"Everything is nearly prepared, Emperor." Shang Tsung announced as he kneeled in front of his master. "The Outworlders, the Naknadans, the Tarkatans and the Shokan armies are all prepared."
"When do we strike, husband?" Sindel asked, she, Shao Kahn and Mileena sat on their own newly made thrones that were placed in a row of three. Kahn sat in the middle of the three and on a skull throne, Mileena's throne was a small imitation of Kahn's throne and Sindel's throne was a showing of wealth by being entirely gold besides a comfortable velvet seat.
"Well, what are we missing?"
"I intend to force the Black Dragon into giving us their weapons." Shang explained. "It'd be quite effective to have our soldiers with ranged weapons."
"Do you suggest we use guns?" Kahn questioned.
"Indeed."
"Then go confront the Black Dragon," Shao Kahn ordered. "Do not forget to warn them of our Tormentors."
"Very well." Shang Tsung walked out the throne room. He held the door open for the Centaurian known as Motaro as well as the Osh-Tekk known as Kotal who had been waiting for permission to enter the room. "Step inside, gentlemen."
Centaurians, also known as Centaurs, were a race of beings whose bodies resemble hybrids of humans, horses, bulls, and rams. They have strong stallion-like lower bodies with long tails. Their upper bodies resembled that of humans with ram, goat, or bull-like horns and fins protruding from their elbows. The Centaurian are native to Outworld. The Osh-Tekk on the other hand, were a race of Aztec-like tribes-men warriors and hunters who had previously originated from their own realm before it was conquered by Shao Kahn. Motaro rose to his position after earning the respect of his fellow Centaurs and became their champion warrior, thus being appointed to the position of General by Shao Kahn. Kotal meanwhile, was the son of the former ruler of Osh-Tekk, Kotal K'etz. The former Osh-Tekk ruler recommended his son to be a General of the Osh-Tekk armies to Shao Kahn, which Kahn agreed to do.
"General Motaro and General Kotal," Kahn greeted. "What news do you both bring?
"The Centaurians are ready to fight for Outworld." Motaro announced as he bowed his head to the Emperor.
"As are the Osh-Tekk." Kotal added, taking a knee and bowing. "Though I'd like to make one final request for my forces: the Kytinn."
"Those measly bugs? Hah!" Kahn couldn't contain his laughter, though he hadn't bothered to try to have contained it. "Why do you require them?"
"They're formidable fighters, Emperor." He explained. "You shouldn't take them for granted..."
"Do not advise me on my decision making!" Shao snapped. "I will grant your armies with Kytinn forces so that they may act as shields."
"Thank you, Emperor." Kotal said as he held back his anger. "I will inform their leading warrior, D'vorah immediately."
"Take your armies to Outworld's central portal." Kahn ordered. "We will all line-up there."
Meanwhile, Tremor and No Face had used the very central portal system that Shao Kahn referred to in escaping Outworld. The portal led to New York City where the two immediately stole a car and took a five-hour drive to their main Black Dragon compound, only to encounter the sorcerer Shang Tsung at the compound gate.
Shang Tsung stood behind two Shadow Priests who were holding a Black Dragon member hostage as the other clan members stood at a distance. One Shadow Priest held a mace by the hostage's neck and the other Shadow Priest was using his magic to summon ropes to restrain the hostage's hands behind his back.
"Who are they?" Tremor asked No Face as the geokinesis took up two seats in the back of the car. No Face was indeed a reckless driver but Tremor didn't really care in all honesty.
"I don't know but I'm mowing them down!" No Face yelled as he stepped on the accelerator pedal with even more pressure than previously.
Shang Tsung spun around with a flaming skull that blasted into the car and sent the vehicle spinning into a tree to the left of the entrance.
"I'll handle them." Shang informed.
"Who the fuck was driving that car?!" Tasia yelled, her answer soon being answered by No Face scrambling out the car through the windscreen. "I was hoping that moron was dead."
"Go help your buddy, guys," Jarek ordered to the two Shadow Priests. "Some of us are armed with guns just so you know."
"Pull out a firearm and I'll bash in this infidel's brains." The Shadow Priest with the mace threatened.
Behind the Shadow Priests was No Face wailing on Shang Tsung with reckless punches, it was all he could do after his flamethrower broke. Shang shook off the punches and tripped over the lunatic, his masked face smacked into the dirt floor and Shang proceeded to stomp on No Face's head as he struggled to his feet. The mask that covered his skinless face cracked and peeks of what was hidden beneath the mask were now visible.
"You're a bigger freak than most of my experiments." Shang insulted.
"What sort of kinky shit are you into?!" He groaned before being tossed towards the Shadow Priests.
"Now, about your weapons," Shang began as No Face's hands were being tied up. "Hand them to the Outworld armies and you will be spared in the upcoming invasion."
"Invasion?!" Jarek became even more anxious. "What are you on about?"
"Well you see..." Shang Tsung went to explain but was blasted by a boulder that was flown into his back. The sorcerer fell forward and crashed into the two Shadow Priests.
"Tremor!" Jarek cheered as he saw his friend step inside the compound.
"Leave, sorcerer." Tremor demanded.
"Not until you all submit to Shao Kahn's will." Shang said as he went to cast a spell but was stabbed in the shoulder by Jarek's axe.
"Leave." Jarek repeated the order.
"You could defeat the three of us but by doing so all that will happen is the Outworld invaders will crush your clan." Shang explained. "Yes, Outworld is invading Earthrealm."
"What the fuck!?" Tasia yelled. "Invasion?"
"Earthrealm will be merged with Outworld," Shang continued his explanation. "You can either side with Outworld on their path to victory or fall along during the Conquest."
"You're just being fucking weird now, creep." Tasia insulted while drawing her Twin Katana.
"Final chance." Shang said with no interest in discussing with the Black Dragon for much longer.
"Hold on, just who are you?!" Tasia questioned. She began slowly approaching the sorcerers with one of her Katana pointing at Shang Tsung.
"I am Shang Tsung, a close ally to the Emperor of Outworld." He introduced himself. "Now back to my offer..."
"This is mad!" Tasia snapped. She quickly pointed her sword to the throat of Shang Tsung. "This is now your final chance, leave us alone."
"Perhaps an example should be made," Shang considered. "I will return to you all when you realize the true threat that your realm is under."
Tasia went to slice through Shang's head but the sorcerer ducked the attack and kicked her away before he quickly summoned a portal which he and the Shadow Priests retreated through.
"Are you alright?" Tremor asked as he looked down at No Face who was writhing on the floor.
"Hah! Like you care." No Face rasped.
"Yes or no?" Tremor again asked, already becoming frustrated with trying to care for No Face.
"I'll be fine." He assured.
"Where's Kano?" Tasia asked angrily. It was blatant that she wanted words with their clan leader.
"In jail." No Face replied bitterly.
"Good," Tasia remarked. "Because of that prick we're now left with an annoying creep on our asses."
"Some leader," Jarek gave his own input. "This time I don't want him freed."
"You didn't care enough to come and free him the first time!" No Face yelled as he climbed to his feet with the assistance of the chain-link fence that surrounded the compound.
"I'm the second in command dammit!" Jarek defended himself. "Someone had and still has to take over."
"Then what about your girlfriend there?" No Face pointed to Tasia.
"Call me his girlfriend again and I'll slit your fucking throat." She threatened. "Kano rotting in prison is best for business."
"The Black Dragon wouldn't have existed were it not for Kano." No Face argued.
"And he's gone past his expiration date." Tasia retorted with her Twin Katana now being gripped firmer than before.
"It's time we become more sensible with this, No Face." Jarek informed as he placed a hand on his friends' shoulder.
"Being sensible would be handing ourselves in for our crimes." No Face rejected Jarek's comforting gesture by pushing Jarek's arm away from him. "In this line of work being sensible is off the table."
"The job itself isn't sensible but how we go around handling it should be as sensible and as safe as can be." Jarek elaborated.
"Safe? SAFE?!" No Face couldn't believe what he was hearing. "I'm going to free Kano. Are you joining me, Tremor?"
"No." Tremor quickly declined.
"Fine." No Face said as he began limping away from the compound.
"What exactly is your plan?" Jarek asked.
"Stop being a child, for fucks sake!" Tasia yelled.
No Face didn't reply to either Jarek or Tasia and continued dragging himself away.
During the invasion preparations, the group of Goro, Reptile, Chameleon and Skarlet had travelled to the Living Forest. Once they had made it past the forest, they just needed to get past the lake to make it to the desert where Shao Kahn's fortress was.
"I'll scout ahead." Opted Chameleon.
"Thank you, Oculto." Reptile said gratefully.
"So, what happens when we get to the water?" Skarlet questioned. "Do we use those floating things?"
"If you refer to boats then hopefully so." Goro replied.
"I think I do." Skarlet somewhat confirmed.
"If there's no boats then we have to go around past the forest up ahead." Goro explained.
"I hope that forest doesn't have these weird faces on the trees." Skarlet said as she examined one of the trees a little too closely. "Hey, do you think the trees have feel-"
"Look out!" Reptile warned.
Skarlet rolled to one side as a HighEna suddenly leapt at her, causing the beast to crash into the mouth of the living tree which began ravenously chewing down on the HighEna with sharp tree bark for teeth.
Another TaiGore charged at Goro but Reptile made the save by spitting acid at the beats, allowing Goro to use his strength to crush the animal.
"Did we just kill a family?" Skarlet asked as she glared horrified at the TaiGore being chomped on by the living tree.
"They tried to kill us first," Goro reminded. "This isn't our fault."
"Did they though?" Skarlet wasn't convinced. "What if that was the family of the TaiGore we ate the other night..."
"Skarlet, it's natural survival." Reptile assured. "We have to eat to survive my friend."
"I suppose so..."
"There's something going on!" Chameleon called out.
Reptile, Skarlet and Goro rushed over to Chameleon who stood on land right by the large lake. "What is it..." Reptile realized what this something was in the middle of his sentence. "Wow."
Sat in the centre of the lake was an enormous portal that was in the shape of an orb. The portal was surrounded by a marble platform where Emperor Shao Kahn could be seen manning the control table. Wide bridges that were also made of marble had been sturdily built as of recently which rows of warriors waited on before being deposited to their designated location in Earthrealm. The invasion was beginning.
"This one has brought friends, General Kotal." The Kytinn known as D'Vorah informed as she and Kotal stood in front of the Osh-Tekk army as well as a few Kytinn warriors. They occupied one entire bridge.
"Excellent, D'Vorah." Kotal praised.
"This one would like to thank you for the privilege of allowing us to fight by your side." D'Vorah thanked.
"Those with General Kotal!" Shao Kahn called out. "Enter the portal now!"
"See you on the other side." Kotal said to D'Vorah before raising a Macuahuitl sword over his head. "For Outworld!"
"Everybody's here..." Goro noted. "The Osh-Tekk, the Shokan, the Outworlders, the Tarkatans, the Naknadans and unfortunately the Centaurs."
"And... Father." Skarlet acknowledged. "I... I should see him."
"Did you just call Shao Kahn father?" Reptile asked alarmingly.
"Err... yeah." She said before laughing nervously.
"Follow behind me." Goro commanded.
The four walked across the bridge that was attached from the end of the Living Forest. Unfortunately, the Centaurian occupied this bridge. Goro barged and even had to punch a few aside before reaching Motaro.
"The fallen champion," Motaro mocked. "I see you've returned from your time cowering away."
"Silence horse." Goro dismissed him but was dragged back.
"We are CENTAURS." Motaro informed. "Not mere horses."
"I care little about what race you stem from." Goro informed. "It's about your behaviour that I take issue with."
"And all I care about is that you take issue with me, not why you do so." He explained. "I'll leave you be so you can beg for Shao Kahn's forgiveness."
Goro tried to ignore him and ushered his group onwards, eventually budging their way to Shao Kahn and his control panel.
"Prince Goro?" Shao Kahn looked up to his former champion. The Shokan stepped aside to reveal Skarlet, Reptile and Chameleon. "And Chameleon, Reptile and... Skarlet"
"Hello, Emperor..." She greeted nervously. "Shang Tsung's island collapsed and we were stra-"
"I'm aware of Shang Tsung's idiotic behaviour." Shao stated. "But how come you didn't teleport back to the Flesh Pits?"
"Sorry?" Skarlet acted confused.
"Pretending that you forget your powers?" Shao sighed. "You and I both know that you are bound to a blood pool in the Flesh Pits. Were you trying to keep away from me?!"
"N-no," She stuttered quietly. "I-I forgot..."
"Enough lying to me!" Shao snapped.
"Let her be independent, Emperor." Goro advised.
"INDEPENDENT?!" Shao shouted in a burst of rage. "How is it independent for her to linger around her fellow failures?! And you have the nerve to make a request to me, failed champion?! And Chameleon here, I asked for a report of Shang Tsung's actions during the tournament! But, where were you? And I doubt the weakling raptor here managed to acquire a single kill during the tournament."
"I'm sorry, Emperor..." Skarlet apologized.
"If you had succeeded in my tests then you would've been worthy enough for me to have called you my daughter." Kahn ranted. "Return to the Flesh Pits now!"
"She will be walking home." Goro informed.
"You don't decide that." Shao stated.
"You're right," Goro admitted. "She does."
"Fine!" Kahn complied. "I have no time for this! Chameleon, Reptile, escort Skarlet home. As for you Goro, join Kintaro in leading the Shokan through invasion."
"Very well." Goro complied and he and his friends went their separate ways.