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!

86. Party at the Grand Palace

Crowds approached the Grand Palace of Edenia and gathered around the spacious home of Edenian royalty as well as the colourfully decorated courtyard area where many activities were being held both inside and outside the grounds. The party for the heroes had begun around an hour ago and just now was the event beginning to become as lively as anticipated now that everybody had nearly arrived, making the celebration even more exciting and enjoyable for the heroes. The Tarkatans and Saurians had just recently arrived in their large groups and were walking up the path leading to the Grand Palace. This was seen as the perfect opportunity for an evil sorcerer to blend into the group…

"There is my opportunity, Erron," Shang Tsung stated as he and his trusted outlaw watched while shrouded by the shadows of trees in a distant forest. "I blend in as a random Saurian or Tarkatan and mingle a bit."

"I wouldn't recommend going in as a Tarkatan," Erron remarked as he waved what remained of his arm after Karbrac dismembered him from below the elbow. "Or do you wanna get maimed like me?"

"Even if I did get caught, that would not happen," Tsung assured his ally. "Besides, I made sure to change my scent so they won't be smelling me."

"What?" Erron was puzzled. "Did ya put perfume on or somethin'? That's what I'd have done."

"Oh because you must be a perfume expert, Erron," Tsung said sarcastically, "because you have so many ladies to impress I'm sure."

"I don't give two shits about love anymore and you know it," Erron reminded Tsung as he took offence to the joke.

"That makes two of us," Shang Tsung related. "How is that cannon hand treating you?"

With the loss of his hand, Shang Tsung quickly proposed a replacement for Erron Black. He had ordered for a quick prototype to be made of a cannon for a hand that would be capable of firing bullets of various shapes and sizes. The barrel of the cannon would act as a forearm with a prosthetic hand on top, which could be popped off at any time to create an opening for the cannon to fire from. Due to how recent the injury was, happening only hours prior, only a prototype was made. Tsung requested Erron come along with him to see how the cannon felt as well as extra safety in case he was caught while traversing Edenia.

"It's alright I guess," Erron commented, "still unsure overall to be honest."

"Losing a limb must take much adjusting," Shang Tsung understood. "Well… I'll make a portal home for you and I'll go to this party."

"How did you even learn about this?" Erron asked while Shang Tsung created one of his signature swirly orange portals in the forest. "And you still didn't say what you put on to make sure the Tarkatans don't sniff you out."

"Firstly, I learnt it from all the Tarkatans at their camp," Shang Tsung began explaining to Erron, "they were all very excited about this event," he continued. "Secondly, I found one of the corpses of the Tarkatans you slaughtered. Covered myself in some of its guts."

"Eugh," Erron said as he gave Tsung a disgusted glare. "Seriously?"

"Tarkatans aren't known as the most hygienic species in Outworld," Shang Tsung defended his decision. "My scent will be close enough to theirs. I'll just happen to be the smelliest Tarkatan there."

"Whatever," Erron Black trusted the sorcerer regardless of his bizarre plans. "Are we still sailing tomorrow?"

"We sure are," Shang Tsung replied as he shapeshifted into a Tarkatan, replicating a similar appearance to the corpse he had analysed. "Once I return, it'll be time."

"Understood," Erron commented as he began to walk towards the portal. "Cya later."

"Farewell," Tsung waved goodbye as Erron Black entered the portal as it shut behind him. Shang Tsung then blended in with the crowd heading into the Grand Palace of Edenia…

Meanwhile within the Grand Palace itself, several activities were happening. The new Queen of Edenia, Kitana, was on a balcony extending from her new bedroom to greet everybody passing by into the Palace. With her on the spacious platform was her mother and Flesh Pit born siblings: Mileena, Skarlet and Meat. The family had all gotten fancily dressed with Kitana, Sindel, Mileena and Skarlet all wearing matching dresses each with their own respective favourite colour. Even Meat had gotten dressed up nicely now that he had become more accustomed to wearing more clothes and that his vulnerable flesh had adapted to the feeling. He wore a black suit and gloves with a red shirt beneath his blazer. He had even managed to put his eye back into place to make himself more presentable for the event.

"This is amazing!" Kitana said joyfully as she saw the masses of Saurians and Tarkatans approaching the Grand Palace. "Greetings to everyone!" she yelled as those joining the party waved to her while she waved back.

"This is perfect!" Skarlet cheered.

"Agreed!" Meat enthusiastically stated.

"Absolutely," Mileena also agreed.

"I'm glad you all think so," Sindel commented. "This took a lot of planning to make possible."

"I'm glad we did prepare this," Kitana stated. "This has already been a great night."

"It's about to be even greater," Mileena commented as she leant over the ledge as she gazed at the crowd. "There he is! Baraka!"

"Mileena!" Baraka called out from the crowd.

"My soon to be son in law," Sindel remarked happily. "I am so lucky to have the best and most unique sons and daughters that any mother could ask for."

"You're too kind, mother," Mileena said as she hugged Sindel.

"There's no such thing as too much kindness, dear," Sindel told her.

"Group hug!" Meat shouted as he suddenly wrapped his arms around his mother and sisters as they were all brought into a heartwarming embrace.

"Thank you all," Mileena said once the family had finished hugging. "I'll see you all shortly."

Mileena carefully dropped one of her enchanted Sai off the balcony once nobody was passing by to avoid hurting anyone. She did this to teleport towards it to easily reach the ground. She then ran to the marble bridge that went across a nice stream in the courtyard to kiss Baraka on his forehead with the Tarkatan leader immediately blushing and letting out a signature Tarkatan purr which Mileena always found adorable.

"I'm so glad to see you!" Mileena told him.

"Happy to see you as well," Baraka expressed his mutual feeling. "Especially after everything that's happened today."

"What do you mean?" Mileena asked, unaware of the recent events regarding Shang Tsung infiltrating Tarkata.

"A baby in my camp was kidnapped," Baraka revealed as Mileena audibly gasped despite the loud noises of all the festivities happening around them. "We managed to get her back… but we lost many fellow Tarkatans."

"I'm so sorry to hear, dear," Mileena sympathised. "Do you know who it was?"

"Yes," Baraka said bluntly, "it was Shang Tsung."

"What does that monster want now?!" Mileena wondered. "I'm sorry that this happened, Baraka. Outworld has obviously been more peaceful lately but all this nonsense with Reiko and Tsung…"

"It stresses me out also," Baraka related as he could already tell how Mileena was feeling. "I didn't mean to ruin your mood but since you are Empress of Outworld, a great Empress at that, I just thought you should now urgently."

"Thank you, Baraka," Mileena said as the couple hugged. "Are you alright?"

"Sad about those lost today," Baraka admitted. "Additionally, I've got a bad leg from fighting to get the baby back."

"Well you shouldn't be walking!" Mileena expressed her immediate concern.

"But I wanted to see you," Baraka explained himself.

"Aww," Mileena replied. "Sounds like you had a bizarre day. I wish I was there to help."

"Surprisingly we had the help of a small group of Seidan Guardsmen from Lei Chen," Baraka continued to tell the story as Mileena held his hand and helped him walk inside the Grand Palace with the other Tarkatans. "Are they here?"

"I did invite General Hotaru," Mileena told him, "but unsurprisingly he declined."

"That's a shame," Baraka said. "I wish the Seidan Guard weren't so strict."

"Same here," Mileena agreed. "At least they want to be allies with our Union though."

"Better than being enemies," Baraka added as the couple walked into the main hall of the Grand Palace.

For the special party, this open space in the centre of the Grand Palace had been transformed into the perfect place for a celebration. There was a bar at the back of the room next to the doors leading to the back gardens where more guests were. The walls were decorated in colourful ribbons for the celebration with the floor already looking fantastic as it had recently received a lovely glossy purple and blue tile pattern while the walls themselves were a bright white but all the decor made them not feel plain. Many tables had been set up in the hall for the guests to sit down and interact with their friends and family. Mileena guided Baraka and the other guests through the hall.

"You still wished to host your barbecue?" Mileena asked, wondering if Baraka's injuries had caused a change in plan.

"Absolutely," Baraka confirmed. "You brought my bag didn't you, Karbrac?"

"Of course!" Karbrac confirmed as he paced over to the couple and showed the bag to his friend and mentor. "Everything you need is here."

"Thank you," Baraka said gratefully as he took the bag with all his cooking supplies.

"There's lots of food in the kitchen past the bar," Mileena told him. "I'll bring it out soon."

"I shall go get set up then," Baraka said as he headed out the doors into the gardens.

"Lovely to see you, Karbrac," Mileena greeted while looking past him to see the other Tarkatans tagging along. "Ah! Korhau!"

"Always a pleasure, Empress," Korhau spoke to Mileena.

"Thanks for the warm welcome," Karbrac added as he held onto his lover's hand.

"Always!" Mileena replied. "Enjoy the party, guys, I'm going to bring over the food for Baraka to start cooking."

"Alright," Korhau said as he waved to her.

"See you later!" Karbrac added as the couple walked outside along with the other Tarkatans who had come along to the party.

Mileena approached the bar where none other than Outworld Protector God Bo' Rai Cho stood behind, handing out various drinks as requested by those who'd come to the corner. Sat at the stools before the bar were Bo' Rai Cho's Shaolin pupils: Kung Lao and Liu Kang. The pair of monks were of course not at the bar for alcoholic beverages, but Lao did order an orange juice while Kang ordered an apple juice as they caught up with their old master.

"How are you both anyway?" Bo' Rai Cho asked the two monks.

"Great!" Liu Kang told him. "My own endeavours as a teacher have been going well."

"I hope you're still using my tactics as a mentor," Bo' Rai Cho commented as he cleaned a glass.

"Of course!" Liu Kang assured his master. "I've been using all your techniques… trying to gross out my pupils aside."

"Never intentional!" Bo' Rai Cho claimed as the trio shared a laugh. "How about you, Lao?"

"Private mentoring Jin's been going well also," Kung Lao also brought good news to the party. "Some hurdles… mainly regarding issues with his parents. He came out to them the other week."

"Oh?" Bo' Rai Cho was interested. "How did that go?"

"Awful at first," Kung Lao admitted. "But it was resolved eventually and their relationship has gotten a lot better," Lao revealed happily, "especially now that all the homophobic nonsense has been put aside."

"I am so glad to hear!" Bo' Rai Cho was overjoyed by the positive news. "I'm glad his parents managed to see sense."

"I think they feel pressured by the legacy of the Great Kung Lao," he believed as he wondered for an explanation for their behaviour, "and that pressure is applied to the rest of the family. I was raised by them too, I know what they're like."

"Especially when you shared his name," Bo' Rai Cho understood. "Sounds like things are changing for the better."

"They sure are," Lao assured him. "Especially for Jin! He has a boyfriend now!"

"It's none other than Kai," Liu Kang added as Bo' Rai Cho immediately had an even larger smile on his plump face.

"I'm happy for them both," Bo' Rai Cho expressed his feelings of support for their newfound relationship. "Speaking of him, how is Kai?"

"As well as Jin is since they got together," Liu Kang told him.

"Still your top pupil?" Bo' Rai Cho asked to which Liu Kang nodded. "Good to hear. I always liked that kid, reminds me of you before you became Champion of Mortal Kombat."

"Speaking of Champion," Liu Kang turned around at the sound of heavy footsteps and saw Prince Goro approaching with Mileena beside him as the two had bumped into each other while heading towards the bar.

"Hello all!" Mileena greeted as she walked over to behind the bar. "I'm just coming to bring some meat for Baraka to begin cooking, Lord Bo' Rai Cho."

"Come right through," Bo' Rai Cho offered as he stepped back to give Mileena room to pass him and head into the next room.

"Goro!" Liu Kang greeted as the two warriors firmly shook hands. "How are you, my friend?"

"Cannot complain," Goro answered, "for all is good in Outworld."

"Thanks to the likes of Empress Mileena!" Bo' Rai Cho commented in a tone so Mileena could hear the compliment from the other room.

"And yourself, Lord Bo' Rai Cho," Goro showed his respect to the Protector God of Outworld.

"We haven't interacted much have we, Prince Goro?"

"We have not," Goro realised. "I have of course met many of your pupils… oh my apologies, Kung Lao."

"None taken," Lao assured him as his personal grudge with Goro for having slain his ancestor long ago to become Mortal Kombat Champion had long since passed as the two had made peace years ago. "I understand that you meant no offence."

"Thank you," Goro said gratefully as he gently patted Kung Lao on the shoulder.

"Liu has plenty of new students for you to meet," Bo' Rai Cho commented. "Where is Kai actually?"

"He and Jin went exploring the general area," Liu Kang explained their current absence. "Makes sense since for every Earthrealmer here it's our first time in Edenia."

"They'll be joining us very soon," Kung Lao promised.

"I look forward to meeting them," Goro stated. "I have met many friendly new faces toni-"

"Goro!" called out a loud woman's voice, one of the people Goro had met tonight.

"Cassie!" Goro greeted her as he turned around to see her on the back of Kintaro. "What are you two doing?"

"I did say you were the coolest dude I've seen like ever," Cassie recalled as Goro slowly nodded, "buuuut I didn't know there were fluffy Shokan too!"

"We're known as Tigrar Shokan," Kintaro educated her as he stood beside the bar. "I need a drink."

"Kitty milk?" Cassie asked.

"He does like milk," Goro revealed to which Kintaro hissed at.

"Don't tell her that!" Kintaro said as the group laughed. "I will have milk though, Lord Bo' Rai Cho."

"Coming right up!" Bo' Rai Cho accepted the order. "Anything for you, Cassandra? All drinks are free of charge!"

"Anything with alcohol in it, Bo'," Cassie requested.

"Any ID, ma'am?" Bo' Rai Cho said jokingly.

"This is Edenia!" Cassie reminded him. "Pretty sure I should not be bound by the USA's drinking age bullshit!"

"If I get your mom or dad's consent then I'll be happy to get you a beer, Cassandra," Bo' Rai Cho offered for as a friend of the Cage family, Bo' was aware that Cassie was only eighteen.

"Fiiine," Cassie reluctantly agreed. "Sooo… who do you guys think is cooler?" Cassie asked the two Shaolin Monks beside her. "Goro or Kintaro?"

"The answer to this can only go badly," Kung Lao joked before he sipped his drink.

"My answer is both," Liu Kang told her.

"Of course you'd give a kind neutral answer!" Cassie said between laughs.

"Well who do you think is, as you put it: 'cooler'?" Liu Kang asked Cassie.

"Kintaro!" Cassie said as she petted the Shokan and they quietly purred. "WAIT HE PURRS TOO?!"

"At least you're a fan favourite," Goro told his furry friend.

"You'd become my favourite if you were to try playing the drums for me," Cassie told the Shokan Prince.

"The answer is still no," Goro told her as he recalled their previous interaction.

"There's drums here?" Kung Lao asked to which Cassie pointed at a stage with various unoccupied instruments standing atop it. "I never noticed until now."

"C'mon, Goro, pleeeease!" Cassie pleaded.

"Alright," Goro said as the group chuckled except for Kintaro who was busy downing his bowl of milk. "Let's go."

"Yay!" Cassie cheered as she and the Shokan walked off to the stage.

"I've got everything I need," Mileena said as she came out of the kitchen carrying a tray of many meats.

"Looks good, Empress Mileena," Bo' Rai Cho told her.

"Thanks," Mileena replied. "Enjoy the party, everyone!"

Mileena headed off to bring the food to Chef Baraka while Cassie and Goro headed onto the stage. The group at the bar watched from afar as Cassie tried to help the three fingered warrior with holding a pair of drumsticks. She then noticed there was an additional pair, audibly got giddy even from the far distance and all the other noises of everybody else interacting as Goro got into position to begin drumming.

"What is she doing?" Sonya Blade asked as she and her boyfriend Johnny Cage were sitting at one of the tables observing Cassie and Goro on the stage.

"This pairing is golden," Johnny commented. "Sonya, we're about to watch the best duet."

With Johnny and Sonya on the table were many fellow Special Forces members with Jax and Vera Briggs sat by them as well as Gemini and there were even others like Stryker, Kabal and Pedro as part of the NYPD riot control. Last but not least was Mokap, dressed in a suit gifted by Johnny as an old birthday gift instead of his usual motion capture work attire. Jacqui Briggs meanwhile was sitting at another table nearby, for there was a Shirai Ryu boy who had caught her eye from afar.

"How many Shirai Ryu are here, Master Hashi?" Jacqui asked as she looked around to see the large amount of pupils that Scorpion had brought along.

"About twenty," Scorpion answered as he did a quick head count. "This I'd just call a small group too."

"Then you must've done a good job rebuilding this clan," Jacqui complimented.

"Thank you, Miss Briggs," Scorpion greatly appreciated her respectfulness and kindness. "I have actually heard good things about you from your parents. The distance apart obviously makes keeping in touch more challenging, but we still do."

"That's good to hear," Jacqui replied. "Must be nice to all be reunited here today then, huh?"

"Absolutely," Scorpion agreed. "It's also great for you younger people as you get to meet so many of us."

"It's been great meeting you, Jacqui!" Takeda told her.

"Thanks," Jacqui replied. "I mainly approached to see you," she admitted to which Takeda immediately blushed at.

"I think your son may have found someone special," Hanzo whispered to Kenshi and Suchin who were sitting beside him. "Ah! General Sonya Blade!"

"It's been a while, Master Hasashi," Sonya greeted as the two old allies hugged. "Kenshi and Suchin too!" Sonya said as they got up to embrace as well.

"How have you been?" Suchin asked.

"Good," Sonya replied. "Still been busy with the Red Dragon clan's shenanigans though."

"I thought you liked to stay busy, auntie," Jacqui commented.

"I do!" Sonya confirmed. "Doesn't make the Red Dragon not a pain in the ass though!"

"At least it seems like the threat of the Black Dragon has drastically gone down," Kenshi pointed out.

"Any that I've heard of lately are basically nothing more than petty criminals," Sonya agreed. "They're more of just a common police officer's problem now than something that the Earthrealm Special Forces need to worry about."

"There's also the Paragons of Virtue," Suchin added.

"Are they here tonight?" Kenshi wondered.

"Unlikely," Sonya commented. "Those guys never rest…. kinda like how I used to be."

"They're certainly helpful with keeping the streets clear of crime though," Jacqui shared her opinion.

"I've never met any," Takeda told her.

"We don't really get any Paragons around in the Himalayas," Forrest Fox said as he sat next to his best friend.

"I've seen a lot," Jacqui shared her own experiences with the faction. "I can't say I'm very close to anyone from that group though."

"Great to see you guys," Sonya told the Shirai Ryu group. "You coming back, Jacqui?"

"One second," Jacqui told her. "I hope I see you guys again… especially you, Takeda."

"I'm sure we will!" Takeda commented. "I also hope we do."

"Then I'll see you again," Jacqui said goodbye as she stood up and walked beside Sonya while Takeda waved.

"Someone's got a crush," Fox immediately remarked once Jacqui had left. "How many is that now, Grandmaster Hasashi?"

"Her, that man he saw earlier," Scorpion listed as Fox laughed, "you too, Fox."

"Wait wh-what?" Fox's laughter was immediately cut off as he blushed.

"Oh please, it's obvious that there's something between the two of you," Scorpion remarked as the two friends glared at each other with both their cheeks red from embarrassment.

"I second this," Kenshi said, which made his son even more embarrassed. "Anyway…"

As Kenshi changed topics at their table, Sonya and Jacqui made it back to their own where they saw Jarek and Tasia standing beside the table. The two former criminals had recently been released as well as invited to the celebrations in Edenia. As Sonya and Jacqui approached the table, the banging of drums rang out throughout the hall. They looked over to see Goro, guided by Cassie, banging the drums with his four hands.

"Antics like this is why I told you to stay by her," Sonya told Jacqui.

"Makes sense," Jacqui understood as they watched Cassie rolling on the stage in laughter as Goro attempted to play the drums.

"You know that parties excite her better than anyone else," Sonya said which reminded Jacqui of the many previous parties they had attended together with those just being regular friend house events which paled in comparison to this celebration. "You're a sensible girl, I trust you to protect her."

"Thank you!" Jacqui expressed gratitude as she saw that as a great compliment. "I'll always keep her safe, auntie, don't you worry."

"That is relieving to hear," Sonya said as they reached the table. "Hello, Jarek and Tasia."

"Hey," Jarek greeted. "It sure has been a while."

"This is awkward," Tasia admitted.

"You took my offer, served your sentence, went through your reformation process," Sonya listed the steps that the pair had taken to improve themselves. "You two aren't criminals anymore. I see you as old allies instead, just like everyone else here. That is why I shared an invitation to you two as well."

"We appreciate that," Jarek replied as Tasia nodded in quiet agreement. "All we want is to start fresh."

"And you have that now," Sonya assured them. "As well as the support of many friends."

"Strong word but sure," Johnny quipped. "I'm willing to move on."

"Thanks, Cage," Tasia replied, which was the nicest thing that Johnny had heard her say. "Your movies are still shite, but you seem actually tolerable."

"Most of them are underrated masterpieces," Mokap defended the movies with Johnny giving him a high five as Tasia loudly sighed. "Sorry I don't mean to be annoying."

"You're fine," Tasia reassured.

"Y'all helped save Earthrealm," Jax spoke up to give his input as Jacqui sat beside him and Vera. "Once you made the decision to split off from Kano's asswiper club, you became heroes as far as I'm concerned… having to pay for your crimes aside, which you both did!"

"So many motherfuckers in that prison treated us as if we sold out," Tasia recalled angrily, "despite a twenty year sentence, idiots still found it unfair."

"If they want to help us stop insane powerful tyrants trying to conquer the entire universe to shorten their sentence then they're welcome to," Sonya offered which surprisingly made Tasia laugh.

"Hopefully that ain't gonna happen again," Jax commented.

"It won't," Vera promised, which reassured her husband.

"It's been twenty years since all that craziness," Gemini made a very logical observation that came from her communication skills as a base operative for the Special Forces, "there are obviously still threats. The Black Dragon firstly, although their numbers seem to be dwindling."

"They've certainly become more quiet," Kabal agreed. "But I don't know if that's because the clan is dying after a recent encounter."

"What happened?" Jarek asked out of curiosity.

"Are you familiar with a criminal named Tread Miller?" Kabal asked the former high ranking Black Dragon member.

"Tread?" Jarek tried to recall. "Name rings a bell, because it sounds so stupid."

"You're talking to the wrong guy about names people find ridiculous," Kabal joked which brought a few laughs out of the group.

"I think he was just a regular grunt of Kano's," Jarek remembered. "Nobody who is especially important."

"Well he must've moved up since the departure of the likes of you," Pedro chipped in to the conversation. "I was personally driving him back to the nearest station and got attacked by Black Dragon, the most wanted people like No Face."

"He must be a valuable asset to have gotten that aid," Kabal assessed.

"I know nothing about the guy other than that he exists unfortunately," Jarek told the officers all he knew. "What about you, Tas?"

"I don't know him and I don't care," Tasia said bluntly.

"Fair enough," Pedro commented. "We did receive word that No Face was taken in during such events though."

"Yeah he was arrested the same day we were let out," Jarek confirmed. "I hope he gets the help he needs. I kinda miss him."

"I don't!" Tasia disagreed.

"Our penitentiary is the best there is," Sonya assured them. "Even Kano's mellowed out since being sent there."

"Didn't know about No Face's capture," Jax admitted.

"We've been too busy to keep up with such details," Sonya replied.

"That dude sounds freakish," Jacqui reviewed. "What was he like?"

"Fuckin' lunatic," Tasia described him, "that's about all you need to know."

"And that he had literally burnt his facial features off," Jarek added.

"Holy shit," Jacqui said in shock. "So his name is literal?!"

"One hundred percent legit," Jarek confirmed. "Anyway I'm sorry, guys, but I don't think I can help with anything related to Tread."

"What about anything else?" Stryker wondered. "I reckon you could definitely be helpful with us stopping the Black Dragon."

"Your police division is tasked with taking down that entire clan?" Jarek was surprised despite the clan's recent downfall. "They really have fell off."

"They seem to be quite prominent in New York right now," Pedro explained why this was such a pressing matter to the NYPD currently. "They're still potentially a worldwide organisation but we have our doubts."

"We reckon we're close to finishing them all off," Kabal stated. "Anyway… the offer is, if you want to, join us dealing with the Black Dragon just like myself. What do you say?"

"I-" Jarek went to reply but was immediately interrupted.

"NO!" Tasia quickly refused. "We are fucking done with criminals, police, anything like that!"

"We're sorry!" Stryker quickly apologised as Tasia emotionally walked off.

"I'll consider it," Jarek told them. "Nice to interact with you all as friends."

"Happy to properly meet, Jarek," Stryker replied as the two shook hands.

"Is she going to be alright?" Pedro asked as she pointed to Tasia.

"I'll talk to her," Jarek decided, "don't worry."

"Here is my number, Jarek," Stryker said as he slid a piece of paper taken from his notepad as he scribbled his contact information onto it. "Get in touch once you've made a decision."

"Will do," Jarek said as he placed the paper securely into one of the pockets of his jacket he was wearing which was brown leather thus appearing somewhat similarly as the Black Dragon jacket he once wore.

"How's your home?" Sonya inquired before Jarek left. "Did Tremor set you all up and everything?"

"He sure did," Jarek confirmed. "It's good to be back in the UK."

"No traces of Black Dragon there nowadays," Sonya revealed to him, "and obviously with both you and Tasia's birthplaces we felt it was the best location."

"I appreciate it," Jarek thanked her. "I gotta go check on Tasia."

"Goodbye," Sonya said as Jarek ran off after his beloved Tasia.

"Bye!" Jacqui yelled. "I am very surprised to see a former Black Dragon so kind."

"They are a rare exception," Jax told his daughter. "Just like Kabal here."

"We didn't mean to upset Tasia," Kabal commented about the situation.

"We all know that," Vera assured the officers. "Maybe just keep work matters off the table for the rest of tonight?"

"Sounds like a good idea," Stryker said with Pedro and Kabal nodding in agreement.

"Well that was fun," Johnny remarked after having been surprisingly quiet during the interactions with the two former Black Dragon members. "I'm gonna go outside."

While they were talking and all the Tarkatans had entered, most of them headed outside as their leader barbecued. Having formed a bizarrely unique friendship with the Chief of Tarkata, Johnny Cage wanted to join the group of partying Tarkatans. After all the Tarkatans heading to the party had entered the Grand Palace, the group of Saurians then walked inside the large home next shortly after having worked together to take over the Jinsei Chamber in Zaterra. After this great victory, the Zaterrans were certainly ready for a well deserved celebration.

"Why did you bring your sword, mother?" Reptile asked her newly found parents, this party being a perfect opportunity for them to reconnect. "There's no danger here."

"I felt it would be a good chance to give it to you," Krass revealed as she handed the unique sword over to her son. "Any great celebration needs to be paired with a great gift."

"Thank you," Reptile said as he accepted the gift. "I do remember my sword training growing up."

"Great!" Krass cheered. "Then you'll be ready to use it whenever we go to stop Tetsurri."

"This weapon is very special, son," Drox told him. "It is called the Kirehashi."

"An ancient blade that is one of the remaining relics from the original Zaterra," Krass added a description onto the precious sword. "It's been passed down our family for generations."

"It reflects the protection of our bloodline and that we will all be safe regardless of circumstance," Drox elaborated to detail its significance as Reptile closely observed the beautiful weapon. "The fact that we are reunited once more is proof of this."

"I will make sure the Kirehashi itself is kept safe then," Reptile promised his parents as they clipped a unique sheathe onto his hip as Reptile sheathed the weapon.

The sheathe had to be a unique shape to properly fit the large curved blade that had several spikes of various sizes facing the sharp point of the weapon. The handle was made out of bone from some sort of Zaterran native creature, likely a dinosaur. To allow a firm grip, some black cloth was wrapped around the well shaped bone handle. With the Kirehashi sheathed, Reptile then embraced his parents.

Meanwhile, Johnny Cage went to join the group of Tarkatans with his daughter spotting him and loudly calling his name from atop the stage she and Goro were on.

"Dad!" Cassie yelled. "Check this shit out!"

"It's pretty cool," Johnny commented as Cassie pointed to Goro as he played a beat on the drum kit. "Nice work, Goro!"

"By the way…" Cassie continued to speak, "can I get a drink?"

"Of what?" Johnny asked with one eyebrow raised above his sunglasses.

"Alcohol obviously," Cassie admitted.

"Just one," Johnny approved as he looked around the room. "Just do not tell your mom."

"Yes sir!" Cassie said as she did a humorous salute to her father.

"I'll be outside if you need me," Johnny told her as he headed off with the Tarkatans while Cassie went to head back to Bo' Rai Cho's bar corner, before spotting the Saurians which she of course felt the need to welcome.

"Hello!" Cassie yelled as she approached the group of Zaterrans. "How is everyone?"

"We're doing well," Khameleon replied as she stood ahead of her allies. "I am Axoltia. It is nice to meet you."

"I'm Cassie," she introduced herself as the two shook hands. "I've heard about you and how you're all helping your realm… Zaterra was it?"

"That's right," Khameleon confirmed. "Everybody here is a part of my community, including my brother."

"I am Oculto," Chameleon introduced himself as Cassie waved to him.

"I can't believe I've seen any of you until now," Cassie exclaimed as she looked around at the unfamiliar species.

"We have been very busy with helping Zaterra," Chameleon explained their absences.

"And any trips to other realms are usually to Outworld," Khameleon added onto her brother's point. "I take it you're from Earthrealm."

"Sure am!" Cassie confirmed. "Woah! Cool sword!" Cassie's eyes had fallen onto Reptile's newly gifted Kirehashi.

"I just received it," Reptile told her as he carefully unsheathed the weapon to show it to Cassie and his fellow Raptors.

"It's beautiful, dear," Khameleon told him as she kissed Reptile on the cheek.

"You with that sword and me with my battleaxe shall make for a fine duo," the recently restored Komodai told his friend.

"Add my brute strength and make it a trio!" The also newly restorer Tiamat added as he carried a large crate containing fruit picked from some of the many trees that populated the very green realm of Zaterra. "We brought this as a gift."

"Ooh! I have an idea!" Cassie realised. "You! Syzoth, is it?"

"Yes," Reptile confirmed as he stepped forth. "How do you know my name?"

"You and Axoltia are known heroes, dude!" Cassie revealed which made Reptile proud of both himself and of his lover.

"Great!" Reptile said cheerfully. "What did you want anyway?"

"Wanna play a game?" Cassie asked.

"Depends what it is," Reptile told her.

"I was thinking," Cassie spoke as she took the crate off of Tiamat who was surprised that she was able to carry the heavy box with ease, "that we see your swordsman skills by slicing fruit thrown to you."

"What?" Reptile was puzzled by the idea.

"Catch!" Cassie yelled as she threw a piece of fruit at Reptile who instinctively put his arms up to block the incoming object, thus unintentionally putting his Kirehashi in the way to slice cleanly through the fruit. Komodai caught one half of the fruit with his mouth as he chomped into the food.

"There you are!" Jacqui exclaimed as she spotted Cassie.

"Hey!" Cassie greeted her best friend. "Wanna go get a drink?"

"Sure," Jacqui agreed as she followed Cassie to the bar.

Meanwhile, the Lin Kuei had also joined the party in the Grand Palace. Grandmaster Sub-Zero took a small group of fellow Lin Kuei members with him including the likes of his beloved Smoke, the yellow cybernetic hero Cyrax, and two of the Lin Kuei's best pupils who were Chloe and Frost. Sektor had also come along but only to make sure Chloe was safe in an unfamiliar place, the red cyborg was uninterested in partaking in any of the actual festivities.

"Kuai Liang," Scorpion spotted the approaching Lin Kuei members and stood up and gave the now ally clan a brief bow of respect.

"It is good to see you, Hanzo," Sub-Zero greeted as he reciprocated the gesture of respect with a bow of his own. "I see you have many of your own pupils now."

"I do indeed," Scorpion confirmed. "How was your recruitment tournament?"

"It went well," Sub-Zero said as he proudly beamed a smile as he looked at Frost. "Here is the winner. Her name is Frost."

"Another Cryomancer?" Scorpion assumed from the name with Sub-Zero nodding. "Impressive. I am Hanzo Hasahi, Grandmaster of the Shirai Ryu. It is a pleasure to meet you, Frost."

"Uh… hi…" Frost greeted nervously and took a small step back when Scorpion extended a hand. "Sifu, I thought the Shirai Ryu was a rival clan," Frost whispered to her teacher.

"Old history, Frost," Sub-Zero reassured her. "The Shirai Ryu are our allies now. Scorpion rebuilt and reformed them."

"As you have for the Lin Kuei," Smoke praised his boyfriend's contributions to the clan.

"I cannot take all the credit," Sub-Zero humbly stated. "I shall teach you much about our clan's rich history, Frost."

"Thank you," Frost said, grateful for the knowledge that he was willing to pass down to her. "Sorry for the misunderstanding, Mr. Hasashi," Frost said as she finally shook Scorpion's hand.

"It's quite alright," Scorpion assured her. "It has been good to see your clan again."

"Same here," Sub-Zero expressed the mutual feeling. "Arctika is quite isolated but our Lin Kuei family keeps us company."

"You're always welcome to visit our grounds in Asia," Scorpion offered.

"I shall visit you soon," Sub-Zero promised. "I appreciate your help with our own old Temple over there."

"Of course!" Scorpion said as he remembered the original Lin Kuei Temple that was located in China, before the clan had chosen to transform an isolated Palace in Arctika into their main headquarters. "The Lin Kuei warriors who work there are incredibly kind."

"I am glad to hear," Sub-Zero commented as the two Grandmasters hugged.

"Are you alright, Sektor?" Cyrax asked after hearing the cyborg sigh loudly at the sight.

"This is a pathetic display," Sektor muttered in a tone that only Cyrax could hear.

"Where are my manners?" Scorpion realised he hadn't greeted everyone else with the Lin Kuei. "It is good to see you all! Smoke! Cyrax! Um… Sektor…?"

"You sound uncertain when you call my name," Sektor immediately noted after Scorpion realised his presence. "Why is that? Do you see many cyborgs like me?"

"I'm just surprised that you have returned," Scorpion commented as his Lin Kuei friends had revealed his departure from two decades ago.

"And I'm surprised that your pathetic clan of thieves has resurfaced," Sektor snapped as Cyrax placed a heavy hand on his shoulder before he did anything irrational.

"Hey!" Takeda jumped out of his seat after having heard the insult.

"Don't disrespect our clan or our Grandmaster!" Fox demanded.

"Let's settle down everyone," Suchin advised as her parenting skills had made her good at calming people. "There's no need to argue at a time like this."

"She is right," Kenshi agreed with his wife. "This is supposed to be a party."

"I do not pose a threat to you, Sektor," Scorpion tried to tell the cyborg. "Both myself and my clan are just a faction of protectors."

"Like the Lin Kuei now," Cyrax summarised for his friend.

"You'd be right to distrust him, Frost," Sektor said as he had seen she was noticeably uncomfortable after first learning the man before them was the Spectre known as Scorpion.

"Can you not trust me for once, Sektor?" Sub-Zero requested. "He's a changed man. We all are."

"Fine," Sektor agreed. "Only because you've proved to be an actually competent Grandmaster, Kuai."

"I appreciate that," Sub-Zero said in regards to Sektor's surprising praise.

"A fine replacement to… Oniro," Sektor complimented.

"It's been good catching up, Hanzo," Sub-Zero told his friend. "I apologise for Sektor's words."

"I am willing to forgive," Scorpion assured him. "Have a good night, Lin Kuei."

"And the same to your clan as well," Sub-Zero wished as the two groups split up before Sektor became even more hotheaded.

"What should we do now?" Cyrax wondered.

"Whatever you all want to do," Sub-Zero permitted.

"I say we look around this place," Smoke suggested as he had been impressed with the sights seen in Edenia so far from his short visit. "Those waterfalls beside the Palace looked very beautiful… like you."

"Alright," Sub-Zero said in a higher pitch as he blushed from the compliment. "I'll follow you, dear."

"Come along, my little blueberry popsicle," Smoke said as he took Sub-Zero's hand as they headed outside to witness the nature beside the castle.

"His little what?!" Sektor said in horror.

"I'm thirsty," Chloe told Frost as she pointed to the bar area, "want to get a drink?"

"Sure," Frost agreed to do so.

"I shall as well!" Sektor insisted.

"Dad," Chloe spoke with her palm on her face, "you can't drink… literally at all."

"Any oil is suitable for refuelling my functions, Chloe," Sektor reminded her of how his cybernetics worked.

"I'm pretty sure they aren't going to be serving oil, dad," Chloe remarked. "Come along anyway."

"Are you coming too, Cyrax?" Sektor asked his old friend.

"No thanks," Cyrax declined as he sounded sad, which was noticeable despite the more robotic tone that came from the helmet that concealed his human identity. "Being around drinks is just another reminder of the limitations that come with cyberization."

"I'm sorry," Sektor apologised as he felt immense guilt for Cyrax's situation after openly supporting it before the cyber initiative had actually begun.

"It's not your fault," Cyrax assured him. "I'll go talk with some of the other guests," he decided. "You three have fun."

Cyrax walked off, leaving Frost, Chloe and Sektor who headed to the bar corner. Liu Kang and Kung Lao were still there talking to their old master and this night's bartender, Bo' Rai Cho. Additionally there was the couple hundred years old Shaolin who was a fellow master named Lori.

"How are you, Lori?" Bo' Rai Cho asked the friendly Shaolin.

"I am well," Lori answered as Bo' Rai Cho handed her a non alcoholic beverage. "Thank you."

"I'm back!" Cassie announced as she and Jacqui arrived at the bar. "My dad said I can have one drink, Bo'!"

"If you say so," Bo' Rai Cho doubted the truthfulness of that statement but figured there was no harm in just one drink regardless. "What can I get you, Cassandra?"

"Um…" Cassie's lack of experience with alcohol immediately stumped her to what she wanted. "Surprise me?"

"She knows nothing about alcohol," Jacqui explained to the Outworld God, "she's just trying to be cool."

"Hey!" Cassie yelled with Bo' Rai Cho chuckling as he prepared a drink for her. "I am cool!"

"Whatever you say," Jacqui replied.

"Here," Bo' Rai Cho spoke as he placed the drink he made in front of Cassie. "It's red wine, low in alcohol."

"I'll take it," Cassie said before taking a swig of the beverage and immediately gagged after swallowing the drink. "Ew!"

"Not for you I take it?" Jacqui remarked as Bo' Rai Cho chuckled happily.

"Probably not used to it," Bo' Rai Cho presumed. "Now what are you up to at the Wu Shi Academy, Lori?"

"I teach several classes of pupils," Lori explained her role as a Shaolin Master, "I'm rather familiar with a few of Liu Kang's pupils, as well as Kung Jin."

"Like a mother to all the students," Kung Lao commented.

"Like how you have been the closest thing to a father for myself and Lao," Liu Kang compared to Bo' Rai Cho.

"Thank you," Bo' Rai Cho expressed his gratitude. "Are your pupils still not here?"

"They must be enjoying their exploration," Liu Kang assumed as they thought about what the young Shaolin Monks were up to.

Many Shaolin students had agreed to come along to Edenia with the majority of them being eager to explore the unfamiliar world. Most of the students explored the village that was in the centre of the entire realm which was named Terreville and despite some repairs still underway as a result of damages caused from Shao Kahn's second invasion over ten thousand years ago, the village was still large as well as beautiful. Kung Jin and Kai meanwhile had gone to the forest nearby the Grand Palace of Edenia, one that was on the opposite side of the Jolly Forest that was on the other side of the Terreville with Kai and Jin wanting some time between just the two of them as they headed through the peaceful forest.

"This nature is much like Earthrealm," Kai compared the two realms as he and his new boyfriend held hands while walking down the pathway that went between the trees. "Do you know much of this realm, Jin?"

"My studies were mostly Outworld based," Kung Jin clarified, referring to his vast knowledge of Outworld culture that he had taken an interest in considering they knew members of Mileena's Union that was an alliance of residents of Earthrealm, Outworld, , Zaterra, partially Seido and now Edenia too. "Of course with Outworld having merged with many realms, I've naturally picked up on some tidbits of info about Edenia."

"Do tell," Kai implored as he listened to his boyfriend intently.

"The forest with the faces on them was known as the Living Forest in Outworld," Kung Jin began his knowledge dump, "unbeknownst to me until tonight, they actually originated from Edenia. One of the locals said it's the Jolly Forest as the trees have regained their happiness now that their home is restored."

"That's incredible," Kai commented on the information. "So… those trees are sentient?"

"Sure are," Jin confirmed. "A lot of the villagers are bringing food from the party to them so they can also be involved with this celebration."

"How kind of them."

"Edenia seems to be full of the kindest souls in all the realms."

"The ones we've met sure have been," Kai confirmed. "Empress Mileena and the rest of her family."

"I completely forgot that Kitana is now Queen of Edenia," Kung Jin realised the latest news that came with Edenia's restoration as the discussion of the Sabar family reminded him.

"I'll congratulate her if I see her," Kai promised. "I hope I do."

"Are you two close?"

"By extension of her friendship with Master Liu," Kai explained their relationship. "Even had a couple lessons with her."

"That's nice of her to offer."

"Yeah," Kai agreed. "So what's the name of this forest?"

"These are actually woods," Jin corrected.

"And the difference is…?"

"A forest is a thick growth of trees and a wood is a thick grove of trees," Jin defined.

"That doesn't help at all," Kai admitted as Jin laughed. "So what's the name of these woods?"

"Woolly Woods," Jin answered.

"As in sheep wool?"

"Yes," Jin confirmed. "The first reason for the name is because many of these trees actually grow cotton."

"Is that more common here than on Earth?"

"It would appear so," Jin assumed. "Secondly there's a sheep-like species that roams these woods."

"Is that the noise we heard in those bushes when we first entered these woods?" Kai wondered as the two continued walking through the woods. "The one that scared you?"

"I wasn't scared!" Jin claimed as the couple laughed.

"You're so cute," Kai complimented Jin as he blushed.

"As are you," Jin replied as the two stopped as a sudden animal trotted onto the pathway. "Here's one! They're called a Bareep."

"Also like sheep!" Kai noted the species name.

Standing before the new couple was one of the Bareep. Many inhabited the spacious woodlands, having been a native animal to Edenia. After the merger, the Bareep became scattered throughout Outworld. This was unusual for the species as previously their kind was familiar with sticking close together in groups within the Woolly Woods. Their presence in Outworld after the merger was known about, hence Kung Jin's awareness of the Edenian native animals. They were rare to find though due to being in smaller groups and mainly hiding in fear of the unfamiliar territory. They were far more comfortable in Edenia.

The Bareep had a unique blue skin tone that paired with the colour of their wool were the main distinction between Bareep and regular sheep from Earthrealm. This particular Bareep had a bright yellow coat of wool. This was a natural colour with Bareep being able to have several bright colours for their coat: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink and more. This made the Bareep a great contribution to making the realm colourful and bright.

"They're pretty aren't they?" Jin asked.

"Yes," Kai agreed. "Just like you."

"You got me back," Jin remarked as his cheeks blushed. "It looks like the sky is getting darker now."

"Should we head over to the Palace then?" Kai suggested.

"Let's go," Jin agreed as the two continued to hold hands on their way to the Grand Palace of Edenia.

"Can I help you, ladies?" Bo' Rai Cho asked back at the bar in the Grand Palace as Chloe and Frost approached and took a seat on the stools.

"Just a water please," Chloe asked for because it was the only thing she frequently drank.

"Coming right up," Bo' Rai Cho promised before quickly filling a glass up with water from a tank sitting on one of the shelves behind the Drunken Master. "Here you are," he said as he slid the drink over the counter to Chloe.

"Thank you," she said gratefully.

"Wait," Frost said before Chloe drank from the glass. "Can I try something, Chlo?"

"What do you mean?" Chloe was confused by the question.

"I want to try making ice cubes," Frost explained herself.

"Oh!" Chloe placed her glass down beside her new friend. "Go ahead."

"Give me a moment," Frost requested as she concentrated as Sub-Zero had instructed in their most recent lesson.

"You can do it," Chloe said supportively.

Eventually, a pair of small cubes formed in Frost's hand and slid down into the glass of water. Chloe excitedly applauded Frost's Cyromancy demonstration as she had been gradually improving at controlling her ice powers. This sight had also caught the attention of Cassie Cage, who had watched Frost create the ice cubes with her own two eyes.

"Woah!" Cassie exclaimed her shock. "That was awesome!"

"Oh… th-thanks," Frost nervously replied while Chloe began to drink her water.

"I'm Cassie," she introduced herself.

"Hi," Frost timidly greeted. "My name is Frost."

"What about your proper name?" Cassie asked.

"Um… still Frost," she answered.

"Oh," Cassie noted. "Matches with your ice magic then, huh?"

"Yeah that's why I like the name," Frost explained. "Your name's nice too."

"Thanks!" Cassie replied. "Jacqui, did you see what she did?!"

"Hello," Jacqui greeted Frost. "I did not, Cass," she told her best friend. "What happened?"

"She created ice cubes from her hands!" Cassie excitedly exclaimed.

"What?" Jacqui immediately became confused. "Is one wine alone too much for you, Cass?"

"I know what I saw!" Cassie snapped.

"It's true," Chloe confirmed.

"It was nothing," Frost said in dismissal of all the excitement.

"It's like the powers that Sub-Zero has," Jacqui compared as Cassie nodded in agreement.

"I'm his student," Frost revealed.

"That's awesome!" Cassie complimented. "He seems like a pretty cool dude."

"Stop with the ice puns!" Jacqui begged as Cassie burst out in laughter.

"I've only begun taking lessons with him recently," Frost further detailed. "I really like him… he's very kind to me."

"That's good," Cassie replied before looking over to Chloe and asking, "are you also a student of Sub-Zero?"

"Not sure why you care," Chloe remarked as she put her empty glass down, "I am Lin Kuei but he does not train me…"

"I do!" Sektor chimed in.

"Hey, it's the real life Iron Man!" Cassie cheered.

"Except without the billions of dollars," Chloe said with bitter undertones. "Also Master Smoke trains me too," she added onto the previous question. "I dunno if you've heard of him."

"The man who's always with Sub-Zero?" Cassie asked with Chloe nodding. "I've seen him, heard about everyone from my parents too."

"Lucky," Chloe muttered.

"What?" Cassie asked, confused by the response. She received no answer.

"Uhh… are you liking the party?" Frost asked Cassie as she attempted to change the topic.

"Hell yeah! It's amazing!" Cassie confirmed positively. "How about you?"

"It's alright," Frost answered. "I don't really like crowds," she admitted, "but everyone here seems nice."

"You seem nice yourself," Cassie complimented which made Frost blush which was very noticeable due to her naturally pale skin. "You look nice too."

"Th-thanks," Frost stuttered. "I think you're very…pretty."

"Can't tell if you saying 'nice' was an ice pun or not," Jacqui observed as Cassie was now blushing.

"Oh! That was not an intentional pun," Cassie clarified.

"Sure," Jacqui doubted that.

"Hello!" Kai greeted everyone at the bar as he and Kung Jin, still holding hands, approached the corner.

"There they are!" Bo' Rai Cho said cheerfully. "How's the new couple?"

"You know?" Kung Jin was surprised by Bo's knowledge.

"Your Shaolin Masters filled me in," Bo' Rai Cho explained as he gestured to Kung Lao, Liu Kang and Lori.

"Find anything interesting?" Kung Lao asked as he and his cousin hugged.

"Took Kai to the Woolly Woods," Jin revealed.

"The Woolly What?!" Cassie spoke up, being nosey as always.

"The woods beside this Grand Palace," Jin explained to her, "that's their name."

"I wanna explore now!" Cassie realised as she sprung up from out of her seat.

"This is Cassandra Cage," Bo' Rai Cho introduced the two men to her. "Anybody attending this party is obligated to be introduced to her."

"I'm not that intrusive!" Cassie claimed.

"Debatable," Jacqui jokingly muttered. "Hey guys, my name is Jacqui."

"Good to meet you both," Kai replied. "I'm Kai… and this lovely man is Jin."

"Hey," Jin casually greeted.

"I'm happy for you guys," Cassie expressed as she noticed their openness in regards to them being a couple. "I've never been so lucky when it comes to boys."

"Sorry to hear," Kai sympathised.

"Ever tried girls?" Jin suggested.

"Well I… uhh…" Cassie paused for a moment, a rare moment of silence from her.

"I didn't mean to suggest anything," Jin apologised as he noticed her sudden discomfort.

"It's fine!" Cassie reassured him. "I'm pretty sure I'm into girls more already actually… I've never found the right person I guess."

"You will soon enough," Kai promised her.

"He's right," Bo' Rai Cho agreed. "You're all very young men and women," he reminded them, "you'll find love in someone eventually, if that is what you seek."

"I hope you're right," Cassie replied before turning over to Frost. "What about you?"

"Huh?" Frost was confused.

"Like… what are you into?" Cassie inquired.

"I'm uh… into girls too," Frost revealed with Chloe covering her blushing face as a result of the revelation. Frost felt somewhat comfortable with sharing because of how open and kind everybody else was behaving.

"Good to know," Cassie commented.

"I've heard you're becoming great warriors, Kai and Jin," Bo' Rai Cho spoke to the two young Shaolin Monks.

"Master Liu's been helping me unlock my chi," Kai explained with Liu Kang nodding to confirm.

"Ah! The pathway to channelling your energy into the power of fire," Bo' Rai Cho said as he made a small flame appear in his hand. "I'll be willing to share some of my own techniques once you can truly control your flame, Kai."

"Thank you," Kai expressed his gratitude. "Did you teach Master Liu how to use fire abilities?"

"I taught both him and Kung Lao incredible agility, acrobatic skills and martial arts," Bo' Rai Cho listed from his vivid memory of such fond times as a teacher. "But he learnt how to control his chi from self experience," he revealed, "for I haven't had such similar powers until my ascension to Godhood at which point my training of him was already complete."

"Interesting," Kai said as he processed the information shared.

"How about you, Kung Jin?" Bo' Rai Cho asked as he turned to the archer.

"Lao's taught me all the basics," Kung Jin detailed his own training experiences being trained personally by his cousin, "lately I've been trying to do my own thing with my bow."

"I've heard you're a fine archer," Bo' Rai Cho recalled.

"He's good with a staff too," Lao added. "His bow is thick enough to be used as one."

"Taking a bo staff literally I see," Bo' Rai Cho commented jokingly. "Well I'm sure I can find the time to teach you some techniques as a staff wielder myself."

"Thank you, Master Bo'," Jin replied.

"It is nice to catch up with everyone," Liu Kang said as he finished his drink and gently placed it down on the polished wooden bar. "Is there a restroom in the Palace?"

"I believe there is one through the door in the space beneath the stairway over there," Bo' Rai Cho said as he pointed to the other side of the room where the restroom was.

"Thanks," Liu replied as he stood up from the bar stool. "Excuse me for one moment."

"How do toilets in this realm even work?" Cassie thought aloud, as per usual.

"Most realms just use permanent inter realm portals to the lower planes of the Netherrealm," Bo' Rai Cho answered.

"The lower what now?" Cassie asked, the concept of the Netherrealm still very confusing for her and others that had only heard stories. "Do I wanna know?"

"Considering your curiosity the answer is yes," Kung Lao chimed in.

"True," Cassie admitted.

"Isn't it the more tainted your soul is, the lower the plane?" Chloe asked with Bo' Rai Cho nodding.

"You know about that realm?" Frost was surprised.

"Dad's got a lot of data on realms," Chloe explained as she turned to Sektor. "He told me a lot of stories."

"I'd be interested in hearing some myself," Kung Jin told him as he was also intrigued by the many unique aspects of the realms he was less familiar with.

"I'm willing to share," Sektor offered. "I admire your intrigue in such things."

"Thank you."

"The thought of the Netherrealm gives me the creeps," Cassie said as she shuddered. "Heard the Empress of Hell's here tonight too?!"

"She is," Bo' Rai Cho confirmed. "She arrived with her partner and they headed upstairs to meet with the other royals."

"If we have an alliance with them then she must be somewhat nice then?" Cassie assumed.

"She is willing to improve the Netherrealm for the better," Bo' Rai Cho assured the concerned soldier. "The lower planes are for the most despicable of beings though… the few who are absolutely irredeemable," he claimed. "That is why it is approved that we can essentially use them as dump!"

"Each plane of the Netherrealm is infinite too," Sektor added an important detail.

"Maybe Earth should join this sewer system then," Cassie suggested.

"It is under consideration," Kung Lao told her. "With how new the revelation of all these magical things and realms it means the willingness to change our own realm is hesitant."

"I can understand that," Cassie commented. "Although I've lived my whole life knowing these things… even if my knowledge is vague."

"It is certainly a very intriguing time for your whole realm," Bo' Rai Cho remarked.

"A better time," Sektor argued. "There was no need to hide the secrets of this universe."

"Perhaps so," Bo' Rai Cho considered, "but it is worth considering that Raiden's decision to mask the truth had its own set of benefits to protect Earthrealm."

"Easy to defend when you're his friend," Sektor muttered.

"C'mon now, dad!" Chloe interrupted. "Can you please not debate everything? Just for tonight please?"

"Of course, Chlo," Sektor promised. "I apologise."

"You are forgiven," Bo' Rai Cho assured him.

"I was apologising to my daughter!" Sektor snapped.

"Dad…" Chloe sighed.

"Sorry," Sektor apologised again. "To both you and Bo' Rai Cho."

"And you are forgiven again," Bo' Rai Cho repeated.

"What's taking Liu so long?" Kung Lao wondered.

Liu Kang walked over to the restroom, entering what was a very clean marble room with cubicles lined up against the back of the room. All of the stalls were currently available so Liu Kang decided to take the closest one as he went to the toilet. Following him into the bathroom was a Tarkatan who by the time the Mortal Kombat Champion had left his stall, he saw the Tarkatan washing his hands at the large metal tray across the opposite side of the room that was filled with fresh water to allow guests at the Palace to properly wash their hands. While Edenia had figured out their equivalent of a sewage system, plumbing was a whole other unexplored matter. Fortunately many parts of Edenia were surrounded by beautiful and clean falls, streams and lakes which allowed water to be collected easily.

"Oh my!" the Tarkatan gasped at the presence of Liu Kang as he also washed his hands beside him. "You're the legendary Liu Kang!"

"You flatter me, friend," Liu Kang said humbly. "What is your name?"

"I am Gnust Gnahs!" The Tarkatan introduced himself.

"Nice to meet you, Gnust," Liu Kang greeted. "I take it you're one of Baraka's warriors?"

"Something like that," Gnust replied. "I consider myself to be more of a mage though, or a wizard… maybe a sorcerer… it's depending on whatever you call such an occupation."

"I was unaware that there were Tarkatans who studied magic."

"None do really," Gnust admitted. "Tarkatans tend to steer clear of such things," he explained. "I suggest that you share their level of caution."

"No need to worry about me," Liu assured him. "I have had many encounters with powerful magic users and I have my own special abilities myself."

"I suppose so," Gnust partially agreed. "You did defeat the sorcerer Shang Tsung before."

"Twice actually," Liu Kang clarified as Gnust sighed quietly. "Something wrong, friend?"

"I'm quite alright," Gnust claimed. "I just hope that you will be if that sorcerer sought to rectify those losses."

"He cowers in Outworld."

"You might find yourself surprised," Gnust warned him. "Never underestimate a sorcerer."

"I shall be fine," Liu Kang insisted. "Shang Tsung is of no concern to me anymore."

"If you say so," Gnust commented. "I do appreciate your attire."

"Thank you!" Liu Kang said as Gnust Gnahs observed his red vest that had a black belt wrapped around in addition to having a dragon shaped pattern that was the colour black to match his bottoms which were also a mix of the two colours that were iconic parts of the Shaolin Monk's wardrobe. "It's just one of my regular outfits," he explained, "I don't own anything fancier to dress up for this event."

"Neither did I," Gnust related. "Do you wear it at your Shaolin Temple?"

"I do!" Liu Kang confirmed. "I have similar clothes but I will usually stick to one attire for a few days regardless," he elaborated, "I'll probably be wearing this for my teachings tomorrow."

"What's your routine over there?" Gnust inquired. "Apologies for my curiosity."

"You have no need to apologise," Liu Kang told him. "I appreciate you caring."

"I'm glad," Gnust replied. "So… your schedule?"

"Well I wake up rather early, sometimes as early as four in the morning to meditate for an hour," Liu Kang detailed as Gnust Gnahs listened closely. "At seven in the morning I will do some practice for myself in the courtyard before my class begins at eight."

"Good to know," Gnust said as he walked past the Shaolin Monk and slipped something into his back pocket without Liu realising. "I appreciate you taking the time to converse with me," he told him as he held open the bathroom door for him. "After you, friend."

"Thank you, Gnust," Liu Kang expressed his gratitude. "I hope to see you soon."

"Oh… you will," Gnust Gnahs whispered as Liu Kang walked away into the crowd of people at the party. "That is also the information I need," he said to himself quietly. "Time to return to my own Palace… one that exceeds the quality of this dump."

While nobody else was in the bathroom, the sorcerer returned to his true form as he used the excess magic from the shapeshifting to fuel an orange portal. Shang Tsung laughed wickedly as he departed from the party, another piece of his plan having come together perfectly. The evil sorcerer left Edenia without a trace…

"It is good to see you, Liu Kang," Kitana spoke as she headed down the stairway into the open hall of the Grand Palace where the main partying was happening.

"Queen Kitana!" Liu Kang greeted as he spun around to face the new ruler of Edenia and bowed.

"Please rise, Liu," Kitana requested. "No formalities are needed, just like how it was when I was Princess."

"Congratulations by the way," Liu said as he stood up straight.

"Thank you!"

"Edenia seems like a great place," Liu complimented.

"It sure does," Kitana agreed. "It's still unfamiliar to even me," she admitted, "but I am happy to rule it and watch it return to its former glory when my mother and father ruled."

"I'm sure you'll do a great job," Liu told her with certainty. "You've already done a good job with this party!"

"I didn't organise any of it," Kitana confessed. "I just approved of it."

"Thanks regardless," Liu expressed his gratitude. "It's been great catching up with everyone."

"That's what I've come down to do now," Kitana explained.

"Follow me," he suggested, "there's a lot of folks at the bar."

"Sounds like a good idea," Kitana agreed as the two headed on over.

As Kitana followed Liu Kang to greet some of the guests at her new Grand Palace, her mother was still upstairs watching on from the balcony that branched out from her quarters. One of Sindel's daughters was still with her; that being Skarlet, and her son Meat was still with her too. Meat was busy playing with Lia, who was playfully biting the tasty flesh of Meat's hand. When Meat had first met Sindel's pet TaiGore, the hungry beast had tried literally eating him but the two eventually started getting along. Skarlet meanwhile sat with her elbow resting on the balcony's railings, seemingly bored.

"Are you alright, dear?" Sindel asked her beloved daughter.

"I'm fine," Skarlet replied. "I guess I'm just bored is all."

"Maybe you should join the others," Sindel suggested.

"Probably," Skarlet agreed as she stood up straight. "I just want to wait for Nitara to return first."

"I understand," Sindel told her. "I'm sure she'll arrive soon."

"She's not late often," Skarlet stated. "Never late for me."

"I'm sure she and Krimson have just lost track of time up there," Sindel replied as Skarlet looked into the sky. Nitara had recently taken Krimson flying throughout the clear skies of Edenia, hence their current absence from the Grand Palace.

"You're probably right," Skarlet agreed as she took a deep breath to calm herself.

"If it's bothering you so much then why didn't you just go with them?" Sindel asked gently

"Because I'm afraid of heights…" Skarlet revealed. "I don't know why but I am."

"Don't worry about that, dear," Sindel tried to reassure her, "most are afraid of heights or unused to them at the very least."

"It's not that I'm embarrassed by that phobia," Skarlet clarified, "I just want to do it with my family is all… flying is such an important part of Nitara's lifestyle after all."

"It's alright," Sindel assured her as the two hugged. "Y'know… I can also fly."

"Really?" Skarlet was surprised as Sindel nodded in confirmation. "I've seen you levitate but I never knew you could fly."

"Want me to show you?" Sindel offered. "We'll go find Nitara and Krimson and head back down to the Palace," she suggested.

"I… I don't know…" Skarlet was clearly uncertain.

"No pressure," Sindel said as she placed a gentle hand on Skarlet's shoulder. "I figured I'd just ask since you seem upset about this whole thing."

Skarlet took another deep breath to properly compose herself. "Actually yeah," she finally agreed. "Let's do it, mother."

"Are you sure?" Sindel asked. "I don't mean to force anything onto you if you're uncertain."

"I'm certain," Skarlet confirmed. "Let's go."

"Alright," Sindel said before turning to Meat and asking, "are you staying here, Meat?"

"Sure am!" Meat confirmed while Lia lovingly licked his blood coloured face. "Perfectly comfortable here!"

"Good to hear," Sindel replied. "We'll come back shortly."

"Okie!" Meat said as Sindel stretched her hand out to Skarlet.

"Grab on," Sindel instructed with Skarlet doing so.

Moments later, Skarlet gasped as Sindel slowly began levitating while Skarlet held onto one of her strong arms. The crowd in the courtyard erupted with cheers as they watched Sindel from below as she began ascending into the sky, progressively rising up faster as Skarlet became more used to the situation.

"Momma, look there!" Krimson pointed past Nitara's shoulder as the Vampire soared through the clear night skies of Edenia. "It's mom and grandma!"

"So it is!" Nitara confirmed as she brushed the red cloth that had draped over her eye whilst flying.

"Let's go to them," Krimson suggested.

"You got it, Krim," Nitara agreed as she soared over to Sindel and Skarlet who were also approaching them.

"Here they are, Skarlet," Sindel commented as the two sides met in the sky.

"Nitara!" Skarlet called for. "Krimson!"

"My silly blood babe!" Nitara remarked as Skarlet fearlessly leapt from Sindel and into Nitara's arms. "What are you doing up here?"

"I was missing you both," she admitted, "and I've always been scared of heights."

"Not anymore it seems," Nitara said considering Skarlet had leapt at her moments ago.

"I sort of forgot about it for a while," Skarlet realised. "Thanks for taking me up her, mother."

"You're welcome," Sindel responded. "I'll leave you three to it."

"Cya around, grandma!" Krimson said as Skarlet waved to her as she began to descend back down to the Grand Palace.

"Everything looks even prettier from all the way up here," Skarlet noticed. "I feel like I'm going to fall though."

"I'm not dropping you," Nitara promised. "When have I ever?"

"Well there was that one time when you pinned me against the bathroom tiles and-"

Krimson let out an intentional cough to make Skarlet and Nitara remember who else was still with them as she clung to Nitara's back. Skarlet and Nitara's faces immediately went as red as Skarlet's dress.

"Moving on," Nitara quickly changed subjects as she slowly flew around for Skarlet and Krimson, "I should give you flying lessons."

"Love, I'd need wings for that," Skarlet reminded her.

"You have wings," Nitara stated plainly.

"What?"

"She did have a couple pints of Blood Wine before going out, mom," Krimson revealed to Skarlet as a possible explanation for Nitara's ridiculous statement.

"Hey!" Nitara began to defend herself, "I'd never fly drunk!"

"What do you mean by having wings then, dear?" Skarlet wondered.

"The fact that you can construct anything out of blood," Nitara pointed out. "What's stopping you from growing a pair of blood wings?"

"Ohhh," Skarlet at last realised what she meant. "I've never thought of that."

"Well now that you've overcome your fear…" Nitara spoke.

"Somewhat," Skarlet corrected her.

"Well how about some flying lessons starting soon?" Nitara offered again.

"I think I'd like that," Skarlet accepted.

"You can have them too, Krimson," Nitara told their daughter. "I'm sure the blood magic infused in that staff of yours has enough power for you to construct wings as well."

"I hope so!" Krimson replied excitedly at the thought of being able to fly like her Vampire mother. "Thanks for the staff as well, mom!"

"You're welcome," Skarlet said as she had gifted her a staff weapon infused with a blood capsule at the tip of to allow her to possess similar blood magic abilities to herself whenever the staff was in Krimson's possession. "Uh… Nitara?"

"Yes?"

"Is it normal to feel sick from flying?"

"For someone like yourself then yeah probably," Nitara confirmed. "Want to go down?"

"Yes please," Skarlet requested.

While Nitara brought her girlfriend as well as their daughter back to the ground, Sindel had already landed back on her balcony and headed outside of her spacious bedroom. She was surprised to see the ruler of the Netherrealm to her right as she headed down the well decorated corridor as her lover Twin-Ki followed behind her.

"Lady Iris," Sindel greeted. "I hadn't expected you to turn up."

"Because I seem like a moody outcast?" Iris presumed.

"No…" Sindel denied that, "I meant because you can't tell the time in the Netherrealm is all!"

"We have clocks now, Queen Sindel," Iris corrected her.

"Sorry I wasn't aware!" Sindel apologised, "and you should know that I am no longer Queen of Edenia. That title goes to my daughter now."

"I shall congratulate her if I see her," Iris promised.

"Thank you," Sindel replied.

"They want flying lessons!" Nitara shouted out the news as she landed on Sindel's balcony and walked through to the corridor with Skarlet and Krimson.

Nitara's smile from the lovely memory she had just made with her family quickly dropped as she turned to see Iris. Skarlet immediately realised how awkward this was as she scratched her head while Krimson was just simply confused.

"I-" Sindel went to attempt to ease the tension but was immediately cut off.

"What are you doing here?!" Nitara asked angrily as she stepped in front of Sindel and stood up to the large God.

"Nitara… I'm sorry," Iris apologised. "For everything that happened during Shinnok's invasion…"

"I don't want to hear it!" Nitara yelled. "You betrayed us Vampires while also trying to help your pathetic father conquer the universe!"

"I was confused," Iris defended herself. "Shinnok just brought me back from-"

"Brought you back after you failed Vaeternus," Nitara accused.

"Dear, I think we should just walk away," Skarlet suggested quietly as she calmly placed a hand on Nitara's shoulders, feeling her lover shaking with rage.

"You can," Nitara told her. "I'm not finished with her though."

"I'll make sure nothing bad happens," Sindel promised to Skarlet and Krimson. "Go downstairs to the party and we'll join you soon."

"Al-alright," Skarlet hesitantly complied. "Thanks, mother."

"Of course, dear," Sindel replied as Skarlet and Krimson walked away as Nitara had suggested.

"Everything alright?" Meat asked as he peeked out the doorway, dragging the heavy TaiGore Lia with him as she had sunk her teeth into his arm but he didn't mind that.

"I died for Vaeternus!" Iris snapped, finally getting a chance to respond to Nitara's comment throughout all the commotion.

"You aren't supposed to!" Nitara angrily remarked. "You're a God!" she told her. "What standard does that set when so many divine beings have been incompetent tyrannical monsters!"

"I'm nothing like Shao Kahn!" Iris stated.

"Anybody gonna answer me?" Meat wondered as he became another spectator of this heated argument.

"Later," Sindel promised her son.

"I never said you were!" The argument continued. "The fact that you have to outright clarify that you're nothing like the most evil monster to have ever existed in all the realms says enough!"

"I tried doing the best I could!" Iris explained to Nitara. "I am still trying to do good now but with the Netherrealm…"

"It's gotten a lot better," Twin-Ki chimed in to nervously defend his lover.

"Meanwhile Vaeternus died," Nitara reminded her. "Then you tried to let our people die when we fought you to save our new home!"

"I'm really sorry," Iris apologised again. "I can't possibly defend myself for that."

"Nitara, she's been doing what's right for the Netherrealm lately," Sindel finally found an opening to begin reasoning with her. "Your anger is understandable, but our Union has strived to put the past behind us."

"I can't stand beside that mindset for every possible case, Sindel," Nitara told her. "I just can't."

"And that's okay," Sindel replied. "But tonight we should all be enjoying ourselves," she reminded her that this was a party, "and you deserve to celebrate with your family."

"I once saw her as family," Nitara muttered as her tear filled eyes glared at Iris.

"I'm so sorry…" Iris continued to apologise with Nitara just sighing in response.

"You're right though," Nitara said to Sindel. "I'll go hangout with everyone else now."

"That's great," Sindel stated. "I'll join you all soon."

"Are you coming, Meat?" Nitara asked.

"Sure!" Meat replied. "Just glad things are resolved."

"This ain't a resolution," Nitara clarified, "I'll just ignore it."

"Well let's go," Meat suggested as he stepped forward but was dragged back by Lia. "Can she join us?"

"Well she's part of the family right?" Nitara asked as she regained a slight smile on her face.

"Just keep her away from food," Sindel advised as she knelt down to pet the loyal TaiGore. "Good girl."

"I think it's too late for that," Meat joked as he finally pulled his arm away from Lia.

"Are you alright?" Sindel asked Iris as Nitara, Meat and Lia headed downstairs to join the party.

"Not really," Iris admitted honestly. "I will be though."

"I'll go with you if you want to leave," Twin-Ki told Iris while rubbing her skeletal hands.

"Thank you, love," Iris said gratefully. "I think we'll celebrate at my Spire instead."

"If that is what you desire," Sindel told them. "Please know that everybody in the Union is always welcome," she clarified, "you may stay if you wish."

"Thanks," Iris expressed her gratitude. "But I think we'll return to the Netherrealm soon."

"You're welcome," Sindel said with a smile, "and I understand."

"Forgive the randomness of this," Twin-Ki spoke up, "but you seem like a great mother."

"That means a lot," Sindel thanked the Demon. "I've honestly had my doubts about that sometimes."

"Why?" Twin-Ki asked. "Your family clearly loves you and you clearly love them."

"We do indeed love each other," Sindel agreed, "but…" Sindel paused, seemingly uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry!" Twin-Ki quickly apologised. "I didn't mean to bring up anything too personal."

"Do not apologise," Sindel commented. "Your kindness is heartwarming."

"It truly is," Iris agreed as she hugged Twin-Ki. "He's helped soften me up a lot."

"There's just this one thing I did that's…quite personal," Sindel explained herself. "No worries at all, my friends."

"I brought all this up because, well, we've been wanting to become parents ourselves," Twin-Ki explained as he and Iris held hands.

"But we are concerned considering our high status," Iris further elaborated.

"I understand," Sindel said immediately after everything her family had gone through due to imposing threats like Shao Kahn. "I admittedly know little of the Netherrealm, but I've heard of your conflict with a legion of Oni?"

"That is correct," Iris confirmed. "Recently they even breached the realm's capital and I myself had to fight."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Sindel empathised. "I know how… horrible… invasions are."

"Edenia's conquering," Iris recalled with Sindel nodding. "The fact that we stand in the same realm that Shao Kahn stole thousands of years ago is incredible."

"It's a beacon of hope for everyone," Sindel believed.

"I hope Nitara sees it that way," Iris' mind went back to her former friend. "I understand she's been trying to restore Vaeternus for countless years now."

"Well for Nitara in particular, I don't think she ever needed the reality of a realm being demerged to prove it was possible," Sindel shared her thoughts about the heroic Vampire. "She clearly always believed in Vaeternus' return."

"Despite being dead for so much of that time… we can both recognise that."

"Yeah…" Sindel said as the two royals continued to relate to each other.

"Shao Kahn took both our lives and yet here we stand," Iris pointed out another similarity between them. "That's also got to be inspiring to someone."

Sindel went to correct Iris, the true context for her death being rather ambiguous, especially for someone outside of Edenia and Outworld… but she stopped. First it was because of the same hesitation as earlier when it came to discussing her suicide. This very act now made Sindel have this horrid yet bizarre feeling of immense sorrow whenever she thought of the traumatic incident and everything that led to her making such a tragic decision. It sounded absurd, but due to the crazy life she had lived… she was grieving her own death.

Sindel rarely talked about her own suicide. The general population had believed she had passed away due to natural causes, Shao Kahn trying his best to continue to paint the false image of their happy marriage. Their forced marriage was in fact nothing more than a publicity stunt to try and calm Edenians after the twisted merger as well as to prevent unnecessary conflict. It furthered Shao Kahn's perfect image, but there was no love at all. Shao Kahn had no capacity nor care for love, and Sindel preferred that to him being a disgusting creep, however, she was still trapped as a prisoner in this deceptive perfect picture of Kahn's. Over time the truth of Shao Kahn and Sindel's forced marriage came to light, but Sindel refused to publicly state the true cause of her original death.

Sindel didn't necessarily hide this information out of fear, but more so because it was deeply personal and unnecessarily saddening clarifications. All that mattered was that everybody knew that Shao Kahn was an evil monster who deserved the brutal execution that Sindel's daughter Mileena delivered to the tyrant around two decades ago. Sindel had made sure to share the specifics with her entire close family though with them being generally aware of such an unfortunate event. Regardless though it wasn't discussed much and Sindel was content with that, feeling that opening up to her family was enough. It was indeed enough, but the feeling of grief and regret is one that cannot truly fade away permanently.

These grieving thoughts made Sindel see herself as selfish, an unfair argument that many would make regarding the topic, but it was still a small piece of doubt living in Sindel's mind that she couldn't remove. How Sindel sometimes saw it was that she abandoned her birth daughter Kitana, by leaving the world and by extension leaving Kitana alone with the monster she hated more than anything else. Even worse was that she had expected to reunite with her husband Jerrod in the Heavens… but instead both their souls were captured by Shao Kahn and even then they weren't brought together. Sindel was at least relieved to have learnt that Jerrod was a part of Ermac, the collective of souls that were victims of Shao Kahn which he stole and tried to weaponize with his soul construct.

But Sindel was alive and happy once more, being overwhelmingly joyful since the daughter she left thousands of years ago had freed her of the mind control placed on her during Shao Kahn's resurrection of her. Despite having been an unwilling servant of Shao Kahn, like the vast majority of his following, she had always retained hope for the end of conflict. Hope that Sindel had once lost, but immediately regained when she had saw her daughter for the first time in ages… all grown up. Despite Shao Kahn being her only parental figure for most of her life, Kitana hadn't become defined by her father's desires or teachings. Kitana had defined herself, and had become a powerful warrior now seeking to do good, no longer oppressed by Shao Kahn. So while Sindel had blamed herself for leaving her daughter, Kitana never blamed her and was always understanding. Kitana had become a strong woman that any mother would be proud of despite Sindel having left her for so long. Even better for Sindel was being introduced to more of her new family. Despite the wickedness of Shao Kahn and Shang Tsung, Sindel was thankful to be in the company of many people born from the Flesh Pits. Mileena, the twin sister of Kitana, those two had each other when growing up together, which was heartwarming and reassuring for Sindel. Then there was the rest of the Flesh Pits family, many individuals born there who saw each other as one large family which Sindel reciprocated those feelings and welcomed them all to the Sabar family. Then there was the likes of Nitara, a future daughter in law Sindel was certain and same for Baraka being a future son in law! Sindel couldn't ask for a better family, and despite what had happened in the past, they couldn't ask for a better mother.

So as Sindel dwelled on the thought more as she leant against one of the walls in the corridor… she had figured out the second reason why she hadn't corrected Iris was because her statement was right. "Shao Kahn took our lives and yet here we stand." Sindel thought hard about Iris' comment and realised the sentence was true. Shao Kahn was the monster who invaded Edenia, more than once, to steal everything from her. Sindel lost her home, her rulership which despite being deemed the Empress of Outworld for a time, she had no actual control over the realm. If she did then immediate action against Shao Kahn would've been taken. Sindel had completely lost her freewill to him and was nothing more than a prisoner in actuality. While Kitana lived, she never even got to see her and Sindel realised she likely would've never gotten to truly be a part of raising her regardless of if she hadn't done what she did all those years ago. Shao Kahn just saw Kitana as a future weapon, like many of the other children he had made into orphans due to his genocide. Then there was the additional layer of helplessness that Sindel felt when Shao Kahn himself threatened to kill Kitana with his own bare hands if she ever tried defying him. Sindel had no other way of escape… and she realised that even though all the painful thoughts that'd overcome her from time to time couldn't ever go away completely, she was now able to acknowledge that really… Shao Kahn had killed her.

"Sindel?" Iris called out for. "You went quiet."

"Oh!" Sindel finally concluded her deep thoughts and turned back to Iris. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"You just helped me with something," Sindel explained vaguely. "Anyway I have what I think is a good suggestion regarding you having children."

"Please share," Twin-Ki requested as he and Iris listened carefully.

"I believe that, especially as you're both a part of species where aging isn't really a concern, that you have plenty of time to take before growing your family," Sindel shared her opinion and gave her honest advice. "With the dangers of rebellious Oni threatening you and the rest of your realm, I would not recommend taking your chances and having babies until this has been resolved."

"That makes sense," Twin-Ki agreed. "It has gotten so out of hand that you'll probably have to fight more regularly, Iris."

"Which I am fine with," Iris assured him. "We ourselves won't be harmed in this conflict," she believed, "but others… like if we had a child, it would be."

"There will be light that emerges from all this conflict," Sindel promised. "I'd know better than anyone," she told them. "So I would definitely recommend you wait for that light to emerge before having little ones."

"I appreciate the advice, Sindel," Iris thanked her.

"Thank you!" Twin-Ki expressed his own gratitude. "I think this is definitely the way to go about this."

"I agree, dear," Iris expressed with the two having made up their mind.

"If you ever need more advice, or aid in your conflict then do not hesitate to ask me," Sindel offered her additional support.

"We shall," Iris promised as the two shook hands. "Farewell, Sindel."

"Goodbye to you both!" Sindel said as Iris and Twin-Ki headed out of the party with the Netherrealm ruler creating a portal for them to exit through whilst Sindel walked back to her balcony with a genuine smile on her face as she waved to those in the courtyard once more.

"Queen Sindel!" called out a voice that Sindel recognised as Alyssa, the powerful hydromancer who was a valued member of the Hail ninja clan led by her master Rain.

"Alyssa!" Sindel greeted as Alyssa created a makeshift water geyser to rise above her fellow clanmates who were celebrating in the courtyard, to land on the edge of Sindel's balcony handle. "How are you?"

"I'm good," Alyssa answered. "Worried about Rain though…"

"He's not back yet?" Sindel asked as she recalled him leaving with the newly resurfaced Daegon, claiming to be related to Rain.

"I haven't seen him since he left with his supposed brother," Alyssa explained.

"I'm sure they're just catching up," Sindel tried to reassure her. "They must have much to discuss, especially since this is their first time meeting…"

As Sindel presumed this and the party in Edenia continued to become more packed and lively, Rain himself awoke in a dark room on a plain metallic floor surrounded by dingy dry dark brown cavern walls. He went to move but quickly realised that he was tied to a large metal pipe of sorts that was stuck into the floor. He instinctively began trying to break free by sending powerful blasts of water, despite being unable to aim his shots. A small square around him suddenly became flooded by his chained up feet. Rain then realised that another layer contained him, a small cage made out of very clear and clean thick bullet proof glass. Even if his hydromancy hadn't been stopped, it had also been trapped in this small box.

"Grandmaster!" came the voice of a shadowy figure sat on a chair in the dimly lit corner of the room. "He's awake!"

"Perfect," the Grandmaster replied as he stepped inside the peculiar interrogation room. "Welcome to Charred Mountain, brother."

"Daegon!" Rain realised as he recalled what had happened before he was knocked out. "What are you doing?!"

"I hadn't anticipated them chaining you up," Daegon quickly began to state some truths. "The cage is a safety precaution, however, for both my clan… and you."

"Why?!"

"The Red Dragon has made quite a reputation," Daegon acknowledged. "Considering your involvement in Shinnok's invasion-"

"Against the invasion," Rain corrected him.

"Precisely why seeing my clan would cause conflict regardless of what I could say to initially defuse tensions," Daegon explained his actions.

"Oh yeah," Rain spoke sarcastically, "this is really calming!"

"Ambushing you has given me the opportunity to speak to you without any conflict," Daegon further elaborated. "This room has bled out answers from so many… but today you get to ask us anything."

"How generous of you."

"Speak only when you have something productive to say!" Daegon demanded as he suddenly became angry for a brief moment as he slammed his hands against the glass cage, Rain getting a close look at his heavily scarred body from countless battles fought throughout countless generations. "Your sardonic attitude is almost as infuriating as Taven's."

"Who?"

"Your other half brother," Daegon revealed. "I created this clan to help find him."

"And trying to destroy the realms is part of it?!" Rain questioned. "I heard that most of your clan is Earthrealmers and yet they showed no remourse in aiding in the attempted destruction of that!"

"Perhaps one of said Earthrealmers can help explain for you," Daegon suggested as he gestured for the man in the corner of the room to step forward. "This is Mavado, second in command to our great clan."

"Why do you want your own realm to be ruined?!" Rain asked to which Mavado laughed at.

"This universe has numerous other universes in the form of realms," Mavado pointed out. "Outside of this realms technological advancements in contrast to other realms, it has little to no purpose."

"So you wanted Shinnok to drain its lifeforce?!"

"Si!" Mavado confirmed with an alarming amount of enthusiasm. "We all have the blood of our Grandmaster in our veins, the Red Dragon would've been fine!" Mavado revealed. "Meanwhile all other threats in this realm would perish."

"Billions of innocents nearly died because of Shinnok!" Rain pointed out. "You're alright with that?! What about your family?!"

"THIS IS MY FAMILY!" Mavado yelled as he got even closer to Rain's cage. "Fuck everybody else," he remarked as Daegon began dragging his chair over to take a seat. "Earth is fucked regardless."

"How so?"

"Oh the Edenians more concerned with Earth politics than his actual family?"

"I'll get to that when I've processed it," Rain told him, "and unlike you, I don't see any family here."

"In about thirty years, Earth will expire," Mavado claimed. "We're running out of essential resources and that isn't being helped by the scum of this planet who are wasting it all… and don't even get me started on overpopulation."

"So your solution is to purge all life from this realm?!"

"That's what Earthrealmers are already doing," Mavado claimed. "Shinnok just had a better way of speeding the process, and he had the power to allow a true utopia to emerge from the corpse of this planet."

"You're insane," Rain plainly concluded.

"If that's what being right is then I must be!" Mavado yelled. "Also, rather hypocritical to judge me when you couldn't protect your own realm."

"One that was dead for thousands of years," Daegon added as he leant forward in his seat.

"And I helped bring it back!" Rain counterargued. "What do you know about my past anyway?"

"That transitions back to you perfectly, Grandmaster," Mavado said as he began to walk away. "Just keep in mind the fact that Hell itself has less complex problems than Earth, Rain."

"I don't care about your so-called facts," Rain remarked as Mavado left the room. "I do care about you though… Daegon."

"I'm glad to hear that," Daegon remarked. "Next question please."

"What's all this about you and this Taven? How are we related? How do you know? How-" Rain's barrage of questions was interrupted by Daegon loudly clearing his throat.

"I requested a singular question," Daegon reminded him. "But let's start with an explanation of my knowledge," he decided. "So… as I said before capturing you, I possess crucial evidence that revealed to me that we are related."

"Get on with it!" Rain demanded impatiently while Daegon stood up and dragged and retrieved a couple of things from a table at the back of the room.

"Firstly, here is a device that all Red Dragon members are instructed to carry," Daegon explained as he deconstructed this one example model. "There's a lot of technology here that somebody as simple minded as yourself cannot possibly comprehend, but I think you'll understand this," Daegon said as he picked out a small glass ball with a red liquid inside. "This is my blood," he revealed. "My DNA is intertwined with this device to detect those with the same DNA on a radar scanner."

"Seems a bit extreme doesn't it?" Rain considered while Daegon turned on the device to show him. "All this just to find Taven?"

"Since many in my clan have a part of my blood in them, it is useful for tracking allies as well," Daegon elaborated. "I hadn't anticipated finding you."

"Did you always know about me?"

"Only realised when the scanners spotted you," Daegon admitted. "I found it highly odd initially, but my spies did some quick digging and pieced everything together."

"And that is?" Rain asked as Daegon pulled out a note written on an old piece of parchment cut thousands of years ago.

"A note," Daegon revealed, "from our mother."

"Wh-What?" Rain felt his heart beating at the thought. "What does it say?!"

"Dearest Rain," Daegon began to quote the writing left by their mother.

"I have been praying to the Elder Gods before I've begun writing this. Praying for your safety. Shao Kahn's invasion is too powerful to stop I'm afraid, but I will not leave this realm without fighting. You've never seen me fight, son, but with our powers I will do my part to save as many as I can… and I understand that I likely will not survive for such defiance. I'm sorry about all this, my son, I hope you find this. Somehow I'm confident you will, but I may just be going crazy from all this madness. So now that you've found this, let me reveal some secrets to you. Firstly, your wonderful father is not your father by birth. Your birth father is, and I know this will sound unbelievable, but your father is Argus himself-"

"What?!" Rain couldn't believe it. "Is this mockery really necessary, Daegon?!"

"It's her own handwriting, you fool!" Daegon retorted, angered because he had been interrupted. "My spies searched around and found your old home."

"Liar!"

"Your father was a General named Kato and he and your mother raised you in a lakeside cottage," Daegon detailed correctly as Rain's eyes widened. "Your home was small yet cozy, enough room for three but no proper room for a second floor with a stairway leading to just a small attic which my spies found this locked box containing the note."

"How do you know all this?!"

"My spies can find anything with enough time," Daegon claimed confidently. "In this case though? Another letter."

"What letter?!"

"Cowritten by my mother and father," Daegon explained as he revealed another piece of parchment to read from. "Our Lovely Amara. It is I, Argus, writing to you as Delia watches over my shoulder. She of course wishes you the best and has expressed countless times how much she misses you. We hope the cottage in the woods beside Silencieux Lake isn't too lonely. Let us know if and when you need our aid, I know Delia of course has experience seeing she carried our two sons. We'll make sure to visit when we can and we'll of course keep writing to you frequently. Love from Argus and Delia."

"I… I don't understand…" Rain was shocked by all this news being revealed to him.

"Argus had two wives: Delia, my birth mother and Amara, your birth mother," Daegon revealed in an attempt to clarify things. "It wasn't an affair, but a mutual polyamorous relationship."

"So that's how we're half-brothers," Rain concluded as he slowly began to believe the truth.

"Indeed," Daegon confirmed. "Me and Taven had been incased in enchanted stalagmites for a quest forced upon us. You meanwhile, hadn't even been born yet and Amara was pregnant at the time."

"Stalagmites?"

"I'll get to that," Daegon promised. "Shao Kahn had recently made his first invasion of Edenia," he continued. "Thanks to me, he was stopped. You're welcome."

"I heard about that," Rain admitted. "The legends of Argus and Delia and their sons… how did I never know?"

"You went your whole life unaware of your mother's relevancy in Edenia's history," Daegon concluded. "Everybody thought she was a dead woman! Also I'm sure the name Amara sounds wrong to you…"

"Her name was Asea," Rain recalled.

"A changed identity comes with a fabricated name," Daegon stated. "Initially she had gone into hiding until your birth, Shao Kahn's invasion proved there were very dangerous threats that she had to be kept away from them just in case a threat appeared again."

"And then?"

"I'm glad you're catching onto how this works," Daegon said with a grin at Rain's curiosity. "Argus and Delia died near the time you were born. Amara had nothing to go back to, and everyone assumed she had been massacred alongside Argus and Delia."

"Who would do such a thing?!" Rain asked in anger, he had never met Argus or Delia but felt immense rage at the thought of how their deaths would've impacted Amara.

"Me."

Rain cried out in rage as his whole body turned into water shaped like his body, the chains that had bound him dropping to the floor which let out an echoing clang throughout the caverns. His liquidated form smacked into the glass cage, but of course that did very little.

"And I would've killed her too had I known she was still in a relationship with those two monsters!" Daegon said bluntly as Rain regained his physical form and began angrily banging the thick glass. "I initially thought during my time away that she had seen sense and split up from them, so I never bothered visiting but I always kept this note. I'm glad I did."

"Why do you hate them so much?!" Rain asked angrily.

"Delia spread absurdities from some apparent visions while Argus lapped it all up and forced me and Taven on a quest. He intended on incasing me and Taven for thousands of years! Possibly longer! I still don't believe that Taven has been released from his stalagmite. And yes, Argus wanted to incase me and my brother in a cavern mound against our consent… for entire generations. He deserved it as did Delia for spreading word of her visions and going along with Argus' wicked plan!"

"Plan for what?" Rain asked as he finally stopped punching the glass, having only created a few minor scratches against the thick material.

"To prevent Armageddon," Daegon made one more revelation. "The visions foretold an inevitable battle that would be so fierce that even mortals could cause enough of a commotion to awaken the One Being and lead to the destruction of everything."

"The One Being…" Rain recognised that. "I remember my mother telling me stories about them."

"The legends are true," Daegon clarified. "Armageddon… despite all the madness surrounding the theory… seems likely to be true as well," he admitted. "I care not though," he said, "I only care about the prize to come from the inevitable battle to end it all."

"What prize?"

"Nothing that concerns you," Daegon answered… Rain found it peculiar that for once Daegon refused to answer his query.

"Alright…" Rain replied, "just finish my mother's note."

"I must ask something from you though first," Daegon suddenly said as Rain raised an eyebrow and listened closely. "Will you join the Red Dragon?"

"If that's what you've been trying to sell me on you've done a poor job, 'brother'," Rain criticised with Daegon sighing.

"I understand this is a lot to take in," Daegon commented. "But I truly care about you. Why else would I tell you all of this?"

"I have no earthly idea," Rain replied.

"Because I want what's best for you," Daegon explained with Rain shaking his head. "Joining the Red Dragon will bring you safety, give you a true purpose and a group to proudly stand beside."

"I already have that," Rain made his own revelation. "It's called the Hail, and we stand for defending realms these days."

"So are we!" Daegon claimed. "I told you about Armageddon! I am the hero who will save this universe and begin a better future, regardless of whatever extremities I must take to ensure said future."

"You're sounding an awful lot like Shao Kahn right now," Rain said as Daegon gritted his teeth.

"Shao Kahn didn't care about his people, Shao Kahn didn't care about the future of the realms, he was selfish and wanted everything to himself!" Daegon yelled, infuriated that he'd be compared to the horrid tyrant. "I want what's best for those who deserve it," he claimed. "I think you deserve a place in the Red Dragon's intended future, Rain."

"Yet you're being very vague about your future, Daegon," Rain had noticed. "Besides, what can you actually offer me? I appreciate the information, but that's all the thanks you'll get out of me."

"Perhaps partial rulership of a realm," Daegon suggested. "Then you can do whatever you please… within reason," he added. "A Son of Argus is entitled to the throne, right?"

"Wrong," Rain saw through Daegon's lies, now realising the fellow Demi-God was no longer telling any truths. "I clearly not know much, but you really underestimated my smartness if you think I'd buy that nonsense."

"Hm?" Daegon listened in.

"Argus was a Protector God!" Rain reminded him. "He was never a ruler and the former is the only thing I'd like to inherit."

"Achieving that status is my destiny, Rain," Daegon warned him. "Don't cross me."

"You're making a big deal out of this future Armageddon stuff and it's not making a slither of sense!" Rain raised his voice. "I have no interest in this."

"I want to protect you, little brother," Daegon tried to clarify. "Like you said, it's not making sense to you right now, but why not give it time?" Daegon suggested. "I've given you so much information, and there is plenty more to discuss still!"

"My mother's note is the only thing I care about."

"And I'm happy to give it to you," Daegon offered again, "in exchange for your loyalty."

"No," Rain refused plainly. "For all the information you've given me, it sure hasn't painted you or your clan any better."

"You really want to abandon a family member again?"

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

"Shao Kahn's second invasion," Daegon reminded him. "You couldn't save your father, nor our mother for that matter, then you selfishly joined the Kahn Guard."

"I had no other choice!" Rain defended himself.

"I never finished reading your mother's note, but I shared enough to make it pretty clear that she had the guts to die a warrior!" Daegon referred back to the message he had quoted. "How do you think Amara feels that ten thousand years later, the son she gave birth to is a pathetic coward who KILLED for the conqueror who KILLED her and Kato?"

"I'll KILL you!"

"Even if I released you and returned all your gear," Daegon spoke in a suddenly quieter tone that came across as menacing, "you still wouldn't stand a chance."

"How do you think all your parents think about you, Daegon?!" Rain passed Daegon's own question back which made the Red Dragon Grandmaster chuckle.

"I don't care what they think," he stated as bluntly as possible. "But you do, don't you?"

"Shut up."

"It's eating you up inside that you failed at protecting your family… and now I'm all you have left," Daegon saw right through Rain as if he truly was always as translucent as the clearest of water. "Me though? My clan has lasted for generations here in Earthrealm, and has defeated and hunted down many rivals… all to protect this family. We look out for each other, Rain."

"Mileena's Union looks out for me," Rain counterargued. "I'm missing a party right now thanks to you."

"I know."

"What?"

"Spies again."

"What have you set up this time?!"

"I have spies at that party in the Grand Palace," Daegon stated more clearly. "They're all using a cloaking device which is laced with a chemical that inhibits the ability to be seen due to its specific light frequencies," he explained. "Even Gods are blind to it."

"Why are you spying on them?!"

"You'd be amazed by how much we use this."

"Tell me!"

"Every single major threat to my clan is under the same roof right now," Daegon pointed out as he stood up and walked over to a set of panels on the walls operating radio frequencies as he began to mess with the controls to find a conversation to listen in on that was being filtered in from a spy. "Attacking here is too risky and frankly impossible to succeed at… but oh the amount of information we have siphoned tonight is truly impressive."

"You're probably right, Sindel," came a voice from the transmission which Rain immediately recognised to be Alyssa's voice. "I just got a strange vibe from his brother. It all… seemed disingenuous I guess."

"Clever woman," Daegon commended Alyssa as Rain was horrified that Daegon could just casually listen in on such a private discussion.

"I've met Daegon before," Sindel explained. "He was one of the two sons of my mentor Delia, who taught me my sorcery."

"As Queen you had a strong alliance with the Edenian Gods, right?" Alyssa recalled.

"I was very close to Delia and her wife and husband," Sindel stated. "I miss them everyday."

"I'm sorry to hear," Alyssa sympathised. "I know how awful loss is."

"Sadly many Edenians do…" Sindel replied.

"That's enough!" Rain yelled. "Turn it off!"

"As you wish," Daegon obliged and turned off the radio.

"Leave them alone," Rain demanded.

"I will," Daegon promised, "so long as you join me."

"I…" Rain couldn't believe this, he was now being forced to join the Red Dragon or risk his friends and family being harmed.

"I'm sorry," Daegon apologised, "but you've forced my hand."

"What will you do if I refuse again?"

"That woman named Alyssa who looks up to you," Daegon warned, "she will be the first to die."

"Please… no…" Rain begged.

"Then we'll find every other member of your own little clan and wipe them out too," Daegon continued to make frightening promises. "Wouldn't be the first time we've had to purge a faction."

"Okay!" Rain finally gave in, once again with no other choice. "I'll join you!"

"Finally!" Daegon remarked. "Lift the cage!"

"Who are you talking to?" Rain asked only for many Red Dragon members inside the room to reveal themselves from their cloaking devices as they worked on lifting the glass cage.

"I told you," Daegon reminded him, "we use cloaking technology a lot."

Rain stepped towards Daegon now that the cage had been lifted, he immediately began to create lightning in his left hand and directed it towards the radio device at the side of the room. Small crackles of lightning sparked in the palm of Rain's hand as he stretched out to all the technology. Daegon immediately lit his hand aflame and put his hand in a chopping motion towards his neck while all the other Red Dragons in the room drew and aimed their weapons at Rain in unison.

"Do it," Daegon implored Rain. "If you for once want to make a sacrifice in your pathetic life then do it."

"Ugh…" Rain grunted as he retracted his powers.

"Selfish coward," Daegon insulted. "Just as I thought."

"I'm not going to for the sake of protecting others!" Rain countered.

"You'd be too scared to risk your own neck regardless," Daegon remarked before grabbing Rain's hand and burning the flesh. "If you even consider doing something like that again then my spies will blow your precious Alyssa's head off!" he threatened again. "AM I CLEAR?!"

"Agh! Yes!" Rain yelled his reply out of pain as Daegon finally released his flaming grip on him and left Rain on his knees clutching his severely burnt hand which he surrounded by water to try and help it.

"Water does not beat my fire, little brother," Daegon told him. "Keep that in mind always…"

As Rain was forced to settle into the Red Dragon clan, with his only reward being possession of his mother's note to him the day of Shao Kahn's second invasion of Edenia which led to her death and Edenia being merged into Outworld, the party in Edenia itself continued.

Above the front of the Grand Palace's Courtyard, a sudden cloud came above the home and soon a rapid fire lightning strike came down, with the two brothers Raiden and Fujin emerging from the bolt before it crashed down on anyone. The crowd applauded the two heroic Earthrealm Gods as they had made it to Edenia together.

"Welcome, Lord Raiden and Lord Fujin," Kitana greeted the two as she had decided to go to the courtyard to greet everyone as they arrived.

"Queen Kitana," Fujin greeted. "There is no need for such formalities! I am not even a Lord!"

"Well then you can just call me Kitana as well," she replied.

"How is everyone?" Raiden asked.

"We would've arrived earlier but Raiden was bothered with trying to find criminals," Fujin explained.

"Everyone is well," Kitana answered. "I'm surprised you'd be so concerned with typical crime, Raiden, I thought your realm had substantial law enforcement."

"We do," Raiden confirmed. "But why should I not help in an act that humans help with daily too?"

"That's very kind of you," Kitana replied. "Well tonight is all about relaxing and celebrating!"

"And we sure do need a break," Fujin remarked. "I'll make sure the other Elemental Gods get a well deserved break after this, especially for staying to guard the Temple of Elements at this time."

"How are they?" Kitana asked.

"They're just happy to be back in life," Fujin answered with a smile. "They all send their love to everyone here."

"And you can tell them that we greatly appreciate them and their work and hope to see them shortly," Kitana requested as Fujin nodded as he made a mental note of the message to give.

"I'll let them know," Fujin promised.

"Thanks," Kitana said. "Oh! Bo' Rai Cho is at the bar inside, I can take you to him if you'd like."

"Yes please," Fujin requested.

"Follow me," Kitana instructed.

While Kitana showed Fujin and Raiden around, guiding them to their best friend Bo' Rai Cho, Jarek had found Tasia in the crowd of the courtyard, having pushed past Raiden on the way with the Thunder God giving him a concerning glare.

"Sorry!" Jarek apologised. "Ah! Tasia!" he spotted her at last after she ran off in anger. "Are you alright?"

"I wanna go home," Tasia muttered. "This was one massive fucking mistake."

"Wait!" Jarek shouted as Tasia began to cross one of the bridges leading to the exit of the Grand Palace. "Talk to me, Tas!"

"This is a place for heroes!" Tasia yelled back. "We aren't that," she claimed. "Stop tryna be one yourself."

"That's why you're mad because of the copper's offer?"

"I told you I want nothing to do with this life anymore," Tasia explained, "just cause we ain't criminals anymore doesn't mean I want in on the other side of things."

"That's fine!" Jarek assured her. "You don't have to."

"And neither should you," Tasia remarked.

"But I want to help Stryker and the others if I can," Jarek expressed his willingness. "Besides, someone's gonna need to start working to provide for us anyway."

"Oh please," Tasia rolled her eyes, "Tremor has us set for life!"

"We can't expect him to hand us everything we want or need!" Jarek counterargued. "This ain't the Black Dragon anymore."

"Har har," Tasia faked a laugh. "Seriously though, what the fuck else is Tremor going to use his money on?!"

"Charities," Jarek answered to which Tasia genuinely laughed at. "I'm serious! He said he gives the fees granted to the Paragons to a chosen charity of the month!"

"The fuck is goin on?" Tasia wondered. "This is all madness…"

"But none of this is bad," Jarek pointed out. "You don't have to be upset about anything, Tas. It's okay."

"I guess you're right," Tasia realised as she slowly began to calm down and leant against the side of the bridge they stood on. "You got a smoke?"

"Pretty sure smoking isn't allowed here," Jarek clarified.

"How the fuck?!" Tasia complained. "They don't even know what a fucking cigarette is!"

"If they did they'd definitely be banned," Jarek argued. "But see? You're getting pissed off at the tiniest shit!"

"So?!" Tasia asked angrily.

"I'm not saying it's a bad thing!" Jarek quickly clarified. "I just need to know why… you mellowed out a lot lately so it's just unusual."

"I guess… I'm nervous…" Tasia confessed.

"About what?"

"I got in contact with my mum," Tasia revealed. "She's agreed for me to go to visit her in… a few days."

"That's great!" Jarek exclaimed.

"Is it?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"Because I'm a shitty daughter!" Tasia believed.

"I…" Jarek wasn't sure what to say, although he and Tasia were often able to comfort each other, neither were anywhere close to being qualified at handling such conversations. "If you that then… I dunno… you have a second chance, right?"

"I killed a cop in front of her own fucking eyes!" Tasia yelled. "Then I ran off… she never came to see me in prison either and I don't blame her."

"But we've gone through the reformation process," Jarek reminded her. "She would've refused to see you now if she didn't want to."

"I guess…" Tasia considered what Jarek was saying once more. "I don't know anymore."

"It'll be alright," Jarek reassured her. "Have you told anybody else about this?"

"Tremor," she answered. "He's helped get me a flight back to England for the visit."

"I'm glad he's helped," Jarek replied. "He's a good friend."

"I wish he was here," Tasia remarked. "Those fucking Paragons seriously don't let their people party?! Utter bullshit!"

"Tremor was never the partying type anyway."

"True," Tasia agreed. "Well… thanks, Jarek."

"Anytime, Tas," he replied as the two embraced. "I love ya."

"Love you too," Tasia said back to her lover.

"Wanna go back inside?"

"Sure," Tasia decided as the two returned to the party.

Raiden and Fujin had made it to the bar area, with Bo' Rai Cho's now also pupiless glowing white eyes brightening even more as he spotted two of his closest friends. Cassie meanwhile, immediately sprung out of her seat to embrace the two Earthrealm Gods, with them both having been a part of her life due to their connections to the rest of her family.

"Good to see you again, Cassandra Cage," Raiden expressed as they hugged.

"Hey!" Cassie greeted the Gods.

"It is good to see you all once more," Fujin added as he looked around at so many familiar friendly faces.

"It has been a while!" Bo' Rai Cho exclaimed. "Can I get either of you a drink?"

"You know I never drink," Raiden remarked. "I have missed you though, old friend."

"Feelings mutual," Bo' Rai Cho replied before turning to Fujin. "Can I get you anything?"

"I'll have whatever's easiest," Fujin answered. "All tastes nice to me."

"You got it," Bo' Rai Cho confirmed as he prepared Fujin a drink. While Gods had no need to eat, drink or sleep, Fujin did enjoy the smaller things in life despite having no need to experience them. "It's been a while since we've had a night to hang out together!"

"Indeed," Fujin agreed as Bo' Rai Cho slid a glass filled with an interesting mix. "Thank you!"

"You three used to have get togethers?" Kung Lao sounded surprised.

"Situations used to be less dire," Bo' Rai Cho explained. "As they are again now."

"Allowing for us to have this great event," Fujin praised. "Thanks for arranging all this, Kitana."

"You're welcome," Kitana replied. "I cannot take all the credit though," she clarified, "my entire family helped out a lot too."

"Speaking of," Liu Kang pointed past Kitana. "Hey, everyone!"

"Woo!" Meat celebrated as he, Skarlet, Nitara, Krimson and even Lia approached the group at the already very populated bar corner. "Party!"

"I haven't seen a lot of you Earthrealmers in a while," Nitara realised as they came to greet everyone. "How about you, Skar?"

"Yeah we've been so busy with matters in our own realm that it's been I don't know how long," Skarlet realised. "Can't believe the tournament was twenty years ago now."

"Crazy times," Kung Lao agreed. "Remember when I tried to sneak into the tournament?"

"Oh yeah!" Liu Kang recalled. "I couldn't possibly forget!"

"Why did you even do such a thing?" Raiden asked.

"I guess I just wanted to help make sure Outworld lost," Kung Lao explained his decision back when he was younger and more irrational. "Luckily we had Liu here save Earthrealm!"

"Come on," Liu Kang remained modest, "becoming Earthrealm Champion doesn't mean I should take full credit."

"Typical you," Kung Lao said before laughing.

"How come?" Kai was interested in his Master's mindset.

"There are numerous people to thank," Liu Kang explained, "such as Lord Raiden and Master Bo' Rai Cho who trained and raised me as a son."

"Thanks for being father figures to me also," Kung Lao expressed his gratitude.

"You're both welcome," Raiden replied.

"It is simply about doing what's right," Bo' Rai Cho commented with Fujin quietly nodding in agreement while he took calm and small sips from his drink. "I left Outworld for Earthrealm to make sure all my experiences were passed down so that both realms and many more could stand a better chance against Shao Kahn. Now I do what he failed at so long ago; be a Protector God that actually protects Outworld," Bo' Rai Cho spoke of his title of Protector God proudly. "I do all this because it's what's right. We're all here at this party because in one way or another, we helped to do good for the realms!"

"I'll drink to that!" Fujin stated as he took a drink alongside anybody else currently with a glass, except Cassie who had regretted ordering the wine.

"You're very respectable, Bo' Rai Cho," Lori complimented.

"Absolutely," Kitana agreed with Lori and Kitana turning to each other. "Apologies, madam, I don't believe we've ever met."

"We have not," Lori assured her. "My name is Lori."

"Kitana," she introduced herself as the two shook hands.

"I already know," Lori stated. "You are the ruler of this realm after all."

"Oh!" Kitana just realised, she was still very unused to being Queen… of Edenia no less. "Of course. You don't have to use any titles around me."

"Alright," Lori replied. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Lori," Kitana responded as the two smiled at each other.

As the group at the bar continued talking amongst themselves, Tanya and her father figure Daahraan and mother Nyah had arrived. Tanya was initially hesitant to head to the party, with the three having moved into a three bedroom home in the nearby village. Tanya had so much she wanted to talk to her mother about, and Nyah felt the same way. Tanya felt the partying atmosphere would take away from that chance, but Daahraan assured the pair that they all deserved to celebrate for one night. To celebrate life.

"Tanya!" Kitana greeted her as she and her parental figures approached the bar. "It is good to see you and Daahraan."

"Much appreciated, Queen Kitana," Daahraan said as he bowed before Edenia's ruler. "I served your mother and now you."

"We greatly appreciate all you have done, Sir Daahraan," Kitana assured him. "You do not need to bow before me."

"Thank you," Daahraan replied as he stood up straight.

"We really do appreciate what you've done," Tanya repeated to Daahraan. "Thanks for everything, Daahraan."

"Of course, petal," Daahraan said as the two hugged.

"I keep telling you this, Daahraan," Nyah spoke up, "but thanks for looking out for her."

"Kitana, this is my mother," Tanya introduced Nyah to the Edenian Queen.

"An honour to meet you, Queen," Nyah told Kitana as they shook hands.

"You have a great daughter," Kitana complimented.

"I know," Nyah replied.

"Mother!" Tanya called out. "I'll introduce you to the other Edenians I work with!"

"Alright!" Nyah replied as Tanya dragged her along as Daahraan chuckled before following behind them.

"Well spoken by the way, Lord Bo' Rai Cho," Goro commented as he returned to the bar. "I heard what you mentioned about doing what you see is right."

"Much appreciated, Prince," Bo' Rai Cho expressed his gratitude as he polished a glass behind the bar.

"Did you enjoy the drumming?" Cassie asked him.

"Actually I did," he admitted. "I'll have to bring some of those kits to Kuatan."

"I am pleased that you're all enjoying yourselves," Raiden stated, "but I am concerned that there may be current threats that we should be dealing with right now."

"Don't fret, brother," Fujin attempted to reassure him. "Earthrealm has the Paragons of Virtue and still plenty of emergency services available."

"All will be fine, Lord Raiden," Liu Kang promised to him.

"If you're certain…" Raiden said as he definitely was not.

"Trust them," Jin insisted. "You deserve a break too, Raiden."

"Well said, Jin," Liu Kang agreed.

"Thanks!" Jin replied, receiving praise from such a well respected Shaolin Master meant a lot to him even if Liu Kang often shared praise to everybody.

"Oh my games caught on!" Cassie yelled as she kicked her legs excitedly like a child whilst pointing to a group of Saurians who had taken the stage after Goro.

"What has she been up to?" Fujin wondered while Cassie ran off to join the Saurians.

"The list is too big to cover, Fujin," Jacqui said jokingly which made Fujin laugh.

"How's my game?" Cassie asked as she approached the group surrounding Reptile who was still testing his newly gifted sword, the Kirehashi, on fruit being thrown by Komodai with Tiamat catching the pieces and passing them to those wanting the Zaterran native fruit.

"It's fun," Kiri praised as she and Ankha stood beside Cassie as they watched the other Saurians play Cassie's idea for a game. "What do you think, Ankha?"

"The fruits are good!" Ankha reviewed before suddenly shooting a long reptilian tongue out to grab a piece of the fruit. "So I'm happy!"

"Woah!" Cassie was surprised by what she had seen. "Cool tongue there, Yoshi!"

"Oh my name's Ankha," she corrected her. "And this beautiful lady is my lovely Kiri."

"Nice to meet you, Kiri and Ankha," Cassie greeted. "So you gals are lizard people too?"

"You mean Saurians?" Kiri asked with Cassie nodding to clarify. "Ah! Yes!"

"A lot of our kind can create human appearances," Ankha explained. "Disguises if you will."

"That's so cool!" Cassie said, intrigued by all facets of the realms and the species not from Earth. "I totally thought you two were also Earthrealmers, or like one of the other human species."

"Some used to use it to help blend into your realms society after the loss of our own," Kiri revealed which made Cassie loudly gasp. "Since Zaterra has returned and your realm has become more informed of these things we've had no need to though."

"That explains where Mark Zuckerberg has gone to," Cassie realised.

"No clue who that is," Kiri stated, "but yeah our kind have an interesting history."

"Yeah!" Cassie agreed. "I'm gonna go but it was nice meeting you both!"

"You too," Ankha replied.

"Goodbye!" Kiri said as Cassie waved on her way into the gardens of the Grand Palace, to catch up with her father.

Outside in the gardens behind the Grand Palace of Edenia was a barbecue that had been set up by Baraka and a few other friendly Tarkatans. The Tarkatan race preferred the outdoors, and those familiar with it adored Baraka's cooking who he himself loved to cook. Putting on his hilarious chef apron that Johnny gifted his bizarre friend, Baraka had gotten to work on cooking some meat for all fellow guests at the party. When Johnny saw Baraka wearing the old apron he had gifted him, it immediately made the actor smile and crack a laugh.

"Johnny!" Baraka called out as he put his cooking equipment down as Johnny embraced him. "Watch for my arm spikes, Cage, you won't want to tear that fancy suit of yours."

"Good to see you, bud!" Johnny greeted the Tarkatan leader.

"You too," Baraka replied as they did their friendship handshake.

"Everything ready yet?" Karbrac asked as he approached Baraka. "We've got many hungry faces back there," he pointed to a long outdoor table connected with benches on both sides filled with Tarkatans awaiting their dinner.

"Almost," Baraka replied.

"Need a hand?" Johnny offered.

"The Rakurgas must be perfect!" Baraka exclaimed as he flipped a couple of patties on the grill that he was watching over.

"Please, I am perfect!" Johnny said sarcastically, his younger self probably made a similar remark at some point but younger Johnny would've been serious about that statement.

"Debatable," Cassie quipped as she approached the group.

"How are you, Cass?" her father asked.

"I'm great!" Cassie said happily. "This party is great!"

"Glad to hear, Cass," Johnny replied as the two hugged.

"Do you want a Rakurgas?" Baraka asked.

"A what?!" Cassie was clearly confused.

"It's a burger but Tarkatan," Johnny summarised. "And no they don't eat humans."

"Very offensive stereotype," Karbrac clarified.

"Oh! Don't worry I knew that!" Cassie assured them. "I'll have one!"

"Here you are," Baraka handed her a small fancy plate with a Rakurga on it from the pile he had made while preparing to feed the hungry Tarkatan group.

"Thanks!" Cassie said gratefully. She took a bite from the large burger-like food and her eyes lit up from the delightful taste.

"The meat comes from WarHogs," Baraka told her as she ate the burger. "Your realm's equivalent I'm told are called pigs."

"Warthogs to be exact," Johnny added, he having unfortunately been Baraka's main source of Earthrealm knowledge.

"So good!" Cassie praised. "Can I take a few more for my friends?"

"Sure," Baraka granted permission as Cassie piled several burgers onto a bigger plate and began to head back inside. "Cya!"

"You owe us two for the added wait," Korhau remarked jokingly as he approached and nuzzled his beloved Karbrac as they and Johnny Cage watched Baraka continue to prepare Rakurgas.

"I'm back!" Mileena said as the Tarkatans cheered at her return. "Love, I took your advice with the hedge cutting and I think I did a good job," she pointed to the row of well trimmed hedges in the gardens.

"Good job," Baraka praised. "Did you enjoy it?"

"I think I'll leave gardening to you," Mileena replied which made Baraka laugh.

"If you insist," Baraka replied as Mileena kissed him on his forehead.

"I should probably go check on my own wife," Johnny immediately thought about Sonya when he saw this affectionate display. "Catch you later."

"Bye!" Baraka replied as Mileena waved to the actor as he headed back inside and Baraka continued to prepare Rakurgas.

Back inside the Grand Palace, Cassie had returned to the bar carrying a plate of Rakurgas. She placed the plate down on the bar before returning to her seat on a stall that stood in between Jacqui and Frost.

"I brought these burgers!" Cassie told everyone. "Baraka made them!"

"Who's that?" Frost asked.

"Tarkatan leader," Cassie answered. "They're an Outworld species."

"My Sifu told me about them," Frost recalled. "Still never been to Outworld."

"My family took me on a couple visits,' Cassie replied as she picked up a Rakurga and offered it to Frost. "Want one?"

"Sure," Frost accepted the Rakurga. "Thanks."

"You're welcome!"

"Can I have one?" Bo' Rai Cho asked. "And I'll finish your drink if you're not having it, Cassandra."

"There's an obvious joke response here," Cassie immediately noted. "But sure you can, Lord Bo'!"

"Cheers!" Bo' Rai Cho replied as he raised the glass of wine and necked it in one gulp.

"How the-"

"Gods require a lot of booze to become intoxicated," Bo' Rai Cho explained. "An excuse for me to do things like that!"

"He didn't do that as a human," Liu Kang assured. "I… think."

"Of course not!" Bo' Rai Cho claimed.

"Maybe make me a God so I can find out if I like any of that alcohol," Cassie made a joking suggestion.

"Sorry," Bo' Rai Cho said with a smile, "I don't condone underage drinking, Cassandra."

"Shush," Cassie replied as the Drunken Master laughed. "Anybody else want some of these?"

"I'll have another if nobody else is having any," Bo' Rai Cho warned.

"I'll have one," Jacqui replied as Cassie handed her a Rakurga.

"Do you want one, Chloe?" Frost asked her fellow Lin Kuei friend.

"No thanks," she replied.

"She doesn't want her charity," Sektor remarked.

"What?!" Cassie raised an eyebrow at the odd comment. "Nobody was talking to you, tinhead."

"It's steel, child," Sektor corrected her.

"Well I'm eighteen, steelhead!" Cassie shouted.

"Yes," Sektor replied, "a child."

"Let's relax," Fujin suggested. "Is everyone alright?"

"I'm fine," Cassie assured him, "I'm also a grown ass woman."

"Whatever you say," Sektor said dismissively as Chloe glared at the young soldier as she flipped off the red cyborg.

"Aaanywaaay…" Jacqui spoke to try to change topics again.

"So you two are Gods?" Frost asked Fujin and Raiden. "Like Bo' Rai Cho."

"This is so strange," Chloe commented, both herself and Frost being unused to seeing such deities despite both having experience with the likes of magic users.

"We are just another unique species," Fujin commented humbly. "I see us all as equals."

"Easy for you to say," Cassie replied, "with your wind powers and all that fancy jazz."

"It's not like you mortals are all without power though," Fujin countered. "Take your father for example."

"Which is even more annoying!" Cassie complained. "He has the glow and I don't?!"

"You might," Raiden assured her. "The energy your bloodline possesses is a hard one to unlock," he explained, "only your father has been able to do so thus far."

"Well I wanna be number two!" Cassie stated as she pumped her fists into the air and looked up, and she was surprised by what she saw. "Um… are those… insects?"

The other heroes at the bar glanced up at the ceiling, noticing a group of Kytinn. The seemingly remaining six of the insect-like humanoid species once native to a realm called Arnyek. Led by D'Vorah was her significant other A'Vital and their friends K'Berah, K'Fersebe, Re'Enena and Y'Evna. To avoid the remaining crowd still approaching to join the ongoing party, the Kytinn crew had flown over and entered through an open mosaic glass window at the top of the open space in the great hall of the Grand Palace. Cassie had thought she had heard buzzing above her. She had a mild fear of insects such as spiders, but she wasn't going to let that deter her from meeting this unfamiliar species.

"Those are the Kytinn, Cassandra," Raiden described to her.

"I'm gonna say hi!" Cassie decided enthusiastically as per usual.

The Kytinn flew down to one of the tables that was reserved for them. Cassie got up from the stool at the bar to approach the unfamiliar species, intrigued and excited as she had been this entire night.

"Hello!" Cassie greeted loudly right as the Kytinn had taken their seats.

"Agh!" Y'Evna cried out.

"AGH!" Cassie shrieked louder.

"Y'Evna!" K'Berah called for. "Is This One alright?" she asked her.

"Sorry!" Y'Evna apologised. "You startled This One."

"This One?" Cassie repeated, confused by the speech pattern.

"Oh," Re'Enena realised what was going on. "This One doesn't understand the Kytinn."

"That's why This One came over," Cassie stated. "I wanted to meet your kind."

"This One can explain," K'Fersebe offered. "It will take a while though."

"There'll be plenty of time for that," spoke Mileena as she suddenly appeared from behind after coming back inside with Baraka having now finally served the Rakurgas to the hungry Tarkatans outside. "How are you all?"

"These Ones are all well, Mileena," A'Vital spoke for the whole group. "Especially D'Vorah."

"This One was very excited to attend this event, Empress," D'Vorah, the leader of her group, spoke to Mileena.

"I'm glad to hear it," Mileena replied. "Everybody here has been having a wonderful time!"

"That is good to hear," D'Vorah replied.

"Have you spoken to Kotal?" Mileena asked, knowing about the Kytinn and their close bond with the Osh-Tekk.

"Many Osh-Tekk warriors entered with us in the portal and will be here shortly," D'Vorah detailed.

"But no Kotal," A'Vital added.

"Kotal was mad and tore up his invite," D'Vorah recalled. "This One knows not of what has gotten into Kotal."

"He did?!" Mileena was offended by the hurtful news.

"Yes," A'Vital confirmed. "This One apologises."

"It's none of your fault," Mileena reassured them. "And I take it his father is too busy to attend, much like the Shokan royals."

"Who send their regards nonetheless."

"Sheeva!" Mileena recognised her voice and spun around into a strong hug from the Shokan Warden.

"Zenkaro insisted on covering for my nightshift," Sheeva explained the absence of another Shokan, and why she was present. "I feel bad for him… feels like he's still trying to prove himself."

"I hope he's well too," Mileena replied. "It is great to see you nonetheless, Sheeva."

"And you as well, Empress," Sheeva replied.

"And who is this?" Mileena wondered as she looked past Sheeva to see another large Shokan warrior, this one being a snow white Tigrar dressed in a suit tailored specifically for a Shokan, a very unusual sight.

"My name is Katrina, Empress," she introduced herself. "I was one of your allies during Shinnok's invasion."

"A pleasure I'm sure," Mileena replied as they shook hands. "I thank you for your services."

"The battle wounded me," Sheeva recalled. "Katrina saved my life and helped me recover," she told Mileena. "We've started dating and have been together since."

"Congratulations!" Mileena said happily. "It's been so long since I've caught up with many."

"Thank you, Empress," Katrina said as she bowed her head out of respect.

"It's understandable," Sheeva commented. "We've had our duties in Kuatan and you've had yours all over the realm."

"I'm glad we all made time for this," Mileena commented. "It's a shame some people couldn't come tonight… even Kotal…"

Ko'atal, better known by his father's name Kotal, slammed the door behind him as he entered his bedroom on one of the upper floors of his family's palace, having just returned after being ridiculed by his father Kotal Ketz again. Ketz had accussed his son of being rude and bitter in regards to the party in Edenia. It enraged his son who had stormed off into his room, feeling insulted by all that remained of his family once more.

"Support the separation of Outworld?" Kotal spoke to himself in his room that was decorated by well preserved Osh-Tekk totems that he had been working on imbuing with his sun magic. "How possibly could I?!"

Kotal had been disgruntled for far too long, and was growing more and more frustrated consistently, which seemed unimaginable considering how moody he had been ever since Mileena took the throne. He obviously had major gripes with Shao Kahn and his reign, but Kotal had realised that his lifestyle actually fared better under the skull masked tyrant's rulership. When he was serving Shao Kahn, Kotal was seen as a respectable and strong General, arguably the finest behind Reiko himself. But now? His title was never stripped, but he no longer had any armies to lead or duties to fulfil… creating a sense of worthlessness around him.

"This realm has gone soft," Kotal concluded as he thought to himself. "At least Shao Kahn knew how to make this realm the strongest."

As he muttered angrily to himself, he examined his totems after closing the curtains in his bedroom as the sun was no longer out in the Cyan Cliffs, where the Osh-Tekk city of Z'unkahrah that was all that remained of their realm in Outworld. But as Kotal always said, he had grown used to that. There was enough of his old realm to be satisfied with Outworld in its merged state, he believed it brought the best out of all the realms. He sulked as he sat on a chair whilst gazing at the totems he had enchanted with the very same sun magic that many Osh-Tekk possessed. The totems would give an aura that Kotal would store sun magic into… saving it for a right time when the sun shone bright.

"Soon…" Kotal mumbled. "Soon I will be the hero of this realm…" he believed. "And I will escape my father's shadow and become-"

His self ramblings were interrupted by a knock on his door. Kotal cautiously opened his bedroom door slightly only to be greeted by the Osh-Tekk royal messenger Cualli. Seeing the familiar face, Kotal swung the door open to greet her.

"Cualli," he spoke. "What do you want?"

"Sorry to bother, sir," Cualli apologised. "I was just looking for permission to leave early tonight and-"

"Why?"

"I met a girl a couple weeks back," Cualli explained. "Her name is Ruby."

"A Hinparian I presume?" Kotal asked, with Cualli confirming with a nod.

Hinpar was actually the name of the long lost realm that the Osh-Tekk were native to, alongside a humanoid race name Hinparians, similar to how realms such as how Outworld has Outworlders, Seido has Seidans, Edenia has Edenians and so forth. Hinparians of course were the other majority species making up the population of the enourmous city of Z'unkahrah, once the capital city of Hinpar.

"I've got plans with her tonight," Cualli stated. "I should go, I don't want to keep her waiting."

"Hold on!" Kotal called for as Cualli went to leave. "I never granted you permission to leave!"

"Your father did, sir," Cualli clarified as she began to walk away. "See you tomorrow!"

Kotal growled as he slammed his bedroom door before kicking down one of his totems with a bare foot, causing a loud crash on the floor.

"Damn you, father!" Kotal shouted in a fit of rage. "First complacent with Shao, now Mileena?! Outrageous!"

"What's that ruckus?!" Ketz wondered aloud from his own bedroom that was on the other side of the corridor, beside his throne room. "Go to sleep, Ko'atal, you foolish manchild!"

"Leave me be, old man!" Ko'atal demanded.

"I am trying to complete some work, boy!" Kotal Ketz reminded him. "You refused to go to that party, so either go to sleep or get out!"

"Fine!" Kotal finally gave up and threw his large frame onto his bed, staring at the ceiling as he breathed heavily out of frustration and fury.

Meanwhile, Cualli had picked up Ruby and the two joined the other Osh-Tekk and Hinparian guests entering the open portal to Edenia to join the party… It sure is a good thing that Kotal didn't know that Cualli was leaving early to partake in that!

Also having arrived at the party at the same time were a group of Demon ladies from the Netherrealm who approached the Kytinn and company upon entering. Mika was on the far side of the group with her arm wrapped around Sora while Siann and Cilene walked at a faster pace in front of them.

"Hey!" Mika greeted excitedly. "Good to see you all!" she expressed her happiness by tapping her feet against the polished floor in her high heels. "Ahh! The Kytinn! You gals are looking fab as the Earthrealmers would say."

"Thanks?" D'Vorah replied, confused by the compliment's meaning.

"You sure do!" A'Vital agreed as she nuzzled up next to D'Vorah as the two lovers hugged, prompting Mika and Sora to do the same.

"Omigosh!" Cassie said as she gazed at Mika. "You are so me!"

"Ooo you seem very upbeat!" Mika exclaimed as she excitedly shook Cassie's hand. "And this party seems so cool!"

"I know right?!" Cassie agreed.

"One of them was enough," Sora said jokingly.

"No hard feelings about our fight before?" Cilene asked the Kytinn crew.

"Of course not," K'Berah assured them.

"This One knows what it is like to be forced to fight for a poor cause," Y'Evna told them. "This One forgives you."

"Coming from Y'Evna, that's very generous," K'Berah teased.

"This One is forgiving too!" K'Fersebe added as Re'Enena patted Cilene's head.

"Do you guys… normally do that?" Siann asked.

"This One is sorry," Re'Enena apologised.

"It's fine!" Cilene assured her. "I'm glad we could properly make peace like this."

"Yeah!" Mika agreed.

"Anybody seen any other Demons tonight?" Siann asked out of curiosity.

"Kinda hard to tell when you all look human," Cassie commented.

"Pretty humans too," Mika added as she kissed Sora on the cheek.

"Is everything alright down there?" Cassie asked.

"Where?" Siann asked. "In the Netherrealm?"

"Yeah," Cassie answered. "I don't really know much about it, but it sounds scary…"

"You have nothing to worry about!" Mika immediately made an attempt to reassure her. "Things have been improving lately with Lady Iris in charge, and we've got a good partnership with this Union thing going on."

"Speaking of Union," Sora turned to Empress Mileena. "We never got to thank you for… just giving our realm a chance I guess."

"Every realm deserves peace, as much as possible at least," Mileena believed. "The Netherrealm is no exception."

"Glad it's getting better," Cassie spoke up, "but I sure as shit don't wanna end up there when I die."

"You won't, Cassandra," Mileena reassured her. "Trust me."

"Heaven awaits all in this room," Katrina stated.

"That sounded a bit ominous," Cassie admitted. "But thanks."

"This is a place full of people who the Elder Gods should be proud of," Sheeva shared her opinion. "You should all be proud of yourselves."

"That's very kind," Cassie told her. "Especially coming from a Shokan."

"I tend to be far less strict about the Shokans code of honour than most," Sheeva explained her beliefs. "I think if you try to do good, then you are an honourable being. It's that simple."

"That's a good way of putting it, love," Katrina replied as she and Sheeva embraced.

"Hey!" Mika shouted out. "There they are!"

Mika stretched out a finger pointed at the entrance of the Grand Palace where Sareena, Ashrah, Kia and Jataaka had arrived and entered the building alongside the Osh-Tekk and Hinparians who were arriving simultaneously, marking the last major group of guests arriving at the already packed Grand Palace. Kia and Jataaka were wearing matching red and black dresses, similar to their Brotherhood of Shadow armoured uniform in colour but entirely different in style. Sareena meanwhile wasn't even dressed in black and red, but white and yellow instead much like her girlfriend Ashrah who still wore her easily recognisable heavenly robes with her signature hat.

"Greetings, all," Ashrah spoke as they approached the group with Mika immediately forcing the four arriving Demons into a group hug.

"I missed you all!" Mika stated.

"Missed you too, Mika," Sareena replied.

"You look very different," Mika stated. "I like the new clothes."

"Thank you," Sareena said gratefully. "I'm glad I've long since ditched that Brotherhood attire."

"Same here," Siann related. "What's that up there?"

Suddenly, Azaco swooped down, landing atop a table with the Avien warrior named Asgaarth soon following. Both still wore most parts of their main suits of armour, despite the casual situation. Asgaarth quickly got off the table and bowed before the Empress respectfully with Azaco meanwhile pumping his fists in the air.

"I won!" Azaco cheered excitedly.

"Sorry to interrupt, Empress," Asgaarth apologised.

"No worries," Mileena replied. "What are you two up to?"

"I met Azaco outside," Asgaarth stated. "He challenged me to a race."

"Which I won!" Azaco cheered once more. "I told you Vampires flew faster!"

"I was being cautious of my surroundings!" Asgaarth defended his loss. "Your challenge does not prove such a broad hypothesis."

"Whatever you say," Azaco said as he hopped off of the table. "What do you ladies think?"

"That you're a douchebag?" Cassie commented.

"What about Kytinn?" Y'Evna suggested as she stood up.

"Huh?" Azaco spun around to face the Kytinn.

"Yeah!" K'Berah agreed. "What about This One?!"

"Respectfully, your wings seem a bit… delicate," Azaco told them.

"Aren't bats like triple the speed of eagles and flies?" Cassie asked. "Guys, I can Google this one if it's such a big deal!"

"Hah!" Azaco laughed.

"Is he bothering you, girls?" Nitara asked as she, Skarlet and Krimson approached.

"Sis!" Azaco said as the two siblings hugged. "Back me up here!"

"About what?"

"We're the fastest species at flying right?"

"Why would I know?!"

"Just back me up!" Azaco insisted as Cassie giggled.

"I really don't care, Zac," Nitara told him. "Although speaking of, I am planning on teaching these two to fly using blood," Nitara said as she gestured to her girlfriend and their daughter.

"Maybe blood constructs are the fastest at flying," Skarlet said jokingly.

"No way," Azaco replied before turning to Krimson. "I'm better at flying than your mum, Krimson, ask Uncle Azaco if you need any assistance."

"Shush," Nitara demanded as she lightly punched her brother in his left wing.

"I think I'll pass on that," Krimson told her uncle as he laughed.

"There's creatures in the Netherrealm that would smash you all in a flying race," Kia remarked. "Just saying."

"Can confirm," Jataaka backed her up. "We have some of Earthrealm's Pterodactyls and Outworld's Dragons!"

"Wait, there's dinosaurs down there?!" Cassie asked with Jataaka nodding. "Holy shit!"

"We can take you on a trip if you'd like!" Mika offered with a warm smile.

"Uh… I'll pass," Cassie declined. "You're probably the brightest thing to come out of that place."

"She sure is," Sora agreed.

"Aww!" Mika replied. "Thanks!"

"You gals ever have parties like this in Hell?" Cassie asked the Demons.

"I have not," Ashrah replied. "They existed in the Netherrealm though."

"None like this," Kia stated. "Trust me, me and Jataaka went to many."

"The Netherrealm has gained a lot more entertainment since you four moved to Outworld," Sora told them.

"Yeah!" Mika confirmed. "We've got theatres for plays, bars, stri-"

"Yep!" Sora interrupted to prevent Mika from what she was about to say next. "Lot's of… um… good stuff."

"Who's stuff?" Cassie asked.

"What do you mean?" Sora was clearly confused.

"Nevermind," Cassie replied as she watched Frost walk past. "Oh! Hey, Frost!"

"Hi," Frost greeted again as she turned to her.

"You aren't leaving are you?" Cassie questioned.

"I'm not," Frost said, which made Cassie let out a sigh of relief. "I'm just going to see my Sifu."

"Alright!" Cassie replied. "Cya!"

"This is so nice!" Mika exclaimed happily as per usual.

"It sure is," Sareena agreed.

"Yeah!" Ashrah also expressed her agreement.

"Say, Ash, how's your sister?" Mika asked.

"She's… alright… I think," she replied with clear uncertainty.

"Something wrong?"

"I don't know," Ashrah admitted. "It's been what? Twenty years since I reunited with her… and it's still awkward."

"Oh…" Mika finally realised why, recalling that the two siblings ended up fighting to the death after Ashrah ranaway from the old Brotherhood of Shadow. "I'm sorry, Ash."

"It's alright," Ashrah assured her while Sareena rubbed her lover's shoulders to help keep her calm. "Thanks for caring, Mika."

"Of course," she replied with her usual lovely smile. "Anytime!"

"We hope that We are not interrupting," Ermac suddenly spoke as they approached the group with their pupiless eyes beaming at Mileena. "We were wondering if you knew where those flying lanterns you bought for this event are."

"They never worked, Ermac," Mileena reminded them. "Kitana tried a couple and they wouldn't float properly."

"We know," Ermac clarified, "that's why We wanted to help."

"Telekinesis," Kenshi clarified as he stepped beside Ermac. "We'll lift them into the air ourselves."

"That's very kind of you both!" Mileena said as she was overjoyed with their idea. "Follow me and I'll show you them."

Ermac and Kenshi followed Mileena just as the family of Li Mei, Jade and Topaz had arrived at the Grand Palace. Krimson rushed over to hug her friend Topaz, while their parents met each other to talk in the middle of the lively hall.

"Krimson was wondering where you lot were!" Nitara remarked as the two couples shared friendly hugs. "How are you both?"

"We're very well!" Jade said cheerfully.

"Sorry that we were a bit late," Li Mei apologised. "It's amazing to see so many friendly faces here."

"The night's still young," Nitara assured them. "There's still many arriving as we speak."

"Speaking of," Skarlet waved to Cualli as she and her date entered the Grand Palace. "Hello!"

"Princess Skarlet!" Cualli greeted her role of royal messenger having expanded not just to the Ketz family but the Sabar family too as part of the Union, hence being familiar with the friendly blood construct. "This is my girlfriend Ruby."

"Nice to meet you," Ruby greeted as she shook hands with Skarlet.

"You've got good taste," Nitara praised. "You two have similar styles."

"Red and black is the best," Mika commented as she and the other Demon ladies walked past. "Let's go get a drink!"

"That's a good idea actually," Cualli overheard. "Do you want anything, Ruby?"

"Surprise me," Ruby replied with Cualli nodding before heading off to the bar.

"It's nice to meet you," Jade said to Ruby.

"Yeah!" Li Mei agreed. "Always good to see new faces."

"Friendly ones that is," Jade added.

"Thanks," Ruby replied. "I'm quite fond of all your work for Mileena's Union," she told the group. "Your work especially, Nitara."

"Oh?" Nitara was honoured to hear. "Really?"

"Yeah," Ruby confirmed. "I'm a Hinparian… always wanted my realm to be restored."

"I see," Nitara related. "It will be soon," she promised. "Just keep hope."

"I will," Ruby replied. "Thank you."

"What do you do?" Skarlet asked the Hinparian out of curiosity.

"I'm an archaeologist," Ruby told her. "I study Outworld history, and its merged realms by extension, through excavation sites," she detailed her job role. "I mainly got into it for the artifact finding…the orb to restore Hinpar in particular."

"That's very impressive," Skarlet complimented.

"Indeed," agreed Nightwolf who approached as it was now members of the Matoka Tribe who were entering the main entry of the Grand Palace. "I myself am a historian."

"From Earthrealm I take it?" Ruby presumed.

"You're correct," Nightwolf told her. "I'd love to exchange our knowledge."

"Me too," Ruby felt the same way. "But not tonight, this is supposed to be a break from work stuff."

"Of course," Nightwolf replied. "This is my wife Zonta."

"Hello," Zonta greeted. "And over there's our daughter Eyota with her friend."

"It is nice to meet you all," Ruby told them.

"You too," Zonta replied. "Have a good night!"

"Where'd you wish to go, love?" Nightwolf asked his wife.

"I'll try and find our Earthrealm friends," Zonta decided.

"Hey!" Cassie greeted as she ran over to the familiar couple.

"Cassie? Is that you?!" Zonta asked as she and Cassie embraced. "Goodness you've grown."

"It's been a few years, huh?" Cassie realised.

"Your parents mentioned that you've been busy training to be a soldier," Nightwolf recalled as Cassie hugged him.

"Sure am!" Cassie confirmed. "Just like my mom!"

"Are you parents here tonight?" Zonta asked as Cassie nodded. "That's good. Can you take me to them?"

"Sure!" Cassie agreed to do so. "Follow me!"

"Thank you," Zonta replied. "Are you coming, Akicita?"

"I'll catch up with you all!" Nightwolf promised as Zonta began following Cassie.

"Nightwolf," Li Mei greeted as she saw him turn to her. "I never got to thank you for-"

"We participated in the tournament to help protect others," Nightwolf stated how he perceived the events that happened back at Shao Kahn's Coliseum, where he threw his tournament battle with Li Mei to ensure she appeased Shao Kahn for the sake of keeping her village safe. "We both did a commendable job at that."

"And that's why you have my gratitude," Li Mei told him.

"Let us know if you or your own people ever need anything," Jade offered.

"I shall," Nightwolf confirmed. "I appreciate your offer."

"Congratulations on getting married too," Li Mei added.

"You're too kind, Li Mei," Nightwolf said to her.

"There's no such a thing as too much kindness," Li Mei counterpointed whilst Jade showed off her beautiful engagement ring.

"We're engaged ourselves," Jade announced proudly as Li Mei kissed her.

"Congratulations!" Nightwolf said to them. "Have a good night, ladies."

"You too, Nightwolf!" Li Mei replied.

"Bye!" Jade said as Nightwolf went to catch up with Zonta and Cassie.

"Wait for us!" Mapiya called as she and Eyota rushed over to their parents and Cassie Cage.

"Come along then," Zonta directed.

"Cassie?" Eyota and Mapiya were surprised to see her.

"Hey!" Cassie greeted them.

"We haven't seen you since we finished high school!" Mapiya remarked as the three friends embraced.

"Jacqui's here too," she told them. "Follow me and I'll show you!"

"They seem nice," Ruby commented as the Matoka members followed Cassie as they headed off to reunite with their Earthrealm Special Forces friends.

"It's a very welcoming environment," Cualli agreed after taking a sip of her drink. "Lots of great people here."

"Well you're the greatest," Ruby complimented which made Cualli's green Osh-Tekk skin gain a bit of red from blushing.

"You two are so sweet," Skarlet told them as she held Nitara's hand. "Aren't they, dear?"

"They sure are," Nitara agreed. "Also I'm sure your realm will be freed soon!"

"Thank you all," Ruby said gratefully whilst Cualli returned and handed her a drink as they continued to celebrate.

"It's good to see you," Krimson told Topaz as the two close friends were talking meanwhile too. "I was worried you weren't going to show up after going back to Outworld for a few hours."

"Well we're here now," Topaz said with a smile.

"Why'd you head back?" Krimson wondered. "Is everything alright back in Outworld?"

"Yeah the realm is fine!" Topaz reassured her immediately. "It's just… I don't know how to explain it…"

"How so?" Krimson was confused by the response. "Are you alright?"

"I am now," Topaz told her. "But when I'm out in such an unfamiliar environment, and with so many people… I guess sometimes I just need a break."

"I'm sorry to hear," Krimson apologised. "Is that from stress?"

"Yeah," Topaz admitted. "I've known that I've had an anxiety disorder since just before my teens," she revealed. "So stuff like this can just be a lot and I don't know why and even if I tell myself and in my head I know I'm safe and everything's alright… I still get these anxiety pangs," she described as Krimson listened intently. "They can go away if I get used to a certain thing, sometimes they don't… and I'm just left to deal with it which I've gotten better at so there's at least that."

"I'm sorry," Krimson apologised again. "I never knew you dealt with that, I always thought you were just shy."

"Well this is what makes me shy," Topaz clarified.

"We all deal with nerves from time to time," Krimson replied, "but I can't possibly imagine dealing with that… how frequently?"

"Almost daily," she confessed. "Thanks for listening to me."

"Of course!" Krimson said as she hugged her. "That's what friends are for."

"It means a lot," Topaz told her. "So I got stressed at the thought of this party and needed to go home… I needed a break."

"I understand," Krimson replied. "If all this starts making your anxiety act up, then it's okay to let me know," she made sure Topaz knew this. "We can go outside together to calm down."

"Thanks," Topaz expressed her gratitude as the two friends embraced once again.

As the party continued, Sub-Zero and Smoke were still together outside, sitting on the cobbled pathway in the courtyard to the Grand Palace as they held hands. They both glared down at the stream that came from a waterfall to their right.

"This is nice, Kuai," Smoke told his boyfriend who nodded in agreement. "I'm glad you've managed to reform our clan."

"We did, Tomas," Sub-Zero corrected him. "I cannot possibly take full credit."

"How was your first session with Frost?" Smoke asked. "She looked like she was learning fast."

"She's very impressive," Sub-Zero told him.

"I could tell that much," Smoke agreed. "Winning that martial arts tournament was impressive enough for me."

"She certainly seems already very capable at hand to hand combat," Sub-Zero noted as he used his Cryomancy to create a small flower shaped ice sculpture which he dropped into the stream as it made a plopping sound as it fell into the water. "But she needs experience with the ability to freeze."

"She'll get the hang of that," Smoke believed confidently.

"I'm sure she shall," Sub-Zero agreed. "How was Chloe?"

"She's also learning quickly," Smoke told him. "My martial arts knowledge seem to suit her style which helps."

"I'm glad I chose you to teach her," Sub-Zero replied. "I know Sektor would probably wish to teach her himself."

"He already has," Smoke clarified, "she's already knowledgeable in Kenpo."

"I see," Sub-Zero noted again.

"Hey!" Frost called for. "What are you two up to?"

"We're just talking, Frost," Smoke replied. "Sub-Zero was just mentioning how impressed he is with you."

"Y-you are?" Frost turned to Sub-Zero.

"Of course I am!" Sub-Zero confirmed.

"Thank you!" Frost said gratefully. "That means a lot."

"Just keep trying your best," Sub-Zero advised her. "That's all a master can ask of their pupil."

"I won't let you down!" Frost promised him.

"I'm sure you won't," Sub-Zero replied with a smile on his bearded face, one which he had grown over the past few years which Smoke was certainly a fan of.

"Did you need anything, Frost?" Smoke asked her.

"I was just checking in," Frost responded as she turned to see Cyrax, Ermac and Kenshi stepping outside. "It's Cyrax!"

A crowd of guests wishing to spectate the trio watched on from behind with Kenshi stuffing some of the flying lanterns he and Ermac had retrieved from Empress Mileena into a hole made in the bulky cybernetic chest of Cyrax. There was enough space to store these particular bombs that Cyrax would create, having opted for non lethal stun grenade alternatives since and now in the storage of his chest were these small colourful flying lanterns. The flying lanterns were much like ones seen in Earthrealm, essentially being small hot air balloons made up of different coloured treated paper, with an opening at the bottom, which was propelled by an open flame generated by a small candle attached to each lantern.

"Ready?" Kenshi asked the yellow cyborg who nodded affirmatively. "Now!"

Suddenly, the opening in Cyrax's chest began firing out the flying lanterns into the air like a cannon. This gave them a head start in propelling into the air with the flames causing them to continue flying up. Members of the audience picked up more with Liu Kang, Kai, Tanya and many Shokan using their fire abilities to light the candles aflame before handing them to members of the crowd to release into the clear sky of Edenia. Then Kenshi and Ermac began to use their telekinesis on the flying lanterns as they continued to slowly float up, making them move around in fancy cohesion to impress the audience.

"Mind if I join in?" Chameleon asked as his attire turned red and replicated Ermac's powers to help in the telekinetic display.

"Don't forget me!" Khameleon yelled as she turned red herself and joined her brother and the natural telekinesis users in putting on a show for their fellow guests who applauded and cheered the sight.

"Bo' Rai Cho…" Fujin whispered to his friend as he carefully moved through the joyful crowd.

"Yes?" The Outworld Protector God asked as he turned to smile at his old friend.

"Come inside," Fujin requested quietly. "I need to have a quick word."

"What's the matter, Fujin?" Bo' Rai Cho questioned as the two Gods shifted away from the crowd and back into the enormous hall of the Grand Palace, which had become a lot less busy with many heading outside for the flying lantern spectacle.

"It's Raiden…" Fujin explained, "he's gone."

"What do you mean?!"

"He said he was sensing threats to the realm," Fujin tried to recall. "I tried to ask him to clarify but he said he wasn't even certain of the location of the source but he teleported away regardless."

"Just to clarify," Bo' Rai Cho spoke as he tried to understand this news, "the sense he's referring to is the one us Gods feel when our realm is in harm, yes?"

"Yes," confirmed the Wind God. "But you're supposed to know the location…"

"Indeed," Bo' Rai Cho spoke from his own experience as a God. "Did you sense anything too?"

"No," Fujin answered truthfully. "Only Protector Gods are granted this ability," he clarified. "I do not have the status of Protector."

"I see," Bo' Rai Cho made a mental note of such a detail. "I had no idea, Fujin, this God stuff is still quite new to me."

"I understand, my friend," Fujin told him as he assured the Outworld God that the misunderstanding was not a problem. "I brought it up because… well… have you noticed my brother acting strange sometimes, especially lately?"

"Now that you mention it," Bo' Rai Cho placed a hand on one of his chins while staring at the high ceiling while he thought. "He has seemed somewhat on edge," he chuckled as he recalled, "I even remember joking about it, I suggested that he should have a pint!"

"I think this newfound paranoia may have given him… false concerns," Fujin explained his belief. "Raiden mentioned something about sensing numerous threats in numerous realms."

"Different realms?" Bo' Rai Cho found such a claim puzzling. "We can only gain senses regarding our own realms."

"Precisely," Fujin replied, "and I presume you didn't sense anything."

"Nothing," Bo' Rai Cho confirmed. "How strange…"

"Quite," Fujin agreed.

"Should we announce this to everyone?" Bo' Rai Cho asked, admittedly unsure of what to do in this predicament.

"I believe Raiden's just irrationally afraid," Fujin stuck with his theory. "There is no need for us to spread such paranoia to the guests here."

"Not on a night like this," Bo' Rai Cho agreed. "We really should help investigate this though."

"Absolutely," Fujin agreed. "I have no clue where we should go though."

"I have an idea," Bo' Rai Cho reassured the Wind God whilst using his fire magic to create an interrealm travelling portal in the corner of the hall, making sure it was kept away from anything flammable. "Let's go."

As Fujin and Bo' Rai Cho snuck out of the party to make sure everything was alright in the other realms, Queen Kitana got onto an outdoor stage to address the audience of guests as the flying lanterns lit up the sky beautifully behind her.

"I just want to take this moment to thank you all for coming," Kitana began her speech. "Everyone here should also be thanked for their services," she congratulated everyone. "Regardless of how big or small your contributions may be, I know everyone here has done good for our Union and many others throughout the realms… even if you're here by extension of being here by extension of one of our invited guests," she continued, "so I think we should all give a round of applause to each other and ourselves!"

The great audience clapped as per Queen Kitana's suggestion, alongside cheering the new ruler of Edenia. Her mother Sindel was at the forefront of the crowd gathered in the courtyard, wiping a tear out of her clear pupiless but loving eyes.

"These sky lanterns above me tonight have a particular meaning that I wanted to share," Kitana announced as she gazed up to the several flying lanterns in the air. "They come from China in Earthrealm, and there they are seen as good luck and a symbolism of our prosperity and all the worries and struggles we have been through floating away as we move forward," Kitana described, repeating a summary she had remembered Liu Kang giving her who was smiling at her in the crowd. "This Union, named after one of my great siblings Mileena, is continuing to grow stronger and we are all so close to fully uniting and freeing the realms!"

The crowd began to cheer for the Edenian Queen once more, with Mileena taking the opportunity to climb onto the platform to lovingly embrace her first sister.

"Thank you all again!" Kitana cheered herself as she closed her speech by saying, "I believe all our futures are incredibly bright and that we will all continue to succeed throughout our lives…"

"And tonight is for us to celebrate life!"