Sonya glanced at frost angrily, then she glared at Sub-Zero for ever having trained her. Suddenly, the ropes binding her hands turned cold, icy. She broke them quietly, along with everyone else, and they crept into the surrounding trees. One of the assassins glanced back, then again. Seeing no one, he yelled.

"HALT!" The whole group stopped and wheeled around. Out of nowhere Kitana's bladed fan came whizzing by, landing in the throat of a nearby assassin. He clutched at his neck, falling to the ground. Sarah jumped out of the trees, followed closely by Maria. They fought off the assassins one by one, until none remained. By this time Frost had fled, Sub-Zero was also nowhere to be found.

Maria turned to Sarah, "Do you think Sub-Zero is a traitor too?"

"No," Sarah replied, shaking her head, "He wouldn't have set us free if he planned to betray us."

"She's right," Sonya said, "But it looks like we're on our own now. We still have to get to the palace."

"I'm starting to think that isn't the best idea," Sarah said. Kitana looked them over, her face strict.

"We must keep going," she told them, "Knowing Sub-Zero I believe he has gone to warn the others. I just pray they have been successful so far..."

Sonya reties one of her boots, then looks at the group.

"I think we should travel back a few miles and leave Shang Tsung's grounds," she said, "Because he's expecting us shortly and not arriving will create suspicions. No doubt he'll send out more men to search."

"You are right," Kitana replied. With that they made their way back, away from Shang Tsung's lands.

Meanwhile, Shang Tsung himself stood inside his lavish chambers, staring impatiently out of the huge window. Frost stood nearby, silent. Slowly the sorcerer spoke, every word dripping with venom.

"They should have arrived by now Frost, I am extremely disappointed in you."

Shame took over the woman's pale features. "I agree," she replied softly, "Something must have happened..."

Once again Tsung turned back toward the window, seeing nothing but inky blackness.

"They have escaped," he said, almost whispering, "If only you would have stayed with them, this would not have happened."

Frost stared at the ground, "You ordered me to lead them into your trap and come back here, but if you are so angry, perhaps you should pay better attention to the orders you give." Immediately, the Lin Kuei woman regretted her words. Shang Tsung hurled her into the wall, knocking books off the shelves with the impact.

"NEVER QUESTION ME AGAIN!" he bellowed. Frost sank to the ground, apparently hurt. She looked up at him, her eyes an icy blue. He lifted her from the ground, smiling crookedly.

"Since you are an important tool in this battle," he said, "I will not kill you. But fair warning, never shall you speak your opinions to me."

Frost, angry, spit at him and stalked out of the room. The sorcerer chuckled.

Ashlynn, Jax, and Cherin had eaten every crumb on the platter. But, seeing the water Amilee had brought, they stopped.

"What kind of water is that!" Ashlynn asked, disgusted by the yellowish liquid.

"I know," Jax added, "Looks like they had a pig piss in it or something!"

"I'd say it was poison," Cherin said.

Amilee is getting irritated, "This is my grape wine! How dare you!"

Jax laughed, looking at the anger on her face. Amilee pulled back a hand to slap him, but he caught it, holding her wrist painfully.

"LET GO," she screamed, "Or I'll have Quan Chi give me your head!"

Jax dropped her wrist, shaking his head.

"You think he favors you that much don't you?"

"I know he does..."

Ashlynn grinned, "But the question is, do you favor him that much?"

Amilee locked eyes with the red haired woman, "No."

"Then why the hell are you working for the guy?" Cherin asked, finally forcing herself to take a sip of the wine, "Hey, this isn't too bad." She was about to take another sip, but Jax snatched the goblet from her hand, taking a gulp for himself, then handing it to Ashlynn. Amilee folded her arms across her chest, "It wasn't my choice to work for him. I was taken from my family when Shao Kahn was ruling. I was wealthy and confused and Quan Chi found me and..."

Suddenly Ashlynn bursted out laughing, "Please don't tell me he fell in love with you!"

Amilee shook her head, a slight smile on her face.

"Anyone's a fool the think that vile bastard could or will ever love. But lust, now that's a different thing."

Jax and Cherin exchanged a glance, "She didn't..." Jax said.

Cherin turned to Amilee, disgusted. "Did you..."

Amilee interrupts her, "OF COURSE NOT! I told him I'd hang myself first."

"Thank God..." Ashlynn whispered. Cherin was about to add something when they heard a small noise.

"You might want to leave," Ashlynn said to Amilee, "Wouldn't want old Quan Chi mad at you now would ya?"

Amilee glared, "I was sent to pay you a visit anyway."

Jax laughed, "Why? To full us in on your personal life?"

"I brought the food, you asked the questions." There was another noise, louder this time. Then, in a blurr of motion, Sub-Zero was in the room with them. He looked at Amilee and nodded, then looked at the others.

"It's your friends, they're in danger."

Ashlynn stood, looking at Amilee, "Could you help us out?"

Before Amilee could reply, Quan Chi stood in the doorway, smiling.

"She will not help you," he said, "Now I believe you all need some rest. Tomorrow will be quite a day, won't it Cherin?"

Cherin froze, eyes wide. Ashlynn ran to her, staring hard at the sorcerer.

"Stop doing that to her!"

Quan Chi shrugged, "I have done nothing, she has scared herself. Now Amilee, if you will?"

Amilee walked to him, but Jax interrupted.

"Don't go with him."

In a flash of green light, Jax was sent into the wall. Ashlynn and Cherin rushed to his aid, trying to help him up.

"I hope you learn not to give orders to my servants again," Quan Chi said, "I know she does not appreciate it."

He extended an arm, and Amilee took it, reluctantly. They left, slamming the door shut. Ashlynn fanned herself, it was becoming really humid in the small tower room. Her black tank top clung uncomfortably to her skin, and her jeans were starting to show signs of dirt.

"Gross..." she said to herself. Her red hair was still tied into a ponytail, but neat she couldn't say. She looked over to where Sub-Zero sat in the corner, thinking hard. She walked over to sit by him. Jax stayed near Cherin, angry.

"What are you thinking so hard about?" Ashlynn asked.

The Lin Kuei answered without looking at her, "Our escape." Ashlynn looked around the room, but there was nothing to help.

Quan Chi stood in the throne room, staring hard at Amilee.

"What do you think about our visitors?" the sorcerer asked.

Amilee said nothing, so he continued, "I do not think I asked you to show them generosity when I ordered you to check up on them."

Amilee swallowed, "Prisoners or not they deserved to eat. I've known what it feels like to starve..."

Quan Chi cut her off, "Have you? Ever since I brought you here I have treated you like a princess, and still you come against me and my wishes." Amilee raised her eyes from the floor.

"It was not my wish to be here before you now," she said.

Quan Chi was getting irritated, "I saved you! I could have left you to be killed with your family, but I saved you."

The woman's dark eyes narrowed to slits, "I would've very much loved to die with my family." Out of nowhere, the sorcerer slapped her hard across the face, sending her to the floor. She looked up, blood trickling down her chin. He wiped it away and lifted her to her feet.

"If you wish to be servant," he said, his voice dangerously quiet, "Then you shall be. Take her away!" Two guards quickly rushed through the doors, seizing her.

"Let go!" she screamed, to no avail.

"Tomorrow I will have you polishing the suits of my army," Quan Chi said, watching as the guards dragged her from the room.

"If I live through this I will be happy to see you dead!" she yelled.

He smiled, "You will not be alive for long."