"I have been nothing but civil. I am simply talking but you try to kill me and I'm the monster? Don't make me laugh. You terrorists are always impulsive. Seido will be avenged and we will fight again and since I did kill you once, what makes you think I can't do it again?" Before he could unsheath his sword, the entire Coliseum's Security arrived and pointed their blades at Serenity's Group's throats. "You dare attack an ally of Outworld outside the Arena?! You will die here," yelled one Demon. As the guards surrounded Serenity's group, Okorik took Annette's hand and walked away. Once they reached a suitably hidden location, Okorik looked at Annette and said, "Can you see how evil those warriors truly are?"

Serenity sighed. "Typical weaklings.. Running away, lying, and claiming victories they had no part in."

Serenity looks at the guards and an idea came to her head.

Serenity looks at the guards "you don't understand, that warrior was a traitor. He was plotting an assassination plot to kill our Lord Shao Khan! You fools let him escape! In order to save Lord Khan we have to go after him!"

The guards looked shocked and stumbled over each other. "A traitor? Shao Khan will surely kill us if he discovers we let a traitor go!"

The guards run towards the direction of Okorik, leaving Serenity and her companions alone.

"Well that was easy." Serenity smiles at her group.
"Wait.. Where's your friend Khaali?'

Deon is frustrated with this current back and forth deception, "This is getting out of hand... " Deon crosses his arms, "What about that girl, she seems lost, confused even, she must not have intended to come to this tournament. I don't want that vile toad Okorik sinking his teeth into her too."

Deon begins looking around for Khaali, " I do not see her Serenity, she can't have gone far, perhaps in the commotion she moved on to another part of the arena, these crowds are so big."

An announcement blares throughout the stadium as an announcer spits out with bloodlust, "The next bloodbath will begin shortly, all contestants report to your respective sides immediately!"
Deon is torn, I do not wish to leave you here alone Serenity, though I'm sure you could handle Okorik on your own, but If I don't report now, that's a win for Outworld...."

Caught off guard, Annette does not think to pull away from Okorik, instead stumbling after him as he pulled her hand.

"I have seen nothing. I may not know the others, but I do trust the Shokan as much as our brief meetings merit... That woman, Serenity, I heard her speak as we left. She called you a traitor... To Shao Kahn?"

Annette is puzzled, uncertain of who she can trust despite knowing she can no longer rely entirely on herself.

"You must be perfectly honest with me... You and I have no conflict. If you are to be my enemy, I must know now. I will leave, simple as that, no harm. But... If we have more in common than I first thought... I see no reason we can't make use of it."

Okorik tries to talk but is overcome with an intense headache and falls to the ground. Annette tries to help Okorik up but he rises up once again. He talks, not in the voice of Okorik, but a new one that is calm and peaceful.He orders Skyward to hide in his coat and says,"Forgive me for that display. I would explain in more detail but I'm afraid my time is short. My name is, or rather was, Kiroko Sashito. I was a famed Samurai in Japan who helped others until the sorcerer Quan Chi tricked me and turned me into a servant of the Netherrealm by sealing my mind away and replacing it with the demon called Okorik. I am trying to ensure Outworld's victory and thus Earthrealm's demise. The warriors we just encountered are trying to ensure Earthrealm's victory. While they themselves had nothing to do with Seido, Earthrealmers did indeed bomb Seido so beware of the Guardsmen of you aid them. Be warned if you help them for you will have 4 realms against you. I hope I do not dissuade you but I do not wish another life lost to this pointless conflict." Kiroko continues but then holds his head in pain. "GYEAHH," he yells, "Okorik is returning. I'm lucky to have gotten this far since he forgot to take that potion. Remember to use that potion and the ingredients on that list if you intend to suppress the spirit within you. I bid you farewell for now and good fortunes in your future."

Kiroko falls down once again. Okorik rises and says, "Damn you Kiroko!" Just before he continues, the guards arrive and yell, "Halt Traitor! Shao Kahn will have your head!" Okorik grabs a medal from his robe and shows it to the guards. "This medal belongs to Quan Chi showing that I am part of Outworld's forces. If that does not persuade you, then maybe this will," says Okorik who then shows a treaty, "This treaty is an alliance between Chaosrealm and Netherrealm with Outworld. Chaosrealm fighters are helping Outworld right now because of this treaty. That should prove my innocence." The guards inspect the treaty and say, "That is a legal document and that medal does show you are with Quan Chi. That means we have been had! TOO ARMS MY FELLOW GUARDS! THE EMPEROR WILL WANT THOSE LIARS' HEADS!!!" The guards stormed away. Okorik then looks back to Annette. "Now that the blasted idiot told you the truth, what are you going to do?"

"To be frank, I have little desire to be swept up in this conflict... My path leads to Edenia, whether it is restored or in ruins. Though it is clear you and I cannot walk the same path... I may be of Edenian blood, but Earthrealm is my home. I will not stand in your way, but I can not stay here and do nothing... Though I am not yet strong enough to defend my home."

Annette runs her fingers through her hair and looks at the sky for a moment before decisively turning her gaze on Okorik.

"I... Thank you, I suppose... For the potion... Whether it works or not I'll just have to find out, but I will leave now. Should we meet in the future, we will be enemies, that much is true."

Annette turns and walks away from him, vanishing into the crowd. She scans the area for Khaali's head which would likely be sticking out a couple feet above everyone else's. Spotting the Shokan, she hurried back, hoping to warn them of the returning guards. She managed outrun them slightly, arriving a few moments before the guards.

"Well... It seems fate has made a few choices on my behalf... Okorik sent the help back your way in search of heads.... Oh... Where have your friends gone? Maddening!"
Annette looks around trying to spot them, but everyone is rushing off for the next round.

((Is it too late for Krimson to join the party?))

(@daryui by all means, we'd be delighted.)

"Blast it Kiroko, you cost us a possible warrior," said Okorik. Just then, Okorik noticed a female warrior in her late 20's-30's standing around looking around. Okorik walked to the woman and said, "Hello there miss, are you perhaps participating in this tournament?"


(Krimson is here now)

Pardon the interruption but... Damn, Okorik is such a creeper.

@Espio and Lurker: Thanks!



Krimson looked at the warrior, feeling an odd sense of familiarity, 'You could say something like that.'

Before Deon leaves, Serenity give him a hug. Pulling away she smiles, "Don't worry you will be fine. Win this for the fallen members of your order."

She watches Deon off and is left alone to ponder her next move.

Suddenly a group of guards come through, obviously searching for someone.

"I was never really good at lying anyways. Looks like i have to somehow get out of this."

Thinking, Serenity snaps her finger, "a-ha! i hope this works" Serenity runs off to a secluded corner and begins to focus her powers. With eyes glowing, Serenity sees the minds of all the guards and with a wave of her hands she begins to rewind their memories to the time before their first confrontation with Serenity.

A small burst of light comes out of Serenity and she stands there breathing heavily. looking towards the guards she speaks to herself "Did that work? i hope it did"

The guards stop dead in their tracks obviously confused and grabbing their heads.

"What were we doing?" The group walks off pondering each going their own way.

Serenity begins to giggle "Yes! I can't believe that worked! Now i need to find Khaali and Annette"

Okorik studies the woman and says, "You don't look like the other Earthrealm fighters here. Who are you supporting in this tournament?"

'I have contacts back in Earthrealm, and I'm here to complete a mission. ' Krimson answered. 'I have no real allies in this tournament, but I will take sides if it suits my..purpose.'

Krimson replaced her hands around her hips. 'I assume you are taking care of 'business' as well?'

"Why indeed I am. Since you don't look like the 'Ultra Righteous' sort, how about I make you a deal: Help Outworld win this torunament and you will receive the aid of 4 realms. In addition, the Emperor will reward his loyal soldiers with gold and anything else their heart desires. Anything you want will be yours. Does that sound good?"

Krimson smirked. 'Tempting offer.' She pondered for a moment, and accepted Okorik's offfer. 'Very well then. I shall aid Outworld.'

Khaali watches the exchange between Okorik and Annette curiously, but not involved enough to actually intervene. She assumed Annette could handle most men anyway, if not with a weapon then with her other attributes.

When guards rush to confront the group, Khaal is forced back a few feet by three guards with spears raised in her direction. She raised two arms at first, showing she is unarmed.

One guard approaches closer, poking his spear point threateningly between her naked breasts. He opens his mouth to speak, but his voice turns into a choked squeal as one of Khaali's free hands grabs him by the crotch and squeezes. Khaali lifts the man a full two feet off the ground by his groin, and stares into his eyes.

"Don't point that at me." She says, calmly. She squeezes again, harder, until something pops, and she lets him fall in a heap to the ground, curled up in a ball.

She spread her four arms in preparation for the other two guards.

"Who's next children?" She snarls.

Deon hugs Serenity back and casts a protective charm on her before departing.



Deon runs by any norices Khaali easily dispatch the guards and laughs, "Damn she's deadly, I'd hate to be those other two guards, she's about to steam roll them too."

Deon then continues his stride into the arena, He walks through the Earthrealm side and sees his opponent, a warrior clad in purple garb on the other side of the arena approaching. the center where Shao Kahn's throne is located, Shang Tsung announces the fights, "Next match is Deon Bordeaux versus Rain!"

Rain begins forming water in his hands, swirling it around arrogantly,"Disgusting Earthrealm swine, I'll make this quick."


"Come on pretty boy, show me what you've got." Deon gets into his fighting stance and begins charging up his energy.

Rain begins waving his hands together, forming a larger accumulation of water and throws it into the air, creating a thunder and lighting storm throughout the entire arena, bringing darkness and rain to the arena, "You're in my territory now wizard, watch your step."
Deon marvels at his display, "Wow, you've got your own climate control thing going on, impressive."


Rain begins unleashing a volley of lightning at Deon, who barely dodges his merciless barage, Deon curses, "Damn, he's swift...." Deon fires a Neuron blast that causes Rain to violently spasm and then uppercuts him, knocking Rain to the ground.


Deon dive kicks at Rain, but Rain quickly teleports into a pool of water, appearing behind Deon and roundhouse kicking him through a water portal. Deon comes out a short distance from Rain and gets hit with a bolt of lightning, he screams out in pain and falls to the ground.

Rain laughs, "My power is far beyond yours, now back down..." Rain winds up to fire his water cannon, but Deon raises a Finch claw from the ground, lifting him into the air and slaming him to the ground.

Deon gets back up, "Don't count me out just yet."

Annette stands back as guards are dispatched in a few interesting ways by the other ladies, preferring not to stand in the way.

"Sometimes a girl just needs to be lazy."

She catches the attention of Serenity from a distance, motioning in the direction of Khaali, attempting to gather the two of them. Okorik made it abundantly clear who, at the very least, would be the better traveling companions... Though if what he said was true, Annette may be able to be of more use to them than she thought.

Okorik looks at the woman and says, "Excellent. Here is a starting bonus. Follow me as we gather information." Okorik hands Krimson 2 golden bars hidden in his robes. "Allow me to show you our enemies," says Okorik who makes Skyward turn into a board showing the faces of the warriors and their allies, "these are our enemies. Be warned as that woman could prove to be an issue in the future." Okorik and Krimson continue to walk up the stairs and sit in a chair to watch the Rain vs. Deon fight. "So this is Deon fighting? I am interested in how he fights. But before we can continue, I almost forgot to give you my name: it's Okorik. And you are?"

Krimson pondered for a moment, looking at the bars of gold. Smirking, she replied, 'The name's Krimson.' She paused. 'Tell me, Okorik, how will our 'task' be completed? I'm sure there's a lot at stake in this tournament.'

Krimson looked towards Deon and Rain, 'If not for my...other duties I would've been here earlier, or had I known, I could of brought allies with me.'

Krimson began toying with the gauntlets on her arms, with a sly grin and peeking at Okorik in the corner of her eye.

"Normally I would suggest fighting but we must be prepared for our matches and not waster time on pointless conflict. I would suggest so sabotage. You are from Earthrealm and thus would never arouse suspicion since you have nothing to indicate mind control. We have a few possibilities: we can inform some Seidan Guardsmen on their whereabouts, we can infect them with Skyward's taint, or we can use some tricks to make them fight each other. What do you think?"

Khaali darts forward, both arms on her right side shooting forward and taking one guardsmen in the jaw and collarbone at once. Breaking both. Before he can fall, her arms dart forward and grab him up by his limbs, and hurl him bodily at the last remaining guard, rolling them into a heap on the floor.

The nude shokan dusts off her hands, his whiskers twitching expectantly.

"You'd think men whose purpose is to guard warriors would be more formidable."

The guards groan, and Khaali jerks a claw towards them.

"Stay on the floor. Or I'll twist off your heads and have your manhood for my lunch."

The groaning makes an abrubt stop.

'I'd suggest using tricks to manipulate them into fighting each other, and use the 'Skyward's taint' as a last resort. But whatever will get this mission accompished is fine with me. Just as long as it's very, very painful...'

Can I join in with you guys or is it too late? I've written my character into a wall of nowhere.