(Shirai Ryu Temple)

Scorpion and Sub-Zero were being escorted by apparently the newly reformed Shirai Ryu, following their leader through the Fire Gardens, Scorpion looked around in shock and slight hopefulness.

Scorpion: *whispers* "The Fire Gardens...rebuilt? It...can't be."

Sub-Zero: *whispers* "I thought you said it was destroyed."

Scorpion: *whispers* "It was.. "

The leader then came to a halt and motioned for his troops to lower their weapons, they grabbed Scorpion and placed him in front of the leader from a few feet.

They then went back to the group and had their weapons trained on Sub-Zero.

The leader then removed a kusarigama, the kama had dried blood on it, as did the mace at the end of the chain, which was getting rustic.

Scorpion recognized it and thought the weapon long gone.

Scorpion: "That kusarigama...it-"

Shirai Ryu Leader: "Belonged to Kazuma Hassashi...and in turn, belongs to his son...you."

Scorpion narrowed his eyes, confused.

Scorpion: "If you know who I am...why act like you don't?"

Shirai Ryu Leader: "To be sure...if you really are heir to Kazuma Hassashi...then beat me in Kombat, and prove your identity...no hellfire magic."

The leader then placed down the kusarigama in the center and unsheathed his sword as did Scorpion.

Sub-Zero watched in anticipation as the two then clashed swords with each other.

(Outside The Temple: Forest)

Noob was annoyed as Sektor, who clearly had them lost in the forest, and rather let go of his pride and ego, he continues towards the wrong path.

Cyrax spoke to Sektor multiple times on correcting their path, but Sektor ignored, Frost regardless of how wrong he was, followed without hesitation.

Noob then stopped frustrated with Sektor's arrogance then opens a shadow portal, the others looked back, Sektor was confused and raised an eyebrow.

Sektor: "What are you doing Bi-Han?"

Noob: "Finding the temple...on my own."

He then starts to walks through but Cyrax stops him.

Cyrax: "Not alone, I'm coming with you...I to grow tired of Sektor."

Noob: "You're not the only one."

The two then enter through the portal, leaving Frost and Sektor on their own.

(Fire Gardens)

Noob and Cyrax came out through the portal which was behind tall grass, the two then crouched and saw Sub-Zero who was surrounded by Shirai Ryu and Scorpion who was fighting their leader.

Cyrax: "What is this place?"

Noob: "Hanzo's told me about this place, this is the Fire Gardens but...he said it was destroyed."

Cyrax: "Why would pretenders rebuild?"

Noob: "Don't know, but let's wait and see, Hanzo's got this."

He states as Scorpion was dodging multiple strikes from the leader, he then ducked and slashed across his thigh, the leader winced in pain but raised his leg trying to hit Scorpion with an axe kick but he rolls backwards.

Scorpion then blocks a front kick and sidesteps a sword poke then disarms the leader.

The leader smirks then gets into a fighting stance, intrigued by Scorpion.

Shirai Ryu Leader: "You may actually be Hassashi's son."

He states then charges forward as did Scorpion but he slid and performed his takedown maneuver, knocking down the leader, he then eblows him and recovers quickly then had his sword at the leader's throat.

The leader was in awe and smiled, the other Shirai Ryu were going to attack Scorpion, but the leader raised his hand, causing them to surrender.

Scorpion then sheaths his sword, and helps the leader up on his feet.

Shirai Ryu Leader: "This confirms it...you are Hanzo Hassashi, you are the last original bloodline of the Shirai Ryu."

Scorpion: "How do you know?"

The leader chuckled then pulled down his hood and removed his mask, revealing a man, in his 40's with slick black hair, and a goatee.

Scorpion was shocked and took a few feet back.

Sub-Zero saw this then stood beside Scorpion, looking the man.

Sub-Zero: "Who is he?"

Scorpion: "My...uncle."

Sub-Zero looked at him, with shock and surprise.

Sub-Zero: "Thought you said you had no other family."

Scorpion: "My mother originally came from the Lin Kuei, she met my father and they fell in love, but our clans were still rivals...the Lin Kuei tried to kill both of them."

He explains then looks back at his uncle.

Scorpion: "But my uncle, Li-Jun, managed to save them, allowing my mother to escape and become a part of the Shirai Ryu...and he paid with his life, charged for treason."

He says, narrowing his eyes as his "uncle" takes a step closer to them.

Scorpion: "How are you still alive?"

Li-Jun: "The warriors you see, are the people who saved me from execution...we've been hiding from them since...and when I heard the Shirai Ryu were dead...I had to honor them."

He states then picks up the kusarigama and holds it out to Hanzo.

Li-Jun: "But I am not of the original bloodline, you are...Grandmaster Hassashi."

Li-Jun then kneels along with the other Shirai Ryu warriors, Scorpion takes the kusarigama, he sees his family's crest that is engraved on the kama.

He then ignites the weapon in hellfire, and after a few seconds the kusarigama was back in working conditions, the dried blood and rust gone, then Scorpion hands it back to Li-Jun who was confused.

Scorpion: "The Shirai Ryu are restored. But I am not ready to be it's Grandmaster...I have done things that disgraces our clan...our honor. Honor, which I no longer have."

He says, his eyes having a look of regret and confliction...he then kneels down.

Li-Jun had a small smile then places the kusarigama back in Scorpion's hand.

Li-Jun: "Then restore it...as a Kombatant of Earthrealm. That's what your father would've wanted."

He finishes then Scorpion stands up and looks at the other warriors, and they bowed, then Noob and Cyrax came out of the grass.

Noob: "And we will make sure he does not lose his way."

Sub-Zero: "You have our word...we knew our clan has done questionable things. But none like that."

Then two Shirai Ryu members were tossed close to the group, beaten badly, Scorpion checked on them as they look to see Sektor and Frost who were confused.

Frost: "What is going on?"

Sub-Zero, Noob and Cyrax then stepped in front of them.

Sub-Zero: "These are Rouge Lin Kuei, but not the ones that murdered the Shirai Ryu."

Sektor: *scoffs* "So? If The Grandmaster demands traitors to be put down, they will be put down."

Cyrax: "That is not the way of our clan."

Sektor: *chuckles* "It is now."

Frost looks at Sektor with an frightful and conflicted look as he raises his flamethrowers with an evil smirk as he fires.

Sub-Zero makes a wall of ice, blocking the heat as Sektor keeps blasting.

Frost: "What are you doing?! Our mission was to-"

Sektor: "Our objective has changed, Frost! Your brothers and Cyrax are now traitors! And traitors will-"

As he rants, Scorpion appears above him in the air as he slices off both of Sektor's arms, in a swift motion.

Sektor: "AHHHH! Damn you!"

He yells falling to his knees as Scorpion sheathed his swords, glaring at Sektor.

Scorpion: "There will be no more death on these grounds..."

Cyrax then walks to Scorpion who looks at hin, with a apologetic expression.

Cyrax: "I will take him back to the temple, he will answer for his actions."

Scorpion nods then Sub-Zero kneels down to Sektor and uses ice to mend his wounds.

Sub-Zero: "He will live, I stopped bleeding but he needs to be treated."

Cyrax nods then picks up Sektor and starts leaving the temple.

Frost looks at the others who were about to leave through a shadow portal.

Noob goes through first as Sub-Zero extends his hand out to his sister, with a small smile on his face.

Sub-Zero: "You coming?"

Frost looking back the exiting Cyrax and back at her brother, she then takes his hand and they go through the portal.

Scorpion then looked at his Uncle who a smile on his face, then performed the Shirai Ryu salute, as did the other warriors, he does so as well then exits through the portal.

(Cage Yacht)

Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Noob and Frost arrived on the deck of the yacht and saw Johnny sunbathing in a lawn-chair.

Johnny then raises his shades and sees the four ninjas right in front of him.

Johnny: "Yo! You're back...who's the newbie? Another Outworlder?"

Sub-Zero: "No, she's me and Bi-Han's sister."

Johnny: *surprised* "Oh, so your Frost? Welp, welcome to my yacht, got an empty room downstairs, it's on the left, third door."

Frost: "Thank you for your hospitality."

Frost's expression showed a look of puzzlement but then follows Johnny's instructions and head downstairs to her room.

Johnny: "So, what happened?"

He then lowers his shades and looks at the others, mainly Scorpion who had a...happy expression, and almost as if he was smiling underneath his mask.

Scorpion: "I have great news."