Quan Chi hadn't seen Scorpion since his departure to locate his master's amulet, Chi figured that if Scorpion was truly following his orders then he'd have returned to him by now. Quan Chi now finally realized he had to retrieve the amulet himself, tedious for him, but it was even more tedious trying to tame Scorpion.
Quan Chi approached the Black Dragon compound, the only defence the structure had was a chain-link fence topped with barbed wire. A man stood guarding the gate as well. Quan Chi approached the man, no intentions of keeping his identity hidden.
"What's your business here?" The man asked to no reply. "Hey! Did you hear me, you pasty fucker?"
Chi summoned a skull and connected it with the guard, cracking the man's skull. Quan Chi threw his now unconscious body to the side as he broke the gate down with his skull blasts, the commotion alerting more members.
"Stand back." Commanded the tallest figure present, Tremor.
"This one's for the pros lads." Kano agreed as he stepped out the compound, a knife in his hand.
Quan Chi drew his two signature swords as Tremor charged at him, throwing a rock fist that was blocked by the blades, Chi staggering Tremor back with a kick.
"I recognize your abilities." Quan Chi said, "What is an earth elemental such as yourself doing with such a wretched clan?"
Tremor didn't answer, instead he was focused on crushing the sorcerer. Tremor connected a blow on Quan Chi which stunned the intruder, he then dragged Chi over to the fence and pressed Chi's back against it, grating his skin.
"Why are you here?" Tremor interrogated between punching his victim, Kano slowly approaching his friend.
"Best start talking." Kano recommended as he saw Tremor's fists turning into molten rock.
"The amulet..." Quan Chi groaned, "Give me the amulet."
Kano laughed, "I've stolen many amulets, mate, plus you're in no position to be taking any of them."
"Very well, then." Quan Chi said, mustering the strength to fight off Tremor's grip and again pushing the tank back only for him to charge at Quan again. Fortunately for the sorcerer, he threw some spell to the ground that blasted Tremor across the entire compound.
Retrieving his swords Quan Chi approached Kano, whose knives couldn't possibly defend against the pair of long swords that came crashing down on his shoulders, both being stabbed.
Kano fell to his knees, "O-okay!" He submitted, "What do you want?"
"Show me where the treasure you retrieved from Shang Tsung's island is." Quan ordered.
"That's what this is about?" He asked as he was dragged inside the compound building, "D-did he send you?"
"This visit is of personal interest." Quan Chi informed, "But maybe we will pay a visit to Mr. Tsung."
"What the fuck are you talking abo- Agh ok, ok I'll show you." He then directed, "In there."
Quan Chi rummaged through the treasure until he found his master's amulet, "Finally I have it." He then turned to see Kano about to strike him down with a knife, his reflexes countering the sneak attack and dragging Kano's own knife into the crook's stomach.
"You got what you came for." Kano muttered, struggling to breathe, "Now fuck off."
"I think I'll take you with me." Quan Chi decided as he created himself a portal, picking up Kano and carrying him as he walked through the portal.
The portal led to the Outworld coliseum, where the Mortal Kombat tournament had begun just minutes ago.
Quan Chi walked up to the stage that sat in the centre of the coliseum, still dragging Kano. On the stage was the relocated throne of Shao Kahn, the platform existed for Kahn's main allies to stand on as well as preventing his precious seat from getting sandy.
Shang Tsung turned, smiling as he saw Kano's battered body. "I'm glad you could attend, Quan Chi." He said, kneeling down to Kano to admire his damaged self.
"Thought I'd bring a gift to the event." Quan Chi joked, a rare occurrence.
Quan Chi noticed that aside the left and right of the stage were two pairs of pillars, chains binding around the wrists of Sonya Blade, a free spot remained on the other side, how fitting. Quan Chi chained up Kano to the unused binds, Kano spitting at him as he did so.
While the previous tournament when it came to the amount of fighters present was of a grander and more chaotic spectacle, no audience besides for the fifty odd kombatants themselves. This was different, now there were only a handful of Earthrealmers that were all Raiden could bring to attend, Shang Tsung previously being the one to hand out most invitations, usually biased, deluded, weak or impressionable 'warriors.'
In front of Shao Kahn's line of sight was the current fight in the tournament, Johnny Cage and Khameleon, Cage being one of the fighters that Tsung believed and still did think was nothing in comparison to Outworld's fighters.
Behind Shao Kahn was a large brawl occurring between a large horde of Tarkatans. Fortunately, their blood lust wasn't expressed on one another so the worst that could happen was a knockout. Kahn had ordered this to be arranged for extra entertainment for the well-paying viewers.
The fight had begun with Khameleon parrying all of Johnny's strikes, performing a counter each time. Khameleon was calculated yet aggressive. A lot of her anger towards Shang Tsung was being relieved on the actor.
Cage was eventually knocked down, Khameleon waiting for him to try to get up before attacking again. However, this plan failed as Johnny threw a sudden punch to Khameleon's face as she ran up to him, green energy suddenly emitting from his fists.
"Holy shit." Cage reacted aloud mid fight, "Raiden wasn't kidding, whatever it was he was on about."
Johnny's confidence arose, and he began putting up an actual fight. His genuine mixed martial arts skills mixed with his newfound power allowed him to pick up an upset victory.
"Release Sonya!" Cage demanded to Shao Kahn himself, the Emperor only chuckling in response.
"I haven't forgotten her crimes during the previous tournament." Tsung recalled her interference that caused Johnny's life to be spared. "She shall be executed, attempt to prevent this will cause in your own death."
"We'll see." Jax joined in the conversation, stepping forward among his allies. "What will it take for you to release her?"
"This is my decision, Shang Tsung." Kahn interrupted his right-hand man as his mouth opened, "Defeat Shang Tsung's latest creation, Ermac."
"Who?" Jax's question was soon answered by the mummified being that hovered towards him.
"You and the prisoner will be reunited once you're intertwined with us." Ermac spoke, referring to himself being a construct of souls.
Fortunately for Ermac, he'd have put on an even greater fight out of anger if he truly understood the threat Ermac just made.
The fight begun with Jax bringing the floating Ermac to the ground, a hand clenched around one of the many black bandages and dragged him into a punch, tearing off the bandage he was holding onto in the process.
Ermac fell back, green energy emitting from the body that was exposed by the now missing bandage. Souls. The few souls that escaped Ermac's body launched themselves into Jax at full speed, knocking over the major.
Ermac then levitated into the air once more, only this time flying higher before dropping himself feet first onto Jax's stomach, he could barely breathe now.
Ermac went to finish the beat down by using his telekinesis to pick up Jax with intentions of slamming him head first onto the floor.
This act was unfulfilled as Johnny Cage, utilizing his new powers to hurl a glowing ball of energy into the telekinetic being, cancelling his control over Jax who still fell but the force of natural gravity and the soft surface of sand made the twenty-foot drop ineffective.
"I've seen the bracket, looks like I'd be facing that thing." Cage informed to Shao Kahn, "So let's make this fight happen right now." He said confidently.
"Pitiful fool." Shang Tsung insulted, "Because of your interference you too may join Miss Blade in execution."
"No." Shao Kahn surprisingly denied, "Ermac can rid us of three problems this very moment."
"You're putting a lot of faith into my construct." Tsung whispered, for once showing a lack of confidence in one of his creations, as well as taking Johnny Cage seriously.
"If Ermac can't beat a mere soldier and a clueless actor, then I will be having words... with you." He warned before raising his voice to announce the new fight, "Johnny Cage will now ally with Jackson Briggs to kombat the incredible fusion of souls that is Ermac!"
The crowd cheered, excited to see another body get thrown about by Ermac but Johnny thought they were cheering for him.
"Good to hear the Cage brand is famous in Outworld too." Cage admired before being blasted into the surrounding wall of the arena.
Ermac intended to continue his offense on the actor but was attacked from behind by Jax, who elbowed him in the back before tackling him, landing a few mounted punches before being thrown off into the wall opposite of Johnny.
Ermac stood still as his two opponents slowly approached him. To no surprise it was Johnny Cage who tried to attack him first, Ermac reversing him and throwing him at Jax who saved him with a catch.
"Thanks, Jax." Cage said as Jax put him down, not responding to the thanks and just straight up running at Ermac, delivering clubbing blows to him which their damage was increased by Jax's bionic arm enhancements.
Ermac remained on his feet and even began dodging a few swings, but once Johnny got involved in the fight again, he was soon overpowered.
"You're outnumbered, soul dude." Cage informed, "It's best that you give up."
"We are many." Ermac corrected, "Thousands of Shao Kahn's victims brought together." He said with a passion before striking at Johnny, only for Jax to quickly react with a punch of his own.
After some more crushing blows from Jax, Ermac finally collapsed, eating a face full of sand as he did.
"Shang Tsung..." Kahn whispered out his name through gritted teeth.
"Apologies my emperor, but I see no issue in doing this!" He said as he summoned a flaming skull that collided with the sand near Sonya's feet, knocking back Johnny and Jax who were heading to reach and unbind her.
"Let her be released." Raiden ordered, "Unless you want to confront me again, Shang Tsung."
"Fine!" Kahn complied and moved on reluctantly, "The tournament will proceed momentarily!"