"Thanks Marek,but now we are early,hopefully the others don't take to long.

Okorik watches as Liu Kang is crowned MK champion. "Blast, it seems Earthrealm is safe this time," he said sadly. Just then, Okorik was surprised by Quan Chi. With respect, he bowed before the sorcerer and said, "What can I do for you, my master?" Quan Chi replied, "You may rise. Shao Kahn is plotting a tournament in Outworld where the Earthrealm warriors will most likely die facing the Emperor himself." "What an ingenious plan," said Okorik. "However," said Quan Chi while stroking his chin, "we need to ensure the Earthrealm warriors will agree to this tournament. I know the thunder god would never accept so the Emperor is plotting a Tarkatan horde to attack the Wu Shi Academy and ensure they will accept. You will join the Tarkatans in their attack and ensure most if not all the Shaolin there die." "I will. When does it start," Okorik asked. "Soon. Follow me to meet the Tarkatans," replied Quan Chi, who opened a portal into Outworld where both of them walked.

Okorik walks with Quan Chi through the portal into an armory. There a horde of Tarkatans ambush the 2 and release their blades. Just before Okorik unsheathes his sword, Quan Chi makes a stop motion with his hand and the Tarkatans calm down. "These are going to be your fellow soldiers in the attack. Familiarize yourself with them and prepare for the coming event," Quan Chi said. Okorik replied, "Master, I should inform you there are 3 particularly dangerous individuals I encountered during the tournament. One is a time goddess called Serenity who seems to have an affair with a Shadow Priest called Marek who is followed by a strange one called Ebikymarou." "I already anticipated that and give you this," Quan Chi says while giving a blue stone to Okorik, "this is a magical rune I created that will temporarily cancel that time god's abilities when it comes in contact with her. Worry not for the Shadow Priest for if he touches Serenity after she is drained, he'll be paralyzed by the magic." "Ingenious," Okorik yelled as he held the stone in his palms, "I will make sure these Tarkatans are ready for the attack and those pesky warriors are dealt with." "I have no lack of faith in your abilities but don't fail me," said Quan Chi. In a flash, Quan Chi opened a portal and disappeared, leaving Okorik to analyze the pulsing, blue stone now in his armored hands.

Shiku is not surprized that he is not trusted by some of these fighters, but has no time for feelings. There were bigger things on his mind. Like how he had got caught up in this mess so quickly. Forgetting huge chunks of his recent past and being sent through time and space on more than one occasion had left him slightly confused, and exhausted.

Now he had more power than he ever wanted, and was not sure what to do with it. Just a few weeks ago he was a simple worker in a small village in Earth Realm, and knew nothing of this supernatural fighting tournament between dimensions; but now, as it seems, he was caught up in the middle of it all. He set out to find ghosts who had taken his town hostage, and now he felt his quest had driven him past mad. Could he really sense ghosts? Did he even have a home town? What could he do?

So he *lights up* and heads to the Wu Shi Academy, hopefully towards some rationality and clear thought. His intentions were good in his mind, and he would go through with his plans, with or without help.

Shiku sticks a fish with his staff in the dark waters of a nearby river, holds it over a fire for awhile, then chews it done to the bone, scales, head and all, then heads towards the Wu Shi dojos. He sees someone waiting for him on the wooden steps as he approaches, wiping the fish from his mouth.

*sidenote* (is it obvious enough yet that I made a character just to fill all those holes I felt were in the story? lol)

Shiku senses that a ghost is near and calls out to him.

"Marek?" Shiku says, as he looks around the grounds, but there is no reply. In fact he has not seen anyone yet. Shiku can sense four, maybe five more ghosts along the open gravel path. Torches are lit in the background and very little light reaches where he was standing, but he could see outlines of these ghosts-they were unlike any he had encountered before.

Just then a revitalized Shang Tsung appears before him.

"It seems you have found me once again. Who is it that has you trailing me like a dog?" Shang Tsung snarls.

"I have my own purpose here, no one elses. But I doubt I could say the same for you," Shiku replies. Shang Tsung smiles very slightly, seems to give a very sly glance over his shoulder, and suddenly two of the "ghosts" Shiku had seen revealed themselves. As they stepped into the dim torch light Shiku was baffled instantly. Both of the ghosts were also Shang Tsung. Shiku also sensed four other "ghosts" in his midst.

"I know there are more of you!" Shiku shouts at the darkness as he hears sharp, rapid, whispers from just in front of him.

"You will come with us," says Shang Tsung.

"Like hell I will," Shiku grunts as he gets into fighting stance. Reptile then reveals himself, but Shiku can no longer sense the other three ghosts. Suddenly Shiku is hit in the chest with a brutal punch from out of nowhere, and he lands on the ground. By the time he looked up, an elderly Shang Tsung stood alone with his hands behind his back, staring down at the warrior with pale white eyes. He laughed loudly, then walked away into the night. Shiku sat on the ground struck still by what happened. He slowly gets up and dusts himself off, then runs back to the Wu Shi academy to find someone to tell what he had just seen...

Uhhh anyone here?

The three appear at the academy.

Serenity turns to Marek "Marek, remember what i said? You have to warn me when you're going to do that!"

She begins to rub her arms as if shivering. "So we're early. What shall we do now?"

Turning left and then right, she spots a monk walking by.

"Excuse me do you have a place where i can wash up?"

"Certainly, follow me"

Turning back to see Ekibyogami and Marek she calls out "ill meet you later during the ceremony, i need to clean up"

Serenity begins to walk away with the monk towards a nearby building.

Marek watches Serenity leave and then turns to Ekibyogami. "Do you think Lord Raiden's warriors will be trusting of me?"

"I see no reason not to,you have openly stood against their enemies,and if they have any doubt,your standing by a god,in reality it doesn't mean much,if you were a traitor it wouldn't stop you,but they have faith in their gods,and their doubts will be put at ease if they know a god is keeping an eye on you. So do not worry,and enjoy the party. Don't make a fuss about the fate of the world after this point,that can be always done later. Serenity has not spent much time around the humans,it is good for her to be around them when violence is far from the mind. Seeing you relax will help her. Ahhh they are coming,their should be a medal ceremony for Liu Kang,and then a party that will continue into the night. You wouldn't know it but monks can really party."

"That's interesting, I've never experienced these "parties" as you call them in Outworld that much. Unless the celebrations following the trials in the emperor's coliseum count."

"Eh close enough"

"By close enough, do you mean these parties involve bloodbaths of any kind?"

"No but it is a celebration of victory,heres a tip,no causing physical or emotional harm"

"I can do that."

"Here you go"

Serenity opens the door to see a surprising nice washroom. Being in a mortal-like body, She is not use to getting dirty, smelly, tired, or sore.

She smiles at the monk "Thank you, that is all"

The goddess closes the door, and prepares to indulge herself in a relaxing bath.

"This is quite nice." She smiles as the water relaxes her sore muscles.

Okorik sat on a crate as the lava of the armory churned out countless weapons of war. The crashing of the hammers and smell of burning steel filled the air. Okorik did not mind. He enjoyed this stench. He continuously watched the blue crystal Quan Chi gave him with glee. He could feel the magic within it just pulsing to get out, crackling with power.

Just then, Okorik suffered another small headache. "Not this time," he said as he placed 2 fingers on his skull which soon ended his pain. A Tarkatan was standing near him preparing for war. "I've heard of the Tarkatans; They're renown for being utterly ruthless against their enemies as well as being great warriors," said Okorik to the Tarkatan. "You heard right. We Tarkatans will show no mercy to those monks," screamed the Tarkatan with glee. "I know. I will enjoy spilling their blood as well but I will enjoy taking down 3 particularly annoying warriors soon. Hopefully they will be there during the attack," said Okorik while holding the stone in his hands. Thereafter, Okorik placed the blade and rubbed some of the dust from the stone onto his blade in preparation for the attack.

About time this thread got a show scene

Shiku walks back towards the Wu Shi academy, still confused about what happens. He glances back and forth thru a fair number of monks and fighters looking for some one he recognizes. Seeing no one, he heads to the washrooms to clean up. He opens the door, and then *GULP*

"Uhhh..durrr...uhhhh" Shiku stutters as he notices Serenity just dipping into the water of a bath. "I think I had something important to say...but...urrr..." Shikus mind wanders (lol)

(lol but sorrrry shiku, Serenity was already in the bath

"This is quite nice." She smiles as the water relaxes her sore muscles.

i would normally go along with it buuuut i dont want anybody to see Serenity's goodies and what not lol)

The door opens up and out comes the strange warrior Skiku.

"Get out!" Serenity screams as her ring blade forms in her hand. (while still in the safety of the water)

Hearing Serenity scream, Marek races over to the washrooms and grabs Shiku by his throat. "What are you doing?!"

"Both of you leave now! OR ELSE!!"

"I'm sorry, Serenity." Marek drags Shiku away from the washrooms.

"UGH! mortals!" Serenity gets out of the tub and begins to get ready. She materializes a new set of clothing for herself and puts it on.

Now that her relaxation time has been interrupted and ruined, Serenity gets out of the washroom beyond upset.

Hell has no fury like a goddess scorned.

Approaching Marek and Shiku, she angrily pushes aside Marek, grabs Shiku by the throat and through clenched teeth she says "What is it that you want?"

(Uhhhh....goodies? lol no)

Shiku sighs and tells the warriors of the squad of Shang Tsungs he just ran into, and asks what to do. "I have thought about just not talking to anyone about this, and taking them all on myself..but there is no way I could do that against what is coming. I really dont know what to do..."