(Airplane: Travel to Fengjian)

Kung Lao was sitting in economy class, with Sarah sleeping on his shoulder, he was on the phone with the others in the group chat, texting.

ShaolinHatGuy: You are all going to Outworld?

YouGotCaged!: Yeah apparently Raiden managed to a "compromise" of sorts

KingofSmoke: Will you able to come with?

ShaolinHatGuy: No, I'm sorry, but I'll keep you in my prayers

GetOverHERE!: You should be PRAYING that Johnny doesn't get us in trouble, his mouth causes more problems than actual conflict

BlueberryIce: Don't worry, I'll freeze it as soon as we arrive

YouGotCaged: Hey! I'M STILL HERE! ;(

BlueberryIce: I know

Mr.Reaper: Stop Kuai, before he throws a tantrum

ElsaTheSnowChick: Will he actually do it?

Mr.Reaper: Eh, Probably

WeAreErmac: *sent GIF*

Mr.Reaper: ...WTF?

FireFist: What does that mean? I'm still new to this...

BigManJax: Basically it's suppose to be meme, but its not funny in this context

FireFist: Oh

PrettyDemon: Woh acem iwth heset amesn?

Cowpoke: Huh?

YouGotCaged: Ashrah, You got the words mixed up...but anyway we'll let you know what happens fearless leader!

ShaolinHatGuy: Good, if Lord Raiden shall need me, I will come

He sends his last text then felt Sarah stirring awake, he put his phone away and smiled at her.

Kung Lao: "You're awake. We're almost there."

He states as Sarah then looks out the window seeing the town buildings coming up and the farmlands.

Sarah: "It's beautiful."

Kung Lao: "Thank you. We should landing in a few, my mother should be picking us up."

Sarah: "Speaking of, how should I act around her?"

She asks and Kung Lao looks out the window seeing the upcoming airport.

Kung Lao: "Just...follow my lead."


(Sky Temple)

The Kombatants had their belongings packed, enough for their time that they will remain in Outworld, for Shao Khan wants their skills tested, and were dressed in regular clothing.

And now, as it becomes a recurring theme, they wait for Raiden, leaving Fujin to watch over the temple.

Erron: "So, any of you folks absolutely been to Outworld?"

He asks, doing gun tricks to pass the time.

Liu Kang: "No, but I've studied the Shaolin archives on it."

Erron: "And?"

Liu Kang: *smirks* "You'll see when we get there..."

Erron face palms then Ermac hovers beside him.

Ermac: "You don't have to come...you've already done your part at the tournament."

He states and Erron chuckles.

Erron: "I could leave, but that means dealing with Black Dragon...and law enforcement. So, I'll stick a bit a longer. Besides, yer not the worst gang I've ran with."

He finishes as Ermac nods, understandingly, then Raiden appears in a burst of lightning, standing in front of the Kombatants.

Raiden: "I'm sorry for keeping you all waiting. I met with several factions of Earthrealm's defenses to protect it during our time in Outworld."

He says then sees Johnny, sitting on his suitcase, raise his hand.

Raiden: "Yes, Johnny?"

Johnny: "Exactly, how long are we gonna be in Outworld?"

Raiden: *chuckles* "Only for a mere 4 days."

He says then turns away from them, lightning channeling into his arms.

Raiden: "Now, let's not keep them waiting."

Then he starts moving his arms in a circular motion, causing lightning to start sparking in the center, making Raiden then bring his hands together and spread it out, enlarging the spark, and thus, a portal was made.

Raiden then stepped halfway in, and motioned for the others to come through, going fully into the portal, as the Kombatants follow.

Johnny: "Damn, I should've recorded that."

Jax: "Dude, we're supposed to discrete about this stuff."

Kenshi: "It's Johnny. He doesn't the know first thing discrete."

Erron: "...Flashy."

Frost: "Guess it's time to make the Outworlders look bad...again."

Noob: "Weren't you losing against Kitana?"

Frost: *frowns* "Shut up."

Smoke: "Really hope we don't the hostility treatment, we are already had enough of that at the tournament."

Liu Kang: "It is most likely we will, but don't dwell on it, I hear most Outworlders are nice."

Smoke: "Really? Or did you study that?"

Liu Kang: "The latter."

Ashrah: "A new realm to explore, quite exhilarating..."

Sub-Zero: "Kinda wished we didn't have to go..."

Scorpion: "The Cyber-Lin Kuei?"

Sub-Zero: "Yeah, me and Bi-Han were hoping to start tracking Sektor."

Scorpion: "Don't worry...I'm confident you two will beat him."

Sub-Zero: "Thanks."


(Outworld: Royal Palace)

The Kombatants had stepped through the portal and were in awe of what they're seeing.

Raiden: "Welcome, my champions, to Outworld."

He states as they were in front of the Royal Palace, at it's golden gates, that were now opening to them.

They then follow Raiden, going to the throne room, but it was not while getting several uneasy looks from the guards.

Johnny: "Huh, after winning the tournament, I thought people would be more...chill."

Raiden: "Before, most Outworlders felt that Earthrealm posed a danger if left unchecked. After winning the tournament, we only proved them right...But remain on our best behavior and show we mean no harm. It will put their minds at ease."

He says, then they stop at the doors of the throne room, the guards open it for them.

They enter and stand in center of the room, in the presence of the Royal Family.

Shao Khan: "Earthrealmers, welcome to the Royal Palace. I trust you have everything needed for your stay?"

Raiden: "Yes. They do."

He answers for them and a guard walks up to his side, whispering in his ear, he had a surprised expression before getting up.

Shao Khan: "Unfortunately, I have affairs to attend to...but my wife and daughters shall give you a tour of the palace. Feel free to roam the Palace, and beyond as long as any of you have supervision. I will return, soon."

He says then walks out the throne room, confusing the Kombatants, then Sindel stands up, slightly annoyed, but keeps a smile.

Sindel: "Forgive my husband. Duty is...important to him."

Raiden: "No need to apologize, Empress. It is understandable."

Sindel: "Very well. Maidens! Take their bags to their rooms. They will return in the afternoon."

She orders and the Kombatants give the maidens their belongings and they start following Sindel.

Ermac: "Are you not coming, Lord Raiden?"

Raiden: *chuckles* "No, I will be in my quarters till you all return."

Ermac: "Shall we come with you?"

Raiden: "I will be fine, Ermac...have fun with the others."

He says then Ermac starts levitating, and goes along with the others.


(Airport: Fengjian)

Kung Lao and Sarah had just gotten their luggage and were now making their way down the escalator.

Sarah: "We got everything? We're not forgetting anything, are we?"

Kung Lao: "No, we are not. We have everything, I assure you."

Sarah: "Just making sure. Last time I took a trip, my dad's luggage went missing for a good 3 hours before the airport found it."

Kung Lao: *laughs* "I see. Well, be glad that didn't happen this time."

Then as they reached the end of the escalator, a woman with long black hair, wearing a coat, and heels, smiles as she sees Kung Lao.

This was Xia Lao, Kung Lao's mother and a renowned local doctor in Fengjian.

Xia; "Wǒ kě'ài de nánhái! Nǐ zài zhèlǐ!"

The woman then walks up to them and Kung Lao hugs her tightly.

Xia: "Wǒ méi xiǎngdào nǐ hái huózhe."

Kung Lao: "Wǒ zài zhè'er māmā. Wǒ méishì. Wǒ yíngle."

Xia was shocked to hear it but smiled and also noticed Sarah who was nervously smiling.

Xia: "Who is this?"

Kung Lao: "This is Sarah...my...girlfriend."

He reveals, shy, and Xia face lit up as then she brought in Sarah for a hug.

Xia: "Sarah, a lovely name. How is my son treating you?"

Sarah: "Thank you, Mrs. Lao. And you've raised him very well."

She states and Kung Lao give her a warm smile.

Xia: "I better have! Or he would've never gotten such a beautiful girl as you."

Sarah laughs at that as Kung Lao gets slightly embarrassed.

Xia: "Now, we should leave. Yes?"

Kung Lao: "Of course mother."

He states and they all start leaving the airport.

Kung Lao: "Wonder how the others are doing."


(Hanging Gardens)

The Kombatants were at the back of the palace, in the Hanging Gardens, with tables being set up along with decorations.

Sindel: "As you can see, the Gardens are currently being set up for this evening's feast, and from it, is being served, the finest wine in Outworld."

She states and one of the maidens gives Frost a glass of wine, to which, she takes, smiling.

Before she could take sip, Sub-Zero and Noob gave her a look, which annoyed her.

Frost: "What? You two drink."

She points out, causing the two brothers to look at each other, before back at her.

Sub-Zero: *grins* "You can drink. As much as you want."

Noob: "Kuai-"

He starts but Sub-Zero puts a finger to his mouth, silencing him.

Sub-Zero: "No, no. Frost is quite capable of making her own decisions. Go ahead."

He states confusing Noob, who removes Sub's finger from his face and notices the planning and scheming look on his face, making him slightly smile.

Frost then drinks the whole glass of wine, to which it was very good, as it had a strong, but very sweet taste, almost like a fruit, but one she was unfamiliar with.

Frost: "It's...good."

She states, downplaying the actual goodness of the wine. Frost then gives the glass back to the maiden.

Scorpion admired the garden's beauty, taking in the lavender scented air, before noticing Mileena helping prepare the garden with Skarlet.

She notices him and he sees her smile, it made him feel like a warmth is around him.

Sindel then notices the exchange between the two, which causes confusion to arise in the Empress.

Sindel: "Scorpion, is it? Enjoying the scenery?"

She asks, raising an eyebrow to which Scorpion turns and nods.

Scorpion: "Yes, the gardens are...beautiful, your Majesty."

He says and Sindel has a skeptical look before continuing on with the tour.

But not before Johnny takes several sneaky photos, then catches up.


(The Chambers)

Finishing the tour, Sindel takes to their dorm, which was a room with enough for the Kombatants and a few more.

In center was a fireplace, that had seating to get close, there were bookshelves on each side of the room, along with doors to separate bedrooms that each had two beds.

Sindel: "These are your chambers, you are allowed to sleep, stay or leave however you please. Whatever you do, is your privacy."

She states and the Kombatants enter the Chamber, and notice some of their gear hung up on their rooms, with very noticeable changes.

Sindel: "And forgive the maidens, they were on orders from my husband to...improve on some of your gear."

She states as some of the others got their gear of the walls.

Sindel: "The feast will be soon, so get ready when able, and...don't eat too much."

With that, the Empress left, closing the door as everyone gets settled in.

Raiden then appears, teleporting in, sitting at the fireplace, starting the fire.

Raiden: "Seems you all made a good impression on the Empress."

Kenshi: "Yes, she is quite...nice."

Liu Kang: "From the stories I heard of Shao Khan, I never thought him so...tolerant."

Raiden: *chuckles* "Let's just say that Sindel allowed Shao to, how do you say? "Mellow" out?"

He says and some of the others put on their upgraded gear.

Scorpion: "Let's just hope this evening feast is no disaster."

Smoke: "Knowing our luck...most likely."