(Celebrating my 20th birthday today. Hope you enjoy Chapter 1)

Previously: "Yes. Pray to the worms, Raiden. As your world ends..." Shao Kahn says.

He then raises his hammer to smash Raiden into the ground, but before he can, Raiden finishes the prayer with the following words.

"He must win!" Raiden says as his eyes suddenly flash from red to blue and lightning sparkles from them.

Just as Shao Kahn's hammer smashes into his skull, visions of Raiden's past flash into existence.

The visions pan out into the eyes of past Raiden. He then gasps and clutches his head. Manado Chujin, a now 32 year old man who recently became Raiden's new champion, walks up to him.

"Lord Raiden! What is wrong?" Manado asks in concern.

"Strange visions..." Raiden says.

A crackling of magic emanates is then heard from his amulet. He then holds it in his hand and finds out it has cracked in several places. Liu Kang takes notice of this.

"Your amulet!" Liu Kang says.

"It is nothing, Liu Kang. The tournament begins." Raiden assures as he placed the amulet back onto his chest.

The three of them turn to witness a procession of monks walking towards them. Johnny Cage watches alongside Sonya Blade to the left of them. Sub-Zero (Bi-Han) is slightly behind them with Cyrax and Sektor flanking him.

At the grandmaster's throne, the elderly Shang-Tsung walks out, with Kitana and Jade on his right and Baraka enters as well to the left of them. Nightwolf, who is on Raiden's left side, watches cautiously, while Quan Chi and Scorpion, who are to the left of Johnny Cage and Sonya, watch them impassively. The monks finish their walk and sit down before Shang Tsung.

"Kombatants. I am Shang Tsung! In the coming days each of you will fight. Some are here of their own volition, others were brought here by chance..." Shang Tsung announces.

As Shang Tsung continues talking, Johnny Cage looks to his right at Sonya.

"Hey, beautiful. Johnny Cage." Johnny introduces himself.

"Good for you." Sonya says coldly.

"What? "Massive Strike", "Citizen Cage", "Ninja Mime"? None of those ring a bell?" Johnny asks.

Sonya looks over to see Kano walking out into the arena.

"Kano..." Sonya says to herself.

"Kano"? Wasn't in that one..." Johnny says before looking back up to the sorcerer.

"You participate in the most important Mortal Kombat in history! This tournament, the tenth after nine l Outworld victories, will determine Earthrealm's fate. If you defeat all of your opponents, you will face one final challenge... me." Shang Tsung finishes.

"Huh! That old geezer's the final challenge? They might as well give me the belt right now. They do have belts, right?" Johnny wonders.

Someone then coughs behind Johnny Cage. He turns around to see Shang Tsung standing beside him.

"What? How did you–" Johnny asks before being cut off.

"Appearances can be deceiving." Shang Tsung says to Johnny.

"Our first kombatant will be Mr. Cage!" Shang Tsung announces as he levitates back toward his throne.

Johnny laughs defiantly and strides forward.

"That's right! That's right! Who's it gonna be?" Johnny says to the crowd.

"Reptile!" Shang Tsung announces.

Johnny looks toward a rooftop in the arena. Reptile materialises on the rooftop and jumps to the arena floor to the monks' applause.

"Nice stunt! Who's your agent?" Johnny asks.

"Begin!" Shang Tsung announces.

"All right, it's showtime!" Johnny announces.

The two then begin to fight. Johnny gets his chance to show off his considerable martial skills against the Zaterrean assassin. After a fierce exchange, Johnny Cage shows he can back up his trash talking by managing to defeat Reptile.

"He got Caged! That's it, ha haa! Oh yeah! I'm so pretty!" Johnny says.

Liu Kang and Raiden watch Johnny's gloating with equal amounts of disgust while Manado simply pinches the bridge of his nose in annoyance. Mr. Cage then stalks up to several of the observing kombatants.

"And I'm takin' you down, I'm takin' you down, I'm takin' you out, I'm takin' you out, and I'm taking you out..." Johnny brags before standing in front of Sonya. "...for dinner!" Johnny snickers as Sonya reacts with disdain.

"Your second challenge, Mr. Cage. Baraka!" Shang Tsung announces.

The Tarkatan warrior roars out loud and jumps to the arena floor to the monks' applause.

"Hmmm, ok... Nice makeup, but is it really necessary?" Johnny asks.

Baraka then unsheathes his arm-blades.

"Woah!" Johnny says in astonishment.

"They will taste your flesh!" Baraka threatens.

They then begin to fight. Even though he's just fought an intense battle with Reptile, Mr. Cage shows that he still has the stamina to take on Baraka. After another hard fought exchange, Mr. Cage manages to emerge victorious and still has the energy to keep talking.

"Man, I love those blades! My producer has got to meet you! We're doing "Tommy Scissorfists", and–" Johnny says before being interrupted.

"Congratulations, Mr. Cage. Now, FINISH HIM!" Shang Tsung says.

"Finish him? Yeah, right!" Johnny says.

"Kill him!" Shang Tsung commanded.

Johnny looks at the crowd. Sub-Zero and Cyrax look on in anticipation, as do Quan Chi and Scorpion. Cage begins to realise the gravity of his situation.

"Woah! Woah, woah, wait a second! I'm not gonna kill anyone!" Johnny says.

Liu Kang and Manado throw confused looks at Raiden, who takes in the scene impassively.

"Very well." Shang Tsung says. He then stands up from his chair.

"The tournament will resume at dawn!" Shang Tsung announces. He then turns around and departs. The monks then all rise up and start to do the same.

"What, that's it? Really?" Johnny asks, dumbfounded.

No one answers him. Johnny turns around and rubs his hands in anticipation.

"Now where'd that hottie go?" Johnny asks himself.

As he leaves to look for Sonya, Johnny finds Raiden, Manado and Liu Kang walking up to him.

"You fought well." Raiden says.

"Thanks. Nice hat." Johnny compliments.

"You should be more respectful of Lord Raiden. He is the protector of Earthrealm, the God of Thunder, the–" Liu Kang tries to explain before Johnny cuts him off.

"Look, I don't know what kind of role-playing you guys are into, but count me out." Johnny says.

He then turns to leave but Manado steps in his path.

"Look Mr. Cage, this tournament is more than a chance for personal glory. We are literally fighting for the very survival of Earthrealm." Manado explains.

"What are you talking about?" Johnny asked.

"Your last opponent was Tarkatan. He was born with those blades." Raiden says.

"Yeah, those things are real." Johnny says sarcastically.

Two guards then pick up Baraka's unconscious form and carry him off.

"He represents Outworld. Had you lost, the emperor Shao Kahn would have come one step closer to physically absorbing our world into his." Raiden explains.

"Outworld, yeah right, right..." Johnny said, clearly not following in on the explanation.

"The Elder Gods created the Mortal Kombat tournament to give Earthrealm a chance to defend itself. But if we lose this time, Shao Kahn will conquer all." Raiden explains.

"Dun Dun Dunnn!" Johnny says as he dramatically throws his arms up in the air.

"Look guys, I'm an actor. I save the world for the cameras. If this emperor is really a threat, call the military. Me, I've got a date with a blonde. Ciao!" Johnny explains before he playfully slaps Raiden on the arm and then leaves.

"What do you see in him?" Liu Kang asks the thunder god.

"He is a hero, Liu Kang, though he may not yet know it." Raiden says.

"I hope you're right." Manado says.

Later, on a bridge overbearing a deep pit, Sonya Blade is trying to use her radio to talk to the Special Forces Command.

"Triangulating your signal for evac, but..." Command says before the radio becomes briefly distorted. "...there is no island." Command finished.

"I'm standing on it! Just lock onto my wrist comm!" Sonya says.

Johnny then walks onto the bridge and smiles.

"Understood. What is your current status?" Command asks.

"They have Jax. And if I don't fight in this crazy tournament, they'll kill him. I'm gonna try to–" Sonya says before Johnny cuts her off.

"Need help? I specialise in rescuing damsels in distress." Johnny says as he walks up to Sonya.

"You again. Listen, I've got serious problems here. I'm in no mood to be hit on by some movie star." Sonya explains.

"C'mon. A girl like you shouldn't be wandering around this freak show alone." Johnny says before Sonya sighs and tries to walk off.

Johnny then grabs her by the arm.

"Look, baby, I can't let you run loose without an escort." Johnny says. Sonya then slaps his hand away from her arm before punching him in the stomach, then across the face, knocking him down. She then assumes a fighting stance.

"I don't need an escort, and I'm sure as hell not your baby!" Sonya says.

They then begin to fight. Although reluctant to do so, Johnny Cage shows that he's not afraid of fighting a woman if he has to. After a brief scuffle, Mr. Cage manages to get the upper hand and he knocks Sonya to the ground.

"Ha haaa! Not bad for a... girl..." Johnny says before seeming to regret getting caught up in the moment and decides to extend his hand to her.

"Look, sorry about that." Johnny says before Sonya slaps his hand away.

"I don't need your help." Sonya scoffs.

"Fine. Have it your way. I'll just leave you to your... problems." Johnny says as he backs up away from her.

But he fails to notice the burly Australian sneaking up behind him.

"Good idea!" Kano says.

He then grabs Johnny from behind and throws him off the bridge.

"Now that he's softened you up, it's my turn!" Kano says as he approaches the downed S.F. soldier.

"Not man enough for a fair fight?" Sonya asks.

"I don't do "fair"." Kano says before he begins to blast her with his eye beam.

"No need to get up, love." Kano says before firing another eye beam.

Further down the bridge, Johnny has somehow managed to grab one of the protruding spikes to save himself from impalement. Sonya's screams echo above him as he looks down at the victims that fell before him.

"So tell me...how are things at Command?" Kano asks.

"Bastard!" Sonya scoffs before she continues to scream as Kano blasts her again and again.

Johnny then attempts to climb up the rock surface, but cannot get a good grip without slipping.

"Gullible bitch. Just had to point you in the wrong direction. Couldn'ta done it without ya!" Kano says.

"S.F. is on the way. You won't get far." Sonya promises.

"Oh, I got a knack for survival. You, on the other hand, are gonna die here." Kano says.

Johnny suddenly somersaults back onto the bridge.

"Step away from the lady!" Johnny demands.

He then stalks toward Kano, dusting himself off.

"Fans think my moves are all wire work and special effects. Truth is... I AM the special effects." Johnny says before rubbing his nose.

They then start to fight. While Johnny has his work cut out for him fighting a brutal thug like Kano, he manages to keep the fight at a level pace and, using a few tricks up his sleeve, leaves Kano on the floor unconscious.

"Throw that on your... barby... Shrimp..." Johnny says, trying to come up with a good insult but failing.

He then walks toward Sonya.

"Thanks." Sonya says.

"No problem. Who is that guy anyway?" Johnny asks.

He then offers her his hand, but remembering what happened last time, he draws it back. Sonya then extends her hand to him, allowing him to help her to his feet.

"His name's Kano. He was an informant in our Black Dragon investigation. Big-time arms dealers. Turns out he was their leader, giving us the runaround. Lot of our guys got killed because of him." Sonya explains.

"So that's not a costume? You're actual military?" Johnny asks.

"Special Forces." Sonya replies.

"Get out! So you know about this "threat to the world" stuff, right? Raiden called in the cavalry." Johnny says.

"Raiden? No idea who you're talking about." Sonya says, not knowing who he meant.

As they turn around, they see no sign of Kano.

"Damn." Sonya says to herself.

"He can't be far." Johnny figures, especially at how beat up Kano must be.

"He'll have to wait." Sonya says.

She then holds out her hand.

"I appreciate your help, Cage." Sonya says.

Johnny then shakes her hand.

"Johnny." Johnny says.

"But right now I've got things to take care of. My C.O. is locked up on this island somewhere. I have to find him." Sonya says before she walks off.

Johnny Cage then looks at her with admiration, hoping to bump into her again.