Outworld
A few hours ago…

Hours ago, in the realm of Outworld, civilians walked through the market area as they purchased and sold good food in the market. But their day was interrupted when a portal opened in the middle of the street, and Twilight along with Korra, Liu Kang, Korra, Naga and Spike, along with Permafrost fell to the ground. Korra let out a painful groan as she looked around the area they were in. “Twilight… where are we…?” She asked her.

Twilight shook her head and looked noticing their surroundings as she and Liu helped her up. “Avatar Korra…” She let out a nervous chuckle as the people starred at them. “Welcome to Outworld.” She told her as Naga got up shaking her body and looked around smelling unfamiliar foods, and animals.

Liu dusted himself off and looked around as he helped Korra onto her feet as she looked around the area. “You sure…? Everything seems… different from how Raiden described it.” She pointed out.

“Glad I’m not the only one who noticed.” Twilight said to her as she took notice of the sky. “There’s actually a sun showing…” She point out to it.

“I was actually expecting the sky to be purple.” Korra told them as she looked around.

“It used to be… but something has changed.” Liu said to her and looked to Twilight. “It’s possible that Outworld has found it’s new Kahn.” He told her.

“Guys, if we run into any familiar faces and they attack us, leave me out of it.” Spike told them only to feel large footsteps and slowly turn to the cause of them.

A large brutish creature walked towards them. “Havitamaah!” Called out a high pitch voice from behind the brute as he walked up to them. “OtayGAH!” The voice called out again, revealing a small little girl hanging on his back, cackling like a mad person. “Let’s play, Torr!” She told her oversized friend as he let out a monstrous roar.

The group panicked as the people fled, Korra backed away with Twilight as she was still weak from her tumble down the hill earlier. “Couldn’t she have gotten a little pony like any other girl?” She asked only to earn a disapproving look from Twilight.

“I’m right here!” She shouted at her in disapproval, only to see large brute known as Torr throw his massive arms at them. They dodged quickly as Twilight formed her war fans and slashed at the monstrous berserker, while Liu rolled across the ground and shot a fire blast at him while protecting Korra.

But the monster was unfazed as he snarled back handing Twilight as she whirled through the air and hit the ground, and charged at Liu, ramming him against a merchant stand as the Shaolin landed behind it. He groaned from the sheer mass that hit him, and shook his head. “The Shaolin Archives said nothing about symbiotes.” He muttered.

“Well they should have, because these guys are tough!” Korra shouted at him.

Meanwhile, Permafrost leaped into the air forming claw icicles over her fingers as she clawed at Torr’s chest, causing him the scream from it as she pulled out a blade that was in the shape of a crescent moon, and slashed at him. But he managed to catch her arm and throw her over, slamming her against the ground. Torr turned towards Korra and walked towards her as Naga got between them snarling at the monstrous brute. But Torr roared back, causing the polar bear dog to whimper and back away as Torr grabbed Korra and Spike. The little girl looked over Torr’s shoulder, seeing Korra as she struggled. But the child looked mostly to her eyes. “Your eyes… so pretty. Ferra carve’em out!” She shouted as her blades extended, causing Korra to panic as the blades slowly inched closer to her face. But the young Avatar focused her fire, and burnt Torr’s hands, forcing him to drop her as she hit the ground. She groaned as Ferra growled and pointed at the Avatar. “Trickery! Deceit!” She shouted as Torr went to crush her under foot.

Till out of no where, Reptile appeared through thin air and kicked him away, forcing him to stumble as Torr looked to the Zaterran warrior, who snarled at him as he stood between him and the defenders. “Stand down Ferra, you and Torr will not be killing anyone today.” He told them.

But Ferra sneered at him as she climbed onto Torr’s shoulder. “You make trouble, lizard? Trouble make you!” She told him as Torr snarled. But his body was soon restrained by soul magic as Ferra turned to the source, seeing Ermac standing behind them with a new face. “Ghost man and ghost lady!” She shouted.

“You will stand down! We will not allow you to harm them.” Ermac told her as a familiar gunslinger held a gun to Torr’s head.

“I’d listen if I were you.” He told her as he looked to the child showing himself as Erron Black. “Otherwise your buddy is gonna be having another hole to breath out of.” He warned her.

The child glared at him but stood down as she put her blades away. Ermac released her and Torr from his power and floated over to Twilight. “Princess Twilight, we were not expecting you or Liu Kang.” He told her.

“Sorry to have come on such short notice Ermac… but we needed a place to escape to, and Outworld seemed to be the only place safe enough.” Twilight said to her.

“If you needed a place to escape to, you made the right choice.” Reptile said to her as he approached and noticed Korra. “And whom might this be…?” He asked them.

“This is Avatar Korra, she is from another realm, and she is badly injured.” Liu told him.

Reptiles eyes widened in surprise as he looked to Korra. “You are Avatar Aang’s reincarnation?” He asked her.

Korra looked up to him surprised as she fixed her hair. “You knew Aang….” She asked him.

“He was a skilled warrior… as was his wife Katara.” He told her as he bowed to her respectfully. “I am Syzoth… of Zaterra.” He introduced himself as a new face appeared. She was Zaterran, but her colors slowly shifted as it stayed one solid color and she approached Reptile looking to him as she held his clawed hand. “And this is my mate… Khameleon.” He introduced her as she bowed respectfully.

“It is an honor to meet you all.” She told them as she winced in pain from her tumble in the woods.

Liu was surprised to see her as he looked to Reptile. “I thought you were the last of your kind.” He said to him.

“As did I, but turns out half my race hid themselves in Earthrealm. I brought them back to Outworld after the war for Equestria.” Reptile sprained as another new face appeared before them.

“We even made new acquaintances…” Ermac told them as he looked to someone who looked almost like him, but was clearly female in appearance.

She bowed her head out of respect and looked to them. “My name is Legion… for we are many.” She introduced herself.

“There’s a familiar quote.” Twilight commented to her.

“I was created by Shang Tsung’s magic, he captured me as a normal human girl. I was dying because I had the unique ability to drain nearby souls passively. So after healing me, he kept me asleep while he experimented and basically put about one hundred thousand souls into my body.” Legion explained as Ermac approached.

“But the difference between her and us is that she remains the one soul in control of her body, when she was awakened she was horrified of her ability and she tried to escape. Shang Tsung tried to control her but her abilities make her immune to mind control they also make her unable to go insane. She escaped and even tried to commit suicide but due to all those souls and her passive ability to drain souls, her body healed faster than she could die. Or just resurrected itself I'd say she was a success. Then Raiden found her and taught her how to use her lighting and gave her scrolls on how to use magic similar to Shang Tsung then he sent her to us and we taught her to use the souls power like we do.” Ermac explained to them.

“Wow, that’s quite the story.” Korra said to them.

To her surprise, Erron was checking her injuries, noticing some of the scratches she got from Tarrlok. “Injuries like these would have killed ya… I’m surprised you even survived.” He told her as she pulled her arm away.

“Thanks, your bed side manners really suck.” Korra told him.

“You will have to excuse Erron Black, he used to be a member of the Black Dragons before he decided to work for the emperor.” Said a familiar voice as they looked to see Shang Tsung and Chrysalis approaching with Goro and Baraka. “Greetings Liu Kang, Princess Twilight.” He greeted them with a smile… not the friendly kind mind you.

“Shang Tsung, Chrysalis… I see you and Chrysalis have made yourselves at home while we were repairing the damage caused by Shao Kahn. How does it feel to be the new Emperor and Empress of Outworld?” Twilight asked them.

“Sadly… you are mistaken Princess Twilight.” Chrysalis said to her.

This surprised the group, minus Permafrost who crossed her arms. “Yes, unfortunately the throne didn’t become ours like we planned. Come… we will escort you to see the Emperor.” Shang told them as he lead them to he palace. Ermac levitated Korra into the air onto Naga to relieve her of walking as they followed Shang.

“So if Shang isn’t the Emperor… then who is…?” Liu asked out of curiosity.

“You will see old friend…” Goro told him as the walked through the palace gates. Korra looked around the outside of the palace seeing just how different Outworld was than she imagined, she soon looked towards the entrance, noticing the same Aztec patterns on them. Standing by the gates was a familiar woman who helped them in the fight against Shao Kahn. It was Li Mei standing before them as she looked seeing them with a smile.

“Twilight, Liu Kang, welcome back to Outworld.” She welcomed them.

The two felt her hug them as they chuckled a bit. “It’s great to see you too Li Mei, but what in the world are you wearing?” Twilight asked her noticing the armor.

Li Mei grabbed her helmet and took it off as she shook her head letting her hair loose and smiled towards them. “I was made captain of the guard after returning to my home in Outworld. You would be amazed of the accomplishments that have been made here.” She told them and noticed Korra. “And whom might this be?” She asked.

“Avatar Korra, meet Li Mei… she was our ally in the war.” Twilight introduced them.

“Hello… it’s an honor to meet you. Wish I could bow, but I’m kinda…” She gestured to Naga, knowing she was still pretty weak from the hard tumble she had in her realm.

Li Mei checked her injuries to see how bad they were. “They’re not as bad as they seem… but I would highly recommend getting to Raiden as soon as you meet with the Emperor.” She told them.

“Which is why we are escorting them to him Li Mei… trust me.” Shang told her only to earn a scowl from her. He held his hands up defensively and headed inside with them. As they wondered down the halls, Twilight couldn’t help but notice some of the architecture around them. “Like it…?” Shang asked her as he took notice.

“It’s different… it almost looks like those of the Mayans, in ancient Aztec that I’ve studied when Earhrealm and Equestria became one.” She told him and looked to him and Chrysalis. “I think your emperor must have quite the history with them. Sacrifices, the tearing out hearts, drinking their blood?” She asked them.

“That is true, he is part of the Mayan culture… but he is of Osh-Tekk.” Chrysalis told them as the doors to the throne room opened, revealing an open space, and a throne, with someone sitting upon it. “Allow us to introduce… the new Emperor of Outworld.” She gestured to him.

The emperor sat upon his throne with his eyes closed, but he opened his eyes as they glowed sky blue, and his skin was painted a type of blue, and his markings glowed on his body. He stood up revealing him as Kotal, he stepped down from his throne seeing Liu and Twilight as well as Korra. “Liu Kang of Earthrealm… Princess Twilight of Equestria… welcome to Outworld. I am Kotal Kahn.” He introduced himself.

Twilights eyes widened in surprise from hearing it. “Wait, Kotal…? As in General Kotal?!” She asked him seeing him nod his head. “But you were dead… Jade told us you were dead!” She pointed out to him.

Legion patted her shoulder. “It would be wise to lower your tone.” She told her.

“But you must understand Legion, she is still new to Outworld.” Khameleon reminded her.

“The tales of my demise were…” He looked towards Shang Tsung with a glare. “Slightly exaggerated…” He told them as both Liu and Twilight scowled at him, knowing his habit for lying. Kotal soon looked back towards them as he held his hands behind his back. “But to know that Jade is alive… fills me with joy. But how is it you’ve come to be here?” He asked them.

“We came here via by portal stone.” Twilight held it out showing it. “We used it to escape a group called Equalists, a group of extremists and radicals. Attacking all benders, and gathering nonbenders to their cause, under the leadership of a man named Amon.” She explained.

Kotal rubbed his chin in thought, but looked towards Korra who was still on Naga’s back. He lowered his hand and walked towards her, only for Naga to growl at him. But he did not flinch for he feared no beast, not even her. He calmly reached out his hand to her. “Calm friend… I do not wish to harm her.” He told her as Naga growled but sniffed his hand, smelling the blood on it, but no malice intent towards Korra as she calmed down. Kotal approached and looked to Korra. She looked to him seeing his eyes feeling surprised. Kotal noticed something else in her and looked towards Reptile. “Could she be…?” He asked him.

“Yes Emperor, she is Avatar Aang’s reincarnation.” He told him and looked to Korra. “Avatar Korra.” He introduced him to her.

Kotal looked to her, amazed that a calm and noble monk like Aang was reborn into a hot tempered teen. “Seems Aang chose a bold new incarnation.” He told her.

“If you don’t mind me asking Emperor… but how is it everyone here knows Aang?” She asked him.

“Well then… since your curiosity exceeds that of Aang’s, I will be happy to share the tale.” Kotal told her as he looked out and walked towards the balcony, overlooking the reconstruction of the Outworld Coliseum. “I remember it like it were only yesterday, when Shao Kahn challenged your realms best fighters.” He began as we enter a flashback.

(~)

Outworld, 83 years ago…

Within the Outworld Coliseum, warriors of all races were gathered in the coliseum, from Edenians, to Zaterrens, to Tarkatans. Shao Kahn, the previous Emperor before Kotal, sat amongst his throne amongst his following warriors, Baraka, Reptile, Reiko, Tanya, Shang Tsung and Kotal stood beside him. A flash of lightning stuck down to the ground, revealing Raiden, and his champions of the Four Nations. Shao Kahn looked amongst them and stood from his throne, earning a surprised look from Sokka as he stared at the emperor. “Whoa… so that’s the emperor?” He asked.

“Looks like it.” Zuko said to him as he sheathed his broadswords.

“He doesn’t look all that tough, but I can feel his steps… and I can tell this guy is no joke.” Toph told them.

Katara sneered at the emperor. “We can’t let our guard down with this guy.” She told her.

Meanwhile Shao Kahn stepped towards them as he looked upon each of them. “Welcome, Champions of the Four Nations, to Outworld… you come here to contend, in Mortal Kombat. Outworld has currently won nine out of ten Mortal Kombat victories against Earhrealm, but when Raiden spoke of your realm, I wanted to test its metal against the forces of Outworld. Should you survive against my warriors, we will not seek to invade your realm, any way, shape or form.” He told them.

“For someone who is known to be a conqueror, you’re not good at lying.” Toph told him as she stepped up. “You might be willing to fool them, but I know a lie when I sense, or hear it.” She told him.

“That’s my girl.” Sokka smirked as he crossed his arms.

A smirk crept on Shao Kahn’s face as he walked up to her. “For a blind woman, you certainly know how to see through me.” He told her as he went to shove her, but Toph squinted her eyes and avoided it as she bent the earth beneath him, forcing him to stumble back as Toph earthbends a pillar towards him. Shao quickly summoned his war hammer and smashed it to pieces. He let out a chuckle as he stood up looking calm. “Well played… but that was merely a taste of what is to come.” He told her.

Raiden walked up to Toph, pulling her back. “Bold move… but you have others to fight.” He told her and looked towards Shao Kahn. “We are ready for your tournament, Shao Kahn… not your barbarism, I warn you now… if any harm that falls upon them by your hand, I will unleash upon you, tenfold.” He warned him.

The emperor smirked under his helmet and looked to him. “Wouldn’t dream of it Raiden… my fighters will handle that for me. I look forward to seeing your new champions perish in this preliminary tournament.” He told him as he sat down on his throne. “Let Mortal Kombat begin!” He announced as everyone in the arena cheered out feeling excited to see what they can do. Raiden sneered at Shao, knowing he’s always got something up his sleeve besides his war hammer. “Firelord Zuko… you will face… Baraka!” He announced as Baraka growled and walked to the center of the arena.

Seeing him, Zuko steeled himself and looked to Aang as he faced him. “Be careful Zuko, this won’t be like facing your sister Azula.” He told him.

“I know… this will be much worse.” Zuko responded as he walked to face the Tarkatan leader. The two stood in the center of the arena and looked to one another. “I have been through so many challenges in my life, practicing, and studying… you will be no different.” He told him only to see Baraka snarl and extend his blades, causing Zuko’s eyes to widen from seeing them. “That’s new though.” He muttered.

Baraka chuckled as he stood in his fight stance. “They will taste your flesh human!” He told him as he let out a hungering growl.

Zuko was far from intimidated, so he pulled out his broadswords and stood in his fighting stance. Shao Kahn smirked knowing this will be quite entertaining. “Fight!” He shouted as Baraka snarled and charged towards Zuko, swinging his blades at him. Zuko blocked with his swords trying to avoid getting struck by the monstrous warrior. He sliced at Baraka while flames could be seen on the blades as Baraka ducked from them and went for a slashing uppercut towards Zuko. But the Firelord avoided it as he landed a roundhouse kick against Baraka’s face, forcing the Tarkatan to stumble as he stuck his blades into the ground, preventing him from falling to the ground.

Zuko charged towards the Tarkatan with swords being held out as he swung them towards Baraka as a stream of fire was shot from them. But Baraka quickly rolled away from the fire and shot a sharp towards him. Zuko’s eyes widened as he quickly blocked the shard with his swords to avoid getting pierced by it, then to his surprise, Baraka leaped above him shooting another shard at him. He quickly maneuvered away from the shard and firebends against Baraka, knocking him out of the air, forcing him to slam against the ground. He let out a painful groan, but slowly started getting back up. “You are skilled human, but let us see you fight without those blades.” He told the Firelord as he sheathed his blades into his arms. Zuko knew that he was dangerous with his blades, but without them? Who knows what tricks Baraka could pull? Willing to oblige him, Zuko stuck his broadswords into the ground and stepped passed them, taking on his fighting stance as he faced the Tarkatan. Baraka roared out and charged rapidly towards Zuko, he threw a barrage of punches at him as Zuko blocked several of them. But the Tarkatan managed to land several blows against his torso, stomach, and right cheekbone as he forced Zuko to back up from being it in the face.

He shook his head and saw Baraka coming straight at him and throwing a fist towards him, Zuko quickly avoided his attack by leaning his head to the left as he slammed his palm against the right side of his jaw, forcing him to back off as he punched Baraka three times in the face, kneed him in his stomach as he firebends against his chest, blasting him far across the arena. Baraka rolled across the ground feeling the intense burns from Zuko’s firebending and looked towards him. “You may have teeth and blades… but I have fire on my side.” He told the Tarkatan Leader as he watched him rise up, not willing to surrender, not even to the Firelord. He snarled as he charged to him, lunging a kick towards him. Zuko blocked it only to get a hard punch to his face, causing him to stumble back and try to recover as Baraka landed a punch to his chest and grabbed his arm and bit down on it, causing him to scream from it as he allies panicked from it. But Zuko glared as he punched Baraka several times in the face, forcing him to let go of his arm.

The Tarkatan Leader backed away from it and licked his teeth that were still stained in Zuko’s blood. “Royal blood… but also the blood of a commoner, a stage player. That makes you less than worthy of your throne, you’re nothing more… than a mongrel pup!.” He told him as he extended his blades. “I will see to it your ancestors are ashamed of you!” He charged at him with the intent to kill, Toph sensed it and glared wanting to put an end to it before Baraka could reach him, but Zuko avoided his attacks as Baraka sliced at him trying to land a cut against the Firelord. But all he was slicing at was air as Zuko steadily maneuvered away from his blades and landed a kick to his knee forcing kneel as he slammed his knee against his nose, breaking it as Baraka screamed from it and flew across the ground. Zuko exhaled as he took his fire and burnt his wound closed to stop the bleeding as flexed it a bit to grow used to it during the fight.

He looked to Baraka with a glare as flames surrounded him. “I may have been raised in a royal family, except my mother didn’t love Ozai, but the man she wanted to marry. And he was more honorable than Ozai ever will be!” He told him as he stood in an Agni Kai stance. Baraka sneered at seeing it and charged at him as his blades extended, and he went to strike him. But as his blade was close to decapitating the Firelord, Zuko quickly ducked under the blade, sliding a kick as he tripped Baraka over, forcing him to fall to the ground. The Tarkatan leader rolled across the ground quickly getting up, but Zuko firebends at his feet to keep him from charging at him. Baraka struggled to avoid his attacks, but Zuko leaped up and kicked him in his teeth, knocking out several of them as Baraka spun around and backed away from the Firelord feeling dazed from the attack. Zuko charged at him and landed hard punches against the brute, landing a couple of fire blasts as he spun around and slammed both his fists against Baraka’s abdomen while firebending him away as Baraka screamed from it and slammed against the ground. He groaned from the last attack as he held his chest, while Zuko inhaled and stood tall letting out an exhale. “Next time you face a firebender, never underestimate his skill as well as his wisdom.” He told him.

Shang Tsung meanwhile was impressed by his skill, her stroked his beard as he developed a smirk. “You fought well Firelord Zuko, my Emperor and I commend you for your skill and bravery. Not many would face a Tarkatan and live to tell the tale.” He told him.

“But your friends must survive against the rest of Outworld’s warriors…” Shao Kahn told him as he looked to Toph. “Toph Beifong!” He called her out as she cracked her knuckles from hearing the mention of her name and stepped up. “You will face, General Reiko.” He told her as a masculine brute of a man stepped forward to face her.

Toph turned to face him as Reiko stepped up to her. “I was expecting to face the leader of your group… not some blind woman who could chuck rocks.” He told her.

A sly smirk formed across Toph’s face as she folded her arms. “What’s the matter General Reiko…? Afraid you’ll lose?” She asked him as everyone in the arena, even Shao Kahn laughed at the humiliation Reiko was feeling.

The General glared at the blind earthbender, and summoned his own war hammer to silence her. “You won’t be laughing for long once I split your skull open.” He told her.

“You’re welcome to try big boy.” She told him as Reiko backed away and held his hammer and Toph stood in her fighting stance.

Shao gripped his throne as he looked to the fighters. “Now… FIGHT!!!” He shouted as Reiko began to charge towards Toph. She sensed his vibrations as the got stronger, the General rose his war hammer into the air as Toph raised her right leg and kicked it into the ground, sending a trail of earth to his next step as he stepped on it and was forced to do the splits. Everyone in the crowd winced from it as Reiko screamed in pain from it. Toph earthbends three pillars of rock, slamming them against Reiko as he was sent fly towards the wall, and crashed against it. Everyone cheered from it, as Shao looked towards Toph. “That was by far, the fastest match I’ve ever seen.” He told her.

“I’m the greatest Earthbender in my realm! You and that dunderhead better not forget it.” She told her as she was about to join her friends, but Reiko was far from finished. He got up and turned to her glaring, quickly pulling out his throwing stars and threw them at her. She quickly sensed it and formed a metal shield blocking them, she glared as she pulled the shield apart and formed the metal into a pair of gauntlets. “Big mistake pal.” She told him as she charged towards him. Reiko grabbed his war hammer and swung it at her while Toph swung a hard fist at it, slamming it against the hammer as it bounced off her metal fist. Reiko backed up from it as he stumbled from the impact and felt his hands shaking around the handle of his war hammer, Toph sensed it and smirked. “Looks like someone’s getting scared… you sure you want to continue fighting against a blind woman?” She asked him.

The General was panting from the pain he was feeling in his hands, but he yelled out loud as he swung his hammer at her. Toph dodged and avoided his swings and swept a slide kick, tripping him over as she landed a hard punch against his shoulder. He let out a painful grunt from the impact as it bruised his shoulder, and dislocated his shoulder. He groaned from it and saw the smug look on the police chief’s face, causing him to sneer and growl as he got up and went to strike her. Toph blocked his attacks with the war hammer, landing hard kicks against him as she earthbends a boulder into the air and unleashed it towards him. He took his hammer and swung it against the boulder, smashing it to pieces as he leaped into the air and swung his hammer at her. She sensed it coming and quickly earthbends herself into the ground as the hammer slammed onto the ground narrowly missing her. Reiko lifted the hammer and looked for her. “COME OUT AND FACE ME COWARD!!!” He shouted as he looked for her.

“She’s certainly playing him for a fool.” Raiden commented to Aang.

“Knowing Toph, she’s already won this battle. By using his anger against him, she can use that to her advantage. Reiko of course, is all brawn… no brains.” He told the thunder god as he chuckled and looked to the fight. Reiko looked around the arena, only to feel his feet get stuck in place. He looked down seeing rocks gripping his feet as he struggled to get free, but Toph had other plans as she leaped out of the ground in front of him. He panicked but swung his hammer at her, but she caught it with one hand as she glared at him. She formed a blade and sliced the hammer head off and tossed towards Shao Kahn’s feet. She clobbered Reiko in the face two times and kicked at his knee forcing him to kneel, she beat him senseless with her metal gauntlets, and pulled her fist back in an uppercut position, swinging it at him as she landed a powerful uppercut, slamming it against his jaw, causing it to crack as he was sent flying across the arena, and slammed hard to the ground. Aang smirked and looked to Raiden, nudging his arm with his elbow. “Told ya.” He told him.

Sokka popped between them happily for Toph. “That’s my girl!” He cheered.

Toph cleaned hear hands and pointed at Reiko. “If you know what’s good for you pal, you’ll stay down.” She told him as she walked to her comrades to rejoin them.

“Well done Toph, you did a good job against the General.” Raiden told her.

“Hey, piece of cake… he was a total chump.” She told him with a smirk.

Reiko rejoined his colleagues holding his broken jaw earning a firm glare from Shao Kahn, knowing the General deserved the beating he received from the earthbender. The Kahn looked to Tanya knowing she was just itching for a fight, so he looked towards Sokka and smirked. “Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe…” He gained his attention as he gestured to Tanya. “You shall face Tanya, of Edenia.” He told him as Tanya grinned and walked down to face Sokka.

The water tribesman exhaled knowing this wasn’t the first time he had ever faced a woman, he shrugged all his nervousness away and walked to the middle of the arena to face the Edenian pyromancer. “You look nervous… I take it you haven’t fought in a long time…?” She asked him.

“Don’t underestimate me miss… I’ve still have a warriors spirit within me.” He told her as he pulled out his sword and boomerang and stood in his fighting stance. Tanya smirked as she pulled out her blades tonfa’s, knowing he will need that warriors spirit for this fight.

“Fight!” Shao Kahn shouted as Sokka charged towards Tanya, swinging his sword at her, but she narrowly avoided his attacks and blocked his sword with her tonfa’s. She slid on across his blade and swung it towards his face, causing him to quickly avoid getting scratched in the face as he threw his boomerang at her. She ducked under it and kneed him in his stomach and went to stab him, but was soon hit in the back of the head by his boomerang as it came whirling back to him. She groaned from it and sent him an annoyed glare, he only smirked in response as he held out his weapons. Shrugging off the pain of the boomerang, Tanya twirled her tonfa’s and struck at him. Sokka blocked her attack with his sword to avoid their sharp edges, leaned back as a strike was close to his neck and he kicked Tanya back.

She stumbled but managed to stop her fall as she flipped forward and swung both her legs at him, landing them across his head, putting him in a daze as she leaped at him, wrapping her thighs around his head causing him to muffle between her legs. “You’re good… but you will need more than skills against an Edenian Assassin!” She told him as she used her body strength to pull him down and throw him over. Sokka flew across the field and slammed across the ground, he groaned as he got up shaking his hand. But his focus soon returned as he looked towards Tanya as she held flames in her hands, causing his eyes to widen and he panicked as she shot the flames toward him and he quickly evaded her attack. “You’re quick… but you’re not what you used to be.” She said as she shot another flame at him. He avoided it and others that came at him, he tried to reach for his boomerang, but she charged at him and leaped over snatching it from him. “Time for a little payback.” She muttered and used all her strength to throw the boomerang at him.

Seeing it coming towards him, Sokka quickly took his sword and blocked it as he sliced it in half. “Dang it, you owe me a new boomerang!” He charged at her and leaped as he slashed at Tanya with his blade. She avoided it and stepped on the blade, pinning it down on the ground as she grinned at him. Sokka noticed it, but smirked in response causing her to lose her grin as he raised the sword, pushing her off as she pulled a backflip and landed on her feet. “I learned much from a great master, so don’t disrespect me, or his teachings.” He told her.

Looking at him, Tanya smirked as she charged at him… he went for a forward slash, but she ducked under it as she slid on her knees and got behind him and held her blades to him, causing his allies to panic from seeing it. “You know… for a man from a new realm, you’ve actually managed to surprise me on several attempts on my life. You’ve earned my respect.“ She turned his head and planted a kiss full on his lips, causing his eyes to widen in shock.

“Whoa! Didn’t see that coming!” Katara stated in surprise as her eyes were wide as saucers.

“You and me both.” Aang said to her.

“What? What’s happening?” Toph asked them.

“Probably best you don’t wanna know.” Zuko told her.

Just in that instant, Sokka quickly broke the kiss and got away from her. “Hey! I came here to fight! Not get kissed by an assassin!” He told her as he heard Shao Kahn chuckle. “You stop laughing pal, you put her against me to distract me with her luxurious body!” He accused him.

“Tanya is quite the seductress, you should be more careful if you want to survive in this battle.” Shao Kahn told him.

“He’s right… because you never know what will happen.” Tanya charged at him and swung an uppercut against him while he was distracted and kneed his chest and kicked his stomach, knocking him down on the ground. Katara gasped for her brother as he got back up and tried to block her next attack, but Tanya managed to break through his block and punched him in the face several times and kicked him in the knee forcing him to kneel as she wrapped her arm around his neck and starts choking him.

“Sokka!” Katara was about to help him, but Raiden stopped her from doing so. “Raiden, I have to help him!” She pleaded to him.

“There is nothing you can do… all we can do is watch.” He told her as he looked to the fight.

Sokka struggled to break free of Tanya’s grip feeling her suffocating him, she grinned as she tightened her grip. “It’s a shame handsome… you could’ve joined us when you had the opportunity, I could have shown you the greatest pleasure.” She told him earning a glare from Toph as she stood with her comrades.

Sokka choked as he was close to passing out, but he wasn’t willing to give up as he struggled to break free. “Sorry to disappoint you… but I’m married.” He slammed the back of his head against her face, bruising her nose as she yelped from the pain and backed away from him. Sokka coughed as he tried to gasp for air… to soon look towards her as he stood up and walked toward her as he avoid a strike from her and he slammed a fist against her stomach and backhanded her in the face three times. He smacked her one more time and smacked his hands across her ears discombobulating her as Tanya screamed from it and threw a hard right, but he blocked it with his elbow and hit her in the jaw weakening it. He then punched it causing it to fracture, she grunts from it and went for a left swing, but Sokka blocked it with his elbow again, punching her several times in her abdomen and punched the other side of her jaw, dislocating it entirely as he landed a heel kick to her diaphragm, knocking her down to the ground. She groaned in pain from what she was feeling, and got up to try and continue the fight, but Sokka knew that she was done, so he walked towards her and touched her shoulder. “Do yourself a favor…” He took his sword and slammed the pommel of it against her head, knocking her out as she hit the ground. “Stay down.” He told her.

The crowd cheered for him while others booed at him, but he didn’t care, so he rejoined his comrades as Toph playfully punched him in the arm. “Not bad out there big boy… but if you let another woman like that kiss you again, I swear I’m gonna have you neutered.” She warned him.

He gulped in response knowing she was scarily serious about that and nodded his head in response, Shao Kahn slowly clapped as he stood up from his throne. “Well Raiden, you certainly have found great warriors, but how about we postpone the tournament for now and let them rest. I’m sure Tanya really knocked the wind out of your friend here.” He told him.

“For once, you and I can agree on something Shao Kahn, but knowing you… you’re more than likely to have something planned.” Raiden told him as Shao Kahn grinned and walked away with his fighters. Raiden watched him go as his eyes squinted feeling suspicious of him.

Aang felt it too, he could tell the emperor was up to something, and walked up to Raiden to confirm his suspicions. “Can’t trust a word he says, can we…?” He asked him.

“Not for a thousand years, but come… let’s get Sokka rested up before the tournament continues.” Raiden told him as Aang nodded and walked with them to help Sokka recover.

As the group wandered through the halls, Aang looked through the palace seeing its decor, and nothing spoke death than Shao Kahn’s palace, red was literally everywhere, representing the color of blood as he felt a sense of unease around him. Something soon caught his attention as the sounds of yelling could be heard from a room behind him. He turned towards it and walked over to see what it is. He peaked inside and looked through the room, and found Kitana in her tournament outfit from MKX. She was practicing with her war fans to become stronger for her step father, to which she hasn’t known yet due to it being before 1992. She tried to get her power over the wind to work for her… but she felt a lot of resistance with the fans, she groaned in frustration. “Come on, why won’t you work?!” She demanded to know.

Aang watched her sensing her frustration, he looked back to the others but looked to her. She walked into the training room without her knowing as he put on a hood to hide his identity. “It’s because you’re going against the wind instead of trying to control it.” He told her as Kitana gasped and turned seeing him. “A fan… even ones such as these.” He used his airbending to pull one towards him as he safely caught it. “Can feel much resistance when going towards wind going in the opposite direction as you.” He opened the fan and whirled it around.

Watching it, Kitana looked to the monk curiously as she arced her eyebrows. “You’re not of Earthrealm, and you’re not of Outworld, what gives you the right to approach the daughter of Shao Kahn, and lecture me at the same time?!” She demanded to know.

“Forgive me your highness, I meant no disrespect… I was merely walking by when I noticed you struggling.” He told her as he looked to the fan. “I will say though, these are quite fascinating. The Kyoshi Warriors would probably feel green with envy.” He chuckled a bit earning a surprised look from Kitana as he folded the war fan. “Now, when you wish to control the wind, you must relax your arms, it’s not like trying to pull a cinder block with a rope. More like a leaf blowing in the wind.” He explained as he unfolded the fan and gracefully airbender with the fan and sent a gentle current passed Kitana as she was surprised from it and looked to him. He folded the fan and walked up to her handing it to her. “Now you try.” He told her as she took the fan.

She held out both war fans and looked at them and looked to the practice dummy. She felt how tense her muscles were and took some deep breathes trying to relax her muscles. Once she had found a calm and easy mind, her eyes snapped opened as she took both fans controlling the wind to her whim and caused a whirling to rise beneath the dummy, raising it into the air as she took her war fans and threw them and it’s chest, piercing it as though she was piercing someone’s heart. Aang smiled as he clapped his hands together hole Kitana pulled the the war fans out and looked to him. “You aided me, even though I am the daughter of Shao Kahn, why?” She asked him.

Aang shrugged a bit as he grabbed his staff. “It’s just my nature… I don’t have a hateful bone in my body. For every realm, or land, there is an enemy, but for every enemy, a friend.” He told her as he headed for the door.

“Wait…!” She called out to him as he stopped. “I didn’t get your name.” She told him.

Aang smiled as he glanced back to her. “I’m just a humble monk, your majesty… now if you may excuse me, I must rejoin my colleagues.” He told her as he walked for the door. “Take care, your majesty.” He told her as he walked out of the training room. Kitana watched him go, and looked to her fans remembering what he told her.

Out of the shadows, Jade approached in her MKX outfit watched him go as she looked to her. “He’s right you know, we may have enemies, but we all can use friends as well.” She told her.

Smiling a bit and looked to her. “I still have you as a friend Jade.” She told her and looked to her war fans. “Whoever he was, I will remember his words.” She said to herself as she relaxed her arms and created a steam of wind on her own. Jade smiled proudly at her friend, knowing she has advanced with Aang’s help.

Meanwhile, Aang walked to where his friends were, and approached his comrades to check on Sokka. “How is he?” He asked them.

“A little winded, but he’ll survive.” Zuko responded to him.

Exhaling to catch his breath after being choked out by Tanya, he rubbed his neck and looked to him. “I’ll be fine Aang, still a little stunned from that kiss though.” He told him.

Just from hearing it, Toph gave him an non playful punch to his arm, bruising him as he cried out in pain and looked towards her. “Next time, you shouldn’t let your guard down when a woman is flirting with you.” She told him.

“Hey, it’s not my fault she had the drop on me!” He responded to her in a defensive tone.

“Actually, it kinda is.” Katara told him boldly towards that statement.

Her brother glanced to her with a scowl as he clenched his fist. “You are so lucky you’re my sister right now.” He told her.

Just at that moment, someone walked up to them which gained Aang’s attention. He looked to see that General Kotal was standing before him. “Avatar Aang, pardon my infusion.” He told him.

Sokka and Zuko were about to go on the defensive, but Aang held out his arm stopping them as he looked to the Osh-Tekk warrior and approached him. “How may I help you…?” He asked him.

Kotal bowed to him respectfully and stood looking to him. “My nam is Koatal, of the Osh-Tekk. Like many people in this realm, my realm was also conquered by Shao Kahn.” He told him.

“I am sorry for the loss of your world, truly I am… but you must know the reason to why we must survive for protection of our realm.” Aang said to him.

“I do understand, which is why I ask that during the next match, you do not hold back. No matter what… you must not hold back in the fight against the Zaterran known as Reptile, or me for that matter.” He told him.

Sokka groaned as he sat up looking to him. “You make it sound like we might actually die in the next round.” He said to him.

“If you do not, then you may as well. Your fight against Tanya left you badly weakened, and you won’t be able compete in that condition.” Kotal pointed to his injuries.

Aang looked to them and looked to his brother-in-law knowing Kotal wasn’t joking around them them. “He’s right Sokka, those injuries need serious medical attention, and Katara is going to be fighting in the next match against Gods knows who.” He told him as he touched his shoulder. “Just take it easy for now… stay in the crowd, and keep an eye on what the next opponent with do. I know this may wound your pride, but you are still part of this team.” He told him as he smiled.

Sokka wanted to protest, but Toph stopped him from doing so by touching his hand and shakes her head to him. The Water Tribe warrior looked at her and looked to him. “All right Aang, I’ll trust you on this, just don’t get killed out there, especially when you’re in the Avatar State.” He told him as he smirked.

Aang returned the smirk and heard the sound of a horn from the arena, it was a sign to all the combatants to return to the arena. They helped Sokka onto his feet and headed back to the arena… once arriving, Raiden looked upon them as the emperor smirked and looked to Reptile. “I will leave the woman to you.” He told him as he was referring to Katara, the Zaterran hissed as he licked his lips. He walked to the arena to await his challenge, while Shao Kahn looked towards Katara. Master Katara of the Southern Water Tribe… you opponent awaits you.” He told her.

Nervous of her opponents appearance, Katara knew that this creature was not to take lightly. She soon felt Raiden hand on her shoulder and she looked towards him. “Remember all your teachings, and try not to resort to Bloodbending… we all know that accursed form should never be used again.” He told her.

“I know… and it’s what’s got me in a panic.” She told her as she headed to the arena to face Reptile, he watched her approach and stand before him in her fighting position. But to her surprise, he bowed to her respectfully. “Well, you certainly are a noble one.” She told him as she bowed in return.

“I am Syzoth… and you will find I am unlike any opponent you have ever faced before.” He told her as he stood in his fighting stance along with Katara, acid dripped from Reptile’s mouth as Katara readied her waterbending.

Shao Kahn smirked as he gripped his throne. “Fight!” He shouted as Reptile dashed at Katara, going right passed her catching the waterbending master off guard as he kicked her in her back, knocking her down to the ground as she cried out from it and rolled across the ground, but got back up lashing at him with a water whip. But before she could reach him, he disappeared as the water missed him… Katara looked around surprised as she kept he guard up. But while she was not aware, Reptile snuck up on her from behind and punched her, getting her to stumble as she looked out trying to find him. She soon received two more punches to her side causing her to cry out from it as she tried to whip at him.

But he carefully avoided the whips to avoid getting splashed, she looked around feeling frantic of the situation she was in. “Come on! Quit hiding you coward!” She shouted as she looked around for him, only to sense something coming at her as she quickly ducked under a strike and roll away from Reptile and look around for him. She searched carefully, but sensed that he was playing cat and mouse with her. She kept a steady eye around her surroundings, but eventually looked to the ground realizing it was pure grain dirt. A smirk formed across her face as she used her waterbending to swirl around her and spreads it through the ground, getting it nice and wet as she looked around. From the corner of her eye, she saw foot steps coming at her... she turned sharp as she jabbed her fist slamming it against Reptiles face, sliding a kick tripping him over as he fell onto the mud, getting covered by it. He rolled back and got onto his feet looking to himself, then looked to her as his eyes flashed yellow as he deactivate his cloaking ability and snarled at her. “Clever move Syzoth… but when you’re going against a waterbender, you should choose a battlefield that wouldn’t get turned into mud.” She told him.

“I may have underestimated you human, but do not expect this battle to be easy!” He charged at her and leaped as he swung his claws at her, she blocked his attacks to avoid getting hit. But Reptile’s speed and agility were beyond that of any she had ever encountered, she needed to think faster than him, otherwise she was going to get beaten to a pulp. Reptile roared as he went for a slash at her head, Katara quickly avoided his attack, slamming a punch against his rib cage, and throwing a roundhouse kick against his muzzle while elbowing him on the left side of his face forcing him to stumble back letting out a shriek. He shook his head from it and saw her throw another kick at him, he quickly caught her leg and threw her over seeing her roll across the ground and leaped into the air to slam his knee against her. She saw it as her eyes widened, and quickly rolled away as Reptile slammed his knee against the ground. He looked to her as he stood up, popping his knee in as he rolled his shoulder back. “You are indeed a skilled warrior, Katara… you are the first to have ever survived this long against a Zaterran.” He told her.

“Guess that must have wounded your pride to hear yourself say that.” Katara pointed it out to him.

“More than you can imagine… but now, we end this.” He told her as acid began to fill into his mouth, and he spat it at her, she panicked as she ducked under it as the acid barely missed her and burned through some of her hair. She panicked from it and used water to wash away the acid before it could spread. She panted from it and looked as Reptile snarled and spat more acid at her, Katara quickly avoided the shots and got behind a pillar as it protected her. The acid however was burning through the stone, Aang watched feeling worried for his wife as he clutched his glider in his hand. Katara carefully peaked behind the pillar and saw Reptile shoot another blast of acid at her, she avoided it, but in grazed her face a bit that caused her to writhe from it. She used her waterbending healing ability to heal it, but she then realized that the acid was a form of liquid. She took the chance to catch her breath, and stepped out to face the Zaterran head on… he grinned and blasted at her with another shot of acid. She quickly caught it with her bending as she swirled it around and threw it back towards him. Reptile felt it slam against this chest armor, causing him to stumble back as it burned through his armor, but didn’t affect his thick scales. He looked to Katara as she waved her hands and pulled the water out of the ground with her waterbending, and launched it towards him forming icicles as they pierced him to the wall of the coliseum. He struggled from it to get lose, but Katara used her waterbending to form a large ice block around him, keeping him from escaping. He panted feeling the cold as his breath could be visible as he shivered a bit. “I-I surrender…!” He told her.

She smiled and stood down making the ice turn back into water, letting him go as he stood on the ground. “You fought well Syzoth… you honor your people by holding onto their memories.” She told him as Reptile nodded to her and walked away knowing he shamed his emperor, more than he shamed himself.

Shao Kahn watched him go, but looked as Katara was about to return to her comrades. “I’m afraid you are not finished yet, Master Katara.” He told her as she gave him a surprised look. “Apparently someone has challenged you to a second match.” He told her as he gestures to the gates as the guards next to them opened up, stepping out of the shadows was a woman, classed in red Edenian assassin armor, hair a dark red, and eyes red as a rose. Katara sensed something about her, and she knew… that she was trouble as Shao Kahn looked to her with a grin. “Allow me to introduce you… to Skarlet.” He introduced her.

Skarlet pulled out a blade and pierced her hand as her blood flowed, forming into a giant scythe made from her own blood. Raiden was surprised to see it and looked towards Shang Tsung. “Another of your creations, sorcerer?” He asked him about her.

“One of my finest pieces, if I do say so myself.” He replied with a smug grin on his face.

Aang looked to Katara feeling worried for her. “Katara, don’t fight her, I can sense something about her, and it’s not good.” He told her.

“If I back out now Aang, they will be one step closer to victory... I can’t let that happen.” She told him as she looked to Skarlet with a look of determination. “I accept your challenge Skarlet, to ensure the protection of my realm.” She said to her as she pulled out some water and formed it in an ice formed kwan dao.

A chuckle came from Skarlet as she twirled her scythe and held it in both hands, giving Katara every reason to feel more tensed. “You were brave against Reptile… but you stand no chance against a blood mage like me.” She told her.

Katara gripped her kwan dao as she glared at her. “You have no idea what I am capable of.” She warned her as Skarlet only smirked in satisfaction and stood in her fighting stance.

The emperor watched on as the two female combatants stood in their fighting stances, he knew Shang Tsung’s creation was capable of the same abilities as Katara, but twice as deadly. “Fight!” He called out as Skarlet vanished through a pool of blood, making Katara grow nervous as she looked around on the defensive. She kept her eyes open knowing this won’t be the same as fighting Reptile, no, this was beyond Reptile. Where is she she wondered? Just as she thought about it, Skarlet jumped out from behind her and raised her blood scythe and went for a deadly strike from behind. Katara sensed it and quickly ducked as the blade sliced through her hair, she stumbled away from the red warrior and held the back of her head and looked to where she sliced her hair as it was stained in blood. This assassin was no joke… she wanted blood, and she wasn’t going to rest till she had hers. Skarlet rushed towards Katara and sliced at her with her scythe, the waterbending master blocked her attacks with her kwan dao, trying to avoid getting cut by the massive blade.

Skarlet was less than worried as she formed her scythe into a spear and thrusted it towards her, Katara dodged to her right as Skarlet swung it towards her again narrowly missing her as she slide kicks at Katara. But she quickly blocked it with her kwan dao and swung a high kick at the red assassin, only to see her dodge it and push her body upwards into the air and form her spear into a sword and slice at her. Katara quickly blocked it only to see her kwan dao get sliced in half as she backed up looking at the two ends and look seeing Skarlet coming at her with her blade and strikes at her, Katara quickly formed her broken kwan dao into two swords and blocked her attack as the two were in close quarters with each other, and Skarlet grinned behind her mask. “I have waited a long time for this.” She told her.

“What are you talking about? We never even met!” Katara pushed her off and kicked her away.

Skarlet slid across the ground and grinned looking to her with blood thirsty eyes. “Why Katara… am I so different, you can’t even recognize me? Ohh dear… tsk, tsk, tsk… maybe this, will refresh your memory.” She made her blade disappear as she held her arms out and moved them in a familiar motion, causing Katara’s eyes to widen as her body moved on its own from Skarlet’s movements. She screamed in agony from the feeling of it, for it was all too familiar to her as she was forced to stand normally as Skarlet chuckled sadistically. “Now do you remember Katara…? Remember that night I taught you my greatest technique…?” She asked her.

Katara struggled to break free, but looked to her feeling scared. “H-Hama…?” She asked her.

“Yes my dear… it is I…” Skarlet said to her.

“But… you died… twenty years ago.” Katara said to her.

“And so I did, but as I was on the verge of death… Shang Tsung came to me, and made me an offer. I willingly accepted, so that I can be reborn as the woman you see before you… and now, I can finally have my revenge against you! For denying justice for the Southern Water Tribe!” She twisted her wrists as she made Katara’s body twist and turn violently, causing her to scream in agony from the pain she was feeling as Skarlet cackled evilly and forced her to kneel. “Don’t worry my dear, it will be over soon… and then, I shall feast!” She told her as she walked closer to her.

As she reached towards her to drain her blood out of her body, Katara immediately grabbed hold her her wrists, causing Skarlet’s eyes to widen in surprise. Katara panted harshly from the pain, but looked towards Skarlet with a furious glare. “You made two mistakes… one is coming back.” She stood up gripping her wrists as she gripped her wrists tightly. “The other was teaching me bloodbending!” She slammed her forehead against her face, causing Skarlet to scream in pain from it and hold her face from it.

Everyone in Ed and groaned from seeing it, including Zuko who held a hand to his face knowing Katara slammed her forehead against Skarlet’s nose. “She’s certainly going to feel that in the morning.” He muttered.

“Yeah, I guess little miss sugar queen still packs a punch when needed.” Toph said to him as Skarlet collected herself and glared at Katara for what she did, she formed a blood dagger and sliced at her. Katara avoided her attacks, blocking some with her waterbending and slacked her in the face with her water whip. Skarlet cried out from it as she held it, but ignored the pain and glared at her as she formed her dagger into a sword and struck at her. Katara formed a sword of her own, blocking her attacks as she twirled around and held it behind her and blocked Skarlet’s attack from behind. She knocked her blade away and thrusted her sword towards her, but a Skarlet avoided it and went to strike her from behind. But Katara predicted this and blocked her attack, quickly knocking her blade out of her hand as she threw a moon kick against Skarlet’s face, and threw a half moon kick slamming it against her side, cracking a few ribs as Skarlet screamed from it and got thrown to the ground.

Aang pumped his fists feeling happy for his wife, but she wasn’t out of the woods yet, Skarlet got back up and glared at her former student and charged at her throwing a quick jab at Katara. The waterbending master blocked her attacks to avoid getting her, she then grabbed hold of her wrist and twirled behind her back grabbing her by her hair, causing Skarlet to scream from it as Katara threw her over. Only to see her land on her feet and pull Katara down and throw her as she hit the ground, Skarlet grabbed her dagger and went to stab her while she was down. But Katara rolled away from it and got up standing in her fighting stance with was similar to that of Tai Chi… Skarlet formed a blood sword and charged at her with it, going for a strike as Katara smoothly avoided her attacks. She waterbended around her feet as she slid behind Skarlet and slammed her side against her, knocking her down. She slammed against the ground only to see how close she was to a pile of tigrar droppings. Katara smirked as she folded her arms. “Give up yet?” She asked her.

Skarlet turned to her as she smirked behind her mask. “Not quite.” She told her only for Katara to form a pillar of ice and drop it on her as Skarlet’s face landed deep in the droppings. She groaned from it as she pulled her face out of it, covered from top of her forehead to her chin in tigrar droppings.

Everyone in the audience laughed at her embarrassment, even Shang Tsung tried to hide a chuckle as he looked away from it while Katara laughed. “You probably should have.” She told her as Skarlet glared at her and got back up forming a spear, trying to thrust it into her chest to pierce her heart. But Katara used her water whip to smack her repeatedly, never relenting, and soon snared her weapon, ripping it out of her hand as it went passed some of the opponent combatants who dodged feeling panicked from it. Katara then took her water and formed into a large block of ice, throwing it at Skarlet for good measure. Unable to react to it, Skarlet was hit straight in the abdomen, causing her to scream and cough up blood as she fell to the ground and rolled across it, groaning in pain from what she was hit with. “No matter your appearance Hama, you will always be the same cruel old woman.” She told her as she turned to Shang Tsung. “And you… you made a big mistake.” She told him as she turned to join her comrades, but Skarlet got up still feeling pain, and glared at Katara and went to bloodbend her. But Katara sensed it, and quickly bloodbends her to stop her from trying. Skarlet groaned from it trying to break free, but Katara wasn’t going to let her go as she looked towards Raiden. “I know, I know you said no bloodbending, but care to make an exception just this once?” She asked him.

Raiden looked towards Skarlet, and shrugged as he folded his arms. “Just this once.” He said to her.

She nodded to him and used her bloodbending to keep Skarlet pinned. The vengeful red head struggled from it and glared at Katara trying to break free. “You are a fool Katara… what I gave you was a gift! But you banned it from ever being used!” She told her angrily.

Katara scoffed at the thought of it. “A gift? No, what you gave me was a curse, one that should never exist! And when my time comes, it will never be used again!” She used her bloodbending to slam Skarlet’s head against a stone pillar, knocking her out completely. She glared at her former mentor, exhaling as she walked back to Aang nearly passing out from the exhaustion she felt. Aang caught her and held her in her arms, setting her down so she could rest. “H-How did I do…?” She asked him.

Aang smiled at her and fixed her hair, moving it out of her face as he caressed her face. “You did great out there Katara, rest now.” He told her as he and Katara smiled at one another, and she closed her eyes as Sokka kneeled down to her to look after her.

“I’ll take care of her Aang, it’s your match now… win this one, and we’re home free.” He told his brother-in-law as Aang nodded to him in response and looked towards Shao Kahn, and walked out towards the center of the arena.

The emperor looked upon the monk as Kitana and Jade walked out to watch the next match, Shao stood from his throne looking upon Aang as he looked to Kotal. “Don’t you dare fail me General Kotal, or you shall be punished.” He warned him, but Kotal didn’t feel threatened as he scowled at the emperor and walked to the arena to face Aang. The Emperor looked towards him with a smirk. “Avatar Aang, you are the last warrior amongst your companions who as yet to demonstrate his power to everyone in Outworld, and now you shall face General Kotal… of the Osh-Tekk.” He told him as the two kombatants faced each other.

Kotal reached behind him pulled out a blade built of obsidian, sliding it across his hand as he bled. “This will be the fight of the century Avatar Aang, but I will give you this opportunity to surrender.” He told him.

But Aang twirled his glider and held it in his fight stance. “With my world being threatened, I don’t think so Kotal.” He told him as he stood his ground, giving the Osh-Tekk general reason to fight.

Both warriors stood ready, while the emperor sat on his throne and looked to them. “FIGHT!!!” He roared out as stones surrounded Aang’s staff and Kotal pulled a giant sword, and both warriors charged at one another and clashed their weapons together, sending a massive shockwave through the entire arena. All within it felt the force they sent off, and cheered as Aang pulled back and swung his staff at him, but Kotal blocked his staff with his sword as he swung it upwards towards the Avatar. Aang quickly flipped backwards avoiding it, using his airbending to balance himself as he landed on the ground, using earth bending to raise a boulder out of the ground as he swung his staff and launched the boulder towards him. Kotal stuck his sword into the ground and caught the boulder with his bare hands as he slid back, he groaned but yelled out as he pushed it back and punched through it, causing it to break apart from his sheer strength. Through the rubble, Aang leaped through swinging his staff as he firebends at Kotal, forcing him to shield himself from the flames as he backed up and blocked his staff as Aang swung it overhead.

Kotal gripped his staff and pushed the Avatar back as Aang tried to stable himself and use his earth ending to form a pillar and land his foot against it, stopping himself and Kotal as he propelled himself over the Osh-Tekk with his airbending. He swung his staff at Kotal to hit him in his head, but the General managed to block his staff and looked towards him. “Air, water, earth, and fire… are you certain you’re not a god?” He asked him.

“Last I checked, I almost died from lightning caused by Azula, so no.” He told him as he earthbends rocks around his fist and swung it towards him, but Kotal caught his fist as the two struggled with one another. Aang tried to break free, but a smirk formed across his face causing Kotal to raise a brow, only to see Aang break free and flip back and kick Kotal against his jaw, knocking him down to the ground. Aang flipped himself back up and looked to the General, seeing him stand back up as he rubbed his chin. “You’re definitely a strong warrior Kotal, maybe strong enough to be a great leader one day.” He told him.

“My fathers mantle will never be mine… I have earned my own mantle, and had people to call my own.” Kotal told him as he put his sword away. “Come Avatar Aang, let me show you the true might of the Osh-Tekk!” He told him as Aang smiled and twirled his staff and stuck it into the ground while standing in his airbending position. Kotal smirked as he charged towards the Avatar, but just as Aang prepared for a punch, Kotal quickly dropped down on all fours and shifted into a black Jaguar lunging at Aang as his eyes widened and he leaned back avoiding his teeth and claws as he used his airbending to shift himself away from the Jaguar turned general. Kotal slid across the ground and looked to him growling as he circled him, Aang kept his guard up as he kept his eyes on him. The jaguar snarled as he darted towards him, while Aang earthbends chunks of rocks toward him. But Kotal used his agility and speed to avoid his attacks and leaped into the air, hiding within the glare of the sun as he caught Aang off guard and pounced on him. The Avatar hit the ground as a large paw pinned at his chest and Kotal snarled and went for a bite to his jugular, but Aang quickly airbender his staff to him and caught it as he let the Jaguar clamp his jaws on it. The two struggled with one another, but Kotal managed to use his claws to scratch Aang’s chest that caused him to scream but push him off and use firebending to chase him off. Kotal ran from the fire and leap to the top of a pillar and look to him snarling.

Aang got up and looked to the scratches on his chest and looked to him with a glare, taking his staff and stood ready for his next attack. Kotal slowly crawled down, but pounced and leaped towards Aang with his jaws wide opened. But Aang quickly blocked his attack while twisting his staff forming one of the wings of his glider, smacking him away while leaving a cut on his left shoulder. Kotal rolled across the ground from it, he got back on his feet and looked to it, then to Aang as he let out a hiss. The Avatar was far from intimidated as he held up his staff. “Clever trick Kotal, but it’ll take more than a savage animal to bring me down.” He told him.

The Osh-Tekk general reverted back to his normal form and looked to him. “In that case, I shall give you the honor, of feeling the true might… of the SUN!!!” He blasted him with a power equal to that of the sun. Aang blocked it with his staff, but he felt it heat up tremendously as he cried out in pain from it and dropped it, only to get another shot from Kotal and role across the ground. Kotal slowly advanced toward him, holding a pair of curved blades in his hands. “I told you not to hold back against me, otherwise your world will suffer as mine did.” He told him as he raised his blades preparing to finish him, but as his blades were about to come down, Aang’s tattoos began to glow as he earthbends the ground beneath him forcing a pillar to hit him in the chest, causing a few ribs to crack. Kotal cried out from it and hit the ground, he groaned from the pain he felt and sat up looking towards Aang. Everyone in the crowd, Jade included gasped in both shock and surprise of what they were witnessing. The Avatar looked towards him with both his eyes and tattoos glowing as he stood up with the help of his airbending.

Shao Kahn witnesses the unexpected turn of events and was immediately intrigued. “Interesting… very interesting.” He muttered to himself as Aang remained in his Avatar state, holding up his fists awaiting Kotal to make the first move. Kotal smirked knowing he finally found a worthy opponent, he got up and dusted himself off. He charged towards him losing all his weapons as he went to punch the Avatar. Aang used his airbending skills to dodge and maneuver around Kotal attacks, the Osh-Tekk warrior tried to hit him but felt that he was only hitting air.

And avoided an uppercut from him, grabbed him by his wrist and punched him three times in his chest and pulled him back and slammed his entire body against the Osh-Tekk, knocking him away as Kotal slid back from him. He looked to Aang as he airbends slices of wind towards him that were ten times stronger than before. Kotal summoned a sun shield and blocked them, but while he wasn’t aware, Aang waterbended a water whip at his ankles causing the Osh-Tekk general to panic as he was pulled off his feet and fell to the ground. Aang leaped into the air as he earthbends a large boulder and thrusts his arms forward causing the boulder to fire shards of its large form at the general, while Kotal quickly avoided his shots and blasted sun fire towards him. The Avatar quickly used firebending to make the flames disappear, and produced his own flames to fight against his. Kotal tried to block the attacks, but the intense heat was enough to drive him back as Aang advanced and used earthbending to form stone armor to slam against Kotal, knocking him down to the ground. He groaned but looked to Aang as all four elements surrounded him, Kotal knew he was powerful, but he never imagined he would be this powerful. Just As Aang was about to attack, he snapped out of the Avatar state and exhaled. He then looked to Kotal and lent him a hand, the general was surprised of this outcome… he expected Aang to finish him on the spot, instead he extends his hand to him as a sign of mercy. He reached and took his hand as Aang helped him stand up. “A good fight… thank you for the opportunity General Kotal.” He said to him.

“I am an enemy to your realm, and yet you show me mercy, why?” He asked the monk of his motives.

“Understand this Kotal, as the Avatar, it is my duty to protect my realm, and those close to me. Whether they are friend or foe, but know this… if your master is asking for a fight with the Four Nations, he is asking for trouble.” Aang explained to him as he glanced to Shao Kahn, who glared at him knowing he had been beaten, no matter the outcome of his plans.

Kotal smirked at hearing it and extended his hand. “Then I hope one day we can face each other again, in a rematch, to see who is the greatest the warrior in the realms.” He said to him.

Aang smiled and grabbed him by his forearm, shaking it as the two warriors nodded to each other. “I will look forward to that rematch, in this life, or my next.” He told him as he walked to the others.

His friends approached him to congratulate him on his victory, meanwhile Shang Tsung leaned to his emperor and whispered. “It is unwise to challenge him sire, you’ve seen his power, you will only be broken down like a sculpture after it has been carved.” He told him.

Shao Kahn didn’t want to admit defeat, to suffer a loss to the Four Nations meant dishonor to Outworld. But he had no choice… for he did not have the strength needed to defeat the Avatar. He stood up from his throne and walked towards them. “Avatar Aang, I must congratulate you on your victory, this was Outworld first loss after nine wins against Earthrealm. But since you are not from Earthrealm, our wins against them have not been changed. But should we win the tenth tournament against them, we will be coming for your realm next.” He told him.

Aang glared at him along with his comrades, knowing he was dead serious about his threat, and will not underestimate him. “Understand this Shao Kahn, even if it takes a hundred years for you to reach my realm… we will not let you win, you or your barbarians. That’s a promise.” He told him as Raiden smirked and approached them.

“He’s right Shao Kahn, but I can promise you this, you will not win the tenth tournament. Not while it’s champions are being prepared for you.” He told him as Shang Tsung approached.

“Oh please Raiden, you gave us the same speech before, but it won’t change a thing. Once our champion demolishes yours… Earthrealm will then be Shao Kahn’s. It will be a shame though, that you will once again have to watch your champions fall at Goro’s hands.” He said to him with a sadistic grin.

Raiden merely glared at them as he backed away towards Aang and his friends. “We shall see.” He told him as he used lightning to teleport them back to the Four Nations.

Outworld, Present Day…

“And that was the last I saw of Avatar Aang, and his comrades.” Kotal finished his story and looked to them. “After that, I was sent out on a mission, till I was ambushed by Shao Kahn’s legion, taken prisoner by the very sorcerer you see before you.” He told them as he gestured to Shang Tsung.

“And I appointed you as the new emperor, you can’t deny that was nice of me.” Shang said to him with a smirk.

“Yeah, big whoop…” Twilight said sarcastically.

“Outworld had such a unique history with Aang, I can’t believe I didn’t know.” Korra said to herself.

“We all knew him as a great warrior.” Reptile approached her. “He and his wife were honorable in their ways of kombat.” He told her.

Korra smiled at hearing it, knowing her predecessor was noble in his time, along with his companions. But suddenly an explosion occurred outside and they all looked outside, seeing where it occurred. “What’s happening?” Twilight asked them.

“It’s Reiko, he must have plotted another attack alongside D’Vorah.” Chrysalis informed her.

“D’Vorah…?” Korra asked her out of curiosity.

“She is a Kytinn, she was once the emperor’s trusted advisor… but Chrysalis discovered she was a spy working for Reiko.” Ermac told her.

Legion summoned an image of her to show what she looked like. “She resembles much of Chrysalis, only more yellow, and twice more disgusting.” She told them as she earned a disapproving look from Chrysalis and Shang Tsung. “But further more, her only interests are to her hive, nothing more.” She informed them.

“I remember her, we met her at the Outworld docks trying to save our Shaolin masters.” Liu told them.

“Then it is wise we work fast to get the Avatar get back to her realm, she needs a healer, and we can’t risk Reiko reaching her.” Khameleon told them.

“Emperor…” Reptile earned his attention. “You are the only one who possess a portal stone, you must go with them to help them in their fight.” He told them.

“But as Kahn, my responsibility is to Outworld.” He responded.

“We understand it is… but with Jade alive, you must go.” Ermac said to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “We will protect the capital in your stead.” He said to him as Kotal looked upon him and the others, they nodded their heads to him as Kotal watched them head to the capital to fight off Reiko and his forces.

Kotal looked to Korra knowing she needed to return home, before she suffers from her injuries and passes on. He was determined and headed to the throne where the portal stone was, for it was embedded into the top of the throne as he reached to it, and pulled it out looking to his new allies. “We must hurry… Shang Tsung and Chrysalis shall accompany us to your realm.” He said to them as Shang and Chrysalis nodded their heads in understanding, knowing that they are still on his most hated list.

Korra panted as Naga held her up and looked to Kotal. “Lead the way Kotal, I am ready to return home.” She told her as he nodded his head, holding up the portal stone. It glowed brightly as it opened a portal leading to the Four Nations. Liu and Twilight were amazed at seeing it, Permafrost watched it and looked to Korra as she was close to falling off, but she caught her to make sure she didn’t lose her balance. Kotal looked to them and gestured to follow him through as he walked into the portal, Shang Tsung and Chrysalis followed after him with Liu, Twilight, Korra, and Naga following them into the portal, back to the Four Nations… to face Amon.

Author's Note

Hey guys, here is the Bonus Chapter I told you guys about. It is basically a flashback with a flashback within a flashback. It gets confusing to say the least, but it works to tell what happened in Aang’s first journey to Outworld with his companions. And the twist of having Hama reincarnated as Skarlet works so well, it is freaking TERRIFYING!!! Becuase she creeped me out when I first watched Avatar the Last Airbender: Book 3, and she still does, even as Skarlet! But in any case, I hope you guys like what I did here.