*We are following Dojo and the monks back to the temple when we spot the Silver Manta Ray fly past us*

Raimundo: Either I need my eyes checked or that was the Silver Manta Ray that flew right past us.

Kimiko: No doubt about it, Rai.

Me: Hold on. Smoke's team is aboard that Wu.

Clay: You know those hombres?

Me: More or less.

Dojo: Looks like they're heading to Chase Young's lair. We should follow them. Help them out.

Me: You guys go on ahead. The rest of us need to borrow some Shen Gong Wu from Master Fung.

Omi: Good idea. We will greet you there.

Raimundo: I think he means "meet you there."

*Dojo and the Xiaolin Dragons proceed to follow Smoke's team to Chase's lair while we continue to the temple*


Kombat in the Kingdom

Chapter 7: Further into the Fortress

Scorpion's team is currently facing Rain inside the courtyard of Shao Kahn's fortress. The half-Edenian prince has already defeated everyone except for Scorpion whose fire abilities matched Rain's water powers.

"I am impressed, Hanzo. You managed to last the longest against me." Rain noted, blocking a left kick to the side. "What is your secret?"

"I will never tell the secrets of my strength to those who side with Shao Kahn!" Scorpion barked as he launched a fireball at the half-Edenian who deflects it with an Aqua Blast, creating a cloud of steam. Once the steam cleared, Scorpion was gone. Rain looked around in a defensive stance. From the top of the courtyard walls, Scorpion sprung a surprise attack and attacked the half-Edenian prince with a barrage of punches and kicks. He struck his blows so hard he broke his ribs, spine, and skull. Rain was unable to recover from those blows.

"Whoa. I never knew Scorpion had this much fighting power within him." Agent 47 noted. Scorpion helped everyone to their feet.

"We should get going before Rain recovers." Scorpion commanded with one last look at Rain.

"Good idea." Kratos agreed and they all entered the fortress.


Inside the fortress throne room, Shao Kahn drags in a bound Sofia and places her in the center of the room. Ermac and Reptile return with a dagger with a blue-glowing blade.

"My liege, we have returned with the dagger." Reptile reported.

"Excellent. Quan Chi, Shang Tsung, the time has come. Begin the spell." Shao Kahn commanded as he placed the dagger on the floor with the blade facing Sofia. The two sorcerers stepped to the dagger side-by-side and began to chant the spell.

"Ruarkaa… Sunomexar… Etalmokor… Shah Rexon…" Quan Chi and Shang Tsung began chanting as a green beam of soul energy struck the dagger, levitating it and sending it slowly towards Sofia's amulet. Shao Kahn let out a satisfied grin as the spell progressed. "Ruarkaa… Serunoko… Irutuko… Nar Shukar…"

"That amulet and its power will soon be mine." Shao Kahn said to himself quietly. Suddenly, a crimson blur strikes both sorcerers simultaneously and the dagger vanishes. "What?!"

"Looking for something?" A female voice called out. Everyone looks to who spoke, revealing Scarlett, wielding a longsword in one hand and holding the dagger in the other.

"Scarlett!" Sofia called out, relieved at her sudden arrival.

"So, you have the nerve to take away what should have been mine?!" Shao Kahn questioned.

"The Amulet of Avalor was never yours to begin with. You should know that, Emperor." Scarlett told him as she dropped the Kamidogu dagger and destroyed it with her sword. Seeing the Kamidogu dagger destroyed made Shao Kahn very angry. He takes out his Wrath Hammer and attacks Scarlett with it. She blocks the attack with her sword.


Cobalt's team has defeated everybody except for Tremor. The Earth elemental ninja is battling Cobalt and Sub-Zero two-on-one. Sub-Zero dodges a Stone Punch from Tremor and counters with his Kori Blade. Cobalt deals more damage with his katana. The combined attacks left Tremor unable to fight anymore.

"No… I have failed. I am no longer worthy to serve the Black Dragon." Tremor said in defeat as he got up and kneeled in front of Cobalt. "Go ahead. Finish me. I am no longer worthy enough to live." Cobalt pointed his katana at Tremor's head.

"Wait, you're not…?" Kitana began before Ryu interrupted.

"Even though your boss has tasked you to eliminate us, I have sworn an oath not to kill anyone, friend or foe." Cobalt informed him as he sheathed his katana. The thunder god smiles with satisfaction. Then they start hearing clashing metal coming from the top of the fortress.

"Sounds like something's going on at the throne room. Let's go." Raiden commanded. Everyone nods and proceeds to the throne room. They fight their way to the doors of the throne room and meet up with Scorpion's team.

"You heard the clashing metal too, didn't you?" Mileena asked.

"Yes. And I have a distinct possibility that Shao Kahn is in there battling someone." Ryu noted.

"Let's go." Sub-Zero nodded and opened the doors.


Minutes ago, Scarlett was being overpowered by Shao Kahn and his hammer. She parried attack after attack, but they were too strong to block. She was covered in bruises and scars and a row of her ribs were broken. She attempts to get up, but her wounds keep her from fighting. Shao Kahn grins with malice and approaches her, dragging the hammer across the floor.

"Pathetic. I was hoping for more of a challenge." The Outworld Emperor sneered. Scarlett tries to speak up, but Shao Kahn knocks her back further. "Really… I was having a bit of fun. But sadly, this is where it ends." He raises his hammer high, ready to finish her. "Farewell, Scarlet Warrior." Scarlett closes her eyes so she won't see her end coming. But it never came. Before Shao Kahn swung his hammer, a kunai was driven into his chest from behind. He drops the hammer behind him and a voice is heard.

"GET OVER HERE!"


*We make it back to the Xiaolin Temple and meet with Master Fung*

Master Fung: Ah, welcome back, travelers.

Me: Greetings, Master Fung. I saw the Silver Manta Ray fly by us.

Master Fung: Ah, yes. Your friend was here earlier. I gave him the Silver Manta Ray along with some Shen Gong Wu to aid him in the battle against Chase Young.

Kung Lao: I'm sure you did, but I'm not sure if he can defeat him. He needs all the help he can get. We already sent the monks to follow him.

Master Fung: I understand. I shall give you some Shen Gong Wu to help your friend out.

*Master Fung leads us to the Shen Gong Wu vault and hands us some Shen Gong Wu. I have the Two-Ton Tunic, Amber has the Tangle Web Comb, Sofia has the Reversing Mirror, Vivian has the Juju Flytrap, Rancis has the Lasso Boa-Boa, Gloyd has the Moby Morpher, and Vanellope has the Changing Chopsticks*

Master Fung: Do the rest of you need a Shen Gong Wu?

Liu Kang: Thank you, Master Fung, but our skill is all we need.

Master Fung: Ah, I see. That ambition of yours reminds me of one of those robots that was with him. I believe his name was… Drift, I think.

Me: Thank you Master Fung. We'll return these once his friends are rescued.

Master Fung: Be careful. Like I told your friend, Chase Young is a powerful foe.

Knuckles: Ha! We faced powerful foes before, right Sonic?

Sonic: No time for bragging, Knuckles.

Me: Sonic's right. Smoke needs some help. Let's meet up with the monks. You readers are welcome to RRF. Archer out.