SCENE CHANGE: SHAO KAHN'S THRONE ROOM)

"WORTHLESS SORCERER!!!! YOU'VE FAILED ME!!!! I'VE WAITED 500 YEARS FOR THIS TOURNAMENT!!!!! NOW I MUST WAIT 500 MORE!!!!!" A large hulking man in armor roared in anger.

This is Shao Kahn, Emperor of Outworld itself.

"My lord! All is not lost!" Shang Tsung pleaded, but got met with a backhand punch. "SILENCE!!!!" He roared as he walks back to his Throne.

"Accursed Elder Gods & their rules. I should've taken Earthrealm by force, enslaved it like I did all the others. But their Mortal Kombat rules have me shackled. And cannot break them without forfeiting my life." He says under his breath as he sits down on his Throne.

He then turns to the still pleading Shang Tsung. "Kill him!" He orders. Baraka & Reptile hold him in place as Kitana prepares to execute him. "What if the rules were changed?!?!?!?" Shang Tsung exclaims in desperation.

It works as it caught Shao Kahn's interest. "Hold, Kitana!" He orders as Kitana halts herself. "Continue." He says with interest in his voice. "And it better be good. For your sake." Kitana adds on.

(Here's chapter 4 done. It brings about the end of the Earthrealm tournament. I did have plans for Oscar to be the champion of Mortal Kombat, but decided to give it to both him & Liu Kang. Also, this book might take most of my attention since it seems like the easiest to make & do. Anyways, next up will be the start of the Outworld Tournament.)