(Flashback: Japan: Rain Forest)

"Spread out! We must find the grandmaster's son! Search every inch of this forest!"

The General of the Shirai Ryu orders as several warriors took off through the forest, with torches to illuminate their surroundings.

General: *sighs* "Where are you young master?"

???: "Hatake! WHERE IS HE?!"

Alarmed, the General turned and looked to see Grandmaster Kazuma Hassashi marching towards him with urgency.

General: "I-I don't know Grandmaster. I just sent scouts to find him."

He stated and Kazuma moved past him to continue down the path of the rainforest.

Kazuma: "Tell your men to fall back! I will find ny son."

General: "Are you...Yes, sir."

He nods then fires a signal into the air, as Kazuma walked forwards into the forest, the rain pouring heavily as he slashes through branches and bushes.

Then he stopped as he stepped on something, lifting up his foot, he looked to see a bloodied blade as he picked it up.

He then looks to see his son, underneath a hand-made fort, curled up in a ball.

Kazuma: "Hanzo!"

He calls out and Hanzo turns to see his father walking towards him, then kneels down in front of him.

Kazuma: "Hanzo, are you all right? Hurt?"

Hanzo: "No, Father."

He says as his father hugs him but then notices the dried blood on his son's gi, causing him to raise an eyebrow.

Hanzo then points to a dead Lin Kuei warrior as tears slowly ran down his face.

Hanzo: "I...killed him..."

He says, closing his eyes as his father sits nexts to him, wrapping his arms around him, bringing his son closer to him.

Kazuma: "It was self-defense, what I thought you...completely natural."

Hanzo: "No, father...I struck first."

He says looking at his father, then back at the body.

Hanzo: "This feeling...Does it get easier?"

Kazuma looks the body and sighs, and rubs his son's head.

Kazuma: "No it doesn't...you must comes to terms with it. This is firsr kill, my son...and it will not be your last. If you are to be Shirai Ryu, you must be able grasp the concept of death."

Hanzo: "...Yes, father."

Them Kazuma picks up Hanzo and puts him on his back.

Kazuma: "And don't ever stay out late like this again. You worried your mother half to death."

Hanzo nods and Kazuma has a small smile then starts running forward with Hanzo on his back.


(Forest: Campsite)

Scorpion opened his eyes, reeling from the flashback as he was leaning against the tree, his thoughts focusing on Quan Chi...and the many violent and disturbingly increasing ways to kill him.

But he was immediately taken out of them when Sub-Zero snapped his fingers, gaining his attention.

Sub-Zero: "Dude, we're going over the plan! You okay?"

He asks and Scorpion's eyes flicker with fire and turns towards the others.

Scorpion: "I'm fine...continue with the plan."

He says, and Kung Lao gives him a look before looking back at the others as Raiden and Fujin were listening.

Kung Lao: "The amulet is located in Shang Tsung's vault, it is heavily protected by the Temple guards and traps. But with help, one of us can get in and avoid detection."

Jax: "Who's our supposed "help?"

Kung Lao: *smirks* "An old friend...he will meet one of us in the vault...while the rest of us, fight through the tournament's finals."

Johnny: "Nice! But...who goes into the vault with your friend?"

He asks as Scorpion steps in front of everybody.

Scorpion: "I'll go..."

Kung Lao: "Are you-"

Scorpion: "I'm never been sure."

He states as everybody was surprised but Kung Lao nodded and placed a hand on his shoulder.

Kung Lao: "The fate of the realms depends on this Hanzo...I know you are more than ready for the task."

Scorpion nods then notices Raiden giving him a proud look, he bows and teleports away.

Then Raiden steps in front of the Kombatants, with Fujin at his side, as he had a small smile.

Raiden: "You've all trained well, and now marks the final day of the tournament. And because of that it means I've choosen one of you as Earthrealm's champion."

He says as the others had their attention on the thunder god.

Raiden: "My decision...is Kung Lao."

He states as Kung Lao looks at him surprised but smiles and bows.

Kung Lao: "You honor me, Lord Raiden. I promise not let you down..."

He says then looks at the others, who had an approving look.

Kung Lao: "...Any of you."

Johnny: "No need man, you got this in the bag!"

Jax: "Yeah, plus, it was kinda obvious."

Kenshi: "More like...very obvious."

He says as Kung Lao laughs but gets praise from them, Raiden and Fujin had small smiles as Kung Lao turned back to face them.

Fujin: "Now, I believe it's past time we win this tournament."


(Shang Tsung's Temple: Lower Level)

Several guards were passing through the halls of the lower floor, heading to the vault, unaware that above them in the shadows was Scorpion, perched in a rafter.

Soon as they were gone, one guard, seemingly lost from the group, comes from upstairs, as he was close enough, Scorpion teleports behind him, having his blade at his throat.

Scorpion: "How many guards are protecting this vault?"

He asks but the guard doesn't answer and simply disarms Scorpion and kicks him into a wall.

Before Scorpion could process, a flaming fist was close towards his chest, as the guard takes off his mask, revealing it to be Liu Kang.

Liu Kang: "Hmm, you must be Hanzo. Kung Lao told me a lot about you."

He says, the flame dying down from his fist as he lowers it, and hands Scorpion back his sword.

Scorpion: "Huh...then you must be Liu Kang. Kung Lao also mentioned you..."

Liu Kang: "Really? I didn't think he would."

Scorpion: *raises an eyebrow* "Why is that?"

Liu Kang: "That is...something for later. Now, we must recover the amulet."

Scorpion: "Agreed."

He says then both hear footsteps coming down the stairs, and in quick speed they jump back up in the rafters.

Coming down the stairs was Baraka and the Saurian, conversating with each other.

Baraka: "The Earthrealmers have proven more formidable than expected, we might lose this tournament."

???: "My thought percissssely, Baraka...but they ssseem to have good intentions-"

Baraka: "GOOD?!"

He exclaims as the two stopped walking.

Baraka: "Earthrealm is full of nothing but commoners that murder anything indifference to them! Even their own kind, for petty reason! They have no good intentions, Syzoth! Why can't you see that! Why can't she-"

He snaps as the Saurian raises an eyebrow at the sudden outburst but Baraka regains his composure.

???: "Mileena, again?"

Baraka: *sigh* "Yes, she..."

He starts but then a scent hits them both as they were repulsed by it.

???: "What isss that? Sssulfur?

He states as Liu Kang looks at Scorpion who groans, annoyed at himself...a downside of having hellfire abilities, it caused him to smell like a ashtray mixed with a burning furnace.

Baraka and the Saurian look up to see Liu Kang and Scorpion as the two jumped down from the rafters in front of the two Outworlders.

Baraka: *snarls* "Scorpion...and you...I have not seen you in the Tournament."

He growls looking at Liu Kang who shrugs.

Liu Kang: "Technically, you have, but well, a disguise."

He says as Scorpion steps up to the Tarkatan.

Scorpion: "Baraka, we do not wish for conflict. We seek Shinnok's amulet, we fear that the Nettherealm plans to free Shinnok. For the sake of all the realms, we must retrieve it."

???: "Do you have proof?"

Liu Kang: "Only our word."

Baraka: *scoffs* "Your world is meaninglessness, you are an Earthrealmer, but HE is a spectre...more likely he has come for the amulet to give it to Quan Chi. Like a good slave."

He says as Scorpion forns an annoyed and angered look.

Scorpion: "I am no one's slave."

Baraka: "You sure about that?"

He says, cockily as the two glare at each other, then in swift motion, Baraka swung at Scorpion with his blades, only for him to catch both his arms and headbut him, knocking him out.

The Saurian then kicked Scorpion back from Baraka who now laid on the floor, unconscious.

Scorpion: "Reminder. He attacked first."

???: "I know. But I will not fall so easily."

He says getting into a animalistic fighting stance.

Liu Kang: "Allow me."

He says, stepping to the Saurian and gets into his own fighting stance.

Liu Kang: "Before we begin? Your name is Syzoth? Correct?

???: "Yes, but only my comrades may call me that. You... shall call me Reptile. Why do you ask?

Liu Kang: "Being polite...for this will hurt."

He says then in one quick and powerful strike to chest, causes Reptile to clutch his chest and fall to the ground, struggling to breathe.

Then both he and Scorpion start running towards the vault.

Scorpion: "What was that?"

Liu Kang: "A move perfected by Master Kai of the Wu-Shi. It destabilize someone's lungs for a period of time...but not to the point of death.",

Scorpion: "...I should take Bo' Rai Cho up on those lessons."


(Outside: Arena)

The Kombatants were watching the current take place as it was one of the Black Dragon fighting against another random fighter, Kung Lao watched closely, nervously but then Raiden put a hand on his shoulder.

Raiden: "I know you are nervous, and that is okay. Let go of your doubt, focus on your goal, and remember...why you are here."

He states and Kung Lao takes a deep breath and looks at Raiden, a small smile plastered on his face.

Kung Lao: "Thank you, Lord Raiden..."

Then the fight was over, with the Black Dragon fighter winning, the stage was clear and Shang Tsung looked over at Raiden and Fujin.

Shang Tsung: "Lord Raiden! Have you picked a worthy champion? Or will you have to forefit?"

He asks, cockily, maintaining a facade but knows they are close to winning.

Fujin: "My brother has Shang Tsung."

Raiden: "And my champion...is Kung Lao!"

He states and Kung Lao flips up in the air and lands on the stage.

Raiden: "Descendant of the great Kung Lao, and one of two of the best warriors of the Shaolin Order. He has trained himself for this moment ever since he was a child...and now he is ready."

Shang Tsung looks at Kung Lao, a smirk on his face as he chuckles.

Shang Tsung: "I remember your ancestor. He was a great fighter, he lost to Goro but put up a valiant effort, almost to a standstill...I doubt you can even win this round."

Kung Lao: "Then allow me...to prove you wrong."

He says then Shang Tsung leans back on his throne, rolling his eyes.

Shang Tsung: "Very well...Kung Lao! Champion of Earthrealm! Versus, Kitana and Mileena, the daughters of Outworld's emperor, Shao Khan!"

He exclaims then both Kitana and Mileena arrive on the stage, their weapons drawn and in their fighting stance.

Kung Lao looks at them both, apologetically, as the two return the same look.

Now ready, Kung Lao gets into a fighting stance, keeping his eyes on both of them.

Shang Tsung leaned forward in his throne and examining Kung Lao before he yelled.

"FIGHT!"

Upon the siginal, both Kitana and Mileena rushed at Kung Lao, moving together in sync, as they were in range, Mileena struck first, by teleporting from behind him, appearing from the ground.

Kung Lao then swiftly dodged the attack and deflected Kitana's fans with his hat, knocking the fan into the ground, then he quickly dodged to the side as Mileena tried to cut him, then grabbed her hand and disarmed her.

But he was knocked back by Kitana, who kicked him in his side, rolling into the hit, he stood back and watched as Kitana and Mileena circled him.

From the left, Kitana threw both her fans, but in an unexpected move, he dived through both of them, causing them to almost hit Mileena.

Kung Lao then threw his hat at Kitana who blocked but the impact knocked her down, and sliced at her forearms.

Mileena then charged at Kung Lao from behind but he flipped over her and caught his hat that was coming back around.

As he landed, Mileena tried attacking with multiple strikes, aiming to cut him, but he kept dodging with ease.

Mileena: "Not bad, Kung Lao. Normally me and Kitana would win by now."

Kung Lao: *chuckles* "Sorry, but I don't plan on losing the tournament...I PLAN TO WIN!"

He says as he grabs Mileena's arms and flips her over his shoulder and slams her down with great force, making her drop her sais, she breaks free of his grip and gets up, but in quick speed, Kung Lao does a nerve strike on Mileena, stoping her movements and causes her to fall down.

Shang Tsung was surprised and looked at Raiden who looked back and smirked, causing the sorcerer to become angered.

Kitana, who was behind Kung Lao, with her fans in hand, she then created a small tornado and lifted Kung Lao into the air, then she jumped up and kicked him in his gut, causing him to fall back down.

Kung Lao recovered and saw Kitana about to strike down on him, he dodged to the side and she missed the attack.

Her fans were stuck in the ground, as she desperately tried pulling them out, seeing this opening, he then charges at Kitana, who managed to get one of the fans free and throw it at him.

But instead he flips into the air and does his dive kick, knocking Kitana to the ground and strikes her multiple times in the chest, breaking her sternum.

Kitana winced in pain and rolled over, Kung Lao stood and looked at Shang Tsung, who rolled his eyes.

Shang Tsung: "Winner: Kung Lao!"

Mileena, finally able to move, walks and picks up Kitana and they both look at Kung Lao who bows at them.

Kung Lao: "You fought well, for that I am grateful to have to fought both of you...it challenged me."

Kitana and Mileena had small smiles then got off the stage as Kung Lao then looks back at Shang Tsung.

Kung Lao: "Who is my next opponent, sorcerer?"