Enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Mortal Kombat; it belongs to its creators Ed Boon, John Tobias, John Vogel and their crew.

Chapter Four

It didn't take me long to come up with a plan of action. It involved the razor clipped onto my teeth. I'd almost forgotten about it. That brought to my remembrance the flat bombs I'd slipped under my shirt: were they still there? I guess I'll find out at soon as I get my hands free.

"Okay," I muttered to myself, "Let's do this."

From the back of my mouth I popped the razor free. I worked it out of its plastic sheath and over my tongue. Very carefully I maneuvered it between my front four teeth and clamped down on the blunt edge. Past my pursed lips I let the weapon poke out and then took a calming breath through my nose. First I bent over to my left and brought the blade to the rope that bound my wrist to the metal chair. I started moving my head left and right, sawing methodically at the binds until they began to give. It was no easy task; the rope was thick so the diminutive razor could only do so much at at time. But once I got one of my arms free, I smiled.

"Yes!" I hissed in victory.

I let the razor fall into my lap and made short work of the rest of my restrictions and then stood, letting the woven coils drop to the ground. Now that I was totally free, I assessed myself. While stretching my arms behind me and bending over, I realized I was incredibly sore. Hm. I scanned over my body and was not surprised to find a bruise in the making on one of my arms. Other than that and the enormous pain and tenderness in my forehead, I was fine, so I then checked myself for any other weapons that Kano could have missed. Upon looking around the room, I saw that none of them were in here. Even my steel-toe boots and my jacket had been taken. My necklace with the toxin-filled charm was also gone but not the bombs. Not all of them at least. There were two of the flat explosives left in my bra.

Only two, I thought, that's okay; that's all I need.

I looked around the small room and shuddered. Kano could be back at any moment. I needed to move quickly and find a way out of here. Into my left hand I put the two bombs and then moved over to the door. I didn't want to blow the entire wall off, that would cause way too much attention. I just wanted to get the thick glass panel at the top of the metal entrance to shatter. So I really only would need two of these bad boys; any more and the whole base would know I've escaped.

It was with haste that I stood on the tips of my toes and looked to either side out the window. There were two guards right on the other side. I couldn't see any more of Kano's goons around but that didn't mean they weren't there. No matter. I hurried and set the bombs against the surface of the window panel and activated them. After they started blinking red I knew I had T-minus ten seconds to get the hell out of the way. I strode over to the metal table and gave it a huge heave to knock it onto its side. Once I did that, I shoved it at an angle against one of the corners of the room far from the door. In the nick of time I dove behind the makeshift barrier and covered my head.

The bombs went off and glass flew everywhere. I guess that tiny window was way more dense than it looked. With a hole now where it used to be, sounds of the underground facility poured into the nearly empty room. I heard grunts and shouts from the guards out the door and noises from some kind of machinery. The thugs were ambling into the room just as I stood from behind the table.

"What the?!" The first goon started.

I didn't waste any time. I rushed out from my spot and grabbed the nearest weapon I could find, which happened to be the same chair I had been tied to earlier. I swung the thing and hit that first thug so hard across the side of his head he went careening down immediately after. I had to have struck him in the temple. That was good because I couldn't use this chair. It was heavier than it looked and hard to manipulate. Onto the fallen thug's body I dropped the furniture and engaged the second guard.

He sneered at me and said, "You ain't goin' nowhere!"

I smirked. That's what you think.

I let my fists do the talking and landed a punch to the side of his jaw. He grabbed my hand when I tried to hit him again but that was what I wanted him to do. With his attention on blocking what he thought would be another blow to the head or face, I made my move. Right in his abdomen I brought my knee up and then slammed my elbow into the back of his neck. He fell onto all fours. I didn't give him the chance to recover, I knew my window of opportunity was slim so I quickly stepped back a bit and kicked him in the side of his head. He went down like his partner. Were they dead? Most likely not, so I didn't wait around any longer.

One of the thugs, or both of them, was sure to have a key or something to open this door. I picked one of them and searched their pockets for some kind of card or.

Bingo.

With the blank white rectangle in one hand, I continued to frisk the thug for a weapon. I needed something, anything. I found a knife and decided it would do. I stepped to the door, reached my hand through the jagged hole I'd created and fiddled with the handle and the card slot until I could get it open. I did sustain a long cut on my forearm but it wasn't too shallow.

Not that I'd let it stop me even if it was.

I was well-aware of the dire situation I was in. Whatever stroke of luck that allowed for Kano to be otherwise occupied wouldn't last, I knew this, so I moved through the dark subterranean lair as rapidly as I could. Of course I encountered more of his men, but they were no match for me. I was fueled by immense determination and a monumental desire to get out of there so I wasn't gonna let his cut-rate minions stop me.

Seriously though, they were pretty mediocre.

So much so that I started to get worried. As I rounded another endless corner, I entertained the idea that maybe something was wrong. Those worries died as soon as I caught sight of my ticket to freedom: an open door. I had traveled from that interrogation room all the way to what looked to be some sort of lounge area. I stood in the doorway but didn't linger on the two ratty couches, the coffee table littered with ashtrays and cigarette butts, or the general smallness of the entire area. All I cared about was the metal door straight in front of me and the man who was propping it open with his foot. He looked to be on a smoke break or something.

Too bad for him.

I crept on the balls of my feet and gripped the knife tightly in my right hand. Without him knowing, I was able to sneak up all the way behind him before he ever turned around. But by then it was too late. I jammed the knife into his back and took off. That wasn't usually my style but this was a desperate situation. I didn't even look back but I heard the gun. He was shooting at me. And missing horribly. I paid the incapacitated thug little mind; I was in little danger of actually being hit.

But that didn't mean I didn't sprint from the base towards the woods behind it as if my life depended on how much distance I could put between me and that wretched place. I ran so far and so fast that nothing else mattered. The small rocks and sticks and God knows what else littering the ground all dug into the soles of my bare feet but that pain didn't register. Nor did the repetitive smack of branches in my face and against my bare arms, or the steady burn in my lungs. I just kept running. Had to keep running.

As the new emperor strode through the palace towards the throne room, their mood plummeted. The state of things frustrated them. This whole building was either destroyed or deteriorating. Walls were crumbling, entire rooms lay in rubble, and the foul aura of its previous owner hung in the atmosphere ever-presently. Money to reconstruct this place was slow in coming. The tournament would bring them the necessary funds, sure, but what was the emperor to do in the meantime?

"Make due in this shithole, that's what," Ermac grumbled to himself.

This wasn't how they envisioned living out their reign over Outworld. Ermac knew of course that the mediocrity would not last and that later their rule would be full of greatness, but the host had never been a patient conglomerate of souls. As they rounded a corner, a familiar figure caught up with them. The person fell into step with Ermac easily.

"What do you want?" The host spoke to the figure.

"Well hello to you, too." Noob greeted.

Ermac sighed and said, "Would you get on with it?"

Noob appraised his comrade and saw the tell-tale indentation between the host's thick eyebrows: Ermac was agitated. He's extra touchy today, the wraith surmised, I'd better skip the pleasantries and get straight to the point.

"I came to warn you about something." Noob told them.

Another corner Ermac rounded and said, "It'll have to wait."

Noob shrugged as he walked and said blithely, "Oh. Okay. That's fine I suppose. I mean, it's not like I left my realm totally unsupervised just to give you this message out of the goodness of my black heart or anything."

Ermac stopped in the middle of a corridor and faced the host exasperatedly. Noob stopped as well and crossed his arms.

With a sigh the host said, "Fine. What is it?"

"The Brotherhood of the Shadow contacted me." Noob explained, "They want me to come back to the...organization. They're trying to break their master, Shinnok, out of the Nightmare Realm."

"And this is our problem...how?" Ermac drawled.

"To free Shinnok, The Brotherhood needs his amulet." Noob told him, "Without it they can't succeed."

"Pity." Ermac remarked, "But why should we care?"

Noob sighed but told him, "They're looking for the amulet and they're onto you."

"Is that supposed to scare us?" the host smirked.

"No." Noob said slowly, "But I suggest you give it back to them."

"Your suggestion," Ermac replied dryly, "has been duly noted."

Noob frowned and said, "Ermac, I'm serious. You've only just become emperor. You don't want to make any enemies right now. There'll plenty of time for that later on in your reign, believe me."

Ermac only snorted.

"Really. You need to return the thing." Noob insisted, "Besides, it's not as if you actually need the thing."

The wraith didn't miss the way Ermac looked down at said amulet around their belt. Ermac might not have said anything, but that silent glance said enough. The host didn't need it, but he was sure getting used to the power. That wasn't a good thing at all. Noob knew that Ermac's abilities had flourished under its influence; the contiguous mind link that existed between the host and the slew of servants was a prime example of that. But if the emperor got too accustomed to that power, Noob had a feeling things could turn ugly.

"It's not worth it, Ermac." Noob told them knowingly.

The host was still silent, but Noob could see that his words had made a difference. He had gotten through to them, that was the important thing. Noob valued the close relationship he had with the emperor; it had its benefits. So in lieu of that, he'd continue to look out for Ermac.

The both of them came to a halt as soon as they reached the throne room's arching entrance. Noob glanced at Ermac questioningly and saw that the reason for their abrupt halt lay with the person standing across the room.

"Shang Tsung," Ermac spoke in a bitter, disjointed sneer.

Oh, that's why, Noob frowned, What could Shang Tsung be doing here? Er, I mean besides the fact that this is his home and all.

Noob decided to stick around and see how this meeting played out. Even though Ermac gave him a pointed look, he still followed the host to the dais on which the throne sat. Both figures eyed Shang Tsung with either intense curiosity, in Noob's case, or loathing in Ermac's.

For his part, the sorcerer remained calm under their scrutiny. He looked to be at his peak with his tanned skin and firm build. He had his hands clasped behind his back and stood erect. Both his dark eyes and long hair radiated health and strength like the rest of his toned body.

Ermac tried to get into his head but that proved to be impossible. It was obvious the sorcerer had done something to block the host from his mind because Ermac felt as if he were hitting a telepathic brick wall; even with the aid of the amulet, trying to get past his defenses was useless.

"We thought you dead." Ermac remarked.

They were frustrated at not being able to penetrate the stoic immortal's mind. Shang Tsung remained blank-faced, though he could tell what the emperor was attempting to do.

"A common misconception," Shang Tsung replied quietly. "As you can see, I am here."

"So it would seem." Ermac responded. "What do you want?"

Shang explained, "It has come to my attention that you're in need of excessive funds and are hosting a tournament to garner them. I'd like to help you...Emperor."

The way he said the title gave the impression of great reluctance and a sense of begrudging respect. Ermac considered the sorcerer's words and scoffed.

"You would like to help? Yeah right." He then asked, "What do you really want?"

Shang Tsung lifted his chin in a slightly defensive way but was otherwise unfazed by the emperor's tone.

"I have been coordinating tournaments for centuries now and am privy to all the rules and regulations associated with them." The sorcerer stated, "Entrust this event to me and I'll make sure things run smoothly for you."

"Magnanimous offer. Now what's your price?" Ermac asked.

Shang Tsung said, "All I ask, Emperor, is that the champion of this tournament be turned over to me, to do with what I see fit."

There was a pause after that. Shang Tsung had laid his cards on the table and was waiting to see what Ermac's response would be. By the way the host narrowed their eyes and tensed right in the shoulder blades area, Noob could tell it wouldn't be a good one. He sighed.

And this is where the looking out for him part comes in...again, the wraith thought. Before Ermac could give their answer, Noob nudged them and glanced towards the opposite end of the room where the doorway was meaningfully. Ermac got the message and excused themselves; Shang Tsung only nodded patiently as if he had all the time in the world. With Noob in tow, the host left the throne room in a huff.

"What is it this time?" Ermac demanded.

Noob said, "Look Ermac, as your friend-"

Ermac gazed at the wraith scathingly.

"-Ally," Noob revised, "I advise you hear Shang Tsung out."

"And why is that?" Ermac frowned. "He's just another filthy sorcerer."

Noob said, "Need I remind you it was his 'filthy sorcery' that brought you into existence?"

"We owe him nothing," Ermac replied vehemently.

"Maybe not," Noob acceded, "But just think about what it is he's offering. If he handles the tournament and everything affiliated with it, you'll be reaping the benefits without having to do any of the grunt work."

"What makes you think he'll follow through?" Ermac asked skeptically.

At least he's not outright dismissing the idea, Noob thought, that's a start.

To the host he said, "Shang Tsung wants the champion, for whatever reason that may be. Just let him have that and you'll still get the money."

The emperor mulled over that. It did sound like a good deal to them. But there was just one underlying problem: Shang Tsung. They didn't trust the sorcerer and they told Noob as much.

"How did he know we were hosting this tournament?" Ermac reasoned, "We haven't even started advertising for it yet."

Noob shrugged. "Maybe word got around or something. Does it really matter? The point is, you need to have Shang Tsung on your side rather than against you. He's incredibly formidable and could be a huge asset to you."

Again Ermac pondered his former comrade's words. Noob could see that the host was being receptive to his advice and considered his work to be done. He had possibly prevented the new emperor from making a hasty political mistake...and not for the first time.

Hmph. What would he do without me? Noob thought wryly.

"Well I'd better be getting back to my realm." The wraith stated, "Good luck with Shang Tsung and don't forget to heed my warning about the Brotherhood."

"Whatever," Ermac muttered as Noob left through a portal.

So it would seem the emperor had made their first alliance.

Only after the both of the suns here went down did I slow in my pace to a brisk walk. Up until now, I'd been alternately running and jogging my way far from Kano's hideout. Even though a good hour or so had elapsed from the time I had escaped to now, I still felt incredibly paranoid. I just knew he was onto me. The thought didn't really scare me, just kept me in a state of agitation; I hated to be on edge like this. It wasn't just the fact that he could catch up to me at any time, though. I was already tired and incredibly hungry and sore all over. The bottoms of my feet felt raw and my face and arms were stinging from various cuts I'd attained during my desperate sprint. I felt like minced meat and probably smelt like it, too.

"Should've just took the risk," I muttered to myself, "I should've brought my radio anyway."

Just as I was thinking that, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up and a chill went up my spine. I was acutely aware of someone's presence and abruptly spun around. That knife I'd picked off one of Kano's thugs was clenched tightly in both my hands as I faced the being that snuck up on me. That being must've anticipated my reaction because they had my wrists ensnared in a greenish glow. The tip of the blade in my motionless grip was just a fraction of an inch away from penetrating that person's leather-clad torso.

"Ermac." I ground out.

After I said his name, he let the aura surrounding my hands drop. Consequently I brought my arms back down to my side but kept a firm hold on the weapon. Ermac just stood there with his arms folded and his eyes as unreadable as ever.

"You're a long way from home, lieutenant." He spoke quietly.

Vaguely I wondered how he knew my rank. Oh yeah, he's a telepath. I guess he knows a lot of things just from standing so close to me.

How very astute of you, mortal

I heard Ermac's commendation though I clearly saw his lips remain closed in a wry smirk.

Out loud he said, "Would you mind telling us what you're doing here? We have a policy for trespassers, you know."

"I wasn't trespassing," I replied, "That psychopath Kano was holding me hostage."

"Hm. And did that same psychopath force you to stow away on his boat?" Ermac then asked.

I blinked and then frowned. Okay, that's getting real old real fast.

"Stay out of my head." I demanded.

"Stay off of our lands." The host retorted.

I scoffed, "Kano is a wanted criminal. I'll pursue him in this world or any other."

To that Ermac did not respond. He dropped his arms and strode past me. I watched him and then noticed where I was. The Living Forest. I did remember this place and it was as creepy to me now as it had been when I first encountered it. Ermac stretched one of his arms forward and created a lime green portal almost effortlessly. It swirled and crackled statically while he stood beside it.

"Leave." He ordered, "And don't come back. You aren't welcome here."

"Why are you protecting Kano?" I asked him in frustration.

Ermac narrowed his eyes and said, "We aren't protecting anyone. The Black Dragon has...an agreement with us."

"An agreement?" I parroted, "Of what nature?"

"You ask too many questions," The host told me cantankerously.

I shrugged and said, "So I've been told."

"Just leave before we change our mind." Ermac told me impatiently.

The portal continued to wave and shift with its dizzying, psychedelic coloring. I eyed it warily.

"Where is that thing gonna take me?" I asked.

"Earthrealm." The emperor answered curtly.

I cocked a brow and said, "Where in Earthrealm?"

"Does it matter?" He grumbled.

"Uh, yeah it kinda does." I responded tiredly.

It wasn't that I was trying to get on Ermac's nerves or test his patience, I just didn't want to end up in a desert somewhere, or in Antarctica, or in the middle of a busy freeway.

"Would you rather we take you back to Kano?" Ermac asked in a testy sort of tone.

Under my breath I muttered, "At least I'd know where I was going."

Before Ermac could reply to that or do something about my impudence, I took him up on his offer and stepped through that portal across from me. As soon as I did I blinked because a bright light was shining down on me. I looked up and saw that it was a streetlamp. Upon further inspection, I realized I was on the side of a road. Cars whizzed past in both directions.

At least he didn't put me in the center lane, I thought wryly.

In fact, I was surprised Ermac was as lenient as he was. He had every right as emperor to have me thrown in prison or even killed for trespassing. But all he did was open a portal for me and tell me to get lost. Hm. Maybe his new career mellowed him out? There was one thing that bothered me, though. What kind of agreement did he have with Kano?

"I'll get to the bottom of it later," I murmured to myself.

When the road was clear I crossed over to the other side of the street. There was a gas station here. The writing was all in Spanish. Great. No that really was great because Spanish was one of the languages I was especially proficient in. One lady was pumping gas in a sundress with a car full of kids. I smiled and went up to her.

She was wary of me at first. I didn't blame her. Here it was, after dark, and some scratched up and bruised barefoot stranger was approaching her. She looked over her shoulder and cast a worried look at her small children in the backseat. I raised both of my hands and assured her, in Spanish, that I meant her no harm.

She still didn't seem to relax. For that I couldn't blame her either. I told her I was hurt and that I would appreciate if it I could borrow her phone for a minute if she had one. She did. From the pocket of her sundress she pulled out a touchscreen device and handed it to me. I thanked her and stepped off to the side. I dialed up my co-worker and prayed he picked up.

He did, thank God.

"Rodriguez it's me. Listen I need...Yes, it's me, Sonya...No, I'm fine, but Jax is in critical condition and...What?" I frowned.

I tried to lower my voice but the news that the pilot was giving me really threw me for a loop. Apparently Jax's arms had been wired in such a way that if they ever took a detrimental amount of damage, a distress signal was sent out to OIA. He had been rescued hours ago and was recuperating in the hospital. That was good to hear, great even, but it worried me. Did that mean OIA knew about what had transpired in the last couple of weeks?

"Listen," I cut in, "I know it's late and I only asked that you drop us off, but I need you to come get me...no... I don't know, just lock onto my coordinates...yeah, I'll be ready by then, take your time. Thanks again."

I breathed a sigh of relief and gave the lady back her phone. Rodriguez was on his way, even at this hour and on such short notice. The pilot was one of the few people I worked with who had a heart of gold. He was young and sort of new on the team but he was turning into one of my go-to guys.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you knew I was coming, Emperor."

The truth was that they had. When Noob warned them, Ermac didn't plan on getting a visit that very night but nonetheless, they were prepared. And they hardly felt it necessary to share this information with the woman in front of them. Maybe they weren't out to make an enemy of the Brotherhood of the Shadow, but they didn't plan on making an ally of the cult either. The emperor appraised this woman. She did seem familiar. Long black hair, dark skin, glowing white eyes; where did they know her from? Ermac tried to skim around her mind and after meeting a bit of resistance, was able to do so.

She was called Tanya. A former pawn of Shao Kahn.

Typical.

An Edenian.

Slightly not-so-typical. Perhaps she knows the demigod? She did betray her homeland as well. Maybe they were in cahoots.

Ermac was intent on searching her memories for hints of her relationship with the prince but the woman's next words stopped them at once.

"Since you knew I was coming," Tanya stated with her hands on her hips, "I'm assuming you know why I'm here?"

Not just her posture and body language but also that downward quirk at the corner of her mouth let Ermac know just how little she appreciated their mental meddling. Not that they cared.

"You are correct." Ermac nodded, "We know you've come for the amulet; so take it and leave."

"Gladly." Tanya said tightly.

She then stuck her gloved hand out from under the folds of her heavy black silk cloak. The back of said cloak was embroidered with the Brotherhood's insignia in bright gold thread. Ermac scowled at it. They bowed their head and gave the gold and jade artifact at their waist a cursory stare before unhooking it from their belt; already Ermac could feel the raw power leaving them and consequently, they hesitated. Tanya took the initiative to snatch the weighty artifact from the emperor with a cheeky smile.

"Thank you." She smirked. "For making this easy for me. Not many are willing to part with such greatness."

"The thing itself isn't great," Ermac claimed, "It's all about how it's wielded."

Tanya shrugged and said, "If you say so."

As she left the throne room to the sound of her heels clacking on the uneven, cracked marble floor, Ermac sighed. The amulet was gone. And they were honestly glad for it being so. Only now were they able to tell just how much it was beginning to corrupt them.

A quick rapping at the metal door to his 'bedroom' was what woke the prince from his fitful slumber late into the night. He was a firm believer in beauty sleep and didn't like being woken up like this.

Probably Ermac coming to fuck with me, he thought bitterly. The prince rubbed his eyes and turned over on his stone cot, attempting to go back to sleep. The person at the door had other plans. They continued to knock. Rain scowled to himself and brought the covers over his head. That didn't block out the sound of a third string of knocks.

Why doesn't he just communicate through the damn mind link? He grumbled within as he tossed the scratchy cloth blanket off of him. Rain stood and ran a hand through his hair. When he yanked at the door, it was unlocked for once. But on the other side of it was certainly not Ermac.

"...Tani?" He nearly whispered.

The slim woman in the doorway smiled and tilted her head at Rain's reaction. He was squinting at her sideways as if he was looking into the sun with his mouth twisted in a confused, questioning scrunch.

"So you remember me." She said coyly, "I'm flattered. Can I come in?"

Rain stood there with his hand on the door as if she hadn't just spoken. He was still in a shock to see her here, out the blue.

"What are you doing here?" He asked her with his brows still furrowed.

She shrugged and looked at her nails. "Looking for you. I heard you were here."

At that he paled and asked, "What else did you hear?"

"Just that." She replied. "Can I come in now?"

This time he heard her and stepped aside. He watched her sway past him but still couldn't believe she was really there. Tanya sat at the edge of the cot and crossed one leg over the other. Rain stood and regarded her as one would a phantom or wraith. She was something of it, really. A ghost from his past, a reminder of his former life.

"What do you want?" He asked her carefully.

Tanya said, "Aren't you gonna sit down?"

"No." Rain replied stiffly.

She frowned but could see that he meant it. So she unfolded her legs and pushed herself up off of the cot and began striding over to him. She inched out of her cloak bit by bit along the way.

"Well it has been a while since I've seen you," She said, "I figured maybe we could...get reacquainted."

By the time she reached him, her cloak was fully shed, leaving her in her tight black shorts and halter-style yellow trim top. Black and yellow. He remembered those colors well. He remembered that body, too.

Flawless, he thought. He let his eyes rove over her long, slim dark legs and toned midriff. Everything, from her sleek black hair and her curvy mouth to her broad shoulders was the same. The only difference were her glowing white eyes. That was new.

Tanya brought her arms around his neck and brushed her lips against the prince's. Rain turned his head and looked away. That displeased Tanya to no end. She frowned and hooked her fingers under his chin.

"Rain, I missed you." She pouted. "Aren't you happy to see me?"

She didn't give him a chance to reply. Instead the Edenian leaned up to match his height and kissed him. The more she moved against his mouth, nibbled his lip, tangled her fingers through the hair at the back of his head, the easier it was for him to respond in the way his body was used to doing. How many times had he gripped her waist like he was doing now?

"That's more like it," Tanya whispered silkily into the shell of Rain's ear.

She dragged his head down towards her own by the grip she had on his hair and slid her other arm downwards. From around his neck to the bottom of his shirt she moved her hand and raked her fingertips up his back. He knew she could feel the shiver that went up his spine but hardly cared. Only one question was on his mind; why had he ever left Tanya alone?

She was everything he could ever want in a woman. Strong as hell, beautiful, immensely talented like himself. From their days in the Resistance they both shared common interests and that was what drove them to each other in the first place. After Rain's defection, they shared an off and on relationship under Kahn's reign. They were passionate lovers, partners in crime. So what had happened to end all that?

Reiko.

That was who had come between them. It was sometime after Quan Chi gained favor with the former emperor. The sorcerer had seduced Reiko into the Brotherhood of the Shadow under the promise of great power and advancement. The bastard had, in turn, sucked Tanya into the cult and Rain had never spoken to her again. He pushed her away from him now with a scowl.

"Where is he?" Rain demanded.

Tanya lifted her brows and asked, "Who?"

"You know who," Rain spat.

She had a look of understanding and mild chagrin cross her face before her expression was passive once more. Whatever mood that was growing between them had been spoiled, she knew as much. Instead of answering his question, Tanya came to sit down beside him and stroked his arm.

"Rain don't be like that," She coaxed.

He rolled his eyes and shrugged her hand off of him.

"Why are you really here?" He asked.

She told him, "I have a proposition for you."

Rain said curtly, "So get on with it."

"Fine. You remember the Brotherhood of the Shadow?" She asked.

He scoffed and said, "How could I fucking forget?"

She ignored the expletive and continued with, "We're looking for new members. You could be one of them."

Rain turned to her and said, "You're still involved with that bullshit cult?"

"It isn't bullshit. And it isn't a cult." Tanya sniffed. "Besides, Master Shinnok's been good to me."

"I bet," Rain muttered.

Defensively she said, "He rewards all of his followers nicely."

"Isn't he in Hell?" Rain retorted.

"The Nightmare Realm." She corrected, "And he won't be there for much longer. We're going to set him free."

Rain asked, "Who's this 'we' you keep talking about?"

"The Brotherhood." She explained.

"So while Shinnok's locked up, who's in charge?" He wanted to know.

"Does it matter?" Tanya asked.

Rain said, "Yeah. I'm a god, I shouldn't have to take orders from anyone else."

"First of all," Tany started, "you're only a demigod. And second of all, that's not the way things work, Rain. In the Brotherhood, we're all equal under Master Shinnok. That's why it's called the 'brother' hood."

Rain snorted and said, "Sounds like a load of propaganda to me."

Tanya met his eyes and assured him, "It's not. You'll see. Just come with me and if you don't like it, you can leave."

Rain considered her words but then looked away bitterly. Tanya scooted closer to him and rested a hand on his shoulder.

"Rain." She spoke softly, "Won't you just try it?"

"No. I." He narrowed his eyes at the floor. "I can't."

Tanya frowned, "You can't what?"

He didn't answer her. She looked around the shoddy room and began piecing things together. She smirked to herself at the conclusions she was drawing.

"You are here of your own free will...aren't you?" She asked slowly.

When Rain just slumped his shoulders and muttered something under his breath, she was certain of what was going on.

"I see. Ermac is holding you here." She surmised.

Rain only said, "It's complicated."

And there's my opportunity, Tanya realized. She stood and went over to retrieve her cloak off the ground.

"You know, Rain." She drawled, "If you want out of here, I could make it happen."

Rain was silent, skeptically so.

"Do you doubt my abilities?" She asked him, wounded. "Ermac may be emperor but even he isn't invincible."

"You don't understand," Rain said, "He's using an amulet to enhance his powers."

Tanya pulled on her cloak and took something out of its pocket. "You mean this amulet?"

Rain eyed the thing as a dog would raw meat. "How did you get that?"

"He gave it to me." She answered.

"What will you do with it?" Rain murmured with unbridled lust in his dark eyes.

Tanya missed this look as she was putting the thing away. She turned back to the prince but by then the expression had passed.

"I'll use it to help me get you out of here." She said, "Then I'll return it to the Master."

Tanya strode over to Rain and sat on one of his legs. She threw her arms round his neck and this time he allowed her to. It only now occurred to Rain how this entire conversation was not being monitored; he couldn't feel Ermac's overbearing presence in his head at all.

Does this mean the mind link's slipped? he wondered. Only one way to be sure. It could cause him an aneurysm, but he needed to know if this was really happening. He looked at his lap and thought as hard as he could, Ermac you dick if you can hear me, say something stupid and prickish like you always do.

No response.

"So. What do you say?" Tanya asked him. "I can get you out of here for good so long as you join the Brotherhood. Under the Master's protection, you won't have to worry about Ermac or anyone else."

Rain hesitated. He wasn't too keen on joining her cult, but if it granted him a ticket out of this accursed place, he was reluctantly for it. And if there was a time for him to escape, it'd be now, with Ermac totally off his back.

A/N: Stay tuned for the next chapter in which Sonya and Shangy finally encounter one another for the first time. I don't think it will play out like you guys expect, so be sure to check it out! We'll also get a peek at what her friends are going through, particularly a stressed bodyguard and a quiet Shaolin. Until next time,

~DymondGold~