Chapter 5: Forest Shadow
As Liu Kang and Kung Lao celebrated their victory with their new friends they were still unaware of Noob Sabiot's presence within the surrounding forest who was observing them drawing up a plan that the shadowy ninja was indeed making sure this news would reach the Emperor and more importantly Quan Chi and Shinnok.
"We're going to need everyone of you to join us so that we'll be able to defeat Shao Khan" said Liu Kang.
"I understand, I'll make sure we'll get in contact with every Freedom Fighter that's available" said Sally.
As Sally went to contact the other Freedom Fighters who had survived Shao Khan's wrath, Kung Lao felt uneasy as he sensed there was someone still watching them in the forest.
"Is your friend paranoid?" asked Bunnie to Liu Kang.
"No, he's just eh, concern" replied Liu Kang.
"I'm going to take a walk" said Kung Lao as he headed off.
The lone warrior still felt some presence of some sort was lurking in the forest, Noob knew he had to move quickly, Barraka who was preparing an ambush against the Freedom Fighters was awaiting for him impatiently.
"Well, it's about time!" said Barraka who was rather impatient with Noob.
"I had to trend lightly, Shaolin monks are in the area" continued Noob.
"Who cares, they'll soon join those pathetic Freedom Fighters that Mobius' top so-called conquerors have been yapping about!" laughed Baraka.
"I must go" said Noob.
"Yea, leave the job to me and my friends" laughed Baraka.
Baraka and his Tarkatas started to roam through the forest, Kung Lao could see them as he watched them from afar coming toward the way where Sally and the rest of the Freedom Fighters were.
"I knew it" said Kung Lao.
Baraka was thrilled as he and his fellow Tarkatas were racing toward what seemed like some trapped vermin ready to meet a dead end literally. But as one of the Tarkatas ended up showing up first, Kung Lao launched his hat which knocked down the Tarkata unconscious.
"Hey, what the?" cried Baraka as he looked around trying to smell who was around, "So yourself!"
"My, you're quite the sloppy one, probably a worse fighter than Reptile" said Kung Lao as he hopped right down from his hiding place.
"What?" cried Baraka, "How dare you compare me to someone more inferior!"
Baraka hissed at Kung Lao as he was ready for a fight, meanwhile Liu Kang ended up encountering a Tarkata as he ended up delivering some blows toward it.
"We're being followed, Kung Lao must need our help" said Liu Kang to Sally and Bunnie.
As Liu Kang along with Sally, Bunnie ran toward Kung Lao's aide, Kung Lao was able to easily be able to beat up Baraka no problem as the others watched Sally really wondered if Kung Lao needed their help.
"Looks like your friend has the handle on this one" said Sally.
"Ha, you can mock the Tarkatas no more!" roared Baraka.
Suddenly more Tarkatas sprung up from the bushes nearby and charged at the four warriors.
"We're going to need some backup on this one" said Sally.
Sally and Bunnie joined in with the two Shaolin monks and began to fight with the Tarkatas which ended up alerting the Chaotix Team led by temporary leaders Espio and Julie-Su.
"They're in trouble" said Espio.
Espio raced toward their aide by knocking down a few Tarkatas, Vector ended up charging at a few Tarkatas smashing some of them to the ground. Julie-Su ended up delivering several good combos toward a few oncoming Tarkatas knocking some of them into each other. Charmy swarmed toward one of the Tarkatas making it impossible for the Tarkata to hit the buzzing bee.
"Annoying pest!" cried the Tarkata.
The Tarkata was eventually knocked out by Espio, as for Baraka he soon found himself surrounded and nowhere else to go.
"I-I-I can take you all on!" hissed Baraka.
Baraka soon found himself cornered, but suddenly there was another warrior out of nowhere who ended up coming to his rescue, Scorpion who ended up emerging out of nowhere thanks to his own teleporting powers and grabbing Baraka in the nick of time. As the two ended up leaping out into a safer area Baraka was confronted by Quan Chi.
"I must say you disappoint me Baraka" said Quan Chi.
"Hey, I tried to do my best!" hissed Baraka.
"It wasn't your best" continued Quan Chi, "Scorpion, your serves are no longer needed."
"About time" laughed Scorpion as he headed off.
Baraka was defeated and felt shame, but a certain Motaro hoped to achieve where the Tarkata left off. The Centurion was observing the movements of Sonic and Raiden as they were trying to meet up with the others. He and a few other Centurions were mounting an attack formation against the Freedom Fighters in their meeting place.
"This should be fun" laughed Motaro to which he turned toward his fellow Centurions, "prepare for battle!"
The Earth warriors and their Mobian counterparts had indeed gathered to devise up a plan on how to take on Shao Khan, as for Shadow he felt he needed more time before he could initiate his rescue plan for members of the Dark Legion.