"In the flesh! Global martial arts ICON and Malibu's finest!", pearly white teeth lit up as his lips curled into a slick smirk. "Be a dear and look into the camera. Ho-ly shit! My fans are gonna love a (Y/G) like you. Perfect protagonist to a new franchise."

Confused but also humoured, you threw a glance to the other three men.

Emotions were clearly visible on all their faces. They ranged from confusion to amusement and an annoyed shake of the head.

The Japanese man seemed to be particularly disliking him, or at least tired of his manner.

You noticed a sword on his back. Curiously, you stretched your neck to have a better look at it. He seemed to notice your gaze, his hand lifted to close his fingers around the hilt.

"Hm?", a sound of astonishment escaped your lips. "Yakuza."

He actually had the faces of demons tattooed on the back of his hand. Colourful images crept up the sleeves of his suit.

"Hey, here comes the music.", Johnny stepped back into your field of vision, still phone in hand. "The uniform looks really unique. What do you think of a fighting monk with supernatural powers? I'm thinking warrior monk. Just a working title."

Smiling, you close your fingers around his mobile phone and gently force him to lower it. Your palm covered the camera.

"You do realise that everyone here wears them, right?", you ask with a mischievous grin. "So do you. In less than an hour."

Cold realisation hit Johnny's face. His eyes widened. Curling his lips thoughtfully, he pushed the mobile phone back into his pocket and looked over at the other men.

"No exceptions?", he asked in your direction. "I prefer silk, really. No scratchy collars."

You shrugged.

"Didn't try to start a war to find out. The monks like unity."

His brown eyes fell on the others again. Then he sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Won't hurt some of us.", he said, earning a contemptuous snort from the Japanese.

Chewing on your cheek, you looked him up and down.

He was dressed like a man who wanted to look like he had a lot of money but really didn't have as much as he wanted others to believe.

Of course, it wasn't as if he had little. He was Johnny Cage and despite his somewhat exaggerated self-description, you had to admit that he was probably richer than you would ever be. Just not as rich as he'd like to be.

"Yeahhh, it won't hurt SOME people.", you huffed and turned to Liu Kang.

The god of fire had mostly stayed out of the situation, but it seemed like everyone present knew him.

The only problem was that you didn't know any of the others. You cleared your throat promptly.

Glowing white eyes met yours. One eyebrow raised.

Raising your shoulders, you tried to give him a silent push. But he didn't understand. Sometimes Liu Kang was no more human than the eyes that glowed in his head.

"How about a round of introductions?", you asked sarcastically. "Anonymous champions of Earthrealm or something? A list of names at least? Some tags?"

"I'd appreciate that too.", one of the men tested ahead and bowed his head respectfully.

He had a nice face, almost a little childlike with an expression that seemed as if he was incapable of being evil.

Black hair was tied into a plait at the back of his head. A blue ribbon held the strands together.

"A good role model.", Liu Kang nodded with satisfaction and motioned for him to come forward. "Your courtesy is welcome, Raiden."

A gleam of pride lit up in the man's eyes. He smiled, warm and innocent. His brown eyes fell on you and he smiled again. As usual, he greeted you with a fist pressed against the palm of his hand.

You returned the gesture.

"(Y/N).", you introduced yourself with a glance at everyone. "I suppose the honour is mine. I'll show you all the good places if you want to sleep through the lessons."

Liu Kang curled his lips a little sourly at the statement.

"Takahashi Kenshi.", the Japanese man made no attempt to return the monks' gesture of respect, but he bowed.

A bit cold, you thought to yourself, but nodded in agreement.

"Call me Kung Lao.", the third man introduced himself.

He had a certain resemblance to Raiden, but his hair was lighter, more of a brown colour and tied into a ponytail in the back of his head.

He also had that look on his face. Self-confidence, he would probably have called it. You would have said an overestimation of himself.

But you weren't actually allowed to be amused by that. You weren't much different in that respect.

Satisfied with the good selection of new arrivals, you crossed your arms in front of your chest and laughed. Perhaps your time at the fire temple could be sweetened after all.

"I'm glad to have new colleagues.", your gaze travelled over every face. "You came just in time. I've already beaten all the monks anyway. I hope you're tough."

"I've never been defeated!", Kung Lao grinned. "At least not by Raiden."

"Hey!", Raiden frowned in offence.

"Ha!", Johnny raised his chin in challenge to meet your eyes. "Nobody can handle this much boom."

He pointed at himself. In that split second you noticed a ring on his finger. Actually, it was hard to miss since it was large enough to leave a stamp on a forehead if used with enough force.

"I'll take that as a challenge.", you purred and winked in his direction.

"Enough already.", Liu Kang approached you.

You could smell the ash on your skin and hear the fire crackling in your ears.

"Alright.", you sighed and stretched your back. "Enough chit chat. Fun's over, gentlemen. From now on it will be learning and lectures. Many lectures. Just trust me on that one."

"Maybe you would not have to be lectured so much if you would learn from your mistakes instead.", Liu Kang remarked drily.

A snort escaped you.

"Mistakes? I wouldn't call it that. Let's go with happy little accidents instead. Has a better ring to it.", with a smirk, you bowed and rushed off before he summoned the flames again.

You've had the pleasure once before. The hairs on your arms still hadn't grown back.