Shang Tsung had been sent alone to scour the Golden Desert on behalf of Reiko, his orders being to find suitable land to begin an encampment located somewhere amongst the boiling sandy lands of Outworld. Reiko claimed it was because Tsung was the only person he trusted to do this task, but Tsung knew that actually meant this was a punishment as a result of distrust between the two. Shang Tsung took on the form of the hydromancer Rain so that he could hydrate himself with ease whilst traversing the Golden Desert. He had lost track as to how many hours he had trekked throughout the lands, believing that nowhere he had seen so far was suitable due to everywhere being an open and ridiculously warm space that wasn't worth inhabiting. This was until he spotted a peculiar structure in the distance, but he couldn't quite make it out due to the numerous tornadoes surrounding it that were blowing dust around the hot air of the Golden Desert. Shapeshifting into Kabal, Shang Tsung utilised his superspeed to ensure a quick and safe passage through the tornadoes… which made this area he had found appear much clearer to him up close. He had found the Sarna Ruins.
Returning to his original form, Shang Tsung created a flaming skull in his hand to serve as a torch as he used his other hand to pull back a hidden passageway that he saw slightly ajar from the massive ancient pyramid he had found that was covered in sand and much of the exterior had been damaged from the tornadoes or at the very least decayed due to being neglected for so long. One side of the pyramid had been completely destroyed by a tornado, causing a flooding of sand which covered the rubble on the damaged side of the structure. Tsung could've just gone around and entered through the massive gap made amongst the rubble, but that would be impolite. Heading through the narrow passageway that Tsung soon emerged from expanded into a spacious hollowed out area in the centre of the pyramid, acting as a tomb… for someone important clearly. Tsung gazed in awe at the tomb, becoming extra curious when he looked at all sides of the tomb and saw numerous rows of countless soldiers between parallel pillars, all dressed in matching armour and standing straight in organised lines and yet they were all deceased…
He could use this! Shang Tsung continued to search for clues to gain some context about this bizarre place; there wasn't a chance he'd share the location with Reiko. He found inscriptions along walls of an ancient language he could not understand himself. He then looked past the inscriptions and saw a statue of something that he did recognise. It was a replica of Shinnok's Amulet…
"That is when I knew who I had to meet," Shang Tsung said as he gazed at Quan Chi who laughed at the tale.
"Very interesting!" Quan Chi replied as the two new allies walked up the spiral stairs of the Spire that was now overrun with Oni. "When do I get to see this tomb?"
"Not until we deal with some other things," Tsung promised him. "First there's Drahmin's speech as Netherrealm ruler."
"About that…" Quan Chi's tone of voice became quieter as he spoke. "Why don't we just deal with him and take the Netherrealm throne for ourselves?"
"Because we need the Oni as an ally," Shang Tsung stated. "Besides… there's a better realm we can control."
"I must say this is a very elaborate string of plans, my friend," Quan Chi remarked, surprised by how much Shang Tsung had prepared everything.
"And it's working," he pointed out. "After we listen to Drahmin's speech, we must go to Earthrealm… for him."
"Of course," Quan Chi said as he recalled the plans that Shang Tsung had informed him about.
"Denizens of the Netherrealm!" Moloch yelled from atop the large balcony looking over the realm, his voice booming throughout the city of Nekros. "Your new ruler wants to address you!"
"A small crowd formed as they all gazed up at Moloch as he raised his fist in the air as his best friend Drahmin leapt atop the ledge of the balcony. He was now draped in ceremonial wraps of the Oni which covered his disfigured body which was common with Oni Fleshies. Drahmin cleared his throat whilst Quan Chi and Shang Tsung stood beside him, using magic to amplify his voice so those at the bottom of the Spire could hear his message clearly.
"For too long the Oni have been oppressed by this realm! First we were treated as nothing more than monsters by Shinnok, then his daughter preached change and offered second chances for those to leave this place! Do you know who never had this opportunity?! The Oni! The entire race is too big to all be working for me, yet I guarantee many of you other Netherrealmers assumed so. We eat to survive and become stronger! We become stronger to defend ourselves from you pesky oppressors! I've tried and tried but I cannot really remember my life before the Netherrealm… but I feel destined for rulership! I wanted to leave this place… I still do! But I will now make this realm worth residing in! Unlike Shinnok and Iris, the change I offer will have an actual impact for ALL! I want you all listening to me to spread the word of who is in charge of the nine planes now. Call me Lord Drahmin!"
The Oni cheered whilst everybody else was puzzled, concerned by the rulership of a clearly furious Oni who had a lot of baggage to unpack. Stood behind Lord Drahmin was the newly formed Deadly Alliance. They weren't concerned about what the Oni were planning on doing to allegedly improve the Netherrealm, so long as they remained a powerful asset amongst their forces. Quan Chi was impressed by how many loyal allies Shang Tsung had made, and he began thinking of some of his own allies he could make to further strengthen their group.
"I'm already brewing my own plans in my head, Tsung," Quan Chi told him. "I cannot wait for us to get to work!"
"You won't have to wait," Tsung said as he made a portal. "Remember what I said?"
"To Earthrealm!" Quan Chi cheered as the two sorcerers headed through the portal, leaving the Oni to celebrate their conquest.
Meanwhile in Outworld, Reiko's own plans were about to finally be executed. The sun was beginning to rise as the Kahn Guard awaited orders from their leader as they waited to invade Sabar City as they stood lined up behind a hill just outside the city walls.
"Look," Talon said as she pointed to the sun. "It's time, Reiko."
"Today will be a glorious day, my followers!" Reiko declared. "We will seize control of the capital and I will become the new Emperor of Outworld!"
The army cheered as Reiko summoned Shao Kahn's Wrath Hammer and raised it above his head.
"I said that sunrise would signal the time to attack!" Reiko yelled. "And that time has come!"
"You just need to give the word now," Hideyoshi told him as the large warrior approached with Skull and Raza at either side of him. "Oh I almost forgot!"
"Forgot what?" Raza asked as Hideyoshi turned to him and then Skull.
"These!" Hideyoshi withdrew two swords, one from either side where he had sheathed them, before throwing them to the two Kahn Guardians. "Shao Kahn once wielded these swords," he told them. "Talon has imbued them with her dark magic," he added. "Use them wisely."
"We shall!" Raza promised as they received the enchanted cobalt swords.
"Can't wait to slice some limbs off with this!" Skull yelled savagely.
"Now that we're all ready we must be swift at making it to the throne room," Reiko explained to the group. "Those at that party could return at any minute."
"Then let's get a move on!" Epos stated.
"You're right," Reiko agreed. "Kahn Guard! Attack!"
As the attack on Sabar City commenced, Kuatan City was also under attack by the Centaurs. This was to ensure that the major threat of the Shokan was at the very least distracted, but Reiko was hoping they'd all be massacred by the Centaurians. They galloped into the city with melee weapons like swords and spears, and began slaughtering the unsuspecting Shokan civilians wandering the streets. Many saw this as an act of revenge for the wrongdoings the Shokan people had caused the Centaurs in the past, whilst others were more hesitant to fight but were forced to do their duty regardless. One example of the latter was Nikala, who rode in with Kavalry on her horseback.
"Just like old times, huh?" Kavalry realised as they rode alongside the other Centaurian and Naknadan pairings heading into Kuatan.
"Sure is," Nikala agreed. "Feeling guilty as always for helping such a cause."
"I get what you mean," Kavalry related. "Do you think I want to be serving my greedy brother?"
"Of course not," Nikala replied. "But I actually respect the Centaur royals… I just think my kind needs to put aside their ridiculous hatred for the Shokan!"
"This is madness…" Kavalry agreed. "Watch out!"
Shokan archers trying to protect the city rained down flaming arrows upon the approaching army of Centaurs and Nakandan supports. With no other choice, Kavalry prepared his pair of bows and began firing arrows back at the Shokan. Kuatan had fallen into anarchy in mere minutes as more Centaurs emerged from the Kuatan Jungle to ambush the Shokan in their city. Their best warriors were still in Edenia too, making their army a smaller force than usual. Zenkaro saw this as an opportunity to make up for his past failures though, charging out to the streets and immediately knocking out a Naknadan riding a Centaur with a flying clothesline. He then sprung up and stomped his feet down on the Centaur's horseback, showing them into the ground. Another Centaur charged at him, horns pointed forth as they ran like a bull. Zenkaro grabbed the Centaur's horns and began spinning them in a circle, launching their massive body into a row of other Kavalry Naknadans who were all a part of a five hundred person force alongside the Centaur army. Zenkaro threw his fists around wildly, wiping out countless invaders.
"We must stop that one!" Eusilus pointed to Zenkaro as he came charging forth with his own squadron of Centaurs whilst the group that Nikala and Kavalry were riding with emerged from the other side of Zenkaro.
"Take him out, Nikala!" Ordered one Centaur stood beside her who had been appointed commander in charge of the five hundred Kavalry army.
"Y-yes, sir!" Nikala said as Kavalry handed her an arrow to ready with her own large bow, drawing back with a shot that could've gone through the centre of Zenkaro's head… but she hesitated.
"Zen!" Shouted a Shokan as they arrived with cavalry to fight the Centaurs and their own Kavalry. "Arrow incoming!"
By the time Nikala shot the arrow, Zenkaro was prepared to sidestep it, the arrow soaring into the hoove of one of the Centaurs opposite Nikala.
"Sorry!" Nikala quickly apologised as the Centaur who was hit by the arrow neighed angrily before charging at Zenkaro, immediately being intercepted by a barrage of fireballs that came down from the Shokan who emerged from the rooftop of a blacksmiths store.
"You've all made a mistake coming here!" Zenkaro yelled as the Shokan leapt down from the roof to join Zenkaro in standing their ground against the Centaurs.
"Here!" Shouted the Shokan blacksmith as he threw open the doors to his store and began tossing weapons he had made to his allies. "Take all of it!"
"What should we do, Sergeant? One Centaur asked Eusilus.
"We still outnumber them!" Eusilus yelled. "Charge!"
"I have an idea!" Zenkaro yelled to his fellow Shokan as they formed a circle to defend themselves as the Centaurs galloped towards them. "On three we slam our fists to the ground… everybody got that?!"
"Yes!" The fellow Shokan confirmed.
"Alright," Zenkaro said before taking a deep breath before beginning the count. "One…"
"Two…" The Centaurs were just a few feet away now.
"Three!" Zenkaro yelled and all the Shokan in unison pounded away at the cobbled road.
So many powerful warriors punching away at once caused major tremors in a small range, causing many Centaur to lose their footing. Zenkaro charged all four of his fists with fire before slamming his hands against the ground, sending a fiery blast to the side of the street that Eusilus and his squadron were on. Eusilus leapt over the explosion of flame, hurling a javelin in midair which stabbed cleanly through one of Zenkaro's upper arms.
"Gah!" Zenkaro cried out in pain. "Lucky I've got plenty of arms to go around," he remarked as he tore the javelin out of his arm and tossed it aside.
"You'll have none once I'm finished with you!" Eusilus threatened.
Zenkaro roared before throwing a barrage of fists at Eusilus whilst many other Shokan and Centaur engaged in combat around them. To prevent the continued blows, Eusilus tugged on Zenkaro's bushy brown beard, and dragged him into a violent headbutt. Zenkaro continued to hold onto Eusilus despite being stunned by the headbutt, grabbing Eusilus' horns with his upper arms whilst punching away at his torso with his lower arms. Euslisus raised himself up and balanced himself on merely his hind legs with Zenkaro being elevated off the ground whilst still maintaining a grip around Eusilus' pair of horns. Eusilus began pounding away at Zenkaro using his front hooves, but Zenkaro still held onto him as he charged his hands with fire which began spreading to his head and beginning to burn the Centaur. Zenkaro then flipped over Eusilus and hurled the Centaur over his head and into the rest of his squadron.
"Well done, Zenkaro!" Praised one Shokan as they all began regrouping.
"But watch out!" Yelled another as they pointed to the air as a giant ball of green energy approached and exploded before them, many Shokan being killed by the blast.
"No!" Zenkaro screamed as he gazed through the fading magic to see the culprit. "Motaro…"
"I'll take it from here," Motaro told his allies. "Join King Myelus and Queen Irare in storming the Kuatan Palace!"
"Will do," Nikala promised him as the Centaurs rallied behind him.
"Eusilus is in an unfit condition," Motaro realised. "You must act as sergeant, Nikala."
"M-me?!" Nikala was shocked by the order.
"Yes!" Motaro confirmed it positively. "I believe in you!"
"Thank you, Motaro," she said gratefully.
"Go now!" Motaro ordered with Nikala nodding before guiding Eusilus' squadron to the Kuatan Palace whilst the other Centaurs grabbed their injured allies to get them away from the action.
"If you're so protective of your people," Zenkaro said as Motaro approached the group of Shokan alone, "then you should've told them to stay home."
"This is our home!" Motaro yelled angrily. "Kuatan belonged to the Centaurians long before your cowardly race used our people for shelter from the Dragon King!"
"What in the name of all that is right are you talking about?!" Zenkaro asked, bewildered by the sudden accusations.
"Of course you never did any research about why our people are at war," Motaro remarked in between spitting on the corpse of one Shokan warrior he had killed. "You Shokan are more than fine with hating just for the sake of it."
"Whatever you're going on about, was clearly in the past," Zenkaro pointed out.
"That's a really reassuring way of putting it, Shokan scum," Motaro replied as Zenkaro began cracking his knuckles. "Generations of Centaurs have suffered from the greed and selfishness of the Shokan."
"I've done too much dwelling on the past in my life," Zenkaro told him as he thought about his own mistakes in life. "I want to stop caring about all of it and to put that behind me," he added. "The only thing I care about right now… is that you've just killed lots of good people."
"I can guarantee that you've done the same," Motaro replied which struck Zenkaro hard… making him specifically recall the accident where he caused the death of a fellow Shokan in the Cobalt Mines.
"You're right," he agreed. "I guess there really are no winners in war."
"The only winners will be those who earn justice," Motaro told him. "It is now time that you all join the rest of your comrades."
Like before, Motaro began to charge another ball of magical energy from the tip of his pointy tail. Realising this, Zenkaro quickly drew the bladed shield that Sheeva gifted to him long ago and used it to deflect the energy orb back at Motaro. The Centaur used his tail to quickly send a blast at himself which actually concealed him with the same energy magic. It teleported him to the other side of the group of Shokan. The other warriors all charged at Motaro who clamped his armoured bracelets together, causing a surge of energy which summoned a pair of bright green energy construct spears. Motaro thrusted the weapons forth which stabbed through the chests of the first two Shokan to approach him. Motaro then caused the energy spears to dissipate which freed his hands to block an incoming battle axe attack from the side with his thick metallic bracelets. With his other hand, Motaro snatched the battle axe from the other Shokan before cutting it deep into the Shokan warrior's hip and then tossing it into the head of the next Shokan to come forth. The former axe wielding Shokan clutched onto Motaro's arm as they bled out onto him. Motaro scoffed out of disgust and proceeded to grab the injured warrior and throw him into another. This distracted Motaro long enough for four more Shokan to dogpile the Centaur, attempting to take him off his four feet. Using his head, Motaro launched one Shokan into the air and they landed onto the sharp tip of his tail, impaling them onto him. This hardly weighed Motaro down, however, as he used all his might to propel himself forth which sent him off his feet as he threw himself through the air at such a forceful speed that the three Shokan trying to pin him down were knocked back. Motaro had lunged himself towards Zenkaro, who used his shield to bat him aside, one of the three sharp blades on the shield stabbing into Motaro's head as he fell to one side.
"Do you yield?!" Zenkaro asked as Motaro struggled to his feet.
"I do not!" Motaro yelled as he thrust his tail forth with Zenkaro attempting to block it, only for the tail to impale the shield and catch Zenkaro with a deep cut on his cheek.
Motaro neighed before ramming into Zenkaro with his horns impaling him as they cut through his red and black vest and into his flesh, adding some more red to his attire. Zenkaro threw punches at Motaro in a desperate attempt to get the Centaur to stop, but Motaro was at full speed and he had no plans on stopping. Motaro ended up charging down the street which led down to a circular path with a purple grass circle in the centre circle which was a spot used to build a statue of Queen Mai and King Gorbak stood side by side. Motaro rammed Zenkaro into the statue violently, causing him to release his hold on Zenkaro and for the Shokan to slump to the ground almost lifelessly…
"Stop!" Shouted a voice from behind Motaro.
The Centaur Champion craned his neck around to face the voice, seeing a group of familiar powerful Shokan running at him. Sheeva had shouted at him and she was flanked by her girlfriend Katrina as well as Kintaro and Prince Goro. They had just emerged from a portal made by Sindel in Edenia to bring them home after waking up early from a night in the guest rooms at the Grand Palace. The Shokan awoke quite early in the morning and were thus one of the first few who stayed in Edenia overnight to return to their homerealm. They hadn't anticipated returning to Kuatan in the middle of a battle.
"Why are you doing this?!" Sheeva interrogated as Motaro began wrapping his armoured tail around Zenkaro's thick neck which would've already been crushed had he been a smaller being.
"To reclaim our city," Motaro replied, "and to reclaim Outworld."
"This again…" Goro sighed.
"What is he talking about?" Sheeva asked the Shokan Prince.
"I have no idea," Goro replied. "You need to stop preaching nonsense, Motaro."
"I speak the truth," Motaro remarked. "How is it that only my family preserved this history!"
"They… probably… forged… it…" Zenkaro muttered weakly which made Motaro tighten his grip around him.
"Let him go!" Sheeva demanded.
"Why should I?!" Motaro questioned. "You stubborn Shokan don't even care enough to research why our species are against each other!"
"You have the Centaur Hills!" Sheeva pointed out. "Why would you need our city regardless!"
"It also helps take out one rival for the new Emperor of Outworld," Motaro said with a smile.
"What?!" The Shokan group yelled in unison.
"You're with Reiko…" Kintaro realised. "Aren't you?"
"Sure am," Motaro confirmed.
Kintaro roared, angered by the revelation. He sprung forth and wrapped an arm around Motaro's head whilst using his other hands to punch away at his torso and face. Motaro was forced to release his grip on Zenkaro, and focused his tail on launching an energy projectile which quickly blasted Kintaro off of him, causing his fur to spike up. Kintaro beat his chest furiously, ready to continue fighting, but Katrina held him back momentarily.
"We don't have to fight!" Katrina believed as she stroked down Kintaro's fur whilst he growled as he stared at Motaro.
"I agree," Sheeva commented. "Why are your people helping Reiko of all people?"
"Because what has the other side ever given us?!" Motaro questioned. "None of us support the methods of Shao Kahn and his loyalists, but the Centaurs benefited more when such figures were in charge."
"That's rather selfish," Katrina concluded.
"Selfish?!" Motaro scoffed at the accusation. "I prioritise my people first! What's so selfish about that?!"
"You'd be welcome into Mileena's Union!" Goro promised him.
"She never offered!" Motaro yelled.
"You never allowed her to!" Goro countered which made Motaro clench his fists in rage.
"I won't be manipulated by a Shokan!" Motaro said sternly as he prepared for action once more. "If your people truly have any code of honour left, then you'll send your cronies away, Goro!"
"My friends!" Goro corrected him. "I have no desire of fighting another Centaur again, Motaro."
"You have no choice!" Motaro shouted, growing increasingly impatient.
"Sheeva, help Zenkaro to safety," Goro commanded.
"Of course, Prince," Sheeva complied and rushed over to an injured Zenkaro. "You'll be alright, Zen!"
"I tried… I tried to stop him…" Zenkaro spoke weakly.
"I know," Sheeva replied. "I'm proud of you for it."
"Really…?" Zenkaro asked.
"Of course!" Sheeva said affirmatively. "Now we'll finish it, but first we have to get you out of here!"
"Katrina and Kintaro," Goro called for. "Please go to the Palace and see if my parents are safe."
"Will do," Katrina promised.
"Of course, my friend," Kintaro replied as the two embraced before Kintaro and Katrina did as was asked whilst Sheeva carried Zenkaro away from the conflict. This left just Motaro and Goro by the statue of the latter's parents.
"Are you satisfied now, Motaro?" Goro asked the Centaur Champion who shook his head.
"Not until I defeat you," Motaro replied as he and Goro began circling each other as they walked around the roundabout pathway surrounding the statue of the Shokan King and Queen. "You pride yourself on respect, but you never earned it!"
"I've spent hundreds of years honing my skills to become amongst the greatest warriors of my people!" Goro stated, feeling insulted by Motaro's comment.
"And yet you never had to work for those opportunities," Motaro told him. "Born royalty… handed the best training by the best masters under the best conditions."
"If you think Shang Tsung is one of the best, then you are sorely mistaken."
"I loathe that old man too," Motaro related. "However, you take his help for granted… you would've never been a Mortal Kombat Champion without him."
"All these titles…" Goro said with a sigh. "Do you really think I care for it all still?"
"You should!" Motaro advised. "Another blatant sign that you are oblivious and ungrateful for how lucky you truly are."
"If you say so," Goro tried to ignore Motaro's remarks. "Why does it matter to you so much anyway?"
"I EARNED RESPECT!"
"I had to educate myself for the most part, yet when I was offered any aid I'd be able to set aside my pride and take it to learn and grow as not just a warrior, but as an individual too!" Motaro shared parts of his past growing up in the Centaur Hills, a tear streaming down his face. "Growing up as a pony, me and my family had to live in awful conditions… my parents became ill…"
"I'm sorry to hear, Motaro…" Goro apologised. "I-"
"I'm not finished!" Motaro yelled. "They were ill and we had improper medical care near Centaur Hills at the time… do you want to know where there was medical care that could've saved my family?"
"Near here?" Goro guessed.
"Your people left my parents and future generations to suffer as we had to build a new home from scratch!" Motaro claimed. "I was born to see the beginnings of the Centaur Hills… I know why we lived there!"
"And what evidence did any of your fellow Centaurs ever give you?" Goro asked, still uncertain about the accusations.
"You stubborn Shokan…" Motaro remarked before he suddenly teleported himself away and a minute later he emerged with a handful of old books with other documents wedged between the pages which he placed on the path. "That magic was a gift from Shao Kahn, by the way, he commissioned my armour and he made Tsung enchant it for the invasion… I was too arrogant to have not properly used it back then."
"Is some shiny magic plating really enough for your loyalty?" Goro asked.
"As I said, it's still more than what the other side offered," Motaro added before gesturing to the books he had brought from his home. "I have these from my parents… they contain the truth."
"Whether I read it or not, that isn't going to change the fact that you're invading Kuatan," Goro said to him as he denied the offer to read what was inside. "Either have your allies disperse or I will make them."
"Your people brag about having four arms, yet none of them had anything to do with building this city," Motaro spoke as he summoned a spear made from his magic. "We're just reclaiming what is rightfully ours."
"All that talk and yet I've just gotten through to the same reasoning as before…" Goro sighed, realising he really did have to fight. "Fine then. I apologise for what happens next, Motaro."
"And I will not!" Motaro replied as he blasted a beam at the statue of Goro's parents which completely obliterated the structure with Motaro leaping over the remnants like a hurdle to try and pierce Goro on the other side with his energy constructed spear.
Goro dove to one side pushing himself back to his feet with his hands which led to him attempting a spinning pair of backfists from his right hands to Motaro. The Centaur grabbed his lower arm and bit into his middle finger on his upper hand as it came for his face. Goro yelled in pain, but continued to fight as he launched a right punch that struck Motaro in the side of the head with such force that his entire body was spun around. This ended up actually setting Motaro up for his next move, as he thrusted his hind legs into Goro's face and launched Goro down one of the many roads that the roundabout path split off to. Goro quickly stood up and thrusted his fists out, sending a set of four fireballs all in the shape of his fists as they went directly at Motaro who managed to teleport behind Goro in the nick of time. From behind, Motaro began repeatedly stabbing his energy-constructed spear into Goro's massive back. This caused Goro immense pain, but that also led to him growing angrier and charging his Shokan Flame even more. Goro became so fueled with power that the Dragon scales on his back began to be set aflame before sending a burst of flame out of his back which blasted Motaro in the face and momentarily blinded him.
Goro turned around and began swinging a barrage of punches at Motaro, before grabbing his head which Motaro didn't take kindly to and it prompted him to headbutt the Shokan Prince with his horns cutting into Goro's head. Goro yelled in pain as he shoved Motaro back who neighed aggressively, still willing to continue fighting. Goro stretched his fists out as he spun around towards Motaro. Before the wild swings could connect with the Centaur, he focused on Goro's rapid arm movements and he plunged his tail into one of his forearms right as it came towards him. Goro cried out, the situation becoming more and more painful as Motaro tugged on his own tail, dragging it through Goro's flesh and sinking through his arm so far that his tail armour was now going through, which gave Motaro another idea. Using the enchanted energy that the armour was blessed with, he began to cause a burning feeling in Goro's arm as his tail began to glow with a burning magical energy. Goro reached over and grabbed onto the sharp tip of Motaro's tail. It cut deeply into his hand, but it was the only unarmoured spot on his tail. This was an important detail as Goro began to squeeze down on the tail, now causing Motaro incredible pain as Goro lit the tip aflame too. Then with his right hands, Goro scooped Motaro by his horse belly before bringing him down with an ugly gutwrench suplex to the hard path. Both warriors lay on the ground, attempting to catch their breath. Motaro grabbed his tail and yanked it towards him, causing it to cut through Goro's flesh to free it from within the limb. Motaro laughed as Goro screamed in pain.
"A valiant effort, Prince," Motaro commended as he began getting up to his many feet. Motaro summoned his energy constructed spear once more as he said, "but it is over now."
"Then… get it over with…" Goro requested, which made Motaro chuckle again.
"Your people crave for a warrior's death," Motaro pointed out. "I will not give you any satisfaction in your demise."
"Then… there goes…. your only chance…" Goro said as he lifted a fist which then fired a flaming version of the same fist at Motaro which blasted into his chest and pushed him back.
"As expected," Motaro sighed, "a cheap move executed by a coward."
"I've had… enough of your nonsense!" Goro yelled as he stood up and the two stared each other down.
Motaro screamed as he ran forth, going to ram his horns into Goro as he did Zenkaro. The Shokan Prince, however, leapt over his head and stomped down on his horse back. Motaro was immediately forced to the ground by the sheer weight of the eight foot tall Shokan, who didn't waste any time in following up on this. Goro grabbed Motaro by his tail and began dragging him up the street, Shokan civilians spectating the conflict through the windows of the stores they hid in from the invaders, cheering Goro as he hurled Motaro down into a fountain at the Kuatan Town Square, an open space which all the more narrow streets connected to… and up ahead was the Kuatan Palace. Goro ran at Motaro as he struggled to get out of the fountain, grabbing him by the back of the head and plunging him underwater. The fountain was a lot larger than the average one, to be to scale with the size of the Shokan. This meant the water was quite deep… which was unfortunate for Motaro. Goro began to hold his head under the water while Motaro struggled for what felt like ages but was just a minute. Goro then used his weight to push further down on Motaro, pushing his elbow into his back which pressed him against the bottom of the fountain. Goro then began rapidly slamming Motaro's face against the fountain surface as the Centaur began running out of air. Goro thought about things at this moment, wondering how everything escalated so far? He had stated he had no desire to kill a Centaur, but it seemed like there was no way of reasoning with Motaro…
Regardless, Goro's drifting thoughts had distracted him from the battle. He had stopped smashing Motaro's head against the fountain and had lost a bit of his grip. Motaro recognised this, and managed to use his hind legs to violently kick Goro in the jaw. The Shokan Prince fell down, his jaw possibly broken from the brutal strike. Motaro hooked his tail into Goro's shoulder and used it to drag him up before slamming him into the fountain.
"I wish you were the furious furry one," Motaro remarked as Goro used the centre of the fountain to pull himself out. "He'd have shown no mercy… and it would've been fun to see the little kitten splash around in there!"
"Leave Kintaro out of this!" Goro yelled as he tore off the tip of the fountain out of pure rage and swung it at Motaro.
This move surprised Motaro, but he was still prepared for it. Using his tail, the two duelled in a peculiar clash to say the least. Goro began wildly swinging the long piece of the fountain down on Motaro, who kept blocking it with his armoured tail. The fountain piece eventually broke over Motaro's strong armour, giving the Centaur an opening to thrust his tail through Goro's stomach. Motaro then waved his tail around, throwing Goro off of him before kicking him across the town square… leading up to the gate of Kuatan Palace.
The Palace of Kuatan had already been breached by the squadron of Centaurs who Motaro had appointed Nikala in charge of leading. Although reluctant, Nikala wanted to make her people proud as any Centaur would. She helped the squadron smash through the gates as they galloped up the stairs and into the home itself where Centaurs and Shokan were at conflict throughout the entire building. Goro could hear yelling and screams from inside, and despite his badly wounded state, he tried to crawl up the stairway, only for an energy-constructed spear to impale his hand as Motaro approached him from behind.
"Going somewhere?" Motaro asked as he grabbed Goro's silky ponytail and dragged him into his grasp.
"Motaro!" Goro called out as the Centaur got him into a headlock. "Please… stop!" He begged.
"Of course the cowardly Prince of the Shokan begs once he's on the verge of defeat!" Motaro was amused by Goro's pleas and simply tightened his grip around him.
"Do you not hear that?!" Goro asked in reference to the screams and other loud sudden noises coming from within the Kuatan Palace.
"It is the symphony of revenge," Motaro commented on the sounds.
"I must help!" Goro yelled as he used his remaining might to wrap his arms around Motaro and deliver a back suplex with both of Motaro's backs landing awkwardly on the stone stairway.
Goro had one final bit of energy left in him and he used it to begin running up the stairs, only for Motaro to sink his spiked tail into his back again. Goro was then flung off the stairway, landing back first on the pavement below. Goro eventually sat up despite the immense pain his entire body was feeling, and he saw Motaro glancing down at him.
"We… have to… stop this…"
"Why?!" Motaro asked as he created another spear and pressed it against Goro's thick neck.
"To… end the conflict…" Goro explained which made Motaro roll his pupiless eyes.
"I'm not interested in hearing your ramblings again," Motaro told him as he raised his spear and prepared to plunge it through Goro's skull.
"What about your people?!" Goro asked before Motaro could deliver the finishing blow.
"What about them?"
"This conflict has just brought more death…" Goro pointed out. "More suffering…"
"As your people deserve," Motaro believed.
"Really?!" Goro continued to try to persuade Motaro. "You've been talking about all this stuff that has happened generations ago," he recalled. "Yet because of this war… generations completely unassociated with the origins of all this conflict are now being impacted…"
"You think I'm unaware of that?!"
"No!" Goro clarified, "you clearly know that feeling!" He said as he recalled Motaro discussing his life growing up. "But carrying out this war will only put more people in similar positions…"
"Hm…" Motaro lowered his weapon and began to truly consider Goro's words.
"And I'm not just talking about the Shokan!" Goro continued, "I'm also referring to the Centaurs!" He revealed which made Motaro begin to reconsider further. "How do you know that those screams coming from inside aren't your people too?!" He asked. "Hurt and death all coming from something that none of us were a catalyst for!"
"You cannot be certain of that…" Motaro replied. "Your parents…"
"Please… give them a chance to testify their experiences," Goro pleaded. "I'm sure they aren't responsible for this war."
"Easy for you to say, Prince," Motaro stated.
"I was once angry about all of this too, Motaro," Goro attempted to relate to him. "But overtime thanks to some conversations with the likes of Queen Kitana… I realised this is a war that should be ended with peace, not eradication."
"Perhaps…" Motaro thought aloud. "Perhaps there is some truth to what you say…"
"Reiko is weaponizing your people," Goro claimed. "If you help him with whatever he's planning then your species will just be used to tear apart others…" Goro believed. "I know that isn't what any of you want to be… so help me."
"Fine," Motaro finally agreed and threw his spear away before offering a hand to Goro. "But if I find out that anybody you're associated with is responsible for this war then I will punish them…"
"If anyone still in Kuatan is," Goro promised, "then I'll help you."
"Let's go," Motaro commanded as Goro accepted his hand and the Centaur pulled the Shokan to his feet. "Are you still fit enough to?"
"I haven't been beaten this badly before in my entire life," Goro confessed, "but a Shokan never quits."
"Nor does a Centaur," Motaro replied as the two wounded warriors began climbing back up the stairway, as allies this time.
Meanwhile inside Kuatan Palace itself, countless Shokan and Centaurs fought throughout the massive structure. In the spacious reception room through the open entranceway into the Kuatan Palace stood Kintaro and Katrina. The two Tigrar Shokan were back to back in the middle of the room, fending off many Centaur before hurling them out the door. They hadn't managed to get any further into the building since their arrival, due to how many Centaurs had broken into the home of the Shokan royal family. One Centaur remained in the room that was still conscious, they had white stripes across their black body which resembled a zebra.
"For the Zevra!" He yelled as he lunged at Kintaro, only for Katrina to send an icy beam which froze his human body.
"Appreciated," Kintaro thanked her fellow Tigrar Shokan before setting his upper right hand aflame and grabbing the Centaur by the face and smashing them through a wall whilst melting the ice.
"Do not mess with fire and ice, Centaur," Katrina advised as she and Kintaro stepped through the hole in the wall which led into a hallway stained with the blood of many Centaurs and Shokan who had fought there earlier.
"Is he even a Centaur?" Kintaro asked, puzzled by their unique markings.
"I am a Zevra Centaur!" He clarified as he began to stand up, "we are the lesser known subspecies to the Alogo Centaurs!"
"Like us Tigrar," Katrina compared.
"We are not alike," the Zevra Centaur remarked. "My name is Zebron!"
"Alright," Kintaro spoke up, "surrender this instant, Zebron."
"Not a chance," Zebron replied as he resumed his fighting stance.
"Look out!" Katrina yelled just before another Zevra Centaur impaling a javelin through the torso of Kintaro.
Kintaro's body didn't move one inch. He glanced down to see blood trickling down his fur, and a large end of a javelin piercing through his chest. His face turned to an enraged look similar to a feral cat as he snapped the end of the javelin off before spinning around and plunging it through the brain of the Centaur who had backstabbed him. Zebron took advantage of the distraction, screaming as he charged forth and rammed his horns into Kintaro's back. This time Kintaro felt the pain, hissing angrily as Katrina began desperately punching at Zebron to try to get him to release his hold of her friend.
"Enough!" Motaro demanded as he entered the building with Prince Goro leaning against him.
"You!" Kintaro yelled as Katrina went to attack Motaro but was quickly shoved back.
"I said enough!" Motaro repeated. "We're ending this conflict right here right now!"
"What are you saying?" Zebron questioned as Motaro pulled Kintaro off Zebron's horns and placed him down. "What are you doing?!"
"Look!" Motaro pointed to the corpse of the Zevra Centaur.
"How many more must end up like this?!" Goro asked.
"I don't trust Motaro," Kintaro replied.
"And I certainly don't trust a Shokan!" Zebron remarked which made Kintaro and Katrina growl in unison.
Suddenly, bursting through one of the many rooms that the hallway branched off into, a Centaur pinned a Shokan to the floor and began pounding away at them.
"Stop!" Motaro demanded.
"Sir?" The fellow Alogo Centaur was confused by the order.
"He wants us to stop, Torgor," Zebron clarified as the two Centaurs embraced.
"Why in the Netherrealm would we stop?!" Torgor asked angrily.
"Let me explain!" Motaro demanded. "I need you Shokan to cease all the fighting!"
"That can be arranged," Kintaro replied.
"Peacefully!" Goro clarified as Kintaro and Katrina gave each other confused looks before beginning the search for Kuatan Palace.
"Me and Prince Goro have planned for a truce," Motaro clarified to the two Centaurs. "This'll prevent more unnecessary deaths."
"We're this close to taking control of Kuatan, Motaro!" Torgor yelled. "Have you gone soft?!"
"Or mad," Zebron suggested.
"I'm just looking out for our people!" Motaro defended his decision.
"Really?!" Zebron found that hard to believe.
"We do not need Kuatan," Motaro admitted. "We have our Hills!"
"The Alogo can keep the Hills!" Zebron yelled. "I'm a Prince of the Zevra, where's our palace?!"
"Do I look like a constructor to you, boy?!" Motaro asked, his patience being pushed to its limits.
"Well I bet you're actually about as strong a puny Naknadan!" Zebron remarked in reference to the many Naknadans who had jobs as builders.
"Hey!" Motaro grabbed onto Zebron's shoulder forcefully. "Naknada are our allies!" He reminded him. "Show them some respect!"
"I'm not letting our own kind be divided because of the Shokan!" Torgor complained.
"Anybody responsible for the origins of this war will pay," Goro clarified in hopes that would sway the others' minds.
"Including your snobby parents?" Zebron inquired.
"Says you," Motaro muttered as Zebron shoved his arm off of his shoulder.
"They are innocent!" Goro shouted. "If they hypothetically weren't though… then yes."
"Well what are we waiting for?!" Torgor asked. "Let us greet them."
The surprising alliance of Shokan and Centaurs spread throughout Kuatan Palace, slowly ceasing the massive brawl happening in every room of the enormous building decorated with symbols significant to the Shokan which brought life and detail to each wall alongside statues of important Shokan figures… many having been vandalised by the attacking Centaurs. Whilst word of an attempt at peace spread throughout Kuatan, nothing had been said to those who had breached the throne room.
The throne room was adorned with even more statues of Shokan warriors, this time being busts looking over a circular platform surrounded by a ring of lava collected from the neighbouring region of Mount Eterna. A small bridge was usually in place between the central platform and the Kuatan thrones… but the rulers had broken the bridge to protect themselves, leading to a standoff between Shokan and Centaurs.
"They're in here!" Nikala called for as a group of Kavalry pulled open the massive doors for King Myelus and Queen Irare to enter the throne room.
"King Gorbak," Myelus greeted. "Queen Irare."
"What do you want from us?" Gorbak immediately got to the point.
"It's been a while," Irare remarked as she and her husband stepped forth whilst the other nearby Centaurs and Naknadans bowed their heads in their presence.
"Why are you here?" Gorbak continued to ask.
"Quite inquisitive," Irare noted. "Well… we want our original city back."
"Move on already!" Mai snapped, angered by all the violence. "You're seriously going to take revenge now?" She asked. "All these years later?!"
"They can try," Gorbak commented as he grabbed a pair of swords attached to a frame at the back of his throne. "Do not make us have to strike you down."
"As if you could!" Myelus quipped.
"Let us have a duel," Irare suggested as she gestured for their allies to step back. "The rulers of the Centaur… versus the rulers of the Shokan."
"We aren't playing your games!" Gorbak yelled. "Queen Kitana told us we shall not fight any Centaurians."
"I'm a Queen too!" Irare pointed out. "Why not listen to my suggestion?"
"Leave this instant!" Gorbak demanded.
"They aren't going to," Mai realised. "Fine, Irare, let's get this over with."
"Mai?" Gorbak was surprised to see his wife draw a set of four Shokan Daggers before leaping onto the central platform.
Reluctantly, Gorbak joined Mai as the two stared down the Centaur rulers. Irare snickered at the acceptance of her challenge whilst Myelus gritted his teeth as he glanced at Gorbak. The Centaurs and Shokan within the room watched the central platform where their rulers were about to begin their fight. Kavalry was also amongst this group, still on the back of Nikala who nervously watched on through the small crowd of her Centaur allies and Shokan foes.
Suddenly, Irare landed a headbutt on Mai and thus the duel had begun between the two royal couples. Gorbak immediately threw a fireball at Irare, wishing to aid her lover, but Myelus batted it aside with his tail protected by a thick sheet of gold being wrapped around it. This was a lot heavier than the usual Outworld Steel armour of a Centaur, but Myelus could handle the added weight due to his sheer size and muscle, being one of the largest Centaurs ever which was no easy feat. Gorbak stroked his long and bushy grey beard in contemplation whilst Irare began attempting to dodge some deceivingly quick dagger slashes from Mai. Then all of a sudden, Myelus slashed his tail at Gorbak's neck in an attempt to slit his throat. Gorbak managed to lean back just in time but unfortunately his long beard was chopped in half. This angered Gorbak who sprung at Myelus, knocking him back with a vicious shoulder bash which sent him staggering back into Mai who began rapidly stabbing her four daggers into his back before Irare grabbed her from behind and slammed her down on the edge of the central platform… nearing the lava. Gorbak leapt into the air, stomping down on Irare before dragging Mai away from the edge. This set Myelus up for a double back kick in an attempt to throw both of the Shokan royals into the lava pit beside them. Just before this could happen though, Motaro formed from a beam of green energy, using his might to grab both Shokan royals one in each hand before throwing them onto the platform.
"Motaro?" Myelus spoke. "What are you doing?!"
"Creating peace," he replied.
"We just nearly had them dead!" Irare yelled. "We had won, Motaro!"
"I apologise, King Myelus and Queen Irare," Motaro maintained his respect for the two royals as he bowed his head. "Please give us an opportunity to speak."
"Us?!" Irare repeated.
"Us," Goro confirmed as he stepped into the throne room alongside a group of other Shokan and Centaurs who had united.
"Yeah!" Nikala cheered as herself and Kavalry immediately joined the alliance.
"Fine then, Motaro," Myelus granted his request. "You may speak."
"Goro made me realise something," Motaro began to explain. "We're losing too many of our own people just for… this…"
"This is an important mission, Motaro!" Myelus claimed.
"We've only gained losses each time we seek vengeance," Motaro replied. "It's time to stop this."
"We aren't stopping until we get justice!" Irare demanded. "You said so yourself, Motaro!"
"I agree," he said as he turned to King Gorbak and Queen Mai.
"Thank you," Gorbak immediately expressed his gratitude.
"You saved our lives," Mai acknowledged.
"What do either of you know about the Shokan uprising in Kuatan?" Motaro questioned. "You two must've been alive when that happened…"
"That was a long time ago," Gorbak replied. "This all happened even before Shao Kahn's reign!"
"So you do know," Motaro realised. "Tell everyone here what the Shokan did to the Centaurs!"
Gorbak sighed as he looked around the room. He then stood up and walked to the very centre of the platform and he began to speak…
"The ruler who Shao Kahn succeeded… or overthrew would be a better term… his name was Onaga the Dragon King. Most information about him has been lost to history, but I was born during his reign. My parents told me he was the first Emperor of Outworld… he had conquered his own people… the Dragons. This left him in charge over the remaining four kingdoms of the other Outworld native species; Outworlders, Tarkatans, Centaurs and Shokan. Our people originally resided as neighbours to wherever the Dragons once lived… I don't even have a clue as to where that used to be anymore, I was not alive to see Onaga's rise to power, just alive long enough to see the impact of it. Previously there was no central ruler to Outworld, it was just the five kingdoms split up into the five native species… This led to many defying Onaga's claim to rule all. Our people never challenged Onaga before, but we did move away from our original home, especially since we are half Dragons ourselves… Our remaining allying kingdom let us live amongst their people. This was the Centaurs whose kingdom was originally in Kuatan. I was born during this time and was raised in this city, but I used to see many more friendly Centaur faces. We lived together as one family… until people became disgruntled. The kingdom's population had essentially doubled and there wasn't enough supplies or space to properly support everyone. Centaurs began protesting, some peacefully as they wished to aid our people in finding a new home, and others wanted us gone… by any means. This led to conflict, a civil war within Kuatan. The Shokan rulers eventually challenged the Centaur rulers to a duel… like the one we witnessed today. The Shokan won, killing the Centaur rulers and kicking the rest of the Centaurs out of their own city. I was much too young to partake in any of the violence. I just wanted us to get along."
"Hmm…" Motaro thought about his words. "What do you both think?" He asked Myelus and Irare.
"Talk is cheap," Irare commented.
"You care for actions?" Gorbak asked which the two Centaur rulers nodded to. "I overthrew the former Shokan rulers who started this war when they forced your people out of Kuatan!"
"It's true…" Mai confirmed. "The original rulers of the Shokan were my family…"
"Well that makes my decision a lot easier," Irare commented as she pointed her tail at Mai.
"I never liked them!" Mai clarified. "I never helped them with any of that!"
"What did you do then?" Irare questioned. "Speak now, whilst you still can."
"To become the first monarchs of the Shokan, they had to force our people into submission…"
"Sounds familiar," Irare quipped.
"Don't interrupt!" Mai demanded.
"Fine," Irare agreed to comply. "Go ahead."
"I was born into the life of a Princess… forced on how to behave and act. I never liked my parents nor their teachings. They tried to force me to be someone I'm not, whilst they continued to use our fellow Shokan… then the Centaurs… to benefit themselves. It made me want to be even less like them having had a personal relationship with them! I thought pushing your people out of Kuatan was disgusting… borderline conquest. It was then when I decided I needed to overthrow my parents. I soon met my husband Gorbak, a former servant to my family. We got to know each other and-"
"Get on with it!" Irare demanded, growing impatient which made Kintaro growl from amongst the crowd.
"Let her finish!" Kintaro roared.
"I fell in love with Gorbak," she continued, "and I wanted to train him to help me defeat my parents and otherthrow them."
"Guess how that went," Gorbak commented as he readjusted Mai's crown that had been slanted a bit from the conflict. "So… must we really have a couple fight another for control of Kuatan again?"
"I suppose not," Myelus admitted.
"We've wanted to make peace for a while now," Mai told them. "Why can't we try to start over?"
"It's not that simple," Irare remarked.
"Then perhaps we just move on," Goro suggested. "We don't need an official peace treaty… we just need our rulers to agree to leave each other alone," he explained. "Then we can move on with our lives."
"We… we can't!" Kintaro claimed. "Not if the Centaurs remain allies with Reiko!"
"They want to destroy everything Mileena's Union stands for," Katrina added in agreement.
"I know that many of your people feel that there is no other group of allies to turn to…" Goro felt sympathy for the Centaurs. "But Mileena's Union will welcome you with open arms!"
"Queen Kitana especially," Mai continued. "She's been advocating for peace between us for years now!"
"She is why I swore not to fight you," Gorbak told the Centaur rulers.
"And if the Centaur Hills really are a rough home for you all, then Edenia has been newly reformed!" Goro made his next point to try to sway all the Centaurs into allying with them. "I'm sure the Edenians would be happy to house you."
"The Centaur Hills are great lands for us now," Motaro clarified. "It took our people lots of work to progress to this stage though."
"Speak for yourself," Zebron piped up. "Maybe the Edenians can make me a palace instead!"
"Ignore him," Motaro requested. "Whilst this is quite the sudden change, I think all of this would be a welcome one."
"So…" Goro spoke, "do we have peace?"
Gorbak and Mai turned to Myelus and Irare and offered handshakes. Myelus and Irare glanced at each other for a moment as they considered their decision, before giving each other a nod and shaking the fellow rulers by each hand. The crowd of Shokan and Centaurs cheered as the alliance had been made conclusively… all but two.
"A pathetic display of weakness," Torgor told his friend amongst the cheerful crowd.
"I agree," Zebron replied. "Let's get out of here…"
"I'm pleased we could finally make peace," Goro said happily. "This is a great historical moment!"
"If only there didn't have to be casualties along the way…" Motaro said sadly.
"We must go bury the fallen," Kintaro agreed. "Let us begin."
"W-wait!" Nikala piped up as she and Kavalry pushed their way through the crowd.
"Nikala?" Motaro immediately spotted her. "Is something wrong?"
"Have you forgotten?!" Nikala asked. "Reiko's still attacking Sabar City!"
"Reiko's what?!" Goro gasped in shock.
"We were just being used as a diversion for your people, Prince Goro," Nikala confessed. "Reiko is trying to seize control of the capital of the realm…"
"Most of our allies are still in Edenia!" Katrina pointed out.
"Motaro!" Goro called for. "Can you teleport to Edenia to warn everyone?"
"My magic does not allow for interrealm travel," Motaro clarified. "I am sorry."
"My brother's probably helping lead the attack!" Kavalry realised as he clenched all six of his fists angrily. "We must go!"
"Get on us," Motaro offered.
"Really?" Goro asked.
"Yes!" Motaro confirmed. "Hurry!"
The Shokan quickly climbed onto the Centaurs, who were ready to gallop straight towards Sabar City with all their speed. Goro needed help getting on top of Motaro's horseback, his wounds being very severe but he refused to back down from the threat of the Kahn Guard. Mai was atop Irare whilst Gorbak sat on the back of Myelus. The four rulers led the way to the capital…
Meanwhile in Earthrealm, Cynder the Dragon from the Heavens had landed on the field beside Raiden's isolated Sky Temple. She had flown her God friends throughout the main planets of each realm, excluding the Netherrealm due to its infinite properties and the power drain it had to angelic beings. They had finished flying through Outworld just before Reiko's attack had actually begun, meaning it unfortunately went under the radar for the Gods. Their final stop was Raiden's home in their search for the Thunder God who had gone awol. Fujin leapt off Cynder's back, using the wind to fly up into the air before entering a large window on one of the sides of the Sky Temple which led into Fujin's own living quarters before searching through the massive tower in an attempt at finding his brother. This left Bo' Rai Cho, Geras, Tremor, Cetrion and Cynder waiting.
"You seem distant, Tremor," Cetrion had noticed.
"When am I not?" He asked.
"Good point," Cetrion admitted. "I can sense something is wrong though," she expressed. "Would you like to talk about it?"
"This has been a waste of time," Tremor believed. "We've found nothing!"
"This has been an important concern," Geras pointed out. "It is crucial that we investigate it."
"By just looking at each world from the sky?" Tremor questioned. "I just see no point in this method."
"I would have spotted any major event occurring," Cynder explained, "such as a battle or an attack."
"I understand your frustrations, Tremor," Cetrion told him. "But we have a duty to perform."
"I know that," Tremor replied. "I just prefer when my job is actually meaningful."
"I suppose we had no need to fret," Bo' Rai Cho admitted. "The circumstances just seemed strange is all."
"Indeed," Geras agreed. "It seems that the realms remain secure though…"
"For now," Fujin stated as he landed on the ground.
"Well?" Bo' Rai Cho spoke.
"He's not home," Fujin said. "Thanks for helping search for him though, everyone."
"Of course!" Cynder replied as Fujin stroked her pearly white scales. "Happy to help!"
"We'll be returning to the Heavens now," Cetrion stated. "Report to us if you discover anything."
"We shall," Fujin promised.
"See you later!" Bo' Rai Cho said as he and Fujin waved goodbye to the others whilst Cetrion made a portal to the Heavens in the sky which Cynder flew through. "I guess it's just us two now."
"It sure is," Fujin replied. "What should we do?"
"How about we continue our party inside the Sky Temple?" Bo' Rai Cho suggested, which made Fujin chuckle.
"Alright," Fujin agreed to the idea. "Let's do this, Bo'!"
Unknown to the Gods, however, the realms were in danger in numerous areas. Iris had been overthrown by the Oni in the Netherrealm, the Kahn Guard were also attempting to steal the throne in Outworld… and now Earthrealm was at risk too. The sense of impending danger felt as if it was coming from everywhere for the Thunder God. Raiden had fallen into a crazed state from the senses he was feeling. He felt an agonising rush of fear and anxiety as he teleported wildly, relocating himself every few seconds into a new random location of a random realm. There was no possible way that his concerned Gods could've found him in this state, not when he kept changing locations. At one moment Raiden had emerged in the middle of the Jolly Forest in Edenia, then the next he was in the Forbidden Forest of Outworld. Raiden had completely lost control of where he was going, his blue lightning slowly turning darker and beginning to appear more purple. He knew there was danger somewhere! But he had no clue of the exact location currently, he wasn't even certain of what realm he was sensing the threats from! The purplish lightning wildly sparked from all parts of his body between the seconds where he wasn't in the midst of subconsciously teleporting to another completely irrelevant area. Each time he rapidly teleported, Raiden grew more and more concerned and began to lose control more and more. Unfortunately for the Thunder God, one of his worst fears was indeed about to come true… and the catalysts for it had just emerged in China.
The Deadly Alliance glanced at the Wu Shi Academy from afar in the peaceful woodlands that it had been built upon. Quan Chi followed Shang Tsung who led the way to the Shaolin Temple he had recently visited days ago…
"This seems like a personal expedition, no?" Quan Chi had noticed as they walked through the quiet woods.
"If you want my aid in killing a rival of yours then do not hesitate to ask," Shang Tsung offered. "Would that be fair?"
"It would be," Quan Chi agreed. "Albeit, I have many enemies… but they're all too puny to be worth my devoted time."
"Regardless, the brat we are going to kill is very powerful," Shang Tsung reminded him, "it is wise that we… dispose of him… as soon as possible."
"I suppose you are right," Quan Chi admitted. "All the scheming you've done for this… I must say that I am proud."
"It has taken me years of preparation for this," Shang Tsung replied. "I'm glad that you're up for it all."
"I'm just pleased to be a part of these schemes," Quan Chi told his friend. "How delightfully devilish is this?"
"Quite," Shang Tsung stated. "I of course expect your aid in plans once we have what we seek."
"Of course!" Quan Chi agreed to do so. "I cannot let you have all the fun with scheming."
"We're almost here," Shang Tsung realised as they reached the end of the woods which branched out into an open grassy field with a marked path leading up to the cliffedge where the Wu Shi Academy resided. "Are you ready?"
"I always am," Quan Chi replied.
"Then follow me…"
The Deadly Alliance's target stood in the centre of the courtyard. Liu Kang was practising his morning meditation routine in the early morning, long before even most of the other monks were awake. In the centre of the courtyard was a lei tei platform which was suspended by five ancient statues of the great masters who founded the Wu Shi Academy so long ago. Nearby was a tower built beside a dojo where teachers would observe students training on the platform. Liu Kang would be watching from that tower in about a couple of hours time once his lesson begins. But for now it was time for him to practice his meditation. Using the legendary guise of Gnust Gnahs at the party in Edenia, Shang Tsung had conversed with the Mortal Kombat Champion and had learnt of his routine. Tsung knew exactly what Liu Kang would be doing at such a time… and it was a perfect opportunity to strike.
Walking down the stairs connecting onto the lei tei platform, Shang Tsung had taken the form of Kung Lao as he slowly approached Liu Kang. He grinned from ear to ear, having anticipated for years to get back at Earthrealm's hero for defeating him in the Mortal Kombat Tournament twice which had brought him out of Shao Kahn's failure drastically and led to him having to begin new plans for ruling the world. Taking off Lao's razor sharp hat, Tsung hurled it towards Liu Kang from behind… who spun around and caught the hat in the nick of time.
"Lao!" Liu Kang yelled. "What was that for?!"
Shang Tsung immediately began cackling as Liu Kang gave a confused look. Tsung then raised his hand and with a clenching gesture, Liu felt an explosion in his pocket as a burst of souls suddenly happened which knocked Liu down and stunned him momentarily. Shang Tsung had slipped a soul capsule into Liu Kang's pocket at the party and now was the perfect time to detonate it. Absorbing the souls that tried to escape from the explored soul capsule, Shang Tsung then looked down at Liu Kang who quickly realised what was going on…
"Shang Tsung," Liu Kang greeted as the sorcerer reverted back to his true form. "What do you want?!"
"Your soul," he answered.
Liu Kang immediately kipped up and dove forth with a flying dragon kick which knocked Tsung back against the edge of the platform. Tsung balanced himself before he could fall over, and ran forth before attempting a jumping knee strike with Liu rolled out of the way of and hit a pair of kicks to the ribs. The third kick was caught by Tsung who then swept his other leg before beginning to deliver a bunch of jabs amongst other strikes while Liu was on the ground. Hurling a fireball, Liu Kang knocked his rival away which bought him enough time to stand up. He was immediately knocked down again though as he heard a screeching sound approaching him. He spun around only to meet a flying green skull projectile which headbutt him. Liu Kang glanced up and found the source of the skull.
"Quan Chi…" Liu Kang could immediately tell the distinguished figure from afar. "You freed him?!"
"We have a beautiful ongoing friendship, monk," Shang Tsung told him as he summoned his own skull projectile as Quan Chi shot another.
"You don't know anything about true friendship!" Liu Kang shouted as he leapt over both skull projectiles which both collided with each other and let out a small explosion.
"I have no desire to discuss such matters with you, boy," Shang Tsung replied. "I simply want you dead."
"Not today, sorcerer!" Liu Kang stated as he jumped forth and began a repeated cycle of bicycle kicks which kept going so far that Tsung was knocked off the edge of the spacious platform surrounded by water. To prevent him from plunging down below, Quan Chi created a platform covering the gap with green skulls. This only meant that Liu Kang could continue his cycle of kicks though, eventually knocking him through the doors of an empty dojo as classes for the day had yet to begin. Liu Kang set fire to his fists and began unloading with punches at a dominant and fast rate, bearing semblance to their one sided fight in the final Mortal Kombat Tournament at the Outworld Coliseum. Liu Kang then shoved Tsung against a wall as he gasped for breath.
"You shouldn't have come here," Liu Kang told him. "Surrender now."
"You think you're winning this encounter?!"
"I've beaten you twice before," Liu Kang reminded him. "I can most certainly do it again!"
Shang Tsung ducked an incoming punch to the head, Liu's powerful punch splitting through the wooden post on the wall and setting it aflame. Liu Kang gasped as he realised he had unintentionally begun a fire that was growing at a rapid pace, which made Shang Tsung laugh again. This distraction allowed for Shang Tsung to summon his straight sword through a burst of fiery magic, which he then used to try to impale Liu Kang with. The Shaolin Monk performed a backflip to avoid the attack and began using his agility to dodge both the sword strikes and the spreading flames. It was now Liu Kang who was backed against a wall, but he saw a weapon stand. Despite a reluctance to use weapons, he grabbed a Jo staff and clocked it against Tsung's mouth which cut his lip open. He rarely used a Jo, but Bo' Rai Cho had given him some lessons on the staff a long time ago. He used one end to stump Tsung's foot, before flicking the staff up with the other end poking the sorcerer in the eye. Tsung staggered back but Liu kept on track of him, swinging the staff again which Tsung sliced clean through. Liu Kang tried for a second flying kick at point blank range. Tsung reacted quickly, dropping his straight sword to free both hands as he grabbed Liu Kang's foot. Using his strength, the sorcerer spun around before releasing Liu, which launched him through a wooden post used to support the structure. With the post broken alongside many others turning to ash, part of the ceiling collapsed. It nearly landed atop Liu Kang but he managed to roll away in time. Liu Kang got into his Jun Fan stance, whilst Shang Tsung got into his Snake stance opposite him in the crumbling dojo. Suddenly, a portal from what remained of the ceiling emerged and dropping in was Quan Chi. He landed on Liu Kang and began repeatedly stomping on his body before punt kicking him in the head which popped him in the air where he flew into a lariat from Shang Tsung.
"We are on the cusp of another victory, my friend," Quan Chi stated as the Deadly Alliance began beating up the already grounded Liu Kang with various martial art strikes.
"Indeed we are," Shang Tsung replied. "Let's finish him…"
Using all of his remaining power, Liu Kang released a burst of fire which blasted the Deadly Alliance from out of the dojo where they regrouped back on the lei tei platform. Liu Kang's arms became completely coated in a layer of bright orange fire, which spread onto his gi, incinerating it and leaving him shirtless. Liu Kang shot a pair of fireballs at his feet, propelling him over onto the central platform. The Deadly Alliance began to circle the Mortal Kombat Champion who awaited their next move. Shang Tsung was the first to charge forth, only to be blasted by two massive beams of fire from Liu's fiery arms. Shang Tsung only survived such a blast due to his golden chestplate protecting his body, but the fire still violently pushed Tsung back. Interrupting this, Quan Chi made a portal at Liu Kang's feet which forced him to fall through and emerged from the air above Shang Tsung who leapt up and caught Liu Kang with a crushing midair elbow strike. On his way back to the ground, Quan Chi summoned his set of broadswords which he used magic to track Liu Kang by flying after him, ensuring he was impaled by both swords on his fall. The Deadly Alliance laughed with Tsung summoning his own straight sword which he finally managed to plunge into Liu Kang's back as he had attempted to do previously. Blood began to pour out of Liu Kang rapidly as he coughed some of the red liquid up. He tried standing despite the three swords inside his body, managing to get up to his knees as he looked at Quan Chi as he wagged his finger at him. From behind he then felt the hands of Shang Tsung get a good grip around his head before…
A loud snap sounded throughout the courtyard, even with the loud fire burning behind the Deadly Alliance. They had already made another victim…
Liu Kang is dead.