(DISCLAIMER:I don't own Mortal Kombat or its characters in any way. )

Chapter 5: Come Home, Jade

"Jackson Briggs, you will restrain yourself." Raiden said with calm authority, even though two of Earthrealms finest just finished a brawl in front of him. Johnny Cage was alive and well, but defeated. Even so, the thunder god could not find it to concern himself too much in the scuffle. Something else had his senses going haywire. While Jax started to explain himself, Raiden's hand came up to silence him. "Someone is here." Raiden said quietly.

Jax slammed his fists together and turned away from Cage. He spoke with aggression and energy for another bout. "Yeah? Well maybe they need their –…"

Jade dropped from the upper level of the armory and landed in a crouch. Once she stood, she tilted her chin upward to acknowledge the trespassers. "The armory is off limits. However, for a few words with Raiden, I am willing to allow you to pass."

Once Johnny Cage was back on his feet he stood with his jaw dropped in shock. His taped hands rubbed together rapidly accompanied by a bellowing laugh. "How about a few words with me hot stuff? With my resources and that bod of yours? Sheesh, you really need to come to LA with me." Johnny paused. "Or, uh, we can take this seriously and let you speak with-."

"Cage, shut it." Jax spoke sternly. "You gonna let us pass just to talk to Raiden? Why don't you tell us where my partner is instead? Sonya Blade is her name, not that I think people like you take inventory."

"Yeah, she's hard to miss." Cage added. "Blonde hair, mean right cross, kinda cute."

"Enough." Raiden walked ahead of his warriors and stood before Jade. He started to speak, but was cut off by sudden pain rushing to his skull. He groaned as his fingertips pressed into the side of his head to try to process the pain. He saw visions of Jade from the life before. He saw her fighting along their side over the years and within seconds, all the information he could recover on her identity just came to him. "You are Jade, guardian of Kitana, and assassin of Shao Kahn. What is it that you must discuss with me?"

Jade placed her hand over her heart as a means of saluting Raiden. "Yes, I am Jade. Lord Raiden, you have visions of the future, yes?"

Raiden hesitated, but answered. "Yes. It is a gift from my future self. It is very difficult for me to explain."

"I too share this ability, Raiden." Jade said as she stepped away to get distance from Cage and Jax. "I am from the plane in which your future-self existed. I am certain of this. Correct me if I am wrong, but when all the Kombatants engage in war at the Pyramid of Argus, you engage in final Kombat with Shao Kahn. Despite your best efforts, you are defeated and killed."

Raiden's usually composed expression softened into a surprise.

The voices returned to Jade's mind and whispered the word 'lies' repeatedly. She shook her head and favored one side of her skull to contest the headache. "Forgive me." Jade said softly. "But as I was saying. There was something you said before you were killed, Lord Raiden. I am having trouble remembering…"

Raiden knew the phrase all too well.

"He must win." Raiden grabbed medallion and removed it from his garbs to examine. There were cracks on its surface that made him fear for a foul fate for all life. "I am not sure what it means. Liu Kang was victorious, and yet the future remains unchanged. Have you any idea what must be done? Perhaps you've better insight?"

"Perfect insight, Lord Raiden." Jade's memory of the future was unaffected by the time travel, so providing information was very easy. "Liu Kang wins the first of four tournaments, but after –…"

"Whoa, what? Four?" Cage stepped in. "I thought these things were every five ba-jillion years or something?"

With a glance to Cage, Raiden answered. "It is a surprise to my ears as well. Four tournaments…" Then to Jade, he questioned further. "How is it that four tournaments can occur in a single mortal lifetime?"

It was a complicated set of answers on how each occurred, but Jade tried her best. "When Liu Kang defeats Shao Kahn this tournament, Queen Sindel will be resurrected, allowing Shao Kahn to invade the Earth. He will succeed in destroying all life, except those you must choose to protect, Raiden."

"Whoa, what?" Jax was next to chip into the conversation. "Queen Sindel? Invade the Earth? What the hell are you talkin' about? Sounds a lot more like war than some damn tournament."

Jade agreed whole-heartedly. "It is war from here on out. A war which will end in the death of all. Armageddon for all the realms."

"If Liu Kang defeats Shao Kahn in this tournament and the next…" Raiden said as he moved along toward the large vat of molten rock. "What of this fourth tournament?"

The tournament in which her hatred of Tanya came full circle was one she could never forget. Jade answered with her arms folded behind her back. "Shinnok rises back to power. Shao Kahn is no longer in power, but the Earth is in far greater jeopardy. After it, Liu Kang is killed by the alliance of Quan Chi and Shang Tsung. Once this happens, all hope is lost to prevent Armageddon."

"Shinnok?" Raiden said with wide eyes. "Cetrion and Kronika should be alerted of this, but if what you say is true, then there was nothing they could do in their time either. We cannot allow Armageddon to occur. We will discuss more of this later, Jade. This is all too much to speak of at once." He turned toward her once more. "Can you tell us where Sonya Blade is being held?"

"Yes," Jade moved aside and motioned toward a door deep within the armory. "Beyond that door is the Deadpool. I believe Sonya is being held captive by Sheeva. Be careful."

Cage rubbed his chin over. "Deadpool? Do you guys have anything that's friendly and safe in Outworld? Oh, and will you be coming with us? I'm sure Jax can handle a threat but any help's welcome."

"No," Jade declined, "I've much work to do to assist Kitana and Mileena. They too share the future visions." She had a little more to cover, so she faced Raiden once more. "It is highly important we last until the third tournament. Kitana's wishes."

Unsure on how to handle this responsibility, Raiden paused. "Jade, there is something you should know about Mileena."

"She is fine, Lord Raiden. We will speak again later."

As Jade left the Earthrealmers to their business, she ventured back into the main halls of the fortress. She still had time before Nido would arrive in the Living Forrest. There were a few things she had left on her personal agenda. She wanted to check in on Mileena eventually, but she had growing concerns on just what was going on to make Kahn act so differently. While sneaking in on Shao Kahn was asking for trouble, listening in on subordinates was much easier.

Jade moved in the shadows, unnoticed by the various guards and slave laborers moving from hall to hall, room to room. She scaled stone pillars swiftly, and vanished into the darkness above the torchlights. The gargoyles and statues of horrid creatures were her means of hiding. She leapt with ease from place to place and cleared great spaces with ease.

Nothing was out of the ordinary…yet. Things started to look up when she noticed her soon-to-be nemesis Tanya moving particularly quickly through the halls. She had that book with her, and it was the same one Denise carried when she interrupted the tournament. Maybe Jade could get a closer look? Maybe Tanya was heading to some important matters? The only way to find out was to pursuit her.

Like a spider in the night, Jade moved carefully and never let her eyes off the yellow clad woman. She saw her general route and it seemed she was heading out to the maze of gardens along the far side of the fortress. Jade could not continue simply leaping high above to keep a good eye on her, now was the time to put in some leg work. She abandoned her shadowy post, and slipped herself onto the second floor as discreetly as she could. She moved with the flow of many of the workers, pretending to have a direct interest in going their route. After parting ways on a curving hallway, Jade moved over toward the skywalk that went across the gardens. It was usually abandoned this time of the night.

Without glass in the windows, it was fairly simple for Jade to crawl out and climb up onto the top of the skywalk. Staying low, she moved toward the fortress outer walls, leaping onto one of the overhanging gargoyle statues, remaining in the dark. Right on cue, Tanya emerged out into the gardens to meet others.

Laughter, choking, and conversation was abundant down below. She adjusted her position to take a look.

There were drinks all around. Kano, Rain, Baraka, and Reiko were already there.

"Hah!" Kano choked, pounding his chest to try and find his breath. The deep guttural sounds were nearly as if he were going to vomit up a lung any moment now. "So, I says to 'em, I says…" He paused, placing his hand up on Reiko's shoulder. "Shang Tsung? Well, what the bloody hell did he sing ya twit? Get it? Tsung and sung? Hah!"

"Now that…, is comedy!" Rain pointed toward Kano with his goblet in hand. "Why isn't this man performing at any events? Live on a big stage?"

"Because, it is as humorous as child birth." Reiko's gruff voice bellowed out. "At last Tanya arrives. This madness, it was moments away from consuming me."

"Forgive my tardiness. Madame Denise had many errands for me." She seemed timid as she approached the group of warriors with the book clutched to her body. "We all know why we are meeting here, so we must make this quick. Noob Saibot has failed to complete as planned."

"What do you mean 'failed'?" Baraka, who had been seated on the floor slowly stood. "Another plan, failed? Woman, you tell the sorcerers that my patience is now gone."

"Baraka, at ease." Reiko held an arm out as to bar him from advancing. "We are of the elite warriors. We needn't not act like savages now. Save the energy." As Reiko was a high-ranking officer of equal power to Baraka and Rain. "Why did Noob Saibot fail?"

"Well," Tanya stammered, "since he did not die in the Netherrealm, Quan Chi is unable to achieve total control of him. Somehow, Noob Saibot has maintained a lot of his free will and memory. Even so, he is thrice as powerful as we originally projected."

"Now that's soundin' good to me, sweets." Kano draped his arm about Rain's shoulders before he chugged more of his beer. "So now we ain't gotta worry 'bout the Pale Horseman sendin' em on our ass, aye?"

Tanya nodded. "I suppose. However, Quan Chi requests that some of you retrieve Noob Saibot for him. With Skarlet tailing him, it will be hard for him to get time alone. Find Saibot and bring him to the place."

Rain took a sip of his drink and continued with slightly slurred speech. "Well, I suppose there's no gain without work. We will go get Noob Saibot."

"Oi, no can't do mate." Kano released Rain and tossed his beer to the ground. "Forgot, got a shipment of artillery comin'. Gotta head out to the forests to meet good ol' Tsung-Song. Enjoy shadow chasin', Raviv, Reiko, and 'course Baraka!" He motioned at them with his fingers mimicking guns before he left through the maze of the gardens.

"I would like nothing more than to tear his heart out." Baraka grumbled. "I will not go with you, either. There has been a change of plans. We will take the king once the pawns have fallen." The Tarkatan's words seemed to be in code – and from what Jade could see, Rain and Reiko both seemed obedient to his demands.

"Very well, General." Raiko bowed his head. "The board is still being set, so the game is delayed. This meeting is dismissed on General Baraka's word."

With a simple motion of his hand, the remaining meeting forces went their own ways without another word.

Jade knew something was cooking here. She had to get to the evil forests, though. Well...near them to be safe. Or she could try and find Nido again…

Side Event #14: The Evil Forest

Kitana remained hidden within the evil forests while waiting for Smoke. She was sure to steer clear of Shang Tsung and Kano's weapons testing in the meantime. While the carnivorous trees groaned about her, and the heavy stench of death thickened with every breath, Kitana managed to stay calm. She was all focus, and such distractions wenr on ignored until her task was complete.

She watched Smoke enter the thick of the forest and trailed him along the way. He had a confrontation with the Kano and the sorcerer, but Kitana did not jump in. She was confident these events went on in Smoke's favor.

She did remember never seeing his human form again after this time period…so something was going to happen. She moved around the parameter slowly; each step was in perfect sync with her silent breathing. Her long years training as an assassin made her as light on her feet as mosquito.

She ducked behind an overturned and rotting tree for cover. At this point, the cyborg version of Sektor battled Smoke.

Kitana had to move quickly. As she scaled over the downed tree, she noticed a noose hanging above her from another branch. It was…much too small for a neck, and sway as if it had weight. She passed under it as she crossed the broken tree – but ran into something solid, that she couldn't see at all. "What-?" Kitana staggered back. The light bent before her eyes, framing a translucent figure of a female. She grasped her fan quickly to defend herself if needed.

The figure seemed lifeless, but after a moment, it squirmed to find freedom. "Help…me." The voice wheezed, as the figure once again ceased to move. It seemed she was tied at both of her feet.

Despite being unsure about this figure, Kitana swung her tessen and cut the noose.

As the figure fell, she righted herself and landed on her knees. She wore faded gray garments on her body, though her features remained hollow. It was as if Kitana were speaking to an invisible woman. "Who are you?" Kitana, asked while backing away a few steps.

There was silence for several moments. As the woman crouched, flesh formed over the hollow lines of her body. She replicated Kitana's features instantly, but maintained her wild hair that rushed back behind her shoulders. "Thank you."

"You did not answer my -…" Kitana heard a loud cry of agony from Smoke, and her eyes shot over toward him. He was surrounded by metallic beings that were electrocuting him. When she turned back to the woman, she was gone.

Rather than dwelling on her location, Kitana sprang into action. She tossed out each of her fans and lopped off the heads of the cyber entities, and rounded about to return to her waiting hands. Once they fell, she jumped in to make herself known. "I am a friend, do not worry." Kitana assured Soke, "I am Princess Kitana."

"Princess Kitana? Daughter of Shao Kahn?" Smoke faced her, pointing an accusing finger. "Why is it I should trust the likes of you so easily? Why—?"

"Shao Kahn is not my father." Kitana spoke with authority, "I am acting under my own will, and I have protected you from a grim fate. I can understand your curiosity on why, but I assure you that my intentions are pure."

"She speaks the truth." The words of the Thunder God drew their attention. He approached the two in the company of Johnny Cage, having parted ways with Briggs and Blade just a while ago.

Smoke immediately bowed before Raiden to show his respect. "Lord Raiden." He lowered his head. "I thank you for your help, Princess Kitana. Forgive me for my ungratefulness. I am called Smoke. Why is it you come to Outworld, Lord Raiden? Why is it that you assist me, Princess Kitana?"

"How about this question?" Johnny Cage interrupted. "Is there a 'happy' forest nearby? With smiling faces and branches that hug you?" He said as he pointed off to the side. "Cause I see a guy's torso about twenty feet from here, and I'm not exactly digging this little camping session near it."

"I apologize for the surroundings Johnny Cage. We will be fine." Raiden said with a friendly hand settled on Cage's shoulder. "We are here to participate in a tournament to save Earthrealm. Kitana has very similar aspirations, "He looked to her when mentioned, then returned his focus to Smoke. "Join us, Smoke."

"Forgive me," Smoke declined, "but if Sektor was searching for me, he is hunting Sub-Zero as well."

"Sub-Zero?" Johnny said as he politely removed Raiden's hand from his shoulder. "Call me crazy with a 'K' but…, didn't he die?"

Smoke declined this with a slight raise of his hand. "That was Bi Han, unfortunately. Kuai Liang is the current Sub-Zero, and my friend. It seems the Grandmaster intends to turn every Lin Kuei into a cyborg. My friend is in danger…"

Kitana chimed in after searching her memory for participants in the current tournament. "He will be at the tournament, this I know. The coliseum is the best bet, as all of the warriors will meet there when the tournament proceeds."

Raiden's gaze found Kitana's own. "Princess Kitana, your guardian has informed me of our shared gift. She has informed me of Liu Kang's victories and Shinnok's rise. I have every intention of assisting you, but I question if allowing this to go to a third and fourth tournament—"

"There will not be a fouth." Kitana narrowed her eyes as a pang of anger hit her chest. Jade should not have spoken before her. "I will see to it that all things are taken care of to prevent such. If allowed, I fear all of my efforts to prevent the end are in vain."

"Armageddon, yes…" Raiden lowered his head. "We will regroup with you at the Coliseum. Uphold your façade as long as you must. We will fetch Liu Kang and Kung Lao for this battle."

"Before we go," Johnny said, "do you two know if Sonya is going to be alright? Jax, too. Asking for a friend."

"Who is this friend?" Kitana asked seriously with a brow perked.

"Oh, handsome guy. You'd like him."

"Oh, I see." Kitana chuckled. "Sonya should be fine. Jax as well. We still must act quickly as if this is not a known fact. Things can still change."

( Side Event Over )

A new battle concluded. The demon slayer Nido stood over the defeated Tarkatan Raizar. "You know, it usually helps when I don't let the other guy kick my ass. Phew, now where'd that Sub-Zero guy go?" Nido picked up his glaive and slung it over his shoulder. As he looked around, he eventually spotted a block of ice not far off, Sub-Zero dealt with the other, Kaizar.

"Well I guess it's to the coliseum I go! Now, where the hell is that map?" Nido pulled a cloth map he snatched previously from the Tarkatan brothers and looked it over. The handwriting was horrible, but he could tell enough to know which way was north, and what paths led to what drawings. "So…, this way to the tournament? Well, that was easy. What's the worst that can happen?" He folded the map and pocketed it once more.

Twenty minutes later that he found a badly beaten, but still-breathing man lying on the ground along the path. He appeared to be a normal human in very expensive purple gars.

As Nido examined the area. He saw a smoking crater not too far off, and another injured man's body nearby with several dead Tarkatans as well. "Hey,what happened here?"

"Do not touch him!" Jade's called out as she dropped from the branches high above. She recognized Rain's body, and just up the road, Reiko. "They are servants of Shao Kahn, but whatever did this surely is not on the side of Earthrealm either." She had no idea what could possibly do this, was it Noob Saibot? Was this what he was able to do when he had more control?

"Yeah, just smells like bad news." Nido sniffed the air and kept a firm hold on the handle of his weapon. "Smells like demons were here. Pretty high classed, at that." He walked up the pathway and inspected the brutal scene. "Not good."

"Nido we are leaving now." Jade grasped his shoulder, "Whatever isn't good we can discuss later." She gave his shoulder a squeeze, as to urge him to follow her words. She did not speak in anger, but a softness that would further express her concerns for his safety. This event was delving into the unknown.

"Probably for the best. Usually when a demon breaches into a realm, they leave a ring behind to show where they're from. Seems like our friend is from the very last ring of hell, and that means he's not one to trifle with." Nido was already on the move with Jade, getting as far away from the –

"Nido!" Jade shouted out as a shadow dropped down in front of him. She rushed the creature with her staff.

The shadow vanished instantly, and appeared just as soon behind her. A a harsh blow hit her spine —and then the shadowy figure appeared before her with another kick to her face.

Jade fell toward the floor, only to meet the rising fist of the same creature rising from the ground. The impact made her teeth clatter and her body flung up and over Nido and fell on her shoulders.

"What the hell?" Nido drew his weapon to defend himself. He moved to Jade's side, but much to his misfortune, was captured in a sleeper hold by the shadow.

A slightly more defined figure appeared before him. Noob Saibot's white eyes glared holes through Nido's very soul. "You are not powerful enough. I demand an opponent worth killing…"

"You are fast," Jade said once on her feet, "but even with your tricks, you still are too slow for me. Perhaps you should run along before I fetch my flashlight?" Jade's body took on a green glow, accessing her spiritual energy much more than she had ever before. She would need it, even if it would more than likely take its toll on her later.

"The light abandoned all realms the moment I returned." Noob Saibot said, facing Jade for combat. "Perhaps you will be worthy when – "

"Edenia…is a lie. Come home, Jade. Come home."

The voices came ringing in Jade's head. Everything broke apart before her very eyes. Everyone was gone, the forest, Nido, Noob Saibot, all of them. Jade found herself in this…mystical realm of surrealism.

"Where…?" She spoke softly as she walked toward the ledge of the crystalline ground beneath her. As she stepped, the world around her began to construct itself. It made a bridge of land masses for her, leading her toward the brightest of the lights. A floating woman's silhouette was there. Jade held her hand up to shield her eyes from the bright light. "Who are you?" She spoke up while getting a glimpse of the woman's face. She seemed to be shimmering like diamonds from every inch of her exposed skin, clad lightly in armor.

"Edenia does not belong to Shao Kahn. Edenia does not belong to Sindel nor Jerrod. Edenia has deceived you since your birth." The woman's every word echoed throughout the realm. "Edenia was meant to be –"

The vision faded rapidly.

Everything came crashing back together. Every piece of the puzzle fitting, all colors restored. Jade felt fatigued and hurt. She found herself at a knee, catching her breath.

"Jade!" Nido called out as he rushed to her side. "You okay? That was…amazing. How did you move that fast? You took on that guy like he was nothing!"

She did what?

Jade was just getting ready to fight less than a few moments ago, wasn't she? "What do you mean? What happened? Where is...?" She glanced about – they were much closer to the Soul Chambers than she remembered last. "How did we get here?"

"You…brought the fight here, remember? Fighting really fast, dodging crap…" His brows lowered in confusion as to how she forgot. "Anyway, Peter Pan's shadow shouldn't bother us for a while. He hit the road after you kicked his buddy's ass."

Jade stood and winced from the pain in her side from the battle she apparently had. "Nido, I must rest. I will get you to the coliseum, but we will have to part ways for a brief while. I… am not feeling like myself."

Nido understood, she didn't look too well; a little more on the sickly side, to be honest. "I was hoping for a lovely outing around flesh eating trees but…," he smiled, "your health's more important to me. Lead the way."

( A/N )

Still building and building! Surprises will be in the upcoming chapters! Review, review, review!