Hi, I am back! With more essays to write and publishing my stories as a coping mechanism in my work. Previously, we saw Nasha and Riana meeting Bo Rai Cho and encountering Ferra/Torr. What is Jade doing during that time? Let's find out! Oh, I forgot to mention to you guys that there's two more ships in this story besides Nash's. Wanna know? You'll have to read to find out!

Chapter 29

3rd P.O.V

While Kitana was attending something, Jade followed just in case anything happens to the Princess of Edenia. She knew there was something going on with Kitana's father, Shao Kahn and his acceptance of Mileena's existence. Does he know that Shang Tsung has been doing this experiment behind his back? Or the fact that they have recruited Tanya to work as their ally? Jade was about to find out.

She hated all of these secrets everyone has been hiding from her and Kitana! Jade thought Nash was different than the others. He was kind and sweet, not like most men in Edenia currently whom had the arrogance of a peacock. She would not want to touch the men of Outworld as they are uglier than sin. Especially the Tarkatans as they are nothing more than jobbers for Shang Tsung. Speaking of the said sorcerer, Jade wondered why he cloned Kitana to create such a harlot of a monster. Does the queen even know of her husband's desires of an heir that was designed instead of procreated? Let's not forget about the likely alliance between that Tarkatan clone and her rival made Jade even more bloodthirsty for revenge.

Jade entered the throne room despite the Tarkatan guards who tried to stop her. She wanted an answer and to end this war that was about to come. She saw Shao Kahn on his throne, pondering about something. He did not noticed the general's presence in the room. Jade approached the emperor with her head held high.

"General," Kahn regarded her, slumping back into the throne. Jade eyed the guard, Baraka who was just standing next to the throne with his shark-like teeth glistening. Jade was prepared to beat him down if necessary. "What brings you to barge into the throne room?"

"Emperor," Jade bobbed a curtsey to the conqueror. "I have some questions regarding the upcoming matches and about Princess Kitana."

"Go on," he gestured, still grumbling.

"Is this the reason you asked Tanya to join you?" Jade demanded, about to step up to the throne. "Just for your own amusement? And what about Kitana, your own daughter? How could you replace her with that failed experiment-"

Before Jade could continue, Shao Kahn had silenced her with a swing of his hammer, knocking her backwards to which thankfully, Jade managed to regain her footing. She was confused at the emperor's retaliation to her. Doesn't he love Kitana at all? Shao Kahn stood up to his full height, towering over the Edenian general. He could easily crush her head with just a step of a foot. But he smirked behind his bone mask.

"Kitana was never my daughter to begin with," the conqueror snorted indignantly. "I had to kill that old fool to get Edenia. Now that's out of the way, I already have both realms and the queen. You two were both very young back then…"

Jade couldn't believed what she was hearing. All this time, Kitana was lied to by the so called 'emperor' to whom he was claimed as her father. Then that means, Queen Sindel had been trying to hide the truth to protect Kitana from harm. Poor Queen Sindel….she sacrificed a lot to give her daughter a safe environment to grow up along with her. Jade had seen the Queen like a mother as she had lost hers years ago. But now, there's a more likely reason to seek revenge.

"You…" Jade was too stunned to finish her sentence. Shao Kahn dismissed her with a wave of his hand but the Edenian general wasn't going to back down. Jade was about to use her pole to strike but the emperor countered with his hammer. He smirked behind his skull helmet, stood up to his full height. "A pity you have to know now," he sighed without any sincerity to Jade. He walked out of the throne room before turning his head back to address her. "But you have promised a fight that will end either one of you. And I am looking forward to see how it will end."

Jade was struggling to get up after a blow from the tyrant's hammer. She must warn the princess, hoping the both of them will have a rescue mission for the Queen Sindel. Jade wouldn't want to imagine the pains the former Queen of Edenia had gone through. At the same time, her mind keeps returning back to the ex-disciple of the princess who had captured and shattered her heart at the same time. She shook that thought out of her head to go find the princess.

Little did she know, one of the guards was noting down every conversation she had with the emperor. Only thing is that he keeps a low profile so that neither her or the princess suspects him as a traitor. He had been watching the whole trial procession of that Earthrealmer and his affiliations with both of the women.

Once the plan is set, that Earthrealmer will be the bait his employer had wanted.

…

Nash's P.O.V

"Ash…" a small whisper hissed its way into my sleep.

"ASH!" the voice yelled made me jumped upright from my futon bed mat. God, I have forgotten about Ferra and Torr staying with us. Does Bo Rai Cho know about this? Where's Riana? Why the hell is this kid jumping on my gut?!

"Morning, Ferra," I groaned, still the kid won't stop jumping on me. She had a triumphant smile at the moment I greeted her. She still wore the outfit from last night where my sister and I encountered her and brute of a friend. It took me sometime to get up.

"You late!" she called. "Breaky is almost out! Hurry up or Torr finish food!"

I quickly bolt out of my room with nothing but my underwear and shirt on. I must've looked like a maniac when I run. I finally found Riana and Bo Rai Cho in what seems to be the dining room, having a chat before I barged in. The both of them looked like they were going to burst out laughing. I covered my underwear in embarrassment. Thankfully, there was still food on the table.

"You should've worn a sarong before you rush in," Riana giggled. Goddammit, even Kurt had an amusing expression on his face! He was happily crunching on green insects, probably grasshoppers or a mantis. I could hear the loud footsteps outside, made by that brute Torr.

"I don't blame you for rushing after discovering two symbiotes," Bo Rai Cho uncapped a bottle of his favourite drink before taking a swig. My eyes were wide, shock that he knew about Ferra and Torr's kind. I glared at my sister but she simply shrugged, sipping a cup of tea. Bo Rai Cho, noticing my expression handed me a cup and gestured me to sit down.

"I knew about them before your sister could tell me," he explained, taking another swig. "They were making such a racket last night! I watched the both of you teaming up to calm them down. I never knew they would be under both of your commands. Especially you, Nash."

"It's true," Riana nodded, passing me a piece of bread. It was a simple roll but I am not complaining. I am just wondering what Bo Rai Cho's teaching methods are like. I am going to bet my Koins that he may look goofy yet he's going to kick mine and Riana's ass if we let our egos get in the way. Great, first the banishment and now we have to deal with a runt and her gorilla. Speaking of Ferra and Torr, the both of them are outside playing some sort of game which is a fusion of tag and ragrowster. It would be sweet if Ferra did not have those gauntlets or Torr wearing a red burlap that masked his face except the single red eye.

"Anyways, we have a big day today," Bo Rai Cho declared. "After breakfast, we will train and then I will test the both of you individually. Then lunch and break before finishing the day with another round of training. Remember your deal of the bargain?"

"Yeah," we both nodded. As long as we got training and a roof over our heads, my sister and I will take turns making meals for the day. Well, Riana mostly since I don't have experience with cooking but I am good with baking and oven related food.

After breakfast, the both of us trained outside. The only audience were Kurt and Ferra/Torr. It seems like those two are accepting my sister's pet as their playmate. Thankfully, they were not too rough on him. In fact, Kurt has never looked so calm for a cold-blooded animal. If anything, he could be the first lizard to ever melt anyone's heart. I remembered when Jade had allowed him to crawl on her body while she giggled.

Jade….I really missed her and Kitana as well. I wonder how are they doing? I am sure that they are fine with the both of us gone. But I don't think I can bring myself to show up in Edenia, not with the townsfolk pointing fingers at me or Riana. I guessed this is what runaways or drifters feel like. Except we are not going to a lot of places at the moment. I have to redeem myself to make up for my mistakes. But how?

"Focus, Nash!" Bo Rai Cho's voice boomed, my attention snapped back into reality. He was teaching me how to dodge heavy blows. What better way than the Drunken Master using his fast fists. The key is to bail left or right as the punches are coming straight from the front. It would be hard to hit him because all that fat in his body acts like a shield to prevent heavy damages. Riana too was struggling because she keeps avoiding getting a Dragonshout from Bo Rai Cho's rear. Please, it's worst than getting puked on. Think of it as a skunk but with more power from the ass.

I managed to complete my training. Apparently, Riana's not done yet because she'd rather think first before striking. It's good but I think she'll need more reflexes if she's ever going to win. Some fights are a fluke if you ask me! Even Bo Rai Cho has become wary of my sister's venom claws. I watched the fight before me while petting Kurt.

"What have we got ourselves into," I murmured, still stroking the bearded dragon's back with a finger. Kurt just closed his eyes in response. "All I wanted was to come back and play video games with Kristina yet we are here, in this game risking our lives to live and go home. Don't you get scared?"

Funny, I must be going nuts if I am sharing a personal thought with a lizard. But Kurt, somehow sensing my doubts about the life we have now, simply nuzzled my finger with his snout. Heh, he must be afraid too. Well, who wouldn't in a place filled with demons, sorcerers and living gods? We sat at the corner together, watching the match. Speaking of which, I have forgotten all about Ferra/Torr. I wonder where they are?

Speak of the devils, the shambling of Torr's heavy footsteps were already enough to answer my question. They looked happy. Oh god, I hope they are not here to eat us after what we did to them last night. No Nash, get a hold of yourself! Riana and I stopped them from attacking. But I am still curious, why the Tarkatans are after them. Has Mileena got a say in this? I wished it wasn't her. Riana and my friends are too up in the clouds to know her. I know her better than anyone!

"Nash!" my sister's voice snapped me away from my mental rant. I saw that she was on the ground, breathing hard. I guessed she lost this match to the Drunken Master. I walked towards them, kneeling down to get a good look at my sister. Her glasses were askew and there's a bruise on the side of her cheek. Not too bad since the both of them have blubber to avoid critical damage.

A shame if they get internal damage in the liver or heart.

"Something wrong?" I asked.

"Since we are both staying here," said Riana while getting up. Bo Rai Cho decided to have another drink to his victory. "We might as well do kitchen duties. You know, like the cooking and maybe cleaning. I'm thinking of going to the market this afternoon. We could bring Ferra and Torr with us."

"Bad idea," I shook my head. With the news of Tarkatans, we might be the next target. "We are already outlaws and we've got two symbiotes that are not quiet if you put them in a pillow factory. There's a chance someone from the marketplace would set things off and turn us in."

Riana became silent, knowing that I have a point. But the kitchen duty isn't so bad of an idea. Though, I suck at cooking. We wanted to show Bo Rai Cho our gratitude for taking us in despite the aftermath of the trial. This is a lot tougher than I expect it to be. Who knew living on our own could be challenging!

"Children, come here! I need to tell you something," Bo Rai Cho called us from where he was sitting. Again, he's drinking from the bottle again. I find it ironic I find safety from this drunk stranger who used to train the main heroes of Mortal Kombat than my actual extended family. Even Ferra and Torr stopped their romps to see what's going on.

"Yes, Master Bo Rai Cho?" Riana and I sat opposite of him on the grass. Kurt crawled from my arm to my sister's lap. All of us waited for him to finish his drink. He patted his beer belly before gazing down at us.

"The both of you have interesting choice of weapons. Though, there has to be an improvement from how you wield it for upcoming battles," he told us. "Nash, smart choice to use a hammer as it is Shao Kahn's main weapon in the tournament. I have a feeling one day both of your weapons will clashed until one conquers the other."

I blinked, trying to digest the information. I will….fight Shao Kahn? Me against the tyrant emperor of Outworld? Why does it have to be me?! I am pretty sure I'd rather have Riana or anyone fighting Shao Kahn! Hell, I will even let Bryan twerk in front of him.

"But Bo Rai Cho!" I protested. "I am not as strong or mighty as Shao Kahn. Why can't someone else do it?"

"Because, I have a feeling there's a reason why you and your friends were brought here," the drunken master explained. "Yes, it is a tournament but what if it's something more than that? Like a call, perhaps."

Riana sniffed with amusement. She whispered something to Ferra and Torr which made them laughed. Ferra with her high shrieks while Torr lets out a rumbling kind of chuckle. Seriously, what is going on? But Riana just reassure me with a pat on the back.

We decided to have some rest in our rooms, listening to music on the gadget Bryan made for us. It works like an iPod yet you can talk to someone face-to-face like a phone. Sad that our phones are back in the real world; we could use a bit of texts just like old times. This device doesn't have keypads or anything. Just a selection of songs and a voice chat. Bryan, you're amazing but a fool.

Won't some of the characters not in Earthrealm hacked into the devices if they acquire the right skills? I mean, I'm pretty damn sure Kano or one of the Black Dragons will if we're not careful.

"Pretty noise from silver stone!" Ferra exclaimed in surprised when Riana decided to put on Syd Matters. Who knew Bryan has knowledge on Indie music. I just assumed he only knows pop and rap. We are hanging out under a tree, just us siblings with a pet and symbiote. Kinda relaxing, really…

"It's a nice song to listen to," Riana sighed happily, slumping back into the wall of her room. Kurt was on one of the window ledges, lazing about with his eyes close and Torr was snoring away while Ferra sat on his back to get a good look at Bryan's gadget. Man, I wished there were more peaceful times like this. Since it's Mortal Kombat, these things won't last long.

"We hear pretty noises too!" Ferra chattered on excitedly. "Torr like bird sounds and Ferra love screams. Both sounds are good!"

Riana and I exchanged looks at each other, unsure whether to tell Ferra that people screaming in agony isn't a pleasant ring to our ears. But we decided to let it slide. It's not like everyday we have scary-looking brutes hanging around us.

"So, where were you from?" I decided to change the subject. Riana straightened her sitting position, wanting to know as well. I have never seen any other characters or residence in Outworld that are exactly like them.

"We came together!" Ferra explained, giving us hand gestures to emphasise her points. Torr woke up from his doze, his single eye through the burlap blinked slowly. "Ferra no no good alone. Torr no no good alone. We travelled to find nice place to rest and have din-din. But then Stabby Men tried to take Torr away from me! They want to make us slave!"

"So they are on their own from the start," Riana whispered into my ear. I just nodded, feeling bad that these two had it rough. I don't know how old is Ferra but damn, she's pretty lonely if it wasn't for Torr. Torr doesn't seemed so scary in my eyes now. Instead, I just pity him.

"So where will you go, let's say if those 'Stabby Men' are gone?" I asked. The big brute just let out a low rumble in response. Ferra was tilting her head, listening to her friend. She nodded.

"Torr said we go find place to stay!" she translated. "We are Rider!"

Well, that is depressing. Going to drift from place to place, finding a place to belong. I noticed Kurt climbing down to ledge to sit comfortably on the brute's hand. Torr doesn't seemed to mind. In fact, that was damn brave of my sister's pet to just rest on a gorilla-like of a creature to comfort him. Even Ferra giggled and petted Kurt on the head, the lizard's favourite spot.

"Sand froggy is nice!" This made Riana smiled as it kinda shows that there is some innocence in Ferra. After all, she's still a kid despite trying to gouge our eyes with her gauntlets or sick her 'dog' on us to become mincemeat last night. Just then, my device blared out "Gives You Hell" by All American Rejects which made all of us jumped.

"Trickery! Deceit!"

Torr just roared.

"I think you've got a call," Riana pointed out, still regaining her composure from the music. She tried to reassure the symbiote while I take the call. Apparently, it was Bryan himself.

"Hey Nash!" Bryan greeted me through the screen. "Pretty cool, right? You know, I was planning to put some keypads into this thing but what the hell, it works just as fine without it!"

"A sorcerer!" Ferra exclaimed and hid behind Torr. Bryan tried to looked over, then had a Cheshire Cat grin. "My, my, Nash! I know you're into chicks but I never thought you'd like them younger than you! You'll have to wait until she has her-"

"Bryan!" I groaned, not wanting to picture what he just assumed. "What the hell do you want? And no, this is Ferra and Torr. We kinda encountered them through a fight yesterday. Also, they almost turned us into mush."

"Alright, alright, just teasing you!" he giggled. "Fuck, I think I bust my gut. Anyways, Azril said that Sub Zero kinda needs all of us. And I mean us Disciples since we're kinda are falling apart."

"What do you mean 'falling apart'?" Riana asked. Kurt climbed on her shoulder now to get a better look. Ferra and Torr were intrigued by Bryan's face on the screen and tried to touch it. Kinda cute that they were discovering technology for the first time.

"If Big Daddy and Little Sister weren't tapping this screen, I would say that Kris' mentor has been gone for weeks, Frost is kinda trying to disrupt the Lin Kuei and the SF are trying to get rid of me because Jax doesn't want me around Jacqui. Well, I don't need you to explain your situation."

I sighed, rubbing my temples to take in all of the information. "Bryan, why does Sub Zero want from the five of us?"

"We're going to the abandoned site where the Cyber Lin Kuei used to be. Said the Black Dragons wanted to get the technology and maybe recruit a few of those droids. Our job is to reach there before them. I hoped I get to take some of those sweet droids!"

With that, Bryan's face disappeared from the screen. I am not sure if I want to go and show my face to the crowd, let alone Sub Zero. God, why do I feel all of this now? Riana placed a hand on my shoulder.

"We don't have to go," she told me. "I'm sure the three of them can handle a few droids on their own. They've got Bryan, remember?"

"Yes but I haven't talked to them for a while ever since we left the cafe…."

We were not sure what to do. So we discussed the situation with Bo Rai Cho during lunch. Riana had cooked some rice with beef curry. Something I couldn't cook since I don't hang around the kitchen that much. Ferra and Torr ate with us, gobbling on the food. Kinda funny to see Torr acting like a caretaker to Ferra, who wouldn't eat the carrots so he grumbled something to her which she reluctantly did so.

"I have been to the site," Bo Rai Cho nodded, remembering the event. "That was before Sub Zero became Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei. If it weren't for Cyrax's sacrifice and the disband, the Lin Kuei wouldn't be what it is now."

"But now the Black Dragons want to revive it," Riana told him. "They wanted to build an army, maybe to conquer realms just as much as Shao Kahn. But why would Sub Zero want just the five of us?"

Bo Rai Cho pondered for a moment, devouring another piece of the chicken. We were waiting for an answer. Riana barely had a spoonful of her meal. My stomach was in a knot, barely having an appetite for I fear our lives are in danger.

"Very well," the drunken master sighed. "The two of you may go, for I have a feeling it is the answer to your banishment. Especially you, Nash."

Great, more reason to confirm myself as a jackass.

So, it is decided that Riana, Kurt and I will leave at dawn. Ferra and Torr are staying, since Bo Rai Cho has something they wanted to know. Not sure what it is but the duo seemed to take it seriously. All geared up and with a goodbye, my sister and I set foot for our next journey.

Well, Jade's in trouble now that Shao Kahn reveals his true intentions. And what's up with that guard? Also, I have a feeling Nash and Riana will act like surrogate parents or siblings to Ferra/Torr. They are kinda awesome. But it seems like another quest awaits them.

A hint on the next chapter: Steampunk or Cyberpunk?

Please review and let me know in the comments what do you think!