Mortal Kombat: Reborn

by Froster 23

This hard reboot retells the Mortal Kombat story, focusing on the events of the Original Timeline starting from the tournament and concluding at Armageddon. Featuring a vast cast, including characters from the games, other official media, and original characters, this is the most expansive MK story yet. Constructive feedback is always welcome, and I thank you for reading!

82. The Isle of Dread

After intaking all the information his allies had discovered and discussing with his closest allies, Reiko felt that preparations were near complete. Meeting up with Captain Kendrick Shayde as per Shang Tsung's orders, Kendrick let Reiko's allies aboard the Nethership before beginning to steer to the Isle of Dread. This island was an obscure location that was found far away from the main patches of Outworld land and instead this island was deep past and required a long trip across the Ocean of Outworld to reach.

"Are you coming aboard, mate?" Shayde asked as Reiko stood on the docks still negotiating with Kollector as he had wished to speak with him but was also in the process of preparing his journey to the Isle of Dread as he did so.

"Run through this with me again, Reiko," Kollector requested as he drew a long scroll and began writing down on it.

"Why is this so complex for you, Kollector?" Reiko questioned as he grew frustrated with Kollector's refusal in his previous demands. "All I ask is that you share your wealth with your desperate people. We need to gain their support heading into the attack on Sabar City. Why is this such a challenging request?"

"Perhaps because I am yet to have made a single Koin in profit since agreeing to fund your armies!" Kollector said with an angry snarl.

"I am on the verge of becoming Emperor!" Reiko reminded him. "Following my demands is crucial for my plans to succeed! Once I have the throne, I am entitled to every Koin in Outworld. Then I will repay you with great interest, Kollector."

"I will do as you ask," Kollector promised with a bow of respect. "I have placed much faith and trust in you, friend, I hope it hasn't been misplaced."

"By the end of the week your vault will have doubled in size," Reiko promised as he walked onto the platform leading aboard the Nethership. "When you and your forces are ready, group up with us at the encampment we just built near Sabar City. Do you understand, Kollector?"

"Of course, Excellency," Kollector complied as he departed with his personal guards draped in golden armour and wielding pikes escorted him.

"Set sail to the Isle of Dread, Captain Shayde!" Reiko ordered with Shayde giving a nod of acknowledgement and soon began making the Nethership move.

"Shall we do some more planning while we wait for the journey to be over, Reiko?" Talon asked as she approached him.

"I believe everything is coming along nicely," Reiko told her. "However, it would be beneficial to check over things again."

"Come inside!" Raza called for as he opened the doors to the interior of the Nethership.

Reiko and Talon followed Raza inside the Captain's Quarters of the Nethership. While Kendrick Shayde had the title of Captain amongst the Nethership's crew, the entire design felt tailored to Shang Tsung. Many portraits of the sorcerer were hung across the walls leading to the desk which Epos was sitting on drinking from a bottle of alcohol.

"Who'd have thought that old sponge sorcerer drinks!" Epos said cheerfully as she took another sip.

"Aye! That's mine!" Shayde yelled as he was just outside busy steering the ship.

"Sorry!" Epos shouted her apologies while Reiko took the bottle away from her.

"Only when you're off the clock, Epos," Reiko reminded her of the rule.

"You alright, dear?" Talon asked while Raza set up a table to lay the plans on.

"I'm fine," Epos told her. "Just a bit nervous. This has been quite a sudden change in plans."

"With many of Outworld's so-called 'heroes' being occupied with Edenia, this is the ultimate opportunity to strike," Reiko still strongly believed. "Now there's news of them hosting a party at the Grand Palace. While that's happening we have the perfect opportunity to begin attacking."

"How long do we have left before that party starts?" Talon questioned.

"Mere hours," Reiko replied. "Wait! Raza?!"

"Yes, sir?" Raza came over to him.

"Where's Skull?"

"Um…" Raza slowly opened a hatch leading to a ladder down to another level. "Skull?!"

"Set the plans up, Talon and Epos," Reiko commanded. "Let's see what's going on down here, Raza."

Reiko climbed down the ladder with Raza soon following. They turned around and saw Skull surrounded by a bunch of Skeletons. Living Skeletons! Reiko and Raza had never seen such a race before in their lives.

"Who are they?!" Reiko asked as he immediately summoned the Wrath Hammer in case they posed a threat.

"We're Captain Shayde's personal crew!" one of the Skeletons who wore a typical pirate hat announced. "So happy to meet ya! We'll be helping you have a comfortable trip to the Isle of Dread!"

"How are you people… talking?" Raza had his own queries.

"Our pop Shang Tsung gave life to us!" they informed him. "He used sorcery to make us sentient! I'm Bonez!"

"I'm guessing you all have bone related names…" Raza presumed.

"Sure do!" Bonez confirmed. "That's why we were so excited to meet the legendary Skull! We're so proud of a fellow Skeleton reaching such a rank amongst the Kahn Guard!"

"For the last time, I am not a Skeleton!" Skull yelled as he shoved the gathering Skeletons aside so that he could remove his helmet. "I'm an Outworlder, fools! The name is because of the mask!"

"Ohhh!" Bonez realised. "That makes sense now!"

"What is this?!" Reiko now had new questions as he peered over the balcony leading to the rest of the interior of the Nethership. The main thing of note with this spacious area was the corpses hung from the ceiling by nooses.

"Just prisoners!" Bonez said with concern. "We get to play with them on our break! But oh! We must get to work!"

"How about you lot stay here and play with your… toys?" Reiko offered just to try and keep them out of the way of stuff. "We'll be fine without whatever this is."

"Thank you, sir!" Bonez said gratefully before suddenly pulling out a lute and starting to play music. "Fellas! Let's give a shanty to the future Emperor of Outworld!"

"Another time," Reiko replied before the Skeletons could burst out into song. "We have important matters to tend to. DO NOT interrupt us. Am I clear?"

Bonez nodded rapidly, so quickly that his head fell off with him having to reattach it while Reiko, Skull and Raza climbed the ladder back up to the Captain's Quarters. Reiko was at least happy to find that Talon and Epos had prepared everything as requested.

"What in the Netherrealm is going on down there?" Epos questioned.

"Don't worry about it," Reiko advised. "But also do not go down there."

"Alright…" Epos replied with uncertainty.

"Shall we begin?" Talon asked with Reiko nodding as he approached the table where a map of Outworld was laid out before him.

"This takes me back to my old War Room in Shao Kahn's Fortress," Reiko said as he began reminiscing on the day's when Shao Kahn was Emperor of Outworld. "Did you ever see it when you were spying on the Union, Talon?"

"They kept the War Room with all your maps," Talon confirmed with Reiko letting out a relieved sigh. "Not sure who's in charge of it these days."

"It matters not," Reiko believed, "for all that matters is that I'll be able to return to it after they have been dealt with."

"Since we're remembering the past, it might be best to assess our previous failures," Epos spoke up honestly. "No offence."

"None taken," Reiko replied. "It is a fine suggestion."

"We have had mixed results in the village and city conquests," Raza admitted. "Mainly pertaining to those in the west side of Outworld."

"We have been far more successful in the east," Reiko agreed as he thought about all the locations they had invaded over the past couple of decades. "We already claimed the Valley of the Dead, then the Drum Canyon after seizing control of Makeba… the only civilisation in that part of Outworld. We've made hideouts in the Forbidden Forest next to the Golden Desert too."

"Let's not forget about the hideouts in the Kuatan Jungle," Skull pointed to the map where the jungle terrain surrounded a whole island neighbouring the City of Kuatan itself. "Those foolish Shokan are still yet to have found any trace of us there."

"Which will only help with my plan of attack," Reiko commented.

"How so?" Skull wondered.

"I'm glad you asked," Reiko said with a proud smile as his mind had finally clicked a new part to his plan as if he were solving a complex puzzle. "I can order the soldier's occupying the encampments in the Kuatan Jungle to attack the Shokan structures there. This will draw their attention and distract them from the Centaurians who will storm the city itself."

"Which will remove the Shokan from being a threat while the rest of us storm the capital…" Skull finally realised.

"It is genius!" Raza praised. "Also, just look at the east side of the map," Raza said as he pointed to the side of Outworld on the right where a large ocean split up parts of the realm to the left as well as various large isles such as the one they were heading to. "Basically all the territories we have claimed in a way surround Kuatan and Sabar City."

"Meaning that most people still around to try and stop us while that big celebration is occuring will be on the other side of the entire realm!" Skull pointed out to add onto Raza's point. "This is foolproof!"

"It might be," Epos spoke up, "but we must still make sure our strategy in battle is solid enough to avoid any more losses."

"My love is right," Talon agreed as she had been quietly processing all the information being shared. "We cannot be so certain."

"This is high stakes," Epos added on to her point, "and if we fail then everything we worked for could all be lost."

"We'll make sure that does not happen," Reiko promised. "Shall we now recall our past mistakes to help us identify things we should do better?"

"That would be wise," Epos commented.

"The attacks of ours that failed fall down to the following three: Lei Chen, Sun Do and Crimville - also known as the Village of Constructs," Reiko listed as the other four Kahn Guard members began to remember the events of each attempt. "Let's begin with Lei Chen, shall we?"

For many years now Lei Chen had been under the control of the Seidan Guard from Orderrealm. This had all transpired when the former Overlord of Lei Chen, a man named Zeffeero, had refused to officially join the Kahn Guard. Shao Kahn sent his Tarkatan army to the city and threatened that if Zeffeero didn't surrender himself then the Tarkatans would have no choice but to slay every resident of the city. Due to the stubbornness and selfishness of Zeffeero, he refused to surrender his life to Shao Kahn. This led a hero from Earthrealm, Shujinko, to seek the aid of the Seidan Guard to protect the city. Lei Chen is now in control of Hotaru, leader of the Seidan Guard, and defies Shao Kahn but with the necessary resources to protect Lei Chen. Ironically, this led to the arrest of the hero who had brought the Seidan Guard to Outworld in the first place.

Because of this, the Seidan Guard had a loose alliance with the rest of Mileena's Union. While many, including Empress Mileena herself, disagreed with the practices conducted in Seido, they still were willing to accept their control of Lei Chen so long as they did not try to take any more land or enforce their own laws in Outworld without direct consent from the Empress. Wanting to have an upgrade from just a regular village, Reiko targeted Lei Chen to try and acquire a proper base of operations for the Kahn Guard.

"Overlord Hotaru!" Reiko called for as he and many from his army stood before the enormous gates that we shut tightly with thick walls protecting the rest of the city. "We are willing to make a deal!"

"We are the Seidan Guard!" Hotaru announced as he stood atop a platform next to the top of the walls where archers would usually watch from. "We do not deal with known felons!"

"If you do not aid us then I will have to kill you all," Reiko threatened in what was coincidentally a similar incident to the time Overlord Zeffeero was removed from power decades ago.

"You threaten a unit that is one of the strongest in the universe and is the sole protection of an entire realm?!"

"You're damn right I do!" Reiko yelled with a bit of uncertainty in his tone of voice.

"I am nonetheless glad you have come here," Hotaru continued to speak. "Today I can bring some Outworld criminals to justice at last!"

"I do not think he's intimidated by us, sir," Skull noticed.

"You think I don't know that?!" Reiko said angrily as Hotaru's response was not as he had anticipated. "Get ready to battle, everyone!"

The gates of Lei Chen opened as Seidan Guardsmen and Guardswomen darted out the city walls led by Hotaru as they swarmed the Kahn Guard. Reiko had known that the Seidan Guard were powerful, but he never expected this level of aggression and in such large numbers as well. Considering all his recent successes, Reiko may have underestimated his next target. He hadn't even brought any Shadow Priests by his side for this attack! Reiko had made the bold assumption that he'd only require his finest unit of soldier's and now he was realising that he could've brought more allies to help with this attack.

"Surrender now!" Hotaru ordered. "Or else you shall be killed!"

"We never surrender!" Reiko yelled.

"How unfortunate," Hotaru spoke calmly before suddenly diving at Reiko.

Using a technique known as the Grasshopper Kick, Hotaru flew through the air while performing a sequence of side kicks to remain off ground. His kicks eventually reached Reiko and began knocking him back until he fell into Skull and Raza. Using his aggression, Skull charged at Hotaru as the two heavily armoured warriors clashed weapons. Skull's longsword struck violently against Hotaru's naginata with the two struggling. Raza soon interrupted things as he attacked from behind, trying to behead Hotaru as his head was the only part of his body not completely covered in armour. This was done so that when paired with the flags he wore on either side of his shoulder, Hotaru could be easily recognised by his fellow guards. If he wore a helmet, the shape would make turning his head collide with the flags due to the added bulk. But considering how skilled Hotaru was, he was confident in a lack of headgear, as Raza was about to learn…

Hotaru ducked the swing from behind, having seen Raza incoming due to a reflection on his blade. He then performed a cartwheel to evade another heavy attack from Skull, kicking Raza over as his feet came down. Hotaru then began rapidly poking his naginata forth, to damage Skull's armour as well as keep him to one side. While he did this, Hotaru also kicked Raza's helmet off and now it was his turn to try and stab his enemy… only for Reiko to deliver a brutal shoulder bash that was amplified by his energy which collided into Hotaru's back and sent him sprawling to the purple soil of Outworld.

"You would've made for a fine ally, Hotaru!" Reiko said as he summoned the Wrath Hammer. "But like you said, now one of our sides must be slaughtered."

Hotaru made a hand gesture to signal for his guards to step back to stand beside him. Hotaru then gestured to Reiko and his soldier's to come forth as he pointed to the General and pointed back to himself. Reiko grunted in annoyance before charging forth, only to be disrupted by a lava burst which sent him flying into the air and crashing by a bunch of Seidan Guardsmen. They attempted to detain him, however, Reiko released an impulse of his red energy that sent a blast around his body, causing the Guardsmen to stagger back which gave Reiko the space necessary to stand up. He then hurled the Wrath Hammer and used its magic properties to function like a controlled boomerang, smashing into every guard who had tried detaining him moments ago. The Wrath Hammer then came back to him which he took to immediately continue his assault as more guards ran out to the purple field besides the city entranceway.

Meanwhile, Hotaru had returned to combating the duo of Skull and Raza. The two strong warrior's were both undefeated as a pair and Hotaru was well aware of their dominant reputation. This did not phase the leader of the Seidan Guard though, as he once more challenged the pair alone while the rest of his guards were busy at conflict with Reiko's other soldiers. In a surprising attack, Hotaru launched his signature naginata at Raza like a lance which struck his heavy armour with such force that he fell to a knee momentarily. This gave Hotaru a brief moment to confront Skull alone, choosing to single out the more ruthless of the two warrior's so that he could once more take advantage of his often reckless attacks. Hotaru used his magic abilities to create a bright yellowish and orange glow that was an additional effect that came with his lava manipulation powers. This ability then made him able to side step and dash at a faster rate than the average person, leaving a trail of burnt grass behind the short distance he sidestepped. Hotaru now stood next to Skull and he quickly grabbed his arm before twisting it which made Skull drop his sword as Hotaru dragged him by the arm into a lariat with his massive and heavily armoured arm being enough force to knock Skull down. Hotaru then retrieved Skull's own longsword as he prepared to fight Raza who came running at him with the tip of his own longsword pointing forth…

Hotaru used his fast reflexes to swing the longsword which knocked Raza's own blade out his hands due to how he was holding it upon making his approach. Raza had not expected Hotaru to be wielding Skull's weapon and thus hadn't anticipated this. Raza sprinted over to try and retrieve his own longsword but Hotaru delivered a low sweep kick which took him down before jumping onto his back before retrieving Raza's longsword himself. In a surprising move, Hotaru put both sword handles together as he clutched them together tightly with both hands, creating a makeshift double bladed longsword. Skull and Raza, now unarmed, still boldly went to attack. Due to the added range of the pair of longswords, Hotaru managed to quickly thrust each blade into Skull and Raza from the opposite sides they approached before they even got close enough to land a hand to hand strike on Hotaru.

Seeing the two respected warriors in danger, many Kahn Guard soldiers ran at Hotaru who began spinning the two longswords together, thrusting and smashing the blades into anybody who dared to get too close. Epos had a clever plan though, as she scaled part way up the city walls to give herself some high ground before diving down with Hotaru too focused on fighting the soldiers on the ground to realise. Epos raised her crescent moon spade weapon and as she landed atop Hotaru, the spade crashed against Hotaru's back with such force from the aid of Epos' fall that it had cracked through Hotaru's armour. The armour donned by members of the Seidan Guard was made by the finest materials in Seido so this was a great surprise for Hotaru.

Hotaru had collapsed under Epos but he quickly rolled over and hurled a beam of lava from his hand which threw Epos back against the city wall. Hotaru then kipped up, landing on his feet while picking up a longsword and immediately Hotaru beheaded a Kahn Guard member who came too close to him because they thought him being grounded had created an opening to attack. More Kahn Guard members began surrounding Hotaru but that was only countered by an even greater number of Seidan Guard members charging at the attackers. Hotaru glanced over and noticed Epos slaying a few of his guards at the entrance way before wandering inside the city of Lei Chen.

"Get back here!" Hotaru yelled as he tossed the longswords to the ground and a guard handed him his naginata as he ran after Epos.

Hotaru's chase after Epos was immediately cut off as he entered the city, as Reiko had also found his way into the city, and violently swung the Wrath Hammer as Hotaru came around a corner after Epos had lured him. The Wrath Hammer connected with Hotaru's chestplate, shattering it with a single blow and with a force that knocked Hotaru onto his back.

"Smart thinking, sir!" Epos praised as he ran over after their plan had succeeded.

"Return to the others in the field, Epos," Reiko commanded with Epos complying and running back out to help her allies. "I'll deal with you, Hotaru."

"Bring it on," Hotaru challenged to further frustrate Reiko.

Hotaru scrambled back before rolling away as Reiko went to crush him with the Wrath Hammer. Hotaru managed to climb to his feet in time to dodge a second swing of the Wrath Hammer. Knowing the immense strength of Reiko's weapon, Hotaru knew that his naginata would be unable to block the attacks and would have to rely on precise dodges to survive. Hotaru ducked a third swing, stabbing Reiko quickly a couple times in each foot before dashing back to avoid another blow. Trying to maintain enough of a distance as they fought through the empty street, with Hotaru having ordered for all residents to remain in their home during this attack, Hotaru continued to back away in order to have a good enough distance where Reiko would be unable to get a proper attack in with the Wrath Hammer. Meanwhile for Hotaru, the added length his polearm weapon gave allowed him to deliver quick thrusts and swings at a far safer range. Soon recognising Hotaru's wise technique, Reiko instead suddenly threw the Wrath Hammer at Hotaru who rolled aside to dodge it but was soon caught off guard by Reiko dishing out several shurikens which were targeting the broken chest plate that Hotaru had equipped.

Many shurikens missed the gaps left in the damaged armour and instead left only scratches on the metallic shell, however, many did seep through the cracks and impaled Hotaru in his exposed chest which made him stagger back in pain. He tried to use his naginata to help balance himself but Reiko sent the Wrath Hammer coming back once more like a boomerang which knocked down the naginata as it came past. Before Hotaru could retrieve the weapon, Reiko stood on the handle and slid it to one side before smashing Hotaru in the chest again with the Wrath Hammer, sending Hotaru flying through the air before landing onto the ramp leading up to the abode that always belonged to whoever was given the privilege and title of the Overlord of Lei Chen.

"Quite a fine palace," Reiko praised as he observed the exterior. "I cannot wait to rest here as Overlord Reiko!"

"That day shall never come, fool!" Hotaru remarked only for Reiko to stomp on his chest, pressing the impaled shurikens deeper into his flesh.

"Today's that day, Hotaru," Reiko believed as he raised the Wrath Hammer above his head. "With you gone this shall additionally help with my eventual goal to merge realms such as your precious Realm of Order!"

"You must adore being this boastful," Hotaru continued to show his complete lack of fear of the Kahn Guard. "You're so self absorbed that you have failed to pay any notice to what is happening behind you, Reiko."

"What?!" Reiko turned around only to be immediately impaled by a pair of sharp steel arm blades. "Agh! Baraka?!"

"One of our campsites is a short distance away from Lei Chen, Reiko!" Baraka began to explain his appearance as Reiko saw the Tarkatans and Seidan Guard working together in the distance to dominate his soldiers. "Hotaru sent one of his guards to alert us of another one of your attempted conquests!"

"Release me, fiend!" Reiko rudely demanded.

"As you wish!" Baraka replied as he launched Reiko over his head using the Tarkatan blades, giving Reiko a nasty landing against the concrete pathway.

"Thank you, Baraka," Hotaru said as he accepted his hand with Baraka pulling him to his feet. "I must admit, I may have lost my life had you not intervened."

"No problem," Baraka replied as the two shook hands firmly. "Now… let's finish off the Shao Kahn wannabe."

"He's getting away!" Hotaru realised as the two turned to see Reiko sprinting out the city. "We must go after him!"

"We have warriors to tend to," Baraka told him. "We should prioritise helping them instead of chasing those who are already leaving."

"Retreat!" Reiko yelled to send his soldiers running away from Lei Chen. "The Tarkatans and Seidan Guards combined might overwhelm our current numbers! We must leave!"

"Any thoughts?" Reiko asked after having honestly recounted all the events of the attack on Lei Chen to his allies in their small meeting.

"Firstly, you underestimated the target," Talon critiqued constructively. "I take it we understand not to do that now already."

'Also, you had not only expected a surrender from the enemies," Epos began adding onto her beloved's criticism, "but also expected them to be so ill equipped that you only brought a small group."

"The solution here is that I am using all our forces to assure victory in this next attack," Reiko promised the group.

"I must admit I am concerned of how major a threat the Seidan Guard could be," Raza expressed his concerns.

"Even if word breaks out to Lei Chen it'll be too far away for them to make an immediate reaction," Reiko countered.

"Not just Lei Chen," Raza clarified, "but Orderrealm as a whole. They could immediately go to war with us."

"They never did with Shao Kahn," Reiko reminded him.

"What did we say about underestimating our enemies?" Talon asked.

"Sorry," Reiko apologised as he began to think of a potential solution. "I… think it's unlikely they will take immediate action. Perhaps we should try and gain more allies in the meantime after I take the throne."

"But who else?" Raza wondered.

"We could try the Netherrealm," Skull suggested.

"We could locate many of our passed allies there," Raza pointed out. "It is a good idea."

"Also that village they've made for refugees coming in from Outworld into the Netherrealm," Skull added to his own point. "We've never been there… but perhaps some would be willing to side with our cause."

"It's possible," Raza replied. "I imagine they're here because they're fed up with the Netherrealm though and that's probably because of Shinnok… another controlling ruler."

"We're nothing like that devil!" Skull shouted.

"I agree," Reiko said in support of Skull's plan. "As for the Tarkatans, Baraka's army has been appointed as the main defenders of the capital."

"So we'll have to confront them," Epos realised with Reiko confirming with a nod.

"The Centaurs will deal with the Shokan while we deal with the Tarkatans and whoever else stands in our way at Sabar City," Reiko detailed the plan once more.

"This seems even more doable now that we've covered what not to do," Epos remarked as her hopes were beginning to increase. "But there's still others. What about the two villages that we failed to conquer?"

"Sun Do and… Crimville…" Reiko began to recall once more. "I have no idea how we failed to seize control of the latter…"

Walking ahead of his following soldiers, Reiko boldly trekked across the Crimson Fields as he and his fellow Kahn Guard troops headed towards the only civilisation in this part of Outworld. Crimville was one of the newest villages in Outworld, made for the many constructs who were freed from the long since buried Flesh Pits after Shao Kahn's beheading. These creations were mostly made by Shang Tsung with the exception of a couple of Shao Kahn's own personal projects: Ermac and Skarlet. The latter of the two were out in the Crimson Fields themselves which took up a huge amount of beautiful land beside the growing village itself. With Outworld's native parts having regained much life compared to when Shao Kahn was Emperor and syphoning the life force of Outworld in the Jinsei Chamber, the Crimson Fields were truly flourishing with red roses bundled together above the long grass that had begun turning green instead of purple over recent years as it regained life from the Jinsei refilling in Outworld. Reiko wanted to give the name of the Crimson Fields a new meaning… by spilling the blood of anybody who tried stopping him from seizing control of this land.

Across the Crimson Fields sat Skarlet who was sitting against a tree while gazing at the beautiful land as she waited for a friend who was very special to her. Flying in after leaving from the nearby Black Pine Forest was Nitara. The Vampire swooped down after spotting Skarlet from the air. Skarlet had arranged for them to meet at such a lovely place in the wilderness. Skarlet's face lit up when she saw Nitara stood before her and she immediately stood herself, holding a large rose she had handpicked from part of the Crimson Fields themselves. She handed the rose to Nitara who blushed in surprise at the gift.

"For me?" Nitara spoke warmly as she gently accepted the offering. "Thank you, Skarlet."

"I walked throughout all the fields," Skarlet detailed to her, "just so I could find the perfect rose for you."

"Aww!" Nitara reacted with joy as she looked at Skarlet. "These roses match your lovely red attire… and hair… and cheeks."

"You're one to talk," Skarlet flirted back as both her and Nitara's cheeks began to turn to an even brighter red.

"I think you should have a rose of your own though," Nitara suggested as she plucked one for her and knelt down as she presented it to her. "It'd compliment your perfect pixie cut."

"Thanks!" Skarlet said gratefully as they both exchanged roses. "We should match."

"Yes!" Nitara enthusiastically agreed. "What did you want to do today by the way?"

"I actually asked for you to come here because I… wanted to tell you something," Skarlet began to reveal.

"You can tell me anything, Skarlet," Nitara assured her. "What is it?"

"I… I lo-" Skarlet was cut off by a loud sound of cheering that was progressively getting louder. She looked over the Crimson Fields to see Reiko and many of his allies approaching, carelessly crushing the roses as they marched forth. "Oh no…"

"Reiko…" Nitara hissed. "What should we do?!"

"Fly to the village and warn the others," Skarlet requested as stared down the approaching enemies. "I will keep them busy."

"You can't fight them alone!" Nitara objected to the idea.

"My design was to be able to slay through hordes by my lonesome as I grow stronger with each kill and the blood I take…" Skarlet described what Shao Kahn had once told her. It hurt to think about but she knew she could put this power to good use for once. "I can fight them alone."

"At least take this first!" Nitara instructed as she handed her a large flask. "I keep some of the richest blood from Vaeternus plants in there for whenever I get hungry or thirsty."

"Thank you for the gift," Skarlet said as she accepted the flask while putting the rose Nitara gave her in her hair as Nitara did the same with herself. "I'll be fine. I promise."

"I believe in you," Nitara told her as she began flapping her wings in preparation for takeoff. "I'll be quick in getting our friends!"

"See you soon!" Skarlet shouted as Nitara waved while flying to the village as fast as her wings could take her.

Skarlet meanwhile, turned her attention to the Kahn Guard once more. As they inevitably came closer, Skarlet drank the entire flask in one gulp before using her blood magic to summon a pair of tanto swords with one in each hand. Reiko and his allies soon got close enough to recognise the famous blood mage.

"Skarlet…" Reiko noticed. "Here to join us?"

"I'm here because this is my home!" Skarlet yelled angrily. "You're trespassing."

"I merely wish to reunite with all my children," came a voice from amongst the crowd of Kahn Guard members.

"What?" Skarlet was puzzled by what she had just heard but it soon made sense as Shang Tsung stepped through the crowd. "You!"

"Those villagers past you are the closest things I have to sons and daughters," Shang Tsung told her.

"But they aren't," Skarlet said bluntly. "You may have given most of us life but that gives you no right to pretend that you're welcome here!"

"I very rarely accompany Reiko on these travels to villages," Shang Tsung told Skarlet, who was still not lowering her guard but allowed him to continue talking just because that gave her more time before her own allies arrived. "Yet today I wanted to personally express my apologies for my apparent mistreatment of you all in the Flesh Pits. I assure you that if Shao Kahn had given me better resources than you would've already had a residency far nicer than that village!"

"You literally have an entire palace and you're claiming that you were ill equipped?!" Skarlet grew more frustrated with each second she spent talking to the wicked sorcerer.

"Your sister's Union is all about second chances right?" Tsung asked, with Skarlet not responding and only staring at him. "Well… I wish to make amends."

"Is this how desperate your friend Reiko is for more allies?!" Skarlet questioned. "You think anybody in that village will side with YOU?!"

"I wish to hear from one of my actual creations," Shang Tsung said bitterly. "It is clear that Shao Kahn was incapable of crafting something as fine as my constructs."

"You describe us as if we are nothing more than mere products…" Skarlet noticed as she began to feel sick to her stomach.

"Were it not for me then you would be without your precious sister and Empress," Shang Tsung believed which made Skarlet's blood boil. "You should be thanking me! Even that other brat Kitana knew when to express gratitude!"

"If you cared about those you gave life to then you wouldn't have locked them up in dungeons," Skarlet told him bluntly as Tsung was failing to manipulate her. "If you cared about Mileena then you would've parented her!"

"I give people the opportunity to succeed and impress me!" Tsung yelled. "I do not give handouts to everyone just for existing!"

"You never gave half of the Flesh Pits prisoners any opportunities!" Skarlet shouted right back at Tsung. "You discarded any living beings if you saw the tiniest flaw in them!"

Reiko sighed at this argument that his sorcerer ally had begun with Skarlet. Reiko and many of his soldier's would've much preferred the route of a single opportunity to surrender before being slaughtered, but he was willing to let Shang Tsung play his games this time.

"One sibling I'm especially close to is a man you named Meat and cruelly abandoned!" Skarlet continued to yell at the sorcerer. "Since being free he tries his best to overcome his skinless appearance and the trauma YOU gave him to live a happy life!"

"You really care about that freak?!" Tsung said with a smirk as she saw how furious Skarlet had become. "If Shao Kahn had tasked me with making you instead of messing you up himself then you wouldn't have become such an emotional mess!"

"That's it!" Skarlet had finally snapped and began approaching the army on her lonesome. "You're a dead man, sorcerer!"

"Now!" Reiko finally commanded with a soldier who had flanked around the fields charging from behind with a dagger and stabbing Skarlet in the back. "I told you they wouldn't care for your nonsense rambling, Tsung!"

"I assumed so as well," Tsung admitted. "I just wanted to have a little fun."

"You're a sick man," Reiko insulted.

"It takes one to know one, Reiko," Shang Tsung quipped.

"Just shut up from now on!" Reiko ordered the sorcerer before turning to the soldier who had struck down Skarlet. "What are you waiting for? Finish her!"

"That's my line!" Shang Tsung said as he thought about the infamous reputation he had gained when uttering such words when he wanted to see one warrior kill another at the Mortal Kombat Tournament which he hosted for many events. Such an event was another thing that Tsung found to be disturbingly fun.

"I thought I told you to be quiet," Reiko said to Tsung while the soldier stepped down on Skarlet's neck and prepared to murder her.

The soldiers went to stab Skarlet again, this time trying to make the attack fatal, but a sudden tentacle made of blood shot out from Skarlet's deep stab wound and wrapped itself around the soldiers neck. Lifting it high, Skarlet began using the tentacle to hang the soldier to death while syphoning their blood. Once rejuvenated, Skarlet commanded the tentacle to pull her up to her feet and just in time to parry incoming attacks from more Kahn Guard soldiers. Skarlet then used her tantos to rapidly cut through the two soldiers, absorbing their blood as she fought. Another soldier came forth but with an elegant spin while holding a tanto, Skarlet had slit their throat and held onto his neck to absorb the blood that was gushing from the wound. Skarlet then used it to create a projectile in the form of a giant blood ball. Paired with some magic that legitimately boiled the liquid, Skarlet cracked the incoming ball projectile with a whip made of blood which made the ball explode blood like a bomb all over the field with the blood catching onto any exposed flesh on the soldiers and scorching their skin. Skarlet then slammed her hands against the ground, sending tendrils digging underground, smelling out the boiled blood, before latching onto any target marketed out by the boiling blood ball. Skarlet then charged at all of those who were trapped by the tendrils, quickly slicing through each soldier before cutting through the last one in quicktime, killing any other approaching soldiers while she did this.

"Stop your approach!" Reiko ordered his soldiers. "Many have already been slain and she grows more powerful with the more blood you feed this witch!"

"I'll gladly taste yours next," Skarlet said threateningly as she created a scythe made of blood and placed it onto her shoulder.

"Skull! Raza!" Reiko called for his two most trusted men. "Deal with the girl."

"Yes sir!" Raza complied as he readied his longsword and approached.

"Gladly!" Skull commented as he followed Raza shortly after.

The two Guardians of the Kahn Guard began circling Skarlet who watched both of their movements closely while she readied her scythe. What Skarlet hadn't looked out for though, was Shang Tsung and Reiko. The sorcerer shapeshifted into Skarlet herself and latched a rope made of blood around Skarlet which allowed him to begin syphoning her blood.

"I am more used to syphoning souls," Shang Tsung remarked as he continued to drain Skarlet. "But I can see the appeal to this as well!"

"Let go of me!" Skarlet demanded between crying out in pain.

"If you insist," Shang Tsung surprisingly complied and began dragging her forward by using the blood rope. "Finish her, Reiko!"

Reiko charged forth at Skarlet with a shoulder bash, this one ended with a small hop before impact, thus throwing Skarlet upwards and into the air instead of just back. Reiko then summoned the Wrath Hammer and smashed it over Skarlet while she came down from the air, the blow sending her flying across the Crimson Fields.

"Now we can advance!" Reiko announced. "To Crimville!"

The soldiers cheered as they followed Reiko across the Crimson Fields and to the village that awaited them beside those massive fields. Near the entrance lay Skarlet, badly hurt from what had happened to her. Nitara was carrying her inside the village while many residents of the village stood ahead of the entrance, ready to defend their home with their lives.

"Defend Crimville!" Meat ordered as he stood at the head of their small army with Meat wearing a set of Outworld steel armour to properly protect his exposed flesh.

Reiko and his allies charged forth and ended up colliding with Meat's gathering of fellow constructs. More or less every Flesh Pits construct had been made with the intention of acting as a weapon, this made

many of the constructs very skilled naturally. Reiko ran forth with the Wrath Hammer, mercilessly smashing the villagers around the area before reaching Meat who suddenly fell back when Reiko swung for him, creating a fleshy puddle of blood which he then emerged from behind Reiko, stabbing his signature pair of cleavers into Reiko which caused him to drop the heavy Wrath Hammer from how hurt he was from the surprising attack.

"You hurt my sister!" Meat yelled angrily as he began to ruthlessly cut at Reiko with his cleavers. "Now I hurt you!"

Meat's assault was only stopped when Shang Tsung, after waiting for an unnecessary amount of time due to enjoying seeing Reiko in immense pain, shot out a flaming skull which struck Meat in the back. Meat stumbled forward but managed to grab onto the Wrath Hammer which Reiko dropped. Meat used his immense muscle mass to lift the Wrath Hammer up high as he let out a battle cry. Shang Tsung sent a second flaming skull, but Meat used the Wrath Hammer to smack the projectile aside with it instead taking out a few Kahn Guard soldiers.

"Recognise me, sorcerer?" Meat asked as he began whirling the Wrath Hammer around in his hands.

"I actually do not," Shang Tsung admitted.

"Maybe this will help…" Meat spoke as he tore his protective mask off which revealed his fleshy face with one loose eyeball. "How about now?"

"Meat…" Tsung now recognised him. "I must admit that what you've become is rather impressive. Yet you're still an unfinished experiment."

"My family made me whole!"

"I am a part of that family, son," Tsung commented, which angered Meat so much that he began attacking with the Wrath Hammer which Tsung had to dodge each attack. "Join me, Meat! I can complete you! I can give you the skin you need!"

"You can," Meat agreed, "because I'll be skinning you."

"So uncivilised," Tsung said with an eyeroll as he prepared to fight.

Meat swung the Wrath Hammer again, this time Shang Tsung fought back by shape-shifting into Shao Kahn himself and thus he gained a replication of the very same weapon. The two Wrath Hammers collided but Tsung used the added strength that being Shao Kahn gave to overpower Meat before throwing him to the ground. Tsung then shapeshifted into the Shokan warrior Goro and leapt into the air, attempting to use the Shokan stomp technique to crush Meat to his death. Meat rolled aside though and Tsung simply landed on the ground, causing it to shake from the huge impact. The use of all this power quickly depleted Tsung's shapeshifting ability with him always being on a set timer whenever he used such powerful sorcery. Tsung returned to his own form, which for Meat was a form that he overpowered. Meat grabbed Tsung by the legs before flipping him up into the air and catching him with a backbreaker as he fell down.

Before Meat could slay the sorcerer, Skull and Raza attacked Meat after seeing him wielding the Wrath Hammer. Skull's more ruthless nature meant he came charging forth, only to be tripped over by Meat sliding across the ground, made possible by the meaty substance he could release and had since learned to control it only for when he actually wanted it. Raza then swung at Meat, his longsword cracking him in the back while Meat reacted by spinning around with the Wrath Hammer and smacked Raza across the Crimson Fields. Skull and Raza provided enough of a distraction though for Shang Tsung to have recovered and to have launched a pair of fireballs which went in parallel directions before coming together into one massive fireball which struck Meat from both sides. The Wrath Hammer came flying out of Meat's hands and back into Reiko's, who immediately began to demolish more of his enemies with it.

The villager residents eventually had to fall back which led to the Kahn Guard breaching inside Crimville itself where the soldiers were instructed to begin slaughtering anybody who refused to surrender. The soldiers stormed inside the homes as several constructs had already been slain. In one house in particular resided a young toddler and her older brother who was raising her with him having no real memory of his past before awakening in the Flesh Pits. Surprisingly enough, both he and his brother were human with seemingly no genetic alterations… or so the brother thought.

"Ferra!" he called for. "We must leave!"

"It mwe, big brutha Torr," Ferra spoke as she took some careful steps over to Torr. She had just learnt how to both walk and talk very recently thanks to Torr's teaching.

"I've got your bags packed," Torr assured her. "Are you ready?" Torr asked with Ferra nodding while sucking her thumb. "Come on then, Ferra."

As Torr went to open the front door, it was kicked down by a soldier as they and many more flooded inside the home. They threatened Ferra and Torr with Torr holding Ferra as they went to the ground. The soldiers began searching the house with the assumption that they were not alone.

"Is it seriously just you kids living here?!" the soldier interrogated with Torr nodding.

"Take anything!" Torr offered anxiously. "Just don't hurt her!"

"They don't even look like monsters," another soldier pointed out. "Join the Kahn Guard!"

"Or die!" the first soldier threatened.

"We can't!" Torr cried out. "She's only a toddler and I need to look after her!"

"I'm sure someone else can take care of the girl," the soldier assumed. "Kill this defiant boy. Take the girl out of here. Shao Kahn always said that the youth are impressionable."

"Torr!" Ferra cried as the soldier went to drag her away by the arm.

"STOP!" Torr screamed desperately while the soldiers began beating him. "LET GO OF HER!"

"You're lucky we found you, girl," the soldier said as they began dragging her to the doorway. "That pathetic boy would've been an awful figure to have to look up to."

"GET AWAY FROM HER!" Torr demanded as he was held down by the other soldiers. "LEAVE HER ALONE!"

Torr's body suddenly began changing, making the soldiers back away from him as he grew in size. He had basically tripled in size with his face transforming into a horrifyingly deformed look. His eyes turned bloodshot red as his body gained added muscles and he roared like a beast. The soldiers cried out in fear but were all swiped up in Torr's massive arms before being violently squeezed to death. Torr then turned to the soldier who grabbed Ferra. He growled at him before picking him up as he went to run and bit his head off before spitting it onto the floor. Torr then scooped up Ferra in his arms and ran out the home, having to bust through a wall to escape due to his immense size increase. Despite Torr's size, he had become faster and he sprinted through Crimville, running over any soldiers with his massive body along the way.

As Torr was about to leave the village, Shang Tsung and Reiko saw the beast. Torr growled upon seeing Shang Tsung as he remembered the old sorcerer despite everything in his life before Shang Tsung abducting him was near impossible to remember. Despite being afraid deep down, Torr still wanted to fight the sorcerer but he continued to run off instead of daring to challenge the man who had brought him and his sister much pain. Torr wanted only to keep Ferra safe and getting himself into conflict would go against his prioritised goal… so he continued running and didn't stop until he was certain that Ferra was safe. Torr hadn't even gotten the chance to process that he had just killed several soldiers, or a chance to examine his suddenly transformed body. Neither mattered to him at the moment as he only cared about protecting his little sister.

"What was that?!" Reiko asked Shang Tsung who was laughing insanely.

"One of my only two human test subjects," Shang Tsung recalled fondly. "I wanted to create an army of subservient mutants but nothing I tried worked. It seems the mutations still took an effect eventually though… quite fascinating."

"As I said," Reiko repeated himself from earlier, "you're sick."

"Let's just finish this attack," Shang Tsung advised as the two continued to walk into the village.

"Follow me," Reiko commanded. "Let us end this."

"I don't think so!" Nitara yelled as she flew above them with many fellow Vampires by her side. "Leave this village alone!"

"Where'd these Vampires come from?!" Reiko angrily asked.

"It is your turn to surrender, Reiko!" Nitara told him as the Vampires began swarming the Kahn Guard.

"You never told me that Vampires reside here, Reiko!" Shang Tsung complained.

"We don't!" Nitara clarified as she held onto the beautiful blue gem on her necklace before using it to suddenly summon a portal on the ground before the Kahn Guard soldiers. "I used this to bring over some additional support!"

Nitara's fellow Vampires soon swooped down, led by Azaco, to knock several soldiers into the portal that Nitara had created. Nitara had only gained the necklace after Shinnok's invasion and it had greatly aided with transportation which benefitted Nitara herself mainly as she searched for the orb that would restore her homerealm: Vaeternus. After Shinnok's defeat, Mileena's Union had finally been able to complete the removal of all traces of Shao Kahn… at least all that was left that the Kahn Guard hadn't taken. In the enormous Fortress, a relic room had been found which contained such a gem amongst other relics from conquered realms. When Nitara had seen the room, she immediately recognised the gemstone as what had once been placed within the beautiful crown of the former Vaeternus Queen… Nitara missed her. With how close her heroic duties were to the rulers as well as Iris the Protector God, Nitara had been made well aware of what that gemstone was capable of, and now it had fallen into her hands. The destination to the portal she had currently made was no place other than the Netherrealm for these Shao Kahn loyalists.

"Intriguing artifact," Shang Tsung said as his eyes became fixated on the necklace while he had no care for the soldiers that were being dropped into the portal. "But this just proves how weak you are compared to a sorcerer of my prowess. Allow me to show you what true portal creation is!"

Shang Tsung summoned a swirling orange portal right behind Nitara before blasting a fireball which knocked Nitara back and through the portal. Shang Tsung then shapeshifted into a Vampire himself to blend in with the flying brood, only to sneakily slaughter a few before flying through the floating portal he had made. Shang Tsung emerged in a location within Chaosrealm, the specific location of the realm completely unrecognisable like most of the realm as a whole. Nitara had fallen atop of a large piece of rock that was defying gravity as it floated around in the mind spinning green abyss that surrounded the realm. Such a place was the most unfamiliar realm to both Nitara and Shang Tsung, yet here they stood in the most bizarre realm in the universe.

"Seriously?!" Nitara said as she got up from the nasty bump she had taken. "Here?! Of all places?!"

"Why not?" Tsung replied as he prepared another fireball.

"If you want crazy then I can give you just that!" Nitara said as she summoned a portal at her feet, causing her to fall through before emerging atop of Shang Tsung where she wrapped herself around the sorcerer before sinking her teeth into his neck.

Shang Tsung chose to run off of the rock, causing Nitara to lose her grip as the two fell down to a lower platform with another piece of Chaosrealm land floating around the realm. They both smashed through the roof of a structure that was unrecognisable both due to how unusual the architecture was and also due to the fact the place was in ruins which Nitara thought might also be an intentional part of the structure's design from how insane this realm was. Both Tsung and Nitara began to stand from their sudden fall, with Nitara spitting the sorcerer's own blood in his face.

"Have it back," Nitara offered. "It tastes just as vile as yourself."

"How generous of you," the sorcerer said sarcastically as he wiped the blood from his face while Nitara drew a pair of kama. "Oh? Are we using weapons now?" Tsung said as he created a small portal to stick his hand through before drawing a straight sword from his own palace in Outworld. "

Nitara flapped her wings to launch her forth where she swung her kama wildly at Shang Tsung who tried his best to block all the attacks with his straight sword. Shang Tsung was less skilled in wielding a weapon compared to his martial arts and of course his magic, but he figured this was a good time to practice using a sword he had neglected for quite a while. Tsung soon became more consistent at blocking Nitara's attacks, however, Nitara wielded two weapons which made it more difficult for the sorcerer to predict the attacks. While his straight sword clashed with one of Nitara's kama, she simply went low with the second kama to slice Tsung in the gut. The sorcerer staggered back, but Nitara summoned a portal right behind him to prevent him from backing away further. Nitara then leapt up before landing her signature split kick, named the Unicorn kick by the Vampires. This attack was enough to send Shang Tsung flying through the portal with Nitara soon following.

The two emerged back in Outworld… but nowhere near Crimville. They currently stood in the Wastelands of Outworld, the terrain of this land having been turned into wastes even if when Shao Kahn had ordered the destruction of this chunk of land it was what remained of Edenia. Now that Edenia had returned, the part of Outworld that had been replaced with the remnants of Edenia had returned… but now what used to be there was consequently in an equally ruined state. The part of the Wastelands that Nitara had brought herself and Shang Tsung to mountainous lands. Due to the change in terrain though, these mountains had become unstable and were already beginning to slowly crumble from their poor structure as well as the constant tremors and earthquakes that plagued this area of Outworld. The magic that Shao Kahn had unleashed to leave this large patch of land in Outworld destroyed seemed to have been so powerful that it had even taken effect underground… with this being greatly noticeable in this returning mountain range.

"You fool!" Shang Tsung insulted as he landed in the centre of one such mountain which Nitara had chosen as the smallest in the area to such an extent that the edges were already closing in. "Do you not understand how unstable the Wastelands are?!"

"I am well aware, sorcerer," Nitara assured him as she got into the stance suitable for her fighting style named Leopard.

"Do you also have a death wish?"

"Falling isn't an issue for myself," she reminded him while gesturing to her wings. "I just brought you here to make sure that only you fall."

Nitara flew up to demonstrate how quickly she was able to take flight, before landing back down with a heavy stomp. This didn't help the already unstable mountain, as edges of the cliffs began to fall, reducing the size of the mountain. Shang Tsung peered over to see the ground below covered in jagged spikes that scattered the surface of the Wastelands. Nitara then swooped forth and went to grab Shang Tsung, but the sorcerer reacted in time to swing his straight sword and sent Nitara rolling onto the ground, her back smashing against some rocks pointing upwards which were soon pushed back off the edge of the cliff. Nitara stood up and hurled a kama at Shang Tsung, the sorcerer avoided it with the weapon flying over the edge but Nitara threw her other kama immediately after which Tsung was unable to react quickly enough to dodge. The kama impaled Tsung in the stomach, causing him to curl in pain as he bent forth to try and remove the weapon from him. Meanwhile, Nitara ran at Shang Tsung and struck him down with a string of punches that ended with a spinning kick. Upon Tsung falling to the ground, the mountain began to shake again as tremors began to occur once more. This caused more of the sides of the cliffs to collapse, making the platform that the two could fight on even smaller. Shang Tsung kipped up and sent a flaming skull as he did so which collided with Nitara and knocked her back right against the edge where she began wobbling while struggling to maintain balance. Tsung then ran forth and with a jumping kick, he sent Nitara flying over the edge. Shang Tsung immediately prepared another portal while he had the time, knowing that Nitara was going to literally be flying back up. When he turned around, he was correct. Nitara was levitating using her wings to remain in the air as she spat blood at the sorcerer which connected him in the eyes which blinded Tsung temporarily. Nitara then swooped in again, successfully grabbing the sorcerer due to his state and hurling him over the edge of the mountain. Shang Tsung flailed his arms wildly as he rapidly fell down the mountain. He had to act fast! Nitara watched as the sorcerer managed to create a sorcerer right before the spike he was tumbling down towards, falling through the portal instead of being impaled to death.

"Slippery bastard…" Nitara said through gritted teeth as she leapt down to follow the sorcerer through the portal he had made.

Shang Tsung had created a portal back to his palace as he had not anticipated Nitara pursuing him any further and would've rather avoided the rest of the invasion of Crimville after everything that had transpired. Much to his surprise though, Nitara emerged right behind him as the two now stood in the sorcerer's throne room in the upstairs level of his palace. Tsung sensed Nitara's presence and went for a sneaky attack as he spun around with his straight sword, but Nitara performed the splits to duck the attack before stabbing Tsung in the leg with her remaining kama. Nitara then rose up, scooping the sorcerer onto her shoulders, and proceeded to launch him into his own throne with his hip smashing against one of the golden armrests. Nitara then grabbed Tsung and shoved him back against the seat of the throne before unloading a barrage of strikes on the sorcerer which eventually ended with Shang Tsung slowly creating some magma in his hands which he used to smack against Nitara's exposed flesh. The magma wrapped around her arm with Nitara flying back as she felt a burning sensation as she used her kama to pull the magma off of her. While she was doing that, Shang Tsung attacked her with a burst of fire from the ground which smashed her against the throne room's ceiling and she then landed through a portal made by the sorcerer which he quickly closed afterwards.

"I have no time for this," Shang Tsung remarked as he sat back in his throne to nurse his wounds from the fight. "She has a powerful soul to collect perhaps… but it's not worth excessive energy for me to track down."

"Sir!" Hachiman called out for as he and a group of Masked Guards ran into the throne room after hearing a commotion. "Are you alright?"

"Quite," the sorcerer replied. "I just had a scuffle with a rather resilient Vampire."

"How was the attack on Crimville?"

"Ongoing," Tsung clarified, "that Vampire led me to a fight in many other locations… so I retreated here."

"Then they must indeed be a powerful foe," Hachiman noted.

"It is good that they know not of where this palace is," Shang Tsung commented. "My portal brought her to the throne room only. That is the extent of her knowledge."

"Why not return to Crimville?" Hachiman questioned.

"I can recognise when Reiko is on the losing end of a battle," the sorcerer claimed. "The Vampire reinforcements have halted our progress."

"So you've abandoned the fight," Hachiman realised.

"I fight battles where there is something worth gaining," Shang Tsung told him. "Although… those Vampires could be powerful enemies once my true plans are underway."

"They've begun growing in numbers after Mileena has made their kind feel safe," Hachiman explained to him.

"Perhaps we should remind them of the danger this realm puts them in…" Shang Tsung began to consider a new plan. "Hachiman?"

"Sir?"

"How would you like a new title?" Tsung asked him. "How would you like the privilege of being known as the Vampire Slayer?"

"I would like that very much, sir," Hachiman confirmed as he smiled behind his distinct mask.

While Shang Tsung discussed his evil plans with his loyal servant, the battle in Crimville was indeed still ongoing. Nitara had used portals to return to the battle and while she was angered that she couldn't have killed Shang Tsung, she was pleased to see her brood had completely overwhelmed the grounded forces of the Kahn Guard who had not anticipated the Vampires defended the village. Nitara even saw a now recovered Skarlet at the forefront of the warriors fighting on the ground, hacking through the Kahn Guard members like before. The enemies were being pushed back and it was clear that victory was at hand.

"We must retreat!" Reiko finally realised as his soldiers continued to fall.

"Oh no you don't!" Nitara yelled as she swooped in, hooking Reiko with his kama before flying back up and continuing to soar higher.

"Release me at once!" Reiko demanded through the pain of being hooked onto the kama.

"As you wish!" Nitara said as she laughed while ripping her kama through his flesh, causing her to lose connection to Reiko so he began plummeting to the ground below. To protect himself, Reiko surrounded himself with his energy powers with the red glowing magic covering his entire body as he smashed against the ground.

"Reiko!" Raza cried out in horror as Skull immediately rushed over to help him.

"He's alive!" Skull reassured his allies as he carried him onto his shoulders. "The energy must have shielded him!"

Nitara growled as the Kahn Guard began leaving while protecting Reiko's unconscious body. Ordered to check in on the battle, Talon soon emerged from a portal. She quickly realised the battle had been a loss.

"Is he…" Talon feared the worst on sight.

"He's just unconscious," Raza reassured her.

"Everybody through the portal!" Talon instructed.

"Get back here!" Nitara growled as she dropped down from the sky to try and reach the Kahn Guard but it was too late and they had already retreated. "Dammit!" she cried angrily.

"Are you alright, sis?" Azaco asked. "You're usually the more level headed sibling."

"I was so close to killing Tsung and Reiko!" Nitara said as she punched the ground until she felt calmer. "Yet they both slipped away!"

"We'll get them next time," Skarlet told her as she approached her as well.

"Next time will be them slaughtering more innocents…" Meat said sadly with Skarlet embracing him for comfort. "Thank you, Skarlet."

"Always, Meat," she replied.

"Everytime they send an attack they either succeed in their goal or fail but they'll still have caused more casualties either way!" Nitara continued to express her rage. "Your people do not deserve this, Skarlet. Nobody deserves to have their home destroyed by a tyrant…"

"Bring any wounded to me, Meat," Skarlet requested. "I'll try and heal those in need of my blood abilities."

"I shall," Meat complied before walking off.

"We'll be alright, Nitara," Skarlet tried to reassure her.

"I almost lost you…" Nitara was still processing everything. "You standing up to them alone was so brave."

"You were brave too," Skarlet told her. "I've never seen you upset before…"

"Are you not?"

"Of course I am," she related with her. "The lands have been damaged… homes destroyed… I wasn't that close with those who have fallen fighting for us… but all this conflict is-"

"Too much," Nitara finished the sentence for her. "I feel the same way."

"I'm happy that you're okay though," Skarlet looked at the positives. "You confronting Tsung and Reiko alone had me worried sick."

"When I see stuff like this… it reminds me of Vaeternus," Nitara revealed. "I was a hero to my home and yet I couldn't protect it in its time of need…"

"Oh, Nitara…" Skarlet immediately embraced her for comfort.

"You did all you could, sis," Azaco told her quietly as he still stood beside his only sibling. "The brood is proud of you still."

"I just can't let it happen again," Nitara told them. "Thank you both."

"Of course," Skarlet replied as Nitara hugged her back which made her blush again.

"I almost forgot!" Nitara suddenly remembered something now that she seemed a bit cheered up. "What did you want to tell me earlier, Skarlet?"

"Oh!" Skarlet had also just finally remembered with the battle having taken away from what was going to be her perfect confession. "Nitara… I love you!"

"I love you too!" Nitara immediately expressed that she felt the same way as the two went from hugging to passionately kissing in mere seconds.

"Get a room!" Azaco commented jokingly as he saw the two kissing. "I'm going to help Meat…"

Azaco flew off to give Nitara and Skarlet their own space as they showed affection to each other. Despite the tragic events that had happened on this day, Nitara and Skarlet helped to hold each other together.

"In your own time please!" Reiko requested to Epos and Talon who were kissing each other at the table.

"Sorry!" Epos apologised. "Talon saving us in that battle just reminded me of how much I love her is all!"

"You're so sweet," Talon complimented.

"Yes, very sweet," Reiko commented as he kept peering down at the map, trying to remain focused on his work. "What can we improve from this failure?"

"The matter seemed out of our hands!" Skull complained. "How were we supposed to know that a whole army of Vampires would swarm us?!"

"That's exactly it!" Raza spoke up. "We must expect the unexpected."

"What do you mean?" Reiko asked as he placed his hand on his chin as he was deep in thought.

"Our current expectation is that most of Mileena's Union will be in Edenia," Raza pointed out, with Reiko nodding in agreement. "It should be worth considering that they may return while we're in the middle of our attack!"

"You're right," Reiko admitted. "Which is why we need to use all our forces."

"We also need to be as quick as possible then," Epos added on to Raza's suggestion. "To reduce the chances of any reinforcements coming before Reiko has the throne."

"No stopping to taunt our enemy," Reiko decided. "Well… this now only leaves us with one last failed conquest: Sun Do…"

Jade awoke early in the morning in the bed she shared with her beloved Li Mei. Usually she'd wake to calm music being played by the love of her life in the downstairs living area, but today was different. It was anything but a peaceful morning. Jade sat up as she heard loud noises from everywhere, and her eyes soon focused on Li who was anxiously hurrying to equip her armour despite being unprepared.

"Love?" Jade called for. "What's going on?"

"We're under attack!" Li Mei shouted as she was clearly stressed. "I have to defend our people!"

"Who's attacking us?"

"Reiko."

"Oh no…" Jade said as she climbed out of bed. "Well you aren't going to fight without me by your side, dear."

"Thank you, Jade," Li Mei expressed her gratitude as she pointed to the armour stands in their bedroom with Li already wearing her own set. "Get suited up and we'll go."

"Alright," Jade said as she walked over to her gear.

As Jade approached, the door to the side of the stands burst open as a Kahn Guard soldier had already broken into the home. Jade being unarmed and unprotected, was immediately grabbed by the heavily armoured soldier who wrapped a massive arm around her neck.

"Skull! Raza!" they called for the two guardians. "I found the chieftess and her mistress!"

"I have a name!" Jade yelled angrily as the soldier held a blade beside her.

"Release her!" Li Mei demanded.

"Handover your sword," the soldier had his own demands. "Do it or she dies!"

"Ignore him!" Jade instructed as she began struggling in an attempt to break free from the man's strong grip that was aided by his heavy armour.

"Stop moving this instant!" they ordered while pressing their blade against Jade's skin as a warning. "Now… the sword."

"Alright!" Li Mei threw her Kunlun Dao to the carpet floor. "Take it! Just let her go!"

The soldier threw Jade aside as he reached down to pick up the Kunlun Dao. The soldier had failed to realise, however, that Li Mei had intentionally left him vulnerable. Despite being a distance apart, Li Mei used her magic energy to shoot her sparkler projectile with the majestic ball exploding into the soldier at full force, the small explosion came as an amplified bonus of the Elder Gods themselves having enchanted the Sun Do village for their good doings many years ago. This would help them in protecting the village… and now it was time to put that aid to use.

Retrieving her Bo staff from a chest beside her and Li Mei's bed, Jade sprung on top of the soldier before he could stand back up, using her staff to choke them out until they eventually stopped moving. Li Mei offered Jade a hand up while she grabbed her Kunlun Dao and held it firmly in her grip once more.

"Thanks," Jade thanked as she quickly gave Li Mei a peck on the cheek before grabbing her armour to begin suiting up. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Nor I without you," Li Mei said as she watched the doorway. "That soldier shouted out two names. I think we still have more houseguests."

"Skull and Raza," Jade repeated the names. "Reiko's right and left hand men."

"Well I certainly won't be serving them any of my snacks for visitors," Li Mei quipped before turning around to see Jade fully dressed in her green plated armour thay due to being in a rush she simply equipped over her pyjamas. The green plating paired nicely with golden accents that were similar in style to the silver accents Li Mei paired with her primarily purple gear. "You ready, my love?"

"I've got your back," Jade promised her.

"You always do," Li Mei replied. "Let's go downstairs… and be careful."

"Of course," Jade said. "Let's do this."

Jade followed Li Mei as they slowly headed down the stairs. The house was old and both women knew that the wooden steps would inevitably creak, but they still attempted to be as quiet as possible. They could hear rummaging from in the rooms on the bottom floor, which helped suppress the quiet creaks as Jade and Li Mei reached the bottom of the steps.

Turning to the right, Li Mei and Jade slowly entered the open entranceway into the living area as they walked over their front door which had been ruthlessly kicked down. They soon saw Raza, recognisable by the engraving of the letter 'R' on the back of his chestplate. He was examining the many photos on the wall of Li Mei and her family, with recent ones being added of herself and Jade together.

Meanwhile, the opposite entranceway beside the stairway led into the kitchen and dining area. Rummaging could be heard inside which Li and Jade immediately assumed was Skull searching the home. With a silent gesture, Li Mei instructed Jade to check the kitchen as she went to confront Raza. Much to their surprise, however, when Jade peered inside the opening leading into the kitchen, Skull hurled a drawer that he had ripped from one of the storage cabinets at Jade's skull. Jade staggered back into Li Mei's arms as she was stunned from the heavy blunt container being smashed over her head.

"They're right here, Raza!" Skull yelled as he charged at Jade and Li Mei, kicking Li into the other room as he dragged Jade into the kitchen and slammed her head against one of the counters.

"Jade!" Li Mei cried out before turning to Raza who was glaring at her with a framed photo in his hands.

"Is this your momma?" Raza questioned as he glanced down at the photo of a woman holding a young child in her arms.

"Put that down," Li Mei demanded.

"Alright," Raza said as he carelessly dropped the framed photo onto the ground before stomping on it, shattering the frame beneath his metallic boot. "Is that better?"

Li Mei let out a cry of fury as she dove at Raza, delivering a flurry of punches all over Raza's body. Despite Li Mei wearing lighter armour and thus still feeling her fists smash against the heavy metal despite her gauntlets, she ignored the pain to continue laying into Raza. The Kahn Guardian was knocked against a wall with Li Mei tearing his mask off before immediately jabbing him in the nose, immediately busting it open due to dislocation. Raza reached for his longsword, but Li Mei grabbed his hand and pulled his gauntlet off before throwing it against his face, the piece of armour smacking against his right eye. Li Mei then drew the longsword herself before swinging the heavy weapon which she did quickly due to the added speed that her inner nova-like energy gave her so that it smashed into his armour, shattering the chestplate. This was just one of many types of energy that a small population of Outworlder fighters could channel, like how Earthrealmers can channel Chi or Fa Jing into various things. As an Outworlder himself, Raza had some inner magic that he could channel himself. In the same energy amplification that Reiko was capable of possessing, Raza had learnt the very same ability thanks to his close friend, however, instead of the blood red energy that Reiko could create, Raza's was a more controlled light blue in colour and in utilisation.

Using his own magic, Raza infused his bare hand with the energy to protect it as he swung a punch. Li Mei caught the fist though, and her sparkling bright energy began to crackle against Raza's own. While they struggled, Raza saw an opening and took it as he performed a rising knee strike that was amplified by his energy to launch Li Mei into the air with her proceeding to smack off the ceiling, leaving a hole where she had collided against. As she fell, Raza grabbed her by the throat and hurled her into a well furnished longcase clock that stood in the formerly tidy living area before Raza and company had intruded. Li Mei fell to the floor in pain as Raza tried to recover from the beating he had suffered.

Suddenly, the very same clock began shaking more violently despite Li Mei's impact against the furniture having already occurred moments ago. The handles on the clock then began spinning at an unordinary rate before beginning to be coated in a bluish tint as the clock face began to somehow morph into a projection of a human-like face. Some powerful force had somehow managed to possess an inanimate object.

"By God!" Raza reacted in shock as he was stared down by the clock face.

"By a God indeed," the clock spoke back which surprised Raza even more.

"What's going on?" Li Mei asked while she was recovering from her dazed state only for Raza to kick her down again violently.

"I am Kronika," she introduced herself to the two. "Former Elder Goddess."

Li Mei gasped while Raza angrily began punching at the clock. "What do you want, Kronika?!" he asked while shaking the clock as if he were demanding answers.

"In my retirement, I have plenty of time to look over events… especially crises as unfortunate as these…" Kronika began to give off a speech.

"Get to the point!" Raza ordered while he continued to keep Li Mei grounded as he tried his best not to be distracted by such a bizarre encounter.

"While I am no longer in position as an Elder God, I still feel some responsibility to do some goodness when I can," Kronika informed him. "The village Sun Do is protected by the Elder Gods and thus all the Heavens watch over it."

"The Heavens…" Li Mei said. "Wait! My family! Do you-"

"I'm sure they're somewhere in this realm enjoying a peaceful afterlife, dear," Kronika reassured her. "I haven't seen them, for the Heavens are infinite so finding a specific family is a challenge."

"I don't give a damn about any of this!" Raza snapped with an aggressiveness that his friend Skull would be proud of. Raza then retrieved his longsword. "I'll gladly make sure you reunite with your precious family!"

"Duck!" Kronika guided Li Mei who followed her instructions and thus avoided a sword swing. "Jump!"

After having foreseen the events that would take place by watching through her enchanted giant hourglass structure at her mansion in the Heavens, Kronika knew exactly what Raza would try to combat and was happy to give Li Mei the advantage against him. With each instruction, Li Mei avoided Raza and struck back with her on attack as she avoided each of his attempts to hurt her. Eventually, Li Mei managed to grab an incoming fist before then reversing it by using her magic to perform an upwards spinning kick which sent Raza flying across the room before tumbling into Li Mei's couch so hard he tipped the furniture over. As Raza attempted to stand, Li Mei unsheathed her Kunlun Dao and hurled the sword at Raza with her magic increasing the speed of its spin as it rapidly approached Raza at a speed that was too fast to avoid. Covering his face with his arms so the armour could protect him, Raza braced for a brutal impact that gave him several violent cuts as Raza collapsed to the ground with blood dripping onto the polished flooring.

"Thanks for the help," Li Mei expressed her gratitude to Kronika. "But… why?"

"I have a device that allows me to see moments into the future," Kronika continued to explain herself, "so when I saw what was happening here… I felt like I had to do something."

"Was something bad going to happen to me?"

"You were going to die," Kronika revealed bluntly.

"To Raza?" Li Mei was surprised by the news.

"No," Kronika clarified, "to your right!"

"What?" Li Mei turned to her right where she looked through her window and saw the menacing Wrath Hammer being hurled towards her rapidly. Li Mei rolled back right as the Wrath Hammer smashed through the window and flew into the room. "Thank you, Kronika! Is there anything else I should be warned about?!"

"There's a family down the street," Kronika warned her. "The soldiers are about to break in and… unfortunate events will procede without interference."

"I'll go right now!" Li Mei decided as she rushed out the room. "You alright in there, Jade?!"

"I've got him!" Jade assured her as she continued fighting Skull in the kitchen. "Go help the others!"

"I love you!" Li Mei yelled before running out the room and sprinting down the pathway in one of Sun Do's cosy streets with there being many since the expansion of the village.

Many Kahn Guard soldiers who had stormed the streets tried to get in Li Mei's way and fight her, but she used her agility and skills to either dodge or counter any incoming attack as she ran to desperately help the family across the street. Reiko though, hadn't forgotten about her and after recalling the Wrath Hammer back to himself he prepared to fight Li Mei.

"Get back here, Li Mei!" Reiko ordered as his followers obediently created a clear path in the street for him to chase after Li Mei with ease. The aid of an energy amplified shoulder bash helped Reiko catch Li Mei and knock her down. "Once I slay you, Sun Do will be mine!"

"Why do you even want this place, Reiko?!" Li Mei asked as she climbed to her feet.

"I want EVERYTHING in Outworld!" Reiko clarified to her. "Then I want EVERYTHING else!"

"You're insane!"

"And you're about to be dead," Reiko threatened. "I've already defeated you before," he recalled, "and I took great pleasure in smashing my trusty club over your body!"

"The difference now is that as a resident of Sun Do, I am empowered by magic laid on these lands years ago by the Elder Gods themselves!" Li Mei told him which was information that Reiko had already learnt, hence bringing such a large amount of forces to this one village.

"It matters not," Reiko told her as the Wrath Hammer pulsed with his aggressive red magic. "Why be enchanted by some spineless Elders? It is inferior to the fact that I possess the weapon of THE God!"

As Reiko mentioned this, he gestured to the glowing Wrath Hammer. This had made Li Mei quickly realise that she had left her Kunlun Dao at her home after having hurled it at Raza. Just then, a villager opened the upstairs windows in their home and tossed a pair of Sai down for Li Mei to grab. For helping the chieftess, a Kahn Guard archer attempted to shoot an arrow at the village, however, Li Mei threw a Sai with a great deal of precision that it managed to knock the arrow away from the innocent villager. Li Mei then bravely pointed the other Sai at Reiko who merely laughed which reminded Li Mei much of the wicked Shao Kahn, especially due to Reiko donning his helmet and mask as well as wielding the infamous Wrath Hammer.

"Your girlfriend is not here to save you from death this time, Li Mei," Reiko said before running at the chieftess with both of his hands firmly gripped onto the handle of the Wrath Hammer…

While Li Mei was fighting for her life, Jade was still battling with Skull in the kitchen area of their home. Jade was trying to protect her head that had been hurt from the lethal slam Skull executed. Skull being a violent and aggressive warrior meant that his attacks reflected such. Skull was relentless and Jade was finding it tough to find counters for his onslaught and it was even harder to keep him down with each reversal. Skull eventually resorted to his longsword and attempted an overhead swing which Jade just barely evaded with the tall weapon clinging against the oven instead, one that would be seen as outdated by hundreds of years in comparison to Earthrealm. Jade performed an overhead strike of her own with her Bo staff which smashed against Skull's longsword so hard that it fell out of his strong hands.

Enraged by Jade disarming him, Skull punched his fists together which let out a violently metallic clash due to his armour but more importantly it called upon his energy. Like with Raza, Reiko was more than glad to teach Skull how to unlock his inner energy of an Outworlder. Unlike Reiko and Raza though, Skull's energy was especially unique. His energy was also red, but far darker than Reiko's already frightening powers with some parts of his energy just being pitch black. Not only did it appear menacing, but it had a unique unstable nature which Skull had no intention of controlling. The energy emitting from his hands unleashed small zaps of energy all around them due to how uncontained Skull's energy magic was. Skull swung both of his fists, striking wildly. His accuracy didn't matter as his unstable energy would still find a way to catch Jade before Skull ended up grabbing Jade and performing a suplex with Jade crashing into the ice chest that was beside the kitchen counters.

Jade quickly got and grabbed Skull by the helmet but Skull began rapidly punching her in the stomach with his energy empowered fists. Jade felt a rush of pain at first, but she activated her own energy magic that originated from the mystical skills gained by ancient Edenian warriors. Jade surrounded herself with a green forcefield that acted like a shield wrapped around her body and made her invulnerable to magic momentarily. Raza stopped once he realised his strikes were lacking effectiveness, giving an opening for Jade to perform her signature kick nicknamed the Blazing Nitro kick. The strike threw Skull back at a good enough range for Jade to draw one of her many triblades and throw one at Skull but not before using her Bo staff to whack Skull's arm against a counter he had been knocked into. Despite the heavy armour, the triblade was sharp yet thin and had little trouble with piercing through the protection once thrown at Skull's hand. Jade then rushed towards Skull and pushed down on the triblade, pressing his hand against the counter while Jade took her Bo staff and began whacking at Skull like a piñata at a distance where Skull couldn't do anything to avoid the incoming blows. Skull's body soon collapsed from the constant beating which prompted Jade to remove his helmet and crack the steel Bo staff over Skull's skull. Being similar to Raza once more, Skull was also unconscious. Checking the other room, Jade soon saw Raza on the floor unconscious in a puddle of blood. She retrieved her lover's Kunlun Dao as she dragged Raza towards Skull. Although Jade often had a moral code like most heroes of all realms, most commonly the decision a heroic warrior would make would be to only kill when absolutely necessary. Jade found herself in a tough decision. Both Skull and Raza were knocked out and completely unable to commit any atrocities currently, but given the situation she couldn't think of a suitable way to detain them and knew that if any Kahn Guard soldiers got to them then these two villainous Kahn Guardians would be free to harm more innocents for their insane cause.

Unfortunately, Jade's deep contemplation had led to what she had been concerned about. Hearing loud footsteps approaching, Jade got into the appropriate stance for Bojutsu as she awaited the incoming threat. Approaching was the infamous Executioner, rarely sent directly into battle by Reiko. He towered over Jade at his height of over seven feet tall while he immediately attacked Jade by swinging his lethal battle axe that he had used to behead hundreds of enemies to the Kahn Guard and even more prisoners. Jade immediately sidestepped to avoid the swing before hurling a triblade into his massive chest that was left bare due to a lack of armour compared to most Kahn Guard soldiers. The Executioner merely grunted as he gazed at the blade though, not even making an attempt to dislodge the pain inducing weapon.

"The Edenian Knight," Executioner recognised Jade. "You are one of General Reiko's most wanted."

"Wanted dead or alive?" Jade asked.

"Well… if it was the latter then he would not have called for me to attend this pillaging session," Executioner talked slowly as he assessed Jade through his black mask that hid his entire facial appearance.

"Can we at least settle this outside, big guy?" Jade asked as she looked around the kitchen and dreaded how much work would have to go into repairing the home.

"Most certainly," Executioner agreed and suddenly grabbed Jade by the throat before hurling her entire body through the kitchen window with Jade tumbling out with her back smashing against the concrete flooring of the street.

"Agh!" Jade groaned in pain as her back felt as if it were broken after the nasty landing after being hurled through a window with her body being covered in some new fresher cuts from glass shards.

"Are you ready to die?" Executioner asked as he stepped outside with his axe at the ready.

Jade remained focused, ducking another swing from the huge battle axe as the Executioner swung ruthlessly at her. Once she had found a suitable opening, Jade swung her Bo staff onto the Executioner's feet before also cracking them against his shins. This took the big man down momentarily, allowing Jade to wrap herself around him and tear the triblade from his flesh before repeatedly stabbing him over and over again until the Executioner countered by standing up while carrying Jade, and charging into the brick exterior of one of the villager's homes. The Executioner once more swung his battleaxe, however, Jade sidestepped away and the axe only collided with the wall. The Executioner was so strong that the axe cut deep into one of the bricks, and he had to put his foot against the wall to help pull it free. Once more the Executioner was vulnerable to being attacked, and Jade swung the Bo staff to the inside of his heel which caused the huge man to fall down.

Before Jade could take advantage of this opening, a group of the many Kahn Guard soldiers that filled the streets fled over, seeing the legendary warrior fall down which was certainly a rarity. The soldiers soon surrounded Jade with their melee weapons at the ready.

"Surrender now!" one soldier who had organised this surrounding ordered Jade.

"I'll never surrender!" Jade declared before spinning around, cracking her staff over the face of the soldier who was behind her before hitting a Blazing Nitro Kick to a soldier who came running forth which broke their pattern and the soldier was thrown back into one of their own allies.

Continuing to fight resiliently and valiantly, Jade used her Bo staff to knock out all approaching enemies. But this had distracted Jade from a deadlier threat. The Executioner had soon arose and his shadow casted over Jade as he stood behind her right after she finished the final soldier. Jade spun around with her staff again, but the Executioner caught the staff, snatched it from Jade's grasp, and cracked it over his knee which shattered Jade's signature weapon. The steel Bo staff had been Jade's main weapon for thousands of years and seeing it snapped in an instant made her quite upset but also angry. The Executioner threw the two halves of the steel staff at Jade who grabbed one in each hand and leapt at the Executioner before stabbing him with both of the spiky ends from the point where the weapon was snapped. The Executioner collapsed from both exhaustion and pain. Jade thought of slaying him for good, however, many more soldiers arrived and Jade now had more enemies to combat.

Meanwhile, Li Mei was busy trying to survive Reiko's onslaught as his loyal allies watched on to see their General and future Emperor in action against the Chieftess of Sun Do. With only one small Sai at hand to defend herself from the armour cladded Wrath Hammer wielding maniac, Li Mei had to resort to evading several attacks while she tried to think about how to stop this relentless attack from her nemesis. She then remembered the family Kronika had said was in danger, which distracted her train of thought and allowed Reiko to suddenly knock the Sai from her hand with one swift swing of the Wrath Hammer. Li Mei rolled back to avoid a second attack but was now even more clueless as to what she could do… but Li Mei never stopped fighting. When Reiko swung at Li for a third time, she threw herself backwards, ducking the Wrath Hammer before popping up with a cartwheel kick that was amplified with her magic. Reiko fell to a knee briefly but soon recovered when Li Mei leapt at him to grab her and slam her back onto his knee. Li Mei fell down but with the adrenaline flowing through her soul and the rest of her body, she mustered enough strength to leap to her feet and unload a sequence of forearm strikes using her gauntlets to smash into Reiko's face. With Shao Kahn's old helmet and skull mask helping to protect him, Reiko shrugged off the blows and headbutted Li Mei which violently busted open her face with blood as red as Reiko's attire began trickling down her entire face. Reiko could see Li Mei's focus and an angry look on her face behind her crimson mask.

Through all the emotions Li Mei was feeling, she remained focused still and managed to grab Reiko and proceeded to thrust her armoured knee into his gut, before nimbly swinging herself behind Reiko and landing both of her feet against his back which threw him to the floor. Li Mei dove aside, grabbing her Sai and running back to Reiko to impale him while he was climbing to his feet. Reiko fell over again, but this time he swung the Wrath Hammer which tripped Li Mei up by swiping her feet. Reiko went to crush Li Mei beneath the Wrath Hammer, however, she shot her signature Nova Blast with the magic, throwing Reiko back and giving Li Mei the opportunity to stand up. Reiko let out a frustrated growl-like noise as the two stared at each other.

"You've gotten stronger since we last met," Reiko confessed.

"You haven't at all," Li Mei taunted. "Were it not for Shao's weapon you'd already be dead."

"Watch your words," Reiko warned. "I could order these soldiers to kill you in a flash!"

"Or you can set an example for them," Li Mei suggested as she raised her fists. "Put the weapons down and let's just fight!"

"A meaningless attempt to stall me," Reiko realised, but he also saw no threat that'd interrupt this fun so he obliged and dropped the Wrath Hammer with it thudding against the ground. "Your village has already fallen, your pathetic postpones do you no favours… it just means I get to kill you slower."

Li Mei threw herself forth with a flurry of punches which threw Reiko back who recovered with a shoulder bash powered by his energy powers. Li Mei stumbled back before being knocked down by a running boot to her face. Li fought on still, swinging another punch which Reiko grabbed the fist and began using his energy as he squeezed her knuckles, beginning to break the bones in her hand. Li Mei cried out in agony as Reiko continued to squeeze her hand. Li Mei used her free hand to wildly swing punches at Reiko until he eventually released her. Reiko laughed as Li Mei clenched her broken hand.

"Every home in this street is being raided as we speak!" Reiko spoke to her as she fell to the floor while writhing in agony. "They will either join ME or DIE!"

"I'll kill you," Li Mei said angrily.

"Pathetic!" Reiko insulted Li as he backhanded her while she went to stand. "You've failed at being Sun Do's protector!"

"Damn you!" Li Mei yelled as she was booted in the face with even more blood spilling with the pavement being painted mostly red.

"My loyal allies!" Reiko called for the overwhelming crowd of Kahn Guard members that surrounded them. "Please bring forth some prisoners!"

"Here…" Konga reluctantly stepped forth with a couple other soldiers as they had apprehended a family. "They live at the bottom of the street. When confronted they resisted us, sir."

"And what are you holding?" Reiko questioned the unwilling Kahn Guard soldier, another victim to the village invasions.

"Their baby…" Konga answered.

"Bring their parents forth," Reiko demanded as he held Li Mei down with his foot. "Do you see them, Li?!"

"Don't you dare hurt them!" Li Mei yelled.

"Kill them," Reiko ordered. "NOW!"

Konga backed away, unwilling to follow such a horrific order. The other soldiers meanwhile, bludgeoned the parents immediately, brutally slaying them both. Li Mei cried out in pain, horror and sadness as Reiko laughed at the example he had set. He then looked down at Li Mei with a wicked smile.

"The baby," Reiko instructed, "hand them over."

"What?!" Konga thought he had misheard.

"Give me the child!"

"Why?!"

"Do you really wish to defy me, Konga?!" Reiko questioned.

"If it means joining my brother then so be it!" Konga shouted.

"Your brother is in the Heavens," Reiko pointed out. "For helping us? The toothless Elder Gods will send you to the Netherrealm instead!"

"No…"

"You will NEVER see Tabla again!" Reiko told him harshly. "Now… hand me the baby… Or die and be sent to a long suffering at the hands of whatever monstrosities await in the Netherrealm!"

"NO!" Li Mei yelled as she used all her energy to send a giant Nova Beam which blasted Reiko up into the sky.

Li Mei, using the skills she had learnt in her recent lessons with Bo' Rai Cho, leapt into the air and performed a flying flurry of kicks that was amplified by her energy, much like her flurry of fists. Li Mei then proceeded to slam Reiko against the ground, using him for protection on the fall down. With Reiko seen in danger, the many soldiers began to take action and surround Li Mei, all prepared to bludgeon her as they did to the two unfortunate parents. From both Reiko's taunting and her ability to not save the family Kronika had warned her were in danger, Li Mei felt as if she had failed her village. But before the soldiers could slaughter her, however, Jade ran in to try to help her lover desperately but she too was overwhelmed with no other reinforcements. But while there were no reinforcements within the village itself, there was one approaching from the outside…

Everybody in the street suddenly felt a tremor shake the ground. Then another. Then a third which was immediately followed by more. The small earthquakes happened frequently, getting louder with each step. The Kahn Guard soldiers soon turned to the source of this… Bo' Rai Cho. The Protector God of Outworld had gained many abilities since his ascension to Godhood, one of which being the ability to send tremors in the ground beneath him with each step if he so chose. He stepped through the friendly gates into Sun Do with his Jo staff at hand.

"It's him!" one soldier pointed to Bo' Rai Cho. "The Drunk God!"

"Attack him!" Reiko ordered as he was still being helped up.

The soldiers charged forth with Bo' Rai Cho pouring a bottle of rich Outworld booze across the ground before setting it aflame with a touch of his finger. This soon caused a fire wall to rise, burning any soldiers who came close to him. Bo' Rai Cho then flew through the fire and blasted a group of soldiers with his signature belly bash. The soldiers fell back, smashing into several of their allies like bowling balls knocking down pins. Bo' Rai Cho took this moment to have a drink, while skillfully taking down an attacker with his staff. When the soldiers regrouped and charged forth once more, Bo' Rai Cho put his drink down and breathed fire from out of his mouth, once more burning those who tried to assault him.

"How did he know?!" Reiko questioned as he angrily watched his forces be defeated one by one at the hands of Bo' Rai Cho.

"Protector Gods have the ability to sense major threats within their realms," Li Mei told him. "It's even stronger with the magic surrounding this village."

"Still alive are you?" Reiko was surprised, but he summoned the Wrath Hammer as he was ready to correct this.

"Li!" Jade called for as she threw the Kunlun Dao to her so she could use it to block Reiko's incoming attack.

While this was happening, Bo' Rai Cho was still getting closer with no signs of slowing down. None of Reiko's pawns could stand a chance against Outworld's new Protector God. Swinging his Jo staff in a skilled manner, Bo' Rai Cho was able to counter anybody who tried stopping him from reaching Reiko as he clashed with Li Mei. This chaos had gone on for long enough that Reiko's right hand men, Skull and Raza had reawoken and they rushed over to their fellow soldiers.

"What's happening?!" Skull questioned as he ran into Jade's staff and immediately fell down.

Before Raza could strike Jade for attacking his best friend, Bo' Rai Cho had arrived and Raza felt his Jo staff press through the cracks in his broken armour. Raza spun his head around but was met with Bo' Rai Cho's Drunken Fist strikes that were amplified by his fire abilities gained upon being transformed into a God. After enduring all the punches, Raza eventually was knocked down with a Jo staff leg sweep which made him stumble over into Reiko which interrupted his clash with Li Mei. Seeing all his forces being taken out made Reiko realise that he had suddenly lost.

"Retreat!" Reiko ordered as he and his allies began rushing out the village.

"Wait!" Li Mei called to Konga, who was still cradling the baby in his arms. "Please don't take him."

"Here," Konga carefully handed the baby over to Li Mei while looking around to make sure no higher ups in the army were watching this good deed. "I am sorry… about all of this."

"As am I," Li Mei related. "I was once forced to serve Shao Kahn… under threat of losing my people… what remained at least."

"They killed my brother," Konga revealed. "I am now forced to be a warrior for Reiko… or else the rest of Makeba dies."

"I see that Reiko is still trying to emulate Shao Kahn's monstrous ways," Li Mei said with sadness in her tone of voice. "You will find freedom someday, friend. You and Makeba. I'll make sure the Empress is aware."

"Thank you so much," Konga thanked her gratefully. "I should go."

"Stay safe," Li Mei said as the two waved goodbye as Konga joined the Kahn Guard in retreat.

"A baby?" Jade was puzzled as to why a Kahn Guard soldier was holding one.

"The…" Li Mei couldn't speak as she looked over to the corpses of the parents with Jade gasping when she realised.

"That's awful…" Jade said as Li Mei burst into tears. "It's going to be okay, Li. The village is safe once more."

"Even in death Shao Kahn's influence still manages to split families apart…" Li Mei said through her tears. "Slaughtered like my parents… your birth parents…"

"We're still here, Li," Jade reassured her as she took the baby from her and embraced Li Mei. "I love you."

"I love you too, Jade," Li Mei replied as she began to cease her crying.

"I apologise for all the losses today," Bo' Rai Cho said respectfully as he approached the couple. "I tried to get here as fast as possible."

"Thank you, Master Bo' Rai Cho," Li Mei expressed her gratitude. "Were it not for you then… this would've been even worse."

"Happy to help," Bo' Rai Cho replied. "I'll be even happier with aiding in any repairs."

"Thank you," Li Mei repeated. "But… I think we have a greater matter to discuss than fixing buildings…" she looked down at the innocent and pure baby.

"I can take them to the White Lotus," Bo' Rai Cho suggested. "In my time there I raised many. Liu Kang himself was an orphan mysteriously left at one of our temples," he revealed while recalling on his good times helping the Shaolin. "While I no longer have the time to act as a prominent father figure, I am certain there'd be good faces there to look after the baby."

"I have a different idea…" Jade spoke up rather nervously, "Li… what if we raise them?"

Li Mei gasped at the idea. She froze in place as she considered Jade's suggestion. Everything that was happening was all so sudden… but Li Mei took a long minute to contemplate in her own mind and watched as Jade lovingly cradled the baby….

"I've always wanted to be a mother…" Li Mei considered.

"You'd make the best mother," Jade told her.

"We'd be the bestest mothers," Li Mei replied. "Together…"

"We can do anything," Jade finished her sentence. "So… shall we adopt them?"

"Yes!" Li Mei now enthusiastically agreed as the family shared an embrace with Bo' Rai Cho smiling as he watched on.

"What should we call them?" Jade asked.

"Topaz," Li Mei said with a smile. "A gem as beautiful as a jade, and is most commonly the colour that green and purple makes."

"I love it," Jade replied. "I love you both."

"I love you too, Jade," Li Mei returned the kindness. "Let's get our lovely Topaz somewhere safe while repairs are being made."

"Follow me," Bo' Rai Cho had already summoned a portal. "My old home in Earthrealm should have everything you need."

Bo' Rai Cho led the family through the portal where Li Mei and Jade began their new chapter in life as mothers while Sun Do was being built up once again, stronger than before as always and with plenty of neccesities for Li and Jade when it came to raising their beloved Topaz…

"Gods," Raza concluded after those in the meeting had recalled the events, "they're the problem."

"But they won't be here!" Reiko reminded everybody. "Which is why we attack quickly and do not waste time in case reinforcements are called! Am I clear?"

"Yes sir!" everybody in the meeting yelled.

"Aye!" Bonez spoke from under the hatch in the Nethership's interior.

"How long have you been eavesdropping?!" Reiko asked as he angrily flung the hatch open.

"Sorry," Bonez casually apologised. "I thought this conversation included I!"

"Why?!" Reiko asked. "We literally closed the hatch on you!"

"So?" Bonez was puzzled by Reiko's sudden anger.

"You annoying bag of useless bones!" Reiko insulted as he summoned his Wrath Hammer. "I'm breaking each part of you!"

"Please no!" Bonez begged as Reiko went to crush him with the Wrath Hammer but was interrupted by the Nethership suddenly stopping.

"We've reached our destination, lads and lasses!" Captain Kendrick Shayde announced. "The Isle of Dread!"

The members of the Kahn Guard present on this overseas trip left the Nethership and now stood on the shore of the Isle of Dread. They were greeted by some allies who were already at the island, their regular duties being working on the island in secrecy. At the forefront of the group who had been waiting for Reiko's arrival was a tall man wearing a set of silver and red armour like most Kahn Guard members, however, he had a few unique qualities. Despite standing at a height of well over seven feet tall, this warrior was very agile for his size and thus his equipment was suited for his very unique skill set. This meant that while most Kahn Guard soldiers were advised to be draped head to toe in the finest Outworld Steel armour, this man opted to wear armour only in what he considered to be the necessary spots so that it wouldn't weigh or slow him down. The warrior was so skilled that it was rare for him to be harmed in the areas he left exposed with his bare flesh that was painted an eye catching white used as a symbol of the peace he creates by destroying any enemies to Shao Kahn who this man had served as one of his deadliest assassins which was the main reason he had became so skilled and agile. In a change to once being a stealthy assassin, this warrior now wore the paint to draw attention to him so that any threats would target him first to prevent unnecessary casualties due to his current role which involved being in charge of many Kahn Guard soldiers. The areas of his body that he did cover though were a pair of armoured boots that were knee high, a large chestplate attached to some armwear and then finally he wore an intimidating helmet with his intimidating white glare peering through. Equipped with him was a variety of weapons including a whip, a katana, a staff and a halberd with the warrior having spent thousands of years mastering his abilities with each weapon he carried.

"Hideyoshi!" Reiko greeted as the two firmly shook hands. "It has been a while, old friend."

"Your messages about your plans to attack the capital did reach us, sir," Hideyoshi quickly got to the point of sharing details with Reiko. "I have personally assessed all of the work on the island and I can confirm that everything is ready."

"Show me," Reiko commanded.

"Follow me, sir," Hideyoshi said as he led Reiko and all the other travellers on a tour to the workings at their island.

The Isle of Dread had actually served as a secret location for the Kahn Guard to conduct important workings underground and this had been taking place even before Shao Kahn's death. With how distant and seemingly minor the island was in Outworld, the workers here suffered no consequences as everything being conducted here was completely hidden. Since Reiko took the reigns as leader of the entire Kahn Guard following their Emperor's death, Hideyoshi's role shifted from an assassin and to the head of operations on the island. While such a role was an unusual fit for Hideyoshi, he adapted quickly and while he hadn't been required to have a proper battle in years, he still wore and carried all of his equipment. The body paint now served as an indicator so the workers could spot where their manager was with Hideyoshi becoming great at organising all the procedures that occurred here. But what exactly were the Kahn Guard conducting on this island?

"Welcome to the Cobalt Armoury," Hideyoshi introduced as he opened a hatch into an underground bunker that had been hidden in a dead forest. "Guards, please escort our other allies to the barracks where they can train or rest while I cover the inner workings of our operation here."

The guards who accompanied Hideyoshi obeyed, directing the other visitors that Reiko had sailed alongside on the Nethership towards the barracks that were elsewhere on the Isle of Dread. Reiko meanwhile, followed Hideyoshi as the pair entered the Armoury through the secret passageway. Reiko followed Hideyoshi down a flight of stairs with the bunker door slamming behind them, a few torches lighting the stairway with the bottom glowing in an orange light. Once the pair reached the bottom, the source of the bright light soon became clear. There was a short bridge-like platform at the bottom of the stairs, with no railings despite either side being surrounded by a pit of lava. This lava surrounded the centre of the Armoury and was used for helping forge all the gear being made in such an unsafe place.

"Nearly every last piece of cobalt from the Cobalt Mines has now been used for either armour or weapons," Hideyoshi told Reiko as he displayed the process of how the gear was being made.

Reiko watched the workers in the Cobalt Armoury bring resources to a giant rolling rock crusher that rolled on a dangerous conveyor belt, which was being used to smash ore to be melted down for weapons and armour making. He watched the molten ore travel down streams which led onto forging stations where the workers began putting their years of practice to work.

"I am most impressed," Reiko told Hideyoshi. "Well done."

"Wait until you see the vault," Hideyoshi remarked as he gestured for Reiko to continue following him. "It is most impressive that despite losing control of the Cobalt Mines for years now, we are still yet to have run out of resources to work with."

"We'll soon regain control of that very shortly," Reiko promised him. "Along with everything else in this great realm."

"We are here," Hideyoshi told him as he pointed to a massive vault door on the other side of the underground Cobalt Armoury. "Take a look inside, sir."

Reiko turned the handle of the door with it eventually opening with Reiko peering inside and gasping at what he saw. The vault was a massive open bunker filled with thousands of weapon and armour stands. Everything Reiko and his army needed was right here!

"Are you pleased, sir?" Hideyoshi asked.

"This is perfect, Hideyoshi!" Reiko replied enthusiastically as he continued to look deeper into the massive storage room.

"I must admit that I was unsure as to why cobalt in particular?" Hideyoshi asked another question with this one having lingered in his mind since he begun working on this cobalt operation.

"Outworld Cobalt has… special properties," Reiko informed him.

"Like?"

"Magic immunity," Reiko revealed much to Hideyoshi's surprise. "A secret that Shao Kahn would only share with his closest ally… me!"

"But why?" Hideyoshi didn't understand. "Why would this be kept secret? Why wouldn't our great Emperor use this?!"

"He was saving it for the Netherrealm," Reiko elaborated, "the most dangerous target."

"So that's why we had such a large supply of spare cobalt…" Hideyoshi realised as the pieces started to come together.

"And now we have our own use for it," Reiko added as his eyes narrowed on a towering figure behind all the cobalt gear. "At the back there…you made a statue of Shao Kahn?"

"You could say that," Hideyoshi commented. "Albeit I believe Naknadan slaves made this long ago."

"Why keep it?" Reiko wondered. "I think it will make a fine statue to put up in the capital, but why is it here?"

"We've made a few theories based on old rumours," Hideyoshi told him, "summon the Wrath Hammer please, sir."

"Sure," Reiko complied with the request and used his energy to call upon the magical weapon. "Why do you want me to do this?"

Suddenly, a loud noise could be heard from the back of the room. They sounded like footsteps. Reiko looked back at the statue… and thought he was hallucinating when he saw the giant stone replica of Shao Kahn marching towards him, throwing any gear in his way aside with ease. The statue then stopped before Reiko, and knelt in his presence.

"How is this possible?!" Reiko was in shock by all the great stuff stored in this vault, but this statue being somewhat sentient was completely incomprehensible for him.

"Legends say that this was the first statue every made in Shao Kahn's likeness," Hideyoshi recalled the tales he had been told from their allies. "He adored the creation so much… that he enchanted the statue with his own magic and used his Wrath Hammer as the key to commanding it to perform any task desired."

Reiko smiled upon the news of this statue and its magic nature,he saw this as some sort of sacred gift from Shao Kahn to aid Reiko in his plans, even if this statue had been enchanted so many years ago. Reiko waved the Wrath Hammer, another gift he had taken from Shao Kahn of course, and waved it around before the statue with its eyes tracking the weapon and soon they slowly began to turn from plain grey stone to a glowing red. It was clear to Reiko that the statue was already charging up its powers.

"I shall name you Colossus," Reiko proudly named the statue. "Rise Colossus, and do my bidding!"

Colossus of course complied, for it was their obligation to do so from the magic that had brought life into them so long ago.

"Let us leave to our allies at the barracks," Reiko decided, which Colossus saw as a direct order and scooped both Hideyoshi and Reiko himself onto their hand while punching a hole in the ceiling leading to the surface from above. Reiko was most impressed by this feat of strength, power and obedience. He was even more impressed at the speed of which Colossus moved, as well as his agility as they climbed out of the hole as the easiest pathway to bringing Reiko and Hideyoshi to the surface.

"You should've specified to leave through the door, sir," Hideyoshi told Reiko who laughed in response.

"What is that?!" Raza asked as there were many shocked faces who had just seen Colossus burst through the ground.

"It's a statue!" Skull made a genius observation.

"Just like me!" Bonez cheered as he ran over to hug the thick stone leg of Colossus. "I too was once stagnant! But then life was breathed into me as well!"

Colossus suddenly grabbed Bonez in his firm stone grasp and nearly crushed him before throwing them across the island over to the beach where the Nethership had dropped everyone off from. Bonez crashed into the Nethership… while it was departing.

"I didn't order that!" Reiko pointed out.

"Well… it also reads your thoughts, sir," Hideyoshi explained to him.

"I see," Reiko noted. "That makes much more sense now."

"Why is the Nethership leaving?" Epos questioned with Bonez being launched towards the vessel having drawn attention to the fact that Kendrick Shayde was abandoning them.

"It matters not," Reiko dismissed the departure. "We have Talon to make a portal for us to depart… I have already given our other allies instructions so we shall leave through a portal to our encampment nearest to Sabar City."

"Excellent!" Raza praised while Skull applauded their leader.

"So… any questions about the big guy?" Reiko looked up to Colossus. "Their name is Colossus."

"We've just had a living statue on this island the entire time?!" Epos was shocked just like everybody else witnessing this… all but Talon. "Aren't you seeing this, my love?!"

"This is basic sorcery," Talon told her with a lack of any surprise being shown. "I must admit it is impressive that somebody managed to enchant a statue of such size though."

"Shao Kahn did so," Reiko revealed to the group. "It obeys whoever wields the Wrath Hammer so I shall command it to destroy our enemies!"

The audience cheered with excitement and joy at their new asset that would greatly help with Reiko's master plans. Soon after came the workers in the Cobalt Armoury, carrying many gear for all the soldiers to equip.

"Outworld Cobalt is immune to all magic," Reiko revealed his knowledge to everybody else as he had done in his discussion with Hideyoshi. "Everybody can equip a full suit of armour and a set of weapons! There is plenty to go around!"

The crowd continued to cheer, even starting to loudly chant Reiko's own name. Everything the army needed was on this island and Reiko felt even more prepared now that everything was set in place for the attack that was to begin shortly.

"At dawn we will attack!" Reiko declared. "We will storm Sabar City and restore it to the glory of Kahn City! Then we will restore glory to all of Outworld!"

"Are you with me?!"