AN: Special Thanks goes to Story's Shadow for writing this excellent chapter. Thank you my good friend.

-Island Docks, several minutes later-

Those on Raiden's ship walked along the docks, no one else was there. Raiden's lips curled.

"All others have already arrived. They await us in Shang Tsung's monastery."

Liu Kang's eyes narrowed.

"Don't worry, Lord Raiden, we won't fail you."

A small smile appeared on the thunder god's face.

"Of that, I have no doubt."

The group walked up a large flight of stairs.

Spider-Man eyes gazed left to right. His spidey sense softly gnawing at him.

(Yeah, I don't like this.)

There was the distant sound of music and voices, but there was nothing outside. No birds, no frogs, nothing. Nightwolf's eyes slowly moved along the length of the jungle.

"There is no animal life here."

Raiden nodded, not turning around.

"This island was created for Shang Tsung's amusement and the tournament. Birds and fish move around the island."

"They sense the evil of this place."

Spider-Man gulped.

"You don't have to put it so creepily."

"Animals are able to sense things humans cannot, or at least sense them better than we can."

"Yeah, but animals can't fight for a universe's freedom."

"They also don't threaten it with enslavement."

Iron Fist put a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"He got you there, my friend."

Spider-Man opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

They soon came upon the courtyard, designed in the fashion of a training area. Liu Kang's eyes narrowed at the sight.

"Here we will determine the fate of our homes."

Spider-Man's eyes traced the spot and scratched his head.

"Uhh, I was expecting more like a Colosseum...not this...considering our 'host' and his personality."

Raiden turned to Spider-Man.

"That would be more like the arena of Outworld. Shao Kahn loves a show...but he wouldn't have anyone upstaging his spectacles of barbarism. But Shang Tsung enjoys it just as much. So be wary of what he shall do."

Spider-Man chuckled.

"We've got this Raiden. Don't worry."

Raiden sighed, but didn't respond.

As they walked, Hilda's eyes followed the details of the jungle around them. The others noticed this. Nightwolf approached her.

"You sense them too?"

Spider-Man rubbed the back of his neck.

"What?"

Nightwolf didn't turn to look at him.

"We're being watched. Stay calm, don't let them know we know."

White Tiger grumbled under her breath.

"Stalkers...great."

Yuki's hands closed into fists, her palms slowly freezing.

Raiden didn't turn to them as he spoke.

"They won't dare attack while my brother and I are here. We might be forbidden in interfering in the tournament, but the tournament hasn't started just yet. If they attack, they'll face the wrath of two gods."

Spider-Man's eyes widened.

(Gotta say, Raiden's kinda scary.)

Iron Fist walked with Liu Kang.

"Are you ready, friend?"

Liu Kang smiled.

"As are you, I imagine."

Iron Fist nodded.

The group came upon steps that lead up to a door within the temple. Once they came to it, the doors opened themselves. The group was met my a cacophony of laughter, shouting, cheering, and music. The hall was quite large, paintings and sculptures of warriors and dragons decorated it. Pillars were lined with the images of dragons twisting around them. Braziers ablaze with dancing flames were scattered throughout the room. Tables were set up, lined with dishes of foods and glasses of drinks familiar and unfamiliar. Within the hall stood men and women of differing origins, some would argue that they couldn't call some of these beings men or women given their alien physiologies.

Spider-Man chuckled at this.

"I bet Nova's sorry he missed out. This is like one of those stories he told us about he had with the Guardians...well, the meeting the different beings anyways."

White Tiger sighed.

"Focus, Spidey. Saving two worlds here."

"Right! Right! Sheesh!"

Raiden's eyes went to the throne at the end of the hall. Two golden dragon statues stood at either side, the heads facing the throne. And at either side, the windows held the symbol of a dragon's head marking the center.

"Shang Tsung's throne...he says it's to 'honor' his lord."

Liu Kang's eyes narrowed.

"Both shall fall."

All those in the hall gathered turned to the group. Many pointed their fingers at Spider-Man, White Tiger, and Iron Fist, laughing. Spider-Man rolled his eyes.

(It's the costume...yeah, sometimes this would happen back home...well, when a guy's first starting out.)

White Tiger snarled as she walked forward. One man smirked as he reached a hand towards her, only to find himself on his back. White Tiger had both hands on his arm, having flipped him onto the floor. She turned to the crowd, no longer laughing.

White Tiger's eyes narrowed.

"Anyone else feel like laughing?"

Many frowned, but some grinned. They all went back to drinking, feasting, and laughing before the group entered. The man who she had flipped grunted as he walked away, face beet red.

White Tiger scoffed.

The group approached her. Raiden's eyes met hers.

"You've made an impression here."

"Good."

Fujin stepped forward.

"Be wary though. This maybe a double edged sword. While you aren't mocked now, some may now seek too face you in kombat for this act. All those gathered here are dangerous in their own way."

"I can take care of myself."

"Raiden wouldn't have chosen you if you couldn't. But be cautious with the immediate future. This could make things much worse for you."

White Tiger grumbled but nodded.

The group walked further into the room, eyes wandering around.

Not far from them is gathered a group of stern, quiet men. Each wears a medallion that has a triangle pointed down locked within three rounded yet pointed blades. At the head is a man clad in blue and black armor, his eyes seem to glow a pale blue. Yuki meets his gaze, neither taking their gaze away. Spider-Man rubs the back of his neck at this.

"Who's the guy giving us the cold shoulder?"

Raiden frowned.

"Sub-Zero, a formidable warrior...and deadly assassin."

Spider-Man gulped.

"O-Of course there's assassins here."

White Tiger snarled lowly at this.

The men, including this Sub Zero, turned back to talk with one another.

Raiden's eyes went to a familiar pale, painted figure.

Quan Chi stood near Shang Tsung's throne. The sorcerer's calm visage and dead eyes filled the room. But there was a spark of life when he spied Raiden. The smallest of grins appeared on his face. Fujin saw this.

"Quan Chi...what wayward soul has that sorcerer called to fight on the behalf of the Netherrealm?"

"I don't know...but I sense an angry specter haunts this room...one I cannot see yet...but their rage casts a long shadow."

Fujin nodded.

Soon they came upon a peculiar sight.

A man dressed in rather poorly pressed suit and tie stands next to a beautiful and stern young woman in military gear.

"So what's your character's exact role in this, gorgeous? Military war hero come drawn here by unforeseen events?"

The woman didn't respond. One of her eyes twitched, her gaze moving along the room. Raiden nodded to himself. Fujin turned to him.

"Did you send them early?"

"I sent messengers to them, but it seems that they didn't make it to them. However, it seems their paths have still brought them here. Though, there is one I am not seeing. But seeing the look on her face, he is here...but I fear not in the way I'd hoped."

Yuki approached the gods.

"They are chosen also?"

Raiden didn't turn to her, but addressed her.

"Yes, but they don't know it yet."

Yuki nodded.

Hilda took a few steps forward.

"Someone's coming."

Raiden and Fujin's eyes narrowed.

Monks dressed in fine robes banged on large drums, drawing the attention of those gathered.

Before the throne a green mist appeared and from it, emerged the smirking form of Shang Tsung.

Many cheered and whistled, fists pumping into the air.

Those gathered to protect Earthrealm and the USM Dimension did not. Raiden and Fujin's eyes narrowed and flew at the sight of the sorcerer.

The man in the suit held a chuckle at the sight of the man, but the woman next to him glared at the man.

Shang Tsung raised his hands, chuckling.

"Kombatants! You all have traveled far to compete in the most historic of tournaments. This marks the final win needed for Outworld to merge with Earthrealm after nine victories. But not only is Earthrealm nearly ready to become one with Outworld, but now a newly discovered world, a new Earthrealm shall soon have its fate decided within this tournament! For I, Shang Tsung, emissary of the great Shao Kahn, emperor of Outworld, welcome you to Mortal Kombat!"

Many in the crowd cheered and roared in excitement.

Those gathered to protect Earthrealm and the USM Dimension, whether they knew it or no, glared at the sorcerer.

To Be Continued...

AN: Next chapter the tournament officially begins, who do you think will be fighting first?