"Hey, you asked who wanted a fight.", Kung Lao complained as he gestured towards the training course that stretched out before the group. "This looks like more training."

With a smirk you crossed your arms in front of your chest and shrugged.

"Scared already?", you asked with your chin raised.

A breeze danced across the surface of the silent lake and made small waves tremble. Koi fish hushed away as the shadow of Raiden darkened the surface.

"I'm no one to complain but he's right.", the agreed with Kung Lao. "You asked for a fight."

"Seriously, I was ready to throw hands.", Johnny agreed with a slight impatience on his face.

Only Kenshi remained silent. His eyes were on you, he expected an explanation before he'd start to criticise. Satirised, you smirked slightly. Perhaps he could turn out to be a powerful ally.

"Easy, gentlemen. Let me explain.", you pointed at one of the many wooden statues that reached out of the water. "See those. These will be our arena."

Confused, Raiden frowned. Or maybe it was more concern.

"Those barely have enough space to set foot on.", he said.

"Exactly. Makes it a challenge."

"Elaborate.", Johnny demanded.

With both hands raised you did a gesture, asking for their patience. The sound of flowing water filled your ears as you set foot to the edge of the pond.

Your eyes wandered across the wooden statues.

A horse, a fish, a dragon that offered enough space for two people to stay safe on and a turtle. All of these were sturdy but tricky to navigate around.

"By the monks teaching, a good worrier is one in mind and spirit.", you couldn't tell how long you had wanted to say this line. "Your body is only as good as your mind is sharp."

"We've been here for two hot seconds, kitten.", Johnny noted with one eyebrow raised, both hands on his hips. "Speak English."

Showing him your tongue, you teased him before going on.

"Alright. Let's make this clear then. We'll beat each other while balancing on these. If you fall off, slip, get throw into the water, you out. Last one standing wins."

"Alright!", a fire lit up inside Kung Lao's eyes. "I've never lost. Not against Raiden, at least."

"Hey...", slightly sour, Raiden frowned. "But how are we going to do that? Those statues aren't big enough to fight on."

"No.", you agreed with a finger raised and the voice of a teacher. "They are just to save your ass. Fighting is up there."

You pointed into the sky.

Irritated, everyone frowned.

"You want us to fly?", Kenshi asked, head tilted.

A groan of frustration made you roll your eyes.

"Yeah, sure. We'll all just grow wings and fly away. Like fucking Swan Lake or whatever. Dunno, haven't watched it."

"It's a ballet.", Kenshi said as if you had insulted his entire heritage.

"Weird that you know that.", you noted with a gesture and turned back to the actual topic at hand. "Anyways. All you gotta do is stay on one of these statues. Above water. You can jump from one to another. Goal is to get rid of everyone and come out at the top. Easy?"

"Easy.", Johnny agreed and tightened the bandages on his hands. "I'm calling' shots on the fish. Legends say they bring good fortune."

"Luck.", Kung Lao corrected drily. "Not that I expect you to know."

"Whatcha mean?", offended, the movie star threw his hands into the air.

His gaze wandered from Raiden to Kenshi. Both just shrugged, trying to suppress the smirks that tugged at their lips.

"Hate to disappoint but we'll do this by coincidence.", you pulled an old coin of gold from your pocket. "Heads or tails."

"Heads.", Raiden and Johnny said.

You flipped. It landed on tails.

"Kenshi and Raiden got the choice.", you said with a shrug. "The honour is all yours."

Quickly, the two exchanged a glance, nodded at each other and then dropped their shoes. You couldn't help but chuckle slightly as they started to set foot into the chilly water.

"What are you doing?", you asked.

"Getting to the statues.", Kenshi replied.

He was already hip deep in water. Lilies hugged his legs. It must have been cold and unpleasant to feel the water soak into his uniform.

"You know, a good jump would have done the job.", you said.

Kenshi threw a glance over to the statures. It was far but not far enough to consider it inhumane. As a champion of Liu Kang it could have been considered a stones throw.

"No one can jump this far.", Raiden was already at the turtle and pulled himself up.

"That's what you say now.", you yelled over to him. "You'll get there."

"Look, I'd consider myself athletic but even I wouldn't dare make such a statement.", Johnny said but stopped himself to think for a moment.

He seemed like he seriously considered giving it a shot. Maybe it was just too much confidence that came from delusion but for a brief second he seriously seemed like he wanted to give it a try.

"How about a demonstration then?", you faced him with your chin raised.

"You wouldn't.", he smirked but there was a hint of doubt sensible in him.

"Watch.", swiftly, you turned on your heel and walked up to the edge of the pond.

Your legs bend, calves tensed. Your fingers brushed the ground for a brief moment, allowing you to gather some strength.

Pressure build up below you.

And as you jumped, that pressure pushed you up into the air. A breeze made your collar tremble, chased through your hair and made it all messy.

With your feet up front you aimed for the head of the horse. Fingers dug into the old wood. Muscles tensed.

Your soles found something solid to stand on again.

A deep breath filled your lungs and pride washed over you as your gaze rose to look at the others.

Starstruck, they all stared at you. Even Johnny was at a loss for words. His mouth was wide open. Just like his eyes.

"Does that come with being an Earthrealm champion?", he asked with a yell.

"If you try escaping the monks hard enough!", you yelled back. "Now get going. We don't got all day. Let's fight!"