It had been almost a full year since the Chosen Ones had laid eyes on eachother. Amilee was busy perfecting her skills under the training of the Lin Kuei Grandmaster, Sub-Zero. Scorpion and Maria had eventually come to terms, although they were still a bit distant. As planned, Cherin and Stryker had built their hut into a suitable home, but had also kept a small home on the beach in Earthrealm, where no one would notice them. Jax, Sonya, and Sarah continued to work with the OIA in Outworld. Quan Chi had once again claimed the throne as Emperor, with Ashlynn as his advisor. Reluctantly, he had given in to her idea to establish a village at the base of the fortress. It had grown in size over the last few months. Cherin had recently contacted Ashlynn, and all of the fighters were planning to meet in the small village.

Later...

The Chosen were standing around a fountain in the village square, all but Ashlynn, who they had been waiting for for the last twenty minutes.

"Where is she?" Cherin asked, "This was her idea."

Just then, they spotted her. Jogging down the hill from the fortress, a smile on her face, waving at them.

"So," Amilee said when Ashlynn had finally calmed down, "First thing's first, let's eat something."

"Where?" Jax asked, looking around the tiny village, "I don't see no Red Lobster around here."

"We'll go back to the fortress," Ashlynn said, "Come on."

They had just begun to make their way there, when they heard a scream. They turned quickly to see that one of the villages huts was in flames. Ashlynn took off running, back toward the village. It was total chaos, people clad in black holding torches had surrounding the small settlement. Leading them was a woman, veiled and also in black, atop a midnight mare. As Sub-Zero desperately tried to quench the flames, she hopped down gracefully from the horse.

"No need to look so angry," she said. There was something familiar about her voice.

She took another few steps forward and dramatically pulled away the veil covering her face. Jax had to restrain Ashlynn before she could rush toward the Siren. Delphine laughed shortly.

"My my," she said, "Still jealous of me I see."

"Jealous my ass!" Ashlynn screamed, still trying to free herself.

"Such language," the Siren said, "By the way, I heard about poor Jay Yung. Too bad he chose you over me, I could have protected him..."

By now Ashlynn was kicking at Jax.

"GET OUT OF MY VILLAGE!" she shouted.

Delphine only smiled, raising a delicate eyebrow.

"Your village? The last I knew that fortress belonged to the sorcerer Quan Chi. So how could this possibly be your village?"

"I established it," Ashlynn hissed.

"Such a pity," the Siren said softly, "What you have done to the sorcerer. He would have been a valuable ally. He has grown soft because of you, and it has stalled my plans. I was planning to free him from the Netherealm, and convince him to assist me, but then you came along. You just have to ruin everything don't you?"

"He wouldn't have helped you," Ashlynn said.

Delphine's smile broadened.

"Oh but I believe he would have," she said, "I can be very...persuasive."

"Slut..." Jax coughed.

Delphine smiled at him, then turned her attention back to Ashlynn.

"Move out of my way," she said, "I must speak with the sorcerer."

"No," Ashlynn snapped, still being restrained by Jax.

"Aw, what's the matter Ashlynn?" the Siren giggled, "Afraid he'll choose me over you?"

Ashlynn shook her head, "What are you talking about?"

"Oh come now," Delphine said, fanning herself, "You know he won't be able to resist me, even Jay Yung was not capable of that, no man is I'm afraid. Especially one who loves power as much as the sorcerer does. I'll convince him to help me, and you won't stand a chance. Now move."

"No."

"Fine," Delphine huffed, "Have it your way."

She opened her mouth, letting out an earsplitting scream, causing everyone to fall to their knees. The Siren tried to run past them, toward the fortress, but Ashlynn caught her ankle, pulling her back. She tripped, her screaming cut short.

"Let go!" she ordered.

Ashlynn was holding firm, "No!"

Angrily, Delphine kicked at her until her foot was released, then ran toward the fortress again. Quickly, Ashlynn followed behind her. She couldn't let her get to Quan Chi...The others stayed back, trying not to laugh because the scene was slightly funny. Delphine had made it to the doors, but so had Ashlynn. She grabbed the smaller woman around the waist, pulling her backward. The Siren elbowed her, and rushed through the doors. Holding her side, Ashlynn followed her to the throne room, where Quan Chi was talking to Rain. He turned, startled by their abrupt entrance. Ashlynn ran into the room behind the Siren, panting.

"Don't...listen to her," she gasped, trying to catch her breath. Quan Chi was staring at the Siren, puzzled.

"Didn't you die?" he asked.

Delphine shook her head so that her glimmering blonde hair fell over her shoulders.

"No," she said, "My plans were only stalled, because of this...woman, if you could call her that."

Ashlynn was still taking deep breaths, "Please...don't listen..."

The sorcerer shifted his eyes to her, and Delphine began to panic.

"I will give you everything you could ever want," she said quickly.

"Don't listen!" Ashlynn begged.

The Siren shot her a hard look, this woman was ruining her plan.

"I...I will even give you what she refuses to!" she added desperately.

Unexpectedly, Ashlynn smiled.

"You could never measure up to me."

Quan Chi chuckled, but didn't say anything. By now, the others had entered the room behind them.

"Sorry to burst your bubble Delphine," Amilee said, crossing her arms, "But it seems like you've lost your touch."

"You're not the prettiest thing in the universe anymore," Cherin added.

"Is that a wrinkle I see?" Maria gasped, earning a laugh from the others.

The Siren was furious.

"You are simply jealous!" she screamed, "You'll see, I will be Queen of the Realms! No one can stop Delphine!"

With that, she vanished in a puff of black smoke.

"Queen of the Realms huh?" Jax laughed.

Ashlynn was rubbing her temples, "And I thought I got rid of her...damn."

"You think we should go after her?" Sarah asked, although she didn't particularly like the idea.

"No," Ashlynn replied, "I'm not too worried about her. She's all show."

"Right right," Jax said, "So this has been fun and everything, but how bout' we eat now?"

It was late evening, everyone was staying at the fortress for the next few days, and Ashlynn's mood had improved significantly since that morning. Now she was sitting in the courtyard with Amilee and Cherin. They had been unusually quiet so far, as if they had something on their minds.

"So..." Amilee said uncomfortably.

"Ashlynn, are you okay?" Cherin asked.

Ashlynn gave her a strange look, why wouldn't she be?

"Yeah," she said, "I'm fine, why?"

"Well," Amilee said, "We've been wondering...is there anyone?"

Ashlynn raised an eyebrow, "Anyone where?"

"You know," Cherin said, "Anyone?"

"I don't understand," Ashlynn said, shaking her head.

Amilee rolled her eyes, "She's trying to ask if there's a guy yet...you know...in your life?"

"Oh..." Ashlynn said, "No...not yet..."

She looked away. She was a little uncomfortable with the question.

"Are you even thinking about it?" Cherin asked.

Ashlynn shrugged, desperately wanting them to change the subject.

"I...I don't know, not really."

"It would be good for you," Amilee said, stretching her legs.

"Maybe," Ashlynn said quietly, staring at the ground. Suddenly Amilee stood, staring into the shadows.

"What?" Cherin asked.

Amilee shrugged and sat back down, "I thought I saw something."

"So anyway," Cherin continued, much to Ashlynn disappointment, "You don't have anyone in mind?"

Ashlynn sighed, annoyed.

"No," she said, "I don't Cherin. To tell you the truth, I'm really not worried about that right now. I don't know if there ever will be anyone else, and I couldn't care less either way."

"You know Ash," Amilee said smiling, "Eventually you're going get lonely, and then you'll be desperate, and you know what happens when someone gets desperate like that."

Cherin giggled, "You could end up with an eight five year old fisherman."

Ashlynn rolled her eyes, laughing, and stood up, walking back inside...

Quan Chi stood in the shadows of the courtyard, watching them, taking in every word. Eventually they got up and left, laughing, and he headed back inside.

Ashlynn was on her way back to her room, when Cherin came running down the hall, her face glowing.

"Oh my god!" she squealed, "Oh my god!"

"What?" Ashlynn asked, taking her by the shoulders, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong!" her friend giggled, "Everything's perfect. Kurtis just proposed!"

"Did you say yes!"

Cherin nodded vigorously. After a few moments of excited laughing, her smile faded a bit.

"But...there is something," she said, "We...I mean I really want a nice wedding but...we can't exactly afford it right now..."

Cherin's eyes were hopeful, and Ashlynn knew exactly what she was thinking.

"Okay, okay," she said, "I'll ask Quan Chi but...don't get your hopes up."

Cherin hugged her before she left, laughing all the way down the hall. Ashlynn sighed, asking Quan Chi for money did not exactly appeal to her, but then again, Cherin was her friend...