MORTAL KOMBAT: Reptile

By: Jaime Leal

Reptile crept invisibly amongst the silent trees of the forest, the light purple sky of Outworld swirling ominously above him. The early morning wind blew, swaying Reptile's invisibly green ninja suit gently. It was too early for the trees to wake yet. Reptile continued to trek quietly, searching for the spot Shao Kahn had ordered him to discover. Dead leaves crumpled beneath Reptile's soft boots as he began to approach a small clearing.

Withered and decaying trunks lay ruined among the floor. The ground, like the sky, was a light purple color. It has to be here, Reptile thought as he stepped into the center of the area. He hissed, his tongue flickering beneath his mask. The taste of the air was putrid. He was not alone. Something or someone had followed him here. Quietly, Reptile moved to the nearest tree on the floor. He crouched behind the trunk, his back pressed against it. Reptile's invisibility faded. He hissed the air again. The taste had grown stronger. Something was definitely around him and it wasn't human.

``Whosssss here?'' Reptile hissed loudly. Everything remained silent. Reptile stood from his spot and slowly began to walk around the clearing. He noticed a thin layer of smoke drifting across the ground.

``What are you?'' Reptile asked as the smoke began to cloud around his feet. The gray vapor began to pile upwards taking shape in front of Reptile. The ninja watched as the smoke vanished and in its place stood a silver robot. Reptile glared at the inert figure. He extended his arm forward, his clawed fingertips nearly brushing against the robot's mask. Immediately, its robotic hand shot up and gripped Reptile's wrist, pressing its fingers into his skin painfully.

``What are you?'' Reptile painfully uttered as he struggled to pull his wrist away from the robot's death grip.

``Smoke,'' answered the robot as it reeled Reptile closer. Smoke's fist smashed into Reptile's jaw, sending the ninja to the floor. Reptile could feel warm green blood trickling down his lip. Reptile stood and stared at Smoke. The robot was in its fighting stance, ready to go.

``Very well then,'' Reptile hissed as he lowered himself into his fighting stance. Smoke charged towards Reptile, his fist ready for another punch. Reptile sneered before disappearing from the robot's view. Smoke stopped in his stride, confused, as he scoured the area for the ninja.

``Can't fight what you can't seeeeeeee,'' Reptile's voice taunted from the clearing.

``Coward!'' Smoke's low robotic voice exclaimed. Taking his chance, Reptile slithered up from behind. Reptile balled his fist tightly before plunging it into the back of the robot. Smoke tumbled forward, his body writhing on the floor. Reptile appeared before the robot.

``I am not a coward. I am a fighter, a winner. You are a loserrrrr,'' Reptile sneered, ``A dead loserrrr.''

Fighting back the pain, Smoke swung his legs in an arc, his back rotating against the purple floor. Both of Smoke's feet quickly tackled Reptile's calves, hurtling him to the ground. The robot quickly jumped to his feet and flipped into the air above Reptile. He was on top of the ninja before he even had time to react. Smokes hand was clenched tightly against Reptile's outfit as his other hand slammed repeatedly into Reptile's face. Blood oozed from the reptilian nose and mouth as Smoke continued pounding into Reptile's face. Using whatever energy remained in him, Reptile launched his leg upwards, his foot connecting into the back of Smoke's mask. Pain whirled into the robot's head as it toppled forward off of Reptile. Reptile staggered to his feet, his vision a blur as his head twirled, dizzy. I will not survive if the robot hits me one more time, Reptile told himself. He needed a quick distraction, an easy escape.

Reptile quickly pulled down his mask, showing his battered nose and mouth. Acid began to generate on his tongue as he took aim on the rising robot. Reptile's body tensed as he readied himself to spit the acid.

Smoke stood, his feet firmly rooted to the floor as he turned to face the ninja and finish him once and for all. If he failed, it would mean death at the hands of the Reptile or at the Lin Kuei's.

Reptile exhaled, his mouth open. The acid flew directly at Smoke. A loud cry emanated from the robot as the acid struck the front of his mask. Using the last of strength, Reptile summoned the last of his strength to coat himself in invisibility before crawling off. Shao Kahn's item will have to wait, Reptile said to himself as he disappeared from the forest.

Smoke's cries of pain dissipated as the trees from the Living Forest came to life with groans and yawns.

Author : MALEAL

Creation date: 2011-4-10-45

Modification date: 2011-4-10-45