Mortal Kombat: Fire and Ice

Part 2: Chapter 66

PAGE ONE

Panel 1: Guan Chen and Zhang Bei both leap down from the rafters,  landing on the floor and doing a cool pose. They spot the Shaolin Monks and beckon them to come to the arena.  Deciding to oblige, Liu Kang and Kung Lao share a smirk with each other and step up. Kung Lao tips his hat and runs his fingers over the blade while Liu Kang bows.  The other two don't respond in kind, merely giving their opponents a look of curiosity.

Guan Chen: You! The one with the red headband! Liu Kang right? I hear all this talk about how you were a former Mortal Kombat champion and how you defeated some sorcerer,  a four armed monstrosity and a different version of the king. Oh and you were even able to beat Scorpion at one point. Is that correct?

Liu Kang: All of that is true yes.

Guan Chen: And you aren't bragging about it?! Dude you're one of the best fucking martial artists in existence. Aside from me. You could easily be famous, have tons of women lining up for you, people who are afraid to even look at you the wrong way because you can easily kick their ass!

Liu Kang: And that is where we differ, Guan. I didn't partake in the tournament for money, or fame, or for any of that. I was chosen because the Shaolin, Raiden and the Elder Gods believed I had the skills and virtue to be a champion and save our realm. Having great skill in the martial arts doesn't give one the right to use it to harm others. Your actions sully the name of those who dedicate themselves to it.

Guan Chen: Oh boy the same humble spiel again. Heard it a million times Mr. Liu. It didn't work then and it ain't gonna work now.

Liu Kang: I see you have much to learn. I'll have to demonstrate the hard way.

Zhang Bei: Kung Lao. Guess you're the one who plays second fiddle eh? Liu Kang got the honor of being the champion.  The boss told me that it wasn't even Lius ancestor Goro killed, it was yours. And you didn't even get a chance to avenge him. From what I heard you weren't even selected to represent the Shaolin in the tournament and get a chance at glory and avenging your ancestor. That has to sting I'm sure. Think about it. You were denied an opportunity to bring honor to your ancestor.

Kung Lao: You really are as dumb as you look. Back during the tournament,  I didn't understand it at that time, but the truth is I was far too arrogant then. Granted,  I had to learn the hard way back then. Suffering a defeat at the hands of the great Scorpion definitely served to humble me, and the following events as well as my death and resurrection really put things into perspective. Having to battle a corrupted version of the one you consider a father figure and starting a family also played a part.

Zhang Bei: Did you at least kill Goro then?

Kung Lao: I was wrong about him too.

Panel 2: We see a younger Kung Lao,  being lectured by an older monk.

Caption: For years, Kung Lao had a view of Goro as a monstrous,  bloodthirsty brute who killed his ancestor without a second thought. Thus, Kung Lao had always made it his goal to slay this vicious monster. However,  upon meeting and battling Goro during the first tournament,  Kung Lao had a chance to actually speak to the Shokan. He found out Goro was an honorable warrior who held his ancestor in high regard and possessed great respect for him. This led Kung Lao to realize both he and his family were wrong who Goro was. Goro had even kept the headband of the Great Kung Lao as a memento of the great warrior he battled.

Panel 3: Kung Lao takes his stance across from Zhang.

Kung Lao: You two claim to be the best martial artists in your universe.

Guan: We're the best wherever you look! In your universe and ours!

Liu Kang: Feel free to prove that claim to us then.