Mortal Kombat: Fire and Ice

Part 2: Chapter 67

PAGE ONE

Panel 1: The warriors step through into an arena filled with smoke. The smoke soon clears, and we see Chertov standing in the middle. His eyes go directly to Smoke, and he points at him with his kukri knife, before beckoning him to step further. Smoke obliges, a curious expression on his face as he observes the man with similar abilities to his.

Smoke: I have several questions. Who are you? Why did you specifically choose to battle me? Your powers are also similar to mine. Are you also an enenra?

Chertov: All will be answered in due time. For now I wish to test your abilities. Shall we begin?

Smoke: I'll be expecting answers after this.

Panel 2: Chertov draws his kukri knives while Smoke takes out his karambits. Both attempt to for a smoke teleport and clash blades, locking themselves in a struggle. They hop back and Smoke tosses a smoke bomb at Chertovs feet. Chertov jumps back from it. Chertov throws a smoke ball but Smoke does his move from MK9 where he vibrates and it passes through him. Smoke teleports forward and goes for a karambit slash but Chertov sidesteps and kicks him in the face. Chertov summons smoke from under his opponent in an attempt to trap him but Smoke turns into vapor and passes through the cloud prison. Smoke goes for the teleport again but this time he stops before the karambit slash and instead lands a jumping knee to the face.

Panel 3: Chertov stumbles back and Smoke capitalizes with an uppercut, launching his opponent into the air. Smoke jumps up after him, landing a flip kick that sends Chertov down. Smoke goes for a downward karambit stab but Chertov blasts him at the last second with a smoke bomb, allowing himself time to recover. He gets up and puts his kukri knives away. Smoke gets up and puts his karambits in the sheathes on his pants. The two then immediately begin throwing strikes. Their styles are eerily similar, down to the little bounce in their stances, both of them liking to start off their combinations with a right straight punch down the middle and following with a switch kick or switch knee, or a left teep. Their blows clash during this feeling out process.

Panel 4: Smoke slips a right hand. He throws a left hook but Chertov is able to use his palm to stop the punch. Chertov pulls his right hand back and goes for a body shot, but Smoke pulls back and lands a monstrous straight right hand clean on the jaw of Chertov.  He follows this up with a switch left knee to the body.  Chertov throws a right elbow.  Smoke blocks it and he blocks the left hook that follows.  Chertov steps back and throws a left head kick. Smoke shells up and blocks it.

Panel 5: Chertov lands a right body kick. He then motions with his hip and fakes like he's going to do it again.  Smoke raises his left shin to block the right kick but Chertov uses the opportunity to land a switch left kick to the body instead. He lands a cross left hook right head kick that has Smoke stumbling. However he's able to recover to avoid another head kick which he pulls back from. Smoke lands a left teep. He goes for it again by raising his leg, but it's actually a fake and he instead hops forward and lands a right elbow followed up by a left uppercut elbow. The two of them begin to throw strikes again.  We get a big clash of knees. 

Panel 6: Their elbows clash. The two share an intense glance.

Smoke: Who the hell are you? Why do you fight so similar to me and even wield the same powers as me?

Chertov: You'll understand soon.  Defeat me and you can get your answers sooner, Smoke.

Smoke: Your and your cryptic way of speaking is starting to get a little annoying.

Panel 7: They separate and both leap back.  Smoke throws a smoke blast, but it doesn't land. Instead it causes a wall of vapor to appear in front of Chertov.