The Disciples

Chapter 3

"Kahn must be out of his mind," Sheeva commented. "These three don't look like fighting material. Even those Earthrealmers like Cage could at least do some damages. I have doubts with these three."

"Hey, give us a chance!" Kristina yelled. "We may not be warriors but at least we stick together! So if you think you could just judge us from what we look like, you're wrong!"

Sigh. Kristina, I think you're going to make us have more enemies than allies if we are going to survive. But to our surprise, Sheeva laughed. Not in a cruel way but more of an amusement. Even Kitana and Jade were shocked as well.

"Not too bad," she smiled at Kristina. "I think I can take her from here. I believe she and I can work out well together. Don't worry, I'll make sure you're fit for the tournament."

For a moment, I thought Kristina was going to blow. Instead, a wide grin was plastered on her face. "You mean," she breathed. "I'm going to be trained under you? Like an apprentice?"

Sheeva nodded. Then, Kristina made a squeal that could rival a piglet and Bubbles from the Powerpuff Girls before eagerly following the four armed lady to where she will be staying. I hope. Still could hear her chattering away to the giant warrior as they left only us and the two fine ladies in Edenia.

"Kristina can take care of herself," Riana reassured me by patting my back. "She's a tough nut to crack."

Then, Kitana eyed my sister with suspicion. "What is that on your shoulder?" Oh, Kurt! I forgot he's with us. He's been awfully still throughout this ordeal. Honestly, I'm more concern for him than what's going to happen to the both of us.

"Oh it's just my bearded dragon," Riana answered Kitana with a nervous chuckle. She's aware of what is the princess' signature move. "He's harmless. Kurt acts like a cat more than a lizard." Somehow Kurt bobbed his head, his way of a nod I guessed. But it's cute.

"Kitana," my goddess looked at her. "Do you want me to train her if it makes you comfortable? You can take her brother." Damn! I am so close to be with her and Kitana just HAD to express her disgust for Kurt just because he reminded her of Reptile. That's just my theory but I'm sure she has other reasons not to train Riana other than she is not fond of lizards.

Hell, even my mom who fears and hates anything cold-blooded allowed Riana to keep Kurt so long as he is no where near her or seen by her. I'm glad Dad could tolerate my sister's fascination. He even encouraged her to study more animal-related content during her free times.

"Do what you can, Jade," Kitana told her. "Her lizard may be harmless but I still could not get rid of certain memories when I look at it." Ouch. Riana pets Kurt for comfort. Her expression is hard to read whenever someone disses her pet or her so called 'animal ideaology'. Considering we've always hang out together, sometimes I wonder what is she really thinking deep down.

"You," Kitana called me. "State your name and where you're from." Well, I'll have to take orders if I want to survive. So I introduced myself and told her about where we came from. It was hard to explain since you have a beautiful lady in a revealing battle gear up close to you. I have to learn how to control myself if I'll be stuck here forever. After my explanation, she stared at me with an unreadable expression. Maybe it's the blue mask that shielded her or I am just lousy at understanding girls in general.

"Not an Earthrealmer," she murmured. "But looks and acts like one. You say from your own world?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "I find it hard to believe how the three of us came here. So, are we going to train soon?"

Judging by her eyes, did I say it wrong? Or am I just impatient. "Soon," she nodded. "But there is a place I would like to show you. It's to give you a pointer on where you will first have a real match. Your friend and your sister may be there at the moment."

...

This is the place I've been playing at back home on the Xbox: The ring itself for the Mortal Kombat Tournament. I expected it to be empty but no, there were spectators watching each character in the game I knew fighting each other out.

In the arena itself, I watched Liu Kang beating the shit out of the other four-armed giant Goro as we walked along. True to her words, Riana was already there with Jade and Kristina too with Sheeva. Riana was pointing out to the match, probably asking questions while my eyes are trained to the hot lady in green next to her. That curvy body....The outfit was tight enough to let me picture her in her birthday suit...Okay Nash, quit it! You want to make a good impression. Kristina on the other hand was ecstatic with the atmosphere and Sheeva was sharing something that made the both of them laugh.

I think I may be the only one who is going to be screwed rather than reassured.

"Ladies and gentleman," Shang Tsung's voice broke out from the podium. "In a few weeks or months time there will be new challengers to the arena. Unfortunately, they are not experienced yet so with training-"

"Hold up a second!" a voice interrupted. It was no one other than Johnny Cage, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Deadpool's lovechild. "When you said newbies, do you mean kids like him?"

"For the last time I'm not a fucking kid!" Oh god, why is he here?! The skinny bean of a guy around my age stepped forward to correct Johnny. He wore the square-rimmed glasses like Riana except his is smaller and more stripey. He was wearing his singlet and shorts. His face looked like someone slapped a cod fish across. Bryan Lim, the guy who was in the same class like Kristina and I yet somehow we are friends with him.

This is someone I don't want to meet. Don't get me wrong he's a fun guy and a genius in the class. But his attitude...

"Woah!" Bryan exclaimed rushing towards where I was standing. "Dude, how the fuck did you get here?! Why the fuck are we here? Why is the country bumpkin and your sis here?"

"Hey, who the hell are you calling a country bumpkin?!" Kristina asked angrily. Then the two started to argue without knowing the whole crowd and fighters are watching us. I want to bury my head right now...

Riana stood close to me. "Don't tell me this has something to do with you."

"Sis," I sighed. "For the last time I didn't do anything! Hell, Bryan said he liked Mortal Kombat but he has never played or watched the videos about them." My sister just rolled her eyes. Even Kurt was closing his eyes in this situation.

"So Nash," Bryan finally stopped arguing with Kristina decided to slap me on the back. "You brought us here?"

"For last ti- I'm never getting out of this am I?"

Shang Tsung cleared his throat. "As I was saying, yes. Those that have found these children will have to train under your guidance until Shao Kahn wants the five of them to be in the upcoming tournaments."

Really? Really with the children thing?!

"Since Johnny Cage found the boy, he will train him," Shang Tsung continued. "Though before we end today's match, shall we see what do these children have?"

"What does he mean by that?" I asked Kitana.

"He wants to test your strength and abilities," she answered. Oh fuck...

"Usually he will decide who will you fight against so be on your guard," Jade added.

"Do we really have a choice in this?" Riana asked.

"Dude what the fuck! Lets go home!" Bryan exclaimed. "We're gonna get our asses kicked in this! Maybe the three of you...I like my ass..."

"Calm the fuck down, Bryan!" Kristina yelled. "You're such a pussy!"

I groaned in frustration, massaging my temple to pretend none of this ever happened before me. Then, a gentle has was laid upon my shoulder. It was Kitana, eyes filled with concern.

"Nash, what kind of friends do you have?"

"The very kind, Kitana," I sighed.