I don't much enjoy writing back and forth between plotlines (if you look up "Two Lines, No Waiting" on TvTropes, then you'll know what I mean); I feel it's a format best left to visual works, but since I'm not an animator or director, this'll have to do. O_o Hopefully I'm juggling well enough between the two…
Quan Chi looked out beyond the Edenian landscape from the spire of one of the palace towers. He marveled at the remnants of the destruction the world had had to face during the invasion. He smiled coyly to himself, hoping that if things played out according to plan, soon Earthrealm would look similar.
They had only taken a few preventative measures, of course. Secured alliances, rallied support, acquired insurance in case anything went awry. But all of their preparation would now lead them to take the first few steps towards their goal. Shinnok would have his "rightful" status returned and revenge on the Elder Gods who had turned against him, and in return for his cooperation Quan Chi would have innumerable souls at his disposal. It really was a win-win.
Plus, Quan Chi could really get used to this view.
Placing his hands on the banister, Quan Chi pondered on the next step Shinnok had ordered him to take. Like Shang Tsung before him, Quan Chi was supposed to offer another chance at glory for Earthrealm; a tournament that, if won by Earthrealm, would mean the end of all attempts to invade by Outworld (or, this time around, Netherrealm).
At first, Quan Chi had his doubts with Shinnok. He recalled an Earthrealm colloquialism: "Madness is doing the same thing and expecting a different result."
But it was Shinnok who reminded him that this time, Earthrealm's defenses were severely weakened, and should Fujin reject the offer on its behalf, it was less than likely it would survive the retaliating invasion.
And so Quan Chi had agreed to the assignment. It wasn't like it would run significant interference with his own plans; the foolish lizard might as well have been running around with a papier-mâché trinket, and Quan Chi's back-up was resting safe and soundly right in his pocket.
Dun dun dunnnnnn! *waves fingers ominously*
Yeah, it's really short. Just filler for the second plotline.