Mage noticed someone else watching and saw a woman with four arms?

"errr stryker?" she asked
"yeah" he said
"what is that?" she said "or who" as she pointed to the figure
"I think she is a shokan"
"A what?!"
"some four armed warrior, do not mess with any of them" said stryker
"thanks"

Raiden continued to lead them for a time then stopped "We will meet the others here, Stryker, you will be among those training with fujin in the meantime, Mage you will train with me" he said
"Great" thought mage as she heard a rustling in the bushes but shuged it off as an animal. She noticed how the four armed woman was looking at another warrior, with daggers in her eyes.
"who is the object of her disgust" said Mage, looking at stryker
"Liu Kang, one of earth's champion, but he is retiring soon from what I hear" said stryker "better fate then the one before him, someone named goro killed that one
"great and I am the next champ, which do I get" said Mage
"who told you that?" asked stryker
"Tall dark and eyeless" said Mage, pointing at raiden
"wonder why? the way you are acting, it seems like a mistake for you to be here" he said "you seem too scared"
"It's not the tourny, I have fought in them before, mostly small stuff though, not the big leauges" said Mage "its raiden, I think I know him, I have had visions about him, dark ones" Stryker could only look on in disbelief, until raiden and fujin took their respective groups to the training grounds

Meanwhile a lone figure watched as the warriors for earth arrived in the clearing, his long tail swaying. He saw the new girl and sensed she was of a kinder spirt then the others, and after all he had done, and all that was done to him, he needed every kindness he could get. but getting near here would be a deadly task, he knew the thundergod would not let him near any of his 'pets', not without a fight anyway. he decided to wait until nightfall to make his move.
Mage laid back on a tree as training was done and the stars came out. "this place as a great night sky" she thought, she noticed her training partners had little intrest in the scenery, only in some meitiative dance, or watching said dance. Their master, on the other hand, seemed to be doing some training of his own, usually going too fast to see, except when something like a tree or a rock, got destroyed. "brother, these guys are a bit obbessed with this, I mean we could get killed here, this could be the last night sky we ever see, live a little" Mage thought as she watched everyone, one of the dancers looked up
"What mediation are you doing young one" he asked
"It's called thinking about how this day could be your last so enjoy the little things, try it" said Mage "your liu kang right?"
"yes, how did you know?" asked Kang
"Stryker told me" said Mage "I'm..." she started
"Mage, I know" said Kang "From what I hear, you are a powerful fighter"
"Let me guess, raiden told you this?" said Mage, checking if said god was in ear shot
"I wouldn't doubt his words" said a woman, flashing a steel fan "Lord Raiden knows more then you think"
"Forgive me but I don't trust him" said Mage "He seems a bit too gun ho about be being the champ and all, I say let Kang keep the honor"
"I cannot" said Kang "I will not even be in earthrealm after this tournament ends"
"why not?" asked Mage
"enough Mage" said an all too familar voice "I would worry more about preperations for tommorrow rather then the lives of your teammates"
"yes sir" said Mage, retreating to her shell
"forgive her lord raiden, she was just..." Kang began
"I know what she was doing" said Raiden "but right now there are more important things to worry about"
Mage only sat down again, she was not going to tick off Raiden if she could help it, and didn't want Kang to feel his wraith either "Kang it's ok" she said calmly "He is in charge right now, and he is only trying to help, I think..."

Mage couldn't sleep that night, she kept thinking about everything going on, plus she kept hearing a rustling in the bushes. "yesh how many animals are in these woods" she thought as she started to look around. She noticed something in a bush, a long snake like tail, it seemed like it was cowering
"Its ok, I won't hurt you" said Mage, trying to coax the thing out, a creature, much like a raptor, steped out, clothed in armor and griping a sword "Child come no closer, I am a wanted creature, and hated by both the wicked and the just"
"why?" asked Mage "and what is your name?" she could sense a lot of saddness in the creature, and wanted to help
"I am reptile, once a minon of darkness, thousands died at my hands, all because what I wanted was my world, my speices, back, and for us to live in peace, this cost me everything, my freedom for a time, my sanity, even the use of my own body, and it almost cost me my life and soul. Now because I seek redemtion, those I once served see me as a threat, and those I once though will never trust me" Mage sensed honesty in reptile's words, and felt sorry for him
"Well, maybe I can help, but I guess it will have to be in secret, noting" she said
"you mean the thundergod, you are wise to fear him, he maybe a good hearted man, and wise, but his temper is wild, and even the elder gods are caustious of him" said reptile
"Great he has a bad temper, I figured that" said Mage "I could sense a lot of rage in him"
"Be happy you are in his good graces" said reptile
"thanks, maybe I can convince him to let you join us" said Mage
"no, I will help from the shadows for now" said reptile "good luck little one, you are going to need it"
with that reptile vanished, and mage decided she better head back to camp before she was missed, still she couldn't help but think about everything that has happened to her in the past day, if this is her fate, what is she meant to do, and why her?

ok. me and mage r the only 1's talkin now. i hope they come bac. anyway ill continue the story.......

Mileena, Reptile's ally was hiding in the bushes while Reptile was talking with Mage. She ran through the leaves until she suddenly ran into two red eyes. It was Chixua.

"Mileena!" she shouted, "The em[eror has a new job for you."

The two of them taken a portal to Shao Kahn's fortress.

"What are your orders, father?" Questioned Mileena
"Mileena! You and Chixua are to go to Netherrealm. Seek the elder god known as Shinnok. He may be a powerful ally,"
"Shinnok? But he will destroy us father!"
"SILENCE!! Let me make the orders! Raiden's newest warrior we have seen"
"That new one on the ship?" questioned Chixua
"Precisely! Mage! She is chosen by Raiden for a reason! Shang Tsung however has helped us see her weakness" said Kahn.
"What is her weakness?" said Chixua
"She does not trust her god, Raiden", said Shao Kahn, "We can use this to our advantage"
"Yes!!" said Chixua
"We can get her to turn against Raiden" said Kahn,"I am sending Sheeva to convince her to join us!"
"But why do we need Shinnok?" said Mileena
"Shinnok is an elder god and will make a powerful ally, I need you two to fetch him fron the Netherrealm" continued Kahn

Mileena and Chixua enter a portal to the netherrealm while Kahn calls Sheeva to follow his orders. He was determined to set Raiden's greatest warrior against him.

"I am not one who accepts loosing" He declared"

But he wasn't alone even after Sheeva had left. Someone, an enemy was lurking in the shadows, spying on his every move....

alrite, I'l make a new character so here it goes

Name:Keith
Origin:USA
Allignment: good/unkown
Height:6'3
Weight:180 Lbs.
Body Type:Built
Skin Tone:Caucasion but tan
Hair Type: Military Buzz Cut
Clothes:Red T-Shirt, Black Jeans, Red And White Jordans(shoes)
Fighting Style: Hapkido, Wing Chung
Weapon: Dual Daggers
Powers: Athletic, above normal strength and agility, developing light powers

and here's his bio, adding to Mage's and the Shokans(don't 'member the name)

"What's This?" Keith had just got back from his local cage fighting arena with 50$ of winnings in his pocket. As he bent down in front of his apartment he had recieved a letter with the mark of a god on it. Before he even opened it he knew what it was. The thing of his dreams and his way out of this dump known as New York City. Now Keith knew about the realms and gods and Shao Kahn from various schools and warriors. But he had never dreamt that he would be invited to Mortal Kombat. The Letter Read "To the warrior known as Keith, This is your invitation to the one and only tournament known as Mortal Kombat. As you may know, the best warriors for centruries from all the realms came together for one tournament. Know this is your turn to represent Earthrealm. You are the champion and the last hope for EarthRealm. You will understand better once you reach here. Be ready by the docks to board the Nethership by last light tommorow." On the bottom was the symbol he has had nightmares about. It was the symbol of the Dragon King.

nothing else special happened on the way to the tournament. Although he realized Raiden had chosen this extradoinery warrior girl mage to be the champion of Earthrealm, he slowly felt himself being pushed away from his dark past into the light. This would be his chance to prove he is the best warrior of all time. This is his chance to become the chamion of Mortal Kombat. But only one question lingered? If he was chosen to represent Earthrealm by the "gods" why wouldn't of Raiden signed it and the Dragon King? Maybe he was helping out a greater evil by trying to be the greater good. It doesn't matter to him. If any evil came from his actions, he would destroy it.

The next morning, Mage awoke to see raiden standing over her, pissed off

"Uh oh...." she thought "is something wrong?"
"Mage, who was that I heard you speaking to last night" raiden asked
"Me, errr...." Mage studdered, she couldn't think of anything to cover her tracks, and save reptile's hide
"Listen to me little one, there are many here who will try and harm you, do not listen to them"
"Then who should I listen too?" said Mage "and how the hell did you know I wasn't asleep!" she said more feircly
Raiden only chuckled "I don't sleep, and I am worried about you"
"Me?" said Mage "why?"
"You feel I am more dangerous then anyone here, I see it in your eyes" said Raiden "I promise you though, I would never hurt you"
Mage listened closely, and sensed truth in Raiden's words, but she was was still frightened "all right, but please if anyone comes looking for redemption, give them a chance, please" she begged Raiden smiled and nodded "come child, we should head for the arena" Mage got up and followed the thunder god until she heard a "pstt" it was reptile
"Mage I cannot speak long, but forces are consprining against you, trust only raiden from here on out" before mage could say a word, he vansihed again

They arrived at the arena, where everyone was waiting for them, Mage noticed a few newer faces then yesterday and bowed in greeting, stryker nodded back
"How was training?" he asked
"Hard painful and relaxing, just how I like it" said Mage, she had a bit more courage in her voice but was still nervous, she noticed another warrior, a cage figher she had heard of off handed a few times from some of her freelance street brawls and approched him

"Um, do I know you sir" she asked, tapping the tan fighter on the shoulder

"I believe I've heard of you before. Mage, right? I didn't know that you would be here?" Just as Keith had said that His training partner came up to him. "Keith, I can't train with you today, or for anyday at that matter. My arm has just been broken and I'l be recovering for months. sorry." "So Mage, how would u like to be my training partner?"

"sure, sounds fun" said Mage, she looked up at raiden, hoping he would agree to it as well. Raiden only nodded, he knew that Keith would be a perfect match for her, besides himself. While the two trained, Fujin spoke to raiden

"It seems your warrior has gained some courage since last night" he said
"And yours seems able to fight even with his disadvantage" countered Raiden "still, I pray these two will be able to face the darkness ahead"
"You sense your old rival" said Fujin softly
"Yes, but that is not important now, I am more concerned with Mage's training, she is strong but her powers still lack some focus" as raiden said this, one of Mage's blasts shook up most of the area "Sorry" she said blushing
"Try focusing more on the target then controlling the blast Mage" said raiden smiling
"she is a very gentle soul Raiden" said Fujin "I am surprised she can fight this well"
"Don't be fooled old friend, I have seen her battles, she is fierce" said Raiden proudly "She is an ideal student"
"So long as she trusts her teacher" added Fujin "And I doubt she truly trust you"
"Give her time" said Raiden "She is still fearful, she trusts no one"

In the bushes Reptile was watching everything "I have never seen anyone that strong before in my life" thought reptile "And these idiots I worked with want to hurt her, no fucking way" he noticed Raiden's expression as well "I get the feeling" he thought "That Raiden has more then a feeling of pride for his new student"

Raiden felt a pang in his heart as he watched Mage and Keith fight. He had never seen a mortal like her before, and nothing like this existed in the heavens, she was unique to him. Nothing would harm her as long as he lived, he would see to it.

"WOW. I've trained or even fought someone as talented as you. I've won the Bayside cage fighting chamiponship 3 times and you can defintiley win it if you want to. only one tip. Focus more on your moves than your opponents. if you're studying my moves so hard, you won't realize that your attacks aren't as powerful. Hey, look over there. Raiden and Fujin are talking about something and they keep glancing at us. Probably you because you're the champion and all of that stuff. Good Luck." just as there training ended Keith saw something move in the bushes. "What's that? Mage, do you know what that is?" Keith had saw Reptile but didn't know it.

I guess I'll join. I haven't written in some time and kind of lost interest in MK, maybe this will bring me back a bit.

Here's a link to my character, I'll post part of his bio here as well.
Grave

Name: Grave

Age: Unknown

Former Name: Jericho Magnus

Weight: 215 lbs

Height: 6'6

Eye Color: Unknown, glow red

Hair Color: Unknown. It was black in his former life.

Skin Tone: Unknown

Disciplines: Command Sambo, Xynyi Liuhe Quan. Armageddon (Hajin Mon/Hayabusa mixed Ninjitsu)

Weapon: Cerberus as well as concealed wrist blades.

Place of Origin: Unknown (Suspected to be Nocturne).

Alliance: The One Being

Power Specialty: Necromancy, Alchemy

Quote: ``Don't make your life any shorter then it already is.''

Story:

Eons before the Mortal Kombat tournament, the One Being was torn to pieces, and his consciousness scattered in the form of six mystical items known as the Kamidogu. The Elder gods believed that they have seen the last of this menace, and decided to rest on their laurels, and let humanity take its course a foolish mistake to say the least. Although the One Being was scattered through out the six realms, Order, Chaos, Earth, Nether, Edenia, and Outworld, its power has not diminished, it only laid dormant. From the moment its physical form was destroyed, it began to harness its power through out the ages. For what seemed like an eternity, the One Being's influence slowly crept through out the realms, eventually tainting the minds of the Elder Gods themselves. With the collaboration of both, humans and deities, Mortal Kombat was born.

Realms began to fight for power, for greed, and for bloodshed. With each new champion, the One Being's power and influence grew stronger. Every time a fighter experienced a surge of power before finishing off his opponent, what he felt was the One Beings power surge through them, giving them the strength to thin the ranks, and move forward. By continuing this cycle, the One Being drew ever closer to reassembling itself. Finally, after the hundredth Mortal Kombat tournament, the One Being had enough power to create a vessel into which it could pour its essence. The One Being's reach was endless, and its power spanned through the realms like a tidal wave, destroying many and corrupting others in the process. The One Being's search lasted two decades, its power seeping through the realms finally found a suitable vessel to hold its power and carry out its purpose. The vessel it has chosen was a great warrior in his realm. An enforcer to his higher power, he was commander of an unmatched army. He went by the name, Jericho Magnus. A warrior who not only excelled in the art of combat was also well versed in the mystic arts. On the battlefield, he was looked at as a demon. His eyes glowed with the crimson hatred and distaste for his race. He killed without mercy, but also without any sense of pleasure or remorse. His eyes were the last things his victims saw as they took their last breath. Not much is known about his history since anybody who knew it was killed either by Jericho or one of his associates. The fact that Jericho would not talk about his personal history lead to many people questioning his allegiance. However, because of his skills in Alchemy and his devotion into the black art of Necromancy have made him a widely sought after agent. The One Being could see the hatred buried deep in Jericho's soul, the locked memories in the deepest recesses of his mind although inaccessible, even to the One Being have made him an easy target. The One Being would wait for the perfect time to contaminate him. It was not long after when the One Beings influence had created the perfect opportunity to seize his prize.

The One being would weave his power in an upcoming battle set to take place at the Senaturan Valley, an enormous crater, created by a meteor shower centuries ago. Jericho's army numbered in the thousands, a see of black armor filled one half of the crater, his opponent's army, which was equally as massive, led by the a former god stood against him in his pursuit of conquest for the entire plane of Nocturne. On his steed, Jericho paced back and forth for a split second before finally raising his sword into the air and commanding his troops to attack.

Jericho- As long as one of us survives, we are a legion. We fight as one, we fight without fear, and we fight with Nocturne on our side now attack my warriors!!!!

The two armies clashed with the sound of thunder. Their armies merged into a sea of chaos. The sound of metal smashing against metal was deafening. Jericho's army showed unseen ferociousness in their attacks, within the first 6 hours of battle, the two armies were now knee deep in each other's blood.

Jericho- I will not be denied this victory by anybody, mortal or god, living or dead!!

Grave leapt off his steed and into the thickness of battle. Carnage rained like never before as those who even took a step towards him were cleaved in half. The battle lasted for what seemed like an eternity; however, with the adrenaline rush that Jericho experienced it made absolutely no difference if this fight would ever end, and he'd take anybody's life to claim this battle for himself. Powered by blood lust and filled with rage, Jericho opened himself up to the One Being's influence, and with out him realizing, Jericho was implanted with a dark seed. To set the next part of his plan into motion, the One Being's power, now having a physical presence to emanate from put Jericho into a state of berserker. Letting out a vicious cry, he lost all consciousness as well as all control of his body. Filled with unimaginable power, Jericho tore through the rest of his adversaries, leaving nobody alive. The leader of resisting army, a former god who was cast from the heavens and became a demon had his head torn off by Jericho's bare hands. The opposing army soon fell with their lord, however, Jericho wasn't finished yet. He was still in a state of berserk, and unwittingly turned on his own army, slaughtering them as well. He lost awareness after that and feel into a comma. His next memory was kneeling in front of his king for suspected treason against Nocturne, having no memory of recent events, Jericho pleaded not guilty to his accusation, but it feel on deaf ears. His crime was thought to be inhuman, and giving him death would do nothing more then serve as a release. Instead, he was to have his right arm tattooed with sacred chevrons and sentenced to life in the cells below Tartarus, an active volcano which is what many of us think Hell looks like. A special table was made for Jericho, placed directly in the center of the volcanoes Magma Chamber, Jericho would be chained to it and suspended several hundred feet above the magma pools, just out of the way of the rushing magma. The metal used to craft the chains that suspended him as well as those that bound him to the table were made out of an ancient alchemic mix of unknown materials that could resist even the highest temperatures of a volcanoes core. The heat from the volcano singed Jericho's skin, searing the chains into his flesh. There he would stay for an eternity, suspended above a constantly erupting pool of liquid rock that would kill any mortal being before ever got within 100 feet of its surface.

Jericho's mind began to fade, and his humanity began to slip away. His only emotion was anger. Anger for what those he served did to him, as long as his soul survived, they would never know the meaning of the word ``Peace''. Now was the time for the One Being to take his prize, to hatch his dark seed inside of Jericho and make him the embodiment of his power. As Jericho began to fade, he also started to hear a low voice in his head. It had no spoken language, but somehow Jericho could hear it perfectly. Its purpose, its desire, and its offer, all of these thing rang clearly in Jericho's ears.

Jericho- Whoever you are, whatever you are if you release me from this hell, my soul is yours!!!

Silence was the only thing inside of Jericho's head. The constant magma flow was the only thing that rang in his ears. Suddenly, he felt a stinging pain course through his body. Jericho tried to rip the chains that held him prisoner of the hinges and fling himself into the magma. He tried to do anything within his power to stop the pain. Jericho was able to channel enough power into his arms to break the chains and plummet into the river of liquid rock below. Jericho lost consciousness before his body hit the magma pool seconds later.

Once again, everything was quite, at first glance it looked as if this was where Jericho's story ended. Suddenly, an enormous force shook the chamber and a pillar of magma shot from the depths of the chamber and through a nearby platform. As the pillar gushed with liquid rock a hand stretched out into the open air. A silhouette stepped through the pillar with frightening power. It is believed that the man once known as Jericho Magnus did in fact die in that pool of lava, and a new demon was born. He wasted no time in claiming what was his from those that betrayed him. The demon stormed the Central Hall of Nocturne and made his way into the inner sanctum. The guards that stood there for protection were killed in a heart beat with a strike to each ones chest, causing their hearts to explode inside their bodies. Without a second thought he grabbed his former ruler by the throat and used his power to turn him inside out before tearing him in half. As his final act of vengeance he used the powers given to him by the One Being to set the realm on fire and extinguish nearly all life within the blink of an eye.

Grave now made his way to the other realms, driven by an unknown, but definetly sinister purpose.

"no, I have no clue what that was" said Mage, fearing if she said yes, she would come under supsect "and as for the job of champion I don't want it, you can have it" she said "I don't need the pressure thanks, I am just here to have some fun"
Raiden and Fujin continued talking

"Hmm it seems yours does not know he is chosen as well" said raiden smirking
"and yours seems all too willing to give up her status" retorted fujin
"I know, only because to her, power and rank are useless, she only wishes to fight" said raiden "making her an ideal champion"

Mage overheard the gods talking at that point "Keith did you hear that?" she said excitiedly "I guess both gods have chosen ones and your one of them!"

"ALRIGHT, I'm the champ. well i guess half the champ. thank the elder gods that you're the other champ or we might be in trouble. but one question? if we're both the champion than why were we both brought here? There has to be something deeper than just a tournament. Do you have any idea whats going on?" Just as Keith had said this Raiden and Fujin both stepped up onto a raised platform. "Everybody, please gather around." Raiden had commanded."As you all know, this is a tournament for the best martial artists in all of the realms." Fujin continued "Tommorow will be you're first fight. The combantats will be...

Mage vs. Frost
Keith vs. Drahmin etc.......

"Wow, I guess two warrior women will be squaring off. Watch out for her freezing attacks, and good luck!"

Mage nodded "don't worry I'll be fine"

Her match began, Frost looked at her with a cold stare

"well well, a little girl wants to play?" she sneered
"only if you can play my game" mage countered in a sinister tone

Frost attempted to freeze mage on the first shot, but Mage dodged, flipping behind the ice girl and knocking her over. "two easy" mage snapped and continued to stomp on her foe. Frost grabbed Mage's leg and tried to trip her, mage only did a backflip and got back on her feet. Frost summoned her kori knives and went wild slashing at Mage, but was countered by mage's twin blades. "huh you like to play with knives too huh?" joked mage as she summoned another blast, knocking frost halfway across the arena. The battle continued until finally, frost was dead on her feet, the dragon king, who was watching the battle called out, finish her, mage only delivered a knock out blow then turned to the crowd

"Just so you know, I don't kill unless I have to, and this time I don't" she said and walked away, shaking out every ache and pain she had

She sat on the side waiting for the next match, raiden sat next to her for a moment "Impressive battle" he said
"Thanks" said Mage "Glad she didn't go easy on me"
"I take it you hate having the advantage" said raiden, grinning
"depends really" said Mage "just like any other situation I guess"
Raiden only smiled, he was proud of his new pupil, but something else drew him to her, he just didn't know what yet.

Reptile watched from high in the grandstands "Woah" was all he could think, this gentle little girl was able to fight like that? Mage was no ordinary woman, she was born to fight.

Keith walked up on Mage and Raiden "Wow, great fight Mage. Nice backflip." Fujin than walked up onto the fight floor and announced the next fight "Keith vs. Drahmin." "See you in the winner's circle"Keith said as he walked onto the arena. Drahmin walked on wearing his mask. "FIGHT" at first it was an even battle, Drahmin trying as hard as he could, and Keith was just toying with him. But Drahmin through an uppercut that Keith had only seen done by one other person. Shao Kahn. This drove Keith into a rage. Drahmin changed into Shao Kahn in Keith's mind. He went wild throwing an elbow to Drahmin's face, and just as Drahmin's head reacted to getting hit, Keith Kicked him in the face. Keith continued the onslaught for minutes until he reached a salvage pitch. Fujin had been teaching him how to channel his Fa Jing into light, but Keith felt something more powerful inside of him. A black ball of energy grew in Keith's hand and he flung it at Drahmin. Drahmin was barley alive at the feet of Keith. Keith let a cry of pure anger and kicked of Drahmin's head before Onaga could tell him to finish him. Only then had Keith realized it wasn't Shao Kahn but it was Drahmin and he immeaditly realized what he had done. He retreated off the stage into his room.

Mage became worried about Keith "yikes" and looked at raiden "I better go check on him" she said, raiden bowed "Remember what I told you about trusting others Mage" Mage nodded and ran in to keith's room

"Hey, you ok?" she asked

as Keith was sitting there, Mage walked in. she asked "Hey, you okay?" "Yea I'm fine. I hate this $#!t, everytime i've ever fought someone they turn into him. he puts me in an uncontroablle feeling where pain for others feels good for me. What's wrong with me? Fujin chose the wrong person to be champion. I can't do it."

Mage thought for a moment, she had the opposite problem, she hated to fight, and hated to hurt others. "at least you can fight, I can't stand it really"
she said finally "Raiden chose the wrong person if you ask me"

She thought about the blast and the enemy "Maybe here we have to be ready to cause pain, I doubt many of our foes are human, I got a bad feeling off of yours, something dark" she said "as for the anger issue I don't know, deep breathing I guess" she shrugged "or at least talk to fujin about it, he might have an answer"

Grave arrived at the arena seemingly out of nowhere. Digusing himself in a red cloak, he quickly made his way through a labyrinth of hallways before coming to a small outcropping, over looking one of the gardens that surrounded the arena. Starring out, over the edge, Grave scouted his opponents. Raiden and Fujin, both protectors of Earthrealm and one of them being a former elder god. This would be interesting indeed.

Making his way down to the lower levels of the arena and out towards the tournament ring, Grave shifted his form, changing into a more average looking fighter, rather then an emissary of the One Being. He reached the arena just as his name was being called for his own match. Raiden would be the one who announced the match. "The brother of Shadow, Noob Saibot, will do combat with man known as Jerricho Magnus." the diety spoke.

Both fighters stepped forward, Noob entering in a pool of shadow as it rose from the ground and filled out his frame.

Jerricho came forward, sweeping his leg infront of him, and brushing some of the dust off the ring. The two remaind silent as the fight gong rang. As the sound faded, both warriors charged each other. Noob came around with a swift hook kick, while Jerricho came around with a high round house kick. Both of their kicks met with high velocity, the impact kicking up a huge amount of dust around the two as they held their position. A few seconds went by and the two suddenly broke off their position. Noob sank down with a brisk sweep kick, taking Jerricho off his feet.

However, Jerricho threw his arm down and was able to flip off it and back onto his feet before hitting the ground. He came around with a swift back fist, only to have Noob bridge backwards.

The brother of shadow performed a hand spring from his bridge, landing on his knees. He starred at the ground for a split second before looking back up at Jerricho, whos' long black hair was waving in the wind. Noob's eyes flashed an amyethist haze. Standing up, he launched several more kicks at Jerricho which were all blocked.

Jerricho through his own kick at Noob's head, only to serve as a fake out and quickly went lower, hitting Noob in his knee, causing him to fall forwards. Jerricho came around with a double handed smash to Noob's spine, causing him to collapse fully on the floor. Before the dark ninja could react, Jerricho kicked him up into the air, and then flung him by his ankle into a nearby pillar, causing it to crack and buckle.

"Enough!" Raiden called out.

"This match has already been decided.." Fujin added. "Jerricho is the victor." he finished.

Jerricho simple exited the arena without saying another word.

Raiden looked at the stranger for a moment, his eyes flashed. "this one shall not win" he thought as he walked away without a word to find Mage

Ever since Mage was young, Raiden had done his best to watch over her, knowing her gifts would one day help earthrealm, even redeam it, but now something else modivated him to watch her, something he felt was unpure, something he didn't want to feel.

Reptile saw the god's distress in his eyes and decided to take a risk "Lord Raiden" he called out, reveling himself
"You, creature, you have one minute to leave my sight" Raiden sneered
"But I wish to help you" said reptile "You seem confused about something internal"
"How would you know" snapped raiden
"I have learned to read people, comes with the territory of being a minion" said reptile half jokingly
"You couldn't help me anyway" snarled raiden "this is something I must resovle on my own"
"Does she know how you feel?" asked reptile
"I know more then one female lizard" answered raiden
"Mage, does she know?" asked reptile again "does she know how much you care about her?"
raiden only sunk down a bit "What this is I shouldn't feel" was all he could say
"Why not" asked reptile "You care about her, and slowly you are gaining her trust"
"SHE IS MY STUDENT!" boomed raiden
"So?" said reptile "She is no child either, she is fully grown and very kind"
"I don't need to feel this way, or to act on it, so do not tempt me lizard" said raiden walking away
"If you change your mind, do so quickly" said reptile "Otherwise you will feel worse."

Keith walked up to Fujin after the mysterious Jerichho defeated Noob-Saibot. "Master Fujin, I have an issue I must discuss with you and hopefully you will have an answer." "Okay young warrior, speak as you must and I will give you an anwser to you're question, but remember the old saying, 'I can only show you the door, you must walk through it' " "Okay, here goes nothing. Whenever I fight an opponent, it starts out like a normal fight. But whenever they throw this special uppercut, it reminds me of him." "Of who?" "Shao Kahn, the man who slaughtered my family." Keith had trouble saying the name without getting angry. "For example, earlier against my fight with that oni demon Drahmin from the Netherrealm. He threw this uppercut with his club and in my mind he turned into Shao Kahn." " Oh." "There's more, whenever I hear or see him, I go into an uncontroabble rage, and in my madness, I killed an inoccent thing." "Well may-" " Wait there's more! You're teaching me how to harness my Fa Jing into light powers right? Well today during my fight I felt something more powerful than I ever felt before. And when I made it into a ball of energy, it was black. Am I really dark on the inside? I only have the bloodlust of one man, and I turn evil? That's impossible. Please help me!" "Well, now can I answer you're questions?" Fujin asked "sure." "Well, first that whole Fa Jing energy problem, I know what that is. It shows that on the inside, you're bloodlust for one man will drive you to unimaginable lengths to achieve his blood running ankle high. Since in you're mind Drahmin became Shao Kahn, you wanted to make his blood flood like a river. So you're inner hatred turned into dark energy. For the Shao Kahn in you're imagination, that's simple. You want to kill him so bad that any opponent some what similiar to him will make you think it's him. If you want more advice, go ask Raiden." "Thank you master Fujin." "Oh, and remember, later we have to work on the double underhook elbow breaker in you're Hapkido fighting style." Keith walked up to Raiden as he was talking to himself in a trance. "What am I feeling? What can this be? She's my student but-"
"Master Raiden can I speak with you for a minute?" "No Keith, I must announce the next fights. Maybe after I can speak with you." Keith followed Master Raiden to the arena where he announced the next fight. "As you all have watched, half the warriors that were here before, aren't here now. They weren't strong enough. We have seen Mage with her decieving strength, Keith with his furious attacks etc... and the new comer Jerichho, with his fluid actions. By the way does anybody know where he is? Never mind, I will find him later. For now the next fights will be...

Mage against the Tarkatan Baraka
Keith against fellow Earthrealm warrior Stryker
etc...
and Jerichho against the cyborg Smoke. Good luck to all on your fights tommorow."

Baraka began to laugh "the girl doesn't have a chance"
"This should be fun" thought Mage, cracking her neck
"go getm kid" said stryker, preping for his next match

That night as the warrior's trained raiden and Mage spared
"Not bad" said raiden "but you need more speed then that to defeat me little one"
"wanna bet?" said Mage, hurling her blades then controlling them "I call it the haunted buzz saw, you like" she smirked
raiden only grabbed the swords from mid air "impressive, but..." he smirked then looked for a moment "thats enough training for the night, you need your rest" mage only looked on in shock that raiden caught her swords "how...." Raiden only handed her back her blades "don't worry" he said "you won't have to face me in battle if I can help it anyway"

the next morning Mage and baraka squared off, Baraka lunged with his blades drawn, Mage only grabbed one of the spikes and spun the tarkan around, throwing him into the wall

Baraka let out another roar as he lunged again "Stubborn aren't you" sneered Mage as she slashed baraka's chest, making him howl with pain.

Raiden watched in the grandstands, smiling and reptile watched hidden from sight, enjoying the show emensly "she will save us all, and its about time that asshole got some bumps and brusies, god I hated working with him." rep thought, laughing to himself

The battle below continued, Mage sensed something dark in baraka "this damn thing bearly has a soul" thought Mage "and won't rest till I am dead, but I don't want to kill, but I have to" she drew her blades again, baraka was tired and ready to lunge one more time, the dragon king boomed, "FINISH HIM" with one slice, baraka's head came off, Mage had won the battle, but stayed silent

Reptile caught up to mage later on as she walked back to check on everyone "are you ok" asked reptile
"yeah, I just feel guilty about killing thats all" said Mage sighing
"Don't worry, baraka did worse things then I did, and he enjoyed it, the sick freak" said reptile "he kinda deserved to die"
"Still, I don't take life unless I have no choice, and I knew baraka wasn't gonna let me leave alive" said Mage shaking her head
"you have bigger matters, talk to raiden, he seems to need your help" said reptile
"Him and keith now, geez" said Mage "well at least I got people to talk to" she smirked
"Good luck my friend" said reptile smiling

Raiden continued to pace the halls, this feeling for Mage became stronger, he couldn't hold it in any longer but he couldn't just act on it, Mage was is student, it would be immoral, it would be insane, but he wanted to, he wanted to act he wanted to tell her. "Why do I feel this way?" was all he could ask himself.

"Lord raiden" called out a small young voice, it was Mage
"Mage!" said raiden surprised "why..."
"Long story, you ok?" she asked
"yes, I'm fine" raiden bearly said
"No, I sense something is up, you look really confused too" she said
"its nothing"
Mage only stared, raiden couldn't help but sink "I just need to figure something out, how I feel about someone" he said
"Well, what are you feeling about this someone" asked Mage
"I just...." started raiden "I just want them near me, only me" he shook his head "but they are a student of mine, one of my warriors, I can't feel this way"

Mage only laughed for a moment, she knew right away what was wrong with the thundergod "so who's the lucky person?" she said snickering
"What?" said raiden
"You are in love" said Mage laughing harder "and last time I check we were all adults here, so I am sure whoever it is will be honored at least" she added
Raiden only gave mage a blank look "i can't be in love with a student, I need to teach them, I need to be impartial, anything like this will interfer"
"If you don't tell them at least, its gonna eat at you" said Mage, the words reptile had said before began to ring in raiden's ears again
"I need to go, keith asked me for some help, I promised I would help him after I announced the fights" said raiden
"yeah he kinda needs it" said Mage "although I think its mostly how his powers work, kinda like mine in a sense"
Raiden walked off, smiling at mage before leaving
"See, the man is confused about his heart" said a hissing voice
"ok rep out of the shadows with you" said Mage, trying to imitate the thundergod
"work on the raiden voice" joked reptile "I had spoken to our friend earlier, he refuses to admit he feels this way, and I know for who" said reptile
"who?" asked Mage
"I would rather raiden admit it himself" he said smiling "after all, its better to hear that kind of information from the person in question rather then a thrid source"
"good point" said Mage "i better get back to training, later rep"
"I will be watching and cheering" said reptile, vanishing again

Keith was walking down the hall to the arena when he heard Mage talking to someone. Just as Keith turned the corner he saw mage standing there. "Who were you talking to?'

{Sorry for two posts}

But Keith was only asking a rehtoracel question because he had no time for an answer. He was in a rush to get to the arena, he was late as it was. He was excited to fight an oppenent who can actually speak American. Keith had gotten to the stage just on time when Fujin summoned Stryker. The fight was on. "Good luck, Stryker." "Yeah, I won't need it." FIGHT!!!!
Keith was the first to strike with a flying kick. Styker side stepped it and threw a punch at the back of Keith's head which he landed. Keith rolled with the punch and jumped up with a back kick hitting Styker in the chest making him stumble backwards. When Stryker regained his footing, a solid left hook landed on his chin along with a right jab. Stryker pulled out a nigthstick and began to swat at Keith until his vision returned to normal. he actually hit keith in the stomach but didnt' realize so he kept swinging at the air giving Keith time to tackle him. Keith mounted him and started raining elbows and forearms onto Stryker's head effectively breaking his nose. Fujin told Keith and Stryker to seperate and let Stryker stand back up. Stryker was mad now, knowing his nose was broken and knew how to piss Keith off. What Stryker didn't realize was that pissing Keith off was a very bad idea and would result in a barrage of kicks. Stryker threw an uppercut which landed on Keith but Keith already knew what was coming and it was a sloppy punch so Keith easily took the hit with little recoil. Keith than charged at Stryker and Stryker started throwing counter punched like an amateur kid on the street and didn't realize that he had actually thrown another uppercut. This set Keith off. He started throwing forearm uppercuts to Stryker's neck and kicked him everywhere. Within 30 seconds, Keith treated Strykers head more like a punching bag that bounced like a basketball than an opponent's head. Keith was about to move in for the kill when he saw Mage watching. Just like that Keith's world seemed to stop. He knew what he was doing and it felt so good. It was either save a friendship and an innocent life, or do what he really didn't want to do but his mind kept edging him on. Onaga bellowed "FINISH HIM!!!" But Keith knew what must be done. He walked up to Stryker defying his very mind and kicked his head, effectivley knocking Styker unconisouos be Keith knew it wouldn't of killed him. Know to a normal person this would seem normal but Fujin knew what amazing self control and discipline Keith had because in his mind it was like not killing Shao Kahn when you had a gun in you're hand. Keith just stood there not knowing what to do and walked off the arena sitting next to Mage.

"glad you didn't kill him" said Mage "by the way have you noticed anything odd about raiden lately, he seems off" she said worried

Raiden watched from grandstands, worried "I can't be like this" he thought "she doesn't need that right now, I don't need this" Fujin walked up to his friend

"You seem distressed" he said
"Its nothing" muttered raiden
"your damn vow is getting in the way, remember what it caused last time" said fujin
"My choice to keep my heart in check has nothing to do with this" snapped raiden
"Keep this up and you will do something rash again" warned fujin as he walked away

Reptile reviled himself to raiden again "so, our thundergod wishes to be like his statues, lifeless and emotionless, impossible" he hissed
"Why do you care?" sneered raiden "and why do you stalk mage?"
"I figured you would be protective of her" reptile said "but do not worry, I have warned her of forces that conspire to harm both you and her, she knows to trust you"
"How?" said raiden
"I told her to" said reptile smuggly "and I give you this advice, tell mage how you feel before you do something insane"
"No, she is my student, I can't act on this"
"why not?" said reptile "she sensed you loved someone, what is to stop her from figuring out its her?"
"She wouldn't pry like that" said raiden "she knows better"
"but she may to help you" said reptile "she is worried about you, she actually cares about you now" said reptile
Raiden walked away shaking his head, now he was certian he had gone mad, but he also knew that Mage, fujin and reptile all were right, he should say something soon, or he may act on it violently, and regret it later

"I have no idea. He's going crazy I think." Reptile was watching Mage from the upper levels. "I can't get this feeling that someone's watching us" KEith said while he was looking up. "It bothers the hell out of me! So mage, ready for our next fights? I hope I won't have to verse you." Later that night, Keith knew something was wrong. Raiden wasn't around checking on everyone like normal. Keith got up and heard the sounds of Mortal Kombat coming from a temple in the distance. Keith ran to Mage's room. "Mage, I think Raiden's in trouble. I hear fighting in the temple down there" Keith was pointing up North. "That's go see what's going on."

"Shit, come on and get stryker, I have friend who can help us too, meet me outside" said Mage running off "and get fujin if you can find him!" she yelled back

She started to call for reptile as she ran "REP WHERE ARE YOU!?"
Reptile ran over "I hear the sounds, should we interfere?" he asked
"Keith thinks it might be raiden, I don't know but better safe then sorry and I need you to help us, you know this world better then anyone"
"All right, lets go" said rep and they ran outside
in the temple a pair of red eyes flashed at the dark "DAMN IT!" a voice boomed "WHY CAN'T I KEEP CONTROL ANYMORE!" then quiet.....the voice whispered "I just want her.....and I will have her....." the temple was almost in ruins.....and the eyes shone in the darkness and growled "even if I have to kill everyone else here...." a figure rose in the moonlight and looked to the sky, still as a statue....

outside in the arena Mage and reptile looked around and waited "SHIT WHERE THEY" mage shouted
"I sense the presence of Fujin" said reptile
"good.. FUJIN!" called out mage "we need your help, raiden is missing and we heard fighting at a temple north of here, I think he is in trouble"
Fujin appeared and scowled at reptile for a moment "I'll explain later" said mage before anything could be done just then stryker and Keith ran up. mage greeted them "we need to get to the temple, rep will lead us there I hope" she said
"It's a short walk, but we best hurry, I don't know what is going on but I have a bad feeling about it" said reptile, they rushed off, not asking question about the lizard and his trustworthiness, they knew raiden might be in danger
the figure continued stare up to the heavens as the five walked in softly
"no..." was all fujin could muster, see the sight before him
Mage whispered "I am gonna see what is going on" she said,
"Mage wait!..." reptile started, too late, mage had all ready started to walk to the figure

mage tapped the man on the shoulder, he whipped around, it was raiden, his eyes shone white in the darkness and his smile seemed twisted as he looked at the young student "Mage, I am glad you are here" he said almost hissing, Fujin and reptile only cringed, they knew what was next
"mind letting us in on the joke" said stryker
"raiden should have listened" was all reptile could say and fujin could only hang his head
"raiden what the hell happened here?" asked mage "and what is wrong with you"
"I finnally decided to admit it, I am in love" was all the thundergod said as he got closer to Mage
"okaaaayyyy, with who?" asked Mage, backing up, all she saw was a smirk as raiden continued "for centuries I have tried to keep my emotions in check, never getting angry, never falling in love never being too proud but they built up over time, and became harder and harder to control" he began "they already spilled over once, and it nearly killed a man, I don't intend on letting them get the better of me again" Mage got a bad feeling "too late" she thought "he's lost his mind" she tried to reason with him "raiden listen, you need to tell this person before you do burst, its all ready starting to affect you, you are acting insane, who is it?"
finally fujin spoke up, in unison with reptile "MAGE GET OUT THERE!" too late
in one quick swoop raiden had mage in his embrace "Mage..." was all he could say, the room fell silent...