His eyes scanned the jungle brush. It was seemingly impenetrable to all, but his eyes. Yet an army hid there by all accounts. And he could see that it was true. He could see them behind the trees, bushes and brush marching. Trickling out at some points, but moving in countless numbers in others. But no sign of one in particular. The one he had come here with and got separated from.

"There!" Superman pointed as he stood atop a cliff overlooking the jungle, him furthest out in the procession and teetering on the edge of the cliff. Behind him stood Kotal Kahn, D'vorah, Erron Black and Reptile. Each looking out as far as they could see to where he was pointing. But to them all they saw was the jungle ahead, and the gaping mounds of sand and rock that separated the two. They were on the edge of civilization now. And on the doorstep of the wild.

"I see nothing" Reptile said dismissively as he crouched and tried to look ahead himself.

"They're there" Superman reaffirmed putting his arm down keeping his sight ahead.

"Found 'em easy enough" Erron said sarcastically, but still dryly. But one voiced a bit more faith in Superman.

"They would hide until the very end. The cowards" Kotal grimaced taking a step up to his side "We must strike them first" he clenched his fist.

"Now comes the rest then" Reptile drooled coming upright again.

Superman turned to Kotal "Are you sure there is no other way?" he asked worriedly.

"You have seen the progress Outworld has made" Kotal said turning down to him "It was not just Shao Kahn's legacy that was undone, but Mileena's as well"

Superman sighed "Then it may just have to come to this" he dropped his head. But when he raised it back up it was in defiance and a determination showed on his face. No it would not be this way. Not if he could help it. "I shall go first" he said confidently "Stay behind me" he said as he floated forward, the tips of his boots lifting up off the rock as he now lingered in the sky before them. His eyes locked onto the jungle. Scanning first and foremost for Kitana- or at least the one who looked just like her; this Mileena he's heard so much about. He then turned back to them and they were so shocked by this seemingly newfound ability that they almost didn't know what he would say. Taking advantage of that Superman presented his terms again "Stay behind me" he repeated as he remained standing in the air before them "I'll be the first one in"

"You cannot mean to go alone" Kotal said overcoming the shock.

"The last time I was here I went alone to undo a mistake I had made". Back when he went to face Dark Kahn.

"You have made no mistake here" Kotal consoled him.

"My friend is alone out there" he replied "I will go alone again" he said undeterred "Maybe I can stop this now as I had then, before it gets worse". Of course he had help then, from his counterpart of this world. From the God of Thunder. When he had his mind set, nothing would stop him.

"As you wish" Kotal nodded in reply; relenting and Superman was grateful for the opportunity.

"For now stand by" he requested.

"If you need aid we will be there" Kotal said and it was Superman who nodded before he turned around, lay himself across the sky horizontally with his fists stretched out in front of him and quickly took off towards the jungle. His form disappearing the farther he got from them at incredible speeds. "Good Luck" Kotal said before he left them, the 'boom' let in the aftermath of his flying shot some of them back. Reptile covered his eyes with his arms, Errons hat fell off his head and D'Vorah shielded herself each trying to remain standing in the aftermath of the sonic boom.

"Hm. That one" Erron said as he picked up his hat and dusted it off "He ain't gonna need luck" he said placing it comfortably back on his head. He then looked to Kotal who looked ahead silently. "He probably don't need the help, but.." he paused "You mean what you said, by not getting down in there? Should an opportunity present itself..." Kotal stirred for a moment, and when he turned back to him and Erron saw the look on his face he already knew the answer.

As Superman left the rocks behind him to see jungle getting closer, it was hardly a few seconds before he crossed the distance between the two. But it was still enough time for Superman to realize the situation before him. And how it was going to end.

'I may be the only one who can stop this' he thought to himself, his brow furrowed as he became more determined to save Diana and stop this bloodshed. But he thought of one other who could.

Raiden.

Still he could not get into contact with the God of Thunder. Kotal had sent a loyal man named Ermac to the Sky temple to do just that before they departed at Superman's insistence, but he had not returned yet.

And Superman mused on the ramifications of that.

'Had things changed as much in Earthrealhm as they had here?' Superman thought. If it was as drastic as Outworld had he wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

Then again Outworld seemed to be for the better.. what about anything else? No he was sure of it, they spoke of Raiden as he still lived, yet he was no friend of theirs. Or were they no friend of his? If Raiden was still in power then Earthreahlm was in good hands. Regardless he could not leave Outworld. Not without Diana.

He could see the scurrying at the tips of the jungle. No doubt they saw him coming. Which meant that it was about to begin. Warriors spilled out from cracks in the jungle, entering the open barren remains and all had raised weapons to him. He halted his assault in the air and stood up now above them in the sky, hovering like a deity. Suddenly from below one shot lightning bolts up at him.

Superman swayed from side to side to block each bolt. A woman draped in yellow took his side as many other swarmed out like bees from a hive. Superman's eyes glowed red, so brightly that it could likely be seen, even so far below. Shooting out from them came two laser beams that shot down and connected to the dirt below before the two from before. The woman jumped back while the man was knocked onto his back both missing the lasers though not because they were fast, but because Superman had missed on purpose. Slowly turning his head his lasers followed as he dragged it across the beginning of the jungle cutting into the ground and creating a small ravine. His eyes trailed back to retrace his blast and just as easily as it started he stopped them and got a clear view of the ground below. They all stopped, lingering on the edge of the jungle and the trench he made starring up to him. Not one dared to move or stir from their spot and he could see the effect from those still hidden within the jungle. From behind, Superman imagined that they must have loved the light show. He breathed a sigh of relief and let out a little smile.

'This is it' he thought 'This is how it'll all end' his smile grew wider and brighter. If that was all the fighting to be done, then there was nothing left to prove on his part. But whatever hopes he had, they were quickly dashed when a fierce war cry was let out. Turning down to the jungle he saw a woman erupt from the trees and landed hard on the ground far ahead of all the others, undeterred and not afriad. She cracked the ground as she landed and kicked up a cloud of smoke. She wasted no time in heading his his direction and he knew what was coming next.

He grimaced at the thought, but this one it seems would not give into fear. He lowered himself to just above the ground so he would be level with her and then shot forward with his arms ahead of him. His eyes focused in on her as she charged towards him.

Lunging forward she let out another cry and now hearing it again Superman thought it sounded fairly familiar. He looked ahead as he flew forward and now realized who this was charging at him.

The jungle hid their movements. Hardly a blade of grass or ruffled leaf touched them. If it did it could easily be mistaken for the drop of a dew leaf or the wind for it was so light and soft.

Diana lifted up an overhanging branch that crossed their path. Sliding her arm underneath she raised it higher, and lowered her head just a little giving Kitana who marched next to her more than enough room to cross unheeded. Diana allowed her arm to drop back down and the branch reeled back into place. Though Diana was the taller of the two they kept pace with each other at the front.

"When this is all done.. what will you do?" Diana asked looking to her as they walked the unlaid path together. Kitana's eyes looked to her, but then back forward. So Diana pressed on "Will Lui Kang join you?". Her eyes came back to her, but she looked at her differently. When they rolled back to the path ahead, the one they were marching and she answered.

"He died long ago" Kitana said scornfully, with no hint of mourning

Diana turned to her shocked "You never said.. I had thought-"

"There is nothing to be done about it". Such bold, brazen words. Truth be told the two of them had lived for years beyond that of any man. Perhaps it was always destined for her to move on from him. And with no abundance of allies elsewhere. She had spoken of Raiden with scorn before. The Special Forces, the Shao Lin, none came to help her when her power hungry councilors cast her out. Even Diana was having a hard time believing all could have abandoned her like this, with no great purpose or reason. Diana looked her over to be reminded again that she truly had lost everything. Pity came over her face in a way that hadn't before when she looked to her now.

Looking at her now, Diana's own Tiara was the brightest thing on her. It was no wonder she was so different now than ever, that she hardly recognized her, that she traded her friends and loved ones for new subjects. But Diana managed a little smile; for her own acts of kindness rekindled their bond and reminded her an even greater weapon than their fists or sword. Compassion.

She marched through the jungle stomping through the grass.

"It pains me to hear you say that" she admitted before looking behind at all the others. Rain, Tanya, the entire army marching as if it was to their deaths.

"It will not end the same way for us" Kitana said

"No" Diana agreed with a smile "It will not" she said turning back to the path ahead. She would have continued forward, but she was stopped suddenly and before she knew it Kitana had reached an arm out to turn her so now they were facing each other. She reached down to clasp her hands tightly in her own. First she took in a deep breath.

".. he is dead...all have left and betrayed me" she brought a hand up to touch the tips of Diana's black hair, letting the strands twist and serve through her fingers as she spoke "But you said you came back, you said you came back for.." she dared not finish the sentence.

"For you" Diana finished.

"Yesss" she hissed softly and inched closer "But I will need someone with me..."

"Look at all these people who follow you" Diana turned to look at the army that trekked through the jungle stretching farther than they could see. Kitana did the same, but when Diana continued they looked to each other again "All of them are here for you. You are a natural leader. Tanya, Rain-"

"Tanya and Rain have brought me nothing!" she spat, her veil moving when she did "But you have given me- made me feel something I haven't in far too long" she said as she crept forward, her face inches from hers.

"What?" she asked

"..hope" she answered. One that made Diana smile. "When this is all done... you do not have to leave... you can stay with me. Stay with me" she repeated at the end, but this time asked for it.

"I-" she trailed off as Kitana brought her face closer to hers. Their noses grazed each other and she could feel warm, hot breath escaping from under her veil.

A violent pulsating sound echoed through the air as a bright red light pierced past the trees scattering their shadows across the rest of the jungle and those who hid behind it. They could hear and smell the cinders behind made right on the border and Diana could see everyone hunker down or stop their advance. But as they all fell back into fear, she only became more determined. It seemed the battle had begun already.

"I told them I should go first!" Diana exclaimed before she bounded forward and out of the jungle and onto the flat desert.

"Sister" Kitana reached out to grab her but she was already out of reach.

A loud and hard 'clump' was heard as she landed. But she did not sit still for long. Leaping forward again she flew across the desert sand, kicking up dust as she soared by that covered her allies leaving them behind in a coughing fit. But her eyes and concerns were ahead of her now.

Descending down to be level ground with her was no doubt one of Kotal Kahn's warriors; though he looked like no champion such as Goro or even the old emperor. Perhaps it was this Ermac she was told of. Diana charged forward as he began to do the same, floating over the ground and kicking up just as rough a dust storm as her. She tensed up and brought her fists up to her sides as he put his outward ahead of him.

Getting a better view of him as he came forward her eyes widened as the wind raced past her body. Seeing him up close now there was only one thing she felt she could do.

She lowered her arms as he dropped his to his side mimicking each other. Their body motions practically in sync.

Then in the middle of it all the two collided in the air, their arms wrapped around each other as they spiraled upwards in the air embracing the other.

She rested her head onto his shoulder as his head nestled against hers. He brought a hand up and ran it through her hair, temporarily losing his fingers in her dark locks.

The two as one then floated down peacefully to the ground, their feet touching at the same time, their movements in sync with the other.

Out of any one they would have met and after all they had been through so far, They finally found each other.

"I thought I lost you" Superman said

"You? Lose me?" she spared him a small laugh and he joined in. The two now moved their faces to see the others "It's you who had me worried" she said as they finally let each other go. It seemed both had a lot of explaining to do.

"For what? I heard you were captured!" he told excitedly, but releived

"Captured? Me? Hardly" she laughed off his worry in good faith "I was in good company. And what of you?"

"I came with the army you march against, but don't worry I told them to hold back. I found help from the new ruler of Outworld."

"New ruler?" Diana said with a bemused smile "I think not" she shook her head.

"Hm? Why?". The cheeriness made way to puzzlement in Superman's face.

"Because only I have met her" she told "It seems you've made use of her enemies"

"What do you mean?" Superman asked, though he felt he already knew the terrible answer "Where were you?"

"I was in good hands" Diana admitted cheerfully "We looked everywhere for you"

"We?" Superman questioned.

"Kitana!" she said happily. "I've found her!". Superman said nothing, but his eyes and body steadied on her. A solemn look came over his face in the silence. Until he broke it with another question.

"You were with her the entire time?" he asked and she nodded "With Kitana?" he asked again specifying further "You're sure?".

"Yes" she answered "But she has fallen on hard times" she said, but Superman's determination turned to pity when she said that and his eyes that had just blasted out burning laser beams now softened considerably "Just after she freed her home from Shao Kahn, another despot has taken it from her" she took his hands in hers "We have to help her Kal" she insisted squeezing them.

"Diana.." he paused uncomfortably, dropping his head "Kitana" he let out breathlessly "she's-"

A pink mist suddenly overcame them from the above and a violet leg sprouted out of it before being followed by a body.

Kitana let out a blood curling call as she shot down at Superman. He easily raised an arm to grab ahold of her leg and then hurled her across the ground effortlessly.

Kitana skidded across the ground before spreading her legs and pinned to the ground like a great predatory cat stopping herself. Her eyes went back to Superman and she opened her mouth to hiss. Diana was shocked by the sudden development, but Superman eyed her with determination as he remained tense; his left arm raised up to defend himself.

Springing up, her Sais came to her and she charged him again. She threw one, but he swatted it away as easily as he did to her before. The distance between them closing she prepare to jump up and she held her sai tighter now. Superman didn't budge and was ready for her attack as he was Kotal's before. But before she could strike something else stopped her. Or rather someone.

"Sister! Stop this!" Diana called abruptly putting herself between them. By Diana's command she did just that coming to a complete stop even as she was mid way into a charge; her body hunched over, crooked and jagged.

Given the proper chance Superman took the opportunity to look her over now. She looked just like Kitana, perhaps more feral given Diana's description, but undoubtedly her. Its not surprising she would be believed to be Kitana, but Superman knew better.

"So, you're Mileena" Superman concluded easing himself back up.

Diana looked to him strangely a confused look on her face. As she did Kitana's eyes widened in shock.

"Who told you this?!" she shouted enraged, in an anger none had seen since she was taken by the Rage in their last encounter. She stepped one foot forward, clenching her Sai's tighter and moved towards Superman. But thankfully she was stopped again. Wonder Woman stomped her foot down and came between the two.

Kitana seemed shocked by the development.

"You would betray me?! Here and now?!" she shrieked

"I told you I would help you. I promised" Wonder Woman said "This is my friend" she held a arm out towards Superman

"Your friend has chosen to support my rivals!"

"Let me deal with him" Wonder Woman insisted and it seemed Kitana agreed. Once she was sure of that she turned to face Superman "But she has a point Kal" she said as she walked forward as Kitana remained on edge behind them. "Mileena? Where have you heard such things? This is Kitana"

Superman peered over his friend to view the woman in question again "The resemblance is uncanny" he admitted "But she's no more Kitana, otherwise I'm Bizzaro"

"KAL!-" she snapped at him.

"It's true Diana" he said firmly, painful as it may be to hear.

"And what proof do you have?" she put her hands on her hips defiantly

"From Kotal Kahn"

"The usurper!" Kitana barked haggardly behind her.

"From the people who overthrew her?" Diana said smugly, taking her side.

"Because she was even worse than Shao Kahn" he replied "Don't you think there was a reason she was overthrown"

"For power and pride, like so many other of mans wars" she old piously.

"There's more to it than that Diana" Superman said "And I know you have to see that too"

"What else could there be?" she stepped forward with outstretched hands " I don't have super vision like you do"

"You won't need it".

"What do you-?"

"Look under the mask and see for yourself". A primal fear over came Kitana the moment he said that and her eyes widened to cover her face. Diana turned back to her as she contemplated Superman's words. The look that came over Kitana accompanied by all that went on made her certainly question what had happened up till this point. Herself going unnoticed, the abrupt scorn of her former allies and even herself. She had no choice, but to go to the source.

"What is he talking about?" she asked.

"Lies and falsehoods" Kitana spat "I am the empress!"

"Then what is he-" She inched towards Kitana, but each step she took she retreated back from her. "Do not be afraid" she whispered sweetly and kindly as if to a small child.

Kitana's withdrawal slowed, but didn't stop. Diana got closer, keeping her pace and cornered Ktiana though she could have still fallen back, she didn't even as Diana stopped before her. "..sister.." she pleaded.

"Shh" she cooed before her as her fingers glided up across the veil. Her outstretched fingers came over her face like long writhing bare branches masked as shadows. A harrowing feeling was written all over Kitana. Her breath quickened. She trembled as her fingers inched closer but seemed too petrified to move or do anything. Her fingers lingered at the tip of her veil before lightly connecting with her cheeks. She then tugged down softly taking the veil away like curtains before a window.

And when she finally tore it away it wasn't a bright and beautiful world she saw, but a horrifying sight straight from nightmares.

Lips; flanked on both sides were rows of long, jagged and overlapping fangs instead of cheeks. Diana stumbled back in shock and disbelief.

Superman stood his ground having seen through the veil the moment he laid eyes on her.

Mileena remained in place. A rigid, loathsome sight as without the veil on her she turned her head down, her black hair blocking half her face as shadows did the rest.

"So it is true..." Diana said stunned "Mileena" she took another uneasy step back in disbelief though there was none in her. Superman looked on giving them space, but enough room for him to act should he need to. The veil trickled from her hands to fall on the ground "so all this time" Diana said, her senses coming to her "You had mislead me. Used me to your own devices!" she raised her voice and put an arm over her breastplate.

"You said you had come to aid me!" Mileena shouted back to her.

"I had come for peace in Outworld" Diana retorted "I came for Kitana-"

"There is no difference!" Mileena shouted. It was this outburst among the many she had, that made Wonder Woman see not just the Mileena before her, but the empress she had been with unknowingly this entire time. As she remembered all that and observed what was before her Mileena continued on "I am the empress of Outworld" she huffed, orange eyes peered up through her new shroud to look at Diana "I am the heir of Shao Kahn"

"He was a despot and a warmonger" Diana stated back fearlessly

Mileena now spoke now half whining like a child, the other half with pity for herself. And that was reflected in Diana's eyes when she looked down at her. She was angry, but felt betrayed, but that pity she held inside all this time did not dislodge itself from her so easily.

Diana stepped forward, but when she did Mileena cowered away from her. Diana reached her arm out "Do-"

All of a sudden a loud bang echoed through the sky. And all recognized it as the sound of gunshot. Superman turned his head and saw the bullet travelling past him and straight over Diana's shoulder and headed towards Mileena's forehead.

That was until it crumpled in a flash when it connected with the gauntlet on Diana's right wrist. She turned around enraged to see what was coming.

Suddenly they were swarmed by a group of warriors of all shapes and sizes. Kotal Kahn lead the charge, his sword out and raised high. The buzzing and flapping of D'vorah landed next to him as Reptile slid forward on his other side. Cocking his rifle, letting loose a shell Erron Black joined them.

The four put themselves opposite of the two of them, lining up behind Superman who turned to face them. Defensively Diana turned to them with Mileena to her back now. At the head of them and the first to stop was Kotal who paused to eye the situation greedily. Scanning from one side to the other. But when he was finished he went back to glaring at what he started at and what he came here for. Mileena. He let one hand fall from his sword and let the other keep it raised.

"Kotal" Superman stepped forward "You said you'd stay behind" he said vexed as Diana's head went from him to the other newcomers.

"I could not let such an opportunity pass" he said greedily bringing both arms, extending and waving them both to the spectacle before him. "So you have brought her to me, as you said" Kotal said as he turned to Superman.

"And it is as you told me" Superman said looking over to Diana as Mileena behind her both cowered and stood defiantly. Kotal looked the new woman over curiously before quickly coming to a conclusion

"Your friend?" he asked pointing his sword at her.

"She is" Superman said.

Kotal looked her over again "And a beautiful one at that" he paused, but Wonder Woman did not stir at his compliment "Then she is yours. Take her with you" he waved his sword in the air before pointing it at Mileena "But this one is mine" he grinned maliciously. He took a step forward bringing his other hand on his hilt, tightening it. None stood in his way now.

The standoff and likely subsequent charge was suddenly halted when all sides were shrouded in a sudden bright light that came at them from their left side. All parties were drowned in it.

Opening to their left as wide and long as they were spread apart was a giant portal. They could not see where it went. But from the middle a shadow emerged.

Tall and imposing with garbs of white and blue. He walked forward tall and proud under the rim of a wide bamboo hat. His pupiless blank eyes looked ahead thoughtfully and he first saw those who did not originate from Outworld.

"Raiden!" Superman exclaimed in surprise, his lips forming a grin. The god of thunder bowed his head silently. When he brought it back up he was joined by none other than Sonya Blade on his left side. Superman and Diana looked to her now with the same surprise as they had Raiden; all others looked on with skepticism. But that was not all who appeared. Starting out above them and then floating down to Sonya's right, shining green and coming down with his fist raised and glowing was none other than Green Lantern.

"Hal!?" Diana blurted out, reactionary as she said his name unintentionally. But she was just so shocked to see him here. He acknowledged them before being joined by all others. Each reveal was more shocking than the last, but there were more still. Floating next to Green Lantern and touching down was Captain Marvel, who was followed down the line by four younger warriors; two women with guns, one man with a bow and arrow and another flailing his whips. They were all new to Superman and Wonder Woman, but they seemed to be here on their side. But after them came more familiar faces.

On Raiden's left overtaking him like a shadow came one with two dark horns. Silent as the night, Batman kept his arms hidden away in his cloak. With blue arms outstretched came the bearded grandmaster Sub-zero and down from him flaming red was Scorpion. The portal whirled around them as this new large group stood diagonally to the other two. All eyes went to these newcomers in surprise, but they were not here for no reason.

Raidens eyes scanned the field before him. All the greatest warriors throughout the realms here and now. For Kombat.