Shao Kahn's Throne Room, Outworld

Within Shao Kahn's Throne Room, the emperor removed his old armor to strap on a new set. He felt as his servants strapped on his shoulder guards which were gold trimmed, with red plates inside. He placed a single armband on his right arm as spikes were on his other forearm. The servants put his waist guards around him as the placed his shin guards on his shins. He then grabbed his helmet and put it on as his eyes snapped open glowing. Suddenly the doors to the throne room opened, and he looked to the source of it, seeing Shang Tsung and Queen Chrysalis. "So nice of you to join us... Queen Chrysalis... welcome to Outworld." he welcomed her to his realm.

"So you are the infamous Shao Kahn I have heard so much about... I imagined you being taller..." Chrysalis said to him as she observed the mighty emperor.

"And yet you stand in my shadow..." he replied to her.

Chrysalis walked to him but stumbled knowing she's never been on two legs before, but she took notice of his spikes, claws and scales around his body. His most distinct feature, were his eyes... they resembled must like a dragons. "You're no ordinary man, are you...?" she asked him.

"I am Kahn of Outworld... a conqueror." the emperor replied to her and looked out. "Everything you see before you... is part of different realms I conquered. Those who surrender willingly are spared, those who defy... are annihilated..." he turned to Chrysalis gripping his fist. "I am in need of allies Chrysalis... I had heard that you suffered quite a defeat..."

Hissing from remembering it, Chrysalis knew what he meant. "I was close to conquering Equestria for my hive to feed off their love... but Princess Celestia's student was so suspicious of my actions, I knew I couldn't let her interfere... but in the end, she thwarted my plans and left me humiliated!" she exclaimed in anger.

"Something we have in common your majesty... I too have suffered many humiliating defeats at the hands of Raiden's Earthrealm Defenders. But now he is my prisoner, and his allies are still rather a pain in my neck." Shao said to her as he approached her. "I asked Shang Tsung to bring you here so we can work out an arrangement..."

Curious to what he has to offer, Chrysalis didn't know whether to hear him out... or just leave. So she chose the simplest option. "What could you offer which I already have...?" she asked him.

"I can give you power far greater than what you currently have... you and your armies will never go hungry again..." the emperor offered to her.

Thinking it over, Chrysalis knew that this was indeed quite a generous offer. But she didn't trust this so called emperor as far as she could blast him... but she was cautious, so she wanted to make sure he was a man of his word. "If I join you, I want proof of this power you will give me..."

Hearing it, Shao Kahn smirked under his facemask as Shang Tsung summoned the power promised to her. He sent it to her, giving her power beyond anything she never would have imagined. But the process... was quite painful as she let out screams of agony. She felt the power coursing through her as he eyes snapped open glowing. She panted as she looked to herself and began to grin, letting out a chuckle. "This power... is unlike anything I've ever imagined...!"

"Shang Tsung's soul magic is indeed powerful, but there is more that you can understand about the power you possess. Shang Tsung will show you how to control it so that in future battles, you will not disappoint..." the emperor said to her.

Looking to the mighty warlord, Chrysalis bowed respectfully to him as a sign of allegiance. "You have earned my loyalty... Shao Kahn..." she smiled as she looked up to him.

The Emperor was please as she and Shang Tsung left the throne room, but he knew a sharp tongued devil when he saw one. And Chrysalis reeked of treachery, something he needed to keep an eye open for should she try anything against him like Reptile did. Down the hall, Shang Tsung escorted the queen to her guest chambers where she will rest for the night. "You will find your quarters are quite different from Equestria, but at least you'll be able to find comfort here..." he said to her as he opened the doors for her.

Seeing her chambers, Chrysalis knew that it was certainly different from that of her home in the hive. But she'll looked passed it and turned to Shang. "Tell me... why is it your emperor really wants my help...?" she asked him.

"Why not...?" he replied to her.

"I'm serious Shang Tsung... I am Queen of the Changelings, a sadistic evil psychopath... its part of my charm." she reminded him of who she was.

"Which is something I find quite attractive..." Shang admitted to her.

Chrysalis smirked at his compliment and turned to him. "You didn't just recruit me for my help or my looks... I know deceptive beings when I see them. So tell me... why the sudden interest in me...?" she asked him.

He looked at her knowing she had to know his personal intentions, he looked out to the empire. "Every fight I've been in... I faced defeat countless times. By the hands of the Great Kung Lao... and at the hands of Liu Kang. Till one day I finally snapped his neck and consumed his soul... but now with him restored... history will repeat itself." he explained and looked to her. "Then there's the issue with Princess Twilight... you suffered a humiliating defeat, and have plotted against her and her friends for years."

Nodding her head, Chrysalis knew that he was right. "You speak the truth... but what is it you're offering...?" she asked him.

"We have common cause Chrysalis... your revenge towards Twilight Sparkle, and mine towards Liu Kang. Help me... and I'll help you... or you can go back to that hole I pulled you out of." Shang said to her.

Considering all that has happened with her, walking into a new realm, becoming a bipedal creature, meeting a powerful warlord that could kill her with one strike with his war hammer. What did Chrysalis have to lose...? She looked to the sorcerer and smirked as she grabbed him by his collar. "On the contrary... I'm in..." she said to him as Shang Tsung smirked in response.

Sub-Zero's Training Ground, Ponyville

Back in Equestria... Sub-Zero had spent days working on a training ground for Rainbow Dash's Lin Kuei training. So far, to his standard, its looking pretty well. He soon took the chance to practice to grow more used to his new body, he concentrated on the ice to remember the feeling of it. But before he could focus... "Good morning sensei!" Rainbow Dash cried out making him lose focus as the ice around him cracked. "Ohhh.... sorry bout that..."

"It's fine... I wasn't focusing or anything..." Sub-Zero said sarcastically to the rainbow haired Pegasus.

Feeling excited, Rainbow Dash quickly adjusted her outfit to be more comfortable. "So, what's the first lesson...?" she asked him.

"The first step... is to show patience..." Sub-Zero advised her as he circled her. "Smoke informed me of your ability to control lightning... this true...?" he asked her.

"Yeah... but it mostly happened when I was attacked by Frost, aka Elsa..." Rainbow mocked her name and smirked.

Sub-Zero pondered it as he walked around her. "Given your swift speed, and strong loyalty to your friends. Controlling it would have been easy... but lightning has always been an unpredictable force of nature. Wielding it may take time... but it mostly depends on how well you progress." he said to her.

"But yet you're an ice ninja... how are you gonna teach me to control lightning...?" Rainbow Dash asked him.

"First off, the Lin Kuei are not ninja's... they're assassins... when I reformed it, I dedicated it to defending Earthrealm. Secondly... each technique is based on the elements of nature. Ice is formed from water, making it easy to wield... lightning is considered to be the cold blooded fire. A powerful yet dangerous element..." Sub-Zero informed her of it. "When controlling this force of nature... you must mimic its movements... focus it through your chi. Let it flow like water..." he started forming an ice ball and threw it at a tree seeing its trunk freeze.

Rainbow saw it surprised and knew that it was not gonna be easy to control her new found power. But what did she have to lose? She inhaled and focused on how fire would work, but as she did... lightning began to flow from the tip of her hooves leaving her surprised as she lost focus. "Whoa... that was..." she shook her head and refocused on her training. "Focus Rainbow... focus... don't give into your wild urges..." she practiced the motions of her fighting style.

Sub-Zero watched as she tried focusing the lightning around her, but they were completely unaware that they were being watched. Scootaloo was watching from the edge of the arena with her friends Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle. Amazed of what they're doing Scootaloo could barely contain herself. "Oh my gosh... this is amazing...! Rainbow Dash has power that no pony else could imagine...!" she quietly exclaimed as she possibly could.

"I wonder what it would be like to have powers like those...?" Applebloom wondered and gasped looking to her friends. "You know what that means?" she asked them.

"Yeah..." Sweetie Belle began to see where she was going with this.

"Cutie Mark Crusaders Elemental Fighters!" they exclaimed only to see an icy sword pierce on the floor in front of them.

They looked up only to see Sub-Zero giving them a disapproving look. "You best have a good explanation for trespassing..." he said to them with a firm voice.

The CMC panicked knowing that his stare was as deadly as the ice around him, suddenly Rainbow Dash got between them. "Whoa! Easy there teach, they're friends of my... this is Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo..." she introduced them to the Grandmaster.

"Charmed... but stay clear of the training grounds... this is no place for children." he advised them.

"Hey, we just wanted to see Rainbow Dash as she trained with you. No need to give us the cold shoulder pal!" Scootaloo completely disrespected the Grandmaster, knowing she made a cold pun.

Sub-Zero snapped his ice sword giving her a glare. "I suggest you watch your tone with me young lady... didn't your parents ever tell you to respect your elders...?" he asked her not knowing her history.

Scootaloo glared at him but looked away as tears formed in her eyes. "My parents have never been around..." she said to him and literally caught him off guard. "I've lived most of my life sending letters to them when they were out in the world, and Rainbow Dash was the only one who has been like a sister to me..." she soon looked to him holding her glare. "You wouldn't understand even if it bit you in the flank!" she cried out.

Little does she know of his history... he looked at her but turned and left her alone. "Just try not to get in the way... your... sister and I have much work to do." he advised her and walks to the center of the training grounds.

Rainbow Dash was surprised how he reacted to what Scootaloo, but she followed after him to continue their training. Hours pass, and Rainbow Dash was getting the hang of her new found power. She felt energized and felt like she could take on the world. "Alright, I think I'm there... what's next teach...?" she asked the grandmaster.

"Now comes the hard part of your training... defeating your teacher." he responded to her.

Surprised of this, Rainbow Dash nervously chuckled. "You're kidding right...?" she asked him.

Sub-Zero answered by going into his fighting stance as ice surrounded his hooves. "I don't kid around..." he said to her.

Seeing how serious he was... Rainbow Dash knew that he was gonna go all out against her. She swallowed her fear, and hardened herself. "Alright teach... I'm prepared." she said to him as he nodded in response. He charged at her forming ice daggers to strike her. She panicked and dodged them to avoid getting cut. "Hey! You never said we were gonna use weapons!" she cried out.

"Expect the unexpected Rainbow Dash...!" he responded and went to strike her again. She avoided his strikes and leaped above him landing a kick at the back of his head. He stumbled from it and turned to her as she stood in her fighting stance, he smirked knowing that her training my very well pay off. "Clever move... but think fast!" he yelled as he launched an ice ball at her.

Seeing it, Rainbow quickly reacted in focusing her chi and blasted the ice with a strong lightning bolt. Perhaps too strong, because it blasted right through it and was close to hitting Sub-Zero. But he managed to dodge it, he knew she had power, but he never imagined it would be this powerful. Even she was surprised by her abilities, to the point she pulled herself back into reality. "Care to keep going teach?"

Smirking behind his mask, Sub-Zero knew it was far from over. "If you have what it takes to control that power of yours... then lets keep going." he charged at her forming ice daggers. Rainbow smirked seeing it and blocked his attacked and kicked him in the side and threw him over.

Scootaloo and the rest of the CMC watched as Sub-Zero broke his fall, and slide kicked Rainbow Dash knocking her off her hooves. She broke her fall in the nick of time, and managed to unleash a small lightning blast towards Sub-Zero, who in turn formed a wall of ice blocking it. "Wow...! These two are awesome!" Scootaloo exclaimed.

Looking at her friend, Applebloom had a smirk across her face. "This coming from the pony who disrespected the grandmaster of all ponies...?" she asked her only to earn a scowl from her in return.

Sub-Zero soon unleashed a barrage of icicles at Rainbow Dash, but as they flew towards her... Rainbow Dash blasted each shard and dodged a few that nearly hit her. She charged at lightning speed and slid under the grandmaster and leaped above him, landing a solid kick to his neck sending him flying. He grunted from the attack and crashed against some of the training equipment, Rainbow Dash panted a bit from exhaustion but knew he was far from done. "Come on teach, I know you're playing possum over there..." she said to him.

Knowing he couldn't fool her, Sub-Zero emerged from the icy rubble and walked toward her. "Your skills have grown impressive... not a bad start. But you still have much to learn if you're going to become a Lin Kuei Warrior!" he exclaimed as he launched an icy clone towards her causing her to panic.

She managed to dodge it, but Sub-Zero anticipated this and leaped above her and grabbed her by her right hind leg. He threw her towards the ground seeing her land against it sliding over the icy ground. She groaned from is but got back up, showing just how resilient she is towards him. "If you think that's enough to take me out, guess again...!" she said to him.

"Yes! I knew Rainbow Dash would recover!" Scootaloo cheered.

"I don't know Scootaloo, she's looking pretty tired out there... I think she's wasting her stamina..." Sweetie Belle said to her feeling worried.

"Sweetie Belle's right, any fight will tire you out. And Sub-Zero might use that against her." Applebloom agreed as she explained to Scootaloo of the situation. She didn't care and new that Rainbow Dash still had enough energy to burn off.

Sub-Zero formed his ice swords and swung them at Rainbow Dash, she countered his attacks by forming electric barriers around her as she observed his movements. She watched the blades movements and the way he waved his arms through the air. She started seeing the pattern and knew what he was gonna do. Sub-Zero threw his sword at her only to see her dodge as he started forming a ball of ice. Rainbow anticipated this, and kicked his hoof towards the air catching him by surprise. "Incredible..." he muttered.

"You haven't seen anything yet!" Rainbow Dash yelled and kicked him square in the jaw causing it to fracture and sending him flying into the air. She flew towards him and swirled around him as she landed powerful jabs toward his entire body sending jolts of electricity through him. She then flipped backwards and landed her left hind leg over his head cracking it, and forced him to descend towards the training grounds and saw him crash on the ground. She flew down to him and walked over to help him. "Guess this counts as a pass...?" she asked with a smirk and offered him a hoof.

Seeing it, Sub-Zero smirked and took her hoof standing up from the ground with her help. "You're a fast learner Rainbow Dash... but speed alone will not get you through this extent of your training. I do not wish for you to end up like Frost..." he said to her knowing his history with her.

"Believe me, I don't want to be anything like her... nor would I want to be under her wing if she were grandmaster." Rainbow Dash assured him. Till suddenly, something occurred to her as she looked to him. "By the way, you reacted kind of strange towards Scootaloo when she mentioned that her parents haven't been around. Did something happen to you in your childhood besides being a Lin Kuei Assassin...?" she asked him.

Silent upon hearing the question, Sub-Zero turned away and looked out to the Equestrian sky. "When me and Bi Han were just boys... the Grandmaster before me and Sektor... abducted us from our home." he explained catching both Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo by surprise. "It was in the Winter when it happened... when me and my brother were brought to the Lin Kuei Temple. We were forced to fight one another... my brother was always the strongest, and I... was always in his shadow..." he looked down remembering that day. "Over the years, I never knew what happened to our parents... I wanted to visit them, but the Grandmaster forbade it... if I was to leave the temple, it would be considered desertion..."

Surprised of it, Rainbow Dash shook her head and looked to him. "Now that's just crazy! No one should just keep their parents from seeing their sons!" she exclaimed.

"On that I agree... but my brother wouldn't be as tolerant if we ever see him again." Sub-Zero said to her.

Shuddering from remembering him, Rainbow Dash got the chills from the fact of him being mentioned. "I don't even want to see him again. He's already given me enough nightmares..." she replied.

"Nightmares are easy to cast out once you know the way..." said a familiar voice as Rainbow Dash and Sub-Zero looked to who it was. It was Scorpion who watched the entire fight. "Pardon my intrusion, but I noticed you two training... you new protégé is making progress Sub-Zero..." he complimented his Sub-Zero's new student.

"Thank you Scorpion... but her power still needs much work if she is to control it." Sub-Zero replied.

Suddenly, a laugh is heard, it was a feministic type of laugh, and Rainbow Dash recognized the sound of the female's voice and looked up. It was none other than Lightning Dust, her former training partner from the academy. "You call that power...? She couldn't even take a little joke back at the academy." she said to them.

Rainbow immediately glared at her knowing she was trying to get under their skin. Scorpion shared the glare and stepped up. "And who are you to show such disrespect...?" he asked her.

"Her name is Lightning Dust..." Rainbow Dash gained their attention and walked toward her. "She was my former Lead Pony back at the Academy... she took risks that no pony would ever do, and she almost got my friends killed with a freaking hurricane!" she exclaimed to her.

"Oh come on Dash, you were in on it!" Lightning Dust argued.

"You were out of control, and I knew that you weren't meant to be my lead pony, just as I wasn't meant to be a wing pony!" Rainbow replied to her holding her glare.

"Yet you became one, showing that you weren't willing to take risks like I was. That's what makes a Wonder Bolt, and now look at you... in a ridiculous outfit, and possessing powers that is beyond anything anypony has ever seen... I should be the one with that power! Not you!" Lightning Dust exclaimed.

Hearing enough, Sub-Zero formed an ice sword. "I've heard enough from you!" he was about to end her, but Rainbow Dash held her hoof in front of him causing him to turn towards her seeing her expression. "Rainbow Dash, what are you doing...?" he asked her.

Filled with silence... Rainbow Dash looks to Lightning Dust knowing she went too far this time. "This is my fight... she came here looking for trouble... and now she found it." she said to him and glanced to him. "You and Scorpion should stay out of this..." she said it as a warning to the cryomancer and the ninja specter.

Scorpion was surprised by her response, but knew she meant business and looked to Sub-Zero. "Let her... she's serious, and if their history is as bad as she claims it to be, its best we don't interfere..." he said to him.

Sub-Zero glanced to him but looked to Rainbow Dash seeing her glare at Lightning Dust, he knew he couldn't let her fight after going through an exhausting training exercise. But he knew she was not one to back down... so he nodded and stepped back with Scorpion. "Alright Rainbow Dash... do your worst...." he said to her and threw a high kick towards her.

Rainbow Dash immediately dodged her high kick and grabbed hold of her throwing down to the icy ground seeing her slide across it. Lightning Dust got back up from her fall, but was slipping on the ice trying to keep her balance. Rainbow Dash smirked, knowing she was definitely out of her element. "What's the matter Dust...? Walking on thin ice?" she asked her.

She struggled to stay balanced from hearing her remark, and sent her a glare. "Just you wait you piece of-" before she could finish her sentence, Rainbow Dash charged at her and slid across the ice knocking her down to the ground. Scorpion at that point let out a chuckle from seeing it happen.

Sub-Zero also smirked at how easily distracted Lightning Dust was, but he knew that Rainbow Dash shouldn't underestimate her. Lightning Dust stood up and flapped her wings to float over the ice and glared at Rainbow Dash. "Alright Dash, now you're going to get it...!" she charged at her throwing a punch at her. Rainbow Dash managed to block her attacks and kept her balance over the ice, she waited for an opportunity to attack. "Hold still!" she cried out.

"Why should I? You're the one taking risks here, but not me!" Rainbow replied as she ducked under her next attack, launching her right hind hoof landing it against her jaw. Lightning Dust grunted from it, but she grabbed hold of Rainbow's leg causing her to panic. She swung the rainbow haired pony, throwing her against a wall.

"Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo cried out only to get stopped by Scorpion. He looked to her and shook his head knowing that this was a fight only Rainbow Dash will be able to win.

He looked to the fight, seeing Lightning Dust march toward her. "What's the matter Rainbow Crash?! You're not unconscious yet are you? I'm just getting started!" she said to her as Rainbow Dash laid under the icy rubble.

Rainbow Dash meanwhile knew that she was fast... but she needed to be faster. She closed her eyes to focus and tap into her power. Sensing Lightning Dust was close to reaching her, Rainbow's eyes immediately snapped open as lightning flowed around her. She kicked a large block of ice toward her, Lightning Dust leaped over it only to get tackled by Rainbow Dash. She was surprised knowing she had been caught off guard. Rainbow Dash yelled out and slammed Lightning Dust against the ice, causing it to crack and Lightning Dust to cough up blood. Rainbow stood up and glared at her. "One thing for you to know... don't ever call me Rainbow Crash...!"

"She certainly has a temper..." Scorpion pointed out to Sub-Zero.

"Something she will have to master over time..." he replied to his fellow grandmaster but looked to the fight and saw that Lightning Dust still had enough energy to spare. "Rainbow, look out!" he called out, but was too late. Lightning Dust kicked Rainbow Dash away, causing her to slide across the arena. She remained standing, but she shot an intense glare at Lightning for that sneak attack. "Do not give into your anger!" her grandmaster called out. "If you give into anger, you will be lost forever..." he advised her.

Hearing his voice, Rainbow's eyes lowered knowing that she always lost herself to rage. So rather than lose herself to anger... she channeled it through her lightning and unleashed it. Lightning Dust at the moment didn't know what she was up to, but it didn't matter to her as she charged at Rainbow Dash to finish the fight. But Rainbow dodged it as a lightning strike swiped her opponent off her hooves flipping her over. Amazed by this development, Sub-Zero was intrigued by her new control over her ability. Lightning Dust meanwhile, was filled with anger of it and launched a barrage of kicks at her. Rainbow Dash countered her attack with lightning whips, blocking her attacks with incredible speed. "This power, this speed..." Rainbow thought to herself as she blocked her attacks and landed three quick jabs to her face. "It feels amazing... no, better than amazing..." she blocked another attack and landed her elbow against Lightning's face. "It's Awesome!" she flipped backwards and landed a kick to her jaw, sending her into the air and saw her crash onto the ground.

Amazed of her progress and victory, Scorpion nodded in approval of her strategy. "She's learned well under your teachings..." he complimented the Lin Kuei of his pupil.

Sub-Zero nodded in agreement and watched what will happen next. Rainbow Dash approached Lightning Dust to see if she was still going to fight, but one look at her and she showed she was unable to continue the fight. Panting from exhaustion, Lightning Dust knew that she was finished. "What are you waiting for...? You trained to be an assassin didn't you...? Finish me!" she said to her.

Looking at her former partner, Rainbow Dash knew that she was serious... but she looked to her mentor, who in response, shook his head. Telling her that killing her will not change anything. Rainbow Dash nodded to him and looked to Lightning Dust. "Sorry Lightning... but that's not my way..." she said to her and walked to her mentor. Surprised of it, Lightning Dust couldn't believe what she just did for her. True she got her booted out of the Academy, but for a trainee assassin to spare her life? She could hardly believe it... meanwhile, Rainbow approached her teacher and bowed to him. "What did you think teach...?" she asked him.

Closing his eyes, Sub-Zero smirked behind his mask and looked to her. "I can honestly say you are still a fast learner... but speed can also be your greatest enemy when in a fight. Therefore, you must always be prepared for what ever situation will come your way... the enemy will not back down like Lightning Dust did." he advised his pupil. Rainbow Dash nodded to him and walked beside him to continue their training elsewhere. Meanwhile, Scorpion looked to Lightning Dust who remained kneeling in the icy training grounds. He watched as she sulked in defeat, knowing that all her efforts had been ruined. In fact... he started to see a lot of him in her. He turned away from her and left the training grounds.

Throne Room, Canterlot

Within the Canterlot Throne Room, Reptile was brought forth to the Alicorn Princesses. They were skeptical of him, given his past reputation of being Shao Kahn's most loyal assassins. But hearing that he surrendered willingly, gives them some reason to give him the benefit of a doubt... but they had to make sure. "Reptile, you came to Equestria by your own volition, is this true...?" Celestia asked the Zaterran of his motives.

"I did your majesty..." he replied to her as he kneeled down.

"But why turn against your own allies...?" Celestia asked him.

Reptile looked down, remembering what he heard back in Outworld. He soon looked up to her with his reptilian eyes. "Because my realm was conquered by Shao Kahn... he murdered my queen, and merged Zaterra with Outworld... I believed pledging my loyalty to him would spare my people. But he was ruthless... wiped my race to the brink of extinction. I watched as I stood by his side... regretting my actions from that day forward. So to this day, I sought a new path... to avenge my people... and help those who cannot fight for themselves. Your realm is peaceful, I admit it... but I would hate to see it conquered like Zaterra." he said to the Alicorn with much honesty in his words.

To Celestia's and Luna's surprise, his words were genuine... but it was still unclear if they could trust him or not. Just at that moment, Princess Kitana approached Reptile and looked to the Canterlot Royals. "Your majesties... when I believed Shao Kahn to be my father... Reptile is a loyal Zaterran to a fault. Even though his actions were misguided... he was only fighting in his name in order to survive. I know you find it hard to trust Reptile, but we can give him a chance... if you can offer it..." she said to them.

Luna looked to her older sister and turned her attention to Queen Sindel. "Queen Sindel, do you support your daughters claim that Reptile can be a great ally...?" she asked her.

"Yes Princess Luna..." Sindel replied as she approached her daughter. "As sinful as Reptile may have been in his time serving the Emperor... I have no doubt that he can change. As well as other warriors that were forced into his service." she said as she looked to her daughter and the Zaterran.

Luna looked to her sister feeling unsure about him, Celestia nodded to her knowing that they shouldn't doubt the word of the Queen of Edenia. "Very well Sindel... we will trust your word." she said to her and turned towards Reptile. "Now Reptile, you have spent all your life fighting for Shao Kahn, what can you tell us about his fortress...?" she asked him.

Upon hearing her question, Kitana and Sindel focused their magic and formed an astral projection of Shao Kahn's palace for him to explain. "The fortress is vast and wide... it will feel like you're going through a maze. The throne room is at the top of the fortress, and the dungeon is down at the lowest level. But getting in there won't be easy if you're going to try and save Raiden..." he explained.

"What's the easiest route to take to the dungeon...?" Luna asked him.

"The fastest way to the dungeon is through a secret corridor..." Reptile reveals the secret corridor to them. "It leads straight out into the Wasteland's of Outworld, from there we take the lift that lowers us down to the lower levels of Shao Kahn's fortress." shows the lift that goes to the dungeon. "That is where we will find Raiden..."

Celestia observed the schematics of the dungeon believing that this could help them. "Its a long shot, but its worth saving Raiden from Shao Kahn." she said to them.

"Princess Celestia, you certain it is worth the risk...?" Sindel asked her.

Celestia nodded to her in response and turned her direction. "I will do anything to save Raiden... if your husband was here, what would you do...?" she asked the Edenian Queen.

Sindel pondered over her question and knew what the answer was. "I would do everything in my power to bring him home." she said to her.

Celestia gave her a nod and looked to the fortress. "My student and her friends will need all the training they can get from the protectors... when they are ready, we go to Outworld." she declared as she glared at the fortress.

Shao Kahn's Throne Room, Outworld

Meanwhile in Outworld, Chrysalis... grown used to her new body, walks to a portal that Shang Tsung opened for her. "Once on the other side, I will be restored to how I was...?" she asked as she looked to the sorcerer.

"Yes, the same is for the rest of the Outworld Warriors... the minute one enters Equestria, we change into the native species... for me, it would seem I became a unicorn given my magic prowess..." he explained to her and looked to the portal. "I will send you with one of my strongest allies..." he looked to the hallway knowing who was there. "Kintaro...!"

Chrysalis started hearing large footsteps approaching, and turned around to see what it was. Or in this case... who it was. She looked up as her eyes widened seeing a massive tiger with four arms. It was Kintaro, of the Tigrar Clan of Shokan. She gulped and couldn't believe what she was seeing. "My, my... you're certainly a tall drink of water..." she said to him.

"One which your enemies would drown of..." Kintaro said to her.

"Kintaro is one of the second most strong Shokan in his kingdom, with his help... you may get the revenge you need." Shang said to her.

Chrysalis meanwhile, was not convinced as she gave him a skeptical look. "You say that as if I might to fail..." she said to him and walked into the portal with Kintaro. Unaware that Shang was nodding his head knowing she was right... but regardless, it could give him a chance to witness her combat skills as he followed into the portal.

Rainbow Dash's House, Ponyville

Exhaling from all the hard training, Rainbow Dash finally got the chance to relax with her masters approval. "Man... that was some crazy training there teach... is that how you trained the rest of the Lin Kuei...?" she asked him.

"It is the way of the Lin Kuei... though training will be harsh, it hardens them to be better at what they learned." Sub-Zero explained to her as he sat down.

"Just glad you're not as harsh as the old Grandmaster... I mean for a Lin Kuei... you're alright." Rainbow Dash complimented him, and to her surprise... Sub-Zero let out a light chuckle. "Wow... that is literally the first time I heard you laugh." she pointed out.

He turned to his student and smirked behind his mask. "Only because you continue to amaze me... true, your skills still need work, but with enough training, maybe you could be grandmaster some day..." he said to her.

Surprised by his offer, Rainbow Dash lightly chuckled at the thought of it. "Me...? Grandmaster...? Pfft! Fat chance of that happening..." she replied to him and looked out. "To be honest... I have my own plans for the future..." she said to him.

"Oh...? And what plans would those be...?" Sub-Zero asked her.

Rainbow Dash thought it over as she looked at the clear blue sky above them. "I planned to become a Wonderbolt... they are the best, most awesome flyers in all of Equestria. When I first joined the academy, I was so excited... that's when I met Lightning Dust... man that mare was a dare devil, even more than me." she explained to him but her smile faded remembering what happened next. "But like I told you before that fight... she took risks that would injure herself and others around. She almost got my friends killed in a tornado..."

Sub-Zero winced a bit from remembering it. "Yes, I recall you mentioning that..." he said to her.

"After that, I tried to quit the academy... Spitfire finally came to her senses and had Lightning Dust kicked out of the academy." Rainbow finished her tale of what happened and looked to him. "I'm sure in the Lin Kuei, you would have done something else..."

"You're not wrong, normally... they'd be executed..." Sub-Zero admitted to her.

This immediately caused Rainbow Dash to gulp from the thought of it. "Glad that isn't me on the chopping block..." she muttered to herself.

Suddenly a large footstep came from behind them, making them turn to the source and saw that it was Kintaro, letting out a tiger roar at them. Shang Tsung and Chrysalis soon approached them with evil grins. "Well now, this is quite a coincidence. The Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei... and his new prodigy..." Shang Tsung looked between them.

"Looks like we were right to arrive here..." Chrysalis stood next to him as she grinned.

Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash glared at her knowing who she is. "Ugly as ever Chrysalis...?" she asked her only to get a hiss in response.

"I take it she's an old enemy of yours...?" Sub-Zero asked her.

"More than you realize... Chrysalis is the Queen of the Changeling's. They take the forms of those you love, and feed on that love to make them stronger. She used Twilight's brother during the wedding at Canterlot... while me and the others were too occupied with the wedding to listen to her." she explained and admitted one of her faults to her master.

Shang chuckled at hearing it. "My, my, never thought I'd see the day that the most loyal of Princess Twilight's friends turned her back on her." he continued to chuckle as Chrysalis joined in the laughter.

"They truly were easy to manipulate... after all, a wedding will do that to those who are excited to see the bride and groom." she responded with a sadistic grin.

This immediately got under Rainbow Dash's skin as she shot a glare towards her. "You turned us against our friend and you're going to pay for that!" she shouted only to earn a snarl from Kintaro.

Growling at his prey, Kintaro knew he couldn't let her live. "I am going to eat your heart... after I am through having my fun." he warned her and let out a ferocious growl.

As fearsome as this monster of a tiger was, Rainbow Dash felt a bit intimidated by him. She felt a hoof on her shoulder and saw that it was Sub-Zero who walked up beside her with a confident expression. "Do not let his ferosity and size frighten you, his fangs and claws were overmatched many times before." he informed her.

"But how can I face something that big...?" she asked her mentor.

"Fight with your wits, rather than your courage... and look for weakpoints to weaken him." Sub-Zero advised her. Rainbow Dash turned her gaze to Kintaro knowing finding that weakpoint won't be easy to find. But she couldn't let her master down, so she looked to Kintaro and stepped forth.

The Tigrar Shokan watched as she approached and smirked at her. "For a puny pony mortal... you will pose no problem. I will crush you with one blow..." he said to her with a grin.

Rainbow only smirked in response. "Alright big boy... lets dance..." she provoked him. Kintaro snarled as he stood up on his hind legs about to crush her with his front hooves, but Rainbow Dash slid underneath him and kicked him right in the groin causing his eyes to widen. He groaned in pain of it as he held it gently, meanwhile Rainbow was rubbing her leg from when she kicked him. "Damn! That fricking hurt!" she exclaimed.

Sub-Zero winced from seeing it, knowing that must have really hurt. Meanwhile Shang Tsung was not amused. "You imbecile! Get up and fight!" he exclaimed to him.

Shaking off the pain, Kintaro glared at Rainbow Dash. He roared out and went to strike her, but Rainbow Dash used her speed to avoid the massive Shokan. "You'll have to do better than that stripes!" she said to him as she avoided his attacks and landed a high kick against his right cheek. He stumbled from it, but the impact Rainbow felt from it felt like she was kicking another rock. "Jeez, what is this guy made of?" she asked.

"Pure muscle... and thick bone..." Sub-Zero said from the sidelines.

"Thanks for the heads up!" Rainbow said sarcastically only to get punched by Kintaro and rolled on the ground. She groaned from it and held where the Tigrar hit her. But she didn't let it affect her as she turned to Kintaro with a glare. "Alright big guy... now you're asking for it..." she said to him as lightning started flowing around her hooves.

Grinning at her, Kintaro charged at her and went for another strike, throwing his right hooves at her. Just as Kintaro was close to clobbering her again, Rainbow ducked beneath the colossal Shokan and jabbed at his muscles causing him to tense up and roar out. Chrysalis saw it in surprise, never before had she witnessed this kind of power. "When did she learn to do that...?" she asked.

"It is likely that she had this power since birth and hasn't discovered it till now. Either that, or she realized her potential during her training..." Shang explained to her as he watched the battle. "Either way... this world has already become more interesting by the second..." he muttered.

Kintaro snarled and struck at Rainbow Dash only to see her dodge as he only hit the ground leaving holes in the ground. "Hold still you little welp!" he shouted and went to crush her.

But Rainbow kept dodging his attacks. "What's the matter tiger boy? Can't keep up with all that muscle?" she dodged his next attack and kicked him sending streams of lightning through his side causing him to roar out in pain. She dodged his next swing and slammed an electric uppercut against his jaw. Feeling it, Kintaro stepped back shaking his head from the jolt of electricity flowing through him. He opened his eyes seeing bit of a blur. He tried to focus, but just as he was about focus... Rainbow Dash unleashed a barrage of fast jabs to his chest leaving hoof prints. She then leaped into the air and landed her right leg on top of the Shokan's head causing it to crack. He backed up a bit and soon fell to the ground unconscious. "Ha! Guess those teeth and claws aren't always everything." she said to him.

Sub-Zero nodded seeing his student succeeded against the Shokan, meanwhile Chrysalis glared at them for Kintaro's failure. "That's it... I have seen enough!" she shouted.

"Indeed... we both have..." Shang stepped up with her. "I think its time to put you both out of your misery..." he said to them.

Sub-Zero stepped up to his student and looked to her. "I'll take Chrysalis... think you can handle the sorcerer...?" he asked her.

"Can you handle a crazy Changeling Queen...?" Rainbow asked in response as a smirk formed across her face.

Sub-Zero smirked in return and looked to the queen. He walked toward her preparing for combat, while Chrysalis grinned at him and began her approach. "You certainly seem confident... for an assassin." she complimented the grandmaster.

"I know about you... the Canterlot Wedding was a clever scheme. But there was no honor in it..." Sub-Zero said to her.

Chrysalis grinned at him as she circled him. "Like there is no honor in betraying your own clan...?" she asked him as she walked up behind him him leaning to his ear. "Your brother will surely be disappointed..." she whispered into his ear. That got on his nerve as he lashed out throwing a kick at her. She dodged it as her wings flapped hovering in the air. "Touched a nerve didn't I...?"

"There is one of two things you should know... the first is, I betrayed my clan for good intentions. The second... Bi Han, is no longer my brother." Sub-Zero said to her and blasted ice towards her. She dodged the blasts and charged toward him, tackling him away from Rainbow Dash's and Shang's battle.

Shang Tsung observed the young pegasus as they both circled one another. "Sizing me up...?" Rainbow Dash asked him.

"I merely find your abilities intruiging... like Raiden, you're able to control lightning." Shang explained to her.

Rainbow chuckled a bit from the thought of it. "Least I'm not a god, because that would be way out of my league." she said to him.

"Don't get me wrong, your abilities are unquestionably admirable... but you are anxious, trying to prove you can be anything. Tell me, what have you learned from your master...?" Shang asked her.

Getting the feeling he's testing her, Rainbow decided to amuse him. She blasted a stream of lightning passed his head hitting a boulder behind him. "It's about controlling your energy... focusing it on a single point through out your entire body." she explained to him.

"I see... but how is energy compared to skill...?" Shang asked as he swung his hoof slicing a leaf in mid air lettign it fall to the ground. "You will need a powerful stroke when fighting a powerful opponent." he advised her.

Seeing what he did to the leaf, Rainbow looked towards him with a glare. "You didn't exactly come here to talk dirtbag..." she said to him as she stood in her fighting stance. Shang grinned in response and stood in his stance... and without warning, he charged at her with crazy speed and struck at her. "WHOA!!!" she quickly dodged his attacks trying to avoid getting hit.

Shang sent some fast punches at her trying to hit her. "Your speed is quite impressive... but you're going to need more than that!" he quickly grabbed her arm and swung her around tossing her to a tree seeing her slam against it. She groaned from it but looked seeing him charging at her causing her to panic. She dodged an impaling punch that was aiming straight for her chest. "Nice dodge..." he pulled his hoof out of the tree.

"Liu Kang wasn't kidding when he said you were the most dangerous guy in Outworld..." Rainbow said to him.

Shang chuckled from hearing it. "You are right to be afraid Ms. Dash..." he said to her and attacked again.

Meanwhile, Sub-Zero blocked Chrysalis's attacks and dodged an attack from her horn. She hissed and used her tail to trip him over onto the ground. As he did, Chrysalis yelled out and used her magic to hold him down. "I'm going to enjoy this..." she extended her fangs and went to bite down on his neck like a vampire. But before she could, Sub-Zero quickly formed icicles around his body to keep her away. She screamed and jumped back from him. "You ignorant colt! That could have killed me!" she exclaimed.

"That was the idea..." Sub-Zero replied as he got up breaking the icicles off his body. "When it comes to fighting, you need to be ready to fight for your life..."

Chrysalis hissed at him knowing he was serious. "In that case, I better get serious...!" she charged at him landing a kick against his stomach causing him to cough up blood. She went for a kick towards his neck, but the grandmaster blocked it and formed an ice dagger around his hoof. He went to strike her, but Chrysalis dodged to avoid getting stabbed. She soon bit down on the ice dagger and glared at him. "That the best you got...?!" she asked with her mouth full and crushed the dagger into cubes.

Seeing it happen, Sub-Zero dodged Chrysalis's next attack and blocked at striking blow to his side. "For a Changeling Queen, you're quite powerful..." he complimented her.

Grinning from it, Chrysalis thought it best to humor him. "It is because I feed on love... its what kept me alive for the past thousand years." she said to him.

"That even explains your little team up with Shang Tsung... he has lived a lot longer, and has lived off the souls of fallen warriors." Sub-Zero pointed out to her.

Intruiged from hearing this information, Chrysalis grinned at the grandmaster preparing her next attack. "Maybe when I'm finished with you, I will gladly deliver your corpse to him so he can pull out your soul!" she charged at him going for a strike only for Sub-Zero to block her attacks.

Meanwhile, Shang Tsung threw a back spin kick towards Rainbow Dash causing her to duck from it and see her destroy part of a tree causing it to fall. "Jeez! If that were one of Applejack's tree's, she'd kill you!" she exclaimed and dodged another attack. As Shang charged at her, Rainbow Dash formed lightning around her hooves blocking each of his attacks. Feeling the stinging sensation of her lightning, Shang knew he needed to avoid those so he leaped back and blasted her with a barrage of fireballs. Seeing it in a panic, Rainbow Dash flew away from them and charged right at him. "Nice try buddy!" she yelled as she rammed against Shang's ribcage causing it to crack.

Grunting in pain of it, Shang Tsung managed to grab hold of her. "Insect!" he lifted her off her hooves and slammed her hard onto the ground causing her to lose consciousness.

Seeing it, Sub-Zero began to worry. "Rainbow Dash!" he went to help her, but Chrysalis tackled him down to the ground to stop him from helping her.

Shang approached the unconscious mare and grabbed hold of her mane lifting her head. "Your master... chose poorly... I don't know what he saw in you, but its time I put you out of your misery..." he said to the unconscious mare and went to finish her.

Feeling her instincts kick in, Rainbow Dash snapped out of it and blocked his attack. She yelled out and broke free of his grip kicking him in the face. Stumbling from it, Shang Tsung shook his head feeling dazed from her attack... but she was far from finished. She charged at the sorcerer and landed both her back hooves against his stomach causing him to cough harshly from it, she then threw a back spin kick landing it against his jaw fracturing it. Shang backed away from it as he was still in a daze, and Rainbow Dash leaped into the air with both her front hooves surrounded by electricity. She charged at him and landed them both against Shang Tsung's left cheek, causing it to crack. The Sorcerer fell down to the ground, groaning in pain from her assault as she stepped over him. "Still think my master chose poorly, chump?!" she asked him and looked to where Chrysalis had her master pinned.

Chrysalis kept Sub-Zero against a tree and hissed at him. "This time, no icicles will save you...!" she snarled about to bite down on his neck.

Without warning, Rainbow Dash yelled out and tackled her away while sending a stream of electricity through her body. Chrysalis rolled on the ground and groaned in pain from it. "Keep your hooves off him!" she warned her.

Shang rubbed his face and looked to where Chrysalis was. He used his magic to bring her to him for safety. "You won this round child... but next time we meet... you will not be so fortunate." he warned her as he opened a portal to Outworld and rushed into it with Chrysalis.

Seeing the portal close, Rainbow Dash sneered at seeing it but turned her direction towards Sub-Zero. "You okay teach...?" she asked him.

"I'll live..." Sub-Zero responded and looked to where the portal was. "But we best heed Shang Tsung's warning... knowing him, he'll do anything to win..." he advised her. Rainbow Dash nodded in response and looked out, because not only will they have Shang and the rest of Shao Kahn's goons to deal with, but also Chrysalis.

Shao Kahn's Throne Room, Outworld

Back in Outworld, Shang Tsung was using his magic to heal Chrysalis's injuries from their battle. "This was certainly unexpected..." said Shao Kahn as he was sitting upon his throne.

"Turns out some of those ponies have unforseen abilities..." Shang responded as he finished healing Chrysalis.

Groaning a bit, the queen got up onto her feet with Shang's help. "I would have killed her master if that retched Pegasus hadn't interfered...!" she snarled in anger.

"Their time will come..." Shao said to her as he stood up and walked to them. "Meanwhile, we will need more recruits..." he said to her as dark mist swirled around the room.

Seeing it happen, Chrysalis recognized the black aether and saw it form into a familiar king. Someone she hated for quite some time since her rule. King Sombra, the former ruler of the Crystal Empire. "Hello love..." Sombra said to her with a sadistic grin.

Sneering from what he just said, the queen turned her attention to Shao. "Oh for gods sake, please tell me you did not just bring him back to life...!" Chrysalis retorted towarrds the emperor.

"We need all the help we can get Chrysalis... do not question my methods..." Shao responded to her and walked passed her heading out of the throne room.

Sombra smirked as he leaned towards Chrysalis. "You can't touch me..." he mocked her only for Shang Tsung to jab him in the neck causing him to choke and cough from it. "You miserable little...!"

"Next time you get near her, I swear I will rip your heart out myself..." the sorcerer warned him and walked away. Chrysalis was amazed of what he did as her face started to turn red. Despite their failure, she didn't care as long as she could still stay by his side.

Ponyville, Equestria

Night fell over Ponyville, and Lightning Dust sat alone thinking about her defeat at Rainbow Dash's hooves. She wanted to get payback, but is it really worth risking her life? She did not know... suddenly, she felt a pair of eyes watching her from behind. "You can come out now..." she said to the individual.

Out of the shadows, Scorpion emerged and walked over to her. "I'm surprised you noticed..." he said to her.

Lightning Dust turned away and sighed. "I've been watching my back since I left the academy... can't let my guard down for a second..." she said to him. She soon turned towards him with curiosity. "Why did you follow me...?" she asked the ninja specter.

Looking at the young mare, Scorpion looked out thinking back to his past deeds. "Because you and I are somewhat... alike..." he replied to her.

Scoffing at the thought of it, Lightning Dust couldn't believe a word he said. "We... are nothing alike..." she said to him.

"We both suffered a great loss, you thrown out because of how reckless you were... and me, who lost an entire clan. Murdered by an evil sorcerer..." Scorpion explained to her, earning a surprised look from Lightning Dust. "Revenge has long consumed my soul because I sought to kill the one responsible for the death of my family and clan... but my rage was aimed towards the wrong person."

Hearing his words, Lightning Dust turned away looking down to the ground. "I'm sorry to hear that..." she said to him.

Scorpion turned to her knowing that vengeance is still consuming her as it did him. "Believe me... vengeance is nothing but a path of murder... there would be no justice in it. But I can help you overcome it..." he held out his hoof to her. "If you would let me..." he said to her. Looking at the ninja specter, Lightning Dust knew that he was trying to help her... but could she trust him...? Even she did not know... but she knew that this path she was on would not bring her peace, so she took his hoof and stood up beside him. Knowing it was the best course of action that she took, since the day she got kicked out.

Author's Note

Hey guys, sorry for the long wait... my wifi at home has been down for the past four weeks, soon to be five. I'm trying my best to get wifi back, but my parents are too lazy to do anything about it. Anyways here is the latest chapter, I hope you guys enjoy... but please don't bash on me because of how poor my writing is.