Chapter 2

New Faces

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

Location /Date / Time Change

3 Years Later

Outworld Market

Guards march through the street as the crowds watched on. Leading the squad were Erron Black, Ermac and Toxik. People bowed to the traveling Kahn and his squad, even if he would be unable to see them from inside his carriage. "Twenty million..." Kotal mumbled in complete disbelief.

"There's an old saying, Emperor; 'It's not worth the dirt on my shoes'." A man with tattoos and a mechanical eye said from across the Kahn.

"Kotal Kahn has only ever bargained fairly with you, Kano." D'vorah said from next to the man.

"Right, right." He nodded. "I'm just saying, upgraded weapons here and there, my intel and boom! The Outworld Civil War is finally over. Might be nice to kick back, actually enjoy being emperor."

"You are certain of Mileena's location?" The Kahn asked, having thought over everything he just heard.

"And every thing about her army." Kano replied. "S'gotta be worth... at least fifty million."

"I must attack her... Immediately." Kotal mumbled. "End this conflict, right the mistake Toxik made. As you say, it drains us."

"Right... so do we have a deal?" The red eyed man asked.

The carriage came to a stop, confusing the bug woman and the Oshtek. "D'vorah?"

"An accident ahead." She replied, standing up. "It need not concern the Emperor. This one will clear it for you." She bowed and left the carriage, leaving the two alone. "Make way for Kotal Kahn! Move!"

"This isn't something we can just clear when you say so." Toxik replied, moving a crate off the pile. "And things would go a lot faster if you-" The smell of blood filled his nose before he turned around. Twin swarms of Tarkatans ran out of the allies blades at the ready. "Ambush!"

The other three growled in anger before marching towards the horde. Ermac ducked an arm-blade before using his magic to steal the soul of the Tarkatan. He then crushed the body before throwing it at another. Erron shot two of them before a third tackled him to ground. "Guns..." Toxik shook his head before splitting a head open with a knife.

D'vorah walked towards three before her stingers popped out and stabbed them to death before noticing the approaching horde from the rear. "This was a set up..." Toxik mumbled before throwing a knife at a Tarkatan. "Kano sold us out."

Kotal Kahn burst out of the carriage with Kano underneath him. Both looked battered and bruised as the emperor rained down punches before the Earthrealmer caught one and threw him aside. "The emperor!" D'vorah shouted before sharing a nod with the hybrid.

Her wings sprouted out and she took to the sky before grabbing Toxik by the hand. She took off and flew towards the Kahn, Toxik swinging his blade at any Tarkatans that tried to hit him. A fireball shot forward and hit Toxik, sending him to the ground. Tarkatans jumped up and grabbed the Kytin pulling her down to the ground. Groaning, Toxik pushed himself up to see an all too familiar face. "Tanya..."

"I'm pleased you remember me, tadpole." She teased before launching another fireball.

The lizard-hybrid rolled to the side and the fire missed. Standing up, Toxik pulled out a knife as Xiuhcoatl turned into her sword form. "How could I ever forget that smug look when you freed Milenna?" He swung his sword and knife in an 'x', forcing the Edenian to jump back.

She reached down and grabbed her Kobu Jutsu from her side. "She vowed to create a free Edenia. Something Kotal refused to do."

The Edenian charged and swung her weapons, forcing Toxik to block with his blades. "If you honestly think that you can trust Mileena, then you're dumber than you look." He pushed back and swung at her legs, forcing her to jump.

"Then we will tear Kotal's Empire apart." Tanya replied before charging, swing her blades.

Toxik dodged the blade before kicking her back and sent her to the ground before she stood back up. "It's your fault that Mileena escaped. I disgraced myself before the Kahn. Today, I make amends."

She raced forward and threw a kick that Toxik caught it before throwing her to the ground. He then jumped on her back and dug his claws into her back. She screamed in pain before her legs grabbed his torso and threw him back. Toxik spun back up before dodging her weapons, distracting him enough to have her slam her knees into his head.

In a daze, he swung his whip sword. Tanya ducked the snake and threw a series of punches before slamming her knee into his gut. Pushing him back, she threw another fire ball at him. Toxik countered with an acid ball of his own and the two meet, creating a small explosion. The smoke faded and a series of knifes were thrown at her, forcing her to dodge.

Toxik then jumped forward and wrapped his snake around her neck and started chocking her out. "This is what you get for defying Kotal." He slammed his right knee into her back before throwing a punch to her head. He slackened the bracelet and performed a sliding dash before kicking her back.

Unwrapping Xiuhcoatl, it hardened into a club and cracked her in the head, sending her to the ground in defeat. "I look forward to your death." He turned to see Kano limping away from the fight. "Get back here, Earthrealmer!" He shouted as he raced after the human. Three Tarkatans blocked his path and he uncurled his whip before slicing their heads off.

Trampling over the bodies, he looked around for the human only to find nothing. His nose was no use as the smell of blood filled his nostrils. A scream caught his attention as he turned to see Erron gripping his hand in pain, a sai firmly planted in his palm. "You bitch!" He raced forward and preformed a jump kick that forced Milenna back.

Mileena vanished from his sight and appeared from behind, bitting into his arm. Toxik screamed in pain before Mileena picked him up and threw him back into a mob of Tarkatans. "Out of my way!" He pushed the two arm blades aside, making them bisect skulls in the process. The next two forced him to duck before a spray acid melted through the skin.

They crumbled to the ground as he grabbed one leg and slammed the owner into another, impaling the two on each other's blades. Xiuhcoatl jumped off his wrist and bit into the neck of an approaching Tarkatan before it slithered into the body. Toxik delivered a back fist to an undamaged blade creature before unleashing a series of punches along the body. A high kick cracked the arm blade in half before he shoved a knife in the head.

His bracelet forced itself out of the chest and jumped out to him. Toxik then flicked it and turned it into its sword from before blocking the blades. One reached out for his face, but the hybrid caught it and melted it down to a nub. In response, the wastelander tried punching him to the ground but failed. With a roar and a final swing, Toxik decapitating the last one.

Panting with pride, Toxik stood up and ran back over to Mileena. He found her on the ground surrounded by both soldiers and Kotal. "You will atone for your dissent, Mileena." Kotal said as Mileena tried run. "Blood will make right. Up the stairs path..." Flames began gathering around him as his body marks glowed. "To the fires edge!"

Flames shot out of his arms and fired at Mileena, who pulled out a golden medallion and fired off a beam of energy. The streams collided and forced Kotal back while the soldiers were disintegrated. Mileena collapsed before Rain appeared and grabbed her and teleported away.

Panting in exhaustion, Kotal Kahn depended on D'vorah helping him up. "What did my emperor see?"

"A stray cub... grown into a jaguar." He said, scaring all who heard it. He turned to leave, only to see Toxik on his knees.

"Forgive me, emperor." He said. "I have failed you again. Mileena and Kano escaped. I accept whatever punishment you deem fit."

Kotal stared at him before walking past him. "Aid the wounded, tend the dead. That is how you will make amends for this." The Kahn placed his hand on his shoulder before delivering a tap. "You did well, young one."

Five Outworld Days Later

Toxik and Erron walked through the market with a squad of soldiers. People were buzzing about seeing Earthrealmers in their home and if they were true, they were to bring them to Kotal. "This has to be a mistake. Why would any sane Earthrealmer come here?"

"You trying to say something, kid?" The cowboy asked back.

"No, I've said all I-" He stopped talking when he noticed four humans talking to each other. Toxik had never seen a normal human before, but he was more intrigued by the one with blonde hair and full body suit.

"-aggression pact. Outworld is not our friend." The one with the bow said.

Erron nudged his partner before walking forward, leading the men. "A point you might make more subtlety, given your surroundings." The guards surrounded the four as Erron came to a stop. "State your business. Including a reason why the two of us shouldn't kill you here and now."

"Two?" The blonde asked.

Erron looked over and found Toxik stuck in place. "Damn it kid! Get your head outta the clouds!" He pushed the hybrid forward and the Zaterran snapped back to reality.

"S-Sorry." He mumbled before turning to the humans.

"I can read you... both of you..." The one in the head band mumbled, having put his hand to his temple. "You're not from Outworld."

"We're from Earthrealm, like you." Erron replied. "But my employer Kotal Kahn is from Outworld. So now I'm from Outworld."

"And there is nothing for me in Earthrealm." Toxik replied, gripping a knife. "Now what do you want?"

"We're emissaries." The blonde replied. "We're here to talk to Kotal Kahn. We have Raiden's official seal with us."

She pulled out a golden medallion and Erron looked at it. "You can buy a cheap copy from that stand over there." Xiuhcoatl shot out and grabbed the emblem in its jaw.

"Look, you can arrest us. Even kill us." The bowman said, stepping forward. "But if we're telling the truth, you two are looking at pay cut- or worse. You two take us to the Kahn, I'll tell him the two of you took us down. Might even get you a bonus, you can't lose."

Erron stared at the four before turning to Toxik and nodded. "Follow us." He turned and lead the group forward next to Toxik.

"You will do anything for money, won't you?" The hybrid said, looking at the medal he took from his snake.

"Not anything." Erron replied.

"Really?" Toxik asked flipping the coin overhead. A small gasp was heard before he assumed some caught it. "Remind me, how much did Kotal pay you to flip from Shao Kahn's side to his?"

"At least I'm getting paid for this." The cowboy replied.

They passed by a construction site where an execution was taking place. "I was hungry..." The man begged before being pushed down onto the block.

"Your sentence will be carried out at once!" The executioner declared before a man walked up with a Macuahuitl.

"Death, for petty theft?" The bowman asked, stopping the group.

"The law is the law." Toxik answered. "Remember, this is our world."

Ignoring the warning the man, named 'Jin' by the blonde, raced forward. Erron pulled out his gun and the blonde girl pushed his arm, making him miss. Toxik raced after the monk, who fired an arrow and stopped the sentence before dealing with the guards. He then freed the man before jumping down from the stage.

Toxik threw a knife and the bowman dodged before the two stared each other down. "You just made a big mistake." Toxik said. "Why Erron choose to listen to you, I'll never know."

"A lesson in trust, from a mercenary?" Jin seemed to chuckle at the idea.

"Erron is a mercenary. I serve the Kahn fatefully." The hybrid declared. "And I'll serve him again by bringing him your head!" Toxik drew a knife and threw it, forcing Jin to spin his bow and block it. The Zaterran raced forward and swung his claws in a double palm strike, hitting the archer in the chin.

Jin slid back and threw his own punch before running and slamming his bow to the ground and jumped off it. Toxik caught the feet and slammed the Earthrealmer into a stone pillar before throwing him to the side. The hybrid then jumped and tried to stab him only for the archer to roll to the side. Jin pulled out a chakram and threw it, making Toxik block.

The metal dug into his skin and caused blood to trickle down his arms. Pushing forward, Toxik swung his legs in a sweeping motion. He hit the legs but was meet with the archer pulling out his circular blade. He then tapped the bow on the ground twice and it glowed red. The dragon head shot out flames, toasting the hybrids face. Wiping the flames from his eyes, he was unable to dodge as an arrow flew through the air and hit him in the shoulder.

"Lucky shot." Toxik growled before pulling the arrow out. He unwrapped the bracelet and swung the whip, forcing the archer to roll and fire another shot, hitting the hybrid's knees. Gripping it in pain Toxik pulled it out, only for Jin to jump and slam the dragon head of the bow onto the back of Toxiks head, definitely cracking his skull. Jin then pulled out two arrows and fired them, entering just under the hybrids eyes. The archer then grabbed them and threw him over head onto his arm, sending him to the ground in defeat.

"Looks like you failed him." Jin chuckled.

"You've no idea... what you've done." Toxik groaned, rolling to his back.

Heavy footsteps filled the air as the main door burst opened. Ferra/Torr stomped out of the palace and roared before the Earthrealmers charged them. Jin pulled out his bow and fired when ever his friends were in trouble. The three painfully dealt with the two before guards swarmed the four.

D'vorah walked out with more guards and surrounded the Earthrealmers. Toxik noticed the angry smirk on the blonde's face as she turned to Jin. "The Earthrealmers, yes? This one has much to learn of your diplomatic techniques."

"We're here to see Kotal Kahn." The blonde said. "General Blade's-"

"These four interrupted an Outworld execution!" Toxik interrupted, holding his arm as he walked forward. "They must understand that the penalty for this is death."

"I'm sensing a running theme." The girl mumbled, glaring at Jin.

D'vorah noticed the wound on the boy as he reached his side. "Toxik is correct. However..." She said, catching the hybrid off guard. "As we honor the Reiko Accords, we will consult the emperor. Toxik will guard you until he arrives." She turned and walked back into the palace.

"You wanna tell us what the fuckshit that was all about!?" The blonde demanded from the archer.

"Calm down, Cage." Jin replied.

"I'm with Cassie, Jin." The second male replied. "You just risked an interrealm war over a bread thief. Why?"

"Because not all thieves are irredeemable." Jin replied.

"And some are." Toxik butted in. "Trust me, I know all too well."

Twenty Years Ago

Outworld Desert

A young Toxik walked though the desert, covering his face from the blowing wind and sand. He looked through his hands and sighted his goal, pushing himself forward. After what seemed like hours, the hybrid reached a stone slab sticking out of a rock wall. Removing the cloth around his face, the boy pressed a loose stone on the wall.

The slab started shaking and split opened, earning a smile from the boy. Walking into the chamber, he noticed that torches instantly lit themselves. Toxik walked further into the room and studied the walls, noticing the ancient Zaterran carvings. A stone clicked into place before Toxik jumped back from spikes coming out of the floor.

Something grabbed him and threw him into a wall. "Thanks for doing the hard work for me." Toxik turned to see a man with clear white skin, glowing turquoise eyes and a green outfit. "I can't wait to sell this crap for all it's worth." Chameleon chuckled before throwing the child over a edge towards a spiked chasm.

The child hung on for all his worth, but his grip was slipping. "Help!" Toxik cried out, hoping someone one answer. A slithering noise caught his attention before a thick tail rolled down and wrapped around the child's wrist before pulling him up. Panting, the child looked to see a snake that seemed like it was glowing.

"You fucking brat!" Chameleon slid over acid and tried kick him down the hole. Toxik rolled to the side and tried to push him in, only to trip on some random ice. Chameleon smirked as his costumed returned to its normal color. The 'snake' jumped onto him and wrapped around his neck before opening its mouth, unleashing a ball of fire.

Chameleon dodged it and threw the snake to the side before getting hit in the back, sending him crashing into a wall. He turned around and found nothing before something struck his knee. He kicked with his free leg and hit something before Toxik started to become visible. Just before becoming seeable, he threw something at the copycat.

A rusty knife dug itself into the man's leg as he gripped it in pain. Chameleon then kicked the child against a wall before slamming the fist into the boy's head. "You are no Zaterran." The man said, angering the boy.

"Yes! I! Am!" Toxik turned and tackled Chameleon to the ground. He then clawed into the imposter's chests, spraying blood around the room before head-butting the man. Toxik then started gagging before a large acid ball was coughed up right into the man's eyes.

Screaming in pain, the man pushed him off and started rubbing his eyes. Noticing the position, Toxik raced forward and pushed him into a trap, sending a spike down into Chameleon's skull. The body twitched in reflex before the spike retracted, the brain leaving the skull.

Chameleon dropped to the floor dead, his mask falling off. The man started fizzling and spazzing before his skin melted off, leaving only a skeleton. Panting in exhaustion, Toxik walked over to a nearby wall and dropped down. The snake licked the child's cheek before it wrapped itself around the boy's wrist.

Present

Kotal stood with his back toward 'Cage Cassie' before turning around. "The news of refugees is troubling. Their exodus to Earthrealm was not known to me. But I do know this; I invited no Earthrealm guests. Especially not those who would disrupt the performance of justice."

He walked on top of the stage and stared down at the four. "How do we know that have not allied with Mileena? Maybe her new power has earned her favor in Earthrealm?"

"Friends with Mileena?" Cage repeated. "No, no, absolutely not! We're not even sure that's Shinnok's Amulet she has-"

"She uses Shinnok's Amulet against me?!" Kotal asked in anger. "The same amulet Earthrealm swore would be safe in it's care?! When Outworld was offered no participation-"

"We were under attack, not Outworld-" Cage replied before Jin walked forward.

"Kotal Kahn... The Fire that Burns the Sun..." He spoke, catching everyone's eye. "We are here because we share the same concern about this item. We intend no ill against your rule."

Kotal seemed impressed at the archer's words. "At least one of you can forge silver words." He said. "But I believe there is a saying in Earthrealm; There is more honor among thieves than diplomats."

"I've had the questionable misfortune of being both, Emperor." The archer said. "But I am telling the truth."

The emperor stared at them before turning to the two beside the stage. "They are allied with Mileena. Carry out your sentence." Both D'vorah and Toxik walked over, ready to follow the order.

"Kotal Kahn. Under Outworld law, I claim the right... of Trial by Kombat." Jin said.

"Say again?" Takeda asked.

"You're going to... duel?" Jacqui asked.

"To absolve us of accusations." The archer relied. "Denying the request brings dishonor upon the accuser."

"You sure know much of Outworld." Toxik confessed as the Kahn walked down the stage. "Then you must also know that the duel ends in death."

The group backed away as the two circled each other. "You have won nothing. Merely, a few seconds of breath." The Kahn declared before summoning a sun disc and throwing it. Jin ducked under it and fired a pair of arrows that the Oshtek dodged before charging. The shoulder hit and forced Jin back before the Kahn grabbed his head and slammed it into his knee before kicking the archer back.

Jin ducked another punch before throwing a series of his own kicks that hit. The shaolin then slammed his bow into the head before doing the same onto the knee. Kotal groaned before grabbing Jin and trapping him in a bear hug. The archer screamed in pain before head-butting the emperor into letting him go.

Jin clutched his arm for a second before throwing his chakram at the kahn. It hit and dug into his shoulder before an arrow struck the left knee. The Kahn ripped both out and grabbed a jade plate of the ground. Charging forward, the arrows broke against it before slamming it against Jin. The archer hit the ground before rolling out of the way of a stomp.

The archer kicked the leg out from underneath the Outworlder before spinning his bow and striking the side of the head. He then kicked the Oshtek into the air and fired two arrows into his face before pulling on them and stabbing them into the chest. Jin then had his bow unleash a puff of fire before preforming the same combo on the Emperor that defeated Toxik. Kotal fell to the ground as Jin stood over him. "And now, Emperor?"

Kotal Kahn pushed himself up before turning to the crowd. "The crimes against you are null. All hear me when I say that Earthrealm means no harm to Outworld." The rest of Jin's squad smiled as D'vorah scowled in anger. Toxik merely bowed his head in respect for the Kahn's decision. "Now, kill me and be done with it."

The Kahn sat arms open awaiting his faith. "You're not actually gonna..." Cassie started to asked.

Jin turned back to the Kahn and walked forward. "Instead of your life, I claim your service." The archer said. "If Mileena does have the Amulet, we can obtain it more easily if we work together."

Kotal Kahn looked up and nodded before forcing himself up. D'vorah walked forward quickly to her lord's side. "Emperor... they cannot be-"

"D'vorah." Kotal interrupted turning to her. "Can you not perceive... I am in their debt."

He held out his arm and Kung Jin accepted it. "You honor us, Kotal Kahn. Our gratitude is wide like the ocean."

"I'll talk to General Blade..." Cassie spoke up. "Tell her about our new... agreement." The emperor nodded and she turned and walked away from the courtyard.

"I'll follow her, make sure she doesn't try anything." Toxik said walking after the blonde. D'vorah raised an eyebrow while Kotal merely smirked.

A little bit of back story, some good fights and Toxik lost a battle. I call that a solid chapter. I'm sure some people are curious about the pairing of this story, and I'll answer it right now. I will TRY to put Toxik with Cassie Cage in at least a halfway decent effort, but I cannot make any promises about how good it be at the end.

Sorry for the long wait, but I hope it was worth it. See ya next time.

Beta read by The 3rd Dragneel & JballinR12.