Sub-Zero and Sareena awaited the arrival of King Liu Kang and Queen Kitana rather anxiously. The two were unsure of why the corrupted heroes were now willing to bargain, perhaps out of desperation against their new enemies. They both felt these suspicions were true but neither said a single word to each other. They remained silent and vigil. Finally, the two regally dressed leaders arrived. The two pairs bowed to each other. Liu Kang was the first to speak up, "Greetings Kuai, greetings Sareena." Sub-Zero responded calmly, "Hello Liu Kang, what brings you here?"
"We were hoping that you were willing to assist us," Kitana answered with a hint of desperation in her voice, "Our enemies are growing stronger and we need help to fend them off." The half-cryomancer was slightly bemused by this, "After you tried to attack Earthrealm? Why should I help you?" Liu Kang brought up a very good reason, "Raiden is as big a threat to Earthrealm now as we are, if not bigger. Earthrealm alone cannot fight him you need us as much as we need you." Sareena agreed, "He's right, Sub-Zero. Perhaps a bargain can be reached." Sub-Zero sighed, "Normally I would agree but yet you worked for Quan-Chi, this is not unlike a trick that he would pull."
Liu Kang balled up his fist yet Kitana placed her hand on his shoulder, calming him down. He remained as rational as possible, "Do you really think we could pull something so underhanded?" The half-cryomancer nodded, "Yes, yes I do. You're not the same Liu Kang I knew. You don't want what is best for Earthrealm you want what can keep you in power here. When Raiden is gone, you will try to take it for yourself."
"What are you saying, Liang?"
"I'm calling your bluff," Sub-Zero responded. Liu Kang sneered, throwing a punch at the Lin Kuei grand master. He slid beneath the punch then froze up Kang's legs. Liu Kang broke out by burning out of the ice. He attempted to kick the cryomancer yet Sareena pulled him back and tossed him into a nearby pillar. Kitana appeared behind Sareena, ready to stab her. The demoness turned around, grabbing Kitana by the wrists. She kicked Sareena in the jaw, sending her into a nearby wall. Sub-Zero got back up, shooting a ball of ice at the queen. The ball hit her right in the back of the neck. She fell to the ground with a loud snap.
Sub-Zero then leapt up above an incoming Liu Kang, leaving an ice clone beneath him. Liu smashed right into the ice clone, freezing him up. Kuai came back down with a dropkick, sending Liu to the ground next to his beloved. The victorious Sub-Zero stood over both of them, "To think you were once the champion of Mortal Kombat. Your time on that throne has slowed you down considerably." Kang looked back up with contempt, "I…I just didn't think you would have gotten so much stronger in the time you've been gone!"
Kuai's victory was short lived as more of the wraiths appeared. Kung Lao took him from behind, grappling him by the arms. Sindel kicked him in the stomach hard enough to rupture it. Sareena tried to intervene yet Sindel screamed right in her face, allowing Stryker to get in a good right hook. The king and queen got back up, worse for wear but still standing. Liu Kang motioned for them to be taken to the dungeon. The specters agreed, dragging them both away. Kitana looked almost remorseful as they were taken away, "What are we going to do with them?"
"We will either bring them to our side, or we will have them executed and brought back as wraiths."
"I will try to convince both of them," Kitana volunteered, "Should I fail, we shall go through with the second option." Liu Kang agreed to that, "Very well." Though she looked like she was fine with the second option, inside she felt quite differently, "I shall hope it does not come to that, though."
The next day, in Edenia, Shao Kahn stood proudly in front of his growing army. Their masses were growing stronger by the day. What was once a small guerilla group was becoming just like Shao Kahn's old Outworld militia. Their once stained green and gray cloth wraps that could barely be considered clothes were now silver plated armor with skull helmets much like Shao Kahn's own. Their weapons went from scrappily made bows and arrows, stone axes, and wooden clubs to shining steel swords, long sharpened spears, and cannons that were as powerful as can be. These weapons and armor were forged in a rusted abandoned foundry that was found by Tanya's guerilla group. It was not until Shao Kahn returned and built up their group were they able to fully take advantage of it, though.
He paced in front of the army, ready to give his orders. He started, "We have come so far in such little time, as to be expected of a militia under my command!" They all saluted him with glee, for once they felt they all were united under a common cause.
"This is far from the first time I've managed to gather an army from nothing," Kahn continued. He was obviously referring to when he killed Onaga the Dragon King, former ruler of Outworld. Shao Kahn was a loyal general under the Dragon King's regime, his very best in fact. He was to Onaga as Reiko was to him. Yet even Onaga's best soldier could not take on the mighty Dragon King head-on, not yet. So he decided to rally Onaga's own troops against him as a secret instigator of rebellion. It worked like a charm. Each time Onaga had gathered his men, they all booed his ideas and some even took to trying to murder him themselves.
By the time his regime was coming to an end his paranoia of his own men had gotten so bad that Onaga chose to murder nearly each and every soldier under him. After his vicious slaughter, he brought each of them back as immortal undead warriors with the souls of those he had killed. They were eternally loyal to Onaga and Onaga alone. Only one outside of this new militia remained and it was Onaga's seemingly most loyal soldier, Shao Kahn. Kahn only revealed his true intentions when it was too late. It happened as the two talked about what was next for Outworld.
"I just don't know what to do with Outworld, Shao," Onaga sighed, "there is someone out there who is turning everyone against me. It's probably one of those Tarkatan creatures. They can't be trusted you know."
A far younger unmasked Shao Kahn sat on the opposite side of the throne room. Kahn stroked his chin, "It is weird isn't it how someone could just turn an entire army against you. They seemed so loyal too."
The Dragon King smiled at his general, "At least I can always count on you, my friend." General Shao smiled back, "Always and forever, emperor. Let's put this stress behind us, I've got us wine imported from Earthrealm." Onaga questioned this, "Imported Earthrealm wine? Is that in our budget?"
Shao Kahn poured them both a glass handing one over to the Dragon King, "Of course. Please take a sip, I insist."
Onaga took a single sip and when he did he clutched his chest. The wine had been poisoned! It took effect immediately as the Dragon King stumbled onto the floor, sprawling his body out. Shao Kahn stood over his emperor with a sick grin forming over his face. It was with that grin, Onaga realized who his true enemy was. He looked to his advisor with pleading eyes. With his final breath he spoke, "How could you…?" Kahn kneeled to his former master's level. "You do not deserve Outworld," he answered.
That was it. The Dragon King was no more and it seemed Outworld was free of his horrible dictatorship. Shao Kahn at first even seemed like a benevolent new ruler yet as time went on, he became more power hungry. So much so he stopped caring about his own realm, choosing to instead focus on other realms ripe for conquering and merging. Nobody exactly knows what caused him to go from a promising ruler to just as bad if not worse than what preceded him but nobody would dare ask.
But that was more than a millennia ago. Back in the present day, Shao Kahn continued, "We will find the traitor known as D'Vorah and we will have her executed for all to see! When that day comes, Edenia will finally have a chance to rebuild! We will be united under one cause!" The soldiers all cheered Shao Kahn's name when he finished his speech. He motioned them away, "You are all dismissed!" The soldiers marched out in an orderly fashion.
D'Vorah was in hiding, deep in the Edenian wastelands. She didn't have much of an army left seeing as how most were killed by Shao Kahn's new troops. She paced around her little hut, wondering what else was left for her. This was when a crystal in the hut began to glow. She picked the crystal up, "What is it you desire?"
"I desire to see Shao Kahn eliminated," a voice coming from the crystal demanded. "This one is without an army as most were slaughtered by that very monster." The voice groaned, "You have lost them all? I shouldn't be too surprised. I will have the Brotherhood of Shadow arrive soon. They should be more than enough to handle Kahn's army. Should they fail you will pay the consequences." D'Vorah nodded, "Thank you, this one will have him killed."
She didn't have to wait long as shadowy demons rose all around the lone hut, gathering around outside. D'Vorah wringed her hands as the innumerable amount of soldiers had arisen. "That makes things much easier," she muttered to herself. She flew out of the hut pointing to the giant Edenian palace within the distance, "The master wishes to see that tower crumble to the ground! Bring it down!" The Brotherhood demons saluted her, running off to the palace. It was at this moment D'Vorah thought she had won but her victory was not written in stone.
Back at the palace, Rain was keeping a watchful eye over Jade. Almost too watchful some might say. His arm was around her shoulder as he confidently gleamed, "So how've you been today, Jade?"
She turned to him with a deadpan look on her face, "You should know, you've been watching me all day." He turned away, "Oh yeah, so I know you're doing pretty superb under my watch." She sighed, "I'm just doing okay."
"Which is perfectly okay in my book!"
Before the two could talk anymore, they heard yelling outside. Rain looked out one of the windows, seeing the Brotherhood throwing spears, stones, arrows, and whatever else was in their arsenal at the palace. Jade gasped, "We've got to do something!" The Edenian prince disagreed, "No, I must watch you. Make sure you never step out." She glared at him while getting up from her seat, "I can handle myself."
"No you can't. You're still an amnesiac," Rain reminded her. She sat back down, "You're right I'm not ready to fight." Ermac appeared behind Rain and used his telekinesis to slam him right into the wall, "We disagree. You are just as ready to fight as ever." She got back up while smiling, "Thank you, Ermac."
The two leapt out the window, charging into battle. Shao Kahn's new untrained guerilla soldiers were no match for the Brotherhood, but Ermac and Jade were a different story. As the soldiers got tossed aside, the pair fended off the Brotherhood quite well. That was until an Oni snuck up on Ermac from behind and smacked him with a massive ball and chain. The Oni roared as Ermac was thrown onto the ground. Jade tried to fight the beast but it was too strong, sending her to the ground as well. The Oni screeched as another came up from behind in a familiar mask.
"I think we're just about done here, Moloch," Drahmin said with a prideful tone to his voice. Moloch growled in reply. Drahmin agreed to whatever he said, "Noob is indeed a benevolent leader. For what he did to us, Quan-Chi isn't missed."
Their joy was cut short as they saw the Brotherhood army being mowed down. Members of it were being thrown around left and right. Drahmin gulped as he saw what was incoming. It was Shao Kahn! He was livid as he tore through the Brotherhood without breaking a sweat. The dried up Oni pointed Moloch to Shao Kahn. Moloch charged at the Champion of the Elder Gods without second thought. He threw his massive ball at him, but Shao Kahn deflected it using his hammer. The ball went flying, dragging Moloch with it. The massive demon went right into the wall of the palace. Drahmin was next in Shao Kahn's sights. The smaller Oni stepped away from the intimidating monster of a man yet he kept approaching. At that point, Drahmin stopped. He said but one thing to the former emperor, "No matter what you may do, I will always pledge my allegiance to Noob Saibot, lord of the Netherrealm!"
"That is your decision." Shao Kahn said as his hammer slammed right into the master torturer's chest, causing him to explode into bits of gore. Shao Kahn confidently stood over the mess...until the body parts started reconnecting. Shao Kahn turned to the now reforming Drahmin with shock, "What's going on here?!" Drahmin laughed maniacally, "I don't know, but I think I like it." Drahmin whistled, summoning Moloch yet again. Moloch wrapped the chain around Kahn's ankles, tripping him up. After that, he smashed the ball into his ribcage causing them to shatter. Even with that, the former emperor got back up without feeling much worse. He bashed Moloch's face in, causing the eye on his forehead to go flying out. The brute did not retreat even after that as he rammed his head into Shao Kahn's stomach. Kahn was thrown into the desert sand by the attack.
Drahmin called his partner off, feeling pleased by this. That was until Ermac got back up, lifting Moloch into the air. Drahmin turned to the soul filled warrior but could not react as Jade bashed him in his spinal cord with her staff. Drahmin collapsed into the dirt. After that, Ermac slammed Moloch onto Drahmin which let out a loud CRUNCH. The two stood over their fallen foes, looking much worse for wear. Shao Kahn had gotten back up, staring at his fallen opponents. He was actually impressed by this victory, "You've actually managed to defeat them. Perhaps I shouldn't separate you two, you fight well."
Jade bowed and Ermac took a knee. Ermac proceeded to motion to the two fallen Brotherhood generals, "But what do we do with them?"
Kahn pondered what to do with them but then he had an idea, "Interrogate them. Find out why they're here. They might lead us to D'Vorah. When she's gone this realm will be mine and mine alone." Jade corrected him, "Do you not mean ours?" Kahn quickly went back on his word, "Yes yes of course I mean that!" Jade cocked her head questioningly, her suspicion of Shao Kahn growing. Despite this she went along with that anyway, "Mmm, right." She turned to Ermac with concern, "May I speak with you alone for a moment?"
Ermac didn't get to say anything before Jade dragged him away from the suspected dictator. She asked him, "Do you think Shao Kahn isn't what he's saying he is?" Ermac gulped while tugging at his collar, "Well we uhhh…errrm you see," he almost wanted to tell the truth but in the distance he could see Shao Kahn staring daggers at him so he lied to her anyway, "of course not. Shao Kahn is our benevolent leader. What reason would he have to lie?"
She took note of how he hesitated yet she went along with him, "Alright, if you say so. I'll believe you, Ermac." The soul composed ninja gave a sigh of relief, "Let us not let our suspicions get in the way of our latest victory! Let us rejoice instead." Shao Kahn called them back over to which they obliged.
Watching in the distance was D'Vorah, who felt frustration for how this all turned out. She groaned with contempt, "This one has tried everything to counter Tanya and Rain but how is this one to counter Shao Kahn? There is no way the previous tactic of having wormed into his army will work, he is far too angry at this one for having killed his daughter…yet the master will also kill this one for having failed." She wondered what was left to do besides turn herself in but was left without answers. But then it struck her! She'd assassinate Shao Kahn as he slept. With most of his forces in the infirmary after such an attack who would keep watch over him? Yet she would have to wait for night time to come until that could happen.
Elsewhere, in Outworld, Kotal Kahn sat in his throne room, awaiting a visit from Reptile. The emperor was hoping to hear news of what happened to Ermac who had disappeared many days ago. He had hoped to see Reptile but instead he saw a familiar face march through his door.
It was the thunder god and protector of Earthrealm, Raiden. Yet Kotal could tell Raiden had changed since their last meeting. He stood up from his throne, "Thunder god?! State your business here! What brings you to my throne room?"
Raiden chortled as he marched over to his throne, "I want you to stay away from Earthrealm, Kotal. I am willing to achieve that goal by any means possible." The Osh-Tekk nervously chuckled, "Is that all? After what happened with Shinnok I would not dare, trust me." Raiden sneered at the emperor, "Just like how many times Shao Kahn said such a thing?" Kotal sneered back at him, "Do not compare me to Shao Kahn! I am not like him!" The thunder god agreed, "You're right, at least he proved a challenge." Kotal was made only angrier by that, "What are you saying?"
"I'm challenging Outworld to Mortal Kombat," Raiden declared. Kotal was taken aback, "You…you cannot just challenge someone like that, can you?" The thunder god smirked, "Yes I can." A divine light then shone down upon the two of them. Raiden laughed and Kotal gasped as it did. The voice of the Elder Gods spoke out, "The decision for the merging of the realms will be decided through Mortal Kombat!" Kotal looked up to the light pleading that there must be another way yet he was denied as the light vanished.
Raiden crossed his arms, "You heard them, Kotal. I hope your forces are ready. I know mine are." Kotal turned to Raiden with a desperate look in his eyes as he got on his knees, "Please! You are making a mistake! I beg of you, thunder god! This rivalry between realms…is it not getting old?" The thunder god turned away, "I agree, it is getting old hence why this tournament will put an end to it." After that, Raiden marched out as soon as he came in. Kotal got back up, placing his face into his hands.
"Not only must I deal with this tournament, the rumors of Shao Kahn having returned are becoming hard to ignore," Kotal muttered to himself, "What of Ermac too? How am I supposed to handle all of this?" That's when a purple robed figure floated out of the shadows. Kotal was taken by surprise by this, "Who are you?" The robed figure introduced itself, "I am someone who is interested in Outworld's best interests." Kotal smashed his fist into the wall in frustration, "That answers nothing! Who are you?"
"Something that can help you," the figure answered vaguely. Kotal was getting tired of this so he just moved onto the next question, "Why are you here?" It replied, "I know of something that can help you." Kotal considered this suggestion, "How can I trust you?" The figure shrugged, "You can't, but you are not left with many options are you?" Kotal did not say a word, knowing that whoever this creature was happened to be right.
"What do you know?" Kotal asked. The figure answered accordingly, "The Dragon King's undefeatable army. Use that." The Osh-Tekk had heard tales of the Dragon King's immortal army yet he never gave them much consideration until now. Without many other options left at his disposal, Kotal decided this was his best bet. He asked one more question, "Where do I find this army?" The robed figure motioned to the Living Forest, "There is a lone temple with occasional energy surges deep in the Living Forest. You will know it when you find it." Kotal took note of this but before he could thank the strange figure, it had vanished. Kotal was unsure of all of this but what other options did he have left? He called in Reptile soon after. Reptile kneeled, "There are ssstill no sssignsss of Ermac anywhere, my lord."
Kotal motioned for Reptile to rise, "That is unfortunate but we have bigger problems. It seems Raiden has challenged us to Mortal Kombat but after our previous encounter with them our forces are dwindling. We need more and I have been led to more. The Dragon King's army must be found."
The Zaterran's eyes widened at the mention of his army, "Sssir nobody hasss ever found hisss army sssince Ssshao Kahn had them along with Onaga himssself locked away." Kotal then pointed something out that changed everything, "I have heard it is in the Living Forest. I want you, Erron Black, and Sheeva to head out there. Find the army before the tournament. It is our only chance." Reptile saluted his emperor before walking out the door. Kotal saluted him back, "May the Elder Gods grant us mercy upon this day…"