Zaterrian Pride

Years ago, a race of people known as the Saurians resided in the realm of earth. They are a Reptilian race whose appearance could take on the form of a human. However, when Raiden and Shinnok were at war for possession of Earthrealm, Raiden sent Earthrealm into the dark ages causing the entire Saurian race to flee to a realm they called Zaterra. Their time away from Earthrealm caused their true forms to show. They lived in peace for many decades after, but their peace is threatened by the presence of Shao Kahn. In 24 Hours, Outworld will be facing Zaterra in Shao Kahn's most successful Mortal Kombat Tournament. If Zaterra wins, they will have another 500 years to live in harmony. However, if they lose…

"Zaterra is ours." Anomaly finishes. She's talking with Baraka, who'd been practicing with her. Over the past 7,000 Years, Anomaly had been Outworld's champion. Every Decade or so, she'd face off against warriors from a realm of Shao Kahn's choosing. She conquered over 700 realms throughout her time in Outworld. However, the realms she faced were smaller. Their warriors were weaker. She's just now jumping into the big leagues for the first time. However, before she can take on the responsibilities, she must improve her skills to be better prepared for the swift and cunning Saurians.

"You must learn how to face an enemy who's fast. One you cannot see. Simply knowing how to fight isn't going to help." Baraka responds.

"There are other tricks to winning the tournament than just knowing how to physically overpower your enemy, Baraka." She responded back.

"Don't get overly cocky, girl. Just because you won a few hundred tournaments, that doesn't mean you'll win against the foe that has had over 7000 years of combat knowledge dedicated specifically to you." Baraka added. Anomaly shrugs. Anomaly continues to warm up against the Tarkatans using her Kobu Jutsu. Overlooking her from the Throne Room were Shao Kahn and Shang Tsung. They were impressed by her fighting abilities and coordinated prowess with her weapons.

"She's stronger than I gave her credit for." Shao Kahn stated.

"Would you say that she might be a bit…too strong?" Shang Tsung questioned.

"She did create a brand new entity who acts like an immature adult. She was able to defeat both Onaga and the original Shadow Priest in the span of a day. That's something that would usually take years of war to accomplish." Shao Kahn explained.

"She's no ordinary warrior indeed. Not even Onaga was able to create another living being through sorcery." Shang Tsung confirmed. "We might have to keep an eye on her." Shao Kahn closed his eyes. He suddenly opens them and realizes it was just him daydreaming. Shang Tsung was gone. It was the evening. Everyone was somewhere else—Eating Dinner, Bathing, or Sleeping. He decided to spend the rest of his day resting on his throne as he contemplated on the conversation he had in his dream.


*Meanwhile on Zaterra…*

The realm of Zaterra is very similar to the average rural Earthrealm town. The buildings were painted in a green camouflage pattern to blend in with the greenery. This is helpful for keeping their realm hidden from invaders, especially at night. There is also a War Tower that floats above the Zaterrian Castle in which the Queen, Kreeya, resides. Khameleon is in charge of the War Tower and its warriors. She is also the Sister of Kreeya.

"What?!" Khameleon yelled. She was before the throne of Kreeya. Kreeya wasn't fazed by her outburst.

"We can't keep running from our problems. They know who we are and where we are. They'll just keep following us until we run out of options." Kreeya explained.

"Why can't we just decline the offer?" Khameleon requested. "He can't force us to face him in the tournament."

"He can legally go to war with our Realm if we decline. That's why we're holding off our answer."

"The Elder Gods won't help?" Khameleon asked worriedly. Kreeya nodded. "So I'm guessing the rumors of him enslaving those who decline was true."

"We have more than enough capable warriors who can take on the Champion of Outworld. Their other warriors aren't as fast, or smart, as we are. It's only two warriors we must worry about: Shang Tsung and Anomaly." Kreeya responded. "Shang Tsung is getting older. He's going to get weaker if he lacks the souls. Between Shao Kahn and Anomaly, he does not have enough souls to survive long enough against our faster warriors. Anomaly, however, is over confident. We need that."

"Are there any warriors in particular that you'd like me to appoint as our Champion?" Khameleon asked.

"The council and I had this discussion earlier and have already decided upon one."


*Elsewhere in Zaterra…*

"REPTILE!"

In an open field, Reptile is suddenly attacked by two members of the Locust Clan; one Male, one female. The Locust Clan is a cult of Saurian assassins who have a mission to return Zaterra's rule back to Earthrealm. They usually work in teams of two. There are multiple tiers for each team, so their skill levels differ depending on their tier. The team fighting against Reptile was tier 3.

"We've been tasked with killing you before Shao Kahn's arrival." The female member stated.

"You betray your own realm? Follow the rule of an Outworld Dictator?" Reptile questioned. The two jump towards Reptile with Blades in their hands and begin to swipe at him. He easily dodges each of their attacks for a while. The two assassins decide to go invisible and back off from their attack. Reptile attempts to concentrate to try and hear the footsteps of the assassins.

"To your left." Reptile hears a voice from behind and turns his attention away. Suddenly, he gets slashed deep in his right rib. He falls to his knees as the two assassins reveal themselves. The Woman was on his right side while the Male was behind him. "I told you on your left. What did you turn around for?" the voice continued.

"Who dares attempt to assist the target?" The Male assassin asked. Suddenly, he is killed off by his partner. She gashed his esophagus with her Sword, causing him to choke to death on his own blood. Reptile looked onto the woman in confusion. She turns invisible and runs from the area.

"She…cut me…then killed her partner?" Reptile thought to himself. He slowly walked back into the town. His injury was slightly grave, but a doctor was nearby. While he was walking, he was spotted by Khameleon.

"No!" She shouted. She rushed over to him and wrapped his arm behind her back. "Help! We need help!" She called for people to come help her bring Reptile to the nearby hospital. Others began to crowd around them trying to figure out what had happened. He explains the situation to them, something that causes them fear.

"What are we going to do now?" One of the civilians asked.

"What do you mean 'what are we going to do?'" Khameleon snapped. "We're…we're going to take them on." Everyone around them was uncomfortable with Khameleon's decision. They began to talk amongst themselves in worry of what would happen if they fought against Shao Kahn's champion and lost. This was heavily upsetting to Khameleon. Reptile placed his hand on Khameleon's shoulder.

"We still have less than 18 hours before the tournament begins. In that amount of time, I should be healed up enough to hold my own against her for a while." Reptile assured.

"We have over 100 different warriors who could take your place. We're not going to let you face off against Outworld." She responded.

"He survived the attack against the Locust Clan." One of the civilians stated.

"HE'S NOT IN THE BEST CONDITION TO FIGHT THIS TOURNAMENT!" Khameleon shouted. "What's wrong with you all? Have we really become cowards?"

"We've always been cowards and you know it." One of the Guards responded. Khameleon looked at him in disgust. "For God's sake, we live in a camouflaged realm." He added. She wanted to say something, but she knew he was telling the truth.

"You were for us running away to avoid the tournament before. What made you change your mind now?" Another Guard asked. Khameleon looked towards the ground.

"What choice do we really have?" Khameleon muttered. She then looked up at the people. "If I were allowed to participate, I'd fight against them!"

"Easier said…than done." Reptile responded. "Besides, the less people the better. They'd be more likely to only use one match with me and the champion if I'm the only one to participate." Khameleon couldn't deal with the situation. Between Reptile being heavily injured and the cowardice of the Zaterrian Army, she was very frustrated.

"Fine. Have it your way." She then walks away from the crowd, leaving Reptile in the hands of the Zaterrian doctor.


*Back in Outworld…*

Anomaly arrives before Shao Kahn in his throne room with a silver cup in her hand. She sips out of the cup before speaking with him.

"Was there something you wanted to talk with me about, emperor?" She asked.

"You still haven't told me what happened that day. I've been putting it off for centuries hoping to get my answer.

"And you ask 7000 years later?" Anomaly asked.

"We face a foe greater than any you've fought against before. Your ability to defeat them will bring us steps closer to taking on Edenia…and eventually Earthrealm." Shao Kahn responded. Anomaly finishes off her drink.

"Will you ever tell me why merging the realms is so important?" Shao Kahn didn't answer her. She smiled and shook her head. "It looks like we'll both be keeping secrets then." She responded.

"Indeed we will." Shao Kahn muttered.

"Oh, I have one more thing to tell you." Anomaly stated. "It seems we've permanently gained the upper hand with Zaterra." Anomaly began to pull out a scroll from her back pouch and tosses it onto Shao Kahn's lap.

"What is it?" he asked. Anomaly started laughing hysterically. Shao Kahn showed his irritation towards her loud laugh. He took the scroll and opened it. As he thoroughly read its contents, he began to grin heavily.


End of Chapter 2

Preview of Ch. 3: And The Winner is...

Khameleon watches on from her tower. She begins to pray as she spots both Reptile and Anomaly staring each other down. She worries for the outcome of the battle due to Reptile's injury. She also looks down to see her sister Kreeya along with the rest of the council members whom are the spectators & judges of the tournament.

"In the case that Reptile has to pull out from the match, how do you see us faring against the Emperor's men?" One of the guards asks.

"You had your chance to help. If you want my advice, pack your bags and leave as soon as you can." She responded.

"It wouldn't hurt to deny the invitation and just work under him until we can gain the upper hand." The guarded added.

"He's not stupid. Besides, we still have one person we need to take care of before we can pull that off." Khameleon states as she concentrates on the fight.