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SCORPION

I had gone on patrol soon after everyone went to bed, keeping an eye out for any Tarkatans. I didn't trust Hotaru at all. I had a feeling he might be in league with the Dragon King, simply because Hotaru would love every realm to follow his rules from Seido and Onaga could offer him just that

Hotaru didn't disappoint me at all. About an hour after everyone had gone to sleep, Hotaru had gone to the front gates and let in a small force of Tarkatans, including Baraka. It was funny, because Hotaru had fought against Baraka to claim this city and now he was letting him in because they were on the same side. Pathetic

Baraka led his men towards our house. I followed, as Baraka broke into the house. Very quickly, I could hear fighting coming from within. Several Tarkatans were waiting down a few houses. I killed them and went into our house, joining Kazuya and Asuka on the second floor landing. I fought against my foes, as Kazuya pushed them down the stairs. I followed him, but suddenly, I tripped and fell into Kazuya. Asuka had been tripped up and fallen into us. I broke away and got up, just in time to see Asuka getting impaled by one of Baraka's blades. She fell over, blood running from her body, as Kazuya lunged over, grabbed Baraka and began punching every inch of skin he could reach. I didn't blame him

I continued fighting, but something happened out the corner of my eyes. I pushed a Tarkatan back and turned to Asuka's body. She had bled out, but I could hear her breathing. Then, slowly, she rose to her feet, the gaping wound in her stomach now gone! I watched as horns burst from her head, pointing forth, as a pair of black-feathered wings erupted from her back. Black marking appeared on her forehead and chest, as her armguards mutated into spiked gauntlets, while her fingers curled into claws

Asuka looked her, her eyes now blazing red. I couldn't believe it! She had died, but upon death, she had transformed into a devilish creature. Kazuya stopped bashing Baraka and faced his daughter

"Holy shit!"

Asuka saw Baraka and screamed, before spreading her wings. By now, all the Tarkatans had stopped their fighting, as Asuka lunged at Baraka and continued her father's onslaught. Baraka was barely alive when Asuka let up from him and faced the rest of the Tarkatans. A red jewel on her forehead began to glow and she fired a laser straight through several Tarkatans and blasting a hole in the wall. She looked up and blasted a hole in the ceiling, before disappearing into the night sky

"Asuka!"

"Kazuya, behind you!"

I leapt behind Kazuya and took out the three Tarkatans that had come up behind him. Slowly, we managed to fight off the Tarkatans. The ones that had survived ran for their lives, including Baraka, although it was more of a hobble

"Asuka," moaned Kazuya

"You and I shall go after her," offered Yoshimitsu, "And see if we can save her from the Devil"

"What about us?" asked Nina

"How about we search for Steve," suggested Paul

"I'll do that. Bryan, are you coming with?"

Bryan shrugged his shoulders

"Whatever"

Kazuya and Yoshimitsu left, heading in one direction, while Nina, Paul and Bryan left in the other direction. I went after the Tarkatans, believing that they would lead me to the Dragon King. The hunt is on

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SUB ZERO

After leaving everyone in the Forest, I headed back to the house where I had left Kenshi. I walked into the bedroom, only to find he wasn't there. Panicking, I looked around and found him in the kitchen, leaning over the sink, fully dressed, while his katana lay next to him

"Kenshi, are you okay?"

He turned around to face me

"I'm fine, thank you, Sub Zero. I am in your debt"

"Are you able to fight?"

Kenshi nodded

"It will take some time, but yes"

"Okay, we have to get going. We're going after the Dragon King"

"So it is true. Onaga has returned from the dead?"

"Yes. And Shang Tsung is dead. Onaga killed him"

Kenshi frowned. He had wanted to get revenge on Shang Tsung for about a decade now, but now he wouldn't be able to

"Come on, let's go"

Kenshi picked up his katana and sheathed it, before following me out of the house. We began our journey towards Lin Chein, hoping to find anyone there

Night fell, but the pair of us continued walking. About two hours after nightfall, I could sense something following us. I told Kenshi this and he used his telekinesis as sensors, but couldn't find anything. Twenty minutes later, we took a break and made a small camp

"I suppose I could get revenge on Onaga for killing Shang Tsung, though I should be pleased," said Kenshi, "But I did want my revenge"

I nodded

"I have a feeling my brother, Noob Saibot, is working with Onaga. I had sensed him several days ago walking around in OutWorld"

"If you were faced with a choice, would you kill your brother?"

I thought that over. After my brother had died at the hands of Scorpion, he became fully evil and resided in the Netherrealm. Every now and then, he would travel OutWorld, but I had never faced him. However, I knew he was dangerous and wouldn't hesitate to kill me on the spot if he could

"I don't know for sure"

Kenshi nodded

"I understand"

After about half an hour, we broke camp and continued our journey. But the presence still lingered. I didn't like this feeling at all

Suddenly, something bright flashed before me. I covered my eyes, but it was too late: I was blind! I staggered around, unable to see anything. So this is how Kenshi must feel, unable to see. Whatever had struck us with that flash was deadly. I wondered why I wasn't dead yet. Slowly, my vision cleared up and I was able to see. Able to see Kenshi wiping the blood off his katana and Hotaru lying before me, slicing cleanly in perfect halves. I looked up at Kenshi

"Thank you"

"Now, we're even"

"Let's continue"

We arrived at Lin Chein some time later and looked around, where we found a house that had been partially destroyed. There were bodies of Tarkatans lying everywhere. Blood splattered the walls, the balcony had been broken and there was a hole in the ceiling

"I think it is where everyone had been," I said, "But now they're gone"

I turned to Kenshi

"They must be alive!"

We searched amongst the bodies, but found none of Raiden's allies. They were alive and had left this place. Kenshi and I left Lin Chein and began to follow one of the trails, which was leading back to the Living Forest

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