Kung Lao's Demise

His body lay on the cold ground, lifeless. His dreams, his hopes, his destiny had been shattered like his unresponsive body. The cackles of evil faded into the night as this caring, soulful warrior wasted away on the grounds of Outworld. His soul, being condemned to float in its boundaries, trapped as a prisoner in death.

Day's prior.

His rigorous training was coming to end, as well as the day came to an end. Lord Raiden was sure of impending doom and destruction yet never told his friend and prota233;ga233;. As Kung Lao thrust his final kick into the chest of a battered sandbag, he dropped to his back and stared at the night sky. Feeling deep anxiety and worry for his upcoming battle. ``You alone can spare Earthrealm this defeat, this defeat that leads us closer to consumption by the evils of Shao Kahn.''

``I feel as though something is not right Master Raiden. I feel a powerful presence watching my every move, do you suppose Shang Tsung has sent his spies to survey my training?''

``Unlikely Kung Lao, I feel this presence too, yet if cannot tell you much of its origins and power.''

Raiden flashed away as the scorched ground began to smoke. Kung Lao retired to his dojo to rest his aching body.

Deep in the bowels of Outworld, shamed sorcerer and warrior Shang Tsung kneeled before the Emperor. ``I trust your new student has the capabilities to secure our victory, for victory now, is unacceptable, Kung Lao must die, and Earth must be mine.''

``Do not fear my Emperor, all that can be done is being done, Prince Goro will crush the Earthrealm warrior and his soul will finally slumber in me.''

The next night, the penultimate night before the tournament, Kung Lao was meditating in his room when his door slammed and his name was shouted at the top of his visitor's voice. Kung Lao walked downstairs to find Raiden waiting impatiently for him with a look of disgust and vile discovery. ``Raiden, what's troubling you?''

``You Kung Lao, your victory tomorrow almost seems imminent...but yet, your future is clouded and there may be false interpretations afoot, it is hard to determine what will happen, but all I know is that you must pour your soul, your entire being into this battle, either wise, you will die, you will be forced to walk with legions of souls inside Shang Tsung.''

``Have you learned more of my enemy?''

``Yes only that his name is Prince Goro, he is a fearsome warrior hailing from the subterranean realm of Shokan, and his race are far more advanced and powerful than us. His powers are nearly limitless to that of yours, he seems almost unbeatable.''

``How will I defeat him Lord Raiden?''

``I don't know Kung Lao! I'm sorry; I will meet you tomorrow before your battle against Goro.''

The next day, Kung Lao vomited with nerves and his blood began to run sour and cold, he feared not only for his life, but for his home and his realm. He had no idea what monstrosity he faced and the deceitful nature of Shang Tsung seemed only to worsen his nerves.

He travelled to Outworld using a portal at the Temple of the Elder Gods. He had been granted good luck by them for his offering and he had been blessed with their goodness.

Kung Lao walked into the cold and dark room, the Elder God image chiselled into the floor inspired him and made him feel empowered. Soon enough, his old nemesis Shang Tsung walked down the stairs; he seemed weaker and older since last they met. He remembers his victory. He had been training for months and almost died at the hands of the sorcerer, until he quickly turned the tables and spared Earthrealm. He spared Shang Tsung's life, a mistake he was sure he would pay for.

He returned to the real world again, and suddenly felt the ground shake from beneath his feet, rocks feel from the roof and crowds began to tumble like branches to the ground. His opponent emerge, a huge mass of creature staring at him, his dark yellow eyes gleaming at him with a look of sheer hatred and determination. The creature was more than half as big as Kung Lao and his broadness outmatched that of three grown men. He suddenly noticed the warrior's arms, there were four of them, two by his sides and two rose in the air as if celebrating a victory he had not yet achieved. The fearsome warrior looked at the Emperor, then his master and gave a bow to each, and to Kung Lao. Kung Lao did the same, bar the evil sorcerer.

Kung Lao removed his razor tipped hat and began to pray to the elder gods, as he did he heard a stampede of thunderous footsteps rushing towards him, he notice the massive four armed prince rushing towards him with a finishing blow. Kung Lao back flipped over the creature and began to punch into its lower back. Kung Lao then kicked away at the monster, keeping himself in the hair whilst he did it, the monster merely shook it off and swiped at Kung Lao. Kung Lao looked down to see his left arm already bruised and bleeding. Goro proceeded to jump in the air, with the intention of crushing Earthrealm's last hope. Kung Lao escaped his descending thud and grabbed his razor tipped hat, he thrust it into the air, catching the Princes neck and forming a small incision with began to seep blood. The Shokan prince became enraged and clapped his hands to form a blast of pure energy. This threw Kung Lao far into the crowd and ripped through his top and scraped at his chest.

Kung Lao then swept the ground around him as he rose up, and swung his hat back on. He then threw the hat once more, leaping as he did it, into the arms of the suspecting Shokan Prince. The Prince laughed and raised his four arms in preparation for his kill. Before this fatality could come about, Kung Lao's hat smacked Goro on the back and caused a deep cut which forced Kung Lao out of his grip. Kung Lao ran towards Goro again but was hit with an anti-climatic punch. His unconscious body scraped the ground and hit the feet of the crowd. The Outworld heavy crowd began to swear and curse Kung Lao, begging Goro to kill him. Goro picked him up and smashed him to the ground, delivering a final blow, smashing him on his back, onto the giant dragon symbol.

Raiden knew now, Earthrealm was under real threat. He zapped away to the heavens where he would consult with other gods this issue of realm instability and destruction. As the crowds funnelled out of the palace Shang Tsung stood alone, proud with his student, above the carcass of his fallen enemy. Just then, Kung Lao began to rise, he was not yet dead.

Shang Tsung wanted the kill to be painful and humiliating so ordered Goro to punish him; Goro burned and whipped Kung Lao, before dragging him across the Outworld wastelands to hang him. Goro thrust his arm through Kung Lao and ripped out his heart. Just then, Shang Tsung appeared behind him and began the process of soul stealing. Tsung became youthful once more and blasted Kung Lao into the air, where he dropped with a bone crunching thud. Splatters of blood drenched the sorcerer, basking in his victory. Lao's head was kept as a trophy and his body left to rot in the wastelands of outworld.

Author : Gary Stewart

Creation date: 2009-1-16-23-41

Modification date: 2009-1-16-23-41