Amilee and Maria had been wandering around Outworld for at least two hours, and had grown tired of the barren landscape.

"Where are we even going?" Maria groaned. Amilee didn't reply, she was busy squinting through the failing light, trying to see who was approaching them.

"Who is that?" Maria asked.

"Scorpion..." Amilee whispered.

"Who?" Maria had never met the ninja specter before.

He stopped a foot away, and strangely, removed his mask so they could hear him better.

"We meet again," he said, "I know why you have come."

Maria glanced at Amilee.

"You are trying to kill Onaga," he continued, "But I cannot let that happen."

"Why are you on his side?" Amilee asked.

Scorpion laughed, "Who said I was on his side? I just said you will not be the ones to kill him. I will defeat Onaga, no one else."

"We could help you," Amilee replied, hesitating slightly, "All we're doing now is trying to figure out what he's up to."

Scorpion seemed to be thinking, then he smiled.

"You'll never find his lair by yourself," he said, "Come, I'll lead you to Dragon Mountain."

Maria couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of the name.

Cherin had found Jax, Sonya, and Sarah thankfully not far from the portal in Edenia. The weather was calm, like is was most everyday in that beautiful realm.

"I would love to live here," Cherin sighed as they walked down the village path, toward the Royal Family's palace.

"Yeah," Sonya said, "When it's not being invaded. I swear every time I come here someone else is trying to take over."

It was not long before they approached the palace gates, and stopped dead in their tracks. Two guards lay dead, their necks snapped.

"See?" Sonya shook her head. The gates suddenly flew open, and a woman stumbled toward them.

"Queen Sindel!" Sonya caught her just before she sank to the ground.

The Queen struggled to catch her breath.

"I saw you approaching from the window," she gasped, "My daughter...Kitana, he has taken her."

"Who?" Sarah asked.

"Onaga," Sindel replied, "And now my imposter of a daughter has taken over my village!"

"Mileena," Sonya said.

"But she is not alone," the Queen told them, "She has the aid of a woman named Tanya, traitor to Edenia. Please help me, kill them. They have already murdered two of the villagers who refused to follow their orders."

"What orders?" Cherin asked.

Sindel finally found the strength to stand, "They are attempting to form a small army, starting with my villagers. Mileena ordered the villagers to attack Earthrealm, no doubt they are there already...I do not have the strength to send you to Earthrealm, but I can transport you to the Nexus."

"The what?" Jax asked confused.

"It is used by many to travel the realms quickly," she replied.

"Me and Sarah will go back to Earthrealm," Cherin said, "You two go look for Mileena and Tanya."

They disappear, Sonya and her partner are left alone.

"Let's go find those two little girls and teach them a lesson," Sonya grinned.

"Can't wait," Jax replied, following behind her.

Ashlynn and Jay Yung had been walking west, but had found nothing save for the Undead, who wandered the wastelands endlessly.

"What if that demon guy just lied to me," Ashlynn muttered, "What if there aren't even any ruins and Quan Chi actually went east and he's all the way on the other side of the Nethrealm! What if we just walk around forever until we starve to death or get eaten by zombies!"

Jay shook his head, once again she was talking way too fast. He squinted, then pointed ahead.

"Hey look," he said, "I can see the ruins."

Ashlynn strained her eyes, "I don't see anything."

"I have better eyes than you," Jay replied, "I'm part crow."

After a while they had finally reached the temple ruins. They no longer resembled anything close to a temple however. All that remained was the base, which had been completely vandalized by the Oni, most likely. Ashlynn walked toward the entrance, which was nothing more than a crumbling archway, leaving Jay behind. She looked around, but saw nothing.

"Damn..." she cursed.

"Are you looking for something?"

Ashlynn spun around, automatically putting up her arms in a defensive position. Standing behind her was a man dressed in red, wearing a mask.

"Maybe," she replied cautiously.

"We saw you enter the ruins," the man said, "We thought We could help you find whatever it is you are looking for."

Ashlynn raised an eyebrow, confused.

"We? I only see you."

"We," the man in red repeated, "Are called Ermac. We are a fusion of souls created long ago by a man named Shang Tsung, but We have been freed by a man named Kenshi."

Ashlynn nodded, "Kenshi, the Blind Swordsman, I've heard of him. If you really want to help me, you can tell me where to find Quan Chi."

Ermac started, "Quan Chi? Why would you want to find him?"

Ashlynn sighed, "I have my reasons...Well, will you help me or not?"

Ermac nodded slowly, "We will help you, on one condition."

"Which is?"

"Take Us through the portal when you leave."

Ashlynn agreed, it seemed simple enough.

"The sorcerer headed north, toward the Shrine of Kochal," Ermac said.

Ashlynn sighed again, following him out of the ruins.

Amilee, Maria, and Scorpion were making their way warily through a wide pass through the Outworld mountains.

"STOP!"

The three travelers whirled around, only to find themselves face to face with the ugliest creatures they'd ever laid eyes on. They had mouths filled with crooked, razor sharp fangs, and long blades protruding from their arms.

"What the hell..." Maria said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Tarkata," Scorpion spat, "The filth of Outworld."

The leader of the group, much larger than the others, took a step forward.

"Baraka," Scorpion said, "I thought Quan Chi killed you years ago."

It seemed as if Baraka was smiling, but then again they all looked that way...

"He did not kill me," Baraka replied, "That was only a decoy that I sent in my place. Fool, I knew of his plan to murder me. My new master, however, is ten times more powerful than Quan Chi ever was. I will make sure his plans are completed!"

He dashed toward Scorpion, who dodged. Baraka's blade missed the ninja, but slashed Maria's forearm. She screamed, holding her bleeding wound.

"Go north!" Scorpion yelled, "I can take care of them!"

Maria ran north, away from the battle, but Amilee rushed back.

"What are you doing!" Scorpion asked, still fighting off the last of the Tarkata. Amilee didn't reply. Instead, she tackled the biggest one, the leader, to the ground, pinning him.

"Tell your master he will be defeated!" she screamed. The mutant writhed, and for good measure she severed one of his fingers. He shot up, screaming, and fled. By this time Maria had made her way back, clutching her arm.

"There is a village near here," the ninja specter said, trying to catch his breath, "I'm sure they have a healer."

Maria bit her lip, Tarkatan blades had a tendency to cause more pain than a normal blade would.

Cherin and Sarah had arrived in Earthrealm some time ago, somewhere in the rural areas of China. They had finally, after much searching and questioning, located the Edenian army.

"Please, you have to stop" Sarah begged the leader, a middle aged man, most likely a farmer.

"We cannot," he replied, "Two of our own have already been killed, we cannot risk more lives."

"We must follow our orders," added a young woman.

"No," Cherin said, "No, you can help us. Come with us to Outworld and help us fight the Dragon King!"

There were a few moments of silence, then the whole army burst out laughing.

Sarah was getting frustrated with them. She was tired, she was hungry, and they wouldn't listen!

"You bunch of cowards," she snarled, "You won't even fight to save the place you call home? Pathetic."

Cherin looked at the army, apparently Sarah's harsh words were having some affect.\

"Very well," thel leader replied somewhat reluctantly.

They began to lead the group back to the portal, hurrying along quickly.

Ashlynn had been following Ermac for at least an hour. They were now approaching a large pool of boiling lava, surrounded by giant stone skulls, red hot liquid pouring from their gaping mouths.

"I'm guessing this is the Shrine of Kochal," Ashlynn remarked, not taking her eyes off the lava.

"Yes," the red ninja replied, "This is where the portal used to be located. As you can see it has since er...vanished."

They were making their way along a wide path, raised above the lava.

"Why would Quan Chi come here?" Ashlynn asked.

Ermac shrugged, "That is something We cannot tell you. Maybe he is trying to bring the portal back."

"But he can't do that without the amulet can he?"

"Not necessarily, he is cleverer than most."

Suddenly he stopped, and Ashlynn stumbled, trying not to run into him.

"What is it?" she asked.

"He has spotted us," Ermac said, "Our senses can tell."

Ashlynn was extremely frustrated with having to walk around the better part of the Nethrealm looking for him.

"Well unless he's invisible, which I doubt," she said, "I don't think he's here."

"Oh he is here," said an all too familiar voice, "But the question is, why are you here?"

Ashlynn turned around slowly, praying that Jay Yung was close by. There he was, the sorcerer, standing only a few feet away.

"We told you he was here," Ermac said.

Ashlynn glared at him, "Shut up..."

Quan Chi smiled, "Now what could have possibly brought you to this place? Did you finally work up the nerve to kill Amilee?"

"No," Ashlynn snapped, "That's not why I'm here."

"Well then please answer my question, why are you here?"

Ashlynn sighed, "Onaga is attempting a merger of the realms. Raiden sent me to ask..."

She was interrupted by his sudden laughter, "Raiden sent you to ask for my help did he? I never expected him to sink to that. Anyway, my answer is no."

"I won't beg you," Ashlynn said, crossing her arms.

He shrugged, "Beg me, do not beg me, I care not. But tell me, what reason do I have to help you? If I remember correctly the last time we met you were trying to kill me...and you failed."

"You should help us because it's your only chance of escaping this place," she answered.

"You are wrong there," the sorcerer informed her, "When the realms are merged, I, along with every low-level demon roaming this place, will be freed."

This time Ashlynn smiled, "No, you're wrong. If Onaga merges the realms he'll be supreme ruler, and you'll have no choice but to serve him."

Her smile broadened, she knew he would never serve anyone after Shinnok.

"I will assist you," he growled, "But be warned, you will owe me a favor later."

Ashlynn nodded, how bad could that be?

"We would not advise that," Ermac said.

Ashlynn jumped, she had forgotten he was even there.

"I am afraid she has no choice," Quan Chi said, looking at Ermac as is just noticing his presence, "Tell me Ashlynn, why are you traveling with this demon?"

Ermac's green eyes flared, "We are not demon! We do not even belong in this realm!"

Quan Chi chuckled, "But yet you are still here."

"Not for much longer," Ermac replied, "Assisting this woman has gained Us Our freedom."

The sorcerer was still laughing, "Really? Maybe you should request a favor from her as well. I hear she gives them out quite willingly."

Ashlynn bit her tongue to keep from screaming.

"If you're done insulting me," she said, "We should go."

"Very well, but first you will have to bring the portal..."

In a flash of red, the swirling vortex appeared. Ashlynn ran through, followed by Ermac, and then Quan Chi. They didn't see Jay Yung race through behind them.