It was early morning, the sun had just risen, and Ashlynn was more bored than she could ever remember being. She was standing in the middle of a long hall, staring out of a large window, when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Onaga has been vanquished," Quan Chi said.

"Oh," Ashlynn replied distantly, "Good."

He turned her around, staring hard at her.

"You do not seem too happy about this news."

"Oh no," she said hastily, "I am happy."

She did her best to smile, but could tell he knew it was fake.

"You will pay a visit to Lei Chen," the sorcerer told her, "Inform them that they are under the rule of a new emperor. Tell Zeffeero he will keep his promise, or I will burn the city to the ground."

Ashlynn nodded numbly. She had forgotten about the whole Quan Chi being the new emperor thing.

Despite the early hour, Lei Chen was buzzing. Ashlynn approached the single, tired looking guard at the gates, who held his spear up to block her.

"You are not welcome here," he hissed, "The last time we saw you the Outworld kamidogu was destroyed and-

Ashlynn cut him off, "I have good news, Onaga has been defeated."

The guard seemed to relax slightly.

"Is that so? Well then...I suppose there is no harm in it. Go on," he lowered his spear, but he still seemed very suspicious. Ashlynn approached Lie Chen's center square, where Lord Zeffeero stood, looking older than before. His face took on an expression of rage upon seeing her.

"What do you want with us now?" he asked angrily.

"I'm here to inform you that Onaga is dead," Ashlynn said, "And Outworld is under the rule of a new emperor."

Zeffeero didn't look the least bit surprised.

"Tell the Emperor that I will not accept him as ruler," he replied, walking closer with the help of his walking stick, "He is a cruel man, we were better off with Shao Kahn."

Ashlynn paused, she hadn't been expecting this, and she didn't want to see anyone hurt.

"Listen," she said, "You don't have a choice. He said he would destroy your village. Please, I don't want to see these innocent people suffer."

The old man looked her over, seemingly thinking hard.

"You are not a bad person," he said after a while, "Why do you serve him?"

"That's a long story," she replied, looking away from him.

The Overlord sighed, "Very well, tell him that I accept. Though I have a feeling I will regret it..."

"Believe me," Ashlynn said, relieved, "I won't let him harm your village."

The Overlord nodded, and didn't take his eyes from her until she had disappeared through the gates.

"I fear what Quan Chi will do with such power."

Amilee and Sub-Zero had made it into the fortress. It was late, and the halls were empty. Now they found themselves facing a hallway lined with doors on both sides.

"So," Amilee whispered, "Which one?"

The Lin Kuei didn't reply. Instead he crept toward the first door on the right and pulled it open.

"What are you doing?"

"Shhh," he said, "She's not in this one. You take the left, and I'll take the right."

Amilee shrugged, pulling open the first door on the left. Inside she found nothing but a young man sprawled out on a bed, an empty wine bottle on the floor. She peaked in three more rooms before Sub-Zero stopped.

"Here," he said, signaling her to follow. Amilee approached Ashlynn's sleeping form, who had thrown the covers off the bed.

"I never thought I would have to see you again."

They both spun around, startled, to find the sorcerer standing in the doorway.

Ashlynn yawned and opened her eyes. She looked at Amilee, then Sub-Zero, and then Quan Chi...

"You son of a-

Amilee stopped her, "Not a good time to make him mad Ash."

"You lied to me," she continued, ignoring Amilee's protests, "You said they were all dead."

"You were better off not knowing," the sorcerer replied, staring daggers at the two intruders.

"No," Ashlynn said, "You were better off not telling me! You lied because it would help you! You knew I would never have joined you if I knew my friends were still alive!"

Quan Chi ignored her anger, "I came here to tell you something, before I found them here."

Ashlynn stood, picking up the covers off the floor.

"What?" she asked sharply.

"There is one last part of the prophecy," the sorcerer said.

Frustrated, she threw the blankets back to the ground.

"Dammit! I'm sick of this! What is it?"

Quan Chi seemed to hesitate, "The holder of the power, which is you, must have..."

He stopped.

"Have what?" Ashlynn asked slowly.

"You see," he continued, "The power that you hold must be passed from generation to generation...in case something were to happen to you."

Ashlynn blinked, processing what she had just been told.

"Oh hell no!" she said finally.

Quan Chi had apparently expected this, "You have no choice. You agreed to this, the prophecy must be fulfilled. You will have a child, otherwise my plans could be ruined."

Amilee, unable to control herself, chuckled. Ashlynn looked at her and she quickly shut up.

"No," she said, "I'm only twenty and I will not-

Quan Chi held up a hand to stop her, "Your age makes no difference now."

"What does he mean by that?" Amilee asked, finally recovering her voice.

"Fire meets water," Sub-Zero muttered, "She is immortal..."

Ashlynn shook her head, "How did everyone know about this damn prophecy except me?"

"I will make a deal with you," the sorcerer said to Ashlynn, "Help me fulfill this prophecy, and I will spare your friends."

"Ashlynn don't you dare!" Amilee said, taking her friend by the arm. Ashlynn didn't look at her.

"Okay," she said quietly, "Let them go."

Quan Chi nodded, smiling as he moved away from the door. Amilee wouldn't budge. Even when Sub-Zero was forced the drag her, she hung on to the door.

"NO! Ashlynn you have to come with us!" she tried desperately to get away, but Sub-Zero finally managed to pull her out of the room. They had not been gone two seconds when the sorcerer slammed the door shut behind them. He turned to Ashlynn, smiling broadly.

"If we are to fulfill the prophecy," he said, "We should get started as quickly as possible."

Ashlynn had to force herself not the throw up.

Jay's frown returned when Amilee and Sub-Zero reemerged through the portal.

"Well," he said, "Where is she?"

Amilee couldn't answer.

"You wouldn't come would she?" Cherin said.

"She...well..." Sub-Zero had no idea what to say.

"Well what?" Sarah asked anxiously.

"She...has to..." Still he couldn't figure out how to tell them. Amilee looked at him, shaking her head. She knew it would be better not to tell them the truth.

"We'll tell you later," she said, "It's a long story. Let's go home."

Raiden smiled, although he knew the truth.

"You all did a great job," he said, "You should be proud of yourselves."

No one seemed very proud.

"I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of Quan Chi," Sonya said. No one argued with her.

"You all have grown much these last few years," the thunder god said, desperately trying to lighten the mood, "Go home now."

Later, after everyone had gone, Raiden stood alone in the grassy field.

"This was never supposed to happen," he whispered.