Kitana sat by the campfire, which had long since settled into a dim glow. Images of Liu Kang flashed through her mind, she closed her eyes. The others were sound asleep. She looked up to see a crow perched on the edge of the fallen tree trunk on which she was sitting.
"At least there is still some life left in Outworld," she said to herself, "I pray we can overcome the sorcerers. Shang Tsung should have been dead..."
"You'll overcome it, I'm sure."
Kitana started, almost falling off the trunk in surprise. Had the crow just spoke? She must be losing her mind.
"Who are you?" she asked, feeling foolish for talking to a bird.
"A friend," the crow replied, "My name is Jay Yung."
"I have never heard of you," the princess said.
"Of course not, I've been in hiding until now. After I heard of Shao Kahn's defeat I was able to reveal myself, the curse is broken."
"Curse?" Kitana asked. In a flash of red light, the crow vanished. Now standing before her was a young man, with dark hair and darker eyes. Sarah, hearing the commotion, woke up and screamed. In the blink of an eye Jay Yung had her mouth covered. Sonya, also awake now, kick him hard in the ribs, knocking him away from Sarah.
"Stop!" Kitana ordered, "He is not our enemy!"
"My name is Jay Yung," the man said, "And I didn't mean to startle you." By now the rest of the group was wide awake.
"What are you doing here?" Maria asked.
"I saw Princess Kitana and thought it wise to assist her. I don't think I have much of a choice but to help you," Jay Yung replied.
Sonya, always the skeptical one, seemed unconvinced.
"I don't believe you," she said, "I bet your working for the sorcerers."
Jay Yung stared at her with piercing brown-black eyes.
"Don't always believe yourself," he said, "Overconfidence could get you killed." Before Sonya could lose her temper, Sarah cut in.
"Sonya, we need all the help we can get. Plus, if he does betray us his chances of surviving aren't very good."
Sonya shrugged and sat down to stretch out her legs.
"Well we need to stop the chat and come up with a plan, fast," she said.
Jay Yung smiled, "I might just have a few ideas."
Ashlynn was still scanning the room, searching for something, anything, to help. Maybe a crack in the wall that Jax could break through.
"It's no use," Jax sounded so forlorn that Ashlynn turned to look at him, "We ain't goin nowhere, and my arms are sore."
Cherin sighed,"This is bad, but worse is what I think he's doing to his precious servant."
Ashlynn shuddered, "I bet she's in his bed right now..."
Sub-Zero, who had been quiet, laughs shortly.
"I doubt that," he said simply. Jax looked at the man in blue suspiciously.
"You act like you know her," he said.
"No," Sub-Zero replied, "I don't. I just...have a feeling."
"Okay anyway," Cherin said, "Let's change the subject before I lose what little food I have in my stomach."
Sub-Zero nodded, "Yes, we must find a way out. But how?" He stood, walking over to one of the stone walls, and put an ear against it.
"A closet most likely," he said, "I doubt there is a lock. So everyone move back."
Jax snorted, "Okay man I know you want to play hero and everything, but running through the wall isn't the smartest thing."
Sub-Zero payed him no mind. Instead, he formed a blue ball of power in his hands. The room was suddenly colder, much to Ashlynn's relief. He threw the ball into the wall, shattering it. Strangely, no servants came rushing in to stop them.
"Yeah, okay, good job, now let's go," Jax said, pushing past the ninja. Sub-Zero pushes him back.
"I would prefer if Ashlynn went first," he said.
Ashlynn was surprised, "I haven't used my powers in so long, I don't know if I can still do it." Sub-Zero took her by the shoulders, "It takes believing in yourself. That is what I have told Frost."
Ashlynn closed her eyes, concentrating so hard it made her head hurt. Finally she opened them to see Jax and Cherin staring, wide eyed.
"I have no clue where you are Ashlynn," Cherin said.
"I did it!" Ashlynn squealed, sounding like a little school girl.
"Yeah," Jax said, "Now go, I'm not trying to get caught again." Ashlynn brushed past them, walking through the hole. Sub-Zero had been right, it was a closet. No one was there, but why would they be, she thought, it's a closet. She pushed the door open slowly, and squeezed through. Two guards stood at the end of the hall, talking loudly. She disposes of them quickly, and reappears. She gestures for the others, and they follow her toward a window at the end of the hall. Down below they can see nothing but sharp, deadly rocks.
"It isn't that far," Sub-Zero said. He raised his hands and formed an ice slide over the rocks. Cherin went first, desperate to leave, followed by Jax.
"Aren't you coming?" Ashlynn asked.
Sub-Zero shook his head, "I have to get Amilee."
Ashlynn smiled, climbing onto the slide. She knew that somehow he cared for that woman.
"There is an underground portal not far from these grounds. I will meet you there."
Ashlynn nodded, and pushed off, sliding down to meet the others.
Amilee stood in a large, cavernous room. The newly created suites for the Dragon King's army lay on the floor, lined up in neat rows. She had been polishing all day, her arms hurt, and her fingers were starting to bleed. Quan Chi stood off the one side, talking with one of his assassins. This one he particularly favored, Jun Lee. Jun Lee was not a big man, but he had an air of confidence that would intimidate even the largest of foes. He wore pitch black armor bearing the mark of Quan Chi, and a long flowing cape that reached his knees. His eyes were the exact shade of a summer sky, and his copper hair reached his shoulders.
"Three more days before we launch our attack," Quan Chi said, smiling, "By that time I will have added the Earth warriors' power to the army. The world will be ours, I will travel to Shang Tsung's palace tomorrow. Once the army is complete, I will no longer have need of my fellow sorcerer. I will kill him myself, and you will be my second in command."
Jun Lee's smile was so big Amilee though his head would burst.
"I would be honored Master," Jun Lee said, "But you see, I have one request."
Quan Chi raised an eyebrow, "That is?"
"I will need a lady by my side," the assassin replied. He looked at Amilee, who quickened her polishing, "Yet she will not do."
The sorcerer shook his head, "I may have someone in mind...but we will speak of that later. Now, let us discuss more important matters. Amilee, if you would leave us..."
Amilee didn't hesitate to drop her rag and rush from the room. On her way down the hall, she gasped when a someone pulled her inside a nearby room. Seeing that it was only Sub-Zero, she calmed down. She knew he was finally going to take her away from that place.
Ashlynn, Jax, and Cherin were walking toward the supposed location of the portals, when Ashlynn was snatched from behind, a hand covering her mouth. She elbowed her captor, only to see that whoever it was had vanished. Then, to her left, she spotted someone. Standing only twenty paces away was a ninja very much resembling Sub-Zero, only he wore an outfit of yellow...Scorpion.
"JAX! CHERIN! RUN!" she screamed.
"Get over here!" the yellow man bellowed. He extended his hand, sending a long snake like spear her way. She ducked just in time to avoid being impaled. Scorpion tilted his head to one side like a predator hunting it's prey. He vanished, and reappeared in front of her, popping her in the jaw. She flew to the ground, her lip bleeding. Jax rushed for the ninja, while Cherin stood, horrified. In a matter of seconds Scorpion was behind her, pinning her arms. In a flash of fire, they were both gone.
"No..." Ashlynn said, standing regardless of her bloody lip.
"We gotta go," Jax insisted, "We'll get her back, trust me."
Ashlynn wanted to protest, but knew he was right. They had to keep moving. They cleaned up in a nearby pond, and were finishing when Amilee and Sub-Zero showed up. Jax glared at Amilee, who glared back defiantly.
"Why is she here?" he asked.
"I can lead you to the portals," she replied, then looking around she asked, "Where's the other one?"
Ashlynn looked at the ground, "Kidnaped."
"Scorpion," Sub-Zero said knowingly, "I know where his lair is, but the portals are a mystery to me. You should have come across them by now..."
"I know where they are," Amilee said, "They're guarded, but I think I can get us past."
"Thanks," Ashlynn said as they headed forward.
Meanwhile, the other group was putting trying to come up with some sort of a plan.
"I'm sick of this," Maria said, "Why don't we just go in and start killing everybody?"
"We can't," Jay told her, "We will absolutely fail then."
"We must get to Shang Tsung," the princess added, "If there is anyone we need to kill it is him."
"But the palace is sure to be guarded," Sonya said, tying her blonde hair back, "And he has to be powerful if he raised himself from the dead."
"Well let's keep planning," Sarah said, "I'm pretty sure his assassins are still looking for us."
There was a movement in the trees. Everyone stood as Frost sauntered casually toward them, twenty assassins at her back.
"You are correct," the snowy haired traitor said, "Take them." She gestured to her entourage, who began seizing the fighters. Kitana looked toward the palace. Flying far off in the distance was a crow.
"Good luck Jay," she whispered, just as an assassin pinned her arms back.
Sub-Zero and the others had arrived at the portals, but they looked nothing like the portals they'd seen before. In front of them was a small wooden stable, but nothing more.
"Are you sure this is the right place?" Ashlynn asked.
Amilee nodded, "I'm sure." She opened the door, wincing as it creaked loudly, then turned to the others.
"Wait here," she said, "I know there are guards." She slipped quietly inside, leaving the group behind. She made her way down a flight of stone steps, almost stumbling twice. At the bottom were two guards who looked surprised to see her.
"I was sent by Quan Chi," she lied, "He has need of your assistance." The guards exchanged a look, then jogged up the steps only to find themselves frozen solid by Sub-Zero. There were two portals, large globular balls that travel faster than any car or plane. Amilee told them how they worked. Sub-Zero quickly grabbed her and slipped into one, letting it whisk them away. Ashlynn sighed, looking at Jax for reassurance.
"Scared?" he teased.
"I am not," Ashlynn said, stepping into one. He followed, and they were gone in seconds. The ride was the most terrifying thing they had ever experienced. Constantly turning this way and that, and once sailing over and open lake of lava. When finally they stopped, Ashlynn had to hold her stomach to keep from vomiting. They walked a short ways, silently, when Ashlynn fell through some sort of hole. She landed hard, bruising her back. Then she heard a sound and looked up to see Amilee hurtling toward her. She rolled just in time to avoid being squished. Soon, Sub-Zero and Jax also joined them. They are standing in the middle of some sort of cavern, lit by dim candles. Ashlynn gasped, Cherin was a short distance away, chained to a post. Surrounding the cavern was a ring of red hot lava. Sub-Zero rushed to release Cherin, only to be intercepted by Scorpion. Scorpion attacked first, knocking the Lin Kuei backward. Ashlynn ran to help Cherin, but was stopped by a group of ninjas who appeared out of nowhere. Ashlynn wasn't sure if Amilee could fight, but when she turned the dark haired woman was already making her way forward. The ninjas seemed frightened, as if not sure if they should attack her. They were sure Quan Chi would see them dead if they did. Jax came out of nowhere, knocking two of them over, arms spread out like a bird. Ashlynn ran to the one who was hypnotized by Amilee, kicking him into the wall. She was going to kill the other one, but Amilee stopped her.
"Let's just kill him!" Jax said. Then the ninja exploded, covering him in green gore. He tried shaking it off, disgusted.
"Remind me to thank you for this," he said to Amilee. She only smiled. They untied Cherin, telling her to visit the Elder Gods and tell them what had been going on. Sub-Zero and Scorpion were still battling. Suddenly, they both flew through the nearby wall. It dangled dangerously above the lava some fifty feet below. Scorpion laughed and vanished, leaving Sub-Zero to find his own way up. The room was shaking, rocks falling from the ceiling.
"You must leave," Sub-Zero grunted, "Fast!"
Ashlynn nodded and started to leave, but Amilee ran to Sub-Zero. With all of her strength, she hauled him up. Just before they reached the exit, Amilee was knocked unconcious by a falling rock.
Shortly after, having successfully escaped Scorpion's crumbling lair, they arrived just off of Shang Tsung's grounds. They had made the decision not to build a campfire, it was too risky. Sub-Zero laid Amilee on the ground near a patch of trees. A small gash had appeared on her forehead, but nothing really serious. She remained unconcious for hours, while Ashlynn tended to her wound, before she finally woke. Rubbing her head, she told them of Quan Chi's plans.
"That means we just have to wait until tomorrow evening when everyone will be complete. Let Quan Chi kill Shang Tsung and then we kill Quan Chi and then we..." Ashlynn was stopped by Jax.
"I can't understand a word you just said girl," he said.
"Sorry," Ashlynn replied sheepishly. She had a tendency to talk too fast when she was excited or nervous.
"I think we should split up," Sub-Zero said, "But this time I will accompany Ashlynn and help free the others, while you two head up to where the army is being held. Jax, you will be on the lookout while Amilee pretends she has betrayed Quan Chi for Shang Tsung. Any objections?"
"Yeah," Jax said, "I don't want to go with her."
Ashlynn smirked, "What's wrong Jax? Afraid she'll blow you up?" Amilee had to smile at that one. After some coaxing, Jax finally agreed.
"Alright then, let's go." Sub-Zero and Ashlynn headed toward the gates, while the other two headed around the back. Surprisingly, weren't any guards.
"This is too easy," Jax remarked, "I'm gonna slip into this closet right here, you go find Tsung."
Amilee agreed, and walked hurriedly toward the army's holding room. The guards at the doors immediately let her pass, seeing the emerald on her forehead. Amilee made her way past them, swallowing her fear.
Ashlynn and Sub-Zero had been making their way through the muddy water under Shang Tsung's bridge, listening as the guards fell asleep. Once they were sure the guards had passed out, they climbed onto the bridge. Sub-Zero froze the guards just as soon as they woke up. He was heading for the doors, when something struck him in the head. Ashlynn looked up to see a large crow hovering above them. The crow landed on the ground and took human form, surprising both Sub-Zero and Ashlynn.
"I will make sure no harm comes to these prisoners," the crow man said.
"Wait," Ashlynn replied, "We're trying to save them. They're our friends."
The man looked her over, thinking.
"I apologize," he said to Sub-Zero, "But I couldn't take any chances."
Sub-Zero grudgingly accepted his apology, then pushed the doors open. Jay Yung smiled at Ashlynn briefly before following. Ashlynn found herself unable to move for a moment.
"Stop it," she said to herself, "This is no time to get attracted to a man..."
"Did you say something?" Jay Yung, asked smiling.
"No...nothing," Ashlynn lied. But she knew he had heard.
"Follow me," Jay Yung told them, "I know where they are being held."
They made their way quickly to the underground dungeons where the others were, releasing them and telling them of their plans.
Cherin stepped out of the portal, holding her stomach. Looking up, she gasped. She was standing at the end of a long hall with glowing blue walls carved with statues bearing a likeness to the Elder Gods themselves. At the end of the hall was a large raised dais. She walked down the hall, climbing onto the platform. In no time the Elder Gods appeared before her in their human forms.
"Why have you come here?" the God of Fire questioned, his voice a low baritone.
"The two sorcerers have discovered the Dragon King's army," Cherin said, "They are trying to revive it. I was sent to ask you for help."
There was silence for a moment, then the God of Water spoke, "The two sorcerers are bolder than anyone Earth has ever faced, even Shao Kahn. But there is nothing we can do to help you."
Cherin had been expecting this answer, "Please! We're no match for them! We need your help!"
The God of Wind smiled slightly, "There is nothing we can do, but there is someone who can help you."
Cherin almost stumbled off the dais when the person appeared in front of her.