Shang Tsung was standing near the Soulnado, admiring the army, when Amilee entered. He spun around to face her.
"Why are you here?" He smiled, as if he already knew.
"I have come to tell you that I...I have betrayed my master," Amilee almost whispered, "I wish to serve you."
"I knew eventually you would come to your senses," Tsung replied, "But as of this moment I have to orders for you. But first off, let me rid you of that horrid jewel. I wouldn't want you running around with the mark of Quan Chi."
Amilee's mouth went dry, she hadn't been expecting this at all. Tsung raised his hand, emitting a faint light. Amilee felt a slight stinging, and the emerald plummeted to the ground, shattering into tiny pieces.
"Now that's better isn't it? Go now, you will be of use to me later I'm sure."
Amilee left, finally letting her breath out once she was out of the room.
Quan Chi had been sitting in his throne room, meditating, when he felt his tie to Amilee snap. His eyes flew open, and he almost growled.
"MAVADO!"
In a matter of seconds Mavado was by his side, "Yes master?"
"It appears our dear Amilee has betrayed us," Quan Chi told him, trying to contain his anger.
"Would you like me to kill her quickly, or make her suffer?" Mavado asked, sheer joy in his voice.
"No, do not kill her," Quan Chi replied, "I have something far more painful in mind. Bring one of her companions back here, and she will watch whomever you choose die slowly..."
"And who will have the pleasure of killing this person?" Mavado was hoping it would be him.
"I will," the sorcerer snarled.
Sub-Zero and the others were walking back toward the trees, looking for Amilee and Jax.
"Maybe they're not back yet," Sarah said.
"Oh my God Jax!" Ashlynn rushed forward, kneeling next to Jax who was sprawled out on the ground. He groaned.
"What happened? Where is Amilee?" Sub-Zero asked, frantically scanning the area.
"Oww," Jax moaned, "We were attacked. We tried to fight em' off, but there were too many. They took Amilee."
Sub-Zero's face paled.
Slowly, Jax sat up, "They were Quan Chi's assassins."
"Sarah watch out!" Maria screamed. Sarah fell to her hands and knees, scrambling back up quickly. Mavado chuckled.
"You again?" Jax sighed.
"Happy to see me?" Mavado laughed. The fighters all took on a fighting stance.
"No use in that," Mavado informed them, "I've brought company."
Assassins had begun to surround them.
"Damn," Jax said, "Every time!"
They looked at eachother as their arms were pinned behind their backs and they were lined up next to one another. Mavado paced in front of them, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"You see no matter what, one of you is coming with me. The question is, who will it be?"
He stopped in front of Sarah, who gulped, then Kitana who only glared. Finally paused in front of Ashlynn, who was last in line.
"I remember you," he said, "I'm sure my master will enjoy this immensely."
"Leave her alone," Jay Yung cut in, "Take me."
Mavado looked at him, but didn't move.
"I find it so adorable that you are willing to sacrifice yourself to save this woman," he replied, "Knowing that you care will make it so much more enjoyable watching her die." With that, he seized Ashlynn and vanished, cutting off her scream. The assassins had also disappeared.
"We must get to Quan Chi's fortress!" Jay said.
"By the time we get there it'll probably be too late," Maria's voice was sad.
"Not to worry," said a voice from behind them, "I think I can help you out there." They turned, to find themselves looking into Raiden's face.
"What happened?" Jax asked.
"I will explain later," the thunder god replied, "We have no time to waste. I will transport us to Quan Chi's fortress. Ashlynn is in danger, I fear she will not last long against him."
They vanished in a flash of purple light.
Ashlynn struggled against Mavado's strong grasp as he pushed her toward a pair of double doors.
"Rest assured," he laughed, "It will be over soon."
On the other side of the doors was a strange room. It had no ceiling, so the blood red sky was visible. There was some kind of strange glowing thing to the left, and a waterfall to the right. There was also a platform which was apparently where the sorcerer fought his battles because it was stained with blood. Quan Chi was standing in the middle of the platform, he turned at the sound of Ashlynn's screaming.
"Ah," he said, "I see our guest has arrived. Amilee!"
Amilee was shoved through the opposite set of doors. Seeing Ashlynn, her mouth fell open.
"I must say," Chi remarked, "You were much more attractive with the emerald."
"Just kill me," Amilee begged, "Don't harm her."
Quan Chi laughed, "You see, this is what happens when you disobey me. But not to worry, it is not her time to die yet. First I must transfer her power to the army. For that we must travel to Shang Tsung's palace. Mavado, bring her to me."
Ashlynn stiffened, and tried to get away, but it was no use.
Raiden and the others arrived at the fortress just in time to see a green light forming near the top.
"They are about to leave," Raiden said, "Quan Chi is building his power up for a quick getaway."
"I'll stop him," Jay Yung said, "He probably already expects a disturbance."
He transformed into a crow, and flew toward the fortress. The others followed as quickly as possible, running up the hill toward the doors.
Jay Yung had managed to stop them from leaving, but was now trapped inside a small locked cage, still a crow.
"Please, let him go," Ashlynn begged.
She wasn't normally the type to beg, but for Jay Yung she couldn't help it. Amilee stared at her with a hint of a smile, but it faded quickly when an assassin entered the room with a strange creature resembling both a lion and a dog. It barked, making her jump.
"Hmmm," Quan Chi said, "I have not fed this creature for years. It is a wonder it is still alive."
Ashlynn was about to yell, but didn't, instead she gasped with joy.
"Raiden!"
Amilee had never met Raiden, but gasped because of how bright and powerful he seemed.
"I should have known you were not so easy to get rid of," Quan Chi said.
"Yeah, but you don't know a lot of things now do you?" Everyone stared at Cherin like she had three heads.
"Er, of course you know some things, but I'll shut up now..." Cherin trailed off, unable to keep talking.
"Well then," Chi said, ignoring her, "Shall we discuss this somewhere else? If you will follow me I am sure we can sort this matter out..."
Jax interrupted him, "Save it Quan Chi, you're cornered and you can't fool us. You gotta die."
The sorcerer smirked, "Actually, you must die." Assassins poured into the room, surrounding them once again.
"You have no idea who you are dealing with," Chi said.
"I know I'm dealing with a bald, zombie looking piece of shit who needs to go back to his grave," Jax retorted.
"You are exactly right, only I do not go to the grave, you do."
Quan Chi hit Jax with a green skull. He landed in a small pond some sixty feet away. Just as he was climbing out, ghost like beings began to pull him under the murky water. Maria and Cherin were about to rescue him, but Raiden stopped them.
"Those spirits cannot kill Jax, he has been taken to the Netherealm, and he will have to fight his way back up." Just then, Shang Tsung appeared, alongside Frost. Mavado and Jun Lee arrived shortly after.
"Well," Tsung said, "It looks like the party has begun."
There were two sides. Ashlynn and the others on one side, Quan Chi, Shang Tsung, Jun Lee, Frost, and Mavado on the other.
"Looks like it's time to finish this," Amilee said.
Tsung looked at her, "As I suspected, you were never really a loyal servant, but no matter. As soon as you all are dead the realms will be ours."
"We'll see about that," Sonya said.
Jun Lee stared at her, "That one must be mine, right?"
Sonya laughed, "In your dreams."
"No," Chi replied, pointing to Cherin, "That one."
"She is lovely," Lee said.
Cherin almost gagged, "Sorry, I'm with Sonya on this one."
The sky darkened, and three circles of light descended from the Heavens.
"So it begins," Ashlynn sighed.
"Sorcerers," the God of Fire bellowed, "The time has come to put an end to this."
Raiden turned to his fighters, "It is up to you, I have no part in this. Good luck young ones."
Ashlynn looked at her friends, and then at Quan Chi and his fighters. She knew she had a big part to play, so she closed her eyes and did what she knew she had to. She opened them, they were now a glittering green. Taking a breath, she stepped toward Quan Chi.
"I got him," she said. Quan Chi smiled, looking at her like she was an ant.
Everyone was about to protest, but Amilee shushed them.
"It takes faith," she said, "To win a battle."
"This, coming from a servant," Mavado sneered.
Amilee walked confidently toward him, she had picked her opponent. Sub-Zero finally froze the cage, freeing Jay Yung who took on his human form. He looked at Ashlynn, then made his way toward Shang Tsung.
"I will take you," he said.
Suddenly Tsung didn't look so confident, "Of course..."
There was no need for words, they all knew Sub-Zero wanted to challenge Frost.
"No," Sonya said, "Let me have her."
Frost looked as if a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
"Don't look so relieved," Sonya smiled, "You haven't felt my boot yet."
Sub-Zero was not so much worried about Frost, as he was about Amilee fighting Mavado. The thought of that man with his greasy hands on her...
Cherin approached Jun Lee, who was eying the remaining women like a child looking through a candy store window.
"Keep you eyes in your head," Cherin said, "Or I'll have to knock them back in for you."
Jun Lee smirked, obviously he wasn't taking her seriously, "Is that a threat?"
"Damn right it is!" Cherin retorted.
Jun Lee smiled, this might turn out to be worth while.
Raiden placed a hand on Kitana's shoulder, "Princess, you must stand by me. This is not your battle."
The Edenian Princess seemed unsure, but obeyed anyway. Raiden knew best...
Maria and Sarah scanned the five assassins in front of them.
"I guess we get the leftovers," Maria said.
Sarah seemed happy with the fact, "Sounds good to me."
The God of Fire raised his hands above his head, silencing the room.
"Let us begin, this will be solved as it should be...In Mortal Kombat!"
So it began...
Ashlynn and Quan Chi circled eachother, both hesitant to make the first move. Ashlynn's eyes were burning with hatred, making the sorcerer even more excited with the prospect of killing her. He lunged, but Ashlynn was ready. She ducked, coming back up with a jump kick to his jaw. He smiled.
"I learned a little something from Sonya," Ashlynn said, "Didn't expect that did ya?"
She had to jump with a little more effort to land that kick, she never could do it right. She did a back handspring, giving herself a little more distance to try one of her other powers she hadn't used in a while. But Quan Chi took the advantage and threw a green skull her way. She ducked low enough so that it barely missed her head, then shot back up. She placed her hands in front of her, palms facing out. Focusing her energy, she was able to create two green, glittering daggers. They seemed to have a mind of their own because they shot straight from her hands, slashing the sorcerer's knees. Then they flew back into her palms, making her stagger backward. Quan Chi was now furious. Suddenly he made the decision to take her more seriously. He conjured up his own weapons, two long swords that were easily as long as both of Ashlynn's arms put together. Ashlynn grinned, staring at her daggers which began to grow longer until they rivaled Quan Chi's.
Meanwhile. Mavado and Amilee had spilled enough blood to fill a pitcher. Amilee had managed to sever one of his arms, and in turn he had slashed her ribs with his hook like ropes. Amilee fell to the ground, holding her bleeding side. Mavado knelt down, grasping her hair roughly. She looked him straight in the eye and spit. He stumbles backward out of surprise, and she knees him in the crotch. This time he fell, and Amilee stood over him, kicking him again and again. Then finally he managed to kick her mid-section, sending her back into the stone wall. She fell in a heap on the floor, blood uniting with saliva in a pool under her head. Mavado smiled, this just kept getting better.
Shang Tsung was on the ground, beaten down by Jay Yung's exceptional martial arts skill. But the strangest thing began to happen. Tsung stood, his eyes now milky white. Jay Yung felt as if every bone in his body was trying to escape. Unexpectedly, he collapsed, hand over his heart.
Kitana was becoming more and worried, "What is he doing Raiden!"
"Shhh Kitana," Raiden replied, "We must see how strong Jay Yung's spirit really is."
Jay clenched his teeth hard, struggling to his feet.
"Give it up boy," Tsung chided, "Your soul is already in my hands."
"Not...yet!" Jay grunted. His brown eyes had gone completely black, and wings sprouted from his back, ribbing his shirt. His fingernails extended into talon like claws, and his teeth had been sharpened into razor like fangs. He stood, facing the sorcerer. He shoved Tsung, sending him flying across the room. Then he turned to look at Ashlynn who, when she caught a glimpse of his terrible new form, froze. Quan Chi took the opportunity to slash her arm. She gasped and turned her concentration back to her own battle. Tsung stood, stalking toward Jay who was still focusing on Ashlynn. As the sword slipped into his body, Jay Yung's black eyes shifted back to brown, his wings disappeared, and he fell to his knees. Just before blackness took him, he managed to impale Shang Tsung, much to the sorcerer's surprise. Then they were both still...still as death...
Frost had managed to escape the fortress, she'd had enough of Sonya's boot. Besides, she had plans of her own. No doubt the Deadly Alliance was about to be decimated.
Maria and Sarah had killed all five assassins, and were watching Cherin's battle with interest. It seemed as if Jun Lee was just toying with her, not really wanting to harm her. Probably because he knew that once her power was gone, so her soul would be also. Then he would be free to do with her anything he wished...anything. But Maria, Sarah, and Sonya had different plans. They had him cornered.
"Ladies," he smiled, "Easy. You don't want to get killed now do you?"
Cherin snorted, "Don't kid yourself, you know it's your ass that's about to be killed."
Quick as a flash, Jun Lee seized Cherin by the hair, holding a dagger to her throat. Cherin thanked the Gods for this good fortune, being this close to him would allow her to use her favorite power. Now she would show him what the Power of the Past was all about. Jun Lee dropped the knife, staring ahead of him. Everything in the room vanished, leaving only a swirling cloud. He soon realized that the cloud was forming into a tornado, a tornado filled with the worst memories of his life. He released Cherin, and ran away from the swirling vortex. In reality, he ran smack into the wall of the fortress, splattering his head in an instant.
"Ewww..." Maria said, averting her eyes. Then they joined Raiden and Kitana, watching the final battle.
The fight between Ashlynn and Quan Chi was still raging. The ground started ti rumble, and they both looked toward the small pond that was boiling. Jax was hurled from the water, looking stronger than ever. Behind him, following silently, stood almost a dozen of the Undead. Sonya smiled at her partner who ordered the zombies to kill Mavado. They accomplished their task in record time, leaving nothing but a ragged black cloak on the ground. Jax lifted Shang Tsung from the ground, hurling him with a grunt into the pond. The Undead followed him down, pushing his soul into the deepest depths of the Netherealm. He shook out his arms, then joined the others, still watching the last battle.
Quan Chi was angry, he knew his plan had been foiled. So he dropped down to his knees, surprising Ashlynn.
"I surrender," he muttered.
"You give up?" Raiden asked skeptically.
The sorcerer let his swords clatter to the ground, "Yes, I surrender."
"The it is over," the God of Fire sighed, relief evident in his voice, "You have lost sorcerer."
Suddenly Quan Chi smiled, "Oh no, I have not lost...not yet. You see if you kill me, what will you do with the army? You have no idea how to control it."
Amilee stepped forward, "I know how to control it, I know about your plans."
The sorcerer glared, sending a green skull at her, only this one was different. It went right through her. She slumped to the ground, unmoving. Quan Chi sent Ashlynn into the wall with a skull, and called upon a portal. Raiden rushed to follow him through, but it was too late. Ashlynn groaned slightly as Jax hoisted her to her feet. Amilee and Jay still didn't move. Sub-Zero checked both pulses, his face blank.
"They're dead," Ashlynn whispered.
"I can do something about this," Raiden said, "They are still floating through the space between life and death. I may be able to bring them back."
He raised both hands, sending bolts of electricity through both Amilee and Jay Yung. After a while their eyes flew open, and they sat up.
"Quan Chi is dead," Jay Yung said, "I'm free! I'm not a servant anymore!"
Everyone stared at him strangely.
"What are you talking about? You were never his servant..." Ashlynn said.
"Did I kill him?" Amilee asked, "What happened? I transformed and then I remember...AHHH! That's me!"
She pointed to Jay Yung, standing a few feet away.
"I'm a man..." Jay Yung said quietly.
Raiden ran a nervous hand through his silvery hair, "I er...seem to have made a mistake. Amilee and Jay Yung have switched bodies...hmmm...I will speak with the Elder Gods..." He left, leaving the others alone.
"What am I wearing?" Amilee (Jay Yung) asked.
"Don't complain about the clothes," Jay Yung (Amilee) said, " I feel like a giant over here!"
Just then a nearby statue blew up.
"Um, Amilee I think Jay is having a little fun with your powers..." Cherin said, trying to hide her smile.
"Don't do that!" the real Amilee screamed. Just as they were leaving, Sub-Zero approached Amilee, or Amilee in Jay's body.
"Amilee?" he asked.
"Yes?" she replied.
"I was just uh...I was going to ask you something...nevermind, I'll wait."
"Oh okay..." she leaned a little closer, forgetting she was now a man, and he quickly sprinted away.
"This is so not working out!" she fumed.
The next day Cherin awoke to the sound of loud snoring.
"Amilee shut up!"
Amilee sat up in her bunk. Even though she was inside Jay's body, she had still dressed in her pink pajamas. She rolled her eyes and walked out the door.
"This is too weird," Ashlynn muttered.
Son they followed her outside. Everyone else had already woken, and were sitting on the ship's deck, eating breakfast. All except Kitana, Sub-Zero, and Sonya, who had stayed behind with Raiden to search for Quan Chi. Amilee and Jay had been forced to wait awhile for Raiden's return, so theywere not in the best of moods. Jax had been criticizing Jay Yung about his newly acquired feminine body parts for two days. Amilee was sitting at the table, picking at her eggs without interest.
"Eat," Jay Yung said, "My body needs it." He shoved a muffin in Amilee's face. She gasped as he began to stuff her face with food. Quickly she pulled the plate away, throwing it overboard.
"Hey!" Jay yelled.
She tossed him an apple, smiling.
"Man," Jax said, "See what I mean? I don't like her attitude."
Amilee stood, still smiling.
"Well Jax," she said, "I bet I could take you now. Wanna try?"
"No!" Jay protested, "Okay Amilee sit down and eat an apple or something. On one condition, you take of that pink dress thingy."
Amilee's grin broadens, "Okay." She ripped the dress from Jay's body, causing a nearby waitress to stop in shock. The waitress smiled, then winked.
"I'm a girl!" Amilee screamed. The waitress ran away. Ashlynn couldn't help but admire his body.
"I'll kill you!" Jay screamed.
"You mean kill you," Amilee giggled.
Jay ran at her, or himself, tackling her.
"This is gonna take awhile," Sarah sighed.
"STOP!" Amilee screamed, "You'll break my nail!"
Jay sneered at her and bit off one of her perfectly manicured nails.
"YOU JERK!"
She ran forward and pushed him overboard, satisfied. Then she stopped.
"I just pushed myself off the boat...Hold on Jay I'm coming!" With that she threw herself over the railing to help Jay back onto the boat.
Later, in the distance, they could see the Statue of Liberty in the distance.
A few months later, everything was pretty much back to normal. Cherin got a job at a local boxing club, Ashlynn had begun to teach young people about self defense, she also kept close contact with Raiden. Amilee was still in Jay's body, but managed to get a job at a New York spa, Jax had gone back to help out in the U.S. Army, along with Sonya, Kitana remained in China, Maria and Sarah had gone to an elite martial arts school in Louisiana, and Sub-Zero was in Outworld searching for Frost.
Quan Chi's whereabouts remained unknown, but it was rumored that Shang Tsung had escaped the Netherealm. So maybe the Deadly Alliance wasn't so dead after all...But little did they know that there was something more evil, more deadly, than a pair of power hungry sorcerers. They had no idea the challenge they were about to face...The Dragon King.