Con't III - Embarking to Outworld...Again!

It was now daylight and Fujin just arrived in Japan; it didn't take long for him to travel from place to place considering he was the God of Wind utilizing his funnels as transport. Air, in this case, can move as fast as the incredible speed of light!

Fujin first visited the towering, 50-foot Shirai Ryu base; the clan had been reformed by Hanzo after the falls of Shinnok and Quan Chi. And recently, they'd received a baby in a basket, out of nowhere! Some clan members, while they were training, heard some cries and followed them to the source at the front step. Sure enough, it was an infant with black hair with a yellow headband matching his one-piece outfit, and he was brought in.

One of the male fighters wearing the usual Shirai Ryu uniform stormed in and alerted, "Grandmaster Hanzo! You wouldn't believe this, but there happens to be an infant on our doorstep. He was delivered inside a handbasket!"

Hanzo, had on the usual garb, but without his yellow mask and black hood. Instead, his face was shown with a thin, black beard and mustache, also having a yellow headband, and black hair sticking out. He stood as still as a statue, perplexed. "A baby...? Why would there be a baby here at a time like this...?" He observed his other comrades carry in the basket, enclosed with a note in exotic symbols and a wailing newborn. He stepped closer and examined the pamphlet, which to him looked like it was written in Thai. He requested for one of his men to read it.

"To my most trusted friend, Hanzo,

Please watch over my lonesome son. I cannot leave him within the care of the Thai nor the Chinese nurseries, as one is primitive while the others are militaristic! I'm on my way to chase after the bastard who blinded me, and thus I needed someone else to write this request, perhaps...my last. Please take care of the child while I'm away. Chances are, I may not return.

I have but one goal: to slay the sorcerer who blinded me.

You are my only salvation, Hanzo Hasashi. For his sake and mine, look after Takeda Takahashi!

Regards,

Kenshi."

He signed his name in Thai.

"Kenshi? Kenshi Takahashi!?" His amber eyes widened. "I thought he joined the Special Forces. I'd heard he passed all tests with flying colors! Sonya and Jax enlisted his help, soon after he found a sacred sword from a well which was believed to be the burial of his ancestors. If I'm right, he might've gone to Outworld..."

The baby began to cry harder which distracted Hanzo. He looked over the basket one of the ninjas was holding and... he just stopped as he stared at it. Slowly, he picked up the kid and he began to sob less and less. He opened his baggy, black eyes and gazed onto the man who was holding him. He began to silence himself, and Hanzo couldn't help but gaze back...

"Master. Are you alright?" One of his students queried.

Hanzo never looked away. "Yes, I'm fine. It's just... I can't help but feel that this baby reminds me of my son, Satoshi Hasashi." He snickered, "He-he always went by his 'pet' name, Jubei."

Suddenly, he felt a warm sensation onto his black boots. He looked down and to his surprise, there were droplets coming from Takeda's underside! All the baby did was smile and coo at Hanzo. The rancid stench was beginning to get to him. "Um, can any of you wash this kid and get him into fresher clothes!?"

"Of course, Master!" One of the disciples carried Takeda away who still grinned as he looked back at him. All Hanzo did was gruff at the odor and hot mess, before he received a more vehement tone.

"I had brought the child over to the Shirai Ryu, to keep him safe."

The humanized wraith looked behind to see Fujin, standing proudly at the epicenter of the red mat. All he did was bow to the new protector of Earthrealm.

"I want to thank you for doing so. Kenshi said he's on his way to Outworld with the Investigation Agency to massacre Shang Tsung since he went blind..." he sulked at the thought.

"Indeed. The ruthless samurai had followed a man named Song to find the secret well, the burial of his ancestors, and a certain special sword. He was able to locate it, but unfortunately, the blade went awry and berserk, as souls began to overwhelm the warrior. It was fortunate enough that the sacred sword voiced to him, after he was left to die while Shang absorbed those erratic essences. Kenshi has been gone ever since, and I granted him his favor while he's out there looking for Cyrax and Jax.

"If I know him, he would've taken a portal right about now."

"I appreciate the newsflash, Lord Fujin. I will make sure that Takeda's safe."

Fujin's face fell. "There's some more unfortunate news... Liu Kang, our former Champion, was slain by Shang Tsung. Even though my brother, Raiden, saved his soul...!"

"What...? This-this can't be happening! Liu Kang would've won against that vile sorcerer!"

Fujin hung his head in sadness, "After five centuries, the Deadly Alliance has been reforged. Your personal assailant, Quan Chi... He has aided Shang in his endeavors."

It was bad enough on having the resurrected Oriental attack Earth once more, but conspiring with Hanzo's ultimate target, the one who massacred his family and clan so long ago and lying about it... Hanzo's body began to tremble!

"I sympathize with your plight, but you must now make a choice, Hanzo. Come with me as I shall recruit your partner, Kuai Liang. Or stay and care for the child. Which...would it be...?"

He gave him several moments to ponder everything and rethink his options. Just then, fragments of Hanzo's own son flashed back into his mind, as well as the sudden delivery of Takeda. Recalling his distant friend, Kenshi, and how talented he was as a swordsman, he stated his goal clearly.

Fujin then left to the bone-freezing, perilous, icy region of Articka.


Just recently in the vast, bitter Nothern Pole, a young, slim female ninja named Frost won a small tournament! She just took out one of the Grandmaster's prominent comrades with a flying armbar and became Kuai's prodigy!

Each of the guys cheered, including Tomas who stood out the most in his dark grey garb, compared to the usual cerulean uniforms. "By the power vested in me and the judges' unanimous decision, our newest and most honorable apprentice is Frost! Congratulations, Lin Kuei Champion!"

As if on cue of the clan's roars, they also heard a strong squall of wind and loose snow blow against the walls of the base. The guardsmen from the twin towers looked and noticed a sudden funnel form within the courtyard! Then, an elderly figure with a long, white ponytail broke out of it.

The Lin Kuei thought it was another dangerous ice storm, though it was only the new guardian of Earthrealm, Fujin. He informed the news of Liu Kang's death, though his soul was saved, and his old nemeses have returned. The watchtowers' guards ran into the main chamber and passed the news onto their Grandmaster!

They could've sworn that Kuai's blood just ran as cold as the very desert in which they'd created their base which took over a year to complete! "Shang Tsung and Quan Chi...? They both are alive and returned to Earthrealm...and nearly killed our ally, Liu Kang." It was difficult for him to process these stressful scenarios.

"Mui přítel, if I may, I shall assist you as we should meet Lord Raiden at the deserted island!" Smoke broke thru the stunned silence.

"N-no! I cannot risk losing another brother!" Recalling Sub-Zero's failures on leaving Smoke behind as he escaped from the corruptive Lin Kuei's cyber initiative, and nearly losing him as he was being reprogrammed by Nightwolf, he cannot possibly bear it! He was, however, grateful that Hanzo shall be by his side. Then his face fell as Kuai became worried if Hanzo got involved, as if he'll no longer be himself...

"Grandmaster, I shall join you." The fallen ninjas couldn't help but groan, affirming Frost's request considering they were all battered, while she was standing as firm as a tree.

"You...wish to come with me, to Shang Tsung's Island and stepping into enemy territory?"

All she did was nod and confirm her statement.

"Frost, this isn't an exhibition anymore. It's a matter of life and death. The demonic sorcerers and their warriors are highly skilled. Besides, you are a-"

"Why does it matter?" Frost assured with a smile. "I have what it takes since I won the competition, don't I?"

"Indeed, she has!" Smoke added. "I may be a cyborg, so having me may be a better chance, but I doubt you'd endure the Deadly Alliance with just you and Hanzo. She can be quite the decoy if there happens to be two cryomancers."

"...Frost. If anything should happen to you, I will never forgive myself."

"It'll all be on me, Grandmaster. It's my decision. It's about time we Lin Kuei exercise free will. This is my chance to prove myself."

Frost was determined to carry on the Lin Kuei clan, and just like the war with Shinnok, Smoke held the fort.

By the time Fujin returned to Osaka, Hanzo reunited with his former rival of the opposite elemental. After low bows and a firm handshake, the former revenant mentioned that Kuai needed to give the cyborg a chance since he was surprised that he was willing to risk everything on a headstrong rookie; the cryomancer was just reluctant on losing his surrogate brother, since his conversion by Oniro. Frost indeed proved her worth by plowing through each of her opponents like snow dunes. With the news of Liu Kang's partial demise, he couldn't fathom to lose another crucial ally.

Hanzo sighed as he nodded and warned Sub-Zero to be his wingman, that once he should revert to his wraith persona as he'd encounter Quan Chi, he can lose all control. Kuai understood the consequences, recalling all the unpleasantries fighting against him since the second tournament began. After the Shirai Ryu leader declared he'll be leaving for Outworld and bring peace back to his clan, he gathered with Kuai and Frost before they were lifted off their feet!


Back on the beach of Shang Tsung's former hideout, Nightwolf continued to spar with Kung Lao, while having Liu Kang's soul inside his body; the shaman figured it'd be the best way to train the two monks while combined in conjunction with him and Kiba matching their own power boosts.

Sonya gave Aiko some pointers as well while Raiden and Johnny stood by. Even when the cardiokinetic managed to produce a spin kick while Sonya held her foot aloft. The force of it was just a strong push.

The trained Kombatants felt a sudden, heavy gust. Their eyes beheld a skinny funnel just a few miles away! Raiden assured it wasn't a tornado as he raised an arm. By the time the F0 dissipated, four figures walked toward the group as they followed the shoals.

"Kiba?" Nightwolf straightened his body as he allowed his wolf to exit his vessel. Both bodies glowed while Kiba jumped out from his owner's chest. He shook off before he trotted toward Kuai. The ice warrior bent down and petted him, as did Frost. He smelt each of the Kombatants and gave out a subtle bark, letting the heroes know they were real.

"If I am correct, Shang Tsung should've been in Outworld by now," Hanzo muttered. He then bowed to his former rival, Kung Lao.

"Which is precisely where we are going." Raiden announced, resulting in murmurs from his peers. "I'll let you all gather your bearings before we will proceed. If memory serves, then both sorcerers must've taken the Celestial Portal there."

"The Celestial Portal... The warp point between Earthrealm and Outworld." Liu Kang's voice emitted from the golden dragon head.

"Precisely. Only deities and sorcerers know of this mystical plane of existence, but you must all know full well I've no powers once we should cross over."

Lao perspired, "I was afraid you'd say that."

"Huh, I thought we'd be taking that creepy ass boat Shang Tsung had," Johnny added.

Raiden shook his head. "The two demon sorcerers are using it for their own endeavors, to transport each of their victims' souls to his grand palace in order to awaken the Dragon King and his mummified army."

He gave each of his heroes an hour for any last-minute preparations, which also gave them enough time to introduce one another, especially to Frost who seemed to warm up to Sonya and Aiko. Even being impressed on their past victories and having a rare cardiokinetic!

By the time the sun hit the distant, barren horizon of the ocean, and with all the heroes gathered, even Fujin who wanted to help his brother, were rallied at the epicenter of Shang Tsung's Island.

Hanzo volunteered to avenge his family again as well as Liu Kang, and warned everyone that if he meets his enemy, he won't have control over his wraith self. He also promised he would find Sonya's and Johnny's distant ally, Kenshi.

Kung Lao knew and read up on stressors and triggers, due to Aiko's sensitive mind as an autistic amongst other things...

"I can only take you as far as the Celestial Portal. From there, you're left with your own devices. Are you all ready?"

The group nodded, with Aiko and Frost affirming slowly due to nervousness. A ring of neon blue light appeared around the heroes before they disappeared in a glowing field.

A/N: Contrary to the double-crossing Frost in the games, the ideas on using her was actually inspired by the amazing sprite animation, Mortal Kombat: Reconciliation. Sure, Kuai Liang, as the new Grandmaster, possesses the Dragon Medallion, and Frost grew envious over him, but in that epic, I truly admired both cryomancers working together against Kahn and his warriors! Besides, two of the same elementals is certainly better than one! Having more strong ladies is just as good.

About Smoke, though...I was nervous on using him since he'd be reprogrammed by Noob Saibot by Deception, as I found out Smoke has been left for dead in an Outworld prison for twelve years since Kahn's invasion! I was a bit reluctant on using him, hence Hanzo's and Kuai's reactions.

Monk Travels would play once Fujin reaches Japan, before the baby Takeda is brought in. 1P Results from the og Smash Bros would sound as Scorpion looks over Takeda, reminding him by his son. Dog Tragedy from Babe may be a good change of tone when Fujin warns Hanzo that Quan Chi has returned, even when Hanzo recapped all the treachery that he pulled over the years. The Lin Kuei Temple of course shall play as Fujin enters the very frigid environment, even if Frost bests in the tournament. Sub-Zero and Smoke from Defenders of the Realm plays as Kuai remembers the tragedies involving his clan. Their Greatest Fear from the og TMNT film plays as the Kombatants spar on the beach before Fujin touches down. Warp Rooms in Starfox Adventures chimes in, followed by Teleporting as Raiden finally takes everyone to the Celestial Portal.

So, we finally gathered all the Earthrealm warriors and embark into Outworld...again, since the second tournament which was a tie-in to Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks. Contrary to the game, Jax isn't in the party since he's been theorized he's in Outworld with Kenshi and Cyrax. I was going to highlight the portal, but it just seemed radically different, as there's a trial you must endure before accessing; hopefully I'll get to that, and step foot into the forboding realm, next chapter.