MORTAL KOMBAT®:
SCORPION©
CHAPTER 1
The Death Of A Ninja -
Late-Afternoon.
The Shirai Ryu School of Ninja, whom specialize in helping the less fortunate and protect those that cannot protect themselves, are in the midst of training under the watchful eye of their Grand Master, Hanzo Hasashi. Hanzo is the predecessor of Master Takeda, installing the teachings of his Master; Honour, Loyalty and Respect. Hanzo assumed leadership of the clan after Master Takeda disappeared a few years ago - Hanzo believes the Lin Kuei are responsible for his Master's disappearance, but can not prove anything – yet!
Master Takeda used to be a member of the Lin Kuei, but, due to his ever increasing concern to their questionable methods and the fact he had developed, what he considered, a superior form of Ninjutsu, he left and eventually formed his own clan, the Shirai Ryu, which broke the sacred vows of Lin Kuei. Takeda was considered a rogue Ninja, traitor and enemy of the Lin Kuei and was marked for death. Takeda's disappearance seems too convenient for Hanzo to ignore. But the Lin Kuei are a larger and more formidable clan, it would be foolish to take on the Lin Kuei until the Shirai Ryu was ready. The fact the Lin Kuei had not attacked them meant one of two things. Either they were planning to attack and were waiting for the right moment. Or, thankfully, they didn't know the location of the village.
Hanzo motioned for his clan to stop practising. They all stopped and knelt before him. He looked out among his clan "I want you all to continue perfecting your techniques until I return from my mission. If it goes well, the Shirai Ryu will be well rewarded and we will be able to distribute it among our families and surrounding villages"
The clan nod in unison. Hanzo grabs his beloved kunai attached to a rope, his two katana and mask then headed out of the dojo, Hanzo strapped his katanas to his back and attached the kunai to his belt. He made his way to the gates of the village. The guards opened the gate, Hanzo nodded to them as he exited. They close the gates behind him and he leaves the Ninja village. Before heading for the meeting place, Hanzo decides to visit the neighbouring village. The neighbouring village consists of regular people however, hidden amongst them are the wives and children of the Shirai Ryu. Hanzo heads to a unremarkable house in which he lived. As he entered he was attacked, Hanzo blocked the attack and laughed "Jubei, you'll have to do better than that if you are to surprise attack me"
"Awww, I thought for sure I had you this time Dad" Jubei said pouting and kicking the floor, he was 9 years old – too young to be in the Shirai Ryu clan
"Keep trying" Hanzo smiled "One day you will succeed"
Hanzo's wife entered the room "I'm still not sure I want our son following in your footsteps" she said sternly
"Come on Kara," Hanzo protested "I must teach the boy to defend himself"
"Does not mean I want him joining your clan" Kara continued
"Hopefully he won't have to" Hanzo offered
Kara looked Hanzo over and noticed he was battle ready "Are you heading out on a mission?"
"Yes. If all goes well, we will be well rewarded"
Kara approached Hanzo and they embraced "Be careful" she said softly
Hanzo kissed Kara "I will" he said. Hanzo then turned to his son. He knelt down and looked his son in the eyes "Jubei, look after your Mother for me while I'm gone"
Jubei nodded and Hanzo smiled. He kissed him on the forehead, stood up and left his home.
Hanzo put on his mask and made his way to the meeting place. He was a little apprehensive, he never liked leaving his village – he knew his clan was capable of defending itself but, he would never forgive himself if something were to happen while he was gone. As Hanzo approached the meeting place, he knew something was not right. His contact was not there?! His contact had always been there waiting. He didn't like this. His Ninja intuition was telling him something was wrong. Very wrong. What if his contact had been found out and captured, or worse – been killed! He decided to wait for a couple of minutes. His contact may have been held up or inconvenienced in some way? Hanzo closed his eyes and began to meditate. As the minutes passed Hanzo's pained anxiety increased and it was making him consider leaving and returning to the village. Suddenly, a chill shot down his spine and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He opened his eyes to see a dark figure approaching. It was wearing a black cloak to disguise itself
"Finally" Hanzo called out in relief "I was beginning to worry about you. Please, be quick. I must return to my clan"
The cloaked figure said nothing. Hanzo knew something was amiss. The figure stood in front of him and removed the black cloak. Hanzo looked over the figure. He noted that it was dressed in blue ceremonial Ninja attire. Then horror struck him as he spotted an emblem on the Ninja's attire. He recognized it immediately "Grrrrh... Lin Kuei" he muttered. A few intense moments pass as the two Ninja stare with contempt at each other.
"What business do you have with me dog of the Lin Kuei" Hanzo asked in disdain.
No answer.
"Figures" Hanzo thought. The Ninja clenched his fists and got into a fighting stance. Hanzo scoffed as he ready himself for attack. The Ninja charged Hanzo and threw a punch - Hanzo blocks it, grabbing hold of the Ninja's arm and tries a throw. The Ninja flips over Hanzo's shoulder and lands on his feet. The Ninja side kicks Hanzo, who falls to the ground. Hanzo nips up and throws a whirlwind kick followed by a twisting dragon punch. The Ninja catches Hanzo with a reverse sweep as he tries to follow up. The Ninja flip kicks, but it's blocked. Hanzo reverse jabs, but, the Ninja counters by catching the arm and throwing him to the ground. Hanzo rolls to create some distance from the Ninja and jumps to his feet. He ducks as a large ball of ice came towards him. It hit a tree behind him. Hanzo watched in confusion as the tree froze. Hanzo struggled to believe what he saw. How was that possible? He had heard rumours of the Lin Kuei dabbling in sorcery to create 'Super-Ninja' but, what if they were true?
"Who or what are you?" Hanzo asks
"I am Sub-Zero. I am your death!" The Ninja stated coldly
Hanzo recoiled in recognition, he had heard the name but believed that the stories associated with it were myths. Myths linked to the rumours of the Lin Kuei 'Super-Ninja'. But it would appear these rumours were true! Much to the horror of Hanzo. He knew he was in for the fight of his life. If he didn't stop Sub-Zero here and now, Sub-Zero and the Lin Kuei may well move on to eliminate the Shirai Ryu clan.
Hanzo threw his kunai at Sub-Zero "GET OVER HERE!" he shouted. Sub-Zero ducked it and closed the gap. Hanzo pulled on the rope to recover his kunai. Sub-Zero tried palm thrusting Hanzo, who leapt backwards catching Sub-Zero in the face with a mid-air kick. Hanzo landed catching his kunai and readied himself. Sub-Zero motioned his hands and the air particles began to turn to ice Hanzo couldn't believe what he was seeing. Sub-Zero thrust his hands forward and a ball of ice flew towards Hanzo. Hanzo barely cartwheeled out of the way in time. Sub-Zero had anticipated this and dragon-palmed Hanzo as he was finishing the cartwheel. Hanzo threw his kunai as he landed, Sub-Zero swatted the kunai aside and tried stomping on Hanzo. Hanzo backward rolled out of the way and rose to his feet. Sub-Zero thrust kicked, Hanzo side-stepped and palm thrusted Sub-Zero in the chest. Sub-Zero stumbled backwards, Hanzo roundhouse kicked Sub-Zero to the ground. Hanzo recoiled his kunai and went to approach the downed Sub-Zero but, sensed Sub-Zero was not trying to kill him. As he could use his ice ability far more effectively than he was.
Hanzo stayed back and asked perturbed "What is the point of this?"
Sub-Zero got to his feet and dusted himself off "Distraction" he replied coldly.
"Distraction?" Hanzo questioned. He furrowed his brow as he pondered. Suddenly his heart missed a beat and his blood ran cold as he realized what Sub-Zero meant "MY CLAN?!" he exclaimed alarmed.
Sub-Zero let out a stifled laugh.
"Bastard!" Hanzo said as he threw a smoke bomb at Sub-Zero and ran back towards his village. Sub-Zero cursed himself for allowing himself to fall for such a cheap Ninja trick. He gathered himself and began to pursue Hanzo. As Hanzo got close to his village, he could see smoke filling the sky. As he approached the village gates he could hear the sound of steel on steel and shouts and screams of the dying filled the air. He prayed he wasn't too late. Hanzo rounded the corner to see the gates of his village forced open and broken. His village burning to the ground. And his clan being massacred before his very eyes. Hanzo's heart sank and he felt sick to his stomach. He took a few moments to process what was happening. Rage overwhelmed him! He clenched his teeth and clutched his kunai tightly whilst shaking with vehement intensity.
From out of the billowing smoke, a Lin Kuei Ninja jumped at him, Hanzo stepped aside. The Ninja turned round and Hanzo, using his kunai, sliced his throat. Blood sprayed Hanzo in the face as the Ninja fell to the floor gargling and choking on his blood. Hanzo quickly wiped the blood from his eyes to see another Lin Kuei Ninja running towards him. Hanzo waited for the Ninja to strike, he blocked the attack and moved round to behind the Ninja. He grabbed their head, kicked them in the back of the legs so they fell to their knees and twisted hard on the Ninja's neck until it popped and cracked. He let the body drop and marched through the burning village looking for survivors. He spotted a Lin Kuei Ninja about to kill one of his Shirai Ryu Ninja. Hanzo threw his kunai at the Lin Kuei Ninja. The kunai pierced through the Lin Kuei Ninja's back and burst through his chest.
Hanzo pulled hard on the rope "COME HERE!" he screamed in rage
The Ninja flew backwards and landed hard on his back. Hanzo continued to pull on the rope, dragging the Lin Kuei Ninja's body along the floor. Hanzo stood over the Ninja. The Ninja gurgled and spat blood. Hanzo sneered and raise his right foot. The Ninja's eyes widen in fear, he tries to plead for mercy, Hanzo stamped hard on the Ninja's face – shattering his skull. He rolled the lifeless corpse over, placed his left foot on it's back and pulled his kunai free.
Hanzo felt a cold chill and knew Sub-Zero had arrived. He looked over his shoulder to see Sub-Zero approaching "Lin Kuei dog!" he spat "You will pay for this"
Hanzo spun to face Sub-Zero. He gripped his kunai tightly. They stare intensely at each other. Screams of the dying and the roar of flames echo around them. They begin to circle each other. Continuing to stare daggers at each other. Each waiting for the other to make the first move.
A Shirai Ryu Ninja emerges out of the smoke to attack Sub-Zero "Master Hanzo, leave while you can" he shouts as he strikes at Sub-Zero with a katana. Sub-Zero catches the attack with a hand either side of the blade. Within seconds the blade has turned to ice and Sub-Zero twists his hands and shatters the katana. The Shirai Ryu Ninja's eyes widen in surprise. Sub-Zero grabs the Ninja and knees him in the stomach and quickly moves behind him to use the Ninja as a shield between him and Hanzo.
"COWARD!" Hanzo shouts.
In reply, Sub-Zero uses his cryo-abilities to freeze the helpless Ninja. The Ninja reaches out his right arm towards Hanzo for help as he slowly turns to an ice statue.
"NOOOOOOOO!" Hanzo screams in protest, returning the outstretched arm. Hanzo curses himself for being so powerless to help.
Sub-Zero lets go of the Ninja and enters horse stance. He proceeds to dragon punch the Ninja who shatters into hundreds of pieces.
"Bastard! I'll be damned to hell before I let you kill another Shirai Ryu Ninja!" Hanzo declared.
Sub-Zero got into his fighting stance as Hanzo charged him – unsheathing a katana as he did so. Hanzo swiped the sword in a figure of eight motion making it hard for Sub-Zero to block or stop. All Sub-Zero could do was flip and cartwheel out of the way then, Sub-Zero shot ice at the floor near Hanzo's feet. Hanzo began to slip and slide. Sub-Zero took advantage and gave Hanzo a roundhouse kick, sending him to the floor and his katana flying. Hanzo scrambled to his feet in time to meet a dragon palm from Sub-Zero. Hanzo stumbles backward, Sub-Zero tries to take advantage but Hanzo rolls backwards and unsheathes his second katana. Hanzo stands and beckons Sub-Zero to bring it. Sub-Zero cautiously moves toward Hanzo, Hanzo charged towards Sub-Zero swinging his katana towards him, Sub-Zero managed to avoid the blow however, Hanzo caught Sub-Zero with the backhand swing. Sub-Zero grunted in pain and clutched the top of his left arm
"Good to see you bleed like everyone else" Hanzo taunted
Angered at having his blood shed, Sub-Zero suddenly crouches and slides quickly towards Hanzo, catching Hanzo off-guard. Hanzo tumbles over Sub-Zero and crashes hard to the floor. Hanzo quickly tried scrambling back to his feet but, Sub-Zero elbowed him hard in the back sending him back to the ground. Sub-Zero continued to rain down blow after blow on Hanzo until Hanzo managed to elbow Sub-Zero in the gut. Hanzo took a few moments before staggering to his feet. He coughed hard. Blood shot from his mouth. ''Damn!'' he thought as he wiped the blood from his mouth. He looked around at the battle around him. His clan were outnumbered and outmatched. His village was burning and he was facing death in the face. A wave of failure washes over him. He was enraged by his weakness. He knew now he was no match for this Sub-Zero, but, he had to fight for his clan, he had to find some way to stop Sub-Zero! Hanzo took a breath and made his final stand. He charged at Sub-Zero, throwing his kunai to distract him. It work! Hanzo landed a dragon kick, Sub-Zero tumbled backwards. Before Sub-Zero could get to his feet, Hanzo tried to double stomp him, but, Sub-Zero kicked Hanzo in the stomach. Hanzo fell to the floor clutching his abdomen. Sub-Zero stood over him, Hanzo desperately jumped to his feet and threw a straight right jab, Sub-Zero grabbed Hanzo's hand, Hanzo threw a low left punch, Sub-Zero grabbed this also, Hanzo felt his arms start to go numb, Hanzo's eyes widen as he sees his arms freeze before him. Panic sets in and his heart sinks, as he realizes that he has failed himself and most importantly - his clan.
Hanzo grunts in pain as Sub-Zero fiercely pulls at his frozen arms. Hanzo starts to scream as his shoulders begin to burn with intense pain. Sub-Zero continues to pull hard until Hanzo's arms tear-off. Hanzo screamed in immense agony, he collapsed to his knees - blood gushing from his upper torso. Sub-Zero proceeded to smash Hanzo's frozen right arm across Hanzo's face. Hanzo, in instinct, tried to shake away the dizziness from the blow. Sub-Zero then smashed Hanzo's frozen left arm across Hanzo's face. Hanzo was a little groggy from loss of blood and the two strikes from his frozen arms, but he managed to utter some final words ''I... Hanzo Hasashi... curse you Sub-Zero … in the name… of the Shirai Ryu clan!''
Sub-Zero responded by grabbing Hanzo by the neck and placing his left hand on Hanzo's right shoulder. He proceeded to pull extremely hard. Hanzo screamed. Sub-Zero continued to pull as Hanzo let out a loud, spine-chilling, ear piercing scream until his head came off - with spine in tact. Sub-Zero raised Hanzo's head high in triumph, then threw it down on the floor like garbage.
Shocked and disheartened at the death of their master, the will to fight left the surviving Shirai Ryu Ninja, and it didn't take long for the Lin Kuei, along with Sub-Zero, to eradicate the rest of the clan. With their mission complete the Lin Kuei headed back leaving the dead unceremoniously laying where they fell and the village burning to ash.
The Shirai Ryu clan are no more!