Johnny Cage x Reader

Forty-Nine

"Are you okay?!", with a look of pure fear on his face Johnny let himself fall to his knees right in front of you.

His hands rose to grab your face. Worry filled his eyes.

With a soft smile you took one of his hands to place a kiss onto the back of it.

"I'm fine.", you assured him. "Just a scratch."

"Scratch?", Kenshi frowned as he wrapped the last layer of bandages around your neck. "I'm not a doctor. This will hold for the rest of the fight but you should see a professional once we're back."

"I can go on fighting. That's all that matters."

"I have shown great honour to Earthrealm already.", Liu Kang said with a bow of his head. "If you decide to turn your back on it now, it will not be judged."

"I want to fight, Lord Liu Kang.", gently, you caressed Johnny's cheek before rising from your seat to head for the exit of the tent once more. "We've come so far it would be a shame to stop now."

"Very well.", the keeper of the hourglass nodded in approval. "In that case we wish you all the best."

"Thank you.", you bowed to him. "To all of you."

"Be careful.", Johnny called after you as you made your way up the wooden steps to the stage once more.

The mood of the event had calmed a little again now that the most disturbing things had settled and everyone was medically taken care off.

You had made a point to wash your face a little. It was better not to go out looking like a mess. It would both disturb you and make your opponent think she had a good shot at winning.

You didn't want to let that happen.

"It's up to you now, sister.", Kitana whispered as she gave up her place to princess Mileena.

"I will not loose.", the future empress hissed and gifted you smile, sweet and charming yet so intoxicating that it could have been a threat. "Powers of the Elder Gods or not. I am the future empress."

"You honour me with this fight, princess Mileena.", you bowed to her and took your stance. "I hope I can do the same for you."

The drums announced the start of the fight.

Immediately the crowd was filled with a whisper once more. Eyes jumped over you and your opponent. Unsure muttering made your mind go blank.

Your eyes fell shut for a second. It was important to remain levelheaded now.

Nothing mattered except Mileena in front of you and the win of this fight.

All of a sudden a breeze brushed across your face. All the hairs in the back of your neck stood up straight. Your eyes tore open only to catch a glimpse of the sharp tip of Mileena's weapon.

Startled, you took two quick steps back. Reys of lightning dances across your arms as you pulled them up to send some electricity down the princesses spine.

Struck by the force she faltered in her steps but managed to not fall to her knees. With her teeth clenched she forced herself to get close enough to reach your face.

Again, metal chased way too close across your face. You could feel the warmth that her body radiated.

You pulled back, your hand shot up to wrap around her wrist. With your head pulled in you dug under her arm and went straight for her chest just like you had done so with Kitana.

Lightning embraced your body. They licked across your skin, wandered up to Mileena's face and bit the soft skin of the princess.

But the future empress was a quicker thinker than her sister. Before your punch managed to strike her down she pulled her feet up, pressed into your face and pushed you away with all the might she had in her legs.

With a groan you slithered across the stage, a sharp pain raging in your skull. Blood poured from your nose and for a brief moment you thought some of your teeth were loose.

Quickly, you pushed yourself back on your feet in a quick roll and took a defensive stance again.

Drops of blood dripped down to your teeth. With a growl of annoyance you sucked in a sharp breath and spit out the taste of iron.

The princess raised her eyebrows. She was impressed.

"You take a hit quite well.", her voice was heavy, small bits of blue light crackled on her skin.

"I can return this compliment, princess.", you huffed.

It was only then that you noticed how heavy your steps felt. Your shoulders felt like concrete pushed down on them.

You still managed to stay on your feet but it got harder by the minute. For the very first time in your life you felt exhaustion. Heavy, threatening exhaustion.

This fight needed to end quick.

"Shall we end this?", Mileena seemed to share your mind.

With a grin, you threw your head up and did a gesture to call her closer.

"I'm all yours, princess."

"Very well then. I admire your spirits, Earthrealmer. But I can't afford to loose."

A sigh rolled off your lips.

"Neither can I, princess."

Lighting started to boil around your feet. There was so much power in them that the wooden panels started to bend and crack.

Mileena raised her weapons, thin layers of blood covering the tips of the shiny metal.

Suddenly she was so close that you almost faltered.

Her eyes pierced yours. There was so much dedication in them. Never before had you felt or seen someone so sure about something.

It almost made you feel bad.

But only almost.

With both fists clenched you chased at her. Electricity raged in your ears, all the hairs on your body stood up straight.

Mileena went straight for your throat. The will, no need to win, burned in her eyes. But it seemed she struggled with how far she was willing to go for it.

All of a sudden her weapon lowered and instead, pointed at a less lethal spot on your body. She would win this way.

Your grip loosened.

But you went for the punch anyways.

Lightning struck Mileena with milder force. But it was enough to send her to the ground. With a groan, her body crashed into the wooden panels.

A gasp escaped her lips. Her eyes fell shut and she failed to get back up.

And just like that you were the winner.