CHAPTER 5

"Do you have any idea what you've unleashed?"

Johnny Cage sat in his agent's office, grinning. A quiet discussion with ESPN had led to the Mortal Kombat tournament suddenly being world-famous. With less than two weeks until he was to be on a once-obscure dock in Asia, Johnny Cage was suddenly one of the biggest names in entertainment. But that didn't seem to impress the soldier in the room with him. But, it was a little late for anything but bravado.

"Fame. Respect. That's what I've unleashed. I've been a punch-line for too long. I started as a real fighter. Just because I fight in front of a camera doesn't mean that I'm anything else. I just invited ESPN to come watch me prove myself."

Major Jackson Briggs glared at this little Hollywood punk. Yeah, his movies were fun, but for him to think he was able to represent Earth in the most important fighting tournament ever represented an arrogance that went well beyond anything that even Hollywood could be expected to display.

"You're an actor. You went 5-7 in UFC twelve years ago before you got a movie gig, and haven't fought professionally since then. Do you have any idea what's awaiting you at this tournament? Do you understand how important it is?"

"I'm not naïve, Major, nor am I ignorant of the nature of Mortal Kombat. I've kept my skills sharp, and two months ago, a teacher in Chinatown told me things I never would have believed, culminating with him inviting me to this tournament. I'm ready. Sorry if I didn't want to do it secretly."

"Yeah? You're ready? Let's go spar right now. Show me how ready you are to fight for humanity."

In the gym, Jax was warming up. He wasn't planning to hurt this little punk – he really did make good movies – but a lesson was definitely in order.

"Major? Before we begin, I'd like to show you a move. Remember when I told you that I learned things in Chinatown? I learned more than just about the existence of Mortal Kombat. Please stand here…"

Johnny stepped to the opposite side of the ring, about 20 feet away. "OK Major, I want you to block your face, like I'm about to kick you there."

"Boy, you're 20 feet away. I'll block you when you're a threat."

"Please, Major, humor me."

Jax shrugged and put his arms up, blocking a kick that was still several seconds away.

With that, Johnny kicked the air in front of him; had he not been twenty feet away, and had Jax not been blocking, the kick would have connected with his face. He glared derisively when suddenly, something strange happened. Johnny seemed to lose his color and become…dim. As this happened, the faded shadow moved forward as if attached to a rubber band. A fraction of a second later, the shadow faded back into a solid fighter just before connecting with the block that Jax was still holding. Jax hadn't properly braced for the hit, and was knocked back into the ropes.

"How…?"

"Magic, major. This isn't just a fighting tournament. It's a magical fighting tournament, and trust me when I say you're going to need all the help you can get."

Johnny left the ring, put on his sunglasses, and walked out of the room.