(Merry Christmas everyone. As a gift to all of you, you will all be given a double chapter release. Hope you all enjoy and I wish you all a happy new year.)

In Outworld's capital, Z'unkahran, Team S.F. and Manado can be seen walking through the crowded streets of Outworlders going about their normal business.

"I dunno, I expected the sky to be purple or something." Jacqui says.

"Don't believe everything you see online." Kung Jin says.

"And what makes you an expert?" Cassie asks.

"The Shaolin archives. I studied a lot about Outworld." Kung Jin explains.

"He is right you know. I've read the same archives during my time as Raiden's champion." Manado points out.

"No substitute for experience." Cassie replies.

"That's true." Manado says.

"So what makes you our leader?" Kung Jin asks.

The two of them stop walking and stare one another down. Takeda intercedes before anything else happens.

"Guys, let's stick to the mission?" Takeda advises.

"Agreed." Zaveer says.

Cassie breaks off the staredown and walks off. Kung Jin smiles to himself and follows along with Takeda and Jacqui.

"Li Mei has to be telling the truth." Cassie hopes.

"An invasion would violate the Reiko Accords." Jacqui informs.

"'Cause you can always trust an Outworlder..." Kung Jin says, getting glares from Manado and Zaveer, immediately shutting him up.

"But if Outworld's our ally, why didn't they help us during the Netherrealm war? Against Quan Chi and his team of..." Takeda asks before being cut off.

"Revenants? Like Jacqui's dad?" Kung Jin asks.

Jacqui stops dead at this remark.

"Asshole!" Jacqui snaps.

"I can tell you that the reason why was because Outworld needed to prepare in case Earthrealm failed. I would've helped but I had my hand full, especially since Mileena never wanted me in Earthrealm anymore." Manado explains.

"You and mom seemed to have quite the rough patch." Zaveer says.

"Still do. That's why I didn't want you involved in the civil war." Manado says.

Kung Jin turns around, addressing everyone as he does so.

"Regardless, it's not an alliance. Non-aggression pact. Outworld is not our ally." Kung Jin explains.

A new voice then cuts through the air, and Team S.F. and Manado find themselves surrounded by several of Kotal Kahn's soldiers. The one speaking stands out the most in his gunslinger attire.

"A point you might make with more subtlety, given your surroundings. Now state your business. Including a reason why we shouldn't kill you." Erron Black demands.

"Easy there, Black." Manado says, stepping forward.

Erron Black and the soldiers then turn their attention to Manado.

"General Manado? Kotal Kahn had the entire army looking for you." Erron Black informs.

"Sorry to have him worry, but I managed to escape." Manado says.

"Escape?" Zaveer asks.

"I'll explain later." Manado replies.

"Anyways, you should report to Kotal Kahn. He will be glad to know that his general is alive." Erron Black suggests.

"As a matter of fact, the team behind me was joining me to discuss with Kotal Kahn about a situation.

"Very well. (Turns to the earthrealmers) Follow me." Erron Black says.

As they begin to walk, Takeda then puts his hand to his head, telepathically reading Erron Black's mind.

"I can read you. You're not from Outworld." Takeda says.

"I'm from Earthrealm, like you. But my employer, Kotal Kahn, is from Outworld. So now I'm from Outworld." Erron Black says.

Team S.F. and Manado continue to follow with the soldiers close by. They then walk into the main plaza of the marketplace, where a crowd has gathered to watch a public event. A soldier on a raised platform addresses all present, reading from a scroll.

"In these times of war, we are required to view every resource as a weapon for our Emperor to use at his discretion." The soldier says.

Behind the speaking soldier, a man has been bound in the stocks, and two soldiers pull him out and restrain him.

"To take without his leave is to steal from the hand of Kotal Kahn himself." The soldier continues.

Kung Jin stops to take in the scene, with mounting horror clear on his face.

"Therefore, having been found guilty of theft, you shall be put to death." The soldier finishes.

"I was hungry!" The man begs.

He is then slammed onto a headsman's block. "Your sentence will be carried out... immediately!" The soldier announces.

Kung Jin then turns to Erron Black.

"Death? For petty theft?" Kung Jin asks.

"Remember where you are." Erron Black warns.

"Jin. Don't do something you'll regret." Manado warns.

Defiantly, Kung Jin pushes his way through the crowd.

"Jin?" Cassie asks.

"I'll get him." Manado says before following after the archer.

Erron then pulls out a revolver, intending to shoot Kung Jin in the back. Cassie grabs his arm and throws him down, causing the shot to go wide. Takeda and Jacqui begin fighting the soldiers as well. On the platform, a soldier holds a macuahuitl, an Aztec (or in this universe, Osh-Tekk) spiked war club, over the thief's head. As he prepares to swing it downward, an arrow pierces his shoulder, sending him down in pain. Kung Jin puts down his bow-staff and charges in.

Three soldiers then pull their swords and meet him in kombat. Kung Jin easily blocks the first's attacks with his staff and hits him in the side of his helmet. Kung Jin hits another strike to his stomach and knocks him down with a bash to the back of his head. He blocks two strikes from the second soldier and sends him sprawling with a staff hit to the face, then repeats the motion to the third soldier before he can even finish his attack. Behind him, other Outworld citizens begin attacking the soldiers as well.

Elsewhere, Erron Black blocks a high kick and two punches from Cassie, and she blocks two of his attempts to shoot her and ducks a pistol whip. He counters another strike from her by bashing her in the forehead with his revolver and dashes off from the fight while she's stunned.

The soldiers now have a full scale riot on their hands. One is tackled off the platform by an Outworld citizen, while a second is pushed off by another citizen, allowing Kung Jin to run up and free the thief from his binds.

"Get outta here! Go!" Kung Jin says before the citizen helps the grateful thief to his feet.

Kung Jin then turns around and walks off the platform, coming face to face with Manado.

"Do you have any idea what you've just done?" Manado asks.

"I've giving someone a chance." Kung Jin says.

"All you did was cause chaos. You risk interealm war by doing this.". Manado explains.

Erron black then shows up, ready to confront Kung Jin. Manado decides to stay out of it and goes to help Zaveer.

"I knew you were trouble." Erron Black says.

"A lesson in trust... from a mercenary." Kung Jin says.

"Here's another learning opportunity." Erron Black informs.

They then start to fight. As deadly and pragmatic a fighter as Erron Black is, Kung Jin exhibits equal skill and speed with his own weapons. After a hard fought battle, the Shaolin student leaves the mercenary flat on his back.

"I'm a quick learner." Kung Jin says.

The soldiers surrounding the rest of Team S.F. are quickly defeated. A loud deep roar attracts Jacqui's attention, and several thumping footsteps catch the attention of everyone else as well. They look up in horror at what is approaching, but Kung Jin steals himself as he hears a young girl calling out threats in the Outworld tongue.

The gigantic hooded brute Torr walks into the plaza, and on his back is his rider, the diminutive Ferra. She gives off an evil cackle as they take in the scene.

"Let's play, Torr!" Ferra says.

Torr roars in response and starts to move forward.

Team S.F. get into fighting stances.

"You couldn't just ask for a pony like every other girl?" Cassie asks.

Kung Jin then knocks an arrow into his bow-staff.

"The archives never mentioned symbiotes." Kung Jin says to himself.

"Zaveer, I would suggest you stay out of this." Manado suggets.

Zaveer, while hesitant, is forced to comply and with his father, stands to the side.

At Ferra's battle cry, Torr charges forward. Cassie, Jacqui and Takeda run to meet them, while Kung Jin aims his bow-staff. Jacqui ducks a right swing from Torr and tries to punch him, but Torr easily blocks her attempts. As Torr grabs Jackie and hoists her over his head, Kung Jin fires off an arrow that hits him in the shoulder, causing him to drop Jacqui before he can slam her into the ground.

Torr then pulls the arrow out and charges forward, but Takeda runs into his path. He blocks a fist from Torr, who then blocks his attacks and grabs his leg, throwing him to the ground while Kung Jin prepares another shot. The brute bashes Takeda with both his fists while he's down, but Kung Jin hits him with another arrow in the shoulder before he can repeat the motion.

Once more Torr pulls the arrow out and charges forward. Cassie tries to hit him with a Shadow kick, but Torr catches her leg.

"Break her face!" Ferra commands.

Torr complies by punching Cassie square in her face with his free fist. He then picks her up by the shoulders and hoists her over his head, eye level with Ferra, who brandishes the claws on her hands.

"Ferra cut you!" Ferra yells.

This time, Kung Jin shoots his arrow at Ferra, catching her in the shoulder and knocking her off Torr's back. Torr throws down Cassie and runs in to meet Kung Jin in kombat.

Ferra quickly rights herself and jumps right back on Torr's back.

"You here make trouble, Skinny?" Ferra asks before barking off a growl. "Trouble make you!" Ferra yells.

Torr roars in compliance.

They then fight. Ferra/Torr prove to be unlike any opponent Kung Jin has ever faced, with the hulking giant and depraved dwarf fighting in tandem with amazing effect. Nonetheless, Kung Jin's speed, training and endurance all pay off in the end and after a long hard brawl he leaves Torr defeated on the ground, on top of Ferra.

"Love to learn more about ya. Too bad you're insane." Kung Jin says.

As Ferra struggles to pull herself out from under Torr's unconscious body, Kung Jin rushes over to the rest of Team S.F., who are picking themselves back up.

"You guys all right?" Kung Jin asks.

They say nothing in response, but a cry across the plaza grabs their attention.

More soldiers, far more than they can take on, dash towards them. Once they are surrounded, the Kytinn D'Vorah strolls up to Team S.F.

"The Earthrealmers, yes? This One must learn more of your diplomatic techniques." D'vorah says.

"We're here to see Kotal Kahn. General Blade's–" Cassie says before being cut off.

"You interfere with Outworld matters. The penalty is death." D'vorah says.

"I'm sensing a theme." Cassie says, looking at Kung Jin.

"But as we honour the Reiko accords, we will consult the emperor. You will await him here." D'vorah says.

"I will join you. Kotal needs to know all sides of the situation." Manado says.

"Very well." D'Vorah says.

Manado then turns towards Zaveer.

"You, stay with them." Manado says before he and D'Vorah walk off, leaving Team S.F. surrounded by the soldiers.

Cassie then turns to Kung Jin.

"You wanna take this opportunity to tell us what the fuckshit you were thinking?!" Cassie asks, snapping at him.

"That move you just did might have just jeopardized the entire mission." Zaveer says.

"I gotta wonder why you'd risk interrealm war for a bread thief." Takeda wonders.

"Because not all thieves are irredeemable." Kung Jin says.

Five Years Ago at Raiden's sky temple, the doors to the shrine are opened by Kung Jin, wearing the shrouded clothes of a thief. He looks around the shrine, which has paintings of many of Earthrealm's greatest heroes framed on the walls. Kung Jin stops at two of the paintings, of the Shaolin's finest, Kung Lao and Liu Kang.

Kung Jin looks regretful at what he is going to do, but nonetheless steals himself and picks up a jade statue on a table below the paintings, small enough to hold in one hand. After pausing another moment to contemplate his actions, he grips the statue tightly and flees the shrine.

He then makes it to the outside courtyard and pauses to admire the statue. As he walks away, he fails to spot Raiden standing behind him.

"It has more sentimental than monetary value." Raiden says.

Kung Jin stops dead at his words.

"Nevertheless, I would prefer you did not steal it." Raiden says.

"It's a family heirloom. One that shouldn't have been given to you!" Kung Jin says.

The statue then disappears from Kung Jin's hand in a flash of lightning, and reappears in Raiden's.

"Your family honoured me with this memento of your cousin Lao. After his death." Raiden explains.

"A death you caused! You made him fight Shao Kahn, then stood there while that bastard snapped his neck!" Kung Jin yells.

"You go too far, Kung Jin." Raiden says.

"No... Not far enough." Kung Jin replies.

They then fight. Kung Jin soon realises he is outmatched, as the Thunder God takes little damage from his onslaught. Even when he manages to knock Raiden to the ground, he knows fighting him is in vain.

"Just let me go." Kung Jin says.

Kung Jin then walks away, despondent, only to find Raiden teleport directly into his path, completely uninjured from the brief fight.

"Blood of Kung Lao, descendant of the Great Kung Lao... a common thief. Did you think you could walk unimpeded into my temple and walk out again... without my complicity?" Raiden asks.

"You wanted me to attack you. Why?" Kung Jin asks.

"To release your anger. Make you amenable to reason." Raiden explains.

Kung Jin hangs his head, unable to meet Raiden's eyes.

"And make me feel like shit." Kung Jin realizes.

"Self-loathing has always been an unfortunate part of your makeup. There lies ahead a brighter path. One that will truly honor your ancestors." Raiden says.

He then places a hand on Kung Jin's shoulder.

"One that is worthy of you. Go to the Wu Shi Academy. Join the Shaolin, like Kung Lao before you." Raiden advices.

Raiden then takes his hand from Jin's shoulder. Kung Jin turns away from him, still downcast.

"I can't. They won't... accept–" Kung Jin says before being cut off.

"They care only about what is in your heart. Not whom your heart desires." Raiden informs.

"It's too late for me." Kung Jin says.

Raiden then holds out the statue for Kung Jin, who decides to take it.

"It is never too late, Kung Jin." Raiden assures.

Kung Jin finally looks into his eyes, and lights up with determination.

Back in Outworld in the present time, Kotal Kahn has his back to Cassie Cage in contemplation. D'Vorah, Erron Black, Ferra/Torr, Manado and Kotal's soldiers still have Team S.F. surrounded. He then turns back round and walks toward Cassie. Kung Jin turns towards Manado who angrily shakes his head in both annoyance and disappointment. Kung Jin hangs his head down as he listens in to the conversation at hand.

"Your news of refugees is troubling. Their exodus to Earthrealm was not known to me." Kotal Kahn says.

He then turns away and starts walking onto the platform.

"I do know this: I invited no guests from Earthrealm. Certainly none who would disrupt the execution of justice." Kotal Kahn says as he places a hand on the stocks that the thief was formerly in.

"How do I know you are not allied with Mileena?" Kotal Kahn asks.

"Kotal Kahn, I can assure you that they aren't..." Manado says before being cut off.

"General, I am aware of the circumstances you have been put through regarding your capture and eventual escape, but this situation does not and should not involve you so I suggest you stay out of it." Kotal Kahn warns.

"Yes emperor." Manado says before backing off.

"Back to the matter at hand, perhaps Mileena's newfound power has earned her new friends?" Kotal Kahn wonders.

"Friends? No. No! We're not even sure that's Shinnok's Amulet that she has–" Cassie says before being cut off.

"She employs Shinnok's Amulet against me?! The very item Earthrealm swore would be safe in it's care?! When Outworld was offered no participation–" Kotal Kahn asks.

Realising that negotiations are taking a turn for the worse, Kung Jin starts forward.

"We were under attack, not Outworld–" Cassie says before Kung Jin steps in front of Cassie and interjects.

"Kotal Kahn... The Fire that Burns the Sun. We are here because we share your concerns about the missing item. We intend no ill against your rule." Kung Jin says.

"At least one Earthrealmer can forge words like silver. But I recall an Earthrealm expression: "There is more honour among thieves than diplomats." Kotal Kahn points out.

"I've had the questionable fortune to be both, Emperor. But I'm telling you the truth." Kung Jin says.

"You are allied with Mileena." Kotal Kahn says before turning to D'vorah. "You may carry out your sentence." Kotal Kahn says.

"Kotal Kahn, under Outworld law, I claim the right of defense... by kombat." Kung Jin announces.

"What?" Zaveer asks, surprised.

"You're gonna fight... a duel?" Jacqui asks.

"To absolve us of all accusations." Kung Jin says.

He then turns towards Kotal.

"Denying the request brings dishonour upon the accuser." Kung Jin informs.

"You know much of Outworld." Kotal Kahn says as he steps down from the platform.

"Know also: The duel ends in death." D'vorah informs.

Kung Jin steps into a fighting stance as Kotal does the same.

"You have won nothing. Merely a few more seconds of breath." Kotal Kahn says.

They then start to fight. The battle proves to be one of the toughest of Kung Jin's life. Facing down an Osh-Tekk warrior at full strength is no easy feat, and it takes all of Kung Jin's speed and skill in battle to hang in there. After what seems like a lifetime, Kung Jin finally powers through Kotal's strength and leaves him down on the ground, defeated.

"And now, Emperor?" Kung Jin asks.

Breathing heavily, Kotal cannot find the strength to rise again.

"The charges against you are void. I say to all that Earthrealm means Outworld no harm." Kotal Kahn announces.

D'Vorah looks shocked at these words. Team S-F can barely believe it either. Kotal then gets to his knees, but rises no further.

"Now kill me. Be done with it." Kotal Kahn says.

"You're not actually gonna...?" Cassie asks.

Kung Jin steps closer to Kotal.

"Instead of your life, I claim your service." Kung Jin says.

Kotal Kahn looks up in surprise.

"If Mileena does have the amulet, we can get it from her more easily if we work together." Kung Jin suggests.

The Kahn rises to his feet. D'Vorah then walks up to him.

"Emperor, they cannot be trusted–" D'vorah says before being cut off.

"D'Vorah, can you not perceive? I am indebted to them." Kotal Kahn informs.

He holds out his arm, and Kung Jin clasps it at the elbow. Kotal returns the hand (or arm) shake.

"You honour us, Kotal Kahn. Our gratitude is wide like the ocean." Kung Jin says.

Kotal says nothing, but frowns at the words.

"I'll talk to General Blade. Tell her about our new... arrangement." Cassie says.

Manado then walks towards Kotal Kahn.

"Kotal Kahn. I request that I return to Earthrealm to aid their command.

"Very well." Kotal Kahn replies.

Manado then turns and walks off for the portal to Earthrealm.