A/N: Yeah, I can't believe it's been about three months since my last update? Sheeesh, that's horrible of me! But my motivation was down for a while, and school wasn't helping by nagging me with essays and hw.

But despite that, I won't abandon this story cause I like writing it. I might stop if no one really likes it :/

Progress is slow, but the gears in my head are slowly moving again.

Anyway, even though I had already previously described Lily's looks, I accidentally described her hair wrong.*face palm* I confused her hair with another OC who is currently under construction for another story I had in mind.

So Lily has long gold locks. In other words, she's blond with long wavy hair.

I'll have to fix it, but I'm too lazy right now xD


Lily was left breathless as Raiden vanished quicker than she could blink. If he could teleport, then why couldn't he send her home? There was something peculiar about this whole situation she was in. "He can teleport?" She asked aloud.

"As fast as lightning." Johnny chuckled at his own corny joke as he nudged Sonya. "Get it?"

She groaned in annoyance as she rolled her eyes.

Lily figured if Raiden could take her home now, then all of these so-called 'protectors' would leave, and she wouldn't be a burden on anyone. Thinking this, despair slowly seeped inside her as she secretly dreaded the thought of going home to her dark untouched room with pictures of him and her still occupying her dresser. She took a deep breath as she held back her desired words. "I am thankful to all of you coming out here just to look after me…but I think it be more convenient if you can all call back Raiden to teleport me home. I…" She could feel her voice starting to crack. Should she tell them where she's from?

Don't do this Lily.

"My name is Lily Korda…I'm eighteen…and I—uhh…I'm from Chicago. Now that you all know where I'm from…Raiden can take me home now." She bit her tongue, fighting the urge to take it all back.

They all looked to one another, as if trying to decide on what was best to say. Lily was getting frustrated. "What's wrong? He can do it…right?"

Sub-Zero answered her calmly. "It is not that simple. You see, Raiden doesn't have enough power to teleport that far. Secondly—if any of us took you back—it would endanger you; as well as your family…possibly everyone in that city too."

Everyone cringed at the last thing he said, as if he wasn't suppose to her tell. Lily became alarmed by his words as well. "What do you mean by that." She inquired.

"Easy there, ice-man." Johnny said to Sub-Zero. "You're going to scare her." He looked down at Lily and patted her wet head. "No one is going to be in danger." He comforted. "That's why were here."

Hearing his words surprisingly eased her worries. She was no longer riled up by what Sub-Zero had said. Perhaps she should just let the experts do what they have to do, and keep herself in her place. But more questions were begging to be asked, such as: how far away was she from home, where was she, and how long was she going to be here? Lily mentally sorted all her scrambled questions in the order she was going to ask them, hoping they would at least answer one, if not all. "Where exactly am I?"

This time, the Indian looking man with red face paint spoke up. "You're In Japan."

Her eyes widened. Did she hear him correctly? "Japan!" She exclaimed.

"Yes." The man with the large brimmed hat answered. "The Hokkaido region—if I'm not mistaken. " He glanced at—whom Lily assumed to be—his friend for approval. The man wearing the red sweatband with no shirt only shrugged.

"This is my first time here." He simply replied.

Lily couldn't believe what she was hearing. How on earth did she get across the globe in a couple of seconds? She shook her head. She didn't want to get distracted from asking her second question. "I would like to know, who exactly are you all? I don't even know your names."

Johnny raised his hands as he coolly walked to the center. "Since were going to do introductions again, I guess I can start—"

Sonya tugs him back. "No way!"

Lily patiently waited for any of them to identify themselves. The first was the shirtless man.

He awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. "Okay…guess I'll go first. My name is Liu Kang."

The man with the large brimmed hat shook his head at Liu Kang's response and cleared his throat. "My name is Kung Lao. Liu Kang and I are Shaolin Monks who have trained in the Shaolin Temples. We will do whatever we can." He respectfully bowed in front of Lily. She gave a slight nod in return, immediately taking a liking to them.

The Indian was next to speak. "I am Nightwolf, an Apache Shaman. I will make sure you are kept free from danger."

"Thank you." Lily politely replied, mentally trying to memorize the names that were just exposed. Her eyes passed Nightwolf and locked onto the one who was wrapped in bandages like a mummy. His unearthly glowing green eyes blinked back at her in confusion.

Perplexed, he asked, "We assume you want to know our name as well?"

"Of course." She simply answered, not realizing his incorrect way of speaking.

"We are Ermac, and we want to be accommodating as much as possible."

Lily immediately noticed the unnatural multiple harmonized voices. He was clearly something out-of-this-world like Scorpion and Raiden. She was about to speak, before she spotted another warrior who was silently standing still beside Sub-Zero. Had he always been there?

She became intrigued by the way he was donned in ninja apparel similar to Sub-Zero's, only he wore armor that looked slightly grey. A mask covered most of his face and head as well.

"And who are you?" She curiously asked the grey ninja.

He glanced at Sub-Zero, who only nodded. The grey ninja looked back at the girl. "I am Smoke, a member of the Lin Kuei."

Lily was tempted to ask more questions, but figured she'd save them for later since she already made everyone uncomfortably introduce themselves.


Scorpion found himself wandering the Living Forest without really knowing why. He had no luck searching through Earthrealm's woods, and it seems this place was no different. Scorpion didn't even know how he managed to step one foot in the Living Forest. Most of all, he detested this part of Outworld. The way the animated trees stared at him as he as he walked by fueled his irritation. He didn't want to admit to himself that he wasn't paying attention to where he was going because the girl kept slinking her way into his thoughts. It wasn't that Scorpion felt guilty for abandoning the girl, but if it wasn't that, then what could it be?

'Are you alright?'

He groaned in frustration as he tried tearing her from his mind. Those words haunted him, but why? Hearing them the same way he had heard them long ago—with deep concern and affection—were so eerily similar. But one difference stood out that separated the phrases. In the past, Scorpion vaguely recalled those words having been splattered with blood. Gripping his fists, he proceeded forward.

Remembering is useless.

Scorpion's memory flashed, hearing a woman's faint voice as blood trickled down the corner of her mouth. She was on the floor beside Scorpion…blood everywhere. He called out to her in a panic. In that instant the memory left him. He stopped in his tracks as he noticed his breathing rapidly increase. Technically, Scorpion didn't need to breathe, but did so out of habit.

He immediately stopped breathing once he heard a rustling noise from behind. His body stiffened as he mentally cursed himself for getting distracted. Putting it aside, Scorpion concentrated on honing in on the noise. He predicted the enemy was standing next to the tree on his left when he would turn around to attack. In one swift motion he did a three-sixty while also throwing a kunai in the enemy's direction. No sound of it stabbing through flesh was heard, or even a sound of it hitting a tree.

"You are beginning to worry me Scorpion." A voice mocked.

Scorpion knew all to well who that voice belonged to. His eyes narrowed as Shang Tsung stepped out from behind the tree holding the kunai he had just thrown.

"Are your skills getting rusty?" Shang Tsung threw the Kunai back at Scorpion who dodged it and lunged at him, only to have a force hurl him back. He quickly got up and unsheathed his blade.

"I am not here for kombat. Instead, I have an offer for you. One I think you should consider."

"TO HELL WITH YOUR OFFER!" Scorpion raged as he charged his blade at the sorcerer.

Shang Tsung stayed calmly in his place as he announced, "Quan Chi has been following you."

The ninja halted to a stop.

"The reason you can't sense him is because he has cast an aura sensor on himself."

"Where is he!" Scorpion demanded.

"That is where my offer comes in. All I ask is for you to bring the girl to Shao Khan's fortress. In return, not only will I give you Quan Chi, but I will also bring back your precious Shirai Ryu clan. " Shang Tsung waited for Scorpion's reply.

Scorpion was no fool. He knew Shang Tsung had something up his sleeve. How did he even know about the girl? "Why do you want her so badly."

Shang Tsung smirked. "That is something you do not need to concern yourself with. You only need to make sure she gets to Shao Khan. That is all."

The yellow ninja glared at him. Quan Chi had already deceived him, and Shang Tsung was no different. "Alright sorcerer. I accept your request."

"Good. I am pleased to hear it."


Quan Chi bowed before the mighty Shao Khan who was sitting on his throne, looking down at him menacingly. He had stopped following Scorpion to report back to the ruler of Outworld.

"What is the meaning of this Quan Chi."

"My Lord, I have some rather interesting news I think you should be aware of."

"Which is?"

"There is a human girl who is being protected by the Earthrealm warriors under Raiden's orders."

Shao Khan groaned. "Why should I care about an insignificant human?"

Quan Chi lifted his head to smile wickedly. "This girl came through a portal she created."

The emperor leaned in, now curiously interested.

"I sensed she had an unusually strong power stirring within her. It seems it was so potent that she somehow managed to drain Raiden's power. May I suggest taking her for ourselves?"

Shao Khan leaned back, contemplating on whether a pathetic little girl was worth his time. He knew very well no ordinary human or even someone from Outworld or Edenia could easily create a portal. She had to be of some value if Quan Chi was right.

The emperor finally nodded in agreement. "Very well. Baraka!" He called out. The Tarkatan strutted to the middle of the hall and bowed. "Gather your horde. Quan Chi will lead you to the Earthrealm warriors. Slaughter them all, but take the girl alive." With a wave of his hand they were both dismissed.


"Well Lily, since you now know all of our names, feel free to use my bedroom as your sleeping quarters." Sub-Zero turned to Sonya. "I suggest sharing the room with her"—he looks back at Lily—"if that is alright with you?"

"Sure. I have no problem with that."

"There is also a guest room for anyone who wants to use it." He announced. "As for you Smoke, I want you to scan the mountains for any malicious or suspicious activity."

As Smoke vaporized, a breeze guided him out the open window.

"We will help him look." Ermac tells Sub-Zero before vanishing.

Lily's eyes widened. Did she just see more people disappearing? She shook her head in embarrassment. It was pathetic getting amazed as if she hadn't seen something like this before when Raiden vanished. Lily felt she was probably never going to get used to it.

Sub-Zero headed for the door. "I'm going to inspect the woods."

"I'll go with you." Nightwolf said.

Once they closed the door, Sonya immediately began searching through the kitchen's cabinets for any food or drink. Slamming the last cupboard, she angrily blew a strand of hair away from her face.

"No food?" Johnny guessed.

She shook her head. "Nothing. How are we supposed to eat? The girl must be starving."

"I'm fine." Lily mumbled nervously. She remembered the small village she was left in before Raiden took her. "But if you want food, I think there was a village nearby, and I think they sell food there."

"That's right." Kung Lao assured. "There is a native village not too far from here. I remember where it is."

Liu Kang patted his friend's back. "Great. So you're going to get the supplies?"

Kung Lao chuckled. "Of course we are. I need help carrying them."

"Aw, a big strong Shaolin warrior like you doesn't need my help." Liu Kang smiled widely, hoping to charm his friend.

"Let's go." Kung Lao ignored his comment, and walked out the door.

Liu Kang sighed in defeat. "Alright." Turning back to Sonya, Lily, and Johnny, he added, "We'll be back."

Lily began to feel her heart race in worry. Did they really have to go as far as securing the entire perimeter for her?

"Hey Lily." Sonya called.

"W-Wha?" She turned around, forgetting that she and Johnny were still there. Sonya held up a couple of shirts and shorts she had unpacked from her suitcase that was lying on the floor beside all of Johnny's.

"I brought more than necessary. They'll be pretty loose on you since you're way shorter than I am, but I think they'll do." She handed them to her.

"Um…thanks. So I guess this means I will be staying here overnight."

Before Sonya could answer, Johnny beat her to it. "Probably more than that. But c'mon, it's not that bad. You get to be with me!" He winked at Lily as he stretched on the couch.

Lily half smiled. Even though she was concerned about having to stay here, his playful words somehow made her feel at ease. He was doing fairly well at making her feel better.


After changing into the camo shorts that were longer than average with a black midriff barely passing her bellybutton, she heard the sound of the house's front door opening—accompanied by a group of voices. Night had already taken over. Without thinking, she rushed out the bathroom. Everyone's attention turned to her, and she became puzzled as to why the men looked uncomfortable. "I'm glad you guys are back." She sincerely welcomed. In the back of her mind she wondered why she was so relieved to see them, even though she just met them.

Sub-Zero cleared his throat uncomfortably. "What are you wearing?"

All the men glanced at each other as if thinking the same thing. Johnny, on the other hand, sat up from the couch and lowered his shades. He raised a brow as he flashed his pearly whites. "Not bad."

Sonya rushed over to Lily and whispered, "If you needed a bra, you should have said so."

Lily looked down at her shirt, but couldn't really see anything. She figured since her boobs were small, there was no need for one. Plus, the shirt was black. "It's fine. I don't think you can see—

"Go back in the bathroom." Sonya ushered. "I'll give you one of mine." When she was gone, Sonya glared back at Johnny for his immature behavior. She then followed after Lily.

"AW! C'mon! Why are you only getting mad at me? They looked too!" He blamed.

"I hope you all don't mind," Sub-Zero announced, "but I am quite tired, and would like to get some rest." He went over to the couch and began taking off his arm and leg wear.

Johnny hopped off the other couch. "Yeah, I'm gunna take you up on that offer and sleep in that guest room, ice-man."

Sub-Zero stopped for a second to glare at him for the ridiculous nickname.

Liu Kang yanked Johnny back before he could leave. "I want that room too."

"Your not the only one." Kung Lao intervened. "So how are we going to solve this?"

"Rock-paper-scissors." Johnny answered.


As much as Lily was thankful for the clothes Sonya gave her, she thought the woman was making a big deal out of nothing.

"You should be careful. You're amongst men now." Sonya warned as she handed her a bra.

Lily's eyes widened. There was no way she was going to be able to fill it. "Sonya, it's too big."

"Make it work." She said before closing the bathroom door behind her.

Lily took off the shirt and stared in the mirror. Tracks of stitching trailed along the sides of her stomach; her left arm coiled in stitches as well. She immediately thought of herself as Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas. She touched the scar on her neck, wondering if the wounds were always there. Glancing down at her legs, her eyes widened. Scars scattered across them from all directions. Why hadn't she noticed them before? Lily felt the nerves as her breathing quickened. She looked like a disgusting walking corpse!

No wonder everyone was staring at me!

She quickly fastened the bra as tight as she could, and swiftly pulled the shirt over. Turning away from the mirror she shut her eyes. Why couldn't she remember the accident?

Think hard now…think.

She remembered hearing the car screeching—felt the sharp pains of glass cutting her everywhere as the car smashed to the ground. Lily gasped as she opened her eyes.

Was that everything?

She tried to do it again, but her mind was a blank.

Once she caught her breath, she walked out to find Kung Lao and Liu Kang giving each other a high five, while Johnny was left astonished.

"That's not fair! You guys can't share!"

"I would of shared with you, if you didn't loose." Liu Kang said as he and Kung Lao headed for the guest room.

"Where am I going to sleep then?" Johnny looked to Sub-Zero.

He nodded to the couch next to him, and then laid on his own.


Sub-Zero's room was as plain as ever. For a moment, Lily thought that it was the guest room. She assumed he didn't occupy this house often, since it was hardly decorated with anything personal. Sonya was kind enough to give her the bed while she slept on the floor. Falling asleep was easy as soon as her head hit the pillow.

There she was, in her room again, sitting at the edge of the bed as he broke the news to her. She immediately got up and clung to him, begging for an answer—begging him not to leave. He shoved her away and without hesitation he opened the door and closed it. The uncanny sound echoed through Lily's ears as she swung the door open to chase after him.

Why? Why are you leaving?

Lily opened her eyes and flung the blankets away as she jumped off the bed. As fast as she could she ran out the door, feeling the cold breeze blow past her. She halted to a stop when she realized she was outside.

"Jerry…" She whispered hopelessly.

Of course he wasn't he wasn't here. Her mind had played a cruel joke on her. But why did she sense that there had been somebody out here? Turning to go back inside she heard the sound of leaves crunching. Lily froze in place.

"How did you know I was here."

The familiar sinister voice dared her to turn her head.

Scorpion revealed himself from behind the trees.

"It's you." She blurted, a little startled by her own comment.

Scorpion's eyes narrowed as he towered over her. "I'm not going to ask again."

"I…I don't know." She mumbled nervously, trying not to look at him in the eyes out of courtesy. "I just heard something from the room I was in and I—well…" She felt too embarrassed to tell him the real reason why she was out here.

The girl was peculiar indeed. It was strange that a mere mortal would hear his footsteps—or anyone's footsteps—from where she was. Shang Tsung was up to something. Scorpion had decided to go along with it until he figured out exactly what the sorcerer was planning to do with her. He knew all to well Shang Tsung wasn't going to grant his wish. He had been deceived too many times to fall for it again.

The girl nervously pulled her hair as she waited for him to speak. Scorpion debated on whether to take her now, or wait until she went back to sleep. If he took her now, she was most likely going to scream. Before he could react, the girl spoke.

"Are you going to stay here?"

Taken aback by this question, he turned around. Taking out a kunai from his belt, Scorpion settled on threatening her. He was about to take action until he caught Nightwolf at the corner of his eye.

"Lily, stay away from him." The Indian warned.

"Huh?" She suddenly felt an arm wrap around her neck as she was pulled into the ninja's deadly grip. Nightwolf summoned his luminescent green tomahawks, bracing himself for an attack. Scorpion squeezed his grip on Lily. She coughed as she tried to loosen her neck. No use. Not even a budge. She began to feel lightheaded.

"Let her go Scorpion. I will not hesitate to use force." Nightwolf tightened his grip. He planned to throw one of his tomahawks at the ninja's head before the girl could be harmed. It was a risky move, but reasoning with the hell-spawn was out of the question.

A rapid force of green energy shot Scorpion from above, causing him to let go of Lily, and stumble back. Lily leaned forward to catch her breath. She immediately looked up to see Ermac standing on top of the roof. Was he there the whole time?

Scorpion quickly recovered and flung out—what appeared to Lily—a kunai attached to a rope.

"GET OVER HERE!" He yelled sinisterly.

Ermac teleported behind Scorpion and was about to blast him again, but the spectre was one step ahead. He back-kicked Ermac, sending him flying into the bushes. Nightwolf threw a tomahawk, which lodged itself into the ninja's left shoulder. Lily gasped, running towards him in a panic.

"Stay away from him!" Nightwolf shouted angrily.

"Are you alright?" Lily reached out to grab the tomahawk, but Scorpion smacked her away, ripping it out himself with ease.

He looked to the girl and groaned in annoyance. What was this girl's problem? Was she stupid? He just tried hurting her, and yet she goes to him anyways.

"Foolish girl!" He growled, yanking her by the stitched arm.

Lily winced in pain. She knew it was stupid going to him, but it was on instinct.

Somehow everyone managed to wake up and rush out the house.

"Scorpion's got the girl!" Nightwolf told them.

Sub-Zero was the first to charge until he stopped. He felt the ground tremble beneath his feet. He looked to everyone who also searched for the source.

A horde of Tarkatans dashed out from the bushes, encircling the house. Lily grabbed Scorpion's arm as soon as she saw the monsters sharp blades protruding out their arms. The ninja groaned at her action, but didn't pull away from her.

Baraka casually stepped up from behind the tarkatans and raised his blade at the Earthrealm warriors. "Give us the human girl!" He demanded. "Or die!"

Everyone glanced at each other, having the same thought in mind: Baraka didn't know who Lily looked liked, meaning they all had to get rid of these tarkatans quickly before he found out.

Johnny threw a bright green ball of energy at Baraka's face. "C'mon!" He taunted.

Baraka roared in fury to his troops, and charged straight for them. Sub-Zero summoned his Kori-blade, clashing it with one of the tarkatans. Lily's heart jumped, and without thinking, ran away from the battle into the woods. All she could think of was trying to stay alive.

The tears streamed from her eyes, but she continued to run.

I wanna go home! I wanna go home NOW!

Lily tripped on branch and stumbled to the ground.

She didn't move, but clutched her fists.

I'm so weak! Pathetic!

She felt herself being flipped on her back, and roughly pinned her by her wrists. Lily gasped when she saw a monster with hundreds of teeth protruding from his abnormally wide mouth.

"You're not going anywhere!" He growled, raising his arm to show a blade extending from the skin.

Lily's eyes widened. Panicking, she frantically kicked from underneath his weight. It didn't stop him from getting ready to pierce her chest.

I'm gunna die! Someone help me!

"JEEEEEERRRRRRRRRY!" She screamed hysterically.

Suddenly, she felt a huge pressure within her chest, followed by a sensation, as if her soul was trying to tug away from her body. Lily opened her eyes, and to her horror it appeared that way, only it became a sold form, a replica of herself. It head-butted the monster, sending him crashing into a nearby tree. This replica separated from Lily as it stood up. It turned its head to reveal that it did not have a face. Lily gasped in surprised before it stepped away from her, heading towards the monster at full speed.

Lily was about to crawl away from the fight but she immediately felt the same sudden pressure and sensation. She squirmed on the ground gasping for air as more of them came out of her body, with none of them having her face—or no face at all.

Overwhelmed by extreme exhaustion, Lily passed out.


A/N: You're probably thinking 'WTF just happened to Lily? O_O' Yeah, sorry about that. I tried explaining it as best as I could :[

But without giving too much away, I'll just say that Lily's power has awakened.

In the next chapter it will be explained clearly what exactly her power is, cause I know it sounds like some freaky s***

With that said, I wanna thank those who have read my previous chapters, story alerted this, or even favorited. This drives me to stick with this story, and motivates me to continue!

I hope I can get some feedback. I wanna know if there's still anyone following this story. And if you are, I appreciated it greatly cause it's been months!