Disclaimer: See previous chapters

AN: I am going to get over this writer block if I have to get a sledgehammer and smash it into fine powder. I mean it!

-0-

It was a rare thing for one of his two talkative pupils to be silent for an extended period of time. So the fact that both of them hadn't said a peep since Goro's match was downright astonishing. But then again, the silence itself spoke louder than words could. Not that he could blame them after the fight they had all witnessed. 'Beating' he reiterated, of the worse kind. Even as an ANBU, there were very few moments on missions where he witnessed that kind of brutality.

Actually, he didn't think there were any at all…

Still in silence, the team reached their camp and began to settle down. However, while Kakashi and Sakura sat in close to the camp, Naruto moved further on and ultimately plopped down on the ground a distance away. Kakashi gave a quiet sigh. He knew both Naruto and Sakura would have to get past this if they were all to get through the tournament, but he knew that would take time, time they may no longer have.

Not to mention, how…

It wasn't as though he wasn't affected by Goro's display of brutal force. But more than that, it seemed as the champion hadn't really shown all his abilities, which was always a dangerous factor for a shinobi. If he was honest, he wasn't sure he could take on Goro and win, at least not without further observation of his abilities. But for that to happen, someone else would have to face him.

And probably die…

His gaze settled back on Naruto, bring back to mind what he had learned in the palace. It was clear that Shang Tsung had some designs for Naruto, or more specifically, the Kyuubi within him. 'How did he even know about Naruto in the first place?' The secret of the Kyuubi was guarded, with only a select few knowing the full details. There seemed to be far too many coincidences happening in this tournament than he was comfortable with, enough to know that the odds against them were a lot higher than he believed.

"Kakashi-sensei?"

His gaze turned to Sakura, who was seated with his back to him. But judging from her posture and the quiet use of her voice, she was in the same mood as they all were.

"Yeah?"

"We're in a lot of trouble, aren't we?"

"Yep."

"Hanzo! Help us! Please help us!"

"Father! Father!"

"Avenge us! AVENGE US!"

These were the voices that screamed in the mind of the ninja specter known as Scorpion. Although the call of his name seemed to be lost in the endless screams, all of them filled him with pain, with anguish, and most of all, with rage. All of which drove the Shinrai-Ryu to action, to vent and unleash his vengeance on the one(s) who put all of this upon him.

The Lin Kuei…

Sub-Zero…!

He couldn't wait any longer. This tournament, its rules, they were slowing him down. While he remembered from his past life the value of patience, the torment he suffered now made that less and less tolerable. Even still, he knew he had to wait just a little longer. Now that the champion has made his appearance, there were no other matches that would distract him from his mission.

His vengeance…

All he had to do now was to wait for the right moment. Sub-Zero was here, which meant he was on a mission. Scorpion had determined that the only one here high-profile enough to warrant the presence of the Lin-Kuei was Shang Tsung himself. In that case, his attention would be too focused on his assignment to give any regard to anything else. But he shouldn't underestimate his target. He remembered (?) firsthand the kind of deadly warrior the Lin-Kuei was. He was one of his victims after all.

And soon, he'll get to return the favor.

Vaguely, his mind was aware of all the proceedings around him, the fate of Earth-realm being decided in this tournament and the machinations created by the demon sorcerer. None of that was of any consequence to him however. In fact, the only reason he participated in the tournament at all was because he had learned Sub-Zero would be here. And on a lone island in between realms, there would be no chance for his prey to escape should he try to do so.

Here, vengeance will be his…

"The master is unavailable at this time."

Returning to the palace, Sasuke and his team found themselves suddenly stonewalled by the guards. During the match against Goro earlier that day, he and his team had finally managed to locate Itachi hidden just outside of the crowd. Actually, it was Karin, whose sensor skill honed in on Itachi's chakra signature. It was decided to wait until after the match was over before they made their move.

Unfortunately, as soon as the match ended, Itachi disappeared. That wouldn't have been too much of a problem except that for some reason, Karin was suddenly unable to track him properly. She said something was disrupting her ability to hone in on Itachi, something in the atmosphere. To her credit, she managed to concentrate her ability strongly enough that she had almost regained her lock on Itachi. But the stress eventually became too much and she lost him altogether.

"Then I suggest you make him available." Suigetsu snarled. "We have business."

The guard was unfazed. "He is unavailable. Take your leave."

The scowl that etched Sasuke's face couldn't be any deeper. He should have expected this. He did expect this. Too much of Shang Tsung reminded him of Orochimaru, more than enough to tell him that the sorcerer couldn't be trusted, least of all to keep his word regarding Itachi (or anything for that matter). But Sasuke had to chance it, hoping to salvage the failure of the day. But that turned out to be a waste of time. He was annoyed enough that when Suigetsu began to reach back for his weapon, he almost let him have his way. But as gratifying as it would be to watch the guards be hacked down, it wouldn't get him any closer to Itachi. If anything, it would have the opposite effect.

"Come on" he quietly commanded, halting Suigetsu's actions. "Let's go."

The shark-nin gave a half-snarl, but complied and released his hold on the sword as he turned about with his team. Both he and Karin could practically see the waves of frustration billowing off of him. Yet Suigetsu had to ask.

"So what now, boss?"

He didn't even need to see Sasuke's eyes to know his Sharingan was active. Yet it didn't stop the dread chill he felt when their leader turned his head to them in answer.

"Now we go hunting."

"And you expect us to beat that?"

"Yes. Or at least, one of you must."

"Yeah, sure. No pressure."

Stepping away from their camp after a brief reprieve, Sakura was surprised by the sounds of others some distance away. Even more so, the voices she heard were familiar to her. Upon closer inspection, she found Raiden, Sonya, Cage and Liu Kang all grouped together in another camp.

"Raiden-sama. And all of you are here too?"

The action star shrugged "Sure looks like it, it seems."

Stepping closer to the camp, the kunoichi inquired "What's going on?

"The eve of the tournament is upon us" Raiden answered. "And we must all be prepared."

"For Goro?"

"And Shang Tsung." Liu Kang added.

"What do you mean?" Cage frowned. "Isn't the plan beat the bad guy, save the world?"

"I'm fairly certain it's not that simple."

Startled, Sakura turned to see Kakashi standing not to far away from her, his hands shrugged in his pockets in his typical nonchalance. Unperturbed, Liu Kang simply gave a single nod in agreement as he added.

"Shang Tsung's treachery is not to be underestimated."

"Nevertheless, it can be overcome" Raiden responded. "Only one of the Chosen can do it."

"But how?" Sonya questioned. "How can we even prepare to face something like that?"

"A fair question. But the answer lies within each of you to find it. And that answer will determine the course of the tournament, as well as the fate of your worlds."

Sakura couldn't help, but scowl. Raiden's answer had the same effect on her as one of Kakashi's answers; cryptic as best. And true enough, Cage appeared to be similar annoyed, responding in kind.

"So, like I said. No pressure."

Unfazed by the snarky reply, Raiden turned away from the group and gazed skyward for a brief moment before vanishing in a bolt of lightning. But not before he left a final message.

"Every mortal is responsible for their own destiny."