A cold night at the Briggs farm as Vera sat down. Chatter could be heard everywhere but it was all muffled to her. Vera had never been the same since Johnny delivered the news about her husband . She had invited her husband Jax's old special forces friends. It had been exactly five years since Jax and his best friend Sonya Blade had been killed. Officially Jax and Sonya had been hunting the mercenary Erron Black and were killed in a firefight. However Vera knew in truth that Jax had died protecting the earth from the fallen elder God Shinnok.

"Where's your daughter Vera?" Vera looked up as standing there was one of Jax's friends Chris.

"She, wanted to be away from this. She is spending time with Cassie Cage." Vera replied. This was also a lie. Jacqui was actually training to protect the earth from another impending attack. She hated lying to anyone let alone all her friends, but that is what needed to be done.

"A shame I haven't seen her in five years." Said Chris. Vera knew that she couldn't keep lying. However after tonight she hopefully would never see them again. Vera decided that it was time for them all to go. She stood up, hit her fork against her glass and spoke.

"Hello everyone. Today we are here to mourn the loss of my husband and his best friend. Jackson Briggs and Sonya Blade were among the bravest people I know." Vera said having a tear in her eye. "When we lose the people we love. Sometimes we forget the fun times we spent with them. We will never forget what kinds of people these two were. So I ask you to remember them..."

Vera however was interrupted by a loud explosion from inside. Vera fell over and in the chaos saw everyone slaughtered. Shot, decapatated, blown up. Terror was the only thing however in Vera's mind. When she was able to grab a hold of her senses, everyone was gone. Except for her and the killer.

At first Vera thought it was Erron Black. That mercenary always rubbed her the wrong way. However as she saw a figure in the distance it actually belonged to a women. The female then walked towards her. Vera knew she had to run. But her legs took some damage. It was obvious this was then end, but nothing. The figure just stood there.

Vera looked to see a women in very high tech uniform. She had a blank mask on to cover her identity. Vera then spoke up.

"Who are you?"

"That doesn't really matter. Vera." The woman replied. She couldn't recognise the voice. This was due to a voice synthesiser.

"How do you know who I am?"

"I know all about you Vera. Don't worry I won't hurt you! I might if you do not cooperate." Vera knew she wasn't going to win and kept quiet. "That's good. Now all I need you to do is answer me one question." The words struggled to come out of Vera's mouth, but she got there.

"What is it?" Vera sobbed. She knew that she wasn't getting out of this without cooperation.

"Where is, Johnny Cage?" The figure whispered.

.

Liu Kang was sitting at the sky temple. It was a very peaceful morning. In fact it was always a peaceful morning nowadays. Ever since Raiden saved earthrealm, he had been in a deep coma. Liu Kang knew that if Earthrealm was to survive, he would have to get Raiden back. However it had been five years. Five years of searching for answers that did not want to be found. Nowadays Liu Kang was training the shaolin in preparation for the emperor of outworld to attack. It was a tough beginning, the shaolin were down on numbers due to the fight with Shinnok. Liu Kang though rallied the remaining monks and saved the monastary.

Liu Kang didn't know why he was here. He kept telling himself that a clue to Raidens condition must be here. Although he had already searched the temple more times than he could count. Suddenly a familiar face appeared before him.

"Cassie." Liu Kang said in shock. This however was the Cassie Cage from the future. She and her friend Takeda travelled back in time to stop Shinnok.

"Still trying to get him back i see." Future Cassie said.

"I know. I'm close I just need to..." Before he could say anymore future Cassie cut him off.

"Please stop." Future Cassie shouted. Liu Kang was surprised by this sudden outburst. "I miss him to, but my sources tell me that the emperor is close to regaining his armies strength. We need you to train the shaolin. We can't do this without you." Liu Kang just looked at her in dismay. Future Cassie knew that the emperor was coming with everything he could throw at them.

"I know." He said with great sadness in his voice. Liu Kang dropped his things and hugged future Cassie. "Five years."

"We will get through this." whispered future Cassie. Liu Kang let go and decided he had enough. He needed his head in the game. Unfortunately Raiden would have to wait.

"What is the situation with the rest of the clans."

"The Lin Kuei is at one hundred percent, thanks to Subzero. The Shiri Ryu is close to that number. Looks like Scorpion is doing a good job."

"You know he hates being called that."

"I know." Hanzo Hasashi did not frighten her, but I did bring sadness into her heart. Future Cassie still had not completely forgiven Scorpion for his part to play in her mothers death. "I should tell you that Kenshi has gone to investigate the kidnapping of Vera."

"Vera?"

"You didn't know?" Future Cassie look perplexed that the one who defeated Shang Tsung had not been told about this. "Vera has been taken. Most likely Outworld."

.

Kenshi was hunting for clues. Vera had gone missing and it was his job to find out what happened. The police however got to the crime scene before he could. This meant that it would be harder to get evidence. He was searching the house for anything that the police had left behind until he heard a familiar voice behind him.

"Looks like you could use a hand." The voice said. Kenshi just smirked as he headed this.

"Takeda. You should be training." Kenshi said with a little annoyance in his voice.

"Master Hasashi wanted to know more about this. So he sent me to figure out what is going on." Takeda said.

"Still thinks he needs to make up for Jax's death?"

"Master Hasashi still blames himself for Jax, Sonya, Smoke and er, me. I personally think he is using this as an excuse not to train me, so I won't go into battle." Kenshi was somewhat alarmed by this. Nethertheless he reminded himself that it was Hanzo that they were talking about.

"I'm sure that is not the case Takeda." Just as he said that, Kenshi noticed a loose floor board. "Wait I found something." Kenshi used sento to open it up. In his mind he knew that something was wrong, but with Vera's life on the line he would have to play along. Inside he found a cd labelled. "To the defenders of Earthrealm."

"Well let's gather the gang and watch it." Takeda said with excitement.

.

Subzero had been rebuilding the Lin Kuei since that fateful night 5 years ago. It had haunted him. He lost not only his best friend but his brother, for the second time. On the plus side it did give him a chance to reconnect with his childhood friend Hanzo. Once rivals now the best of friends. The thought made subzero laugh.

Suddenly Subzero's laughter turned into deep thought. He knew that it would be a tough battle against the forces of outworld. Also inevitable was the possibility of death. Subzero knew that not everyone was going to make it. Although all of the volunteers knew this as well.

Just then all of his thoughts went to the sky temple. He has been here on numerous occasions, however it still defies expectations each time. He had gotten a call from Kenshi telling him to meet at the sky temple for an important announcement. Subzero was looking forward to seeing Kenshi again. Mainly because it had been over six months since their last meeting.

Just the something made the ice ninja jump. A rope dart came flying straight at him, although it was easily dodged.

"You need to do better than that you know." Subzero jokingly said. Out of the shadows came a man dressed in Shiri Ryu uniform.

"It is good to see you Kui." The man said while bowing.

"Same to you, Hanzo." The two warriors started to walk to the meeting. "Do you know why we are here?"

"Two nights ago Vera Briggs was kidnapped by an unknown person. I sent Takeda to help Kenshi. They must have discovered something." Hanzo said. Hearing this news made Subzero's stomach twist. He knew that outworld was behind this. There was no question about that. The real question was why?

"What does the emperor gain by kidnapping her?" Subzero whispered.

"That is what we must find out."

.

Liu Kang was sitting down in silence. He didn't understand why though. Kenshi, Takeda and Future Cassie were all here yet he couldn't even say a word. The night five years ago kept playing in his mind. It was like a reoccurring nightmare. Only during the day. Just as he was about to break, Subzero and Scorpion entered. This suddenly snapped him out of it.

"So Kenshi we are all here, what is it that you wanted to show us." Subzero said.

"At this point we all know what happened to Vera. The question we all want to know is who? Well while me and Takeda were searching through her house we came across this." Kenshi told them while showing them the CD. While he did want to know who did this. Liu Kang really wanted to know why did they leave it for them to find. "Hopefully this will answer all the questions we have."

Takeda put the cd in sat down as all the fighters watched. Liu Kang then watched the television as all he could see was a heavily battered and bruised Vera. Suddenly the screen was the occupied by a female. Liu Kang tried to make out the voice of the woman but he could not recognise it because of the voice synthesiser. Suddenly the masked female began to speak.

"Hello so called defenders of Earthrealm. You don't know me, but I know all of you. I don't really have a name, but you can all me. The Muramasa. I'm sure you know by now that I have the sweet Vera Briggs here. What you may not know is that I need something from you." The Muramasa started to laugh. "Oh and I know you must be thinking that I'm gonna trade Vera for my favour. Well." Without warning the female fighter shot Vera right in the head.

The whole room became silent. Liu Kang for the first time since the incident five years ago, felt fear. He was sure that the rest of them felt it too. He just sat there as the Muramasa laughed.

"I want, Johnny Cage. Alive." The female the pointed at Vera's lifeless body. "That was just the beginning. For everyday I don't get what I want, someone is going to die. Oh and if you don't give me what I want in seven days. Well, there will be consequences". The video ended as the only noise the room could hear was the wind howling.

Liu Kang finally had to break the ice. "So what do we do now?"

Hi guys huge apology it took so long but have. A: had a huge writers block. B: had trouble with uploading. But it's her now so enjoy.