Jax and the others were walking away from the Brotherhood base. They had infiltrated it without much of a problem, and killed off everyone inside. Suddenly, the Netherealm sky began to darken, changing from an orange red to a deep purple.

"What the hell?" Jax muttered. Sarah was the first to figure out what had happened.

"Jax," she said quietly, "They failed."

Jax was silent, still staring at the swirling sky. The ground shook, splitting and cracking around them.

"Look!" Sonya screamed. They could barely hear her over the howling wind. Heading straight for them was a gigantic, swirling black cyclone. They ran, but the vortex was too strong. It engulfed them, sending them all flying in different directions.

Inside the cavern...

Ashlynn was sitting with her face in her hands, waiting to die, when she heard a voice, a woman's voice.

"Stand up," she said, "Do not lose hope yet."

Ashlynn looked around, but none of the others seemed to have heard the voice.

"You can stop this," the woman continued, "The Awakening is not yet complete, the realms are merging, but there is still time. Find an ancient scroll."

"How do I find it?" Ashlynn asked out loud.

The others stared at her.

"Look to the sorcerer," the voice told her, "He knows."

"What do I do with it?" Ashlynn asked, receiving yet more strange looks from the rest.

"You do nothing with it, you do not possess the power to control it. The sorcerer however, does. But make haste, you must find it quickly before time runs out."

The voice faded and Ashlynn jumped to her feet. She recognized the voice, it was one of the Elder Gods, the God of Water.

"I know we're about to die and everything," Amilee said, "But is talking to yourself really helping?"

Ashlynn ignored her, looking at Quan Chi, a smile on her face.

The sorcerer shook his head, "You have completely lost your mind haven't you?"

"A scroll," she said, "It's not too late, we have to find a scroll."

Cherin touched her shoulder, "I think you should sit back down..."

Ashlynn brushed her hand away.

"No," she said, "We have to find a scroll. The Elder Gods said you knew about it."

Quan Chi seemed to be thinking.

"Maybe," he said after a while, "I might know what you are talking about but-

"But what?"

"That scroll is kept in the mountains of Outworld," he replied, "And as you know, I cannot leave this realm."

Ashlynn's smile brightened, "That doesn't matter now! The realms are merging into one, which means you aren't restricted to the Netherealm."

The sorcerer nodded, "I suppose it would not hurt to try, although I have my doubts about this..."

Everyone stood unenthusiastically, following him outside. They made their way out of the pass to discover that the Netherealm was no longer the Netherealm. There were pools of lava here and there, but the sky was now a dusky gray, and the ground was split in places. In the distance to the north they could just barely make out a familiar mountain range.

"The mountains of Outworld," Quan Chi said. Once again, they set off.

Meanwhile...

Sarah blinked. The world had been turned upside down. Painfully, she rolled over. She was lying in a patch of grass, surrounded by a few trees. It was strange, the small grassy area seemed to be in the middle of a wasteland. She rubbed her head, pulling herself to her feet.

"Jax?" she called, "Sonya? Where are you?"

Nothing, then a sound from behind her. She turned, Noob was sprawled out on the ground near her. He groaned, standing up.

"The Awakening has begun," he said, scanning their surroundings, "We are all doomed now."

"Where are we?" Sarah asked, ignoring his negative comment, "This isn't the Netherealm."

Noob nodded, "No, I believe this was once a part of Earthrealm."

"How?" Sarah asked.

"The realms are merging," he explained, "As soon as they are one-

Sarah finished for him, "Everything will disappear...We have to find Jax and the others, come on."

Not having any idea where she was going, she began walking north, toward the mountains.

Ashlynn sighed, they had been traveling for hours, but the mountains didn't seem to be getting any closer. She ran ahead to catch up with Quan Chi.

"Something's not right," she said.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

She gestured toward the mountains.

"Haven't you noticed? We're not getting any closer."

"You are right," the sorcerer agreed, "Funny you were the only one who noticed."

"What now?"

By now the others had caught up.

"Why are we stopping?" Amilee asked.

Ashlynn placed a hand on her forehead, "We have a problem."

"Something is preventing us from reaching the mountains," Quan Chi told them.

"Scorpion," Maria said quietly, "It's Scorpion, it has to be. He's done something."

Ashlynn looked at Quan Chi, who's face was tight with concentration.

"Can't you do something?" she asked, "I mean he had to of used some sort of magic right? Can't you fight it with your own?"

"Perhaps," he replied, although he sounded unsure, "Stand back."

They obeyed, backing up a few feet. Watching him mutter something in a different language, Ashlynn thought about how strange it was to be depending on him so much. In his hands he held a bluish orb. It grew larger, until it spanned about fifty feet. Then it expanded, covering the land as far as they could see. They covered their eyes to block out the searing light, and in a few moments, it was gone. Quan Chi was kneeling on the ground, breathing hard. Apparently he had used too much of his power all at once. Ashlynn approached him.

"Did it work?" she asked.

He looked up at her slowly.

"I am fine," he said, "Really, there is no need to worry..."

She shook her head, "Did it work or not?"

"Yes," he replied, "I think so."

Amilee sighed.

"Look," she said, "There's no way you can make it there like this. You can barely stand up."

The sorcerer was going to argue, but Ashlynn interrupted him.

"We need to rest anyway, we'll head for the mountains in the morning."

He shrugged, irritated.

Later, they all sat shivering near a cluster of trees. Everyone had huddled together to keep warm, all except Quan Chi and Cherin. She had no idea where Stryker was, or if she would ever even see him again. No one slept, they just stared off into the distance, silent. Ashlynn lganced at Quan Chi.

"How much time do you think we have?"

"I cannot say," he told her, "Two, three days at the most."

"We'll never make it in time."

He looked at her, "Yes we will, I know where the scroll is kept...I was the one who hid it."

The next morning...

"Where's Maria?" Amilee asked, stretching out her cramped legs.

They searched the area for a while, but Maria was nowhere to be found.

"Who was keeping watch last night?" Sub-Zero asked.

Everyone was silent.

"I was," Cherin said finally, "But...I guess I...I must've fallen asleep..."

Amilee glared, "Great! Maria's gone Cherin!"

"I'm sorry," Cherin said meekly.

"It's not her fault," Ashlynn said.

"It does not matter," Quan Chi said, "We do not have time for this. We must keep moving."

They were all worried about Maria, but they knew he was right.

"But what about Maria?" Ashlynn asked.

The sorcerer turned to her, his eyes narrowing slightly. She remembered that look, it meant shut your mouth and do what I say.

"I am truly sorry about your friend," he lied, "But we must keep moving."

Ashlynn nodded. She followed quietly behind the others as they made their way toward the mountains. After a few hours, they had reached the base of a winding path leading up the side of one of the mountains. Quan Chi led them up. It was a difficult climb, and there was one close call when Cherin almost tumbled back down, but was caught by Sub-Zero. At the top of the path they came to a stone door, engraved with strange markings...the entrance to the chamber where the scroll was kept.

"This is where the scroll is housed," Quan Chi said. He signaled for them to back away, kneeling in front of the door. He had barely gotten one word out of his mouth, when something hit him hard from the side. He flew to the left, slamming into the side of the mountain.

"You thought I did not know about the scroll?" Scorpion laughed.

The sorcerer stood furiously.

"You will die where you stand," he growled.

"No," Scorpion replied, "You are weak, and you are no longer any match for me."

He let loose a blazing fireball, but Quan Chi ducked, responding with a skull of his own. It hit Scorpion in the chest, but he didn't even flinch.

"You see," he chuckled, "I told you."

Unexpectedly, he shot another fireball, but this time at the others. It expanded, surrounded them in an orange barricade. Sub-Zero kept the three women back, making sure they didn't touch it.

"You are a coward," Quan Chi said.

Scorpion's smile vanished.

"I am a coward? No, you are the coward sorcerer! What kind of a man destroys a village with no defenses! What kind of a man kills an innocent woman and a three year old child! You have done all this and more, and then you ran when I confronted you! You have been running from me for years, now you have nowhere to go!"

This time Scorpion's fire hit the sorcerer, sending him backward. While they fought, Ashlynn and Amilee were trying something new. Amilee grabbed Ashlynn's hand, and they both stared intently at the shimmering force field, their eyes glowing. It flickered, and then vanished. Scorpion turned quickly, infuriated. He was outnumbered now, and he knew he had no choice but the flee. In a flash of fire, he was gone. Quan Chi had fallen to one knee.

"Are you alright?" Ashlynn asked.

He nodded, standing with effort. The stone door swung open with a scraping sound, and they walked inside. It was a large cavern, and at the other end stood a golden pedestal. Quan Chi was half way across the room, heading for the scroll, when they heard a familiar voice.

"Damn!"

Jax stumbled out of an opening in the left side of the cavern, followed by Sonya, Johnny, and Stryker.

"Jax!" Ashlynn smiled, relieved that they were okay. Jax looked at her, his eyes wide, backing away from the opening. Something was coming...

"What is it?" Amilee asked, although she knew she was about to find out. Slithering from the dark opening were the biggest snakes she had ever seen. Their scales shone a bluish green color, and each one had glowing green eyes, like two emeralds. The snakes did not pose much of a problem, however. Quan Chi had killed two of them in no time, and Amilee finished off the remaining one, once again covering Cherin in sticky slime.

"Ugh!" she groaned.

Ashlynn and Quan Chi were already standing over the scroll.

"Can you read it?" Ashlynn asked.

He nodded.

"Yes," he replied, "The words on this scroll...they are instructions."

"So what do they say?"

"In order for the Awakening to cease," he said, "There must be a sacrifice. It says something about innocent blood."

"So...like a child?"

"Yes," Quan Chi said, "A child or a virgin I would guess."

Ashlynn bit her lip, "Then we have a problem. I would never sacrifice a child, and none of us are still...well..."

"Are you sure about that?" the sorcerer asked, unable to hide his smile.

Ashlynn walked back toward the others, wringing her hands.

"Um, we need to know something," she said, "Are any of you still...

She was unable to finish the question, so Quan Chi gladly did it for her.

"She would like to know if any of you are still...pure."

Amilee moved closer to Sub-Zero, staring at the ground.

"See?" Ashlynn said, "I told you."

"Wait," Cherin said, "Maria is."

"What?" Amilee asked, seemingly shocked, "She and Scorpion never-

"No," Cherin answered, "She told me she was waiting..."

"We must find her," Quan Chi said.

Ashlynn turned to him, the realization of what he was saying hitting her.

"No," she said, "Do you know what you're saying? We're no sacrificing Maria!"

"Sacrificing her!" Cherin gasped.

"Did you think we were just asking this question because we were curious?" Ashlynn snapped.

"This is the only way Ashlynn," Quan Chi said, trying to keep his temper in check, "And you know it."

Ashlynn could not fathom killing one her dearest friends, even to save the world.

"I just said we're not sacrificing her!" she snarled.

The sorcerer took a breath, "And I just said that we have no choice!"

"But Maria is my friend-

"I know this is difficult but-

"This is more than difficult!" Ashlynn screamed, "I can't do it!"

"I am trying to be patient with you," Quan Chi said, his eyes had taken on a red tint, "Which, to be honest, is not something I am particularly good at. I have told you over and over again that we have no choice. If you keep refusing to listen to me, your ignorance will be the death of us all!"

Everyone else stood silently, not wanting to interfere.

"Haven't you ever lost someone you cared about?" Ashlynn asked, "Oh yeah that's right, you've never cared about anyone!"

"You should watch what you say," Quan Chi said, his eyes were blood red now, "Your loose tongue will get you killed one day."

Ashlynn snorted, "And I suppose you'll be the one to kill me?"

Amilee couldn't take it anymore.

"Don't you get it Ashlynn?" she asked.

Ashlynn's eyes did not move from the sorcerer.

"Get what!"

"After all this time," Amilee chuckled, "Haven't you figured it out?"

Ashlynn looked at her, the irritation was evident in her face.

"What are you talking about?"

Amilee paused, unsure if she should say it.

"Ashlynn," she said finally, "He loves you."

Ashlynn looked back at Quan Chi. His eyes had stopped glowing, but he said nothing.

"You don't know what you're talking about Amilee," she said.

Amilee ran a hand through her hair, frustrated with her friend. She was about to reveal a secret that Raiden had warned her not to...long ago.

"I know exactly what I'm talking about," she said, "You know that prophecy you supposedly fulfilled?"

Ashlynn nodded slowly.

"Guess what? You were never a part of that prophecy, Quan Chi lied to you!"

There, she had said it. The anger vanished from Ashlynn's face.

"Wh...what?" she stammered.

"Raiden knew," Amilee said, "He told us, but we didn't have the heart to tell you about it."

Ashlynn swallowed. That prophecy had been the reason she'd lived at the fortress for six years. If she had known it wasn't true...

She couldn't take it. Unable to look at any of them, she darted out the door and back down the path.