While walking across the eerie beach of the wastelands, Spektra remained silent. He eyes were keen and her hearing sharper. This was the first time she had been to Outworld. Raiden had told her of her brother. of "Sub-Zero". The murderer of her family and clan. Had her brother thought her dead? She had been searching for him for the longest of time, ever since she had learned of her family's death. It had felt like she,too had been stabbed with the tainted blade of the Lin Kuei. She couldn't understand how she was able to leave them, move to America and reside there,when her parents and brother,her nephew and sister-in-law; were all dead and gone.
She needed to avenge him. Entering this tournament was all that she needed.
Poor Tsukumo, she had been searching endlessly for him. Her Nii-sama. The only blood that was left within this world. Of you can say that she was still in this world. She had been wandering around,and no other technology would work here: Only the skills and rage,she had inherited from her brother was enough to keep her on her feet. And Alive.
While crossing slowly,she paused in mid-step. Her eyes locked on the darkness ahead of her and - something was moving. Someone was coming. She had heard the murmurs of voices growing closer. One of the voices smoother than the other, as if the way the person's words could convince you to do anything - the voice of deception. The other voice was rasp and vile. Filled with hatred,and familiarity. Spektra felt her heart burning inside of her. Everthing around her had slowed down within her mind,as she had seen a white-skinned man with marks and row of spikes set down his shoulder. Quan- Chi, she had guessed. Spetra had grabbed hold of the hilt of her Katana and waited, seeing the man escape from the shadows and met his dark,evil eyes.
"I see what the speak of Spiders are true, It takes more than the harsh sweep of winter wind to kill them." He remarked, his black thin lips quivered into a smirk. Spektra's anger was being vicious, her rage sounding like whispers to her body.
Hanzo is with him - he knows where he is. Kill him!
"Where is my brother?!" She asked, her voice cracking. Quan - Chi smirked as he stepped closer. He looked as if he wasn't going to answer her. Which angered her more. Spektra's hands were balled into the tightest fist. her eyes glistening as the sorcerer grew closer towards her. her fist growing tighter and tighter as he brushed her hair back from her face.
"Such beauty, such strength." He touched her chin and turned her face, the look of admiration settling in him. He stared into the amber brown eyes of the girl and his smirk grew even wider. " You remind me so much of him. To think he had assumed you were dead. He mourned over his wife and child, but you. His love for you was truly deep. His baby sister."
Pure rage had taken over her, so bad to the point that her tightened fists as now- now on fire. She couldn't help but feel her eyes stinging with tears, because her brother had thought she was dead with her nephew. Regret was on her shoulders,because she wasn't thee to save them.
Spektra's fist made a hard crack against Quan-Chi's jaw. shattering his jaw all together, the blow burning entirely against the side of the sorcerer's face. The man had snickered at her, after he had spat a number of his teeth and oozes of oozes of blood.
"Quite like your brother ,aren't we?" He drew into his stance.
Spektra's response was clear, the chains on her arms clinked as she got into a smooth stance.
"Enough! I will bring back my brother, even if it means killing you!"
With that, the fight was on.

Scorpion remained in the Netherealm, waiting for orders from his master. He couldn't lie to himself and say he had thought about her. His sister, sweet and innocent. The same little girl who would hold her hand and watch him in an admirable grace. It was her love that made him the Scorpion he once was, the same one who would fight for honor and pride. All for the sake of his clan. For the sake of his little Tsukumo- chan. On that day, he had lost everything. What had hurt him the most after seeing the corpses of his family,the small infant body of his son,and his wife holding him,the head missing from woman's fagile body- was his sister's bright pink kimono and golden hair piece. The one thay held a small dragon and a flower; it was intended to fix her lengthy hairstyles.
Hanzo had drew from the back of his sashed pants and pulled out the small piece.
Someday, I'll be as strong as you,Hanzo. she had once declared so proudly, because she cared so deeply for her brother. her inspiration, that she trained hard every day, her emotions weren't hidden to where he couldn't see it, but she still worked on it at the time. "She would have been a strong ninja." he would say to himself; holding the comb tightly into his hands. Rage. Tainted wraith,he would do anything to have them all back, to have her back in his arms,holding her. As if his mind was being read, the portal was opened. He could see Quan-chi fighting. His hands making punches and blockades. He would summon spells to manipulate the enemy, but from what Scorpion could see - it wasn't working.
He watched on as he saw a flash of yellow run towards Quan - chi. Fire rising from the person's feet as they did a Hell's rollercoaster followed by a lengthy combonation of fire powered kicks. His demon eyes widen at the woman on the screen: She was tall, curved,her hair black with yellow streaks. Her eyes were a soft ambered olor, which at the moment looked hardened by anger. He watched as the woman positioned herself in a crouch, resembling a - a spider.
"By the - that's - " He didn't know what to think, or how to feel. He felt bewildred and relieved. Bewildered that his sister was in the tournament. Relieved that his sister was alive.
Now the Shirai - Ryu was not totally wiped away.
There was still hope.

Quan-chi laid on the shimnering sands of the Wasteland beach, he was seriously injured. Stunned to be exact, His eyes were closed shut and his body was now relaxed. His chest was rising and falling rather quickly at first,but now it was calm. Spetkra had suffered some wounds, the side of her outfit was ripped,showing the opened wound from the skull that bit at her. Her mask was shredded and her sleeves torn. Her pant legs torn up her outer thigh. Her head was beginning to feel like led,and her chest was aching badly. This certainlnot her firstencounter since her arrival. She had also encountered a creature known as Noob Saibot. One who was now one with the Shadows. abyss was his domain. And she had barely survived that fight, now she fought her brother's master. She still had so much to do.
"Where is he? I demand you bring her before me." She ordered, just as Quan - chi had sat up. He felt his bones pop back into place. She held her blade and aimed for his throat, she questioned what stayed her hand. why not kill him just yet? What made him so important to her? She just wanted to see her brother again.
She opened her mouth to say something until -
"You there! By order of the Emperor, I must see to it that you must leave." A woman's voice spoke out from behind. Spektra looked back at her, she wore blue, her face covered - like hers. Her eyes brown and her skin glowed with the color of her clothing.
She was beautiful, but she was far too bossy.
" I do not care what your Emperor orders." She calmly remarked.
The woman's glare felt more harsh and cunning. she drew her hand and smacked other woman's face, but Tsukumo had dodged it. Grasping the other woman's hand and brung her side arm across the woman's head knocking her against her temple, letting the woman fall to the ground. She had quickly gotten back onto her feet,inraged, she had leapt up for a kick and was block with the other woman's right arm. Locking her hand around the woman's ankle and swing her against the
dead soldiers's corpse .The blue woman had sprung back up, finally bring out her - fans?
She had never seen such a thing. Back in her village, Fans were used by young women such as her to masqurade within her beauty, not to kill an opponent. Though she noticed the steel sharp tip at the end of her fans. Spektra was still impressed.
"I am Kitana, Princess of Outworld, and I will not tolerae such ignorance." The woman snapped.
Spektra rolled her eyes, she hated how the woman was making a big deal out of this. She had not other option. She had to fought the princess.
"And I am Spektra, Specter and Princess of the Shirai-Ryu, and I deal harshly with people who stand in my way!"
The Princesses fought on, Spektra blocking the upcoming fans with her arm. Wincing at the thin slices that tore at her forearm. She quickly tossed her spear at the woman and landed into her rib cage, dragging her closer towards her. Kitana had block Spektra's punch and kneed her stomach, causing the her to startle,but Tsukumo had learned to recover quickly,and she did just that. Grabbing Kitana's leg and with a quick heavy force of palm to knee cap. Spektra had broken Kitana's leg. A few short paces back, the yellow princess stretches out her long legs and kicks her so hard, the cracks of the woman's skull grew into pieces. The Princess had fallen to the ground,and Spektra was above her. Watching her squirm and groan, her body twitching as she tried to move. It reminded Spektra of a butterfly trapped along the sticky webs of a spider, struggling to break free and flee away. Run to safety.
But Spektra was fast, she stalked and hunted her prey. Closing in on her feast, as she brung her foot down on Kitana's chest. Over and over,and over. Stomping on her until,she saw the woman's bodygo limp. Her low heel making a massive hole into the heart of the Princess.
"Quite the delicious feast," She says crouching low to unmask her opponent, her lips plush and beautiful. Her hands were apart from her body. Spektra grinned and lowered her own mask. she wante to send a message to the Emperor : DO NOT get in my way.
She took a small finger of Kitana's blood and smeared it across her plush soft lips. And she had left a kiss on Kitana's right cheek.
Shortly After, The Spectre of the Shirai- Ryu was gone.

He watched her.
He remember the girl whom he had loved.
The stars seemed to falter when he was near her, his heart would beat endlessly. Her touch was just a beautiful. Soft and Innocent, like she was from heaven. Maybe she was. He wasn't sure about her soul was still pure, that,he knew; but it was crying. Greiving from the pain that she endured. He remembered that day: He was holding her hand as he ran towards the horses, helping her on the black beast's body.
"Kuai Liang..what is..." She began as she was pulled to the man's chest. His lips harshly pressed against hers. The taste of her lips . It was like citrus and warm vanilla,and Tsukumo. The kisses were soft and quick,but it began to simmer. her hands clawing at his blue attire, their body's molding and fitting together perfectly. His blue eyes locked onto hers as he let go. Tsukumo could see the look in his eyes. That look he given when he has something he has to do,but couldn't face her until afterwards. The look of protection.
"I'll find you..I promise." He whispered. She quickly dug into her obi and fished out a yellow silk pouch. A lotus threaded in the centre in a purple threading. her hands locked into his and she have given a bow. He knew what this meant to her.
I love you, I will wait for you. please remember me.
He nodded and reared the horse, the beast drew up on it's back legs,Tsukumo had grabbed onto the straps and looked at Kuai Liang. One last time.
"...Tundra.." He looked over at his friend Smoke, he had spaced out while the grey ninja had spoken...again. The two laid by a fire next in the Living Forest, Tundra was on his back, while across the fire on his side was Smoke.
"Right.." The icy blue ninja had responded. Smoke sighed, he had knew his friend was not paying attention. He was staring into the fire as if something would come to view. Or Someone.
"So you agree that I should make a move for Tsukumo?" He remarked, Tundra glared the coldest of coldest glares at his friend. Quickly hiding her pouch into his clothing. He knew his friend meant well, to make him feel better. But it didn't work. He was trying not to think of her, because of the mission. Not to mention the promise he never fufilled. He had still remembered her,still love her like she was the only light in his dark heart. The only fire that could melt the ice in his cold heart. That was the power of love,wasn't it? To change the way one felt. To give what was needed. What you were missing,the other had in their possession. But he wondered, what was Tsukumo missing,that he himself had to give? For she was perfect, she never had lost something that could change her. Until now.
"You never answered me." Smoke sat up in a lotus position. His hands in his lap and his curious smokey colored eyes locked onto his fried's icy blue ones.
"You would not last. She could burn you where you stand." He simply said, meeting his eyes for the first time without a hint of harshness.
"Where there's smoke, there's fire." Smoke wiggled his finger and grinned, his tone was smooth and sincere. Soft like he was actually talking to Tsukumo instead. Little did he know,that he was a few short moments away from a iceball to that ashy grey head of his.
"You can't actually go after her, she's... - "
"Look, you can't blame yourself for everthing."
"But I made a promise. A promise I've failed to keep."
Tundra looked down at the fire. His blue eyes soften with saddness. Smoke sighed and watched his friend's expression.
"If things didn't happen like this. The way they are now, what would happen between you two? Would you have expressed things to her brother,who would have killed you on the spot. Kind of like how things are now,only except he's done his job."
And Smoke was right, Scorpion was the one who had killed Tundra's elder brother Bi Han, the Original Sub- Zero. Tundra only wears his title as honor for his fallen brother. The night had grown colder, and the wind had blew it's gentle lips upon the fire to show the ninjas that it was time for them to rest. Their work was just beginning.

Tsukumo was standing nearby, her eyes locked on the man in blue. Memories running towards her as if it were glad to see her thinking of him. She couldn't face him, not without the pain she had went through ; and the heartache of his broken promise. She couldn't take it. Her eyes were cold as she noticed what was in his hands. The pouch she had gave him,before she left the village. She has so many questions to ask him, she wanted so many answers. Why did he save her and not her family? What made his brother kill her clan? Was it his grandmaster's orders to send him? Why did he not kill her? Did he truly love her to the point that he sought her safety before anything else? Why had he not looked for her?
her mind paused at that question, she took in a deep breath and felt it rigid in her system. She had loved him dearly, told her brother of her heart's joy for him. He was cautious at first. (Every older brother would be,when they hear their little sister is in love with someone - especially one from a different clan) but he would have accepted it.
"You must not allow you love for him to distract you while you are on your missions. He will think the same for you too." He would say. She had learned to hide her emotions,but all of it changed when she had seen him,laying on the forest floor. His glowing,livid blue eyes looking up at the stars. turning from his hip,to his back, then towards his other side.
Could he not sleep? She would think to herself. Her arms over her chest,and her head prompt against the trunk of the living tree. Whom, was not hungry,due to the agonizing pain it recieved from the woman standing on it's arms. Just as she batted her eye lashes, She saw him rising from off his back. His eyes were looking upward, then around,and finally - they had locked with hers.
Tundra...

Her mind had remembered the first time they had eyes soft and his body nervous. He was nervous. His lengthy black hair that stopped at the base of his neck, his high cheek bones and his calm expressions. He looked so - sad, Tsukumo thought, that he had lost something he could never find. But he was serious, he held back his emotions and not once did he open up to her. That's what made her fall for him; he was strong,and stealthy, and silent.
"If you didn't want to be bothered with me than just say so!" She snapped,her eyes glistening as he stared into them. He could see pain,and saddness. He had hurt her - emotionally. "I won't be here if you don't want me too."
Tundra had said no words, his eyes spoke for him. Now, he had just stared at her. His expression told her : I just don't want you to be in trouble for seeing me.
Their clans held some respect for another. One would say that the were friendly rivals to each other.Aquaintencies was the specific word for their relationship. The only reason that was possible, they were possible, was because of their brothers. Kuai Liang was the younger brother of Bi Han, The Original Sub - Zero ; And Tsukumo was the younger sister of the Legendary accepted each other,but both also rivaled each other.
Tsukumo's eyes were watering up,and she turned away from him. Sliding the door open and taking her leave. Kuai Liang was on her heels,reaching for her hand and yanking her towards him. His hands were on her waist, his you,lean body wrapped around hers - perfectly. Protecting her from the Springs chilling nights. Height was not an issue, she was only a short amount of inches shorter than he, and he didn't have to bend too far low to hold her. Her fragile hands were on his chest, one directly over his heart. Minutes later, the wind blew her hair into her face, and there. He had kissed her.
Tsukumo could recall it like it was just moments ago, his lips were soft and the kiss was hard,but then he had loosened up. Her hands were laced into his hair and that brought his closer to her, Tsukumo when back a step,and her back was on a tree. Her lips never leaving his. The passion was burning between them,flaring up as each had kissed each other's mouth. Kuai Liang stood back and cleared his throat. Tsukumo fixed herself and bowed politely, their faces flushed from what they were doing.
" I apologize." She said while dipped over. " I must head home."
Before Kuai Liang could speak,Tsukumo had fled. His heart was still racing. Never had he felt so complete.

Sub-Zero's eyes were forcing The person in hiding to look at him. He hgad turned to see if Tomas had heard anything also but...
"Tsukumo, shhh...Tunda could hear us."
Shaking his head,Tundra stood on his feet and wandered farther into the woods.
looking around carefully.
The living forest was not the place you'd want to be in during night fall. Midnight was the hourwhen Nightmares came alive. Tundra had wandered farther than he should have,but he didn't care much. He thought he had seen a flash of yellow hopping from one place to another. So he chaced after it, hoping to get a glimpse of who it was. He doubt it would be Scorpion. If the man wanted him dead,he would have done it when he was awake. This one just stalked and waited,watching him,because the person knew him. Yet he didn't know the person.
Sub- Zero grew tired of this game,and waited for the Yellow flash to hit the ground. He,then molded a replica of himself out of ice and waited within the bushes. An Ice ball readied in his hands.
He hoped it would not be Cyrax, though this person was faster than the Lin Kuei member. The Mystery person had let her foot to thr ground,Sub-Zero threw the Ice ball at a low angle, hoping to freeze the person's feet.
His eyes were wide. He sworn he had seen her. He had watched her fight Kitana,and Noob Saibot. He didn't want to believe that she ws truly alive. He walked closer to her,staring at her half frozen body. she was beautiful, like mermaid sitting on ice. Her black and yellow streaked hair,down towards her hips and her eyes were locked onto him. Her mouth twitching into a snarl when she saw him reach his hand towards her face. If he were to touch her, would she fade away like the ghost he thought her out to be?
He brushed his hand against her length hair, and over her covered mouth. His fingers could feel her lips under the clothed piece, and he had pulled it down. Exposing her delicate face fore his eyes to see.
"Tsukumo..." He couldn't grasp it. Tsukumo smirked at Sub-Zero, she tilted her head and gave a grin.
"What's wrong, Kuai Liang? Do you not believe in ghosts?"