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Cao looks over at Khameleon. "Well, I wish you luck on your... quest," he says to her before turning. "I have to go find my sisters."

"Well, I'm not in a hurry," she says, changing back into her normal, grey-colored clothing and appearance. "The Dragon King is all the way across the sea. I'd actually like to see what has become of Z'unkahrah in my absence."

"Kotal Kahn has changed the city quite a bit," he tells her as they walk along. His thoughts stray to the Emperor, who undoubtedly will not be very pleased to hear that the Dragon King has returned. He also thinks about Skarlet, whom he sent to retrieve the Portal Stone, and wonders if she returned while he was crossing the sea. It certainly seems as though it was long enough for her to get back---he makes a mental note to go there and check, but first he wants to find Sanra and Hua.

"Perhaps you could give me a tour," Khameleon suggests.

"I'm not sure I have the time," he replies as he rounds a corner. "There's a lot going on."

"Oh, yes, it's all very exciting," she says in a bored tone. "Personally I never cared too much for Outworld. I think I'll leave at the first opportunity."

'Me too,' Cao thinks to himself.

Upon reaching his home, he discovers that neither Hua nor Sanra are there. Their home does not look like it was attacked, so panic doesn't immediately race through him, but he is worried by this. It's been enough time for Sanra to recover, so it's plausable to think that she could be up and about, but it's also the middle of the night. Surely they would be home...

"Something wrong?" Khameleon asks from the hallway.

>A) Search for your sisters in the tunnels
>B) Search in the streets
>C) Head to Skarlet's meeting place
>D) Check in with Kotal Kahn at the palace
>E) Other

>>46265327
>>A) Search for your sisters in the tunnels

>>46265327
>>C) Head to Skarlet's meeting place
We know they were not attacked or anything. Let's try and find Red because without the portal stone we can't return to kotal

>>46265327
>A) Search for your sisters in the tunnels

>>46265327
>>E) Other
Take a nap. We did use up a lot of energy fighting Onaga. I'm sure Khameleon has gotta be tired too. invisible cuddle in case girls come home?

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>>46265494
>>46265511

With Khameleon following, mostly out of her own curiosity, Cao begins searching the tunnels for his sisters. He doesn't find them anywhere immediately but does end up discovering a small group of lizardfolk.

He suddenly remembers Speelock! He introduced the runt to Hua before he left. 'If anything bad happened because of him...' he thinks.

Upon entering the lizardfolk home, they scatter and hiss at the intruders. Khameleon puts her hands on her hips. "Disgusting," she says. "Look at these pathetic excuses for a saurian. Dim-witted, mishapen, drooling... that one's eyes don't even go in the same direction! Reptile's only true gift to the world is a curse."

They slowly approach, wary of their intentions. "What you want?" one of them asks in a gurgling voice.

"Careful," Khameleon warns them, taking out a pair of sai, "I've been itching to wipe out you disgusting half-bred scum for quite a while."

>A) Look elsewhere for your sisters
>B) Ask them about Speelock
>C) Ask them about your sisters
>D) Let Khameleon have at them
>E) Other

>>46265635
>>B) Ask them about Speelock

>>46265635
>B) Ask them about Speelock

>>46265635
>>B) Ask them about Speelock
SPEELOCK. Isn't that just the best name?

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>>46265653
>>46265663
>>46265669

Cao gets between them and Khameleon. "Hold it! I want to know about Speelock!"

They look at him in confusion. "Speelock? How you know Speelock?"

"That doesn't matter. I want to know where he is."

One of the lizardfolk, with a horned head and eyes that dart in different directions, speaks up. "Saw Speelock! Saw him! Saw him! Know where!"

"Elder Gods, they're the most repulsive things I've ever seen," Khameleon says. "They can't even speak properly."

Cao ignores her and looks at the one hanging off the ceiling that spoke. "Well? Where?"

"Koins! Koins! Koins!" it cries. "Then I tell you!"

>A) Give him a koin
>B) Give him a few koins
>C) Threaten violence
>D) Leave
>E) Other

>>46265768
Does that have two sets of eyes? Two normal and two Chameleon?

>>46265768
>A) Give him a koin

>>46265768
>>A) Give him a koin
If he asks for more, he'll get it after he tells us.

>>46265768
>>B) Give him a few koins
Shget the fuck out of my face and tell me where Speelock is. What if the girls went to earthrealm while we were gone? What if Kotal already took them to the palace?!?WHAT IF THEY GOT KIDNAPPED BY BY THE BLACK DRAGON???

>>46265768
>>A) Give him a koin
One in advance, and if your info is correct, you get more.

>>46265864
If the girls went ahead to Earthrealm on their own, I'll be mad.

>>46265889
We told them to go if there was an emergency.

>>46265822
>>46265831
>>46265868

"One for now. If your info is good, maybe more." Cao takees a koin out of his pocket and tosses it up to him. A long tongue shoots out of its mouth and wraps around it, tucking it away in its pocket.

"So they have that too," Khameleon muses.

"Do you?" Cao asks with a raised brow.

"All saurians do," she replies nonchalantly. "Not that I mean to imply these wretches are saurian, of course. Just poor immitations."

The lizardfolk hops down and moves up to Cao. "Saw Speelock! In tunnels with girls. Then guards come, take girls! Speelock run. Speelock very small and afraid."

"Guards took the girls... Did they capture them? Was there a fight?"

"Koin!"

Cao grumbles and fishes out another jade koin. The lizardfolk takes it and tucks it away. "No fight. Guards talk to girls. Guards leave with girls. Speelock run because Speelock afraid."

"And where is he now?"

"Koin!"

Cao rolls his eyes.

>A) Leave with the info you have
>B) Give him another koin
>C) Threaten him
>D) Let Khameleon have some fun
>E) Other

>>46265927
>B) Give him another koin
As skittish and repulsive as they are, they're part of the underground, and the underground is Cao's friend.

>>46265927
>>A) Leave with the info you have
Go to where skarlet should be. After that maybe we should get rest up before seeing Kotal.

>>46265959
Fuck just do this. Let's go this show going.

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>>46265959
>>46265962
>>46266264

He takes out a koin. "Last one!" he says, handing it to him. "Now, where is Speelock?"

"Speelock run to hide-hole. Hideaway Alley!"

As Cao is about to thank him, one of the lizardfolk edges closer to Khameleon, reaching out with a hand. "Pretty lady..." She slices at him and causes him to lose a finger. The lizardfolk cries out and runs off and the others scatter.

"I think I might spend some more time down here later on, hunting these things," she muses. "They've been breeding like rats. It's a wonder Kotal Kahn hasn't exterminated them, but he's likely got a soft heart."

With this latest information, Cao gets up onto the streets. There are not many people out at this time, making it easy to sneak through the alleys and make it to the secret passage underneath the fountain. As he makes it there, he pauses and looks back at Khameleon, questioning if she should come along and meet Skarlet.

>A) Bring Khameleon
>B) Tell her to wait here
>C) Ask her to stop following you
>D) Ask what she plans to do now that she's here in Z'unkahrah
>E) Other

>>46266441
>A) Bring Khameleon
>D) Ask what she plans to do now that she's here in Z'unkahrah
Fuck it.

>>46266441
>B)
Just say we have something private to look into and it won't be long. Tell her she can go and get those koins back is she wants to keep busy.

>>46266441
A
Well, she did ask for a tour.
Granted, Cao's routes may not be the nicest parts of the city but hey.
A tour's a tour right?

>>46266441
>>A) Bring Khameleon
>>D) Ask what she plans to do now that she's here in Z'unkahrah
...Why'd you say I was JUST cute before? You were there when I rescued you from Onaga and held him off.

>>46266521
I wondering that too. Was Onaga the only one who noticed us using our green magic shao kahn powers?

>>46266521
You know those really small dogs that yap alot and think they're big and tough.
That's why.

>>46266635
I don't follow.

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>>46266482
>>46266519
>>46266521

Cao opens up the passageway and steps inside, with Khameleon following after.

"So... what do you plan to do while you're here in the city, if you're in no hurry to leave?" Cao asks.

"Well, I'm not sure how much I want to stay, now that I've seen those mutant saurians, but perhaps I will drop by the Kahn's palace. A little political intrigue, a little shapeshifting. Some fun, you know. Before the Dragon King gets here."

"You want to become a member of his court?"

"No, I don't think so, but even so I would like to learn some things about what I've missed. What better place to start than there?"

They enter the tombs and walk through them, carefully avoiding any of the traps that Cao has become used to not triggering by now. Upon reaching the pool of blood, he stands still and calls out Skarlet's name.

To his surprise, she rises from the blood, and in her hands is the Portal Stone!

"My, my, this is a surprise," Khameleon says, stepping closer. "I haven't seen you in a long while, Skarlet. A very unexpected reunion indeed."

Skarlet doesn't respond to the saurian and kneels before Cao and presents him the golden jewel. He takes it and asks, "What did you have to do?"

"I infiltrated Reiko's camps, killed some of his men, took the treasure and escaped," she says. "I was not captured, but it took me long to travel back here. I am sorry for my great absence."

"Don't be, I was away myself," he tells her. "You did a fantastic job."

Khameleon cocks an eyebrow. "That's interesting... I recognize this treasure. The Portal Stone of the osh-tekk people, their sacred treasure... you stole this?"

"It's a long story," he replies. "I'm returning it."

"Why? It's worth an Emperor's ransom in gold. Or you could use it for yourself. It would allow you to go anywhere as you pleased..."

>A) Return it to the Kahn
>B) Keep it for yourself
>C) Ask her how she knows Skarlet
>D) Test out the Portal Stone
>E) Other

>>46266706
>>A) Return it to the Kahn
>>C) Ask her how she knows
>>E) Other
Because now Kotal will, what's the earthrealm saying again? Ah, yes. Owe me one.

>>46266706
>A
We had a deal didn't we?
Do we have any particular reason to break our word? Plus it could save some lives if Onaga's really back.
or doom entire realms to fall that much faster

>>46266706
>>C) Ask her how she knows Skarlet
>>D) Test out the Portal Stone
uuuuh. Portal back to home tunnel? Remind Skarlet that our name is Cao.

>>46266706
>C) Ask her how she knows Skarlet
>D) Test out the Portal Stone
If it's as good as Khameleon says it is, we can hold onto it and use it as a bargaining point to find out what Kotal knows of our sisters.

>>46266763
>>46266767
Actually, we can call Kotal out now. If he hadn't sent Reptile to tail Cao, Onaga wouldn't be back.

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>>46266763
>>46266767
>>46266790
>>46266800

"How do you know Skarlet?" he asks Khameleon.

"Back during the Outworld invasion. I met all sorts of interesting people back then. We never fought, but I remember her well."

Before his eyes she transforms into Skarlet, her clothing, skin, eyes and body changing. The blood construct eyes the saurian suspiciously as they both circle each other. "Quite the close copy," Skarlet says.

"I do my best," Khameleon, with Skarlet's voice, replies.

Cao's eyes dart between them before he looks back down at the Portal Stone. It is true that it is a valuable and powerful item, but he gave his word to the Kahn that he would return it. But with this new information about his sisters... could Kotal Kahn have taken them as bargaining chips to make sure Cao returns the stone? Even after all he said about wanting to make Cao like a son to him?

He decides to hold onto it for the moment and only release it to Kotal if he has not harmed his sisters. He looks up at the two Skarlets and realizes he doesn't know which one is which anymore. They don't appear to be ready to fight, but Skarlet clearly doesn't trust the saurian, as both of them look at each other with daggers in their eyes. They must have been on opposite sides during the invasion twenty years ago.

>A) Order Skarlet to follow along with you
>B) Tell Khameleon to knock it off
>C) Tell them to play nice, you don't want a fight
>D) Sit back and watch their banter
>E) Other

>>46266928
OOOOH. Equal parts blame, son.>>46266981
>>C) Tell them to play nice, you don't want a fight
>>D) Sit back and watch their banter
Only step in if it gets bad.

>>46266981
>C) Tell them to play nice, you don't want a fight

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>>46266997
>>46267030

He holds up a hand. "Hey, hey, play nice, you two."

Skarlet looks away from Skarlet and says, "Cao, you should know, immitation is the most sincere form of flattery." She changes back into Khameleon as the true Skarlet takes her hands off her blades.

Cao looks over at Skarlet. "Follow me. I need you out of sight, like usual."

The blood construct nods and vanishes onto the floor in a pool of blood.

"I'm curious how you got her to be so obedient," Khameleon says. "I thought she was a servant of Shao Kahn."

"Shao Kahn is dead," Cao quickly says.

"And yet, I saw something in the chamber," the saurian replies. "A hammer."

Cao stays steady. "I stole it from Shao Kahn's inner sanctum," he says, not truly lying. "I got some power with it. I decided to keep it for myself."

"The power of Shao Kahn... how fascinating," she says. "You are quite the thief, aren't you? I'm actually growing more impressed the more I hear about your little adventures."

"I get around," he says, heading for the exit.

"Indeed..."

>A) Go to the palace with Khameleon
>B) Ask Khameleon to be cloaked
>C) Ask her to adopt a disguise
>D) Tell her to wait elsewhere while you go to the palace
>E) Other

>>46267151
>>E) Other
God dang it lets rest first before we go.

>>46267151
>A) Go to the palace with Khameleon

>>46267151
>A) Go to the palace with Khameleon

>>46267172
We can rest, once we know our sisters are safe

>>46267151
>>A) Go to the palace with Khameleon
>>B) Ask Khameleon to be cloaked
Lets go give the stone back to kotal and see if he knows what happened to our sisters. I swear if D'Vorah went behind his back and took them she is going to get worse than a caved in head this time

Before we go any further, ask Skarlet what she knows of Onaga. Apparently, he and Shao Kahn have history.

If we go back to the palace Kotal will force us too stay. Just heads up.

>>46267459
We can always steal back to portal stone to escape, so it's cool.

>>46267384
>>46267459
If anything, going to the palace will allow us to confront Kotal Kahn about sending Reptile to shadow Cao. If he hadn't done that, we wouldn't be dealing with Onaga. Khameleon can verify our story. We'll hold onto the Portal Stone until Kotal can justify himself and where Cao's sisters are.

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>>46267175
>>46267206
>>46267384

Leaving the tombs behind with Khameleon and Skarlet following, he makes it back up onto the streets and looks at the saurian. "I'm heading to Kotal Kahn's palace. I'm overdue for a meeting with him. Do you want to go invisible?"

She shrugs. "I'm comfortable with being seen, for now."

Still, he wonders at the best way to get inside. Apparently his sisters are there, but he doesn't know if they were taken or invited. He considers sneaking in to look around before doing anything else. He lets out a yawn but shakes his head---rest will come later. He has to find his sisters.

>A) Approach the palace openly
>B) Sneak into the palace
>C) Use the Portal Stone to go into the palace
>D) Other

>>46267459
>>46267494
But will we ever save Ashrah?

>>46267517
If Kotal asks, we went to the Ashlands to follow a lead that the Portal Stone was moved there.

>>46267522
>C) Use the Portal Stone to go into the palace

>>46267522
>>A) Approach the palace openly
Merry Christmas.

>>46267517
He'll just give us his creepy 'my son' routine.
>>46267525
Probably not.

>>46267522
>C)
Surprise entrance, and hopefully a surprise exit.

>>46267636
He can't do that "my son" routine when he has to deal with Onaga. And when he does, we can say "nah fuck you" and leave for Earthrealm. At least they deserve to know what's happening.

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>>46267555
>>46267652

Cao takes out the Portal Stone again. "Well, might as well make it one hell of an entrance."

He focuses on Kotal Kahn's palace and the stone glows bright yellow, illuminating the area. A swirling vortex suddenly forms nearby, large enough for a man to pass through. Cao, Khameleon and Skarlet all pass through. Unlike other portals Cao has used, this one is exceptionally stable and he quite literally walks in one end and out the other, ending up in Kotal Kahn's palace, in the lavish noble section he snuck though once.

Several guards see him and quickly approach to surround them. "Halt! What is the meaning of this?" Cao holds up the artifact to their astounded eyes. "He has the Portal Stone!" one of them notes. "Send for the Kahn!"

Cao waits patiently as Kotal is sent for. Only several minutes later, Kotal Kahn, flanked by Erron Black and Ruby, enters the chamber. His eyes widen as he sees Cao with the Portal Stone in hand.

"You have done it!" he says joyously. The guards part for him and he looks down upon Cao with pride. "Before all gathered here, I hereby absolve you of all crimes and accusations that have been levied agaisnt you. You have returned my people's sacred treasure to me and I, along with the osh-tekk people, shall be forever grateful to you."

>A) Hand it over
>B) Ask about your sisters
>C) Warn him of the Dragon King
>D) Accuse him of sending Reptile after you
>E) Other

>>46267942
>E) Other
Be as absolutely blunt as possible.
"Reptile is gone. Onaga is back. Where's my sisters?"

>>46267942
>B) Ask about your sisters
>C) Warn him of the Dragon King

>>46267942
>B)
Hold the portal stone to our side out of his reach.

>>46267969
If Kotal acts confused, insist that he didn't trust Cao enough to send Reptile to shadow him on his trip to recover the Portal Stone. If he hadn't, Onaga wouldn't be back, and Outworld wouldn't be fucked.

Kotal's lack of faith in Cao caused this. Make sure he knows it.

>>46267969
Do this except make sure to put in that reptile is Onaga.

>>46267942
>>A) Hand it over
>>B) Ask about your sisters
>>C) Warn him of the Dragon King
>>D) Accuse him of sending Reptile after you
All of the above

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>Ruby

>Ruby is a non-canon female red Ninja character who appeared in Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm. Ruby was very similar to the characters Tanya and Jade. Like Jade, she was a friend of Kitana and came from a realm which Shao Kahn had invaded, which was called Hinpar. Ruby was notorious for being a traitor, much like Tanya in the games, betraying all her allies for the likes of Shao Kahn. It is assumed that Ruby may have been the killer of Jax's grandfather, as she states that she "took care" of him before he died.

Yet more cartoon characters crawling out of the woodworks.

>>46268080

>crawling out of the woodworks.

I mean I established her at least fourteen threads ago, we just haven't spent any significant time talking to her. She's been in the OP document since thread #1.

>>46268104
Wait, has she? Really?

>>46268080
I think it's super cool that Damashi is pulling from different source material for the quest, ranging from the cartoons with the bird people and ruby to the comics with hydro or shao kahn's wedding.

>>46268120
She healed Mileena, my dude.

>>46268120
Yup, she wasn't the only character in the quest from defender of the realms either

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>>46268120

Yeah, man.

>Ruby is a hinparian warrior and scholar who serves as Executive Secretary to Kotal Kahn. She maintains the records of the kingdom, from administering its libraries to allocating funding for research projects. She is an intellectual who holds a position of high authority in matters of academia in his empire, but she is also a trained warrior, representing the interests of her people in Kotal Kahn's realm. Her people, from the eternally-dark realm of Hinpar that was conquered long ago, now live in the city and some serve important roles in Kotal's court. Ruby herself is also a skilled medicine woman, serving as Kotal Kahn's personal physician.

>Ruby was present at the arena on the day of Cao’s intended execution, sitting with Kotal Kahn and the shokan royalty of Kuatan. She watched Cao’s fight and rescue by the Black Dragon when they attacked the arena.

>>46268156
I know the birdfolk came from the cartoon. I just wasn't aware that a two-bit like Ruby was already accounted for.

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>>46268145

Don't forget this dude

>>46268216
That was dimensions shit. Likely never happened.

>>46268216
Boy am I glad that crap didn't get a greenlight.
While I'm on it the guy that did Saw and Fast&furious 7 might end up directing a MK movie.

>>46268235
No, I'm pretty sure that still happened. In the quest, he's a doctor who went crazy from the Earthrealm invasion and fancied himself a tarkatan. Unlike the cinematic short, Johnny Cage kicked his ass.

>>46268235
>>46268277

Actually he did happen. Otiak material was all semi-canon, but Dr. Zane was one of the things that was in the prime reality. Johnny captured him for the cops but he escaped.

I wrapped up that loose end back in Thread #5.

>"I hear you on that one," Cassie smiles. "This is the second time I've ever had to shoot someone."

>"The second?" Jacqui asks, sticking her head out. "What was the first?"

>"I never really talked about this, but... When I was eleven, this crazy stalker dude for my dad, some freak mental case who thought he was a tarkatan or something, like he grafted metal blades onto his arms and shit, he broke into my house and tried to hurt me. I grabbed mom's gun and put him down."

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>>46267975
>>46268014
>>46267969
>>46268041

Cao lowers the Portal Stone and holds it to his side. Kotal's expression softens a bit in confusion as the guards around the room grow tense. Erron Black's hand drifts to a gun on his hip while Khameleon and Ruby prepare for trouble, but Cao pays none of them any attention as he looks the Emperor square in the eyes, unwavering.

"Where are my sisters?" he asks bluntly.

Kotal seems a bit relieved. "Oh, is that all? They are here. I had them brought to my palace to be my guests?"

"Why?"

"To keep them safe," he says. He steps closer. "D'Vorah has gone missing."

Cao narrows his eyes. "So you brought them here?"

"I was worried that she may attempt to locate them. They have been here ever since, under the watchful eyes of my guards. They have been comfortable, and most importantly, protected."

"And where are they now?"

"Asleep in their guest quarters." Kotal clears his throat. "Now that you know they are safe... please, my people's treasure."

Cao wants to believe him, but how does he know it isn't a ruse?

>A) Hand it over
>B) Demand to see them
>C) Ask him if he knows why D'Vorah left
>D) Tell him about Reptile and Onaga
>E) Other

>>46268325
>>A) Hand it over
>>D) Tell him about Reptile and Onaga

>>46268325
>B) Demand to see them
>C) Ask him if he knows why D'Vorah left

>>46268325
>B)
Yeah this guy has been known to be shady if he feels it necessary so let's be 100% sure.

>>46268325
>>A) Hand it over
>C) Ask him if he knows why D'Vorah left
>D) Tell him about Reptile and Onaga

I'm not keen on handing the Portal Stone over just like that. We need to air out everything, first.

>>46268476
Ditto

>>46268476
Mostly, "Onaga is back, and it's your fault."

>>46268325
>>C) Ask him if he knows why D'Vorah left
Is D'Vorah netherealm now?

>>46268614
In MKX she always was. In the comic she joined after Kotal nearly got killed by Reiko. Depends on which cannon Damashi is working with.

>>46268660
D'Vorah has always been a traitor, but since Shinnok is not a big player at this stage, the question is who she's a double agent for this time.

>>46268360
>>46268374
>>46268476
>>46268494
>>46268508
>>46268357

Cao refrains. "Hold it. Bad things have happened, Kahn, and you're not going to like it."

"What do you mean by this? Explain."

"You sent Reptile to bring me in," Cao says.

"No, I sent him to follow you, to ensure your safety and success. Those were my orders."

"Well he went back on your word. Tell him, Khameleon."

The grey-clad saurian folds her arms. "Reptile, the fool that he is, willingly became the vessel for the reborn Dragon King." A hush falls over the room before she adds, "Onaga has returned, and he wants his throne back."

Kotal is stunned, to say the least. He looks down at the ground. "Reptile... I thought he was loyal."

"To himself, maybe," Cao says. "He was tired of taking orders."

"I saved his life," Kotal mutters. "This is how he repays me." He straightens, putting his arms behind his back. "Onaga, the Dragon King... This is very troubling. Where is he now?"

"Across the sea, in the Ashlands," Cao says. "I had to go there to retrieve this." He lies and holds the Portal Stone back up. Khameleon does not contradict him, going along with the lie.

"This is very unfortunate," Kotal says, his brow furrowing in deep thought over this latest news.

"I want to see my sisters," Cao tells him. The Emperor raises a hand and sends a guard to retrieve them. Kotal turns and walks towards a nearby window and looks out over it.

Erron approaches from behind. "Emperor? Your orders?"

"Ready the guard," he says. "I want to prepare for his arrival. Send word to Kuatan, I must speak with King Duroc about this matter immediately." Erron nods and leaves with Ruby and two other guards.

"In sending Reptile, I have brought about the return of the Dragon King, and with him will come war," he sighs. "A price for not trusting you, Cao."

>A) Call him out some more
>B) Forgive him
>C) Wait in silence for your sisters
>D) Hand over the Portal Stone
>E) Other

>>46268711
>C) Wait in silence for your sisters

>>46268711
>B
>D

>>46268793
Why forgive him? Cao said himself he was going to recover the Portal Stone his own way, by his own means. Despite that and all the pleading and crying to be accepted as "his father," Kotal didn't trust him enough to the point he sent the craven Reptile to shadow him. If he wanted Cao to be his "son," he should never have sent Reptile. Cao was able to keep his word, but Kotal couldn't. Why should Cao keep his word to return the Portal Stone?

>>46268711
>D) Hand over the portal stone
>E) Where do you think D'vorah has gone

>>46268711
>C)

>>46268711
>>C) Wait in silence for your sisters
>>D) Hand over the Portal Stone
You'll need it to fight Onaga more than me

>>46268847
You really hate Kotal my guy. What happened to that one anon that was obsessed with becoming his son?

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>>46268793
>>46268883
>>46268894
>>46268789

Cao approaches Kotal from behind. "I kept my word, Emperor, even if you didn't trust me."

Kotal turns to see him holding out the Portal Stone. He reaches out and takes it from the thief, holding it in his hands. "Thank you," he says. "I should not have sent Reptile."

"You shouldn't have sent anyone at all. I did it on my own, with my own resources."

The osh-tekk nods. "I can say that I only meant to help, but it was wrong of me. I was too desperate to regain my people's lost treasure and now a far greater threat looms across the sea."

He rubs his hand over the Portal Stone in silence as Cao returns to Khameleon's side. He stands quietly until he hears footsteps and turns to see his sisters entering the chamber. Their eyes light up and they smile when they see him and run to him, hugging him. They are wearing nice clothing, well-made, and they appear clean. Hua even has little braids in her washed hair. "Cao! You're back!" his little sister says as she hugs his waist.

"What happened?" Sanra asks with concern, gently touching his burnt right arm.

"A lot," he says with a smile, happy to see them again. He hugs Sanra and kneels down to wrap an arm around Hua's shoulders. "Are you guys okay? Have you been treated well?"

"Like royalty!" Hua beams.

Sanra looks around at the guards. "Yeah, and with almost no privacy... Night and day. The Kahn said it's for our protection, but I don't trust him," she whispers into his ear. "Why all of this, so suddenly?"

"It's a long story," Cao says to her. "But remember what I promised you, that change was coming?"

"I suppose so," she admits. "Still, I'm not used to this kind of... pamperment."

"I took a bath with bubbles!" Hua says, giggling a bit.

>A) Thank Kotal for helping your sisters
>B) Ask him about D'Vorah
>C) Retire and rest for the night
>D) Introduce Khameleon to the Kahn
>E) Other

>>46269022
I don't hate Kotal, but I think he's been really weird with Cao the past couple weeks. It doesn't help that at the end of the day, he's still the one who killed Cao's dad, allowed D'Vorah to kill his mom, and is responsible for Cao's deep-seated hatred for authority.

>>46269042
>>A) Thank Kotal for helping your sisters
What do we do now? Make sure we all share a room for the night so we can escape to earthrealm? Ask Khameleon if she wants to come with?

>>46269042
>>A) Thank Kotal for helping your sisters
>>B) Ask him about D'Vorah
>>C) Retire and rest for the night
>>D) Introduce Khameleon to the Kahn
Ask Sanra if she still has the Earthrealm portal device.

>>46269042
>A)
>C)
During the night we send the sisters to Earthrealm and sneak out ourselves too help Nitara.

>>46269095

We can't just fucking abandon Outworld. I think we're just as responsible for Onaga as Kotal, we should help him.

>>46269066
i legitimately think kotal somehow knows about the shao kahn shit, and is basically posturing to make sure kao doesn't just kill everybody for pissing him off.

>>46269116
Nitara is long gone and is basically out of the picture. It's time to bail for Earthrealm before Onaga burns this bitch to the ground.

>>46269095
I'm still in favor of helping Nitara so at least one more realm will be spared this war. Hell we could use this too get in good with the Shokan by helping them leave Outworld!

>>46269119
Yeah we can. Half this quest has been operating under the assumption that once all debts are cleared, Cao and family are leaving for greener pastures in Earthrealm. Now with Onaga looming, it's all the more reason to get out while we still can.

>>46269119
No we are not responsible for this place. Neither is Kotal. That's really only on Reptile as he's the one who knew what would happen.

>>46269138
Man we could get so much farther in life by helping there then just bailing for earthrealm.

>>46269177
This entire shitshow ultimately falls on Reptile, yes. We were going to help Nitara restore Vaeternus without waking Onaga, and that would've been that. But Reptile had to literally fuck everything up.

>>46269197
But the earthrealm girls! Becoming an OWEA assassin and getting access to technology! Get a sweet outfit and look like snake eyes or some shit!!! ANOOON. CMOOOON.

>>46269197
Only because Kotal Kahn desperately wants Cao in his corner after realizing just how disruptive he is. He killed his parents and is now trying to get him to join him.

>>46269233
Hell, that's another reason for leaving to Earthrealm: warning them that shit is about to seriously go down in Outworld.

Plus we get to learn to read.

>>46269164
>>46269138
>>46269147
What makes you think Onaga isn't going to bust into Earthrealm? Or that Earthrealm isn't going to jump into the fight? Or that Sonya won't be all "Hey, we're going to go fight in Outworld, since you know your way around you've been drafted." Or that Shao will stay quiet while his rival stomps around his territory.

This is Mortal Kombat not Mortal Sitonourass. We're going to get pulled into the war one way or another.

>>46269276
Narrative convenience will arise when the time comes. Until them, Cao needs at least some sense of safety and respite for himself and his sisters.

>>46269042
>>A) Thank Kotal for helping your sisters
>>B) Ask him about D'Vorah
Any reason why she would run off like that?

>>46269276
It'll take him awhile to retake all of Outworld, which will include the territories not yet separated. Before he can even think of Earthrealm. Plus if Earth gets pulled into the war, so what? That just gives us the excuse to kill the lizard and take his power. Helping Nitara just makes sure another friend of ours is safe.

>>46269233
We can visit them and help them out whenever. It's not like we've ever had a problem with multiple quest before.

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>>46269095
>>46269101
>>46269116

Cao turns back to the Emperor, who stares out over his city with a troubled look on his face. He approaches the osh-tekk and stands alongside him.

"Thank you for helping my sisters," he says.

"Perhaps one of the few good decisions I made where you are concerned, and one I should have done long ago." Kotal closes his eyes. "Do you know what is written about the Dragon King?"

"Only what I've heard," he replies.

"Onaga, like the Emperor who followed him, was a conqueror of realms. The heart of the Dragon King, it is said, brings back the dead to serve him. With his unstoppable armies he reigned over all of Outworld, slowly absorbing other realms into his own. Shao Kahn was his advisor before he poisoned the Dragon King and took from him the throne of Outworld, continuing his work. The time of the Dragon King, it is written, was a dark age, even darker than when Shao Kahn ruled. Onaga conspired to assemble the Kamidogu, six artifacts of immense power, and merge all realms into one."

"Why?"

"He desired to control all of reality. Every realm, every life, every single thing that ever was or would be, controlled by one consciousness. He desired to become the One Being." Kotal closes his eyes and shakes his head. "I don't imagine that the countless millennia have quelled his desire for such a terrible goal. Now that he has returned, he will seek to control all of Outworld before turning his attention to the other realms. He will be ruthless and will stop at nothing to achieve his goal. For twenty years I have sought to maintain the peace of Outworld, but now I fear I may have doomed it.”

Cao looks back at him in silence. The Emperor is greatly disturbed by this news and his face is a bit weary, but he stands strong. He can tell that the osh-tekk is not going to back down or run from this threat. “So, what are you going to do?”

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>>46269587

“Fight,” Kotal says. “Outworld only has one Emperor, and any who try to claim the throne from me must do so in battle. I will not hand it over to the Dragon King, nor any of my people. But my kingdom may not be enough to repulse this threat. I must speak to the shokan, the tarkatans… I must gather my allies and hope they see as I see.” He brings a hand up to his eyes. “I must rest. The night has worn on and I grow tired. Cao…”

“Yes?”

“I would very much like to speak to you in the morning. Find me then.”

The Emperor turns and leaves with the guards while Cao returns to his sisters. He leans into Sanra’s ear. “Do you still have what I gave you?”

She nods.

>A) Sleep and stay here
>B) Once alone, use the Portal Device to escape to Earthrealm
>C) Talk to Khameleon
>D) Send your sisters to Earthrealm
>E) Other

>>46269609
>A)
We'll hear Kotal Khan out. He protected our sister and so he deserves that much. But let's be ready to escape to Earthrealm.

>>46269609
>A) Sleep and stay here
>C) Talk to Khameleon
What >>46269649 said. Cao has no compunctions about bailing to Earthrealm at this point, especially if Onaga is on the warpath.

>>46269609
>>D) Send your sisters to Earthrealm
in addition write a letter explaining the situation in outworld to sonya and co, they seriously need to hear about all of this.

>>46269609
>>A) Sleep and stay here.
Let's hear him out and rest.
If we need to we can send the girls to earth realm.

>>46269676
Pretty much this. Ask Khameleon if she would be down to go to the realm of earth. Before we go to sleep I kinda wanna meditate and see if we can talk to our spirit dad., Shao Khan.

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>>46269680
>write a letter
Cao is illiterate.

>>46269743
Then draw a picture

I wonder what Kaito's gonna think about all of this

I think we should go to Earthrealm. It's the safest place for Cao's sisters, and we can convince Special Forces et al. to help against Onaga.

>>46269776
I can tell you what he's thinking right now, anon.
>Man...Mileena has a really tight pussy... I wonder what Kotal's up too....?

>>46269776
>implying he won't be pissed that as soon as he got back everythings gone to hell again.

>>46269609
>A) Sleep and stay here
lets go from what the shit kotal says tomorrow.

>>46269764
>Sonya has a comic book brought to her by Hua and Sanra drawn entirely in crayon

>>46269776
Kaito will be grateful that for once, it wasn't him who fucked up.

>>46269776
He might be pissed that we just ruined his permanent vacation or he might like the idea of offing another evil interdimensional overlord and taking in all the love.
>>46269792
Agreed, but I'm curious what Kotal has to say.

>>46269857
Yes. Let's leave after hearing Kotal's piece.

>>46269857
THIS IS CAOS ANIME DAMNIT. Inb4 Kaito walks up to Onaga with shutter shades on and calls him a tool. Cao loses all progressive with any women he has interacted with at this point in the story.

>>46269857
Kaito is on a one-year sabbatical, I believe. Besides, he's not the only champion of Earthrealm.

As his sisters turn to return to bed, Cao pauses and looks back at Khameleon. "What?" she asks.

He approaches her and leans in to speak quietly. "I might be escaping to Earthrealm soon. Are you interested in coming along?"

"Hmmm... Interesting. Perhaps. But until Onaga crosses the sea, I want to stay here and see what happens. I'm not picking sides, mind you---I'm against Onaga, but I'm not signing up to fight him."

"Alright, well... I'm going to speak with Kotal in the morning. I'll see you then?"

She nods and he walks away. He follows Sanra and Hua to their guest quarters and finds that they have been given large beds and a nice bath adjoining the room. He crawls into the comfortable bed while Sanra and Hua sleep alongside each other.

That night, Cao is visited by strange dreams. He sees many things he doesn’t understand, flashes of battles, war—and at the heart of it all is a great pyramid with a burning flame atop it. He awakens in a bit of a sweat and shakes his head as he feels an ominous presence lurking within his soul. The influence of Shao Kahn is trying to grow stronger within him, but just as in the temple, he controls it and pushes it back down. The news of Onaga and his return has caused the soul of the former Emperor within him to become more active. He must be careful.

In the morning, Cao gives himself a bath. It's a strange experience, bathing in the Imperial Palace, with fancy soaps and towels and exotic smelling substances. Sanra whistles while she rubs shampoo into his hair and Hua plays with the bubbles. He grumbles a bit as his older sister playfully treats him like a little kid again, but it's all in good fun. He tells them a bit about his journey and all the things that happened (leaving out some of the more lurid details) before he is all clean, with his arm bandaged. Sanra offers to find him some nice new clothes from the wardrobe that was provided for them but he declines, preferring his older street clothes.

There is a knock at the door. Cao opens it up to find that it is Ruby. "The Kahn requests your presence at the meeting of his council."

'A council meeting?' Cao thinks to himself. 'This should be good...'

He follows Ruby and passes by Khameleon, who follows along behind them both. He is brought up a series of stone stairs into a large room with a great stone table. Kotal Kahn sits in a large chair at one end while other nobles sit around in others around the circular surface.

The room grows quiet as the thief enters. He walks in and Ruby bids him to take a seat.

>A) Sit down and wait for the meeting to begin
>B) Look around at the other people at the table
>C) Talk to someone else
>D) Present yourself to the nobles
>E) Other

>>46270026
>A) Sit down and wait for the meeting to begin
>>B) Look around at the other people at the table
lets take note of who is here

>>46270026
>A) Sit down and wait for the meeting to begin
>B) Look around at the other people at the table

>>46270026
>>A) Sit down and wait for the meeting to begin
No fucks given. If you babies try to present yourselves to the nobles I will shit my pants.

>>46270026
>A
>B

>>46270026
>B)
Let's see whose here.

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>>46270042
>>46270046
>>46270063
>>46270081
>>46270117

Cao sits down and relaxes a bit, and Khameleon does the same alongside him. The thief looks around the table at the nobles. He sees Merchant-Baron Shukojin, a great fat man, leader of the merchants that make up the many marketplaces of Z'unkahrah. There is Nemir Rajah, master of Kotal Kahn's small fleet of ships. Both of them look down upon Cao with obvious distaste; especially the merchant-baron, whose merchants Cao has been stealing from his entire life.

And now here he sits at the same table as the man.

Kotal Kahn's father and mother are here, as is Ruby who takes a seat near them. Ferra and Torr are perhaps the only two who look as out of place as Cao himself, though Erron Black is always distinctive. Kotal Kahn's captain of the guard comes in, along with Hachiman the swordsman, whom Cao briefly met while he was running from the palace after stealing Jagara's necklace.

A late entrance to the meeting is Li Mei, leader of the village of Sun Do. She walks in and takes her place. Cao notices two seats are missing---that of Countess Mira and First Minister D'Vorah.

Kotal Kahn rises from his seats. "Nobles, councilmen, my advisors and enforcers. I bring dark tidings. Onaga, the Dragon King, has been reborn across the sea. This former Emperor of Outworld, I have no doubt, will stop at nothing to reclaim his throne."

There are hushed whispers around the room for a moment before Nemir Rajah speaks. "What proof is there, my Kahn?"

Kotal Kahn points at Cao, who stands up. "I saw it myself. Reptile disobeyed the Kahn's orders and allowed himself to have his body taken over by Onaga." He looks at Khameleon, who nods to confirm his story.

"How can we trust the words of a thief?" Merchant-Baron Shukojin asks. "Kahn, to have this street rat at our table is an insult."

"Then sit and be insulted," Kahn silences him with a stern gaze. "Cao has been absolved of his crimes for returning the Portal Stone to me."

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>>46270394

Kotal's osh-tekk family seem to approve, but others are still wary of him. Li Mei speaks up, "Does this mean the realm is to be at war again?"

"It does," Kotal replies.

"A bad time for way, my Emperor," Rajah says. "We've no treasurer and the First Minister is gone."

"We've plenty of money still in our vaults," Kotal's father reminds him. "Years of peace have allowed us this."

"Where is Onaga now?" Rajah asks Kotal.

"East, in the Ashlands."

"Good, this gives us time," the Nemir replies. "The closer continent to his is south."

"You refer to the lands of Lady Yanake," Kotal says. "I, too, agree that he will likely turn his attention to her first, but this will only make things worse for us. He will conquer her lands and turn her armies into the undead and then march upon us with twice as many forces as he has now."

"We attack first, I say!" Kotal's father encourages. "We have the Portal Stone back, we could strike at Onaga before he has time to raise his armies."

"No," Merchant-Baron Shukojin objects. "We must secure the allegience of the shokan and tarkatans, as in the last war. We must ensure they will not go to Onaga and betray us."

"The shokan are valued allies," Kotal's mother says.

"Things can change," Erron Black points out.

"I say we should send forces to help Lady Yanake," Li Mei offers. "If the war will begin there, let us fight him there and wear his forces as thin as we can before returning here."

Kotal sits and listens, considering the options before him.

>A) Offer an alternative
>B) Stay quiet
>C) Secure allies
>D) Send help to Yanake
>E) Attack Onaga now in his lands
>F) Other

>>46270413
>B) Stay quiet
We're still technically a street rat, our word isn't held highly

Although we should secure allies, we should be sent to the Shokan as an emissary

>>46270413
>F) Other
If such a decapitation strike were attempted, is there anyone who would even vaguely match Onaga's power?

>>46270517
WE ARE NEVER GONNA GET WITH SHEEVA OR JAGARA. ITS OVER!

>>46270413
>A)
We attack him now while he is weak, plus send a squad of assassins to deal with he lizard himself. Obviously implying our self, maybe khameleon plus some others. As much as I want to abandon this realm I don't want this fight to spill over into Earthrealm. Not while we have such a good chance at living a real life.

>>46270554
It sure is with this kind of bitch attitude! God man pretend you have a spine an some balls while you're at it!

>>46270413
>B

>>46270413
>F)

Tell Earthrealm, they'll drop a nuke on him so fast

>>46270554
Nothing is impossible.

>>46270556
Cao is a thief, not an assassin. We just got our shit rocked yesterday.

>>46270413
>>B) Stay quiet
I don't know what to dooooo.

>>46270536
>cao immediately morphs into Shao Kahn and goes "ME"
>swooces out the window to Onaga to kick the shit out of him

>>46270587
Let's see how the "Involve the other realms" angle works with this crowd, since Onaga is known to have an eye on all other realms.

>>46270632
Yes
YES

>>46270606
True. But we have Shao Khan... I for one am more then okay with letting him off the leash for this.

>>46270701
I thought Cao was making it a point to avoid Shao Kahn.

>>46270717
You bunch of sissies are, I'm not.

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"What of Earthrealm?" Cao speaks up, drawing all of their eyes. "They might help."

"Our alliance with Earthrealm is tentative," Kotal admits. "But I believe that I may be able to secure some assistance from them."

"It is in Earthrealm's interest to not have Outworld invade them again," Li Mei points out. "And Edenia, as well. We should send emissaries. I volunteer to go to Edenia, I am known there."

"Why would Edenia help us when we did not help them when Shinnok invaded their land?" Kotal's father points out.

Nemir Rajah nods. "The edenians are good people, and surely they do not wish to see Onaga rise again. What happens to one realm affects all of the others. Earthrealm and Outworld would be fools to not offer their help."

Merchant-Baron Shukojin scoffs a bit. "They will use this to extort us. They come to our aid and then we owe them. We must find a way to defeat Onaga ourselves."

"What of the centaurians?" Ruby asks.

"Not so long as we have the shokan allied with us," Erron says. "And they're minotaurians, now, because of the shokan."

"I agree with Erron Black," Kotal says. "Motaro and his people are as unlikely to help as Reiko and his army. I will deal with Earthrealm and Edenia, but I am against not sending aid to Lady Yanake. She and Master Bo' Rai Cho's school near her city are valuable allies. I shall not forsake them."

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The doors to the chamber open with a bang and everyone turns as Prince Rokuro storms inside. He points a finger at Cao. "You! I heard you had returned. The thief who stole the sacred treasure from my people!"

'Shit,' Cao thinks to himself.

"Calm yourself," Kotal urges the half-shokan prince. "Please, sit, we have much to discuss."

"I shall discuss nothing while this whelp remains unpunished!"

"He has returned the Portal Stone to my people. He is under my protection," the Emperor declares.

"You dare insult the shokan such as this?" Rokuro says. He looks at Cao. "Since you are so adept at returning lost treasures, return what you stole!"

>A) Tell him it is gone
>B) Tell him you lost it
>C) Tell him that you gave it to the person who hired you to get it
>D) Shrug, it's not your problem
>E) Other

>>46270943
>>C) Tell him that you gave it to the person who hired you to get it
>>E) Other
Don't shokan settle their problems through violence? Let's fucking fight this guy if he wants penance! HELL YEAH!

>>46270943
>>C) Tell him that you gave it to the person who hired you to get it

>>46270943
>A)

>>46270943
>E) The Black Dragon took it from me when I retrieved the Portal Stone. Sorry, I'd like to apologize to Jagara in person if that's okay.

:^)

>>46271040
ANOOOON.... I fucking support it.

>>46271040
>>46271051
Guys stop

>>46270943
>C) Tell him that you gave it to the person who hired you to get it

>>46270990
>>46270996
>>46271087

"I was hired to take it by someone else," Cao replies. "And the person who hired me is long gone with the amulet. Sorry."

"This I know, for how else could our kingdom's mystic not find you with her magic? We would have found you long ago, but you are in league with some manner of sorcerer!"

So, Nitara kept him hidden with magic... She never mentioned that. Then again, perhaps she felt she didn't need to. Kotal looks at Cao.

"Who hired you for this task, Cao?"

He intentionally keeps the details vague. "A vampire. She is gone now."

Rokuro turns to Kotal. "He conspires with fiends who consume blood. I'll not let this stain on the shokan's honor remain! I do not accept this 'absolution' of his crimes, not while he still lives!"

Kotal Kahn stands up. "I will not allow this council room to become a place of battle! Onaga has returned; this is not the time for such concerns as a stolen amulet!"

"Do not pretend to dictate what the shokan value, Kahn! We came as guests and were robbed, now you host the robber at your council and proclaim he is under your protection! This means you stole from us just as surely as he did! If this matter is not settled, the shokan will never stand with you!"

He looks back at Cao. "I challenge you! Face me in Mortal Kombat!"

>A) Stay silent
>B) Refuse his challenge
>C) Accept his challenge
>D) Try and talk him down
>E) Let someone else fight for you
>F) Other

>>46271198
>C) Accept his challenge

>>46271198
>C) Accept his challenge
You know what? Fuck it. I'm in the mood to beat a half-shokan's ass. Just make sure we're fighting on a roof so we can throw him off.

>>46271198
>>C) Accept his challenge
If we win he has to give us sheevas Instagram.

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>>46271265

>Sheeva's Instagram

Neat

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>>46271265
raise the stakes, jagara and sheeva also have to swipe like on our tinder

>>46271198
>C)
Let Shao Khan out too play.
And if we have time>>46271265

>>46271315
>>46271341
Someone post the picture of the guy wiping sweat off his face. the girls better be waiting in the next room so they can see us whoop some Rokuro ass.

>>46271361
>Let Shao Khan out too play.

We ain't killing Rokuro, that would fuck everything up for everyone.

>>46271220
>>46271253
>>46271265
>>46271361

Cao puts his feet off the chair and stands up. "I accept."

Rokuro puffs out his chest and smiles. "Good. To the arena, then."

He turns and walks out of the room while Kotal Kahn sits silently. Other nobles begin to place bets. Khameleon folds her legs and places her hands in her lap. "This should be fun," she says.

>A) Head to the arena
>B) Ask for a new weapon since your dadao broke
>C) Place money on yourself
>D) Give secret instructions to Skarlet
>E) Other

>>46271469
>B

>>46271469
>B) Ask for a new weapon since your dadao broke

>>46271469
>B) Ask for a new weapon since your dadao broke
>C) Place money on yourself

>>46271479
>>46271491
>>46271513
Can we get those tonfas now? Don't wanna fight him with a sword.

>>46271469
Scoff at the nobles then
>D) Tell her to protect your sisters and take them to Earthrealm should we die.
>C)
Whatever we have we bet.
>A)
Lets do this.

>>46271432
Who said kill him, we let Shao break his body then put the tyrant back in his cage.

>>46271528
Good a time as any.

>>46271538
>Revealing Shao Kahn to everyone in Kotal Kahn's circle

>>46271538
While Kotal watches? Bad bad idea.

>>46271528
We don't know how to use tonfas.

>>46271558
It's just like punching and blocking with forearms, except reinforced.

>>46271554
>>46271558
We just have too play it off as some tricks we've learned. Just let the god off his leash a bit and cream this bitch. Hell Kotal will probably be glad and claim it's because of him we learned that.

Alright, let's talk weapons.

>Sword
>Tonfas
>Spear
>Knives
>Spiked Gauntlets

Feel free to suggest others.

>>46271558
>>46271621
We just won't be proficient in the advanced shit like twirling them around like a cool guy. I still say we get them tho.

>>46271661
Nothing wrong with sticking to a sword. Its what we know.

>>46271661
>>Tonfas
Gimme the chocolate mister. This ain't no snake battle so everyone keep your panties together.

>>46271661
Sword

>>46271659
Kotal Kahn saw what Shao Kahn could do, and also is wary of old emperors returning thanks to this whole Onaga thing

>>46271661
I'm between knives and tonfas.

>>46271681
>>46271717
If we do go for the sword do we gotta use it for the Rokuro fight? It just seems in poor taste to me. I really doubt he is gonna use a weapon.

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I feel like Cao could use tonfas, he's a dextreous guy and is used to spinning things between his fingers, and he punches and blocks a lot. Could give it a shot.

How much mileage did we get out of the old dadao, anyway? The only thing of significant note I remember is cutting our way out of Reptile's giant snake in the arena. Beyond that, we either lost it or didn't do much with it.

>>46271766
Let's give the tonfas a spin.

>>46271766
Ayy my nigga. I just feel like everyone uses fucking swords. Let's use a cool dueling weapon.

>>46271770

Well, we had it during the Mad Max adventure. Cao just tends to run through swords a lot.

After going to the armory, Cao selects his new weapon: a pair of metal, well belt tonfas with spiked ends. He gives them an experimental few twirls and test punches; he finds them rather comfortable to hold and easy to use. He strikes and spins them around his hands, as well as blocks a few pretend attacks. Afterwards, he is brought to the arena where Rokuru awaits in the center. The half-shokan has removed his cape and is ready and willing to face the thief who stole from his cousin.

"I will make this quick on you, thief," he says as Cao walks up.

The thief looks up to the noble seats and sees Kotal Kahn and the others looking down and watching. There is no one else in the arena; no need for a grand show of this. This is between him and Rokuro, and by extension, the shokan.

Rokuro cracks his knuckles. "When this is over, I'll bring your head to Kuatan."

"If it's worth anything, I thought your cousin was very beautiful."

Rokuro grits his teeth and charges!

>Current Meter: 1
>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 11 (1d100)

>>46271836
Trip him and smack him on the back of the head with the tonfas.

Rolled 97 (1d100)

>>46271947
Trip the shokan using his own forward momentum.

Rolled 51 (1d100)

>>46271947
Judi flip his charge. Use his momentum against him.

Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>46271947
Star with an obvious charge, when he counters this, slide on our knees and aim low.

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>46271978
>>46271983
>>46271993
These were all pretty much the same suggestion. Does that mean we get an above average result?

>>46271978
>>46271983

The ground is flat and even, giving them both a fair surface to fight on. As Rokuro charges at him, Cao rolls forward and attempts to trip him, but the half-shokan leaps overhead, ending up behind Cao as the thief gets up and turns around.

>>46271993

Cao sees his arms coming as he tries to get him in a grapple, but the thief instead goes forward and low, using his arms and the tonfas to flip him over his back. Cao turns as Rokuro hits the ground.

>>46271997

As he prepares to punch downwards with a tonfa, the half-shokan swings an arm and knocks Cao's feet out from under him. The thief falls onto his back and Rokuro jumps up to his feet, preparing to leap up and attack him with a falling stomp. Rokuro soars ten feet into the air and shouts as he falls, aiming directly at Cao!

>Current Meter: 2
>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 33 (1d100)

>>46272137
Scoot out of the way, and bash his feet.

>>46272137
Hold both tonfa up to get him while he touches down. He'll see this, I hope, and abandon his attack.

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>46272137
Give some test jabs with your tonfas. See how much more range you get on your strikes.

Rolled 51 (1d100)

>>46272186
Derp forgot roll

Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>46272137
Back flip out of the way and go for the face while he is recovering

Rolled 11 (1d100)

>>46272137
Use tonfas to fling dirt into his eyes

People picked tonfas.....

Holy fucking shit I leave for an hour and people pick a weapon that are literally terrible and that we have no training with.

Damashi your audience fucking kills me.

>>46272267
Avoid dirt, it is Cao's Achilles' Heel

>>46272267
THE DIRT! You did this on purpose!!!! YOU KNOW DIRT ROLLS ARE ALWAYS BAD.

Can we just stick to fucking swords next time? Fuck this shit.

>>46272290
Now you know how I and the anit Mileena fag feel.

>>46272173

Cao just barely manages to roll away, but when Rokuro lands he kicks the thief in the stomach. He picks up Cao and holds him over his head before throwing him off to the side, against the arena wall.

>>46272186
>>46272223

As Rokuro charges again, Cao holds up both tonfas in a defensive position in front of him. The warrior's punch is powerful, however, and Cao finds himself pushed back against the wall and dropping his guard as Rokuro punches him again, though he gets his arms up in time and the tonfas manage to absorb the blow.

>>46272221

Cao attempts to punch out with his tonfas but Rokuro, a seasoned and trained warrior, blocks each strike before following up with a spinning backhand to Cao's face, knocking him away from the wall. The thief manages to crawl away and get up to his feet while the prince advances upon him.

>>46272236

When Rokuro is near and goes for a grapple, Cao surprises him with a backflip. His eyes go wide as Cao punches out towards his face, the end of his tonfa leaving a mark on his cheek as he attempts to dodge out of the way. Cao rolls away and escapes his follow-up attack before he reaches up to his face and feels the bleeding cut. Cao twirls the weapons in his hands and smiles.

>>46272267

Rokuro then roars and charges again. Cao attempts to kick up some dirt but the half-shokan barrels right into him before can. Rokuro carries him for several yards before spinning and hurling Cao clear across the arena. The thief hits the ground and rolls for some distance, aching and bruised. He coughs a bit but manages to get up to his feet as the half-shokan's hands light with fire before he takes a step forward and throws them at Cao, creating a burning fireball that surges towards him!

>Current Meter: 3
>1d100 and an action!

>>46272358
I still voted for Mileena, but this shit is retarded. Even after the first weapon discussion we had and explained why tonfa are shit. Damashi even supported the choice here giving people bias.

Maaaaan

Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>46272372
Roll under the fireball. Pull an X-Ray where Cao punches him several times in the gut with the tonfa spikes before uppercutting him in the jaw.

>People getting salty over a new weapon

>>46272413
>>People getting salty over a new weapon

I'm getting salty over a retarded choice. Tonfas are shit. The dice gods agree with me. Stick to what we know next time.

>>46272475
Technically, Cao doesn't know anything. He hasn't had to really use weapons before this adventure began.

Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>46272372
Roll under the fireball, try and do a flip kick to further wound his face where we hit before

>>46272501
You know except for that sword we've used for the majority of the quest.

Rolled 20 (1d100)

>>46272358
Duck under the fireball and stab his stomach.

Rolled 100 (1d100)

>>46272372
fire kobra's fireball back at him

>>46272549
>>46272549
>before this adventure began
Before he stole from Kaito.

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>>46272568

>>46272572
Oh okay, discredit all the experience we've gotten with it since then. Still doesn't justify a shitty weapon.

>>46272568
Neat

>>46272413
>>46272540

Cao sees the fireball coming and charges forward, right into it! At the very last moment he ducks and rolls underneath it, ending up right in front of the shokan. He shouts and thrusts upwards with two punches, jabbing both ends of the tonfa into Rokuro's lower gut. He withdraws them both and punches several times in rapid succession, using the weapon to penetrate the half-shokan's thick skin. Rokuro grunts in pain before Cao brings them both back and leaps up, uppercutting him with the long end of the tonfa connecting to his jaw. As Rokuro stumbles backwards, Cao adds in a flip kick to his wounded cheek. He flies back and hits the dust as Cao lands nearby and stands up, panting a bit, backing up.

Rokuro, despite his injuries, gets back up to his feet. He wipes blood from his mouth and spits it out. "A bit of luck means nothing, thief! This isn't over yet!"

Cao spins the tonfas in his hands before righting them along his forearms. "I guess I just do well in this arena. I've killed bigger things than you in it," he says with a cocky grin.

"For the shokan!" Rokuro shouts, slamming his fists against his chest and charging at Cao.

>Current Meter: 0
>1d100 and an action!

>>46272562
>>46272568

As impressive as the 100 is, 10 minute rule.

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>46272618
Dive at his midriff and take him down with a rugby tackle

Rolled 76 (1d100)

>>46272618
Toss a spectral dagger into Rokuro's knee, then kick his leg out from underneath him.

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>>46272568
glorious

Rolled 69 (1d100)

>>46272618
Fuck this guys shins up. Keep knocking blows to his legs to destroy his mobility. Eventually he will get too tired to chase us around.

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>46272618
Keep working on his face. Alternate between low blows to trick him and then go in for actual hits on his face

NOW we start rolling well after the X-Ray.

>>46272652

Meeting Rokuro's charge head-on, Cao tackles him in the cest! The half-shokan falls back as Cao takes him to the dirt, knocking some of the wind out of his lungs.

>>46272656

Cao gets up and rolls backwards before Rokuro can properly grapple him. As he tries to get back up, Cao tosses a spectral dagger into his face before running up and kicking his leg out from under him, causing him to fall again.

>>46272673

Cao raises the tonfas and lets go of them, grabbing the long handle to use them like small clubs and he rains down blows on the half-shokan's legs and shins. Rokuro shouts in pain as Cao brings both of them down at one on his left knee, shattering it just a bit.

>>46272698

Having harmed his legs, Cao now returns focus to his face. Rokuro is big and strong and tough, but not very fast. The thief slams his elbow into his stomach to get him to lower his arms before performing a spinning backslam with the other tonfa against his face. Rokuro rolls onto his stomach as Cao steps back, taking a deep breath as he does so.

'He can't have much more fight left in him,' he thinks. But before his eyes, Rokuro gets up onto his feet, bleeding and bruised, but refusing to give up.

He grunts in pain and does not charge due to his wounded leg, but slowly walks towards Cao, carefullly, waiting for his opportunity to attack. The thief holds up the tonfas defensively, similarly waiting for his turn to strike.

From the sidelines, he suddenly notices his two sisters are cheering him on. As he is distracted, Rokuro strikes with a powerful punch aimed at his face!

>Current Meter: 1
>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 72 (1d100)

>>46272828
Catch the punch in one hand.

Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>46272828
Catch and parry the punch

Rolled 18 (1d100)

>>46272828
Duck and stab the punching arm with the tonfa.

Rolled 34 (1d100)

>>46272618
Jump and go for a high kick. His momentum will throw him off balance if we connect and end with him landing on his ass. I hope.

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>46272828
judo throw him over our head and ax kick his face

Rolled 47 (1d100)

>>46272828
Just drop down to avoid the attack and keep going for the legs.

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>46272828
Let Shao Kahn out a bit with a shadow shoulder charge

>>46272943
Oh shit anon. WHAT HAVE YOU DOOOONE? I hope we don't show any green energy.

>>46273026
FEEL THE POWER OF SHAO KAHN

>>46273026
>not letting shao kahn take over
>not letting shao kahn proceed to lead outworld to slap onaga's shit.

>>46273087
considering Shao Kahn had to poison Onaga, I think one on one its not favoring Shao Kahn

>>46272863

Cao drops one of the tonfas and catches the punch with his hand!

>>46272876

As Cao catches the punch, he punches out with his free hand, only to have it caught by Rokuro, and now they are locked against each other, pushing each other back with all their strength.

>>46272888

Rokuro begins to overpower Cao, pushing him down onto a knee! Cao's other leg begins to buckle as the strong warrior grits his teeth and keeps him down!

>>46272890

Desperate, the thief attempts to bring up his leg to kick Rokuro in the face, but he is instead picked up and slammed onto the ground! Rokuro stands over him, triumphant, and raises both hands high up!

>>46272908

As he brings them down, Cao brings up both of his feet and plants them on Rokuro's stomach and forces him to fall forward, throwing him off of Cao with his momentum reversed. The warrior prince rolls onto his back as Cao tries to get up to his feet.

>>46272923

Both he and Rokuro get up and run at each other. They collide and push against each other once more, each grappling the other.

>>46272943

Closing his eyes as he feels Rokuro begin to push him down again, Cao shouts and surges forward, unleashing a fraction of Shao Kahn's power in a shoulder charge. He tackles Rokuro backwards into one of the arena pillars, cracking it as he slams the half-shokan into the stone.

He steps back a few feet and picks up both of his tonfas.

Rokuro staggers forward, raises a hand, and falls flat on his face. The dust settles as Cao pants and looks down upon his defeated foe.

Rokuro tries to get back up, but can only manage to get onto his knees. He takes long, deep breaths as he closes his eyes in shame. "My father... told me that we do not find ourselves in victory, but in... defeat." He holds out his palms. "I have failed. Kill me."

>A) FINISH HIM!
>B) Friendship
>C) Demand his service
>D) Tell him to kill himself
>E) Other

>>46273134
>B) Friendship
don't kill future cousin in law

>>46273134
>B) Friendship
That's kinda harsh bro.

>>46273134
>E) Other
"And set a bad example for my sisters? Go fuck yourself."
Walk off.

>>46273134
>friendship

He isn't a bad he was just trying to honor his people

>>46273134
>B

>>46273134
>D)
"I'm not interested in making any one else suffer, I've seen too much of that. Kill yourself for all I care."

>>46273222
>"I'm not interested in making any one else suffer"
>"Except your entire family by your suicide"
>"And then the whole of Outworld because the Shokan then refuse to help

>>46273189
>>46273191
>>46273218
>>46273204

"I don't want to kill you," Cao says, dropping his arms a bit. "I didn't even want to steal from the shokan, it was part of a deal that saved my sister's life. What would you do for your cousin?"

Rokuro is silent for a moment before answering, "Anything. She is my family."

"And my sisters are my family," Cao tells him. After a moment, he adds, "I'm sorry, but the blood is gone. The vampire took it and drank it."

Rokuro sighs. "There is not much pure dragon's blood left in the world. It is important to the people of the Draco bloodline." He looks up at Cao, his expression softening. "But you have defeated me in honorable battle, and have let me live. I will return to my people and they shall know."

He gets up to his feet and holds out his hand. Cao puts the tonfa in another hand and shakes it. "You are strong, for a thief. I underestimated you," he tells Cao.

"I'm full of surprises," Cao says with a smile.

>A) Ask him to apologize to Jagara on his behalf
>B) Promise to never steal from the shokan again
>C) Offer to find something of equal value and bring it back to the shokan someday
>D) Leave
>E) Other

>>46273372
>A
>B

>>46273372
>A
>C

Its the right thing to do

>>46273372
>A) Ask him to apologize to Jagara on his behalf
>C) Offer to find something of equal value and bring it back to the shokan someday

>>46273372
>A)
>C)

>>46273372
>A) Ask him to apologize to Jagara on his behalf
>C) Offer to find something of equal value and bring it back to the shokan someday

I'll be back in a little while, I need to get some dinner.

>>46273372
>A)
>B)
If all goes well we should have no problem keeping this promise.

>>46273372
>>A) Ask him to apologize to Jagara on his behalf
>>B) Promise to never steal from the shokan again
>>C) Offer to find something of equal value and bring it back to the shokan someday
Give him the earrings for now.

>>46273623
Fuck that, we hand deliver them to our future bride

>>46273767
If at all possible, Ditto

>>46273767
But I wanna marry sheeva, Cassie, and jacqui, and Khameleon, and Nitara, and Lexx, and Frost, and maybe someone else we haven't seen yet.

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>>46273864
You know if we embrace the souls of Shao Khan we might not have too choose just one wife.

>>46273968
I like Cao quest more then Shao quest.

bump

I ate but I also took some time to write some more into a certain pastebin. Not done yet, but it's already longer than the last one.

Anyway, writing the next part now.

"If it's at all possible, I wonder if you could express my apologies to Jagara. I didn't want things to happen the way they did."

"I shall," Rokuro says as he shakes his hand. "Even though you bested me in kombat, there are those who will still hold grudges. I would not be surprised if other shokan seek to challenge you over this matter."

Cao sighs as they let go. "What if... What if I made up for it? What if I brought something of equal or greater value to the shokan? Swore to never steal from the shokan again?"

"That is difficult to say," the prince admits. "We shokan can be very rigid... I can bring your apology to Jagara but I cannot assure you she will accept it. But if you do find a way to earn her forgiveness, as it was her you originally offended, then I imagine all of this would go away."

They walk towards the arena exit as Cao looks up at the taller prince. "What is next for you?"

"I must return to Kuatan to bring my father news of the Dragon King's return," Rokuro says. "I admit, I was blinded by my anger for you and did not grasp the larger situation at hand. But this is terrible news for all and we must prepare for his coming."

They leave the arena and he laughs a bit. "I never thought I would lose to a thief."

"Not just any thief," Cao says with a smile. "The best damn thief in Outworld."

"Then it is not so bad a thing, I suppose," Rokuro laughs.

>A) Speak to Kotal Kahn
>B) Go to your sisters
>C) Seek out someone else
>D) Talk to Rokuro some more
>E) Other

>>46275861
>A) Speak to Kotal Kahn
>B) Go to your sisters

>>46275861
>B) Go to your sisters
If people are sending envoys to other realms, Cao should offer himself as the envoy to Earthrealm.

>>46276060
Aggreed

>>46275928
>>46276060

Cao parts with Rokuro and runs down a hall to find his sisters. The hug him and compliment his fighting prowess, which has grown significantly ever since he started his adventures. But something else has been weighing on his mind.

"I think it's time we used that device," he says to Sanra.

"You mean, go to Earthrealm?" she asks.

"I don't like the way things are looking up here," Cao says. "And I still don't trust Kotal Kahn fully."

"Neither do I, but are we ready?"

"I don't know," Cao replies, thinking hard.

>A) Go to Earthrealm now
>B) Hold off on leaving
>C) Send your sisters to Earthrealm
>D) Go to Kotal Kahn and tell him of your desire to leave Outworld
>E) Other

>>46276223
>D) Go to Kotal Kahn and tell him of your desire to leave Outworld
>A) Go to Earthrealm now
Leave a note. Have Hua or Sanra write it, naturally.

>>46276302
Probably a smart idea to warn skarlet and Khameleon

>>46276400
Now there's a question: does Skarlet come with us to Earthrealm?

>>46276223
>B)
If we do this we at least bring Skarlet with us and tell Khameleion.

>>46276302
>>46276400
>>46276424

We have the device, it's just a question of when to use it and who to bring with us. So should we stay in Outworld any longer, perhaps to meet with Kotal or others, or leave immediately?

>>46276549
If we plan on coming back then we should volunteer to be the emissary but if not then lets just peace out but either way we should bring skarlet and Khameleon

>>46276549
Tell kotal, let him know that we'll take the news to earth.

>>46276655
We'll give Kotal at least that much. Cao is going to Earthrealm, and nothing is stopping him.

>>46276549
Can we get both Cassi and Jaqui or just one or the other?

>>46276549
I'm okay with sending the sister and helping Nitara. Or just taking Skarlet and the sisters and heading too earthrealm now.

>>46276849
Nitara's gone and doing her own thing. Cao has his sisters. There's nothing left for him in Outworld right now except Shao Kahn's scepter in the basement.

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"Not yet. I need to speak with some people first. But go to our room and wait for me, then we'll leave when I'm ready."

"Are you sure?" she asks.

Hua grabs his hand. "Are we leaving? Can we bring Speelock? He's my friend! I tried to go look for him but they wouldn't let me leave the palace."

"I don't know," he sighs. "Look, just go with Sanra for now, okay? I'll be back soon."

Hua nods and Sanra leads her away. Once he is alone, Cao rubs a hand through his hair. "Skarlet," he calls out. She materializes from the floor, blood dripping up into her solid form.

"You are not truly thinking of leaving Outworld, are you?" she asks.

"I am," he nods. "We need Earthrealm's help and I don't want my sisters to be in danger."

"My Emperor, we can't---"

"Don't use that word here! I'm trying to keep this a secret."

"I don't understand why you are attempting to make peace with Kotal Kahn," she says. "We must kill him, and Onaga, and reclaim the throne."

"In time, damnit," he says. "I have other things to worry about until then. 'Keep friends close and enemies closer' right? So I'm getting close to Kotal Kahn."

"I understand," she says, "but I do not agree with seeking Earthrealm's help. We do not need their help. Outworld stands alone and fights alone because Outworld is strong."

"What matters right now is if you're coming to Earthrealm with me."

"I go where you go unless you order me otherwise."

>A) Bring her with you
>B) Keep her here as a spy
>C) Send her on a task
>D) Send her to a different realm
>E) Other

>>46277058
>>C) Send her on a task
Spy on Onaga and make note of all his movements? That sound good?

>>46277058
>B) Keep her here as a spy
May as well make her useful and serve as our eyes in Outworld. Plus she won't constantly be in Cao's ear compelling him to become Shao Kahn.

>>46277154
Maybe have her try to gather the kamidogu so we can hide them from onaga

>>46277355
Also not a bad idea. She would have to find out the locations from him though.