Chapter 8: Lien-Da's Deal

Both Shang Tsang and Reiko found themselves locked up in the very cells that once housed the Dark Legion members. The Dark Legionnaires were indeed guarding them, a certain Quan Chi had arrived onto the scene and was promptly greeted by two Dark Legionnaires.

"Stop, let him through" said Lien-Da who appeared just in the nick of time before a fight could break out, "you must be here to bargain with me?"

"What do you want?" asked Quan Chi.

"Follow me and you shall find out" replied Lien-Da.

As Quan Chi followed her, Shadow later joined up with her as they headed toward the cells of Shang Tsang and Reiko.

"I'll let your friends go on one condition, you give us access to where Shao Khan resides so that we can finish him off and take the Master Emerald for ourselves" said Lien-Da.

"Why should I trust you?" asked Quan Chi.

"We can give you whatever you want, why be a servant?" continued Lien-Da.

Quan Chi thought for a moment or two on the matter.

"Alright, I agree to it" said Quan Chi as he shook Lien-Da's hand.

"Good, you won't regret a thing" said Lien-Da.

The two Dark Legionnaires ended up freeing Shang Tsang and Reiko.

"Good, let them lead us to Shao Khan" said Shadow, "from there we'll take matters into our own hands."

As Shadow was indeed plotting with his own agenda, the Earth warriors and their Mobian counterparts were unaware of it as Sub-Zero and Cyrax had reported back to Raiden on raiding the gulag that Shao Khan had previously owned.

"The raid was successful, our ally Shadow had freed the prisoners" said Sub-Zero.

"Good, but it's not enough" said Raiden, "we must go forward, as we speak, Liu Kang and the other Earth warriors are already infiltrating Shao Khan's new palace."

Liu Kang along with Kitana, Sonic, Sally and a few other Freedom Fighters were already on a recon mission trying to penetrate the palace, meanwhile, Fujin was to create a diversion outside. A certain Goro noticed Fujin wondering outside.

"An intruder" said Goro.

"That's right, come and get me if you must" said Fujin.

"Gladly" laughed Goro.

Goro charged at Fujin, but the Wind God ended up creating a few mini tornados targeting Goro sending him flying into the air where Fujin ended up doing some air combos against him sending him flying straight down quite hard onto the ground. Goro ended getting himself up and charged at Fujin, he grabbed the Wind God and smashed his other two arms against him, but as he threw the Wind God down, the Wind God recovered from the attack.

"You're pathetic" laughed Goro.

"Let's see if you can do any better" said Fujin

As the Wind God and Goro raged on, Sonic and the others continued with their infiltration into the palace, they were ambushed by Reptile along with Rain.

"So, you think you can walk right in like this?" laughed Rain, "Without a fight?"

"I'm always good for one" said Sonic.

As Rain took on Sonic, Sally took on Reptile, Reptile brought a few of his brothers with him which the other Freedom Fighters along with Liu Kang and the other Earth warriors began to fight. Sally was able to keep Reptile at bay, as for Rain, it was rather a bit more difficult for Sonic to stop Rain. Rain was able to control Sonic where he was able to go when he fired a blue fireball at him. Sonic was eventually able to free himself from Rain and ended up doing a spin dash attack on Rain sending Rain flying into one of Reptile's friends.

"Come on" said Sally as she knocked down Reptile with Bunnie's help, "we have to get to the Master Emerald."

But as the Freedom Fighters and their Earth warrior allies were on their way toward the Master Emerald, Shao Khan didn't seem to care that his guard was let down with Quan Chi leading Lien-Da, Shadow and the other Dark Legionnaires to where he was holding Enerjak, Eggman and Mammoth Mongol.

"What's the meaning of this?" asked Enerjak.

"We made a deal with him" said Lien-Da.

Quan Chi ends up promptly releasing Enerjak from his cell, along with Eggman and Mammoth Mongol.

"It's time for some payback" said Mammoth Mongol as he was eager to get revenge on Shao Khan.

"I'm game for that too" laughed Eggman.

Indeed, the Emperor had no idea that Quan Chi had betrayed him and soon he'll find out soon enough.