AN: Special Thanks goes to Story's Shadow

-Netherrealm-

After having exited Shinnok private quarters, Quan Chi and General Reyes could now be found having a second meeting inside Quan Chi's private chambers.

The General spoke first.

"I understand how Shao Kahn wants us to be ready for when Outworld turns things around and wins the tournament, allowing the merger to go forth. But with this new world being filled with very powerful beings, things could get... messy."

Both studied the scroll that Shao Kahn had given them prior to the start of the tournament.

"Your statement is most accurate general," Quan Chi began in a tone that indicated he agreed entirely with his general, "While it's true that our Earthrealm should fall finally, this new one could present us a unique challenge, and give stiff opposition."

Quan Chi swirled his hand in front of him. What could be called a replay of Raiden fighting alongside the warriors of the new Earthrealm was revealed.

"It is possible that they are unaware we are spreading the Netherrealm's reach into their world. However my time in the realm has provided valuable information as to what kind of enemies the Netherrealm will be facing once the merger begins. There are some there that would be a thorn in our lord's side."

"Two questions my lord: what have our spies reported regarding who will be the stiffest opposition to Outworld's merging? And two, how goes your secret negotiations with–"

Jack was silenced by Quan Chi raising a hand to silence him.

"To answer your first question: our spies have reported not just a few threats, but multiple challengers to an Outworld merging. Two groups in particular stood out to them. One is a group called the 'Avengers'. Supposedly they are their worlds mightiest 'heroes'."

Quan Chi smirked as he paused to take a breath before continuing.

"Furthermore there is also a group known as 'The New Knights Templar' and they are an order dedicated and devoted to defeating demonic entities and otherworldly spirits."

Quan Chi said with a more serious look on his face, as he opened the floor to his general.

"I take it these knights might be a bigger threat then those called the Avengers?" Jack asked quickly.

"Possibly, given their expertise in battling demonic powers. Though the Avengers have shown to be powerful and organized as well, reportedly having fought some demonic forces too. That and they have a thunder god of their own. But we are still too far away from the merger to know which side will present Outworld and Netherrealm forces a true challenge. Now to answer your second question: the negotiation process is still in th very early stages. Some trust has been forged from both sides, and while there is common ground between the Netherrealm and our possible new allies, there is still much more work to be done General. Which is why I want you take over planning the merging process, so I can prepare for my fight in the coming days of the tournament, and continue my negotiations. Do you understand your orders?"

"Yes my lord," Jack said as he bowed to his master, "I know you, and your chosen representative will not fail."

This earned a smile and small laugh from Quan Chi.

"They will feel the sting of the Netherrealm soon enough. However I must confide in you general, if we both are to fall in the tournament, Shao Kahn has his champion ready to fight on behalf of Outworld. I doubt many will be able to match the prince's skill..."

Quan Chi let that hang as he opened a green portal, stepped into it and was teleported elsewhere, leaving the General alone to plan for the merging.

-Shang Tsung's Island-

Johnny Cage found the military woman a good walk away from the battle ground.

"Evac! I need you here now! Jax has been taken and I need backup! There's some freakish fighting ring going on here! And I have to fight in it or he's dead!"

Johnny saw her arm was up and a device was around her wrist. She was speaking into it.

"We're trying to find your location, but the area we last tracked you too is in the middle of the sea. We can't find your signal. We're just shocked we're able to speak with you."

"What?! Damn it. Here, let me get the latitude and longitude of this place."

"Sonya, we're only seeing water out there. There's no island."

"Hey, what's going on?"

Sonya turned and glowered.

"Not you again."

"Hey, easy there. What's going on?"

Sonya turned back to her wrist comm.

"Look guys, try to do a perimeter search of where I last was. You'll know what I mean by an island soon enough."

"Sonya, we know you're worried about him. But we can't do a search if there's land to search."

Sonya's frown spread.

"Fine, I'll find him myself."

"Sonya, don't-"

The woman pushed a button and the transmission ended. She then turned to push past the movie star.

"Hold on, beautiful, if you're trapped here let me help."

"Right? Let some inexperienced civilian help in a rescue mission."

"Hold on, you saw me out there. I can handle myself."

"How do I know that fight wasn't fixed? That guy had blades for hands and not to mention fangs! He should've sliced and diced you. You rich types have a lot of strings to pull."

"Hold on there, I was brought here because I thought it would help with my career. That was just some guy in a costume. Sure, I imagine those blades may have stung a bit, but they were just props."

Sonya scoffed.

"I don't have time for this."

"Wait, even if these guys are putting on a show, you said they took your friend. I can't just stand by and let you go it alone."

Sonya punched him.

"OW! Hey!"

"I don't need some 'white knight' crap! I'll show you that I don't need your help."

The military woman grunted as she lunged forward.

She quickly spun in the air and kicked out with one foot. Johnny gasped as he sidestepped it. But Sonya growled as she kicked out with her other foot when she landed. Johnny grunted as he skidded back, her foot hitting his lower torso. One hand went to where her foot hit him.

"Damn that stings!"

"Not such a great fighter are you?"

Johnny scoffed as he stood up.

Sonya grumbled as she charged forward. She threw several jabs and hooks, which Johnny blocked or evaded.

"Hey now, let's just take it easy!"

The military woman scoffed as she threw a right hook, only to be caught by the wrist. She quickly threw her other hand forward, but it was caught too.

Unbeknownst to them, White Tiger, Spider-Man, Raiden, and Yuki were approaching them but stopped and waited in the shadows.

Johnny panted for a sec as he held the woman's wrists.

"Now let's just breathe for a minute and-"

Sonya growled as she threw her leg up, catching Johnny in the groin.

Mr. Cage gasped and coughed, barely managing to stand. His hands had went to his groin immediately as he tried to lessen the pain.

Spider-Man winced, his hands going to his groin reactively.

(OUCH!)

Spider-Man turned to see the others watching without blinking, including Raiden.

"You're not bothered by that?"

"I have seen such attacks before. They are an excellent way of disabling a foe."

(Yeah, you think?!)

Johnny Cage grunted as he managed to stand straight.

"That was NOT NEEDED!"

Sonya grunted as she kicked out a few times with her target managing to dodge the attacks. Johnny pushed aside her jabs, but her hooks managed to hit his jaw once or twice. Mr. Cage's nostrils flared, as did Sonya's.

The military veteran snarled as she jumped up, swinging a right hook. Johnny slid under the strike. He brought his hands up then sighed.

"Fine...do what you will. You're on your own."

Spider-Man's Spidey sense went off.

"Oh no."

A man appeared behind a pillar, approaching Johnny, one eye glowing red.

"Just what I was about to say."

The man grabbed the actor by the shoulders and slung him off the edge of the island. The man smirked as he turned to Sonya.

"Now that you're tired, it's my turn."

"Kano, you bastard!"

The metallic sheet covered where his right eye should be and had a red cybernetic implant in its place. The eye burned red was the man chuckled.

"Hello love. Time for me to say goodbye."

"Stop!"

Kano grunted and grumbled, looking up to see a group, including one of the first warriors to fight, racing forward.

"Back off! Or Lady Liberty here gets a permanent haircut!"

Sonya grunted, taking up a fighting stance.

The group stopped. White Tiger snarled.

Johnny Cage grunted as he hung on to the edge, hearing bits and pieces of what was going on above. He looked down, seeing the waves crashing against the rock.

Kano chuckled as he looked down at Sonya, eye glowing red.

Everyone heard someone grunt and land. They turned to see Johnny Cage standing behind Kano.

"You're a real gentlemen aren't you, pal?"

Kano turned, scoffing.

Johnny Cage straightened his jacket.

"As you saw with my fight before. People saying my moves are just special effects. But as you know: I am the special effects."

Kano scoffed then shouted as he charged forward.

Johnny chuckled as he did too.

Kano grunted as he threw a haymaker, but Johnny slid under it and punched Kano's side. Kano grumbled as he turned and kicked out with one foot. Johnny dived under the attack then jumped up, one knee hitting Kano in his chest.

"Gonna fry you!"

Kano's red eye burned and a laser beam shot out. Johnny cried out in surprise barely diving under the beam. But then he slid across the ground and sweep kicked his foe. Kano's laser ended as he fell back to the ground. He mumbled as he pushed himself off the ground and shoulder bashed Johnny. Mr. Cage skidded back as Kano pulled out a large knife, chuckling.

"Hey, that's not fair!"

"Fair? What's that?"

Kano laughed as he charged forward, slashing and jabbing.

Johnny grunted as he evaded the strikes. He grabbed Kano's wrist as the man tried to stab him. Then he backhanded Kano then smashed his hand against Kano's wrist.

The man cried out as he lost his grip on the knife.

Spider-Man shot out a web, ensnaring the blade, and pulled it back.

"No more blades!"

Johnny chuckled.

"Thanks!"

He evaded a swift jab and haymaker from Kano then skidded back.

"You were gonna kill her! So not cool man!"

Kano scoffed as he lunged, throwing another jab.

Johnny grinned as he dropped down, spreading his legs out completely and threw a swift jab. His fist hit Kano's groin. The man gasped and whimpered as he stuttered back, his hands holding his groin. He looked up to see Johnny lunging forward.

"Lights out, mate!"

The actor threw out a swift side kick, sending Kano falling to the ground.

Those there gathered around Sonya, who turned to Johnny.

"Thanks."

"No problem. Who was that asshole?"

"Kano. A supposed informant for our investigation into the Black Dragon, an infamous criminal organization. He's actually their leader and was fooling us the whole time. Some of our friends died because of him."

"Wait, so you're really military? I thought this whole thing was just set up."

"I'm Special Forces."

"Really? So you know about this world threat? Raiden here brought some help."

Sonya turned to the man with the glowing eyes, whom bowed to her.

"Oh...uhh...ok? Regardless, let's get-"

She moved around Johnny, only to find Kano gone.

"shit."

Spider-Man's eyes widened.

"Wait, how did he slip by us?"

"Kano's a mercenary and a hitman. He knows how to slip in and out. But he'll have to wait. I appreciate your help, Mr. Cage. But my C.O. has been taken by the people running this island and I have to find him."

Raiden stepped forward.

"Let us help."

Sonya shook her head.

"I appreciate it, but I'm better on my own."

Yuki crossed her arms.

"Perhaps so. But if the man who owns this island has warriors like the one Mr. Cage fought earlier, you may need help. You can lead, but having reinforcements would be of use."

Sonya nodded. She turned to Spider-Man and White Tiger.

"The costumes really necessary?"

Spider-Man gasped, placing a hand over his heart.

"What? I don't look battle ready in this?"

White Tiger grumbled, smacking the back of his head.

"Both of you knock it off. We've got someone to find, let's go."

Sonya chuckled.

"You, on the other hand, I like."

Spider-Man mumbled.

(Of course she does.)

Raiden walked forward.

"Come, let us hurry. The tournament shall resume soon."

To Be Continued...