"I'll stop kissing you when I no longer care about you or love you. As for the dangers facing us, I suppose we should prevent the Chaosrealmers from aiding the Netherrealm army. To do that, we should probably enlist the aid of the Seidan guardsmen."

"You can still care without kissing Marek.. Please Im asking you as a friend.."

"Do we really want Orderrealm involved? Im sure you, Ekibyogami, and I are more than enough to convince Chaosrealm otherwise!"

With excitement in her eyes she looks at Marek "We can do it!"

"Very well Serenity, but only if you kiss me once. I give you my word I will keep physical affections to a bare minumum afterwards."

Serenity sighed "Very well.."

She walks up to marek and kisses him on the cheek. Pulling back she smiles

"You didn't say where to kiss you, now did you Marek?"

Taking a few steps to assess the entire situation with everything thats going on she says

"We have to find Ekibyogami.. I know he will know what to do"

Marek curses and laughs. "Raiden dammit. Fine, let's go." Marek grabs Serenity's hand and drags her with him. "I wonder where Ekiby's at?"

Okorik enters through the wooden gates and enters the inner sanctum of the temple. There he encounters a man dressed in red sitting on a throne with a blue ninja in restraints near him. "Greetings Netherrealm warrior. I am the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei and wish to welcome you into our temple. When Sektor and Cyrax informed me that they allied us with Outworld, I was furious but when I realized this alliance would give us the might of Outworld, Netherrealm, and Chaosrealm, I couldn't refuse. I guess our search for our Lin Kuei Sub-Zero over there proved quite valuable too us." The Grandmaster allowed 2 cyborgs to enter. Sektor and Cyrax bowed before Okorik which allowed the Grandmaster to say, "Do you like them? They are the brainchild of my newest and best idea: automation. With automation, these Lin Kuei will turn from regular warriors into unstoppable and eternally loyal cyborgs. Sektor and Cyrax have proven a smashing success and Sub-Zero will be the next one to undergo the process. "I had not known there was a way to improve the fighting prowess of an already great clan," said Okorik. "You flatter us. There was a warrior called Smoke who escaped automation but we will find him eventually. Sub-Zero is one of our finest warriors and will prove to be our greatest cyborg yet. It will be a while before the automation begins and the rest wears off so I'll allow you free rein wherever you want," replied the Grandmaster. Before Okorik could say anything, Skyward used the corruption connection to discover the plot Marek and Serenity are devising to turn Chaosrealm against Netherrealm. "Forgive me Grandmaster but I've received word that some Earthrealm warriors are beginning a plot that could turn Chaosrealm against us." The Grandmaster answered, "Very well. I would not want an ally of mine to turn against us. As a show of good faith, I'll allow Cyrax to follow you." "Very well. Come Cyrax, we go to Chaosrealm," said Okorik who opened a portal which allowed Cyrax and Okorik entry into Chaosrealm.

Okorik and Cyrax go through the portal where Havik greets them. Before Okorik can respond, Havik unsheathes his weapon with Cyrax entering a fighting pose while screaming, "Earthrealm warriors must die!" "Relax Havik, Cyrax is with me. The Lin Kuei clan have decided to ally themselves with Outworld so he will do no harm to you," replied Okorik. Havik sheathed his weapon and asked, "Since the robot is no longer a threat, why have you come?" "If you ever had any doubts of helping the Netherrealm, this should change your mind," said Okorik as Skyward played the speech between Marek and Serenity regarding Chaosrealm, "now this is a speech I gained through their Netherrealm corruption which shows how they seek to weaken Chaosrealm and turn it against Outworld by using the Seidan Guardsmen." Havik first looked shock until his expression turned to one of anger. Spinning in anger, Havik yelled, "Those dirty Earthrealm warriors. At first I was suspicious of this alliance but no longer. If they seek to use the Seidans against us they are the eternal enemies of all Chaosrealm. Know you have Chaosrealm's eternal gratitude in bringing this information. We will help you when the time comes." "Thank you, Havik. However, do you have any plans to deal with the Seidan Guardsmen before they can attack, "asked Okorik. Havik replied, "Indeed I do and your robot friend there may prove to be the key. I plan to detonate a bomb at the center of the Seidan Guardsmen Headquarters. With that ruined, the Guardsmen lost most of their best men, most of their equipment, and are unable to train new men for a while. I'd do this myself but if I did, the Seidans would know a Chaosrealmer did it and would attack us in full force once they recovered. I seek no hostilities with Orderrealm yet. However, your robot there could be our ace in the hole. If he manages to place the charge in an explosive, it will be disguised as Earthrealm technology and thus frame Earthrealm. In addition, being an Earthrealm only cyborg will cause him to sneak in through the HQ unnotice and with your bird's shapeshifting powers, the robot can be disguised as one of those hated Earthrealm warriors. Once the Guardsmen check their feed, they'll see the Earthrealm warrior destroyed their HQ and will seek vengeance. Seido is weakened and Earthrealm gains another enemy. Brilliant is I do say so." Okorik replied to the plan with, "Magnificent. Do you have the bomb?" "Indeed I do. Place it in one of the Robot's bombs," said Havik upon throwing a red sphere at Cyrax. Cyrax opened a bomb and placed the charge in his bomb and stored it in his chest. "I will aid you until the Grandmaster says otherwise." Okorik replied to Cyrax, "Excellent. Now we destroy the Headquarters!" Havik cheered as Okorik and Cyrax opened a portal into Orderrealm.

The Order of the Finch had been weary of the Lin Kuei's questionable tactics for quite some time as they aided enemies of Earthrealm in the most recent Mortal Kombat tournament and as their cyber initiative began, the Order sent a double agent to fish for information. The informant had sent the latest information to Deon Bordeaux concerning Okorik and the Lin Kuei's plans to keep Chaosrealm as an ally of the Netherrealm and Outworld.

Deon scoffed "They don't honestly think these Chaosrealmers will stick to such an alliance, a united front, whether good or evil is not what those chaos preaching clerics want. I have to make a choice either go to Outworld and fight alongside Earth's allies or disrupt and alliance that is a far greater threat than Shao Kahn alone.

His informant said, "No matter your choice, good luck the Grandmaster wants to speak with me, so I must cut our time short."




Deon used his mind's eye to see the events of the tournament and that Earthrealm was doing well, their success made his choice easy.


"I must go to Chaosrealm to reason with Havik"

As Deon created a portal to Chaosrealm using his magic, he laughed to himself, "I must truely be losing my mind, trying to reason with a cleric of Chaos, a fools errand, but one I must undertake...perhaps I can intercept Okorik and Cyrax".

Deon entered the portal into the wilds of Chaosrealm.

(Thanks Lurker, was waiting on something like this to come up)

Shiku has taken full advantage of being basically anonymous up until this point in the tournament. He kept his history of being Lin Kuei a secret, up until now. The entire Lin Kuei was not for the automation, and many rebels scattered through out Earthrealm, Seido, and even Outworld. This group vowed to restore honor to the Lin Kuei, and they were not against the technology-but against the taking away of freedom of choice...and making humans machine.

Shiku and Smoke devised a plan to shake up their former allies. They found shells of unfinished or unoccupied cyborgs, and took them to an unknown location. Shiku used his control over dust, and by manuevering dust particles inside the cyborgs and replacing the nano technology, he could change their programming and override their systems. Shiku had not tried it with any of the cyborgs that were already automated, but with these shells, Smoke and Shiku had enough suits to form a small specialized brigade that the Lin Kuei would know nothing about...until the time was right...

Okorik and Cyrax exit the portal and manage to enter near the armored gates of the Guardsmen HQ. "These walls are sturdy but will fall soon enough. However, we must sneak in and avoid being spotted. Do you have anything at your disposal that may aid us Cyrax," asked Okorik. "Cloaking technology will prove invaluable," replied Cyrax who quickly turned invisible. Okorik was impressed at the Lin Kuei's advances in Cyborg technology. "Skyward. Use the image of the one called Marek when the time is right but until then impersonate a Guardsmen," ordered Okorik. With remarkable speed and precision, Skyward turned into a black goo and enveloped Cyrax, eventually turning Cyrax into a full-fledged Guardsman. "Excellent. Cyrax, infiltrate the base and detonate that bomb!" "Have no fear for the Lin Kuei never fail," said Cyrax. Cyrax went to the gate and ordered it to be open. The guards ordered Cyrax to say the password. Skyward, tied to the knowledge of the Netherrealm, gave Cyrax the password. The guards drew no suspicions and opened the gate. Okorik spoke telepathically to Cyrax through Skyward and said, "You know the plan. Get into the center of that building and detonate the bomb." "I will not fail," replied Cyrax who walked through the aisles of training guardsmen resting and practicing their weapon training.

The grand marvels of Pyramids and marble covered the inside of the building. Cyrax, despite his automation, was surprised at the marvel that was Seidan architecture. He paused to admire his surroundings when Okorik ruined his silence by saying, "Don't lollygag. Detonate the bomb and get out of there. That building may be impressive but Chaosrealm needs it destroyed!"

Cyrax understood and prepared himself for the detonation. He stealthily marched through the rows of Guardsmen, his Lin Kuei training allowing him to arouse no suspicion from the Guardsmen. It took a while and some questions but eventually Cyrax managed to reach to core of the HQ. The giant room glowed with hot slag to form the weapons and armor of the Guardsmen. Cyrax was in awe of how complex and strong their armor and weapons were made. He had never seen anything like this. Cyrax stopped until Okorik yelled again to stop staring at the slag. Okorik stayed in the shadows outside the HQ and told Cyrax to prepare the bomb. Cyrax shifted his disguise to the one called Marek while no one was looking. Knowing there was security near him, Cyrax intentionally showed his Marek face to the cameras, showing that an Earthrealm ally was in fact planting the bomb. Cyrax opened his chest and removed the bomb inside the metal casing. He could feel it pulsing and crackling just ready to get out. Cyrax placed the bomb right at the center of the core and said, "It is ready. Preparing for extraction." In a flash, Cyrax cloaked himself and narrowly dodged the Guardsmen who went to investigate the bomb. Upon exiting the gates, Skyward carried Cyrax off into the shadows on the outskirts where Okorik was hiding. Okorik laughed and said, "Detonate the bomb." Cyrax handed Okorik the detonated who then pressed it. There was a sudden silence for 5 seconds until a gigantic sonic boom was heard even at the outskirts. The group watched as a gigantic mushroom cloud engulfed the location of the HQ, leaving behind a smoking crater. Okorik laughed at this development and just had to see what was going on. The group waited for a few moments as the smoke cleared until Okorik sent out Skyward to investigate the response. Okorik, though Skyward, saw as guardsmen from all over Seido gather near the crater. Most yelled, cried, or just became enraged over who would do such a crime against Seido. This went on for several minutes until a white-haired guardsmen stepped into the crater. He was recognized as the Captain, Hotaru. Skyward could barely make out what Hotaru said as he investigated the crater, saw the bomb shell and yelled, "This is Earthrealm technology. Only Earthrealm has access to this level of destruction. All guardsmen, Earthrealm has just declared war against all of Seido. Sent hit squads into Earthrealm immediately and search for a certain shadow priest aiding Earthrealm!"

Okorik laughed, knowing the plan had worked. The group quickly emerged through a portal back into Chaosrealm. Havik was there waiting for them with a toothy grin. "You did it! The chaos from this explosion managed to disrupt Seido for a while along with successfully framing Earthrealm! You have proven yourself a true ally of Chaosrealm and will have our full support whenever you want. In fact, I'll send some of my men to aid Outworld in their tournament and spread some chaos. Know that you will never have any doubt from Chaosrealm and will be our permanent allies for this great deed." "I am honored Chaotic One. Beware any Earthrealmers who seek to trick you into betraying us," warned Okorik. Havik replied, "No worries. I'll just pretend to betray you so they will be attacked by enemies instead of helped by allies. Imagine the chaos from that!" Okorik looked strangely at Havik and replied, "That will be chaotic. For now, I must bid you farewell Cleric of Chaos as I must return to the Lin Kuei temple." Just like that, Okorik, Cyrax, and Skyward went through the portal and returned to the frozen gates of the Lin Kuei temple.

Okorik and Cyrax entered through the gates again and entered the temple. The Grandmaster greeted them and said, "I trust your expedition went well?" Cyrax replied, "Indeed, Chaosrealm is now permanently allied with us from now on." "Excellent news. Those Chaosrealm warriors may be insane but are a force to be reckoned with. However, Sub-Zero's automation must wait for I've received some disturbing news," The Grandmaster showed 2 Lin Kuei holding another one between them and throwing them at Okorik's feet. The Grandmaster yelled, "This traitor has given our information to a rival clan. Though Sektor is quite persuasive, he refuses to talk. I was hoping one of the Netherrealm's finest warriors would be able to make him talk or get the information."

(Going to bed. Try not to have too much happen)

Deon had been able to sneak past most of the clerics of chaos and into Havik's inner sanctum. Havik immediately laughed.

"More Earthrealmers today!? I didn't realize you fools thought so fondly of Chaosrealm to make it your tourist stop".

"Nice to see you're in good spirits Havik" Deon mused. " I presume Cyrax and Okorik have beat me to you."

"Very perceptive, what do you want human?" Havik said disinterested.

You know that they're playing you all don't you?" Deon said without showing emotion. " Don't you find it odd that Quan Chi's grunts want you and Hotaru both outraged at Earthrealm? They want you and Orderrealm on their sides, that seems like a contradiction to what you all stand for doesn't it?"

Havik pondered this question and then rose, losing his earlier disinterest, "Continue Deon"


"The clerics of Chaos certainly do not wish to become puppets of some supreme ruler of the universe, right? Because that is what Quan Chi and his Netherrealm thugs want, they plan to rule all realms including Chaosrealm eventually, after you have lost your convience."

Havik scoffed, "Why should I trust you?"

Deon smiled at the cleric "I don't want you to trust me, but we both want the same thing, the realms to remain as chaotic as they have always been since their creation. All of these realms collaborating together sounds like a one universal government an alliance and I know how much you all detest such stability."

Havik wanted to agree, but still had doubts "Serenity and Marek planned on using the Seidan guard against my realm, surely this hasn't changed suddenly"

Deon paused for a moment as he had not anticipated this development "I know little of Marek and the goddess Serenity...Marek is a former Shadow priest of Shang Tsung and Serenity is not an Earthrealmer, surely you will not hold a grudge against the mortals of Earth."

Havik nodded and said "Hmmm...so what are you requesting of me"

Deon smiled once more "I want you to be yourself and that means raise as much hell as possible and surely you know what that entails."

Havik laugh heartily "That much we agree on."

Deon said "Where has Okorik and Cyrax gone to now?"

Havik laughed " to Orderrealm to give those uptight fools a nice kick in the ass"

Deon thanked the cleric and bowed, "May chaos Rain forever oh gracious Cleric of Chaos."

Havik raised his mace to strike the bowing wizard, but Deon was prepared for his assault and blocked it with a psychic barrier.

"You didn't think I'd let my guard down did you Havik?" Deon said as he crossed his arms

Havik was delighted, "Finally an Earthrealmer I can tolerate, begone now before I change my mind"

Deon smiled and disappeared through a portal to Seido, the realm of Order.

Nvm

From afar, Annette watches the two as they leave. She sighs heavily, her personal vendetta will have to wait. Her grim expression is now wrought with mischief as she takes the shape of a man. He leaves his perch and readies himself for a journey into the depths of Outworld. The road ahead will be long, and deadly.

(Not actually involving myself here, hehe, just felt like making a dramatic exit)

When Deon had arrived in Orderrealm, he felt as though he was in the wrong realm as the screams of people, flames, sirens, and Seidan guards attempting to restore Order overwhelmed his senses.

"This is Seido? I've never seen this place in such an uproar, Okorik and Cyrax have already completed their mission no doubt, curse them and curse my inability to catch up to them."


Two Seidan guardsman approach Deon and grab him.


The tallest among them shouts "Idenitfy yourself! You are not authroized for portal usage at this time, we've just been the victims of a terrorist attack, you will come with us.

Deon nods, "I am Deon Bordeaux of Earthrealm and that is why I am here, I need to speak to your leader Hotaru, I have information on who the true culprits of this horrible crime are."

The Guards looks at each othe skeptically and said " I assume you have proof Earthrealmer?"


Deon reaches into his pocket to retrieve a video tape " Here you go".

The guards take possession of the tape and haul Deon off to the Seidan jail and prepare to summon Hotaru for an interview of the mysterious human visitor.

Too late, I cannot unread that from my memory.

@ The Lurker of Rapture just letting you know that my posts at the moment are directed at following Okorik's trail and using Deon's trademark diplomacy to muddie up the Netherrealms plans. I didn't quote you because it's too long.


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Deon sat in his cold cell, waiting hours for Hotaru to arrive, Deon thought to himself. "I'm truly wasting time here, I could have already caught Okorik by now."

Deon's cell opened, revealing the leader of the Seidan guard, Hotaru.


Hotaru was a prim and proper man, who never let anything on him falter, he spoke with an air of stability "I have just reviewed our security cameras and it appears an wizard named Marek was responsible for the attacks on our base and this wizard aligns himself with Earthrealm, viewing your evidence is unnecessary. That is why you are in jail"

Deon was once again puzzled, why was this Marek fellow constantly coming up, Deon had become annoyed by all of these unforseen circumstances and wanted to confront this man who was causing him so much trouble. Deon intejected "You are a wise leader Hotaru, surely you must want to see additional evidence.

Hotaru closed his eyes for a moment and then spoke, " I will take the tape and play it now." Hotaru placed the item in VHS player that he had acquired from an Earthrealm travel in exchange for a suit of Seidan armor.

As the tape played, it showed Hotaru that the grandmaster of the Lin Kuei and Quan Chi's Netherealm allies had orchestrated this plan in hopes of turning Orderrealm against Earth.

Hotaru looked speechless as he looked at Deon "How did you get this?"

"My Order has our sources on the inside" was Deon's only answer, but he continued

"that technology was from the Lin Kuei, who have been committing acts against the interest of Earth for quite some time and now Seido. If you are to direct any revenge towards Earthrealm, they are the ones to do it against, not the innocent people of Earth".

Hotaru clenched his fists "Some of my best men died in that explosion, I will crush anyone who brings discord to my world, I should put their heads on a pike!" Hotaru grew silent for a moment and then asked "But why!?"

Quan Chi is using your realm as a puppet to do his dirty work for him, so they can eventually take over not only Earthrealm, but Seido as well and they don't plan to keep Seido the stable and prosperous land you know and love."

Hotaru had released the cuffs that bound Deon and helped him up " Aiding Seido in discovering more about these terrorists was a commendable deed Deon, you are free to go...but there is one thing...who is this Marek fellow, is affiliated with the Lin Kuei?"

Deon was perplexed "I do not know Hotaru, but I plan to find out. I am glad I could be of service."


Hotaru blocked Deon's path "In the future Earthrealmer, ask for permission to enter the realm of Seido, we are not like other realms, we want to know who is entering and leaving our domain at all times "


Deon nodded and apologized, "It will not happen again sir." Deon used his mind's eye to pick up on the location of this strange man known as Marek and discovered his location was somewhere in Outworld.

Hotaru and his Seidan guardsmen escorted Deon to the portal to Outworld and bid him farewell.

Marek and Serenity travel across the wastelands of Outworld when Marek stops dead in his tracks. "That's odd, I sense something coming. I could never do that before." A portal opens behind the shadow priest and time Goddess and a dark skinned man walks out and towards the pair. "This better not be another trick of Quan Chi's."

Deon glances around at his bleak surroundings and then notices the Time goddness with a man who looks similar to the man who planted bombs in Seido and rushes to confront them

Deon screams from a distance" You....you're that mass murderer, you killed all of those Seidan guardsmen and the two of you meddling with Orderrealm and Chaosrealm has put Earthrealm in great peril!"

Deon points at the pair "I've been realm hopping for the nearly an entire day, trying to clean up the mess that you have made for Earthrealm, I can sense you are a master of dark magic, Marek, you will come with me to answer for your crimes."

Okorik stood in front of the spy wondering what to do about him. Just then he had an idea. Okorik ordered Skyward to possess the spy in order to make him both loyal again, kill the original spy, and gain any information about his plans. Skyward walked to the mouth of the spy and laid an egg inside his mouth. The spy kneeled in pain and screamed throughout the temple until it stopped and the spy stood up and bowed before Okorik and the Grandmaster and said, "I have been an informant for the one called Dean Bordeaux. I was mistaken but now will serve the Lin Kuei with my life for an eternity." The Grandmaster laughed, knowing that the original spy was dead and this new form controlling his body could be used to give false proof to Dean. However, tells us if this Dean has done anything else." The taint spy told everyone how Dean is turning Orderrealm against Lin Kuei and how he seeks to turn Chaosrealm against Netherrealm. "Impossible. The Order of the Finch are one of our greatest rivals and will seek to destroy us. Go find this Dean or at least stop his plans," said the Grandmaster. Okorik replied, "How do I do that?" The spy replied that since he gave to proof to Dean, the Guardsmen would authenticate a new video showing Dean giving the bomb to Marek. Okorik was impressed by such a plan and decided to accomplish it. Skyward laid more eggs which became tiny versions of himself and shapeshifted into Marek and the bomb which Skyward himself turning into Dean. The video of the exchange was made and then made into evidence. Now Okorik had to take the tape as the baby Skyward's disappeared in order to turn Seido against the Guardsmen.

Okorik walks into Chaosrealm and approaches Havik. "Have you met an Earthrealm warrior and are we still allied?" Havik replied, "I met an Earthrealmer who I liked but after your stunt we are still allies to the end." "Good," replied Okorik who was relieved, "I have this tape here which will incriminate that Earthrealmer and his whole group as the terrorists." "Excellent. With a specific group in mind Chaosrealm will be safe and the Guardsmen will be drawn to the group to attack it. The chaos will be extraordinary! I love Netherrealm," screamed Havik. With a nod, Okorik went into a portal into Seido. Just then, a group of guardsmen pointed their weapons at Okorik and screamed, "All unauthorized entry is forbidden. Come with us!" Just like that, Okorik was in chains and carried into the prison.


Okorik stood in the prison in chains, bidding his time until Hotaru came into his cell. "Another uninvited guest? What are you doing here? I've heard you were the one who detonated the HQ," said Hotaru menacingly. Okorik replied, "I take it someone called Dean Bordeaux told you that. Don't believe him. Him and the Order of the Finch are the real culprits in detonating the HQ. They built the bomb and detonated it so their Lin Kuei rivals could be taken out by the Guardsmen, ensuring they remains the dominant clan in Earthrealm along with weakening any strong forces if the truth was discovered. Here is the proof." Okorik showed the video to Hotaru who then watched it. Hotaru's expression turned to one of pure anger as he yelled, "I trusted that terrorist! I had him and I let him go! You Netherrealmers aren't as bad as some say you are. For this evidence, I humbly ask for an alliance between our realms against our common enemy." "I would be honored to have such a powerful ally and fighting force against Earthrealm forces," said Okorik. Hotaru then spent a while and took out parchment which Okorik and Hotaru signed with formally declared Seido's allegiance with Netherrealm. "Thank you for this Hotaru. We will catch the people responsible for this." Hotaru replied, "Indeed. Now go friend, I have an Order to attack." With that, Hotaru took some his men through a portal into the base of the Order of the Finch to eliminate it. Okorik walked through a portal back into the Lin Kuei temple, smiling over his triumph.

"He will go no where. You will learn how to hold your accusation if you do not know of what you're talking about."

Serenity and Marek walk towards this new warrior. "Now tell us, what are you talking about?" (@ lurker, i really don't think that orderrealm will so readily join the Neatherrealm, that doesn't seem like Hotaru to jump without a really good reason. example in MKD he join onaga cause it will bring order. but here okirik just showed him a tape and he joined with neatherrealm)

Okorik was laughing at the how his plans had come together. Normally Orderrealm would never join Netherrealm but if being allied with Outworld, the bombing, and total peace from Nethrrealm soldiers as well as Outworld soldiers bringing total control to their respective realms, Hotaru could support that. He only prayed that the Seidan's are strong enough for their plan. (Better Ice)

"The realm of Seido has video evidence of this man planting a bomb in their headquarters!"


@ Lurker: Not telling you how to do this, but I don't believe Havik would commit to a perpetual alliance, that's too stable, too committed..having Havik play both sides seems more fitting of the character, but that's just me.