THE BATTLE INTENSIFIES

"What the hell was that?" Jax asks.

Shang Tsung smiles devilishly.

"My most powerful technique. Using all the souls that I have collected over the years, I sent a massive shockwave through Liu Kangs entire body. No one has ever survived that attack, let alone stand back up. This fight is over." Shang Tsung says, wiping the blood from his mouth.

In a dark room, a bloody Liu Kang is on the ground, motionless and unconscious.

"It can't just be over, he has to get up." Sonya says.

"Liu Kang, come on, man, you gotta shake it off. We need you to keep fighting." Johnny adds.

"Come on kid, get up." Jax tells him.

"Liu Kang, you must rise again. For Earth Realm, for the Shaolin. Come on, brother." Kung Lao says.

Katana wants to cheer for Liu Kang to get up, but knows that she can't, trembling with conflicting emotions.

As Liu Kang hears the others vaguely, his eyes starts to open slightly. As they open all the way, his friends voices become more clear and loud. The monk punches the ground, trying to will himself back on his feet.

"There's no use of cheering. You're Champion isn't getting back up. Outworld is victorious." Shang Tsung says as he starts to walk away.

"I wouldn't...be so sure...about that...Sorcerer." Liu Kang replies, emerging from the hole in the wall with blood dripping from his head.

Everyone cheers out of joy, with Katana secretly taking a sigh of relief and tears even forming in Johnny's eyes.

"Cage, are you crying?" Sonya asks.

"No, I'm just... sweating through my eyes."

Shang Tsung stares at the shaolin monk out of shock and anger, gritting his teeth. He then keeps his composure and smiles.

"I must admit, I am surprised you are still standing. But it doesn't matter, you are at your limit. Ermac, Goro, and my last attack took everything out of you. You are finished, monk."

Liu Kang catches his breath and spits out blood.

"I might be exhausted. My body might be in agony. But know this, sorcerer. Until I defeat you, I will not drop to the ground again."

Liu Kang then throws a large fireball at the sorcerer. Shang Tsung easily knocks it away, but is surprised to see Liu Kang right behind it. The monk hits him in the face with a forearm. He starts to land multiple rapid kicks in Shang Tsung's stomach, chest, and face. Liu Kang then lands a spinning round house kick in his side. As Shang Tsung stumbles back, Liu Kang punches him in the gut, causing him to spit out blood.

Shang Tsung falls to a knee, reaching his limit. As Liu Kang runs at him, the sorcerer quickly dashes infront of him and goes for the same devastating attack from before.

"Liu Kang, watch out!" Kung Lao yells.

Liu Kang tries to jump back, but green energy holds him in place. Shang Tsung sends an even larger shockwave through Liu Kangs body. The green energy let's go of the monk as he is out cold on his feet.

"Now, it is over." Shang Tsung says, as he slowly walks away.

Liu Kang starts to fall backwards to the ground. As he falls, he starts to think about everyone who's counting on him. Lord Raiden, Kung Lao, Bo Rai Cho, Sonya, Johnny all put their faith in him, they trusted him, they believe in him. One thought ran through his head

"I have to win... I HAVE TO WIN!"

Liu Kang quickly stops himself from falling, forcing his body to keep standing. Everyone is shocked, especially Shang Tsung who is furious. Liu Kang coughs up blood as his body trembles from the pain. He then looks up towards the sky and lets out a loud scream.

A bloody and injured Liu Kang faces a bloody and frustrated Shang Tsung for the final time. Liu Kangs feet starts to light up with fire, preparing for one final attack. As Shang Tsung runs at Liu Kang, the monk jumps up in the air and kicks him in the chest.

Liu Kang then starts to land flaming fast bicycle kicks. With each kick that lands, it pushes Shang Tsung back all the way into the wall. As the kicks continue, the wall starts to crumble behind the force of them. Endless flaming kicks hit Shang Tsung in the chest and face. Liu Kang then slams both of his feet into Shang Tsung's chest, sending him flying through the wall.

The sorcerer falls to the ground outside as Liu Kang kneels on his chest with a flaming fist ready to hit Shang Tsung.

"Say it...SAY IT!" Liu Kang demands.

Shang Tsung doesn't say anything for a moment, just stares into the night sky, blood running down his mouth.

"I...concede." Shang Tsung finally says.

When Liu Kang hears this, he slowly stands up and walks away. Everyone runs towards him, celebrating his victory. Johnny hugs Liu Kang.

"Hahaha, you did it!" Johnny says.

"You actually pulled it off." Sonya adds, punching him in the arm.

"That was one hell of a fight." Jax says.

"I knew you could do it." Kung Lao tells him.

"Thank you. I appreciate the kind words." Liu Kang says.

Raiden then stands before the victorious Liu Kang. The God of thunder bows to the monk, acknowledging his accomplishment. A portal to outworld then appears, and Quan Chi and Jade carry Shang Tsung through it. Before Katana walks through the portal, her and Liu Kang share a smile before she leaves. Liu Kang then closes his eyes.

"May I ask one of you for a favor?"

"Sure buddy, you name it." Johnny says.

"Could one of you catch me?"

As Liu Kang starts to fall, Raiden catches him before he hits the ground, as everyone smiles and laughs.