A/N: Sub-Zero really is popular, isn't he? Anyway, here's yet another pov from him. I think most of the story will be from his pov, with others just sprinkled in. Thank you so much for the faves and reviews. And a thanks to the lurkers out there. I see you!

Warnings: Rated M for language, and other adult content. This story will have eventual slash. So fair warning if you do not like that sort of thing.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. All characters and properties belong to their respective owners.

The early morning hours were almost a blur to me.

By the time I decided to walk back to camp and meet up with the others, I was sure Raiden had long since told everyone what had happened. I wasn't too thrilled about that. It was my personal business, but I knew a lot of that information would be important for the others to know. And most likely Johnny would have just pestered Raiden until he talked anyway.

When I entered the small clearing everybody was looking at me and grew very silent. It was awkward, but I said nothing as I took a seat next to Smoke. I didn't try to meet anyone's gaze.

Some of us were standing, and some were sitting, but we were all somewhat circled around the thunder god. Eventually, everyone turned their attention back to him, and continued on their conversation on what to do next.

I tried my best to listen, but all my thoughts were elsewhere. The wounds on my arm and leg itched; a good sign, though bothersome. The morning sun was hot, and made everything appear bright. It was a new day, and although I hadn't slept I still felt anxious to get a move on.

I was also anxious to let go of the past. That would come later, though. I wasn't quite ready to pretend it didn't bother me. Perhaps I would feel better once the Grandmaster was dead, and the Lin Kuei destroyed. A momentary thought came to me of Scorpion. He didn't seem much better off after he had his revenge. Of course, it was against the wrong people. Partly.

Perhaps I'd put Quan Chi on my hit list as well…

So what would my next step be? I could stay with this group and see our mission through to the end, and then focus on my own vendetta. But it seemed like it would be such a long time from now before I could have vengeance. And what if there was no end?

A strong nudge from Smoke alerted me to the fact that I had everyone's attention again. Apparently they were waiting for me to say something.

"Um… What?"

Raiden scowled. "I said, 'Where is Scorpion now?'"

That question caught me off guard. How should I know? I thought indignantly.

"Right here," said a gruff voice. Scorpion emerged from behind a big tree. Somehow he managed to find the only shadowy part of the forest this morning.

"Good." Raiden gestured for him to come forward. "I was just telling everyone that you have some useful information about our current enemies."

The spectre nodded and turned to face the others. "Shao Kahn may be dead," he began. "But he has many followers. A general of his army is still around, and claims himself to be the new Emperor. He is the one that commands the Tarkatan slime now."

"Well, we expected as much," said Sonya, sighing in exasperation.

"Who is it?" Liu Kang asked.

"General Reiko."

The name was not familiar to me. Only Kitana and Jade exchanged glances.

"Who's that?" asked Johnny.

Scorpion's brow furrowed in frustration. "A general," he growled.

"Ah, okay then. Named Reiko? Got it." Cage smiled and gave a thumbs up. I think his sarcasm was lost on Scorpion.

Kitana shook her head in disdain. "Reiko is a pathetic, cruel man. His aspirations to become Emperor were ludicrous. I will personally enjoy showing him the power of true royalty."

"He's a native of Outworld. That may be one of the reasons the Tarkata would listen to him at all," Jade explained.

"What about the other Outworlders, then?" demanded Smoke. "Does that mean they'll follow his orders, too?"

"No," Scorpion answered, his fists were clenched tightly. "He's a maniac. No better than Shao Kahn himself, albeit weaker. The local villagers wish for a peaceful life."

For a moment the spectre looked as though he was going to say more, then thought better of it.

"And how do you know all this?" inquired Liu.

"You mean despite him being one of the baddies that hung out in that creepy castle all day?" Johnny mumbled under his breath.

Scorpion crossed his arms. "I just know. As I was Quan Chi's second in command I was able to be in the Emperor's presence while they held counsel. I took part in many of their conquests. And I was in Reiko's war room only a few days ago. In fact, they were not aware of my defection since I come and go as I please."

"Huh," Jax looked thoughtful. "That might have been helpful to us. You acting like a double agent. Too bad that won't work now, considering how you helped us attack Reiko's men last night."

"I already disposed of the Tarkata that got away. They were easy to find and did not get far," replied Scorpion.

Well.

"Okay, so no witnesses there. But what about Quan Chi?" the Major asked. "He knows you're not on their side anymore."

"The sorcerer is trapped in the Netherrealm, where his powers are weakened." Scorpion seemed pleased.

"How did that happen?" asked Kung Lao.

The spectre looked at him. "The longer he stays in the Netherrealm the more powerless he becomes. The longer I stay down there, the stronger I become. We simply stayed there too long. He was trying to make a deal with another sorcerer and I saw an opportunity to leave. I had enough energy to close the portal here before Quan Chi could come after me. He was too feeble to make one himself."

Raiden started a bit. "Another sorcerer? Was it Shang Tsung?"

"No," Scorpion replied. "I'm not sure who it was. It was none of my concern."

"It will be if this other sorcerer helps him to open up a portal," Raiden said darkly.

Scorpion gave a mere shrug of his shoulder.

Jax started to speak excitedly. "So you can be a spy for us then! Y'know maybe bring us any info this Reiko guy tells you. Maybe help us get into his fortress or whatever. This is gonna work out perfectly. Those bad guys won't know what hit 'em."

"First thing's first," declared the thunder god. "We all need to get out of this forest. There's a village a few miles north of here. I know a man there who will be glad to help us. Now, let's go."

Raiden turned and began walking out of the clearing, leaving the rest of us to scramble to stretch and follow after him. It wasn't like we had any belongings to gather, so he wouldn't get too far ahead. But he didn't give us any time to ask questions. I thought that was smart of him, actually. I hoped his friend in the village wouldn't mind nine strangers marching in.

I watched as Smoke pulled his hair back and tied it with some band. His hair was dirty and kept getting in his face. I was about to ridicule him for his choice of hairstyle, but when I was younger I had long hair myself.

Subconsciously I ran a hand through my own shorter, spikier hair.

My friend looked at me and smiled. "Looks like it's going to be another one of those days."

"Are there any other kind?" Johnny muttered as he passed by us.

I was trailing behind the others. My leg was still causing me pain, but it wasn't anything I couldn't deal with. It just didn't want to cooperate in its present state.

The terrain didn't help either. The ground was uneven, and I had to watch out for roots and other foliage. At least the trees were becoming less dense as we came upon what I assumed to be the edge of the forest.

I looked ahead to see Raiden in the lead, about a hundred yards away, and everyone else in between. Except for Scorpion. He disappeared again, so I could only guess that he was somewhere behind me.

Thinking of the Shirai Ryu made me slightly agitated. I never asked for his protection. I didn't need it, really. Who wants an undead stalker?

Occasionally, Smoke would stop and walk with me a bit, before running off to talk with someone else. I supposed it was a good thing he was making friends with our allies. And maybe I should start to think of them more as my friends, too.

Though none of them bothered to keep me company; busy in their own conversations.

I was starting to wonder what time it was, guessing about almost noon, when I fell into a small ditch in the ground. Actually, it was too small to be considered a ditch, but I didn't see it coming because the ground I had previously been walking on was raised a couple feet higher.

This particular patch of forest floor was covered in thorny vines. That I was now standing knee-deep in. Perfect! I thought. Let's add this to the list of injuries today. Scratches caused by stupid, sharp little—Ow!

Embarrassed, I checked to see if anyone had noticed. Didn't look like it. Everyone continued ahead, their backs to me, so I hurriedly tried to pull the vines away from me with my hands. I froze a few with my powers to break the plant apart, but new vines quickly grew in their place.

Not…good…

Only when the vines started to slowly tighten around my legs of their own accord, did panic and alarm begin to surface across my face. But I didn't have much time to really think about it, because a pair of well-muscled arms grappled me from behind, crushing me to a broad chest as I was lifted up and out of the vines - scratched along the way - and then unceremoniously tossed to the side.

I stumbled forward a bit as I regained my footing, twisting around sharply to see who it was. But I already knew. Scorpion stepped past me in an even stride as if nothing had happened. He smelled of warm leather and ash, and that would stay with me for a while.

I was mortified.

In the distance, Smoke must have looked back to notice me standing in one place, unmoving. He teleported over to my side in a haze of grey clouds, amusement in his eyes.

"You look like you're having a heart attack," he observed lightly.

"I wish I was!"

"What?"

"Nothing," I sighed, placing my hand on Smoke's shoulder. "Just help me catch up with the others."

Author's Note: Not sure if I'm completely happy with this chapter. It's short, but I wanted to get it out. Please review. Even one is enough to inspire me to continue. =)

M-G: Your reviews make me smile, unverified or otherwise. I hope you continue to be a loyal reader.

Wind Kaizer: Thank you for your feedback! I apologize if anyone is too OOC, but it's to be expected. And it will probably get worse as the story goes along. lol

-Gren