Shirai Ryu: The Exodus

Noob Saibot fires a Ghostball at Ashrah. However, it disperses upon impact. He then attempts to summon a Shadow Doppelganger to attack her. It attempted to punch Ashrah, but before it could even touch her, it disintegrated into nothingness. Noob Saibot was confused by what was happening. Ashrah ran towards him as he entered a defensive stance. She strikes him with a right hook to the rib cage. Suddenly, Noob's eyes widened as the pain of the strike started to become unbearable. He fell on his knees as he held his side.

"What was that?!" Noob yelled. Ashrah laughed as she reflected upon the magic circle that was drawn on her glove.

"The almighty Glove of Light Magic—crafted by yours truly." Ashrah responded. "Be glad it was just a right hook." Noob's pain began to go away as he rose up from the ground. He attempts to use another Ghostball, but finds himself unable to create it. "Don't even try. I've already eaten more than half of your dark energy away."

"That's…impossible." Noob whispered to himself.

"Quit playing around, Noob Saibot. Or should I call you by your real codename, Sub-Zero?" Ashrah mocked. Noob's forehead began to scrunch up. He became furious and annoyed by her disrespectful attitude throughout the fight.

"Never call me by that name." Noob Saibot responded.

"Why not? You didn't seem to hate that name before?"

"That codename is the name of a liar; a cold blooded killer. It's tainted. I don't use that moniker anymore." He explained.

"Don't know why not, seeing how you killed my co-leader Scorpion!" Ashrah shouted. Noob was shocked. He turned away from her as he realized who she was.

"So it was you pulling the strings the entire time, huh?" Noob Saibot asked. Ashrah closed her eyes.

*Meanwhile*

Scorpion is far away from the Shaolin Temple. He doesn't take a break as he continues to trek towards the Shirai Ryu temple. Little did he know he was being followed by Shelia. She silently moved from tree to tree as it began to snow. She used that to her advantage as she moved in closer to Scorpion. He suddenly turns around only to be sucker punched by Shelia, knocking him to the ground.

"I thought the leader of the Shirai Ryu would be smarter than that." Shelia mocked. She squints her eyes as she notices that Scorpion looks different. "Wait…you're not Hanzo. Who are you?" she questioned.

"I'm just a messenger." He responded. Shelia began to grab her hair as she reflected upon the fact that she was chasing a fake Scorpion.

"WHERE IS THE REAL SCORPION?!" She shouted.

*This morning at the Shirai Ryu Temple*

Ashrah is looking onto the battlefield feeling frustrated. She failed her task and knew what the consequence would be. The Shirai Ryu is a strong group of warriors, but they are no match for the powers of the enemy force that would be approaching. Her feet began to glow red.

"This is just great. Centuries of controlling a powerful clan will go down the drain because of one stupid little girl's actions. How embarrassing. Plus, the time to switch places is now." Ashrah prepared to use a spell as she raised her right hand in the air. Suddenly, a messenger busted into her private quarters. Usually, her door would be sealed with a powerful spell, but she hasn't been in her private quarters in years ever since Anomaly transferred her to the Netherealm centuries ago.

"Grand Master Scor…er you're…..Grand Master Ashrah?!" he questioned.

"In the flesh, it's nice to see you again. Scorpion was killed by Noob Saibot last night." She explained. Her eyes began to slowly drift off. "And I haven't really had a rest in a few years."

"I'm sorry ma'am. It looks like you won't get to rest today. We're under attack and losing men faster than we can count to 1000."

"Then learn to count faster." She said sarcastically. "I know we're under attack by the Brotherhood of Shadow. Gather your things because we're leaving, today!" Ashrah's tone became very serious. She had a worried look on her face.

"Yes ma'am. Is there anything specific you'd like for me to take?" the messenger asked. Ashrah looked to the ground to reflect on his question. Suddenly, she came up with a great idea. She looked at the dead Scorpion's uniform. She then transferred her attention towards her messenger and smiled with her eyes opened wide.

*Present*

"Are you lying to me?" Shelia asked.

"No! I'm telling the truth!" the man responded. Shelia picked the man up by his shirt and tossed him into a nearby tree. She proceeded to beat the man until she could feel his blood on her hands. Once she's had enough, she decides to restrain his arms using her chains of light.

"Then if it's true, the Lin Kuei should be getting attacked right now. Am I right?" Shelia asked. The messenger made a slight nod as he was too injured to talk. Shelia slapped the messenger, prompting him to answer her by nodding harder. "Good. Then you're going to escort me back to Shirai Ryu Temple."

*Sometime later*

Frost had found her client atop of a vacant mountain. It was a woman dressed in a dark purple robe, in which she wore the hood to cover up her head.

"Here's the merchandise you ordered." Frost pulled out a small package from her pocket. It felt like it was somewhat valuable.

"Great timing, Frost. They said you were the best." The woman praised. Frost wasn't very amused, but she was appreciative.

"So, between you and me…"

"It's a medallion forged by the members of your clan." The client confirmed. "It's actually kind of impressive to say it's not the real deal."

"What do you mean? You're buying a fake?"

"It's a necessary purchase. It's not Shinnok's real medallion, but it does have the same amount of spiritual power. Here, take this piece." The woman hands Frost an ice ring. At that moment, Frost felt an intense pulse flow through began to feel sick to her stomach, as if she were poisoned.

"Wha-what?"

"Sadly, for as cool as this Amulet is, it's not MY amulet." She responded. "I know you made this on your own. I'm guessing the Lin Kuei never got my request then?" Eva asked.

"You…your boss…would've destroyed one of the clans…" Frost fell to her knees. "My…Sister…"

"No freaking way!" Eva yelled as she grinned. "You mean to tell me your sister switched her allegiance to the Shirai Ryu behind everyone's back?" Frost looked at the ground as tears ran down her eyes. Eva laughed herself to tears just thinking about the amount of Turmoil that could occur if the truth about Shelia went out to the Lin Kuei. "Too bad too. She's probably dead by now."

"You talk too much, Eva." A voice responded. "You failed to get them to deliver the amulet. Therefore, our deal with the Edenian Invasion is off."

"Who cares? We don't need you anyway. This fake amulet is more than enough for what we plan to do." Eva confirmed. "As for you…"

Eva creates a portal behind Frost and pushes her through it. As the portal closes, Eva continues to inspect the amulet as she was impressed with its similarities with Shinnok's Amulet.

Anomaly…this is where we part ways.

End of Chapter 7

There is no preview for a new chapter this time. It will jump back to the invasion of Edenia, but there will be atleast two scenes that involve the Lin Kuei arc. The ending of the next chapter will definitely be the most devastating scene I've ever written throughout my entire MK Series.

(Upcoming—Ch. 8 Preemptive Strike…)