It was a shitty day in New York, also called Decon City. But that wan't unnatural. It was always like that from pollution, to the weather, and Mayor Muldoon's fuck ups. The police station was a riot, after hearing about the release of one of the most dangerous prisoners they have. Several police officers went up to Captain Jackson Briggs, and told him to stop this stupid ass idea. He wouldn't listen. He insisted on releasing this man because he didn't act like a killer. He was a killer. A monster even. He didn't want a first offender out there. He wanted a cold blooded killer, who has no humanity.

Captain Briggs was in the middle of a discussion talking with the prisoner, who was shrouded in darkness. After he had finished discussing the cannibal, Reptile, he then told how Johnny Cage had infiltrated Baraka's hideout, and fought him. But he lost. The prisoner closed the folder that contained the photo of the decapitated Cage, and looked up at Briggs. The Captain had taken out another folder, and told the prisoner about the man who would be setting up the tournament.

Briggs pulled out a folder, and looked at the man. "We have reason to believe this man," Briggs said, throwing the folder over the prisoner, and it showed a middle-aged man with short black hair, an expensive tuxedo, and a strange mark on his right hand, "Shang Tsung, may be behind each killer. The night before Johnny Cage was murdered, he told us about a tournament this Shang Tsung is planning, some underground death match between the world's top fighters. Serial killers, assassins," Briggs looked up at the man, and continued, "which brings me to you."

The prisoner remained silent, and Briggs said, "Hanzo Hasashi. Before your incarceration, you were the top assassin of the Shirai Ryu, the most lethal ninja clan in Japan." The prisoner remained silent, and then Briggs continued, "We want to put you back out on the streets. If this tournament exists, it's our one shot to take out Baraka, Reptile and the other maniacs who've turned this city into a killing field. We want you to join the tournament, and we want you to win it. We want you to do what you do best: kill them all."

Hanzo Hasashi finally replied, in a low, harsh voice, "You seem to know a great deal about me. Then you must know that I surrendered my freedom voluntarily. Now what you don't seem to know is that I can have I freedom back, whenever I choose." The handcuffs restraining him dropped to the floor. He folded his free hands on the table, and continued, "So tell me, Detective Briggs, what could you possibly offer me in exchange for my help?"

The door behind Briggs opened, and a twenty-something year old woman walked in. Captain Briggs said, "Sonya Blade. Perfect timing."

Detective Sonya Blade walked up to Hanzo and presented a folder. She sat in a chair to his right, folded her hands, and said, "Sub-Zero."

Hanzo chuckled, and said, "That man is dead."

Sonya retorted, "These pictures were taken yesterday."

Hanzo's head shot up, and looked at Sonya. He then looked back at the folder, and slowly opened it. It contained a picture of Hanzo's rival. Bi-Han. Better known a Sub-Zero. But Hanzo knew him as the man who killed his family. Sonya smiled and said, "The man you killed was his brother."

Hanzo shook his head in disbelief and replied, "No, impossible."

Sonya then said, "Sub-Zero is alive and well, and will be at that tournament." Hanzo looked at the pictures intently, starting to realize his mistake. "You want him," said Sonya, "you got him."

Hanzo slammed the folder on the table, and began to walk out.

He barely heard Sonya say, "Leave no survivors. Understand? None."

Hanzo opened the door, and Briggs shot out of his chair and said, "Hasashi, are you listening? Find Shang Tsung and finish him."

Hanzo stopped and said, "Hanzo Hasashi is dead." Briggs wore a look of confusion on his face.

"My name," declared Hanzo, as he slowly turned around, revealing pure, pupil-less eyes...

"is Scorpion."


Scorpion walked out of the police station, wearing a gray hoodie, with the hood pulled up over his eyes. He began walking down the street, when he ran into someone. The man fell down, and said, "Watch where you're going, will ya?"

Scorpion chuckled, and said, "Do I look like I give a shit?" He then looked down, and saw the man was blindfolded. Scorpion raised an eyebrow, and put his hand out to help the man up.

The blindfolded man said, "You do realize I can't see where your hand is, right?"

Scorpion grinned and said, "How do you know I put my hand out then?"

The man replied, "I heard it."

Scorpion's eyes widened with surprise and said, "How the hell did you hear that?"

The man got up, and said, "When I was blinded, something happened. I can't explain it, it's like the sword gave me extra abilities. It increased my other senses, so that I could do what no other blind man could."

Scorpion's eyes narrowed at the mention of Shang Tsung's name, and said, "Shang Tsung did that to you? Why doesn't that surprise me?"

The man looked it the direction he heard the voice, and said, "You know about Shang Tsung?"

Scorpion grinned, and said, "Yes. In fact, I was just released from prison to find him and kill him"

"Hanzo Hasashi," the man said.

Scorpion looked at him with surprise showing all over his face. "How do you know my name?"

"Because," The blindfolded man said, "I'm an NYPD officer. Kenshi's the name. And I was also supposed to find Shang Tsung with you."

Scorpion grinned and said, "I guess Briggs didn't trust me."

Kenshi said, "Guess not. Listen, I'm gonna make you a deal. You can stay at me and Stryker's apartment until we find Shang Tsung."

Scorpion put his chin in his hand, slightly showing his bone white eyes. He then looked back at Kenshi and said, "You got a deal. And I have a question for you. Why do you carry around that sword? It's not like you can see what you're doing."

Kenshi nodded and said, "Like I said, heightened senses. I can now hear where my opponent is. It's almost like I can see, but I can't make out details."

Scorpion threw a punch, but Kenshi grabbed the fist that was coming at him. Scorpion grinned, and retracted his fist. "Told ya," Kenshi replied.

Scorpion asked, "So where is this apartment of yours?"

Kenshi said, "Follow me."

Scorpion chuckled and said, "Never thought I'd follow a blind man."

Kenshi then grinned, and said, "I know my way around Decon City better than most people."

Scorpion then said, "Lead the way."


Next time, on Mortal Kombat: Rebirth:

The corrupted Shaolin Monks must choose a representative to attend Shang Tsung's tournament, in order to stay in Decon City.


A/N: Hope you enjoyed, and don't worry, the tournament will happen in a couple of chapters, but first, we have to introduce more characters. And next chapter will be our first fight. Yay! Also, thanks goes to Poe's Daughter who suggested that I change the rating from M to T for the time being. Enjoy.

Spino, out.