All Mortal Kombat characters belong to Netherrealm Studios. All Ocs belong to me.

I feel the need to warn everyone. These chapters will run on the extremely long side. There's a lot in this story to cover so it has to be this way (that and i'm loving typing it!)

Ches didn't know how long they had been there at all. She had finally figured out why her best friend was acting in such a way, which had resulted in her all out trying to attack the cowboy. As such, she was put under closer watch by Ermac. She didn't mind that too much, he wasn't very intrusive with her, answered what questions he could, and was just nice to be around...most the time. He didn't really sleep so she had to get used to that. They were trying to train them for some kind of war or something but that's all they knew right now. She took kickboxing in high school, but now she could barely find time to go play tennis with Payton anymore! At the moment, she was wishing that she would much rather be in her lab class with all of her chemicals. She blinked when the ghostly man spoke to her.

"Do that again," he all but ordered her.

"What? Blink," she asked.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he floated over to her. She sighed and held out her hand and he placed the amulet in her hand again.

"You were thinking and we saw something move," he stated "Do it again."

She wanted to roll her eyes, she really did, but things never worked out well for her when she did that. She wanted to know more about these weird medallions they insisted on them having while they trained. Maybe some sort of power got awakened with it, she didn't really know though she had asked numerous times.

She once again started to think about her lab class. One that came to mind was about magnets. she had a lot of fun with this one. It wasn't just going around and seeing what was magnetic and what wasn't with a small hand magnet. No she got to see an electromagnet work and she remembered going home and talking her mother's ear off about it.

Ermac watched the girl think, more so how the various tools around them started to shake slightly, all metal based. He let this happen for a bit longer before she obviously lost focus, as she started to giggle about something. He took the medallion back and motioned for her to follow him. She blinked a few times as he normally chose to keep her to the few rooms connected together. Had she made some sort of breakthrough at last? She would lie if she didn't say she was excited to see what kind of 'power' she might have. She just hoped Payton was fairing better.

(Across the palace)

The brunette kept her head down as she walked beside the 'emperor' . He was attempting to get her to open up, as such, she spent more time around him rather than the mercenary. Of course that is who she stayed with most the time, she seemed to be getting over the death of her pet. The emperor was just about the only one that could get her to speak besides her own friend. None really understood this, but he would work to get her on his mindset. Today Kotal Khan was walking with her outside, mostly in silence. He was walking her to Black, to try her hand at firearms. He took a guess that she was not a physical fighter, despite her appearance. He was getting concerned about how slow things were going, especially with her. He had tried being overbearing but it had only proved to shut her down more. It was irritating that was for sure. This was what he gets for the misfortune of the medallions choosing two civilians instead of seasoned fighters. Soon the sound of gunfire got louder, and they came up to Erron shooting at bottles. Payton looked up and watched him as they got closer, finally looking interested in something other than the architecture. Kotal and him spoke with each other before turning to her.

"Let's do this," Erron said, handing her a pistol. Payton stared at it and shook her head at him.

"Look little girl," he started to growl, but his eyes darted to his employer who was watching to the side before lowering his tone, "You have to at least try. Once."

She sighed softly. She would be lying if she said she didn't want to shoot the gun. Shooting guns was fun. She took the gun from him and aimed down the sight before hitting one of the bottles before he could even help her right what he thought he saw wrong. Blinking a few times, Black couldn't help the smirk fall on his lips. She turned and put the gun back in his hand.

"What," she questioned at his look, "You said once."

"So I did," he said with a chuckle, "But your stance is off, you recoiled on the kickback, and-"

"Payton," Ches called out from across the way before running over to her and all but tackling the short brunette to the ground, "I thought you were dead!"

"You...literally saw me this morning," she said, blinking at her.

With a grin, she ruffled her long hair until it fell out of its clip. Ches helped Payton up and the brunette shook her head, trying to tame her hair again.

"We have found out something that could be helpful for their training," Ermac stated as he landed beside the girls.

"What is it," Kotal Khan questioned.

He looked over at Ches, who had taken to braiding Payton's hair who didn't look like she cared either way, "What were you thinking of when you were told?"

He placed the amulet in her hand and she blinked again before smiling widely, "Payton! I forgot to tell you! The other day I got to see an electromagnet work! It was soooooo cool!"

The more she kept talking about the magnet, the more the jewel glowed. Suddenly the gun Erron held jumped from his hand without his doing. The girls' eyes widened and she dropped the amulet on the ground realizing it was most likely her doing. Kotal put a finger to his chin in thought before nodding.

"It would seem," he said, "the basis of their power has something to do with their previous interests."

Ches cocked her head, "So...my love of chemicals that can erode you, blow you up, save you, or magnets powerful enough to take out a nail halfway across the world?"

As she said this, the gem started to glow again and rose to fly towards her. Gasping, she tried to shield herself with her arms. After a flash of light, she slowly lowered her arms. Payton was being shielded by the three men there and staring at her intently. She looked down and gasped. On her arms were gauntlets that ran from her wrist to her elbow. It reminded her of the assassin gloves from that game. Except these were colored a dark green with the same metallic gems running up it as the medallion had held along with a string of empty metal slots around her hips. The bigger gem was on her left shoulder surrounded by small black spikes to a small point as if encasing it.

"Ok...what the fu-" she tried raising her hand and a liquid suddenly shot out towards one of the bottles. Her hand shook as she watched some sort of corrosive dissolved it.

Payton looked down at the one around her neck and threw it away. "Oh hell no! I don't know what just happened but I already told you: I'm a pacifist! I do not fight!"

Ermac had the blackened piece come back to him without a word, staring down at it with interest. Kotal Khan stepped towards Ches and carefully held her arms, which she let him without a word, for once.

"This is interesting...," he said, "I believe we have unlocked your power...to an extent. Now...Miss Payton, you will need to do the same." It was as if he chose not to hear what she had even said, as usual.

Payton crossed her arms over her chest, but Ches started to bite her lip before speaking about anything the brunette does that could spark a same reaction.

"She is a professional dancer, plays tennis, practices wiccanism, been shooting guns with her dad for fun since she was 14, likes to do anything artistic, she-OW!"

Payton had slowly moved before she slapped the blonde on the back of the head.

"What," Ches exclaimed, moving her arms carefully as to not activate anything, "We aren't getting out of here any quicker by NOT helping! Payton...please at least try."

"Are you blind," she asked, fisting her hands, making the blond frown deeply, "They are never going to let us go home!"

Ches looked to the teal man for help, but saw that Payton was most likely right. She sighed. "Even still...we are here now and they need our help...Payton that is what you do best."

Payton looked away, the look on her face showing she wasn't going to deny or argue against this anymore. Ches knew that Payton only thought like this because she was battling a lot within herself, but even so, the way she is acting was a bit..off. Erron moved at Kotal's nod and started to put the necklace around her neck.

"Don't touch me!"

She turned around and the cowboy was thrown back from her by a sudden dark figure. Ches gasped, recognizing just who the figure was and Payton was staring at him with both surprise and fear. This time a darkness fell over her and when it faded the figure was gone but it seemed like the medallion had taken effect at last. The purple gem started right on her heart and the black metal cover her clavicles and shoulders to give a full armored spiked look down to her hands where black mesh covered them. Payton didn't dare move, didn't even barely breathe, remembering how sensitive it was for Ches. After a moment she chanced relaxing her muscles and moving one of her arms. Nothing happened. She looked up at Ches.

"I feel..."

She held her head and dropped to her knees with a cry.

"Kotal Khan," a voice rang out behind them. Erron stepped in front of the girls with Ermac, drawing his weapons. The emperor turned to see Johnny Cage standing there with his team. "We've come to take the girls somewhere that is more like...home."

Ches held Payton around her shoulders, watching this new group. Three men and two girls, armed it looked like. She looked down at the sobbing brunette and then back at them as the one in sunglasses spoke. She stood up slowly.

"I think that would be best," she said softly, "I don't know how much more of this she can take."

"You sent us the amulets to find them...," Kotal Khan stated, "Not once was it agreed that you would be the one's housing them. Outworld needs them."

"All the realms need them. Once this thing hits, it won't matter where they are," Johnny crossed his arms over his chest in a non-chalant manner.

"Maybe we can discuss this inside," Kung Jin suggested with a nod of his head.

"There is nothing worth discussing," he waved a hand and Erron raised his guns to point them at the Earthrealmers as Ermac lifted into the air, "The girls remain here."

"What if we want to go with them," Ches tried again, "Or maybe we split time? Come on we really need to be around normal!"

She was regarded for a split second, but it was obvious that she was going to be ignored again.

"Sorry, Khan," Johnny said, "They're coming with us."

Ches gasped and got Payton up best she could, backing them far away from the sudden fighting. Some of the guards ran out starting to aid their commander. Her eyes widened before she looked down at her new gauntlets then over at Payton, who had stopped whimpering in pain, to eye her new armor as well. She held up her hand slowly towards the fight but the brunette stopped her.

"No...we don't know how to use them yet...," she cringed and fell to her side, holding her head again.

"Ches...you need to run," she whispered, "Get to that other group."

"I'm not leaving you Payton," Ches poked her in the side.

"No I mean run that way and I'll stumble my way the other way...," she took a few deep breaths, "Any chance to get away from these guys...we need to try...go. I'll see you there. Go!"

Ches frowned and hugged her before slipping into the crack in the fence that was there. She didn't like the idea of leaving Payton behind, but the brunette was right. They needed to get to the others...at least they offered to take them away from this. What if, though, they were worse? She shook her head. They had to be better...she had to believe that. She started to follow the narrow way back to the street where she ran straight into a guard. She pushed him away and the gloves reacted, an acid coming alive in her hands and starting to make him burn. She shook as she watched everything getting eaten away until he fell down silent. She slowly stepped over him, shaking like a leaf. She didn't like this anymore. Ches knew she said she wanted to help but what did she really know about killing someone without reservations? She turned when someone put a hand on her shoulder and gasped, keeping her hands behind her.

"It's ok," the boy with the weird bow said, "Come on. Takeda is getting your friend."

She slowly nodded before following behind him into the crowd running away from the sudden explosion.

Payton watched Ches leave and forced herself to stand despite how her head felt. The armor she was wearing was heavy, but she still moved back until she hit the gate. Making sure everyone was distracted she caught one of the eyes of one of the more normal looking fighters and then showed she was leaving before doing so. She limped a few steps before falling again.

'Damnit...stupid piece of jewelry...just go away!'

She gasped as the black light returned and it fell around her neck again. She covered her mouth as nausea hit her. Once it subsided she got up and started running on her way. She would have dropped the amulet but she figured they would make her go back for it. No need for that. She kept running until suddenly two of Kotal Khan's men jumped in front of her.

"Ma'am...Emperor has order you to your room. Let's go."

"No! Let me go!"

She struggled against their hold best she could before feeling a strike of anger.

"I said let me go!"

Suddenly both mens' heads blew apart, spraying her in blood. It hit her slowly as she backed up. She just...killed someone! Two someones! She felt a lump form in her throat as her breathing quickened.

"Don't look."

A pair of arms wrapped around her shoulders and a hand cover her eyes. She didn't have it in her to fight...she didn't want to kill anyone else. The man turned her around and pulled her away from the scene before releasing her. She slowly looked behind her to see that it was one of the newcomer, the one with the yellow bandana on. She felt herself tear up but before she could cry, the shock started to kick in and she fell unconscious. Takeda caught her easily, frowning. This girl was a civilian, that much was obvious, but by the scene he saw she had some sort of power. Her mind was like static right now, shock obviously. He had saw her leave and was able to easily slip away to follow her. He believed Kung Jin went after the blonde. He lifted her up with ease and moved towards the rendezvous point. When there he noted that the rest of his team were pulling out. The blonde was with them, stopping when she saw her friend.

"Come on, you can check on her later," Johnny stated. Together they escaped into the portal. They weren't worried about Kotal coming after them. Leaving Outworld now wouldn't be in his best interest.

(In Earthrealm)

"Why isn't she waking up," Ches demanded to the medic angrily.

"Calm down," the medic responded, "She is in deep shock but is fully responsive in every way. She will wake up soon enough."

"Thank you," Sonya nodded to the medic, who left shortly after.

Ches slowly touched her friend's hand and sighed, "Damn it Payton...we just can't keep you out of the hospital..."

"Does she have a history of collapsing," Sonya asked softly, though the stone in her voice could be hear still.

"Keeping her from not doing so requires...a lot to say the least," she replied in a numb tone.

"You look rather pale yourself..."

"I just need some sodium."

They fell into silence before Ches broke the silence again.

"Are we ever going home...?"

"Once all of this is over, I will ensure that you do."

"And why is he in here?"

Sonya looked over at Kenshi, who was standing beside the door.

"Kenshi is a telepath," Sonya explained, "He is here to ensure nothing drastic happens."

"Drastic...?"

"People act to death differently," Kenshi explain, "From what Takeda told me, that had been her first time killing. I do not know her, but considering she is a civilian, she is more likely to react harshly."

"I understand," she mumbled.

"It happened with you too. Would you-"

"I'll be fine I think...More shocked about how it happened than anything..." Of course she was lying, but she just didn't want to talk about it right now. The man seemed to 'stare' at her before thankfully dropping the subject.

"We have a lot to discuss...Please come with me," Sonya stood up and Ches kissed her friend's head before leaving her with the blind man.

(Next Day)

"So...this is all you have," Che asked, looking unimpressed.

"We are arranging for more to be sent here."

"And...is it necessary to have me in a room like this?"

Sonya looked behind her. They were standing in a room that was usually meant to test explosives, but she figured it would best for her to train in here since she will be working with both her magnetic powers and her chemicals. After a few tests on the girl while she had the amulet on and off showed that when activated, magnetic fields ran through her arms. Further study on the empty slots in the belt proved that they were meant for test tubes. It wasn't hard to guess that with preparation and focus, she could summon certain acids and bases to create most anything. The fact that she had done it before was a reaction of the sudden release of the power in the amulet. Ches had requested a bunch of things, it had been up to Sonya to acquire it.

"Yes. These walls won't be eaten away by any acid we give you. There is a fighter in Outworld that spits acid of some kind as a weapon. We are working to try and make armor that will defend against it just in case."

"Well...I don't know where to start other than studying," her shoulders slumped. This was cool considering that she got to study more of what she loved, but she was certain there wasn't going to be any down time at all.

"We will be working all aspects of your power as well as some other fighting techniques. You said you had taken kickboxing before?"

"Yes but that was years ago," Ches admitted, "I'm sure that would be a good idea...we don't know the limits of this power after all. That excites me I can't wait to tell Pay...ton..."

Sonya frowned softly and put a hand on her shoulder, "I'm sure she will be fine. Kenshi says she's starting to come around slowly. She is awake but.."

"Yeah...I know how shock works."

"What would you want to start on today?"

Ches looked around with a focused frown. "Perhaps...if I started with the body, I-"

"You're scared to test the powers?"

"Yeah...," Ches rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment.

Sonya frowned again but nodded. "Very well. I will arrange with Specialist Briggs to train you."

"Coolness."

(Two Days Later)

"What do you mean she's not here?!"

"Calm down," Jacqui said, "Raiden took her to the Sky Temple to try and heal her faster."

"H-HEAL HER?!"

"I said calm down."

"So let me get this straight," Ches said after a few breaths, "A man I don't know...she doesn't know...took her away...without telling me about it?!"

"We figured you wouldn't like the idea," Johnny put in, "So we had to do it that way. She'll be fine. Mr. Lightning Bolt would be the last to try and hurt her."

Ches ran a hand through her hair and sighed deeply. These people just didn't get it yet. "Well...if you're sure she is safe...not like we've been given any choice since we've gotten here. Wait a minute...why does she need to be healed?"

"Dad said she woke up," Takeda started, "But it was like her mind was a battlefield. She was screaming in pain, inconsolable. She eventually passed out again, but not before breaking her shoulder from the thrashing she was doing."

"Once again," Ches growled, "Why didn't you just call me?"

"You were training."

Ches looked ready to strangle the boy, she really did. She turned away and sat down again. After a few minutes of staring at the ground, knowing that losing her cool wouldn't do any good whatsoever, she let herself relax a bit. But damnit! She was so sick of this! It was true; even with them it wasn't like they weren't captives anyways. She had once asked if she could go out and get something she knew would help keep Payton calm, but was threatened to be locked in a room! She already promised she would help, what the hell?!

"I'm not 'training' anymore until she's back here in front of me," she finally said.

Johnny sighed deeply, "Sonya's not going to like that."

"I don't care...but I barely got to see her in that other area and only time here she was unconscious."

"Very well...however we do need to know a few things about her in return."

"Like...what?"

"Basic things," Johnny said with a bored sigh, "Like fighting experience, any experiences, and what her powers might entail."

"First of all," Ches started, "She won't fight. She doesn't believe in violence, doesn't like hurting anyone or thing."

"That's going to suck," Cassie said with a smile.

"I'll tell you what I told them. The most experience she has in anything is professional dancing, photography, art...things, witchy...things, and a bit of gun knowledge. After I pointed this out that's when that weird necklace reacted, mostly to her anger. I saw...a man that normally only she can see mostly fabricated and attack the cowboy guy. The symbols on the bottom of the mesh on her hands are symbols reflective of wiccans in our area. But that's all I know. Kind of like when mine first reacted, I was thinking about cool magnets and chemicals...and we all know what mine does at this point."

"Does she have a history of anger," Takeda asked, "I mean, you said her amulet only reacted when she got angry and wanted to protect herself. As well as, what do you mean about a figure?"

"Hey...that's something I think you should ask her...and no cheating with your mind powers!"

"That's enough to get started with," Johnny stood up, "I think we have a place to start now."

(At the Sky Temple)

Fujin watched as Raiden laid the girl on the ground in the jensei room, frowning deeply.

"Why would the Elder Gods send us two untrained humans," the wind god asked.

"Perhaps as a test," Raiden responded, keeping knelt beside the frail girl, studying her closely, "If we can train them to be the saviors they described, then maybe our realms are worth saving."

Fujin nodded as if that made the most sense out of anything in the world. He walked closer and knelt beside him as well. He looked down at the small girl, studying her as well. Raiden reached forward and picked up the amulet around her neck, studying it closely now. He turned it in his hand, a somewhat confused look on his face. Fujin let his eyes linger on the trinket before looking back at her pained face. She looked so much like the humans of Earthrealm.

"Once she wakes up, I will take her back to their base. We are ahead of schedule but that doesn't mean we have time on our side. Come get me when she wakes up."

"Why is she reacting this way, but her friend is not," Fujin asked as the thunder god stood up.

Raiden crossed his arms as he kept his eyes on the girl. "Some sickness should be expected. Not only from another dimension, but suddenly power is being surged through them. They are also strangers to death, at least by their own hands. Not every human has the psyche to deal with that at first. I have not seen the other, but this one's power seems to be dormant beforehand."

Fujin nodded at him and sat back to wait for the girl to wake up. It wouldn't take too long, and this was proven when the girl made a small noise and moved covering her eyes.

"It's bright...," she whispered softly, most likely talking to herself.

"You shouldn't move," he said softly, as to not scare her, "You are still healing."

She rubbed her eyes and let her vision clear. It was bright in here, a blue color. She let her brown eyes fall onto the white haired man with blank white eyes. He was sitting rather close over her, making her try to sit up to move away.

"Don't be scared," he said, keeping a soft tone, "I am the wind god, Fujin. You're at the Sky Temple in the jensei. It's properties mean to heal you. Please lay back."

He helped her lay back down. She stared at him, as if trying to believe what he said to be true. He could not help ignorance, as infuriating as it could be. No telling what kind of gods the girl had in her own dimension.

"Where is Ches," she asked.

"Your friend is back with the Special Forces of Earthrealm. She is safe."

"Good...What happened?"

"I only know that you are here to heal after your ordeals. I will get Raiden. Do you remember what happened?"

At the shake of her head, he nodded and stood up. He felt her try to grasp at him so he stopped offering a small smile. "Don't worry. You are safe here. I will be right back."

He exited the jensei and located Raiden. He told him what had happened and they headed back in. she was now sitting up, holding her head, despite him saying to lay down. She looked up slowly when she heard them near her. They both knelt beside her again, mostly because of the look of fear of them standing over her.

"I am Lord Raiden, the thunder god."

"...You mean Thor?"

"...No...," he responded in a questioning tone.

She blushed and looked away. "S-sorry...mythology from my own...er...yeah..."

He merely nodded at her, ignoring her embarrassed state. "You do not remember what happened?"

She blinked a few times and looked thoughtful, "I remember...the guy shot my cat, going to that weird world, this dumb necklace doing something weird, then waking up here."

The two men shared a look. It was obvious her mind was pushing back what it didn't want to cope with. If they were to train her, she couldn't be coddled, however, seeing how she reacted the first time of death by her doing, showing some restraint might be in their best interest. She winced and held her head again, shaking.

"Can we just go home," she whispered. It was hard to tell if it was towards them or to herself.

"I apologize," Raiden responded, though he didn't sound very sorry, "Until I can ensure that Earthrealm is not in danger, we cannot send you back."

She narrowed her eyes at him before looking away, growing quiet. He frowned at her. Where was there a problem in helping them? He didn't understand, but pushed it aside. His goal was to have her heal before he took her back and started training. He reached towards her to check her shoulder, only to reel back when she struck his hand once it was close enough. He decided to go for explaining what actually happened before easing into it.

"We located you in Outworld and sent a team to get you," Raiden started, however she didn't look up, "When you split up with your friend, one of our own went to find you. According to him...you disposed of the guards before he had a chance."

He seemed to catch her attention with this. Fujin frowned at Raiden, wondering what he could possibly think he was gaining in telling her this once they just got her awake and responding. He kept quiet, however, knowing his friend had a plan of some sort.

The brunette slowly looked up and stared at the wall across from her, seeming to think about this. "That's...not possible..."

"I understand it is a lot for you to take in," he said with practice patience, "however, it did happen. The first part of helping us is understanding that death will be in your wake."

She shook her head, "I am not the type of person that believes anyone deserves to die...I wouldn't do something like that."

"With time it will be easier to understand."

"No it won't," she whispered softly, closing her eyes.

He decided not to respond and had Fujin stay with her while he went to deal with studying the medallion she practically threw at him when he asked for it. After another hour or so, he returned to see that she was standing now, speaking softly with Fujin. It was noted by both that she seemed more interested in the architecture and art rather than what the actual chamber was and what it held. Even when Raiden approached them to stand next to her as well, she still didn't stop her studying and talking. She looked like she was smiling, though it was hard to tell as her hair was covering her face slightly. He gave her a few more moments of this before he finally reached and checked her shoulder. Once again he was pushed away as she backed away from both now, tense.

"Look I know you're trying to help," she said in a soft voice, "but do not touch me. I don't know who you men are."

"I can assure you, we would not intend any harm," Fujin said, raising an eyebrow at this intense distrust.

"You know," she said, keeping eye contact with him, "That's what a lot of people say too. Just take me back to Ches."

Raiden nodded and the three left the jensei. Fujin stayed behind as usual, though something told him that an attack on the jensei wouldn't be possible, not with this new threat at least. It even threatened the Elder Gods' existences, why would Shinnok let that happen when that was his only goal? Raiden put his hand out to the girl who stared at him blankly.

"I am transporting us back to your friend," he explained patiently, "It is easier if we are touching."

He seemed to make the right move as appreciation dashed through her eyes for a second before she grabbed his hand. In a flash of lightning they appeared in the Special Forces training area where Ches yelped and dashed back in surprise. Payton clung to Raiden now, shaking.

"...Can I do that again," she asked suddenly, looking up at him.

He didn't give a response as he pulled her away from him. Before Jaqcui, who was helping Ches with her kickboxing, could go to greet him, Ches darted and tackled Payton to the ground where she nuzzled herself into her friend's neck.

"Pay Pay," Ches said in delight, almost tearing up, "I was worried!"

Payton sat up and stood with her blonde friend. "The art here is pretty awesome especially where I was. But I guess I'm fine now though..."

Ches smacked the back of the brunette's head, "HEY! It's in the past stop thinking or I'll bite you!"

The exchanged put Raiden on guard, but seeing that it was normal looking for the two girls, he just watched it before nodding to Jaqcui.

"Ches this is Raiden, the thunder god," Payton whispered to Ches with a smirk.

Ches blinked and looked at Raiden, "You mean Thor, right?"

"...No...," Raiden said with a sense of obvious de ja vu.

Once they were taken in, a meeting ensued. A lot of things were being decided while the girls just sat and listened. Suddenly Payton stood and spoke.

"That's all good but I never agreed to help any of you. Ches is my best friend, but if she wants to help then she can. Just take me home," she said in a stern voice.

Silence filled the room before Cassie stood up, anger apparent.

"What do you mean you won't help us," she yelled, "You would abandon people to die?"

"People who kidnapped us, forced us to kill, shot my cat, killed her classmates, treat us like prisoners with round the clock surveillance, and doesn't respect personal boundaries? Hell yes. Look I'm not normally like this, but I can only be pushed so far. I took lives the other day and whether or not me leaving will cause more well...not like I planned on living that long to regret it!"

"We are trying to protect you," Sonya responded in a stony voice, "There are others that would 'kidnap' you and actually force you to do worse."

"Sonya Blade is right," Raiden responded, "The fact of whom you have been around so far has only been us and the Outworlders was pure luck."

Payton narrowed her eyes at Raiden as if Sonya hadn't have spoken too, "Luck," she laughed at him, "because we have been so lucky to have such responsibilities thrown on us. How are you any better? The only thing different is that you didn't shoot my cat!"

"It's just an animal," Kung Jin stated. Ches rolled up a piece of paper and threw it at him, making it bounce off his head...then again when he glared at her before getting the message.

Payton stared at the shaolin for a few seconds, an unreadable expression on her face, "Well...so are you," she finally responded, smirking at him unnervingly.

"There shouldn't be any question in helping out someone that is practically begging you for it," Kenshi said.

"Dude," she responded, "Normally I would. Normally I wouldn't question it. But this isn't normal, by any means. I deal with some crazy bullshit just about everyday since I was 12, but you're asking us to become amazing fighters with these powers we can barely control because what? Some war? Why us?"

"The Elder Gods," Raiden explained, "Sent us the medallions when we first found out about the new threat. They always give us means to help protect ourselves."

Payton had to fight to not roll her eyes. No matter what, she wouldn't bring herself to mock another's religion, but from what she has seen there seemed to really only be one form of gods and it was everything. "By bringing outsiders in? What was there to gain from this at all? You're trying to make me feel guilty about not wanting to succumb to Stockholm's Syndrome and just help you."

Payton knew she was being very difficult. She knew they needed help, she knew she needed help them. However, as she said, she can only take so much at once. She was being very selfish, she wouldn't deny this at all. Everything in her begged to help them out, but she doesn't even condone killing in her own world, why would this change anything? She sighed. "Look...if I decide to come around I will need a little time. I haven't been awake in days and haven't had any time to let this sink in. As of right now I am going to remain neutral in this entire thing. I would apologize, but I'm smart enough to know that doesn't mean a lot right now. I really wish there was another way I could help but I'm just an art student. I don't know anything about warfare outside a video game."

Ches stood up and stopped Payton from trying to leave, "Payton! Come on, " she tried to reason, "You don't know anything like I have been told! They need both of us or everyone in this entire dimension will go extinct! Just POOF! Gone! You are always the first to give everything including your life for random strangers back home, what makes this any different?"

"Because fuck them, blondie," Payton yelled at her suddenly, fisting her hands.

Ches took a step back, frowning deeply. She knew she wasn't talking to Payton anymore and by the looks of the two telepaths in the room, they could tell as well.

"What's to say this thing doesn't come to your world now that you are linked and it knows you are here," Raiden pointed out sternly.

"Linked because of you," she yelled at him.

"You're being irrational. Calm yourself," he practically commanded.

"SHUT IT THOR!"

Payton turned and picked up a chair to throw at the so called god but Ches grabbed it from her, pushing her away, though the brunette barely budged, turning and throwing a punch that struck her friend across the cheek. Ches stumbled back, holding her bruised cheek, frowning. She motioned for everyone to keep back when they stood up to restrain her, shaking her head. She needed to deal with this.

"Chaney...," Ches said evenly, "She's been through hell I know, but we need you now. Do it to protect her...and yourself...and me..."

Payton glared but seemed to start to try and calm down. Once her shoulders relaxed she turned away. "I'll think about it."

Payton requested to be taken to her quarters to rest and some guards came to do so. Once Ches sat down, she looked ready to cry, but not from the bruise on her cheek either.

"In all my years of dealing with her...," she suddenly said, "She has bit me, thrown me, kicked me, scream at me...but never has she actually punched me."

After some silence, Kenshi spoke up, "Does she have two souls inside her?"

Ches blinked a few times, "Souls? No nothing like that. Over the years her anger started to turn into it's own personality. She randomly named it Chaney as a joke from another hard time she went through. It all started as a joke until her doctor told her it wasn't. She has been without her meds for a week...with all the stress I'm not surprised it took this long for her to lose it. Your best bet in containing it would be to get her her medication."

"No," Kenshi responded, "From what you have said, her power relies on her anger."

Ches narrowed her eyes "Look...I will try my best to persuade her but if Chaney is making an appearance, no one will be happy and she will certainly not listen to me...if anything, I can tell you what makes her the calmest and happiest and we can go from there."