(SCENE: SF COMMUNICATION ROOM) (POV: 3RD PERSON)

Back with the others, Johnny & Cage are looking over the group strategizing their plan of attack. "Once we hit the drop point, we'll split up: Jacqui, Eri & I will go in from the south while Kung Jin & Takeda will come from the west." Cassie explains.

"We'll rendezvous near the north entrance." Jacqui says as she gestures to an entrance near the Lin Kuei temple. Kung Jin feels uncertain of this plan. "And then what? A simple pick up & go?" He asks.

"We'll attempt to talk to him. If that fails, we'll go on the offensive." Eri says. "Resistance is more possible than you think." Takeda says with the same uncertainty as Kung Jin. "Don't worry, we do this right and Sub-Zero not know what hit him." Cassie says as Johnny & Oscar have uncertain looks on their faces.

(SCENE CHANGE: LIN KUEI TEMPLE)

Meanwhile, in the Lin Kuei Temple, two Lin Kuei warriors rushed up a staircase as a throne of ice is seen at the top. When the warriors arrive, they see a familiar white haired woman sitting on the throne while wearing the Dragon Medallion. This woman is Frost, Sub-Zero's protege and one of Oscar's lover.

The two warriors bowed in respect at Frost. "The forward defenses stand down as you command, Grandmaster." One of the warriors says. "It is confirmed: 5 intruders." The other adds on as Frost smirks underneath her mask.

"Time to entertain our guests & to show them the power of the Lin Kuei's new Grandmaster." She says in a tone that sounds like a mixture of arrogance and malicious intent.

(SCENE CHANGE: OUTSIDE OF THE TEMPLE)

Meanwhile, Cassie, Eri & the group reached their rendezvous point. "Alright, me & Eri got point. You and Jin, that side." Cassie says as Kung Jin & Takeda looked at each other with looks of uncertainty. "Move!" She orders as Kung Jin & Takeda moves to the other side of the staircase.

"Ready?" She asks Eri & Jacqui as the two nod their heads. They were about to make their move when the doors opened up. Frost and some Lin Kuei warriors exit the temple & approached the statue of the founder of the Lin Kuei as they knelt in meditation in front of it.

"What the hell is Frost doing here? I thought we were sent to tackle Sub-Zero?" Jacqui whispers as Cassie was just as confused. "I don't know, but I don't think it's good." Cassie whispers back.

Kung Jin was about to approach them, but gets told not to by Cassie. Kung Jin, however, ignores the order and approaches the kneeling Lin Kuei. "Damnit, Jin." Cassie growls as Eri scowls at Jin. "He's jeopardizing the mission." She whispers as the others rushed to stop Jin.

"You. I need to s-" Kung Jin says, but gets stopped by Cassie. "You are not welcomed here, dogs. State your intention and leave peacefully or you'll suffer the consequences." Frost says as Kung Jin and Cassie exchange looks at first as Cassie attempts negotiation.

"Frost. We need to talk with Grandmaster Sub-Zero." Cassie says. Suddenly, Lin Kuei warriors started surrounding the group. "Sub-Zero, my former sensei, has been disposed of, along with his loyalists. Now I lead the Lin Kuei into its glorious future." Frost reveals as she stands up and turns to the group. "Now tell me: what do you want?" She asks.

"My father always spoke highly of you, Frost. He wants to talk." Eri says as Frost laughs at this. "Talking. He's always talking." Frost says. "Okay. Let's try pummeling. Now!" Kung Jim orders as he attacks the Lin Kuei warriors.

This caused the others, except Cassie & Eri, to follow suit. "Wait! Stop!" Cassie exclaims, but it was too late. Frost takes on Cassie as the daughter of Johnny & Sonya struggles against Sub-Zero's protege.

"Cassie Cage. Showing poor leadership of your group. Wonder what your mother would say about this?" Frost tauntingly asks as Cassie got a bit angry at this. "Stop wasting time and take you down." She says as the two battle.

Cassie's military training proves to be quite the formidable match, but Frost's more experienced combat skills and cryomancy abilities bested her. "Guess the Apple doesn't fall far." She says.

Takeda charges Frost from behind and was about to launch a spinning kick, but she blocks the kick and counters with several strikes. Takeda tries to block them, but she lands a blow across his face. He then attempts to strike her with kicks, but she blocks all of them.

Frost covers herself in ice as Takeda lands a downward spin kick. However, all he got was shattered ice. Confused, he looks around to try and spot Frost, but she reappears behind him & punches him on the back of the head, knocking him down.

"Looks like Kenshi's teachings aren't living up to its reputation, Takeda." Frost says as Takeda got offended by this. "My father's one of the best teacher I could have." He says with slight anger in his voice. "Prove me wrong." Frost says as she battles Takeda.

Takeda's bladed whips and energy blades prove to quite the challenge for Frost, but she defeats the son of Kenshi. "I'm unimpressed." Frost says.

Jacqui tries to attack from behind, but Frost heard her coming and flipped her with a sweep of her arm. "Damnit!" She exclaims at her own mistake. "You and Jax are alike in one way: you both aren't the best when it comes to stealth." Frost says as this pissed Jacqui off.

"Keep my dad's name out of your mouth." Jacqui says as she rushed Frost. She manages to block a few strikes, but Jacqui manages to land a hit on her stomach and another across her face. "If you knew my dad, then you must know me. Thought you, your mentor and he were friends." Jacqui says as Frost recovers from the hits.

"Don't make assumptions." Frost says as she battles Jacqui Briggs. While her gauntlets were tough to battle against, Frost bested Jax's daughter. "You lose as fast as he did." Frost taunts.

Jacqui heard this and recovered quickly as she lands a spin kick, a right hook & a roundhouse, forcing her down to her knee. A Lin Kuei warrior surprised Jacqui and attempts to slice her with his katana.

Kung Jin took down a Lin Kuei warrior as Eri knocks down another warrior with a Judo throw. The two saw Frost down on one knee and charged at her, but Frost blocks their kicks & punches as she knocks them back with kicks to their chests.

"A feint, bravo." Eri says as she took out her Dadao Sword she dubs 'Payback'. "Eri Luonto & Kung Jin, you should help your friends instead attacking your superior." Frost says as Kung Jin gets an arrogant smirk on his face. "I'll remember that, in case I meet one." He says as he & Eri takes on Frost.

Kung Jin's archery skills are great, but his arrogant is what holds him back and is what does him in. Eri, on the other hand, proved to much more formidable and difficult to beat, with her Quirk & her weapons, consisting of a Dadao Sword & a custom Rifle that mixes both a DS-39 & a Grenade Launcher.

But Frost pulled through and defeated them both. "Hope that humbles you." She says as she orders some warriors to tied them up and put them with the others.

"Any ideas?" Takeda asks as Eri turns to Frost. "Frost, please, for my father, let us talk." She says as Frost laughs at that. "We could talked if your Eunuch Archer hadn't started the fight." Frost says.

"Got a new plan, Luonto?" Kung Jin asks as Jacqui gives him a nasty glare. "We're only in this mess because of you, Jin." Jacqui says as Cassie takes over. "You'll catch a thousand hells if you kill us." She says as Frost says nothing about this while having no expression on her face.

She then smirks underneath her mask as she orders a warrior in Chinese. The Warrior then cuts them free, confusing the group. "What the hell?" Eri questions. "That works?" Cassie confusingly asks.

Suddenly, a whistle caught their attention as they turn to see Johnny, Oscar, Sub-Zero, Smoke & Cyrax at staircase. "What's going on?" Jacqui asks as Sub-Zero approaches the group. "What else? A training exercise." Sub-Zero reveals.

"Wait, so Frost taking over the Lin Kuei? Her killing you and any followers? All that was lie?" Cassie asks as Sub-Zero nods in confirmation. Frost then removes the medallion from her vest. "This 'medallion' is nothing but clay and paint, part of the ruse. Oscar made it for me." She says as she places the trinket back onto her vest.

"So, all that arrogant and everything you've said was an act?" Eri asks as Frost chuckles a bit. "Yeah, part of the training exercise." She says as Sub-Zero approaches the group. "You and your friends show much potential, Cassandra Cage. But you'll be defeated quickly if you don't function as one." Sub-Zero says.

(SCENE CHANGE: PLANE)

After returning from the Lin Kuei Temple, the group lick their wounds & egos. Cassie brushed Kung Jin's shoulder while shooting him a nasty look.

"So other than that, you enjoyed your stay at the Temple?" Johnny asks. "The Lin Kuei shredded us." Cassie says while putting away her pistols. "You maybe." King Jin says. "I'm sorry, but who called a Eunuch and has frozen boot prints on his ass?" Jacqui asks as Kung Jin got angry at this and was about to attack when Johnny stopped them.

"Easy now. You're all winners in our book." He says as his phone started buzzing. He takes it out to see a message from Sonya. "New orders from General Blade." He says with seriousness in his voice as he approaches a monitor in the plane.

Typing into the keyboard, he brings up the orders from the monitor. Oscar takes a look at the monitor as he gets a million red flags. "Outworlders in Earthrealm. Li Mei among them." Johnny says as he and Oscar share a worried expression.

"Invasion?" Takeda questions as Jacqui & Eri shook their heads at this. "Can't be. Uncle Kotal isn't interested in conquering Realms like that Shao Kahn bastard was." Eri says. "Yeah. And besides, it's most likely refugees she's with." Oscar says with the worried expression still on his face.

(SCENE CHANGE: REFUGEE CAMP)

The plane the group were in lands as the other Earthrealm Heroes approaches the landing plane. Once they exit the plane, Oscar and Johnny immediately start talking with the group.

"Where's Li Mei?" Oscar asks. "And when did they show up?" Johnny questions. "They showed up near the docks a few hours ago." Nightwolf says. "They're refugees from the Outworld Civil War, with permission from Kotal Kahn himself." Liu Kang adds on.

"And Li Mei is with Raiden, Sonya & Jax." Stryker says as they reach a tent. They all enter, except for Kenshi, who stops Takeda from entering. 'Do not dwell on your defeat with the Lin Kuei, son.' Kenshi says, using his telepathic powers. 'Pretty hard not to, Dad.' Takeda says, using the same telepathic powers.

(SCENE CHANGE: INSIDE OF THE TENT)

The group enters the tent as everyone gathered near a table. Sonya saw them entering as she sat down on the table. "Thanks for joining us. Now then, let us move onto business." She says as everyone gathers around the table.

"Li Mei, tell us what happened." Raiden says as Li Mei nods her head. "My village, Sun Do, was the epicenter of a battle between the Emperor & Reiko's rebel forces. Many barely escaped with their lives." Li Mei explains.

"Such is war. I mean, no offense, but you Outworlders love for that kinda stuff." Johnny says as Oscar nods agreement. "Yeah, Li. Not to be rude or anything, but I don't see anything wrong." Oscar says.

"This wasn't combat. Reiko wields anamulet I believed to be of familiar origins. When Reiko uses it, the amulet creates crimson energy. It annihilates anything and anyone that gets caught in the middle. This battle wasn't honorable." Li Mei explains as nearly everyone became concern at this.

"Li Mei, please describe the amulet to us." Fujin says. "Golden, with a emerald in the center." Li Mei says, making everyone even more nervous about this. "Raiden, Fujin, I know this is highly unlikely, but I think we know what the amulet is. More specifically, who it belongs to." Oscar says as Raiden & Fujin nod their heads at this.

Kung Jin puts two & two together. "Are we talking about Shinnok's Amulet?" He asks. "That's impossible. The base? The vault? Your wardings? Oscar's totems? SF? Shaolin? No way anyone can get pass that." Sonya exclaims. "Yes, but nothing's impossible. We need to check on the Amulet." Oscar says as he, Raiden & Fujin leave the tent.

Li Mei then brought something up. "Everyone, I nearly forgot to mention: an Earthrealmer we met in Outworld." Li Mei says as this caught everyone's attention. "Who exactly is this Earthrealmer?" Eri asks.

"I do not know, but he seemed familiar. One of his eyes glowed red & appeared to be metal." Li Mei says as Sonya, Kira & Kabal grew angry at this. "Kano, that slimy bastard." Kabal growls while bawling his hands into fists. "I'll kill him for what he's done." Kira says angrily.

Sonya turns to Johnny & Jax. "Johnny, Jax, I want the camp on high alert. No one gets out without proper certifications. Gotta bag him before he leaves." Sonya orders as she then turns to Cassie, Eri & the others. "Cassie, Eri, you all go with Li Mei to Outworld, establish an alliance that could benefit us all." Sonya orders as Cassie & her team nod in agreement at this. "All others will help in anyway we can. That Amulet needs to be safely contained, otherwise we will all die." Sonya says as she leaves the tent.

(Here's chapter 17 done. I decided to swap Sub-Zero and Frost as a new twist. Sorry Sub-Zero fans. Also decided to change up Sonya a bit because of both the changes timeline & because I wasn't much of a fan of her personality in MKX, so yeah a bit of OOC here, but at least it's not like turning an extremely lovable character into a bitch. Anyways, getting off track, so next chapter will take Cassie's group to Outworld.)