Walking through a beautiful garden area of what appeared to be part of a structure reassembling a temple of sorts was a relatively man with scruffy black hair dressed in gear suited for action, complimented by a yellow strand of cloth going across his chest which also had a holder for a pair of whip style weapons which he kept by either side of him. He continued walking at a steady pace, while still admiring the views in the garden that he got to see almost daily.

On his journey through the large area, he even spotted wildlife that had managed to make its way inside the temple walls. The man smiled as he saw a fox drinking from a stone bowl full of clean water in the middle of a luscious grassy area full of plants including flowers of colours yellows and oranges that matched the coat of fur on the adorable fox. The man always thought of his best friend whenever he'd see a fox, with his friend having many similarities to such an animal.

After crossing a small bridge that went over a little stream, blossoms from the trees nearby fell around him as he walked along the well kept stone pathway that led to a pair of double doors that were the entrance into a dojo. The doors were soon opened and the familiar face of the man's best friend appeared at the doors. They both smiled at each other, although the friend already inside the spacious dojo wore a mask over his mask which covered such a smile.

"You're late, Takeda!" he yelled as he gestured for him to come inside.

"I had some chores to do and also I was just admiring the sights, Fox," Takeda claimed as he stepped inside. "You included."

"If you keep staring then people are gonna start talking…" Fox joked as Takeda blushed a bright pink, Fox's own reaction being concealed by his convenient mask.

"Anyway," Takeda quickly began to change the subject, "what's with the new garms?"

"Master Hasashi said it was about time I had some new gear," Fox explained his attire that was unfamiliar to Takeda.

The young man named Forrest Fox was of African descent and one of few to be handpicked by the new Shirai Ryu Grandmaster himself. He had short black hair and dark brown eyes that were always focused on something of importance. Until recently, Fox had been wearing a yellow tabard that was uniform in the grounds of the Shirai Ryu Temple which was located in the Himalayas with the clan's influence having spread throughout the majority of the mountain range. Replacing Fox's attire now though was a far more distinct colour palette for his clothes. His overshirt was now of a colour similar to a cadet grey, mainly a regular light grey with a hint of blue. The shirt also had a stitching of a yellow scorpion by his chest, a blatant symbol of the clan he represented. Beneath this was a dark blue undershirt that he wore simply for extra comfort and warmth. Additionally, Forrest Fox wore red gauntlets and a red belt that he had earnt from his martial arts training, one of the highest ranks obtainable.

"What's with the colour?" Takeda inquired as he observed Fox while following him to see the Grandmaster.

"That's the thing," Fox began to make his revelation, "I've been promoted to a Protector."

"That's great!" Takeda cheered for him.

"These colours are supposed to distinguish us from everybody else," Fox explained to Takeda who nodded in understanding. "Have you ever seen anybody else in this?"

"I have," Takeda confirmed. "I just didn't know its significance until now."

"Well now you do," Fox replied with Takeda smiling at him.

"So… who have you been instructed to protect?" Takeda asked, knowing the key role of Fox's new rank was to look after certain fellow clan members.

"You," Fox answered.

"Good joke," Takeda replied as he didn't believe his friend. "Seriously though, who?"

"You!" Fox repeated. "I've been assigned to protect you!"

"Seriously?!" Takeda still couldn't quite believe Fox's claim.

"Ask the man himself," Fox suggested as they approached the end of the dojo, where Grandmaster Hanzo Hasashi was sitting as he observed his pupils train. "He's here at last, Master Hasashi."

"Hello Master Hasashi," Takeda greeted as they both took a short respectful bow as they stood before him.

"Ah! How are you, Takeda Takahashi?!" the man with the nickname of Scorpion asked his pupil. "I was concerned that you would be absent for today's session."

"Sorry about that," Takeda apologised.

"It is better late than never," Scorpion replied with a visible smile. Since becoming the Grandmaster of the Shirai Ryu and reviving the former ninja clan, Scorpion had become much more open about using his real name of Hanzo Hasashi, as well as showing his face more. Despite his pupilless eyes of a Spectre, Scorpion still saw this as a much more welcoming approach and would allow for stronger connections. "Was there any particular reason? Is everything alright, Takeda?"

"Oh everything is fine, Master Hasashi!" Takeda reassured him. "I was just helping my mom and dad with some errands."

"Family should always come first," Scorpion stated as he saw Takeda's lateness as absolutely justified. "Are your parents well? I haven't seen them since our latest weekend tea party."

"They're good," Takeda told him with Hanzo smiling at the news. "How are you, Master?"

"I am good myself," Scorpion replied. "Thank you for asking, Takeda."

"So… what's this about Fox being my Protector?" Takeda asked Scorpion, as Fox had suggested he do.

"You two are inseparable here at our Shirai Ryu Temple," Scorpion pointed out with them both nodding in agreement. "It only makes sense that one of you should watchover the other."

"My life is in your hands, Fox," Takeda said jokingly.

"When you both begin your missions to defend Earthrealm, you will fight together," Scorpion explained his plan for the pair. "Fox simply has more experience than you, Takeda. It's only right that he be in charge of you both."

"Thank you, Master Hasashi," Fox expressed his gratitude to him.

"I suppose that does make sense," Takeda admitted with respect for Scorpion's arrangements. "Sorry for prying, Master."

"Do not apologise," Scorpion instructed. "Questioning things is crucial to understanding situations in full. If you have something you wish to ask about, do not hesitate to ask me."

"Thank you for understanding, Master Hasashi," Takeda replied as he and Fox both processed this lesson from Scorpion.

"You're welcome," he responded calmly as he stood up from his cross legged sitting position. "So… shall we begin today's session?"

Takeda nodded as confirmation while Fox was already drawing his weapons, a pair of blades with one being a ninja sword and the other being a knife. While training though, Fox utilised safe variants of them made of rather blunt and smooth wood rather than his arsenal of sharpened steel that was in his room for whenever he may need to put his training to serious use. Takeda took out his pair of traditional whips made of strong rope, an unusual choice of primary weaponry.

"I see you both wish to fight freestyle?" Scorpion noticed with them both holding their unique gear.

"I sure do," Fox confirmed. "You best ease off on those whips, Takeda! Or else I'll bring my real blades to the next session."

"I can't make any promises, Fox!" Takeda said with the pair laughing as they took their positions. "I won't waste anymore of your time."

"Great!" Fox cheered. "We're both ready, Master Hasashi!"

"Very well then," Scorpion approved. "Fight!"

Scorpion watched as two of his best pupils sprung into action. They literally leapt into the air as they lunged at each other. Fox had his blades pointed at Takeda who cracked his whips forth, wrapping around Fox's weapons and beginning to tug them away.

"Whips make for versatile weapons," Scorpion gave his commentary as the two struggled for control. "It is important to adapt when faced against unique and unusual obstacles."

Listening to what Scorpion was saying, Forrest Fox began to seek out a counter as he continued to fight back against Takeda's tugging. Fox focused on trying to pull his weapons free, but to no success as Takeda had wrapped around the weapons several times.

"Were these my actual swords I'd have cut through them by now," Fox claimed while continuing to struggle.

"No way!" Takeda denied the claim. "These ropes are too thick for you to clean cut!"

"Let's test that another day," Fox suggested.

"You're on," Takeda accepted the challenge. "But for now, you aren't getting out of this, friend!"

This gave Forrest Fox a sudden idea. He suddenly released his weapons, letting them fling at Takeda who was pulling backwards with all his might. He ducked the incoming blades that were still wrapped around his whips. This was still enough of a diversion for Fox to charge forth and smash his gauntlet protected forearm against Takeda's skull. Takeda suddenly collapsed from the sudden blow.

"Sorry," Fox apologised. "That was a harder hit than I intended!"

"Are you alright, Takeda?" Scorpion asked.

"Agh," he groaned. "I'm fine, guys. Thanks."

"Well done, Fox," Scorpion praised. "You managed to adapt and find a reversal to your opponent's offence."

"Hold on," Takeda said as he stood up while still staggering. "I ain't finished!"

"I nearly knocked you out, buddy," Fox pointed out. "We should probably take a moment first."

"Us still talking has been more than one moment," Takeda countered as he picked his whips back up, still having Fox's weapons attached to them. "Let's keep going!"

"Very resilient of you, Takeda," Scorpion praised. "You may continue."

"Really?!" Fox was surprised to hear Scorpion's approval.

"Always get back up," Scorpion repeated the advice he would so often preach. "No matter what."

"Alright," Fox raised his fists. "I'm ready for round two."

"Fight!" Scorpion instructed.

Takeda began spinning his whips in the air as he approached Fox, who had to dodge both the spinning whips and his own weapons attached to them. Fox hopped over and ducked over several incoming attacks before feeling his wooden knife scratch his back.

"That'd be one stab wound," Takeda pointed out as he continued his attacks. "C'mon, Fox!"

"Keep it coming!" Fox requested.

"You two sure talk a lot for what is intended to be a fight," Scorpion remarked which prompted his two students to refocus on battling each other as Takeda continued his previous strategy due to its proven effectiveness.

Forrest Fox soon found himself backed against the wall of the dojo. On the sides of the room were pillars that stood in a straight line. As Takeda launched another attack at Fox, he used his agility to kick back and forth off the two pillars he was standing beside, before reaching high enough to jump off, taking Takeda off his feet again, this time with a flying clothesline. Making sure Takeda couldn't retrieve his weapons, Fox immediately climbed on top of Takeda and got him into a guillotine chokehold, hoping to make Takeda submit.

After about a minute of being trapped in the submission hold and slowly becoming more and more dizzier as time went on, Takeda suddenly found a reversal. Takeda rolled through and now he was on top of Fox where he began unloading a flurry of punches to the head which Fox covered his face up to block, so Takeda began striking his chest to wind him. Fox eventually kicked his friend off of him, before kipping up only to be tripped up by Takeda's whip as he had picked them up on his way to his feet and pulled it from behind Fox. Takeda then grabbed Fox's weapons which were still tied tightly around his whips and held them near his neck after jumping onto him.

"That'd be you dead, Fox," Takeda pointed out as he quickly got himself off of his friend and offered him a hand up. "I win."

"And I thought I took this thing seriously," Fox said as he took his hand. "Thanks. Well done."

"Well done indeed," Scorpion spoke up as he began applauding the two. "You both gave a great effort."

"Thank you, Master," Takeda replied as Fox gave them both a gesture of respect as he clasped his fist in his other hand. "Here's your weapons back, Fox."

"Thanks," Fox said as he took his wooden weapons back. "That was fun."

"I remember you both together learning how to punch and kick correctly," Scorpion recalled fondly. "Now I see Takeda has mastered his weapon skills while Fox is climbing all over the dojo while delivering near one punch knockouts."

"Your words mean much, Master," Fox told him as he greatly appreciated the praise.

"So much," Takeda added in agreement.

"What time is it?" Scorpion wondered aloud as he looked behind him where on the wall was a clock that had just ticked past ten in the morning. "Ah! Perfect time to start the group session! Gather around everybody! Let us begin our group activity!"

The Grandmaster of the reformed Shirai Ryu had made a carefully structured timetable where the day would begin at nine in the morning, with an hour of his students warming up by testing each other, before gathering around to practice a particular martial arts by following Scorpion's own instructions and advice. In these classes, the students would learn many fighting styles. Not only were they becoming masters of the art of Ninjutsu, but also they'd be taught the styles of Hapkido, Pi Gua and Moi Fah which the latter was what Scorpion would be testing his pupils on today.

Hours of dedicated practice followed, with Scorpion being impressed by everybody's progress. Not only did Scorpion offer these curriculum teachings, but he also preached the goodness in having your own personal way of fighting. Scorpion would have individual sessions with his students so they specifically could be focused on and learn many skills that suited them personally. All those years ago when the original Shirai Ryu was slaughtered at the hands of Quan Chi, Scorpion couldn't have possibly imagined that his clan would return, nor could he have imagined it'd be a clan of Earthrealm defenders which he personally had taught. Scorpion was both proud of his pupils and also himself for all he had overcome since losing his clan, his family, and even a part of himself.

"Well done to all of you," Scorpion praised once more as the clock in the large dojo struck the beginning of the afternoon. "Take a break, everyone. When we return we'll be practising our skills with weaponry."

"Weapons like a katana?" a man asked after the group heard the doors to the dojo being slid open. "I think we know all about that, friend."

"Kenshi and Suchin," Scorpion welcomed as they stepped inside the dojo. "Impeccable timing as usual."

"We were hoping to catch you on break," Suchin admitted with Kenshi nodding.

"I was just dismissing the class," Scorpion clarified as he turned his focus back to his pupils. "You may leave now, everyone. See you all in an hour."

"See you in a bit, Master Hasashi!" Fox said as Scorpion waved the group of students goodbye as they rushed out the dojo.

"Mom? Dad?" Takeda asked as he stayed inside, curious as to why his parents were here. "Why are you here?"

"Just to have a friendly talk with your master," Kenshi told him as Suchin ruffled Takeda's already scruffy black hair.

"Don't worry, Takeda," Suchin reassured him. "You're on break now. You should catch up with your friends."

"Alright," Takeda replied. "I'll see you both at home then."

"Bye, son!" Suchin said as Kenshi waved goodbye to him, needing some assistance from Suchin to have his hand facing the right way. Takeda waved back before leaving the dojo. Kenshi and Suchin waited until he had closed the doors before speaking to Scorpion.

"I take it that something is wrong?" Scorpion assumed, considering the sudden appearance of his two close friends. "Or do you want to help with teaching in my next lesson?"

"I can if you want," Kenshi offered. "How have you been, Hanzo?"

"I have been well, my friend," he replied with a warm smile. "How about yourself?"

"We've been busy doing some remodelling at our home," Kenshi explained to him as Suchin crossed her arms while waiting. "You already know that Suchin loves change… it's one of the reasons we moved over here along with being able to have a larger home and being close with your new Shirai Ryu."

"I am a fan of change myself," Scorpion agreed. "This clan is proof of that."

"And you have done well with it," Kenshi praised.

"Thanks to your support," Scorpion responded as he looked at Suchin and said, "yours too."

"Thanks, Hanzo," Suchin said gratefully. "Since my husband is too chatty to get to the point, I will instead."

"I'm all ears," Scorpion told her as Kenshi chuckled at Suchin's comment.

"I was on the phone with Sonya from the Special Forces," Suchin began to recall her recent interaction with General Blade. "There was just recently two major encounters with both the Black and Red Dragon clans. Unfortunately, everyone escaped…"

"That is indeed unfortunate," Scorpion agreed. "How can we help?"

"Sonya believes the only way to keep track of where these criminals are," Suchin elaborated further. "The issue is obviously that we don't know how to get recruited into either clan, however, there have been numerous new members of the Black Dragon that have been spotted lately including a hacker.

"It's clear that they're hiring," Kenshi commented. "But how?"

"They want a spy?" Scorpion asked with the couple nodding in confirmation. "I see. I cannot offer even my best pupils to do this. It'd be too risky."

"I agree," Suchin said. "I'd be worried sick if Takeda was sent to infiltrate a crime syndicate."

"We all would be," Scorpion related. "Perhaps our friends at the Lin Kuei will be of more aid? They certainly were when helping me rebuild the Shirai Ryu."

"I'll suggest a meeting to Sonya," Suchin decided. "Perhaps there we can figure out a way to stop these criminals before they continue to grow stronger."

"A good idea, darling," Kenshi approved as the two kissed briefly.

"You two are lovely," Scorpion praised their affection. "It reminds me of when I was with Harumi… I miss her still…"

"She's watching us," Kenshi assured him. "And she's proud at what she sees."

"You went through so much," Suchin sympathised as she joined Kenshi's attempts to make their friend feel better. "But you overcame everything… and now you have this great clan of some of the best protectors in Asia along with the White Lotus!"

"Couldn't have said it better myself," Kenshi responded. "Are you alright, buddy?"

"Thank you, old friends," Scorpion said as he wiped a single tear from his eye. "I am very well as I said… but I won't forget, nor do I want to. I thank you both though, for your concern, care and friendship."

"Of course, Hanzo," Suchin replied as they shared a friendly embrace.

"Thank you for returning the kindness, Hanzo," Kenshi expressed their own gratitude with Scorpion giving him a nod of acknowledgement. "Now… who wants some tea?"