Okorik studied the pamphlet again and realized that instead of Marek and Serenity, it was someone else. "Damn, guess we won't see their abilities. At least we'll get to see Deon," said Okorik to Skyward who was chewing on a human hand.

"I care not for Shao Kahn, the emporer has proved his worth as a master. No Shokan should serve a master who would not even fight with them on the field. He'd rather be watching his little tournaments in peace and giving orders. I serve him no longer."
Khaali rolls one of her powerful arms in it's socket, flexing it. She takes a step towards the smaller individual, a smile on her lips.
"And no.... I need none of your healing. Shokan wear scars with pride. No true warriors bears none."
She glances down at herself, turning two of her palms up to the sky.
"As for clothing, I deserve none. I collect something from every opponent I defeat. Every time I lose a battle, I start over with nothing... That is my punishment, it is also my challenge."

Deon sighs relieved that she is not here to attack them, "Perhaps your people will eventually see what you have learned about Shao Kahn's self serving ways, one can only hope, the Shokan are a proud, honorable, and brave people."

Deon ponders the words of the powerful Shokan "I see your point, every warrior if they fight long enough will acquire battle scars." Deon exclaims as he rubs his stomach where he has a healed scar from being injured by a Tarkatan's blades years ago.


Deon frowns, " It is unfortunate that I cannot help you, if you wish to rely on yourself alone, it is commendable indeed, though it is ill advised to travel these parts of Outworld wounded, you seem like a capable warrior. If I may ask my fair lady, what is your name and will you do now that you have abandoned Shao Kahn?"

Khaali folds a pair of arms over her breast and tosses back her hair. It still hangs everywhere.

"Khaali, once of clan Tigrar, now...I am not certain of my alliegence. Kahn self serviance is of no mystery to my people. Nor indeed any of Outworld. It is why we respect him..You think a merciful ruler could hold the people of Outworld in a smooth palm? Impossible. Any emperor must clutch it in closed fist, or be cast down."

She takes a step past the smaller man, her great size still managing to be quiet somehow, bare feet treading lightly with a cat's grace.

"And I am a warrior, not a lady. You would be wise not to address me as such. Would you call a lady a warrior and expect not to offend her?"

"It's a pleasure to meet you Khaali, I am Deon. I think the people of Outworld would benefit from a kind hand ruling over it, justice doesn't exist in this realm, only tyranny, but I digress...this is not my world, I only wish to prevent a similar fate from befalling my people, Shao Kahn's imperialism is a cancer to the realms....spreading to peace loving people everywhere. "


Deon frowns, "I call you lady out of respect, " Deon bows, "I apologize, in my world, I refer to men and women as sir or lady, I must hold my tongue in this world, I meant no offense."

Deon turns as Khaali moves past him with the stealthy steps of a cat, "I can sense you are a powerful and formidable warrior, if you are leaving, I wish you luck on your journey, I hope you find your path."

"I attacked you? You make it sound as though I initiated no challenge..." Krustacean dusted himself off and cracked his neck. "My name is Krustacean and, as I've already told you, I am lord of Moonlantis, kingdom of the Krabs. We were banished, long ago, from your earth and live now on Earthrealm's moon." Krustacean began to walk, slowly, around the woman who'd pummeled him so soundly. "I had heard of this tournament, but, lo, was...incapable of participating. When I wish to test my mettle and show the worthiness of my people to the Elder Gods."

Khaali looks over her shoulder, glancing down at Deon.
"You claim to know well what Outworld needs to be at peace. I wonder if you see your own world as so harmonious .... every human I have met has been just as violent as the next, with guns, blades and egotism... I wonder who would truly benefit most from a change in leadership. "

She turns to face him, uncaring of her wounds, or her nudity.

"And I have nowhere to go, human. My own kind reject me, a Shokan with a will of her own is a threat to the emperor. "

She stares down at him for a moment, before shrugging her slender arms.

"And I was not offended. Just.. never been called a lady before. Silk dresses and ballrooms are not to my tastes"

Serenity looks at the mysterious figure coming out of the shadows as it is talking to Deon. A nude female shokan stands next to Deon dwarfing him in the process. She is hesitant to approach her but starts to take steps toward them, when suddenly her opponent finally speaks.



"Very well, it was a challenge."

Krustacean circles Serenity inspecting her as if to find answers to her identity and purpose.

"If you wish to participate Krustacean, there is a tournament nearby. We need to get there as well."

Okorik sits on his seat watching Johnny Cage uppercut a Shokan and laugh triumphantly at the crowd who boo at him. "Can you believe this Skyward," said Okorik, "a simple, pompous Earthrealm warrior manages to beat a mighty Shokan! What in Shinnok's name is wrong with this man? He defeats a mighty warrior and only acts arrogant toward his victory? Earthrealmers are fools and he is no different." Skyward continues chewing on the hand and says, "Look master, this fight might prove interesting." Skyward hands the pamphlet to Okorik and points to a page which says, "A challenger is needed!!! First warrior to apply will prove his worth to the Emperor by facing the mighty Goro." Okorik laughs at this as he knows anyone foolish enough to apply now will certainly face defeat at the hands of Goro.

"My world is not perfect, far from it. There are evil men and women in Earthrealm too, but many parts of it are ruled by democratic, peaceful and moderate rulers, but you aren't far off, there are plenty of merciless tyrants ruling over some nations in my world. We are like the Shokans, there are good and honorable ones and there are dishonorable and cruel ones."



Deon notices Serenity approaching, "Perhaps you can join us, a powerful warrior such as yourself can do great things, the Shokan need you, they may have shunned you away, but I believe one day they will forgive.

Deon bows "Unfortunately, I must go, help my people now too, you may come with us if my offer suits you."



Deon motions for Khaali to follow him as he walks over to Serenity and Krustacean.

Deon helps to steady Krustacean, " To answer your question, strange one, Shao Kahn is the Emperor of this realm,it is ill advised to traverse realms and not know of the power dynamics within them, Shao Kahn is a powerful and dangerous warrior and ruler, he is a threat to your people and the people of Earth, if you truly wish to prove yourself to the Elder Gods, please hinder us no further and come with us."

Deon crosses his arms and looks in the direction they came, "We must go to the Colliseum, we have wasted enough time here."

Khaali stands silently for a moment, thinking to herself, before she steps after Deon and stands behind him as he returns to his allies. Her tall naked form looming over him, yellow eyes gleaming.

Krustacean raises an eybrow as he responds to Serenity, "You head towards this tournament, you say? Excellent." He turns to the man that helped to steady him. "If this Shao Kahn is endangering my people as well as the world to which we are trying to return, then you have my word I'll aid you."
It is at this moment that Krustacean first notices the enormous, four armed woman with Deon. "Sweet shell crackers, You're a big one!"
As the group heads in the direction of the colliseum, Krustacean notices they are retreading ground he'd formerly crossed in his search for an opponent. He mutters to himself. "Of course I went the wrong way..."

"Very well let us go"

As they walk, Serenity couldn't help but notice the great female shokan with them.

"Umm... Hello.. Are you here to join us?"

Khaali nods calmly to Serenity, her dreadlocks swinging around her shoulders.

"For the meantime. I have no where else to go. Where is it you travel to?"

Glancing at the Crab-like beast that had addressed her, she seems confused.

"Are you as tasty as you look, shelled one?"

"We are heading to the Coliseum. We need to know how it is going"

Serenity catches Khaali's hungry gaze at Krustacean.

"Now now, we're all in this together"

Marek opens his eyes and uncrosses his legs, touching down from the air. "My apologies, I simply find that long periods of meditation strengthens my mind and body. What did I miss?"

"Marek! We haven't seen you in a while. Well we're heading over to the Coliseum right now. And as you can see we have two more companions joining us for the moment."

Serenity gestures to the nude Shokan and ruler of Moonlantis.

you know we havent seen Ekibyogami for a long time either.. Serenity thought

"Are you as tasty as you look, shelled one?" At the shokan's words, Krustacean adopted an incredibly low stance and expelled a quick, sharp hiss. The woman, Serenity, assuringly said, "Now, now. We're all in this together"
Krustacean eased himself a bit at the reassurance, and staightened his vest and kama. "Yes. What she said."

After the shadow priest rejoined the group, they continued off towards the colliseum. Krustacean was astounded to see the landscape change so drastically once outside of the forest. Such desolation reminded him of his home, yet there were few glorious structures like those found in his own kingdom. The land seemed to be covered in garbage as well.
"Does this rabble ever clean up?"

Khaali eyes the crab-like creature for a moment longer, considering that in one go she could make a full suit of armour out of his carapace, as well as having him with butter and garlic. But she nods at Serenity as the women insists him a friend. Khaali offers a hand in greeting to both, a right hand each.

"Very well, I shall go with you. If you should like. Not that I believe there is much to see at the tournament grounds... I have done my time there, and earned a few new scars."

Serenity takes the hand of Khaali and shakes it. "Thank you. My name is Serenity, and i am sure there would be no problem with your joining of our group."

She turns to Krustacean "I don't believe Shao Kahn has much time to clean up here. Regardless we must enter the Coliseum arena."

"I hunger. I'll see the dead Finches and get some more food," said Skyward who stood up and walked to the ice pillars. "Hurry back, your match will begin soon," replied Okorik. Skyward walked to the entrance and ripped 2 arms off the Finch warriors on the spikes when he saw Marek and Serenity joined by a Shokan and Giant Lobster. Skyward speaks telepathically to Okorik about the new allies the warriors have. When Okorik hears about this, he laughs and says, "So our group of heroes have managed to recruit more sympathizers? The Shokan might be trouble but I doubt the seafood will be any problem. I might have some dinner when I kill him. Perhaps the seafood is just to replace that god who went missing some time ago and fill the void of useless party member. Try and use those pillars to our advantage." Skyward understands and stealthily moves the ice spikes to the entrance of the Coliseum. There they will definitely be found and ensure the weak willed will be intimidated away or disturb the others with the brutality of these killings. Upon finishing, Skyward returns to his seat and begins gorging himself on the arms of the Finch Warriors.

A particular piece of refuse catches Krustacean's eye as they near the colliseum. He greedily grabs at the oft-trampled upon pamphlet and begins to read it. "Yadda yadda prove one's worth, blah blah blah, GORO?!" He is shocked. Last he'd heard, Goro was the reigning champion of the Mortal Kombat tournament, back on earth. If this warrior were he could easily prove himself, to the Gods and his newfound allies, by defeating this man. "I do apologize, my friends, but it seems I must part ways with you for but a scant moment." With a ridiculous bow, Krustacean hurries away.

After several minutes of boldly questioning nearly everyone he encountered about challenging Goro, Krustacean came upon what must have been the correct official. With a snicker and a sneer, the man ushered Krustacean into a small chamber. "This is where you shall await your duel with Prince Goro."
"PRINCE Goro? Ah, another member of the nobility. Excellent."

Serenity sees her new companion off.

"well shall we go in?"

Serenity and the others begin walking towards the entrance when suddenly spikes seemingly out of no where came shooting down towards them.

Serenity quickly emitted a blast from her arms, freezing the spikes in their place.

"Looks like we are expected by someone."

Despite being in the stands, Okorik and Skyward both feel the power of Serenity's blast, having already experienced it before. "It seems the trap failed but I expected it. Now to see if the other part worked."

Meanwhile at the entrance, the mutilated corpses of the Finch Warriors fall in front of Deon's feet.

bump