(Shang Tsung's Temple: Arena)

The Kombatants were the first to arrive and were waiting at the empty arena, Raiden and Fujin watched as Sub-Zero and Noob briefed them on the fight in the forest.

Raiden: "The Lin Kuei have abandoned their roles as Earthrealm's protectors...I always questioned their decisions...perhaps I should've interfered when givened."

Sub-Zero: "It is not your fault, Lord Raiden. Our clan was slowly descending from grace, ever since our parents...we will stop both them and the Cyber Initiative."

Noob: "You have our word."

Fujin: "We know, Bi-Han...but what happens once you stop them?"

Sub-Zero and Noob looked at each other, puzzled but determined.

Noob: "...Our clan can be redeemed...but those who object to new leadership will depart."

Raiden: "And who would lead?"

Sub-Zero: "...I believe we know someone."

He states as Noob looks at him, in realization and slight surprise, then turns to Raiden and Fujin

Noob: "Lords, may I privately speak with my brother?"

Raiden: "By all means, Bi-Han."

The two bow as they walk from the gods and Noob looks at his brother, folding his arms.

Noob: "He is retired Kuai, he's at peace. He's done with Kombat."

Sub-Zero: "But he is the only one that can overthrow the Grandmaster."

Noob: "Not just him! Us! Me, you, Tomas and Frost! We can beat them. Reform the Lin Kuei in our image!"

He says as Sub-Zero had a face of doubt and slight insecurity.

Sub-Zero: "Bi-Han...we are not ready."

He simply causing Noob to look at him in shock.

Noob: "We are! We trained since we able to walk, we know their ways and techniques! What do you mean we are not ready!"

He exclaims as the others turn to look at the conversation.

Sub-Zero: "..."

Noob: *scoffs* "We're not ready? OR you're not ready...Sub-Zero."

He says with annoyance in his tone as he pushes his brother and starts going inside the temple.

Scorpion walks up to Sub-Zero and places his hand on his shoulder.

Scorpion: "He did not mean...that was the-"

Sub-Zero: "No...that was Bi-Han. And he's right...I'm not ready."

(Hour Later)

The Kombatants were now watching the fights commence, but still the tension between Sub-Zero and Noob caused...second handed awkwardness for everyone.

Sub-Zero was sitting on the steps, beside Scorpion and Kung Lao as Noob leaning against a far pillar.

He looks at his brother and sighs.

Scorpion: "Do not be hard on yourself. It is understandable why you are afraid."

Sub-Zero: "Doesn't seem like it."

Scorpion: "It is...why do you think I turned down to lead my clan?"

Sub-Zero: "Oh...right."

Scorpion: "It's hard...but soon enough you'll realize what you need to do."

He says and Sub-Zero has a small smile as the current fight ended in front of them.

Scorpion then noticed Quan Chi whispering in Shang Tsung's ear, he watched, cautious and Quan Chi glances at him, smirking.

He then steps away from Shang Tsung as he annouces the next fight.

Shang Tsung: "Next up, Sub-Zero! Revered Warrior of the Lin Kuei! And coming from a long line of Cyromancy!"

He introduces as Sub-Zero stands up but Scorpion grabs his hand.

Scorpion: "Be vigilant, something's off..."

Sub-Zero: "I'll be fine."

He states and Scorpion lets go as Sub-Zero then ice-ports onto the stage, in front of the crowd.

Shang Tsung: "His opponent, Nitara! Warrior of the Vampire race and Champion of Netherrealm!"

He says then Nitara steps onto the stage as Sub-Zero looks at her, analyzing.

Sub-Zero: "My parents told me and my siblings stories of your kind...I always wanted to fight against one of you."

Nitara: *cockily* "So you could be our dinner?"

Sub-Zero: "No...so I could kill you."

He states making a spear out of ice and getting into a fighting stance.

His attention then shifted as he looked and saw the Black Dragon enter through the temple, confusing him and everyone else.

Shang Tsung: "And teaming up with Nitara is a member of the Black Dragon! Tremor! Enforcer and wielder of Earth Elemental mastery!"

Tremor looks like his MKX Design*

He introducts and Tremor, steps onto the arena standing beside Nitara, his size towering over both her and Sub-Zero.

Erron: "How did THEY get here?"

Kenshi: "That's something...I'd like to know to."

Johnny: "What?! 2 v 1? They can't do that! Wait, can they do that?"

Fujin: "It is a tag match...it was in the old ways of Mortal Kombat, but...hasn't been used in centuries."

Kung Lao: "Then why bring it back?"

Raiden: "I fear, I know the reason."

He states as Sub-Zero looks at Tremor, impressed.

Sub-Zero: "Earth mastery? *chuckles* This should be interesting."

Tremor: *scoffs* "Not really."

He states then he and Nitara get into fighting stances as they wait for Shang Tsung's word.

The Outworld fighters watch, intrigued as at the interesting match up, while Kitana and Mileena were slightly worried.

Mileena: "You'll think he'll win?"

Kitana: "I hope so..."

She says as Jade overhears her, raising an eyebrow.

Shang Tsung: *smirks* "Fight!"

Nitara lunged at Sub-Zero but misses as he rolls over to the side, only for a boulder to come flying at him.

He quickly makes an ice klone and jumps out of the way, then Sub-Zero forms a fist, causing shards of ice to pop up near Tremor, who simply melts them by changing his form.

Sub-Zero: "Lava?"

Tremor: "Thought I only controlled rocks?"

He says then fires a lava-ball at Sub-Zero who makes an ice-wall, blocking the attack, but it starts melting fast.

Nitara then comes in from above, lunging at Sub-Zero, trying to bite him as he blocks with his spear.

Sub-Zero then kicks her in the gut and stars swinging his spear, but Nitara proved very nimble.

Out of the corner of his eye, Sub-Zero saw Tremor charging at him, then he makes another ice klone, as Tremor charges through it but the two couldn't see Sub-Zero.

Tremor: "Where did he-"

From behind Sub-Zero reappears using ice-port and dropkicks Tremor from the back and flips up and punches Nitara in the face then sweeps her feet.

Tremor turns around changing his form as Sub-Zero tries to punch him in the chest, only for him to pull back in pain.

Sub-Zero: "Argh!"

He looks at his hand and sees shards of crystals in his hand.

Tremor: "Actually felt that in this form...you're strong, I'll give you that."

He states then back hands Sub-Zero across the stage.

He lifts up his mask and spits out blood, then put his back on and stands up, only for Nitara to pounce and bite his neck.

Sub-Zero: "Arghh!"

He falls to one knee, trying get Nitara off but slowly feels his blood draining.

The Kombatants were about to intervene but Raiden and Fujin stop them.

Raiden: "No, this is his fight."

Jax: "They're killing him!"

Noob: "No, they're not..."

He says as everyone looks at him confused but he simply steps forward and watches intently at his brother.

Sub-Zero then saw Tremor getting closer, his hand forming a spike, and with remaining strength, his eyes start to turn pure white as he stands up.

Sub-Zero: "Get...OFF!"

He yells and a burst of ice emits from him, knocking Tremor back, pushing Nitara off and freezing the stage.

Noob smirks and the others were surprised but still kept watching.

Tremor then changed to molten form as he threw a lava-ball at Sub-Zero who freezes it mid throw, as it falls to the ground.

Tremor was shocked then Sub-Zero smirked then blasts a full stream of ice at Tremor who tried to block but gets encased in ice.

Nitara gets up and lunges at Sub-Zero who this time grabs her and throws her in front of him and make an ice dagger and cuts her up repeatedly at her chest, before driving the dagger through her head.

Nitara's eyes roll to the back of her head as Sub-Zero pulls out the dagger and watches her body fall.

Sub-Zero: "You're not so scary."

He says as Shang Tsung looks at Quan Chi who sneers, annoyed.

Shang Tsung: "Sub-Zero wins!"

He says then Sub-Zero bows and glances at Kitana who smiled, then as he starts to leave, he passes out, falling off the stage.

(Dining Hall: Shang Tsung's Temple)

The Kombatants were scattered across the room, but were in groups as they were eating and interacting with other fighters.

Scorpion, Sub-Zero and Noob were against the pillars congraulating the cryomancer on his victory.

Scorpion: "Didn't tell us you had that kind of power, it was badass."

Sub-Zero: "Thanks, but kinda annoyed I passed out after I won."

Noob: "You got bit by a vampire, pretty sure that shit happens."

Sub-Zero smiles then feels a tap on his shoulder, he turns and sees Kitana, not wearing her mask.

Kitana: "Hey."

Sub-Zero: "Hey, I was about to-"

He was cut off by a quick kiss to his cheek as he chuckles.

Kitana: "Congrats on your victory...now, you two don't mind If I borrow Kuai Liang."

Noob: "Nope."

Scorpion: "Have at it."

Kitana: "Thank you, also Hanzo, my sister wants to meet you outside the temple...also reminder, if you hurt her, I'll slit your throat."

She threatens but in a friendly and serious manner as Scorpion nods and chuckles.

Scorpion: "Understood."

Sub-Zero: "Well...see ya."

He says leaving with Kitana and Scorpion looks at Noob.

Scorpion: "You good by yourself?"

Noob: "Only if people start talking to me..."

Scorpion: "Good. Then you'll learn to socialize."

He says leaving as Noob flips him off from behind and folds his arms, leaning against the wall.

Then a random fighter leans against the same wall, and gazes at the room as does Noob.

Fighter: "Hey."

Noob: "...Sup."

(Johnny, Ashrah, Smoke and Frost)

The four were near the entrance of the Dining Hall as Johnny was showing Ashrah, the pictures he's taken.

Johnny: "Like seriously! These pics are fire! And this is only from the island, man, I so wanna see the other realms after this."

Ashrah: "All except Netherrealm and Chaosrealm."

Johnny: "That makes...wait, Chaosrealm?"

Ashrah: "Yes...do you not know of Orderrealm and Chaosrealm?"

Johnny: "I do know."

Aside from Johnny's and Ashrah's chat, Smoke saw Jade in the crowd, and started examining her.

She was a good fighter, could not be off guarded easily, and seemed like a very no nonsense person.

With the many thoughts running through his head, Frost noticed his gaze towards the emerald clas assassin and smirked.

Frost: "Yooooou like her?"

Smoke: "What? No! I was...examining her weaknesses."

Frost: *scoffs* "Oh please, you were staring...so, go talk to her."

Smoke: "I can't...she's one of the assassins that attacked me and Ermac before Sektor and Cyrax intervened."

Frost: "Oh...but, as I hate to admit it, you guys changed Kitana and Mileena's perspective on Earthrealm...why not change hers?"

Smoke: "Because...I think she has a personal problem with our realm."

Frost: "It got anything to do with your visions?"

Smoke: "...Yeah."

Frost: "Then go talk to her! This might help trigger more memories."

Smoke: "Maybe..."

He says, unsure, but then Frost starts to push through the crowd.

Smoke: "Frost, what're you-?!"

Frost: "There you go!"

She then lightly kicks Smoke causing to stumble forward, he gains balance and is face to face with Jade.

They were close as Jade raised her eyes in confusion and Smoke backed up.

Smoke: "Sorry, too close for comfort."

Jade: "...It's okay. But why are you speaking to me? Usually when I try to kill someone, they plot for revenge."

Smoke: "Not the revenge type...well, a little bit, but you had orders, nothing personal."

Jade: "Speaking of personal...how did you know my name?"

Smoke: "A...guess?"

Jade: "Really?"

Smoke: *sighs* "No...This may unease you, but I think I know you."

Jade: *scoffs* "You couldn't possibly know me?"

Smoke: "I know you've been Earthrealm...as a kid possibly...you with were someone, a woman, your moth-"

"CRACK!"

Smoke was then punched across the face, falling to the ground, rubbing his jaw as Jade look at him.

Jade: "Do not DARE, speak of my mother...I don't know how you know that but I don't care. Come close to me again, I'll kill you."

She says then leaves through the crowd as Smoke, groaned.

Smoke: "Noted..."

(Kung Lao, Jax, Ermac, Erron and Kenshi)

The rest of the Kombatants were lingering at the line for food, with Jax and Erron visbly enjoying the food as Kung Lao was drinking.

Kenshi was facing towards the Black Dragons, he gripped Sento tightly, getting slightly angered.

Ermac could tell and started speaking psychically.

Ermac: "Relax Kenshi, they are not a threat, for now."

Kenshi: "You don't understand...it's personal for me."

Ermac: "...Were the ones that blinded you?"

Kenshi: "Yeah...but I cut out their boss's eye, so there's that."

Ermac: "And their leader?"

Kenshi: "Kano. A two-faced backstabbing piece of shit."

Aside from the psychic chatter, Kung Lao looked at the paintings of past Mortal Kombat tournaments and looked to see one of his ancestor...dying by Goro's hands.

Kung Lao: "I will restore our family's honor."

He states then feels a tap on his shoulder, he turns only to see nobody there, confused he turhed his attention back to the painting.

One of the guards then stood beside him, also looking at the painting.

Guard: "The Great Kung Lao...a great warrior, respected by the realms and even the Elder Gods...may he find peace in death."

Kung Lao then smiled lightly and looked at the guard, with a confident look on his face.

Kung Lao: "You can lose the disguise...I know it's you, Liu Kang."

The guard chuckles then lifts up the mask to reveal a boy, Kung Lao's age wearing a red headband with long black hair.

Liu Kang: "That obvious?"

Kung Lao: "Very...what are you doing here? I believe the Shaolin asked me to represent us."

He says then Liu Kang lowers the mask back down.

Liu Kang: "I know, but I was sent because of...a different request."

He states and Kung Lao was confused till realization hit him.

Kung Lao: "My family...they asked you to watch over me. *scoffs* Afraid I'll dishonor our name even more."

Liu Kang: "They are worried, Lao...and so am I."

Kung Lao: "I don't need you to protect me, Liu Kang...I will win this tournament, for my ancestor, and Earthrealm. I promise you that."

He says, slightly angered and starts walking away.

Liu Kang: "And I promise to be at your side...always, brother."

He states as Kung Lao stops and slightly smiles, looking back at Liu Kang before walking again.

Jax: "Wait, you learned how to shoot when you 7?"

Erron: "Yep...Mama Black was a mean bitch, loved me though...even if she was tough. Yours?"

Jax: "My mama is easily the sweetest person I know, but you piss her off *laughs* you in trouble."

Erron: *chuckles* "I can get behind that."

Jax then noticed the dining hall clearing and yawned.

Jax: "Looks like others are clearing out? We should to."

Erron: "Right...we should be fighting tomorrow, right?"

Jax: "Yeah...good luck."

Erron: "Same to you."

They say then start leaving the temple together, heading back to the camp.

(Forest)

Scorpion was sitting on a tree branch, with Mileena laying her head on his shoulder, as they were looking at the scenery.

Scorpion: "This is nice."

Mileena: *giggles* "I knew you would like it."

Scorpion smiles and looked at her, admiringly and thinks to himself.

Scorpion: "You would be very fond of her, mother..."

He thinks and Mileena notices his gaze and raises an eyebrow.

Mileena: "What are you thinking about?"

Scorpion: "My mother...she would like you."

Mileena: "...What was she like?"

Scorpion: "Like you. Kind, Headstrong and a warrior...*chuckles* you would dare not anger her."

Mileena: "Sounds like it."

She says then leans off his shoulder with a grin.

Mileena: "Close your eyes."

Scorpion: *confused* "What?"

Mileena: "Just do it."

She states and Scorpion does so, he felt her hands opening his palm and felt something soft.

Mileena: "Open."

Scorpion opens his eyes and sees a teddy bear in his hands.

He had a look of confliction and Mileena saw this.

Mileena: "Do you not like it?"

Scorpion: "No. I mean yes. It's just...this is an object of sentiment. My father disliked the ideal. Saying that objects of attachment, distract you..."

Mileena: "Oh...I see."

She says, with a saddened look on her face.

Scorpion: "But I've always been one for sentiment. Plus...I like teddy bears."

He states nervously scratching as Mileena had a blank expression before grinning and kisses his cheek.

Mileena: "Awww, that's cute..."

Scorpion: "Don't...mention this to the others."

Mileena: *fake gasps* "I would never."

Scorpion *chuckles* "Right."