assassinnovice

[assassinnovice]

Thought process

So i did a think, something i haven't brought myself to do in a long while.

I have this dragon Age Veil guard idea that's been racking at my brain and I wanted to share it will all of you. Let me know what you think, if I should proceed or trash it, but I like this idea. So here you go:

Name: Maya Lavellan (Former: Manar’Menyhert)

Age: 38 (28 before the explosion of the conclave)

Hair: Moon white

Eyes: Ocean Blue

Height: 5’ 6 1/2”

Weight: 128 lb

Preference: Magic and staff, Rift Mage

Titles:

The Keeper’s First.

Spy of Clan Lavellan.

Murder of Divine Justina.

Knife ear.

Heretic.

Dalish monger.

Inquisitor.

Belle of the Ball.

Liberator.

Dread Wolf’s lover

Mythal’s blood.

The Anointed.

Friend of the Stone.

She who was reborn.

Goddess of Hope.

Lady of Vengeance.

Past Live: Manar remembers how Mythal shaped her spirit form, treating her like a daughter, young, wild, and innocent. Manar was doted on my her mother, teaching her the secrets of what they are and what they could be and do.

But her visit of the Waking world, the Titans’ world changed everything, seeing how they were and what they can do. Manar was in awe of Titans and learned more from them.

Questions upon questions did she ask and the Titans were amused by the young spirit’s curiosity.

And when their permission, she gained a physical body. A body that match how her spirit looked. Stunning, beautiful, like a star that choose to walk among mortals.

It took time to gain an understanding of her mortal body, but thanks to the Titans’ help. She learned, and with her learning. She was gifted with their power. Their dreams.

Understanding their power and responsibility of what they do. Connection and forming the world with her mind, dream-scraping. She called it.

How the others Titans were not amused with her choice of words, but she loved it nonetheless. Which allowed her to form a bond with a High Dragon Queen and her days of learning to walk and live like a mortal only grew

But her days of bliss were short lived as her mother and the rest of her people were taking what wasn’t theirs.

That lead to a war between the Spirits and the Titans.

She still remembers how the ground shook and fire rained from the heavens. Seeing her people falling and the titans destroying everything in their wake.

She fight with the Titans in the hopes of regaining what they lost, but also wanted there to be peace between the two factions.

But watching her mother’s lover, severed the Titans’ ability to dream, it shook her to her core. To take away someone will to dream. It was a punishment crueler than death.

And to watch Elgar’nan declares himself a God and her mother stand at his side, it brought an anger that burned.

She was imprisoned for her crimes against the people, but not before she sent friend away, to stay hidden from her people, knowing their cruel knows no bounds.

Her mother tried to connected to her and convince her to work alongside her people, but Manar was stubborn in her decision. Something she gained from her time with the titans.

She was desired by many for her beauty, even the other spirits grew jealous of her beauty and the power she wield.

Manar was humble from her experience in the waking world. For she pitied her people, always wanting more and it never being enough.

Seeing the High dragons were forcibly taken against their will and bounded to the Evanuris, that gave them their power and everlasting life.

She took it upon herself to bound the dragon queen to her and she to the dragon queen. Both grained everlasting life, but if one should die the others is doomed to follow.

The dragon queen was grained an elvan body and they both were hidden for centuries, in the hope of gaining strength and enough time to slip into The Dread Wolf’s Rebellion.

Both wore mask to keep their identities secret and thanks to looking almost alike, everyone was convinced they were just twins.

The sweet and innocent spirit died and the Rebel was born, The Lady of Revenge. But she stayed trued to her nature and gave hope to those that had none and knowing who she is would attract the attention of the many.

She concealed her face within a mask and set out to ruin the rule of her people that proclaimed themselves Gods. The Evanuris.

In the first few years, she proved a throne wedge deep into the Evanuris’ side, worse than the Dread Wolf. Fen’Heral. Who was curious about the young rebel and her sister.

Becoming a figure of affection to the Dread Wolf, Manar’Menyhert refused to let her heart be swayed by Solas’s kind and gentle words. Knowing he would pull something to hurt her once again.

But as the years past, Manar’Menyhert and Fen’Heral became close friends, The dragon queen, Gineviesia kept reminding her who took the Titans’ ability to dream, who destroy their world.

Manar knew better, but her heart continuously yearned for the Dread wolf’s affection. But her heart began to understand the true meaning of heartbreak, having a letter sent to her from her mother, warning her of the Envauris attempt at releasing the blighted dreams of the Titans.

Both conflicted and concerned for the twisted dreams of the titans and her strangled relationship with her mother. She took the warning and visited her mother.

Only to be stop and watched helplessly as her mother was murdered by the Evanuris she ruled by for centuries.

She remembers how she screamed for her mother, reaching for her, only to be pulled away from room and taken far away. How her heart cried for her mother, seeing her mortal body crumble and bleed out on the floor.

Her need for revenged was great, but it was the dragon queen that grounded her, keeping her from losing herself and what she was. Hope.

So they both joined forces with Fen’Heral once more and needed a plan to trap the Evanuris with the very blight they dare unleashed. Sneaking her way into the Great Library and finding a way to seal away the blight, but a price was to be paid for this spell.

A price she deliberately withheld from the Dread wolf and only ever shared with the Dragon Queen. Knowing what Manar was planning, but agreed, it was a price that needed to be paid. No matter the cost.

Fen’Heral was angered that Manar’Menyhert dare take such a risk, but she would not be talk to like a child and protected like a damsel in needing of recusing.

She always followed her purpose, to give hope and help those in need, never believed she needed to become a God, helping others and protecting the people was all that mattered to her.

It was what made Fen’Heral fall for her, but he never wanted to ruin the friendship he gain from their relationship, even worse, he knew her true identity but knew she never forgave him for what he did to the titans.

But when they were preparing the final, an ambush happened to both Manar and Gineviesia, both fought valiantly, but did not survive, wounding Manar as the same life threatening wound on Gineviesia, both would not make it and so Manar separated her soul and body scattering her to the far eaches of the earth, keeping her safe and hidden.

Solas watched helplessly as Manar was dying on his arms, she confessed her feelings to him, knowing they would never be returned, and she returned to her spirit form, only for Gilgah’nan to try and destroy her.

Solas stopped her, but it was too late, her spirit broke into three parts and scattered to the far ends.

One to the Titans

One to the Elves

And the last to the mortal to experience the mortal from the seeds of her scheme she planned in Solas’s ritual.

And she experienced many lives.

The first few not happy, most of slavery and Tevienter’s role, but came Anrasate and her attempt to rid the world of cruel rulers.

She followed in her name and fought for freedom, feeling that small piece of herself again.

The next few were of living a noble’s life. Of wealth and comforts. The cruel schemes and playing The Game.

It was a lot of fun, but to see spirit watch and observe over mortal, almost made her feel young again.

Her next was of the lower class, people who were spit at and look down on. But they always found ways to live and carry on.

Manar heart swelled with Hope, feeling almost whole once again, people. Her people, find way to endure and press forward.

Those it was not want she thought would happen, it was a better alternative. But she always missed her friends, family, and her own mother, even those her relationship to her was strangled, she was still her mother in the end.

Knowing her life was coming to a close, she hopes in her next life, she can make things right.

___________________

Reborn after a few decades, Manar’Menyhert was now Maya Lavellan, a young girl with a gifted power, a gentle nature with a fierce temper.

She survived child birth as her mother did not. Her father blamed her for her death, thus, leaving her with Clan Lavellan.

Hurt by her father’s abandonment, the Keeper cared for her like she was his own. Taught her how to control her magic and to always think on her feet.

And thanks to her brothers, she had a playful jokester trait, her lost for the dance grew into a passion of her, but her gentleness did not protect anyone from her fierce temper as she was protective of the people she cared about.

For years, she trained in harnessing her magic, being witty with shemlan traders, and always staying a step ahead of the people that think that can catch her.

But for all the years of having a loving and accepting family of her clan, Maya always felt that something was missing, like she was incomplete.

Always yearning to find what she lost. But little did she know that change was coming their way when the Keeper tasked her with spying on the conclave of the Shemlan gathering of their most holy…

[assassinnovice]

WARDROBE ∞ APPRECIATION Alicent Hightower ♡ (2.07)

[assassinnovice]

“May I please draw your OC?”

Reblog this message if you encourage anyone that wants to draw your OC to do so.  No need to ask for permission in advance.

Go for it.  Draw my OC.  If you want, I’ll even give you reference posts.  Go to town on it.

You are welcome to draw my OC and surprise me with the result.  Seriously.  In fact, I encourage it.  I will proudly display whatever it is you submit to me regarding my OC.  There is a chance that I will squeal about it for several days.

Even if you feel you aren’t good at whatever artistic adventure it is you do, please feel free to submit it to me.  I want to see what you have done.

[assassinnovice]

Seen "BLUE EYE SAMURAI" on Netflix yet?

It's a fantastic cartoon adult show on Netflix taking place in Japan of 1657. Of the show gets many reviews we rmsy just get a season ✌️. Go check ot out

[assassinnovice]

Chapter 15: Strong in Spirit

Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat, those rights belong to The Netherrealm Studio

Arriving at the scene of the powering tornado, Nightwolf and Luna shield their eyes at the winds, standing next to Sub-zero. "Go! Your soul is not safe!" Nightwolf warns him.

"But Ming...!" he shouts, looking over at the Persefoni as she chants her spell. "Don't worry, we'll keep her safe. Go!" Luna shouts at him.

Sub-zero looks at the two before him, he nods and quickly retreats from the rising soulnado.

Quan Chi grins as he looks at the two, "Earthrealm's fate is sealed, Nightwolf!" he calls out to them, Luna shoots a look over at Ming, her arms slowly raising as she is almost done.

"If we distract him, it may give Ming a chance to stop the soulnado," she whispers, he nods and they both look back at Quan Chi. "Not yet! We fight until the end!" he calls out and both take their stance.

Quan Chi pulls away from the spell and fires flaming skulls at them, they both jump out of the way. Luna charges forward, heading right for Quan Chi, she leaps at him, swinging her claws at him.

He barely misses as her claws scrap at his skin. He staggers back for a moment, only for Nightwolf to throw a tomahawk at him, it nails right into his shoulder.

Luna arches her back, digging her claws into the ground, charges forward, and jumps onto Quan Chi's back, digging her claws into his back. Making him cry out.

She leans in close, growling right into his ear, "I know what you did, Quan Chi. I know the truth." she snarls. He struggles in her grip.

Nightwolf sees his chance and charges forward, "How could you possibly know?" Quan Chi questions her, she flicks her eyes at Nightwolf as he charges.

She grins, "Your scent is not so easily forgotten." she whispers, then steps off his back, dragging his claws down his back, making him cry out as he staggers forward.

Nightwolf twists and slams his foot right into Quan Chi's chest. He staggers for a moment, then tries to charge his magic, Luna charges past and slashes her claws at his leg.

He cries out again, as he falls to a knee, Luna then stands over him, gripping the back of his head and repeatedly slamming her fist into her face.

Then pulls her hand back, gripping his harness, and forces him to his feet. Her eyes glowed golden as she glared at the sorcerer in front of her, blood trickling down his chin.

All the rage inside her said to rip him to shreds but she pulled away from those thoughts and swung him at Nightwolf, who caught him but the throat and slammed his shoulder right into him.

Luna slams her foot into his back and sends him right back at Nightwolf, who dodges, but summons his tomahawks and impales them into his back as Quan Chi cries out, staggering for a moment.

And slams his foot into the sorcerer's back as he skids forward, on the ground, knocked right out. The two lower their stance "Your time is over." Nightwolf declares to him

Luna looks over and flicks her eyes at Ming, her spell hand begins as the wind spirals around her. They looked at the soulnado dying down.

"It's working!" she calls out, but Nightwolf sees Saibot stand to his feet and charges at Ming. "Luna!" he calls out, she looks back and sees Saibot.

"Aw hell no!" she shouts, then pulls off her spear and thrusts it through the air. Ming completely concentrated on her spell as the spear flew right past her, brushing a lock of her hair as the blade pieces right into Saibot's shoulder.

He was knocked right off his feet and hit the ground, allowing the two to hurry as they stood protectively in front of Ming.

Saibot breaks off the body of the spear, allowing himself to stand and rip the head of the spear out, and glares at the two, throwing the spearhead at the ground.

"Keep him off Ming, the spell nearing completion," Luna informs him, Nightwolf looks at her and nods. Saibot charges at them and thrusts his fist.

Only for them to block and counter his attacks, pushing him away from Ming. The souls of the dead seep and pass through Ming's body, her power grows as the whirlwind that spirals around her grows more powerful than the soulnado, pulling the captured souls free as the color green fades into an innocent white.

Luna was kicked to the ground, she growls, looking up at Saibot, As he looms over her, he reels his fist back, going to finish her. But Nightwolf catches his arm and throws him right off her.

Saibot stumbles for a moment and looks at Nightwolf, who takes his stance and charges at him. Luna propped herself up but felt something brush at her hand. She looked and saw it was her spearhead as a soul pushed it towards her.

She nods at the soul and takes hold of the spearhead on the ground, standing to her feet, and marches towards the fight.

Nightwolf dodges Saibot's punches, keeping his wits about him as he throws out a kick. Saibot jumps back evading the kick, only to feel a cold blade pierce right into his side.

He cries out and looks over his shoulder, seeing Luna standing right behind him, she rips her blade from his side twirls around him, and slits his throat.

He staggers for a moment, gripping his throat. Luna then side-steps out of the way as Nightwolf came charging forward and slams his foot into Saibot, throwing him back as he was sucked into the Soulnado.

But step back and watch as he was pulled higher and higher from the ground. The very magic that created the soulnado turns pitch black as the souls inside were a white glow.

Both cast their eyes at Ming as she chants her spell louder, pulling her arms in close.

Luna looks around and sees the sorcerer summon a portal and begin to escape, "Quan Chi!" she cries out, going to chase him, but Nightwolf catches her arm, stopping her. "I will find you! No matter where you run, I will hunt you down to the end of the realms!" she declares as the Sorcerer is gone.

"Forget him, we have a bigger issue!" Nightwolf shouts, both looking back at the black soulnado as the souls were moving at a fate rate. "That's not good," Luna spoke.

"Get behind me!" Nightwolf shouts, and she does so as he pulls up a shield.

The souls collect close to her body and with a loud bellow, she thrust her arms out, the souls burst from her body as the soulnado burst. The two hunters braced themselves from the powerful wave that burst.

Everything was thrown, pulled apart by the blast of souls that burst from the wave. Nightwolf's barrier was broken as he was thrown back.

Luna quickly kneels to the ground, stabbing her blade into the dirt, and keeps herself ground as the wave presses at her, trying to throw her along with Nightwolf., but once the powerful burst calms and the souls begin to scatter to the winds, Luna raises her head and looks out as the desolated graveyard as nothing was left in its wake.

Luna shoots a look over at Nightwolf, who lies on the ground, retrieving her spearhead, she places it in her belt and shuffles to him. "Nightwolf, nightwolf!" Shaking his arm, he groans for a moment and flutters his eyes. "You all right?" she asks, pulling him to his feet.

He looks around at the graveyard and exhales, "Pilamaya." he says with a bowed head. Luna exhales as she shook her head, "Damn, that was one powerful spell." she mutters.

But realization hits both of them as they look over at Ming, seeing the souls hover and float close, Her hair is white as snow and her very eyes seep darkness into them, She staggers in her stance, feeling drained from performing a powerful spell, her hair and eyes began to fade to their original colors as she takes a step.

She shakes her head as she presses her hand to her temple. Luna sprints towards her, using her super speed, and catches Ming before she can fall to the ground. Nightwolf ran over and stood next to them.

"Are you all right?" Luna asks, Ming blinks for a moment, the backness seeps away from her eyes as she exhales. "Dizzy... but all right," she answers. "That spell must have taken much out of you," Nightwolf spoke.

Ming nods her head, resting it in the crook of Luna's shoulder, "Only the most powerful of the Persefoni can use this spell." she mutters, fluttering her eyes for a moment.

Luna looks up at Nightwolf, "Let's retreat to base and inform the others." she states, Nightwolf nods at her as she picks up Ming and holds her in her arms.

"Are you sure you can carry her?" he asks, Luna just smirks at her, "I'm stronger than I look," she assures him, he grins, bowing his head to her and they turn away, leaving the cemetery behind them.

~8~8~8~

The others were gathered at the altar, discussing the next form of attack "But how do we know? Raiden could be having visions of possible futures, not the future." Soyna points out.

"Sonya's right. Was I supposed to have my arms replaced with these? Or was it caused by interfering with the timeline?" Jaks spoke, backing her. "Interfere or not, Jackson Briggs. The loss of your arms was meant to happen. The problem being is that how your arms were gone has been a concern." Marina spoke up.

Jaks lowers his arms and sighs, "My head hurts just thinking about it." Johnny spoke as if it was all confusing. "This isn't helpful. We cannot second-guess our decisions." Kitana spoke, silencing the debate.

Then she looks to the thunder God, "Raiden, what are your thoughts?" she asks, but the thunder God is too preoccupied with his thoughts to even hear them.

Marina frowns at him, seeing the worry and doubt on his mind and she places her hand on his shoulder. He blinks for a moment and looks at the others as they look at him. "Yes, that is best," he answers.

Marina pulls her hand away and sighs, seeing he is still caught up in his visions. "Raiden's future self gave him these visions. In warning. Some we were able to stave off and some did not go as planned." she spoke.

The others looked to her, "But what we do know is this; Shao Kahn is attempting to come to Earth, merging it with Outworld in the hopes of ruling us. The rules of Mortal Kombat are the only thing keeping him from doing so." she informs them. "So, what you're saying is, Shao Kahn is trying to find a loophole that allows him to merge Earthrealm with Outworld, without breaking the rules," Johnny spoke up.

Marina looks at him and nods, "What is our next objective?" Sub-zero asks her, "Nightwolf, Luna!" Stryker calls out, everyone pulls away from the conversation as they look back at the two approaching warriors.

The cyborg notices Ming as her arm is held over Luna's shoulder as the hunter helps her walk. "Ming!" he calls out, heading over to them. "Nightwolf, Luna. What is the status of the Soulnado?" Marina asks them.

"It is done. Earthrealm's souls are safe." Nightwolf answers her, Marina smiles and bows her head to them. Sub-zero pulls Ming away from Luna and helps her walk the rest of the way. "Thank you," Sub-zero said to the hunter, who smiled and bowed her head.

Raiden pulls his amulet from his chest and looks out at the cracks, hoping they will heal themselves.

The cracks worsen, on the verge of breaking.

This takes the thunder God by surprise, "No! How is it not enough?!" he questions, slamming his hand onto the altar. Marina looked over and saw the new cracks that formed in the amulet as everyone was quiet and looking at the thunder god.

"I must speak with the Elder Gods. Shao Kahn's violation must be punished," he informs them. Marina just looks at him in shock."But the battle is joined here, in Earthrealm!" Liu Kang spoke up, "We cannot win without the Elder Gods." Raiden spoke as he placed the amulet back. "They won't help us, Raiden. The Elder Gods couldn't care less about us, let alone stop Shao Kahn's invasion." She tries to reason with him.

But he looked at her and gently took hold of her arm, "We must try." he tells her, Marina just frowns at him, wanting to say more, but saw he was determined to say his peace.

She sighs and nods her head, "But master--" Liu Kang tries to argue, "Liu Kang... Close as a shadow..." Johnny informs him. Marina sighs as she turns her head. "Nightwolf, you will lead until we return," Raiden informs him.

Nightwolf nods at him, "As you wish, Haokah." he answers, Raiden places his hand on Liu Kang's shoulder as Marina places hers on his. The Thunder God raises his arm high into the air and they vanish in a flash of light.

Ming exhales as she pulls her arm from Sub-zero's shoulder. "Are you all right?" he asks her, she presses her hand to her temple. "I'm okay. It was just a lot," she answers.

He nods, keeping his hand on her shoulder, "Well, now what?" standing here won't do us any good." Stryker informs them, but then Sub-zero sensors go off, alerting him. "Wait!" he spoke, moved his hand out, and looked out at the church around him.

"The Lin Kuei! They surround us!" he warns them, and right on cue, the cyber Lin Kuei appears around them. Luna reaches for her blade. "So much for standing around..." Stryker spoke up.

"Attack!" Nightwolf calls out and everyone charges forward and fights the invading Lin Kuei.

Nightwolf fought off Cyrax, having his swings blocked and immediately struck in the face, Nightwolf stumbles back for a moment, but catches himself and looks back at his opponent.

Both circle one another. "My speed and skill are beyond you." Cyrax declares lunges forward. But Nightwolf moved fast as he swung his tomahawk and slammed his shoulder into Cyrax, throwing him to the ground.

Cyrax pulls himself to his feet, but Nightwolf moves fast again, swinging his blades at the Cyborg and lunges forward, slamming his shoulder into the Cyborg again.

The cyborg was thrown to the ground again, but the Cyborg pulled himself to his feet and swung his fist, nailing Nightwolf in the face, He used his blades and swung at him, grazing Nightwolf's shoulder, The hunter stumbles back for a moment.

But he catches himself, reading his fist as Cyrax leaps at him, nailing him in the face again as he falls to the ground. Nightwolf pulls himself up, only to get caught in a Cybernet, he struggles in the bindings, luckily he breaks free at the late moment and summons thunder.

Striking Cyrax, Nightwolf charges forward, swinging his summoned weapons, and forces Cyrax to step back. Nightwolf continues to fight back against the Cyborg, keeping his wits about and his feet quick and light.

He swings his arm, forcing Cyrax to spin, Nightwolf summons his blades and slams them right into Cyvrax's back, cracking the shoulder blades.

The tomahawks vanish and he slams his foot right into Cyrax's back, cracking his back and making him fly forward. Sliding to the ground, Cyrax came to a stop, but he still forced himself to stand to his feet.

But as soon as he turns, Nightwolf comes flying towards him and slams his foot right into his face and Cyrax falls back onto the ground, done from the fight.

Nightwolf lowers his arms and frowns at the cyborg, "Mere speed and skill will not win this war, Cyrax." he declares to him.

Then looks out at the others fighting the Cyber Lin Kuei, They were holding their own, but Smoke and Ming were barely managing. Smoke became slow and weak from the fighting as his opponent was still a full strength. "You are weak, Smoke," Sektor spoke and slammed his palm into his chest, causing a blast to hit him and he went flying back, right off the stairs.

Ming staggers back for a moment, holding up her guard as her opponent is unrelenting. Nightwolf looks around and sees Luna swiping Lin Kuei's feet out from under them, then stabs her spearhead in the throat of the cyborg, causing it to shortcircuit "Luna!" he calls out.

She shoots a look over her shoulder, "Help Ming!" he calls out, She looks over at the Persefoni that was struggling as she was backed into a pillar.

She rips her blade right across the throat, severing the head from the body, and charges towards the Persefoni and her opponent.

"Do you now understand? The power of the Grand master's vision?" Sektor spoke as he loomed over him.

But Nightwolf summons a tomahawk and flung it at the cyborg, nailing him right into his chest, taking him by surprise and Setkor looks at him and stands ready.

"You are no match for the power of the Spirits," he informs him, marching forward, but Setkor leaps over, evading Nightwolf's punch. But the hunter summons his tomahawk and twists back, slicing at the cyborg.

Cutting through the metal. Setkor staggers for a moment and vanishes into a flicker of light, appearing behind the hunter, and slams his foot right into his back.

Setkor charges after him, only to be caught off guard as Nightwolf stops himself, catches Setkor's arm, and slams his knee right into his stomach plating, but he holds tightly onto Setkor's arm, reeling his arm back and slams his fist right into Setkor's chest plating.

The cyborg went flying, and Nightwolf gave chase, summoning both tomahawks, leaping after him, and slamming the blade right into his arm.

Setkor slams onto the ground, sliding back, but he reels his leg in close, pressing his foot into him right off. Nightwolf hits the ground but quickly pulls himself back to his feet.

Setkor flips back onto his and turns to the hunter, he fires his thrusters at him, sparking the flames, Nightwolf dodges the flames and slides towards him, shooting back to his feet as he grips Setkor's arm in the process.

But Setkor blocks his punches and slams his fist right into Nightwolf's stomach, taking him off guard and Stekor pulls his wrist free and slams it into Nightwolf's face. Cracking the bones he went flying back.

Nightwolf stumbles back onto the ground and lays there for a moment. Luna pulls her blade free from the cyborg that is attacking Ming.

The Persefoni exhaled, holding her side as she slid down the altar, The two shared a look, but Ming's sight was cast over Luna's shoulder. "Stekor..." she mutters.

Luna looks behind her, seeing Nightwolf propping himself up and Sektor stepping towards him with his blade shooting from his wrist. Snarling like an animal, Luna pulled her blade free, tossed it into the air caught the tip of the blade, and flung it at Setkor.

Right as he goes to finish Nightwolf, who pulls himself to his knee, he is caught off guard by a sudden weapon that is lodged in between his shoulder and arm.

He looks over at the blade and at the woman who flung the blade. Still, in a flinging position, Luna pants as she glares at the cyborg. "I'll flair you alive!" Sektor snarls.

But this gives Nightwolf enough time to collect himself stand to his feet and swing his fist, nailing Sektor right in the side of his face visor.

Sektor staggers for a moment as he turns away, Nightwolf notices the blade lodged between the shoulder and the arm. He steps forward, takes hold of the blade, and rips it out.

Sektor staggers again, gripping his arm, and looks back at the hunter that stood before him. "I am your opponent," he spoke, the blade twirled into a ready position.

The cyborg snarls as he stands ready, Sektor just charges at him, swinging his fists at him, but thanks to the blade in his hand, he blocks each attack.

Slamming his foot into his chest, Sektor stumbles back for a moment, seeing Nightwolf charge at him and thrust the blade right into Sektor's plating.

The cyborg staggers for a moment, slamming his elbow right under Sektor's chin, stunning his sensors, and staggering as he turns away, placing the blade away, he summons both of his tomahawks and slams them right into between the shoulder and arms, breaking the metal.

His weapons vanish then slams his foot right into Setkor's back, breaking the bones that remain inside.

Flying forward, Sektor hits the ground and is out from the impact, Nightwolf lowers his arms as he looks down at the cyborg before him. "Perhaps even you can be saved," he spoke.

One by one, the others make quick work of the cyber Lin Keui as they were now the only ones left standing. Ming exhales for a moment as she leans back against the altar.

Taking a moment to breath. Then a hand was presented to her and she looked up, seeing Luna tower over her with her hand offered. "You all right?" she asks.

Ming exhales and takes her hand as Luna pulls her back to her feet. "I'll live," she answers, leaning back against the altar. Nightwolf steps towards them and offers Luna her blade. "I thank you, my tribe sister," he spoke.

Luna smiles at him and takes her blade back. Kabal stood over Sub-zero as he was hacking his way into the Cyber Lin Kuei mainframe. Ming exhales as she pulls off the altar and looks at the dead bodies around them.

"How did the Lin Kuei find us so quickly?" she questions, stepping over one of the cyborgs. Smoke catches her arm and pulls her along. "Anything is possible," he informs her.

Luna went to throw out a rhetorical remark, but the hairs on the back of her neck stood still as she turned her head, catching an unusual smell.

Nightwolf turns to Kitana as she turns her head, sensing... something was off. "What is it?" he asks her, she doesn't answer but continues to look around, slowly recognizing the presence she was sensing.

"Mother..." she spoke, then a loud, ear-spitting scream, causing everyone to quickly cover their ears and stagger for a moment, Sub-zero creates an ice wall and blocks the sound from hitting them.

A few remained on their feet and looked at the only opponent that approached them.

It was Sindel, the former queen of Endeina and wife of Shao Kahn, "Come forward if you dare. I will finish what the Lin Kuei could not." she challenged them.

The Earthrealm fighters stood ready for the former queen that was risen from the dead. "Let's do this," Jak spoke as Nightwolf glared at the queen.

Luna snarls and charges toward, throwing her fist at the queen, Sindel dodges them, catching her arm, and slams her knee twice into her gut, Ming charges forward and swings at her, but Sindel catches her arm and headbutts her.

Powerful with a reach swing, almost fracturing her skull, she notices Luna's spearhead that was tucked in her belt. She twitch Ming's arm, almost breaking it and slams her fight into her back, making her stagger forward.

Sindel catches Luna's blade, slamming her foot right into her gut as she staggers away. Ming turns back and thrusts her foot out, but Sindel catches her foot, piercing her leg.

She cried out and was slashed at her collarbone and arm. The queen slams her first right into Ming and she goes flying back. "Ming!" Sub-zero calls out as she smacks into a pillar and hits the ground.

Her wounds keep her grounded, Sindel then turns to Luna, who charges back at her, swinging her arms in a motion, only for the queen to block her attack.

She blocks Luna's arms and stabs her right in the side of her gut. Luna gasps loudly, feeling the carved stone dig deep with each thrust, the queen's sick and twisted smile in her hallow eyes.

Sindel lets Luna go, the tribe wolf staggers back, holding her hand at her wound, and is kicked right into the chest, feeling her bones crack at the impact.

"Luna!" Nightwolf calls out, they all watch as she goes flying back, smacking into the pillar, feeling her spine almost impact at the hit, and falls to the ground.

The impact alone was enough to stun her, feeling her half-conscious, The fighters looked down at the two women as they were wounded and stunned.

Nightwolf glares at the queen, who laughs sadistically. "Attack!" he orders and they all charge in.

Nightwolf summons a tomahawk, only for Sindel to block his attack and throw powerful punches at him.

She dodges Johnny's swings, catches one arm slams her fist right into his face, and throws him to the ground.

The queen twists and slams her foot right into Kabal's face, knocking him to the ground, and slams her heel right into his chest. Killing him instantly.

She just laughs and looks at the charging cop, ducking from Stryker's swing and slamming her foot right into his knee. He cries out, falling to both knees, but she takes his face and slams her fist right into his face, killing him.

She lets the dead Stryker go and turns her attention to the rogue Lin Kuei, blocking his attacks and swinging at him.

Ming groans as she pushes herself up and looks at the others as they are fighting Sindel. Seeing Sub-zero get taken out by the queen. "Kaui Liang!!" she screams for him, seeing the sparking circuits from his person as he hits the ground.

Sindel blocks the colonel's metal arms, catching hold of them, and slams her heel into his throat. Killing him on contact.

She shoves him away and catches one of Smoke's legs and slams her right in between his. He drops to his knees with groans and Sindel catches hold of his neck and strangles him, snapping his neck.

She drops the dead Lin Kuei and slams her foot right into Sonya's face, knocking her right off her feet.

Jade catches at her, but Sindel catches her arm and slams her fist right into her face.

Kitana came charging in, but her mother dodged her attack and caught her by her throat, slammed her foot right into Jade's face, and shoved her daughter away.

She turns back to Jade, who was coughing from the attack but couldn't collect herself in time as Sindel lodges her fist right into her chest, making the young warrior gasp in shock.

Sindel rips out her heart, dropping Jade to the ground, she tosses the heart away and blocks her daughter's attacks.

She throws her powerful ones and knocks her daughter to the ground.

Slowly propping herself up, Sindel stood over her daughter who looked at her with pleading eyes. But Sindel was heartless to them, gripping her daughter's wrist, forcing her to her feet, and slamming her fist repeatably into her face.

Ming forcibly drags herself to the destroyed rogue Lin Kuei and looks down at him, horror sets in as she covers her mouth.

Sindel was completely ruthless with her daughter, kicking her right in the face, and sending her back to the ground, defeated, bruised, and bloodied.

Groaning in pain, Kitana rolls onto her front and forces herself to sit up. She looked at the woman before her, ready to kill her. "Mother, please!" she begs.

"I am no longer your mother." Sindel declares to her. "Mother, this is not your way. Shao Kahn has corrupted you!" Kitana tries to reason with her.

"Shao Kahn has resurrected me! You have betrayed him. Embraced a pathetic cause." she informs her, tears form in Kitana's bloodied eyes. "Remember Edenia, mother. Remember your rule before Shao Kahn's invasion!" she pleads to her mother, begging her to remember her life before.

But Sindel held her hand out, "Quiet, child. It is time for you to join your friends." she spoke and moved her other arm out, A magic orb radiated in her palm as Kitana stared at it with fear.

Then slowly her soul was being drawn into the orb, and she cried out, having no strength to fight her or pull back, Sindel did nothing but smile at this.

But one fighter remained as he limps towards them, "Mother!" Nightwolf calls out, dispelling her magic, Sindel turns to him as the magic around Kitana vanishes and she falls to the ground.

"Still alive? No matter." the queen spoke, Nightwolf shot a look over at Kitana and glared at the queen before him. "Soon you will reunite with your ancestors." she declares and takes her stance.

Nightwolf charges at her, swinging his arms at the queen. Sindel dodges each once. She swung her powerful fist at him, knocking him back.

He hits the ground but quickly collects himself flips back onto his feet, and summons his weapons. Sindel charges at him, and swings her fists, only to be blocked and Nightwolf slams his blade right into her ribcage.

Making her gasp out in shock as the blade vanishes and he slams his knee right into her wound, making her stagger back for a moment. And Nightwolf slams his fist right under her chin.

Knocking her off her feet. She smacks onto the ground but quickly rolls out of the way as Nightwolf slams his foot down, breaking the concrete.

She pulls back onto her feet and glares at the hunter who takes his stance, She was strong. Powerful. Each swing caused a painful ache. But Nightwolf pushed through his pain.

Summoning his weapons to fight back against the resurrected queen of Outworld. Trying to stay on his feet.

He tries to keep moving, trying to keep on his toes, but the power Shao Kahn gives his queen is overwhelming him at the moment, Nightwolf has the blessing of the spirits to give him strength.

He overcomes Sindel's skill and knocks her to the ground. "Now Sindel, face the judgment of the spirits." he declares. But she stood to her feet and just laughed.

Chanting in his native tongue, light radiated from his body, Sindel stood ready as he fired the power right at him.

Ming didn't even care as she gathered her lover in her arms, gently cupping his face, "Kaui Liang..." she muttered, the power flicking at his visor momentarily, slowly reaching for her. "Ming..." he mutters.

But the power begins to fail as his entire being shut down, the power dies as his hand drops to his side. Ming just sat, stunned as she just watched her lover die.

Soyna flutters her eyes and slowly turns her head, looking up at the ceiling of the church. "Raiden... Raiden, where are you?"

[assassinnovice]

Chapter 14: My Soul Is Still Mine

Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat, those rights belong to The Netherrealm Studio

It was dark. No recollection of anything. Just a calm quiet.

"That's it. Here goes nothing..."

A voice too static to make out as lights started to awaken him the lights turned out to be a start-up sequence.

"You are certain this will work?"

The images were static at first as he saw the system still repairing itself.

"Hell no! I've never done this before. It's not like there's a manual."

but in the midst of system repairs, something began to override Lin Kuei's control system, canceling the connection to the Lin Kuei database.

"Wait! I think he's waking up..."

As the system was repaired, Smoke leaned over and looked at the Lin Kuei cyborg that lay before everyone. "Sub-Zero? Can he hear me?" he asks, looking over at the person who hacked the systems.

"He should," Jaks answers him, and then Smoke looks back down at the cyborg. "Sub-Zero?" he asks again. The cyborg just looks up at him. He was scanning the face before him. "Yes, Smoke," he answers.

Smoke pulls away, "How do you feel?" he asks. Slowly, Sub-Zero sat up, processing everything that's happened. Some of Earthrelam's heroes were gathered around the cyborg.

He humphs, with a turn of his head. "What is it?" Smoke asks him, Sub-zero turns his head again, "I remember... the things I have done for Shoa Kahn..." he spoke, Smoke places his hand on his friend's shoulder. "He cannot be allowed to merge the realms," he warns them. "Kuai Liang..." a voice calls out to him.

He froze for a moment then looked over, seeing Kai Ming standing at the altar with her hands clutched at her chest. "Ming..." he spoke in awe, sliding off and standing before her.

His hands hover at her shoulder, but the memories are still strong as he begins to pull back, but she smiles and wraps her arms around him. "Thank the Mother, you're all right," she mutters into his chest plate.

Sub-Zero froze for a moment, but slowly he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to him. "I'm sorry for worrying you," he mutters, she sniffles. "Damn right, you did. You'll have to make it up to him," she grumbles, making him chuckle. "Whatever your desire, my love," he whispers to her.

Marina just smiles at the two momentarily then flicks her eyes at Raiden, "There must be a way to stop the merging of the two realms." she states, Nightwolf nods at her.

"Haokah, how can Sub-Zero best help us?" Nightwolf asks the thunder God. Who was frowning to himself, "I do not know. My attempts to alter future events have had negative consequences. Sub-Zero should never have undergone this transformation. Enlisting him may only further divert the flow of time." he answers him.

Marina shot a look over at Raiden, "When what can we do? We can't just sit around and wait for Shao Kahn to merge Outworld with Earthrealm." she informs him, and he casts a side glance at her. "We need intel, right? Let's send him back to Outworld undercover." Stryker spoke as Sub-Zero looked at him from his shoulder, "They will be unaware of my defection. I could deceive them." he agreed.

Ming pulls back and looks at him, "I could go with you, posing as a prisoner you caught." she adds, Sub-Zero flicks his eyes down at her, "No, Ming it's too dangerous." he tries to reason with her.

"Kaui Liang, look at what happened to you when we separated." she spoke, cupping his face in her hands, "I am not leaving your side ever again. We swore made a promise to protect one another, didn't we?" she questions him.

Sub-Zero just looks down at her and sighs, "Ming..." he tries again, "No. You won't talk me out of this." She snaps. Sub-Zero just looks at her, unable to crack a smile anymore, so just huffs a chuckle. "All right. We go together. So stay by my side." he informs her.

She pulls her hands back and nods at him, then looks at the others, "So, we are all in agreement?" she asks, Marina just smiles as she and Raiden exchange looks with the others.

~8~8~8~

The Tarkatans were gathered in the throne room as Sektor stood with Cyrax and Noob Saibot. "Earthrealm is finished. It will not be missed." Noob spoke as Sub-Zero steps through the portal, tugging a struggling Kai Ming with him.

"Very well. You will return." Sektor spoke as the others were dismissed. "Let me go! This isn't you!" she shouts, drawing the other's attention.

Sektor then looks back at the approaching Sub-Zero. "You report late. Where is the intruder?" he orders, flicking his glace at the struggling Kai Ming. "I killed him in Earthrealm, but I happened to find this one, trying to convince me of who I am," he answers.

Ming flicks her head up and glares at Sektor and lunges at him, only for Sub-Zero to hold her back and she was face to face with the leader of the cyber Ling Kuei.

"You fucking monster! When I get free, I'm going to rip your soul piece by piece. Rendering you into an empty husk of a machine and then I'll rip your damn head off!!" she snarls. Her eyes flare to pitch black and it extends to her the veins at her eyes.

Sektor wasn't fazed and looked back at Sub-Zero "The intruder should have been saved for interrogation." Sektor informs him. Sub-Zero yanks Ming back, "He was formidable. I had no choice. But lucky, she will prove useful." he spoke, tightening his grip on her wrists, making her yelp in pain.

Sektor just looks at the two, "Follow me. We must lead a new mission. Bring the Persefoni." he orders and walks back to the portal, Sub-Zero turns both of them and they look at Setkor.

Neither daring to say anything, Sub-zero follows him, tugging the Persefoni along with him.

~8~8~8~

A portal opens up in the subway and Sub-zero looks out the subway, pulling Ming with him, "What mission brings him here?" he asks him, Sektor just looks out at the subway, "I have scanned your neural net, Five-Two-Oh. Your neuromodulator has been recalibrated." he informs him, Sub-Zero and Ming flick their attention at him, "Impossible!" Sub-Zero stated as Ming controls her expression. "The experience has been deleted from your system. Remove your access panel." Setkor orders as he reaches out for Sub-Zero.

Ming glares as she slips through Sub-Zero's grip and shoots out a dark orb, throwing him back. Sektor slid back, holding his arms up in a guard, and came to a stop, throwing them down.

He looks at the two before him, seeing Sub-zero stand next to an angered and ready Kai Ming. "Your programming has been corrupted," he states, Sub-Zero steps forward as Ming follows suit. "My soul was corrupted. Now it is cleansed." he declares and takes his stance.

Sektor just glares at them and flicks his eyes over at Ming, "First you stab your husband and now you sever your ties with the Lin Kuei?" he questions her.

Ming glares at him, "I can't betray anyone if I was never committed and it was you who betrayed the ties of the Persefoni clan, Not I." She snarls as they both take their stance.

Kaui Liang held his arm out in front of Ming, She took a step back and he charged at Sektor, swinging his iced fists, knocking him back.

Ming stalks behind them, pacing as her eyes glare at Setkor and watching as both cyborgs keep low, firing their charged powers at them.

Sektor was good, fast, and robust, keeping one step ahead of Kaui Liang. Firing his flame throwers, Kaui Liang dodges the flames and fires an iceball at him, coating his arms in ice.

Ming charges forward and leaps in the air, slamming her foot right into Setkor's back, he goes flying and Kaui Liang jumps out of the way, watching as he crashes onto the ground.

Sektor pushes himself up, and Kaui Liang steps past him and stands in front of Ming—Setkor then turns and charges at them. Kaui Liang charges his fist and slams it right into Sektor's metal face, moving fast and suddenly.

Kaui Liang, or his given name, Sub-Zero, did not relent in his fight against the Cyber Lin Keui's grandmaster.

Ming jumps in, swift and sudden, keeping her feet light and her hands lighter, she disarms Setkor's flamethrowers and damages his chest plates.

She twists in the air, slams her leg right across his face, and Sub-Zero charges in, reeling his fist back and slamming it right into Setkor's chest plates.

Sending him flying back he crashes right into the steps, breaking them in, and lays limp on them. Both lower their stance, glaring at him. "Artificial enhancement is no substitute for the human soul." Sub-Zero snarls at him.

Ming steps forward and glares at him, "For Cyrax and my parents." she snarls. Sub-Zero places his hand on her shoulder, feeling the cold metal calm her as she takes a breath and breaths.

Then he looked at him and nodded. Sub-Zero pulls away and steps towards Setkor, opening his chest plates and bypassing the firewall. Downloading all the information that was stored in his database.

Ming walks up, looking at Sub-zero, watching as the information is being downloaded, his visor dims for a moment and he looks down at the grandmaster.

"Thank you, Sektor," he tells him, then looks up at Ming, seeing her standing before him. Pulling away from Setkor, he stood to his feet and wrapped his arms around her.

He was taken by surprise, but relaxed in his arms and allowed herself to exhale, "Do not leave my side, no matter what." he told her, she nodded at him and buried her face in his shoulder.

~8~8~8~

Standing in the clock tower, Kano with, Goro and Kintaro in the clocktower with prisoners gathered for the sacrifice.

Kano was having a blast torturing them with his laser eye. The two Shakons just laugh with amusement.

Both step through the door, keeping to the shadows as they see the prisoners and the three guarding them. "Oy! Run about, will ya!" Kano shouts.

Ming went stiff as she saw Kintaro, A rage filled her as she took a step forward, "Ming!" Sub-zero whispers as he takes hold of her arm. "That one Shokan there." She nudges her head to Kintaro.

Sub-zero looks at the Shokan, "He fought against Kung Lao, and Shoa Kahn snapped his neck when his back was turned." she snarls, Sub-zero just looks at her and nods, "We will deal with him, but be patient. Remember your mother's teachings." he tells her. Ming hesitated for a moment but reluctantly nodded at him.

Then they both step out, Ming pretending to struggle in his grip as he drags her forward. "Finally! I see you brought another, little miss soul lady." Kano laughs, and Ming snarls at him as she continues to 'pull' at Sub-zero's grip.

"C'mon, we gotta get 'em to the graveyard at Saint Dominic's. On your feet! All of you!" Kano orders, Ming flicks her eyes at Kintaro and glares at him.

"For what purpose?" Sub-zero questions as Kano just shrugs at him. "Don't care, really. So long as I get paid," he answers rubbing his two fingers together. "He said on your feet!" Kintaro snarls and Goro just thrusts his arms up.

"C'mon. Up," he orders them, but before they can move them, ice is fired, freezing them in their place. This surprises Kano as he looks back at Sub-zero. "Hey! What're y--" he shouts, but with a twist, Ming slams her foot right into his face, knocking him right out as he hits the ground.

The soldiers blinked for a moment as they looked up at the two, "I will help you." Sub-zero assures as he picks up the chain and freezes over, the soldiers gasp in surprise as the chains that held them are completely frozen.

Ming steps next to him, both nodded and Ming charges a shadow orb and fires at the chains, breaking them and freeing the soldiers.

They looked up at the two that freed them but then heard the breaking of ice, both snapped their eyes and looked at the two frozen Shokan and saw they were breaking free.

"Go! All of you! Now!" Sub-zero orders them, "Let's go! C'mon!" a soldier shouts and they quickly stand to their feet and run for cover. Then the Shokan were free from their imprisonment and glared at the two as they took their stance.

"Your treachery will be punished!" Kintaro shouts as he takes his stance, but Ming charges forward and slams both her feet into his chest, she leaps off as he flies back and hits the wall.

Once she lands on her feet, she stands tall, Goro snarls as he is about to swing at her, only for an iceball to hit him. He snarls and looks back at Sub-zero. "Your fight is with me, Shokan." he snarls at him.

Goro turns away and marches towards him, Kintaro shakes his head, pulling himself from the will, and looks at the Persefoni, that took her stance, "You?! I have been waiting for this!" he snarls at her.

Ming huffs "Really, then I guess the long wait is over. Ready for round 2?" she snarls. Kintaro charges at her Ming dodges his swings, keeping light on her feet.

Striking at his vulnerable spots, he staggers back for a moment, merciless in her attack. Her rage slowly builds up as she remembers the smile on Kung Lao's face.

Waving at the crowd, turned to the God of Thunder only for Shao Kahn to sneak up behind him and snap his neck.

Black mist ripples from her body as she reels her fist back and slams it into his face.

He stumbles back and shakes his head, seeing Ming radiating with blast mist. Anger and hatred were all that seemed to matter in her pitch-black eyes.

Sub-zero dodges Goro's fist, slamming his right into his gut and he stumbles back. Then looks over at Kintaro and Ming, seeing her power radiating from her body.

"Oh no, Ming!" Sub-zero cries out, going to run to her, but Goro catches him by his read, he cries out, struggling in his grip as he is lifted off the ground, slammed onto the ground then swung into the wall.

Crashing through the wall, Goro growls, "I am your opponent, do not turn your back on me." he growls, marching forward, Sub-zero shakes his head and looks at Goro for a moment, but casts his eyes at the battle between Ming and Kintaro.

Ming dodges the incoming swings of Kintaro, and the black mist consumes her as she phases right through Kintaro, he stumbles for a moment, feeling all the air in his lungs evaporate and the need for air become dire that he was greedy for it.

He grips his throat, feeling to his knees. Ming turns, looking back at him as she slowly strides forward, "Oh, I'm sorry, is the sudden need for air great?" she questions, her voice is dark, and could send shivers down any man's spine as she leans next to him.

"Well... let me put you out of your misery," she whispers, pulling away and gently placing her cold hands at his jawline. Kintaro could speak as his throat was relieved of water and dried at the touch.

Gripping his neck in her hands, she raises her pitch-black eyes, and with a swift jerk, she snaps Kintaro, making him go stiff for a moment but limp as she lets go and he falls forward dead on the ground.

Goro blocks the iceball that was fired at him and swings at Sub-Zero, who dodges his attack and jumps back, but he hears the thud and looks over, seeing Kintaro dead on the ground and Ming standing over his, darker and colder. "That was for Kung Lao." she snarls at him.

Goro roars out in anger, turning his attention away from Sub-zero, and marches towards Ming. "I'll have your head!" he snarls, pointing at Ming. Sub-zero lowers his arms and charges after him, "Ming, look out!" he calls out, Ming turns her head, her black eyes staring at the marching Shokan.

She just tilts her head, watching as his fist is reeled back, she takes a step back, dodging the swing, and gracefully dodges the incoming swings. "Hold. Still," he orders, continuing to swing at her.

But she folds her arms behind her back and reels back, dodging the next swing, watching as it swung right over her, missing her by a hair strain.

She then steps back and looks at him, "Any last words?" he questions her. She flicks her eyes behind him, smiles, and looks back. "Freeze," she orders.

Before Goro could answer, Sub-zero slammed his foot right into his back, cracking his spine. Goro cries out, as he staggers forward. Ming slams her palm right into his chest, and Goro's soul is shot right out of his body.

Sub-zero freezes his soul, catching it in mid-air. Ming pulled her hand to the point where only her fingertips were touching Goro's chest, pulling straight back and forcing his soul right back into his body.

Goro cries out as the cold is torturous. Right in sync, Ming and Sub-zero twist and slam the soul of their feet right into him. Sub-zero hits the spine as Ming hits the chest, shattering the ice inside him.

Goro cries out as blood squirts right out from his eyes, ears mouth, and blood. They both step back as Goro drops to his knees and is dead on the ground.

The two just look at the two dead Shokan. "All those teeth and claws, you're still outmatched." Sub-zero declares then looks over at Ming as she is brewing in her rage.

Hurrying to her side, he immediately pulled her into his arms, "It's all right, Ming. It's all right." he spoke softly, the cold radiating from his hands, spreading through her body as the rage began to subside. "There, there. Breathe, breathe," he said, rubbing her back.

Slowly relaxing, Sub-zero could feel the heat inside her body drop as it returned to below-average body heat. She exhales, flicking her eyes down at the body of Kintaro.

Still seeing Kung Lao lying on the ground, his neck snapped as Shao Kahn stood over him. It wasn't enough to kill him, his very essence needed to be ripped apart.

Cold hands grab hold of her face and make her look up at the Cyber Sub-zero that was looking at her, "No, Ming. Look at me, focus on me. Listen to my voice." he tells her.

Ming looks up at Sub-zero, remembering how his brown eyes always shined with joy. All the time they shared together, the laughs, the training, the share of culture. And the love they shared.

It radiated a warmth that overpowered her rage, She took the last breath as frost rippled in her breath, the blackness seeped away, revealing the forest green eyes he loved so much.

Ming blinks as she lowers her head and lays it on his shoulder, Sub-zero just wraps his arms around her. "There... there you go," he tells her. Ming raises her head and lets her thoughts collect themselves.

Sub-Zero pulls back and holds her shoulders, "Are you all right?" he asks her, she looks up at him and nods. He exhales and presses his forehead to hers.

Ming exhales as she closes her eyes and relaxes against him. But she pulled back inhaling with an echoed breath, eyes shooting open as she could hear the voices of the dead. The mind sees the alert of an evaluated heart rate, immediately he cups her cheeks, but before he can say anything, their tender moment is interrupted as the bell tower begins to shake.

Sub-zero instinctively pulled Ming close to him, ensuring she was safe, they both looked around at the tower, convinced it was not an earthquake.

Looking at the door where the prisoners escaped, standing beside one another, the soldiers were immediately sent flying back by a green smoke. The soldiers crashed onto the ground before them, making the two look to where the mist came from.

The soldiers groan as they prop themselves up. "Behind us!" Sub-zero orders, the men pull themselves to their feet and run behind the two as they see their next opponent.

It was Qaun Chi's latest creation, Emarc, hovering into the bell tower "Cover no further, fiend of Outworld!" Sub-zero shouts as he and Ming take their stance.

They both charge forward, one throwing an attack after the other in a sync pattern but Emarc dodges each one, the advantage of having more than one soul.

He catches their firsts, twisting Ming's arm, as she gasps in pain, throws Sub-zero back, and slams his fist in his chest, Sub-zero slides back, forcing himself to stop.

He pulls back, watching as he pulls Ming into a headlock, Ming struggles for a moment, "You must be removed from the picture. You are too dangerous to be kept alive." Emarc growls in her, Ming flicks her sight to the corner of her eyes.

"But if we deliver your soul to Quan Chi, it will power the spell immensely. Your captured brethren certainly did," he informs her, She glares at the vessel, that rage inside her bubbles up again as her eyes become pitch black. "Ming!" Sub-zero shouts as he runs back to them. Emarc glares at him, removes his arm, spins her around, and grips her throat tightly. "Get your hands off of her!!" Sub-zero shouts as he runs them.

Emarc raises his hand, the green mist pulsing at his palm, but Ming grabs hold of his arm and slams her fist onto his arm. He cries out, looking back at her, only to meet the heel of her hand.

The attack stuns him for a moment as she twists his arm, reeling it into a strain. He cries out again, only for her to slam her knee into his chest.

He stumbles out of her hold and Sub-zero charges an ice ball in his hand and slams it into the back of Emarc's head, making groans in shock.

He then removes the ice into a sword, stabbing him right through his chest and sending him staggering to Ming, who flames her knee into his gut.

He staggers only for Ming to catch him by his wrist and pull him back, snapping her hands at the sides of his head and creating a link between them.

He gasped as the green in his eyes was consumed in the pitch black of hers. He struggles but stares into her eyes. "Quan Chi may have created you, but you are not his slave," she spoke as her voice held a cold and heartless whisper to it.

Sub-zero steps back as he sees the blast mist once again, radiating from her body. "So let me set you free of him," she spoke and channeled all her emotions into his head.

Emarc grips her wrist, trying to pry himself him, but can feel whatever tether that bound him to Quan Chi being burned away in this searing hot rage as the tether snaps from the flames.

He cries out for a moment, his power bursts out of his control, making the others shield themselves from the light.

But everything dispersed to nothing as Ming rips her hands away, panting heavily as she looks at the stunned Emarc as he staggers for a moment and falls back onto the ground.

Alive and Free, but out cold from the power surge. Once he is down, they both exhale and lower their stance, Sub-Zero walks over and looms over Emarc "You are not so fearsome." he declares to him.

Ming took the moment and allowed herself to breath as the mist subsided and her eyes reverted to forest green She exhaled, lowering her arms. Sub-zero places his hand on her shoulder, Ming shoots a look at him and nods.

After the calm, the soldiers cheered as they from around the two, "Thanks. I thought we were done." a soldier spoke, Ming nodded her head at him. "We must go. We need to investigate the graveyard." Sub-zero informs them.

"We go with, but we have to return to our unit." the second soldier states. "That is for the best." Sub-zero agrees with him, he shoots a look at Ming and they both turn away, "Good luck man To you and your girl." the first soldier calls out as the two turn towards the door.

"They ain't gonna need luck." the second spoke as they grinned at one another. "I've nearly forgotten," Sub-zero spoke, Ming shot her head at him. "Forgotten what?" she asks. Sub-zero turns his head to her, "How good we are together." he jokes.

Ming grinned as she rolled her eyes with the turn of her head, but that didn't stop the pink flush from coloring the pale skin of her cheeks. Sub-zero looked away, chuckling as they continued down the stairs.

~8~8~8~

Etching symbols in the ground as the shadow warrior uses his newly found powers by the dark sorcerer Quan Chi, who was chanting his spell. Green flames licked at the prisoners' feet.

Ming and Sub-zero hid behind a gravestone looking out at the ritual that was being performed. Sub-zero pulls up his arm and opens the secure channel to the others. "This is Sub-zero."

~8~

"Kai Ming and I have encountered Quan Chi. He seems to be casting s spell." he informs the others, "What is that sorcerer up to now?" she questions. Raiden gasped as he was pulled into another vision.

The entire city was engulfed in a tornado of soul, destroying everything in its wake.

He blinks for a moment, lowering his head. Marina cast her eyes over at him and placed her hand on his shoulder "Raiden, what is it? What did you see?" Nightwolf asks him.

Raiden flicks his thunder eyes down and reaches for Marina's hand. "One of Shao Kahn's Soulnados, on a scale I thought unimaginable. All of Earthrealm's souls imprisoned... absorbed by Shao Kahn, multiplying his power!" he spoke in shock as it was a feat of dangerous power. "This is what Sub-zero and Kai Ming have found?" Nightwolf asks.

Pulling his hand back, he pulls his amulet off his shoulder and looks down at it, seeing it crack further. "No matter my efforts, the future remains in peril. How could I have failed Earthrealm?" he questions aloud.

Marina frowns at her lover, seeing that doubt and loathing are heavy on him. "Do not lose faith in the spirits, Raiden. They will guide you. Protect you." Nightwolf assures him.

Raiden was not convinced "Sub-zero. We will disrupt the Soulnado." Nightwolf spoke, and then an idea lit up in Marina's head. "Yes. We will. Kai Ming can." She spoke the others looked at her.

She turns to Soyna's comm, "Kai Ming, centuries ago your ancestors created a spell, allowing the caster to become one with the souls of the dead and cancel out all and any spells, overpowering any who opposes them." she informs them.

The others blink in surprise. "That spell is only ever passed down from mother to daughter when they become Matriarch of the Persefoni Clan," Ming informs her.

"But I saw you sneaking a peek at that spell one, reading it until you had it memorized," Marina spoke up. The line was silent for a moment. "I was 10," she answers, Nightwolf and Luna cast side-glances at each other, grins on both their faces. 

"But my ancestors, my grandmother and mother were powerful people, I can't reach their level of power." Ming informs her, and Marina just smiles "You can do this, Kai Ming. You're stronger than you think. You have a tempest inside you, waiting to burst and the more you suppress it, the more it will hurt you." she informs her.

Silence for a moment, "I... I can try." Ming answers her, Marina just flicks her eyes down at the wrist comm. "I know you can." she assures her, Then looks over past Raiden, "Nightwolf, Luna, go to the cemetery, and make sure Quan Chi can never perform this spell ever again," she orders them.

Both bow to her, "As you wish, Goddess." Nightwolf said to her

~8~

"We will be there momentarily," Nightwolf informs the two, Ming exhales as she is nervous. "Hurry. The spell appears to ne nearly complete." Sub-zero warns them and pulls away from his comm.

He then looks over at Ming as she is exhaling, placing his hand on her shoulder, "You got this." he assures her, She looks at him and nods, "Right." she mutters.

Then looks back at the ritual, "When I begin to perform this spell, I will be completely vulnerable, there must be no interruptions. Of any kind." she informs him.

Sub-zero nods at her, "No one will dare come within arm's length of you." he informs her, she just looks at him for a moment, can't help but smile, cupping the side of his metal face and presses her lips to his face visor.

Sub-zero was stunned for a moment but raised his hand and gently gripped the side of her neck. Knowing he has no lips of his own, didn't stop him from enjoying the thought.

She pulls back and presses her forehead to his. "My Dawn..." she mutters, and he huffs a chuckle, "My dust," he whispers, She then pulls away and nods at him.

Both looked back at the ritual as it was being performed and both stood up. Ming walks off to the side as Sub-zero hears right for the ritual.

Standing next to a tall tombstone, Ming exhales, closing her eyes and flexing her palms open. She begins the spell as she mutters under her breath.

Sub-zero steps into view of the two, Quan Chi stops for a moment as he notices the cyborg. "Who is that?" he questions as Noob Saibot looks up at the cyborg. "The one Kano warned about. He is mine," he answers, closing his fist right as he stops his magic and marches forward.

Quan Chi kept his eyes on the two as they stood face to face. "You. You are not worthy of the name Sub-zero." he snarls at the cyborg. "Who are you to judge me?" Sub-zero questions his opponent.

"I wore those colors before you." he declares, Sub-zero stood a step closer. "Bi-Han?!" he spoke with surprise as his brother was not the man he remembered.

"Yes, Kaui Liang. It is I. Quan Chi restored me." Bi-Han informs him, but Sub-zero just shakes his head, "Restored? You and I both. We are flawed copies of our former selves." he tells him, Bi-Han just shakes his head at him, "I have no flaws. Quan Chi has perfected me." he informs him.

"For what end? To serve the Netherrealm and Outworld?" Sub-zero questions him, "It suits my purpose." Bi-Han informs him, "But Brother, we are--" Sub-zero tries to reason with him. "We share blood. We are not brothers." Bi-han informs him.

Sub-zero lowers his arms and clutches his fist. "Then I will not regret your defeat." he declares and takes his stance.

Sub-zero swung at Saibot, who just blocked his attack, and swung back at Sub-zero, who dodged the swinging of his fits, but he caught his little brother by his arms and pulled him back in, slamming his stomach plating.

Taking him by surprise and slams both his fists into Sub-zero's chest and sends him flying back.

Sub-zero rolls onto the ground, but pulls back onto his feet and pulls back into his stance.

Saibot just growls and charges at Sub-zero, The cyborg dodges his attack, blocking each punch that was thrown at him. But he catches his arm, twists around, and throws him right over his shoulder, Saibot smacks onto the ground.

But quickly pulled himself up and took his stance, but from Sub-zero's shoulder, he could see Ming was chanting a spell as the black mist gathered at her feet, slowly seeping up her body, the blackness spread into the veins of her eyes as the shadows seeping into the graveyard.

His cold white eyes glare at him, "We stopped being brothers the moment you slept with my wife." he snarls at him, Sub-zero takes a step back in surprise, blocks the incoming swing, and shoves him back.

"How..." he questions, Noob Saibot takes his stance as they circle one another. "When Quan Chi restored me, he shoved me your betrayal. Both of your betrayals. You knew she was mine. You knew she belonged to me." he snarls at him.

"And you knew how I felt about her. How we both felt and still you forced her to marry you!" Sub-zero snarls at him with a point of his finger. "If we had it the Grandmistress way, Ming would have married you!" Noob Saibot snarls.

Sub-zero stops and takes his stance, "Kai Ming belongs to no one but herself. She is her own master and if you think she ever belonged to me or anyone. Then you truly have gone mad." he declares and charges at him, swinging his fists.

Both were equal in their battle, having trained at a young age, and both knew each other's moves and strikes they would make. Making it a battle nearly impossible to win.

But thanks to Ming's training, Sub-zero fakes a punch, only to twist his wrist, gripping hold o Noob Saibot's wrist and slamming his knee right into his cut.

Cracking a few ribs, then twist his arm, forcing him to a knee and he slams his elbow into his shoulder, almost breaking his arm, twisting it back again, slamming the heel of his palm right into his former brother's throat.

His windpipes were crushed and twist his hand and grips the side of Noob Saibot's head and slams it right onto the ground.

Saibot tries to stand to his feet, but Sub-zero marches over and slams his foot at his chest, making him gasp in surprise.

Once he is knocked out, Sub-zero removes his foot and steps back, "You are right. We are not brothers." he tells him.

But as the fight was over, he was too late as the spell had begun, summoning all the souls to gather into one place, Sub-Zero stood his ground, bracing himself at the pulling winds, even the prisoners were consumed in the spell.

But it was enough to break a bright light into the sky as the pillars of souls were pulling in more and more.

It was the beginning of the end.

[assassinnovice]

Chapter 13: Stronger and Better

Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat, those rights belong to The Netherrealm Studio

Black.

Darkness.

That was all Kabal could see, the burning of his flesh from that strange creature she shallow and ragged breathing was his only company.

But a strange sound caught his attention, leading him out of the blackened void. It sounded like something or someone was tinkering with something.

But his breathing began to steady himself suddenly, his vision began to slowly come to as a familiar face stood over him, "Easy there, mate. You've had a rough one." the man spoke.

His vision cleared as it was Kano standing over him, "Kano?" he mutters, turning his head to him, the crime boss just laughed. "In the flesh," he answers and turns away from him.

"I was... on fire..." Kabal mutters to himself as he raises his hand to his head, pressing his fingers to his mask. "Burned to a crisp, you were. Good thing I found ya." Kano answers as Kabal feels at the mask on his face.

Realization hits him and clutches his fists, "I'm hideous..." he mutters to himself. "Shang Tsung's magic healed the rest of ya. But your lungs? Yessh." Kano informs him.

"Take it off." Kabal orders him, "Can't. It's permanent." Kano informs them. Kabal just turns to him. "What?" he questions. "No mask, no breathing," Kano warns him.

Slowly sitting up he pulls himself off the stone table, "I'm a freak." he spoke in horror. Kano raises the hooked blades off the table and examines them.

Then he turned to Kabal as he was looking over his burnt flesh that was held together with the technology. Kano walks over towards him, then flips them, holding the handles out to him. "Go on. Give 'em a whirl," he spoke as Kabal turned, looking at him, then down at the weapons in his hands.

"I don't use those anymore," he spoke, pointing at the blades in his hands, Kano just rolled his eyes. "Yeah, you're all proper police now. The Black Dragon ain't the same without ya, mate," she spoke, lowering his hands for a moment.

"You should come back. We're in the money on this war," he tells him. It clicks as Kabal turns to him, "You should those monsters their firepower." she spoke.

Kano just grins to himself with a shrug, "Guilty as charged." he answers. Rage boils as Kabal lunches forward. "This is your fault!" he snaps.

Kano didn't like his tone of voice, "What're you on about, eh? You're here, ain't ya?" he questioned, dropping the hooked blades to the ground.

"I should be dead!" Kabal snaps, Kano grits his teeth as he leans back. "Now you're gonna be!" Kabal shouts and takes his stance.

Fueled by his rage, Kabal swung his fist, slamming right into Kano's face. The crime lord staggers back, Kabal is merciless with his punches, he then twists and slams his foot right into the side of Kano's face and he spins right off his feet.

Kabal just catches him by his shirt and punches him right in the face, knocking him back.

But Kano just flips back onto his feet and punches him right in the chest, nearly missing his chest plate as Kabal stumbles back. The crime lord then charges at him and strikes Kabal in the face.

Then fired his laser right into his face, Kabal cried out as the laser burned into him, then Kano kicked him right into the chest and knocked him back as he smashed onto the ground.

But Kabal twists back onto his feet and glares at Kano, then charges at him, unknowingly speed dashes right at him, slamming his fist right into his face.

And continues to slam his fist right at him, unrelenting, and reels his fist back once more and slams it right into his face, throwing Kano right onto the ground.

Kano lays on the ground, planting to himself as Kabal exhales "Now how do I get outta of here?" he questions. Kano just frowns at him as he props himself up. "Not so keen on being dead now, are ya?" he questions as Kabal picks up the hook blades off the ground.

But the former officer just aims one at him, "How do I get outta here?" he questions him again. Kano just chuckles. "Good luck. No one gets outta Outworld without Shao Kahn's say-so," he answers.

Kabal just aims the hook blade right at his face, "Outworld? Shao Kahn?" he questions him. "Shao Kahn's the big boss around here... and soon, Earth's new master," Kano answers again.

Kabal pushes his blade closer to him, "Where is he?" he questions him again. Kano just grins at him "Don't bother. You can't get near him." he informs. Kabal nods in agreement "No. but I'm guessing you can."

~8~8~8~

Mileena steps through the portal as she is followed by others as they carry a fallen warrior.

The others turn from their conversation to notice them, "What is this?" Shao Kahn questions, Kabal forces Kano with a dagger at his back as they stand in the throne room.

"Raiden has killed Motaro, with the assistance of Marina," Mileena answers him. "That's him? On the throne?" Kabal questions. Kano looks over his shoulder at him and grins. "You're a right genius, you are." he jokes.

Kabal just shoves the dagger at his back, "It's no great matter. I will go to Earthrealm. To finish Motaro's work." Sindel assures her Emperor.

Shao Kahn just looks at her and nods, "Yes. Shang Tsung." he shouts and the Sorcerer steps to him. "Yes, Emperor?" he answers.

"The Empress requires something of you." Shao Kahn informs, making him step closer and Shao Kahn shoots his hands out and the magic bursts as it gathers into the emperor's hand.

Shang Tsung cries out as his eyes glowed green and he hunches forward, withering away as the Emperor's eyes glow red as the magic seeps into him.

"See there? I'm thinking he's a bit much for--" Kano starts, but Kabal raises his fist that held the dagger and hits the back of Kano's head and the crime lord drops to the ground.

"I can take him," Kabal said with assurance, the power seeps and wavers from Shao Kahn's body as it slithers over his arm and he shoots his hand to his empress.

She cries out as she is infused with eminence power as it collides with her and melds with hers. Kabal marches out from the shadows, heading straight towards the Emperor.

Noob Saibot steps forward, noticing the marching masked man, as did Mileena and they both confronted him as Sindel exhales with ecstasy as she was more powerful than before.

"No one attack the Emperor!" Mileena declares as she and Noob Saibot take their stance.

Both come at him with fists flying, but he blocks their attack, stepping back as he stays in sync with them both.

Both were strong and skilled fighters, using their combined skills, to land a few strikes at him, he stumbles back, and the two twist and slam their heels right into him.

He went flying back, crashing into the wall, he fell onto his feet and staggered for a moment, catching his breath and looking at the two opponents that were striding towards him.

He pulls himself back, pressing his back into the wall and pants, looking at the two that glare at him. Mileena lowers her mask and snarls at him.

He flinches at the sight of her as she pulls her mask up. Kabal exhales and pushes himself off the wall and raises his fist.

But then remembers, he was moving faster. Really fast. An idea dings, making him look at his hands and back at the two.

Noob swung first at him as Mileena followed, but the two struck at air as Kabal dashes right past them, they turn and look at him in shock, but he just shrugs at them.

They both growl and swing at him again, but he dashes right through their punches and swing attacks them. Widdling them down, he takes one past powerful swing and knocks both of them off the ground and they fall flat onto the ground.

Kabel lowers his stance, as he glares at Mileena and Noob "And I thought I was the freak." he mutters, then looks out at the Tarkatans and cyborgs surrounding him.

"Quan Chi! Seal the portal!" Shoa Kahn orders as the minions close in a Kabal, who flicks his eyes at the closing portal. "Time to go," he spoke, then dashed right at the portal and jumped right through it.

~8~8~8~

Jumping through the portal, Kabal lands on the concrete grounds of the ruined city. The portal closes behind him as he takes a moment and sighs to himself.

Then he rolled onto his back and sat up, seeing he was back on Earthrealm. "This speed's incredible! Guess it's a side-effect of the Outworld's magic," he spoke as he stood to his feet, looking at the destroyed buildings.

"You are not authorized for portal use." a robotic voice calls out, Kabal looks over his shoulder, "Yeah? Says who?" he questions, turning to his next opponent.

"Sub-Zero. Unit L-K-five-two-O," he answers as his metal palms park with ice magic. But Kabal just huffs a laugh, "You say that like it means something." he states and faces his opponent. "As you will soon discover," Sub-zero reports and takes his stance.

Kabal dashes right at the cyborg, swinging his fist at him, but the cyborg just dodges the incoming strikes, catching Kabal's wrist and twisting it.

He cries out in pain and Sub-zero slams his fist right into Kabal's chest, making him slide back a few feet and stumble to a stop. He coughs and looks back at the cyborg, who just charges at him.

Kabal dodges the swings, then uses his hook black piece the incoming arms of sub-zero and flung him right over his head.

Sub-zero smacks onto the ground and Kabal slams his hook blades into Sub-zero's back and slides it right back with a twist.

Sub-zero slides with a tumble and then slides onto his feet, he glares at Kabal who comes charging at him, Sub-zero charges his ice and blasts it right at him.

Kabal froze in his spot as Sub-zero charged his ice, forming a blade, and swung it at Kabal. The ice breaks, sending Kabal flying back and hitting the ground.

But he props himself up, looking at the cyborg, and forces himself to stand. He charges at Sub-Zero again, dashing right at him, the cyborg spins out of control as Kabal slides on the ground, slamming his feet right into Sub-Zero's shins then dashes right behind him, pulling his hook blades and slamming them right into his back, and flung him overhead.

Sub-zero smacks onto the ground, the blow knocks him out cold. Leaving Kabal left standing.

Kabal smirks under his smacks as he lowers his fists, "Ha! Not as cool as you thought." he retorts.

He rotates his wrist, looking at the cyborg of Sub-zero, and then Sheeva strides towards him. "Why do you turn on your brother, Lin Kuei?" she questions Kabal.

Mistaking him as a cyborg, Kabal frowns and points at Sub-zero. "That is not my brother. He's a machine. I'm human." he informs her. She frowns at Kabal. "You do not appear human," she reports.

Kabal raises his chin high, "Don't let the mask fool ya." he snaps and takes his stance.

Sheeva pulls up her arms, blocking the incoming punches, but Kabal breaks through them and pulls his strength into the punches that he threw at the Shokan.

Sheeva charged a fire blast and shot it at him, making him stumble back, but he shook it off and swung at her again, she kept her fist locked in face guard, but he drew his hook blades and latched them onto her shoulders and with a twirl, she was spun in the air twice and slammed right onto the ground.

Sheeva just pulled herself back up and jumped high into the air as Kabal swung at her. He looked around for a moment until he felt something slam him right into the ground.

Sheeva pounds him into the ground. She jumps back as he picks himself back up, he dashes at her, taking her by surprise, and slides forward, slamming his feet right into her shins, then slides right behind her and slams his hook blades right into her back, and swings her right overhead.

The impact of the hit knocks her right out, places his hook blades away lowers his stance raises his hands, looking and flexing his fists, "Starting to feel like the old days. Only faster." he said with excitement.

He looks back at the cyborg as he cracks his knuckles. "Sub-zero!" Smoke and Kai Ming cried out as they hurried to the cyborg's side. Kabal takes a step back in surprise as the two kneel next to the machine.

Ming raises the machine's head and lays it on her lap, "Kaui Lang..." she whimpers, gently stroking his metal cheeks. "I told you, Raiden. This one is worthy." Marina spoke, Kabal turned and looked at the two gods that stood before him. "You have great power indeed, Kabal," Raiden informs as Kabal just looks at the two.

It clicks in Kabal's mind as he recognizes them, "Wait. You're that lighting guy and water girl. You helped Stryker." he spoke and his thoughts immediately flashed to his friend.

"Stryker! Is he--" he starts with worry, but Marina holds her hand up, stopping him in his sentence. "Safe and regrouped with the rest of Earthrealm's protectors," she informs him.

"He has joined us in the fight against Shao Kahn. We would welcome your aid also." Raiden informs him, and Kabal just lowers his hands. "Sub-zero!" Smoke calls out as the two look at them.

"Please, say something." Ming begs him, tears well up in her eyes as Smoke pressed his hand at the cyborg's chest "That which made him Sub-Zero no longer exists." Raiden informs them.

Marina smacks his shoulder making him look back at her as she just frowns with a pointer look, "You're wrong. His soul is still intact. I can feel it." Ming cries as she gently holds his head and looks down at him, "He's still Kaui Lang." she whimpers.

Smoke then looks at the three at stood before him, "He's my friend. What they did to him. It is... hideous." he spoke, looking back down at Sub-Zero, pressing a comforting hand at Kai Ming's back as the two gods look back at the family before them.

Kabal just flicks his eyes away momentarily, understanding then nods at them "You're right. We gotta help him if we can." he states and walks over to them.

Marina just smiles at Kabal as he kneels next to them, his eyes locked with Ming's tear-filled eyes, and presses his hand to her shoulder, giving her a nod.

She sniffles and nods back and they help pull the cyborg off the ground, in the hopes of restoring the human that was still inside. 

[assassinnovice]

Chapter 12: Invasion

Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat, those rights belong to The Netherrealm Studio

Explosions echo as screams and shouts follow. Gunfire soon concludes with sirens and Choppers behind.

The streets were littered with tanks and armed S.W.A.T cars as soldiers were firing at the invading forces that were coming from a portal from another realm.

Standing on a roof and observing the battle, two officers look over the invading forces. "Fifteen... sixteen... seventeen... eighteen. Kabal, call it in." Stryker orders and his fellow officer, Kabal pulls out his radio.

"Base. Base Two. We count eighteen. One-eight bogies. Southbound on Olympic." he informs the base.

"Roger that."

"Eagle two out." Kabal spoke and placed his radio away, "This is not happening." Stryker spoke with surprise. "Not what I was thinking when I swore to protect and serve," Kabal informs him.

Stryker exhales, but then looks right down seeing something crawling toward them. Kabal looks down as well. "I'm thinking shoot first, ask questions later," he answers.

Stryker just nods at him, "Fine with me." he spoke and they both open fire on Reptile, but evades the attacks, who crawls faster, leaping from the incoming bullets.

The two continue the assault, but Reptile immediately jumps right over them, rolling in the air, and lands on the roof behind them. The two officers turned and tossed their rifles away. "Pistols." Stryker orders and they both fire, but the Reptile hisses out an acid mist that melts the bullets on contact.

The acid mist drops and the Reptile shoots his tongue right at Kabal and knocks him right off his feet, Stryker turns, watching his partner hit the ground and then his weapon as a knock from his hands, making him stagger back.

He looks at his hand and then glares at Reptile, "Enough of this!" he snaps, stepping forward "It's you and me, Freakshow." he declares and takes his stance.

Stryker charges at Reptile, and swings his fists at him, showing no signs of holding back, Reptile moves effectively, dodging his punches, and lays out a few of his own, keeping Stryker off his feet.

But he pulls out a spare pistol and fires at the warrior, the bullets rip through his scales as he staggers back hissing in pain.

He glares at the officer and spits out acid, hitting the pistol in Stryker's hands, and making him gasp in pain as he drops the weapon.

The officer hisses as he waves off any acid that hits his glove, but he looks back at Reptile's foot and strikes him right in the chest

Sending Stryker flying back and smacking onto the ground, he slid back and came to a stop, groaning in pain as he pressed his hand to his chest.

He looks back, pulling himself back as Reptile marches towards him, he looms over the officer, snarling at him. But right before he could finish him.

Something leaps onto his back, taking him off guard as he steps back and struggles to rip the person off him. As she snarls right in his ear. Stryker blinked in surprise as he pulled himself off the ground and stood on his feet Reptile reached over his head, gripped the back of the woman's shirt, and threw her right off him.

But she twists in the air, landing on her feet, sliding back in a hunched predator pose as she uses her claws to slow her slide and stops next to Stryker.

He looks down at the light gray-haired woman as she removes her claws from the concrete and rises to her full height.

"You..." Reptile snarls as he glares at the woman, Stryker blinks and looks back at Reptile.

"You can talk?" he questions as Luna Moonwalker glares back at Reptile, her face morphed as she bares her fangs and snarls at him. "Ready for round two?" she taunts and takes her stance.

Stryker just blinks as he is very confused, but takes his stance, Reptile charges at them and swings his claws as they are coated in acid.

Both dodged his attack, Stryker pulled out his baton and swung at Reptile, hitting him right in the back, cracking his back as Luna went low and sliced at his leg.

Reptile snarls as he drops to a knee, but he catches Luna's wrist and Stryker's baton, throwing them both back, and pulls himself back onto his feet.

The two stagger for a moment, until they collected themselves and charged at Reptile. He blocks Stryker's Baton and swings at his gut, making him double over and stumble back, then catches Luna's wrist again.

But she slammed her fist right into his gut, making him gasp in surprise then her knee right into his chin, twisted, and slam her leg right into right into the side of his head.

Reptile staggers for a moment glares at Luna and swings his claws at her, slicing at her arm, she gasps, gripping her arm, and is kicked back and smacked onto the ground.

"No!" Stryker calls out and charges at Reptile, pulling his light. Reptile turned to him and stood ready, Stryker swung his baton as Reptile caught it, but he then swung his flashlight, nailing him in the side of his face.

This catches Reptile off guard and he swings his baton right at him, nailing the other side of his face. This stuns Reptile and he falls to his knees.

Stryker places his weapons away, twists, and slams his foot right into his face and he goes flying back and slams onto the ground.

Once the Reptile was down, Stryker lowered his stance, "Spitting? Sticking your tongue out? Bet your mama's real proud." he called out as the Reptile went limp, completely knocked out.

The officer then looked over and saw his partner was conscious and pressed against a cooling vent. "C'mon. We're going street level. We've been compromised." he spoke, pulling Kabal back to his feet.

"It ain't safe down there," Kabel warns him, adjusting his elbow pad. "Better there than here," Stryker informs then looks over, seeing Luna sitting up, holding her arm as she looks at her wound.

He makes his way over to her with Kabel right behind, "Here, let's get you to a medical. They can patch you up." Stryker starts as he grips Luna's arm and pulls her to her feet.

"Thanks, but I heal on my own," she answers, looking at her arm as it stitches itself back together. Both officers just look at her as she rotates her arm.

"What the hell is going on?" Kabal questions as he looks at the destruction around him. "A Conqueror from another world wanted to merge our world with his. The Elder Gods have enabled rules to ensure the worth of merging of worlds," she answers, looking at Reptile on the ground.

"What, conqueror? Another world? Merging?" Stryker questions, Luna nods at him. "The Conqueror lost the battle, so he has chosen invasion in the hopes of merging the two worlds. You just fought one of his warriors. Reptile. And yes, he is exactly what he's named." she answers, looking back at them.

"But don't worry, Just like the Conqueror. We have warriors of our own," she states and walks towards the edge of the roof. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. What are you doing?" Stryker questions her.

Luna turns and looks at them, "I need to warn the others that low town has been overrun. When you get the chance, look for Raiden and Marina. They'll know what to do." she informs and with that, she jumps from the roof.

The two ran to the edge, watching as she landed on her feet, and lashed out at the invaders as she ran for it. Stryker and Kabal shared a look then hurried to the door, heading down the first floor.

They hurried towards the door, seeing men running for their lives as a giant was marching towards them.

"Stryker! Check her out!" Kabal said as he nudged his head at the door and Stryker looked across at the bridge, seeing a woman, Mileena overlooking the battle. "Whaddaya think? Friend or foe?" Kabal asks him, "Foe." he immediately answers him. "Dressed like that?" Kabal asks as Stryker looks back at him.

"Definitely Foe." he answers again and looks out the doors, "Cover me," he orders and they both step out from the building and make their way towards the bridge where Mileena stood.

She steps away and notices them as she strides, "Hey, what're you doing out here?" he questions her, his rifle at the ready.

Mileena just laughs as she pulls her mask down and reveals her razor fangs. "Looking for a new playmate!" she laughs then pulls her mask back on and both take their stance.

Mileena charges at him, but he aims his rifle and fires at her, the bullets rip through her skin, making her stumble back.

Stryker places his rifle away and charges, slamming his foot right into her chest and slamming his clutched fist into her chest. She flung back, but quickly caught herself and landed on her feet.

She charges at Stryker and slides, slamming her foot right into his ankle and he slams onto the ground, Mileena flips onto her feet and snarls at him.

Then she flips over, towering over him, pulls out her knives, and stabs into his back, brutally. Stryker cries out in pain as Mileena flips away and strides back.

Stryker growls as he pulls himself to his feet and glares at her, Mileena just laughs with glee, but Stryker was done with her shit, he pulls out a grenade, pulls the pin, and tosses it.

Mileena looked down at the grenade, She flicked her eyes at him, but the grenade went off, taking her by surprise. She went flying back, smacking onto the ground.

Stryker charges forward, right her Mileena, and slams his foot right onto her gut. Mileena snarls at him as she pulls out her dagger and slices at his leg.

Stryker cries out as he stumbles back, allowing Mileena to flip back onto her feet and hunch into a predator stance, and charges forward at him. She twists and slams her foot right into Stryker's chest, making him stumble back.

She then pulls her dagger free and thrusts it forward, but Stryker catches her wrist, stopping her dagger, he twists her wrist, making her gasp and he slams his fist right into her chest, cracking her rib cage.

Then he pulls his pistol out presses the barrel of the gun against her chest and fires, trailing up. Mileena screams in pain as he writhes.

The firing trails off her shoulder as he places his gun away, then reels his fist back once more and slams it right into her face.

Taking her by surprise she went flying back, smacking at the ground, and went limp, but still breathing.

Stryker exhales as he lowers his arms, "You're coming with me." he informs as he steps towards her.

Mileena exhales as she slowly pulls herself up, but notices Stryker's attention was pulled away as one of the dragons flew overhead. She takes her chance, scrambling to her feet, snarling, and charging at him.

Stryker looks back in time as Mileena comes to a stop a sudden wind pushes her back and lights fire down onto her. Making her cry out in pain, she drops to the ground.

Unconscious as the Thunder God Raiden lowers his hand, the thunder deceases and the wind and petals gather into one place.

And the Goddess of Balance and Fertility appears, Raiden lowers himself to the ground, steps to Marina, and places a worried hand on her shoulder.

She looks at him, smiles, and places her hand over his, giving him an assuring nod. "Who... who are you?" Stryker asks them, The two Gods turn to him and Raiden goes to answer, but he gasps in surprise, pressing his fingers to his temple.

Marina looked at him and it was her turn to place a worried hand on his shoulder. "You all right?" Stryker asks as he steps closer to the gods.

Raiden takes a moment to collect himself and looks at Marina as she just looks at him with worry. But before either of them could answer. A roar catches their attention.

They look to the bridge across from them and see Johnny Cage fighting with one of Shao Kahn's warriors. Stryker blinks as he steps closer, wondering if his vision is playing tricks on him.

"Johnny Cage fighting a giant monster?! What is this, Time Smashers?!" he questions as if what he was seeing was the real thing. Raiden and Marina quickly flew over towards the bridge, aiding Johnny in his fight.

Marina lands in front of Johnny, summoning the water under the bridge, and shoots it right at the Outworld warrior. Then Raiden summons lighting, shooting it right at the warrior, creating a current of traveling lighting thanks to the water on the ground.

Marina steps back, along with Johnny as Raiden dives right into the warrior, both crashing through the bridge.

Kabal steps next to Stryker as he just blinks at the scene before him, "That guy just shot lighting. From his hands. And that woman moved the water. With just motioning her hands." he states then looks over at Stryker.

"How'd they do that?" he asks, but Stryker is just as confused. "No idea," he answers. But their conversation was interrupted as a roar caught their attention.

It was Kintaro in a rage as a mist leaves his lips, "Spread out. Give 'im multiple targets." Stryker orders, Kabal steps away as they keep their rifles trained on the Shokan.

Kintaro steps forward and with a deep inhale, he blows out the fire as it is aimed at Kabal. He got caught in range and was immediately burned.

Kabal cries out in pain, writhing as he crumbles to the ground. Stryker steps to his fallen friend who was withering in pain, then looks back at Kintaro as he steps forward, "Humans. Less ugly when you burn." he declares and takes his stance.

Stryker glares at him as he then takes his stance, he pulls out his gun but Kintaro spits a fireball at him, throwing Stryker to the ground, The officer rolls back onto his feet and aims his gun again, getting a few shots in.

He then charges forward leaps into the air and slams his foot right into Kintaro's face. Kicking him back then he charged forward and swung his leg at him again.

Kintaro caught him, swung him off the ground, and threw him right to the ground. Stryker rolls to a stop and immediately props himself up, slamming his fist into the ground, and jumps back onto his feet.

He looks back at Kintaro tosses a grenade at him and blows him up, making Kintaro stagger back for a moment.

Stryker pulled out his gun and fired again. The bullets rip through Kintaro's shoulder and arms. Making the Shokan stumble back and Stryker charges forward and leaps into the air, twisting and slamming his foot right into his chest.

Kintaro flew back as Stryker landed on his feet and threw a grenade right at him. It hits and goes off, burning Kintaro's skin as he hits the ground.

Growling to himself, the Shokan pulls himself up and marches towards the human. Stryker fires at him, but the bullets do little to sway Kintaro as he smacks the gun from the officer's hands and grips the back of his neck.

Stryker grunts as he struggles in his grip as the Shokan raises him over his head and slams him onto the ground. Stryker groans as he rolls onto his side and presses his arm into his side.

He looks from the corner of his eye, seeing Kintaro's foot rising above him. Thinking on his toes, he quickly rolls out of the way and manages to evade the foot as it slams onto the ground, breaking into the ground.

Stryker rolls back onto his feet and grabs hold of his gun, aiming and firing at Kintaro once again, the bullets take him by surprise, but Stryker takes his chance and charges at him, pulling his Baton free and swinging at Kintaro.

He smacks into his side, cracking his ribs, then strikes the side of his head. Making the Shokan stagger for a moment, Stryker then reels his fist back and slams it right into his chest, making the Shokan fly back and smack onto the ground.

He goes limp from impact then Stryker looks down at his hands, "Never knew I had it in me." he spoke, feeling proud of himself. But then looks over at his partner, seeing the deep burns that left his face a deep red.

"Kabal!" he cried and ran to his side, his partner was still breathing, but each move was a small grunt to lips his blackened lips. "Base! Eagle Two!" Stryker shouts into his radio.

"Go Eagle Two."

HQ answers, "Need Medavac. Current position. Kabal is down. Third-degree burns." he informs them, keeping his eyes on his partner, completely unaware of the Emarc that strides towards him and the green magic that lingers at his hands.

"Medevac unit routing to you. ETA ten minutes."

HQ answers as the green magic gathers at Stryker, taking him by surprise. "What the?!" he shouts being lifted into the air.

"Say again?"

Stryker cries out as the magic grips tightly at him, completely helpless as he is suspended in the air.

"Eagle Two, report! Eagle Two!"

HQ calls out as Stryker is thrust away from his partner and thrown into the steps leading down into the subway. He smacks against the steps and continues down the steps coming to a stop on the concrete floor.

Groaning in pain, he props himself, holding his side as he pushes himself onto his feet.

Emarc hovers down the steps, into the subway as he looks at Stryker. "The Emperor will have your soul." he declares to him, setting himself on his feet. Stryker pants and shrugs off the pain of the throw.

"Yeah? Come and get it!" Stryker declares and takes his stance, Emarc takes his stance as well and they both stand ready for a fight.

Emarc fired a soul blast at him, making the officer stumble back for a moment he dashed right at him and swung his leg, then slammed his palm into Stryker's chest making him fly back.

Stryker smacks against the ground, but he quickly rolls back onto his feet and stands ready for him, Emarc fires another soul blast at him, but Stryker ducks and fires at the warrior.

The bullets hit his dead flesh, taking him by surprise, he then tosses a grenade at him, and the explosion goes off and hits him, burning the dead flesh.

Stryker charges forward, leaps, and slams his foot right into Emarc's face, he staggers back for a moment then Stryker slams punches right into his face.

Emarc continues to stumble as a train passes right past them, he pulls out his baton and swings right at him, hitting him right in the chest.

The undead soul warrior stumbles back for a moment then Stryker slams his foot right into his stomach.

The train flew right past them, as Stryker stumbles back and Emarc shoots a soul blast right at him. Then summons his magic and raises him in the air, turning him upside down and slamming him onto the ground.

Stryker groans in pain and as he flops onto the ground, then Emarc appears over him and slams his back right into his. He flipped off and stood to his feet.

Stryker felt like all his rips were cracked, but he pushed himself up and stood his ground.

Emarc fired a soul blast at him, but Stryker ducked as he tossed a grenade at him. The blast hits him, taking him off guard as Stryker charges forward and slams his foot right into his chest.

The undead soul warrior staggers, but Stryker isn't done with him, he pulls his light out and shines it into his eyes, Emarc cries as the light blinds him, and he falls to his knees.

Stryker twirls his flashlight and strikes him on his head, then pulls out his baton and strikes at the side of his head, then pulls out his taser and slams it right under his chin, going full charge.

He pulls back as Emarc falls back onto the ground and Stryker places his taser away. Emarc pulls himself back to his feet, swaying a little in his stance.

Taking his chance to finish it, Stryker pulls out both of his guns and opens fire on him, The bullets hit him and he staggers back.

He fires again and this time, Emarc falls back and smacks onto the ground, seeing he wasn't getting back onto his feet, Stryker lowers his stance as he pants. "I think I'll keep my soul," he spoke, looking at the strange warrior.

"I've been searching for you, Kurtis Stryker." a voice calls out, Stryker pulls out his gun and aims it at the stranger at the top of the steps.

He looked human, but looks are always deceiving. "Well, you found me! Who are you?" Stryker questions the stranger. "I am Nightwolf. Lord Raiden and Lady Marina are gathering Earth's defenders. You are among them." Nightwolf informs them.

Stryker just blinks as his words confuse him, "What the hell are you talking about?!" he questions him. "Raiden leads Earth's defenders against Outworld invaders as Lady Marina gathers survivors and leads them away from the fight. They are our best hope for survival," he informs him.

"Yeah, well. Earthrealm Defender is about ten steps above my pay grade." Stryker informs him. "I see you doubt yourself, even after your victories. Come." Nightwolf spoke.

Stryker hesitated for a moment, but gradually lowered his gun and holstered it. He hurried up the steps after him.

A scorch mark sizzled from the concrete as a woman stood over it, seeing it was still fresh. "What?" Stryker calls out as he and Nightwolf step up next to her, looking at the scorch mark.

"Where is he? Medevac hasn't been here," he spoke, placing his hands on his hips. "Perhaps he has to find help," Nightwolf suggests, but Stryker just shakes his head at him. "Naw. He was way too banged up. Someone took him." he states, looking back at Nightwolf.

"I fear you may be right, Kurtis Stryker," Marina spoke, both warriors looked at her in surprise, Stryker took a step back as Nightwolf bowed to her.

"Hey, I know you, you're that woman that can control water." he spoke, Marina smiled at him, "I am the Goddess of Balance and Fertility. But you may call me Marina," she informed him with a bow.

He nodded at her and then looked down at the scorch mark on the ground. "There only one question that remains of your lost partner, who took him and where?" she questions.

Both men looked at her momentarily then exchanged worried looks.

[assassinnovice]

Chapter 11: One Future Unchanged

Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat, those rights belong to The Netherrealm Studio

The Three fighters stood in the Tower as they looked for Kitana "I hope your girlfriend is worth Lord Raiden's anger, Liu Kang." Kung Lao informs him.

Ming stops as she looks back at him, arching her brow at him, "Notice that I am ignoring you." Liu Kang shot at him, Ming rolled her eyes as she walked up to him.

"I don't see any sign of her, guess they cleared out before we could get here," she informs them. Liu Kang nods in agreement. "They must have relocated Kitana." Kung Lao informs them.

Then the door opens, drawing their attention and Sheeva marches into the room, they take their stance and face her, but the other door opens another warrior marches in, "We have indeed. We knew someone would come for her." the shadow ninja snarls at him.

Ming felt her skin crawl and the hairs on the back of her stand up, it was a horrible feeling eating away at her gut as she stared at the shadow warrior.

She looks back at Liu Kang and Kung Lao they lock eyes for a moment and nod at each other. Liu Kang looked at her, almost telling her what to do and they nodded. Both turn to Sheeva and charge at her.

Kung Lao turns to the shadow warrior. "May you join her in death." the shadow warrior declares and takes his stance.

King Lao charges at him, but the shadow warrior, or Noob Saibot, sidesteps him and swung his fist right into Kung Lao's face. He staggers for a moment.

But dodges the thrown punches, throwing them out of the way and roundhouse him right in the face, Noob Saiboot staggers for a moment as Kung Lao vanishes for a moment and appears right behind him and slams his fist right into his back.

Noob Saiboot cries out in shock as he almost felt his back crack from the pressure. He staggers again and Kung Lao slams his fist right in the face, keeping up the pressure.

Noob Saiboot catches his fist, tugging him forward, and slams his knee right into his gut. Kung Lao coughs in surprise as Noob Saibot reels his fist back and slams his knuckles right into Kung Lao's face.

The Shaolin Monk went flying back and smacked onto the ground, Ming, holding Sheeva's arms in a black mist grip. She looks back and saw Kung Lao on the ground and Noob Saibot striding towards him.

She looks back at Liu Kang, who meets her gaze, he nods at her, making her nod as well, she lets Sheeva go and charges at Noob Saiboot.

The Shadow warrior raises his hand as he stood over the Kung Lao, Ming charges as she shadow dashes right at Noob Saiboot and slams her foot right into his back, sending him flying.

She lands right on her feet as he rolls onto the ground. Kung Lao looks at her and Ming, "Get up." she orders and looks at him, "On your feet, warrior." she says as she tugs him right to his feet.

He steps next to her as Noob Saibot pulls himself and looks at them both, they take their stance. "Tag team him?" Kung Lao asks. Ming glares at the shadow warrior.

"Let's," she answers and they both charge at him, Noob Saibot summons his shadow and they both fight off The Shaolin Monk and Persefoni.

Ming snarls as she slams her palm into his shadow, making him stumble back, she jumps in the air, twists, and slams her foot right into his face, knocking him to the ground. She lands on her feet striding forward, reels her leg right into the air, and slams her foot right into his face.

The impact knocks him right out and he vanishes, Ming steps back, cracking her neck, and looks over at the two fighting and quickly joins them.

Kung Lao dodges Noob Saibot's swings, but couldn't keep up with his kick. But Ming arrives just in time and slams her knee tight into his face both hitting the floor and rolling.

Ming stops into a predator stance as Noob Saibot rolls onto his font and looks at her. The hatred in her eyes was clear, but never bothered him.

Both slowly stood to their feet and kept their glare, Kung Lao takes his chance and appears right in front of Noob Saibot and slammed calculated fists right into his face.

And with the final blow, knocks him right off his feet and smacks him onto the ground. Ming exhales as she takes a step back from his darkened form. "Be thankful I choose to not spill your tainted blood." Kung Lao informs him.

Ming quickly stepped around and next to Kung Lao, "Whoa are you? There is something familiar..." he spoke as he took a closer look at him.

Ming just stares at the man momentarily until she looks away from him, then grunts draws their attention, and looks over, seeing Liu Kang taking hits from Sheeva.

"Do you need help? Four arms against two is hardly a fair fight." Kung Lao calls out, Ming rolls her eyes at him. "Liu Kang?!" a voice calls out, both turn and look at Goro, seeing he exclaims in anger.

Both take their stance, "Help Liu Kang. I got this." Kung Lao whispers. Ming shoots a look over at him but nods at him and steps back to the fight. "You have had your match with Liu Kang. Now you." Kung Lao informs and takes his stance.

Kung Lao moves as fast as the wind, staying on his toes and swinging his fist like meteors. Staying out of Goro's reach. He flips back and swings his bladed hat right at him, slicing at Goro's chest, he stumbles back and Kung Lao charges right at him and slams his foot right into his chest.

Goro staggers again, but catches himself then catches Kung Lao's fist. The monk looks at him in surprise as Goro slams two of his fists right into the Monk's stomach and throws him back.

Kung Lao gasps in pain as he hits the ground, but picks himself right up and takes his stance. He glares at the Shokan and charges at him, but before Goro can take a hit, the Monk vanishes from his sight and appears right behind him.

Slams his palm right into Goro's back, making the Shokan gasp from the sneak attack, he turns, only to meet more of Kung Lao's attacks, calculated and powerful attacks.

And with one more, he knocks Goro right off his feet and smacks onto the ground. Kung Lao lowers his stance, "Now if you have any honor left..." he starts.

Liu Kang and Kai Ming join him, "...you will tell us where Kitana is!" he orders, Ming marches over, kneels next to Goro, and places her palm on his chest.

He went still as he saw the mist that gathered in her palm. "And if you lie, I can make getting the truth much more... unbearable," she warns him. Goro glares at her but flicks his eyes up at the Monks that stand before him.

"She has been taken to the coliseum, where has no doubt been executed." he answers, this angers Liu Kang and he marches at him, "You lie!" he growls, slamming his foot right into his face and knocking him out.

Ming stood and looked at him, "He did not lie, but I doubt Shoa Kahn would kill her in an instant." she informed, Liu Kang exhaled and looked at her. "She may yet live. Let us go." Kung Lao informs him.

They looked at him, nodded, and hurried out of the tower, Ming stops for a moment and looks down at Noob Saibot, her skin crawls once more, staring down at the man, "Ming, hurry up!" Kung Lao calls out. She looked back and hurried after them.

~8~8~8~

In the Coliseum, Ermac, and Johnny battled, the man of many souls was beating the crap out of the human. Johnny swings his leg, but Ermarc catches his leg and slams his elbow right into Johnny's leg, making him cry out in pain.

He lets Johnny's leg go and swings his leg, making him fly back and smack onto the ground. Johnny lies defeated and bruised as the crowd cheers. "Ermac wins!" the announcer spoke as Ermac stood victories.

A low growl slips through her throat as she tightens her grip on her spear, her eyes flare up for a moment as Marina frowns deeply, flicking her eyes over at Kitana and glares back at Shao Kahn.

The others make it to the Coliseum and look among the Komtestants, but Liu Kang spots the princess as she is strung up, next to her Father's throne.

Ming covers her mouth in horror, "There's Kitana! I must free her!" he points out and marches towards the crowd. Kung Lao and Kai Ming hurried after him.

"We have to be smart about this, Liu Kang. I doubt Shao Kahn will let us just take her." Ming informed him, "I am aware of that." he spoke, "Then we need a plan if we can save her." she spoke, Liu Kang shot a look over at her.

Raiden quickly joins them, "Not now! Smoke, Luna Moonwalker, and Johnny Cage have been defeated, and I no longer sense Jackson Briggs or Sonya Blade's presence in Outworld." the God informs him.

Kung Lao flicks his eyes over at Ming who mirrors his concerns. "Despite my doubts as to whether you are Earthrealm's savior or not, you must fight!" Raiden argues with him.

But Liu Kang stops and shoots a glare at him, "But I am not He Who Must Win." he reminds him, Ming shoots her hands up in frustration, then walks up to Marina, "Goddess please, talk sense into him." she begs.

Marina flicks her eyes at Liu Kang as he marches out from the crowd, drawing Shao Kahn's attention. "Raiden! Put forth a worthy champion... if you can." he mocks.

The Goddess frowns as she tightens her grip on her, Kung Lao goes to step forward, but Luna catches his arm, making him look at her as she shakes her head.

Biting his lip, Kung Lao nods at her and steps back, but he looks over at Raiden, who meets his eyes. "Perhaps you are meant to be the victor," he tells him.

A feeling swells inside Kung Lao as he nods at Raiden and steps forward from the crowd. Luna flicks her eyes at Raiden, momentarily then at the Goddess as she watches Kung Lao with worry.

"You will face Shang Tsung!" Shao Kahn announces as the sorcerer clutches his fist and grins, "And Quan Chi." Shao Kahn adds as the second sorcerer, who grins and steps forward.

Shang Tsung glares at him and follows him from the crowd, "You may choose an ally to join you, one that hasn't faced defeat before." The Emperor laughs.

Kung Lao exhales flicks his eyes at the crowd and locks eyes with Kai Ming, she blinks for a moment, but he nudges his head to join him.

She catches on and nods at him, flicking her eyes at Marina, who smiles and nods at her. Ming stepped out from the crowd and stood next to the Monk.

"No Earthrealm boy can stop this deadly alliance." Quan Chi informs him, Shang Tsung frowns at him, and Ming catches sight of the disapproving glare, "On that, we agree." he spoke and both take their stance.

"Shall we, Persefoni?" Kung Lao states, smirking to himself as he looks over at Ming, she looks back at him, matching his smirk. "We shall," she answers and they both take their stance.

"Fight!" the announcer shouts and Kung Lao pulls his bladed hat from his head and flung it at Shang Tsung.

Quan Chi charges at Ming, but she dodges his incoming fist, takes hold of his arm, and slams her knee right into his gut twice, twisting around, twisting his arms, and throwing him right over her.

Shang Tsung launched flaming skulls at him, making Kung Lao stagger back from the attack and he charged and swung his fist right at the Shaolin Monk.

But Kung Lao vanishes and reappears right behind him, gripping both of his arms and slamming his knee right into his back, nearly cracking his spine.

He lets go, leaps into the air, and slams his foot right into his back, sending him flying to the ground.

Ming evades Quan Chi's punches, flowing like the wind, and catches his fist, twisting his wrist and making him growl in pain.

He swung again, only for her leg to catch his arm, he flicked his eyes at her, only to meet her punches repeatedly as each strike was stronger than the last.

Her fist is covered in blackened mist as she reels her arm back and slams it right into his face, stunning his mind as she releases her leg, reels it back, and slams it right in between his legs.

The crowd jumps and groans in pain, having felt that blow, then she twists again flips him off his feet, and slams him onto the ground.

Kung Lao dodged the incoming skull and flung his hat right at Shang Tsung, slicing at his shoulder, then charged at him and threw calculated swings at him, then caught his arm and slammed his palm right into his throat, making him gag.

Then jerks him forward and slams the side of his palm right into the back of his neck.

Shang Tsung felt his neck ready to break. But Kang Lao shoves him back, twists, and slams his foot right into the sorcerer's chest, making him fly back.

Then Kung Lao pulled his hand out once more and flung it at the sorcerer, it sliced at his neck, grazing it. He gasps, catching himself, and grips at his throat.

Ming throws her punches at Quan Chi, blocking each one then phases right through him and pulls him into a headlock. "I know what you did," she whispers.

Making him flick his eyes at her, "You must have been desperate to pull a page from Shang Tsung's book." she growls, flicking her eyes at him. "And when Scorpion finds out, oh-oh-oh. It will be a roasting blood bath." she chuckles darkly.

She lets him go, shoving him forward and slams her foot right into his back.

Kung Lao twisted, slamming his foot right into Shang Tsung's face, its twist, almost losing his footing.

The two locked eyes for a moment, nodding at one another, then threw their final punches at the two sorcerers. Forcing them to stand back to back.

Kung Lao reeled his fist back as Ming twisted, reeling her leg up, and in perfect sync, Kung Lao launched his fist forward as Kai Ming, shot her foot forward, slammed into the sorcerers' faces, and collided with one another.

The two jumped back, watching the sorcerers stagger for a moment until they both fell to the ground. "Kung Lao and Kai Ming win!" the announcer shouts as they both stand victories.

"It is done!" Kung Lao shouts out, Ming runs over to his side, making him look at her and smile. She bows her head to him as Marina exhales with relief.

The two sorcerers slowly pull themselves up as Shang Tsung glares up at them. "No, Kung Lao. Not nearly so," he mutters to him as they pull themselves back to their feet and stagger to Shao Kahn's side.

The two shared a look, but then the doors to the pit opened and out stepped Kintaro. Kung Lao and Kai Ming take a step back, taking their stance.

Kintaro reels his head back, stretching his arms out, and lets out a mighty roar as the coliseum cheers for him. Then he looks back at the two mortals before him.

Standing before them and growls, "I will eat your heart!" he shouts and takes his stance. The Shaolin and Persefoni charge at Kintaro, Ming swings her leg at him as Kung Lao throws his hat.

But Kintaro catches both, Ming gasps in surprise as she pulls off the ground and Kung Lao's hat vanishes from the shakon's hand and back onto his head.

He frowns at his hand, but a kick is delivered to his face, he is caught off guard by the kick and then looks over at the Persefoni that he holds off the ground.

Ming frowns at him, then Kung Lao charges and plants a kick right in his cheek, making him stagger back and both look at him. "Didn't your mother ever teach you, it's rude to hold girls upside down by their ankle." he jokes.

Marina covers her mouth, holding back her laugh as Kung Lao takes his stance and charges again, Kintaro frowns and flung Ming right at him.

She cries out, making Smoke jump as she smacks into Kung Lao, but tumbles onto the ground as Kung Lao slides to a stop and both groan. "Sorry," Ming mutters, rubbing her head.

Kung Lao groans, shaking his head as he looks at her, "No worries." he assures her. Then he looked back and saw Kintaro marching towards him. "We're gonna have to work together if we are going to defeat him," he informs.

Ming looks back at Kinatro and nods, "I'll follow your lead." she answers, he nods and both vanish and appear back on their feet, taking their stance.

Kung Lao swung at him first, hitting him in the chest, Ming slid past and slammed her elbow right into Kintaro's knee, forcing him to drop to a knee, allowing Kung Lao to thrust his fist right into Kintaro's face.

The Shokan takes hold of Kung Lao's fist, slamming his fists right into Kung Lao's gut. Ming stood to her feet and raised her fist. Blacken mist clouds her fist as it reaches her eyes and veins turning cold black as she looks back at Kintaro and thrusts her fist into his back.

Kintaro cries out, feeling his entire being still for a moment, and lets Kung Lao's fist go. The monk stumbles for a moment then looks at Kintaro as he is frozen, straining in pain as Ming steps into view.

The others looked at her in surprise as her skin was snow white, the veins in her body turned black and her eyes were nothing but pitch black.

Smoke and Marina raised their heads at the young Persefoni as she leaned in close. "Soul a bright and strong soul," she whispers, her voice, tender and distorted that echo. "It would be such a shame to wither such a soul," she growls and turns her fist.

Making Kintora cry out in pain, making Shao Kahn frown deeply at her, "Damn... witch!" Kintora snarls, only making her turn her fist again and he cries out.

Kung Lao takes a step back, "Persefoni. Do not insult me, Shokan. I should destroy you here and now for that. But I'll leave you with the shame of losing Kombat." she snarls, pulling her fist out and slamming the back of her elbow right into the back of his neck and strides pass him.

Holding the authority of a Matriarch. "He's all yours," she spoke to Kung Lao. He nods at her and looks back at Kintaro. Stepping a good stance away from them, Kai Ming turned back and stood straight as she held hands in front of her.

Kung Lao steps in front of Kintaro as he grips his vest, reels his fist back, and slams it right into his face, he repeats this action a few times.

But while he was doing that, Kai Ming suddenly felt light head, making her stagger in her stance as she blinked and fluttered her eyes, the darkness that once seeped from her aura sank back and retreated into her body.

Smoke flicks his eyes over at her, seeing her complexion revert to her original color, the blackness in her eyes and veins slither back as she presses her hand to her head, staggering in her stance.

"Ming!" he calls out, running to her, Raiden and Marina look over at them as he catches her right before she hits the ground.

Liu Kang takes his chance and begins unshackling Kitana from the pillars that strung her up.

Kung Lao ceases his attack as Kintaro is tapped out, the monk lets him go and with a light push, the Shakon falls back and collapses onto the ground.

The crowd boos Kung Lao as he looks at him and held his hands up, taking his blade hat off and bows before the coliseum. Then he turns to the others as the two Gods look at him and exhale with relief.

"You see Raiden?" Kung Lao states as he places his hand back on, "Earthrealm is free--!" he starts, but Shao Kahn stands behind him, grips his head, and snaps it out of place.

"Kung Lao!" Marina and Raiden shout in shock, "Nooo!" Liu Kang shouts watching his best friend crumble to the ground with a snapped neck. The others gasp in horror, but the coliseum just cheers as Shao Kahn grins sinisterly, looking at the two Gods.

"I will strip the flesh from your bones!" Raiden shouts as he charges the lighting between his hands. "I'll destroy your very essence!" Marina snarls as she charges the fire in the palm of her hands.

But before either of them attacks, Liu Kang charges right at Shoa Kahn and they both stumble to the ground. The two Gods growl as they extinguish their powers as Liu Kang shoves the Emperor to the ground.

But Shao Kahn shoves him right off and he falls back onto the ground, momentarily, until he scrambles back onto his feet.

Shao Kahn chuckles as he stands to his feet, looking at the young Shaolin Monk. "Witless boy. Do you know who I am?" he questions as Liu Kang just glares at him, holding his stance. "The murder of my friend!" he answers.

But Shao Kahn just laughs at him, "I am Shao Kahn Konqueror of Worlds! You will taste no victory." he assures him, but Liu Kang just glares at him. "You will taste your blood!" he snaps and takes his stance.

Liu Kang charges at Shao Kang charges at him, swinging his fists at him, but the Emperor was strong and powerful with his attacks, but Liu Kang's fury was stronger.

He battles the emperor with a heated heart of rage and vengeance. Amongst the battle that determined the very fate of Earthrealm, Marina turns her gaze to Kung Lao, she staggers her way to the fallen Shaolin monk.

Raiden flicks his eyes to his lover watching as she drops to her knees gathers Kung Lao in her arms and rests his head on her lap as she looks him over.

He frowns in regret and looks away from her as the tears stream from his cheeks and drip onto Kung Lao's face.

Liu Kang repeatedly swung his fist into the Emperor's chest, making him gasp as each hit was worse than the last.

He quickly steps back, staying on his toes and then the bicycle kicks him in the face, the Emperor staggers back, and Liu Kang twists and slams his foot right into Shao Kahn.

The Emperor staggers back and then swings at Liu Kang, only for him to catch his fist, swing him right over, and flip the Emperor right off his feet.

Liu Kang exhales as he staggers back and exhales with anger as he glares at the Emperor. "Get up," he orders.

Shoa Kahn exhales as he slowly staggers for a moment and slowly pulls himself back to his feet. Liu Kang glares at him and raises his fist. "For Kung Lao, the Shaolin, and Earthrealm!" he declares, charging the fire as it collects into his fist.

The rage builds within a matter of seconds, he reels his fist back, bellowing in anger as he shuffles forward and slams his fist right into Shao Kahn's chest.

But the very heat of the fired charged fist melted right through his very flesh and burst right through him, peering right through the Emperor's back.

Shao Kahn gasps in shock as blood spilled from his lips, leaning against the Shaolin for a mere moment but Liu Kang forcibly removes his fist and steps back from the emperor. Who fell to his knees and crumbled to the ground.

Limp and dead on the ground as blood pools around him, "I can't believe... Earthrealm has won." Shang Tsung spoke in surprise as the very sky shone down on Liu Kang who was standing victorious over the fallen Emperor.

"The Elder Gods have spoken. Earthrealm is free from Shao Kahn forever." Raiden declares. Shang Tsung nudges his head at the fallen Emperor and Tarkatans step out, gather their fallen Emperor, and leave the Coliseum with the other Outworld warriors.

But Liu Kang just stood in his spot, not feeling victorious. Kitana walks over, standing next to him as she takes his hand and looks at her, she offers him a small smile, one he tries to return, but can only muster a bitter one.

Then he looked over at his fallen friend and stepped over to him, Kitana followed him and both sank to their knees and looked at the fallen Shaolin Monk who rested in the Goddess's arms, who wept over the fallen.

"But the victory was almost too steep to pay," Raiden states as he stood behind Marina. The anger left Liu Kang as sorrow filled his heart. "Kung Lao's death is my fault. I encouraged him. Our triumph was not meant to be achieved in this way." he informs them.

Liu Kang covers his mouth momentarily then presses his knuckles into the sands of the coliseum as Kitana presses her hand to his shoulder, giving him comfort. "I see how now. He must win refers to you. But to prevent Armageddon, you needed to defeat Shoa Kahn, not Shang Tsung." Raiden states.

Marina frowns as she just looks down at Kung Lao, Raiden removes his amulet and sees more cracks formed. "It cannot be! Shao Kahn is dead! Yet the future remains unchanged!" he shouts and Liu Kang looks at him in surprise. "Unchanged or not. Kung Lao is dead!" Marina reminds him.

The others looked at her as the rest gathered. "He did not need to die." she mutters, stroking his face, Raiden just looks down at her and places his hand on her shoulder "You're right," he admits.

She just sniffled as she held Kung Lao close to her, like a mother weeping over her lost child.

~8~8~8~

Standing in the Throne room, the Outworld warriors were gathered as they discussed their current situation.

"Shao Kahn is finished."

"Mileena is his heir. She should rule."

Shang Tsung just frowns with his arms crossed. "Mileena? She exists only because of my sorcery," he informs them, throwing a disapproving frown at them.

Mileena shot a glare back at him, ready for a fight. "And you breathe because I retrain mine." Shao Kahn calls out, startling everyone as he and Quan Chi step into the Throne room.

Shao Kahn pressed his hand to his wound as it was still healing. "Emperor!" Sheeva called out in surprise as the warriors gathered and bowed before the Emperor.

"I am not so easily killed. Quan Chi accelerated my recovery." the Emperor informs them as he joins the others, who stand before him, "Emperor, I--" Shang Tsung starts to explain, but the heated glare of Shao Kahn shuts him down.

"Not. One. Word. Because of you, Outworld can no longer merge with Earthrealm!" he snaps at the sorcerer, who just frowns at the Emperor.

"There may yet be another alternative, Emperor." Quan Chi spoke up gaining Shao Kahn's attention. "Invasion." the sorcerer declares. This even startles Shang Tsung as he looks at the fellow sorcerer. "Invasion?!" he questions.

But Shao Kahn held his hand up, stopping him then looked back to Quan Chi. "Do you mock me? Sindel's Ward prevents me from setting foot in Earthrealm." he reminds him, pressing his hand back to his wound.

"Have you considered why your wife and empress chose to betray you in this particular fashion?" Quan Chi asks as he folds his hands. "Of course. But even after millennia, her motives are a mystery." the emperor answers him.

He then turns and staggers to his throne, "She realized that the safeguards afforded by the Elder Gods through Mortal Komat are but fiction." Quan Chi spoke as the Outworld Warriors stood.

"She sacrificed herself to give protection the Elder Gods could not. So Earthrealm could not suffer as had Edenia." the sorcerer explains as the Emperor takes his seat. "Indeed." he agrees.

~8~8~8~

Noob Saibot step into the desert that was littered with ruins of a city long past. Quan Chi steps in behind him as the death magic gathers in the sands.

"I have mastered the spells necessary for her resurrection. Her ward will be nullified. And with it the barrier that prevents your entry into Earthrealm."

Popping from the dry sands, a skeleton hand reaches out, trying to dig itself as another skeleton hand pops out, making more of an effort.

Quan Chi grins to himself as he and Noob Saibot watch as the skeleton slowly digs itself out from the sand.

"I will return her to you, of course. You will find her more... cooperative."

"This is a very magnanimous offer."

"I wish only to serve, Emperor."

Finally, the skeleton dug itself out from the sands of the desert and rolled onto its back, trying to make sense of what was happening.

The magic around it dies for a moment until Quan Chi shoots his hand out as the same magic flows and shoots out at the skeleton.

"I am weary of sorcerers, Quan Chi. Prove your worth. Bring her to me."

The death magic slowly gathers around the skeleton forming the figure of a woman as the skeleton arches off the sands, causing muscles and nerves to gather.

A voice began croaking from her mouth as the skin was setting in. A scream breaks out, making Quan Chi step forward and Noob Saibot take his stance.

Taking in a fresh inhale of air, Sindel, reborn shot up as her hair was back and white and her eyes were pure white. She takes in her surroundings as Quan Chi kneels before her.

"Sindel." he spoke with a bow of his head, she blinked looking up at him, "Quan Chi?" she questioned, surprised to see him again. "Shao Kahn looks forward to your return," he informs her.

She takes a moment, pondering his statement, and smiles to herself "The Emperor! Yesss." she said with a nod.

Holding his hand out, signaling Noob Saibot to stand down and he does, keeping his eyes on Sindel. "What of Kitana?" she asks, looking at the sorcerer.

"Kitana now allies herself with Earthrealm," he answers her, she frowns, looking away from the sorcerer. "Then she is no longer my daughter." she declares and looks back at the sorcerer.

"Take me to Shao Kahn," she orders him, he nods his head at her. "Yes, Empress," he answers and stood his full height, folding his hands behind his back as Noob Saibot strides forward and stood next to Quan Chi.

"The Invasion of Earthrealm can now begin."

[assassinnovice]

Chapter 10: Bonds of Sisters

Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat, those rights belong to The Netherrealm Studio

Two Tartakans stood over the open crates of weapons as they peer in, "That is all of them." Braka as he placed the shotgun back into the crate and the others were ogling the one in his hands.

Braka looks over and snatches it from his hands, "That is no toy! It belongs to Shang Tsung!" he orders and places it back into the crate. "We are finished. Return to your post," he orders him.

The Tarkatan nods and walks off as Baraka closes the crate, but the sound of a heavy thud draws his attention and he looks over, seeing Jade marching forward from the gate.

He matches to meet her, "Stand aside. I will see Kitana." she orders him, "No one enters the Tower." he snarls at her.

"You are an excellent guard dog, Baraka. But you must learn to heel." she taunts placing her hands on her hips, Baraka snarls at her. "I do not take orders from you." he snapped and immediately took his stance.

He flicks out his blades and swings at her, Jade jumps back expands her staff, and blocks the blades.

She then twists and slams her foot right into his chest, making him stumble back. She charges and twists, slamming her foot right into his chest.

Baraka stumbles again and glares back at her, she twirls her staff and stands in her stance. Then held out her hand and beckoned him to come at her.

Baraka snarled and charged at her and swung his fist at her, Jade was able to block the first few, but he knocked her off guard, making her stumble back and was kicked right off her feet and smacked onto the ground.

But Jade quickly recovered flipped back onto her feet and swung her staff at him, hitting him square in the jaw. Stumbling back, Baraka grips his jaw and sets it back into place.

After adjusting his jaw, he growls and glares at Jade. She charged at the Tarkatan and swung her staff once more.

He dodges her swings and blocks her staff with his bone blade, meeting each swing head-on. He kicks the staff from her hands and slices at her.

Jade cries out as she stumbles back, blinking for a moment, she looks back dodges the incoming blade, and keeps on her toe. She blocks his arms and slams her knee right into his chest.

The blows take the Tarkatan off guard and she upper-cuts him, slamming her foot right at his chin. Baraka stumbles back and can't collect himself as Jade twists and slams her foot right into his face.

He was knocked off his feet and slammed onto the ground, knocked out cold. He lies limp on the ground but still breathing. Jade steps forward as she looks out at Baraka. "Good boy." she mocks and stands over him.

Baraka just pants as he looks up at her, "Edenians have no loyalty." he snarls at her, "Blind loyalty is not a good thing, as I have learned. You must keep your eyes open—to anticipate the finishing blow." she informs him.

Baraka just blinks at her, "What are you talking about?" he questions, but her only answer, she raises her foot and slams it right into his face, knocking him out from the blow.

She sighed as she shook her head at him, "You make it too easy." she spoke and strides past him.

~8~8~8~

She quickly strides into the hall, seeing at the far end, Kitana was restrained by a magical rope as one of the Shokan standing before her, belittling her for her actions that led her to her situation.

"If you had not dishonored yourself by--" she went on until she noticed the marching Edenian, "Jade!" Kitana calls out, seeing her friend coming to her rescue.

"My orders are clear. No one is allowed in the Tower!" Sheeva orders aloud, Jade is not too concerned "As you can see, I am here." she informs her.

Sheeva frowns at the Edenian "Here to help the princess escape!" she snaps and turns away from Kitana. "You would deny her execution? The only means of regaining her honor?" she questions her.

Jade stood and glared at Sheeva, "We have very different concepts of honor, Shokan." she snapped and both stood their stance. Jade charges at her, but Sheeva dodges her and swings her fist at her.

Jade was taken by surprise and went flying to the ground. But she flips back onto her feet and expands her staff. She charged at Sheeva and swung at Sheeva.

The Shokan was fast in her movement, but Jade was quicker and got the upper hand and slammed the end of her staff right into Sheeva's gut and twirled it, uppercutting her, making her stumble back and trying to regain her focus.

But Jade charged at her and swung her staff at her once, keeping her vision unfocused as she stepped back with each swing. But Sheeva catches her staff and slams the end right into her collarbone.

Jade gasps in pain and staggers back, Sheeva marches at her, gripping her by her arm and leg, raising her above her, and slams her onto the ground.

Jade groaned for a moment then was stomped upon by the Shokan, making her cry out in pain. The Shokan jumps away, allowing Jade to pull herself back to her feet, and shakes off the attack.

She glares at the Shokan who begins to march right toward her, Jade places her staff away and takes her stance once more.

Sheeva swung at Jade, only for the Endenian to dodge her swing, Sheeva swung again, but Jade dodged her swings keeping on her toes, then dodged the swings and then kicked at the Shokan.

Making her kicks powerful and knocking Sheeva off her feet, Jade slams her foot right into her chest, making Sheeva cry out.

Jade jumped back as Sheeva pulled herself back to her feet, Jade extended her staff once more and swung at her again, keeping Sheeva's focus off, Sheeva staggered back, nearly gaining her focus back, this gave Jade the chance and she charged forward and slammed a powered kick right into her.

Sheeva went flying back and crashed onto the ground. Once she was down Jade lowered her stance and looked down at the Shokan. "Not much of a jailor, are you?" she questions her.

Then quickly walks to her best friend. "Now then, Your Highness... let us see how quickly we can remove these bonds," she spoke and looked down at the magic that held Kitana in place.

"Jade, I--" Kitana starts, Jade stops and looks back at her friend, giving her a knowing nod. "I am too," she answers.

"Stop her!"

"Do not let her get away!"

Voices from behind the door where Jade came from, the women looked at the door, "Go. Find Raiden. Ask for his help." she ordered her.

Jade took one last look at the door and quickly ran, leaving the room before she was discovered.

Kitana watches her leave and looks at the bracelet on her wrist, rubbing it with her thumb, and exhales. "I hope this works," she mutters then inhales as she closes her eyes.

"Marina, Goddess of Balance and Fertility, I call upon you. Please, I need you."

The bracelet glowed a warm hum as her prayer was carried through the winds and traveled beyond her realm.

~8~8~8~

Jade ran through the forest, coming out to the beach, looking back as none of the Tarkatans or Shokans were chasing her. She came to a stop, allowing herself to breath.

"That should distance me from any pursuers," she spoke with confidence, but a flash behind her caught her attention, and she turned around, seeing Kitana's clone appear from a purple light.

Dressed in attire she glares at Jade, "Others pursue. I find." she spoke with confidence and strutted forward. Jade just blinks in surprise. "By the Gods... You are Mileena!" she spoke in surprise.

"You must return with me! There is to be a celebration for my sister!" she said with twisted glee, raising her hands in the air with a twirl.

She then looked back at Jade, "She is going away..." she sang softly and took her stance. Jade charges at her, but Mileena's shadow dashes at her and knocks Jade off her feet.

Jade props herself up and glares at Mileena and with a green flash, appears back to her feet and slams her foot right into her, making Mileena stagger back.

Jade twisted and swung her leg at her, but Mileena's shadow dashed again, appearing behind Jade and slicing at her back. Jade gasped in pain as she staggered.

She growls and then twists at her, backhanding her and expanding her staff, twirling her staff and hitting the side of Mileena's face.

She swung her staff at her, Mileena staggers again, then glares at Jade, she charges, jumping at her, locking her legs around her chest, and biting into her neck.

Jade cries out and shoves her off, Mileena laughs as she lands on her feet then shadow dashes at her, but Jade dodges the attack and swings her staff again.

Mileena staggers back for a moment and Jade slams her knee right into Mileena's chest. Moving as fast as the wind and swinging her staff, keeping Mileena off guard, she slammed her staff at her chest swung her right off her head, and smacked her right into the sandy beach.

Mileena tried to stand to her feet, but Jade stood over her. A glare in her eyes slams her foot right into Mileena's face, knocking her right out.

"I am more of a sister to Kitana than you." she snarls at the Clone of her best friend. She lowers her stance and stares at the clone, still can't believe her eyes. "I must find Raiden," she spoke aloud and went to leave.

"He is here." a voice calls out, she stops seeing the flash of lighting, and appearing from the thunder was Lord Raiden himself, joined with Earthrealm's champion.

Luna looked down at the woman lying on the ground, thinking it was Kitana for a moment, but her scent... it was all wrong. She wrenches and immediately covers her nose.

Ming looks well as Smoke marches past her, "Kitana turns away from Shoa Kahn so you attack her rather than join her?" he questions the Endenian

Jade blinks as she realizes the scene that was planted before them, she holds her hand out and points at Mileena. "This is not--" she tries to explain.

Liu Kang went to join Smoke, but Raiden and Kai Ming stopped him, "Smoke! Stop! That is not Kitana!" Raiden calls out to him. But Smoke didn't listen to him "You will come no closer!" he shouted and took his stance.

The two broke out in Kombat. Ming looked over at Mileena on the ground, "He is right, whatever that thing is... it is not Kitana." she spoke, Liu Kang blinked and looked at her. "What do you mean?" he asks her.

Luna lowered her hand, "Her scent... she reeks of dark magic and blood." she spoke, Ming nodded in agreement. "And her soul... Kitana's soul has a pureness to it, whereas this one... it's been twisted with insanity." she added.

Liu Kang looks between the women, "Are you sure?" he asks them both nods at him. They heard a grunt, seeing Smoke was getting his ass kicked.

"Should we stop this?" Ming asks them, Luna leans her staff against her shoulder and crosses her arms. "We should, but this could be a good lesson," she states.

Ming pressed her hands to her hips, "And what lesson would that be?" she asked, Luna looked over at her. "Think before you engage in Kombat," she answers.

Ming ponders her answer for a moment and looks back at the two fighters. Then just shrugs at her.

Jade moved fast, continuously knocking Smoke off his feet and swinging her staff at him, but Smoke just as fast, nailing her a few times.

But she kept recovering and swung her staff, and with a twist, she knocks Smoke off his feet and slams her foot right into his chest sending him crashing onto the sand and rolling to a stop.

Once he can regain his breath, Jade lowers her fists and looks down at him, "I did not wish to do that." she informs him.

Smoke props himself up as Ming hurries to his side, "Did we finally learn to look before jumping?" she asks, taking hold of his arm. He groans pulling himself to his feet.

"Give me a few rounds, it may stick." he jokes, Ming just giggles at him as Raiden walks past and stands before Jade. "Lord Raiden. I've come at the request of Kitana..." she said with a bow.

"Lord? I was with Smoke. I thought she was a bad guy. Girl. Guess he turned another one... What's Raiden got that I haven't got?" Johnny rambles as he places his hands on his hips.

"God-like power?" Liu Kang answers.

"A personality that is not at all like sanding paper?" Kung Luo answers.

"Is mostly a gentleman and does not flirt with every woman he comes across?" Luna answers.

Johnny just frowns as he drops his hands, "Jerks." he grumbles, they chuckle at him, "...if we do not save her, she will be executed. Kitana does not have much time." Jade warns them.

Liu Kang, Johnny, Luna, and Kung Lao quickly walk up to them. "Kitana... executed? Where is she?" Lui Kang asks her. Jade turns to him. "Held captive in the Tower of Shao Kahn's fortress," she answers him.

"I will..." Liu Kang starts, but Raiden holds up his hand, "I am not pleased with this outcome either, Liu Kang. But there is no time. We must return to the tournament." he informs him.

Liu Kang frowns at him, "But you are responsible for her capture! You persuade her to turn against Shao Kahn!" he snaps as the Thunder God.

"And we will rescue her, Liu Kang." a voice answers, the fighters look around as the winds gather around them, they turn and watch as the winds gather, petals collected in the center of the silicone. The wind then stills, making the petals drop and revealing Marina as she stood proud and tall.

Everyone looks at her in surprise, "Whoa, who is she?" Johnny asks as he is in awe of her beauty. "Goddess," Jade said as she and the others, except for Raiden and Johnny bowed before her.

"I was summoned here to Outworld. Kitana is held captive by Shao Kahn," she spoke, the anger was a soft melody that held a mother's rage. "I see my threats and warnings did not reach that brain of his," she growls.

Kung Lao raises his head, "Goddess, may I propose a plan?" he asks, she looks at him and gestures her hand to him. He salutes and turns to the Thunder God. "Lord Raiden. We can free Kitana as others fight in our stead and join you thereafter," he informs him.

Liu Kang looks at his best friend and back at the Thunder God. Raiden is silent for a moment but nods at him. "Very well," he answers.

They nodded at him and bowed before the Goddess, heading off, "We will meet you at the Coliseum." Kung Lao calls out Raiden and the others.

Marina turns and looks over at the women, "Kai Ming, go with them, they may need the extra help." she orders. Ming bowed her head, "At once, Goddess." she answered and hurried after the two.

Raiden looks over at his lover, but she refuses to meet his eyes, as her temper is slowly rising.

[assassinnovice]

Chapter 9: The Seed of Doubt

Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat, those rights belong to The Netherrealm Studio

Night poured over the sky of Outworld as the Princess and her best friend walked along the corpse-ridden beach. "Is this how you show your loyalty, Jade?" Kitana snaps.

"Kitana, I-" Jade starts as Kitana snaps a glare at her, "You follow me when I wish to be alone, then you upbraid me?" the princess questions as she stops and turns to her.

"I will not be scolded like some child!" she shouts at her, Jade just sighs. "You need to be careful. I have never seen your father this angry with you," she warns, but Jade waves her off and turns away.

Jade walks after her, "You are a princess. He expects more from you than this." she informs and Kitana turns back to her, "I know what he expects!" she snaps at her.

Jade stood for a moment and sighed, "We will talk later. When you are in more of a mind to listen." she spoke and walked off, Kitana watched her leave and sighed in frustration.

She then looks down at her wrist looks at the bracelet and brushes the metal. "Goddess, where are you? I need your wisdom," she mutters.

Then right on cue, thunder crackles behind her as Johnny, Raiden, and Smoke step out with Luna and Kai Ming behind them as they draw her attention. "Princess Kitana. I request an audience." the Thunder God spoke up.

The princess marches towards them, "Earthrealmers! You dare approach me?" she snaps at them. "Hey listen, honey, we don't wanna fight," Johnny assures her.

"But we will if we must." Smoke snapped as he took his stance, Luna just exhaled as she shook her head and Ming was taken in shock to comprehend what was happening.

"You will learn respect!" she snaps at them and takes her stance, Kitana charges at Smoke as he pulls up his guard. The princess slams her knee into his guard, throwing him off and roundhouse him, throwing him to the ground.

He stood to his feet, but she twisted back and threw him right back to the ground, Smoke dashed back to his feet and jumped out of her range as Johnny jumped in and fit her square in the face.

Kitana stumbles back but collects herself as Johnny charges at her, Kitana sidesteps, dodging his attempt, and slices her bladed fan at him, cutting his arm.

Johnny stumbles back, gripping his arm for a moment, then looks back, only to see Kitana's foot slam right into his face. He stumbles back for a moment then her foot repeatably slams into his face and knocks him right back.

Smoke appears as Johnny picks himself up and pulls away, Smoke and Kitana are locked in a solid battle, but Smoke shoves her back and slams his palm right into her stomach, she shakes violently and is thrown around onto the sandy beach.

But she immediately stood back to her feet, then slammed her feet right into his gut, knocking him back as she charged at him, twisted as she reeled her foot right up, and slammed it down into him.

Smoke cries out in pain, snapping Ming out of her shocked trance, she blinks for a moment as Smoke rolls away and dashes back to his feet.

"What's going on?" she asks, Luna, looks at her surprise she speaks and lowers her arms, "Kitana has doubts in her mind about her father, we're here to... persuade her," she answers.

Ming just blinks as she looks back, seeing Smoke and Johnny switch places, "This is what we call persuading people?" she asks, Luna ponders her answer, "This is what we call a man's persuasion." she answers.

They both look back as Johnny is smacked against the ground, "They do know that Princess Kitana is a renowned warrior, right?" she asks.

Luna just watches the two men fight her off, "They don't need to know that." she informs them, Ming blinks for a moment and looks back at Johnny and Smoke onto the sands, defeated.

Kitana stepped forward and looked at them, "Shao Kahn wants death to follow kombat. I will give it to him." she spoke and stood ready for the killing blow.

Ming blinks as she steps forward, "But you won't, will you?" she asks. Kitana stopped and looked at her, "You..." she spoke in surprise. Ming held her arm out in front and bowed to her.

"I greet you, Princess Kitana," she said and lowered her arm. "Lady of Death, it has been a long time," she said to her, with a bow. Ming smiles at her and helps Smoke to his feet.

"You are not the Emperor, Princess. You do not kill for the pleasure of it. You have a good heart and a pure soul. Just like your father, the former emperor." she tells her.

Kitana's eyes softened for a moment at the mention of her late father. Luna walks over and helps Johnny to his feet. "You okay, Movie star?" she asks. He rubs his head with a groan of pain.

"I think something is broken." he mutters, Luna, chuckles at him, "I think that's just your ego," she answers, Johnny frowns at her. "Don't become what Shoa Kahn wants you to be, don't become his weapon of twisted pleasure," Ming asks of the Princess.

Conflicted, Kitana looked away from her as Ming held her hands, "Perhaps Liu Kang wasn't wrong about you." Raiden states the turn and looks at the thunder god as he steps forward. "Just like I, he senses that there is conflict within you," he states.

Ming steps away and looks Smoke over, Johnny rubs his neck as he looks at God. "Thanks," he mutters and cracks his neck. "Ow. You couldn't've seen that in one o' your hot flashes?" he questions.

Luna frowns as she shoves him forward, "Hey!" he shouts, "That's not how visions work, dum-dum." she states and shoves him again.

Raiden watches him walk off and steps in front of the princess, "Something whispers to you that circumstances should be different. That you should be different. You are much more like Sindel than Shao Ka--" he starts, but stops short as his head throbs.

Sindel appears in his mind, in a mid-scream as she is powerful.

Being pulled away from his vision, he blinks from the shock, "Sindel. But she's dead." he mutters aloud.

Ming turns from Smoke as Kitana is taken by surprise. "Yes, my mother is dead, yes. Why do you--" she starts.

"You need answers. I can help you find them, if you will trust in me," he informs her, Ming flicks her eyes between the two. "Go to Shang Tsung's Flesh Pits. Much will be revealed there." Raiden informs her.

"The Flesh Pits? But I am forbidden to--" she informs him, Ming walks up and places her hand on Kitana's shoulder. "And you've never wondered why? Why Shao Kahn wanted to never set foot there?" she questions her.

Kitana just looks at her, "I... don't know. Tell me--" she asks as she steps closer to the Thunder God. "You must discover your true path. Alone," he informs her.

Raiden walks away, joining the others, Ming casts one last smile at her and joins them. They vanish in a sudden flash of lightning.

Kitana stood by herself, then lightly gripped the bracelet on her wrist and looked down at the light metal.

Always follow your heart, my young little sun.

The Goddess's words ring in her ears, Kitana exhales and walks off, leaving the beach as her destination is sent in her mind.

~8~8~8~

Striding through the woods, her thoughts were shuffling through her mind as there were many to consider. But she was pulled away as she came to a stop and looked over her shoulder.

"Show yourself, Jade. I know you're following me. Again." she snaps, her close friend steps out from the woods and stands in front of her. "Following you still. I know where you're going. I am ordered to prevent you from going there." she informs her, stepping in her way.

Arching her brow, Kitana steps forward, "And why is that?" she questions her, Jade steps forward. "I do not question the emperor's commands. Kitana, please. Turn back." she asks of her.

"I cannot. The path might lead me to the truth. I'm sorry, Jade... but I will not allow you to stop me." she informs her and they both take their stance.

Both women charged at one another and swung their fists, but were evenly matched having trained together since childhood.

Kitana stood her ground, keeping on her toes and minding her best friend's swings and body movements.

Jade's swings were powerful and with the combination with her staff, it made her a force to reckon with. But Kitana in combination with her fans, was the power of the very winds.

With the swings of her fans, she knocks Jade's staff from her hand, making her watch her weapon clatter to the forest ground, she looks back and sees the incoming foot of Kitana's boot and hits her square in the face sending her flying.

Jade smacks onto the ground as the impact knocks her vision black, exhaling to herself, Kitana lowers her arms as she frowns sadly to herself. "I tried to warn you..." she spoke as she lowered her stance.

"This is something I have to do," she tells her and walks off, leaving her friend stranded in the forest.

~8~8~8~

Entering the Tower of Flesh, slowly strolling down the steps, deeper into the tower grounds.

Passing the mounds of melded flesh and the tanks that held mutated female bodies that laid dormant in these tanks for who knows how long.

Or if they even had a soul and were alive for that matter, she steps in front of one and takes a closer look at one of the bodies, seeing the changes in the mutations.

The only common was the facial expression. The same eyes, the same nose, but the mouth... it was that of a Tarkatan. "What is the name of..." she mutters to herself.

Stepping away from the tank, she looks over at the body, similar to the one in the tank lying on the altar, stepping closer and taking a closer look.

Getting a better look, she saw it was herself, with a Tarkatan's mouth. "She looks like... me!" she snaps in horror.

The eyes suddenly snap open as Kitana steps back in surprise the woman on the table looks up at her, her orange slit eyes staring right back at her and she smiles.

"Sister," she said in glee and sat up from the altar. Kitana stumbles back as she. 'Sister' slides off the table.

The clone just looked at her, "So pretty, so fair... so sad and alone." she sang aloud. Kitana steps back in shock as the clone strides towards her.

Her clone held out her hands to her, "Come. Let us be a family!" she spoke in a sinister glee. But Kitana's shock was washed away with rage. "You are not my family. You are a monstrosity!" she snapped and took her stance.

Kitana charges at her, striking her as fast as the wind, staying on her toes, and never standing still for a second.

But the Clones caught up and struck back at her, moving just as fast and catching her swings, striking back at her as she swung, throwing Kitana to the ground.

The Princess was surprised by it, but she immediately pulled herself up, pulled out her fans, and swung at her, this caught the clone by surprise, and she stepped back, dodging her weapons.

Kitana sees her attention remain on her fans, so she slams her knee right into the clone, taking her by surprise, and slices at her clone, making her stagger back she delivers the final blow and the clone falls back onto the ground.

Stepping back from her, Kitana glares down at her clone, "Farewell, sister!" she snarls as she readies to take the final blow.

But Shang Tsuag stepped into the pit and stood before her, holding his hand out, and stopped her. "That is no way to treat your sibling," he informs her.

Lowering her arms, Kitana glares at the sorcerer, "Despicable swine! Do you think my father will stand for this... these... abominations you have created here?!" she questions him, pointing at the tanks and her clone.

"I am merely perfecting you, princess. As difficult as that might be," he assures her with a bow of his head. "Silence! I will drag you before Shao Kahn by your pointed beard!" she declares and takes her stance.

Shang Tsung charges at her, firing a flaming skull. Kitana leaps right over him, and swung her leg, hitting him in the back of the head.

Shang Tsung was old for his age, even though his youth was restored, it was still experienced in the Arts of Mortal Kombat.

And Kitana may have been young, but she was trained alongside Jade, her best friend. Kitana gave it her all in every means of defeating her opponent.

She pulled out her fans and swung at him, but he was an advantage, the sorcerer right hooks her, catching her off guard and he slams his palm at her chest.

The princess gasped in horror, feeling her soul being drained from her, Kitana needed to think quickly. She flicks out her fan and slices at Shang Tsung's chest.

Making him gasp in pain and stagger back he lets her soul slip back into her body, taking a second to collect herself, she glares back at the sorcerer, charging at him, and leaps in the air, slamming her foot right into his face.

He flew back, hitting the ground. Kitana landed on her feet and exhaled as Shang Tusng flips back onto his feet and took his stance he charged at her and swung his fists.

Kitana dodges his fists, nearly having close calls from the swings, but she slices at his arms, making him cry out and stagger back.

The princess took her chance and charged at him, twisting and slamming her foot right into his face, he staggers back as she reeled her fist back once more and slammed it into his chest, sending him flying back and hitting the ground.

The wind knocks out of his lungs and he just lays there, trying to catch his breath. Kitana lowers her fists as she glares at the sorcerer. "Get up," she orders and marches towards the sorcerer.

She reels her arm down and lifts him right off the ground, "You will stand before my father and confess your deeds." she orders him, Shang Tsung just grins at her as she drags him out of the pits, leaving her clone unconscious on the ground.

~8~8~8~

Shao Kahn sat on his throne with two of his guards, and Shang Tsung sat on his knees as Kitana stood before the emperor. "I would not disturb you, Father, if this matter were not of the utmost importance. I felt you should know what Shang Tsung has been doing as of late," she informs him.

Shao Kahn stood from his throne. "This conjurer has created horrid replicas of me—crossbred with Tarkatan blood. One was alive—and attack me!" she informs him.

The emperor looks between the princess and sorcerer for a mere moment then motions for Shang Tsung to raise. "Well done, sorcerer," he tells him.

Shang Tsung bowed his head and stood to his feet. Kitana just looks at them in shock, turning her gaze to her father. "You know... You... approve? How could you? My own father!" she shouts at him.

"I am your emperor!" he shouts, making her step back in shock, "Your father was a weakling Edenian king. I annihilated him while merging his realm with Outworld and took his queen as my wife," he informs her.

Kitana takes a step back in shock as he towers over her, "If only I had not allowed Sindel to convince me of your worth... and that pesky Goddess threatening to destroy my reign." he spoke.

The Princess thinks back and consciously grips the bracelet at her wrist. Shoa Kahn turns to the sorcerer "But now I have a true daughter!" he declares as Shang Tsung bows his head to him.

Removing her hand, Kitana glares at the Emperor. "Raiden was right. You have lied to me my entire life." she snarls. Shao Kahn looks back to his guards. "Escort her to the Tower. I will make an example of her," he orders.

His guards grabbed hold of her, Kitana struggled in their grip as she was led out of the throne room. "Return to the Flesh Pits. Being me my daughter. Mileena." he orders the sorcerer that stood next to him.

As Kitana was led out of the throne room, Jade stepped out from behind the statue and watched as her friend was led away. "I failed you, Kitana. Now I will make amends." she declares and follows after them.

[assassinnovice]

Chapter 8: A Fate Altered

Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat, those rights belong to The Netherrealm Studio

Standing in the lower section of the castle, Sub-Zero froze a guard and then lowers his hands, "A pity you could not have cooperated." he said to the guard. But then a cyborg steps out from the hall, "You are ordered to return to the Lin Kuei temple for assimilation." he calls out. 

Sub-Zero looks and gasps in shock as he recognizes the cyborg. "Cyrax!" he calls out. "I am Lin Kuei unit L-K-4-D-4. You will come with me." he orders him, marching towards him. "I am sorry for what they did you and I am grateful for you keeping Ming company, but I will not comply," he informs him and takes his stance.

Sub-Zero swung at him, but Cyrax blocked the attack and swung back, Sub-Zero dodged the metal arm and dodged the next few blows. 

Then Cyrax reels his fist back and slams it into Sub-Zero's chest, he slides back, falling to a knee as he presses his hand into his chest. 

Sub-Zero coughs as he looks back at Cyrax, he marches towards Sub-Zero once more, but he stands back up and uppercuts his, sending Cyrax off the ground and slamming onto the back.

He looked up and saw Sub-Zero take his stance, flipping back onto his feet, Cyrax swung at him again, but Sub-Zero just dodged and swung at him, his fist, radiating with frost. Each punch spreads frost along the metal. Cyrax stumbles back and Sub-Zero delivers the final blow.

Cyrax falls back and is down, Sub-Zero relaxes in his stance and looks down at his friend. "I will face the Lin Kuei when my task is done, not before," he swore to him, Cyrax just looked up at him, holding his side, and vanished as Sonya and Jax stepped into the chamber. 

"The readings were getting stronger and now they're gone. I –" Sonya states, but she and Jax look ahead and see a familiar face. "Sub-Zero?! But... you're dead!" she shouts as she and Jax walk up to him.

But Sub-Zero waves it off, "I am not the Sub-Zero you speak of He was my brother." he said and saluted. "Your... brother?" Sonya asks, surprised Sub-Zero even had a brother. 

"I am here to learn Sub-Zero's fate and hopefully, find Kai Ming," he informs them, the two exchanged looks, Jax just nods at her, and they both look back. "He was killed by someone named Scorpion. Luna, of the Lunar clan, tried to stop Sub-Zero, but he was determined to fight him," she informs him, getting Sub-Zero's attention. 

"Where would I find him?" he asks. "Try the Coliseum. That's where--" she informs him, but the next to them began to glow as the souls were awake and rampaged.

Swarming around the three as they looked down at the souls, "You have disturbed our regeneration progress." Emrac calls out and forms in front of them, Jax just glares at him. "Emrac," he growls and marches towards him. "Gotcha!" he said as he gripped Emrac's neck and went to punch him.

But Emrac held up his hand and a green mist stopped Jax's hand in the air. Then he held up his other hand and the green mist collected around Jax's other arm. 

The coronal grunts as he struggles against the mist and it pulls his arms out to the sides. He cries out as his arms are being stretched. 

Then with a flick of his hand, Jax's arms burst from his body, making him cry out in pain, Emrac flicked his wrist and Jax went flying back, hitting the floor, squirming in pain as he was screaming, "Jax!" Sonya called out as she ran to his side.

She fires her gauntlets at his wounds, closing them. Emarc turns to him, "Stay with me Jax!" she tells him as Emarc turns to Sub-Zero. "We will break you as well," Emarc said as his stance, Sub-zero took his.

"Not if I break you first," he growls then charges at him, creating an ice sword and swinging at him, Emarc pulls up his arms and growls as the ice cuts through his arms, then Sub-Zero charges forward and slams his fist right into his face, making Emarc fly back and crash onto the ground.

Sub-Zero charges at him, but Emarc flips back onto his feet and side-steps then locks his arms around Sub-zero's shoulder, making him look at him, then he twists and flung Sub-zero right back, and he tumbles and rolls back onto his feet. He growls, glaring at the man. 

The fight continues as they are not holding back, but in the end, Sub-Zero is victorious. He relaxes in his stance, glaring down at the man. "I remain whole, for now." Sub-zero threw at him. 

"Sonya Blade to command. Sonya Blade to command. Do you read?" she calls on her intercom. Only static follows. "Sonya Blade to Command. Do you read?" she tries again as Jak was out cold from the shock and blood loss.

Sub-Zero stood over them, "You have stopped the bleeding." he called out, she looked up at him, "Yeah, but he needs a medic as soon as possible." she informed him, "I must get to the Coliseum." he informs her and she just looks at him in disbelief. 

"But I need your help to get him to--" she starts. "There is a portal to the south. You can use it to transport yourselves back to Earthrealm," he informs her and walks off. "Mother f..." she starts, but the wind blows right past her, making her turn as it assembles into a small tornado of petals and wind.

It dies down as the Goddess of Balance steps out, "Who are you?" she asks, "I am Marina, Goddess of Balance. I felt Jackson Briggs's pain." she answers, kneeling next to her. "Mighty warrior. What a horrible way," she states, then held her hands over the wounds and began to heal them.

"There, the wounds are stable for now, but won't last," she warns, Sonya just looks at her. "Can you help me get him back to Earthrealm?" she asks her. "I can do better," she states, standing and stepping over to the other side. "Come on, Jackson Briggs. Death will not take you this day." Marina said as she and Sonya pulled him to his feet.

~8~8~8~

Kitana blocked the fighter's attacks as he swung his leg at her, he got in a good shot, but she dodged the rest. Sub-Zero steps into the Coliseum and sees the fight as Shao Kahn watches the fight.

He stepped among the fighters as they watched the fight, Kitana bested him, her weapon raised as she stood over him. "I have failed. I deserve death." the fighter said to her, she hesitated, looking away.

"I failed my father. You must kill me."

She was in the same position once, "Kill him!" Shao Kahn orders her, she just looks at him. 

He grunts in disgust, looking away from her, then shoots his hand out and green energy is fired as it kills the fighter, making him scream in agony. 

Kitana just lowers her weapon and looks down at the man in horror as her father kills him without hesitation. "Kitana! You will join me!" her father shouts at her.

She just turns to her father and says nothing as she walks up next to him. Sub-Zero stepped out from the fighters and stood in front of the Emperor as the body was dragged away. 

"Shao Kahn! I challenge Scorpion, the murderer of my brother! You will bring him before me!" he shouts at him.

Shang Tsung steps forward "No one makes demands of the emperor! Reptile!" he calls out. The reptile growls as he steps down and faces Sub-Zero. The Lin Kaui took his stance and the Reptile just snarled at him.

Sub-zero took a step back, Reptile pulled his camo and vanished, but Sub-zero stood vigilant as he summoned ice, caught a shimmer, and fired. A reptile appears, hardened into an ice statue.

Sub-zero charges, slamming his foot into Reptile. The fighter went flying, shattering from the ice prison and smacking on the ground.

The crowd cheers for them, enjoying the entertaining violence, Reptile rolls back onto his feet and charges at him, Sub-zero dodges the swings, and blocks a few. But Reptile counters and landed a few blows.

Sub-zero stumbles back, falling to a knee and pants. Shao Kahn smirks to himself watching the fight. Sub-zero raised his head, glaring at his opponent. Then pulls himself back onto his feet and marches towards the man.

Reptile just snarls, meeting him halfway, but Sub-zero dodges the incoming swings Sub-zero summons an ice blade, blocking the next swing, then takes his chance and slices at him. 

Reptile stumbles back, glaring at Sub-zero, he leaps right for him, slamming his kneel right into his face, knocking Reptile back.

He smacks onto the ground as the blow rattles his skull and lies there, defeated. Sub-zero relaxes his pose, "I would kill you, but that is not my purpose here." he said. The reptile flips back to his feet and steps back.

Sub-zero turns to the Emperor "Your followers hold you in high esteem, warlord. They fight and die for your amusement." he says to the man, the emperor just looks at him. "My brother participated in this folly. I do so only to face his killer!" he snaps.

Shao Kahn just smirks as he leans forward, "And you shall." he assures, Quan Chi raises his fist, and green mist lingers for a moment then hell flames shoot from the ground, and out steps Scorpion. 

Sub-zero took a cautious step back "What is this? You're not Sub-Zero!" Scorpion said, pointing his finger at him. "I am his family and clan. I fight for his honor." Sub-zero shot back at him, "He had no honor! And you will die as he did!" he shouted and took his stance.

Scorpion swung his blade at him, but Sub-zero jumped back, dodging the hell blade, he jumped back as the blade impaled into the ground just in front of him, Scorpion drew his blade back and charged at him.

Sub-zero side-steps, dodging the charge, then summons an ice blade and stabs him right in the side. Scorpion cries out and tumbles to the ground, rolling onto his knees and sliding to a stop.

The undead man growls in pain, gripping his side. Sub-zero took his stance. Scorpion's wound heals immediately, he stands to his feet and charges at the man once more. Sub-zero slams his fist into Scorpion's face and they both into combat fighting.

Shao Kahn just laughs as he watches them, Sub-zero gets the upper hand and uppercuts him. Scorpion stumbles back, Sub-zero leaps forward and slams his fist into the man's face once more, Scorpion stumbles back and falls to the ground.

The Emperor leaned back as he was entertained by the fight, "For my brother!" Sub-zero calls out, and he summons ice to his palms, going to fire, but cyborg Lin Kuei appears around him. "No! You--" he calls out, but they caged him with an electric current. He cries out in pain as his body stands still.

Scorpion took his chance and returned to Neatherealm. Then Cyborg Sketor and Cyrax appeared before the Emperor. "Who now interrupts the emperor's tournament?" Shang Tsung questions.

The others arrive at the coliseum, seeing the Cyborgs, "Sub-zero?! No!" Smoke calls out, Ming gasps in shock, her hands hovering over her mouth "You cannot save him or they will take you as well." Raiden warns, stopping Smoke. 

"Kaui Lang!" Ming calls out, breaking into a run. "Ming! No!" Smoke shouts, and he and Luna immediately grab hold of her, Luna holds onto her arm as Smoke wraps his around her, stopping her. "Let me go! Kaui Lang!" she calls out again, struggling in their grip.

Sektor and Cyrax bow before the Emperor. "We request that we may return him to our temple for judgment." Sektor informs him, "And what do I gain from granting this bold request?" Shao Kahn questions.

"The Kin Kuei's loyalty and service." Cyrax answers as he bows before him, "Kaui Lang!" Ming calls out again, Sub-Zero flutters his eyes open, hearing someone crying out his name. 

Fighting against the current, he turns his head and sees Smoke holding Kai Ming back as she screams for him. "Kuai Lang!" she calls out again, he grunts, moving his arm, and reaches for her.

"Ming..." he crocks, "Very well. He is yours." Shao Kahn grants. Sektor and Cyrax bowed before him, "The flow of time has been changed. I spared Smoke this fate, only to watch this new Sub-Zero fall." Raiden stated, "No! I will not be turned!" Sub-zero calls out and looks back at Ming, seeing the fear in her eyes. "Kai... Ming... I..." he crocks. She stood still, staring right at him. "I love you," he said, then reeled his head back, crying out as he and the Lin Kuei vanished.

Time stopped as Ming fell to her knees, all the lessons on breathing were gone as she sat in horror. "Ming..." Smoke said, holding his hand to her, but she said nothing, just panting, trying to find her breath. Then fell to her hands and sat there.

"Kitana!" Shao Kahn snaps, turns, and steps forward. "How is it that Earthrealm ninjas brazenly appeared before me when my daughter, Princess of Outworld, was sent to intercept them?" he questions with a growl. "Father, I--" she starts. "Begone!" he snaps, cutting her off.

She just looks at him, shocked at his tone then turns away, stepping away from the throne. "Kitana's fate is a slender reed, bent before the storm. If it can be uprooted altogether..." Raiden said then marched off.

Luna rubs Ming's shoulder as she weeps silently, "Sure. Let's go ruin someone else's life." Johnny calls out. Luna helps Ming to her feet as Smoke notices her standing and then holds her arm.

Johnny steps after the god as Smoke looks away, his mind heavy with loss, but a hand pulls him out of his throat, he looks and sees Luna giving him a meaningful look, but holding understanding.

He just looked at her and nodded, then both gripped Ming's arms and pulled her along as they followed after the SuperStar and Thundergod.

[assassinnovice]

Chapter 7: Once a Man

Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat, those rights belong to The Netherrealm Studio

Standing on the Outworld, two Lin Kuei ninjas stood on the beach with dead Outworld scattered along the stained sands. 

One in black armor had smoke radiating from his body and the other in blue armor had cold radiating from his arms.

"We would stay together, Tundra, assuming your brother's identity will certainly draw attention. Not all of it welcomed." Tomas warns his brother-in-arms.

Kuai Liang turns to him and nods, "You are right, Smoke. But assuming Bi-Han's identity is the best way to honor. Even though I..." he said, looking off to the side, Tomas, or Smoke just looks at him. 

He knew what he was speaking of, only of the few people that knew of the affair, and swore to never speak a word of it. But he looks away and nods. 

"Let's proceed then, Sub-Zero." he tells him, making Kuai Liang nod at him and look away, "We should separate. Our fellow Lin Kuei will not be far behind once our absence is discovered," he warns him.

Smoke steps forward, "If only they had been more forthcoming with the details of your brother's demise." he states and Sub-zero looks at him. 

"We will find Shang Tsung. He will tell us all he knows." Smoke informs him, Sub-Zero just looks away from him, "If he killed Bi-Han, he will die." he states.

But then notices that some of the sand was shifted, but it was honors ago. He steps towards the said, kneeling, and finds stained blood and black fabric that leads off into the woods. 

Smoke steps over to him and looks down at the tracks left behind. "Was someone here before us?" he asks. Sub-Zero picked up the fabric and caught a swift of the scent left on it. 

His eyes widened with shock as a certain Persefoni warrior shot right into his mind the scent was the faint fragment of lavender and rosemary.

A woman sat in front of her mirror, wearing a silk short gown as she rubbed the ointment on her wrists and each side of her neck. 

Kuai Liang just watches from the bed as the only thing covering him is the bed sheet.

She placed the bottle down took a sniff of the ointment and smiled as if it was a sweet smell.

"Why wear such a scent?"

She flicks her eyes to his reflection, seeing him eyeing her, but she chuckles softly and tilts her head.

"It wades off demons and parasite spirits. They're resilient against some herbs."

Leaning against her arms as she grins with a peaceful gaze in her eyes, he just nods, leaning back against the headboard of the bed.

"Does it draw in only the good and helpful?"

She turns to him, and strides towards him. Kaui Liang just watches her, seeing her in her silk gown made him burn with passion as she crawls onto the bed and saddles his waist.

His hands rested on her hips out of instinct as hers cupped the sides of his neck, both were smiling at one another.

"I don't know, you're here."

He blinks, a proud grin on her face, making him look shocked and a foreign hurt look on his face.

"Ouch."

She just giggles, making him chuckle heartily at her and she leans in, pressing a kiss to his lip, he inhales sharply.

His hands slither up her waist as she molds her lips to his. Then without thinking, Kaui Liang flips them over and towers over his lover as he is lost in her lips.

Sub-Zero shot to his feet and turned to his brother-in-arms, "She's here, Ming's here." he said in a panicked tone.

Smoke blinked at him in shock, "What? How is that possible?" he asked, Sub-Zero just shook his head, "I don't know, but I recognize this fragrance from anywhere, it's hers." he said fanatically.

Then he snaps back around, seeing where the trail stared, then these eyes follow as they lead off into the woods. 

"She wandered here, wounded and bleeding." he states and turns back to his friend, "Smoke I must find her," he states, but Smoke places his hand on his chest.

"Sub-Zero, steady yourself. I know how much she means to you, but do not lose sight of our goal," he informs her. Sub-Zero hisses as he turns away, then Smoke places his hand on his shoulder, "I will follow the trail and protect her, my brother." he states.

Sub-Zero just looks back at him, "This I swear to you." Smoke promises him, "If anything has happened to her..." Sub-Zero said, a rage buried under his voice, "Then I will personally show them the consequences. She may even have information on the demise of your brother." Smoke promises him. 

Sub-Zero looks at him as Smoke steps back, letting his hand slide away and Sub-Zero bows to him. "Be stealthful as the night..." he said to him and Smoke returned the bow, "...and deadly as the dawn," he said back to him.

Then Sub-Zero looks down at the fabric in his hand and clutches his hand then walks off, Smoke watches him leave and exhales, if Ming was truly here, she must be hiding, even if she was badly wounded. "Ming, wherever you are, stay safe," he mutters to himself. 

"The emperor was wise to send me here. The Lin Kuei do walk uninvited in his realm." Kitana calls out as she marches towards him, getting Smoke's attention. "Wise though your emperor might be, he was foolish to send his housemaid to interfere with Lin Kuei's business." he shot back at her.

She stood in front of him and glared, "I am Kitana, Princess of Outworld! And I deal harshly with sharp-tongued intruders!" she snapped and took her stance. 

Smoke charges at her, but she dodges the attack and slams her knee right into his gut, then backflips, hitting Smoke right under the chin and knocking him right off his feet.

She lands and takes her stance again, Smoke flips back onto his feet and takes his stance, Kitana charges at him again, but he is ready for her, he smokes dashes at her, hitting her from all fronts, and then he knocks her onto the ground, then stood in front of her as she crashes onto the ground, out cold.

Then he turns and looks at her, "Where there is smoke, there is fire." he states then stands over her. "Sleep well, princess," he tells her, then turns his attention to the forest and walks off.

~8~8~8~

In the woods, Kano was firing an RPG as Shang Tsung looked over the weapons that were brought into his realm. 

Smoke peeks out from behind the trees, watching them from afar. "With a whole army totin' these, no one in the Outworld or Earthrealm could stand up to you," Kano said as he fired another one.

Ming peeks out from the tree, she was hiding behind as Kano reloads the RPG, "Well done. You may tell your fellow Black Dragon that I am very interested in your merchandise." Shang Tsung informs him as he holds up an RPG in his arms, Smoke steps from behind the tree and stands in the open. "Shang Tsung!" he calls out, getting their attention.

Ming's eyes widened in shock, turning, but the pain from her wound made her gasp in pain as she held her side. 

Still too weak to move. "I'll take care of him. No charge." Kano informs the sorcerer, tossing his RPG down. "One dead Lin Kuei in a tick," he said, pointing his finger gun at Smoke.

The two took their stance, Kano charged at him and threw his fists, but Smoke dodged the punches, then he locked his arms around Kano's shoulder, reeled back, and flipped Kano right over him.

Kano smacks onto the ground, as Smoke flips back onto his feet, Kano rolls to his front picks himself back up, and glares at the Ninja, he pulls out his knife and charges at him, swinging the knife at the Ninja. 

But Smoke dodges the blade, catches his hand, and knocks the black right out of his hand.

Then he twisted, making Kano stand behind and he flung the mercenary over his shoulder and right back onto the ground. 

Kano growls with frustration and then pulls himself back up onto the ground, he charges at the ninja, and Smoke stands ready, but suddenly a fist meets Kano's cheek, taking him off guard. 

Smoke shot back in surprise as Kano slammed into a tree and was out cold as he hit the ground.

Smoke looked at the person who attacked and saw it was a woman with gray hair dressed like a Viking. Luna growls as she lowers her fist, then turns to Smoke. He took his stance, but she lowered her arm and stepped in front of him, "Friend or foe?" she questioned.

 He just looks at her. "I asked you a question, Lin Kuei. Are you friend or are you foe?" she said again.

Smoke relaxed in his stance, "I am not your enemy, wolf walker. But I will fight you if you stand in my way." he informed her, she nodded in understanding, and then they both turned to Shang Tsung, standing side by side. 

"Tell me what you know of Sub-Zero's death." Smoke demands of him as the sorcerer steps in front of them. The reptile appears next to Shang Tsung, who holds his arm out then his form changes.

Taking Sub-Zero's, this takes Smoke by surprise as Luna just growls, familiar with such magic. "What?" Smoke questions "Despite his failure at my tournament, I'll wager he was more powerful than you, Lin Kuei." Shang Tsung tells him. 

"Tricks and Cons, that's all you know, sorcerer." Luna snaps at him, Shang Tsung narrows his eyes at her, "Assuming his form will not give you his kill, Shapeshifter." Smoke snaps at him and they both take their stance, "Let us see if Smoke can freeze." Shang Tsung said as did the two in front of them. 

"You take the sorcerer, I'll take the lizard." Luna whispers to him, "Agreed." Smoke said to her, Luna shot a glare at Reptile, and she snarled at him in challenge, her eyes glowing, Reptile snarled back at her and they jumped away from the two.

Smoke dashes at Shang Tsung, the sorcerer blocks the attacks and swings back at him, using Bi-Han's power. Smoke stumbles back from the blows and glares at the sorcerer. 

Ming tries to get up, but pain shoots right through her, making her gasp and lean back against the tree, panting as she looks down at her wound, the blood painted on her palm, she exhales and looks back

Reptile snarls at Luna as she growls, "Ready for round 2?" she mocks, Reptile just snarls and charges at her, but she dodges the charge, shooting her hand right after Reptile, slicing through his back, Reptile cries out in pain then turns to her. 

In a low stance, Luna was shifted and his blood dripped from her claws, "No more holding back." she snarled, flicking out her claws, The Reptile just growled and charged at her.

Shang Tsung Swung at Smoke, but he dodges, and smoke-dashed, hitting the sorcerer from all fronts.

Luna snarled as she swung her claws at Reptile, her inhuman strength proving to be no match for Reptile, he just snarled and spatted his acid at her, but she dodged the spit and swung her fist at him, knocking him back.

Smoke undercuts him then slams his hands right against the sorcerer's chest. His body vibrates in pain as the smoke radiates around his body.

Luna locks her arm around Reptile's and then flung herself right over him, dislocating his arms, Reptile shrieks in pain, she then grips his throat and flung him, sending him flying, right into Shang Tsung and they both crash onto the ground. "Now answer me!" Smoke shouts as Luna steps back to him.

Her face returns to her original form, and Shang Tsung returns to his original form. "What do you know of Sub-Zero?" Smoke questions him. 

Shang Tsung just smirks "Why not ask her?" he questions, Smoke shoots a look at Luna as she glares at the sorcerer. 

"Don't turn this on me, sorcerer. I never liked Sub-Zero, that's true, but I knew he wasn't a murderer, like you and Quan Chi. Teller of lies, Deceivers, and wicked!" she snaps back, pointing back at him. Smoke shot a look back at Shang Tsung as he just glared at her.

But then an invisible force hits Smoke across the face. Luna looks at him in shock, "What?" he asks, looking back. Luna held up her hands as she didn't even move. 

But then she gasped as she was hit across the face, making her stumble back to the side, Smoke caught her as she held her chin. "Smoke." a voice calls out, and then more hits land right on them, forcing the two to stumble back.

Shang Tsung smiled to himself, then took his chance, escaping with the weaponry Kano gave to him. Luna crashes onto the ground and coughed up blood. 

Smoke flutters his eyes, regaining his focus as the invisible force reveals itself as Sektor, or what he was now. A Cyber Sektor. "You have disobeyed the directive to remain at the Lin Kuei temple." the reminds him, nothing human left in him. Ming gasped as it was the one person who almost slaughtered her entire clan.

Smoke just looks at him, shocked as he recognizes the cyborg. "Sektor?!" he questions, Luna pushes herself up and turns to the cyborg, blood dripping from her lips. "You will return with us to begin your transformation." Sektor orders him. 

"You did it... You're a cyborg!" Smoke shoots at him, Luna just growls, "We are the Lin Kuei. More stealthful than the night... more deadly than the dawn!" Sektor said, but Luna just spits out the blood. "With no human heart!" she snaps, but then falls to a knee, gripping her side.

Smoke went to her side, "This... machine lacks the common sense of control." she groans, holding her side. "Easy, Wolfwalker. You're hurt." he states, she just chuckles "I've had worse." she assures him, but gasps as she tries to stand. 

"No, you've done enough. This is my fight," he tells her, she just looks at him, exhales from the pain, and nods at him. He helps her up walks over to a tree and leans her against it.

Then he steps back and takes his stance, Smoke charges at Sektor, but he dodges the punches and lands blows, making Smoke drop to the ground. 

Couching from the blows he looks back up at Sektor, who raises his foot, "Look out!" Luna calls out, Smoke immediately pulls out from the way as Sektor slams his foot into the ground. Ming groans as she forces herself to turn.

The pain, stabbed at her, but she fought through it and forced herself to stand, Luna leaned against the tree, watching as Smoke continued to dodge the throws, trying to throw blows back, but it barely did a thing. 

Smoke looks down at his fist, seeing they are busy, but he looks back at Sektor. "Stop using her fist!" Luna calls out, Smoke just looks at her, "Use your name!" she shouts, this confuses Smoke a little then he looks back at Setkor, and then it clicks. "Thank you, Wolfwalker!" he calls back and took his stance.

Ming leans against the tree and looks back at the fight, seeing Smoke change his fighting stance, she gasps as if it was the stance her mother taught him. 

Sektor charges at him, but Smoke weaves right past him, then slams his fist right at him, smoke radiates from the punch, making Sektor stumble forward. Ming smiles as Luna just chuckles. 

Sektor turned to Smoke as he was ready for him, the smoke dashed forward and landed blow after blow, Sektor stumbled around, back and forth, then finally after the last blow, Sektor flung back and dropped right onto the ground.

Smoke just looks at the cyborg as Luna smirks and Ming exhales with relief. "I will never submit!" Smoke shouts down at him, once he relaxes, he turns and walks back to Luna. "You know, if you were born in the Lunar Clan, you would have made a great wolf," she states, Smoke just chuckles at her.

But before he could even help her, a Cyborg Lin Kuei appeared in front of him, making him stop, and then he was surrounded by more Lin Kuei, creating a current cage of electricity.

"Lin Kuei Warrior!" Luna calls out, going to stop them, but the current shocks her, making her gasp and stumble back into the ground. "Tomas!" Ming calls out, going to help, but she collapses onto the ground.

A flash of lightning appears and both Johnny and Lord Raiden are in the jungle, "There is great energy nearby." the god states, Johnny looks off to the side and taps Raiden's shoulder. "Um... Rai-dude," he said, pointing off to the side, Raiden looked over and saw Smoke in the hands of the cyborg Lin Kuei.

A vision assaults his mind as he sees the Lin Kuei warrior, Smoke becoming a cyborg Lin Kuei.

He was pulled back and glared at the cyborgs, "They must not take him." he said then sent thunder right at them, the current, travels through the cyborgs, cutting off the cage. Smoke looks around at the cyborgs around him. 

Luna props herself off, watching as the cyborgs are malfunctioning, Ming forces herself to look as Sektor stands up, seeing they failed in capturing Smoke, and then he vanishes, Ming exhales with relief and drops to the ground.

Smoke looks down at the powered-down cyborgs as Luna pushes herself to her feet, "You alright?" she asks him, he looks at her and nods, "And you?" he asks, and she just shrugs. "I ache, but I'll heal. I'm a wolf walker, after all," she states, he nods his head in respect of her. 

Then she caught the scent of blood that was close by. Smoke turned and saw Raiden and Johnny walking towards him. Luna walks off as Smoke salutes and kneels before the god. 

"Thank you, Lord Raiden. I am called Smoke." he introduced himself to the god and then stood up. "Why are you in Outworld?" the ninja asks. "To participate in the tournament to save Earthrealm. Join us, Smoke." Raiden asks of him.

But Smoke just shook his head, "Forgive me, but if Sektor was searching for me, he is hunting Sub-Zero as well." Smoke informs him, and Johnny just blinks, "Sub-Zero? Call me crazy with a K... but didn't we see him die??" Johnny asks the god. 

"The Grand Master intends to turn every Lin Kuei into a cyborg. My friend is in danger." Smoke warns him. 

"The tournament. I have a feeling your friend will be there." Raiden informs him "Lord Raiden!" Luna calls out, they turn and look at her, "It's the Persefoni Grandmaster's daughter." she warns them.

Ming lay limply in her arms, Smoke looked at her in shock. "Ming!" he said in shock, running up to them and looking down at her wounded body. 

The two joined them. "Lord Raiden..." Smoke starts, but the god raises his hand, "You need not ask." the god tells him, then he holds up both hands, and lighting radiate from within them, Smoke steps back as Raiden steps in front of Luna.

Laying his hands down gently on her knees and forehead. The lighting courses over her body and the boys watch as her wounds heal, the lighting then dies down and Raiden removes his hands. Ming flutters her eyes open and sees she is among allies. "Lord Raiden," she said with surprise.

Luna places her on her feet as Ming stands on her own, she looks at the god and bows before him, "Thank you for your aid, Lord Raiden." she says to him, and he bows back to her. Then she turned to gasp as she saw her friend. "Tomas?" she said with surprise.

 He walks up and holds her hand, "Ming, I'm so glad I found you. What happened? How did you end up with wounds?" he asks, gripping her shoulder. She sighs, "The Lin Kuei Grandmaster came to the clan, he said he had a choice, submit to the Cyborg intuitively or be slaughtered like the Shirai Ryu." she starts.

Johnny shot a worried look at Raiden as he just listened, "We would not betray our foundation or our culture for a monster's dream. So... he attacked us with his cyborg children. We were able to escape, but... Cyrax, he... he sacrificed himself so I could escape, and like many of my brothers and sisters, he was taken back to the Lin Kuei temple." she states and looks away. Luna places her hand on her shoulder.

Smoke just looked at her, knowing her clan was dear to her and Cyrax was like her brother. It was not easy. "Don't worry, Tundra will be relieved that you are safe," he states, Kai Ming snaps her eyes right at him in shock. 

Raiden notices the look in her eyes "What, Kaui Liang? He's here?" she asks, Smoke nods at her, "Yes, but we must hurry." he tells her, she nods at him, and then they both look back "Let us go. Sub-Zero's soul depends on it."

[assassinnovice]

Chapter 6: The Fight Continues On

Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat, those rights belong to The Netherrealm Studio

Later that night, everyone celebrated with a feast for the warrior, Raiden stood afar watching them, he looked down at his amulet, seeing the cracks had not changed since the tournament.

"I do not understand why my amulet is further damaged. He must win... if not Liu Kang, then who?" the god questions places his amulet back, and Jax exhales smoke from his lungs. 

"You got me. Not sure anybody could have done what he did. Made Shang Tsung look like a chump." he states then inhales on his cigar. Then the sweet scent of rosemary passes by them with a gentle breeze. 

"Didn't anyone ever tell you that the smoke of a cigar is just as damaging as the real deal?" a woman calls out to them.

Jax looks around, trying to see where the voice is coming from as Raiden just smiles, "I thought you don't interfere with the tournament of Mortal Kombat?" he calls out as the wind collects next to him, forming a spiral of wind and flowers behind him, it then settles, revealing the goddess of balance herself. Marina strides next to Raiden.

Jax looks at her in surprise as Raiden turns to her, "I'm a pacifist when it comes to violence, but that doesn't mean I won't defend my home." she informs him, placing her hand on her hip. 

"Jax Briggs, this is the Goddess of Balance, Marina. My beloved." Raiden introduces her and she cruises to the mortal. "Nice to finally meet you, Major Jax Briggs," she said to him.

He smiled and held his hand to her, and they both shook hands. "Pleasures all mine." he states and pulls his hand away, "So... your lover?" he asks, Marina just blushes with a smile. "I won't get into my love life," she states, making him chuckle and he huffs on his cigar. 

Marina looks down at the others "Not joining the celebration?" she asks in a distorted voice, the song like a sweet melody. Jax chuckles as he looks back to the others, Raiden smiles over his shoulder at her, "Celebration was never one of my... entertainment pursuits." he informs her.

She just smiles and leans against his shoulder, wrapping her arm around his front and he gently holds her arm. "It is a good day. Earthrealm is safe," he states, watching the mortal celebrating.

But Marina just frowns, "Is it?" she asks, Raiden looks at her, "What do you mean?" he asks her. "Shao Kahn will never stop until Earthrealm, the whole universe is trembling before his feet," she states and looks down at the mortals. "Balance between light and dark will be shifted for better or worse," she states.

Raiden turns to her, gently gripping her hands and looking into her glowing white eyes. "Mar, we can never know what the future holds," he assures her. 

Marina tilts her head at him, "Are you just saying that to assure me or to make sure I don't know about the visions." she asks him. He cringes as he is caught, but sighs in defeat.

Flicking her eyes down and gently places her hand over the crack along the gem, "I felt the ripples from the gem, distant memories of a future that is yet to pass... and yet the shattered memories serve as a warning?" she states looking up at him. 

He inhales and places his hand over hers. "These visions, whatever happens in the future, my future self sent back these memories to warn me," he states.

Marina looks back to the gem, "Be careful of what choice you make, good or bad. The consequences are the same." she warns him, he smiles down at her and then gently tilts her chin up, making her look at him. 

"I will heed your words, my love. I hope the outcome will be favorable," he states, she smiles and nods at him. "Aw, what a touching moment." a slithering voice chuckles, the two turn and see Shang Tsung reborn, young, and in his prime once more.

The two gods glared at the sorcerer as he stepped towards them, "I should go." Marina states and Raiden nods in agreement. 

She turns away from Raiden and shoots a glance at him, "My lady." Shang Tsung said as he bowed to her, she turned away and stridden off, vanishing into the mist and wind. "She's a radiant woman, isn't she?" he states, turning back to the Thunder God.

Raiden clutches his fist "Don't even think about it, Shang Tsung." he warns him, Shang Tsung holds his hands up, and Jax looks at the man in shock "What? Shang Tsung?" he questions. 

"I have no intentions with the Goddess of Balance herself, I merely making an observation." he informs him, Raiden just glares at the man "Here to congratulate us on our victory, sorcerer?" Raiden questions him.

Shang Tsung said nothing as Jax tossed his cigar away, "You have been revitalized, I see. I didn't realize your master was in the habit of rewarding failure." Raiden informs him. 

"The Emperor has an offer, Raiden. A New Tournament." Shang Tsung informs him, but Raiden huffs as he crosses his arms at the sorcerer. "I see no reason to participate in any plan of yours," he states, all matters of suspicion waver in Raiden's mind.

But Shang Tsung smiles at him, "The Emperor proposes a single tournament, to replace the current system often. It will be held in Outworld. If Earthrealm does not win, Outworld will absorb it. But if Earthrealm wins, Shoa Kahn will abandon his claim to it forever." he informs him. 

Raiden said nothing as he turned away from the sorcerer. "Give your Emperor my regards," he said to him, refusing to take the offer.

But Shang Tsung grins to himself and ignites the flames in his hands, and then a portal opens in front of them, getting the two's attention. 

Then Tarkatans charged out from the portal. Raiden growls and turns back to the sorcerer, swinging at him, but he dodges as Jax jumps over the rails, landing on the ground.

He then charged into the charging raid and swung at one, knocking him down, then swung at the next one. But a couple gains up on him, knocking him to the ground and it lights out.

~8~8~8~

On the shores of the outworld, the dead were littered along the beach, impaled, or either ripped apart.

One black mist slithers into appearance onto the beach as it grows in size, growing into the size of a human, a woman drops from the black mist and lays on the bloodied beach.

Gazes, cuts, bruises, and bloodied, the woman curls into herself, holding her side as the tears stream down her cheeks. But she was forced to prop herself looking around at where she was.

Ming Kai of the Persefoni Clan forces herself onto her feet, standing tall, but keeping her hand at her side, she looks back to the horizon, tears streaming down her cheeks as her friend sacrificed himself so she could escape. 

"Cyrax, I'm so sorry... Lin Kuei Grandmaster... Sektor... You have made an enemy of the Persefoni Clan." she growls but is cut into a groan as she doubles over.

Ming pants as she inhales deeply, standing back up, pushing the pain of her wounds away, then she turns to the swamp and stumbles her way into the trees, but not without leaving a blood trail behind her.

~8~8~8~

"...He gained a momentary advantage during our kombat and escaped. I now realize what we must do." Raiden informs the others that Jax is coming too. 

"This is no mere coincidence, Raiden. Shang Tsung or Shao Kahn wouldn't offer this so-called tournament if they were getting something out of it." Luna informs him.

Jax flutters his eyes "You may be right." he agrees with her, Marina looks down at Jax, "Hey, he's coming to." she informs them and everyone looks down at him. 

Marina moves her hands away "How do you feel?" she asks as Jax sits up, "Anybody get the number o' that--" he starts but takes in the destruction of the temple around them.

Then looks back to the others, "Wait. Where's Sonya?" he asks them. Luna frowns and looks away. "Taken. Along with the Shaolin Masters." Marina informs him as she pulls him to his feet. 

"We got to find her," Jax states as Kung Lao looks at the god. "We must follow them!" he said as well. "Agreed," Luna said as she stood with him. 

"Shang Tsung has made it clear that Earthrealm will be under constant threat unless I agree to a new tournament," Raiden informs him.

Then Marina turns to him, "This is exactly what he wants. You cannot agree to these terms." she argues with him, but he just frowns. He suddenly flinches away as a vision attacks his mind.

Liu Kang stood over the defeated Shao Kahn

He was pulled back, blinking his eyes open, "Another vision?" Jax asks him. Raiden nods at him. "Yes. I saw Liu Kang win the proposed tournament. I believe we must attend." he informs them.

Marina bites her lip as she is still against the proposed tournament, Raiden looks over to Liu Kang. 

"But my earlier vision of your victory over Shang Tsung was not the solution I sought. Therefore this premonition must show an event I need to change. Perhaps he must win refers to another." he informs him, Marina turns her head away and crosses her arms as dread fills her mind.

Liu Kang turns away as he is just confused, "Hear me, Elder Gods. I accept the terms proposed by Shao Kahn!" he calls out and light shines down onto Raiden, Johnny is in awe of the light.

It dies away as Marina turns from the group of warriors "We go to Outworld." Raiden informs them. Marina exhales as she pulls her arms away, "I'll stay here and round up whatever survivors I can and take them back to my hidden temple." she informs them. 

Raiden looks at her, frowning sadly at her. "Mar..." he starts, but she shoots her hand up, silencing him. "Don't," she warns them and walks away, vanishing into wind and mist.

~8~8~8~

In the Throne room of Outworld palace Shao Kahn sat on his throne, Goro stepped up to him and offered the item he took. Shao Kahn took it as it was an amulet of the Yin Yang and grinned sinisterly to himself.

Raiden, Jax, Luna, and Johnny step to the door of the throne room and look out at the very man on the throne. Luna growls as she glares at the Emperor. "I assume that's the big man himself." Jax states, "The wrestler guy with the cow skull on his head?" Johnny asks.

Luna nods at them, "The very same. That reeks of blood than all the realms put together." she snarls, gripping her spear as Goro takes back the item and places it away. 

"And why aren't the Kung Fu twins here helping us?" Johnny questions the god. "I sent Liu Kang and Kung Lao to free their Shaolin masters. I expected Sonya Blade to be here with Shang Tsung." Raiden informs him. 

"She better not have a scratch on her," Jax growls as he glares at the man. "And if she does, blood will flow," Luna said in confidence.

Then Jak marches forward. "Wait! This is a tournament." Raiden tries to reason with him, "There he goes." she states as he gets Shao Kahn's attention. "Ah! The Earthrealm delegation has arrived and we have a volunteer for the First Kombat!" Shang Tsung states.

Making Jax stop and look at him, "What?" he asks, "The tournament will begin!" Shao Kahn shouts and everyone cheers. 

"Jackson Briggs! You will face... Baraka!" Shang Tsung shouts as the man himself steps forward, flicking out his blades. "Damn, you ugly." Jak states "My blades will find your heart." Baraka threatens him.

He charges at Jak, but he quickly dodges him and slams his fist right into Baraka's face, knocking him back. The Tarkatan pulls himself back to his feet, wiping the corner of his mouth and snarls, then he charges forward and swings his blades at him.

Jak blocks his attack, keeping his guard up, but Baraka breaks the guard and slices at him. 

Jak groans in pain as he stumbles back and grips his arm, he looks down and pulls his hand away, seeing the blood, but he clutches his fist and holds it back up.

Baraka growls and swings his bone blades at him again, but Jak dodges them, then swings at Baraka, nailing him in the jaw.

Baraka stumbles back and snarls as Jak charges again and rains fist into his gut, then finally right squares his face, Baraka flung back and smacks onto the ground, defeated. Jak lowers his fist, "You shouldn't be running with those." he tells him.

Then turns to Shang Tsung and points his finger at him, "Where's Sonya?" he demands, "Tell me, Major Briggs... Do you and she do anything other than rescue one another?" the Sorcerer questions him. 

Jak just glares at him, not in the mood for any games. "Your next opponent will be--" he announces, but Reptile steps up next to him, getting his attention, "What is it?" he questions, Reptile whispers into his ear the news.

This makes Shang Tsung smile to himself, "Excellent." he states as the Reptile steps away from him, "It seems I have a pressing matter to attend to. With the emperor's permission, we will reconvene later." he says aloud.

Shao Kahn waves him off and stands from his throne, the men disburst from the throne room as Jade and Katana exchange suspicions, but Katana nods at her and both she and Jade leave the Throne room.

Jak walks back to Raiden and Johnny, "What was that all about? Let us follow 'im." Jak informs them, but Raiden grips his head as another vision appears in his mind.

Sonya was chained in the coliseum, dead center as she struggled against the chains.

He was then pulled back, blinking his thunder-white eyes, "You okay?" Jak asks him, "Sonya Blade... is to be executed. My powers are compromised here in Outworld, but I will be able to transport us near enough to her." he states and turns away, with him and the Earthrealmers, they leave the Throne room.

~8~8~8~

Standing in the forgery, they looked around the room, seeing no sign of Sonya "Maybe you could try for even nearer next time?" Johnny suggests and looks around the room "Where are we?" he asks aloud. "I will inform you the instant I know," Raiden informs him.

Jak kept trying his wrist communicator, but only static fees back, "Wish this damn tracking device worked 'n here." he states, hitting his hand against it, "This is just like my movie Time Smashers. We were goin' around--" Johnny brags, but Jak rolls his eyes at the Movie Star. "Give it a rest, will ya? Makin' my ears hurt." he snaps at Johnny, stopping him.

Johnny just looks at him, "So what's the deal with you and Sonya, anyway? She's smokin' hot!" he states, "It's not like that. I'm her C.O." Jaks informs him, Johnny just tilts his head.

"Honey like that, under my command? Oh, I'd be so--" Johnny brags. "You'll wanna stop talking now," Jaks warns him. Johnny just looks at him, keeping his mouth shut.

Jaks sighs with relief and looks back at his tracking device on his wrist comm. "But if it's not like that, then you don't mind if I--" Johnny starts, making Jax snap back at him. "That's it! Time somebody shut you the hell up!" he snaps and the two take their stance. 

Jaxs charges and jumps over Johnny, but he turns and thrusts his fist into the air and knocks Jaxs right out of the air.

But he pulls himself up and then slams his right into Johnny's face, repeatedly. Then he grips his wrist twists under and flips him right off his feet, Raiden just crosses his arms as he watches them.

Johnny flips back onto his feet and charges at Jax, swinging his fists at him, but Jax keeps dodging them, then slams his fist square into his chest, making him stumble back, his arms hovering at his chest. 

Then Jax charges right at him, right hooking him then left hook then slams his foot right into him, knocking him right onto the ground "How you like that, Mr. A-List?" he shouts, relaxing his stance.

Then Raiden uncrossed his arms and marched towards him, "Enough! Jackson Briggs. You will restrain yourself." the god orders him. "Yeah well, I--" Jax starts but Raiden raises his hand, stopping him as he listens. "Someone approaches." he warns "Good. Maybe someone else needs their ass whooped." Jax states as Johnny limps past him.

Jade marches out "You need somethin'?" Jax questions her, "The Armory is restricted. You will leave now." she orders them, taking her stance, Jax steps forward. 

"Gonna have to ask nicer than that," he informs her as he takes his stance. Jade charges at him, but he dodges the charge and slams his fist into her back, making her stumble forward, but she stops herself, pulls her staff out, and swings at him.

He dodges the first two, but a blow is delivered right into his gut, he growls and catches the staff, yanking her forward, but she flips, landing on her feet, and swings her staff at him. 

Jax pulls up his arms and blocks the incoming swings. She got clever and slid past him, sweeping his feet out from under him, then stood up and slammed her staff right onto his gut, knocking him onto the ground.

Jax just growls as he flips back onto his feet and takes his stance once more, Jade takes her stance and is ready. 

Jax pounds his fist together and marches forward, Jade spins her staff and swings at him, but he blocks the staff, grabs it, and yanks her forward. Jade stumbles forward, he then grabs her face, lifts her off the ground, and slams her right back down.

Jade groans then is out cold. Jax just grins as he relaxes. "Wrong place, wrong time, lady," he tells her. Johnny walks up to him, rubbing the back of his head, half of his face bruised "Feel better?" he asks him.

Jax just looks at him "Uh, listen, Cage, I--" he starts, but Johnny waves it off, "Don't worry about it." he assures as Raiden walks towards them, "Guess we know where we are now, thanks to her." he informs them, "Yes. And where we must go." the god agrees with him.

Then he walks ahead, "Let's do this." Jax said as he followed the god. But Johnny took a step forward, "Uh... uh..." the star called out to them. "C'mon, Cage," Jax calls back to him.

~8~8~8~

The guards in the armory were playing a dice game, they laughed and chattered among themselves as Sheva, Queen of the Shokan watched over them, hanging from a hook, tied up. 

Was Sonja as she watched them play. "What is it with you Shokan and understood cesspools?" she questions her, "If you not dishonored yourself by attempting escape, we would not be here in this sewer." Sheva reminds her.

Sonya sighed to herself, then turned the door, the three looked into the room and saw Sonya hanging from the hook, "Sonya!!" Johnny calls out, getting the guard's attention. "Guards! Stop them!" Sheva orders and they immediately stand on their feet. "So much for the surprise attack," Jak said to him and the door immediately closed behind them.

With no way back, they charge forward, Johnny and Raiden take their stance as Jax dodges the staff swing. He ripped the staff away, hit the guard in the side, and sent him flying into the acid sewage water. 

It hisses with bubbles and blood ripples to the surface only to evaporate. Jax tossed the staff to the side, grinned to himself, then charged forward and jumped right over the guards.

Once landed, he looked over his shoulder and smirked, seeing Raiden and Johnny fight the guards head-on. Then he turns back to his opponent "She is the emperor's property, human." Sheva snaps at him. 

Jax just glares at her, "She's nobody's property." he snaps at her and takes his stance.

He charges forward and swings at her, but dodges the swing, then dodges the next one, but blocks the third and undercuts, right in the ribs. Jax stumbles backward, gripping his side, but he just glares at the Shokan and charges at her, he charges his gauntlets, the radiate with power.

Sheeva pulls her arms up, making a guard, but as soon as he slams his foot into the ground, then slams his fist right into her arm, cracking her bones, she cries out in pain and stumbles back.

Jax slams his next fist into her chest, cracking her lips against it, she chokes out a cough. Jax took his chance, grabbed her face, lifted her off the ground, and slammed right into her back. 

Making the ground, crack from impact. Jax relaxes in his stance. "I guess extra arms don't make a difference," he informs her then steps past her, looking at his best friend. 

"You sure have a way with women." Sonya jokes at him, he just cracks a smile at her. "You know me. I'm a class act," he said, pulling her off the hook and loosening her bounds.

Sonya rubs her arms, "Thanks. What took you so long?" she asks as Raiden and Johnny walk up to them, "He was busy hitting me in the face." the star informs her. Sonya just smiled at him, but then her communication tracker went off, getting her attention. 

"That's weird... I've got two sets of readings... heavy tech signals, both of 'em," she said as the tracker pinpointed the two unknown tech signatures. Raiden just crosses his arms.

"Technology... Then they cannot be of Outworld. We need to confront the source of each signal. We might discover the one whose victory I must ensure." he informs them.

The soldiers nodded at him as Johnny was a little baffled and he looked at the god. "Wait. What about us? What are we? Chopped liver?" he questions him. 

Raiden just looks at the movie star, "What?" Johnny asks him. "Perhaps you are right, Johnny Cage. You will stay close to me." Raiden informs him. Johnny smiles, "Great, I--" he starts, but Raiden holds up his hand, "Close as a shadow, and twice as silent." Raiden informs him.

Johnny just frowns at him, "Sonya, you're with me. Keepin' an eye on you." Jax informs his partner. She just smirks at him, and then Jax looks at the god. "Raiden looks like you'll wanna teleport yourself about thirty klicks that way," Jax informs her as Sonya holds up her wrist, showing him the location.

~8~8~8~

In the jungles of Outworld, a portal opens and out steps Luna, with her father, the husband of the alpha Chief. Vlad. "Daughter, be careful, Sage magic is raw and sacred, you'll only be able to use it three times," he warns her as she places the pouch of moon magic crystals on her belt. "I know, papa. I'll be careful," she tells him.

He just frowns at her, then places his hand on her shoulder, "That's not why I'm worried." he states, she just looks at him and sighs "I know." she states, placing her hand over hers. 

"The elders are right to be worried about sending you to that Tournament. Now we know Shoa Kahn will stop at nothing to merge Earthrealm with Outworld, just like he did with Edrian," he states.

Luna smiles at her father, understanding his worry. "Find out Shao Kahn's weakness and hurry back to us, my pup," he tells her. 

She nods at him, "I will succeed, may Artemis guide you." she tells him. He leaned forward and pressed his forehead to hers. "May Artemis guide you, my pup," he tells her.

Then pulls away and steps back through the portal as it closes behind him, Luna exhales to herself, then pulls her tiara to her forehead and looks around the forest around her. 

She grips her spare and steps a few feet forward, but then immediately stops as she catches the swift scent of blood.

Sticking her nose into the air, she sniffed the air, trying to find where the scent was coming from, then the sound of footsteps caught her attention, she turned her head, listened to her surroundings, squatting to her knees, and pressed her hand to the earth, closing her eyes and listens.

Her senses expanded throughout the forest as she was looking, trying to find the source. But then she heard a gasp of pain, making her head turn, her senses focused on sound, and saw Kai Ming from the Tournament, dragging herself as she gripped her bleeding side. 

Then her senses withdrew to her and she opened her eyes, standing to her feet, and turned her head to the West.

[assassinnovice]

Chapter 5: I Challenge You!

Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat, those rights belong to The Netherrealm Studio

Guards escort a Kombatant into the throne room "Kombatants! I present this latest creation of Shao Kahn." Shang Tsung calls out to the Kombatants, Luna twitches her nose at a new scent of death flowing into the room, it is almost like Ming's scent, but fouler. 

"He is many warriors, their souls fused into one being," he states as the others watch as he stands at the center in front of everyone. "Behold... Emrac!" Shang Tsung calls out as the guards walk away and Emrac turns to the Kombatants.

He empowers himself, showing off the fused souls inside his body, the Kombatants exchanging looks as one just laughs. "Be wary, Liu Kang. He is unlike anything you have fought before." Raiden warns him. 

Luna rolls her arm, "You alright?" Sonya asks her as she notices the nervous twitch. "That guy gives me the creeps," she mutters and Sonya looks back at Ermac. 

"Liu Kang! You are the sole Earthrealms warrior to progress to this final stage of the tournament!" Shang Tsung calls out and Liu Kang steps forward and faces Emrac "I am ready." he calls out and takes his stance

Emrac just looks at him, "We are many. You are one. We will destroy you." he calls out and takes his stance. He teleports right behind him, kicking Liu Kang in the back of the head, he rolls forward and immediately gets back on his feet.

He dashed right at Emrac, knocking him back with a few kicks of his own. Everyone watches as Liu Kang and Emrac are battling. Luna shot a suspicious look at Shang Tsung as he watched the match carefully.

Liu Kang came at Emrac suddenly slamming his foot into Emrac's chest and he was slammed onto the ground as Liu Kang won the fight. He relaxes his stance and looks at his beaten component. 

"Earthrelam will not fall into your master's hands," he swore to Emrac. Kung Lao smiles as Raiden steps forward and stands next to Liu Kang then the Earthrealmers turn and leave the throne room as Princess Katana steps forward to Shang Tsung. 

"He is a greater threat than anticipated. I will ensure he does not reach the final challenge," she promises. Shang Tsung turned his head to her and nodded in agreement then she left the throne room.

~8~8~8~

Liu Kang stood in a remote part of the area as he was meditating through his motion.

"Remember Bo' Rai Cho's teaching. For my vision to be realized, you must not let emotion overpower you." Raiden warns him. Liu Kang relaxes and turns to him. 

"Your visions. What caused them?" he asks God, but he is still unsure "My future self sent them to me. Perhaps to ensure some outcome." he answers him. "Or to prevent one." Liu Kang suggests.

Raiden nodded at him but then gasped in surprise as he felt another vision overtake his senses. It was himself, looking right back at him. "He must win."

Pulled back from the vision, he looks away momentarily "He must win. Those are my last words before I die." he mutters, shaking off the doubt he pulls his gaze back to Liu Kang. 

"I believe it is you who must win." he states and stands in front of Liu Kang "This amulet was forged by the Elder Gods. It cracked here in the Present after my first vision," he states, pulling his blue jade amulet off and looks down at the crack at the center. 

"If we choose wisely, the future will be secured and the cracks healed," he states and places the amulet back.

Kiu Lang nodded in confidence at him, "I trust you will make the right decisions." he said to him, "We must trust in the Elder Gods, Liu Kang." Raiden tells him then he summons lighting from the skies and vanishes from the area. Kiu Lang exhales then turns back rethinking Raiden's warning.

But the sound of clicking heels drew his attention, he immediately turned and saw a woman, Princess Katana marching towards him, he couldn't help but smirk. 

But immediately blocks her kick, she makes a comeback and throws punches at him, but he easily dodges them, and the leg swipes. Then he presses his foot to her back and makes her stumble forward. Then he took his stance, ready for her.

Katana looked back at him, growling to herself, and came back at him. Swiping at him again, he easily blocks her swipes. Dodges a swipe and shoves her forward. 

She growls and throws her fist right at him. He catches it, she throws her other fist. He catches that one too. "You're good! Show me more." he taunts, making her exclaim and shove him back. "Do not underestimate me, Shaolin," she growled at him and took her stance.

She charges at him, but he immediately catches her by surprise with his sucker punch in the face and knocks her back. But she flipped back onto her feet and threw her fans right at him, slicing him in the arm. 

He growls and charges at her. Slams his fist right into her chest, knocking her back, and then he repeatedly slams his fist into her gut and sends her flying back with one last punch.

Katana groans as she holds her stomach, but then pulls herself back up on her feet and she charges at Liu Kang, he dodges her punches, but misses her incoming fist and knocks him to the side, stumbling in his step. 

She charged at him again and swung her leg right at him, he caught it and threw it back, Katana caught herself twisted her body, and swung her other leg right at him, hitting him in the jaw, almost dislodging it.

Liu Kang steps over to the side, gripping his chin, he chuckles to himself, mildly impressed. Rotating his jaw. He looked back at Katana, pulling his hand away, and was ready for her. 

She charges right at him, but he flips right over her, slamming his foot right into her back, she stumbles forward as she goes low, twirling around her and slamming his panther paw right into her chest, knocking the air right out of her and she went flying and hits the ground.

Coughing to herself, she rolls onto her side, gripping her stomach, and pulls herself up. "I am impressed." Liu Kang states as he relaxes in his stance. But she frowns in defeat, "Do it." she orders him. 

But he was just confused by her words. "Do what?" he asks as he kneels in front of her. "Kill me," she said to him again. "Why would I do that?" he asks her again. 

She just sat in defeat. "I came to kill you. I have failed my father. My Emperor." she said to him and Liu Kang just looked at her in utter shock. "Shao Khan is your father?!" he asks her. She hung her head in shame. "I have disgraced him. You must kill me," she said to him in an earnest plea.

But he just smiles at her. "I will not," he answers and she lifts her head, locking him dead in the eye. "This encounter never took place. You disgraced no one," he tells her. 

She just looks at him, speechless. Then he stood up and turned, walking away. But he stops and turns back to her. "I hope we meet again. Under different circumstances," he informs her and walks away.

Katana just looked over at him, seeing that his man's actions stunned her, still unable to make heads or tails of him.

~8~8~8~

The Shaolin return to the Throne room, along with Lord Raiden. The other Kombatants were gathered from the next challenge. The three warriors join the others "Kombatants! Only two Earthrealm warriors remain. The Shaolin Liu Kang." Shang Tsung calls out as Kung Lau places his hand on his friend's shoulder. 

Liu Kang nodded sat him and Raiden then stepped forward, "Is he ready to bear such a heavy burden? Earthrealm's fate is in his hands. Your ally will be... Kai Ming of the Persefoni Clan." Shang Tsung calls out as Liu Kang steps to the center black mist gathered next to him.

From the black mist rose a figure consumed in shadow, once fully rose from the black mist, the shadow slithers from the body and revealed Ming as she was as calm and collected as ever. 

She shot a side glaze at Liu Kang. "Shaolin," she states, he nods at her. "Persefoni," he said back to her.

Luna arched her eyebrow as she smelt... an uneasy from Shang Tsung. "Your opponent will be... Scorpion!" he called out as hellfire appeared from the ground and there stood Scorpion. 

Liu Kang took his stance, "I do not fear you, demon." he said to him in confidence. "Fighting with Scorpion... the sorcerer Quan Chi!" Shang Tsung calls out and a portal appears and out steps Quan Chi as he chuckles to himself.

The two took their stance against their two components "You have already lost." Scorpion tells them. "Don't be so sure." Ming reminds him and the two take their stances. 

Scorpion charges at Liu Kang but he blocks the attack and as they step back, Quan Chi charges at Ming, but he goes right through her, and she fades into shadow. He barrel rolls and turns back to her as the shadows fade off her. "Impressive." Quan Chi said to her.

She held an emotionless expression on her face as she just looked at him, then shot right at him, gripping the back of his neck and slamming it down right onto her knee. Breaking his nose a little. 

She lets go of his neck then flips back and slams her foot right under his chin. Quan Chi went flying off his feet and smacked right back onto the ground. Ming flips back onto her feet and looks down at Quan Chi as he groans then flips back onto his feet.

Ming smirks to herself as she holds her fists up and beckons him to her with her fingers. He growls and charges at her. 

Liu Kang flips back, dodging the chain as it is thrown over him, Scorpion pulls it back and Liu Kang flips after the chain and charges at him, slamming his knee right into the gut, forcing him to fly back and slam into the pillar.

Luna gasped in surprise as she watched Scorpion drop to the ground and crumble onto the ground, she immediately ran through the crowd, heading towards him. Liu Kang exhales and turns to Ming and Quan Chi as he throws punches at her, Ming steps back as the punches go right through her.

She then turns into black mist, he staggers forward and looks around as he loses her, but she appears behind him, gripping his neck from behind, she sidesteps and throws him right into the ground, breaking the surface. 

He looks up at her but she lets go and throws her elbow into his face, knocking him out. She pants and pulls back as she is on a knee. "You shame the very name of the dark arts." she snarls at him.

Ming looked away as she went to stand, but then stopped as Liu Kang held his hand out to her, she looked at him in surprise but then took his hand and he pulled her back to her feet and nodded at her. She nods back and pulls her arm back.

Shang Tsung frowns furiously as Liu Kang walks towards Raiden "You have done well. But the tournament is not over yet." he informs him, "Goro." Liu Kang said Ming crossed her arms as she frowned at the very name. 

"What's a Goro?" Johnny asks Soyna, who shrugs at him. "A fierce and renowned Shokan Warrior. General of the Emperor's army." Luna whispers to them, making them look over at her. "What's a Shokan?" Johnny asks her, and Luna just smirks.

Ming steps away, looking up at the old man, she glares as the shadows whisper into her ear. Liu Kang smiles at Raiden, "Liu Kang it has been years since an Earthrealm warrior has progressed this far. But the reigning champion is far beyond your ability." Shang Tsung warns him as Liu Kang turns to him. 

"To the Lair with you!" the sorcerer orders him, then throws a hand, and a portal opens up at Liu Kang's feet, getting his attention. Then he yells as he falls through.

~8~8~8~

In the Lair of the castle, a portal opens and outfalls Liu Kang as he drops onto the ground, he lies there, momentarily. Catching his breath then pulls himself onto his feet.

He stood ready as he looked around the room, seeing no one, "I did not expect to fight in this tournament." Goro calls out, making Liu Kang turn back and look at the Shokan warrior. 

"But eventually even the Shaolin produce a warrior worthy of a Shokan." He informs the Warrior Monk. 

He then marches forward, "I know who you are. I am ready." Liu Kang said to him, Goro flexed his arms, "I will give you a warrior's death." he said to him and took his stance.

Then he charged at Liu Kang, getting the first few hits in, but Liu Kang fought back, making the Shokan step back and sending the warrior into the wall. 

Liu Kang hops in his place as Goro pulls himself out of the wall, shakes off the attack, and charges at Liu Kang again, he throws in more punches at the Monk, knocking Liu Kang back, even panted him into the ground, but the Monk shakes it off and looks back to Goro.

He pulls himself to his feet and charges his fire fists, she sends them right into Goro's face, knocking him back then right onto the ground, defeated.

 Liu Kang shook out the flames from his fists and relaxed his stance, "It seems the Shaolin trained a warrior greater than a Shakon." he said to him, then he bowed to the fallen warrior and exhaled with relief. Not long after, a portal opens up for him.

~8~8~8~

Everyone waited with anticipation as the victor had not stepped out, Shang Tsung smirked as he was assured of his warrior, Raiden just waited patiently. Ming paces back and forth. Luna taps her finger as her nerves are on edge.

Then the portal brightens making everyone hold their breath, Shang Tsung rose from his chair and waited, but as the victor appeared in front of them, everyone let their breath go as Liu Kang stood before them, a grin on his face.

Ming exhales with relief, as did Raiden and the other Earthrealm warriors, but his victory only soured the sorcerer's mood and he steps away from his throne. Liu Kang turns to him, his fists raised as he steps back. "Shang Tsung. Only one fight remains! Face me... in Mortal Kombat!" The monk shouts to the sorcerer. "So be it." the sorcerer agreed and took his stance.

Everyone steps back as they watch, Liu Kang the first hit at the sorcerer, but Shang Tsung uses his power and turns himself into Liu Kang himself, Ming closes her eyes and looks away in disgust. Using his move against him, Shang Tsung sent Liu Kang to the ground.

But the Monk shakes it off, pulling himself back onto his feet, then twists and slams his foot into his copy's chest, the fake Liu Kang slides back, and the illusion falls and reveals the old man himself. 

Luna couldn't help but grin. Ming tilts her head away from the shadow that slithered from her shoulder and down her body. She flicks her eyes back to the fight as Liu Kang was kicking Shang Tsung's butt.

She huffs in approval as the sorcerer smacks onto the ground, defeated. "Say it." the Monk orders him. Shang Tsung slowly pushes himself onto his knees with a glare of disapproval. 

He looks up at the monk, "I concede." he said loudly. Earthrealm cheers, Luna inhales as Ming taps her finger against her cheek. "He has saved Earthrelam," Raiden said with relief.

The light shines down onto the victor and defeated momentarily, then the earth fighters gather around Liu Kang, except for Ming and Luna, congratulating him. Shang Tsung and the other outworld warriors headed toward the portal, leaving the island behind. 

But Katana stopped and took one last look at Liu Kang then quickly left as well as he locked eyes with her.

He looks away as the Earthrealm warriors step away and turn to Raiden, who bows to the champion of Mortal Kombat. 

Liu Kang bows respectfully back to him. Kung Lao steps up to his best friend and draws his attention away. Raiden grips hold of his amulet, but the crack along the gem only grew, causing worry and concern in the mind of the thunder god.

~8~8~8~

The Outworld warriors were gathered in the Outworld throne room as the sorcerer was on his knees before the Emperor himself. "You failed me!" he shouts at the sorcerer. 

"Five hundred years I have waited! Now I must wait five hundred more!" Shao Kahn snaps at him with a wave of his hand. "My lord! All is not lost!" Shang Tsung tries to reason.

But Shao Kahn turns away in disgust "Curse the Elder Gods and their tournament! I should have taken Earthrealm by force!" he declares, stepping back towards his throne. 

Then turns to the others, "But I am bound by their rules. Rules that cannot be broken." he states as he sits on his throne. "My lord!" Shang Tsung calls out to him again, but Shao Kahn waves off the plea. "Kill him." he orders.

Baraka and Reptile held Shang Tsung down as Katana raised her fan, the sorcerer looked up at them in fear then quickly turned his gaze back to the Emperor. "But what if the rules were changed?" he suddenly asks.

This gets his attention quickly, "Katana!" he calls out, raising his hand and stopping her. She shot a look over at the Emperor as she held her fan in place. Shao Kahn leans forward and looks the sorcerer dead in the eyes, "Continue."

~8~8~8~

Back on Earthrealm at the Shaolin Temple, the monks were gathered in the courtyard, Liu Kang walked in between the rows of seated monks, and the warriors were seated up front as they watched with smiles.

Ming stood off in the distance, watching the metal ceremony, as she against the tree. Luna stood in the back, holding her spear in her hand. Liu Kang steps before Raiden and bows to him.

Then one of the monks stepped out and held out the Mortal Kombat champion's metal, Raiden took it and placed it over Liu Kang's neck. Then everyone applauded him. Luna looks away as she locks eyes with Ming. 

The sorceress held a blank look as she turned away and walked, vanishing into the black mist. Luna looks away as she sighs and looks back to the others. Couldn't shake the feeling that their fight was just beginning.

[assassinnovice]

Chapter 16: It has Begun

Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat, those rights belong to The Netherrealm Studio

Standing at the tallest mountain that reaches the tip of the universe. In the temple of the gods.

Raiden, with Liu Kang and Marina, as Raiden pleaded their case "Elder Gods, I beseech you. Earthrealm is in danger." he tells them.

"We are aware of your plight, Raiden."

Marina crosses her arms at them, "Then you must intervene on Earthrealm's behalf." he begs of them.

"We cannot."

The Goddess rolls her eyes at them, "But Shao Kahn... Liu Kang has bested him twice, yet he still--" he tries to argue.

"Shao Kahn has not violated the rules of Mortal Kombat."

The two gods and mortals just look up at them, "What?! He invades Earthrealm as we speak!" he tries to tell them the plans of what the Emperor was conquering.

"Invasion is not itself a transgression. It is the merger of realms that is proscribed."

Marina drops her arms, frowning at the Elder Gods, "A distinction without a difference! Innocents are dying at the hands of Outworld!" Raiden shouts at them.

"It is regrettable. However, the Mortal Kombat tournament is not intended to prevent certain outcomes. They are intended only to maintain balance among the realms."

Marina scoffs, "Balance?! You call Shao Kahn's invasion not a threat to that balance?!" she shouts at them, and the gods turn their eyes to her. "He is finding loopholes to merge Earthrealm with Outworld, bypassing the rules of Mortal Kombat!" she speaks, trying to get them to see reason.

"We cannot intervene, the rules not only apply to Shao Kahn, but to ourselves as well."

She just rolled her eyes at them, "Why does it not surprise me, the Mighty Elder Gods themselves, to cowardice to save one realm." she threw out.

The Elder gods said nothing as they frowned at her, she stepped back and cast her eyes down, controlling her anger as she clutched her fist, "Please, you must--" Raiden pleas before the Elder Gods before them.

"We have spoken."

With the words spoken, the gods faded from their sight, Once it was quiet, Liu Kang stood next to the Gods next to him, looking at him as he was defeated.

"The last doors are closing. We are nearly trapped." Raiden informs them, Marina sighs as she turns away, going to leave, but gasps loudly, falling to her knees and pressing her hand to her chest, keeping herself propped up.

Both men turned to her with worry and went to her aid. "Marina, what is it?" Raiden asks as he kneels next to her. She pants, feeling this knot tighten in her chest, a pit of dread building in her stomach.

"Lady Marina..." Liu Kang spoke as she gasped with pants. Her eyes were frantic as she spoke in a low whisper. "Something's wrong... very wrong."

~8~8~8~

Nightwolf was thrown back, crashing into the altar, he lay defeated on the ground, the only thing keeping him propped up was the stone he was thrown against.

Sindel steps towards him and with a flick of her hair, it wraps around him, lifting him off the altar. "Victory is mine, Shaman," she spoke with a sinister grin.

A spark of flames off from their battle, Scorpion steps out as he looks at the defeated Earthrealm fighters.

He looks over and sees one is still alive, Kai Ming whimpers, tears streaming from her eyes, falling onto Sub-zero's metal face.

Sindel shot out both her hands and began draining his soul. Nightwolf struggles, refusing to go quietly into the night.

The warrior steps beside her, seeing how broken she is, "If you're here to kill me, then kill me. But do not mock my pain." she snarls in a weak voice.

Scorpion said nothing as he reached his hand out and placed it on her shoulder. "I am not heartless to mock your pain," he assures. Ming closed her eyes, sobbing softly as she held Sub-zero close to her.

He pulls away and his white eyes widen in shock, seeing the Lunar wolf lying on her side, bruises on her face, blood staining her clothes, and a blade lodged into her side as the blood pooled at her abdomen. Letting out shutter breaths, he slowly steps towards her, his hands shaking.

Dropping to his knees, he gathers Luna in his arms and, she was limp, barely breathing. Scorpion just gasped as the last tether of his humanity was dead in his arms.

With shuddered breaths, Scorpion hung his head, pulling her in close to him "Luna... my Luna." he whispered, pulling her in close and pressing her to his chest, his arms tighten around her.

But a soft groan echoed in his ear, making him immediately pull back and look at the woman in his arms. Fluttering her eyes open, she looks up at Scorpion. "Hanzo..." she groans.

Surprised, Scorpion leans her back against the pillar. "Luna..." he spoke softly, cupping her face, Slowly she flicked her eyes down at the blade lodged in her side, "Pull it... out. You have to... pull it out," she spoke, her head looming back.

Scorpion looks down at the blade on her side, it is in deep and possibly penetrating a vital organ. "If take this out..." he starts. Her hand shot up and gripped his arm.

"I'll heal... I always... heal," she mutters, Scorpion looks at him, moving his arm to her shoulder at the other grips the broken hilt of the blade. "This will hurt," he swore.

She just chuckles dryly. "Promises promises," she mutters, Scorpion looks back at the blade, gripping it tightly and pulling with his strength.

He rips the blade out, making her jump, but his hand holds her shoulder tightly to keep her in place. She gasped in shock as the pain was paralyzing her.

Scorpion looks at the blood-stained blade, places it on the side, and presses at her wound, the blood seeps through his fingers. Luna took a few moments to breath as she slowed her breathing.

Calm and steady, Scorpion listened as he could hear her heartbeat. It was accelerated at first but began to slow down at a steady pace.

The bleeding ceases, Scorpion looks down at her wound, pulling his hand away, and sees her wound slowly stitched itself back together.

He looks back at her as she exhales and flutters her eyes open, "Ow..." she groans. Scorpion looks back at her, gripping her face gently in his hands. "Are you..." he asks.

Nightwolf glares at the Queen of Outworld, seeing he has no chance of simply defeating her, "Not If I... take it... from...you." he declares summoning the spirits once more.

A shine of light catches their attention, causing both Scorpion and Luna to turn their gaze to them, seeing Nightwolf summoning the spirits as they spiral around him and Sindel.

Fearful, Luna presses at his chest, "You have to go, get back to the Netherrealm." she warns, Scorpion snaps his sight to her. "No, I have to get you back to your people, your shaman can help you." he starts.

Luna just shoves him back, surprising him, then reaches for her blade, gripping it tightly in her hand. She pulls it to her chest, tapping her chest twice.

"I am Luna of the Lunar Tribe and I am duty-bound to protect my home and Earthrealm is my home," she spoke and held her head high. "And I will fight to the end to protect it." she declares, holding her head high.

Scorpion just looks up at her in awe, seeing the warrior before him, wounded and hurt, but still, her spirit burns bright. It almost makes his dead heart skip a beat.

Luna looked back at the light, as she saw both Raiden and Liu Kang had returned.

"By the Elder Gods!" Liu Kang shouts as she pushes at Scorpion's chest, "Go, go..." she warns him. He just stares at her for a moment, but slowly steps away from her and stands to his feet.

Luna watches him step back, looking at her with regretful eyes, and vanishes into flames.

Luna exhales as she leans her head back and looks over, seeing Nightwolf and Sindel being obliterated by the light of the spirits.

"Nightwolf..." she whimpers. The hunter looks over, seeing Luna is still alive, he just smiles at her as both he and Sindel are consumed in light.

Raiden and Liu Kang lower their arms as they look out at the rot of chaos.

All the warriors of Earthrealm were lying scattered among the church grounds. Marina arrives momentarily after them, gasping in horror at the sight before her.

Raiden turns to her, seeing she was staring in horror at the sight before her. "Mar..." he starts, standing at herself, holding her arms.

But she pulls away from him, stepping forward as she looks at all the fighters that resist.

Beings that she saw grow from childhood to adulthood, a shudder of breath leaves her lips as she lowers her hands. A void set in that lingered with this ache that seemed to swallow her.

Only a few lived through the slaughter, but were not without wounds and broken from more than just physical pain.

"Liu Kang..." a faint whisper calls out. They all looked back and saw a hand raised in the air. "Kitana!" Liu Kang calls out. Marina looks over at them.

Kneeling next to her, he quickly takes her hand, Raiden and Marina quickly join them. "Kitana!" Marina cries, dropping to her knees, and pulls Kitana into her arms.

Panting heavily, Kitana looks up at the Chosen One. "Liu Kang... you were right. Is wish we had met... under... different circumstances." she whimpers.

"Hold on, Kitana... I'm here." Marina sobs as she holds her hand over Kitana and begins her healing spell. But Kitana grips hold of her hand. "Please... do not waste... your strength... on me." she croaks.

Marina blinked with widened eyes as she went stiff. "Thank you... for everything... mother." she mutters, "Kitana..." Liu Kang cried again, but with her last breath, she went limp in Marina's arms as her hand from the Goddess's arm.

Both sat in silence as Liu Kang fell back on his legs, "They are dead." he spoke. Tears swell up in Marina's eyes as she felt that weight hit her, crushing her heart.

Raiden looks at the two, "Liu Kang, I--" he starts. "We abandon them and they're dead," he spoke, silencing the God. Ming looks over her shoulder, feeling her broken heart go numb.

"My heart, too, is heavy with their sacrifice." Raiden spoke, Ming looked over her shoulder, "Sacrifice...?" she questioned. "Their death achieved nothing!" Liu Kang shouts, Marina looks down at Kitana, pulling her hand close and gently caressing her cheek.

The ThunderGod said nothing and then pulled his amulet into view, only more cracks formed. "What is next Raiden? Tell me about the future. How do we honor their Sacrifice?" Liu Kang questions him.

Raiden just cast his eyes at him, "I climbed the heaven, now I must plunge into the depths. I will go to Quan Chi. Ally our realms with him against the forces of Outworld." he answers.

The two snap their looks up at him, "What?! Grovel before Quan Chi?!" Liu Kang questions Luna's grunts as she forces herself to her feet, leaning against the pillar. "You can't be serious. Ally with Quan Chi?" she snaps, and Raiden looks over at her.

"That murdering dark sorcerer?! He serves Shao Kahn! And if I guess right, resurrected Sindel which caused this!!" Luna shouts, stepping away from the pillar, and pressing her hand to her blood-stained side.

Raiden looks down at the bodies of the dead, his eyes set on Ming as she holds Sub-Zero Cyborb's body in her arms.

His vision flashes across his mind:

Ming holding Sub-zero in her arms forthcoming the birth of the angel of darkness.

Her eyes were slowly consumed in the darkness as she turned away, looking back at Sub-Zero "Everyone is dead because of her! Because of him! You can't trust him!" Luna shouts.

"Luna is right! What will he demand? What price will be paid?" Liu Kang questions the God. "What any price be too high to save Earthrealm?" Raiden asks him.

Marina turns her head away, closing her eyes as the tears stream down her cheeks. Luna took a step back as she gawked at him in disbelief, Liu Kang just sat back surprised Raiden was mad enough to think of such a thing.

"I had prayed it was not true. But you have gone mad, Raiden. Your visions. They are nothing. Delusions of an addled mind." he spoke and hung his head.

"Liu Kang, please," Raiden begged, but a weak laughter caught their attention, they looked over, and saw Ming laughing as she reeled her head back. "Where is the nobility in a meaningless death? Where was the sacrifice when Sindel murdered us in cold twisted pleasure?" she questions.

She looks down at Sub-zero and brushes her fingers at his cold cheek. "Nightwolf gave his life to stop Sindel while you ran to gods they would not listen or act on our pleas?" she questions.

Darkness began to make its way towards her, slithering along the ground, "What was the point in it? What bother changing a future that still travels the threaded course?" she questioned, the darkness seeping into her body, slowly consuming her.

Marina turns her head, looking at the Persefoni as she looks at her dead lover in her arms, tears dripping into his visor. "Shao Kahn caused all of this strife and loss and the Gods sit back and do nothing about it." Her numbness twisted into a hot burning rage that was bursting free from the box.

"But I will not sit back and wait for the Emperor to come and enslave us." she snarls, the darkness consumes her. The others looked at her, shocked with surprise, Luna taking a step back.

Ming leans her head back, submitting to the darkness, welcoming it. A silence fell over the church as the Gods and two mortals just watched as the dark rippled and turned.

Then a freighting chill ran down their spine as the shadow dropped from her body like a veil, clothing was The front of her body was completely covered in black, and her back was exposed from top to bottom.

Her dark fabric pants hug at her legs, heels that reach to her calves, the blackness was etched into her skin, completely covering her hands that stretch up to her upper arms.

Her hair rippled down her shoulders, a shawl at her waist tattered and torn at the ends. Golden jewels decorated her person from head to toe, catching the light of the fire.

Carefully laying Sub-zero on the ground, giving one last brush on his cheek, she stood to her feet and turned to the Gods and Mortals.

The darkness completely took over her eyes, etching into the veins on her face. From her eyes and lips. "Kai Ming..." Raiden spoke. She said nothing as she looked at the church.

"I must leave," she spoke, her voice held an echo, distorted and far. "Ming!" Luna calls out, Persefoni turns her head to her, "Where will you go?" she asks her.

Ming shoots out her wings, Dark and black wings stretch out, spreading out her feathers. "I must return to my clan, save them, rally them. If Shao Kahn wants a war. Then a roar he will have." she answers.

Then flying out towards the ceiling, the stone breaking, and the Persefoni flew out, leaving a rumble in her wake. Luna shutters as she looks up at the hole in the ceiling.

Marina just looks away, as Liu Kang just exhales. But a faint groan catches his attention. He looked over and saw Soyna and Johnny were still alive. "Enough. Marina and I must help the wounded. Leave on your hopeless quest." he spoke.

Then gently set Kitana's hand down and stood to his feet, walking past Raiden. Marina did the same. Laying Kitana on the ground and stood to her feet.

She wipes her tears away and turns past him, stepping over to Luna takes her arm over her shoulder, and helps her walk.

Raiden said nothing as he looked at the two as they helped the wounded. "May the Elder Gods protect you," he said after them, then raised his hand in the air and vanished in a flash of light.

~8~8~8~

A flash of thunder and the thunder god stood in the pits of of the Neatherrealm. Lighting ripples from his body as he steps forward. "Quan Chi!" he calls out, stepping forward, passing the burning corpses of the dead.

"Quan Chi!" he calls out again, but a flare of hellfire and Scorpion appears in front of the God, blocking his path. Raiden's eyes locked with Scorpion's hallowed white eyes.

"It disappoints me to see you here," he spoke, standing before the fallen warrior. "Save your pity." Scorpion spat at him. "I will have an audience with Quan Chi." the God informs him.

"You may address me. I will inform him." Scorpion spoke to the God, glaring at him. "Is this why you chose not to save your family and clan? To maintain your place at his feet?" Raiden questions him.

"Do not talk of my family, Raiden!" Scorpion warns him as he steps closer. "Fetch your master, Scorpion. I must speak with him!" Raiden orders him.

"You speak only with me!" Scorpion shouts and takes his stance.

Scorpion charges at God, throwing rageful swings at him, Raiden moves fast, blocking each swing, keeping his movement in a flow.

Scorpion slams his fist right under Raiden's chin, taking him by surprise, and breaks Raiden's defense and slams his fist into the God, pouring his anger into his attack.

And with a twist, he slams the back of his heel right into the God's jaw, close enough to dislocate it.

Raiden stumbles back for a moment and Scorpion slams his fist right into his chest, cracking the God's ribs and he goes flying back.

But Raiden wasn't done, he punched the ground, lighting crackles at contact and he pulled himself back to his feet, he turned to the Netherrealm warrior and took his states.

Scorpion releases his chained kunai and flung it towards him, Raiden dodges the weapon and catches the chain, gripping it tightly in his hand, Raiden pulls on the chain with a sharp tug and Scorpion comes flying.

The God then slams his palm right into his chest, shooting currents of lighting throughout his body. Scorpion cries out as he is shaking from the currents.

Raiden pulls his hand back, charging his lightning, and slams his fist right into Scorpion's face and he goes flying back, smacking onto the ground, and lays there, defeated.

Raiden lowers his stance, "Now, Scorpion. Fetch your master." he orders him. But Scorpion shoots to his feet and marches right into the God's face. "You have no right to make demands. You speak of my family and clan, like you care." the fallen warrior snarls.

Raiden just frowns as he crosses his arms. "But where were you when all of Earthrealm's warriors were slaughtered? Where were you when Luna had her blade lodged into her side?!" he snarls.

This surprised Raiden as he could hear the concern in the fallen warrior's voice. "Because of you, she almost died!!" he snarls, his fist catches flame, "You are not worthy of a warrior like her, or be even worthy of her worship!" he shouts, ready to beat the God's face in.

"Scorpion!" Quan Chi calls out, both look past Scorpion's shoulder and see Quan Chi appearing behind them. "Leave the God to me, Scorpion," he orders.

Hesitating for a moment, Scorpion glares back at God but reluctantly steps back and vanishes into a flare of hellfire. Quan Chi then gracefully steps towards the ThunderGod.

"You seek an audience." Quan Chi states Raiden lets his arms fall to his sides, "I seek cooperation. Between Earthrealm and the Netherrealm." he informs the dark sorcerer.

Quan Chi grins as he crosses his arms, "Losing the battle, are you?" he questions. "We will prevail. But with the Netherrealm fight outside--" The Thundergod starts.

"You lie poorly, Raiden. Earthrealm's defenses are overwhelmed. You have mere hours." Quan Chi spoke, stating the facts. Raiden looks away momentarily, biting back his pride, and looks at the sorcerer.

"Name your terms." he spoke, knowing everything has a price."What do you offer?" Quan Chi questions. Raiden cast his eyes down. "I offer... I offer the souls of Earthrealms warriors who die in this conflict," he spoke.

Quan Chi just laughs heartily, "They would agree." Raiden spoke, Quan Chi smirked as he looked at the God before him. "You are cavalier with other men's souls. And I know full well, Marina would never agree to this." he points out.

Raiden flicked his eyes away momentarily, then saw Quan Chi turn and walk off. "Not just others! I offer my soul as well. If I die, you will have it." Raiden threw in.

Making Quan Chi stop for a moment and grin to himself, looking over his shoulder. "How noble, Raiden." he spoke and turned to him, "Yet utterly pointless," he spoke and with a wave of his hand, all the fallen warriors of Earthrealm appeared between them. Changed and twisted.

"No!" Raiden cries as he looks at all his friends, "You see, their souls are already mine. Shao Kahn's payment for Netherrealm's allegiance." the sorcerer informs him.

Raiden just shook his head in disbelief. "No! This was not meant to be!" he shouts. Quan Chi just looked at him, "Earthrealm has lost, Raiden. Now so shall you." he spoke and looked to his fallen warriors. "Finish him," he orders.

Jak, Stryker, and Kabal step out and face Raiden. "As you command my master," Jak spoke and took his stance.

Raiden dodges the incoming swings of the former Jax, keeping mindful of his metal arms as they pack a punch, he dodges and weaves past his powerful fist.

He catches one of his arms and shoots his palm at Kax, sending power currents of lighting throughout Jax's body. He cries out as Raiden pulls away and Jax falls to the ground.

Stryker then steps forward and aims his gun, taking fire. Raiden dodges the incoming flame bullets and charges at Styker, disarming him and slamming his fight right into his gut.

Stryker was taken by surprise, staggering back as he held his gut, Raiden twisted and slammed his heel right into his jaw, cracking it, and was spun right off his feet.

Kabal dashes right at him swinging his hook blades, Raiden dodges the swing, grabbing hold of both, and shoots lighting through the metal and electrocutes him, he cries out for a moment, Raiden lets go and Kabal goes flying back

Raiden pants as he lowers his arms and looks at the fallen warriors before him "May the Elder Gods watch over you." he spoke to them. Quan Chi just looks at him. "The Elder Gods cannot help them. Their souls are mine." he declares.

Then looks at his warriors. "Kitana. Nightwolf. Kung Lao." he calls out and more of the fallen warriors step out. Raiden just glares at the sorcerer but looks at the warriors that stand before him. "You sealed our fate in this place, Thunder God. You have condemned us all." Kitana snaps and takes her stance.

She charges at the Thunder God, swinging her fist at him, using her bladed fans. Raiden dodges or deflects her attacks, keeping her blades from his skin and her fists from his sight.

He caught her arm and swung her right over his shoulder, Reeling his fist back, he charged his lightning and slammed it right into her face, knocking her out.

Raiden pulls away, looking at her, but is taken off guard as a tomahawk is lodged right into his shoulder, staggering away from Kitana, he looks at the tomahawk in his shoulder as it vanishes.

He looked back and saw Nightwolf charging towards him, he dodged the incoming swing of his tomahawk, staying light on his feet, dodging Nightwolf's kick. But the former hunter was faster on his feet and slammed his fist into the Thunder God's chest.

Raiden goes flying but rolls onto his feet and slides to a stop, he looks up at the former hunter and forces himself to stand, pulling his fist back up.

He charges at Nightwolf, dodging the incoming swings, slamming his fist right into his gut, Nightwolf staggers from the hit and Raiden slams his fist right under his chin and he is knocked right off his feet.

Kung Lao steps over, Kitana and Nightwolf and takes his state, he flung his weapon at Raiden, who dodges his attack, but does not see the incoming knee in the chest.

Raiden strumbled back for a moment, then was bombarded with powerful fists that assault that was cracking his rips with each hit.

Then Kung Lao steps back and slams his foot right into Raiden's chest, cracking his ribs, the god staggers for a moment but does not see the incoming chop at the back of his neck.

Raiden drops to his knees and coughs up blood, he takes a moment but quickly rolls out of the way as Kung Lao brings his foot down.

Rolling onto his feet, Raiden blocks Kaug Lao's incoming swings. Then catches his leg, slamming his palm right into Kaug Lao's chest, the lighting courses through his body, making him cry out, and he flies back, crashing to the ground.

Seeing his student lying on the ground before him, he glares at the sorcerer before him. "Curse you, Quan Chi." he snarls at him. But the sorcerer held no remorse. "Shao Kahn's victory is nearly complete. Soon he will arrive in Earthrealm," he informs the God

"No. The Elder Gods cannot allow it." Raiden shouts as he marches forward. "The Elder Gods are toothless. Your world is near destruction. Yet they do not act." Quan Chi informs him.

"They must! Only through Mortal Kombat may Shao Kahn merge the realms. Lest he face the judgment of the Elder Gods..." Raiden shouts.

But he came to an immediate stop, realizing his own words, "Lest he face the judgment of the Elder Gods! He must win!" he states as all the pieces come together.

Unknown to them, Marina appears in the Netherrealm, following Raiden, only to gasp in horror at the fallen warriors that Sindel murdered. "It is you who face judgment, Raiden." Quan Chi states as the rest of the fallen warriors surround him.

"Thank you, Quan Chi. I now know what must do," he states and with a flash of lightning, Raiden vanishes, Quan Chi presses his hands at his hips and frowns at himself.

"QUAN CHI!!!" Marina shouts, everyone looks back and sees the enraged goddess as she strides towards them. "Ah, The Goddess herself, I am humbled at your... sudden arrival." the sorcerer spoke as he bowed to her.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY CHILDREN?!?!" she questions him, the sorcerer takes a step back, "I... remade them, perfected them," he answers as they stand to their feet.

Marina just looks at him in disbelief. "Perfected? You corrupted them!! corrupted their souls!!" she shouts at him, looking at the warriors.

Her rage boiling, clutching her fist as her magic swirls. "Who gave you the right?" she snaps, looking back at the sorcerer. He said nothing. "WHO!!!!!" the winds brush at them with a strong current.

Everyone braces themselves as the Sorcerer just looks at her, feeling that tingling sensation at the back of his neck. He pushes back the feeling and frowns at her. "And why should I answer a mere Goddess? You are nothing," he spoke.

Marina's angered expression turns into a frown with a dark aura to it. "If I have to beat the answer out of you..." she snarls, taking her fighting stance. "Then so be it." she declares.

Quan Chi huffs at her then singals his fighters. They form around her and take their stance. Marina turned her head, eyeing the warriors around her then inhaled for a moment, closing her eyes momentarily "Forgive me, my children..." she spoke and flicked her eyes open as they pulsed with power. "For what I must do."

~8~8~8~

Appearing on the rooftop before the portal they stood between Earthrealm and Outworld.

Liu Kang and Luna make it to the top and look at the Thunder God who has returned. Both frown at him as Liu Kang crosses his arms. "Back from the Netherrealm empty-handed, I see," he spoke, drawing the Thunder God's attention.

"Liu Kang! Luna!" he spoke as the two stepped onto the roof, "Liu Kang, I now realize what we must do. We must allow Shao Kahn to merge the realms!" Raiden informs them.

Luna just blinks in surprise. "That is insane!" Liu Kang states. Luna taps his shoulder. "He can't be serious," she states. He shrugs at her. "The Elder Gods forbid it without victory in Mortal Kombat. When he does, the Elder Gods' fury will fall upon him," he states.

Liu Kang just shook his head at him as Luna rubbed her brow. "Defeating Shao Kahn before the merge is but temporary. He will return, bringing Armageddon. I have foreseen it!" the god informs the two mortals.

"Enough, Raiden!" they both shout at him, but then they look to the portal, seeing just on the other side was the mastermind behind everything.

Shao Kahn, his hand slowly slipping through the portal. "He is here." Liu Kang states as Luna growls "This bastard thinks he can cross into Earthrealm, fine, let him! I'll rip him to shreds." She snaps, Liu Kang nods in agreement and they both march forward.

"No! Do as I say!" Raiden states as he pulls them back, they then glare at the man, "Have faith in the Elder Gods. Have faith in me." he asks them.

Luna scoffs as she rips her arm from his grasp, "Faith. I had nothing but faith and then as soon as you left, everyone was slaughtered by that bastard's corrupted dead wife!" she snaps at him.

Liu Kang places his hand on her shoulder, pulling her back. "He dies, here and now. And by our hands." she declares and they both move back towards the portal.

But Raiden marches and stands before them, "Liu Kang! I cannot let either of you fight Shao Kahn!" he orders. Both step back and glare at him. "Then you are my enemy!" Liu Kang declares as he and Luna take their stance.

~8~8~8~

The fallen warriors were scatted on the ground of Netherrealm, defeated and beaten down. Quan Chi groans, holding his side as he tries to crawl away.

But a gentle breeze causes him to still and slowly look back over his shoulder, The Goddess of Balance and Fertility slowly strides towards him, her dress reformed into Kombatant clothes, similar to that of a female ninja.

He pants heavily and hurried in his crawl, but she stood over him, gripping his shoulder and forcing him onto his back. He stares up at the Goddess, realizing that sensation at the back of his neck.

It was fear.

Marina raises her fist, reeling it back, "Wait! You said you were a pacifist." he points out. Marina just glares down at him, "And you never wondered why?" she questions.

He just looks at her, "Now... tell me. Who gave you the right to take the souls of the Earthrealm fighters?" she snarls, her magic swirling at her fist. "Who gave you the right... to take my children!" she shouts, reeling it back further, ready to finish him.

"Shao Kahn!" he answers as she brings it down, his answer causes her to stop it is an inch from his face. Quan Chi held his breath, looking at the fist that was right in his face.

Seeing her attention was grabbed "In payment for Netherrealm's allegiance to Outworld, Shoa Kahn offered the souls of the fallen Earthrealm warriors." he answers her.

Anger brews once again in the Goddess's blood. "So... this entire invasion... it was his idea? Or was it yours?" she questions. He flinches at the glare in her eyes, he opens his mouth.

"Be very careful of the next words you choose." she warns him, "Yes. I was the one who suggested it, but it was for a great purpose. Greater than Shao Kahn's greed," he informs her.

She snarls at him, her eyes flaring for a moment, but she is taken back for a moment, "You're using Shao Kahn... for your lord?" she questions.

Quan Chi just grins at her. But she presses her arm at his throat, "Does this mean Shinnok plans his revolt soon?" she questions him, Quan Chi blinks at her, "How could you possibly know that?" he questions her.

She just grins at him, "That's because he told me personally, eons ago..." she answers him. Quan Chi blinks in surprise. She just grins, "I'm not just a mere Goddess. But the Abandoned. Outcast. The Destined One." she declares.

Quan Chi's eyes just widen. "And if my brother plans his revolt soon, then... Shao Kahn's invasion will accelerate things," she spoke, then pulled away.

The sorcerer just watched as Marina stood to her feet and went to leave, but the fallen stood before her, blocking her way. She just looks at the faces of the Earthrealm warriors.

She frowns sadly at them as her heart breathes at the sight of their dark and gray skin, the glowing red in their eyes that each cracks along their skin.

Propping himself up, Quan Chi grins, seeing his warriors standing before the Goddess.

But instead of fighting her, they step out of her way, surprising Quan Chi as she marches forward. "You'll never stop Shinnok's ascension!!" he calls out.

Marina stops for a moment then looks over her shoulder, "I don't plan to stop him. But... the remaining Earthrealm's warriors may have something to say about that." she informs him.

Pulling to his feet as he held his side. "Ha! There are only a handful left!" he shouts. Marina looks away as she summons the winds that spiral around her, "Earthrealm is a big place... it can always make more." she declares and vanishes in pedals and wind.

~8~8~8~

Luna smacks onto the ground as she groans in pain, still recovering from her healed wound, She presses her hand to her healed side, panting as she looks up at two fighters.

"Raiden... you... madman." she groans, lying on her side. Fluttering her eyes as she kept them on the two, Liu Kang was thrown to the ground after the head chop and Raiden stood victorious.

"Liu Kang, do not interfere." the god orders him. Propping himself up, both Liu Kang and Luna prop themselves up and look at the portal, Shao Kahn holds both hands in the portal.

Sonya and Johnny make it roof, seeing the scene before them, Liu Kang forces himself to his feet as Luna remains propped on her side.

The chosen ran towards the portal. "Liu Kang, stop!" Raiden shouts and shoots lighting at the ground in front of him.

Liu Kang staggers to a stop as he turns and glares at the God, summoning his flames.

Marina appears behind Sonya and Johnny, seeing that God and the chosen one are pitted against one another. "Liu Kang! Raiden! No!" Johnny shouts as he and Soyna run towards them.

"Enough of your madness! If you must die, so be it!" Liu Kang shouts, Marina gasps in horror as she begins to move, "Liu Kang!" she calls out, in the hopes of stopping them.

Liu Kang charges towards the God, but Raiden reacts as he summons this thunder in defense and electrocutes Liu Kang, frying his skin, with the mixture of flames and lighting. "By the gods, no!" Raiden shouts in horror.

"LIU KANG!!" Marina cries out, running to his side, Luna gasps in horror, seeing her friend burned alive. The Goddess flash-steps at his side and catches him. Raiden ran towards them as Marina lowered him to the ground.

"Liu Kang..." Marina whimpers, holding the dying chosen one in her arms. Raiden kneels next to him, "No. this was not meant to happen." he cries. Liu Kang just blinked as he was barely conscious.

The two mortals stood over them, "What did you do?!" Johnny questions him. Raiden answered as he tried to reach for him, but stopped and pulled his hand back, clutching his fist and hanging his head in shame.

"Liu Kang, forgive me..." he begs. Marina shook her head, seeing his wounds were beyond healing. Luna forces herself to her feet and limps towards them. "You... have killed us... all..." Liu Kang croaks out.

Dropping her to her knee, Luna scoots closer to the chosen one. "Liu Kang... my friend." she whimpers. He chuckles for a moment and reaches for her hand.

Shifting her eyes to his, she takes it and looks at him, "I'm sorry..." he mutters. But she whimpers and shook her head. "Not your fault. Was never your fault," she tells him.

He smiles at her, but with a slip of his breath goes limp in Marina's arms. Raiden said nothing he just hung his head and was completely silent. Tears well up in Marina's eyes as she pulls Liu Kang closer to her. "My child..." she whimpers, pressing her forehead to his and rocking him in her arms.

Finally stepping onto the ground of Earthrealm, Shao Kahn stood in the very place she longed to merge with his world. Luna turns her head and looks at him. "He's here," she mutters. She tries to stand to her feet, but a jolt of pain stops her.

Johnny and Sonya just looked at her, seeing Luna was in no shape to fight, "Come on, it's up to us now." Sonya states. Johnny nods at her and they both charge at Shao Kahn, but he shoots his hands out, and, magic blasts from his palms, and the two are thrown back.

"Johnny! Sonya!" Luna cries out as they smack onto the ground. Placing his hand momentarily on Marina's shoulder, Raiden stood to his feet turned to Shao Kahn, and bowed before him, "Ah, Raiden. You have come to your senses." he spoke.

Luna glares at the Emperor. "Earthrealm's citizens suffer. Further resistance serves no purpose." Raiden informs him, Shao Kahn just laughs, "All these ages you have fought me. You denied me ny rightful claim." he spoke with a grin, clutching his fist.

Marina frowns deeply as she flutters her tears and her eyes open, "Not this time." Shao Kahn declares and with a wring of his arm, he shoots it right under Raiden's chin.

Sending him flying right up into the air and smacking onto the ground, upon impact, he was suddenly reliving his future self memories, but he was a darker person then.

He props himself up forcibly as Shao Kahn steps towards him, "The Elder Gods fear me now!" he declares and laughs cruelly, Luna growls as she tries to stand, but a hand stops her.

Luna looked over and saw the Goddess was glaring at the Emperor, a hatred in her eyes that sent a chill down her spine. "Their pathetic Mortal shackles me no longer!" the Emperor spoke and with powerful swings, beat Raiden.

Bruising his face, seeing his fine work, Shao Kahn threw him with a swing and Raiden went flying into the air, his amulet slipped from his vest and crashed to the ground, breaking at contact.

Raiden smacks onto the ground and hangs off the side of the roof, "Why isn't he fighting back?" Luna questions and Marina glares at the Emperor.

Shao Kahn steps towards the God, who just coughs and props himself up again. Summoning his hammer. "They masquerade as dragons... but are mere toothless worms." Shao Kahn spoke, Raiden just groaned in pain as he rolled onto his back and the Emperor slammed his foot onto Raiden's chest.

Another memory plays back, in the same moment, "I know you can feel it. It is the end of all things." The emperor just laughs, his power radiates from his body.

"Elder Gods, where are you? Why do you forsaken me?" Raiden crocks out. Shao Kahn reaches down and grips hold of Raiden and forces him to his feet. "Your time has passed." he declares to him and with another swing throws Raiden across the roof and he crashes into the rumble.

Luna gasps as Marina gently lays Liu Kang on the ground, "Ages wasted in foolish resistance." Shao Kahn spoke as he stood before Raiden, the god forcing himself to his knees and pants from the pain that ached in his body.

"I have won." Shao Kahn spoke, and Marina slowly stood to her feet. Raiden hunches forward as he pants, casting his eyes down, "Yes... you have won." he admits, bowing his head. "Now, Raiden. Your world ends." the Emperor orders him and reels his weapon over his head.

"SHAO KAHN!!!" Marina shouts, he stops for a moment and looks over at the goddess that stands, glaring hate at him. "You! Wait your turn," he orders.

But thunder rains down from the sky, and the Emperor just looks up, seeing a light shine through the darkened clouds. The essence of dragons flew from the light, empowering Raiden, and consuming him in the blinding light.

Luna shields her eyes as Marina takes a step back and Raiden stands before Shao Kahn, renowned and radiating with power.

"You violate our will, Shao Kahn. You merge the realms without a victory in Mortal Kombat. Our penalty is clear."

Raiden spoke as the Elder Gods spoke through him, he charged his changed thunder and shot it at the Emperor. But the Emperor just stood there, laughing, barely feeling anything against the power of Raiden and the gods.

Lowers his hands, and Raiden just glares at the mad emperor. "An anemic effort from ineffectual deities. Today I become the Elder God!" Shao Kahn shouts as he takes his stance.

He charges at Raiden, only to be kneed in the back of the head, he smacks face first onto the ground as his attacker rolls over him and slides next to Raiden.

Both looked and saw Marina standing on her feet. her attire changes back to her ninja fighting attire and takes her stance. "You can't and never will be a fucking Elder God!" she snarls.

Shao Kahn pounds his fist into the ground and pushes himself to his feet, he swings his mace right at them, and both gods dodge the incoming hammer.

Keeping away from his powerful swings, "Is this all you have to offer? The great Shoa Kahn? Conquer of Realms? Emperor of Outworld out Kombat by two mere Gods?" Marina shouts.

Shao Kahn bellows as he swings his hammer at her, but she dodges the blunt weapon as Raiden charges in and slams his fist right into the side of his face, Shao Kahn staggers for a moment.

He growls, catching Raiden's arm and headbutting him, Raiden staggers back for a moment. Shao Kahn marches towards him, reeling his hammer over his head.

But Marina appeared in front of him, blocking Raiden from him as she leaped into the air and slammed her fist right into his face, catching Shao Kahn by surprise.

He stumbles back for a moment as she lands on her feet and twists, swinging her heel right onto the side of his face. Standing on both of her feet, her back facing the Emperor as he collects himself.

He growls, charging towards her, but is suddenly hit by a thunderbolt, catching him off guard then Raiden comes charging in, his hand lands on Marina's shoulder and leaps into the air, slamming his foot right into Shao Kahn's chest.

The Emperor staggers back, dropping his hammer. The two shared a look and then charged at Shao Kahn. He was stunned for the moment, unable to counter, block, or dodge the incoming combination of attacks from the two Gods.

They threw everything they had at him, forcing him to stagger back, unable to fight back against them.

They both stood side to side, glaring at the emperor as he was half-conscious from the attack, in sync they reeled their fists back and slammed them right into his face.

Shao Kahn went flying back and smacked right into the ground, laying there, defeated.

The Gods lower their stance as Marina steps forward, "This is the end of your reign, Shao Kahn." she snarls at him.

Panting heavily to himself, pushing himself to his feet, gripping his weapon and hand, and stood, slowly turning to the Gods, holding his hammer over his shoulder.

Bruised, beaten, wounded and bleeding. Shao Kahn stood ready to fight, but Raiden reeled his hands back and shot them forward, the dragons that spiral around him, shoot right at the Emperor, spiraling around him and biting into his flesh.

He cries out, feeling the power of the gods in his skin. Raiden gasps as he drops to his knees, Marina looks over and goes to the Thunder God's side. "Raiden..." she takes hold of his shoulders.

Both watch as Shao Kahn is slowly being consumed by the light of the Elder Gods. And once as there was nothing left of the Emperor.

The light shot straight into the sky and with a pulse the dark clouds break away.

Lights shine through, breaking the clouds away as the clear blue skies shine over them. Raiden exhales as he takes the moment to embrace the warm rays until they vanish leaving just the clear sky above them.

A pulse raditates at his chest and he looks down at his amulet that was reformed. Pulling it from his vest, Raiden looks down at the artifact and watches as the cracks are reversed, renewed, and whole.

Raiden exhales with relief "It is over." he states. Marina exhales as she looks at him, "Is it? What Shao Kahn began..." she starts.

Placing his amulet back, Raiden exhales and looks at her, taking the moment to see the very features of her face, he reaches up and caresses her skin.

"We will face it. Together." he tells her, then the mortal warriors walk over and help the Gods to their feet, "Only at the gravest of cost." he states.

Luna frowns and looks over at the charred body of Liu Kang, Earthrealms Chosen. They step over and look down at his body. "So many are gone. Their light had sunk into the earth. I am responsible for their loss." he spoke.

Marina cast her eyes down, Luna placed her hand on her shoulder, "You did what you had to. To protect Earthrealm. Losses in war... are... are inevitable." Sonya spoke, sniffling as she looked away.

"Come. Let us tend the fallen. Then we we must help our realm rebuild. Our work has only begun." Raiden informs him, then holds his hand out, lighting sparks around them.

Marina flicks her eyes to the remaining helm of Shao Kahn, She casts her eyes to the side, frowning to herself as her thoughts are elsewhere.

They and the remains of Liu Kang were gone in a flash.

Once they are gone, a portal opens and out steps the sorcerer, Quan Chi as he picks up the helm and looks it over as his lord and master appears next to him. "Your plan has worked to perfection, Lord Shinnok." he informs him, keeping his eyes on the helm."Shao Kahn was blinded by rage. How easily he was convinced that the Elder Gods would ignore his merging the realms." Shinnok spoke.

"Yet the thunder god still lives." Quan Chi reminds him, looking at his master. "No matter. Neither Earthrealm nor Outworld can now withstand the Netherrealm's onslaught." the fallen Elder God spoke.

Quan Chi flicks his eyes momentarily to the side, "There is the matter of Balance Goddess." he spoke, and Shinnok blinked at him. "She knows of your plans, Lord Shinnok, even revealed herself at The Outcast Elder God," he spoke.

Shinnok was taken aback by the information. "I could dispose of her for you. Keep her from revealing her plans." Quan Chi offers him. Shinnok snaps a glare at him. "You will not harm a hair on my little sister's head." he snarls.

This takes the sorcerer by surprise, "If she knows of my plans then she will not reveal my plans, without revealing herself. I taught her better than that." he spoke.

Quan Chi just nods at him, "It is time. Soon I will be free. Earthrealm and Outworld will be ours." Shinnok declares to his most loyal servant.

~8~8~8~

In the ruined clan of Persefoni, the cyber Lin Kuei were lying about, littered on the village grounds as the villagers were pulling them to a pile of dead cyber Lin Keui.

The remaining Lin Kuei were huddled in close, blocking the throne of the Persefoni Clan, looking as the signor opponent that tore through the armies of Lin Keui.

The woman just frowns at the cyborgs, with care or concern. They charge at her, but with just the wave of her hand, they drop to the ground, The power shuts down as the woman holds up her hand, and soft white orbs float in her hand as she looks at these souls with her pitch-black hallow eyes.

Many of the clansmen gathered at the main tent, looking up at the woman as she stepped towards the throne, standing before it, she stared at the throne that once sat many powerful Matriarch.

She can still hear the humming of her mother when she sits on her lap, raking her fingers through her loose hair, singing the old lullaby of her ancestors.

She reaches out to the arm of the chair.

"Mama... do you think... I can be as great as our ancestors?"

The woman hesitated for a moment.

"I think... you can be greater. No need to live in one's shadow when one can find their path to the same place, but taking a different course."

The woman pulls her hand away and steps towards the seat, then takes in a deep breath. She turns to the gathered clansman of the Persefoni.

And gracefully, Kai Ming, daughter and Granddaughter of the Matriarchs sat on her throne before them.

Her people whispered and muttered among themselves, until the bow before their new Matriarch.

Ming bows her head to her people, knowing the responsibility she was taking upon herself.

"Matriarch..." a warrior calls out, she flicks her eyes to the crowd, seeing them move out of the way as a lone surviving Cyborg.

Ming glares at the machine before her, "Is this all that remains?" she questions. The two warriors bow before her. "Yes, Matriarch," he answers.

Slowly rising from her throne, Ming strolls towards the cyborg that slowly props itself up, sparks flying from broken circuits.

The cyborg raised its head and looked at the Matriarch before him, "The Persefoni Clan is... aligned with the Lin Keui... you wouldn't risk war with us." he spoke.

Ming tilts her head, "But you have risked war with us, breaking principles that have been with our clan since the founding. You expect us to roll over and accept your ways." she reports.

Her clansman nodded their heads in agreement. "The Persefoni Clan bows and kneels before no master, we are lords of our minds, our thoughts. You, Lin Kuei have broken the bonds that tied us together." she snarls.

"But I will let you only for one purpose. Go back to your master and tell him that the Persefoni Clan severs our ties with the Cyber Lin Kuei. For we are now enemies." she declares.

The cyborg forces itself to its feet and holds its side. "This will mean war," he warns her. Ming glares at him, "We're already at war. A war your grandmaster and heir helped start." She points at the cyborg.

Who said nothing, "Now leave, take the message to your master, and pray you will survive what is to come." she calls out as the cyborg limps away, leaving the tent.

Sitting back onto her throne her clansman turns to her, "Matriarch... was this talk about war?" one asks, and she looks at her people. "Shao Kahn has brought war from Outworld, from the Netherrealm all in the hopes of merging the realms," she spoke, looking at her clan.

"Earthrealm. Our home is in danger from these threats and we must defeat our home. I will not let some mad emperor or a dark sorcerer take away and ruin our home for their sick amusement." she spoke proudly.

Her people nod in agreement, "For tonight, Persefoni. Are days of peace are threatened and I for one will not allow anyone to rip away what is rightfully ours." she spoke.

They cheered and shouted in agreement. "Persefoni clan, prepare yourselves, trained hard and ready whatever potions you can craft..." she spoke and looked ahead.

"We're going to war."

[assassinnovice]

Chapter 4: Questioned Loyalty

Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat, those rights belong to The Netherrealm Studio

Cyrax and Ming walked along the bridge as Cyrax was lost in thought, "You know, if the Cyborg Initiative goes through, we will become enemies." Ming warns him. 

Cyrax stops and looks at her, "You really think that?" he asks, and she nods at him. "It is what will happen," she states and he narrows his eyes. "You're surprisingly calm for someone who lost her husband," he states, she stops and looks down at her wedding ring that binds her to Bi-Han.

Then she looks away, "His fate was his own, I can't change that." she states, "He was your husband, he loved and cared about you." he states and that nearly sets her off, she scoffs in disbelief "Loved?" she questioned looking at him. 

"Cared? Bi-Han never loved or cared for me, he just wanted me for my powers," she states, Cyrax just scoffs at her. "You don't know that," he argues and she rolls her eyes with irritation. 

"I was married to him for five years, he never once showered me with love, he never soothed my fear of thunder, never held him in his arms, not once. I was nothing to him but a means to an end. He just married out of jealousy to Kaui Liang." she snaps at him.

Then Cyrax stood a step back, "Ming, I know you and Sub-Zero had your differences." he starts but she just laughs, "Differences? What we had were facts. I was nothing to him, was never anything." she warns then removing her ring from her finger and tosses it over the side of the bridge and it plummets down into the abyss. 

Cyrax saw the rage Bi-Han inflicted on her. She looked away and took deep breaths. "Let's talk about something else, please, I don't like talking about it," she asks him.

Cyrax nodded at her and went to say something, but they heard something behind them and they both turned and saw Baraka and Sheeva walking toward them. "What are you? I'm not here to fight you. I'm assigned to kill Johnny Cage." Cyrax informs him.

Ming kept her eyes on the two, "Shang Tsung no longer needed you." Sheeva informs him as she stops Baraka and Ming tilts her head a little with her infamous and deadly dark look in her eyes. 

"What do you mean?" Cyrax questions her as Ming steps forward. "He is terminating your agreement," she informs him and Ming chuckles at her. 

"Cute. But to get to him, you have to go through me first," she warns her then takes her stance. Sheeva charged at her, but Ming pulled up her mist, blocking the attack then she forced the mist back, making Sheeva stumble back. 

Ming came charging at her, jumped, and hooked her in the face. Sheeva then stumbles back as she turns, Ming goes low as she knocks Seeva off her feet and she smacks down onto the ground.

Ming flips up onto her feet, then twirls to Sheeva, raising her clutched, the black mist forms around Sheeva, clutching her tightly in its grip. Sheeva struggles to break free, Ming raises her hand higher as her dark magic consumes her eyes and Sheeva is raised off the ground. 

Then Ming turned her clutched hand and slammed it down onto the ground, Sheeva then slammed onto the ground on her front side, then Ming threw her hand back and Sheeva went flying back and slammed into the wall. 

Ming releases Sheeva and she drops to the ground. Ming turns towards her, then glares at Baraka flips away from him, and lands in front of Cyrax.

She stood victorious, "No one attacks and tries to murder my friends." she growls at her as her dark magic retreats back into her body, she exhales and stumbles back, but Cyrax catches her. 

"Ming, you alright?" he asks her, she exhales and looks at him, "Going all dark isn't healthy," she mutters. 

He nods at her and lowers her to the ground. She pants as she sits on her side. Then Cyrax looks over at Baraka as he steps forward. "This fight is not over." he informs him "You mean to finish me? You couldn't even stop the actor." Cyrax threw at him and raised his fists.

Baraka charged at him, but Cyrax blocked the attack, then threw a techno net at him, catching him off guard.

Baraka struggles in the net and Cyrax charges and kicks him right in the face, making Baraka stumbles back as the techno net glitches away. 

He growls and swings at Cyrax, he pulls his arms up and blocks the blades, he then kicks the blades up and punches him square in the chest, sending him flying back.

Ming pants as she looks back at them, her black eyes return to her forest green eyes. Cyrax then twists and kicks Baraka in the face, making him spin off his feet and smack onto the ground, defeated. 

"Now this fight is over." Cyrax informs him, then turns back to Ming and helps her back onto her feet "Shang Tsung has turned on me. I need to find out why." he states then pulls Ming's arm over his shoulder and they both walk towards the door.

~8~8~8~

Marching towards the door, Cyrax pushes them open and spots Secktor speaking with Shang Tsung, he then shoots a look over at Raiden who just nods at him. Cyrax nods at him as Ming marches towards the two and Cyrax is right behind her.

Shoving Sektor's arm, making him turn to her, "What?" he said with irritation, "So your clansmen expendable now?!" she snaps at him, Sektor arches his eyebrow at her, Cyrax steps towards her and places his hand on her shoulder. "We need to talk. Our host tried to have me killed," he informs him. 

Shang Tsung glares at the two. "You were speaking to the thunder god. Your indiscretion has jeopardized my plan." Shang Tsung threatens him, Ming just glares as she crosses her arm. "Cyrax is Lin Kuei. He will complete his task." Sektor assures the sorcerer.

Shang Tsung just glares at Cyrax, "We shall see." he mutters and shoots a glare back to Ming, as she growls at him, showing her pale shadow eyes at him in threat. Making him look away from her. 

"The next match will be Cyrax... versus Johnny Cage." Shang Tsung calls out to the Kombatants. "What, me? All right, then." he mutters, shooting a grin at the three as he strides out, "He is overly confident about this." Luna mutters as she leans against her spear.

Jax and Sonya nodded in agreement. Ming strides back towards the kombantants, Raiden eyes her, knowing she knows something. Then he thinks back to the vision of her holding a dead Sub-Zero in her arms and screaming in excruciating pain.

Cyrax and Johnny Cage stood face to face with one another "Not everyone gets to rumble with a celebrity. Ready for your beatdown, Sunshine?" Johnny taunted as he stood ready. 

"Here it comes," he shouts as Cyrax towards his stance. Johnny charges at him, but Cyrax easily dodges the grab and swipes his leg right under, knocking Johnny right off his feet, but the two flip back onto their feet and Cyrax throws a net right at Johnny, throwing him off and throwing a few punches in.

Raiden weaves his way through the Kombatants and stood next to Ming. "I see you're well-collected. Considering..." he tells her, she just shoots a glare at him, "Whatever false sentiment you have to say, I don't want to hear it." she snaps at him. He just looked at her, seeing she was very angry and he knew what rage a Persefoni clansman could produce. 

His next words will have to be chosen carefully "You seem agitated." he states, and she rolls her eyes. "That's an understatement. Secktor is a poor example of a Grandmaster. Throwing away human instincts for what... more power. The Cyber Intuitive will cut the ties of friendship between the Persefoni clan and the Lin Kuei." she informs him.

Johnny was smacked right onto the ground, making Ming flinch a little at the throw, Raiden looks back at the fight. "You must care for the Lin Kuei if you fight against the Intuitive," he states.

Ming frowns as she lowers her eyes. "I grew up with the Lin Kuei, trained beside them. Human will is the only thing that honors the Lin Kuei principles. But throwing it all away... that's not human. That's a monster trading for a strong and invincible shell to attack." she informs him. 

Raiden looks back at her as Johnny throws a punch at Cyrax. "And the Persefoni take human connection seriously if I recall," he states.

She looks away from him, "We connect to the souls of the dead, it strengthens our human will and helps us remember our souls and that our fragile bodies are just a means to an end to something... more." she states and looks back at the Kombat battle. 

"The Persefoni Clan cannot side with something who would throw away such a connection. Goes against our very culture, our nature," she states as Johnny is thrown onto the ground again. 

"And if Earthrealm loses... Shang Tsung will destroy your clan and end your very culture. And if I know... Secktor will help him." Raiden warns her. Kai Ming shot a warning glare at him. 

"But you may hold more influence over the Lin Kuei than you think." he tells her and she arches her eyebrow at him "Something to consider," he says and walks away. 

Ming looks away as she exhales and turns her gaze back to the fight as Cyrax dominates over Johnny Cage, winning to fight. "That should shut you up," Cyrax tells him.

As he marches towards the man, gripping his throat, and forces him right off the ground with his fist raised. "Finish him." Shang Tsung calls out to him. But Cyrax hesitated. He shot a look over at Shang Tsung and back to Raiden as the god shook his head.

Then he looks over towards Ming as she just watches, numb to emotion, but worried about what he was assigned to do. Inhaling, Cyrax looks back to Johnny. "I won't kill him!" he calls out, making Ming exhale with relief. 

Lowering his fist, he drops Johnny back onto his feet, letting him go and the man rubs his neck. Ming shot a look over at Shang Tsung, seeing he was enraged, this made her smirk to herself as the black mist slithers up her arm and onto her shoulder, and the dead began whispering to her.

Cyrax turns away and begins stepping away from Johnny and Secktor glares at the man, disappointed, Ming shoots a look over at him as she pulls her arms away and strides up next to Sektor. 

"Would you look at that? Guess Lin Kuei's honor preserves over selfish greed," she whispers to him, he shoots a glare at her as she slams her shoulder into his and marches after Cyrax.

~8~8~8~

"You were commanded to kill Johnny Cage." Sektor reminds Cyrax that the three were standing in the outdoor prayer area. "You disobeyed," he growls at him. Ming grins to herself with her arms crossed. "I eliminated him from the tournament. He didn't need to die." Cyrax said with reason.

Sektor steps towards him, "You have broken your oath." he warns him, but Cyrax steps forward as well. "I used my judgment," he argues with him. "The Cyber Initiative will eliminate insubordination," Sektor informs him. 

Ming stops and glares at him, "We are not machines, Sektor. I chose to serve Lin Kuei. But I will not surrender my free will and I will not let you destroy our friendship with the Persefoni!" Cyrax snaps at him.

Making Sektor take his stance, Ming took hers as well, but Cyrax held his arm out, "No. Stay out of this, he's mine." he told her, she looked at him, nodded, and stepped back from the fight. 

Cyrax took his stance, he charged first at him, but Sektor took him by surprise with a sudden attack of his own, knocking him back and onto the ground.

Ming stands back from the fight as she paces, watching the two, Cyrax pulls himself back to his feet and charges at Sektor again. He throws the electric net at him, stunning him and he slams his foot right into his chest, impacting the bones and sending him flying back. 

Sektor groans for a moment, but then flips back up onto his feet and stands ready. He then fires a flame thrower at him, but Cyrax flips back and lands back on his feet and he fires at Sektor, making him stumble back then he charges right at him, slamming his fist into his cheek. Making him spin and smack onto the ground.

Once he was down, Cyrax lowered his stance as he glared down at Sektor. "Tell the Grand Master I am finished," he said to him as Ming strode up to him, Sektor pants as he pulled himself up onto his knee and hands, looking up at the two. 

"No one leaves the Lin Kuei..." he said to them, but Ming rolled her eyes and kicked him right across the face, knocking him right out. 

The two just looked down at him and walked off. "This will deem you a traitor." Ming warns him, Cyrax nods at her, "I know, but Human Will is one of the principles of the Line Kuei." he tells her, she shoots a look at him and smiles.