Shujinko returned from the Netherrealm to the Nexus and was quite surprised to see Raiden waiting for him.
"Lord Raiden." Shujinko greeted. "What brings you to the Nexus?"
"Greetings, Champion. I have need of your assistance." Announced Raiden.
"Whatever I can do to help you, do not hesitate to ask." Shujinko said generously. "My time in the Netherrealm is concluded."
"Shao Kahn is attempting to merge Earthrealm into Outworld by way of invasion." Revealed Raiden.
"But what of the protective ward?" Shujinko asked.
"The protective ward is no more." Raiden informed with dread. "I'm unsure who or what removed it."
"I can join you in Earthrealm immediately." Shujinko said with understanding of the serious threat that Raiden spoke of.
"I actually want you located in Outworld." Raiden clarified. "Are you aware of the central portal in that realm?"
"Why yes, it is surrounded by a marble structure." Shujinko correctly recalled. "I can go there. But why?"
"I wish for you to report back with any information on the numbers of soldiers that are yet to come through that portal or something even better: destroy it." Elaborated Raiden.
"I will go to Outworld to assist you and Earthrealm in any way I can." Shujinko said, willing to take on the given task. "Though how will I be able to succeed in this task alone?"
"I intend on appointing more allies to assist you." Informed Raiden. "If I rescue those trapped in the Cobalt Mines then they may be willing to help."
"I have heard rumours of these mines," Shujinko stated. "They sound like a prison."
"That's because they are." Raiden said plainly.
"I look forward to meeting these allies and helping Earthrealm." Shujinko said, showing great will once more.
"Excellent. It will be good to have a champion of the Elder Gods on our side… even if the Elder Gods themselves refuse to help." Raiden remarked, still somewhat bitter of the Elder Gods' denial.
"The Elder Gods aren't helping protect Earthrealm?!" Shujinko asked with shock.
"Sorry, that is a story for another time." Apologized Raiden who was attempting to steer things back on track.
"Then I will head to Outworld immediately." Informed Shujinko.
"Thank you, Shujinko." Raiden thanked before teleporting to the Cobalt Mines.
To Raiden's surprise, the mines were completely empty besides a handful of Shokan guards who were keeping the place in check.
"Where are all the miners?" Raiden asked the nearest guard.
"The traitors known as Jade and Li Mei freed the scum!" They replied with anger. They hadn't even turned to face Raiden as they were busy sweeping the floor with two broomsticks, one being carried in their lower arms and the other in their upper.
"Thank you." Raiden said before flying away to find the recent escapees.
Also flying were Nitara and her fellow vampires who she had rescued from the Cobalt Mines the other day. They flew over the desert portion of Outworld. One of the vampires spotted three travellers walking slowly through the desert.
"I bet they're part of the Kahn Guard." The vampire rightly assumed. "Let's kill them!"
"Hold on…" Nitara commanded but was ignored as the vampires swooped down to confront the three travellers.
The vampires landed, surrounding the travellers. These travellers happened to be Skarlet, Reptile and Chameleon who were intentionally taking their time back to Kahn's fortress.
"Who… who are you people?" Skarlet asked nervously.
"They're vampires." Answered Reptile.
"Vampires?" The word sounded familiar to Skarlet. She had heard it being used as an insult to her previously.
"Would you happen to be allies with Shao Kahn?" One of the vampires questioned.
"Why yes," Reptile confirmed. "Sorry for our lateness back to the fortress, we're truly heading there…"
"Reptile, stop!" Chameleon demanded. "These aren't allies of Shao."
The other vampires all laughed. "Well there's our confirmation. Now die!"
The vampire who had been talking immediately went to attack Skarlet first but Nitara quickly intercepted, grabbing the vampire's arm and kneeing him in the stomach, the aggressive vampire letting out a squeak of pain.
"No, we aren't doing this!" Nitara yelled to her allies. "Get out of here! All of us!"
"Did you not hear the lizard?" The vampire asked rhetorically after catching his breath. "They work for Shao Kahn. Y'know, the corrupt Tyrant?"
"I doubt they're doing so willingly, Azaco." Argued Nitara, addressing the vampire by his name.
"And how many Shokan did you kill back in the mines?" Azaco asked.
Nitara sighed. "Three."
"And there's three right here." Azaco pointed out. "Why so soft all of a sudden?"
"We don't mean to cause trouble." Skarlet chimed in. "Just let us go."
"There was a goal of freeing those Shokan and it was to save all of you." Nitara stated, pulling Azaco back again as he was the most eager to fight them. "This is needless."
"There's also a matter that you'd die if you lay a hand on either of us." Chameleon remarked threateningly.
"That doesn't help, Oculto." Said Reptile.
"Is that a challenge?" Azaco asked with equal hostility to Chameleon. Azaco then grabbed a dagger from his silver belt and pointed it towards Chameleon.
"You antagonized us first, deformed bat." Insulted Chameleon.
"Silence your tongue, feral lizard." Azaco fired back.
"Both of you quit it!" Reptile demanded.
Chameleon's insult seemed to have angered more of the surrounding vampires as they also grabbed weapons upon Chameleon's continued aggression.
"This is precisely why Outworlders see us as evil." Nitara stated. "If you're sensible enough then get back to flying."
"And this is why Outworlders see us as monsters." Reptile said to Chameleon. "We're returning to our masters fortress, don't try stopping us."
"You heard the Saurian," Nitara said. "We're going."
A few vampires returned to flying but others followed Azaco in attacking the three allies of Shao Kahn from behind. Nitara quickly apprehended a couple of her own allies who tried assaulting Skarlet and Azaco battled one on one with Chameleon.
Chameleon drew his Ninjatō sword and began slicing at Azaco who flawlessly dodged each attack. In one of these dodges, Azaco had to duck beneath the sword which allowed him to stab his dagger into Chameleon's foot. Chameleon staggered back before Azaco stomped on the dagger which caused Chameleon to fold into a ball on the floor, writhing in pain.
"Weakling!" Insulted Azaco as he stood tall over Chameleon.
Chameleon's ninja attire's colour suddenly transformed from a forest green to a yellow that was identical to that of Scorpions. Chameleon then teleported by utilizing his suddenly acquired hellfire abilities, leaving the dagger that was previously impaled in his foot on the ground. Azaco bent over to grab his dagger only for Chameleon to emerge from behind and delivered a flaming kick to Azaco's behind.
Meanwhile, Reptile was being overwhelmed by the remaining hostile vampires who had now grounded him. Nitara was busy controlling the vampires who had attacked Skarlet. This left nobody to help Reptile as the vampires circled him… nobody until suddenly, Khameleon came on time to fend off the remaining vampires by swinging her Falchion sword at them. The vampires finally realized the threat of the fight and took to the skies as Nitara had ordered.
"Axoltia!" Reptile called to his lover.
"Syzoth!" She called back. The two embraced in a hug after spending so long apart. "I came to check on you after Shao Kahn mentioned that you, my brother and a Skarlet were on their way back to the fortress."
"Is he mad at us?" Reptile asked.
"When isn't he?" Khameleon reworded the question.
"Fair point." Reptile replied.
"We should probably help Oculto." Khameleon realized as she let go of Reptile.
"Of course." Reptile agreed and the two went to split up Chameleon's fight with Azaco.
"I'm sorry about my friends." Nitara apologized to Skarlet as she offered her a hand.
"It's not your fault." Skarlet said understandingly as she accepted Nitara's hand. "Thanks."
"It's the least I could do." Nitara said with a smile. "I'm Nitara."
"That's a nice name." Complimented Skarlet. "My name's Skarlet."
"Your name is also very lovely." Nitara also gave a compliment.
"Thanks." Skarlet blushed. "Oh… we should probably stop our friends from fighting."
"I wouldn't worry about it. Your Saurian friends seem to have it under control." Nitara acknowledged.
Azaco and Chameleon had been split apart, Khameleon restraining her brother and Reptile holding back Azaco.
"C'mon, Azaco." Nitara called out. "The brood is waiting for us."
Azaco shoved Reptile off of him but didn't continue his attack and instead walked over to Nitara.
"Apologies everyone." Nitara said to the group. "We'll be on our way now."
"Just stop supporting Shao!" Demanded Azaco.
"Ignore him." Nitara immediately shut down the new argument that Azaco was brewing. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Skarlet."
"It was quite splendid." Skarlet replied. "Goodbye, Nitara."
"Bye-bye." Nitara waved to her before she and Azaco flew away to catch up with their fellow vampires.
"Unbelievable!" Groaned Azaco. "Your bias just saved those villains from death!"
"Bias?" Nitara was surprised by the accusation.
"Don't play dumb with me, Nitara." Advised Azaco. "I saw how you looked at the red haired girl."
"Her name is Skarlet." Informed Nitara.
"You even caught her name. Unbelievable." Azaco scolded. "They live because you love her."
Nitara now had a sly smile on her face. "Well I'm not going to deny it," she confirmed the obvious. "She's beautiful."
"And that's why you spared Skarlet and her friends." Azaco guessed.
"I would've spared anyone back there." Nitara stated.
"I'm not even going to try debunking that." Azaco finally gave up. "I'll be quiet now."
"Finally." Remarked Nitara.
Raiden meanwhile, was looking over the village of Sun Do. The village caught Raiden's attention from the large number of tents that had been put up within and outside the wooden walls of the small village. Raiden's eyes narrowed down to some familiar faces: Kitana, Jade and Li Mei. Raiden carefully landed by their group, attention immediately being drawn to him.
"Raiden?" Kitana said cautiously. "We are no longer allies of Shao Kahn, I promise."
"I had figured so upon your arrest." Raiden had correctly assumed. "And I heard that you two rescued Kitana amongst many other prisoners."
Raiden pointed to Li Mei and Jade who stood by each other's side. "We did." Jade confirmed.
"With the help of a vampire known as Nitara." Li Mei humbly added. "It took some effort getting tents for everyone."
"Is this Nitara here?" Raiden quired.
"Unfortunately not," Li Mei answered. "She rescued her fellow vampires and left us."
"I see." Raiden noted. "Would you consider that gaining the aid of these vampires is possible?"
"Most of them seem in it for themselves." Jade admitted.
"I can't really blame them." Li Mei stated. "Why do you ask, Raiden? Do you need help?"
"You presume correctly." Confirmed Raiden. "Shao Kahn invades Earthrealm and I need more recruits to protect the realm."
"We have our own issue here." Jade said. "We're probably wanted for our attack on the Cobalt Mines."
"Sorry." Li Mei added.
"I don't physically require you in Earthrealm." Raiden explained. "Are you aware of the central portal system in Outworld?"
"Why of course." Kitana confirmed.
"Yes, we can locate it by following down the stream next to our village." Li Mei was also familiar with the portal. "What do you require of it?"
"I need it destroyed." Raiden revealed. "Outworld's forces are using it to enter Earthrealm."
"I suppose I could arrange an attack on the portal." Li Mei considered. "Is it well guarded?"
"I'm unsure." Raiden admitted. "If you help remove these oncoming threats then I will send your village some of Earthrealm's own forces to protect you from any of your threats."
"That is very generous of you." Li Mei said gratefully. "I accept your terms, Raiden."
"Thank you for your compliance." Raiden thanked her. "You will meet a man by the portal named Shujinko who shares the same goal as you."
"That is good to hear." Li Mei noted. "Can I offer you anything else? Food? Drink?"
"I cannot consume food and drink." Responded Raiden. "Anyway, I have no time to exchange pleasantries."
"I understand." Li Mei said. "Goodbye, Raiden."
"Goodbye and goodluck." Raiden said to the group before teleporting himself back to Earthrealm.
"So who should leave to do this?" Jade asked. "I can go."
"I'll find some villagers who can fight to send down there." Li Mei added. "And I'd love to go but I have to stay with my people."
"You two lovers should go." Kitana advised. "I can help look after your people, Li Mei. If you trust me to do so that is."
"I do." Li Mei confirmed. "Thank you, Kitana."
"Come with me, Li." Jade instructed. "Lets round up some fighters."
Li Mei nodded before taking Jade's hand and guiding her through the village.
"W-was that lightning?" Tanya asked. She had come to check on the spot where she saw the bolt of lightning strike.
"Yes but don't worry, it was only a Thunder God." Kitana assured.
"And that is?"
"The Protector God of Earthrealm wanted our help." Explained Kitana. "Li Mei and Jade are already gathering those to visit Outworld's central portal."
"To fight? In Earthrealm?" Tanya guessed via questions. "This God must've been desperate if they came to us."
"They're going to destroy the portal." Kitana detailed further. "Fath… Shao Kahn's armies have been using the portal to invade Earthrealm."
"I'm not getting involved with this." Tanya stated. "This will be perceived as terrorism!"
"This village has been promised extra protection from Earthrealm's forces." Kitana assured. "We will be safe when the inevitable arrives."
"How are you so sure?!" Tanya snapped. "Shao Kahn will pummel this village if we destroy the portal!"
"What is the matter, Tanya?" Daahraan had arrived after hearing her shouts.
"They're trying to destroy the portal!" She revealed.
"What portal?"
"THE portal! The one that has been in the centre of Outworld since the beginning of time!" Tanya explained.
"It is being done as a good cause as well as a promise that we will receive Earthrealm protection for when Sun Do's attacked." Kitana added.
"Then it is a worthy trade." Daahraan stated his opinion. "We will be fine, Tanya."
"You don't know that." Tanya retorted.
"You also don't know if we'll be in danger." Daahraan pointed out.
"And I don't want to stick around to find out!" Yelled Tanya. "We have to leave, Daahraan."
"You're being paranoid, petal." Daahraan diagnosed. "Come to my tent and we'll talk."
Tanya sighed. "Alright."
Daahraan and Tanya walked off, leaving Kitana to check up on the rest of the village.
Jade, Li Mei and their allies meanwhile, had reached the outskirts of the lake which the portal stood in the middle of. A decently large group of Outworlder soldiers were either guarding the thing or preparing to attack Earthrealm. General Reiko was managing the control panel.
"Reiko." Jade pointed to the General who she recognized.
"I remember him at the tournament." Li Mei vividly remembered. "He's a dangerous threat."
"Quite." Agreed Jade. "What is the plan?"
"We wait for the man that Raiden spoke of." Li Mei decided. "Then I suppose we advance."
"Is this him?" Jade pointed to someone who was cautiously approaching them.
"We'll find out." Li Mei gave an unsure reply. "Hello!"
"Greetings, madam." He said pleasantly. "I am Shujinko, Champion of The Elder Gods."
"A Champion?" Jade said in awe.
Li Mei stretched a hand to Shujinko. "You're affiliated with Raiden, yes?"
Shujinko nodded and shook Li Mei's hand. "I am. Are you?"
"We have the same objective as you: destroy the portal." Li Mei assured.
"I'm glad that we're on the same side." Commented Shujinko. "Is there a plan any of you suggest?"
"Well there's too many of us to sneak in." Li Mei realized. "We'll just have to rush in and smash the control panel."
"That works for me." Jade commented.
"Any other ideas?" Li Mei asked her group.
There was none. "Let's just look out for each other." One of the villagers instructed.
"Of course." Li Mei replied.
"I won't let a single one of those thugs lay hands on you, my love." Jade promised.
"Nor will I." Li Mei said as Jade kissed her on the cheek and Li Mei kissed her back. "Stay safe, darling."
"You too." Jade responded.
"Shall we begin?" Shujinko asked.
Jade and Li Mei nodded in unison.
The group approached the portal, walking down one of the marble bridges. They were quickly spotted and the warriors ahead drew their weapons. Swords, axes and maces appeared in the hands of the soldiers. Shujinko drew his Dan Tien Dao, Li Mei unsheathed her Kunlun Dao, Jade pulled out her Bo staff and the other villagers readied bows with arrows or blunt objects such as clubs or staffs like Jade's.
"The pathetic traitors have brought some peasants to help confront us." Reiko mocked as he picked up his club and stepped away from the control panel.
"And here stands a man who is genuinely loyal to the wretched Emperor." Jade fired back with anger.
"Oh the hypocrisy." Reiko laughed. "Weren't you?"
"I was only truly loyal to Kitana." Jade corrected. "And now I'm also loyal to Sun Do and Edenia."
"So you finally learnt of your weak realm." Reiko noted. "Thank you for informing me of your newfound discovery. Shao Kahn will be proud of me when I give this intel to him."
"You won't be returning to your precious Emperor." Jade threatened.
"Nor will you be seeing that filth of a village again." Reiko said, his words awakening an unusually infuriated Li Mei.
"You wish to talk about filth?" Li Mei asked. "Take a look at yourself and then at the corrupt Shao Kahn."
"Your lack of faith in our emperor is sad yet amusing." Commented Reiko. "After you're dealt with, me and my army will pay Sun Do a visit."
"This is what you call an army?" Li Mei referred to his group consisting of just about twenty warriors.
"Oh no, most of my grand army is already in Earthrealm." Reiko explained. "I was going to join them in battle but I suppose I'll deliver The Emperor your heads."
"Not a chance." Li Mei replied. "And the fact that you're willingly serving Shao Kahn is disgusting."
"He has made Outworld a grand realm that is superior to the rest." Reiko opined.
"Shao Kahn has left this realm in fear." Li Mei argued. "Even his allies… besides you… all serve him out of fear."
"Lies!" Snapped Reiko. "Our Emperor is just purging the weak."
"Precisely." Li Mei surprisingly agreed. "To him everyone is weak."
"Not me." Reiko said.
"I pray that whoever replaces Kahn fixes this realm that he's tainted." Li Mei hoped.
"The next Emperor will be me." Reiko egotistically claimed.
"Then I will kill you to stop such a damned future." Li Mei said, raising her sword in the air. "Attack!"
"You will all die!" Reiko warned as he gestured for his soldiers to charge forth.
The two sides collided with Li Mei's Kunlun Dao smashing against Reiko's club with such force that Reiko's wooden club was sliced into two with Li Mei's sword slicing through the middle and cutting Reiko's chest. Reiko ducked another swing of Li Mei's sword and smashed the two pieces of what used to be his club into the sides of Li Mei's torso. Sharp wood stabbed through Li Mei's flower patterned shirt and into her flesh. Jade quickly fought off a couple of soldiers by clubbing them over their skulls with her staff before rushing to help the wounded Li Mei who had begun bleeding out from the many large splinters that cut deep into her skin. Reiko kicked Jade away only to turn around to face Shujinko. The Champion pressed his Dan Tien Dao to Reiko's neck.
"A villager dares confront me?!" Reiko yelled in anger.
"While I do fight for these villagers I am not amongst them," Shujinko clarified. "I am a Champion of The Elder Gods."
"And I fight for those worth fighting for." Reiko muttered, prompting Shujinko to push his blade closer to Reiko's throat. "You don't have the guts to cut me."
"Shao Kahn isn't worth anything!" Shujinko exclaimed. "You're a fool to follow him."
"Is that so?" Reiko gave a small chuckle, but remained careful of not getting caught by the blade that pressed sharply against him. "Shao Kahn will one day destroy the Elder Gods themselves. I consider you a fool to aid them and these worthless people."
"I've heard enough from you." Shujinko said to cease Reiko's babbling. Shujinko lowered his sword and went to turn Reiko around to apprehend the general but was met by a stiff elbow which struck his nose, busting it open with blood spraying out of his nostrils.
Shujinko staggered back. "You have strong strikes, Reiko." He admitted as he wiped blood from his nose with one of his long sleeves. "Now if only you use your strength for good."
"Then we have very opposing opinions of what counts as good." Reiko realized.
"To no surprise." Shujinko quipped.
"Following The Emperor's will is the greatest act one can do." Reiko debated as one of his allies tossed him a mace. "Ah, something that will silence you."
"These freedom fighters shall not be silenced." Shujinko stated firmly. "Your realm needs reform."
"And you need some damn faith!" Reiko raged.
Reiko charged at Shujinko. Both of their weapons collided but the force of Reiko's blow knocked Shujinko's weapon back, allowing Reiko to kick him to the ground. Reiko immediately went to crush Shujinko's skull with the gifted mace but the Champion swept Reiko's legs. Both men quickly climbed to their feet but Jade took the chance to deliver a nitro kick that sent Reiko stumbling into the bridge balcony and smashing chin first into the marble.
"Get Li Mei out of here!" Jade then commanded a couple of villagers who happily complied. "And stand aside, Reiko."
Reiko laughed maniacally. "What do you even want from this portal?" He asked.
"To destroy it." Jade answered truthfully.
"That is preposterous!" Reiko stated.
"To you I'm sure it is." Shujinko remarked.
Reiko once again ran at Shujinko but an arrow shot by one of the villagers impaled Reiko's ankle, causing him to fall flat on his face.
"Give up." Advised Jade who prepared to strike him down with her staff.
Suddenly, more warriors came to protect their leader. Jade began fighting them off with her superior fighting abilities and powers. This left Shujinko to deal with Reiko.
"Stop struggling." Shujinko gave Reiko some advice as the general was trying hard to stand.
"I'm not giving up." He claimed. "I will kill you!"
Shujinko tripped Reiko once again. "How about now?"
Reiko suddenly had a crooked smile on his face. His eyes were looking past Shujinko though the Champion couldn't tell as Reiko's eyes were pupilness. Suddenly, Shujinko was telekinetically gripped and sent flying into one of the curved marble pillars that surrounded the sphere shaped portal. Shujinko turned his head and saw a familiar face: Ermac.
"Is that you Ermac?" Shujinko asked.
"We see that you still remember Us from the Netherrealm." Ermac noted. "Do you also recall how you left Us to fend for Ourselves against the demon Ashrah?"
"I… I had a task, Ermac." Shujinko stammered. "There was an important artifact in that temple."
"We care not for your excuses." Ermac informed. "It is clear that you are an enemy of Shao Kahn and only informed Us of Ashrah's location because you knew that We would execute you."
"I considered both of you as friends," Shujinko defended himself. "I couldn't pick sides."
"Must We repeat Ourselves?" Ermac asked. "We care not for your excuses."
"I don't wish to fight you, Ermac." Shujinko pleaded.
"You oppose Shao Kahn, therefore you do." Ermac argued.
"Then I apologize for what's to come." Shujinko said as he retrieved his Dan Tien Dao sword.
Ermac drew his own weapon: an axe. Ermac aggressively swung the heavy weapon at the Champion but all the attacks were blocked by the large blade of the Dan Tien Dao. Shujinko parried one of the axe strikes and lightly stabbed the tip of his sword into Ermac's stomach. The construct dropped his axe in reaction to the pain and placed both his hands over the wound to stop the bleeding. Shujinko went to check on his old ally only for Ermac to throw both his hands in the face of Shujinko, soul blasts erupting from them and exploding in Shujinko's face. Both men now disarmed began engaging in hand to hand combat. Ermac was using a fighting style known as Hua Chuan and Shujinko was utilizing the Choy Lay Fut fighting style which was the martial arts techniques from various northern and southern Chinese martial arts. Shujinko had actually learnt and mimicked this fighting style from the small bit of training he had received from Ermac himself and was beating Ermac with his own martial art. Finally, a precise sidekick from Shujinko struck and knocked over Ermac. Down but not out, Ermac used his telekinesis to grab Shujinko and launch him wildly over his head. A sudden crash echoed from behind Ermac who reluctantly turned his head to see Shujinko sprawled over the control panel and he had destroyed it. The portal began flickering on and off before eventually disappearing for good.
"The portal!" Yelled Reiko in frustration who was being supported to his feet by a couple soldiers. "Dammit!"
"Get to safety." Jade instructed the villagers. "I will get Shujinko."
"Retreat!" Reiko said reluctantly, seeing no purpose in fighting any longer.
Ermac teleported away, not wanting to be seen after his failure and Reiko and his soldiers left, taking a bridge opposite to the one that Sun Do's villagers stood on.
"Are you okay?" Jade asked as she helped Shujinko off the panel.
"I'll be fine, don't worry." Shujinko assured. "I can walk just fine."
"That's good." Jade commented. "Thank you for your assistance."
"I'm always happy to help." He humbly replied. "What you people do is something that I can appreciate."
"The praise is appreciated." Jade said. "Sorry, I need to check on Li Mei."
"Go ahead." Shujinko understood.
Jade rushed past the villagers to get to Li Mei who had been laid beneath a tree with two villagers watching over her.
"My love?" Jade called out. "We won!"
"I'm… fine." Li Mei replied weakly. "And well done."
"You don't sound like it." Jade noted as she knelt by her side.
"I just… need to… go home." Li Mei stated.
"We've extracted all of her splinters and the bleedings stopped." Informed one of the villagers.
"Thank you." Jade said gratefully. "I will carry you home, my love."
Jade scooped Li Mei up in her arms and Li Mei quietly thanked her, Jade kissing her in response.
"Now we just wait for Raiden to give Sun Do protection." Jade said with confidence that the Thunder God would keep his promise.
"Your village requires protection?" Shujinko asked, having overheard Jade. "I know of an acquaintance who might provide such a thing."
"Do ask." Li Mei requested. "The more help… the better."
"I will leave to visit him now." Shujinko informed. "It's been a pleasure, Li Mei and Jade."
"Goodbye." Jade and Li Mei both said but only Jade's farewell was audible.
Shujinko visited the Lei Chen Mountains which within these mountains was the city of Lei Chen. Shujinko had previously offered the city to Hotaru, a general from the realm of Seido. Overlord Zeffeero ruled the city and had begun challenging Emperor Shao Kahn, causing the Tyrant to send Baraka and his Tarkatan army to the city. Baraka had written a letter to Zeffeero which Shujinko himself delivered to the overlord. The letter gave an offering to the overlord: deliver his head and have the city's population spared, or have the entire city wiped out. Instead, Zeffeero asked Shujinko to get help from Orderrealm which was where he found the Seidan Guard who agreed to help and succeeded in defending the city. Hotaru later informed Shujinko that he had relieved Zeffeero from his duties and was now in charge.
Shujinko entered through the city gates and found that the city was completely empty. This uneased Shujinko but he continued forth as he spotted Hotaru down the pathway. The two approached each other.
"Hotaru!" Shujinko greeted his ally. "It is good to see-"
The general interrupted him. "You have violated my ordinance." Hotaru stated. "You were to go indoors when the toll sounded."
"Ordinance?" Shujinko was confused by the accusation. "I just recently arrived. I had no knowledge of any ordinance.
"Ignorance is not an excuse." Hotaru stated. "I am placing you under arrest..."
"What?!" Shujinko cried out in shock. "You're arresting me?!"
"Do not interrupt me, criminal." Demanded Hotaru. "I'm arresting you for disregarding the laws of this city. Your trial will take place in the realm of Order."
Hotaru then pointed his Naginata at Shujinko who raised his hands in the air in response. "I… I will come peacefully." Shujinko reluctantly complied.