Chapter 25: The Deadly Alliance

1 year later….

Peace. That is the word that can describe the atmosphere of the realm of Edenia. Peace of not having to worry about a war coming in their direction. Peace of knowing with the combined might of Zaterra's as well as Kuatan's armies Edenia is safe from the hands of Shao Kahn. The emperor of Outworld whose forces decrease by the day as the united forces slowly make their way through Outworld towards the emperor's fortress.

As they look on watching Sub Zero and Smoke sparring in the courtyard Kitana and Jade can't help but smile towards the former Lin Kuei warriors. A smile of happiness from what the two warriors had managed to bring to the realm of Edenia. To make all of this possible. To open up doors none ever thought would be possible.

Especially to Jade. She had never thought she would see her best friend and the princess of Edenia be married. Especially to an Earthrealm warrior. But she had been proven wrong. Not only was the princess married now to what many considered to be one of the most prized fighters throughout the realms but she too also found happiness in the form of the man that he is sparring against. Happiness that although didn't blossom as quickly as her best friend's own still didn't take away the fact how she felt about him. Ever since the day she had seen him enter into Edenia a sense of intrigue would be found on her face as she would observe Smoke from a distance. Intrigue that after a few months time quickly became something more when he had saved her from an Tarkatan ambush set up by Shao Kahn's forces. A moment she would never forget as for the first time in her life she had shared a kiss with another. A kiss that quickly turned into more once she had been lead back into her tent at her campsite.

As for Smoke as he dodges attack after attack Sub Zero dishes out towards his direction he can't help but to think of how it had gotten to this point. Of how his life had changed drastically over the last year. From being trapped inside of a robotic shell to having his human form restored at the hands of Ashrah. To returning back to Earthrealm to find a merger taking place inside of the realm to only find Sub Zero and Kitana inside of large ancient structure that he had only heard stories about. Of having to face one of his former clan members in a battle that neither could best the other in.

Then something happened when he agreed to join Sub Zero and Kitana in Edenia. He had met her. The princess's protector Jade. A woman that he remembered from years ago. A woman that had plagued his mind as he returned to the temple. A woman that at first sight made him feel something although he could never tell his fellow clan members this information. Information that he may have fallen for the enemy just like how Sub Zero had.

For the first few months as he stayed in Edenia carrying out missions for the realm including a few assassinations by Jade's side Smoke couldn't help but keep a watchful eye over her. A watchful eye to insure no harm would be done to this beauty. But then it happened. A ambush had taken place just a little ways from their camp. A ambush set by a small tarkatan force sent by Shao Kahn with the purpose of killing Jade. But he would not have it. With a jolt of energy he had slayed the tarkatan force with his bare hands leaving a blood trail behind himself as he carried a weakened Jade back to camp in his arms. A moment he would never forget as for the first time Smoke experienced a kiss from Jade that quickly turned into more once they had gotten back to camp.

From there things only seemed to be looking up for him. Following in Sub Zero's footsteps in front of what was to be known as the Edenian Resistance a group of Edenian warriors with the purpose of ensuring the safety,freedom,and justice of Edenia Smoke had spoken his vows and entered into a new life with Jade as husband and wife.

But he knew his work was not done. Now by his wife's side he would help lead the united forces into Outworld and help bring peace to the realms with the help of Sub Zero and Kitana. But none were aware of the unexpecting turn of events that were about to take place. Events unforeseen coming from two of the realm's greatest sorcerers. A once defeated sorcerer that had stayed hidden in the shadows just waiting to strike while the other had managed to escape his own personal hell from the Netherrealm as he was chased after constantly by his greatest enemy.

As he feels himself leaving his feet and hit the ground below Smoke looks up to see Sub Zero extending a hand down towards him before within seconds he grabs a firm hold of his hand and is helped up to his feet as he hears the sound of chanting coming from inside of the palace. Turning his head Smoke slowly follows after Sub Zero and Kitana into the palace by Jade's side when suddenly his eyes widen when he sees a small celebration taking place inside of the palace. As he glances over towards Jade seeing her shrug her shoulders suddenly Smoke watches an edenian messager quickly making her way towards them with a smile across her face.

" General, I bring great news from Outworld. Shao Kahn has been slain!"

Suddenly Kitana's eyes widen as a small smile forms on her face from hearing the news of her greatest enemy finally being defeated. A victory that would ensure peace would be brought back to the realms. A victory that had ensured her mother's killer had been brought to justice. But as quick as the smile came to her face it suddenly vanishes as the question of who slayed the emperor enters into her mind. Who would be powerful enough to sneak his forces to get to the emperor.

" Slain by who?"

" That is currently unknown at this time. What is known is the emperor's body was found inside of his throne room with noticeable traces of magic all across his body."

As she nods her head and watches the edenian messenger making her way back towards a small group of edenians in the corner of the room that are celebrating the emperor's demise Kitana's thoughts drift back to how this is possible. Who could have killed the emperor? She had only known two warriors with the strength to kill Shao Kahn. The first was currently in Earthrealm training in a Shaolin temple under the watchful eye of Kung Lao. But she quickly ruled him out with the reason being he didn't have the stomach to kill. After all he didn't kill the emperor before when he invaded Earthrealm. Why would he now? And how would he have been able to avoid not only the united forces but Shao Kahn's forces to get to the emperor.

The second warrior that she knew could defeat the emperor was standing by her side. However she had been with him nonstop for the last few months ever since the tarkatan forces started to ambush anyone that came into their sight showing no mercy. Something that dispute her constant protests claiming she could handle herself had him stay by her side. So he couldn't have been the one to kill the emperor. If this was the case then who?

Suddenly Kitana's thoughts are snapped and the room goes dead silent when a bolt of lightening strike the ground a few feet away from a small crowd before in a flash Raiden is revealed. As she sees Raiden looking around the room as if in search of someone out of the corner of her eye Kitana watches Sub Zero and Smoke slowly getting in front of her and Jade before suddenly she watches Raiden snapping his head towards their direction. With her hands slowly reaching back to grab her fans Kitana watches as Raiden slowly makes his way over towards the group before he stops just a couple of feet away from them.

" What brings you to Edenia thunder god?"

" The realms are in need of your assistance."

Suddenly in a flash Kitana along with Sub Zero watch as Edenia quickly disappears as they are entrapped in a lightning sphere along with Raiden before suddenly they find themselves standing on a hill overlooking an ocean. As their eyes go wide Sub Zero and Kitana glance around their surroundings to find that they are standing a short distance away from a small camp ground where a small group of Earthrealm's warriors are found sitting around a small campfire. A group consisting of Sonya Blade,Johnny Cage,Kung Lao,and a new fighter they had never seen before. A fighter with a red bandana over his eyes that has a long sento sword resting across his lap as he sits indian style on the ground.

Snapping out of her shock Kitana in a sudden move pulls out one of her fans and puts it to Raiden's throat as she gives him a glare.

" What is the meaning of this!? Why did you bring us here!?"

As she sees Raiden looking towards her in a flash Kitana watches Raiden quickly teleport away from her and towards the Earthrealm warriors before she watches him take a seat next to Kung Lao. Feeling a hand being gently placed on her shoulder Kitana looks over to her side to see Sub Zero staring at Raiden before as she takes a deep breathe she puts away her fan and looks over towards Raiden seeing him looking towards the fire.

" Mortal Kombat has always been and always will be form of life. For a millennia the forces of good and evil plot in an internal battle of control of Earthrealm. Some seek the tournament to destroy all that is good. Others seek vengeance. Power or eternal life. Time after time each individual threat has been vanquished and Earthrealm has enjoyed peace for many years. But there is concern that Earth is once again in peril. And this time the threat of evil has two faces.

It is now known that the sorcerer Quan Chi has escaped from the Netherrealm. Since his escape Quan Chi has unlocked the secret of the ancient Rune Stone and discovered the ancient undefeatable army of the long forgotten Dragon King. And most disturbing of all formed an alliance with one of our deadliest enemies Shang Tsung.

With their combined strength, they plotted to overpower the only two beings who could prevent their total domination of our two realms. The first was the Emperor of Outworld, Shao Kahn. In a false show of allegiance, they sprung their attack. They then traveled to Earthrealm by way of a mystical portal known only to sorcerers and deities. There they confronted Earth's mightiest warrior and Champion of Mortal Kombat, Liu Kang. It has been Shang Tsung's greatest desire to consume the soul of Earthrealm's greatest warrior. With Quan Chi's assistance, he achieved this goal. Liu Kang is dead.

They have since returned to Outworld and are using the souls of conquered warriors to resurrect the Dragon King's undefeatable army. Should they succeed, they will have the means to conquer Outworld and eventually, Earthrealm. They will be unstoppable. I can no longer stand idly by and watch this evil consume the world. I have relinquished my status of Elder God to return to Earth and lead you all to battle against our old adversaries. We must act now. We must stop this Deadly Alliance."