A/N: I feel so bad for being late! Sorry! Hopefully this chapter is enjoyable. I keep re-writing it, as I keep finding mistakes. This draft should be error free, haha. Thank you to all my lovely reviewers!

Rated: M

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. All characters and properties belong to their respective owners.

I awoke well-rested in the morning. Though my wounded leg and arm were a bit stiff.

After stretching for a few minutes I attempted different katas in the Shotokan style, but slowly so as not to tear any stitching. There wasn't much I was able to do. I sighed.

The last thing I wanted to do was become weak while I waited to heal. It's important as a warrior to keep your body in shape. Only one day's rest won't hurt, I told myself.

But I wasn't sure how long we'd be able to stay here. I was hoping it wouldn't be too long. The sooner we defeated Reiko or found a portal to Edenia the better.

I walked into the little sitting area from my bedroom and looked around.

Hmm. Still no Scorpion.

I half expected him to be standing over me, watching me sleep. I shuddered at the thought, but I smiled in spite of everything because that would have been amusing.

There was a quiet knock on my door and I opened it to find a young Outworld girl holding my folded uniform out in front of her. She apologized for it being sent to the wrong Earthrealm man, and I dismissed her without complaint. It would have been hard for me to explain to her that Johnny had taken it—or why he did. I hardly understood that myself.

I washed up and changed into my uniform quickly, leaving the cowl off for now. Even if I had a newfound hate for the Lin Kuei and what they represent, the uniform was comforting and I felt more like myself wearing it.

My stomach growled loudly, so I left my room and headed downstairs in search of some food.

"Wait! Let's just talk about this for one minu-AUGH!" Johnny Cage ducked as I threw another sphere of ice at his head.

The moment I had entered the dining area I spotted Johnny sitting at the table. He immediately jumped from his chair and tried to put the table between us. I easily leapt over it and he ran into the kitchen where we were now at a stand-off.

"I really didn't do anything!" Johnny protested. He snatched a plate from a counter and held it in front of him like a shield.

"Is that so?" I growled, crouched in a fighting stance. "Because of you I had to deal with Scorpion! In my room!"

"It was a joke!"

"I'm not laughing!"

Johnny threw the plate at me and I jumped to the side as it shattered by my feet. He tried to run to the other side of the kitchen but I quickly blocked his path and I made a grab for his throat. The actor spun out of my grasp and just as I was about to charge at him, Sonya came into the room and got between us.

"What the hell are you two doing?" she demanded. Sonya had her back to Johnny and placed a hand on my chest. "You're scaring the poor cooks!"

I panted as I looked to a corner of the kitchen where a handful of the Outworlders stood huddled together in fear. Ah.

"Apologies," I nodded at them.

Smoke and Liu Kang came in then, looking thoroughly confused.

"Uh, is everything all right in here?" asked Liu, he was staring at me as though I was the sole cause. I had the thought that even if we were all becoming closer in our small group, there was still distrust and suspicion that might always be in our minds. Or perhaps because of my affiliation with the Lin Kuei, Liu Kang would always be wary of me.

I was relieved when Smoke walked up to me—concern in his eyes.

"What happened?" he asked me. "Why were you fighting?"

"He started it!" Johnny pointed an accusing finger.

"I did not," I replied indignantly. "I was merely exacting justice for the aggravation he caused me last night."

Sonya raised an eyebrow and looked between Johnny and I. "Really guys? How old are we?"

Johnny laughed tiredly. "Okay, okay. I might've attempted a small prank that didn't go quite as expected…"

"Hey, we're supposed to be examples here. Y'know professional and serious and this is no time for messing around, Johnny!" Sonya scolded. She suddenly looked furious and glared at the both of us before leaving the kitchen.

"We have worlds to save, people!" she shouted from the other room.

I could see her point. But that didn't stop me from wanting to cause the actor some retribution in pain. I was really more angry about him stealing my clothes than anything else.

"Jeez, who pissed in her coffee this morning?" Johnny winced a bit and I noticed his face for the first time. There were bruises around his eye and his lip was cut.

"I didn't do that to you," I said gesturing to his face, and also before Liu could get any ideas.

"Nope," Johnny replied casually. "Scorpion did. He grabbed me earlier and threw me around a bit. Scary guy."

Smoke shook his head. "I'm so confused…"

"Ehh, don't worry about it, bud." Johnny told him, then turned to me. "So…I've already been punished enough, don't you think?"

His hopeful eyes only made me want to hurt him more. But I could always get him back later.

With something sharp.

While he's asleep.

"Fine," I relented with an irritated sigh. "Stay away from me today."

"Can do!" Johnny saluted. He and Liu began to leave the kitchen, and I made a small move to stop them but quickly halted myself. I had wanted to ask Johnny where Scorpion was now. But I didn't want anyone to think I cared about what the spectre did in his free time.

Even if he did say he'd be back to my room by morning.

I made a face, disgusted with myself. It was only curiosity nagging at me now. Still, I felt embarrassed. I let Liu and Johnny Cage leave without word.

That left Smoke and I alone, save for the cooks who were now trying to sneak quietly out of the room. I ignored them.

"Scorpion left with Raiden this morning," Smoke said suddenly. He was studying my face.

"Oh?" I replied.

"Mmhmm."

"So what."

Smoke's mouth turned up into a smirk. "Don't you want to know where they went?"

"Not really," I lied. Giving him a dirty look I began to leave, having long since lost my appetite.

My friend followed suit and trailed after me all the way outside into a small garden near the back of the residence. I sat down and got into a meditative pose, fully prepared to pretend he wasn't there.

Smoke sat beside me and mimicked my posture.

"Anyway," he started. "Lord Raiden and the dead man went to go check out the perimeter of Reiko's fortress to find any weaknesses. I suspect we'll be engaged in battle soon enough."

I pondered this quietly. It didn't look like I'd be of much use to the group in my current condition. But I'd try my best. Just the thought alone of fighting hordes of Tarkata made my adrenaline run. I wouldn't be so careless this time.

"I'm going to go train some more," Smoke announced. "Want to spar with me?"

"No thanks," I answered. Honestly, I wanted to save my strength.

"That's probably a good idea…" he said. I glanced at my friend, who had a very faraway look to his eyes. His gaze wasn't concentrated on anything, but he looked sad.

"What's on your mind?" I ventured.

Smoke sighed. "Only something Raiden told me. It's not a big deal, really."

He seemed so serious. I tried to lighten the mood by saying, "Lord Raiden really knows how to give good news, doesn't he?"

To my surprise, Smoke only smiled sadly in return, before standing up to leave.

"I'll see you later," he said.

I nodded once and watched him walk away.

"Smoke?" I tried.

Nothing.

This concerned me greatly. I hoped my friend wasn't keeping secrets from me, but he was entitled to keep some things to himself. You'd think he could tell me of all people, though.

Oh well.

Hours later I finally got up and stretched, making my way back toward the house.

My head was clearer and I no longer felt like maiming Johnny.

I came upon Bo' Rai Cho and Kitana laughing together near the doorway, and I planned on passing them quietly so as not to disturb their conversation, but Bo' Rai Cho grabbed me nearer to them as soon as he saw me.

"Ah, young Lin Kuei!" the master exclaimed. "How are you liking the grounds? Isn't my staff hospitable? It's quite uncommon for Outworlders, you know."

"Y-Yes. You've all been very generous…" I managed. His personality was overwhelming. Not to mention his stench. He reeked of alcohol. How could this being possibly have trained anyone? What skill did he possess?

"The princess and I had much to talk about," he continued. "Since we both have lived in Outworld for so long. It's amazing how much things change all the time."

"Indeed," I muttered.

Kitana smiled, stifling a laugh. I wondered if she'd been drinking, too.

When I said no more, Bo' Rai Cho seemed to lose interest. Good.

"Well, my friends, I must go check on the rest of our…friends. So, please excuse me. Also, that Major Briggs told me about a very intriguing drinking game that I now feel the need to participate in. Sleep well, if I do not see you again tonight!" And with that, the drunkard walked easily inside, without even a stumble. I had no doubt of who would win that game.

"He hasn't changed," Kitana said with affection.

I turned to look at her. It must have made her happy to talk of old times with that man. Still hard to believe this woman was over 10,000 years old. Perhaps Bo' Rai Cho was older?

"He was bidding us a good night," I grumbled. "And it's barely after noon."

"And I'm sure he'll go to bed long after you have," she said with a laugh.

An awkward silence passed between because I didn't have much to say. She went to sit down on a stone bench nearby as I made a move to enter the house, but I stopped a moment to watch her.

She sat solemnly by herself and I felt compelled to reach out. Normally I would not have, but I wanted to prove Scorpion wrong from our conversation last night. I did care about people. Some of them, anyway.

"Are you all right?" I asked as I sat down next to her.

"Yes. It's just…"

"You're worried about Edenia?"

She lowered her head. "I'm concerned that I will not be a worthy queen. That my people will not accept me; for all the pain I have caused."

"It wasn't your fault," I assured her. "You believed Shao Kahn was your father. And there was no one who defied him that did not meet a gruesome end."

"Thank you, Sub-Zero."

"You'll make a great queen. Don't think of it anymore until we actually find a way to Edenia…"

Kitana stood up suddenly and faced me. "I want to help you. To improve your skills."

Um. "What?" I asked, confused.

"I've seen what you do with your kori-powers. You could do so much more."

I only stared at her. "Kitana, I've trained all my life. I think I know what I am capable of."

The princess put her hands on her hips. "And I have seen what the Cryomancers of Outworld were capable of so many centuries ago! Their powers seemed almost limitless…"

"Whoa, whoa, wait," I stood up as well. "What are you talking about? What is a Cyromancer?"

"A Cryomancer is what I believe you are descended from," she smiled brightly.

What the hell.

"Um…I'm afraid I do not understand."

"Cryomancers were another race of beings that inhabited Outworld long ago. They had control over the element of ice just as you do."

"But, Kitana, I was born in Earthrealm…"

She smiled at me again. "It's not so unsual for beings from other realms to visit each other. Especially in years before. Even Bo' Rai Cho has been known to travel them. It's true your bloodline must be mostly human, but you have a power that is undeniably rooted from the Cryomancers."

I cleared a lump in my throat and tried to process this. There would never be a night for me where I didn't learn something new about myself. But, it did make sense. There could be no denying that these beings were my ancestors.

"Okay," I finally answered. "I believe you. What can you tell me of their mastery?"

Later that evening I was in high spirits.

I had spent the rest of the day training with Kitana – albeit lightly so as not to injure myself further – and with her guidance, discovered I could manipulate ice in more creative and deadly ways. Though it took a lot out of me energy-wise, it was very exciting and I was happy that I could become a greater warrior.

The other Defenders – as Johnny likes to call us – and I had an enjoyable dinner together. Just as we were finished and about to part for our respective rooms, Raiden and Scorpion entered the large house.

They didn't look too worse for wear so I assumed they hadn't had any trouble.

"I'm glad you're all here," said Raiden. "I have some very interesting news to share."

We all gathered around him and waited expectantly. I spared a glance at Scorpion, who was staring at me, and quickly turned my attention back to Raiden.

I was genuinely pleased to see them both come back alive. Regarding the spectre, I use the term 'alive' loosely.

Raiden spoke again. "Thanks to Scorpion's help, we have found some ruins not too far from General Reiko's castle, where it appears he has found a way to open a portal. Through which means we were not certain at first, but Scorpion infiltrated the castle and managed to learn from various soldiers inside that Reiko is in possession of an old relic. A crystal, that with some sorcery is capable of opening a portal from here to Edenia. Now, he hasn't done so yet, and for that we are lucky. But it seems that he wishes to enter Edenia soon."

"So what's the plan?" asked Kung Lao eagerly. His face was bruised up a bit, but no one made any comment about it. I smiled, knowing the reason why.

"Well," Raiden replied. "Seeing as these ruins appear to be the only place where a portal can be opened with the crystal—I see no need to enter or assault the castle."

"But what 'bout this crystal?" Jax slurred. Seemed like he lost whatever game he played with our host. "How we s'posed to get it?"

"And how the hell do we use it?" Johnny added.

Raiden didn't seem too concerned with all this. "Either we send a few of you inside to search for the crystal, or create such a commotion near the ruins to draw Reiko outside to us. Most likely he has the crystal on his person. We can make him tell us how to use it and open the portal."

"You sound so sure," remarked Smoke. "What about the Tarkatan forces?"

"Oh, they'll come out and attack us, that is certain. But I have every faith in all of you that they'll be swiftly taken care of." Raiden smiled. Why couldn't I share in his optimistic view...

Liu Kang turned to address all of us. "I guess that's it then. We'll just fly by the seat of our pants. As usual."

"Sounds good," agreed Johnny drily.

Raiden clasped his hands together in finality. "All right, since that's settled, everyone get some rest. We'll leave at dawn."

I couldn't sleep right away. So I stood again on my balcony, staring out into the darkness of the night.

There was that same pulsating energy that could only be described as bad. And yet I was becoming used to it.

I sighed as I spoke out to the darkness in general. "If you're going to stalk me, at least keep me company." As I turned and walked back into the room, I heard an answering thud on the balcony.

Scorpion followed me inside and I left the doors open to let in the fresh air.

"I was just about to have some tea," I stated. "I suppose you can't have any."

The spectre said nothing but sat opposite me on the floor, the small table between us. I poured myself some tea and sipped at it slowly. The contrast of the cool night air and the warmth from the drink relaxed me.

"I'm not stalking you," said Scorpion.

"If you say so."

He leaned forward a bit in a threatening manner. "I thought we had this conversation already."

"I'm not arguing with you," I replied innocently enough.

It was really difficult to keep my own temper in check, but I truly had no intention of fighting. I was just trying to be friendly. If I could get along with the others, why not Scorpion?

This didn't seem to be the best idea I've had, though. As I sipped my tea, all the other man could do was watch me. And I was becoming self-conscious under his stare.

"Maybe you should say something," I told him.

"Why? To entertain you?" he said bitterly. Perhaps he was always in a bad mood.

"Yes," I said simply.

Okay. Maybe I did enjoy pushing his buttons a bit.

Scorpion raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

I couldn't think of much to say conversationally. Every subject might rub him the wrong way. I tried anyway.

"So, tell me about your family. If that is not too sore a topic." I met his eyes without fear.

He visibly bristled, but didn't sound too angry. "What is there to talk about that you don't already know?"

"Like, I suppose, their names?"

Scorpion blinked a few times, and I could see a crease between his brows as he thought about it. Hmm.

I set down my cup. "Don't you remember?"

"I remember my family," he snapped. "But…it's somewhat foggy… Their names…"

"I'm sorry," I said, trying to keep the pity out of my voice. I meant it though.

"It must be the Netherrealm," Scorpion brooded. "It makes you forget. Makes you a slave."

"Do you remember your name?" I asked, trying to keep him from shutting down completely.

It took him a few moments to reply. "Yes."

"Well?" I prodded.

"Why should I tell you my name? You tell me your real name."

I snorted. "That's too personal."

"As is mine," he shot back.

Sure. He probably didn't remember his name. I wouldn't push it any further.

"I don't remember my family, either," I said as I poured myself more tea. It was getting cold but I drank it anyway. "Or I guess I should say, that I never knew them to begin with."

"You could ask Raiden about them," the spectre pointed out.

I didn't think about that. Some anxiety rose in me at the thought.

"Maybe someday I will." I'm definitely not ready to know those things now.

Scorpion shifted uncomfortably and it was such a human movement from him that I had to smile.

"You should make more friends here," I advised him. "The others are not so bad to get to know." It was a realization I had slowly been making myself. Which reminded me now, that I had not seen Jade all day except for at dinner. I hoped she wasn't avoiding me…

"I don't see the point," he said. "I don't like them. They don't like me. And most of them will more than likely be dead after tomorrow."

Ouch. "That's a cynical thing to say," I frowned at him.

"It's true."

"No it's not. How do you know they don't like you?"

"They don't like me," he repeated.

The thought, I like you, popped into my head. But I wasn't about to say it out loud. In fact, it shocked me. There wasn't much of him to like, but I didn't dislike him either.

I grinned into my cup as I took another sip and gently set it down.

"Well, I find you tolerable company. Much improved from our first meeting," I teased.

Scorpion blinked. "You wouldn't dare call me your friend."

"No," I admitted. "Not yet, anyway."

That seemed to surprise him. And we sat in amiable silence for a long while.

I moved to stand when I decided I'd neglected my limbs from movement long enough. Scorpion stood up, too. Probably didn't trust me to have the higher ground.

"I need sleep now," I announced.

He made no motion to do anything.

I pointed at the open balcony doors. "You. Out."

Scorpion's shoulders slumped comically and I tried very hard not to laugh.

As he stomped toward the open doors I called out to him. "Where do you go at night, by the way?"

He stopped and turned his head to me. "The roof."

"The roof!" I exclaimed. "You sit there all night?"

"Yes. I don't sleep."

"But you just sit there?"

"There's not much else to do. I have no problem with that; such is my training. Try doing a handstand for six days in the blistering heat of summer."

"Hmph, I'm familiar with that kind of training, thank you very much."

Scorpion turned away again, continuing his exit.

"Well," I hesitated. I almost had half a mind to let him stay. I'm becoming much too soft. "Good night," I finished lamely.

He nodded and disappeared into the blackness.

A/N: Interesting. Will they get that portal open? Who knows! Please review. I enjoy all the feedback. =)