(The Great Hall: Night)

"What is it that you need to talk me about, Emperor?" Sub-Zero asks as he and Shao Khan speak in the great hall, far away from the party.

Shao then turns to face him, a serious and stoic look on his face. A look that shook Sub-Zero to his core.

"It has come to my attention, that Kitana has been sneaking off somewhere in secret, she thinks I do not know. But I do." Shao explains and Sub-Zero lets outs a breath of relief.

"So...you want me to follow her?" Sub-Zero asks and Shao nods, confirming his question.

"When you do, make sure are you not seen. She is well trained. If you mess up even in the slightest, she will know." Shao states and Sub-Zero bows, while also smiling under his mask.

"If that is what you ask of me, Emperor. Once I figure where Kitana's goes, I'll report back to you." He says and Shao has a slight smile.

"Always nice to see a soldier who can follow orders. Now, you may go back to the party. I'm sure your presence is missed." He says with a slight smirk, confusing Sub-Zero who then starts to leave.


(Training Grounds)

Mileena had walked into the center of the training ground and looked around to make sure no one was there. And there wasn't...well not that she could see.

Scorpion was hiding in the trees, confused till several daggers were thrown at Mileena who turned around and swiftly caught it.

"Was that necessary, Tanya?" She asks in a slightly annoyed manner as a girl with a dark skin color and black hair, wearing yellow lightweight gear in heels, walks up from the shadows.

"Just making sure being Earthrealm hasn't dulled your senses...my love." Tanya states then kisses Mileena and Scorpion's eyes widened.

Then they broke apart as Mileena smiled then gives her back her daggers.

"So. Has anything happened while I was gone?" Mileena asks and Tanya sighs.

Then he mentally curses to himself "Fucking Enera."

Smoke then slowly but carefully gets outs of bed and starts putting on his gear.

As he was dressed, he noticed the maiden stirring awake, and he quickly exited out the room.

As he got out, Noob was there watching with an annoyed look on his face.

Noob: "Is it you?"

Smoke: "...Yeah."

Noob: "Okay. Hurry up, we have training with Shao Khan. Nice hair, by the way."

"We have new recruits? How many?" Mileena asks and Tanya smirks.

"15." She says and Mileena's eyes go wide, as she smiles.

"I'll head over tomorrow, tell Rain not to worry, I will take over teaching the recruits." She states and Tanya smiles then kisses her cheek.

"See ya then. And about our other thing...did you-" Tanya starts to say but Mileena nods.

"Yes. I think you'll like him." Mileena states smiling, and looks up in the trees, noticing slight burns marks, from where Scorpion was watching.


(Next Morning: Bedchambers)

Smoke woke up from his sleep, hazy and noticed the hand maiden from yesterday naked, just as he was. Which surprises him.

Then he mentally curses to himself "Fucking Enera."

Smoke then slowly but carefully gets outs of bed and starts putting on his gear.

As he was dressed, he noticed the maiden stirring awake, and he quickly exited out the room.

As he got out, Noob was there watching with an annoyed look on his face.

Noob: "Is it you?"

Smoke: "...Yeah."

Noob: "Okay. Hurry up, we have training with Shao Khan. Nice hair, by the way."

He says and starts walking, as Smoke was confused then runs his hand through his hair, which was now longer, falling past his shoulders.

Smoke: "You gotta be kidding."


(Training Grounds)

The Kombatants and Outworld fighters were training with each other as Shao Khan and Raiden watch with intrigue, while also critical of their techniques.

Scorpion and Sub-Zero were sparring together, while also exchanging banter with one another.

"So, what's got you moody?" Sub-Zero asks weaving one of Scorpion's kick.

"I'm not "moody" I'm focused." Scorpion states and lands a sidekick sending Sub-Zero back.

"Hanzo, we've been friends long enough that I basically know when you're moody. And you're moody." Sub-Zero says chuckling and Scorpion has a slight smile but it fades as he notices Mileena looking at him while sparring with Skarlet.

Sub-Zero sees this also and notices his expression change.

"Trouble with Mileena? What's wrong?" Sub-Zero asks and Scorpion just sighs, blocking one of his punches.

"I honestly don't know." He says then throws Sub-Zero over his back, slamming onto his back.

"Ow! Wonder what's Lao doing right now?" Sub-Zero asks then kicks Scorpion in the chest and flips up, getting into his fighting stance.

"Spending some needed time with his family, I reckon."


(Earthrealm: Fengjian)

Kung Lao, Sarah and Haile were in the farmer's market, looking over at the fruit and vegetables section.

Sarah was looking at all the people in the market, and smiled, loving the sense of community and camaraderie.

Kung Lao noticed this and raises an eyebrow.

"What's got you so happy?" He asks and Sarah chuckles.

"Just...everyone is happy here. A well built community." Sarah states and Kung Lao smiles.

"Guess that is true..." He says but then the two notice everyone else's mood changing as three individuals walk up, Kung Lao's eyes widening as he sees who it is.

"Black Dragon?" He mutters to himself, seeing Kabal with a red head girl wearing a black jumpsuit with an accessory of knives and a blonde kid with an armored vest and cargo pants, and combat boots.

Then one of the owners of vendors walked up to them.

"Hello, would you like to purchase-" The owner was cut off by Kabal pushing him into his stand, knocking over his fruit.

"Shut it. Hurry you two, Kano wants us back in an hour. So take what you want, but don't linger." Kabal says as the two smile, and start taking food.

"C'mon Kabal, You gotta lighten up sometime! Why so seri-OW! The blonde kid exclaims and looks at Haile who threw a rock at him.

"You're mean." Haile says and Sarah picks her up, taking her away from the Black Dragon.

"Haile, let's step away from the big meanie, yeah?"

But the blonde kid grabbed at her arm and pulls her in close.

"You keep that little shit in check or-" the kid starts then Kung Lao kicks him in the chest, knocking him down from Sarah and Haile.

"Stay behind me." He says getting into his fighting stance, eyeing the blonde kid who stands and gets out escrima sticks, but is stopped by Kabal.

"Stand down Kobra. Against this guy, you got no chance. Neither do you Kira, no offense, but this guy...he's good." Kabal states as Kobra and apparently Kira stamd behind him, as he raises his hands walking towards Kung Lao.

"Well, well, if it ain't the champ himself! Kung Lao, right? Honestly, I did not think you were beat that four armed freak, but damn! The comeback you pulled was insane, I'm impressed." Kabal greets and Kung Lao scoffs.

"I know who you are, Kabal. You're Black Dragon, hired mercenaries and arms dealers. I believe you know a mutual friend of ours, Kenshi?" He says smirking and Kabal chuckles.

"So he is with the good guys. With all the shady shit he's done, I'm surprised." Kabal says and Kung Lao crosses his arms.

"Spare me what history you two have and tell me, why are you in Fengjian?" Kung Lao demands.

"Business, obviously. You?" Kabal asks.

"This is my home. And whatever business, you are here for, I suggest you leave." Kung Lao states and Kabal laughs.

"Sorry man, but we're here to stay. For now at least. Unless you plan to make us, and trust me...you'll let us go. Well, only if you're okay with us, not killing these people." Kabal states and Kung Lao looks around as people watched them.

"Leave. Now." He says and Kabal starts leaving the farmer's market with Kobra and Kira in tow.

Everyone in the market looks at Kung Lao and claps, making him smile slightly, and look at Sarah and Haile.

Sarah: "Those guys knew you...from your karate tournament?"

She asks confused and Kung Lao lets out a breath.

"There is something you should know about me..."


(The Archives)

Scorpion was in essentially, the library of the Palace, but known as the Archives as it records everything of Edenian history.

He was reading a book of warfare and tactics when a shadow cast over him.

"Hey there, Earthrealmer." Mileena speaks catching his attention as he straightens his posture and looks up at her, as she was sitting on the table.

"...Hey." He says, not angry, but still tense and she notices, raising an eyebrow.

"Normally, you'd be cherry. Something wrong?" Mileena asks and Scorpion narrows his eyes, folding his arms.

"Depends..." He says then Mileena realizes what he means and giggles.

"You mean last night, in the training grounds?" She asks and Scorpion eyes widened, slightly shocked but still stoic.

"...Yes. You knew?" He says confused and Mileena stands up off the table.

"Of course. Y'know for someone who's basically a ninja, your stealth needs work." She jokes and Scorpion lightly glares at her.

"Hanzo...my darling. I am with you...and also with someone else. Simple as that." She explains and Scorpion was annoyed and confused.

"You are...cheating on someone. For me?" He asks and Mileena stares at him before ultimately covering her laughs.

"Oh by Argus no! It's perhaps not that simple. It's...you have "couples" right?" She states and Scorpion nods.

"Okay. Me and Tanya thought it better for our relationship if we brought another person into it. One we showed interest in. First, me. And now she can interest in you." She fully explains as Scorpion was stunned.

Before he could speak, a familiar and annoying voice called out.

???: "Dude, you're in a throuple relationship! Don't be against it! It's a whole thing back home, I'll tell you all about it."

They both turn and see Johnny scrolling through his phone with some bruises on his neck and his glasses upside down.

"How long were you...are those bruises?" Scorpion asks, surprised and Johnny nervously chuckles.

"Yeah, yeah, just from training today. And, uh, I was here long before you two entered." He answers then Mileena grabs Scorpion's hand and starts dragging him out the archives.

They both turn and see Johnny scrolling through his phone with some bruises on his neck and his glasses upside down.

"How long were you...are those bruises?" Scorpion asks, surprised and Johnny nervously chuckles.

Mileena: "Quiet. And follow me. Okay?"

She says and he shrugs as he was still being dragged.

Once they left, Johnny then lets out a breath of relief as Ashrah appears from behind his chair.

Johnny: "Shit. That was close. Next time go easy on my neck?"

He jokes as Ashrah chuckles.

Ashrah: "You liked it, didn't you?"

Johnny: "Well, of course. Now. We should take this somewhere else."


(Outworld)

In the market was Kitana wearing a cloak to disguise her identity, whilst holding a bag filled unknown items, as she makes a detour.

And above on the rooftops watching her is Sub-Zero, who was kneeling on the ledge before jumping to the next roof and staying out of sight.

"The son of the Great Ah-Sham, greatest Lin Kuei grandmaster in the history of the realms...being a mere supervisor for the Khan to watch his daughter. Who you're seeing...and slept with. Not that I mind. But, really wish I was in Earthrealm right now. To focus on finding Sektor and the Cyber Lin Kuei." He thinks to himself and jumps to another roof, unaware of the temperature changing around him.

"Bi-Han's right. Me and him could restore the Lin Kuei to the righteous path! Only thing that's holding me back...is myself. Why? Let's see. Only reason I'm Sub-Zero is because Bi-Han died, not because I earned it. I allowed so many things to happen to which I could've stopped, but was too stupid to realize it! And now? Instead of making sure Sektor got what he deserved, turns his father was in on it and are cyberizing members of our clan, either willingly or not!" As his thought get more agressive, the wind picks up heavily, ice crawling to food stands and other items.

"And what am I doing? In Outworld, to appease Shao Khan, when me, Bi-Han, Tomas and Xiuying, should be home, fighting to restore the balance our clan has lost. Balance lost because of-" He lands on the next roof, ice trailing up his arms, as he breathes in and looks off in the sky, seeing Earthrealm in the distance.

"Sektor..." Sub-Zero says, bitterly then notices the ice below and he quickly calms himself, and raises out his hand, the ice retracting and the wind dying down.

Fixing this, he flips over to the next roof and kneels down, seeing Kitana is nowhere to be found.

"Don't tell me I lost her." Sub-Zero says to himself then jumps from the roof, landing in an alleyway walks through the streets, passing through Outworlders and sees ahead of him is an old chateau.

He then walks up to the gate, and notices the cloak Kitana was wearing hanging on the gate.

"Huh?" Sub-Zero blurts, confused and grabs the cloak, unaware of someone sneaking up on him, till they were right behind him.

"...Boo." Kitana states and Sub-Zero turns readying for a fight, ice emitting from his hands till he sees it's Kitana, then relaxes.

"Kitana? What...a surprise! I was just strolling around Outworld, y'know. Just taking in the sights..." He lies and Kitana raises an eyebrow and folds hers arms.

"For such a skilled fighter and assassin...you make for a terrible liar." Kitana says and Sub-Zero sighs.

"You saw me?" He asks and Kitana chuckles.

"I actually didn't...till the sudden temperature change." Kitana replies, holding back a smirk as Sub-Zero face-palms.

"Right..." He mutters then Kitana gets out a key and opens the gate, and picks up the bag she laid against the high stone walls.

"Well, since you're here, come inside. It will be a while before I leave." Kitana suggests and enters through, and for a brief thought in consideration, he follows.

Once they arrive at the door, Kitana knocks and Sub-Zero examines the place, a bit skeptical and Kitana rolls her eyes, noticing this.

"Relax. No danger will come to you. Well, depends on how you act." Kitana says cheekily confusing Sub-Zero then an elderly lady opens the door and smiles as she sees Kitana.

"Princess! The children didn't think you'd come this time." the old lady says and Kitana chuckles.

"Nonsense. I would never miss a time to visit, Ms. Hatake." Kitana says and hugs Ms. Hatake then she notices Sub-Zero over her shoulder.

"And who is this?" Ms. Hatake asks, examining Sub-Zero thoroughly as if he was an enemy.

"This is Sub-Zero. One of the Earthrealmers..." Kitana says them Ms. Hatake stared daggers at Sub-Zero, who felt her gaze could pierce his heart.

"And...the boy I told you about." Kitana whispers the last part, a blush creeping to her face that was hidden thanks to her mask.

Ms. Hatake was surprised then regained her cheery expression and invited them in.

Sub-Zero looked in amazement as the outside was a bit rundown, the inside resembled that of a mansion back in Earthrealm.

"Kids! The Princess is here!" Ms. Hatake annouces and at least two dozen kids come down the steps all cheering and stopping to see Kitana.

"Kitana! You came!"

"I knew she would!"

"No, you didn't!"

"Did to!"

Kitana chuckles and opens the bag, revealing food as the kids smiles widen.

"I told I would come bearing gifts. The best delicacies Outworld has to offer." Kitana says and all the kids pull food out the bag and Sub-Zero watches, smiling at the sight.

"Who's he?" One of the kids ask and Kitana looks at him, with a smirk.

"Go ahead." She assures and Sub-Zero steps to the kids nervously.

"My name is Kuai Liang...of Earthrealm." He introduces and all the kids eyes widen in shock then all ran upstairs, screaming.

"Earthrealmer!"

"Lock the doors!"

"Jump out the windows!"

Kitana laughs and Sub-Zero narrows his eye at her, slightly.

"You knew that would happen?" Sub-Zero asks, a bit annoyed and she giggles.

"Maybe."


(Sun Do)

Scorpion was following Mileena down an alleyway, examining the surroundings as he found the place...less than ideal.

When they entered Sun Do, Scorpion was amazed by it's beauty, but as they traversed deeper into the city, he saw more rough and aggressive side of things. Including the people.

"Where exactly are we headed?" He asks then Mileena overs a manhole cover, smirking.

"Down." She states then steps on the cover, popping it and drops down in the hole, Scorpion catches the manhole cover and looks down, surprised at the depth of it.

He then tosses the cover up and drops down in the hole, falling a few feet, before landing gratefully, he looks up and the cover lands closing the entrance.

There was no light, and so Scorpion raises his hand and emitts hellfire from it, illuminating the area around him, looking at Mileena who held a torch and was leaning against the tunnel walls.

"We're here. Door's right there." She says pointing at a door and Scorpion steps forward and opens it. Mileena then enters through and they start heading lower down helix steps.

As they go deeper, Scorpion then starts to see training equipment and hears battle cries, confusing him.

His confusion soon vanished and he saw adult men and women in in training gi, doing drills with Tanya and a kid close to Sub's age, also wearing purple ninja like gear, instructing them.

"He must be Rain...looks like a good fighter. Might have to see what he can do."

"Good! Now parry." Tanya says and the adults partner up and start practicing their parries with each other, going back in fourth.

Tanya then notices Mileena at the steps and smirks, and raises her hand, shouting something in Edenian, making them stop.

"People! It looks like everybody's favorite Princess has returned!" Tanya exclaims as Mileena walks towards them and the recruits bow.

"Please! I've told you all before. No bows! I may be royalty, but I am a child of Outworld and Edenia, just like you." Mileena says and Scorpion steps into their line of sight.

Rain narrows his eyes, confused at his presence and finally speaks.

"Who are you?" He calls out and everyone turns their attention to Scorpion who folds his arms.

Just as he was about to speak, Mileena does so first.

"One of Earthrealm's champions. He is Hanzo Hasashi of the Shirai Ryu..." She introduces and the recruits have uneasy looks on their face.

"...He also goes by another name...Scorpion. Spectre of the Nettherealm." She finishes and the recruits have shocked looks as Scorpion chuckles slightly, and noticed Tanya was even surprised.

"Today, he will be your instructor. He is very skilled. Even beating me in Kombat. Though he got lucky." Mileena teases and Scorpion scoffs and steps in front of them.

"I recall beating you quite fairly. Let me see what I'm working with." He states and examines the recruits, thoroughly, and he smirks.

"You all have potential...get into a circle." He says and the recruits raise an eyebrow then Rain nods at them and they do so.

Scorpion then flips high in the air, and lands in the middle, gracefully and places down his weapons.

"Since you all seem capable, here's something you all might enjoy...try to knock me down. At least once." Scorpion says and one of the recruits raise their hands.

"Yes?" Scorpion answers.

"Umm...no offense but that doesn't seem fair. Mileena, Tanya and Rain taught us how to properly beat our opponent." The recruit explains.

"If they did, then you would know never to assume too much." Scorpion replies and another recruit, bigger this time, in height and weight steps forward.

"Y'know what? I'll go." The big recruit says and Scorpion smiles.

"Very well. Oh, and if you want to at LEAST get one hit on me..." He starts getting into his fighting stance as does the recruit.

"...Don't hold back."