Chapter 2

The three friends made it to Earthrealm, looking around carefully as they stepped out of the portal. Rachel closed her eyes and spread out her telekinesis, but found nothing waiting for them. "Hmm, deserted," she said, opening her eyes. "Is it just me...or is that a bit odd?"

Blaze looked around. "No sign of a battle," he said. "But no sign of a village either."

"We might be in a valley on the outskirts of a village," Elliott said.

Just then, they felt a charge and Rachel quickly threw up a telekinetic shield over herself and the two young men just in time to stop a lightning strike from hitting them. They looked up to see someone flying up to them. Quickly, the young woman formed a ball of fire in her hands, ready to throw it.

"Wait, Rach," Blaze said, gently touching her arm. "It's okay. He's not a bad guy."

She looked at him. "Then why did he throw that lightning at us?" She asked.

"He probably thinks we're enemies," Elliott said. "Keep the shield up, but let's try not throwing attacks at him."

Rachel looked at them. "Who is he then?" She asked.

"His name is Raiden," Blaze said. "He's one of the original warriors and a good guy."

The Tech/Fire Portal Master took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay," she said, seeing Raiden get closer. "You guys might want to tell him that we are on his side and don't seek trouble."

Elliott came forward. "Raiden," he said with a bow of his head.

The warrior stopped. "How do you know my name?" He asked. "The only way you would know is if you were sent by our enemies."

"We weren't," Blaze said. "We hail from a different realm. Skylands to be exact."

"We came here after receiving word that our enemy might possibly be here," Rachel said.

Raiden looked at Blaze before blinking and then nodding. "I know you," he said, pointing to Blaze before he looked at Elliott, noticing his weapon. "And you seem familiar." He looked at Rachel. "I do not know you however, warrior maiden."

She narrowed her eyes. "Okay, first off, please don't ever call me maiden again," she said. "Second, how do you recognize Blaze and Elliott?"

"Sub Zero spoke of a young man who defeated him, yet valued honor, and helped him defeat Scorpion," the warrior said. "Besides, he wears part of Sektor's armor."

It was true as Sektor's armor melded with Blaze's armor, making it strong. Raiden looked at Elliott. "There have been tales of a master with the water element and who uses the dark power in a beneficial way," he continued.

Rachel looked at her friends. "Guess you guys are pretty famous," she said before looking back at the warrior. "And if I'm guessing correctly, you are just like Blaze and Elliott. You hold honor in high regard."

He nodded and she took a deep breath, lowering her shield from around them. Raiden looked at her curiously. "I sense the power of fire in you, along with the element of Tech," he said. "A master of two elements is something of a marvel, especially more than two."

Elliott looked at him. "Really? Why is that?" He asked.

"It means not only are you ones to be admired by students who are learning, but also you are, as it is called, 'wild cards' in a battle."

"By 'wild cards', you mean the enemy doesn't know us and how we battle," Blaze said.

Raiden looked impressed. "Sub Zero was right. You are a fast learner," he said.

Rachel decided that it was a good time to ask Raiden for some help. "Raiden, we are Portal Masters that hail from another world called Skylands," she said. "We were concerned when our mortal enemy had been quiet and when we learned he had entered a portal to here, we came to investigate." She took a deep breath. "His name is Kaos and he's a Portal Master like us, but he uses the dark powers for evil and to take over Skylands and the world. We've stopped him each time, but he always tries to find a way no matter what."

The warrior shook his head. "I have not heard of someone or seen someone with that name, Amazonian," he said. "But this man you speak of works for the forces of evil?"

"Yes," Elliott said.

"You didn't see him?" Blaze asked.

"No, I didn't," Raiden admitted.

Rachel turned to her friends. "Okay, this isn't good," she said. "Kaos essentially disappears from Skylands and has been gone a while if what Glumshanks told us is anything to go by and he essentially vanishes the moment he arrives on this world?" She made a face. "This stinks worse than that stinky green cheese that our rat enemies love to eat."

"She's right," Elliott said. "Either Kaos was taken prisoner...,"

"Or he could be meeting with powerful enemies and taking his time to devise a plan," Blaze finished.

"He's never taken his time before," Rachel pointed out. "He's always gone for a quick solution. Remember how quick he was to create Doomlanders at first because he tried to use a short cut?"

The two young men nodded before turning back to Raiden. "Raiden, could you perhaps direct us to the closet village?" Elliott asked.

The warrior nodded. "Give me your names and I shall," he said. "You know my name, yet I do not know yours."

"Blaze," the Fire/Undead/Water Portal Master said.

"Rachel," the Tech/Fire Portal Master said.

"Elliott," the Water/Dark Portal Master introduced himself.

Raiden nodded. "Edenia is just over those hills," he said, pointing in a direction to the west of them. "It'll be dark soon. I suggest you go there for the night and continue your quest in the morning."

"Thank you, Raiden," Rachel said before pressing her hands together in front of her and giving a half bow of respect. Blaze and Elliott mimicked her and Raiden nodded, giving them the same gesture.

"Good luck on your quest," he said before teleporting away.

The blonde-haired girl turned to her friends. "I can see where you guys got inspiration for a lot of your moves in your fighting style and weapons," she said. "Makes me a bit jealous."

She said the last part without heat, making them smile before Blaze looked concerned. "Think Skylands will be okay with the others?" He asked.

Elliott nodded. "They are all good at leadership, even the youngest among us," he said. "Remember when she led the charge to rescue Roller's family?"

"Yes, I do," the Fire/Undead/Water Portal Master said with a nod.

Rachel nodded too. "They'll be alright," she said. "No doubt Master Eon has already informed them of this turn of events. Skylands is in good hands while we look to stop whatever Kaos has planned, because I'm now worried." She paused. "We may be up against something unlike we've ever encountered before."

"Which means we go into this together, just like always," Elliott said. "We join up with the good guys and get Kaos back to where he belongs before he does something irreversible."

Blaze put out his hand, palm facing the ground. Rachel placed her hand on his and Elliott completed the stack and the three of them nodded.

"Okay," the blonde-haired girl said. "You guys are going to have to help me out since I know next to nothing about this world."

"Don't worry, we will," Blaze promised. "For now, let's get to an inn. There should be one just as we reach Edenia."

The three headed for the paradise, hoping their family and friends were okay back in Skylands.

Because while Kaos was there in another world with them, there were other enemies that might try to take over Skylands with the Portal Master team split up as it was.

Looks like the three have their work cut out for them and they met Raiden. I did a bit of research and had first thought Raiden was now a neutral, but my boyfriend, who thankfully is a huge Mortal Kombat fan, told me he's always been a good guy and is still a good guy. :)

Please leave a review, but no flames!

GoldGuardian2418