Chapter 6 - Accepting the plan

Nicholas was sitting in his newly assigned room. The room was originally meant for Cyrax, but due to his "mysterious disappearance," it now belongs to Nicholas's. Nicholas was currently experimenting with his connection to crows. An ability he received thanks to Carmina Mora (The Artist).

He was using them to spy on everyone and see what his limits were. As well as to see the results of today's events. Kitana was upset between the fact that Jade was spying on her and the fact that Reptile was spying on both of them. Jade tried calming her down, but the revelation that Shang Tsung doesn't trust her either is undermining her effort.

Shang Tsung was currently belittling Sektor for what happened. Saying things like, "I was promised perfection" or "I'm sorely disappointed." Sektor could do nothing to defend himself, mostly because the last thing he remembered was him getting hooked by the chain gun.

Last, there was Raiden, who was being told about the Deathslinger by Liu Kang. Liu Kang recited the events as he saw them, and it was in Nicholas's favor. Liu Kang is under the impression that Nicholas was being hunted. Raiden might have doubted if he had been there personally, but his faith in Liu Kang created a bit of a blind spot.

Raiden thanked Liu Kang and then started heading towards Nicholas's room. Nicholas suspected the reason but would wait until Raiden showed up before he would come to an exact conclusion.

Raiden arrived and let himself in. Nicholas figured Raiden might try something along those lines. Raiden was still trying to figure out Nicholas's intent after all. Raiden opened by saying, "Liu Kang tells me that you were attacked by something you identified as a bounty hunter."

Nicholas recognized that it was not a question but rather a statement that demanded answers. Nicholas looked at Raiden and said, "He was a bounty hunter among other things when he was alive. Now he is one of the Entity's many tormentors. As to what he was doing here, I have a question to ask. Is this island on some sort of nexus point?"

Raiden keeping his stoney expression answered, "And if it is?" Nicholas gave an annoyed look and said, "Then the barriers protecting this realm from the Entity's attention would be unusually thin. If this effect were to become a common occurrence, then... Well, let's just say that while the Entity is cowardly, it will not hesitate to take the population of a city or two if it thought for a moment it could get away with it."

Raiden looked away, pondering for a moment, then said, "So, it would seem that we have a common goal in keeping Shao Kahn from winning." Nicholas acting like he was ignorant of Mortal Kombat's purpose, asked, "How so?"

Raiden turned back to face Nicholas and said, "This tournament is to decide the fate of Earthrealm if we lose, then Earthrealm will start merging with Outworld and from what you just said the creature that's hunting you will have ample opportunity to do so during that time."

Raiden continued, "You seem to have unique abilities, probably a side effect of your time imprisoned. So, I have a deal for you. If you help me prevent Shao Kahn from conquering Earthrealm, then I'll provide you sanctuary from your pursuers."

On the surface, it seems like a fair deal, but in reality, it's anything but. Raiden is under the impression that the deal is in his favor, understandable considering what he thinks he knows. The truth is, it's in Nicholas's favor. Not only does Nicholas get access to his targets, but with knowledge of events yet to happen, he can manipulate the situation as he sees fit.

Nicholas acted like he was thinking it over for a minute, then agreed to Raiden's deal. Raiden said they would continue this conversation in the morning and bid Nicholas a good night.

After Raiden left, Nicholas thought about all that was going to happen, and he also thought about who he was going to collect and how he was going to go about it. Nicholas thought about characters from the original timeline and how they would be affected by the changes. Looking into himself, Nicholas learned that he would need to feed at least once every two months. While some he could just store in his new realm, he would need a few to stay with him. If they were in love, then at least two, if they were not, then definitely more.

Nicholas let out a sigh. He had his work cut out for him.

...

Raiden was walking away, thinking about the deal he just struck.

'If Nicholas was telling the truth, then he will have ample motivation to assist us in this tournament. If he was lying, then it would soon be revealed by his actions or lack of, and in that scenario, I will deal with him accordingly.'

Raiden decided not to tell the others, thinking that it would only be an unnecessary distraction. In due time, Raiden would regret that decision.

...

Jade was at a loss. She was given orders that if Kitana ever looked like she would betray Outworld, then Jade would have to intervene with leathel force. However, Reptile's appearance raised some serious questions.

Jade couldn't help but wonder if Reptile was all ways there or if it was some random chance.

'No, Reptile was close to Kitana and Nicholas, close enough to hear their conversation. If I didn't act, he would've for sure, and if I did, would he have eliminated me instead? Reptile is a coward, he's not going to defy the emperor.'

The more Jade thought about it, the more she was sure that her loyalty to the emperor amounted to nothing.

'Fine, if that's how it is, then maybe I should encourage Kitana to defect.'

Jade's mind then went back to the meeting between Kitana and Nicholas.

'Nicholas protected Kitana when that creature attacked, I should look into him. He might be able to help me convince Kitana.'

Jade continued to think over the situation, not realizing that her thoughts were focusing more and more on Nicholas. Just as he planned.

...

Shang Tsung was not happy. Many of his plans were in danger of falling apart. All because of some random individual just happened to show up.

He sent Reptile to spy on the newcomer, but Reptile got spotted and hit with some kind of poison. The last thing Reptile remembered was that both Kitana and Jade were there.

'There is no way those two won't assume that Reptile was sent to watch them. This Nicholas is either very lucky or is a more devious manipulator than I am.'

Shang Tsung was also annoyed by Sektor's report. While he did act on his own and lost Cyrax in the process, the real problem was that it appears that there are other intruders on his island. His followers searched and did find some traces. There was no other sign that they were there.

Shang Tsung was at a loss. With everything going on at once, he was having a difficult time figuring out how to take advantage of it all. His instincts told him that there was an opportunity with this chaos to achieve the power he desired. He first had to figure out how these new pawns would fit and if there were anymore.

...

Goro had watched the opening fights from a far. He usually did that to see if there was anyone worth his time. His pride would never let him acknowledge anyone who actually was, but he would keep up appearances.

Goro was sitting in his makeshift throne when he heard heavy footsteps approaching him. Goro stood up and shouted, "Who dares to intrude in my private quarters!"

Goro felt uneasy as the light from the torches started to fade. Goro stood tall. He was a champion of Mortal Kombat, and he would not be intimated. As the light continues to fade, the noise starts to echo all over the chamber.

As the last light began to fade, Goro felt the massive weight of a club slam into his left side. He found himself sent sliding several feet. His lower left arm was shattered as well as a couple of ribs. Before he could get his bearings, Goro was struck once again. This time, it hit his right. Dislocating his upper right arm.

Enraged, Goro demanded that the coward show themselves. The answer he got was another swing. This time, it hit his legs, breaking both of them. Goro, bleeding and in pain, laid there on the ground, shouting and cursing his attacker. Instead of finishing him off, the heavy footsteps grew softer, indicating that the attacker left.

The once doused torches returned to their previous states as if they had never gone out in the first place. The only sign that anything had happened was Goro's battered body. The guards assigned to his room immediately rushed in, as if they only just now noticed that something was amiss.

...

Shang Tsung was awoken to the news that their champion had been attacked in the middle of the night. The injuries, while substantial, were quickly fixed by Quan Chi, their Netherrealm ally.

While one problem was quickly solved, it left a much bigger problem unanswered. Who was responsible. As much as he would want to, he couldn't blame Earthrealm. With what was at stake, they wouldn't dare cheat.

Shang Tsung also had them under heavy observation. This left him in a predicament. If he announced what had happened, and if he couldn't prove Earthrealm was responsible, then the tournament would be canceled, and it would be declared a draw. That would reset the count, and the emperor would be justifiably furious. His only real choice was to keep silent about this. He has his right to challenge in his back pocket, but Shang Tsung began to believe that he'd better have a backup plan. Shang Tsung's mind began to think about Mileena and how he should focus on finishing her before it's too late.

However, that was for after the tournament, for now, this development proved that his island had more intruders and they could come and go as they pleased.