(In the Lin Kuei temple)

Spike was training again with Sub-Zero and Scorpion. This time he was deflecting rocks they threw at him. As they threw, Sub-Zero formed ice daggers in his hands and blasted them at Spike, who then dodged them and grabbed two by the middle and threw them back.

"Very good Ryu, you've improved well." Scorpion said

"Arigatou (Thank you) Grandmaster Scorpion." Spike said as he bowed in respect.

As they continued to train, an Lin Kuei came and said "Grandmasters, we have something to show you."

Sub-Zero and Scorpion looked at each other and followed the Lin Kuei as Spike continued to train his movements.

In the temple's main entrance, the two Grandmasters arrived and Sub-Zero said to the Lin Kuei who gave them the news.

"What is it?" Sub-Zero asked

"Grandmasters, I don't know how to say this but....he is back."

"Who?" Scorpion asked

"HIM."

The two were confused, until Sub-Zero caught on and said "Wait...HIM? Are you sure?"

"Yes Grandmasters, I saw him emerge from darkness and regroup with Frost, Sektor and the other Cyber Lin Kuei. Not only that, but they have gone to that Canterlot City Spike lives in and are using some areas to create more soldiers and possibly even the Revenants."

"What else happened?" Scorpion asked

"Aside from that, they have created a tournament similar to Shao Kahn's in the city."

"We should inform Spike about this, come on." Sub-Zero said, with Scorpion nodding.

However, as they were leaving to tell Spike the news, an shadowy figure was seen in a shadow in the corner of the temple and said

"Good, now to wait for their arrival."

The figure disappeared in a shadowy flash of dark mist.

Spike was with the two Grandmasters and had been given the news to them and said

"Wait, tournament?"

"Yes, it is a tournament where those from different realms fight on their behalf and whomever wins, may secure their realms safety from other forms of harm the realms may offer." Sub-Zero said

"But wait, if you two stopped it here, how is it in the place I live in?" Spike asked

"That we do not know, but we have reason to believe that a threat we both know is in the midst. Be careful." Scorpion said

"What kind of threat?" Spike asked.

Sub-Zero sighed as he spoke. "Long before I became Grandmaster, there was another, my brother Bi-Han."

"Brother?!" Spike asked surprised.

"Yes. In the previous tournament, the same where I fought him, he led the Lin Kuei down a dark path of death and destruction against not just Scorpion and his clan, but also to Earthrealm. When I fought Bi-Han, I was manipulated by a putrid sorcerer named Quan Chi into killing him for killing my wife and son, when it was him that did it."

"Not only that, but when I found out Bi-Han's murder, I had searched for Scorpion to kill him, but I had to suffer another matter known as the Cyber Lin Kuei. This was done by our Grandmaster to increase our deadliness at the cost of our humanity, I had lost many friends in my life, even Smoke." Sub-Zero said, giving a look of grief.

"Whoa, I get killing a bad guy, but killing a wife and child while forcing someone into being a soulless murderer? That's beyond wrong. So what happened after?" Spike said, disgust and horror evident in his voice.

"After I killed Bi-Han, Quan Chi had resurrected him as a wraith, which worsened his already vile heart. He had intended to form a clan of the dead as his legion. It was not only during his battle with Sub-Zero that he was truly banished from the Lin Kuei, but also where I had achieved my revenge in killing Quan Chi." Scorpion continued

"As I had told him what he told me. We shared blood, we are NOT brothers." Sub-Zero said with disgust and dismay.

"Whoa, I'm so sorry that happened to you two. I mean I can relate since everyone treated me badly for being a dragon and I've been afraid of letting my hate get to me, but you two should never have to go through something so....heartbreaking." Spike said with empathy and slight tears.

The two saw the look on Spike's face as Scorpion said "That is what we had suffered young Spike, it was our burden to face. Vengeance had consumed me."

Sub-Zero added "It was consuming me. Please, do not let it consume you."

Spike only closed his eyes and sighed a breath and calmed himself as he nodded with newfound determination.

(In Canterlot City)

It was now Friday and the Rainbooms were at their pent house dorm. They each had been doing their own activities. Rainbow Dash was practicing on her guitar, Sunset was writing in her journal, Twilight was looking over some homework, Pinkie was baking some sweets in the kitchen, Rarity was creating new fashion designs, Fluttershy played with her pet rabbit Angel, while Applejack was fixing her bass. As they did their activities, Rainbow said

"Ugh! I'm so bored!"

"Well there's not really much to do Dash." Twilight said

"Plus, there hasn't been much activity since yesterday." Sunset added

As they talked, there was a knock at the door.

KNOCK KNOCK!

"Who could that be?" Fluttershy asked

The door opened and it was revealed to be Starlight Glimmer. She came in and said while giving a look of confusion.

"Hey girls. What's going on?"

"Not much Starlight." Twilight said

"What's going on with you?" Rainbow asked

"Well aside from Spike being liked by all the citizens in Canterlot City, you should also see this." Starlight Glimmer said, pulling out her phone.

The girls looked and saw an article with the title Abacus Cinch arrested for fraud and Crystal Prep under investigation due to illegal theft and misuse of school funding and resources.. On the picture was Cinch arrested by the CCPD (Canterlot City Police Department) and was being placed in a police car in front of the school of Crystal Prep. Not only that, but the Shadowbolt were seen being questioned by some officers. This left the girls surprised as they looked at the news.

"Well, looks like Cinch got what was coming to her." Rainbow Dash said.

"And this time, she gets punished for real without weaseling her way out." Applejack added.

"Hey wait girls, look at the photo." Twilight said

They did so and looked closer and gave looks of confusion, with Sunset asking "What is it Twilight?"

"Who's that? On the roof of the school?" Twilight further pointed out.

The Rainbooms looked and saw there was indeed a masked figure in all black clothing with a hook on his back watching the events.

'Who is that?" Rarity asked

"I don't know, but whoever they are could have a clue as to what happened." Sunset surmised.

"By the way, did you hear the other announcement?" Starlight asked

"Announcement?" Rarity asked

"Canterlot City is having a tournament where anyone from across or in the city can enter and fight one on one. It says the prize here is both a single wish of what you want and a million dollar prize, It also says that your allowed to kill in this tournament. The person who showed this was never revealed, the announcement came out of nowhere." Starlight informed them further.

"A tournament?" Sunset asked.

"Aw yeah! A tournament where we can not only kick butt but also get a prize of anything? I'm in!" Rainbow Dash said in excitement.

"Wait, how can a fighting tournament be allowed so easily?" Twilight asked

"I don't know, but I think it's worth checking out." Rarity asked.

"It says here the tournament starts next week, at the Canterlot City Sports Arena. It says to join, we have to go in person at the main desk." Applejack read from the notification, looking at Starlight's phone.

The other girls nodded and began to ready themselves as they made their way out to join the tournament.

(Elsewhere)

In an unknown building, an unknown figure was looking at an screen and it showed different areas of Canterlot City. The figure was joined by another figure who spoke in a robotic female voice.

"Has the tournament been a success yet?"

"It will in due time, for now, once we have enough combatants, we can increase our numbers and fulfill the Lin Kuei's destiny." The unknown figure replied.

On the screen showed some students of CHS, with the female figure replying "Do you have anything else in mind?"

The male figure replied "We need to increase our numbers for our clan and for the tournament, and I think I know just how to start..."

Author's Note

I am very VERY sorry I have not updated recently, I had some personal issues going with my life and I have been doing everything I can to cope, I know it's been a long while, but I have finally uploaded a chapter. I do apologize for not updating any of my stories.

I recently had felt that my life was going to spiral downwards with all the mistakes and stress I face in life, but I am slowly beginning to cope a bit better as time goes by. I do apologize for my lack of updates.

As always, everything belongs to it rightful owners.