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!

100. Memorial

As planned the previous day, Cetrion gathered with her loyal allies Geras and Tremor as they awaited the presence of the Thunder God at his Sky Temple. Cynder the Dragon from the Heavens had helped fly the trio to the top of the massive tower. After a long wait in the rain, Raiden finally appeared through a teleport, a mystical sound ringing out throughout the area upon his arrival.

"There you are, Raiden!" Cetrion shouted over the pouring rain on the Sky Temple. "How are you feeling this morning?"

"Even worse…" Raiden admitted. "I… I said horrible things to Sindel!"

"Lord Raiden!" Wynd and Rayne shouted repeatedly as Wynd carefully carried her twin up to the roof of the Sky Temple.

"You two are supposed to be at the Temple of Elements," Raiden recalled as he faced his young pupils. "Did something happen?"

"A sorcerer attacked!" Rayne yelled. "With a group of Netherrealmers!"

"Quan Chi," Raiden figured it out immediately. "Are you both alright?"

"We're fine," Wynd assured him.

"But the Gods…" Rayne sighed. "Quan Chi took Shinnok's Amulet, and he absorbed the Elemental Gods."

"Except for Fujin," Wynd clarified.

"More misfortune," Cetrion commented somberly.

"It keeps piling up," Raiden sighed as he clenched his fists. "We're heading to Outworld to locate someone who can tell us about the sorcerers."

"Should we come?" Rayne asked.

"No," Raiden shook his head. "Look after the Sky Temple for now… please."

"Of course, Raiden," Wynd accepted the task.

"Thank you," Raiden said as he bowed to the two elemental fighters. He then turned back to Cetrion and asked, "what were we discussing?"

"What you said to Sindel," Cetrion recalled.

"Oh…" Raiden sighed. "Amongst other things, I accused her family of being unfit to lead… I didn't mean it… I don't think…"

"You can't take out your frustrations on your allies, Raiden," Cetrion lectured the Thunder God. "They're your friends."

"You think I don't know this?!" Raiden's eyes began to glow purple as he aggressively approached Cetrion, a very sudden shift in attitude.

"Raiden?!" Wynd called for.

"Step back," Tremor got in between the two Gods. "You need to calm down."

"Who are you to lecture me?!" Raiden snapped. "It wasn't too long ago when you were a goon to the vile villain known as Kano!"

"I changed," Tremor replied calmly, "just like you."

"We're nothing alike."

"The only difference between us is that I got better…" Tremor paused, "and you're getting worse."

With a lightning charged uppercut, Raiden suddenly struck Tremor beneath his rocky chin. The earthbender was sent flying off the roof of the Sky Temple and down to a lower balcony, his heavy body creating a small crater after smashing through several floors.

"Raiden!" Cetrion yelled as Geras summoned a sand-made sword. "Stop it!"

"He provoked me," Raiden tried to justify his behaviour.

"He was reasoning with you!" Cetrion yelled as she slapped Raiden in the face. "This was a mistake!"

"We can't allow him to accompany us on our investigation," Geras said as he shook his head at Raiden, a clear sign of disappointment. "You're unstable, Raiden."

"And-" Raiden went to make a rebuttal but Geras snapped his fingers, freezing Raiden in place for only a brief second but long enough to cut him off.

"Do not try to argue with me now," Geras ordered. "Either admit you have a problem or we're leaving."

"I came here to help!" Raiden yelled. "Why am I being judged?!"

"What did you say specifically to Sindel?" Geras asked. "Perhaps talking it out fully may help."

"I will not repeat it," Raiden sighed.

"You acknowledged you made a mistake," Cetrion pointed out. "You just need to regain control of your emotions, Raiden, but I understand that's hard to do."

"No," Raiden shook his head, "you really don't understand. If you did you'd never be an Elder God."

"And I left them!" Cetrion raised her voice. "I couldn't stand having to idly watch awful things happen to the realms!"

"It took you a while to make the decision though," Raiden noted.

Cetrion didn't even have a response for this remark from Raiden and instead just stared at him with an angry look on her face.

"Arguing isn't helping anyone!" Rayne raised her voice, ending the silent pause before things escalated further.

"I know…" Raiden sighed. "I'm sorry, Wynd and Rayne, this is not how a mentor should behave."

"We still look up to you always," Wynd assured him. "This isn't like you though."

"You wanted to join us to be practical," Geras argued. "Wynd and Rayne are right, who is benefiting from this squabbling?"

"You're right…" Raiden admitted as he looked down at the edge of the roof to try and look for Tremor. "I'm sorry… I got carried away again."

"You might need a break, Raiden," Cetrion suggested. "I doubt staying involved in the line of duty is going to help your rage."

"I'm not an Elder God," Raiden spun around to face her. "I don't sit idly by whilst people suffer."

With his back turned from the edge, a sudden boulder was hurled up that struck Raiden in the back and knocked him over. Cetrion and Geras rushed over to see Tremor creating levitating rocks one after another as a floating staircase back up to the roof. As Raiden got up, purple lightning surrounded him aggressively. As Raiden went to strike Tremor, the earthbender pummelled Raiden's face in with a boulder that surrounded Tremor's fist. As Tremor placed a foot on Raiden's throat, Geras pulled Tremor away.

"That's enough now," Geras told the pair. "You're both even."

"Are you alright, Tremor?" Cetrion asked.

"I will be once we get away from this psycho," Tremor remarked as Raiden slowly came to his senses.

"I'm sorry…" Raiden apologised again. "I think that punch has knocked some sense into me and… I'll keep my mouth closed, please just let me aid you in Outworld."

"As long as you don't throw another fit," Tremor grunted. "I think we've all heard enough of your outbursts."

"Settle down, Tremor," Cetrion instructed. "But yes, it would be ideal if you refrain from… whatever this is again."

"I'm trying," Raiden claimed. "I really am."

"I believe it would be wise for Wynd and Rayne to accompany us," Geras suggested. "They helped defuse such arguments."

"Are these arguments normal?" Wynd asked, visibly worried.

"I have been more… argumentative as of late," Raiden admitted. "I suppose they can come."

"Cool!" Rayne cheered.

"What is the plan?" Geras asked.

"We locate allies to the sorcerers," Cetrion suggested, "even as a small group we'll certainly be powerful enough to draw the ire and attention of Shang Tsung and Quan Chi."

"I say we destroy their fortress immediately!" Raiden suggested.

"Calm," Cetrion reminded him. "While that would seem like the obvious course of action, it is a very large building and we know from the Union that it houses many people. We don't want to kill any innocents."

"They will have other bases," Geras agreed. "If we can capture an ally to the sorcerers, then we should interrogate them."

"Let's get going," Cetrion decided. "It sounds like a strong plan."

"Hold on, Cetrion," Geras snapped his fingers at the recollection of something important. "When do you intend to visit Ametus?"

"Pardon?"

"You mentioned she sent an invitation through Champion," Geras recalled. "I thought you were going to visit her."

"Yes I…" Cetrion sighed. "Work comes first."

"Agreed," Raiden nodded.

"Let's head to Outworld," Cetrion conclusively decided. "There will be plenty of time to visit the Heavens afterwards.

"Allow me," Raiden stepped forth and held onto his allies before summoning a harmless lightning bolt that teleported the group from Earthrealm to Outworld so that they could begin their investigation of the Deadly Alliance…

"Can I count on your support?" Shang Tsung asked, his voice echoing throughout the cavern. "Daegon?!"

"I'm thinking," Daegon said calmly as he leaned back on his chair. "I expected at least some notice on the mission before coming to me."

"Apologies, but it is a very sudden opportunity," Tsung told him. "You don't need prep time, the ambush plan should be sufficient."

"It sounds risky," Daegon scratched his goatee in contemplation.

"But think of the reward!" Tsung exclaimed. "Almost all of the key figures who would look to oppose the Red Dragon in whatever future plans you have are going to be at that funeral!"

"My best men and women are present right now, besides Asuka who is on an important task… although Mavado would say we don't need her," Daegon noted as he stood up from his chair and turned on a microphone at his desk that was connected to several speakers throughout the caverns of Charred Mountain. "Mavado, Hsu Hao, Dracona; report to me immediately! Bring the newcomers also!"

"I assume this means you're accepting the task," Tsung sought confirmation as they waited for the other Red Dragon members to arrive.

"Sure," Daegon confirmed. "I suppose it's worth trying."

"Excellent!" Tsung cheered. "Oh, I forgot to add one little detail…"

"What now?!"

"I want you there."

"Excuse me?"

"You shall partake in the fight that will inevitably occur," Shang Tsung demanded.

"Who do you think you are?!" Daegon reached over the table, grabbing the sorcerer by the long regal sashes attached to his golden armour and pulling him across.

"The Emperor of Outworld," Shang Tsung grinned wickedly. "You do not want to terminate this partnership, sir, that I am certain."

"I didn't even partake in the battles during Shinnok's latest invasion!" Daegon shouted as he pushed Tsung over the desk. "Why would I make my presence known whilst committing some petty terrorism!"

"For the chance to eradicate the so-called 'heroes' who would oppose your organisation," Tsung reminded him. "You think of your servants in much higher regard than I do mine, but let's be honest here; we'll need a bit more to ensure the successfulness of this plan."

"They're not servants!" Daegon shouted.

"Sure," Tsung rolled his eyes as he picked himself up off the ground. "What about the plan? Do we have a final deal?"

"I'll do it," Daegon reluctantly agreed after a long moment of contemplation. "If I lose a single soul due to your schemes, sorcerer, then I will take yours."

"Please," Shang Tsung laughed, "that is MY speciality!"

"Grandmaster?" Mavado called for Daegon as he led the others into Daegon's chambers.

"The sorcerer wants us to attack a village with the intent of luring in enemies from what is called the Union," Daegon briefed his loyal allies. "You will meet with some of Tsung's allies there and plant explosives throughout the village, detonating it upon the command of a person named Kasem."

"Person is a generous term," Tsung quipped.

"This attack on the village intends to lead many of the Union members directly towards you where you'll fight to kill as many as possible," Daegon continued to inform the group. "I understand this is a sudden mission to task you with, but this is an opportunity to eradicate some significant enemies of ours."

"Can we really trust him?" Mavado pointed to Shang Tsung.

"I lack faith in this plan too," Daegon admitted, "and so my safety precaution is that you shall bring one of our teleportation devices with you, to return here if the plan fails."

"That's really unnecessary," Tsung tried to tell the Demi-God who ignored him.

"We'll see to it that this mission is accomplished, Grandmaster," Hsu Hao promised to Daegon.

"I'm not a part of this, am I?" Dracona questioned, as being a medic meant she was typically away from physical confrontation despite being a capable fighter herself.

"I want you to be in charge of the base in my absence," Daegon instructed her.

"Your absence?" Dracona gasped.

"It's been a while since I've been out on the field," Daegon remarked as he walked across the room to grab his Drakeswords that were kept neatly on a carrier against the reinforced steel wall, "but today… I will join the battle."

"I'll look after the place then," Dracona accepted the task.

"As for our newcomers," Daegon turned to Talon and Epos. "I understand that you're too injured, Talon, but what about Epos?"

"I doubt I'd offer much in a team I've never worked with," Epos commented.

"But I'd like to evaluate your skills," Daegon decided. "You shall join us."

"What about my wife?" Epos asked.

"Doctor Dracona can watch over her."

"Gladly," Dracona smirked as Epos clenched her fists.

"I'm not leaving Talon with… her!" Talon shouted.

"Is there something I must know?" Daegon asked. "We actually forbid romance here, it's too personal of a bond that clouds judgement."

"Make an exception, Grandmaster," Mavado insisted.

"I'm surprised to hear you suggest that, Mavado," Daegon admitted as he considered Mavado's strict loyalty to the clan's code. "Nonetheless, I do allow it, but I can't allow whatever this drama is with Dracona here."

"We have… history, Grandmaster," Dracona revealed. "I'm being fully professional with them, but there's a lack of trust."

"We'll work on it," Daegon promised. "Mavado, fetch us Rain."

"Of course," Mavado walked out the room with his metal boots clanking against the floor with each step.

"I'm giving you my best resources, sorcerer," Daegon told him, "this plan of yours better be effective."

"It will be so long as you can finish the job," Shang Tsung replied as he began making a portal to leave. "Be ready soon, Daegon, and good luck."

"Fom ziwi frangle tokkado giknuv tahar…"

The new Tarkatan Chief, Karbrac began giving the eulogy for Baraka as the group of heroes and the entirety of Tarkata gathered around a graveyard in the desert wasteland known as the Rolling Dunes on the west side of Outworld that was home to the various tribal camps that made up Tarkata. A flat space of the barren land had been left to bury fallen warriors. Karbrac made the decision to bury Baraka somewhere more specific, however, atop a small hill beyond the regular graves. A pair of Tarkatans carried Baraka's corpse that was enclosed in a wooden coffin, with exotic flowers decorating the box that were rarely seen in the desert.

"In honour of our fallen warrior, we gather today to pay homage to his valour and strength."

Mileena, although tearing up as she spoke, served as the translator for Karbrac's caring words.

"Baraka a raka tu ka'rata narak…"

"Baraka fought with ferocity and unwavering determination, his spirit unyielding in the face of adversity."

"Nay aka tarkatka tahar. Baraka rokka nirra. Shoka Tarkata a zaar vranakka."

"But his warrior spirit wasn't all. Baraka was a leader. He showed Tarkata that there was life for us beyond being savages."

Mileena wiped her eyes as Karbrac continued to speak in the native tongue of the Tarkatans.

"His leadership will leave a lasting impact for all Tarkatans that no amount of time could ever erase. Our people have evolved alongside Outworld for the better, and Baraka was a major part of that."

Mileena paused her translation as she looked around the hill, seeing Tarkatans lighting candles as Karbrac spoke the final lines of his speech. The whole scene touched Mileena, and she took a deep breath before emotionally finishing the speech.

"Even in his final act, Baraka put the people before him. He gave many warriors the time necessary to escape Sabar City. Even more unfortunately… he did not receive an honourable death. Baraka was already injured heading into his final stand, on a journey to save Karter and Karekna's daughter which serves as just another example within his final days of how caring he was for others. I could provide countless other examples over the years, but I feel as though I don't need too. Everyone who has ever lived in Tarkata has their own fond memories of Baraka already, which I'm sure we can share in the reception…"

As Karbrac finished the eulogy, Mileena whimpered after hearing the final part of his speech. Kitana rushed over to embrace her sister as she took a deep breath to prepare herself to deliver the final sentences.

"Though Baraka has passed from this realm, his courage will forever inspire us to face our own battles with resilience, honour, and to look out for our allies. Farewell, brave warrior, and may the Heavens embrace you in your eternal rest…"

The coffin was carefully planted in a grave dug out atop the hill, removed from Baraka's body were his metal arm blades that replaced his natural bone ones. Korhau stepped forth, handing Karbrac the arm blades.

"This is separate to the eulogy," Karbrac spoke to Mileena. "Please may you translate it though?"

"Of course," Mileena said as she wiped her tears.

"Thank you," Karbrac replied before turning to the rest of the group.

"In memory of Baraka, I'd like to start a new tradition…"

Mileena gasped as she paused her translation at the shocking sight of Karbrac drawing his natural arm blades and grabbing onto them with his bare hands to begin ripping them off. Discarding his natural arm blades on the side of the hill, Karbrac then began fitting Baraka's steel blades in the gaps remaining in his arms. Karbrac let out a sigh of relief at the realisation that they did fit as expected, and after taking a few breaths from the pain he endured during such a process, he continued to speak.

"I'd like to suggest that any Tarkatan Chief continues to inherit these very arm blades, as a sign of respect to Baraka, the greatest Tarkatan!"

The emotional Tarkatans roared in approval of Karbrac's suggestion. They raised their torches as Baraka was slowly buried. Mileena's family embraced her as she fell to her knees, sobbing at the sight of Baraka being buried. Once the fallen Tarkatan Chief had been buried, a Tarkatan flag was planted beside a wooden tombstone that had been carved out neatly by Korhau.

"Our reception will be held at the tables back at our main camp," Korhau announced once the Tarkatans became quiet. "We welcome anyone who wants to join us for a feast there, and to share our memories of Baraka… but I understand there are those of you who have another hero to mourn, and you are free to attend that funeral now too."

"Thank you for planning this all out, my love," Karbrac said as the two Tarkatans hugged. "Fellow Tarkatans, follow me!"

"Wait!" Kitana shouted. "Karbrac, perhaps we can all join together soon, so that we can all share a reception together."

"I'd like that," Karbrac replied in agreement of the idea. "If you have someone make a portal to our camp, we'll enter it."

"We shall," Kitana promised as the two new leaders shook hands. "Thank you for your speech as well, Karbrac, it was… beautiful."

"It was the least I could do," Karbrac replied. "Send my condolences to your wonderful sister for me."

"I shall."

As the Tarkatans headed down the hill and through the graveyard on a journey back to the main camp, their guests now had to consider their next decision.

"Prepare a portal to Earthrealm please, Sindel," Bo' Rai Cho ordered with Sindel silently obliging. "Gather around those heading to Liu Kang's funeral!"

"You want to go don't you?" Jade asked her fiancée as the heroes began to group up.

"Yes," Li Mei sighed. "He was always so kind to me, I don't feel right missing it."

"Me too," Jade related.

"But Sun Do is my priority," Li Mei said before realising Topaz was standing beside them. "Oh!"

"I'm an adult now, moms," Topaz reminded them. "I can return to Sun Do myself."

"You're barely an adult," Jade corrected. "It's dangerous with everything that's been going on."

"Nobody would target me," Topaz remarked. "I don't think… I mean it's… unlikely… right?"

"I honestly don't know, sweetie," Jade admitted. "One of my mothers is missing and I don't know what the situation is there."

"Is Emitta going to be alright?" Li asked. "She's still in Sabar City."

"Maybe I should go check on her," Jade sighed. "She's probably trying to learn what happened to mother."

"I hope that doesn't happen to either of you!" Topaz exclaimed.

"Try not to worry, Topaz," Li Mei hugged her. "We're very capable of protecting ourselves."

"Maybe I could take Topaz home," Jade considered, "then head to Sabar City."

"Wouldn't that be dangerous?!" Topaz asked.

"We're wanting fugitives, dear," Li reminded her. "Walking into the capital's not a great move."

"I don't mean to eavesdrop," Konga spoke up as he sat at the hillside near the group. "But I think I could help you."

"How so?" Jade asked.

"I'd be happy to help your daughter home," Konga offered. "If you give me an address then I can go to Sabar City and get a word from your mother, Jade, or take her to you. I'm a far less important figure."

"That's very kind of you to offer," Li Mei told him, "but we wouldn't want to wrap you into this mess."

"I feel somewhat indebted to your family," Konga admitted as he stood up, using the Wrath Hammer for support.

"How?" Li questioned. "You helped up, we did nothing."

"You were first to give me a second chance," Konga told her. "Let me take the chance to help you."

"If any of you are departing," Gorbak spoke up, "then we have a carriage at the front of the camp. My wife and I must return to Kuatan."

"Can you take us to Sun Do?" Konga asked as he approached the Shokan royalty.

"Our driver can," Mai confirmed. "Get inside."

"Can I?" Topaz turned to her parents to seek approval.

"Our little girl in a royal carriage," Jade smiled.

"Go on then," Li Mei approved. "Tell Mr. Braan to lend one of the spare houses to Konga, Topaz, he'll believe you if you tell him I ask for such."

"I'll remember to," Topaz promised as a Shokan helped her climb into a carriage as the horses were steered around the graveyard. "Bye!"

"I assume you'll head to Earthrealm now, Goro?" Gorbak wondered as Jade and Li Mei waved to their daughter.

"I must be there for Liu Kang," Goro said to his father. "I know he'd be there for me."

"Of course, my son," Gorbak replied as he got inside one of the carriages. "See you soon."

"Bye!" Mai waved to her son as Irare helped her into the carriage.

King Myelus and Queen Irare, the rulers of the Centaurs, stood patiently beside the Shokan carriages. It was still an unfamiliar sight to most, however, it was very pleasant to see the Shokan and Centaurs band together so quickly, a true sign of their species' shared strength and a common goal to better Outworld.

"Farewell," Goro waved back. "Is the portal ready, Sindel?"

"Almost," she replied as she worked frantically to summon the portal to Earthrealm. "Is anybody else leaving?"

"This One must return to the other Kytinn," D'Vorah stepped forth with A'Vital standing beside her loyally, as always.

"The situation in Z'unkahrah cannot be avoided for much longer," A'Vital said in agreement. "This One apologises for the inconvenience."

"It's not an inconvenience at all," Sindel assured them both.

"This One is most grateful," D'Vorah thanked her. "Farewell."

"Goodbye!" Sindel waved as the Kytinn couple took flight, their wings buzzing in the purple sky. "Anybody else?"

"One of us needs to return to the village," Skarlet noted as she looked at her lover and her brother Meat.

"I'll go," Skarlet stepped forward. "I take it you won't be flying me home."

"I'm afraid not," Nitara said as she reached out for her necklace. "I'll get you a portal home though."

"I'm sure everyone is safe," Meat assured the couple. "I… hope."

"If anyone has attacked our home…" Skarlet sighed, "then I'll drain their blood."

"Krimson!" Nitara called for their daughter who came rushing over.

"I was just saying bye to Topaz!" Krimson explained.

"And I'm saying bye to you," Nitara replied as she hugged Krimson with her wings. "You're going to go back to the village with your mother now."

"Going home after all this craziness would be nice," Krimson stated.

"Then come on then," Skarlet told her as Nitara finished creating the portal back to their village. "Stay safe, darling."

"You too," Nitara replied as she kissed Skarlet on the lips before she walked through the portal with Krimson.

"The portal is ready!" Sindel announced.

"Is this everyone?" Bo' Rai Cho asked the group.

"Oh…" Nitara sighed as she looked for her brother. "Azaco…"

Nitara approached her disgruntled brother as he watched Outworld's sunset, meaning that soon the purple dusk would arrive.

"Are you leaving then?" Nitara asked.

"I said I would," Azaco muttered.

"It's not too late," Nitara commented. "You're seriously going to begin your search in the night?"

"Sure," Azaco shrugged. "It's safer that way."

"Where are you even heading?"

"We've never checked out the Floating Stones just south of here past the mountains," Azaco replied. "Unlike you, my searches cover a broader range."

"I've really had it with you, Az!" Nitara snapped. "I was going to be nice about it, but no, let's be honest here: you're just looking for an excuse to escape any responsibility!"

"What?!" Azaco stood up. "I want my home back, Tara, this place isn't mine… or yours!"

"I know you do," Nitara sighed. "But you were fine helping our Union until recent events… I think… I know there's something more specific you need to tell me. About how you feel."

"I don't need your pity," Azaco rolled his eyes as he took his necklace off. "I need time away."

"Whatever," Nitara sighed. "Just… come back when you've cooled off, okay? Return when you're ready to stop with your attitude!"

"I've been this way for thousands of years, sis," Azaco pointed out. "This is just who I am."

"Thousands of years and still no social skills," Nitara quipped as she looked away from her brother. "Just… just be better."

"I will be when I get Vaeternus back," Azaco promised before beginning to conduct the portal spell. "Tell Krimson I said bye."

"Tell her yourself," Nitara pointed at Krimson and she began jogging to them.

"Are you leaving, Uncle?" Krimson asked.

"I am," Azaco nodded. "I'm sorry, kid, I'll see you later."

"Stay safe," Krimson told him. "I've gotta go too."

"Home for you," Nitara nodded. "Your mother is waiting, Krimson, I've made the portal."

"Alright," Krimson replied before hugging Nitara. "See you soon."

"Bye," Nitara waved as Krimson rushed to Skarlet as they departed home. "I guess I'll say bye to you too, Az."

"Yes…" Azaco sighed. "Bye."

"I think that's everyone," Nitara said with annoyance in her tone of voice after the frustrating conversation with her brother as she returned to Bo' Rai Cho.

"Everybody step through then," Bo' Rai Cho commanded as the group of heroes lined up before walking through the portal to Earthrealm.

After the main group left, Azaco soon left through his own portal to Floating Stones. Standing up after crouching behind a tombstone was a stray Tarkatan who had been overhearing the group's discussion.

"You've done it again, Gnust Gnahs," he laughed to himself before returning to his true form.

Shang Tsung.

"Floating Stones was it?" Tsung thought to himself aloud as he summoned a portal much faster than Azaco could. "I think my search shall be much briefer than his…"

Before stepping through the portal, Shang Tsung turned to the hill where Baraka had been buried. Giggling to himself, the sorcerer walked up the mountain to spit on the Tarkatans grave, whilst also lighting the planted flag aflame. His smirk soon dropped as he looked in the distance of the dunes, spotting a Tarkatan in the distance.

The Tarkatan wore peculiar green robes over silver armour. Her head was hooded, but the orange eyes and teeth of a Tarkatan were still visible even from a great distance. She noticed Shang Tsung looking at her, so she responded by drawing her arm blades that were surrounded in thick wraps that had become discoloured from their original clear white state.

"Who are you?!" Shang Tsung asked loudly.

The mysterious Tarkatan approached the sorcerer. Even up close, Tsung didn't recognise her. They hadn't met before.

"Nobody of concern," she replied. "At least… not right now… but perhaps later."

"How about I take your soul and find out?" Tsung threatened.

"Enjoy your conquest," the Tarkatan said before disappearing suddenly in a puff of orange and yellow magic particles.

"That was weird," Tsung commented before moving on. "I doubt a magical Tarkatan will be too irksome of a problem in the future…"

Shang Tsung decided to walk down the hill to his portal so that he could head to the Floating Stones in search of Azaco. Whilst the evil sorcerer did this, the heroes attending Liu Kang's funeral stood in the open outdoor area gated off that served as the gathering area for the ceremony. It was the White Lotus Tomb, where all Shaolin Masters were put to rest beneath the ground that the heroes stood upon.

The White Lotus Tomb was nestled within the dense woods that were neighbours to what was once the Wu Shi Academy. The tomb stood at the side of a towering mountain which the inside of the tomb below partially dug into. Upon crossing the welcoming bridge, visitors were greeted by two identical buildings on either side of them. One served as a preparation area for solemn ceremonies, whilst the other would be the space used for the reception after the ceremony. Delicate flower patches were meticulously fenced off, planted by Lori herself, which added a touch of elegance to the surroundings. At the back of the tomb, stone pillars rose proudly, with a large fire burning brightly between them, casting a warm glow. The fire pit was made of gold with intricate flower patterns engraved on it and it was placed above a marble platform… the hatch that would lead to a stairway underground… This was the spot where Liu Kang would be buried.

"We just have to wait for Master Shen and Wen," Lori told everyone. "I thought they'd be here but I didn't see them in either building."

"Perhaps they went down to the village?" Bo' Rai Cho suggested. "What are they needed for?"

"Wen wants to do the eulogy," Lori explained, "and Shen will lead the coffin carriers."

"I can head down to the village to check," Bo' Rai Cho offered.

"No," Lori shook her head. "I'll go, you've helped enough with the planning of this."

"Thank you, Lori," Bo' Rai Cho said gratefully.

"Well…" Johnny Cage spoke up. "It is nice to have so many people together."

"There's like thirty of us," Sonya noted. "Plus all these monks."

"Everyone from the Wu Shi Academy is here," Kung Lao smiled at the sight. "It's very nice."

"I heard the Wu Shi was destroyed," Scorpion recalled. "You have my apologies."

"Thank you," Lao replied as he shook hands with the Spectre. "I'm not sure what we'll do now."

"Look at Stung Lao here," Johnny joked. "Neat duo."

"Mister Cage," Scorpion smirked. "Still making movies?"

"Working on a couple bangers right now, sure," Cage confirmed. "Dragon Fist's finally getting a sequel, and surprisingly I'm wanted for a Caged Rage reboot."

"Bangers like Ninja Mime X?" Kenshi scoffed which made Jax chuckle.

"Ninja Mime 4 was bullshit!" Kabal yelled as he randomly ran past the group amidst trying to greet the many names present at the funeral.

"We might've milked that series," Cage somewhat admitted.

"It was already beginning to suck after the original trilogy," Jax complained.

"It's been awful since the first one!" Cyrax shouted. "Went to the movies when I was a new initiate and was still allowed some free time… worst movie ever."

"I didn't take you for a critic," Cage replied as he dug into one of his jacket pockets. "I've got seven bucks on me if you want a refund."

"It was eight," Cyrax recalled. "That being said… I miss being able to go to the movies."

"I've got a mansion with a private theatre room," Johnny revealed. "I'd be happy to lend you the keys."

"Maybe I'll visit then," Cyrax considered his offer.

"Way to brag, Cage," Kenshi chuckled.

"I'll show you the Gist of my Fist!" Cage said enthusiastically. "It's my magnum opus."

"Debatable," Jax muttered quickly.

"Can't we just watch Star Wars?" Cyrax asked.

"Hey, Subby!" Cage pointed to the Cryomancer Sub-Zero. "Does your snow castle have movies?"

"None of yours," Sub-Zero assured him. "We do have a few old televisions though, they were collecting dust until recently."

"Chloe found Cyrax's old game stash and our electric bills doubled," Smoke laughed.

"She's a good kid," Cyrax praised. "I'm surprised Sektor managed to raise her well, to be honest."

"She's a great student too," Smoke complimented.

"As is Frost," Sub-Zero smiled.

"Kinda makes me want to have my own pupil," Cyrax considered the possibility.

"There's plenty of new recruits still lacking a private mentor," Sub-Zero told the yellow cyborg. "You're certainly qualified to mentor one."

"I ain't decided yet, my friend," Cyrax replied.

"You're surrounded by the strangest ensemble of dads possible, Cy," Johnny pointed out which made the group all laugh. "I think it's starting to rub off on you."

"Don't forget the moms!" Sonya shouted as she lightly jabbed Johnny in the arm before walking over to Suchin. "How have you been, Sue?"

"Quite well," Suchin replied as the two embraced. "I didn't see much of you at the party."

"It was packed," Sonya replied. "We need another girls night."

"Once those sorcerers are dealt with, we all need to catch up more often," Stryker stated as he approached the group who all nodded in agreement. "Nightwolf was just telling me about his family."

"How is your family?" Sonya asked.

"Doing well," Nightwolf smiled. "Thanks for asking."

"Everyone has one now, huh?" Cyrax noted.

"Me and Kabal still aren't taken," Stryker remarked.

"You're part of our family, Cyrax," Sub-Zero told him as he hugged the cyborg.

"Thank you, Kuai," Cyrax said as he gently hugged him back, careful not to crush the Cryomancer.

"Surprised you haven't found anyone, Kurtis," Cage remarked. "You're built like a wrestler."

"I haven't really been looking," Stryker admitted. "Now I'm nearing fifty and it might be a bit late."

"It's never too late," Cage replied. "Hey, where's Kabal?"

"Someone say my name?" Kabal asked as he ran to the group.

"I did," Cage raised his hand.

"Always talking," Kabal chuckled. "Did that White Lotus lady go looking for those Shaolin?"

"She did," Kung Lao confirmed. "Why?"

"I should've gone," Kabal sighed. "Superspeed and all that."

"You can catch up to her," Stryker believed.

"Master Bo' Rai Cho!" Kung Lao called for the Protector God of Outworld who had walked over to the guests from other realms to check on them. "Kabal wants to go help Lori."

"Ah, the speedster, of course," Bo' Rai Cho realised. "Go ahead."

"I'll be back in a flash!" Kabal promised before shooting off, leaving behind a trail of purple magic as he ran.

"I should go see how Kai and my cousin are doing," Kung Lao said as he saw them off together on the side, both leaning against the fence.

"Let's check up on our Outworld and Edenia friends," Cage decided as they approached the other group. "How are you guys?!"

"We heard about all the shit that went down in Outworld," Jax informed them. "We're so sorry."

"Thank you," Sindel replied. "It's been challenging for all of us, some more than others."

"Oh, poor Mileena…" Cage frowned as he saw the former Empress still very emotional as Kitana and Tanya tried to comfort her.

"Her especially," Sindel sighed.

"None of you deserve this," Vera commented.

"I just hope that it isn't Edenia that falls under tyranny again," Sindel stated as she clutched her arms. "Or your realm also."

"Those sorcerers no doubt want all the realms," Sonya thought logically. "We'll stop them though."

"I hope so," Sindel replied. "I truly do."

"Mrs. Briggs!" Daahraan called out as he approached the Earthrealmers.

"Daahraan," Vera replied as she shook his hand. "Good to see you again."

"This the man you've been sending supplies to?" Jax asked his wife who nodded.

"Vera's work over the years on modernising healthcare for other realms has been tremendous," Daahraan praised. "Thanks to your connections between Earthrealm and Outworld, medical practices have improved greatly."

"Holy shit!" Johnny Cage shouted. "I didn't know you were doing all that, Vera!"

"I prefer to be quiet about it," Vera said humbly. "I hope Outworld's new rulers do not undo our progress."

"They'd mutually benefit from it," Daahraan replied, "but they're also insane… so I have no clue what they'll do."

"The same research and resources will go into Edenia," Sindel revealed, "probably Zaterra too."

"Where are those lizards?" Cage asked.

"Still at war with King Tetsurri," Sindel informed him. "That battle is going far better than the one with the sorcerers though."

"We haven't gotten started here," Nightwolf stated. "The sorcerers are yet to see us strike back."

"They've got countless names waiting to tear them apart," Sonya noted, "and countless more who won't stop it."

"Hope remains," Li Mei spoke up as she approached the group.

"Look through history," Nightwolf advised, "and you'll note that no tyrant's empire has lasted."

"So long as people keep fighting," Li Mei added. "Good to see you're alright, Nightwolf, I was worried you'd be a target too."

"How come?" Nightwolf asked.

"If the sorcerers are targeting the most powerful warriors amongst us… then you must be close to the top of that list," Li Mei pointed out. "I don't mean to plant any unnecessary fear."

"It's wise caution," Nightwolf assured her. "I think we should all be cautious anyway… I think we already are."

"Everyone is on edge," Jax agreed, "for better or worse."

"Hello, everyone," Jade greeted as she stood by her lover's side. "Is the ceremony starting soon?"

"We're waiting on some others," Sonya told her.

"It's getting dark," Jade looked up at the night sky. "Li, perhaps you should do your little trick?"

"Sure!" Li Mei's face lit up at Jade's idea. "Who wants to see fireworks?!"

As Li Mei prepared to use her magic for some special effects, Kung Lao approached Jin and Kai.

"How are you feeling now, boys?" Lao asked the couple.

"I've been better," Jin sighed. "Kai's feeling far worse though."

"I'm so sorry, kid," Lao apologised.

"I miss him… so much…" Kai sobbed.

"Me too, kid, me too," Lao sulked as Jin pulled Kai into a warm hug.

"He was a great teacher," Jin said as he wiped Kai's eyes.

"He was… more than that to me," Kai spoke between sniffles. "He was like a dad…"

"Whilst you're out here in the states, we should totally get together, Liu!"

Johnny Cage could be heard blabbering out the phone into Liu Kang's ear as he leant against a wall that the payphone post was built in front of as he was calling Johnny about his arrival to America. LIU Kang then pressed the phone between the side of his head and his shoulder as he searched the pockets of his new suit for his wallet.

"You don't have another movie proposition for me, do you?" Liu Kang asked as he continued his search.

"Not this time!" Cage promised. "I just wanna hang out, man."

"Where did I put it?" Liu Kang asked himself. "I can't stand pockets…"

"Pockets?" Cage was confused.

"Master Shen insisted I get a suit for my travels," Liu Kang explained. "I'm heading to one of the new temples built now."

After the defeat of Shinnok and the partial revelation of the realms and the magic within them to the public, the White Lotus requested new recruits and wanted Liu Kang to be at the forefront of deciding who is worthy to join the secretive Shaolin order.

His journey across the globe to find new initiates led the Shaolin Monk to America where he was looking to assess the new trainees at the temples that had been built in several states. His first stop in America was to Detroit, the largest city in Michigan.

"I found it!" Liu Kang shouted as he pulled out his wallet. "Master Wen gave me some money for the trip."

"He didn't pack a lunch for you?" Cage said in a joking tone. "How rude!"

As Liu Kang went to pull out some money, a child's hand suddenly reached up and snatched the wallet.

"Hey!" Liu Kang yelled as the child began running down the street. "I'll call you back, Johnny!"

"What's going-" Cage was cut off from Liu Kang, ending the call before chasing after the child.

Liu Kang used his agility to easily manoeuvre between the people walking up and down the busy streets as the child continued running. At the end of the street, the child attempted to climb over the gate of a closed off alleyway. The child leapt up and gripped onto the top of the gate but it was wet from a morning shower, and he slipped. Liu Kang went to catch the child to brace his fall, but he landed hands first into a handstand before flipping onto his feet. As he looked up, he gasped at the sight of Liu Kang. The child went to run but the Shaolin Monk stood in his way, retrieving the wallet as he carefully grabbed the child's hand.

"I'm sorry!"

The child was quick to apologise as he backed up against the gate.

"Calm down," Liu Kang requested as he knelt beside him. "I'm not angry, young man."

"Why not?"

"Well I don't know why you took my wallet," Liu Kang remarked. "I'd prefer to think someone so young needed the money rather than just being a menace."

The child stood silent.

"I'll ask you this," Liu Kang decided. "Why did you steal from me?"

"You're right," the child sobbed. "I do need the money… I'm sorry!"

"What's your name?" Liu Kang asked.

"Kai," the child replied.

"That's a nice name," he complimented. "I'm Liu Kang."

"Thanks," Kai replied as he began to compose himself.

"Where are your parents, Kai?"

"I don't have any…"

Liu Kang gasped.

"I'm so sorry," he apologised. "Then I take it you're without a home?"

Kai nodded.

"What about an orphanage?" Liu Kang asked.

"The one I was sent to after my parents… went…" Kai paused and Liu Kang squeezed his hands gently. "I… I was at one for a while but they… kicked me out."

"What?!" Liu Kang let go of Kai's hands before his anger at the news would cause his grip to tighten. "How could they do such a thing?!"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you why," Kai remarked with a sulk on his face.

"I trust you, Kai," Liu Kang assured him. "I'll believe whatever you say."

"I have powers…" Kai revealed. "Fire ones!"

"So do I," Liu Kang smiled and lit a subtle flame with his index finger.

"Woah!" Kai gasped.

"We call it Chi," Liu Kang explained. "The energy within us can be literally harnessed into powers, though very few of us can tap into it."

"That's so cool!" Kai cheered. "I wish I could control mine."

"It takes time."

"I was accused of arson," Kai continued to unveil his past. "So I ran away and have spent the past week on the streets… and I ran out of food… so I got desperate and-"

"You don't need to defend yourself to me," Liu Kang reassured him. "I understand."

"Thanks," Kai said once more.

"I could help look for a more suitable orphanage for you," Liu Kang considered. "but I do have a more specific proposal."

"Like what?"

"It's a lot to suddenly spring on you," Liu Kang admitted. "But I'm actually travelling from China as a Shaolin Monk within a very secret organisation."

"Woah!" Kai was shocked. "So you're like a hero!"

"People tend to call me that," he nodded. "I've travelled here to America in search of new initiates for this secret organisation… I think you'd be a very welcome addition."

"Really?" Kai asked. "Why me?"

"I hardly know you," Liu Kang admitted, "but I've already picked up that you're a well spoken kid, you've got good balance, you're quick, and you have fast hands. Most importantly of all though… you need a home."

"I can't believe it," Kai shook his head. "Nobodies ever been this kind to me."

"Because nobody has taken the time to understand your situation like me," he replied. "The White Lotus Society has been my home since I was a baby, you'll be in good hands… the best."

"A hero though? I can't even control my powers."

"Everyone with powers needs training with them," Liu Kang told him as he offered a hand. "I'll be your teacher."

Kai accepted his hand and as he came closer to the Shaolin Monk, he wrapped his small arms around him. Liu Kang hugged him back.

"Thank you so much," Kai once more felt the need to express his gratitude as tears welled up in his eyes, this time they were happy ones.

"I have several schools to visit before I return home to China," Liu informed his surprising first new initiate. "That can wait though, you must be starving."

"I am hungry," Kai confirmed.

"I'll pay for lunch," Liu Kang promised. "Do you know anywhere to go?"

"There!" Kai pointed to a pastry shop across the road.

"Come along then," Liu Kang said as he held Kai's hand as they crossed the road together…

"I was nearly ten back then," Kai recalled. "He threw a surprise birthday party for me the very next week."

"I remember that!" Lao chuckled at the fond memory. "Master Apep was waiting out of the dojo to surprise you for hours!"

"That was twenty years ago already?" Jin couldn't believe how fast time went.

"It's only going to feel faster as you get older," Lao remarked. "I call you two kids still and I often forget you're now both entering your thirties."

"We're still only half his age," Jin muttered to Kai which brought a smile out of him.

"I'm not even fifty yet!" Lao yelled.

"I hope we all get to be around by old age," Kai told them. "I don't mean to be a cynic, it's just… I've lost a lot."

"I'm not going anywhere," Jin promised as he held Kai's hand. "We'll be just fine."

"Nitara?"

Azaco stood atop one of the levitating rocks at the Floating Stones as through the mist he saw a figure that distinctly resembled his sister.

"You disgrace your family…"

"What?!" Azaco flew down to the platform below to face what he thought was his sister… only to see the disguise drop upon his landing. "Shang Tsung!"

"It's always fun to do a reveal like that," Tsung remarked as he adjusted his gauntlets. "I'll be doing another one to your friends at the funeral… they will be burying even more because of me."

"No!" Azaco hissed as he pointed his claw-like nails at the sorcerer. "I won't let you do that!"

"You're pathetic," Tsung laughed as he revealed a set of three blades each from both of his gauntlets, "so pathetic that I wanted to test a new toy of mine. They're called tekkō-kagi claws. A mouthful, I know."

"Don't underestimate me," Azaco warned.

"Little bat, please, I think I'm already overestimating your abilities by bothering to bring a weapon!"

Azaco hissed before suddenly flying like a torpedo directly at Shang Tsung. The sorcerer ducked the attempted attack before stabbing his blades upwards, piercing his wings and leaving him stuck on the blades. Tsung took advantage of this to slam the back of Azaco's head against a jagged rock on the bizarre stone terrain.

"This land was once a mine I helped operate," Tsung recalled as he pushed Azaco further into the rock. "No nature ever grew on this land, even before Shao Kahn sapped Outworld's life."

"Why are you telling me this?" Azaco asked weakly as he tried to stand up only to be kicked in the face.

"Because this story is more interesting than fighting you," Tsung commented as he crouched down beside the Vampire and slowly dragged his blades down Azaco's left wing which caused him to howl in pain. "Where was I? Ah! The stones float because Shao Kahn bestowed his soul magic to more than just me. He chose weak, unhealthy, disgusting Earthrealmers I had captured in my Dark Prison to be granted this soul magic…"

Azaco grabbed a handful of gravel during Shang Tsung's storytime, hurling it in the sorcerer's eyes. Using his soul magic, Shang Tsung grabbed the individual minerals and flicked them out his eyes and face telekinetically before laughing as Azaco's attempted to fly away. Tsung shot a flaming skull projectile that immediately knocked Azaco down. He managed to hold onto the cliff edge.

"It was such a pain to teach those Earthrealmers… even though their only task was to lift rocks. They learnt eventually though, and spent the rest of their pathetic lives keeping valueless rocks afloat. It lasted so long that once they withered away and perished, not getting the same sustenance in souls as I, the rocks just… stayed in place on their own accord. The nature of Outworld, am I right?"

"What is… the point of all this?!" Azaco spoke through gritted fangs as he tried to pull himself up, only for the sorcerer to step on a hand.

"It is somewhat relevant to your predicament," Tsung realised, "regardless of what you choose next."

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

"Keep resisting," Shang Tsung suggested, "and I'll break your wings and drop you over the cliff edge. The mines went quite deep, Shao's orders were quite thorough. Ironic that you'd go searching a mining site that's already been cleared out."

"Or else what?"

"I take you to my aforementioned Dark Prison," the sorcerer smiled wickedly. "It's a lovely place."

"I'd rather die than be your prisoner!" Azaco yelled as he used all his strength to take flight once more. This time though, Shang Tsung wasn't going to be as gentle.

The sorcerer shapeshifted into Nitara once more and flew after Azaco, soon catching the Vampire. Shang Tsung sunk his teeth into the back of Azaco's neck whilst he began breaking the bones in his left wing with his bare hands. Azaco tried sacrificing himself as he went to nosedive to the bottom of the Floating Stones, but Shang Tsung used Nitara's wings to outstrength Azaco, guiding him to the nearest floating rock.

"I changed my mind," Tsung informed him. "I want to break you and make you my prisoner… I think there's some leverage in that."

"I haven't exactly been the kindest to your other enemies," Azaco revealed.

"Once I'm certain your life is truly valueless, then I'll devour your soul and get more use out of your memories," the sorcerer replied as he stomped on Azaco's jaw, shattering several fangs. "Oops!"

"Mth… Muh… My teef!" Azaco cried out, barely able to speak.

"Come on, pet," Tsung said as he picked up Azaco's broken body and hurled it through a portal back to his palace.

Meanwhile, Kabal had reached Lianhua Village. In his search for Lori, he found the streets were less busy as nighttime began. The streets were eerily quiet as Kabal slowed down to a walking pace.

"Hello?!" Kabal shouted. "Lori?!"

Suddenly, Kabal felt a stabbing pain in his foot. He looked down to see a grappling hook attached to a red rope had impaled his foot. Before he could react, Kabal was already dragged by it and taken beside the street to a cluster of trees. Once the dragging stopped, he looked up to see a face he had fought at the Sky Temple during Shinnok's invasion.

"Mavado," Kabal sighed. "What do you want?"

"About thirty Outworld fugitives dead," Mavado answered. "Yourself included… although I was planning on taking you out regardless."

"You missed your chance quite a while ago," Kabal laughed as Mavado pulled him into his grasp.

"The chaos of the invasion was… dissatisfactory," Mavado reviewed the encounter. "I at least got a trophy in your hook swords… which I see you have new ones."

"Courtesy of the NYPD."

"I do wonder how you're even licensed to keep them," Mavado remarked. "I thought I was doing you a favour really."

"I'm a special case," Kabal replied as Mavado took his hook swords away. "I only take them on major incidents… we were all worried about an attack."

"There's a lot worse than me who will be coming for your friends," Mavado warned. "Also, I don't care how much you limit your use of it, those pigs are letting a criminal run around with those as an officer of the law?! Absurd!"

"People can change, Mavado!" Kabal raised his voice.

"Black Dragon can't," Mavado replied as he slowly pressed the sharp guard of Kabal's hook swords against his throat. "Now if you shout again or even think about running, I'll slit your throat in a flash."

"Juuust great."

"The only reason you're still breathing is because I'll need you if this Lori girl can't give us a clear path to Liu Kang's Tomb," Mavado explained. "After that, Shang Tsung will feast on your soul…"

"Who the Hell is this, Shang?!" Erron Black questioned the sorcerer as he followed him into the basement of Shang Tsung's Palace, dragging Azaco down the stairway. "We're running out of spare cells!"

"Well make room then," Shang Tsung suggested. "There's a death trap there for a reason."

"We don't gain anything from that," Erron argued.

"You don't because you're no fun," Tsung said as he dragged Azaco to the prison door. "What are you waiting for, Black? Open it!"

Erron sighed before slowly grabbing the key to the rusty old door, unlocking it with a squeaky twist. Azaco let out a shriek as he was pushed into the Dark Prison, immediately horrified by the sight before him.

"That's the reaction we want!" Shang Tsung shouted with his voice echoing throughout the underground prison as he dragged Azaco by his broken wing, throwing him in the last empty cell. "Welcome to your new home… I know, it's no Vaeternus, but we do have blood showers."

"You're sick," Erron Black muttered under his breath.

"Come along now," Tsung said to Erron as they walked out the prison, leaving a Masked Guard to lock Azaco's cell. "We have a job."

"What now?" Erron asked with tiredness in his voice.

"There's a reason our Netherrealm friends have paid a visit," Tsung informed him as they walked up the stairs to the main hall. "Quan Chi!"

"You've been getting up to a lot haven't you?" Quan Chi said as he walked down the hallway to stand beside his Deadly Ally. "I love it."

"Are these all your men?" Tsung wondered as he saw the Netherrealmers from across the room.

Quan Chi had brought alongside him the Oni group of Moloch, Drahmin, Torcher and Amon. In addition to this, Ruutuu and Solrac Enaj stood with their arms crossed as they waited to begin their mission. Marinella and Vanesella stood in the doorway together playing what Earthrealmers called pat-a-cake. Drahmin kept his head low as he stared blankly at the well polished floor with Amon at her lord's side whilst Moloch and Torcher found themselves curious about the soldiers of the Dragon King that stood lifelessly throughout the hall. Moloch began poking one, with his sheer strength knocking the soldier over.

"That's enough, children!" Quan Chi yelled. He then turned to Shang Tsung and whispered, "Drahmin has refused to lend any soldiers from his army and my favourite Wraith and his Spectre lover aren't too happy with me…"

"These fools will do," Tsung whispered. "Gather around, all of you, we depart to Earthrealm immediately!"

"Shang Tsung!" Erron Black raised his voice as Shang's other Earthrealm minions entered the room. "Tell me what's going on!"

"You are dull," Tsung insulted the outlaw, which made Quan Chi laugh. "The vast majority of our major enemies are mourning the pathetic monk Liu Kang. We strike them now, I already have the Dragon clans in position."

"Fuckin' Hell," Erron swore. "What's the point of that? Your attacks before used to have some benefit… but this? You're just looking to torment them!"

"They will try to strike back inevitably!" Shang Tsung raised his voice. "This attack will counter their eventual resistance!"

"This is too far," Erron shook his head in disapproval, "even for you."

"We've been together almost a couple hundred years now, Erron," Tsung laughed. "If you truly think this is beneath me, then you've spent a lot of years not paying any attention."

"Do not let the sentimental Earthrealmer slow us down," Quan advised as he placed a hand on Tsung's shoulder. "We have a slaughter to commence."

"We do indeed," Tsung agreed.

"I'm not partaking in this," Erron refused.

"I've noted your disobedience lately, Erron," Tsung scolded as he looked around at his other Earthrealm allies. "I've noticed it in quite a lot of you."

Garrett Bennett, Captain Kendrick Shayde, Okita Hime and Hachiman all stood beside Erron Black. Inka Otoko was also present but kept his distance, still afraid of the unusualness of everything within the palace.

"Nobodies going to say anything, are they?" Tsung sighed. "The six of you, Kasem, and I make up the Everlasting Eight. You all live because of me… do not turn your backs on me now after so long."

"Keep the Masked Guards out of this one," Hachiman requested, "then I'll go."

"Already done!"

"I'll go with Hachiman," Inka decided.

"Excellent!" Tsung cheered. "What about, Captain, there will be explosives!"

"Sod it," Shayde stepped forward. "I'm in."

"Inka?" Tsung turned to the young warrior.

"I don't-" Inka muttered but was cut off by Shang Tsung's laughter.

"Apologies, I just remembered something," Tsung composed himself. "It's the darndest thing…"

"What?" Inka was most confused.

"You literally have no choice!" Tsung laughed loudly. "I have your father, boy, I can go down to the prison and slit his throat right now if you're not coming!"

"Please don't!" Inka begged. "I'll… I'll go!"

"Wonderful!" Tsung smiled evilly. "Lastly, Mr. Bennett, I take it you're coming too?"

"With all due respect, sir, I'll pass," Garrett declined. "I'm going to stay here with Erron."

"Is that so?"

"It is," Garrett removed his helmet to show his unphased face, having been around longer than the others he was not intimidated by the sorcerer.

"Fine then," Tsung reluctantly accepted his decision. "We don't need the pair of you."

"Let's hurry this up," Quan Chi said as he quickly summoned a portal to Earthrealm. "Come on, all of you!"

As the Deadly Alliance travelled to Earthrealm alongside their minions, the heroes watched as Li Mei began creating lantern energy constructs and letting them fly into the air before shooting Nova Blasts up into the sky, exploding the lanterns into bright and beautiful purple fireworks. Everyone enjoyed this brief moment of peace and a chance to gather together again… but they still had no clue of the incoming threat.

"It's Lori!" Bo' Rai Cho announced.

The group turned to the bridge over a peaceful stream within the Chinese forest where Lori walked over the creaking old oak boards that made up the old but well kept bridge.

"Apologies for the delay, everyone," Lori announced. "I unfortunately still can't find Master Wen or Shen anywhere."

"It'll be good to see them," Bo' Rai Cho commented. "I'm sure they'll turn up soon."

"You don't think it's another missing situation?" Kung Lao had to ask. "I mean… properly missing? Like Master Apep… poor Inka… I heard Jade's missing a parent and I don't feel like it's all coincidental!"

"I know these are worrying times," Bo' Rai Cho resonated, "but I'm sure they're just getting ready."

"Here they are now!" Lori cheered as she pointed back to the bridge as Wen and Shen arrived. "I don't know how I missed them…"

"Apologies for the delay, everyone," Shen spoke. "Everything is prepared."

"Let us introduce you to the pallbearer," Wen gestured his hands to put focus on the building to the heroes' left, where bodies were prepared for ceremonies.

Suddenly, a ball and chain smashed through the wall. The group gasped and through the dust that scattered from the sudden collapse emerged Moloch. The Oni Beast recklessly tossed the coffin towards Shen and Wen. He then slid two more coffins towards the heroes.

"Moloch!" Fujin yelled. "He was one of the attackers at the Temple of Elements!"

"And I've been called to attack once more!" Moloch replied.

"Open those coffins," Wen demanded.

Using his jo staff, Bo' Rai Cho pushed the lid of one coffin whilst Fujin blew the other one open. Everyone gasped as they saw the corpses of… Wen and Shen.

"What's happening?!" Lori asked before screaming as she was pulled telekinetically by Shen.

The disguise dropped as Lori was dragged into the grasp of Shang Tsung. Quan Chi soon followed, dropping his magical disguise as Master Wen.

"Not again!" Kung Lao screamed. "Murderers!"

"You're lucky the Oni didn't eat any of the corpses," Quan Chi chuckled.

"I just wanted to see my work," Tsung said as he opened the coffin beside them. "Liu Kang… how the mighty have fallen."

"Step away from his body, sorcerer!" Lao demanded.

"You seem angry, Kung Lao," Tsung noted smugly. "You should be thanking me… the spotlight is on you for once."

"How dare you!" Kung Lao began marching towards the Deadly Alliance but Bo' Rai Cho held him back.

"How could you do this?!" Kai asked as he charged his fists with fire which drew Shang Tsung's attention as they made eye contact with each other.

The sorcerer's twisted smile grew even wider.

"You're his protégé, aren't you?!" Shang Tsung asked as Quan Chi burst into laughter. "Liu Kang's little minion, all alone."

"He's not alone!" Kung Jin shouted as he stepped forward.

"Let's test that," Tsung nodded to Quan Chi who summoned a portal at the feet of Kung Jin.

"Agh!" Kung Jin shrieked as he was dropped from a portal above Quan Chi's head with the sorcerer grabbing hold of him, holding him at swordpoint. "Get off me, you monster!"

"Jin!" Kai cried out.

"Weep, boy, it'll achieve nothing," Quan Chi stated.

"You're both dead!" Kung Lao screamed, more enraged than after as Bo' Rai Cho tried his hardest to keep hold of him. "Get off me!"

"If you run at them then you're putting Lori and Jin at risk!" Bo' Rai Cho tried to reason with the understandably furious Kung Lao. "Don't escalate things, please!"

"Escalate?!" Lao scoffed. "Let go of Lori and my cousin and fight us like men!"

"We have a different idea on how we'll conduct this fight," Shang Tsung said as Quan Chi looked back and gestured for some others to cross the bridge.

The allies who agreed to join the sorcerers back at Shang Tsung's Palace soon stood behind the Deadly Alliance with weapons at hand.

"That's all?!" Kitana asked. "We outnumber you!"

"Your latest victories have boosted your ego to foolish lengths!" Fujin claimed.

"Overly arrogant," Bo' Rai Cho agreed.

"How naive you are to think this is all my plan has to offer," Tsung remarked before snapping his finger.

Red Dragon soldiers previously hidden by advanced cloaking devices all appeared at once, each carefully positioned to surround the heroes. At the forefront of the cloaked Red Dragons was Grandmaster Daegon himself.

"I'm surprised you criminals did manage to find the tomb yourselves," Tsung admitted.

"Don't underestimate my clan, sorcerer," Daegon warned.

"What is the meaning of this, Daegon?!" Sindel asked, still having thought he was on the side of heroism after seeing him

"I apologise, Sindel," Daegon spoke with some degree of sincerity. "I will not elaborate to protect the confidentiality of my work, but know that I intend to better Edenia and Earthrealm… and the other realms too!"

"How can you say that when you're working with them?!" Sindel questioned as she pointed to the Deadly Alliance. "How can you trust them?!"

"I don't," Daegon admitted as he looked back on the sorcerers. "I have my contingencies."

"Ooh, so scary," Quan Chi said sarcastically. "Why are we still talking?"

"Savour the moment, my friend," Shang Tsung told his fellow sorcerer.

"I agree with the Demon," Daegon admitted. He raised his hand as a signal for the Red Dragon soldiers and yelled, "execute them!"

The Red Dragon soldiers wore matching black and red uniforms, all their faces hidden behind a skin tight mask and goggles. Whilst Red Dragon members typically had access to a wide range of weapons, Daegon had ensured that the squadron surrounding the heroes all wielded sharpened katanas. Upon command, they went to stab their nearest targets.

"Daahraan!" Tanya cried out as her father figure was stabbed in the back, unable to react in time due to his advanced age.

Meanwhile, Stryker ducked a katana that went to behead him and responded by tasing the soldier in the gut. Kenshi then used his telekinesis to push the stunned soldier back before drawing his own katana.

"Get off me!" Nitara kicked one soldier back but due to her wings, she was grabbed and dragged into another katana that cut through her right wing.

Nitara hissed in pain as Kitana tossed her fan at the attacking soldier which impaled their head. As Kitana rushed to help the wounded Nitara, she turned to check on Mileena only to find her already fighting back, sinking her Tarkatan teeth into the neck of one Red Dragon soldier.

"Look out!" Jax yelled as he pulled Vera away from one soldier. As he did so, he bumped into Johnny Cage who threw himself at another soldier.

Fujin blew away a few more Red Dragon members that surrounded him as Bo' Rai Cho did a high jump before landing on the ground, causing a small earthquake that began to break up the Red Dragons circular formation.

"Stop resisting!" Shang Tsung yelled as he summoned his straight sword and held it against Lori's throat. "I'll kill her!"

"You'll try killing all of us!" Lori yelled as she headbutt the sorcerer which caused him to drop his straight sword and stagger back. "We just won't let you!"

"How bold of you," Tsung said as Lori grabbed the sorcerer's sword. "Quan Chi, put the boy down."

"What?!" Lori turned to face Quan Chi and Kung Jin, which gave Shang Tsung the opportunity to knock her down with a flaming skull projectile.

"Gladly," Quan smiled as he prepared to stab Kung Jin.

"No!" Jin begged. "Please!"

"Sorcerers!"

Kung Lao screamed from the top of his lungs as he ran at the Deadly Alliance, throwing his razor hat at Shang Tsung before lunging at Quan Chi. Before he had a chance to stab Jin, Kung Lao leapt over Quan Chi and grabbed him by the shoulders and in a flipping motion, the Shaolin Monk smashed Quan against the ground.

"Get to a safe distance, Jin!" Lao pleaded with his cousin, who nodded before running away from the sorcerers.

"Shang Tsung…" Kung Lao said through gritted teeth as the sorcerer caught his hat and examined its peculiar nature.

"Such a ridiculous weapon," Tsung remarked.

"It's been used to defeat you before."

"In a tournament I had no interest in!" Tsung raised his voice. "In a fight where I had to take up the disguise of one of my most pathetic servants who decided not to even show up tonight!"

"You did that after Liu Kang humiliated you," Lao reminded him. "Twice."

"But you're no Liu Kang," Tsung wagged his finger.

"I'm not," Lao agreed. "Which is why you're not leaving this fight alive!"

Shang Tsung threw that hat back as Kung Lao rushed at him again. Lao ducked the incoming hat whilst reaching behind to grab back onto it. Shang Tsung drew his tekkō-kagi claws with a grin on his face. Kung Lao leapt at Tsung with an energy charged fist. The sorcerer sidestepped casually before tripping the emotional monk. Kung Lao picked himself up and defended himself by walking backwards on the old bridge to evade Shang Tsung's spinning claw attacks. Eventually, Lao bumped into Torcher's large belly, bouncing off it where his face was scratched by the lethal blades. Lao touched his face, feeling blood seeping from the three deep cuts the claws had left him with.

"Minions, deal with the others!" Shang Tsung ordered. "Don't just stand there!"

"Minions?" Drahmin repeated.

"You know what I mean," Tsung rolled his eyes. "Just do what you're told!"

After a brief moment, the Netherrealmers and available Everlasting Eight members quickly rushed to the tomb to assist the Red Dragon, something that Moloch was already doing as he hurled Fujin across the tomb, smashing the Wind God through a fence. As Shang Tsung watched on, this distracted him from Kung Lao. The Shaolin Monk grabbed Tsung's arm and placed a foot on his chest before rolling back, swapping their places. Kung Lao went to slice at Shang Tsung's neck with his razor hat, but a green skull projectile blew the hat out his grasp. Lao quickly bent down to grab it, but Tsung swept his leg whilst elbowing the old board the hat had landed sideways on. Breaking the board, the hat fell into the river below.

"No!" Lao yelled as Shang Tsung grabbed him. "Damn you!"

"You really need that pathetic hat?" Tsung laughed as he stabbed his blades into Lao's chest, staining his greyish blue tunic with blood that almost resembled Hanzi like an older attire of his once did in a similar red. "That's the least I've taken all week!"

Kung Lao pressed his hands together, unleashing a pulse of energy that blew Shang Tsung back, yanking the claws out of him. Lao grunted in pain as Tsung ran at him with the claws once more. Kung Lao caught Shang Tsung with a knee to the gut before pulling him in the way of another one of Quan Chi's projectiles.

"Terribly sorry!" Quan Chi apologised before using a portal to bring himself to Kung Lao.

Quan Chi attempted to land on top of Lao, but the Shaolin Monk rolled out the way. Quan Chi slashed his broadswords at Kung Lao, but he slid under them before popping up with an overhead spin kick that collided with the top of Quan Chi's head. The sorcerer staggered back into Shang Tsung as Kung Lao thrust a fist forward into the unarmoured side of Quan Chi's chest before following up with a barrage of punches, eventually squashing Tsung between the bridge's barrier and his Deadly Ally.

Shang Tsung morphed into Goro, giving him the strength to shove Quan Chi and Kung Lao forward, the two fighters crashing into each other. This drew the attention of the real Goro, however, who watched on whilst ripping the arms off of a Red Dragon soldier. Leaping into the air, Goro cleared the fences as he went to deliver a Shokan Stomp to Shang Tsung who quickly changed forms into Nitara and flapped her wings to back away. As Goro landed, a thud shook the entire tomb as he smashed through the entire bridge. Shang Tsung took flight to get out of the water below as Goro swam to the side of the stream, leaning against a stone wall that protected the tomb's underground.

"Fool!" Shang Tsung taunted as he shifted forms midair to D'Vorah, maintaining flight and readying the Kytinn stingers. "How dare you challenge your master!"

Shang Tsung swooped down, stabbing all four stingers into Goro's torso, pressing him against the wall. Goro began elbowing away at the stingers, easily breaking them in half with each strike.

"The mighty Prince of the Shokan," Tsung chuckled, "all bandaged up."

"I do not need to be at my best to tear you apart, Shang Tsung!" Goro yelled.

"I taught you to fight, Prince!" Tsung taunted as he shifted forms into Goro himself once the stingers had been shattered. "I gave you your greatest accomplishment!"

"I became Mortal Kombat Champion on my own!" Goro yelled as he began wrestling his mirrored opponent.

"Countless years I spent preparing you for your sole accomplishment in life!" Tsung laughed at the Shokan. "Since losing to Liu Kang, you've floundered with these pathetic fools!"

"I could've killed you when I initially left the Kahn Guard!" Goro recalled. "I should've!"

"Now is your chance to rectify your mistake!" Shang Tsung welcomed the challenge.

Goro headbutt the sorcerer before kicking him into the stream. As he looked up, Goro saw a giant green skull projectile travelling towards him slowly. Quan Chi had been quietly charging up the projectile whilst Shang Tsung was playing his mind games. Goro braced for impact as the giant skull pushed him through the stone wall, breaking into the White Lotus Tomb. Quan Chi laughed as he began hurling smaller skulls at Goro who began batting them aside before charging at Quan Chi.

Goro leapt over the stream and stood before Quan Chi. The sorcerer stabbed both broadswords into his chest. Goro fell back, but he made sure to drag Quan Chi into the fast flowing stream with him. Suddenly conducting his necromancy, Quan Chi began reanimating the skeletons within the White Lotus Tomb, and they began flooding out of the broken wall and into the stream. Shang Tsung took a breath as he watched the skeletons flow down the stream in pursuit of their creator and Goro.

"Where is Kung Lao?" Tsung realised the Shaolin Monk had gone missing. "The coward probably ran away… how smart."

Shang Tsung returned to his normal form as he levitated himself up to the broken remains of the bridge, ready to rejoin the greater conflict happening above the burial grounds for the White Lotus. As he walked over, Kung Lao suddenly dropped from the roof of the bridge on top of Shang Tsung. Pinning the sorcerer to the ground, Kung Lao began strangling him.

"Die!" Kung Lao begged as he tightened his grip. "Just die already!"

Even whilst gasping for air, Shang Tsung still kept a sickening smile on his face. He thrust his right arm forward, stabbing one set of claws into the upper part of Kung Lao's. The sorcerer laughed as Lao collapsed beside him, blood gushing out of his stab wounds.

"Another Shaolin dead," Shang Tsung admired his work as he watched Kung Lao bleed out. "I'll let you die slowly right there as a failed hero, Kung Lao, you can join your friend in my collection of souls once I eliminate your friends too!"

Shang Tsung turned his back on Kung Lao and began to notice the last of the Red Dragon squadron being slain, much to Daegon's dismay. Shang Tsung sprayed several fireballs across the tomb, trying to knock down as many targets as possible. Alyssa leapt into the forefront of the group, using all her power to summon a wall made of water that absorbed the projectiles. He then turned around at the sound of movement, the sorcerer shocked to see Kung Lao picking himself up off the ground.

"How?!" Tsung asked angrily.

"You got… really unlucky…" Kung Lao laughed which then made him cough up an alarming amount of blood. "I'm still standing…"

"Perhaps I'll break your neck instead," Shang Tsung considered an alternative, "it worked on Liu Kang."

Kung Lao clenched his fists in anger before staggering towards the sorcerer who easily caught his fist before dragging him in a chokehold.

"May I have your attention, everyone?!" Shang Tsung asked as he squeezed down on Kung Lao's already cut open neck.

The Everlasting Eight members and Netherrealmers momentarily withdrew, so that the Union members could shift their focus onto Shang Tsung. Daegon still stood off to the side, his disgruntled feelings being visible on his scarred face.

"Look how much he bleeds…"

"Be quiet!" Mileena yelled. "You've already done this!"

"You have no alternative to offer," Kitana agreed.

"Let me guess your offer," Cage added. "Either die, or surrender now so we can die?!"

"I have prisoners," Tsung revealed. "I just recently caught a certain someone's brother."

"Azaco?" Nitara guessed as he saw Shang Tsung look at him.

"I left his wing even more mangled than the one you have there," Tsung laughed. "I can spare you all if you're willing to live out a sentence in my Dark Prison."

"Bullshit!" Jax shouted. "No way!"

"I was a generous jailer when I took you to my island, Jackson," Shang Tsung argued. "You're still alive, aren't you?"

"Where's your boy Quan?!" Jax asked.

"None of your concern."

"He's pussying out of his own plan," Sonya believed. "You wanna take every shortcut possible."

"Work smarter not harder," Tsung replied.

"So I'm right?"

"Hardly," Tsung debunked the claim. "I'm still in the lead here… I think this third point I have will be of interest."

"What now?" Jax rolled his eyes.

"There's even more of my allies down at that humble village at the end of the woods," Shang Tsung revealed. "They have explosives planted that well… Daegon?"

Daegon sighed before approaching the nearest Red Dragon corpse, taking a two-way radio from the soldier's belt.

"This is Grandmaster Daegon," he said through the walkie talkie. "Who am I talking to?"

"Hsu Hao, Grandmaster," was the response from the other end.

"Hsu?!" Jax gasped.

"Perfect," Daegon replied. "Detonate them immediately."

"Understood," Hsu Hao replied. "Anything else, Grandmaster?"

"That is all," Daegon ended the call before tossing the device aside. "You're welcome, sorcerer."

"If I were you," Shang Tsung turned to the Union as he spoke, "I'd probably check up on that."

"Kabal's still there…" Stryker realised. "Shit!"

"We'll have to split up," Bo' Rai Cho determined. "Half of us stay here… the rest need to protect the village."

"It's too late to protect it now," Tsung laughed. "If you want to try and save a few villagers though, you definitely should get going!"

"My squad knows evac," Sonya pointed out. "Johnny, Jax, Vera, with me!"

"I'm working on Daahraan!" Vera announced as she tended to Daahraan's stab wound in a fenced off corner whilst Tanya guarded them.

"Keep her safe," Jax requested to Tanya who nodded.

"I'll go too," Stryker said as they began gathering in groups.

"Me too!" Lori decided. "I need to check on the people of Lianhua!"

"Are we seriously just letting them arrange this?" Drahmin questioned.

"Let them go," Shang Tsung instructed his allies. "If what Daegon says about his clan is true, then whatever group they send will be no match for them."

"You're on very thin ice," Daegon muttered. "I think I'd rather join my true partners."

"You're not going anyway!" Sindel shouted before unleashing a scream that stunned Daegon, pushing him against a fence.

As this was happening, a group had been formed of Sonya, Johnny, Jax, Stryker, Kenshi, Suchin, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Smoke, Cyrax, and Lori.

"There will be fire, right?" Alyssa assumed. "I should go too."

"Mileena…" Kitana looked at her sister who was still greatly emotional and standing between the two groups that had been made.

"I…" Mileena was collecting her thoughts amidst the chaos. "I have to go to that village! I won't see another life taken by him!"

"Give credit to my comrades, please!" Shang Tsung remarked.

"Let's go!" Sonya yelled as the group ran past Shang Tsung and through the woods.

"There's nothing they can do for you, Kung Lao," the sorcerer said as he looked down at his victim.

"But we can!" Kung Jin yelled as he shot an arrow from his bow that impaled Shang Tsung in the shoulder. "Stay away from my family!"

The sorcerer pushed Kung Lao forward whilst he staggered back, leaning against a post as he grabbed the arrow trapped inside him. Kung Jin charged across the grounds, but Moloch intercepted and dropped him with a powerful backhand the size of his body. Amidst the battle, a large crack could be heard as another fence panel was shattered with Sindel sliding across the ground to grab Daegon's legs before delivering a violent flip kick that pushed Daegon through the once impeccable fencing. Daegon quickly got to his feet.

"You are indeed powerful, My Queen," Daegon admitted as he suddenly flicked a hand through the air, lifting two fingers like a firearm. "Apologies for this one."

"More schemes?!" Sindel was bewildered.

"Look up," Daegon advised.

"What could possibly-"

Before Sindel could even look up per Daegon's request, a bullet from the skies was shot right through Sindel's back.

"Mother!" Kitana cried out as she rushed to her side.

Gazing up into the night sky, there were several more masked individuals watching from the cliff edge of the nearby mountaintop, with the Red Dragon squadron gathering in one neat line. Each carried their own gun, ranging from assault rifles to snipers, from regular firearm models to highly advanced upgrades. Bullets soon began to rapidly fall down upon the White Lotus Tomb.

"Hmm," Shang Tsung watched the gunfire as he pulled the arrow from his shoulder, grunting in pain. "I almost forgot about that…"

"Enough!" Ermac yelled.

Unleashing the shrieks of over a thousand souls, Ermac was enraged to see Sindel's body collapse to the ground as Kitana sobbed beside her. As the bullets came down, Ermac used their telekinesis to grab every single one before firing them back at the Red Dragon members atop the mountain. Many were shot from the reflection, whilst others backed away, and the majority of bullets simply missed as they fired into the mountainside. Turning around, Ermac faced Shang Tsung with collective rage hiding behind their black face wraps.

Ermac rushed at the sorcerer, but Moloch once again tried to act as a shield. Ermac levitated above Moloch's head, but the Oni Beast still managed to pull him towards his mouth out of the air. Spreading their legs, Ermac wrapped them around Moloch's thick neck. Tocher ran over to assist his brother, but Jade rushed in twirling her bo staff to bash him back whilst Li Mei fired Nova Blast projectiles at the Oni Beast from afar. Angered by being choked by the soul construct, Moloch ran aimlessly around the tomb with the other fighters having to evade him almost as if a raging bull was on the battleground. Even worse was another round of bullets began raining down. Despite her injury, Nitara tried to fly up, but Fujin controlled the wind to forcefully pull her down.

"What are you doing?!" Nitara hissed.

"Let me fly up there!" Fujin insisted before running up thin air, swerving through the gunfire that was now focused on him.

"Gods…" Nitara sighed. "Look out, Tanya!"

Nitara spotted a sniper locking in on the Pyromancer. Nightwolf rushed over and activated his reflector energy shield, bouncing the bullet directly back to the sniper. Nightwolf sighed, having no desire to take any lives… but these were desperate times.

"I hate to say this," Bo' Rai Cho spoke up to command the group, "but it'd be best to take cover inside the tomb!"

"Follow me!" Nightwolf ordered, acting as a shield for those who were defenceless against the distant gunfire.

"Not so fast!" Drahmin intercepted the group, standing in the way of the floor doors to the tomb.

Using her naginata, Nyah leapt over Nightwolf's head to deliver a split kick on top of Drahmin's head. Amon was quick to protect her leader, bashing Nyah aside with the legendary bone shield.

"I'm with you, Lord Drahmin," Amon said as she pulled him to his feet.

As she turned around to her enemies, Amon was launched into the air by Tanya's cannon drill kick. Although he was unarmed, Nightwolf still got involved in the action by leaping up to slam Amon out of the air with a pair of hammer fists. Amon landed over Nyah's knee, bending her back painfully.

"Leave her alone!" Drahmin yelled as he used his signature iron club to bat Nightwolf and Nyah aside. He then turned to Tanya and yelled, "you threaten my family!"

"So do you," Tanya replied as Drahmin rushed at her, only for Tanya to catch him with a handstand, legs wrapping around Drahmin which allowed Tanya to throw him into the firepit that stood atop the trapdoor.

"Well done, Tanya," Nyah praised as Tanya helped her mother up.

"This isn't over!" Drahmin yelled as he burnt in the fire, standing upright and pulling his mask off. "I've spent years being burnt by the fires of the Netherrealm, this is nothing!"

Throwing his mask out of the flames to prevent it being burnt, Drahmin then leapt out the fire and dived at Tanya with a crossbody, the two warriors rolling across the grass which set it ablaze.

"Tanya!" Nyah cried out with Nightwolf pulling her back.

"More gunfire will come any second now!" Nightwolf yelled as he kicked the latch and slid the platform to open the entrance to the tomb. "You must take cover, Miss!"

"I won't leave my daughter again!" Nyah refused.

"I'll get her!" Nightwolf promised as he threw Nyah back who did a backflip down the stairway to avoid falling. He then turned and raised his hand to Vera and Daahraan. "Come over!"

"Thanks!" Vera said as she ran whilst carrying Daahraan into the tomb.

"Where's Sindel?!" Nightwolf scanned the battlefield to find Sindel's body. "Kitana!"

Kitana couldn't hear Nightwolf as her emotions overcame her as she began attacking Daegon, hitting a leaping kick that launched Daegon over the fence and into the woods. Kitana summoned a miniature tornado at her feet to bring herself over the walls of the White Lotus Tomb before chasing after Daegon in the forest…

"Nitara!" Nightwolf called for.

The Vampire was in the middle of defending herself from half of the Everlasting Eight. Hachiman, Hime, Shayde, and a reluctant Inka, they each figured that they'd be safer picking one target at a time. Nightwolf rushed over to help but found an ink-like black chain wrap around his leg, dragging him towards Ruutuu.

"This the one you wanted?" Solrac asked Ruutuu as the stoic Wraith picked Nightwolf up.

"Unbelievable," Ruutuu was shocked at the sight of Nightwolf as he firmly grabbed onto the collar of his shirt. "I can sense it… you're the Great Spirit's Chosen One!"

"I am Nightwolf," he confirmed. "Who are you?"

"A ghost from the past," Ruutuu replied as he threw Nightwolf into the ground. "Your ancestor's will know, ask them!"

"Oho!" Solrac cheered. "Finally… something you care about."

"Of course I care!" Ruutuu snapped, his behaviour suddenly becoming uncharacteristic of him. "The last Nightwolf I encountered took my life!"

"I have no doubt that you deserved it," Nightwolf presumed which made Ruutuu violently stomp on his chest whilst shadowy hands began to form around Nightwolf upon a shadow puddle made beneath him.

"I tried to move past it!" Ruutuu screamed as the hands began clawing at Nightwolf, tearing his business shirt apart. "But even so many years later, I can't escape your kind!"

"My kind?" Nightwolf raised an eyebrow. "I think the Great Spirit would wish to send a message to you…"

"What is it?" Ruutuu growled.

"Here!"

Suddenly, a lightning bolt crashed down from the sky which struck Ruutuu. The shadow hands quickly melted back into the puddle as it evaporated. Nightwolf picked himself up and summoned a pair of energy construct tomahawks.

"You've done it now!" Solrac Enaj yelled as she rushed at Nightwolf.

Nightwolf spun around, his makeshift tomahawks blocking Solrac's chained guillotines. Solrac flicked the chains apart, a ring of shadow magic being formed. Nightwolf activated his reflecting shield as he saw beams of darkness start to rapidly emit from the ring, shooting the projectiles all over the tomb which managed to knock Solrac down alongside the warriors who were attacking Nitara.

"That was close!" Nitara gasped for air.

"Look out!" Bo' Rai Cho yelled as he tackled Inka who attempted to deliver a sneak attack from behind to the Vampire. "Inka…"

"I'm sorry!" Inka apologised as he kicked Bo' Rai Cho off him.

"I hadn't even had the chance to address you amidst all this madness," Bo' Rai Cho sighed. "Why are you helping Shang Tsung?!"

"His prison is real…" Inka revealed. "He has my father…"

"Apep!" Bo' Rai Cho gasped.

"I'm sorry," Inka apologised again as he grabbed a hammer that was strapped to the back of a new suit of armour he had been gifted by the sorcerer. "I have to do this."

Bo' Rai Cho began dodging Inka's frantic swings, not wishing to fight back against a Shaolin. Meanwhile, Nitara found herself still having to hold off the other Everlasting Eight members. Kendrick Shayde swung at her eagerly with a cutlass, whilst Okita Hime rushed at the Vampire with her naginata. Nitara used her wings to fly to one side, causing Hime to ram the naginata into Shayde.

"No!" Hime yelled. "I'm sorry, Cap!"

"Fuckin' Hell!" Shayde cried out. "Some team we are…"

"Look out, Okita!" Hachiman yelled.

Hime released her naginata that was stuck inside Kendrick Shayde, spinning around only for a kama to pull her metal mask off. Pulling out a pair of tantō shortswords, one from either side of her, she swung upwards at Nitara. The Vampire curled her kama around the swords, causing their weapons to tangle together.

"You made me stab my friend!" Hime screamed.

"That mistake was your own!" Nitara argued amidst their clash.

"Do something, Shin!" Hime looked past Nitara's shoulder to Hachiman as he prepared an arrow for his bow.

"Don't shoot!" Meat yelled.

The Flesh Pits construct had retreated into one of the small buildings at the first sight of gunfire, terrified of the unfamiliar threat. He had hoped that his friends would've followed suit, but he instead found himself separated from the group. Swallowing his fear with a big gulp, Meat used the blood dripping on his feet to slide along the ground in order to reach Hachiman in time. Before he even had a chance to react, Meat used all his strength to lift Hachiman off the ground with both hands before delivering a savage backbreaker grapple manoeuvre. Meat then hurled Hachiman over to Nightwolf who proceeded to stab him in the back with his energy tomahawks in between his continued fight against the pair of Wraiths.

The ordeal had distracted Nitara, who looked back for just a second. Although minor, this distraction was enough for the experienced Hime to kick her in the shin. Nitara fell to one knee and lost grip of one kama. The other slid off of Hime's tantō, allowing her to impale the other kama into Hime's hip. Although grunting in agony, Hime managed to stab Nitara back with her blades. One tantō went into her already injured wing, whilst the other went into Nitara's own hip.

"Nitara!" Meat cried out as he ran over to protect the Vampire.

"This is more of a hassle than it's worth," Hime sighed as she looked up to see Meat wind up a right hook that caught her directly on her jaw.

As Hime stumbled aside due to the stunning blow, this gave Kendrick Shayde a clear line of fire. Expecting the conflict to be great, the pirate had bought an old favourite weapon of his: the blunderbuss. Even whilst laying on the ground, a naginata impaled in his stomach, Kendrick held the blunderbuss. A heavy hitting firearm that could store up to five types of ammunition, Meat and Nitara were in grave danger…

"Thank you, Meat," Nitara struggled to speak with the pain she was feeling, but she had to express her gratitude for Meat's bravery and heroism.

"You're family, Nitara, of course," Meat replied as he hugged her. Meat then gasped as he noticed Shayde preparing the blunderbuss. "Tell my sister that I-"

By the time Meat had realised he was lining up a shot, it was too late for him to evade it. The moment Shayde pulled the trigger, Meat immediately shoved Nitara out of the way. Several dozen pellets fired at Meat, blasting right through his flesh. Meat's body was covered in holes from head to toe.

"Meat!" Nitara cried out as she crawled over to him. "No…"

"Look at that," Shang Tsung smiled from across the grounds. "Someone finally put my failed experiment down."

Amidst the battle, Shang Tsung casually walked around, searching for the archer who had dared to shoot him.

"Kung Jin!" Shang Tsung called out in a mocking tone. "Where are you?!"

Kicking down the door of the building that had previously been untouched amidst the conflict, Shang Tsung looked around for the young warrior. Using fireballs, Shang Tsung exploded each piece of furniture that stood in his way. What was meant to be a room for the celebration of Liu Kang's life was now an empty wreck as screams rang out from outside. The sorcerer smiled at the chaos he had caused, taking sick pleasure in his work.

"Ah!" Shang Tsung spotted a man cowering under a table at the back of the room. "I've found you, child, now prepare to die!"

Mockingly transforming into the form of Meat, Shang Tsung used his enhanced strength to easily lift the table over his head. He was then shocked as he saw that he hadn't found Kung Jin… it was Kai. Charging his fist with fire, Kai delivered a lethal uppercut that launched Shang Tsung off his feet and hit so hard that it knocked him back into his true form.

"Most cunning," Tsung praised as he rubbed his chin. "Are you sure you're Liu Kang's student?"

"I'm not anymore, am I?!" Kai asked angrily. "All because of-"

"Me," Tsung finished Kai's sentence. "What will you do about it?"

Kai dashed forward before hitting Tsung in the ear with a spinning elbow. The sorcerer shoved him forward, trying to catch him in the back with a flaming skull. Kai ducked the projectile before raising his heel up to catch Shang Tsung on the chin again. Tsung launched so high up that he crashed into the ceiling, cracking a support beam upon impact. Whilst he was landing, Kai rolled along the floorboards, propping himself up in the middle of his roll to stand on his hands. Whilst balancing himself, Kai quickly tucked his knees before thrusting them out, delivering a powerful reverse double stomp as the sorcerer fell on Kai's feet.

This incredible kick bounced Shang Tsung back into the air. Kai pushed off his hands, doing a midair flip whilst firing a fireball at his feet. Burning through the ground, the fireball travelled beneath Shang Tsung's position, pushing him through the roof. Jumping onto one of the tables that remained standing, Kai leapt onto one of the support beams hanging off the ceiling. Like swinging on monkey bars, Kai used the momentum from spinning on them to leapt higher into the air and out of the hole made in the roof, catching Shang Tsung with a pair of bicycle kicks. However, Kai was nowhere close to Liu Kang's level when it came to executing this move, and soon began falling back. Shang Tsung fired a barrage of several fireballs rapidly at Kai as they both crashed back into the floor, Tsung dropping a knee on Kai's chest upon impact.

"You fight well," Shang Tsung admitted as he grabbed Kai by the face in a claw-like grip. "It's a shame that you'll never be able to maximise your potential."

Shang Tsung rolled across the floor, dragging Kai with him, before slamming the Shaolin Monk through a table. The sorcerer smiled as he watched Kai writhing in pain on the floor. He crouched down to push his face into the floor, but stopped midway as an arrow was shot that just barely missed his head due to the sorcerer unintentionally ducking.

"Over here, asshole!"

Shang Tsung looked up to see Kung Jin emerge from behind an altar atop a small stage to the side of the room furthest from the only entranceway. Jin quickly fired a second arrow. The sorcerer had no time to move aside, so he shapeshifted into Motaro. The added height meant that the arrow that was aimed between his eyes instead hit Tsung in the chest. Shang Tsung galloped at Kung Jin, trampling over Kai in the process.

"Crap!" Kung Jin yelled as he began frantically firing the remaining arrows in his quiver but the sheer speed of a Centaur meant he'd either miss the target, or only shoot an arrow into the horse body.

As Shang Tsung made it to the stage, Kung Jin leapt off it and onto his horseback. Tsung tried bucking him off, but Jin stuck the handle of the bow and the string between Shang Tsung's head. Kung Jin pulled back as hard as he could, trying to choke the sorcerer out. Shang Tsung returned to his natural form amidst this, causing Jin to fall on his bottom due to the horse body disappearing. The string of the bow snapped as Jin dragged the sorcerer down to the floor with him.

"You're…" Shang Tsung began coughing as he picked himself up. "You pair are no Deadly Alliance."

"How sure about that are you?" Jin questioned. "You sure do appear to be struggling."

Shang Tsung booted Kung Jin in the side in reaction to his remark. Kai then ran back into the action, striking Shang Tsung with three side kicks in a row. He then attempted a spinning roundhouse kick but the sorcerer ducked it and hit a sweep, using one of his claw blades to slice open Kai's shin. Kai collapsed under Shang Tsung who held him up on his shoulders before dumping him off onto Kung Jin.

Kai rolled back, and Shang Tsung tried to keep up with him and deliver a firm crane kick, but Kai slid a stool over to the sorcerer and knocked Tsung off his feet. As Shang Tsung got on his knees and tried to stand, Kai grabbed a wooden chair and spun it around before smashing it into Shang Tsung's side. This batted Tsung into Kung Jin who smacked him with the dragon head ornament atop the staff part of his bow. Shang Tsung was stunned as he stumbled back to Kai who held onto a broken chair leg from shattering the rest of the chair over the sorcerer.

Like wielding a club, Kai smacked Shang Tsung over the head with the chair leg. This left a nasty cut on the sorcerer's head, causing blood to stream down his face as he stumbled back into Kung Jin who kicked Tsung forward again into another clubbing blow from Kai. On the third attempt, Shang Tsung regained enough of his senses to block the incoming swing with his gauntlet before pushing Kai back with a series of snake-like finger strikes. He then hit a jumping split legged kick to knock both Kai and Kung Jin back.

"This is degrading," Shang Tsung scoffed as he wiped the blood from his face. "You mere children dare try to humiliate the Emperor of Outworld?!"

"You've had it coming!" Kung Jin yelled. "Even with all your plans, we're all still standing!"

"Well… not all of you," Tsung snickered as Jin charged at him. "No more games, boy, try to survive this one."

Now shapeshifting into Shao Kahn, Shang Tsung easily overpowered Kung Jin, pushing him through the floorboards with a single one armed grab. Keeping hold of him, the sorcerer morphed into Shinnok as he used his dark magic to create a painful explosion that hurled Kung Jin into the air. Morphing into his Deadly Ally, Shang Tsung executed Quan Chi's portal sky drop strategy, stomping Jin into the ground where he landed on Kai once more before the sorcerer began stomping on them both.

Outside the building meanwhile, Kung Lao began crawling towards it, knowing that Shang Tsung was inside. Moloch and Ermac got in his way, however, as Moloch finally pulled Ermac off of him and made them pay by smashing the soul construct face first of the wall. As he stood over Ermac, blocking the doorway, he turned to see Kung Lao weakly crawling towards him.

"Puny mortal," Moloch assessed as he pinched Kung Lao, soon lifting him off the ground. "I doubt you even taste all that good. Let's find out!"

As Moloch went to take a bite out of Kung Lao, Ermac used their telekinesis to slightly levitate the massive Oni Beast. This distracted Moloch and caused him to loosen his grip, allowing Kung Lao to break free. The Shaolin Monk dove at Moloch with a flying kick into his third eye. Moloch howled in pain as he fell back, crashing through another wall. Shang Tsung had to roll aside to avoid Moloch as Ermac telekinetically slammed Moloch down inside the building.

"Jin?!" Kung Lao called out for. "Kai?!"

"We're alright!" Jin yelled back as the couple leaned on each other for support after their most challenging fight yet.

"Good," Lao replied. "Well done… I'll take it from here."

Shang Tsung laughed.

"Don't kid yourself, Kung Lao," Shang Tsung said as Kung Lao clenched his fists at the sight of the sorcerer. "You can't even stand."

"I can't do what?" Lao asked as he managed to pick himself up from sheer resiliency, rage, and determination to stop the sorcerer. "I'm still standing… Shang Tsung… I'm still breathing… You aren't able to take that from me!"

"Do you want a prize for lasting this long with an Emperor?" Tsung asked as he applauded him sarcastically.

"My prize will be taking your life," Kung Lao replied. "As long as I still… I still draw breath… I won't stop fighting you."

"Then you don't have long left," Shang Tsung said as he went to attack once again with a flaming projectile, but Ermac's telekinesis knocked the flaming skull aside. "Ah yes… Ermac."

"We will rip you apart," Ermac threatened as they telekinetically grabbed the sorcerer.

As Ermac began slamming Shang Tsung against the ground repeatedly, a nearby portal opened up. Kung Lao gasped as he saw Quan Chi emerge, immediately knocking the Shaolin Monk down with his own skull projectile. Ermac was too focused on Shang Tsung to realise that Quan Chi had returned, allowing the Demon sorcerer to stab both broadswords through the back of the soul construct.

"It seems that I've arrived just in time," Quan Chi said before ripping the broadswords out of Ermac's back, their screams sounding out throughout the woods. "Ooh, does Shang need a hand?"

"We cannot afford to mess around still, Quan Chi," Shang Tsung dismissed his playful remark. "Shinnok's Amulet, use it so we can wipe them all out!"

"I thought you'd never ask," Quan Chi smiled as he took the Amulet from his belt.

"Where's Goro?" Kung Lao questioned.

Quan Chi laughed as he blasted the Shaolin Monk with a beam of fire from Shinnok's Amulet, stealing from the abilities of Torch.

"Where… is… he?!" Kung Lao continued to ask through being burned alive.

"Here," Quan Chi made a portal before dragging out the body of Goro by his legs. "You're welcome."

As Goro's full body was dragged out the portal, a disgusting revelation was made. The body was missing a head!

"The undead overwhelmed him," Quan Chi laughed. "I managed to behead him in the process."

"No!" Kung Lao cried out.

"That should've been me killing him," Shang Tsung claimed as he reached out to his corpse. "At least I get his soul…"

Slamming the Amulet against the ground, Quan Chi caused several rocks to extend from the ground, pushing Kung Lao away with the Shaolin Monk having to now crawl around the wall of rocks before him. Now that he was out of hearing distance, Quan Chi turned to Shang Tsung.

"There's no soul to consume," Quan whispered.

"What do you mean?" Tsung was puzzled by such a revelation.

"I must admit that my battle with the Shokan wasn't exactly… successful," Quan Chi confessed. "I reanimated the skeletons at the tomb, and I had a discovery… shapeshifting can be mixed with necromancy, you can use it to temporarily manipulate the form of those you already control."

"Fascinating," Shang Tsung stated. "We must share knowledge more often."

"Certainly," Quan agreed.

"What went wrong then?" Tsung asked.

"This body is of the skeleton I transformed into Goro," Quan Chi sighed. "I only made a portal to escape the real Goro when he got too close to me… my skeletons won't hold him back for long."

"That's far less impressive…" Tsung sighed.

"We'll deal with him together," Quan Chi promised. "At least I've toyed with Kung Lao some more."

"I was looking forward to consuming his soul," Shang Tsung admitted.

"Small picture," Quan Chi said as he pointed to Ermac as they collapsed to the ground. "There's many more souls to consume now."

"You've made an opening," Shang Tsung noted as he looked at Ermac's wounded body whilst they curled up on the ground.

"Have your lunch break," Quan Chi joked as Shang Tsung placed a hand over Ermac's wound, beginning to absorb several souls from Ermac's collective and into his own.

"Stay away from them!" Kung Lao shouted as he mustered enough strength to tackle Shang Tsung.

In doing this, a handful of souls became loose due to the soul transfer process being interrupted. The loose souls swirled around Kung Lao and Shang Tsung whilst Lao pounded away on Tsung. Quan Chi approached to try to intervene, but the souls suddenly took up ghostly forms.

"Ghosts?!" Quan Chi laughed in the face of the dead. "Just when I thought things couldn't get any more fun!"

As the group of Ghosts took form there was one who resembled a skeletal witch draped in a cloak, another of a silent woman with wild hair like Sindels, and the spirit of an Oni Beast… a rare soul for Shao Kahn to have captured many years ago. A fourth soul had escaped, however, Quan Chi had no idea where it had gone.

An enraged Moloch had managed to stand up and he charged right through the Ghosts, getting further worked up when he realised he was unable to make physical contact with them.

"You can't touch them, you fool!" Quan Chi yelled. "They can be blown or dragged away, but regular attacks will do nothing. Their attacks though… they can hurt."

Quan Chi's joy over the chaotic situation soon turned to concern as the skeletal witch and the silent banshee began levitating towards him. The sorcerer slowly backed away, cautious of the Ghosts.

"Shang Tsung!" Quan Chi called for his Deadly Ally. "Absorb them!"

"No you don't!" Kung Lao yelled as he barged into Tsung with his shoulder when he tried to approach the Ghosts.

"Get out of here, you pest!" Shang Tsung complained as he traded strikes with Kung Lao.

"I can remove him!" Quan Chi yelled as he made a portal at Kung Lao's feet to a random location… but he hadn't anticipated that Lao would hold onto the pair of regal sashes attached to Shang Tsung's attire and drag him through the portal as well…

Meanwhile, gunfire continued atop the mountain, but it had been redirected from the tomb many minutes ago. Fujin had climbed to the top of the mountain and engaged in a conflict alone against the Red Dragon squadron. Fujin danced through the gunfire gracefully, using his powers to scatter the firearms across the mountaintop. One Red Dragon carried a massive railgun that charged up a massive red laser, similar to Hsu Hao's cybernetic heart, which pushed Fujin back whilst scorching his shirt and burning his chest.

Fujin desperately fought back against the railgun, blindly blowing wind back in the direction of the bright blast. Several Red Dragon soldiers were blown off the cliffedge, splattering on the tomb grounds below. Once the charge of the railgun had been depleted, Fujin managed to hold his ground enough to not fall off the cliff, Fujin quickly grabbed his crossbow.

"My turn," Fujin replied before firing an arrow.

Controlling the direction of the arrow with the wind, Fujin ensured that the projectile went through the railgun carrier's head. The remaining soldiers scattered around for their blown down guns whilst Fujin began firing more shots from his crossbow. Although he took no pleasure in slaying such minor threats, he knew their danger as a group and how determined they were to carry out orders. As Fujin was firing away, a sudden bright green projectile ball was launched at him. Lifting his arms up to cover his face, the projectile caused an explosion that knocked the Wind God down. As Fujin sat up, he noticed his crossbow had been shattered into several pieces from the blast. He then looked up and quickly evaded another projectile from a soldier carrying an advanced crossbow.

Fujin blew the wind in his direction, pulling the Red Dragon member with the peculiar crossbow towards him as he spun around to create a small tornado. The soldier was spun around before being tossed into another Red Dragon member. Fujin crouched down beside the crossbow they had dropped, picking it up and looking closely at it.

"Fascinating," Fujin said before aiming the crossbow at another Red Dragon member, firing the powerful crossbow and enhancing the travel of the projectile with his powers.

Upon collision, the projectile blasted the soldier over the head of the one remaining Red Dragon member on the mountain, their landing unknown. The last soldier grabbed an assault rifle and aimed it at the Wind God, their hands shaking as Fujin turned to them.

"Drop it!" Fujin ordered as he aimed the crossbow at them.

The soldier threw the gun away before sprinting down the mountain, realising they stood no chance at taking down a God on their own. Fujin kept hold of the crossbow on his way back down to the tomb. At the bottom, Nightwolf was finishing up with the Wraiths. He had circled rapidly around Solrac, causing her to spin her chains around which eventually led to her tangling herself up in her own magic. When she disabled the magic, Nightwolf rushed in with a shoulder barge that threw her into Ruutuu before knocking them both out with a lightning bolt that landed on them both.

As promised to Nyah, Nightwolf rushed over to Drahmin in order to assist Tanya in her fight with the Oni. Neither warrior was able to get the edge over the other. Drahmin would frantically swing his iron club without the thought and care that he would whilst wearing the Face of Kun-Lo. This was effective against most opponents, but Tanya's agility allowed her to repeatedly evade, but she couldn't get any hits in herself. Drahmin scurried around a split legged kick attempt and tried to land the iron club over Tanya's skull, but the pyromancer blocked with her Kobu Jutsu in both hands.

Kipping up, Tanya then swung at Drahmin for a chance, but the iron club swatted both Kobu Jutsu blades away, leaving Tanya unarmed. This was when Nightwolf intervened, tackling Drahmin and stabbing him in the chest with an energy tomahawk. Drahmin hurled a ball of the flies that would typically latch onto his rotting flesh, pushing Nightwolf away as he tried to swat them out of his line of sight. Tanya managed to jump on top of Drahmin though, digging her heels into his already wounded chest. Amon rushed over to help, but Fujin made his landing on top of her, returning from his trip to the mountaintop.

Meanwhile, Jade and Li Mei continued to work together against the lava bending Oni Beast known as Torcher. Blasting a glob of magma from his hand, Torcher tried to melt Li Mei's flesh. Executing a flip kick to evade the magma, Li Mei caught the back of her armoured heels on the bridge of Torcher's nose. The Oni Beast staggered back, outraged by the difficulty to catch his smaller foes. Li Mei fired a Nova Blast, this turned Torcher's anger into laughter.

"Is that it?!" Torcher bellowed as he dusted his chest.

"Give me a boost, Jade!" Li Mei requested.

"You've got it, darling," Jade said as she held her staff out firmly in both hands.

Using the staff as a step, Li Mei leapt onto it before jumping high into the air to strike Torcher in the eyes with a Nova Blast. The bright light and the burst of energy upon impact temporarily blinded the Oni, as well as causing him to howl in rage and agony.

"You're dead now!" Torcher yelled as he ran forth, assuming the couple was still standing before him.

Li Mei and Jade got out of the way, Jade still leaning her staff out. As Torcher ran forth, he tripped over the staff and crashed down to the ground, sliding into Quan Chi amidst his commanding of Moloch in an attempt to be rid of the nearby Ghosts.

"Watch where you're going!" Quan Chi smacked the Oni Beast with a gloved hand.

"That's my brother!" Moloch yelled.

"So?!"

"Do not disrespect him!" Moloch threatened.

"Be cautious, big man," the sorcerer advised, "your friend Drahmin has influence to make rebuttals against me and Shang Tsung… but you don't."

"Do something about it," Moloch offered as he loomed over Quan Chi, "and then we may see Drahmin's reaction."

"You're not worth it, beast," Quan turned away from Moloch. "Focus on the Ghosts!"

"Come to think of it," Moloch placed a large hand on his head whilst a thick claw scratched the contrastingly small line of fur on his head that almost resembled a mohawk, "I do not answer to your orders."

"By order of Drahmin you do!" Quan yelled.

"I don't remember that," Moloch crossed his arms as he began to take pleasure in annoying the sorcerer.

"If you don't use your suction breath, then these Ghosts will continue to bother us!" Quan Chi complained. "Follow my instructions, for your own sake!"

Just then, the Ghost of an Oni stabbed Moloch in the back with their arm, their hand replaced with a peculiar spike-like end. As the Ghost was pushed back by the dark magic of Shinnok's Amulet, Moloch patted his own body down, confused as to there being no wound.

"What was that?!" Moloch questioned.

"Phantom pain," Quan Chi clarified. "I said they'd hurt us, you fool, I didn't say they were capable of killing!"

"How irritating!" Moloch complained.

"I told you they were a nuisance!" Quan Chi yelled. "Will you deal with them now?!"

"Gladly," Moloch replied before yawning as he stepped out of the way of the banshee-like Ghost as she lunged at him.

Moloch yawned at the Ghost, an intentional move to begin his signature suction breath ability. The banshee Ghost was pulled in by Moloch's breath, before being spat back out in the face of the witch Ghost, blowing them both back. As the Oni Ghost gathered with the other bizarre spirits, Moloch inhaled deeply from his massive mouth, fitting all three Ghosts into his gob.

"Spit them out here!" Quan Chi yelled as he summoned a portal in front of the Oni Beast.

Moloch complied, letting out an exhale that pushed the three Ghosts through the portal. Quan Chi quickly shut it, keeping the spirits far away from haunting them any further.

"See how much more effective you are when you act instead of trying to think?" Quan Chi asked as he stood beside Moloch who glared at him.

"Those Ghosts didn't even taste of anything," Moloch frowned with disappointment. "Lecture me again and I'll have you satisfy my appetite."

"You Netherrealmers are so hostile to your masters," Quan Chi muttered, "and yet somehow I think you're all more obedient than Shang Tsung's Earthrealmers."

"Well done, brother," Torcher applauded Moloch's way of handling the Ghosts. "Smart move."

"That was my idea!" Quan Chi raised his voice. "Gather around, everyone, let's strategise on putting a stop to our enemies!"

"No!" Drahmin shouted as he pushed the heroes away from him before rushing over to Quan Chi, scooping his mask up off the ground in the process and putting it on. "That's enough!"

"Excuse me?"

"We're losing this fight!" Drahmin snapped. "I have too much going on to let them imprison me as they did you!"

"This decision doesn't strengthen our Outworld and Netherrealm alliance, Drahmin," Quan Chi pointed out. "Think this through."

"And you've done nothing to gain our loyalty!" Drahmin snapped. "Shang Tsung helped us dethrone Iris, but you?"

"Me and Tsung are equals at the least," Quan Chi stated.

"I don't care," Drahmin shrugged. "Take us home!"

Quan Chi stood there silently for a moment whilst several of the Union members lined up in front of the sorcerer and the Oni.

"No," Quan Chi refused. "I don't think I will."

"Do you surrender?" Fujin asked.

"The not-so-mighty Oni might," Quan Chi admitted as he stepped forth, "but I never yield!"

Lifting up Shinnok's Amulet, Quan Chi grew a boulder out of the small central gem that expanded rapidly within seconds. He infused the boulder with Shinnok's own dark magic, before blasting the massive boulder at the group. Fujin used his wind powers to try to push it back, which caused Moloch to instinctively let out a gust of breath, combating the push of the boulder and leaving it stuck in the air, blowing between the opposed sides.

Amidst this clash, Bo' Rai Cho was finally struck by a reluctant Inka. An incoming jab and light leg sweep came at him simultaneously, knocking the Protector God off his feet. Bo' Rai Cho tried to use his staff to help himself up, but Inka kicked it away before stomping on his rotund belly. Meanwhile, Hime and Hachiman joined in whilst Shayde remained lying on the ground from his stab wound as Nitara coddled Meat's lifeless body.

"He's a coward," Hachiman remarked as he kicked Bo' Rai Cho as he remained grounded, "refusing to fight."

"Let's just end it before the others realise," Hime decided as she raised a polearm over her head but Inka grabbed onto it before she could lower it.

"No!" Inka refused. "We can't kill him."

"Don't get overly sentimental, kid," Hachiman sighed as he dragged him aside. "Everyone in our lives has come and died, you'll get used to it."

"Kisama!" Hime swore. "The boy gets the picture, there's no need to say that sort of stuff!"

"I meant we literally can't… not permanently at least," Inka explained. "Gods just reform if they die."

"Who told you that nonsense?" Hime asked.

"The fat one," Hachiman answered as if it were obvious.

"It's the truth!" Bo' Rai Cho shouted. "The moment I reform in the Heavens, I will crash back here on Earth so that you two may experience your own afterlife… heh… a far warmer one…"

"You couldn't kill no one," Hachiman sighed. "Do it already, Okita!"

"Don't!" Inka argued. "It's pointless!"

"Get away from him!" Nitara hissed before throwing a kama that stabbed Okita Hime in the back.

Hime held onto her sasumata polearm, the two points of the curved blade stabbing into Bo' Rai Cho's chest off the unintentional stumble. Hachiman spun around, preparing to fire an arrow from his bow, but Nitara sliced her remaining kama through the air. The curved blade caught the arrow and snapped it in half. Injured but determined to keep fighting, Nitara hissed at Hachiman. Other heroes attempted to aid the Vampire, but Quan Chi summoned a wall made of skulls that went from one wall of the tomb buildings to the other, continuing to build it whilst Shinnok's Amulet continued to fight against the Wind God's might.

"I've worked alongside vampire hunters, y'know?" Hachiman said as he thrusted his spear at Nitara who dashed backwards to evade the tip of the polearm.

"How come?" Nitara asked, her hands tense as her claw-like nails were ready to strike.

"They were bounty hunters that Shao Kahn needed taming," Hachiman recalled.

"And Tsung passes down his dirty work to his jolly old leeches," Nitara nodded. "I know how you pathetic excuses for humans operate."

"Nothing personal," Hachiman sighed as he thrusted the spear again, this time Nitara ducked and grabbed onto the pole.

"Let me guess; just business?" Nitara finished his sentence. "For a group of stooges who the slimy sorcerer never pays? Most ridiculous of all is your scummy outlaw who hasn't even turned up! Thousands of years searching for the right group and he's come back with goons incapable of killing a wounded bat!"

"We are the greatest warriors of our time!" Hachiman argued. "With Shang Tsung we're the Everlasting Eight!"

"The what?!" Nitara laughed loudly, clutching her sides. "Your time has passed, man, walk away."

"So has the time of the Vampires," Hachiman replied, "and the time of that flesh bag you call a friend."

"Now you can't walk away," Nitara hissed as she yanked the spear out of Hachiman's grasp amidst their struggle. "I'm going to free you from your sad, pathetic life!"

"I've 'eard… a-fuckin-nuff…"

Nitara spun around, hissing as he saw the badly wounded Kendrick Shayde ready the blunderbuss once more. Despite having an injured wing, Nitara lunged at the pirate, snatching the firearm from the incapacitated captain.

"Oi!" Shayde yelled. "For fuck sake-"

A loud, sharp explosion rang out throughout the White Lotus Tomb. Hachiman gasped as he witnessed his fellow member of the newly dubbed Everlasting Eight have their face blown away by the blunderbuss. In a fit of rage, Hachiman screamed as he charged at Nitara, catching her off guard with a dive tackle. Although his spear had been disarmed, Hachiman held tightly to a lone arrow, before lodging it in Nitara's left eye.

"You look like a pirate now!" Hachiman yelled as he picked Nitara up into a knee followed by a spinning elbow. "You'll soon look like a more specific pirate to pay for what you've done to Cap!"

Hachiman grabbed the blunderbuss, but was confused on how it worked. After fiddling with the firearm for a long few seconds, he looked up to see Nitara jump at him. Nitara began biting at Hachiman's helmet, her fangs catching the circular holes that he used to see through and breathe. Whilst doing this, she tried to rip Hachiman's helmet off to expose his head, but the experienced warrior wrapped an arm around her legs to trap her as he ran forth. Nitara then felt a sharp pain go through her back and out her chest, piercing her on the same naginata that Kendrick Shayde's fresh corpse found itself on.

"Impressive what these fools can achieve when motivated," Quan Chi chuckled as he peaked at the conflict from afar through an intentional gap he left in the wall of skulls.

"Step away from her!" Bo' Rai Cho demanded as he lifted a foot high into the air before slamming it down onto the ground, shaking the tomb.

Using his godly powers, Bo' Rai Cho created an earthquake that split a gap in the ground, causing both Hachiman and Hime to slip through the cracks and fall inside the tomb. It pained Bo' Rai Cho to desecrate the sacred ground, but plenty of damage had already been done to it… he now had to take full action to save those who still lived.

Rubble collapsed down within the tomb itself with Vera having to brace as rocks came crashing down. Another part of the tomb that was collapsing was Quan Chi's wall. The sorcerer hadn't anticipated this and as a result his guard was lowered. Tanya dove at the sorcerer with her drill-like kick, her feet smashing into the sorcerer's shins as she caused him to fall forward. She then flipped back as the Oni tried to attack her, leaping down the crack made in the ground. Tanya promised Jax that she would protect Vera, and now found herself looking around the rubble for her and Daahraan.

"Vera?!" Tanya called out for. "Daahraan?!"

Tanya became nervous as she couldn't hear a response, but soon overheard muffled cries for help behind a gathering of debris. Using her Pyromancy to blast the debris away, Tanya rushed to Vera and Daahraan's side, embracing her father figure.

"He'll be alright," Vera assured her. "I'm not sure about the others though…"

"Sindel…" Tanya sighed as she looked up. "She's bleeding out somewhere."

"I'm going to start doing evac," Vera decided. "There's a hole in the tomb wall, I can subtly carry any wounded away from this mess through there."

"I'll bring the others," Tanya promised as the two shook hands.

"Please hurry," Vera requested as Tanya used her Pyromancy to lift herself high into the air, clinging onto the edge of the cracks left in the earth from Bo' Rai Cho's might.

"I've got you!" Bo' Rai Cho yelled as he yanked Tanya up to the surface with one arm.

"Thanks," Tanya replied before rushing off to Sindel's body, unsure on whether or not she was even alive.

"There will be even more wounded," Hachiman stood up, his helmet sideways as he pushed several fallen rocks off of him whilst Hime coughed under a large pile of rubble that had fallen on her, the pair gathering their senses within the tomb. "You cannot save them all, nurse."

"Shit," Vera spun around to face the two warriors. "Didn't see you two."

"As blind as that overrated amateur swordsman," Hachiman scoffed as he kicked the rubble off of Hime. "Perhaps you're next to join the wounded."

"And yet you haven't seen me!" Nyah yelled right as she sprung out of the shadows.

Nyah tackled Hachiman as the two rolled across the ground. Hachiman began headbutting Nyah as she attempted to pin him down, her hands lighting aflame which began to heat his armour to an agonising degree. Hachiman kicked Nyah back, the Pyromancer slamming her back against a pillar. Hachiman then crawled along the ground, grabbing Nyah's legs as he reached her. Nyah threw a flaming fist at Hachiman's head but his helmet was ample protection from any damage, allowing Hachiman to use all his strength to lift Nyah up whilst standing up himself. Spinning her around, Hachiman released Nyah which sent her crashing spine first into the stone pillar, a jagged corner almost breaking her back. Hachiman then ran at Nyah as she tried standing up, hugging the pillar for support. Hachiman jumped and spread his body sideways, driving Nyah through the pillar with a crossbody block manoeuvre.

"Now…" Hachiman grunted as he got up from the rubble and turned to Vera. "Where were we?"

"Keep away from me, weirdo," Vera said as she backed up against an old and dusty stone wall.

"You clearly take pride in your work," Hachiman voiced his admiration as he walked towards Vera. "I do too, so I respect that."

"Okay?" Vera replied with nervousness in her voice, feeling a sense of awkwardness as well. "So what?"

"Just know this isn't personal, ma'am," Hachiman said as he now stood just an inch from Vera.

"Ma'am?!" Vera scoffed before smacking Hachiman in his face, his loose helmet falling off. "How old do you think I am?!"

Hachiman looked up, revealing his youthful face. He had long black hair that was unkempt and Vera could already smell that it was rarely washed. Due to the slowed ageing magic granted by Shang Tsung, Hachiman still appeared to be in his twenties despite exceeding the one hundred year milestone a few years ago. Before he could even reply, Vera smacked him again, catching him around the ear which caused an irritating ringing sound for a few moments.

"It's just an expression!" Hachiman cried out before striking Vera with a backfist. "You're crazy!"

"Says the dork named 'Hachiman'," Vera said as she held her cheek whilst leaning against the wall. "That's the Shinto god of war, right?"

"What of it?"

"You don't represent the gimmick at all," Vera rolled her eyes. "How old are you anyway? I'm sure you've had plenty of time to come up with something better."

"You're a mythologist too, huh?"

"You get into some weird hobbies when you become a mom," Vera explained, "needed something to get into when I was on break from nursing people that assholes like you hurt!"

"I don't want your life story, woman!" Hachiman raised his voice as he lifted Vera off the ground by the collar of her buttoned up shirt.

"Of course not," Vera said with a look of anger at Hachiman. "My life has been more eventful than the hundreds of years you've been screwing around slaving away for an evil sorcerer!"

"It's only been a hundred," Hachiman corrected her.

"Like that's much better," Vera scoffed. "Want to stop screwing around for once? I dare you to kill me! I've done plenty in this life and my work will live on throughout realms! My legacy will live on through my beautiful daughter! What the fuck do you have after your hundred years!?"

"I…" Hachiman paused, hand shaking as he pressed Vera against the wall.

"I'm up…" Hime said weakly as she pushed some rocks aside. "What are you waiting for, Hach, kill-"

Hime fell over from her injuries, landing on her hands as she looked down at the gravel coated floor of the tomb. Hachiman sighed before throwing Vera aside and walking to Hime's side, helping her up.

"I appreciate it," Hime thanked him as her eyes scoured the room. "What about that girl?"

"She's a nurse," Hachiman replied. "Her fate is inconsequential to us."

"Let's take those stairs then," Hime pointed across the room to the exit, "join the others."

"I'm right beside you," Hachiman replied as they walked side by side to the tomb exit whilst Vera cowered behind a casket that inside lay one of the many honourable monks who had passed away over the years.

"Nicely done," Daahraan praised as he remained laid out on the floor with Vera rushed to his side.

"I was quite worried," Vera admitted. "I'm worried about Jax too."

"If you're a survivor of this conflict then he'll no doubt be fine," Daahraan reassured her.

"Shit," Vera swore as she saw Nyah writhing in pain in the pile of what remained of the broken pillar. "Poor Nyah, that's another patient…"

"Go check on her," Daahraan advised.

"But what about you?" Vera asked. "How are you feeling?"

"I'll live," Daahraan smiled. "I may seem like a frail old man… well… I am a frail old man, but I'll live… we'll live."

On the surface, Fujin rushed at Quan Chi. Surrounding himself in a small tornado, Fujin dove at the sorcerer and blew him back towards the bridge. The Oni surrounded the Wind God with Moloch being quick to attempt to crush Fujin with the Mystical Orb, but Fujin rolled forth, sliding between the Oni Beast's legs. Moloch went to chase after him, but Li Mei hurled a Nova Blast at the back of his head.

"Who dares?!" Moloch howled as he quickly spun around.

"Not bad aim," Jade complimented.

"You're better," Li replied as she gave a nod whilst looking at the glaive attached to Jade's hip.

"Oh!" Jade realised as she reached for the glaive. "My turn!"

As Moloch charged at the engaged couple, Jade threw the razorang which sliced Moloch's chin open before returning to her.

"May I have a boost, Master?" Li Mei asked as she looked at Bo' Rai Cho.

"Of course!" Bo' Rai Cho said eagerly, throwing his staff aside and cupping his hands together.

Li Mei stepped onto Bo' Rai Cho's hands and leapt off, performing a flip in the air as her heel came crashing down on the top of Moloch's head. The other Oni rushed to his aid, but more heroes came to aid Jade and Li Mei. Nightwolf was quick to start firing arrows into Torcher's chest, dividing the attention of the two Oni brothers. Drahmin leapt up and went to hit a sneak attack on Nightwolf, but Ermac threw him back with their magic.

"We're not… finished…" Ermac groaned weakly as they stood back to back with Nightwolf as Torcher and Amon circled them.

"Neither are we," Amon remarked confidently.

"We Oni are relentless!" Torcher yelled as he went to strike, but Asgaarth swooped in and began pecking at Torcher's face with his pointy beak. "Get him off!"

"Oh my," Moloch laughed. "You've grown, Herald."

Moloch went to aid his brother, but Li Mei once again began irritating him with more Nova Blast projectiles. Moloch howled before chasing after her and Jade. At the back of the tomb, Hachiman and Hime emerged from the stairway and rushed over to aid their Netherrealm allies. This was when Kung Jin and Kai rushed in, determined to help protect their friends. Bo' Rai Cho glanced around amidst the conflict, his discarded staff remaining in the air as a strong gale fell upon the forest, blowing his signature weapon around the tomb.

"Inka!" Bo' Rai Cho spotted the son of Apep across the area, clutching onto what remained of a fence to remain standing against the wind. "You must surrender!"

"I must do anything but that!" Inka argued, shouting over the howling wind. "My dad will be killed if I rejoin you! I must stay to keep him safe!"

"This is too heavy of a weight to be placed upon yourself!" Bo' Rai Cho argued. "Shang Tsung manipulates, it's how he's become so powerful, I'm afraid… and it pains me to say it…"

"Afraid of what?!"

"That Apep's life is forfeit regardless of what you do…" Bo' Rai Cho lowered his voice.

"No!" Apep denied the thought. "I must try!"

"I too believe in never giving up on others, especially family," Bo' Rai Cho related. "You shouldn't have to sacrifice yourself though!"

"I've heard enough!" Inka yelled as he ripped a post from the already damaged red fence before running at Outworld's Protector God.

With a heavy swing of the pole as if it were a hammer, Inka aimed for Bo' Rai Cho's head. Bo' Rai Cho fell flat on his back to duck the attack, whilst also sending a shockwave through the ground that launched Inka into the air whilst bouncing Bo' Rai Cho back up. His godly might giving his weight more strength, Bo' Rai Cho slammed down on top of Inka before wrapping his chunky arms around his neck for a chokehold. It took several long seconds but Bo' Rai Cho eventually managed to make Inka pass out. Once he realised this, Bo' Rai Cho gently set his unconscious body aside before turning his attention to Quan Chi as Fujin rushed at the sorcerer on the bridge.

"Coming to join the festivities, drunkard?!" Quan Chi spun his head around to lock his evil red eyes with Bo' Rai Cho. "I doubt that breezy here can handle a future God alone."

"You'll never be granted such a status!" Fujin yelled as he swung at him, turning his whole body in the air to increase the power of his punch. "Release the actual Gods you wrongly imprisoned!" Fujin yelled. "Release my friends!"

"Good luck extracting them when this very Amulet holds Shinnok too," Quan Chi laughed as he leapt out of the way of Fujin's punches. "You're welcome to join them, however."

"You're welcome to die," Fujin remarked as he blew the wind towards Quan Chi's back, dragging him into a devastating punch. "Death to the Deadly Alliance!"

"Death to the Deadly Alliance," Bo' Rai Cho echoed the sentiment as he leapt up into the air, landing on the roof of the bridge and smashing through using his belly right above Quan Chi.

Quan Chi smashed through the bridge under Bo' Rai Cho's weight, the pair making a splash in the river below. Fujin surrounded them both with wind that blew at the water furiously, lifting the water like a geyser as Quan Chi and Bo' Rai Cho traded blows. The sorcerer got the edge when he summoned a skull in the palm of his hand before smashing it over Bo' Rai Cho's own skull before kicking him back into the river.

"You're thick in both ways," Quan Chi laughed at Bo' Rai Cho as he swam to the riverside. "I cannot die."

"We know that's a lie, Demon," Fujin focused as he prepared his new crossbow to fire a bolt of powerful energy at the sorcerer's back, blasting him into the water.

"Pfah!" Quan Chi spat a gob full of water as his head emerged from beneath the river. "You're Gods, you surely know that Demons return from death… my magic means that the Netherrealm is unable to hold me."

"I shall pry Shinnok's Amulet from your cold dead hands!" Fujin yelled as he stepped down towards the water before sending a tornado that travelled partway underwater.

"What a colourful threat!" Quan Chi complimented as he stuck Shinnok's Amulet out at the tornado. "Water!"

The magical gemstone in the centre of Shinnok's Amulet began absorbing the water of the river, forming a protective mesh that shielded Quan Chi from any attacks made by the Wind God.

The Amulet gathered all the nearby water in the river within mere moments, and Quan Chi soon unleashed the tsunami upon Fujin who tried to fly over it, but was soon thrown down under the giant wave. After smashing into the ground, Quan Chi manipulated the water into drowning Fujin within a large sphere. He then sent a fireball from the Amulet that created a pit of flames beneath the bubble, boiling the water before casting it up into the air as the bubble broke apart.

"You're doing a great job allowing me to experiment with all my fun new abilities!" Quan Chi yelled as he began creating a giant skull and sticking a boulder in its mouth. "Catch!"

Quan Chi nonchalantly dropped the skull through a portal at the ground that dropped it down on the Wind God as he fell from the sky, hastening his descent into the ground. The scattered water of what was once the river turned into a shower of rain around Fujin's crash site as the unfortunate Wind God crashed into the earth, leaving a sizable crater behind. Quan Chi placed a gloved hand on his chin as he burst into laughter. His face of joy soon turned to shock as he felt Bo' Rai Cho wrap his arms around his waist before suplexing him over his head, driving Quan Chi head first into the ground. With the water in the river being depleted, this left behind a trench-like ditch that Bo' Rai Cho stood over Quan Chi within. The sorcerer went to stand, but Bo' Rai Cho jumped on his gut.

"Is… that all?!" Quan Chi grunted.

"No," Bo' Rai Cho shook his head, "far from it."

Quan Chi suddenly felt the weight of Bo' Rai Cho increase and with it so did the pressure of his feet pressing into his exposed torso. As Bo' Rai Cho used his godly powers to manipulate his body weight despite his appearance remaining unchanged, he began sinking into the ground with the sorcerer still beneath his feet. Quan Chi struggled to breathe from the pressure on his front, whilst his back was repeatedly pushed through layers upon layers of dirt and stone, rocks slicing at his back and his unique chestplate having the spikes snap as the Netherrealm materials that made up the light armour began to literally crack under pressure.

"Yield!" Bo' Rai Cho demanded. "I can crush you down into the core of the Earth if I so choose!"

Quan Chi couldn't reply through the pain, as desperate as he was to make a witty rebuttal. He also wished to summon a portal to escape the pit, but the pressure interrupted such a demanding spell. His eventual solution was to cling onto the sides of the hole being burrowed, his fingers dragging down the stone, the pale whiteness of his fingertips becoming immediately bruised and some fingers having their layers of skin ripped off. Through the pain, Quan Chi soon began attaching bones he was summoning as he was dragged down the hole, starting off small and building up into complete skeletal arms. The arms began grabbing and tugging at Bo' Rai Cho, but he was too heavy for them to lift. Quan Chi grimaced, both in frustration and pain.

The true solution then came to the battered sorcerer, he managed to make a small portal big enough to fit his hand, allowing him to pick Shinnok's Amulet up as he had dropped it upon Bo' Rai Cho throwing him to the ground. He then blasted a beam of dark magic from the Amulet, pushing Bo' Rai Cho back. Once the burst of magic ceased, Quan Chi quickly pressed the Amulet against one side of the hole, almost instantly beginning to shape a tunnel to the side that he could crawl into before Bo' Rai Cho landed on him. Bo' Rai Cho then grabbed Quan Chi but the sorcerer spun him around within the tunnel and began holding Shinnok's Amulet behind him. Despite the awkward positioning, Quan Chi was able to start filling in the earth whilst clinging to the Protector God, which soon began pushing the pair through the ground in an upwards direction. After a painful minute, Bo' Rai Cho and Quan Chi both shot out of the ground at the end of the riverbank, the sorcerer being launched into a nearby tree.

"Ugh…" Bo' Rai Cho groaned as he dusted himself off. "You sure are resourceful, sorcerer."

Slipping off the branch he landed on, Quan Chi fell through a portal and landed on top of Bo' Rai Cho, revelling in the opportunity to begin stomping him back. He then paused amidst trampling the Protector God, as a sudden thought crossed his mind.

"Where's the Amulet?!" Quan Chi asked.

Before Quan Chi could locate the powerful artefact, a beam of dark magic was blasted at him. Quan Chi was thrown into the tree again, this time he smashed through the entire trunk which sent wooden splinters scattering throughout the once quiet and peaceful woods. The sorcerer gasped as he looked over to see Fujin pick up Shinnok's Amulet and glare at the sorcerer with a look of anger that could rival the high tempered emotions of his brother.

"I won't even have to smite you," Fujin remarked, "I will simply drag you into the Amulet for what you've done!"

"You have no understanding of the Amulet," Quan Chi chuckled as he stood up slowly. "You know neither how to free your friends, nor how to imprison me."

Squeezing the Amulet tightly, Fujin was able to unleash the most simple of abilities that Shinnok's Amulet possessed; blasting a projectile of lethal dark magic. Quan Chi fell through a portal to evade the projectile and emerged behind Fujin. He raised his arms over Fujin's head, summoning his broadswords, and slamming them down into Fujin's shoulders. Bo' Rai Cho rushed to the Wind God's aid, spreading his arms out in a sumo fighting style stance as he went in to grab Quan Chi.

"Do not put your hands on your emperor, fool!" Quan Chi yelled as he swung the broadswords at an unarmed Bo' Rai Cho. The Protector God of Outworld grabbed onto both blades, and began wrestling them from Quan's grasp. Despite the cutting feeling in his fingers, Bo' Rai Cho managed to pull one sword away before swinging it at the sorcerer who blocked it with his remaining blade.

"You will be stopped!" Bo' Rai Cho told himself as he pushed the sword closer to Quan Chi, using his superior strength to push the sorcerer back.

Quan Chi laughed and moments later Bo' Rai Cho could hear footsteps nearby. They had made it to the end of what was once the riverbank, where the skeletons of the fallen Shaolin had been risen from the dead by Quan Chi. The obedience skeletons began to pile on top of Bo' Rai Cho, breaking him away from his clash with Quan Chi. The sorcerer walked over the pile of skeletons to look for Fujin, smiling at the sight of the Wind God clutching his shoulder wounds.

"Two more Gods shall fall to me," Quan Chi laughed as he picked up Shinnok's Amulet from the ground and pointed it at Fujin. "Prepare to join the other elementals…"

Deep within the woods, another clash of blades was ongoing. Kitana ducked as Daegon sliced his pair of Drakeswords in a motion that scratched the blades together in an attempt to behead the Queen of Edenia. Kitana then rolled to the side of Daegon before making a tornado with her own wind powers to thrust her hip into Daegon, slamming the Demi-God into a tree. Daegon almost fell over, but he stabbed both Drakeswords into the hardened dirt beneath their feet, holding himself up.

"Traitor!" Kitana cried out as she kicked Daegon right on the bridge of his nose before stabbing him with a closed fan in the chest and pressing him against the nearby tree that shaded their conflict. "My mother… I'm going to lose her again… because of YOU!"

"Sorry that this has become a… personal matter to you," Daegon apologised calmly, not reacting at all to the blade that was being dug into his flesh. "I assure you that my actions are purely for the benefit of our realm, and all others too."

"You work for Shang Tsung and Quan Chi!" Kitana scoffed. "You're either delusional or an appaling liar!"

"I will deal with them in due time," Daegon promised as he shoved Kitana back with relative ease. "I hope you take comfort in knowing that when you're in the Heavens, Queen, I will be the saviour to our realm, and I shall continue efforts to salvage Outworld," he claimed, "dealing with Outworld wasn't part of my initial plan but you're certainly correct about those sorcerers being unfit leaders… however, they are useful pawns for the time being."

"No," Kitana shook her head. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I was underestimating you before," Daegon admitted. "You're a very credible fighter, one of the best I have fought over my long and eventful life."

"I don't need you to tell me that!" Kitana snapped. "I need you to die!"

"Likewise, I require your death," Daegon related with a sigh as he sheathed his Drakeswords behind his cloak. "I shall make this quick."

With a sudden movement, Daegon's hands ignited in flames. He then blasted a fireball at Kitana, who barely managed to deflect it by spreading out one of her steel fans, the heat scorching the leaves around them as the fireball bounced around the woods. Kitana darted forward, aiming a high kick at Daegon's head, but he spun backward in a blur. The cape attached to his intricately designed armour flapped in the air as he turned, evading Kitana's kick. Daegon then shot forward with a devastating punch that sent Kitana flying backwards, crashing into a thicket. Kitana quickly regained her footing, eyes narrowing. Daegon wasted no time and charged again. He quickly rammed his shoulder into Kitana which sent her sprawling to the ground.

"I won't fail…" Kitana said between gasps for air. "You're not going to win this, Daegon, you… you can't," she claimed as she flipped herself back to her feet and rapidly waved her fan in order to create a wind barrier around herself.

"Let us see about that," Daegon replied as he began to roll toward her with incredible speed. Once he popped up from the offensive roll, Daegon delivered an uppercut that sent Kitana soaring into the air.

Twisting mid-air, Kitana unfurled her fans and used them to control her descent, landing gracefully on a branch. She looked down at Daegon, eyes blazing with determination. "This ends now!" she shouted, leaping from the branch and sending a whirlwind of razor-sharp air blades toward him.

Daegon drew his Drakeswords and crossed them in front of him, deflecting the magical air blades, but the force pushed him back, his feet digging trenches into the dirt. He roared in frustration, summoning flames to surround his body as he prepared for another assault.

Kitana landed in front of him, her steel fan at the ready. "For Edenia!" she cried, charging at Daegon with all her might.

With a look of rage on his scarred face, Daegon turned one Drakesword in an upwards motion whilst thrusting the other at Kitana's body. The upward slice parried the steel fan whilst the other attempted to gut the Edenian Queen, but Kitana once again used her agility to dash backwards in order to evade being stabbed.

Kitana then focused on her other steel fan, still stabbed deeply into Daegon's body in one of the few areas of his armour that remained exposed. Using her powers, Kitana opened the fan from afar, the blade expanding inside Daegon's body. The Demi-God yelled in agony as Kitana ran up to him, stepping off the impaled blade and stomping on Daegon with both of her heels driving into the top of his bald head.

Daegon stumbled backwards after Kitana yanked her second fan blade from his chest. After taking a deep breath, Daegon straightened his posture and pointed both Drakeswords at his worthy challenger.

"What is it you said?" Daegon asked. "The comment you made before your crafty manoeuvre from those peculiar weapons… 'for Edenia' was it?"

"Yes," Kitana confirmed as Daegon's godly blood dripped from her blades. "Also for my mother as well as all the other realms that monsters like you threaten."

"How could you possibly know what is best for Edenia?" Daegon asked. "Your homerealm ceased to exist when you were a mere baby."

"I've learnt a lot about Edenian history, Daegon," Kitana replied, "including stories about you and the rest of your family."

"Then you know that Edenia relied on us for protection," Daegon replied as the two began circling each other. "My spineless father removed us from our duties against our will, and left Edenia's primary defences in the hands of your weak parents."

"How dare you!" Kitana yelled, angered by the remark made about her family.

"How will you react when the next threat arrives at the Grand Palace's doors?" Daegon inquired as Kitana glared angrily at him. "Will you actually protect your home, or will you give it all away? Like your mother. Like your father. Like your sister."

"Those threats shall share the same fate as you!" Kitana shouted as she rushed forward. "Death!"

Kitana's fury ignited, she cried out as she aggressively lunged at Daegon with her fans, aiming to stab him repeatedly. Daegon managed to block the onslaught of attacks with his Drakeswords, but Kitana's relentless assault pushed him back. Channelling her wind powers, Kitana created a swirling blue tornado around them. The powerful winds lifted Daegon off his feet, disorienting him. Kitana directed the tornado towards a nearby tree. The vortex of wind and debris smashed Daegon through the thick trunk, shattering it upon impact and sending splinters flying in all directions. Daegon lay on the ground, momentarily stunned, as Kitana stood over him, her fans poised to strike.

Daegon rolled back before Kitana could slay him, quickly getting to his feet and thrusting his Drakeswords forth. Kitana jumped over the swords and went to pierce a steel fan in Daegon's head, but he dropped a Drakesword to free up a hand that caught Kitana's arm out the air, pulling her into a full force headbutt. Daegon held onto her arm, the fire aura around him burning Kitana upon contact. Kitana slashed Daegon's arm with a fan, causing Daegon to release her from his fiery clutches. Kitana staggered back against the tree, quickly ducking as Daegon clutched onto a Drakesword with both hands before delivering a powerful swing.

Kitana ducked, the Drakesword managing to slice the tree in half. As the chopped down tree came crashing down, Kitana aimed her enchanted fans upwards to send a blast of wind that she controlled to drop the tree on Daegon. The Demi-God twirled his Drakesword in the air, chopping the tree up into several tiny pieces whilst preventing the log from crushing him. The fallen tree still served as a distraction, however, as Kitana tossed one of her fans that sliced into one of Daegon's arms.

"Agh!" Daegon grunted as he clutched his arm. "Well played."

"This isn't over!" Kitana yelled as she used her powers to launch herself up into the air.

Daegon ducked as Kitana flew through the air with a front kick. Kitana instead connected with a bush covered in pointy brambles. Daegon picked up his dropped Drakesword and realised it had set fire to the grass, twigs, leaves and other foliage around the ground of the woods. The fire soon began spreading towards the trees. Kitana pulled herself out of the prickly bush and sent a pair of waves of wind to blow the approaching flames back at Daegon who absorbed them before unleashing a pulse of fire around him that knocked Kitana further back into the bushes that surrounded the outskirts of the woods. Daegon chased after her, sheathing his swords as he ran.

"Burn with me, Queen!" Daegon roared as he grabbed Kitana and ran through the thicket with her in his fiery clutches.

Kitana closed her fans and began repeatedly stabbing the small blades into Daegon's exposed sides, but the Demi-God pushed on through the ongoing stabbing. Once they had exited the forest, leaving a seared path behind, Daegon threw Kitana down in a farming field right beside the forest that led down to Lianhua Village. Kitana rolled around in a cabbage patch as Daegon rushed after her, trying to stab her with the Drakeswords. Kitana spun her body around to evade being stabbed, and slid her leg across so that it swept Daegon off his feet. Kitana stood over Daegon, who reacted by slicing a Drakesword sideways, cutting her stomach.

Kitana cried out in pain as she stumbled back, clutching her gut. Daegon used his Drakeswords for support to help him stand up, before he blasted a pair of fireballs from the tips of the blades that joined together to form a massive projectile that blasted Kitana across the farm. She landed somewhere in a large cornfield, Daegon unsure of her exact landing spot. He sighed, realising he might've just inadvertently saved the Edenian Queen's life by forgetting the strength of his own power.

"Where are you hiding?!" Daegon yelled out as he approached the cornfield. "Step out here now, coward!"

No response.

Kitana remained sprawled out on a patch of corn her body had crushed, dazed from the encounter with Daegon. Kitana heard his voice calling out for her, but she chose not to respond after examining her own injuries.

"I can't beat him…" Kitana sobbed to herself. "Perhaps I am a… failure."

"Fine then, keep yourself hidden!" Daegon was uninterested in playing a game of hide and seek. "I suggest you retreat then, Queen Kitana, farewell for now!"

Daegon sheathed his swords and lit the tip of his index finger with a flame that he carried to the cornfield, lighting the crops aflame with the fire spreading rapidly. He then walked away with his back turned to the growing fire, violent and angry red flames burning behind him as he walked down to Lianhua Village to reunite with the rest of the Red Dragon clan.

The explosions around Lianhua Village had already been detonated and the village was as ablaze as the farm, houses and market stalls turning to ashes as Daegon walked through the chaos. He was unhappy at the sight of his own soldiers attacking inconsequential civilians, but he understood that compliance with such plans was essential for maintaining a strong enough relationship with the ever resourceful sorcerers.

Thick plumes of black smoke billowed into the sky, as fires raged uncontrollably, consuming the traditional huts and spreading rapidly from one thatched roof to the next. The serene cobblestone streets were now littered with debris, and the air was filled with the acrid smell of burning wood and straw.

Panicked villagers scrambled to escape the inferno, their faces etched with fear and desperation. Cries for help and shouts of alarm echoed throughout the village, mingling with the deafening blasts of further detonations from further down the village, no doubt orchestrated by the peculiar Kasem.

Menacing figures from the Red Dragon clan moved through the chaos, their presence marked by the glint of melee weapons and the flash of firelight on their crimson uniforms. They brandished their melee weapons and firearms proudly, threatening the terrified villagers and driving them from their homes amidst their destruction. Flames leapt from building to building, consuming everything in their path and casting a hellish glow over the scene. Destruction was everywhere with charred remnants of huts smouldered in the aftermath of the explosions, whilst large sections of the village were reduced to smoking rubble.

The marketplace that Daegon walked through was once a hub of communal life, but it now lay in ruins, its stalls overturned or outright disintegrated and goods scattered amidst the wreckage. Most curious of all the sights to Daegon was… looters. Unkempt men and women in various unmatching attires were quick to gather the remaining goods from the marketplace, stuffing any valuables in their unorganised pockets. Daegon could tell that these weren't merchants recovering their remaining goods as most of their corpses already littered the street… they were something else… something worse.

"Scum!" Daegon insulted as he pressed a Drakesword to the back of one man who wore a leather jacket with a tacky logo on it… the emblem of the Black Dragon clan. "What brings your kind here?!"

"Ease off my boys," came a reply from the other side of the marketplace.

"Mr. Morris, I presume?"

"It's Rojack, asshole," he replied with his arms crossed. "Learn it."

"You aren't worth my attention, filth," Daegon remarked as he shoved the Black Dragon member to the floor. "What are you doing here, Jack?"

"Didn't you get the memo?" Rojack asked. "We're partners now."

"Where's my second in command?" Daegon asked. "I want his opinion, I never trust the words of a Black Dragon."

"And I wouldn't trust the words of a self acclaimed God," Rojack scoffed. "Absolute bullshit story, lad."

"Where's Mavado?!" Daegon raised his voice.

"Grandmaster!" Mavado shouted as he ran down the street to greet him.

"What's with these Black Dragon dogs?" Daegon questioned.

"The Deadly Alliance apparently recruited them," Mavado explained.

"What do they offer them?" Daegon scoffed. "Did they by chance say your reward would be our demise, Jack? If so then know that's never occurring."

"It wasn't really by choice," Rojack sighed.

"I would normally not believe them," Mavado continued his analysis, "but considering their knowledge of the sorcerers and shared intel about this operation, they must be telling the truth."

"For once," Daegon agreed. "Of course Shang Tsung never communicated this to us."

"Don't go bitching," Rojack told them. "We're here to help."

"They have new recruits, Grandmaster," Mavado informed him. "The clan has changed a lot under new leadership."

"And their new leader is?" Daegon wondered.

"Quinn!" Rojack called for as the large imposing Black Dragon enforcer stepped around the corner of a dojo.

"Finally," Daegon sighed, "your one professional man."

"He's the new leader?" Mavado presumed.

"I answer to Doctor Rotwang," Quinn revealed as he tossed a phone to Mavado.

"This him?" Mavado asked.

"Greetings, my old Dragon friends," Rotwang spoke through the loud speaker.

"Hey there, traitor," Mavado replied. "You're running this show then?"

"Kano made a mess of everything," Rotwang replied. "He prioritised chaos over business."

"Agreeable," Mavado admitted, as rare as it was.

"I'm changing the clan for the better," Rotwang promised. "I've already gathered suitable new recruits that are young yet experienced, powerful, capable of handling the hard jobs, et cetera."

"A step in the right direction," Daegon himself agreed.

"Is that you, Daegon?" Rotwang called out.

"I'm here," Daegon confirmed. "Made any profits from switching sides yet? From stabbing my clan in the back?!"

"I'm about to," Rotwang assured him. "The smaller pond meant I could establish more control, and work on projects less ridiculous than some of your outlandish proposals."

"We're yet to see a failed experiment, Doctor," Daegon informed him. "Your desertion merely makes these projects take far longer and require far more scientists than I'd like to expend."

"I'd be happy to aid with your projects… for a price," Rotwang suggested a partnership. "You shall see that our clans are more alike than ever."

Mavado laughed. "Delusional old bastard," the subleader said as he tossed the phone back to Quinn. "I apologise, Grandmaster Daegon, but there are more important matters to attend to than hearing this nonsense."

"Around half of our targets were sent here," Daegon informed him. "Have they arrived?"

"That's what I was getting to," Mavado elaborated, "they've gone around and have breached the north gates."

"Both Red and Black Dragons fight against them," Quinn added.

"Hsu Hao leads them," Mavado stated, "so I trust they're being dealt with, but we should join the fray urgently."

"I'll lead the way," Daegon decided. "Tell your pathetic looters to move forth, Jack."

"C'mon now, peeps," Rojack called for them. "We've got ourselves a fight."

"Where's my half brother?" Daegon asked, referring to Rain.

"No clue," Mavado admitted. "He should be in the main conflict, but… it'd be pretty hard to miss him in a sea of red."

"He knows the cost of desertion," Daegon stated.

"His main pupil is at the battle," Mavado noted.

"What about Epos?" Daegon asked Mavado as they began marching down the streets, slaughtering any villagers that they encountered.

"Beside some trees up ahead," Mavado informed him. "Holding a former Black Dragon."

"Former?" Rojack raised an eyebrow as he used a burning wooden carriage as a light for his cigarette.

"Kabal," Mavado revealed.

"Finish him," Daegon ordered. "I understand your preference for torture, but we must eliminate these threats."

"Of course, Grandmaster," Mavado understood as he split off from the group. "It shall be done!"

"Ugh…" Daegon groaned as he led the Black Dragon members to the main conflict ahead. "How have I found myself in this situation?"

"Surprised you're experiencing the action for yourself," Rotwang commented from the phone.

"You haven't hung him up yet?" Daegon sighed again. "This is a serious operation, Rotwang, and your clan threatens to make a mockery of my careful planning!"

"Careful planning?" Rotwang repeated before laughing. "Tsung cooked this one up, Daegon, your soldiers are just… well just that! Soldiers. Bodies. Expendables."

"Silence him," Daegon demanded in a deep voice.

"Calm down," Rotwang advised. "I'm going."

"Then go," Daegon demanded. "Go and pray that I choose to spare your minions when this is all over."

"Good luck, folks," Rotwang wished before hanging up himself. Quinn crushed the phone immediately after.

"Lay a finger on me and I swear to God," Rojack warned.

"Ironic," Daegon said as they walked past the village's Shaolin Temple, one of the only fireproof buildings due to its stone foundations.

"Oi!" Rojack yelled as he felt his arm grabbed and pulled back.

Rojack turned to face a monk dressed in orange robes, and he was soon knocked over by a leg sweep from a second monk with a matching appearance both in attire and facial features. They were the Shaolin twins: Ruo and Guang.

"Leave this place!" Guang yelled as he stepped forth from the open gateway of the temple, wielding a wooden staff that he pointed at Daegon.

"You cannot be serious," Daegon rolled his eyes at the disruption.

"Dead serious!" Ruo added as he walked over Rojack to stand at his brother's side.

"Ah," Daegon sighed as he drew his Drakeswords. "Dead like the pair of you…"

Guang swung his staff but the Drakeswords sliced cleanly through the wood, whilst the other stabbed Ruo in the gut.

"No!" Guang cried out.

"Insects," Daegon insulted as he dragged the impaled Drakesword upwards, the blade cutting through Ruo's body and up to his head.

The bloodied Drakesword emerged from the top of Ruo's head after having sliced it in half, with Daegon following up by lowering the weapon over Guang. He rolled aside, but was shoved back by the muscular Quinn, losing balance and falling to his knees.

"Ruo!" Guang sobbed as he looked at his brother's brutalised corpse.

"I shall now reunite you," Daegon said as if it were reassuring, placing both Drakeswords on either side of Guang's neck before beheading him.

"Holy shit!" Rojack swore as Quinn remained stoic, walking over to help pick Rojack up. "A bit much don't you think?"

"Hardly," Daegon said as he wiped their blood from the blades. "I could've been much slower."

"Sure, I guess," Rojack said, "but-"

"Let's keep moving," Daegon ordered. "Slay any witnesses…"

As they continued to journey through the burning village, Mavado made his way around the trees behind a few huts to see Epos holding a wounded Kabal down to prevent him from fighting back or running to safety. Mavado smirked as he kicked the already grounded police officer with his metallic boots.

"Surely this is enough," Epos commented as she reluctantly kept hold of Kabal.

"You're a Kahn Guard," Mavado pointed out. "I'm sure you're familiar with all sorts of torture techniques."

"Those were for the Executioners to perform," Epos recalled. "I don't approve of this stuff… especially if there's not even any information to gather."

"I agree with your logic," Mavado assured her. "He was just a way to pass the time."

"What now?" Epos asked. "Is it time?"

Mavado nodded. "It's been fun, Kabal," Mavado said as he dragged his own hookswords along Kabal's flesh, "but I've got business to take care of."

"Just get it over with…" Kabal gasped, trying to collect oxygen from his mask.

"You won't be needing this," Mavados said as he ripped Kabal's mask off, causing the start of a slow suffocation. "We can go now, Epos."

"Not even a finishing blow?" Epos asked.

"He needs this mask to breathe," Mavado said as he casually stomped it to pieces. "This way he can have a slow death without troubling us."

Epos crossed her arms, visibly frustrated by the group she found herself in. Whilst Mavado did indeed represent the unrivalled skill and discipline of the Red Dragon clan, he also displayed his ruthlessness when it came to their rival clan. It didn't take the few who knew Mavado long to pick up on this trait, and Epos was discovering it now. The commanding leader of the Red Dragon would relish in the opportunity to punish and torment his rivals, but maintain enough restraint to not let it hinder his work. It was a frightening blend that Epos thought she was accustomed to with working for the Kahn Guard, but it was still a sight she'd never be able to grow accustomed to… especially after just having witnessed her own home be burnt down just a day before.

Epos gasped, snapping out of her thoughts as she felt Mavado violently pull Kabal away from her, lifting Kabal by his police vest and hurling him into one of the numerous nearby flames.

"I prefer my steak to be well done," Mavado quipped as he walked away from Kabal as he once more underwent gruelling burns throughout his body. "We must hurry, Epos, our great clan needs us…"

As Mavado and Epos rushed to regroup with the others, Fujin was resisting the pull of Shinnok's Amulet. Clawing into the earth, Fujin tried desperately to hold on to evade being captured within the Amulet. Quan Chi laughed maniacally as Fujin struggled, trying to use the wind to help push him away. Quan Chi rolled his demonic eyes, anticipating Bo' Rai Cho to attempt another interception at any moment. Listening for approaching footsteps, Quan Chi dropped the Amulet through a miniature portal before spinning around, summoning both broadswords within a split second, and thrusting them both into Bo' Rai Cho's gut. As he dug the blades deeper into Bo' Rai Cho, Shinnok's Amulet emerged from a portal behind Fujin, trying to pull him in from the other side as the powerful artefact levitated in the air.

Fujin was taken off his feet, but he flipped in the air whilst being dragged towards Shinnok's Amulet, his heel clipping the back of the Amulet which cancelled the absorption process and knocked the Amulet aside. Fujin landed on his feet and Quan Chi gasped as he turned around. He attempted to bring Shinnok's Amulet back into his possession through a portal, but Fujin flew at him, grabbing the sorcerer before taking to the skies with him. Shinnok's Amulet was left on the ground beside a wounded Bo' Rai Cho, who grabbed onto the Amulet tightly as he lay on his back, bleeding out from the deep stab wounds. He slowly stood up and looked up, limping towards the direction Fujin was carrying him. Two figures watched him.

"What should we do, Mari?" Vanesella asked her close demonic friend.

"He has Quan Chi's Amulet," Marinella whispered excitedly. "We've gotta get it back to him."

"Come on," Vanesella led the way as they chased after Bo' Rai Cho. "Stop right there!"

Bo' Rai Cho slipped Shinnok's Amulet into his pocket as he turned to face the pair of Demons, being caught by surprise as Marinella dove at his shin with a front chop block attack that took the Protector God off his feet, landing on his back on an uncomfortable pile of twigs. Marinella and Vanesella teamed up to kick the Protector God whilst he was down.

Despite the immense pain Bo' Rai Cho was in, he mustered the strength to suddenly leap up to his feet, causing a small earthquake upon landing that caused Marinella and Vanesella to lose their footing, embracing each other for balance. Bo' Rai Cho stood firm in a widened sumo stance, his eyes locked on the approaching Demons as they circled him like vultures, each looking for an opening.

Marinella once again made the first move, darting in with a swift jab aimed at Bo's midsection. Bo' Rai Cho deflected it with a sharp parry, twisting her arm and using her momentum to throw her to the ground. Vanesella immediately followed, launching a high kick towards Bo's head. He ducked under it, spinning low to sweep her legs out from under her.

Vanesella hit the ground but rolled back to her feet with a snarl. Marinella, recovering quickly, lunged at Bo' Rai Cho from behind. Bo' sensed her coming and sidestepped, grabbing Marinella by her choker and using her own force to hurl her into Vanesella, who had also just regained her footing. The two Demons collided and fell in a heap, but they quickly disentangled and came at Bo' Rai Cho again, this time more coordinated. Marinella struck low with a series of rapid punches while Vanesella aimed high with a flurry of kicks. Bo' Rai Cho countered each blow with expert precision, his hands and feet moving in a blur that was surprisingly agile for a man, or God, of his size.

Vanesella ran at the Protector God and she attempted a spinning back kick, which Bo' Rai Cho caught mid-spin, twisting her leg and sending her crashing to the ground. Marinella took advantage of Bo's temporary distraction and landed a solid side kick to his ribs, making him grunt in pain. Even a single strike was enough to bring the wounded God an immense feeling of pain. He mustered the strength to respond with a fierce elbow strike to Marinella's jaw, staggering her. He then grabbed her by the shoulders and delivered a powerful knee to her midsection, knocking the wind out of her and allowing Bo' to hit a belly-to-belly suplex into a pile of leaves.

Seeing Marinella get taken down, Vanesella let out a demonic roar and charged, her fists blazing with a bright flame. Bo' Rai Cho met her charge head-on, dodging her wild and uncontrolled swings before delivering a rapid series of Drunken Fist punches and elbows to her face. With a final, powerful uppercut, he sent Vanesella flying backward.

Marinella, despite her injuries, tried one last desperate attack once she had gotten out of the leaf pile. She leaped at Bo' Rai Cho with a flying kick, but he anticipated the move. Catching her leg mid-air, he swung her around and slammed her into the nearest tree which generated a thunderous impact. The pair of Demons both lay on the ground, defeated and groaning in pain, struggling to maintain consciousness. Bo' Rai Cho, breathing heavily, looked down at them with a mix of exhaustion and sadness for his enemies, knowing very well that Quan Chi himself groomed them to be loyal minions for his selfish goals.

"Stay down," Bo' Rai Cho commanded, his voice firm as he made such a request. "You aren't the people I wish to hurt."

Marinella and Vanesella were both too battered to continue. They made no verbal response to the Protector God, but they glared hatefully at him as they remained seated where Bo' Rai Cho had dropped them in the brief brawl. Bo' Rai Cho turned and walked away, ensuring Shinnok's Amulet remained securely in his possession as he continued to head down the woods in hopes of reuniting with Fujin in the fight against one half of the Deadly Alliance.

The Wind God and Quan Chi continued to soar through the air, Fujin clinching his enemy tightly as they both contemplated their next move. Quan Chi struggled to try to release himself, but Fujin refused to stop flying and release the wicked sorcerer, knowing he had the security of a portal to prevent him from suffering a fatal fall to the earth below.

"You delay the inevitable, Fujin!" Quan Chi continued to taunt the Wind God, only to be punched for such efforts.

"Shinnok's Amulet shall not return to you now," Fujin replied amidst beating Quan Chi's face in with punches whilst holding him in the sky by the remaining strap on his broken chestplate. "What are you without that?!"

"The greatest sorcerer to ever grace the realms," Quan Chi smirked before summoning a small green skull that began biting on Fujin's leg.

As the Wind God glanced down, Quan Chi thrusted a knee into his face, breaking free from the Wind God's grasp. The sorcerer fell through a portal midair, landing on top of Fujin. It was now Quan Chi who was holding onto Fujin, weighing him down in an attempt to crash him into the ground. They soon began soaring towards Lianhua Village, although the thick smoke made it difficult for either to identify it. Fujin reached behind him, grabbing the sorcerer by his throat. Fujin then controlled the wind to start spinning them both around, forming a tornado around them. Fujin then released Quan Chi as he aimed him downwards, wind travelling behind the sorcerer to hasten his fall. Quan Chi summoned a portal but Fujin blew him away from it, causing the sorcerer to miss his own portal. As Fujin flew down after Quan Chi, he was attacked by Puggles who escaped the portal. The Hellbat took a bite out of Fujin's cheek.

"Away with you!" Fujin yelled as he pushed Puggles away.

The Hellbat then flew down, picking up Quan Chi with his claws as they clutched onto the sorcerer's pale shoulders. Puggles carried Quan Chi up who aimed a skull projectile at Fujin. Evading the projectile by dashing in the wind, Fujin flew towards Quan Chi. Puggles attempted to breathe fire over the Wind God, but Fujin fought through the pain to wrap his hands around Quan Chi's throat. Before he could crush the sorcerer's neck, however, they crashed through the roof of one of the village buildings. Quan Chi groaned in pain after smashing through a wooden table, Puggles flying gently down beside him to start giving him a nudge.

Fujin groaned as he reached out for a chair to support him as he tried to stand up, sitting back against the chair. Fujin's godly eyes flickered in the dimly lit room. Using his powers, Fujin blew the curtains attached to the nearest window open. There he witnessed the fires outside. Fujin's eyes widened. He then clenched his fists as he turned to face the sorcerer.

"Are you finished?" Fujin asked.

"Not yet," Quan Chi said weakly, summoning a pair of skeletons to help him stand up.

"Fine by me," Fujin said as he stood up from the chair, stretching as he awaited for Quan Chi's next move. "You deserve far worse."

"I know," Quan Chi laughed.

Fujin silenced the sorcerer by throwing him and his skeletons through a wall with a powerful wind burst. He was then surprised to see Red Dragon soldiers approach the newfound hole in the wall, stepping in front of Quan Chi to protect him. Fujin drew his new crossbow taken from one of the Red Dragon soldiers, before blasting an energy beam that created an explosion that eliminated the group of soldiers. He then prepared for another projectile, this one aimed for Quan Chi. Puggles then swooped in, flapping his wings in the Wind God's face. From the distraction, Quan Chi reached into a portal in the ground, grabbing Fujin's leg and dragging him through. Returning the favour, Quan Chi threw Fujin into the street as he was knocked over a wagon that had carried fruit and was tipped over during the attack on the village.

Summoning a broadsword and slowly approaching the wagon, Quan Chi checked on the Wind God's predicament. The sorcerer laughed as he peered over the fallen wagon, seeing Fujin pressed down beneath it. Quan Chi hacked at Fujin with the broadsword, but the Wind God used his powers to send a violent gale that blew the sword aside, causing Quan Chi to spin out of control. Fujin then threw the wagon off of him before kipping up and jabbing Quan Chi in the face, the sorcerer responding with an elbow to his jaw. As Fujin staggered back, Quan Chi sliced the broadsword across Fujin's chest, the blade dragging from his chest all the way to his upper leg. Fujin performed a leg sweep, knocking Quan Chi down after the brutal attack, giving Fujin some time to recover.

Fujin looked around the street. Screams surrounded them amidst their battle, some were from terrified villagers whilst others came from the fighters at the gates on the end of the road, heroes fighting against the crime syndicates in a desperate attempt to aid Lianhua Village. On the other end of the street, Fujin squinted as he saw Daegon leading his own small group to join the battle. Fujin stood in his way.

Quan Chi grabbed Fujin's leg, and was promptly stomped in the head for it. Fujin then powered up a devastating penalty kick to the ribs of the grounded sorcerer. Using his wind powers, Fujin's kick also sent a heavy breeze that hurled Quan Chi into the middle of the ongoing battle down the street, knowing that there'd be others ready to pick a fight with the sorcerer. Moments after, Fujin was ensnared in a fiery vortex. Fujin turned around whilst his whole body was burnt, facing Daegon as their godly eyes met each other.

"Terribly sorry, Fujin," Daegon apologised. "You were a good friend to my family."

"And you were… a good son," Fujin fought through the pain, trying to fan the flames with his powers. "I dread the thought of how disappointed your brother shall be to see his now disgraced sibling."

"Coming from Raiden's weak second in command," Daegon scoffed as he drew the Drakeswords. "You're going home. Say hello to my mother and father."

"If you're truly on the right path…" Fujin spoke weakly, "then you'll be able to greet them yourself…"

Daegon shook his head, not processing the Wind God's words. Daegon lifted his Drakeswords and as the tips of the thick blades came down on Fujin's shoulders, the Wind God lifted the fully charged crossbow he had taken from one of Daegon's own men. Infused with the energy of the projectile was a small ball of air, exploding as the bolt was fired to create a large burst of energy that blew Daegon away just as he impaled the Drakeswords into Fujin's shoulders. Mavado used his grapple hooks to quickly slide in front of Daegon, protecting his leader. Meanwhile, Quinn yanked Rojack to the sidelines as Epos rolled away.

"Grandmaster!" Mavado cried out. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Mavado," Daegon said calmly as Mavado offered him a hand up and helped dust the Demi-God off. "Our plasma crossbows certainly do pack a hefty punch."

"Heh," Fujin smirked as he remained on his knees, Drakeswords impaled deeply into his body. "So that's what they are."

"Plasma is a state of matter where gases are ionised," Daegon explained as he walked towards the wounded Wind God. "Most useful to an aeromancer I have no doubt, but the Elder Gods shall not grant you a return to action, Fujin."

"We shall see…" Fujin replied before coughing up blood.

"Pathetic," Mavado chuckled as he walked past Fujin, bashing the side of his head in with the hilt of one of the hookswords he had stolen from Kabal. "Enjoy the kill, Grandmaster, I have to check on Hsu."

"I'll be right behind you, Commander," Daegon told him as Mavado, Epos, Rojack and Quinn rushed off into the battle ahead. "This will be quick, Fujin."

"No…" Fujin gasped as he tried to power another shot from the crossbow but Daegon grabbed hold of his arm.

Whilst burning the flesh, Daegon used his strength to snap Fujin's arm, breaking it in half. The Wind God cried out in pain as Daegon reached for one of the impaled Drakeswords that stood upright in Fujin's shoulder, like a flag symbolising the success of the Red Dragon. He then hacked the broken arm off, the crossbow falling to the ground alongside Fujin's severed hand. Still determined to resist, Fujin tried pushing Daegon back with the wind, but the Demi-God held tightly to the Drakesword as it dragged through the dirt path. After the wind passed, Daegon released the Drakesword and rolled back to Fujin. Rising with an uppercut, Daegon shattered the Wind God's jaw, knocking him down onto his back.

"You may rest now," Daegon told Fujin as he ripped the other Drakesword from Fujin's shoulder and used it to brutally sever his head. The heavenly light from Fujin's godly eyes flickered before going out entirely as his head rolled down the street.

Quan Chi, just about coming to his senses after his fight with Fujin, gasped at the sight of Fujin's corpse. He looked up as Daegon pulled him to his feet, giving the sorcerer a stoic glance.

"This outcome was… unexpected…" Quan Chi commented.

"I stated this to your friend and I will say the same to you," Daegon pulled Quan Chi as close as possible to him as he spoke, "I am the strongest, most powerful being here," he claimed. "Keep that in mind when we conduct business in the future."

"Whatever you say," Quan Chi dismissed the warning as he pulled his arm away and stepped back, returning his glance to Fujin's corpse. "You shouldn't have killed him, Daegon, Shang Tsung isn't here to absorb the soul and I gain nothing from absorbing a corpse into my Amulet."

"I know," Daegon nodded as he retrieved his other Drakesword from the ground. "You both have enough power already."

"There's no such thing as enough power," Quan Chi replied. "Perhaps my perspective shall change when all realms belong to the Deadly Alliance."

"Of course you'd say that," Daegon grimaced at Quan Chi. "Come on now, sorcerer, we must finish the battle."

"You must do that," Quan Chi corrected him, "I do not."

"You pathetic coward!" Daegon yelled. "Why not?!"

"My Amulet…" Quan Chi sighed as he held his hand beneath a portal he summoned, waiting for it to fall. "It's not where I left it."

"Shinnok's Amulet," Daegon now took the chance to correct the sorcerer. "And you don't deserve it."

"What would you know?" Quan Chi scoffed.

"Unlike you, I was actually loyal to Shinnok," Daegon reminded him.

"Yet I never saw you do any work for him."

"Unlike your façade of a faction, I actually operated from the shadows," Daegon said as he grabbed the sorcerer. "I also know that within Shinnok's Amulet is the God himself… consider yourself lucky that I'm not the one who has taken it."

"Mind the threats, Daegon," Quan Chi warned. "You're getting rather serious about them now… too serious."

"It pleases me that you acknowledge the severity of them."

"Yet they bother me very little," the sorcerer claimed. "Anything else you'd like to get off your chest?"

"Plenty," Daegon said as he shoved Quan Chi back, "but I have work to do."

"So do I," Quan Chi replied before stepping back into a portal, looking to retrace his steps to recover Shinnok's Amulet.

"Infidel," Daegon muttered under his breath before turning towards the battle ahead. "Time to end this…"

Kung Lao bent over, clutching his unstable legs as he struggled to maintain consciousness. He looked down at his reflection, shocked at all the cuts and bruises on his face. He didn't know how he was still fighting, he just knew that he couldn't stop, not when justice for Liu Kang, his ancestor the Great Kung Lao, and countless other victims was within reach.

Quan Chi's random portal had transported Shang Tsung and Kung Lao to an icy cavern. They had been fighting for the past several minutes on the slippery surface, Kung Lao having just shoved Shang Tsung onto a bed of icicles. The sorcerer let out a weak gasp for breath. The fight wasn't over.

Slowly treading towards the sorcerer, holding onto the equally slippery ice cavern walls in an attempt to aid his balance, Kung Lao slowly made his way to his enemy. The air was crisp and frigid, both warriors' breath being visible from the cold. Kung Lao's fiery hatred for the sorcerer kept him warm though, as did the sorcerer's own fire powers.

Using what energy he had left, Kung Lao leapt over to the impaled sorcerer. Stomping his heels into his chest, Lao smashed Shang Tsung on the ice floor. Suddenly, the entire layer of ice began to crack. Shang Tsung grinned through the pain before releasing magma from his hands that further accelerated the floor's destruction. The monk and the sorcerer soon went crashing down deeper into the cave that shared a similar appearance of an empty ice mosaic, but there was one key distinction: they weren't alone.

Kung Lao gasped as he looked up, shocked to be faced down by the terrifying face of a yeti-like creature. Covered in discoloured white fur that stuck out like sharp icicles, the creature roared as they spread their arms out and unveiled their black paws with sharp bloody claws growing from then. The creature ran at Kung Lao, its feet having evolved over the years to withstand the slippery properties of ice. Kung Lao leapt over the creatures head, causing them to crash into the wall.

"What is my life?" Kung Lao asked, completely exhausted from such a bizarre and frustrating day.

"A short one," Shang Tsung answered as he blasted a fireball at Lao, pushing him into the back of the yeti-like creature who instantly spun around and smacked the monk into the ground with their savage paws.

Without his razor hat, Kung Lao had to rely on his own martial arts and his powers to survive. Stretching a hand out between the creature's claws, Lao opened his hand and released a quadruple burst of energy that was fired into the creature's face one at a time. The creature staggered back, allowing Kung Lao to stand up. Shang Tsung approached from behind but Kung Lao spun around and caught him with a signature Shaolin Fist, a flying punch that struck him in the throat. Kung Lao then surrounded his leg with energy before jumping up, the bottom of his foot catching Shang Tsung in the jaw as he propelled himself and the sorcerer into the air.

"I'll be… with you in a moment," Kung Lao said as he grabbed Tsung in the air and threw him higher into the air.

The sorcerer was thrown through the cavern wall on the surface level, breaking him out of the ice caverns. Kung Lao fell back down though, kicking the creature in the face upon his descent. Enraged, the creature rushed at the Shaolin Monk, who leapt onto his back and grabbed the creature's horns, pulling back whilst wrapping his legs around the thick neck of the wild animal. As the creature began to lose their breath, they fell to their knees. Kung Lao then jumped off their head and punched into the ice walls, using the hole made to hold him against the walls as he climbed out.

"Shang… Tsung…" Kung Lao gasped as he crawled out of the caverns. "Where are you?"

As Kung Lao reached the surface he stepped through thick snow. He soon identified the sorcerer's footsteps and most notably was the trail of crimson blood on the white canvas. Limping across the blood trail, Kung Lao found Shang Tsung moments later at the edge of the cliff. They stood on a mountain in Arctika, the distant Lin Kuei Temple serving as evidence of their whereabouts. Although it was within sight, it was too far away for Kung Lao to possibly seek the clan's aid. The sorcerer turned around to face his slowly approaching adversary.

"You really survived it?" Shang Tsung was both surprised and impressed. "In your condition?"

"What was that thing?" Kung Lao questioned. "Yetis are real?!"

"They're no myth," Tsung confirmed. "Those who can confirm their existence call them Ice Beasts… or Ice Monstrosities."

"Not very original," Lao assessed. "I'll stick to the Yeti."

"I've been meaning to experiment on one," Tsung reminded himself.

"That's not… going to happen," Kung Lao weakly raised his fists, ready to continue fighting. "You have bigger concerns than those things!"

"Likewise," Shang Tsung said as he shapeshifted into a man who Kung Lao initially didn't recognise. "Oh, come on now, surely your order made portraits of him."

"My ancestor…" Kung Lao soon realised. "I've seen his spirit before."

"Now you see him in the flesh," Shang Tsung said, his irritating grin still visible regardless of his form.

"No," Kung Lao shook his head. "Damn you, snake!"

The two swung fists at the same time, their knuckles colliding alongside a burst of energy that created an explosion. Tsung grabbed onto Lao, preventing them from being blown back, but the cliffedge they stood on began to form cracks beneath the pile of snow with several layers already having been shaved off in the blast. Snow particles surrounded the pair like a tiny blizzard as Shang Tsung began thrusting knees into Lao's body. On the third knee, Kung Lao grabbed onto Tsung's leg before twisting it. Lao then followed through with a double fist strike, pushing Shang Tsung mere inches away from an incalculable fall. The sorcerer attempted to step away from the edge, but Kung Lao wrapped an arm around him in a headlock. With his other hand he clenched a tight fist before repeatedly punching the top of Shang Tsung's head.

"Give up, Tsung!" Lao bellowed despite his injured throat, his voice echoing throughout the mountains. He turned away from the beating he was giving the sorcerer, not wishing to look at his ancestors face as he did so. "This is over!"

"No…" Shang Tsung laughed through the punches. "It's not over for me."

His voice changing in the middle of his sentence into a far deeper tone, Kung Lao looked down to see Shang Tsung's form shift into Goro. The form of the Shokan Prince lifted Lao off the air, and the added weight caused the cliffedge to finally break.

Kung Lao held onto Shang Tsung as they plummeted to the bottom of the mountain. Shang Tsung had anticipated this, and he also predicted that the added muscle and shielding from the scales the Draco Shokan had on their back would be ample protection from the incoming fall. He laughed menacingly, before letting out a loud gasp as he smashed into the ground. The impact caused a landslide of snow to fall down the mountain, burying them both…

Across the globe in Lianhua Village, the two Dragon clans had fully united to battle the group of heroes desperate to protect the village, but a feeling of dread overcame them as a collective as it felt that they had already failed. The sky was covered in smoke, nearly every structure was lit aflame, and they were greatly outnumbered. Earthrealm's two most dangerous criminal organisations stood against them with the best amongst their ranks ready to aid the very alliance that threatened to conquer their very own realm.

"I can't believe this shit," Jax complained as he punched through several criminals at once, having to use his arms as a shield simultaneously to protect himself from the sporadic gunfire. "Black and Red Dragons?"

"Things just keep getting more and more ridiculous," Sonya sighed as she began firing energy ring projectiles whenever she'd momentarily peek beyond the partially open gates to the village, the only nearby cover that wasn't completely ablaze.

"Look out!" Mileena yelled as she pulled the Special Forces General aside.

An SUV suddenly drove into the village, smashing through the gates and drifting to one side, pushing some of the criminals back whilst serving as protection for the heroes.

"Get behind this!" Johnny Cage yelled out the window he had smashed into with his now cut elbow.

"Good work, Cage," Jax complimented as he pressed his back against the SUV.

"Has anybody seen Kabal?!" Stryker asked, concerned about his friend, as he sprinted for cover. "He was sent to find you, Lori."

"I've not seen him," Lori sighed as she also took cover. "I'm sorry, officer."

"We need to get closer!" Cage yelled as he took cover inside the SUV. "When I get a moment I'll slip outta here!"

"Where'd you get that?" Jax asked.

"The parking lot," Cage revealed. "Sorry, Kurtis, but I did steal it."

"I'll see it as a necessary seize," Stryker replied. "We do have to close in soon though."

"If someone can clear a path then I can get in there and stop those horrid fires," Alyssa stated.

"They've paused to reload!" Jax yelled to Johnny as he ripped the door open. "Move your ass!"

Johnny exited the vehicle with Jax quickly rushing over to tip the SUV, adding further protection to the makeshift barricade. As the others rushed to take cover, Jax climbed onto the SUV before leaping off it, slamming his fists into the ground which sent a shockwave across the street. Clearing the main path with his ground pound, Jax pushed forwards.

"I'll push with him," Kenshi decided as the Shirai Ryu and the Lin Kuei were spread out from the rest of the group with Sub-Zero controlling an ice wall as their own cover.

"We're with you," Scorpion said as he and the Lin Kuei stood beside him.

"Me too," Suchin offered.

"You should stay here, my love," Kenshi insisted.

"You know I can fight," Suchin crossed her arms.

"Between the pair of us, she has been trained well," Scorpion argued in Suchin's favour.

"It's too dangerous," Kenshi shook his head.

"But a blind man running into gunfire isn't?!" Suchin asked.

"You two figure it out," Scorpion instructed. "Cyrax and Sub-Zero shall lead the way."

"We're coming, Jax!" Cyrax yelled as he sprinted using his enhanced cybernetics over to the Special Forces Major, firing a net projectile that catched the shells of Quinn's shotgun as he emerged from around the back of a house alongside the other reinforcements who had made their way down the street earlier.

"Quinn. Rojack. Mavado…" Sonya sighed as she immediately recognised them amidst the group.

"Epos…" Mileena growled. "It is not surprising that the fragments of the Kahn Guard continue to threaten the realms."

"Who's Scarface?" Johnny asked, pointing at Daegon.

"A very dangerous foe," Mavado stated. "That's all you need to know."

"Those are Kabal's hookswords!" Stryker realised.

"Good eye, cerdo," Mavado said sarcastically.

"Holy shit!" Rojack cursed. "It's Johnny Cage!"

"You want an autograph, asshole?" Cage asked.

"Nah," Rojack shrugged, "I'll just take those stupid sunglasses from you."

"Rojack's a pushover," Sonya claimed. "You can whoop him."

"Fuck you, Blade!" Rojack yelled before being shadow kicked by Johnny, knocking him into a lamppost.

"Nobody talks to my wife like that!" Johnny snapped as he bashed Rojack's head against the pole.

Quinn aimed his shotgun at the actor, but Stryker quickly tased him before the trigger could be pulled. Mavado smirked as he saw Stryker pull a handgun and aim it at him.

"You policía are all the same," Mavado commented.

"Get on your knees!" Stryker ordered.

"Of course you'd like that," Mavado laughed before swiftly throwing a rope, the grapple hook latching onto Stryker's boot.

Mavado dragged Stryker across the ground, pulling him into a series of stomps from his spiked boots. Not even Stryker's uniform could protect him from the blades for long as they began to puncture holes into his police vest. Sonya quickly fired a projectile from her gauntlets, causing Mavado to hook around the lamppost and pull himself away. Swinging around the post, Mavado kneed Johnny in the face before landing on him and rolling towards Sonya who stunned him with a roundhouse kick to the face.

"Help your colleague," Daegon ordered Epos, who had remained standing still, her body shaking.

"Okay…" Epos slowly complied as she began to walk into the conflict.

Epos then felt a sharp pain go through her chest, she looked down to see a sai stabbed into her. Before she could react, Mileena teleported to the sai, wrapping her legs around Epos and dragging her to the ground. Once she was pinned down, Mileena began biting at her rabidly, with Epos pushing back with her forearm. Daegon soon approached, booting Mileena off of his newest recruit.

"I just fought your sister," Daegon informed her. "She was a worthy opponent. Let's see how you compare."

"Where is she?!" Mileena hissed as she ran at Daegon, her sai at the ready.

"You won't live to find out," Daegon threatened as he grabbed Mileena by the throat as she charged at him before slamming her to the ground. "Is that all? Really? From the Empress of Outworld… sorry, I meant former…"

"Be quiet!" Mileena yelled as she angrily stabbed a sai in Daegon's foot.

Daegon grunted, staggering back slightly. Mileena then rolled at the Demi-God at rapid speed. Daegon grabbed her but she continued rolling in place, pink energy completely blinding Daegon's vision. Mileena began pushing him back, the pair crashing through the walls of a building that was lit on fire. Mileena ignored the fire, continuing to attack Daegon. Eventually the Demi-God snapped, sitting back as he drove Mileena head first into the wooden floorboards.

"There's an opening," Alyssa thought aloud. "I'll go through there, put out some fires."

"I'll come with you," Lori suggested with Alyssa nodding before running after Daegon and Mileena.

Inside the burning building, Daegon began kicking the already grounded Mileena. Violent stomps caused her to cry out in pain as Daegon continued to mercilessly attack. Alyssa began spraying water over Daegon and the flames throughout the building like a burst fire hydrant. Daegon turned around only to be smacked in the face by Lori using a broken floorboard as a weapon. Daegon gritted his teeth before catching the piece of wood as Lori swung it again, breaking it in his own hand. Lori was taken aback, gasping at the display of strength. Alyssa rushed over, catching Daegon on the chin with a superkick she had learnt from Rain. Daegon was hurled across the room, his back slamming off the wall on the other side. Mileena quickly got up and continued to rush at Daegon in a blind rage. She slid between Daegon's legs, tripping him up in the process. She then leapt onto Daegon's back and began slicing her sai over his back repeatedly, ripping holes into Daegon's cloak. Lori rushed over, landing a knee over Daegon's head, aiding Mileena in her fight with the Red Dragon Grandmaster.

A pulse of crimson fire burst from Daegon, pushing Lori and Mileena back and lighting another fire in the building just after Alyssa had put one out. Daegon stood up, punching Lori with a left hook as she approached him, before turning around and headbutting Mileena. Daegon then hit a flaming shoulder charge to Mileena, it was now her turn to be smashed through a wall. Alyssa helped a dazed Lori to her feet before once again chasing after the Demi-God. Alyssa attempted to trap Daegon in a large bubble, but he reached through to grab Alyssa by her arm and drag her into his fist. Breaking free of the bubble, water splashed everywhere as Daegon rammed Alyssa into a fence at the end of the alleyway they found themselves in. He then lifted Alyssa up whilst holding onto her, delivering an underhook suplex. As his body was arched over following the grapple manoeuvre, Mileena teleported from the air and folded Daegon up upon impact.

"Help the villagers, Lori!" Mileena requested as she held Daegon down. "Alyssa, focus on stopping these fires!"

"But-" Lori attempted to protest but Mileena raised a hand.

"I'll be fine," she interrupted. "You both have to try to save what villagers remain."

"Of course, Mileena," Lori nodded in agreement. "C'mon now, Alyssa."

"Rain went with this man," Alyssa realised. "What did you do with him?"

"He's family," Daegon answered before throwing Mileena off of him.

"He'd never side with whatever this is!" Alyssa yelled.

"I can be… convincing," Daegon replied before being slapped in the face by Alyssa and stabbed in the back by Mileena.

"Go!" Mileena yelled.

Lori and Alyssa rushed back to the street. They had made it to a bridge that led to a right angle turn down another of the main paths. Turning back, they saw Jax leading the charge, tackling four slim Red Dragon soldiers at once before smashing them against a brick wall. Suddenly, one Red Dragon unleashed a laser beam projectile that seared Jax's jacket off as it burnt his back. More criminals attempted to hold Jax down, but Kenshi rushed in, slicing his katana at the sound of any footsteps ahead. He cut clean fatal slices through several fighters, both of the Black and Red Dragon. One attempted to fire their gun at the blind swordsman, but he perfectly tracked the sound of the gunshot and held his blade in front of him, slicing the bullet in half.

"Looks like they've got this street under control," Alyssa assessed.

"Let's move up then," Lori decided, "before these lowlifes notice us."

They ran up the street as Kenshi was backed up by his wife who took a knife from one of the burning buildings, the daredevil leaping out a window before cutting a mercenary's throat open. She ducked as she saw Scorpion fire his spear at a distant mercenary, dragging them into an elbow smash that immediately knocked them out. He then summoned Hellfire at the feet of an organised group of Red Dragons, lighting them aflame and causing them to scatter.

"You started the fire," Scorpion told them as he spun his chained spear around. He turned to face Kenshi and Suchin as they went back to back. "I'm glad you two figured things out," he commented as Suchin dragged a Black Dragon grunt into her knife.

"She can be quite stubborn," Kenshi smirked as Suchin elbowed him lightly.

"Stay together," Scorpion advised.

"Look out!" Suchin yelled as she pointed at a turret being armed by the Black Dragon.

Sub-Zero slid into action, ice travelling the ground and surrounding the turret in several thick layers of ice. The men who had set the turret up angrily ran at the Cryomancer, but Cyrax and Smoke ran in to take them down with matching kicks. Sub-Zero began firing beams of ice all over the street, doing his best to cover the surrounding flames in ice. Some of the newly formed ice blocks put out the fire whilst others melted, still forming water that put out the flames. Sub-Zero let out a relieved fire, his heart now lit up with hope that the flames could be stopped. Spotting Alyssa and Lori who had stopped at the top of the street, he began sliding over to them.

Cyrax and Smoke ran after their Grandmaster, but a large fireball suddenly caused them to roll back. Looking up at the glazed roof tiles of one of the village buildings, they saw a man whose face was obscured by a hoodie with black, white and yellow colours.

"Get 'em, Kobra!" Kira yelled as she pushed the Black Dragons latest recruit off the building.

"What the fuck?!" Kobra cried out before landing on Smoke. "Shit! I guess I can work with this!"

Kobra laid on top of Smoke and began hammering away with elbows and knees to both sides of his head. Cyrax fired an energy net that tightened around the young criminal, and Kira leapt off shortly after, wrapping an arm around Cyrax's metallic head and driving him to the ground with a bulldog.

"That icy cunt fucked up the turret!" Libby yelled from the roof as she picked up an assault rifle. "Now you're fucked, frosty!"

Sub-Zero stopped beside Lori and Alyssa, puzzled by what they were looking down at. The Cryomancer soon gagged at the sight on the ground.

"It's… Fujin…" Lori sobbed.

"I'm so sorry, Lori," Alyssa apologised.

Suddenly, a bullet was shot by Libby Hall with the bullet going clean through Sub-Zero's shoulder. Grunting as he clutched his shoulder in pain, Sub-Zero began to form makeshift armour out of ice.

"Around the corner!" Sub-Zero yelled. "Take cover!"

Alyssa and Lori dove behind a hut on the corner of the village as Sub-Zero followed behind them. Libby continued spraying bullets at the house carelessly. Waiting for her to run out of ammunition, Alyssa climbed up to the roof of the hut and fired a beam of water at her, pushing her off the roof. Kira quickly spread her arms out, catching Libby upon her fall, staring down at her.

"Don't give me that look," Libby sighed, "unless you're gonna give me a smooch."

"I'm not snogging you, slag," Kira rolled her eyes. "I know you probably expect that from every girl you 'liberate' but-"

"Jesus fuck! I was just kidding!" Libby yelled. "Unless…"

"Nah," Kira shook her head. "You reek of sweat, luv."

"Can a bitch be warm?!" Libby complained. "Might wanna look out, babes."

Kira growled as she looked over her shoulder, recklessly dropping Libby onto the ground before ducking Cyrax as he swung a saw blade extending from his wrist at her. Kobra stood beside her, blasting inconsistent fireballs at the cyborg.

"I'm fire resistant, smart guy," Cyrax said as he stood still and let the fireballs bounce off his metal plating. "Wow… you two look young."

"Real fucking perceptive," Kira rolled her eyes. "Can tell those robo peepers are doing you wonders."

"Your new leader recruits kids?" Cyrax asked.

"I'm a grown ass woman!" Kira yelled. "Why do you care anyway, mustard?"

"I'm not killing children!" Cyrax argued.

"Holy fuck, dude," Kira facepalmed, "I'm an adult, got it?!"

Amidst their argument, Smoke snuck up on Kira and wrapped an arm around her throat before throwing her to the ground. Kobra struck Smoke in the face with a powerful punch, knocking his grey mask off. Smoke swung back, but Kobra grabbed his arm and it was now his turn to throw him to the floor with an over the shoulder arm toss.

"I've got you," Kobra said as he helped Kira up.

"Cheers," Kira thanked him as they turned to Cyrax.

"Yeah what a real fuckin' gentleman!" Libby complained as she had to stand up by herself.

"Sorry," Kobra apologised in a tone that sounded more like a question.

"What do we do about the school bus there?" Libby asked as she looked at Cyrax.

"You kids have nothing," Cyrax claimed. "Please just surrender."

"Boys, man that turret!" Libby ordered.

"The iceman broke it," Kira told her. "Keep up, Lib."

"I've been hauling that thing around and you dipshits not only had it face sideways but let some popsicle prick break it before we could use it?!"

"And I thought I had a temper," Kira quipped.

"Watch out!" Libby called out for the Black Dragon members as they all turned to see Scorpion rush at them, tackling one member in a fiery embrace before using them as a human shield against any incoming gunfire.

"Shit!" Kira swore as she ran over. "Get away from them!"

As she approached the onslaught, Kira was telekinetically pushed into a wall. Suchin followed Kenshi as they continued to push forth, the Red Dragon squadron on the street having their attention divided by Jax leaving them to deal with the Black Dragon mercenaries scattered around the street like rodents. Appearing around one hut, a man attempted to gun down the Takahashis, but Kenshi telekinetically held the bullets in place before pulling the man into them. The bullets went through the Black Dragon member, with his semi-automatic pistol falling into Suchin's hand.

"Are you gonna use that?" Kenshi asked, hearing Suchin load the firearm.

"I've gone to a shooting range with Sonya on my trips to America," Suchin recalled as she held the gun straight. "I've got it."

"You have," Kenshi nodded. "Focus on any other men with firearms."

Suchin remained behind Kenshi as he walked cautiously towards the sound of approaching footsteps. Black Dragon crooks ran in, wielding various melee weapons ranging from bowie knives to lead pipes and even to swords. Kenshi wielded Sento perfectly, slicing through a Black Dragon wielding a pipe before kicking the object at another criminal. Slicing his blade upwards, Kenshi cut through another overly aggressive Black Dragon member. Two more rushed at him at once, both carrying knives. Kenshi threw his katana at one before grabbing the arm of the other knife wielder, dropping them with a judo toss.

"Look out!" Suchin yelled.

"Seriously?" Kenshi replied as he began to hear heavy footsteps.

A large muscular man rushed at Kenshi, who kicked them in the jaw as they approached. The man laughed before clapping his hands against either side of Kenshi's head, smacking his ears. They began to ring as Kenshi was kneed in the gut, dropping to his hands and knees. As he fell, Suchin suddenly fired the pistol she carried, spilling the criminal's brains all over the pathway.

"Oh my God!" Suchin cried out. "I killed him!"

"It was self defence," Kenshi reassured her as he began to rub his ears. "These idiots make actions like this necessary."

"Speaking of!" Suchin yelled as she saw a group of gunmen line up in front of a bridge. "More guns, Ken!"

Kenshi surrounded Sento in telekinetic magic, and he swung the blade forth the moment shots were fired. The telekinetic energy bounced off the sword, reflecting the bullets. Placing a hand on his shoulder, Suchin began firing the pistol past Kenshi too, gunning down the gunmen. One more Black Dragon goon rushed in from the side, but was soon impaled in the back by Scorpion's chained spear.

"Get over here!" Scorpion yelled as he yanked the criminal by the chain, throwing them into the turret.

"Jax needs help!" Kenshi yelled as they looked back to see the mass gathering of Red Dragon members pushing Jax against a brick wall, yet still being tossed around.

"Go!" Cyrax yelled. "Me and Tomas can deal with the remaining Black Dragons!"

"No, you can't!" Kobra yelled as he tackled the cyborg from behind, their fight continuing.

Scorpion unleashed bursts of hellfire from the ground at the uniformed Red Dragon soldiers whilst Kenshi pushed them away from afar. Their teamwork soon cleared a path towards Jax, unveiling a key figure in the heart of the sea of Red Dragons.

"Hsu Hao," Kenshi recognised the man leading the Red Dragon squadron from his time protecting Earthrealm, his role now requiring the opposite.

"Deal with his goons," Jax requested. "He's mine."

"Still letting your personal emotions dictate your decisions, Jackson?" Hsu Hao asked rhetorically.

"As if you're any better!" Jax yelled as he leapt forth, an elbow powered up by energy blasting a row of Red Dragon members aside. "You just follow orders!"

Before Jax could put his hands on Hsu Hao, the Red Dragon loyalist wrapped both hands around his throat and dropped him with a chokeslam before kicking him back against the wall. Kenshi, Suchin and Scorpion rushed in to help, but Hsu Hao simply pointed at them to alert the Red Dragons to target them, forming a circle around the Shirai Ryu members.

"You really have no understanding of what I do," Hsu Hao sighed, disappointed in Jax's lack of understanding. "Besides, it's not like you, a mere soldier, are any less obedient."

"I have my limits," Jax said with anger written on his face as he thrust his feet forth, booting Hsu Hao a few steps back. "You spent all those years lying to me, to Sonya… to our entire squad!"

"It was necessary to do so," Hsu Hao justified his actions as Jax got up off the ground. "I never enjoyed it, but it was necessary."

"Like I'm going to listen to a word you say and believe it," Jax scoffed before catching Hsu with a vicious uppercut that knocked him over. "I take it all that stuff about coming from some secret Chinese military was bullshit too, huh?!"

"An effective spy never tells," Hsu Hao replied which only further angered Jax who stomped his boot down on his throat.

"I should rip out that fake heart of yours!" Jax threatened before being blasted into the air by a laser beam from the cybernetic heart, catching Jax on the chin with the angle propelling him into the air.

Quickly getting up, Hsu Hao reached up and grabbed Jax before slamming him down in a backbreaker grapple manoeuvre. Despite the cybernetic arms adding weight to the already heavy Jax, Hsu Hao lifted him back up with ease before throwing him into the circle of Red Dragons. One mercenary immediately pulled a gun on Jax, but Kenshi sliced their arm off at the sound of a gun being drawn. The swordsman then delivered a side kick that pushed him back, knocking over another Red Dragon merc who fell on top of Suchin. Kenshi and Scorpion rushed to her aid but had to fight through several more enemies as they rushed at them all at once, acting as an effective unit. Taking the knife she had picked up earlier, Suchin crawled over before stabbing the Red Dragon member who had also fallen over with her, the knife going through their hand and digging into the dirt.

Thanks to the aid of his allies, Jax managed to get up, but he was quickly thrown back by another laser beam from Hsu Hao's cybernetic heart unit. The beam of energy was so powerful that it hurled the soldier through one of the windows to a flaming hut across the road. With Jax out of his sight, Hsu Hao quickly turned to Scorpion, wrapping his arms around his waist and tossing him to the ground before leaping up to deliver a powerful double stomp onto his chest. He then kicked the Spectre into a pair of Red Dragons wielding electrified batons who smacked him out of the air before kicking the Shirai Ryu Grandmaster whilst he was down.

"Weak," Hsu Hao assessed as he watched Scorpion be kicked repeatedly. "These are the leaders who challenge us?"

Hearing movement from the burning hut, Hsu Hao instantly spun his head around to the building. He squinted his eyes as he watched closely, soon seeing a figure emerge from the door with flames coming off his jacket. Hsu Hao grit his teeth as he saw Jax emerge, ripping his jacket off. Jax squared his shoulders, his mechanical arms glinting in the firelight. They exchanged angered stares at each other from either side of the street.

Without warning, Hsu Hao lunged forward, his arm extending out to clobber Jax who managed to sidestep with ease. He retaliated with a swift uppercut, his metal fist connecting with Hsu Hao's jaw with a resounding crunch. Hsu Hao staggered back, clutching his face, but he recovered quickly. With a growl, he charged at Jax, his movements a blur of speed and precision. Jax met him head-on, their fists clashing. Despite the obvious cybernetic advantage Jax's arms had, Hsu Hao ignored his cracking knuckles and pushed back against Jax's fist in a shocking display of strength. During the struggle, Hsu Hao took his other arm and used it to rip Jax's cybernetic arm off with ease before slamming the metal on the ground. They soon felt shakes beneath them as the ground trembled from the fallen fist which unleashed a shockwave on landing. Dust swirled around them as well as the embers from the fires that the heroes and Dragon clans fought between elsewhere on the street.

Jax saw an opening as Hsu Hao aggressively approached him now that he lacked one arm. Jax aimed a brutal kick at Hsu Hao's midsection, but Hsu anticipated the move. He grabbed Jax's leg and twisted like he was unscrewing a jar lid, sending Jax crashing to the ground. Always looking to seize the advantage, Hsu Hao aimed a precise punch at Jax's head, but Jax rolled to the side just in time. He scrambled back to his feet, his eyes blazing with determination.

Jax rushed at Hsu Hao, knowing he only needed one fist to knock out the Red Dragon loyalist. As he approached, a random mercenary stood in his path amidst the chaos of the battle around them. Jax quickly discarded the obstruction, hurling the Red Dragon member high into the air, but it was enough of a distraction for Hsu Hao to power up another uninterrupted laser blast from his heart. Turning his shoulder and thrusting his arm out like a shield, Jax's cybernetic arm absorbed the powerful energy as it heated up his arm and fist, leaving behind a warm orange glow.

Hsu Hao pushed on, determined to continue using the energy blast. Jax began pushing forth, still holding his arm out. Realising this Hsu Hao slowly bent down, arching his body so that the beam would aim downwards and burn Jax's leg that had already been injured from Hsu Hao's leg twist. Jax fell to one knee, prompting Hsu to approach. He drew his Sun-Moon blades, looking for the finishing blow.

After being left alone after falling down alongside several other Red Dragons, the remaining members focused on Kenshi and Scorpion whilst Suchin quickly got up and rushed over to Hsu Hao, smacking an electric baton she had found over his back. Hsu spun around and quickly grabbed Suchin by her throat, lifting her off the air with ease. Kenshi gasped as he heard her wife cry out from across the street.

"Get your hands off her!" Kenshi yelled as he beheaded any mercenary who tried to stand in his way.

"Come any closer and her situation shall no doubt worsen," Hsu Hao threatened, easily being able to ignore Suchin's kicks as she flailed around in his solid grasp.

Kenshi paused, staying in place as he pointed his katana at Hsu Hao. They stared each other down with Hsu Hao quietly charging up his heart whilst Kenshi surrounded himself with telekinetic energy. Scorpion tried to intercept the standoff, but he was swarmed by the Red Dragon squadron, having to fight the entire group on his own for the moment. Suddenly, Kenshi released his katana and it telekinetically soared forward through the air as if he had just shot it like an arrow from a crossbow. As the katana approached, Hsu Hao released his energy beam, the laser blasting through the incoming katana and burning Kenshi. Sento meanwhile, flew right at Hsu Hao's cybernetic heart unit. Dropping his Sun-Moon blades and Suchin, Hsu clapped his hands together and firmly gripped the katana in the palm of his hands by the blade.

Flipping it around, Hsu Hao grabbed onto the handle of Sento only to be kicked in the crotch by Suchin with an upward swing of her leg. Hsu Hao groaned in pain as he staggered back, quickly straightening himself to attempt to slay Suchin with a swing of the katana. Rolling on the ground, Suchin moved aside with the blade smacking off the path. Looking up he saw Kenshi rush towards him, beginning to unleash a flurry of fists before even reaching Hsu Hao. Energy burst from his fists and then his kicks as he began mixing up his strikes, telekinetic energy forming into the shape of his hands and feet as they came after Hsu Hao. Unsure of how to deal with the peculiar powers, Hsu Hao had no choice but to tank the strikes, trying his best to stay upright, digging Sento into the dirt. Kenshi clapped his hands together and twisted his wrists, suddenly spinning Sento around even whilst it was in Hsu Hao's grasp so that the blade was facing the Red Dragon loyalist.

"I'd move if I were you," Kenshi warned as he reached a hand out. "Otherwise you'll need a laser below the belt."

Hsu Hao glanced down to see the katana being lifted telekinetically. Sidestepping out the way and kicking it aside, Hsu Hao then charged at Kenshi, tackling him to the ground. Hsu clapped his hands around both sides of Kenshi's head, causing his ears to ring. He then lifted the swordsman up and threw him into the air before catching him with a powerbomb. Rolling him onto his front, Hsu Hao leapt onto his back. He let out a warrior cry as he listened to Kenshi's body make a hideous crunching sound under the pressure of his boots.

"You dared to toy with me!" Hsu Hao scoffed as he lifted Kenshi off the ground and suplexed him across the street. "I am not some joke, swordsman, I can bring the devastation of your family upon you!"

"Fuck off!" Suchin yelled as he sliced the katana down Hsu Hao's back after charging at him from behind. "Threaten my family, bitch, I'll kill you!"

"No," Hsu Hao shook his head as he elbowed Suchin's hand holding the katana as she went to swing again, promptly disarming her. He grabbed her by the throat and whispered, "I shall be doing the killing this evening."

Squeezing down on her small neck, Hsu Hao attempted to strangle Suchin to death, assuming he didn't snap it beforehand. Struggling to regain his senses without possession of Sento and his ears still ringing due to the power of Hsu Hao, Kenshi scrambled around cluelessly. He knew his wife was in danger, but couldn't sense where. As Suchin was being choked out, Jax did a push up with his remaining cybernetic arm to pick himself up. Grabbing his detached arm, he swung it like a bat over Hsu Hao's skull, wacking his hat off with the top of his head visibly bruising almost instantly which was now visible as his bald head was exposed.

Gritting his teeth, Hsu Hao remained standing. Jax reattached his arm and began swinging a series of punches alternating between left and right jabs and elbows. The already stunned Red Dragon continued to be pushed back. As he was battered by Jax, Kenshi crawled over to Sento as his ancestors' souls whispered to him. He then listened out for Suchin before rushing to check on her, but not until he got some payback on Hsu Hao. Hearing the piston-like sounds from Jax's fists, Kenshi calculated a telekinetic push that threw Hsu Hao into a flaming building behind him.

Hsu Hao smashed through a support beam inside the hallway of the building, surrounded by wooden furniture that had been set ablaze and would soon be reduced to nothing but ash. The upper floor groaned and buckled. Hsu Hao attempted to crawl away from the fire, but the structure then collapsed due to Hsu Hao demolishing its last standing piece of support. Flaming wooden boards fell down, piling on top of Hsu and trapping him in the burning structure. Jax watched on in shock, breathing heavily, as the building continued to collapse in a shower of sparks and debris.

"Are you alright, Major?" Kenshi asked as he and Suchin helped Jax up to his feet.

"Better than Hsu apparently," Jax remarked as he dusted himself off. "Shit… he didn't deserve to go like that."

"He's threatened the entire realm at least twice now," Kenshi crossed his arms. "I know you two had history, but…"

"This whole thing is fucked up," Jax cursed. "Thanks for the help anyway, Kenshi."

"Anytime," Kenshi nodded as they shook hands.

"You're an honorary S.F in my book," Jax told him. "You alright too, Suchin?"

"I guess," she shrugged. "I'll live."

"Let's help Hanzo," Kenshi decided as he pointed to him on the defensive across the street, trying his hardest to hold off about a dozen mercenaries.

Grabbing an assault rifle from one of the already fallen Red Dragon soldiers, Jax was quick to unload a magazine at the squadron when he saw Scorpion knocked down and in danger of being killed. The Spectre stayed down as Jax fired away at the Red Dragons as Kenshi and Suchin rushed in from the side to tackle any that tried running away with a sequence of judo throws. Soon after the last squadron of Red Dragons at the street had been eliminated.

"I had them," Scorpion remarked as Kenshi pulled him up.

"No you didn't," Suchin laughed. "Don't worry, Grandmaster, Takeda doesn't have to know."

"Let's keep reuniting with our allies," Scorpion instructed, following with their current plan. "We dealt with some Red Dragon scum, how hard will it be to act as pest control for the Black Dragon?"

"We've got your back, Cyrax! Smoke!" Jax yelled as he led the charge after the group of Black Dragons.

"Why did I agree to help you fuckers out?" Kobra groaned as Cyrax shoved him back into Smoke who hit a suplex that pinned him to the ground.

"Go easy on him!" Kira yelled.

"I've got him!" Kobra yelled back as he wrapped his arms around Smoke's legs and flipped him over before delivering a series of mounted punches.

"Not quite," Cyrax replied as he fired an energy net that wrapped around Kobra.

"What the fuck, dude?!" Kira exclaimed. "You're a bondage robot too?!"

"I'm a what?!" Cyrax asked. "Just surrender already, new blood, you signed up to the wrong after school club."

"It would be wise to comply," Scorpion added as he stood beside the Lin Kuei cyborg.

"Where's Rojack?!" Kobra asked as he wriggled around in the net, unable to break out.

"Up ahead," Kira noted as he put a hand over her eyes to look at the end of the street, seeing him scrapping with Johnny Cage amidst the chaotic conflict, police sirens starting to ring out which pulled Quinn's attention towards the gates.

"We'll handle him next," Jax promised as he grabbed one aggressive thug and placed them in a firm chokehold. "Hands up and we'll take you in, figure out this whole deal you've got with the Red ones."

"I know fuckall about that," Kira said honestly as she slowly began raising her arms, "but fine… I'll-"

"Fucking kill you all!" Libby Hall yelled as she mounted the turret after having fixed it and she began firing away.

"Shit!" Jax swore. "Everybody, take cover!"

Cyrax helped shield his allies, taking bullets that bounced off his cybernetic armour to save them as they rushed to the side of a building wall, one that hadn't burnt to the ground yet.

"Holy fuck, Lib!" Kira yelled as she took cover behind the turret. "You're stealing my crazy bitch shtick!"

"I've been around longer than you, girl!" Libby yelled as she continued firing the turret wildly. "Rotwang's vision is a great one, I'm not letting them ruin it!"

"You're insane!" Kira yelled.

"You take random psychotics, woman, don't judge me!" Libby yelled.

"I'm more so worried than judgey!"

"Go pop a xanax then!" Libby dismissed her. "Let the Liberator do her work."

"Yeah because that name doesn't make you sound like a white saviour at all," Kira muttered as Libby snatched her hand and made her squeeze the trigger of her turret. "Oh shit!"

"Never dealt in weapons like these before?!" Libby asked as she pulled her phone from her pocket.

"I was selling cunts guns you can actually carry!" Kira screamed, "not whatever the fuck this is!"

"Technology, bitch!" Libby yelled as she began tapping away on a command application she had developed for her phone.

"Lib!" Kira cried out as she saw Cyrax fire a net despite the bullets chipping his plating.

With a tap on her augmented phone, Cyrax's energy net suddenly ceased to exist as it dispersed right before Kira and Libby. Simultaneously, the net holding Kobra captive burst open and the street fighter quickly rolled to his feet. Cyrax clutched onto his head as he felt his own commands be intercepted and a loss of control of his own body.

"What's wrong, Cyrax?" Smoke asked, concerned about his close friend.

"She's taken over my cybernetics!" Cyrax yelled. "How are you doing this?!"

"Wow, your creator really needs to install some firewalls onto you," Libby remarked as she commanded Cyrax to turn to his own allies and fire a net at them.

"HOW?!" Cyrax asked again, raising his voice. The human body within the cybernetic prison still couldn't be controlled by the hacker as she laughed at him. "There's nothing like Lin Kuei cyborgs, how do you know how to control me?!"

"Don't you read the news?" Libby asked.

"I live in the arctic, forgive me for being out of touch…"

"You're almost identical to that red one who poses as a superhero in America," Libby revealed. "He agreed to do some studies for some tech company a few years back."

"Red one?" Cyrax gasped. "Sektor…"

"Your specs are on the internet, dude."

"I'm a human being!" Cyrax yelled. "This is a violation!"

"Yeah Lib, leave his sensitive robo-bits alone," Kira quipped.

"Jesus Christ, Kira," Libby looked at her with disgust.

"Can we stop trading moral judgement!" Kira asked. "We're both fucked up!"

"Aren't you two a little… immature to be helping realm conquerors?" Smoke asked as he appeared in a puff of vapour behind the pair, having used smoke to travel across the battleground. "It's honestly impressive how easily you get sidetracked."

"Piss off, twink, we didn't ask for your input!" Kira yelled as she spun around and hurled one of her 'Dragon Teeth' knives at Smoke.

"Were you waiting for us to makeout or something?!" Libby asked as Smoke rolled away from the knife.

"I don't swing that way," Smoke replied as he rushed at Libby, knocking her down with a combination of flying kicks.

"Knew it," Kira replied before slicing Smoke's back open with her other Dragon Tooth with the blade being so sharp that it broke through the back of his light grey armour with relative ease.

As Jax, Scorpion, Kenshi and Suchin ran off to try to help, Libby forced Cyrax to draw his wrist attached saw blade. Spinning around with his arm stretched, Cyrax was used to try to slice through the other heroes. Jax put his fists up, the blades creating sparks as they spun around his cybernetic arms. Running past the two cyborgs as they collided, Kenshi and Suchin rushed over to the turret with Kenshi using the added strength of the souls within Sento to topple over the turret whilst Smoke distracted Kira and Libby. Scorpion also approached them, but Kobra speared him to the ground with a vicious tackle. Holding his wrists, Kobra's hands set aflame, his powers becoming increasingly unstable after having unlocked them. What surprised Kobra as he pinned the Spectre down, however, was that he was completely fire resistant.

"Seriously?" Scorpion asked before setting his own hands aflame with hellfire.

"Shit!" Kobra yelled as he rolled backwards, allowing Scorpion to stand up. "Those goofy eyes aren't just contacts then?"

"I've been through Hell, kid," Scorpion said as he grabbed his chained kunai. "I can already tell that you have zero control over your own fire."

"So what?" Kobra asked as he clenched his fists tightly.

"I'm Grandmaster of the Shirai Ryu," Scorpion introduced himself.

"So what?" Kobra repeated his question, anger seeping through his tone.

"I'll give you three options," Scorpion offered, "surrender and you can join my clan, if you want to, or I will make you surrender."

"You ain't shit, Ghost Rider!" Kobra yelled. "Fucking bring it on!"

Unable to say a response, Hanzo merely sighed as Kobra charged at him, fists flying in rapid succession. Scorpion deftly dodged, then countered with a swift launch of his chained kunai. Kobra was yanked forward, dragging his bare feet into the path to try to slow down and counter the move. As Scorpion pulled Kobra right beside him, Kobra ducked an elbow strike to knock the Spectre over with a leg sweep. As Scorpion gazed up into the sky, he then saw Kobra twisting in mid-air before delivering a powerful kick to his chest.

Scorpion gasped for air, sitting up only to be kicked in the face back to the ground, summoning hellfire beneath Kobra's feet. Kobra leapt over the flames just in time, narrowly avoiding the searing hellfire. He retaliated with a jumping fist followed by a series of kickboxing strikes, the combination ending with a spinning roundhouse kick that connected with Scorpion's jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground. The Spectre grabbed Kobra's leg as he went to stomp on him before spinning him around. Before Kobra could react, Scorpion slashed his kunai down his back. With a pained yell, Kobra fell to his knees, but his spirit remained unbroken.

"Fuck off!" Kobra yelled as he shoved the Spectre back. "I'll rip your damn heart out!"

"You're very angry," Scorpion observed. "That's another thing I've experienced: immense rage."

"Quit trying to relate to me, old man!" Kobra yelled as he charged at Scorpion with a flaming fist.

Scorpion sidestepped and wrapped his arms around Kobra's fist as he charged forth, snapping his arm back in a painfully fast motion. Kobra clutched his injured arm whilst delivering a jumping flip kick, performing a pair of backflips midair. Whilst being juggled in the air by the flipkicks, Scorpion managed to grab Kobra and drive him into the ground with a powerful fiery slam. Kobra fell unconscious from the sheer impact of the landing as he smacked down on the back of his head.

"Stay down," Scorpion ordered as he turned to see the conflict between the others. "I'll be right back."

Kira and Libby stood back-to-back, their eyes darting around them as the group of Kenshi, Suchin and Smoke surrounded them. Advancing first was Kenshi, the two crazed women locking their eyes on him. Kenshi once again drew his sword, Sento, its blade shimmering with a ghostly light. He advanced on the two women, his movements precise and controlled.

"Let's see what you've got, samurai," Kira taunted, brandishing her Dragon Teeth daggers.

Libby, unarmed but constantly adapting to her circumstances, moved to flank Kenshi, hoping to catch him off guard as he focused on the sound of Kira's trash talking. Suchin tried to intercept Libby, but she struck her with a firm jab before hurling her into Smoke. Meanwhile, Kenshi lunged at Kira first, their blades clashing in a shower of sparks. Kira's strikes were fast and furious, but Kenshi matched her blow for blow, his calm demeanour unshaken.

Libby seized the opportunity to attack from behind, swinging an electrified baton she had picked up from the bodies of one of the many fallen Red Dragon soldiers. Kenshi sensed her approach, sidestepping Kira's thrust and spinning around to block Libby's swing with his sword, slicing the baton in half which created a small explosion. The blast knocked all three fighters back, Libby dropping her phone.

"She uses that to control Cyrax!" Jax yelled as he continued to hold the yellow cyborg back. "You gotta destroy it!"

"Destroy me if necessary," Cyrax suggested as he continued to saw into Jax's arms without any way to prevent his body's actions.

"No chance!" Jax refused. "You're going to be fine, Cyrax, I ain't allowing any unnecessary sacrifices!"

Kenshi tried to telekinetically drag the phone to him, but Kira pressed on with her attack, slashing at Kenshi's side and exposing cracks in his light suit of armour. He twisted away, but not before her blade grazed him, leaving a thin line of blood. Kenshi fought back with a powerful upward slash, forcing Kira to leap back to avoid being cut in half. She staggered back into Smoke who grabbed her before throwing her over his head with a release back suplex.

Libby rushed towards her phone, but Suchin grabbed her belt and pulled her into a punch of her own. Libby staggered back into Kenshi who she attempted to strike but the swordsman parried the blow and kicked her in the stomach, sending her sprawling to the ground. She gasped for air, clutching her midsection.

Kira snarled in frustration and lunged at Kenshi once more. This time, he was ready. With a swift motion, he sidestepped her attack and brought the hilt of his sword down on the back of her head, knocking her to the ground.

Breathing heavily, Kenshi stood over the fallen forms of Kira and Libby. They were down, but not out. Kira groaned, trying to push herself up, while Libby struggled to regain her footing. The two women hugged each other for support.

"It's over," Kenshi said, his voice calm but firm.

"I've got the phone," Suchin revealed as she tapped the device against Kenshi's armour. "What now?"

Libby spat on the ground, glaring up at him. "This isn't over, samurai!"

Libby's eyes flared with defiance as she got back on her feet, but Kira knew they were beaten. Kira held onto Libby's arm, dragging her back as Kenshi took the phone.

"I swear to God if you break that I'll fucking kill you!" Libby threatened as Kira continued to hold her back.

"Break it?" Kenshi snickered. "I'm not destroying evidence."

"You cunt!" Libby screamed.

"Although I might…" Kenshi muttered as she turned to Suchin. "Can you see anything to cancel whatever she did to Cyrax?"

"It's just a bunch of code strings," Suchin sighed as she scrolled through the hacking application Libby had developed. "Ah… force stop… there we are!"

Suddenly, Cyrax paused his attack as he began to process that he had regained control of his body. He retracted his saw blades before letting out a sigh of relief.

"Well done," Scorpion praised the couple. "I didn't even have to help."

"What about them?" Smoke pointed to Libby and Kira as they began their reluctant retreat, Kira kicking the unconscious Kobra to try to wake him up.

"We'll meet again," Libby promised, her voice filled with venom.

"No," Cyrax shook his head. "We're taking you in."

"Um… no thanks?" Libby replied, growing nervous.

"You're lucky that this is all I'm willing to do after the trick you just pulled," Cyrax said as a compartment in his chest opened up with the green light of an energy net being charged up.

"Wait!" Libby yelled as she used her strength to pull Kobra's body up, holding him in front of her.

"I'll grab them," Jax sighed as she flanked around.

"No!" Libby refused as she snatched one of Kira's daggers and held it against Kobra's neck. "You want me to cut up this kid?!"

"Libby, what the fuck?!" Kira yelled angrily.

"He's unconscious, he won't even know," Libby turned to tell her as Kira crossed her arms judgmentally.

"You're crazy!" Jax exclaimed. "Just put the knife down and-"

"Not happening!" Libby said as she began to walk backwards. "We regroup with our boys and you let us walk home, or do you wanna be known for killing this kid?!"

"Do you?" Scorpion asked.

"I barely know him!" Libby yelled. "He's some vigilante dork who was forced into our group, dude, he doesn't seem like a life to waste, right?"

"Damn," Jax swore as he turned to his allies as they stood beside him. "Let them go, I don't even know how we'll keep them detained with all the shit going on around us."

"Let's head up the village," Smoke suggested. "I know Kuai and a couple others headed that way, we should check on them."

"Let's go then," Jax nodded as they rushed up the street as Libby, Kira and the still knocked out Kobra went the other way.

As Scorpion, Kenshi, Suchin, Cyrax, Smoke and Jax turned the corner to the next street, they saw an even greater amount of fire throughout the street. Alyssa was up ahead desperately fighting the flames with her hydromancy, whilst Lori was evacuating a few of the villagers that remained trapped within the village walls that were ironically originally meant to protect them. She led a group of villagers down the path, using her old martial arts skills to takedown any thug that attempted to stop her.

"The path has been mostly cleared, Lori," Jax informed her as she walked past with the civilians. "There's still ongoing fires and a battle happening at the gates, but our allies should help get you outta here!"

"I'll handle it," Lori assured him. "Thank you, Jax."

"No problem," Jax replied as Lori hurriedly guided the villagers forward.

"Where's Kuai?" Smoke asked as the group walked down the path.

"I'm scanning," Cyrax replied as he activated a thermal vision filter, peering through a cloud of smoke to find the distinct figure of the Lin Kuei Grandmaster engaged in combat with another man. "Found him!"

"Lead the way," Smoke said as he pointed ahead.

Running down the street, Cyrax was the first to charge through a cloud of thick smoke. To help the others get past, Smoke absorbed the thick clouds. They soon saw Sub-Zero creating a wall of ice to shield himself from a relentless fiery attack from a flamethrower. Maniacal laughter rang out behind the flames, the source of most of the fire.

"No Face," Jax realised.

"Oh my?!" No Face piped up as he lifted the flamethrower up, revealing his disfigured appearance. "Is that you, Jacky?"

"Surrender now, or I won't be sorry for what happens next," Jax warned the pyromaniac, getting straight to the point.

"That max security prison was horrible!" No Face complained, punching his head at the horrid memory. "Never again! You can't!"

"You escaped the same day you got there!" Jax yelled. "How can you-"

"I hate it!" No Face snapped. "You cannot trap a freebird like me!"

"You're acting extra mad today, No Face," Jax sighed, "there something you wanna get off your chest?"

"Yes…" No Face lowered his voice, an uncharacteristically serious tone. "This!"

Reaching under the collar of his black shirt, No Face grabbed a stick of dynamite he had taped to his chest. Brushing the fuse against his flamethrower, he then hurled the lit stick at the heroes. Cyrax leapt into the air, tanking the explosion. As the blast threw him back, he dropped a bomb from his compartment that rolled towards No Face as payback for his attack.

"Ooh!" No Face said cheerfully as he ran towards the explosive.

"You still have bombs?!" Smoke yelled in shock.

"It's ball shaped!" No Face beamed as he cradled the bomb in his arms like a newborn baby, pressing it against the hole that remained of his ear, stamping his feet like an excited child at the sound of it beeping.

"I didn't think he'd do this!" Cyrax replied.

"Get away from it!" Jax yelled as he kicked the bomb out of No Face's hand, an explosion occurring in the air above them.

No Face began staggering back to evade Jax as he went to grab him, spinning his flamethrower at the heroes and firing. Flying ahead, Cyrax once again acted as a shield for his allies. From behind Cyrax, Sub-Zero sent an icy blast over No Face's head which soon formed into a block of ice that fell down on him. Dropping his flamethrower, Sub-Zero quickly covered it in ice in hopes of putting a stop to the flames.

"No!" No Face yelled as he rushed behind a group of Black Dragon goons as they gathered around at the commotion. "Take care of them, boys!"

One of the Black Dragon thugs looked at No Face with confusion, he asked, "uh… what?"

"Kill them!" No Face pointed to the Earthrealm protectors.

"You totally don't have enough pull to be bossing us around, dude," the thug replied.

"Oh my fucking days!" No Face yelled as he violently tore his own shirt off, exposing the collection of various explosives strapped to his bare chest. "I'm infamous in our ranks for being a fucking deranged terrorist lunatic!"

"He's a bit much isn't he?" Cyrax muttered to his group.

"He sure is a fun one," Jax sighed. "A suicide bombing is the last thing we need!"

"Then these boys better get to fighting!" No Face ordered. "It's what Kano would've wanted!"

"Of course he would," Jax said with disdain in his voice for the former Black Dragon leader.

"We're gonna get our asses kicked," one thug whispered to No Face who laughed at him.

"It's either that or I burn your asses!" No Face threatened as he grabbed his flamethrower, hugging it tightly. "I've gotta get to the others to scheme our next great plan!"

"I'm sure you'd have many great things to contribute to that discussion," Jax quipped but No Face ignored him as he ran away. "He does realise that's the wrong way, right?"

"Who cares?" Suchin shrugged. "You heard that lunatic, let's kick some ass!"

As the heroes fought off the Black Dragon members, No Face continued up the street before soon realising himself.

"Hold it!" Alyssa yelled as No Face ran towards her. She was in the middle of dousing the fire out from one of the many homes along the street, mitigating the fire.

"Shit!" No Face yelled, taking a turn to the side of the street, throwing himself over a small wooden fence behind the hut.

No Face let out a frightened shriek as he ducked a pair of flaming swords being swung at him. He looked up to see Daegon attempting to hack and slash through Mileena in an empty plot of land that had been fenced off in the village. Opposite No Face was a broken fence panel, evidence of the two warriors having broken into the field. Mileena managed to parry an overhead slash from Daegon with her sai and she quickly retaliated by spinning her arms around, slashing at Daegon with the sai which trimmed down many blades of the overgrown grass in the process. A low spin kick during this attack managed to trip Daegon up, falling onto his back which allowed Mileena to pounce on top of him, biting away at Daegon's already scarred face. No Face reluctantly pulled Mileena off of the Red Dragon Grandmaster to assist his unlikely ally. Mileena spun around, hissing at No Face with the primal rage of a true Tarkatan. No Face staggered back against the fence, quickly climbing over it to escape the former ruler's wrath. As No Face retreated, Daegon quickly rose to his feet and wrapped his arms around Mileena before slamming her down on the ground with a fiery explosion upon impact that set the field ablaze and bounced Mileena into the air.

No Face gasped as he turned back, seeing Mileena blasted into the air and then slashed and launched across the village by various Drakesword attacks and then a powerful midair flaming fist from Daegon. He then watched as Daegon manipulated a bundle of flames above his head after sheathing his Drakeswords, forming a small Dragon-like figure that used its fiery wings to serve as a glider as Daegon flew over the burning village, sparks dripping off the Dragon onto the buildings below. As No Face ran up the street, his new plan being to leave through the exiting gates on the other side and to run around the outskirts of the village walls, he was quickly knocked to the ground by a powerful beam of water. Spitting out the liquid, he sighed as he saw Alyssa stand over him.

"You caused all these fires, didn't you?!" Alyssa asked, her voice seeping with anger and frustration.

"No," he rolled his eyes. "I'm just an ordinary guy with bombs strapped to him!"

"Those are explosives?!" Alyssa yelled as she leapt back.

"Yes!" No Face exclaimed as he stood up. "What do Outworld explosives look like?!"

"Like black orbs with a burning wick," Alyssa tried to recall.

No Face burst into laughter at the thought of such explosives, it reminded him of all the cartoons he used to watch.

"What?!" Alyssa asked, getting more cross.

"Next time I visit, I've gotta see this!" No Face exclaimed.

"They're illegal," Alyssa rolled her eyes. "Outdated military tactics used by the Kahn Guard," she recalled. "Speaking of, are you part of the new regime's army?"

"Something like that," No Face giggled. "By the way, you're not far enough to evade the blast!"

Reaching for a detonator, Alyssa quickly doused the crazed Black Dragon with water, expecting the dampness to disable his explosives. No Face hurled a grenade forth, but Alyssa protected herself with a water bubble that surrounded her whole body, shielding her from the blast. As she defended herself, No Face quickly got to his feet.

"My bombs don't work like your Outworld cartoon ones!" No Face yelled as he went to detonate himself.

"You'll kill yourself!" Alyssa yelled.

"Outworld's not the only thing with a shitty new regime!" No Face complained. "My clan, my family, it's not the same anymore!"

"I don't know you!" Alyssa yelled. "What are you even talking about?!"

"I wanted to take out those Special Forces bastards," No Face admitted, "but you'll have to do!"

Suddenly, a katar zoomed past Alyssa's head and stabbed No Face in the chest, perfectly targeted between two sticks of dynamite. As No Face collapsed to the ground, his hand squeezed on the detonator button, triggering all of his explosives. In a speeding whirl of faintly purple energy, No Face was scooped away before the explosion could happen. Alyssa turned away, and found herself shielded by an even greater water bubble.

"Rain!" Alyssa yelled.

As Alyssa reunited with her mentor, No Face let out an annoyed groan from the other side of the explosion. He turned to see Kabal, who was still lit aflame from Mavado hurling him into a fire. Even No Face, the man responsible for Kabal's original burn wounds, felt some sympathy for the speedster.

"Christ!" No Face yelled as he saw Kabal collapse from exhaustion. "Why'd you help?!"

"Not even you… should go out like that," Kabal gasped as he struggled to stand up. "You're not well…"

"Coming from you?" No Face scoffed as he stood up.

"I meant mentally," Kabal sighed. "You can actually be helped if you'd just give up."

"I was giving up just then!" No Face snapped. "In a beautiful explosion!"

"Sorry you feel that way…" Kabal apologised as he tried to stand but collapsed in No Face's arms, the pyromaniac reluctantly grabbing him. "You seen Mavado? I need to… stop him…"

"Like this?!" No Face asked as he patted the flames down. "He'd whoop you even if you were at a hundo p, Kabby, not a good idea."

Kabal went to reply, but he was completely breathless and unable to speak. He leaned back, his long black locks falling back to reveal that he was maskless. No Face dropped the speedster in shock, knowing very well that he needed his mask to survive.

"Maybe this is a chance to bring a nostalgic flavour back to the Black Dragon," No Face considered as he looked down at Kabal's unconscious body. "Come on, mate, let me help you for a change…"

Further up the street, Alyssa had been hugging Rain for a long minute. She was overcome with relief over seeing Rain again, especially due to her concerns being exasperated at the sight of Daegon, the man Rain had left Edenia with.

"Oh… Ally," Rain smiled seeing her.

"Master," Alyssa replied. "Your brother, he's behind an attack here!"

"I know," Rain sighed.

Alyssa was overcome with a sudden realisation and so she pushed her mentor away, surprised to see his new attire being that of a crimson uniform that was quite similar to the masked grunts she had encountered throughout the village. Alyssa hadn't thought about it initially, she was too focused on seeing Rain's face again to pay attention to what he was wearing… but now she had questions.

"Master…" Alyssa clenched her fists. "Why are you wearing that?!"

"I…" Rain paused, unsure how to explain everything.

"Is it just a disguise?" Alyssa asked. "You followed your brother back here in Earthrealm to stop him… right?"

Rain stared at Alyssa with a look of immense guilt.

"Say something!"

"I'm sorry, Ally," Rain apologised. "I'm actually… I… I can't lie to you."

"Then tell me what's going on," Alyssa begged.

"I'm working for my brother and the Red Dragon clan," Rain revealed. "It's-"

"Why am I surprised?!" Alyssa interrupted him, enraged by the news.

"He didn't leave me with much of a choice!" Rain tried to elaborate but Alyssa just shook her head whilst staring at him.

"There's always a choice, you damned coward! First it was Shao Kahn, now your brother… and you're going to give me excuses for your spinelessness?! Sure once Shao was conquering realms, compliance became the only way to survive in Outworld. You turned on Edenia before the war was even over, and you've cried to me over and over and over again about how much you regret it…"

The rain poured down on the Edenian battlefield. Rain found himself channelling his powers quickly by a stream beside the field that was once a peaceful nature reserve, now turned into a destroyed landscape littered with corpses of soldiers from the sides of Outworld and Edenia. Although reluctant, Rain had received direct orders from the General of the Edenian Royal Army to perform a task that would threaten many lives on the battlefield if executed correctly.

Rain held a sceptre gifted to him by Amara, his mother and fellow hydromancer, the staff had been enchanted to host a permanent water source in the form of a sphere floating above the small frog adornment that rested atop the purple staff. He used the sceptre to help channel his powers, a useful source for an amateur hydromancer. He wrapped his hands around the water sphere, wetting his hands before he dropped the sceptre and reached out towards the stream standing before him.

Rain's fingers danced over the water's surface, drawing upon the elemental energy that surged within him. The downpour intensified, responding to his command, as he prepared to unleash a powerful torrent against the advancing Outworld forces. His eyes scanned the battlefield, taking in the chaos and destruction that marred the once serene land. The scent of damp earth and blood filled the air, a stark reminder of the cost of this war.

With a deep breath, Rain focused his will, feeling the water rise and swirl around him, ready to strike. He knew that this battle would not only determine the fate of Edenia and prove himself to the General as truly worthy of being next in line to take his position. The enemy was relentless, but Rain was determined to protect his home, no matter the cost. As he raised his hands, the water collected from the stream obeyed, forming into a massive wave poised to crash down upon the invaders. The time for action was now, and Rain was ready to make his stand.

A colossal wave rose, towering above the conflict, before crashing down with devastating force. The flood swept across the field, engulfing everything in its path. The once dry ground turned into a raging torrent, swallowing soldiers from both Outworld and Edenia. The cries of battle were drowned out by the roaring waters. Rain stood resolute, his eyes fixed on the destruction. The floodwater churned and swirled, washing away the bodies and remnants of war. The battlefield was transformed into a watery grave, the remnants of the conflict disappearing beneath the waves.

"Well done, Rain!" The General praised as he led the remaining soldiers around the outskirts of the field that was downhill and distant from the crashing wave. "We can use the emptied stream as a trench!"

"There were our people caught up in that!" Rain cried out as he leapt into the pit made from where the water of the stream once resided.

"I'm sorry, Rain," he apologised. "It would've been impossible to move them all aside."

"No…" Rain sighed.

"General Kato!"

"Speak now, squire!" Kato replied as the soldier saluted him.

"The waves are moving south," the soldier informed him. "They're heading towards the cliffside."

"Then we've won this battle," Kato concluded. "We must depart for the Grand Palace immediately, Queen Sindel and King Jerrod need our protection!"

"Do we have eyes on Shao Kahn?" Rain asked.

"About that…" the soldier let out a nervous sigh.

"What's wrong?" Kato questioned.

"We've found the reason for there being a battalion at this field," the soldier revealed, "Shao Kahn is approaching."

"To us directly?!" Rain asked with the soldier nodding.

"Not the field opposite us?" Kato was puzzled by the Outworld Emperor's strategy. "He put the majority of his forces on the other path to keep the rest of our forces busy… whilst he himself flanks the other side."

"I saw the wave catch him," the soldier stated, "but it wasn't pushing him back!"

"We will have to fight him then," Kato decided as he grabbed his katar. "We must fight for all the Edenians who sacrificed their lives today!"

"Look out!" Rain yelled as he summoned a roof made of water as an organised barrage of flaming arrows rained down upon the Edenian soldiers.

"It seems some Kahn Guard scum survived the flood!" Kato grunted as he climbed out of the trench as the arrows fell down from atop the hill which still posed a threat even with Rain dousing the flames attached to each pointed tip. "We must push forward, troopers, follow me!"

Crawling uphill onto the slippery grass of the battlefield, the Edenian soldiers stood opposite a small squadron of remaining Kahn Guard soldiers… and Shao Kahn himself. Patting the handle of the Wrath Hammer in his massive hands, Shao Kahn laughed at the sight of the opposition. Edenian archers aimed their bow and arrows at the Outworld Emperor, prepared to fire.

"I see my diversion was a success," Shao Kahn commented, unphased by the soldiers. "Or is this really the best Edenia has to offer?"

"There are many more powerful defences awaiting you at the Grand Palace!" Kato warned the Emperor as he pointed his katar at him. "I don't intend to let you see them though."

"Nor do I intend to leave any of you alive," Shao Kahn threatened the Edenians all whilst having a sinister grin on his face, "unless you surrender to Outworld, and agree to serve MY Guard."

"I'd rather die!" Kato yelled in refusal. "None of us shall betray our realm!"

The soldiers cheered whilst Rain remained silent, the nerves of the battle leaving him focused as he stared daggers at Shao Kahn. The Emperor merely laughed louder than their collective cheers.

"As you wish," Shao Kahn said before charging at General Kato with a fast shoulder charge that took Shao off his feet.

Arrows were fired upon Shao as he leapt into the air, his shoulder taking all the arrows without him even letting out a single grunt of pain. Raising the Wrath Hammer above his head, Shao Kahn crashed down upon a soldier, immediately crushing their skull as their head was squashed and an explosion of red emitted from the brutal murder. The soldiers carrying melee weapons charged forth at the sight of Kahn Guard members following Shao Kahn, helping to hold them back. Between the clashes of soldiers from both sides, Shao Kahn swung the Wrath Hammer around wildly, pelting the archers several yards across the field. Trying to assist the helpless soldiers, Rain rushed in only to be snatched by the throat and slammed into the earth.

"Weak and pathetic!" Shao Kahn mocked as he stomped a foot into the hydromancer's chest.

"Son!" Kato cried out as he rushed at Shao Kahn, thrusting his katar repeatedly into his muscular abdomen.

With a firm backhand, Shao Kahn struck the Edenian General. Both men staggered back, Shao clutching his wounds. From the side, Rain swung his sceptre with great force, smacking the arrows impaled into Shao Kahn's arm, suddenly digging them deeper into his flesh with only the quivers sticking out. This made Shao Kahn roar in pain and anger as he turned to Rain, looking down at him with his wicked crimson eyes.

"Retreat to the Grand Palace, my son!" Kato ordered as he leapt in between Rain and Shao Kahn. "I will hold him off!"

"I won't leave you!" Rain refused as he blasted a water projectile at Shao Kahn, allowing Kato to leap up in an attempt to slit Shao's throat, but he grabbed the blade in his hand.

Ignoring the cutting feeling, Shao ripped the katar from Kato's hand and threw it at Rain, stabbing him in the hip. The hydromancer fell over as Kato clocked Shao Kahn in the jaw with a firm right fist. Yanking Kato by the arm, Shao Kahn hoisted him into the air like he weighed nothing, laughing as he bashed the side of the Wrath Hammer into his gut as he continued to hold Kato into the air, no matter how much he kicked in protest.

"General!" Rain cried out.

Rain tried to sprint over to help, but Shao Kahn recklessly tossed the Wrath Hammer at the hydromancer which knocked Rain down. Dazed and hurt, Rain looked up to see the Emperor lift Kato up over his back before slamming him over it. The sound of Kato's spine shattering rang out throughout the field as Shao slumped his crippled body to the ground. Rain began pushing the heavy Wrath Hammer off of him as Shao Kahn charged his fist with soul magic, the green energy glowing as he stood over Kato.

"I love you, son…" Kato whimpered as he tried crawling to Rain.

"Father!"

It was too late. With a soul magic empowered punch, Shao Kahn's fist went right through Kato's body as if it were paper. Through the hole he made, Shao Kahn clenched to Kato's heart, squeezing it in front of Rain. The heart exploded, more blood splattering across the battlefield, and Shao Kahn just laughed at the awful sight.

"You laugh?!" Rain sobbed as he ripped Kato's katar out his hip and pointed the blade at Shao Kahn.

"You mortals are fantastic jokes," Shao Kahn stated as he reached a hand out, calling for the Wrath Hammer. "Entertain me, boy."

Rain ducked as the infamous weapon telekinetically pulled itself back into the firm grasp of Shao Kahn. Anger overcame Rain as he swung at Shao with his father's weapon. Following his swing, miscoloured lightning shockingly came down from the cloudy sky. The bolt of purple lightning crashed down on Shao Kahn, electrocuting his entire body. As his massive body twitched from the deadly shock, Rain pushed the katar deep into Shao's chest, trying to stab him in the heart. The Emperor managed to push him back but Rain kept on the offensive, hitting a spinning roundhouse kick that caught Shao Kahn on the jaw and took him off his feet.

Chasing after the airborne Outworld Emperor, Rain used his sceptre to increase the size of the enchanted sphere to become a large bubble he could travel in. Flying in the air within the bubble, Rain caught up to Shao Kahn and submerged him into the bubble with him. The two warriors traded blows inside the bubble before Rain swam around him and grabbed onto his waist. The bubble suddenly shrunk at Rain's command and Rain and Shao both fell with the hydromancer controlling Shao by driving him head first into the ground.

Rolling onto his front, Shao Kahn stumbled around the ground, dazed from Rain's attack. The hydromancer was far from done though, as he sent a small wave carrying his sceptre back to him. Using the staff, he drove the tip into Shao Kahn's chest. The enchanted water sphere at the tip grew liquid tentacles that wrapped around Shao's body. Another bolt of lightning then fell down onto the water sphere, electrifying the water and stinging the Outworld Emperor as if he was being wrapped up by an eel.

Once the electrocution stopped, Rain kicked the helmet off of Shao Kahn before dropping to his knees to grab Shao by his face. The Emperor groaned as Rain dug a thumb into his eyeball whilst he looked for his katar. Grabbing it, Rain held the blade against Shao Kahn's throat. Just then, Shao Kahn unleashed a burst of soul magic that knocked the hydromancer back. Rain slipped on the wet field and fell back onto the cliffedge of the battlefield. By the time Rain pulled himself up, Shao Kahn had already returned to his feet. As Rain swung a fist at him, Shao Kahn caught it and immediately squeezed on his knuckles, breaking them instantly. Rain cried out in agony, falling to his knees as he clutched his broken hand.

"How brave," Shao Kahn had to give the hydromancer some slight praise. "You're a fragile thing though."

"Be silent!" Rain demanded as he launched a water beam from his unharmed hand, the blast pushing Shao Kahn towards the cliff edge.

Digging his heels into the dirt, Shao Kahn stood his ground. Rain charged at him, but Shao sidestepped and booted Rain off the cliff. In a rare act of mercy from the tyrant though, Shao grabbed onto the back of Rain's shirt. As the hydromancer dangled on the edge of the cliff, Shao Kahn spun him around in the air to face him as he moved his hand up to his neck.

"Look down," Shao Kahn ordered. "Can you see it?"

"What?" Rain was puzzled as he looked down into the abyss below, only seeing it swallowed by mist and the bottom being too far away to be visible. "There's nothing."

"I suppose my eyes are sharper than those of mere mortals," Shao realised as he began juggling Rain in his arms. "I see the corpses of many… all because of you."

"Your invasion caused this!" Rain argued. "I didn't want this war!"

"Of course," Shao agreed as he threw Rain over his shoulder, preventing him from falling to his demise. "I gladly take credit for these lost souls."

"Then why are we talking?" Rain questioned as he stood up and returned to his fighting stance despite his broken hand.

"I have an offer for you," Shao Kahn smirked.

"No," Rain refused before even hearing it.

"Then you die," Shao Kahn replied before summoning the Wrath Hammer and slamming it into Rain's stomach, causing him to keel over. "Listen to me now, before I break your other hand, and then snap your scrawny neck."

Rain couldn't reply, being completely winded by the savage blow from the Wrath Hammer. Shao Kahn took great pleasure in the sound of his victim's suffering.

"Excellent," Shao Kahn commented as he lined up the Wrath Hammer to swing Rain's head off his own body. "To cut to the point, my offer is this: serve the Kahn Guard, or die."

"Death…" Rain pleaded. "I can join my father in the Heavens…"

"The Heavens will fall to me inevitably too," Shao Kahn laughed. "Also after this war? You'll be seeing the Netherrealm instead!"

"Better than being your slave!" Rain snapped angrily, looking up at Shao only to be punched back down.

"I hear this all the time," Shao Kahn sighed. "I don't try to justify it. I don't care about your own wellbeing, it simply falls down to how much you care about your life."

"Considering you're taking everything I know in life away from me… there's very little left to care for."

"You have your now dead father, but what about your mother?" Shao Kahn asked. "A hydromancer here, a rare Edenian power. I didn't see your father use it, so it comes from her?"

"Leave her alone…" Rain begged.

"So there is a widow," Shao Kahn's eyes widened. "I won't even bother wasting resources hunting her down… as long as you serve me."

Rain gasped, unsure how to reply.

"You want to be some sort of hero, right?" Shao Kahn questioned. "Many of you Edenians possess great powers, it would be a grave shame to have to wipe you all out."

"That's not possible," Rain shook his head. "Not even you could achieve that!"

"Oh really?" Shao Kahn laughed. "Tell that to the Zaterrans."

"When will it be enough for you?!" Rain asked, his voice seeping with anger.

"When everything is under my rule within the One Realm."

"If you win…"

"When I win," Shao corrected him.

"Edenia and Outworld merge?" Rain asked.

"Of course," he nodded. "I will have hunters for the Edenians who survive the merger."

"Monster…"

"I can recruit many more like you though," Shao Kahn returned to his alternate proposal. "There are numerous subgroups within the Kahn Guard, you could lead one for Edenians."

"I'm no leader," Rain sighed.

"Time to step up then," Shao Kahn ordered. "The Kahn Guard doesn't need you, compliance and honing your skills will be the only things saving you."

"What happens then?" Rain asked. "Just endless servitude… to you?!"

"Probably," Shao smirked. "Much like the Saurians, your kind and your culture will inevitably die out."

Rain wiped his eyes as tears began to stream down his face. Shao Kahn burst into laughter at what he perceived to be a display of patheticness.

"I will relish in this conquest, my greatest thus far, however, evidence of my work must also unfortunately die out over the infinite years of my reign that are still to come. There will be enough peasants left to remember and fear what I'm capable of, but not enough proof so that I can continue to manipulate those who can be valuable assets. When I seize one of the Edenian rulers, that shall also help maintain such a presence."

"You're pure evil," Rain stated, slowly standing up.

"Yes, I am."

"And seize a ruler?!" Rain repeated, much to his own disgust. "You're going to force Queen Sindel to be your…"

"Or his disgrace of a husband, who is more unmanly than her," Shao Kahn confirmed bluntly. "I do not care regardless. I do not care for love. One of them will simply aid in my public image, I must be feared but too much fear shall make my subjects too cowardly and useless."

"I'm sure you'd know," Rain rolled his eyes, completely defeated.

"They have a daughter, yes?" Shao Kahn asked.

"I'm not telling you," Rain refused to answer.

"The loyalty gained from a family bond is… most powerful."

"One last question," Rain took a deep breath. "How do you plan to benefit your people? How does any of this benefit anyone other than yourself?"

"It doesn't," Shao Kahn bluntly admitted. "It benefits only me. Those who submit become survivors, those who resist don't. It is a simple choice."

"Surprised you're still able to manipulate others when you're this upfront," Rain commented.

"I have a plethora of excuses ready for someone who needs to hear them," Shao Kahn assured him. "I have no reason to lie to you though, boy, if you're to lead my small band of Edenian allies then I don't need you to be deceived… I need you broken enough to comply with my orders."

"All this drivel and not a word of it is at all convincing," Rain told him.

"You're the only warrior this far to have put up such a fierce fight against me… even if it was only a brief outburst of rage. If you refuse then I'll likely scrap my plan to create such a group, and just eliminate any Edenians regardless of their compliance. Join me and you'll spare many of your kind, a small fraction of Edenians that shall witness the One Realm."

"You could just be bluffing," Rain realised.

"My soldiers have nearly dealt with your pathetic allies on this field," Shao Kahn noted as he looked around, seeing very few surviving soldiers dressed in purple. "I cannot wait around any longer, boy, I could be lying but… how can you trust a 'monster' like me to not massacre them all?"

"Fine…" Rain finally gave in. "I don't want to see this through… but I suppose I should. I'll join you."

"Leave that one!" Shao Kahn yelled to a soldier who had gutted their opponent, leaving them bleeding out slowly on the ground. The Emperor didn't even react to Rain's declaration of allegiance, he always expected to have his way so it wasn't surprising to hear such words. "Let's do a quick test of loyalty, boy."

"What do you want me to do?" Rain asked nervously.

"Find that foolish dagger of yours," Shao Kahn instructed. "To save the lives of many Edenians in the future, you must stab the blade into this failed soldier… put him down."

"No!" Rain refused. "I can't!"

"Then the extinction of Edenians is your fault," Shao Kahn said bluntly. "Bring them here, soldier, I shall tear them apart limb by limb."

"Wait!" Rain yelled as he scrambled around for his katar, hands shaking as he picked it up slowly. "I'll do it…"

"Good," Shao Kahn said as he threw the dying soldier towards Rain. "Finish him."

The bleeding out soldier gasped as he saw Rain stand over him. The two Edenians both cried, the hydromancer kneeling beside him.

"Please don't…" the soldier begged.

"I'm sorry," Rain apologised as he sunk the katar into the heart of his former ally.

"Well done, boy," Shao Kahn applauded. "What is your name?"

"Rain…"

"Rain?!" Shao Kahn burst into laughter. "How ridiculous!"

"My mother named me," Rain said as he looked over his shoulder and glared at Shao Kahn as he continued to laugh.

"Well then, Rain, welcome to the Kahn Guard," Shao Kahn offered him a hand. "We have plenty of work to do…"

"You went through all of that…" Alyssa sighed with disappointment. "Yet now you're just doing it again?! You side with the conqueror and be complicit in the conquering?!"

"That's not what I'm doing!" Rain yelled. "Let me explain!"

"I have no time for that!" Alyssa said before knocking Rain down on his back with a blast of water. "People are in danger and you dare try to waste my time with excuses!"

"Ally…" Rain said sadly as he tried to stand up but Alyssa kicked him back down. "I love you."

"Be silent!" Alyssa yelled as she punched her mentor again.

"I love you…" Rain repeated as Alyssa struck him again, Rain refused to fight back.

"Stop saying that!" Alyssa demanded as she got on top of Rain and put her hands around his neck.

"I love-" Rain was cut off by Alyssa tightening her grip, strangling him.

Tears flowed from Rain's eyes as Alyssa continued to choke him out. Looking at the pain and sadness on his face, Alyssa suddenly realised him and rolled off of him, sitting next to him. Alyssa sighed as Rain gasped for air.

"You weren't with the others," Alyssa realised as Rain shook his head. "You were on the other side… helping to stop the fires."

"Discreetly…" Rain nodded. "I swear, Ally, I wouldn't hurt any innocents… not anymore."

"You hurt me!" Alyssa yelled.

"I'm sorry," he apologised as he sat up beside her. "You're family to me, Ally, you're basically my little sister."

"Stop being over sentimental," Alyssa requested as she began to tear up.

"I love you, sis," Rain repeated one last time.

"I love you too," Alyssa replied as she leant against him. "I'm sorry… I might've overreacted."

"What you said about me though, it's true," Rain sighed as he reflected on his past. "It was true at least. Everything I did to change my actions and how I treated others the past couple of decades, it wasn't some drama act, I have changed… it's because of you."

"You're not actually with your brother are you?" Alyssa asked.

"Of course not," Rain shook his head. "I don't know what made him the way he is, but he's pure evil."

"You're pretending to serve him then?"

"Not quite," Rain sighed again. "This is why I wanted to properly explain things to you."

"I'm sorry," Alyssa apologised again. "Talk to me then, what happened?"

"Daegon took me to Earthrealm and then immediately after leaving the portal I was ambushed by some of his loyalists. They took me to their hideout, held me prisoner, there I learnt a lot. This will sound ridiculous, Ally, but I'm… I'm a Demi-God."

"What?!" Alyssa yelled. "Surely he was telling a myth!"

"He had evidence. He perfectly described my parents home in Edenia, he had spies that somehow found it upon its restoration. There he found a note in her handwriting, that I was meant to receive to reveal all this sooner. My birth father was Argus."

"The Argus?!" Alyssa gasped. "Protector God of Edenia."

"Yes," Rain nodded. "He abandoned me for protection or whatever nonsense…"

"I'm so sorry," Alyssa apologised.

"It's fine," Rain reassured her. "I still had my true father, the man who raised me and died trying to save my life. That's my father."

"What does being a God mean for you?"

"It changes nothing. I'm not a Protector God. I'm not royalty. I'm just a man who needs to be a part, even a small one, in ending this endless bombardment of tyrants who ruin our homes and split up our families. That stays the same. I wasn't related to my real father by blood, but so what? Some God who abandoned his entire family over some sort of foreseen quest to save the realms from some sort of event that Daegon called 'Armageddon'… oh right… that's another thing."

"Yeah this is certainly a lot for even me to take in," Alyssa said as she hugged her mentor. "I can't imagine how tough this has been for you."

"The point is that I've chosen my family. You're my family. Blood or not, I know who my father is and it isn't some high and mighty God. I disown anybody I have a blood relation to… except for my mother."

"You've never really talked about her much," Alyssa realised. "Did the invasion take her away too? Like basically all our families…"

"I… I don't actually know. I just assumed for so long that she had been killed, I lived in doubt over feelings of guilt and dread over Shao Kahn seeming unstoppable. Yet through all that I now live in a time where Edenia is back. If she's still alive, she'll be there. I have to see her again… I have to at least try. I won't give up, Alyssa, never again."

"I'm with you," Alyssa promised as she helped him stand up. "Please just stick with me though… Why pretend to be part of Daegon's clan?"

"We got so caught up in the whole family drama that I forgot to even mention that part, huh?" Rain realised as he accepted Alyssa's hand and she pulled him up. "It's not for information, it's not out of self preservation, it's… well it's because of you."

"What do you mean?"

"The Red Dragon has some sort of cloaking technology. They were spying on the entire party at the Grand Palace, who knows what else they keep tabs on! Daegon threatened you. If I tried to resist the Red Dragon then they'd immediately kill you!"

"That monster!" Alyssa yelled. "Forget that, I can look after myself!"

"Ally, I can't take that risk!"

Suddenly, an aircraft flew over the village. Scaly red figures in light golden armour leapt off of a hanger and began freefalling down into the village. Rain and Alyssa looked up with confusion, unable to makeout the creatures until one came crashing down in front of them. As the dust from their huge impact passed, revealing a dragon-like creature.

The creature had a fierce and imposing appearance. Its body was covered in thick, red scales that offered both protection alongside the chestplate they wore as well as a menacing look that struck fear into even the most experienced warriors. Rain squinted at the intricate patterns on the creatures armour, recognising the symbol of the Red Dragon clan.

"Ohh Raaain!" Mavado's voice echoed from a speaker that was strapped to a collar around the creature's neck, and an advanced monocle glowed which served as a video camera for the Red Dragon subleader. "Why has our newest initiate wandered so far from his allies? We have a tracker for your blood, if you recall."

"Do you always have to explain your technology?!" Rain asked.

"Yes, because it's fucking rad," Mavado confirmed, increasing the volume of the speaker to ensure the common growls of the Dragon Hybrid didn't deafen what he had to say. "Let me introduce you to our now finished Dragon Hybrid project! This big guy here is simply called Hybrid. He was the first one, we tested him out on some lower criminal scum. He's frankly not great alone, but he was impressive, so much so that we've continued efforts for… quite a few of our members."

Hearing more growls behind them, Rain and Alyssa spun around to see three more Dragon Hybrids stalking them. Rain and Alyssa stood back to back as the beasts surrounded them.

"Still need to work on their intelligence, the transition has taken a blow to that," Mavado sighed as he continued to speak,

"Hybrid here used to communicate just fine, so we continued to produce more of them… then they just began losing intelligence and now they're basically just beasts. Regardless, they make for suitable grunts, and they can understand who their prey is."

"Leave Alyssa alone!" Rain demanded. "She hasn't even fought any of your soldiers, her stopping fires doesn't inconvenience your clan at all!"

"You potentially deserting us though, is far worse than a mild inconvenience," Mavado argued. "So… Rain…"

Rain turned immediately after hearing Alyssa scream as the main Hybrid lunged forth and snatched Alyssa into his grasp. Hybrid lifted Alyssa over his head with ease and firmly grabbed her arms and legs together in each hand, threatening to rip her in half.

"What will it be, amigo?" Mavado asked Rain as he stood in between the Dragon Hybrids, blatantly conflicted. "Will you comply?"

Rain froze as he looked at Alyssa who was shaking his head but Rain could tell she wasn't strong enough to break free from Hybrid. He sighed before answering.

"Yes…" Rain reluctantly made his decision. "I'll comply."

"Rain…" Alyssa let out a defeated sigh.

"Excelente!" Mavado cheered.

"Now let her go!" Rain demanded.

"Fine," Mavado agreed as Hybrid pushed Alyssa away.

"Now leave her be," Rain ordered. "She's just trying to stop a fire."

"Also done," Mavado confirmed.

"I'm not leaving you, Rain!" Alyssa refused.

"It was nice catching up, Ally," Rain told her as he pulled her in for a hug. "I'm so sorry."

"Do you not even know what you missed?" Alyssa asked.

"I know the Red Dragon are helping those wicked sorcerers," Rain replied. "If you stick with the Union then Outworld won't ever fall to them."

"It already has, you fool!" Alyssa blurted out angrily, tears welling in her eyes.

"What do you mean?!"

"We lost Outworld! The Deadly Alliance rule now! Countless have died in the war! Earthrealms Liu Kang and Fujin, the Wind God you fought back when Shao Kahn had us invade this realm… they're amongst the dead! Worst of all, Baraka was killed too! He was killed by that rotten General Kotal! He killed his own father, then Baraka, then he claimed Outworld after Reiko's final attack! Reiko's dead too, by the way, and Shang Tsung and Quan Chi picked up what was left of that battle to seize control! So now Mileena's a mess, Kitana's got no chance of focusing on running Edenia, the Thunder God's losing his mind, the sad drunk we have as Outworld's Protector refuses to use his powers, we keep getting attacked by these monsters, and I'm here being told by Sindel to just 'keep having hope.' Says the same woman who… ended herself the last time her realm was conquered. Am I missing something?! I'm probably a dead woman regardless of whether you 'comply' with these bastards or not! That's because I'll still be here, fighting whilst everything and everyone falls apart around me because I can't go back to being a slave for realm conquering tyrants!"

"Ally…"

"I've heard enough," Mavado remarked as one Dragon Hybrid grabbed Alyssa by the legs and swung her around before releasing her, launching her to the end of the street.

"No!" Rain yelled.

"Was she ever going to shut up?" Mavado asked.

An enraged Rain struck Hybrid with a spinning roundhouse kick that threw him down the opposite side of the street. After making the attack, the other Dragon Hybrids immediately dogpiled him. Struggling to break free as the Dragon Hybrids clawed at him from below, Rain's anger continued to grow. Dark clouds soon came over the village, alongside a thunderstorm. The fires around Lianhua Village started to be put out by the heavy rain as a bolt of lightning crashed down on the pile of Dragon Hybrids. The beasts roared in pain as they scurried off Rain who quickly got to his feet, ready to continue fighting.

Alyssa looked up after having been thrown by Hybrid, smiling despite the pain as she tried to stand up after her hard fall. She attempted to approach her mentor to aid him, but she suddenly gasped as a mystical reflection of herself suddenly appeared before her. Alyssa shook her head, believing it was just her eyes playing tricks on her after taking such a nasty fall, but as she walked forward she bounced off the reflection. A peculiar crack was formed in the air and as Alyssa kicked at the invisible barrier, glass shattered in front of her. She put her fists up, covering her eyes as a bright light emerged from the shattered glass. Suddenly, Alyssa felt a sharp pain go through her back. Turning around she saw a knife with the same bright gleam emitting from it as it was dug into her back. She looked up to see the mysterious cloaked figure known as Kasem.

"How?!" Alyssa was baffled by her powers, she looked back at Kasem with fear as she saw her covered in blood.

"Almost missed this," Kasem giggled before licking the blood from her shadow black gloves, which made Alyssa grimace.

"What did you do?!" Alyssa questioned.

"I noticed some cattle trying to escape their confines," Kasem claimed as she twisted the knife in Alyssa's back, "and I was peckish… so…"

"This village doesn't have any animals!" Alyssa stated. "Oh Gods… you're sick!"

"And you're dead," Kasem laughed as she yanked the knife out and went to stab it again, this time in the back of Alyssa's head.

The hydromancer ducked and performed a front flip that made her body curve around Kasem's blade, narrowly avoiding being cut. Spinning around, Alyssa caught Kasem with a powerful back elbow that caused her to snap her neck back in a motion so swift that the hood of her cloak that concealed her mangled face was thrown back. She quickly covered her face with her hands, light soon emitting from them to temporarily blind Alyssa so Kasem could pull her large hood back up. The two women rushed at each other, Alyssa ducking another knife slash before raising her palm up to catch Kasem in the jaw with a strong palm strike. Kasem made sure her head didn't swing back this time, and instead swung it forth to stun Alyssa with a reckless headbutt. Alyssa shook the pain off and blasted a water projectile, but another magic mirror was summoning in thin air that caused the water to bounce off and soak Alyssa. Surprised by the reflection of her attack, Alyssa didn't anticipate Kasem rushing in and stabbing her in the gut.

"This will be painful," Kasem promised as she tore the knife out only to stab it into Alyssa again. "You poor little thing…"

"Stop…" Alyssa grunted before being stabbed again.

"So delicate," Kasem taunted as she twisted the knife in Alyssa's gut, causing her to howl in pain.

"Delicate?" Alyssa repeated through gritted teeth. "The last cloaked lady I fought I almost drowned her!"

As Kasem pulled the knife out a third time and went in to continue her stabbing, Alyssa grabbed her wrist and twisted it, causing her to drop the knife. Grabbing Alyssa by the back of the neck, Alyssa then dragged her towards the nearest hut and threw her through the front window. Kasem was thrown into the hut which despite the rain putting out the outside fires, there was still an internal blaze keeping the family who lived in the house trapped inside. As Kasem crawled around the living room floor, not caring for the broken glass, she looked up to see a couple as they embraced their child. Kasem grinned, standing up slowly and approaching the innocent family who were completely terrified.

"Stay away from them, freak!" Alyssa yelled after kicking the door down and rushing over to kick Kasem in the face, trapping her head against the living room wall and her foot.

Alyssa began beating Kasem to the ground with one fist whilst firing her other hand blindly back at the fires, granting the family a passage to escape. Kasem managed to push Alyssa off of her and with a clap of her hands, the several stab wounds in Alyssa's stomach suddenly exploded with a beam of light. The blast launched Alyssa through a wall to the outside, where she lay in pain. Kasem soon crawled over, retrieving her knife whilst laughing. The blade of the knife was enchanted so that those wounded would have the light magic from the mysterious material enter their wounds, ready for Kasem to manipulate whenever she desired.

"Where have you been?!"

Mavado's voice yelled out, the Red Dragon subleader continuing to speak from the speaker attached to Hybrid's collar. The Dragon Hybrid passed his fellow Dragons as they continued to maul Rain, pupiless eyes falling upon Kasem.

"I was busy," Kasem hissed.

"Whatever," Mavado dismissed her. "I need this woman alive."

"I don't care what you want," Kasem remarked. "I obey Shang Tsung's will, and he ordered the demise of anyone against us!"

"Listen here, you psycho dama," Mavado spoke sternly. "My Grandmaster trumps the malditos sorcerer who you serve."

"Who rules Outworld again?" Kasem asked rhetorically.

"We're in Earthrealm, sweetie," Mavado quipped, "and if you think about killing my bargaining chip then Hybrid here will rip your throat out, understood?"

"You seem to lack total control over your dog," Kasem giggled as she watched Hybrid sniff the blood seeping from Alyssa. "Are you hungry, boy?"

"This is so embarrassing," Mavado murmured away from the microphone. "Listen to me, Hybrid, focus!"

Hybrid reached out towards Alyssa as she remained injured on the ground, but Mavado triggered his shock collar which made him withdraw from grabbing the poor woman. Kasem looked back meanwhile, staring at the family who was retreating to the village gates. Hyperfocused on her prey, Kasem skipped after the family as Hybrid continued to hold himself back.

"No…" Alyssa grunted as she sat up and reached out to Kasem. "Stay away from them!"

Using all her power, Alyssa's reach stretched out by a branch of water serving as an extended arm, soon forming a giant hand that wrapped around Kasem and began dragging her back.

"For your own sake, Alyssa, let that lunatic go!" Mavado advised with concern. "The Dragon Hybrids react to aggression, they see it as a lack of compliance!"

Alyssa ignored Mavado's words and dragged Kasem into a superkick that knocked her unconscious, allowing the family to successfully make their escape into the distant fields. Alyssa let out a sigh of relief before looking up at an enraged Hybrid who grabbed the hydromancer by the face. Mavado shocked Hybrid again, but he just roared through the pain, fire breathing from his mouth that seared Alyssa's flesh. She covered herself in water to combat the fire, but Hybrid began to dig an individual claw into each of her stab wounds, stretching the holes and tearing into her flesh.

"Ally!" Rain cried out, pillars of water surrounding himself to launch the other Dragon Hybrids off of him. "I'm coming!"

Rain charged at Hybrid with water flowing from his back to speed himself up, his heart pounding with fear. He leapt at Hybrid, but he was swiped away with a violent slash. Alyssa cried out in pain, now only being held up by the claws that impaled her body. Rain looked up at his apprentice, wiping the blood streaming down his face to see her. Hybrid then began pulling at Alyssa, stomping Rain into the ground as he desperately tried to reach out to help her. Alyssa continued to fight Hybrid, but the monster caught her fist in his jaws, razor sharp teeth sinking into her knuckles instantly.

"Rain…" Alyssa whimpered as she felt Hybrid dig deeper into her innards. "I love you, brother…"

Rain let out a battle cry and he blasted water at Hybrid, but it was too late. With a swiping motion, Hybrid severed Alyssa's body in half. Her severed bottom half fell down on Rain as Hybrid bit her hand off, discarding the rest of Alyssa's corpse aside. Rain's body began to tremble violently with sadness and rage, a strong sense of anger he hadn't felt in over ten thousand years.

"Rain, I-" Mavado went to comment, but the hydromancer had suddenly gained a seemingly impossible amount of might which allowed him to lift Hybrid's foot up and shove the Dragon Hybrid onto his back.

Rolled back, Hybrid looked up with surprise at the feat of strength. Rain didn't hesitate in hitting a roundhouse kick that shattered Hybrid's jaw, dropping the hand of Alyssa that he had been chewing on. Rain grimaced, but nothing could hold him back now. The downpour of rain soon turned into a threatening thunderstorm, lighting bolts crashing rapidly around the land. The storm was completely out of Rain's control as he focused on caving Hybrid's skull in, the science lab creation being left in a disfigured state.

The other Dragon Hybrids rushed over to help Hybrid. The first one to lunge at Rain felt his hand that was surrounded by a high pressure current that was so dangerous it cut right through even the thick scale armoured necks of the Dragon Hybrids. Lighting bolts then crashed down on the remaining three Dragon Hybrids simultaneously, whilst the one whose throat had been slit collapsed whilst making disgusting gurgling sounds. Rain then looked up at the sound of the Red Dragon aircraft that was still spectating him from above the stormy clouds, helicopter blades whirring which drew his attention. Conjuring a lighting bolt in his own bare hands, Rain hurled it at the aircraft, causing an explosion that immediately sent it crashing into the cornfield right outside the village walls.

"Mierda!" Mavado swore, the audio from the speaker being crackly due to the damage Hybrid sustained as well as the intense rain.

Rain approached Hybrid's unconscious body, ripping the collar from his neck, heavy breathing being picked up on Mavado's end of the communication device.

"You just got your entire clan killed!" Rain yelled angrily right at the collar, his powerful grip already bending the metal it was made of. "Do you hear me Mavado?! I'm coming for ALL of the Red Dragon! You, Daegon-"

Rain's emotional speech and fired up threats were suddenly silenced as the massive hands of Hsu Hao came around both sides of his hand. With a powerful clap, Hsu Hao knocked the Demi-God out with a single move. Dusting his hands as he crouched down to retrieve the collar, Hsu Hao grunted from the pain of his previous battle, but he knew that a true Red Dragon soldier always perseveres.

"Is that you, sir?" Hsu Hao asked.

"Hsu?" Mavadi recognised his deep voice immediately. "What happened just then?"

"I dealt with the traitor," Hsu Hao stated bluntly. "He's out cold."

"You never fail to impress me," Mavado complemented with sincerity as he thought about what to do next. "If you can, bring his body to me at the south gate. There's no chance we can manipulate him after this stunt, but Grandmaster Daegon probably wants him still."

"Understood," Hsu Hao complied, immediately proceeding with his next order by discarding the collar and lifting Rain's body over his shoulders with ease.

On the other side of the village, Mavado shut off the device he had been using. It was a small screen designed alongside the collars he had equipped Hybrid with a view of the built in camera and a microphone that connected wirelessly to the speaker. He sighed at the thought of having to now go through the hassle of connecting it to a new collar. Mavado had been sitting back, leaning against a fence whilst some Red Dragon goons filled in for him in his fight with Sonya Blade so that he could contact Rain. Putting the screen away, Mavado twirled Kabal's hookswords around as he approached Sonya as she snapped a Red Dragons arm within an armbar submission hold.

"Took you long enough," Mavado quipped as Sonya stood up. "Time to test the new toys."

"Just bring it, bitch," Sonya taunted as she cracked her knuckles.

Mavado grinned, his evil eyes gleaming with anticipation as he lunged forward with Kabal's hookswords slashing through the air. Sonya sidestepped his initial strike with fluid grace and she countered with a swift kick aimed at his midsection. Mavado blocked it with one hooksword that smacked the side of Sonya's thigh, luckily without cutting into her. Mavado was quick to follow up though as he swung the other hooksword towards her head, forcing Sonya to duck and roll away, firing a couple of pink energy projectiles that Mavado used his grapple hooks to slide away from. The two experienced fighters were both so skilled that it was incredibly difficult to connect a move on each other. Sonya knew she had to be agile and unpredictable to counter Mavado's precise strikes.

Rushing at the Red Dragon subleader, Sonya swung a heavy right hook, testing Mavado's defences, but he parried the strike effortlessly and closed in with a rapid combination of slashes and stabs from the hooks of his blades. Sonya covered her face and tried her best to sidestep some swings, her movements fluid and controlled, but Mavado's onslaught of attacks still caused her to suffer several cuts. Sonya spun around and struck Mavado in the chest with a back kick, but Mavado reached the hookswords out which caught the collar of the jacket that Sonya was wearing, ripping a pair of holes in the back as Mavado pulled Sonya towards him.

During this battle, one of the surrounding fights was between Rojack and Sonya's husband, Johnny Cage. The two struggled over a shotgun that Rojack whipped out, only for Cage to use his green shadow energy to dash forth and push it back, firing a blank. Their struggle continued up the path, the two men stumbling into Mavado and Sonya which caused the Red Dragon subleader to lose his grip of the hookswords, giving Sonya the chance to remove her jacket and leap onto Mavado, raining punches down on him.

"Are you alright, babe?!" Cage asked during his struggle.

"Stay focused, Johnny!" Sonya instructed, looking away long enough for Mavado to wrap a grapple hook around Sonya's leg, pulling him into his spiked metal boots.

"Sorry!" Cage apologised before being headbutted by Rojack.

Flipping the pump action shotgun around and aiming it at the movie star, Rojack fired a shot, but Johnny dashed out of the way before leaping up with a superman punch that caught the Black Dragon thug on his forehead. Johnny then shadow kicked the shotgun out of Rojack's hands. Rojack fought back, violently rocking Johnny with a combination of left and right hooks.

"You're not much of a boxer, Cage," Rojack assessed as he shoved Johnny. "I'm impressed you can make a fist though, you weren't kidding on all those talk shows where you yapped on about how real your stunts are."

"How many people do I have to tell this to?" Cage questioned with a mix of frustration and tiredness in his tone. "I am the special effects!"

"Not special enough to make them any less boring," Rojack joked as he lifted Johnny Cage up and splattered him down on the path like a flapjack.

"That's rich…" Cage groaned as he pushed Rojack back so he could get up. "You're super boring, dude, you've got no gimmicks."

"Gimmicks?" Rojack scoffed as they began to trade punches. "Like that motherfucker Kano? Please…"

"Fun laser eye," Cage argued as he raised his guard. He peeked his head around to add, "charming Aussie accent too."

"He was a rat disguised as the shittest Australian stereotype I've ever seen," Rojack stated as he broke Johnny's guard with a double overhead chop that brought his arms down. "Not even your films would stoop as low as that caricature. He is kinda like you though; obnoxious and trying too hard at comedy."

"Did that guy have ANY friends?" Cage asked.

"No," Rojack shook his head. "No Face doesn't count."

"Now that's a sick gimmick!" Cage cheered. "Genius name, pyromaniac, loves chaos, simple but fun. You just have a shotty and your fists."

"My daddy was a boxer," Rojack revealed as he punched Johnny in the gut.

"Yawn!" Cage taunted Rojack with a mocking exaggerated yawning gesture. "I don't care about your origin story!"

"You'll care about this!" Rojack yelled as he caught Johnny on the jaw with a jumping knee strike.

Johnny Cage staggered back, bumping into the surrounding walls. Rojack swung another fist, but Johnny ducked which caused Rojack to slam his knuckles into the brick. Rojack's painful yells alerted Quinn, who took cover on one side of the gate as he began firing back at the local police that had come to help after some villagers found the opportunity to contact them. The officers also covered Lori as she joined an evacuation team in fleeing the innocent villagers from the horrible scene. Quinn used his immense strength to easily slam the massive gate doors shut, turning around to fire his own shotgun at an unsuspecting Johnny. All shells from the shotgun connected, but Johnny Cage instinctively put up his green energy that acted like a shield around his enter body, gunfire bouncing off of him.

On the side of the street lay Stryker, who was too busy fighting Epos to assist the Chinese law enforcement. The former Kahn Guard soldier had ample opportunity to slay the wounded cop, but she hesitated each time despite knowing her mace could impale Stryker's already damaged uniform. Slowly swinging one mace down, Stryker rolled out of the way and pulled out his handgun, only for Epos to bat it aside with her other mace. Without a cause she had any reason to be loyal to and with the struggles she and her wife Talon were going through, Epos couldn't motivate herself to truly try and she felt a degree of sympathy for the wounded Earthrealmer.

"You're hesitating, Epos!" Mavado yelled as he continued to swing his hookswords at Sonya but she continued to evade them, bouncing off the village wall to kick him in the face.

"Sorry…" Epos apologised under her breath as Stryker struck her with a baton to the ribs.

Epos sighed, armour preventing any pain, as she shoved Stryker against the wall. Clubbing Stryker in the shoulder with one mace with the spikes stabbing into him, it also weighed him down as Epos slowly lifted the other mace, reluctantly preparing for the finishing blow. Stryker reacted far quicker though, grabbing his taser and stunning Epos like he had done to Quinn earlier in the action. Epos staggered back, body trembling from the electrocution. Stryker looked up, only to be caught by a running boot to the dome of his head that came straight from Kira, Libby carrying Kobra's unconscious body following close behind.

"C'mere!" Kira yelled as she was far less hesitant than Epos to rough up the police officer, bashing his head repeatedly off the wall. "Fuckin' fed!"

"Get him, Kira!" Libby cheered as she watched from afar. "Go help her, soldier lady!"

"Huh?" Epos shook her head as she tried to come out of her stunned state, a slap from Libby helping out. "Oh!"

Attention was soon drawn to the gates as they were knocked down by a battering ram from the Chinese police. Each officer was armed, quick to aim at everyone involved in the fighting at the entranceway. The officer at the front began yelling orders in his native language, which Mavado was quick to understand.

"Drop your weapons!" Mavado translated as he slowly dropped Kabal's hookswords. "Put our hands up!"

"Finally," Sonya rolled her eyes as she watched the Black and Red Dragons raise their hands.

"That goes to everyone!" Mavado stated, turning to Sonya. He whispered to his new rival, "do as these pigs say, Blade, don't want their trigger fingers messing things up."

The heroes complied with the same orders, Stryker lifting his arms with one hand carrying his police badge, hoping to indicate to the officers that he was a fellow law officer. The police entered the village, but quickly paused to aim at the approaching group of heroes who had just come from defeating the Black Dragon thugs that helped allow for No Face's escape. Jax stretched his metal arms back to hold his friends back.

"It's the police," Jax acknowledged. "Just raise your hands, if this goes well then we can get the actual criminals into custody and clarify what's been going on later."

"Whatever you say, boss," Kenshi said as he and the others complied slowly. "I'll trust you on this."

"Well we're not fighting the law," Jax shook his head as they began to walk over carefully. "They'll let us go when they learn what's gone down here."

"Let's get this over with…"

On the other side of the village, police were yet to surround the north exit of the village that led to the Lianhua Teahouse and the neighbouring farm. Mileena and Daegon's ongoing battle had taken them to the field, much like Daegon's fight with Kitana. Mileena would parry Daegon's powerful sword swings, but she was always on the defensive. Each time Mileena tried to attack Daegon, she'd suffer a punishing cut or be burned by his powerful pyromancy. Despite this, Mileena was determined as evident by her Tarkatan eyes that glowed a violent orange as she stared down the Demi-God.

"You can't keep this up forever, Mileena," Daegon taunted, his voice carrying a sinister edge. "Your defence is commendable, but it won't save you."

Mileena snarled in response, her sharp teeth glinting. She continued to back up as she plotted her next move, faking a retreat in hopes of luring Daegon into a false sense of security. As he lunged forward with a powerful downward strike, Mileena sidestepped at the last moment, her sai striking out with immense speed. One blade nicked Daegon's arm, drawing blood but Daegon paid the scratch no notice. Gripping a tight hold of his Drakeswords, Daegon unleashed a torrent of fire that came off the blades of his ancient weapons, forcing Mileena to somersault backwards to avoid the scorching flames. The intense heat singed the tips of her hair, but she remained unscathed.

"This is pointless," Daegon sighed as he casually tossed a crimson fireball that Mileena blocked with her sai, heating up the blades. "You can't win."

"I have to try!" Mileena roared as she leapt at Daegon.

In the air, Mileena threw one sai which Daegon batted aside with his Drakeswords. Doing this forced Daegon to open himself up by shifting his blades to counter the first sai, allowing Mileena to leap onto his chest and repeatedly stab his chest, cutting deep into the Demi-God and leaving large wounds that would no doubt add to his collection of scars. Mileena sat on top of the Demi-God as she continued to stab away, soon being thrown off by a pair of fireballs from both hands that came together to form one massive projectile that launched Mileena back into the field.

Daegon rushed over at a dazed Mileena, and as he went to strike he was caught in the chest by a spinning fan blade that soared through the field, chopping down several crops on its way to the Demi-God. Kitana rushed to her sister's side, using her Edenian wind magic to carry the fan blade back to her grasp. Daegon grunted, the pain too severe to ignore this time.

"What are you doing here?" Mileena asked, surprised to see her sister show up.

"I was fighting him too," Kitana remarked, giving Daegon a look of disgust. "Let's deal with this fallen God."

"Even united you're outmatched," Daegon warned them as he waved his Drakeswords around. "Come forward and permit me to divide you."

Rushing at either side of the Demi-God, Kitana and Mileena swung with their respective duel wielding weapons. Daegon turned to Kitana, holding one Drakesword up to pushback against the steel fan blades, whilst thrusting the handle of the other Drakesword back to wind Mileena as it connected with her stomach as she went for an overhead strike that left her vulnerable to the exhausting blow. Kitana kicked Daegon in the gut as payback, Daegon hunching over which let Kitana rake her fans down his back, shredding Daegon's cloak but not piercing his chestplate. Mileena lifted her knee, striking Daegon on the bridge of his nose and causing him to recoil back.

Daegon unleashed a burst of flames, pushing Mileena back but Kitana made a small tornado at her feet to propel her up, hitting Daegon with a square wave kick, Daegon staggering back into the stairs to the teahouse. Daegon tripped over the stairs as he unknowingly walked back towards them, but it was only a momentary stumble, flipping back to do a handstand on a higher step and then a second flip to return to his feet at the top of the small stairway. Kitana and Mileena ran up after the Demi-God, the three pairs of distinct weapons dancing in the conflict.

Now battling on the deck, Daegon swung his Drakeswords in a wide arc with the blades coming together in a circular motion, one blade dragging along the wooden walls and slicing through the delicate lattice windows. Shards of wood and glass flew through the air, mingling with the petals of the inside blooming flower bushes that were blown outside from the heavy wind that came with the storm. The sisters continued to dodge the attacks, but a glass shard sliced Kitana's arm and caused her to step back. With Kitana out of the way, Daegon charged at Mileena with his shoulder struck out. Kitana intercepted by hitting Daegon with a dropkick that smashed him through the pair of doors leading into the teahouse.

Mileena helped Kitana up before they rushed inside together, Mileena rolling into an energy surrounded ball that knocked Daegon back, stumbling over a stool and slamming into the bar. Mileena stabbed her sai on either side, one each impaling Daegon's hands and causing him to drop the Drakeswords, the ancient weapons making a loud clattering sound against the old floorboards. Pushing the sai pair down to impale against the top of the bar, Mileena pinned Daegeon down as Kitana went to slice his head clean off with a steel fan. Daegon lifted both of his feet, kicking Kitana back before setting his hands on fire which forced Mileena to flinch as he used his sheer might to pull the sai off of the bar and rip them out with his bare hands. The fire from Daegon's hands spread to the bar and then to the rest of the teahouse, triggering another fire in Lianhua Village once more, but the three warriors ignored the burning danger.

Mileena teleported towards her sai that Daegon still held, wrapping around him and biting in his shoulder with her sharp Tarkatan teeth. Daegon spun around whilst she held on, soon pushing her away with a fireball emitting from his chest that launched her over the bar and into the wall of shelves carrying a vast variety of bottled liquor that smashed over the body of Outworld's former ruler.

Edenia's Queen slashed her steel fans over Daegon's back again, the Demi-God responding with a firm jumping side kick that caused Kitana to somersault over a low table. Using the table as a step up, she leapt at Daegon but was caught by a fiery uppercut that propelled her into the ceiling. Mileena rolled over the bar and swung wildly at Daegon who parried just in time, but the force of the impact drove him back further.

Mileena, seizing the advantage, charged at Daegon with a savage scream. Her sai found their mark, piercing his exposed sides and drawing blood. Daegon let out his own scream in pain and fury, releasing another blast that knocked both sisters off their feet. They crashed into the bonsai trees but quickly recovered, their determination shaken but not broken as they stood beside each other, Daegon staring them both down with a focused glare.

"He's too strong…" Mileena muttered, panting from exhaustion.

"We can do it," Kitana reassured her sister, despite Kitana sharing the exact same doubts in her mind.

With a coordinated attack, Kitana and Mileena pressed on. Kitana's fans created a whirlwind that surrounded Daegon, keeping him in place and preventing him from retrieving his signature Drakeswords. Meanwhile, Mileena threw her sai at the Demi-God before landing on him with a teleport kick, the two fighters struggling as the deep blue tornado wrapped around them, the teahouse's furniture getting caught in the unnatural winds. Mileena began stabbing at Daegon, trying to pierce his armour, but the Demi-God remained calm and concentrated. Grabbing Mileena by the face with a tight claw-like grip, Daegon rolled into the tornado which spun them around as Daegon pushed through it, throwing Mileena in the process which caused her to smash through a window leading back to the deck.

"Mileena!" Kitana cried out, immediately putting a stop to the tornado and rushing over to Daegon.

Kitana hacked at Daegon, cutting his arms open as blood poured down from them. The Demi-God managed to dodge one strike which allowed him to roll forward to dodge a second. Fire burst from the floorboards beside where he had dropped his Drakeswords and Daegon leapt out of the air to grab them both. Kitana leapt into the air after him, but she was quickly kicked back down. Rolling back to her fee5 Kitana was then caught with a shoulder bash that knocked her back outside, landing next to Mileena.

"Feeble Edenians," Daegon mocked as he stepped outside calmly, even with blood pouring from his arms and sides which dripped onto the deck. "Your family's incompetent ruling shall not doom Edenia again."

"Who do you think brought it back?!" Kitana asked with aggression but a hint of tiredness in her tone. "Besides, where were you during the invasion?!"

"An uncontrollable matter from my own foolish family prevented that," Daegon remarked as he sheathed one Drakesword and grabbed Kitana by the throat. "Anyway, I don't have to explain myself to a dead woman… like your mother."

"What does that mean?!" Mileena asked angrily, going to get up but Daegon pressed the Drakesword he was still holding against her throat.

"You'd be amazed by how many murderous gadgets the Earthrealmers produce," Daegon chuckled as he chokeslammed Kitana against the deck's railing and began to strangle her, forcing Mileena to watch. "It takes just one bullet…"

As Daegon slowly began choking the life out of Kitana, despite her cutting into him with her steel fans, Mileena watched on in horror. She stood up, but Daegon pressed the Drakesword deep enough for it to draw blood. Even though both sisters were armed and ready to fight, Daegon had gotten them in the perfect position to kill them regardless of whatever action they took…

Suddenly lunging forth, Bo' Rai Cho thrust his stomach out and bashed Daegon back with immense force, knocking the Demi-God through the deck railing and into a bush on the side of the teahouse. Outworld's Protector God then looked up at the sound of chattering teeth, seeing a flash of green light blind him as a skull projectile from none other than Quan Chi collided with his large body, knocking him back.

"There you are!" Quan Chi spoke in a cheerful tone after emerging from a portal to the deck. "The Amulet, return to me what's rightfully mine!"

"Ironic," Bo' Rai Cho sneered. "You stole it first."

"Because I deserve to possess everything the realms have to offer," Quan Chi claimed arrogantly.

"Are you alright, Kitana?" Mileena asked as the caring sisters stood beside Bo' Rai Cho.

"I'll be fine," Kitana promised.

"What happened to Mother?" Mileena asked, her tone anxious.

"She-" Kitana went to reply but they quickly turned their attention to Daegon as he loudly climbed back up to the deck.

"Begone, Quan Chi!" Daegon demanded whilst reluctantly standing beside the infamous sorcerer. "I don't require your help!"

"I'm not leaving until I have the Amulet," Quan Chi declared.

"Here you are," Bo' Rai Cho pulled Shinnok's Amulet from his pocket and pointed the side of it at Daegon and Quan Chi. "I'll let it pull you in, shall I?"

During the standoff, a loud distant bang could be heard. Looking over to the cornfield where the Red Dragon aircraft had crashed, roars began to be heard in unison as the metal doors were kicked down and Dragon Hybrids began to scatter out of their containment. Although they didn't notice the gathering at the teahouse deck, they smelt the ashes and especially the countless pints of blood that had been spilt within the walls of Lianhua Village. Like a hivemind, the countless Dragon Hybrids rushed through the gates, undoubtedly going to be a problem to the unsuspecting survivors on the other side.

"That was the last of them…" Daegon sighed, frustrated in the failure that was incredibly rare of his clan.

"Oops!" Quan Chi noised mockingly as he quickly reached through a portal during the distraction that allowed him to reach over and snag Shinnok's Amulet from Bo' Rai Cho's grasp. "Should've stayed focused, Bo' Rai Cho!"

"No!" Bo' Rai Cho yelled with immense frustration.

"I outsmarted the alleged greatest teacher in all the realms," Quan Chi praised himself as a way to taunt the Protector God.

"You got lucky!" Bo' Rai Cho shouted, firmly slamming his staff into the deck.

"Ah ah ah!" Quan Chi wagged his finger at him. "You shouldn't have been so sloppy!"

"Quit the taunting, sorcerer," Daegon sighed again. "This is a waste of my time."

"I'll be off then," Quan Chi said as he made a portal behind himself. "I'll leave you with the royals and that drunkard can go and drown his sorrows."

"Where to?" Daegon questioned. "You aren't leaving the battle, are you?!"

"Of course I am," Quan Chi laughed. "We killed a few, but I checked on the tomb and my minions were defeated…"

"Those two Demons attacked me in the woods on my way down here, they'll be amongst the defeated," Bo' Rai Cho revealed. "They're good fighters,

"Coward!" Mileena yelled.

"Sorry that I'm not as foolish as your dead beloved," Quan Chi blurted out with a grin on his face, Mileena rushing over only for Daegon to shove her back. "I know when to exit a fight. We continue to chip away at your forces, meanwhile you've done what exactly? Eliminated Shang Tsung's boat steerer? What a joke!"

"This wasn't what we agreed upon," Daegon argued.

"You should've done a better job killing them all!" Quan Chi yelled at the Demi-God who simply pointed a Drakesword at him. "Settle down, boy, I'm being comedic."

"The only thing that's funny is your spine," Daegon retorted, "it's crooked and yellow."

"Good one," Quan Chi rolled his eyes. "Considering my partner hasn't returned yet, I doubt he's not having much more success."

"I don't care," Daegon said plainly. "Listen, I can kill all three of them right now!"

"Then kill them," Quan Chi ordered. "I need to leave though, the Amulet is too valuable to lose in a menial ambush."

"Then just send it home!" Daegon suggested aggressively, knowing the sorcerer was being disingenuous. "Look at these weaklings cower before us…"

"Nobody is cowering, Daegon," Bo' Rai Cho corrected him. "We're just planning the next move."

"And mine is going home for a rest," Quan Chi raised his hand up as a wave. "Farewell to you all."

"You're not going anywhere!" Daegon snapped, yanking Quan Chi back by his chestplate as he went to step through the portal.

"Don't you dare touch your emperor!" Quan Chi yelled as he launched a dark magic projectile at point blank range which sent Daegon spiralling down the stairway. "We'll be in touch, Daegon, buh-bye!"

"Stop him!" Mileena yelled as Kitana rushed after Quan Chi now that Daegon was out of the way, but it was too late… the portal had closed. "No!"

"It's alright," Kitana placed a comforting hand on her sister's shoulder. "We'll have another chance."

"I'm so sorry," Bo' Rai Cho apologised. "Such a simple mistake and I've forfeited the Amulet to him once more."

"Don't blame yourself," Kitana told the Protector God. "You've helped enough."

"What do we do about him?!" Mileena asked, aggressively pointing a sai at Daegon as he slowly recovered to his feet.

"He's too dangerous to be kept alive," Kitana acknowledged as they began walking down the stairs. "We must kill-"

"I don't think so," Daegon responded with his calm tone restored as he summoned a fiery wall that blasted all three back into the wall of the teahouse. "Even at my most wounded, you'd all be easy pickings…"

"We'll kill you…" Mileena promised. "What did you do to-"

"She got shot!" Daegon blurted out. "I'd imagine her survival is unlikely, I'd have a better verdict for you if your fellow savage sister wasn't so quick to challenge me."

"No…" Mileena sobbed.

"And I challenge you again!" Kitana insisted, grabbing her fan blades as she went to stand up, only to be shoulder barged against the wall.

"I'll kill you!" Mileena yelled as she leapt onto Daegon's back before also being slammed against the wall.

"I'll be killing you three instead," Daegon promised as he grabbed hold of his Drakeswords, but something made him suddenly change his mind. "Or maybe not."

"What are you plotting, Daegon?" Bo' Rai Cho questioned, too injured to stand up and combat him.

"I was fully willing to eliminate you all for the sake of complying with the Deadly Alliance's plan and getting rid of inevitable threats to the Red Dragon. That being said, if those rotten sorcerers aren't going to comply with their own plans, then why would I care to do it for them? When I actually consider your fragile lives, choosing mercy is genuinely more beneficial to me than simply killing you. Taking over Edenia in time of such turmoil is bound to be… messy. So I'll let you stay in power for now, 'Queen' Kitana, but only because I've granted you that chance. As for you, Bo' Rai Cho, just look at you. Disgusting. I know the Elder Gods were too lazy to find a replacement for Shao Kahn sooner, but with these chaotic times they'll likely be swifter in selecting a new Protector God. I think I'd prefer my chances with you than a more credible warrior. Lastly, that brings me to Mileena… actually, I have no reason to keep you alive. You already failed to retain Outworld. I shan't spare you."

"Wait!" Kitana yelled as Daegon marched towards Mileena who began growling at him. "Let's go separate ways then."

"Certainly," Daegon agreed as he unsheathed a Drakesword, "after I've beheaded your sister."

"I'm right here!" Mileena dared him.

"If you touch her then I promise you now that I will dedicate all of Edenia's resources into coming for your clan!" Kitana threatened. "You won't have to just worry about Earthrealm's Special Forces!"

"What resources?" Daegon chuckled, but after a moment of contemplation he sheathed the Drakesword. "You're all very lucky that I'm willing to play this safely."

"Just leave," Kitana ordered. "This is over."

"Those Dragon Hybrids won't understand that," Daegon admitted as he began to walk down the teahouse's stairs. "I apologise for their lack of intelligence, deploying them was… a mistake."

"I guess you'll leave us with figuring out how to deal with them," Kitana presumed.

"Of course," he nodded. "Oh! I almost forgot to tell you, Bo' Rai Cho, one final piece of news before I depart."

"What is it now?" Bo' Rai Cho asked tiredly as he slowly sat up.

"I killed Fujin," Daegon revealed bluntly before walking off, not even staying to witness Bo's reaction.

Caught completely off guard by the news, Bo' Rai Cho struggled to his feet and tightly clung to the deck's railing for support, his godly might cracking the wooden bar. As he processed the news, Kitana hugged Mileena as she too had to take in the revelation that Sindel had been badly injured in the fight at the White Lotus Tomb. For a couple of minutes the trio stayed in silence, but Kitana stood up and knew they had to move on.

"We have to deal with those Dragon Hybrids," Kitana insisted, "and there's likely still a lot of conflict going on inside the village regardless."

"It never ends…" Mileena groaned as she stood up. "Let's go then."

"Hold on, sis," Kitana stopped her. "I have an idea…"

Kung Lao cried out in pain as he eventually dug free from the avalanche of snow that had buried him, spinning around with his powers to move the pile away. Gasping for air, he looked around at the hillside, expecting to see Shang Tsung, but he hadn't emerged from the snow yet. Lao clenched his fists weakly, struggling to even stay standing, but determined to continue fighting the sorcerer until his last breath.

"Come on out, Tsung!" Lao demanded, clutching his wounded throat in an agonising pain that came just from shouting.

Suddenly bursting through the snow, Shang Tsung unleashed a massive Shokan Stomp whilst still in the form of Goro. Snow flicked up at Lao, blocking the Shaolin Monk's vision as Tsung lunged into the air. As Shang Tsung brought himself down upon Kung Lao, a sudden boulder smashed into the sorcerer's side that knocked him back into his true form as well as throwing him aside.

"Huh?" Lao looked around puzzled, but he soon found the clear source of the boulder.

Walking up the heaps of snow with heavy steps emerged a figure of pure intimidation and raw power, a being whose body was completely made up of rocks. Standing tall and unyielding, his body was an amalgamation of stone plates, each segment being angular and rugged, as though carved by ancient hands. Every movement he made was accompanied by the grinding sound of rock against rock, alongside the thunderous footsteps that came with his immense mass. His literally chiselled face came with the basic human features to resemble a person's face. He had polished white marble for teeth, a curved rock sticking out from his mould that represented a nose, and most notably there were his bright red eyes that glowed with an eerie, otherworldly light.

"First the Ice Beasts, now this?" Shang Tsung complained as he got up, rubbing his head after the hard hitting ambush.

"Who are you?" Kung Lao asked the stone figure.

"Who are YOU?!" He repeated the question, gritting his teeth with a look of anger on his face. "Fighting on my mountains, sending an avalanche that just buried my cabin!"

"I'm genuinely sorry," Lao was quick to apologise, not needing more enemies in such a time. "The sorcerer back there is the aggressor, I promise you."

"Oh?" Shang Tsung piped up as he straightened himself. "Little old me? I positively couldn't!"

"I can read sarcasm, tiny man," the rock figure replied as he walked past Kung Lao to stand over the sorcerer.

"Fine," Tsung sighed as he prepared a flaming skull projectile. "I guess I'll have to study your corpse instead."

Throwing the fireball, the rock man just stared at the sorcerer with no reaction to the attempted attack. Kung Lao chuckled weakly in the background, finding some joy after all the chaos at last. Squatting down to the sorcerer's level, Shang Tsung audibly gulped before being flicked away by the rock man, launching him back first against the mountainside. Too exhausted to fight such a formidable force, and not knowing his true capabilities, Shang Tsung quickly got up and made a portal.

"You're lucky this thing showed up, Kung Lao!" Tsung yelled at Lao who stayed standing in the snow, body swaying as he struggled to maintain balance. "I almost had you!"

"It could've gone either way," Kung Lao claimed, which Shang Tsung sneered at.

"Whatever you say," he replied before escaping through the portal.

"I have many questions," the rock man stated as he craned his head back to face Kung Lao.

"So do I," Lao admitted. "Who and what are you?"

"My name is Henge," he introduced himself. "I shan't tell a stranger the 'what' part though."

"Fair enough," Lao replied. "I'm Kung Lao."

"What brought you here, Kung Lao?" Henge inquired. "I need to know that my location hasn't been… compromised."

"That sorcerer has another sorcerer friend… they're sort of trying to conquer the realms," Lao revealed, clutching his countless wounds tightly as he gave a summarised explanation. "That friend of his made a portal that sent us both here."

"Why here though?"

"I think it was pure randomness…" Lao admitted, though he was unsure.

"Good luck with the sorcerers then," Henge wished as he turned his back on the Shaolin Monk. "Return to your home, Kung Lao."

"That's… ah… gonna be tricky," Kung Lao said as he began losing his vision from the blood loss. "I don't… feel so… go-"

Henge sighed as he watched Kung Lao faint, his body slumping to the ground as he ate a mouthful of snow. Scooping him up as if he weighed nothing, Henge reluctantly began to carry Kung Lao back to his cabin.

Meanwhile at Lianhua Village, Kitana was taking one last action in hopes of finally putting a stop to the battle. Although it was challenging to muster the power to cast the spell, through the encouragement of both her sister and Bo' Rai Cho did she manage to summon a portal. This portal led back to Outworld, specifically where the main Tarkatan encampment resided. She had recalled Karbrac telling her that if someone were to make a portal at their camp, then the Tarkatans would happily join Liu Kang's funeral. Kitana was now making the call, but for a much different purpose.

It took mere moments until the Tarkatans began flooding out of the sky blue vortex, Karbrac being the first to step out the portal before being accompanied by an ever growing amass of Tarkatans. Scattered across the Rolling Dunes was almost the entire Tarkatan race that had come to honour Baraka, leaving a seemingly endless army seeping out of the small portal one by one.

"Queen Kitana!" Karbrac greeted as she rushed over to her, Mileena and Bo' Rai Cho. "You're all hurt!"

"As you can see, there's no funeral," Kitana replied in a solemn tone.

"What happened?"

"The Deadly Alliance attacked," Kitana revealed. "The sorcerers themselves have left but we need the aid of Tarkata to put a stop to the remaining aggressors."

"I shall tell them immediately," Karbrac promised before returning to the ever growing gathering of Tarkatans out in the field. "Earthrealm shall not fall to the Deadly Alliance!"

After communicating the situation to the Tarkatans, Karbrac, Kitana, Mileena and Bo' Rai Cho led the march into Lianhua Village's streets. Already fired up and passionate after the loss of Baraka, the Tarkatans didn't hesitate to dogpile and maul any Dragon Hybrids they found that littered the streets, whilst also helping any remaining civilians evacuate. The number of Dragon Hybrids around the village was initially small, as they were only stragglers who had gotten separate from the rest of the pack. Once the Tarkatan forces had made it to the other side of Lianhua Village was when the mass of Dragon Hybrids was discovered.

The remaining heroes gathered together in a circle that had each other's backs as they fended off any aggressors. Daegon and Mavado guided the non Dragon Hybrid allies out of the village walls as the Dragon Hybrids had already overwhelmed and began feasting on the police surrounding the outside, Mavado having sent an operator to deploy on of the Red Dragon's handy technology portals to place outside the village that returned them back to Charred Mountain. Although reluctant, they also agreed to let the remaining Black Dragons come with them too in order to escape the Dragon Hybrid bloodbath.

Without warning, the Tarkatans would charge at their prey, their collective guttural roars filling the air. The Dragon Hybrids responded instantly, many growing wings which unfurled as their claws extended. The two species met in a violent collision, the sound of metal clashing against scales echoing through the village. Many Tarkatans swung their arm blades in powerful wide arcs that covered a large range capable of connecting with multiple Dragon Hybrids at once. The Dragon Hybrids began adapting to the conflict, deftly dodging and countering with powerful swipes from their tails that sent numerous Tarkatans sprawling to the ground.

Elsewhere, a group of Dragon Hybrids breathed a stream of fire all together to create a massive flamethrower, forcing squadrons of Tarkatans to scatter. Many more Dragon Hybrids leapt into the air, wings beating powerfully as they dove down to divebomb a group of Tarkatans. The Tarkatans retaliated with fierce upward slashes, catching the flying Dragon Hybrids and knocking them out of the sky to be savaged on the ground below.

One squadron of Tarkatans surrounded the heroes who had already spent the past hours fighting and were completely exhausted, the group grappled against the Dragon Hybrids who tried to reach the wounded, each side trying to overpower the other. The heroes were relieved as they saw even more Tarkatans still marching down the blood stained street, seemingly never ending. Flanked beside them were the heroes who had stayed to hold off the Netherrealm forces at the White Lotus Tomb, now reuniting with their friends to put an end to the violence. In the end of the large battle, the relentless and resilient Dragon Hybrids were eventually all slain.

"It's over!" Bo' Rai Cho declared as the Tarkatans let out their cheers of victory. "I wouldn't say we won… but we overcame the Deadly Alliance this time."

"At a great cost…" Li Mei sighed as she saw the Tarkatans carry their own fallen soldiers as well as the corpses of villagers and most notably there were the lifeless bodies of Sindel Fujin, Meat and Alyssa. Several wounded were also carried down the village, Mileena sobbing as she rushed to Sindel's side.

"Can you make the portal go to the Special Forces headquarters, any of them have the best medical support possible for the wounded," Sonya informed Kitana as she began preparing for the portal out of the village.

"I've been to your main headquarters, the one that was built after the explosion," Kitana recalled as she began conjuring the portal. "When I was getting a tour of Earthrealm from… Liu…"

"I'm so sorry," Sonya apologised. "We will fight back."

"We fought back," Johnny corrected his wife. "We sent those pricks running."

"All this bloodshed though… " Sonya sighed as Johnny hugged her. "All for… nothing really."

"They will pay," Bo' Rai Cho promised as he looked at Fujin's deceased body with tearful eyes.

"My people found an alive one!" Karbrac announced as he carried Hybrid's disfigured body.

"We'll take it from your hands," Jax insisted as he scooped Hybrid from him. "We've got some analysis to do on this… thing."

"Has anybody seen Kabal?" Stryker asked, worried about his friend.

"I'm afraid not," Nightwolf shook his head. "I'm sorry, my friend."

"I suppose it's better than finding his corpse," Stryker sighed. "Hopefully he's alright."

"He's one tough survivor," Nightwolf replied as he placed a hand on Stryker's shoulder. "After all he's been through, I sense that he's alive."

"The portal is ready, everyone!" Kitana announced.

"My Tarkatans will wait until you can send us home," Karbrac assured her as the heroes began lining up to help carry the wounded to receive medical help on the other side of the portal, Vera rushing to the forefront.

"What happens to Lianhua Village?" Kung Jin asked, concerned by the state the place had been left in.

"It can be rebuilt," Bo' Rai Cho reassured him. "As can the White Lotus Tomb, and Liu Kang can get a proper burial then."

"We fought his killer, Master Bo'," Kai revealed. "A shame he got away."

"With my cousin too," Kung Jin grimaced at the thought of his hero being in danger.

"We can only pray for his safety," Bo' Rai Cho resonated with the young Shaolin. "For now though, let's focus on helping the wounded here."

"Come on through!" Vera guided as the Tarkatans began carrying the injured through the portal, the other heroes walking beside them.

"We will overcome this," Bo' Rai Cho promised as they watched the wounded be taken to receive help. "As my people in Outworld say…"

"Evil rulers come and go, but the spirit of the people will never be extinguished…"