//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 Johnny Cage // Story: Mortal Kombat: Defenders of Equestria // by KnightGomora1994 //------------------------------// Everfree Forest, Ponyville The next morning in Ponyville, Twilight was waiting on the edge of the Everfree Forest for her friends. She checked the time to see when they will arrive. Then soon enough, Rainbow Dash showed up just in time. "Okay, I'm here Twilight... but did you have to get me here this early...? You know I prefer sleeping in..." she reminded her of her sleep schedule. "I'm sorry to interrupt your beauty sleep, but it was important we be here... are the others on their way...?" Twilight asked her. "Yeah, I saw Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rarity heading here... couldn't see Pinkie Pie anywhere. Knowing her, she's likely gonna do something to spook the living daylights out of us." Rainbow replied to her as her expression formed to a deadpan look. And on record time, Pinkie jumped out the bushes. "Hey! No fair Rainbow Dash! You spoiled my surprise!" she complained to her. "Sorry Pinkie, but we don't exactly have time for games..." Twilight said to her as she approached. "Besides, last night I got a letter from Princess Luna, saying that there are lost individuals inside the Everfree Forest." she explained to her. Gasping from hearing it, Pinkie grabbed hold of her face. "Are you serious?!! Lost, but new ponies?!! WE GOTTA FIND THEM!" she cried out about to head in. But Applejack managed to step on her tail to keep her from going in. "Slow down there Pinkie, we have no idea where they could be, and the forest is dangerous." she reminded her. "I have to agree with Applejack..." Rarity said as she approached. "Most of all, we have no idea how they will react when they see us..." "Well, we can't just leave them inside the Everfree alone... who knows what may find them?" Fluttershy asked as she approached them. "Fluttershy's right, we need to get in, and make sure they get out of the forest safely." Twilight said to them and looked to the forest. "Let's just hope we're not too late..." she muttered feeling worried for who may be lost within the forest. Everfree Forest, Crash Sight A groan is heard within the forest, laying on the ground was an Earth Pony, with red fur, dark brown hair... he wore an outfit that resembled that of a martial artists, that had a dragon on it, and he wore a red headband and a pair of spiked armbands. He woke up from being unconscious, and found himself within the forest. "Where am I...?" he asked as he was about to stand on his two hind legs, but he lost balance and fell down. He managed to break his fall only to notice something different about him, he looked to his hand... only instead of a hand... it was a hoof. Shocked of what he's seeing, he looked to a river and rushed to it and looked to his reflection, and saw his appearance. He was Liu Kang, the former champion of Mortal Kombat... only when he looked at himself, he could hardly believe his own eyes. "What happened to me...?" he asked but soon heard something near by, he turned to the source and found another Earth Pony. Only... this one was different, he walked over to him seeing he had darkish tan fur, blonde hair, wearing blue pants, and had arm wrappings around his front hooves. But what made him more recognizable, was the tattoo on his chest. It was the famous movie actor, Johnny Cage. Liu couldn't believe his eyes when he saw him, but he needed to check if he was alive. "Cage!" he held him up. "Cage, wake up!" he yelled at him as he shook him a bit. Eyes squinting, Johnny's eyes began to open... just until he saw Liu Kang, he instantly screamed out and backed away. "What the hell?!!" he cried out about to get up, only to fall and face plant on the ground. "Ow!" he looked at himself seeing what he's become. "You gotta be FREAKING KIDDING ME! I got turned into a freaking horse?!" he asked and looked to Liu. "Alright, I can already guess that you had something to do with this..." he pointed out to him. "Cage, hold on this isn't-" before Liu could reason with him. "You're going to fix this!" he yelled out and charged at him. Liu panicked but dodged his punches to avoid getting hit. But Cage managed to land a few body blows against Liu Kang's rib cage, and he went for an uppercut. Liu however expected this, and blocked his strike, even though he was in a new body... he was still a shaolin. He kicked Cage in the leg, and sucker punched him in the face. Shaking his head from being stunned, Johnny turned to Liu showing a glare. "Not bad... but you'll have to do better than that!" "Cage, listen to me... what ever happened to you, happened to me too." Liu tried to explain to him, but he blocked Cage's next attack, only to get a hard punch from Johnny's right hoof. "Nice try pal, but now its time to finish this!" Johnny said to him and prepared for his signature move, he rose his leg, and performed his Shadow Kick technique, causing Liu to fall down and roll on the ground. Johnny charged at him as Liu prepared to throw another attack, but Cage performed the splits, and punched Liu right in the groin. Causing him to scream in pain of it. "Yeah, you like that...?" he asked and eventually kicked him down to the ground. "You just got Caged!" he smirked. Groaning from the pain that was inflicted on him, Liu knew that he needed to convince him. "Cage... we were friends, we fought together in the Mortal Kombat tournament..." "Yeah, I think I'd be able to recognize ya if you were there... sorry pal, but its time to put your lights out..." Johnny was about ready to finish him. "Cage, don't! It's me, ITS LIU KANG!" Liu cried out only to shut his eyes waiting for the finishing move. But after waiting a moment, Liu noticed that Johnny's hoof didn't reach him completely... he looked to him noticing how shocked he was to hear his name. "Cage...?" Taking a moment to process this, Johnny looked at his old ally seeing beyond his equine appearance. "Liu...?" he backed away realizing what he had done. "But... you're dead... Shang Tsung killed you..." he reminded him of his untimely death. "I was... but now..." Liu Kang looked to himself. "Somehow I'm alive..." "Sure are..." Johnny said to him and looked at the environment around him. "Where are we... the Living Forest...?" he asked. "No... this realm doesn't feel like Outworld..." Liu said to him as he looked around the forest. "But if we're here, we better look for the others... they might have been sent here as well." he was about to leave with Johnny, till suddenly out of no where, a Chimera attacked from behind, causing them to dodge its lethal claws. The Chimera snarled at its prey. "What have we here...?" asked the Goat head as she grinned evilly. "Two morsals lost in the woods by the looks of it." said the Tiger head as she growled at them. Eyes widened, Johnny was slowly processing what was going on. "Liu... please tell me my ears are playing tricks on me...?" he asked the monk. "I hear it too Cage... no time to discuss it now, run!" Liu said to him and ran away from the beast. "GET THEM!!!" said the Snake head of the Chimera, as they chased after the two Earth Ponies. Meanwhile, Twilight and her friends were looking through the forest to try and find who were in the forest. "Twilight, are you sure that we're going the right way...?" Rarity asked her. "According to the map, we should be getting close to where they landed..." Twilight informed them as she followed the map. Suddenly she heard screams coming from where they were heading. Applejack's ears perked hearing the familiar sounds of a Chimera. "Oh nelly... that's not good..." she ran off to find them. Only to see Liu Kang and Johnny running from the Chimera. She took the chance to whistle for their attention, and it worked. "HEY! THIS WAY!" she called out to them. Seeing her, Liu Kang and Johnny ran towards her to escape the hungry beast. "Get back here! We just want to feast on your flesh!" the Tiger head said to them. "Yeah, screw that!" Johnny said to her and leaped past two tree's with Liu and Applejack. The Chimera meanwhile, given her large size... got stuck between the tree's and struggled to get free. Cage meanwhile, was laughing at their predicament. "Oh man, I bet you've never been so embarrassed in your life!" he said to them only to see the snake come at him. "WHOA!!!" he dodged its venomous bite. Hissing at her prey, the snake stared straight into his eyes trying to hypnotize him. "Come closer... I promise I won't hurt you..." she said to him. Johnny looked at her eyes for a moment, but smirked and smacked her silly catching her by surprise. "Nice try, but the whole hypnotism thing doesn't work if I'm wearing shades." he said to her and walked away. He and Liu eventually looked to the Mane Six, but turned their attention to Applejack. "That was some fast thinking there, nice hat by the way..." he complimented her. "Thanks, it was my fathers..." Applejack said to him. Surprised of what he saw, Johnny shook his head and rubbed his ears. "Okay, don't freak out Johnny... this has to be some sort of weird dream..." he muttered to himself. "Sorry darling, but this is all real..." Rarity said to him. Cage was about to speak but his jaw literally dropped from realizing she was right. "Oohhh... I feel sheepish..." he said to them. Liu Kang shook his head but looked to Applejack. "We thank you for saving us... I am Liu Kang, this is Johnny Cage..." he introduced themselves. "Liu Kang and Johnny Cage...? Kind of odd names don't ya think...?" Applejack asked him. "And what's with his name being on his chest...?" Rainbow Dash asked him as she pointed at it. Johnny pushed her hoof away. "For your information skittles... it's tattooed." he said to her not knowing he just pushed one of Rainbow's buttons. "What did you just call me...?" she asked him. "Oh no, here we go..." Fluttershy panicked knowing what will happen. "Oh, I'm sorry... maybe I wasn't clear. I called you ski-" Johnny was about to finish what he called her, then out of no where, Rainbow Dash gave him a clean uppercut, sending him flying. He hit the ground, letting out a painful groan from what just happened. "Okay, didn't see that coming..." "You asked for it pal... care to finish it...?" she asked him. "Rainbow, no!" Twilight exclaimed to her, but it was too late. Johnny soon got up, and popped his neck. "You know... I can take this moment to blow off some steam... bring it!" he challenged her. Rainbow smirked as she gladly accepted, she charged at him and went for his face. But Johnny managed to dodge her attack, and threw a fast right hook at her. Suddenly to his surprise, Rainbow dodged it with her incredible speed. "Whoa..." he muttered. "Ha, you'll have to do better than that!" Rainbow threw a roundhouse kick at him. Quickly reacting, Johnny blocked her attack and managed to land a few body blows to her ribcage, and kicked her away. Hitting the ground, Rainbow quickly got back up glaring at him. "Alright pal... now I've had it!" she leaped into the air, preparing to kick him as hard as she could. Johnny anticipated this, and smirked as his right hoof began to glow green. He tossed a High Forceball, landing a direct hit against Rainbow. The Mane Six were shocked of what they saw, and couldn't believe what they saw... neither could Twilight. "Wait a mi-... How did-... WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!" she exclaimed. "Was that magic...?!" asked Pinkie Pie. Liu Kang chuckled knowing what it really is, but he chose to keep it to himself as he watched what will happen next. Johnny watched as Rainbow Dash was falling down. "Alright, time for you to cool off!" He performed his Shadow Kick ability, and kicked her straight in the stomach, sending her straight into a pond that was near by. "Oh yeah!" he cheered out. Meanwhile, the Mane Six were slack jawed of what they just witness. Twilight especially... "That... isn't... possible!" she exclaimed. "You were using some sort of magic, but you're an Earth Pony! HOW DID YOU DO THOSE MOVES?!!" she demanded to know how he did it. "Believe me, I have no idea either... I mean its been with me ever since I was a kid..." Johnny explained to her. Suddenly his ears perked from the sound of water dripping. "Ooooohhhh boy... she's standing right behind me isn't she...?" he asked them, earning a nod from all of them. He turned around seeing a fierce glare from a soaked Rainbow Dash. "You... are so dead...!" she was about to hurt him like nobodies business. Suddenly she felt something sharp against her neck. She looked to what it was, and it was a blade floating with the aid of a magic aura. Liu Kang recognized it as one of Kitana's Fan Blades, he looked around to find where she was. "You can come out now... you don't have to hide Kitana..." he called out to her. Hearing his voice for the first time in ages... she couldn't believe it at first, but she stepped out of hiding. Revealing herself as an Alicorn, wearing a blue outfit, and a tiara. She pulled her fan blade away from Rainbow Dash and looked to Liu Kang as tears brimmed in her eyes. "Liu...?" she asked. Liu Kang calmly walked to her, knowing she wasn't a threat. "Its okay Kitana... its me..." he smiled at her. Even though she and Liu Kang were in different forms, it did not change the bond they had between them. Her tears ran down her face, as she embraced the shaolin in a warm hug. "It is you... thank the gods..." she said as she held him crying tears of joy. Johnny smiled seeing it, but looked to Twilight who was awestruck from seeing her. "Yo, you might wanna close your mouth... you're drooling..." he pointed out to her. Realizing it, she cleaned her mouth and walked to them. "Your majesty..." she said to her gaining Kitana's attention. She soon bowed to her in respect. "Its an honor to meet you... I am Princess Twilight Sparkle..." she introduced herself. "The honor is all mine... I am Princess Kitana, of Edenia." Kitana replied to her. "That's a beautiful name..." said Rarity as she approached them. "My name is Rarity... and might I say, your outfit is just lovely." she observed Kitana's outfit. "Is this how all Edenian's dress where you are from...?" she asked the Edenian princess out of curiosity. "In a manner, yes... also, I wish to thank you and your friends for finding Liu and Mr. Cage..." Kitana expressed her gratitude to them. "But I must ask, what realm do we reside in...?" she asked. "You're in Equestria yer majesty... where you are currently is the Everfree Forest. It's considered to be one of the most dangerous places in all of Equestria." Applejack explained to her and realized. "Oh, and pardon my manners... I'm Applejack, I work on an apple farm not far from here." "I'm Pinkie Pie, a fun loving pony, and best party planner around." Pinkie said to them. Feeling nervous as always, Fluttershy stepped up to them. "M-My name is... Fluttershy... oh, and the mare who attacked is Rainbow Dash..." she pointed to her as Rainbow Dash let out a snort. "I'm really sorry for the way she acted..." she apologized. "Hey, its all good... we were just trying to blow off some steam." Johnny assured her. Liu soon decided to ask the most important question. "Princess Twilight... if this forest is so dangerous, why did you come in here to look for us...?" he asked her. Forgetting all that had happened, Twilight thought back to her mission. "That's right! Princess Luna sent me a letter mentioning lost individuals, and I can tell that it is you three. We came in here to escort you to safety, and bring you to Canterlot." she explained to them. "Hold it! Let me get this straight... there is more than one princess in this world...?" Johnny asked them. "You better believe it bub... there's three, adding Twilight who was recently coronated." said Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow Dash is right, despite her rudeness... the Alicorns are a mix of all three pony races. The Earth Ponies, the Pegasi, and the Unicorns." Rarity explained to them. "There's Princess Celestia who is princess of the sun, Princess Luna who is princess of the night, and Princess Cadance who is the princess of love." "Wow... guess they're quite popular around here." said Johnny. "So what princess are you...?" Liu asked Twilight. "I'm the Princess of Friendship... I recently got that title upon defeating Tirek." Twilight said to him. "Now... lets not waste anymore time, we need to get to Canterlot." Liu Kang looked to both Kitana and Johnny knowing that they needed answers, so they turned to Twilight and nodded to her and followed her to their home town. Ponyville, Equestria Upon walking into town, the two former Earthrealmers and Edenian looked at the town and its townsfolk, seeing how happy they were. "Wow... look at them all, though there has been much chaos where we're from... this place looks like there hasn't been a war in their life." said Johnny. "Yes, it does seem that way... but Princess Twilight, did you not say that you recently defeated someone by the name of Tirek...?" Kitana asked her. "I did, Tirek is a centaur that had the ability to steal a ponies magic, he first started off with Unicorns when he first returned." Twilight explained to her. "But it didn't end there did it...?" Johnny asked. Twilight shook her head in response. "No... he started going after Earth Ponies, and Pegasi." she said to him. Nodding his head a bit trying to process everything, Johnny turned to Liu showing how clueless he was. "I'm confused..." he admitted. "What she means is... that everything in this realm has magic, the plants, the tree's, even the living residents of this realm." Liu started to explain to him putting it together. Dumbfounded, Johnny was literally losing his mind. "Well this is just freaking terrific..." he muttered under his breath. "Ignore him..." Liu said to the Mane Six. "But how long will it be until we reach Canterlot...?" he asked. "It's just a train ride there, might take an hour or two to get there." Rarity said to him. "That will give us plenty of time to get to know each other." she smiled. "Rarity's right, there is so much about you three that we need to know... like what's your birthday, how old are you, what's your favorite food, and most importantly-" before Pinkie could finish asking, Johnny covered her mouth to stop her from asking further questions. "As much as we would like to explain, think you can tone it down a notch...?" he asked her receiving a nod from her. "Alrighty, I've been in this world for half an hour, and I'm surprised I haven't been burnt alive by a dragon yet." he walked to the train with the others. Twilight watched him go and noticed someone waiting by the train station, it was Flash Sentry. Her face lit up, and hid behind Liu Kang. Surprised of how she's acting, he knew there was something between him and her. "Is he someone you know...?" he asked. "You could say that..." Twilight responded showing a blush on her face. Seeing it, Liu Kang and Kitana looked to each other and smiled knowing what it was. Liu looked to her knowing what to do. "Twilight... if it is something you kept to yourself for quite some time, then don't be afraid... fear only clouds your mind." he spoke to her with much wisdom. Twilight was surprised of it but she took it to heart, and took a few deep breathes and walked to the station with them. Shao Kahn's Dungeon, Outworld Screams are heard within the walls of Shao Kahn's Dungeon, within one of the cells... was Raiden, who was being tortured by Mileena. He cried out in agony as she caused deep cuts all over his body with her sai's, Shao Kahn ordered her to extract any information she could get from Raiden. But he refused to tell her, the evil emperor soon walked in. "Anything...?" he asked his daughter. Turning to her father, Mileena lowered her gaze. "Forgive me father, but he refuses to speak, no matter how many times I cut him." she said to him. The emperor approached Raiden with a fierce glare. "You can't hide them forever Raiden, you will only die in trying..." he said to him. Panting from exhaustion and the loss of blood, Raiden looked to him with a glare. "I will gladly accept my fate Shao Kahn... for you will never reach the realm I sent them to..." he said to him as he spat blood in his face. Grunting from it, Shao Kahn growled at the thunder god about to kill him. Suddenly, Quan Chi stopped him from doing so. "There may be another way emperor... one that would require less effort." he said to him and looked to Raiden. He walked over to him his hands reached over and grabbed Raiden's head. Using his power to search through his memories, seeing the land of Equestria, the residents, and the Princesses who rule the land. "NO!!!!" Raiden shook him off trying to break free of his chains. "I know now where you sent them Raiden... now there is nothing you can do to stop their demise." Quan Chi said to him and walked out of the cell. Chuckling from hearing it, Shao Kahn turned to Raiden with a cruel grin. "I will let you live Raiden... only to see your comrades and all who defend them die." he said to him and walked out of the cell with Mileena. Raiden watched as they left and lowered his gaze. "Celestia..." he muttered. Canterlot, Equestria "You're 10,000 years OLD?!!" Rainbow cried out in shock as they arrived in Canterlot. "Yes, true I look like I am in my twenties, but Edenian's don't age like humans do." Kitana explained to them. "Goodness, I wish we could all go to Edenia to see what its like." said Fluttershy as she looked to the others as they nodded in agreement. Smiling at it, Kitana would have loved to show them her beautiful realm. Other than the battlefield she was killed on. "Maybe someday, I can take you girls there... but for now, we need to go to see this Princess Celestia of yours." she reminded them of their task. Feeling the train stop, Flash stepped up and looked to them. "Right this way, the Princesses will be in the throne room waiting for you..." he informed them and lead them to the throne room. Looking around the city, the Earthrealm Protectors saw just how magnificent the city was. "Amazing..." said Kitana as she looked around. "The structure is almost similar to that of the Edenian Castle..." she observed the towers. "Maybe perhaps Celestia visited your realm...?" Rarity asked. Kitana chuckled a bit at the thought of it, Celestia? In Edenia...? That actually would have been amazing, only if Shao Kahn hadn't taken the beautiful realm. Suddenly, out of no where... "Well, if it isn't the commoners of harmony..." said a familiar face that rang in Rarity's ears. She turned to who it was and saw that it was none other... than Prince Blueblood. Rarity could never forget the horrible night that she went through with him, so she sent him a scowl of disgust. "Blueblood...!" she muttered at him. Seeing him, Johnny looked to him surprised. "Who and what now...?" he asked. "The fella there is Prince Blueblood, Princess Celestia's nephew... how that happened, I will never understand." Applejack said to him. "One night during the Grand Galloping Gala, he ruined Rarity's best dress, all to protect himself..." "Huh... he's a real Grade A prick isn't he...?" Johnny asked out loud. "I see the commoners have brought some new friends... whether or not Twilight Sparkle has become an Alicorn, she is still a commoner by birth..." Blueblood said to them. This immediately got on Kitana's bad side as she shot a glare that could easily slice through steel. "Despicable swine!" she spread her wings showing her fan blades. "If you know what is good for you, you will show some respect!" she roared out at him only to be stopped by Liu Kang. "Liu, what are you-" before she could ask. "We can't do anything brash... too many witnesses..." Liu pointed out. "Yeah, come on he ain't worth it..." Johnny said to her. Smirking at him, Blueblood soon took notice of his name tattooed to his chest. "And what kind of buffoon draws his own name upon his chest? Makes you look like a foal!" he laughed. But that did it... Johnny immediately snapped from hearing it. "That's it..." he quickly landed a punch to Blueblood's face, forcing him to fall to the ground. Crying out in pain, Blueblood's nose was bleeding from the sheer pain he was feeling. Rarity was amazed from what he did, true it was a brutish move, but he did it because Blueblood went to far with that last remark. She turned to the former actor, and patted his shoulder. "Well played Mr. Cage... personally I was going to do that myself..." she admitted to him. "Yeah me too, but the smug jerk got what was coming to him." said Rainbow Dash as she smirked. "Anyhow... lets get moving... I'm sure Princess Celestia is still waiting on us..." Applejack reminded them as they walked away. Blueblood meanwhile, got up holding his bleeding nose, and looked to where Cage was. He glared at the earth pony for what he did to him, he wanted to make him pay dearly for it. Within the Canterlot throne room, Princess Celestia awaited her guests, and just then... the doors opened, and she looked to see Twilight and her friends. She smiled at them and stood up from her throne. "Twilight... its good to see you've made it..." she said to her and looked to Flash Sentry. "Thank you for escorting them Flash..." "You're welcome your highness... I will take my leave..." Flash bowed to them and left the chambers. Twilight soon approached her. "We brought three new guests that you requested us to find Princess..." she said to her and gestured Liu Kang to step up with Kitana and Johnny. They stepped up and bowed to her, Johnny glanced to Liu with a smirk. "Even for a pony princess... she's gorgeous..." he whispered. "Shut up Cage..." Liu whispered in response. He rose up and looked to Princess Celestia. "Your majesty... it is an honor to finally meet you. I am-" before he could introduce himself. "Liu Kang, yes... you are Raiden's prodigy." she said to him and smiled. Showing surprised reactions to the Princess of the Sun, Liu Kang and the other protectors couldn't believe how she knew. "You know Lord Raiden...?" Liu asked her. "Know him...? He has been my life long friend for a thousand years." Celestia replied to his question and looked to Kitana and Johnny. "And you two must be Princess Kitana, and the famous actor, Johnny Cage." she reminded him of his original title. Chuckling at it, Johnny rubbed the back of his head. "Well... former actor actually... I left that life right after I joined the tournament..." he explained to her. Celestia turned to Liu Kang to ask first. "Tell me Liu Kang, what has become of my dear Raiden...?" she asked him Surprised of hearing this, Johnny couldn't help but interrupt. "Hold it, your dear Raiden...? You mean you and he are...?" he asked and received a silent nod from her. His jaw literally dropped to the ground, showing just how shocked he was from knowing it. "Wow... Raiden having a girlfriend...? Seriously, what's he got that I don't...?" he asked. "Godlike power...?" Liu Kang stated. "A personality that doesn't feel at all like sandpaper?" Rainbow added to it with a smirk. Johnny could only give them a deadpan expression from hearing it. "Jerks..." he muttered. Suddenly the doors behind him slammed open catching his attention, he turned only to see a bloodied nose Blueblood. Giving him a deadpan stare, he sighed in response to his entrance. "You again...? Haven't you had enough misery for one day...?" he asked. Panting in anger and frustration, Blueblood glared at him. "You... miserable, insufferable, little retch! How dare you hit me leaving me bleed!" he exclaimed. Celestia looked to Cage surprised, Johnny only shrugged his shoulders in response. "Hey, you deserved it pal... most of all, you disrespected me, my friends... even disrespected those who were kind enough to escort us here. If anyone is what you described me as, you're the leading definition you hypocrite!" he said to the unicorn with a glare. "I couldn't agree more darling..." said Rarity as she stepped up. "Now you best leave because we're in the middle of a very important-" before she could finished her sentence, Blueblood slapped her to silence her. This caused the rest of the mane six and the protectors to gasp in shock, Blueblood stood over her glaring. "You keep quiet you annoying, nuisance of a commoner, you have not right to speak to me, nor do you have a right to be in my pre-" Blueblood's sentence was cut short, when Johnny shadow kicked him away from Rarity before he could land another hit against her. Rarity witnessed what had happened, and looked to the former action hero who stood between her and Blueblood. True he was a stranger in this realm, but he went out of his way to defend her honor. Johnny glared at Blueblood for what he did. "You know... I've seen a lot of jerks where I'm from, in fact people mostly think my tricks are just wires and special effects. But let me tell you, I am the special effects..." he said to him as he took a stance. Roaring out in anger, Blueblood charged at him to hurt him. But Johnny managed to block his attacks knowing he is a complete amateur when it comes to fighting. "I have had it with you, you are going to die here like the dog you are!" he threatened him as he tried to land an attack on him. But Johnny had a plan to make sure the enraged unicorn doesn't get up. He dodged a right hook from him, swung his left landing an uppercut to Blueblood's chin knocking out some of his teeth. He threw a couple of jabs at his rib cage fracturing them, and he performed the splits, and punched him straight in the groin. Causing him to go stiff as a board, the mane six winced from seeing it happen as Johnny stood up on his hooves. "I give myself a ten for style on that one." he smirked at him as he pushed Blueblood seeing him fall to the ground, seeing him groan in pain. "You should probably put some ice on that..." "While I do not approve of violence in my lands, for you to defend one of my subjects is very much appreciated..." Celestia walked up and smiled at him. "And I thank you for that Mr. Cage..." Johnny let out a chuckle. "It was nothing really..." he said to her. "Don't be silly..." Fluttershy approached him. "You defended Rarity from Blueblood's abuse, that qualifies as a very good deed." she said to him. "And I for one, am grateful of what you have done for me..." Rarity said to him and kissed his cheek as a show of gratitude. His face turned bright red from what she gave him, but Johnny still had his heart set on a certain Special Forces leader. Meanwhile, Twilight approached Celestia as they looked to Blueblood. "What will be done with him...?" she asked the Sun Princess. Scowling at her nephew, she was disgusted with the way he mistreated subjects. "Starting as of today, he is officially stripped of his royal title, and will be taken to the Canterlot Dungeon." she said to her as two guards grabbed Blueblood and dragged him away to the dungeon to get locked up. She then turned her attention to Liu Kang. "Now then, as you were saying before certain interruptions...?" At that time, Liu Kang explained all that had happened... the return of Onaga, Raiden's sacrifice and resurrection into Dark Raiden, and the events of Armageddon. This left Celestia... heartbroken of what had happened. "It... cannot be..." her tears began running down her face. Seeing it happen, Liu Kang lowered his gaze seeing the sadness in her eyes. "I am truly sorry Princess Celestia..." he said to her and looked to her. "Then after that happened, we ended up here... in Equestria... how, we are not certain..." "That is what we've all been wondering, how did they come here if they already died...? And isn't Liu here supposed to be a zombie...?" Pinkie asked the most obvious question. Celestia cleaned her tears and looked to them. "Before your death Liu Kang... Raiden returned to Equestria to see me after defeating Shinnok. To tell me of how he became one of the Elder Gods, it would have meant that he wouldn't be able to see me as often as he could originally. So I made him this..." she used her magic to show an astral form of the amulet she gave Raiden. "So that he would always remember me... and if anything were to happen to his comrades, he would use this amulet to transport their souls to Equestria, to be reborn and start a new life." she explained to them as everything became clear. Liu Kang looked to his comrades finally understanding what happened. "That explains everything... that's why Raiden sent us here so that we may survive..." he said to them. "But what do you think has become of Raiden...?" Kitana asked. "I'm wondering the same thing, if he managed to transport your souls here... its possible he may still be alive." Twilight suggested them as she approached. "I mean this Shao Kahn must be keeping him alive..." Applejack thought it through for a moment and started to figure it out. "If Shao Kahn is keeping him alive, he's gonna try and find out where Raiden sent them..." she said to them. Right on cue, Flash Sentry rushed into the throne room in a panic. "Princess Celestia, strange ponies are attacking Canterlot, the west entrance!" he said to her alarmed. "These ponies, what do they look like...?" Liu asked him. "They have sharp fangs, and have blades coming out of their arms." Flash described them. Liu's eyes widen realizing what they were. "The Tarkatan Horde!" he exclaimed. "Tarka-what now...?" Applejack asked in confusion. "Big, ugly, monstrous humanoid creatures with a craving for flesh..." Johnny explained like they were in the middle of a horror flick. "If they are here, then so is Baraka..." said Kitana as she looked to the others. Rainbow Dash looked to them feeling eager. "Well what are we waiting for? We have to stop them!" she was about to fly out, but Twilight used her magic to stop her from going. "What the...?! Twilight what gives?!" she asked her trying to break free. "We've never faced anything like this Rainbow, the only ones who can handle these creatures are Liu Kang and his friends." Twilight explained to her knowing that they were not fully prepared, fighting wise. She then turned to the protectors knowing what to do. "We will help evacuate the civilians, you handle the horde." she said to them. Nodding to her, Liu Kang looked the others. "We must hurry..." he rushed outside with the others to stop the horde as Twilight and her friends rushed to evacuate the civilians. Within the streets, Baraka and his horde of Tarkatan's attacked everything in sight. He looked like an Earth Pony, but his sharp fangs, and bladed arms are what made him and his kind different from the normal Earth Ponies. He cackled despite how different he looked. "Yes... flee little equines, flee for your lives... there is no where for you to hide...!" he snarled but soon heard some of his Tarkatan being taken down. He saw it was Liu Kang, Kitana, and Johnny Cage taking out his Horde. Cage looked to where he was, and glared at the Tarkatan Leader. "Liu, I'll take care of Baraka, you and Kitana hold off his soldiers!" he ran off the face him alone. Seeing this, Rainbow Dash rushed to a rooftop to watch the fight. Fluttershy noticed it and flew to where she was. "Rainbow Dash, you're supposed to be helping with the evacuation..." she said to her. "I handled my end, I gotta see how this plays out." Rainbow said to her as she watched Cage go for Baraka. Fluttershy looked to where he was and decided to watch as well. Grinning at Cage's approach, Baraka extended his blades from his arms. Sharpening them as he prepared for kombat. "So it is true... you have come back from the dead..." he said to cage as he sported his fanged grin. "And I see you've gone through a face lift Baraka...it suits you." Johnny mocked him knowing he was getting on his bad side. Baraka glared at him retracting his blades. "I'm going to enjoy picking your bones clean!" he threatened him. He charged at him going for a strike, but Cage blocked his attacks to keep him from sticking his blades into him. Baraka extended his blades and went to chop his head off, but Cage ducked down and pulled a backflip, kicking Baraka in the face. "Wow! I know he and I got off on the wrong hoof, but he is awesome!" said Rainbow as she watched the fight. Baraka scraped his blades together, shooting a shard towards Cage. Only to miss as Cage dodged it throwing a force ball at Baraka landing it against his face. "Man, how does he do those tricks...?" she wondered. "I don't know... but like he and Liu Kang explained, they all have unique abilities. So its probably natural for anyone to show rather unusual skills that are beyond Equestria's knowledge." Fluttershy said to her and looked to the fight. Cage dodged a lethal bite from Baraka, and dodged his blades getting behind him. Baraka turned to him only to get elbowed in the face feeling his muzzle crack, Cage get behind him and struck the Tarkatan leader in the neck, fracturing his spine. Baraka shrieked from it and backed away from him, he shook his head and shot a menacing glare at Cage. "How can you still be so strong even in this form?!!" he asked demanding to know. "Hey, I'm at a loss here myself... but one things for certain, you go and hurt these innocent ponies...? You're sure as hell gonna answer to me." Johnny said to him. Baraka only snarled in response extending his blades, and charged at him to cut him to pieces. But Cage grinned as he kicked a rock to his face landing it straight into his mouth. "Bullseye!" he cheered and did a back spin kick against the rock in Baraka's mouth, knocking out a few teeth in the process. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy winced from what happened. "Boy, tooth fairies gonna love this guy..." said Rainbow Dash as she saw most of the teeth that Baraka lost. Cage chuckled bit. "Sorry Baraka... but looks like you're gonna get your boney butt back to Outworld." he said to him unaware that a Tarkatan soldier was right behind him. Reacting immediately, Rainbow Dash charged at the Tarkatan and kicked it square in the face, sending it flying towards a building. Cage saw it slam into a wall, and turned to Rainbow Dash surprised. "Shouldn't you be handling the evacuation..?" he asked her. "Relax JC, its all taken care of." Rainbow replied crossing her hooves. "Besides, you almost lost your head there." she reminded him earning a deadpanned look from Cage. He soon turned his attention to Baraka, who fled with the rest of his horde, back to Outworld. "Looks like they're high tailing it out of here..." he said as the portal closed. Cage turned to Liu and walked over to him to get a head count. "Anyone hurt...?" he asked. "Some of the civilians were injured, but no sign of any fatalities." Liu said to him. Suddenly Pinkie appeared out of no where, surprising them to no end. "You guys were amazing! The way you fought those monsters, you were like WAH!!! And you were like HIYAH!!! It was the most amazing thing I've ever seen in my life!" she cried out in excitment. "I doubt this is all over..." Twilight said to them as she approached. "Because if Shao Kahn found Equestria, it's likely he will stop at nothing until it is conquered." "My student is correct..." Celestia appeared before them. "This attack may only be a warning of battles yet to come... any Equestria needs defenders that know how to face the threat we're facing. I know that I may be asking much of you, but will you help protect my realm, and all who live in it...?" she asked the protectors if they will accept this task. The former Earthrealm Protectors looked to each other, they knew that the ponies of Equestria couldn't defend themselves against a foe that wasn't of their realm. Liu turned to Celestia knowing it was important to her, and he knew Raiden would want that more than anything. "We will... in honor of our Lord Raiden, we will fight to defend your realm." he said to her. "But we cannot do it alone... our comrades are out there somewhere." Kitana reminded them. "And you will have us by your side to find them." Twilight said to them as she smield along with her friends. Squeeling in excitement, Pinkie could hardly contain herself. "I'm so excited!" she cried out. "But if we are to face the forces of Outworld, we're going to need to learn how to fight them. And we know just the fella's to help us with that..." Applejack pointed out to the defenders, knowing they had the skills to teach them. Nodding to the Mane Six, the Protectors looked out to the land of Equestria... knowing that they will be in for an adventure of a life time. But questions still remaind in their hearts, will they find their remaining comrades...? And will they be able to save Raiden from the evil Emperor.