A/N: Long chapter is long. And mostly plot driven. Boring I know but I hope it makes up for my long absence. I am so sorry lol. And I would like to give a big thanks to my reviewers Xelly-chan, M-G, MailxJeevasxFTW, YoshisSupport, agd888, the person who misses me (lol), kitty, xVentressx, Chikku-Chikku, jjshawn, and any reader and lurker out there. I love all your reviews and comments.

Rated: M

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

"If we live through this, I'm taking all of you to Disneyland."

"Shut up, Johnny."

"Shh!"

We were all lying on our stomachs, on a sloping hill, speaking in hushed tones as we stared at the castle from a distance. It was less than a mile away from us now, and we were waiting for Scorpion to return.

He volunteered to enter the fortress first, before we did anything else. In a perfect world, I imagined him being able to get the crystal from Reiko without incident.

But the world is not perfect. Least of all this one.

From here I could see the camps of Tarkatan soldiers, scattered around the front of the castle. They had small fires going trying to keep warm, the smoke pluming out into the sky.

It was almost a peaceful morning. And I liked the quiet…

We faced the East side of the castle, because about fifty feet away from its stone wall was the old ruins of which Raiden believed Reiko planned to open a portal. Who knew what the ruins used to be when they were once whole—that was hardly important now. But as a place selected to be a magical altar or whatever, it looked pretty unremarkable.

Smoke moved beside me. "So what now?"

"We wait," answered Raiden. "Reiko must be inside, so we need to draw him out and get that crystal from him. Hopefully the spectre will come back to us with some insight."

"Draw him out? You make it sound as though we can't kill him," said Kung Lao.

"No," the thunder god said quickly. "Don't kill him until we find out how to activate the portal. General Reiko may be the only one that knows."

"Oh, we'll have to harm him a little," Sonya said. I was not facing her but I could almost hear her grinning, and the unmistakable sound of cracking knuckles.

I continued to look out and examine the ruins. I had a bad feeling…

A rush of warm air and fire signaled Scorpion's return as he appeared behind us.

I turned and stood to face him - along with the others - and immediately noticed his torn and bloodied clothes.

"What the hell happened?" Johnny exclaimed.

Raiden's eyes widened in concern, but not for the spectre. "You were found out."

"Yes," Scorpion replied. "Reiko supposed for some time that I was a traitor… He told me it was extremely suspicious that my master Quan Chi had not been in his council for so long a time. It was then that he had his soldiers attack me…but not before I caught a glimpse of the crystal."

"So it is in his possession?" asked Raiden.

Scorpion nodded. "On a chain around his neck. He had kept it hidden under his shirt."

"Very well," said the thunder god, his face solemn and determined. "General Reiko must know we are here, or at the very least that we are after his crystal. I think it is time to show him the strength of my warriors."

"Let's not disappoint him," smirked Kung Lao.

I knew it. I knew we wouldn't be lucky enough to get the crystal and be in Edenia before noon. And I was only slightly worried that I wouldn't be of much help because of my injuries. But I'd learned some new techniques, and I was almost eager to fight.

As the others looked out across the field and talked battle plans, I quietly made my way over to Scorpion, who stood alone as always.

"Are you badly hurt?" I asked him. There were splotches of blood all over the front of his uniform.

"No." He answered with a rough voice, and folded his arms across his chest.

I quirked an eyebrow at him.

"Not all of the blood is mine," he added.

"If you're sure…" I said, uncertain.

"I heal quickly," he explained. "Do not concern yourself with the undead."

That took me aback. But I guess he was in no real danger; even if he were to be destroyed his body would be restored in the Netherrealm.

I glared at him before turning away from him and making my way over to the others.

Liu Kang was tightening the straps on his arm-guards as I approached. He looked at me with tired but stern eyes. "Are you ready?"

I glanced at the others while I adjusted my mask and cowl. The adrenaline coming off of them was palpable and infectious. I suddenly felt pumped up, ready to unleash my more animal instincts. Some enemies you cannot afford to show mercy or compassion. I was ready to kill.

"We're going to bum rush 'em," spoke Jax. The gears in his arms were whirring and whining restlessly. "There's really nothing else we can do. They have the advantage over there."

"If only we had some weapons. A couple tanks…," said Sonya.

"Hey, we ARE the weapons," said Johnny Cage.

In the distance the camps of Tarkata were moving and appeared to notice us.

Jax slammed his fists together, ready for battle.

"Let's go!"

I blocked a low kick from a Tarkatan with my hands, quickly dodging any strikes from the blades on his arms. Gaining some distance I punched the ground, freezing a fast trail underneath the fiend, sending large ice spikes to impale him from below.

It was chaotic and we were surrounded by the fierce creatures. And I was envious of some of my allies' abilities to teleport. Smoke, Raiden, and Scorpion could escape serious attacks that way, but I had not the time to think more about it as six Tarkatan thugs circled me.

"Kiyaaa!" Johnny Cage leaped out of nowhere and kicked one fiend away as he landed with his back to mine. "You doin' all right there, buddy?"

"Of course," I answered, completely surprised that he'd want to help me. I admit, my wounds ached with pain each time a blow came in contact with them. "But I do appreciate the assistance."

"Anytime! HA!" He sent a few more flying, as did I.

Looking around briefly there seemed to be a never-ending amount of Tarkata here. And more poured out from the castle we were now fighting in front of. It was impossible for me to spot or keep track of the other Earthrealm warriors.

Suddenly I heard a shout from Raiden, and after I located him I saw he was running towards the castle.

"Reiko!" the thunder god growled. I looked in the direction he was headed and spotted a man wearing spiked armor and dark tattoos over his eyes quickly making his way from the castle entrance to the ruins. I took off after him as well, killing any that might be in my way.

Lord Raiden and Reiko made it there first and began fighting. I took note that it was quieter by the ruins; the battle had not yet reached this place.

I joined in the fight with a swift spin-kick, but Reiko blocked it and snarled as he pushed me away. I was surprised by his strength.

I suppose he made General for a reason.

Reiko actually managed to knock Raiden down, and laughed in his face. "You're a fool, Raiden! You and your pathetic fighters are outnumbered! And outmatched!"

"You're a fool to underestimate the pure-hearted!" Raiden shot back. He launched himself at Reiko who countered the attack with his own assault of shurikens.

A few of the throwing stars hit Raiden and as he staggered back I ran at Reiko, forming a block of ice around my fist, attempting to punch him across his face.

But he saw me coming and rammed me hard with his shoulder, sending me flying.

Fuck…. I landed hard on the ground and winced. Blood trickled down my chin as I struggled to breathe.

"Guys help! Crazy bitch is fighting me!"

That sounded like Johnny.

I hadn't realized he was so nearby. He must've followed close behind us.

As I lifted my head to look up towards my friend, the blood in my mouth and on my chin seemed to pull away from me of its own accord, large drops pooling on the dirt and grass below me. I watched in horror as my own puddle of blood moved away from me and traveled in the direction of Johnny and a woman dressed in red.

My blood completed its path to the woman and she seemed to absorb it…

Not good.

Immediately I shot up and ran to help Johnny, landing a kick to the woman's back.

The scarlet warrior yelled in anger and began to attack me with her very sharp-looking knives. But she was nowhere near fast enough to be in my league. And how dare she use my blood to make herself stronger?

She lunged at me again, and with a large shot of ice from my hands I easily engulfed her entire body into a solid block of ice.

Johnny used his Shadow Kick to completely shatter her frozen form.

Good riddance.

"Thanks, man," Johnny panted.

"Not a problem," I mumbled, not looking at him but now looking at Raiden struggle with Reiko for the crystal around his neck.

The thunder god had the chain in his grasp, pulling at it tightly. But Reiko was pulling it away just as fierce.

Together, Johnny and I sprinted towards them. But as we approached, Reiko somehow got the upper hand and flung Raiden away from him, sending him flying into Johnny.

I continued the pursuit of Reiko, who took the chain off from around his neck and carried with it the crystal to the center of the ruins.

He was in a hurry and did not sense me until it was too late. I tackled him to the ground, knocking the crystal from his hand.

"You little shit!" he growled. He was attempting to crawl to the crystal which lay nearby, but I was grappling with him and making my own attempt to reach it first.

I elbowed him in the stomach a few times as hard as I could, and he released his hold on me, writhing in pain.

The crystal was violet in color, and shone brightly in the sun. I felt a surge of victory as I grabbed hold of it, but that feeling was brief, as Reiko struck me in the back of my head from behind.

He took the crystal from me, and I couldn't do anything about it. My vision was blurred and spotted as I tried to remain conscious.

Liu Kang came running up then, yelling at Reiko to stop.

But it was too late now. We watched as General Reiko laughed and cited an incantation in a language unknown to me.

The crystal started to glow and hum with power. And as violet-colored lightning surrounded Reiko and began to rip open a portal through this realm, I could see my other allies making their way to us as fast as they could.

"Stop him!" I heard Raiden shout.

Liu Kang and I were closest to Reiko and the portal at this point, so we sprinted at him, ready for a final attack.

The portal opened up completely—a black hole swirling behind our enemy.

Reiko sneered at us and turned to jump into the portal, and just as Liu Kang and I reached him, a large kunai pierced through Reiko's shoulder, making him cry out in pain.

"Get back here!" Scorpion shouted, pulling on the spear now attached to the General.

I grabbed a hold onto Reiko, and Liu Kang did the same, but it didn't matter. We were too close to the portal, and its natural pull sucked us in.

The three of us and Scorpion were sent through into Edenia.

The portal spat us out the other end and I was just able to land on my feet.

I quickly looked at my surroundings. Clear blue sky, green grass underfoot, and a large glittering lake not ten feet from where I landed.

It was beautiful. Edenia…

The sound of Reiko's voice broke me from my reverie.

"Idiots," he hissed. "I will reclaim this realm as well as all the others. And your friends cannot help you now."

He seemed to speak silently to the crystal still in his hand, and with that the portal closed abruptly.

Damn.

Near me, Scorpion growled as he drew his swords, leaping for the fiend in attack. Reiko was arrogant, and was completely unprepared for the spectre's supernatural strength.

I, too, was surprised. Liu Kang and I could only watch as they fought. It was incredible to see Scorpion strike as fast as he did, and to see the frustration and fear forming on the General's face.

To his credit, Reiko managed to block most of the blows from the spectre's swords, and eventually knocked them from his grasp.

But that was not enough to stop Scorpion, who continued a barrage of blows with his fists.

"Wait!" Liu finally shouted. "Make him open the portal again!"

Scorpion halted his beating but held firm onto General Reiko's throat, the latter's face ruined as blood poured from his nose and a gash above his eye.

"This can't be happening…" Reiko sputtered as he clawed at the spectre's grip.

I stepped closer to the villain. "You heard him. Open the portal."

Reiko looked at me with hatred in his eyes. "No!"

"I'd do as he says. Now." Scorpion's voice was deadly serious. When Reiko still did not comply, Scorpion put him in a headlock from behind, effectively choking him even more.

I thought for a moment that the villain would die here and we'd be stuck in yet another realm, until he began to speak.

"M-Master….help me…" he croaked.

"Master?" Liu Kang and I said in unison.

"Who is your master?" demanded Liu Kang.

Reiko ignored him. "I beg you… master… Shinnok… make him weak… if he didn't have these powers I could hrrkk-!" Scorpion tightened his hold, and his victim struggled helplessly.

Shinnok? Who the hell is that?

A deep, cold chill swept over me then. The same feeling and sense I got from the Netherrealm. But this was stronger. Like a breath of wind from an evil soul.

In the next instant Scorpion was struck by a blackish-blue ball of energy, forcing him to release Reiko from his hold.

The General fell to a knee and coughed, as Scorpion roared in what must have been pain.

What was happening?

"Scorpion!" I ran towards the spectre – who was clenching his hands against his head, his eyes shut tightly – and as I placed a hand on his shoulder the horrible energy shot up my arm, and knocked me on my ass.

My arm burned and I gripped it as I watched Scorpion give one final cry before he collapsed heavily onto the ground. Liu Kang moved quickly to me and helped me up.

Reiko chuckled as he stood up. "My allies are far stronger than yours!"

"Oh shut up already!" Liu marched toward him and did a cartwheel kick to the General's head, rendering him unconscious.

I rushed back to Scorpion's side.

He was struggling to stand up so I helped him to his feet. He seemed unharmed, but he was panting with deep, heavy breaths.

I stepped back in shock.

Scorpion was breathing….

Liu Kang walked up to us and stopped mid-stride. "Whoa!"

Scorpion looked between us, confused. "What?"

"Your eyes…" said Liu.

I couldn't stop myself from staring. His eyes were human once again, and they were a dark, honey-brown.

Scorpion backed slowly away from us and walked over to the lake. We watched as he peered down into the reflective waters - his back to us - and as he hurriedly ripped off his mask and cowl.

But there was no fiery skull as expected, only tanned flesh and black hair—that I guessed to be about shoulder length, as he had it tightly tied back.

Scorpion turned back to us slowly, a few loose strands of hair falling over his eye, and I saw his face in its entirety for the first time.

I never expected to see my brother's killer with so much humanity.

It was like looking at a different person. Not the demon that inspired nightmares but a living human man, with a face that was not at all unfortunate looking.

We didn't have a lot of time to react, because Reiko scrambled to his feet and opened the portal.

Shit, we forgot to take it from him. Stupid!

He jumped through and the three of us quickly followed. We could not allow him to bring his Tarkatan army here.

Back in Outworld, the fighting continued as we had left it.

Only this time the fight was taking place around the ruins, and so as we emerged from the portal we were immediately thrown into the battle.

After a few long moments, Scorpion challenged Reiko directly.

"I challenge you," he said to the General. "Just me and you. To Mortal Kombat."

Reiko halted his army with a wave of his hand—the horde of Tarkata stopped their movements, unsure.

The villain laughed. "You? You're as weak as your friends are now."

"It's over, Reiko," said Raiden. "You will not win. Stop the bloodshed."

Reiko scoffed. "Never. Outworld is mine! And so is Edenia!"

Kitana lunged forward, furious, but Jade held her back. "You are not fit to run the Netherrealm!"

Reiko smirked. "We shall see."

"Fight me then," Scorpion spoke again. "Am I not a creature of the Netherrealm?"

"You were," corrected Reiko.

"Then you have nothing to worry about."

The General growled through clenched teeth. "Fine. If it is your wish to die again, be my guest."

Scorpion looked confident, but I felt uneasy about this. If he was truly alive again, why risk it for us?

Reiko charged at the former spectre with a heavy-footed thrust kick, clearly aiming for his stomach.

If I had looked away I would have missed Scorpion catching Reiko's foot with both hands, a grin on his face.

"I may no longer have the powers of the Netherrealm on my side, but my skills are still superior to yours!" Scorpion told the shocked Reiko, and twisted the captured leg, causing the enemy to spin and fall.

The fear in Reiko's eyes was clear to see.

"I-Impossible!" his voice wavered.

The General got up again and Scorpion gave him no time for last words as he grabbed Reiko by the back of his head and slammed his face into his striking knee. There was an audible crunch and spray of blood against the Shirai Ryu's kneecap.

I felt relief. There wasn't much possibility for Reiko to live with a crushed skull.

Scorpion released the corpse and let it fall to the ground. He bent over it and retrieved the crystal.

Johnny Cage ran over to him excited. "Wooo! That was fucking awesome!"

"What the hell did we miss?" I heard Jax exclaim.

"So the Shirai Ryu is alive? murmured Smoke.

I looked at the number of Tarkatans left. They backed off slowly, angry but frightened.

Scorpion walked up to Kitana, holding out the crystal to her. "I think this should belong to you."

She looked him in the eye a bit before taking the crystal. "You have my gratitude."

Sonya came over and looked Scorpion up and down. "Wow. You look pretty good."

"Uh, thanks," he answered.

A few of the others laughed, but I did not find it so funny. We had other things to worry about here.

"I suggest you open that portal soon," I told Kitana.

Jade glared at me, and I softened a bit. I didn't mean to sound so cold. I guess she was still mad at me for rejecting her advances the other day. It's just that I have no time for that.

Raiden approached Kitana as well. "Princess, the Elder Gods have just spoken to me. They told me you are able to open the portal. The crystal is magic, and as you are Edenian, it is a part of you."

"But how?" she asked.

From there I stopped listening and turned my attention to Scorpion, who was now chatting quietly with Kung Lao, Johnny, and Jax. Now that he was alive, the others seemed to accept him more readily.

His presence wasn't as hostile now, but I knew he was still just as dangerous. Then I wondered if he'd miss his powers, assuming he no longer had any at all.

"Okay," Kitana spoke. "I'm ready."

I turned back to her to watch what would happen.

The Edenian princess cradled the crystal to her chest, until it began to glow, and I watched as it seemingly absorbed into her skin.

I don't understand much about magic, but her eyes began to glow bright violet, and it looked as though she opened the portal with her mind.

As the portal opened completely her eyes returned to normal and she relaxed. Liu Kang grabbed her hand, and she squeezed it in kind.

"We must hurry," she said. "I can only keep it open for so long."

"Then let's get out of here," said Kung Lao.

We made to leave when a terrible shrieking voice rang out around us.

"KILL THEM ALL!" it yelled. It sounded female, and for one horrible second I realized it must be Mileena's. No one else I had met could scream like that.

At once the other Tarkatan's rushed at us, their bladed arms swinging and pointed teeth snapping.

My allies and I looked at one another before bolting for the portal. I knew most of us were too exhausted to continue this fight.

I watched as the others jumped in, one at a time. Those of us a bit behind killing enemies along the way. Raiden stood by the portal's entrance making sure his warriors made it through first.

As I reached the portal I could see it was already beginning to close, and fast.

Smoke was ahead of me and I thought I was the last one, but when I looked behind me I saw Scorpion fighting off a large group. Smoke grabbed my arm and tried to pull me with him.

"Wait!" I shouted. My heart began to beat faster with panic. "Scorpion!"

"There's no time!" Raiden yelled as he helped grab me, forcing me into the portal.

The last thing I saw before the portal closed behind us was of Scorpion swinging his sword as the swarm of Tarkata surrounded him from all sides.

A/N: The end! Just kidding.

Sorry again for taking so long…. I hit a bit of writer's block, and then once I got my groove back I read a MK fanfic that had a very similar crystal idea (d'ohh) so I had to change the story a lot. I hope you liked it. Sorry for any grammar mistakes or repeated words...I got kinda lazy...it was too long lol. I'll try not to take so long to write Ch. 8!