ALL OF THE ELEMENTS WITHIN THIS STORY BELONG TO MIDWAY.

"AGAINST THE WALL"

After an awkward silence which didn't help much to his image, he made up his mind and answered carefully. "Back in earthrealm we have an old saying: 'That never gets old'. Basically, there are certain charms that men never get tired of. For better or worse" He then took a bite from that succulent dish. The meat was a little juicy but pretty well clocked though, it also had plenty of relish on top of it. He didn't realized how hungry he actually was until he swallowed for the first time. After all, it was what the Edenian royalty used to have for dinner. "This-Is-Incredible! May I ask what animal is this from?" Kuai asked, trying to maintain his good manners.

"Oh, it is from animals called 'Ttubsters' and that cut your eating in particular, well, is actually its penis...the most expensive and delicious dish Edenia has to offer!" Sindel replied proudly, expecting even more amusement from her special guest but as soon as his ears heard what he was really eating, his eyes opened widely and his skin gained a pale tone.

"!...W-Wha...I-I mean...it is a wonderful dish! Both the texture and consistency are so...chewy...and, and...I beg your pardon ma'am but I really need to get some fresh air because I have never tested such a magnificent piece of culinary art! Don't worry, I spotted a balcony on the way here. I'll be back in a few!" The horrified man quickly stood up and rushed towards the balcony, carefully closing the doors behind him so that his hostess wouldn't hear when all the content his stomach had would be expulsed from his mouth. However, just when he thought the thing could not get any worse, a flash of light followed by a blue lightning appeared from the ether. He then found himself before a godly silhouette, one he and his clan knew pretty well. "Raiden!" Managed the ninja as he regained his composure.

"Do you realize what you've done, Sub-Zero? There is nothing but greedy intentions behind that puny excuse of an alliance you are about to make! As the protector of earth, it is my responsibility to prevent any threat from existing and a conflict between realms is the perfect example of that" Said the thunder god to Kuai Liang while staring at him coldly.

"...I never thought I would say this but I am glad that looks doesn't kill. So, Lord Raiden, you basically came here to warn me about the error of my ways? Well, I regret to inform you that I have everything under control and you do NOT have anything to worry about" He may have been acting like another person before but if there was anything that really bothered him, it definitely was that obnoxious attitude the protector of earthrealm had.

"Is that so? I just hope you don't get too attached to the queen while you are here for if that were to happen, chances of provoking some kind of trouble between Edenia and Earth would be alarmingly high...and you would likely be a dead man. You don't want to enrage a god, do you?" Earthrealm's protector surely could turn into a genuine killing entity in a matter of seconds when he had to punish someone.

"Attached, me? P-please! If one didn't know better, one could say you are really naive! Professionalism is an essential part of the code which gives form to the Lin Kuei...and what do you mean I will be a dead man?!" Inquired the now worried man.

"I am a little short of time now, as you can imagine. So I will just say that if you create a mess, my rage will be the least of your worries...believe or nor the Edenian queen is widely known by many not only for the prosperity of her kingdom but also for the ruthless and sadistic tortures she summits those who cause or spread chaos or any type of danger. You should consider yourself lucky If you just end up skinned alive...it is getting late and I have several business to attend to. Goodbye, Lin Kuei warrior" With nothing more to say, the god vanished with lightening speed.

"Uh?! What do you mean by that?...(despite being a 'good' divine entity, he is actually pretty inconsiderate. Why the hell did he had to wait for me to be in this situation before telling me that my hostess is a potential menace for my life? OH THAT'S RIGHT, SHE IS WAITING FOR ME!)" Sub-Zero quickly set out to the dinning room but as soon as he opened up the door the woman who now was inspiring fear into his soul was standing in front of him, arms crossed and a stare which reflected both tiredness and anger.

"You see, Kuai Liang, I am not the type of person one can just ignore or have for granted. As a matter of fact, being a queen, I cannot afford to get disrespected by anyone. Let alone getting ignored by a foreigner..." Sindel started to make him feel even more uneasy when she walked towards, not only narrowing the distance between them but also the one between Kuai and the end of the balcony. He was cornered. "Why don't we quit all this polite acting and get down to business? Truth be told, I am tired of playing games. I want some action!" Thus she closed her eyes and tried to join lips with him but, unfortunately for her, the lips of her guest were once again out of reach.

"(Damn it! If I give in, Raiden kills me, if I turn her down, she kills me. Then again, if I just stand still and do nothing I wont be able to find that tomb and that means the grandmaster will finish me! Talk about death insurance...) I beg your forgiveness, your highness. I just can't do it (I wish I could, though)" Said the man as he gently moved her away.

"Right! Now I understand...I all makes sense now...how I didn't manage to figure such an evident fact before...I shall apologize, now I now the truth" The queen stepped back, not taking away her eyes from her puzzled guest for an instant.

"You understand now? Thank goodness! I thought you wouldn't realize that I am-" Kuai was abruptly interrupted. The words which came out of Sindel's mouth weren't precisely what he was expecting.

"Homosexual? That explains so many things, why didn't you tried to make a move on me, the lack of interest in the Edenian women and finally why you was so amused by my furniture...".

The ninja'seyes resembled a pair of wells when his brain processed what she said. That was is that was getting too far, it had crossed the line. "You are mistaken, my lady! I was just threatened by a god and he told me that I get too close to you the realms could be in danger!".

"Do you actually expect me to believe a story you just made up? I am not in the mood for pathetic excuses, you know? I'm sorry but I must get rid of you now" Replied the queen coldly. All of a sudden, a violet aura surrounded her. She was ready to send him flying.

"(Just my luck! If I don't think something quickly I will be nothing but a pile of bones! Maybe I can buy some time...if somehow I manage to retrieve the map BEFORE Raiden notices, then go back to earth and accomplish my mission without causing any kind of trouble with the queen...looks like I don't have any other choice! I know!)" Before she could even throw the first punch, Kuai Liang embraced her and crushed his lips with hers.

TO BE CONTINUED...