Tempo90: Hey everyone... looks around impatiently> Where is she?

DawnWalker: Thou hast finished already?

Tempo90:Yes I have...would you mind doing the disclaimer...and don't sneak up on my like that...I'm jumpy enough as it is.

DawmWalker: Thou art...odd...any way Tempo90 dost not own Mortal Kombat, he merely owns the OC's Jared,Chelsea, Nico, Shiva, Shi Akuma, Miko, Seijin No Teishu, and hotshot14 owns Midnight, Rei, Spider, and DawnWalker...I am merely on loan as his muse.


Chaper 7: Demons,Angst, and Hangovers

Ermac quickly handed Midnight to Jared, then ran towards Shao Kahn. Shao Kahn stood still, as he anticipated what was going to happen and braced himself. Ermac then hauled off and punched Shao Kahn in the jaw. Everyone watched in awe as Shao Kahn flew through the air and then smashed up against a rock. Everyone was still staring when Rei and Spider came down the train and arrived at the camp. Spider looked at Jared, then Ermac, then Shao Kahn. "…Uhh…don't mean to interrupt this even but we have a problem." Spider said.

"I'm Rei!" yelled the hyper looking woman jumping and waving behind her.

Jared sighed "How can this day get any worse?" Everyone stared at him. They were interrupted when Spider gave a snort, then they all looked at her..

Spider beamed "She's not the problem Sparky," She nodded off behind her "He's the problem." She pointed off in the distance behind them. A lone swordsman was seen walking towards the camp in the distance.

"He's been following us for a while…he looks dangerous." said Rei wringing her hands nervously. Everyone got ready for trouble except an extremely mad Goro and a sore looking Shao Kahn. While waiting for the swordsman, Spider explained who Rei was, with side comments thrown in by Rei.

The swordsman had arrived and stood a respectable distance away from the camp. "Which one of you is the strongest?" he asked, his voice raspy. He stood slightly over 6 feet tall, with a medium build, brown hair that hung to below his shoulder blades, dressed in a blue robe with golden trim that had armored plates sewn in. He would have been considered handsome if it wasn't for his eyes. They were what disturbed them the most; they were feral, psychotic, and hungry for blood…the eyes of a remorseless killer. "I said, which one of you is the strongest!" he yelled.

Jared stepped foreword, setting Midnight on the ground gently. "I guess that'd be me."

"Who are you?" The swordsman turned to Jared and Jared shuddered as those eyes fixed on him.
"I am Jared McRae, champion of the Elder Gods, and the new god of thunder."

"I am Shi Akuma, champion of the future ruler of the realms Raiden… draw your weapon!" Shi said, drawing a blood red katana from its sheath.

Midnight awoke looking confused, looked at Shi Akuma, with her eyes widening, she then ran over to Jared at whispered something in his ear. Jared turned to her. "Go into my tent and bring me the long box, with the magic seal, that is at the foot of my bedroll." Nodding she ran off. "Shi Akuma, we shall duel very soon, but first let me speak with my champions."

"Fine." Shi ran a finger over the hilt of his weapon.

Jared beaconed Shao Kahn over "What do you know about a demon called Seijin No Teishu?"

"Nothing…though Ermac may know something, he is created from the souls of 1000 warrior spirits, and possesses the memory of all of them."

Jared walked over to Ermac and asked him the same question. "The Seijin No Teishu is a powerful demon, who's lust for blood is legendary …why do you ask?"

"Midnight told me that this man is possessed by a demon…the demon I asked you about…I want more info later."

Midnight came running towards Jared with a large box and set it at Jared's feet. Jared ripped off the seal and took a deep breath as he opened the box. Inside was a jet black spear, which was 6 feet long and radiated with an evil aura.

"Is that," Shao Kahn began with his eyes widening.

"Longinus, aka the spear of destiny. It's the spear that pierced the side of Christ." Jared finished giving the spear an appraising look.

"How did you get that? Midnight asked staring at the spear with more then a little suspicion.

"I found it clasped in the hands of a corpse in some ancient ruins in Germany…The rumor that the spear grants the wielder eternal life is false. The spear is cursed by the gods and it drains the wielders life and it absorbs the souls of the people it's killed."

"Why do you need it then? If this weapon is so evil, then you shouldn't use it!"

"Because the spear is a magical item, and it can stand up to Shi's sword. His sword is made from the fang of a demon…not a simple oni, but a full fledged 'I am the harbinger of the apocalypse' type demon" Jared replied hefting the spear and walking towards Shi Akuma. Jared shuddered with fear as Longinus pulsed with a heartbeat and the shaft began to feel like flesh.

"Longinus? You're actually going to wield it in kombat? Shi asked suspiciously.

"Yeah I am. I'll be the second person to have used it in battle with a being from heaven or hell."

"You think it will take my soul?"

"Meh…all I know it is a weapon to be feared by both good and evil."

Jared rushed foreword and thrust the spear at Shi, who dodged it, then retaliated with a flurry of slashes that Jared barely managed to block. Shi grinned at him, and Jared answered by throwing a blast of lightning at Shi, teleporting behind him, and then thrusting with his spear, catching Shi in the side. Shi simply turned, his grin even more maniacal, as he placed a finger in his wound, and forced his whole hand in, drawing it out slowly, and then began to lick the blood off his hand slowly, relishing the taste and feel of the blood and pain. Everyone stared in horror at him.

"You're the first person to ever hit me…I'm impressed, but the taste and smell of blood arouses me…It's time for you to die…Shunpo" he said disappearing completely.

Jared gasped in surprise and pain, then looked downwards as numerous cuts and slashes appeared on his torso, his blood staining his gi and hakama red as he fell earthward. Shi appeared before him licking the blood of his katana, his eyes more crazed then before. "Is this how the blood of a god tastes? Heh I shall have to take your corpse with me and drain it to enjoy more of this. Time to end this." he said preparing for the final blow, when his body crumpled, accompanied by the cracking of bones. Shao Kahn had hit Shi from behind with the Wraith Hammer to protect Jared.

"I'll be back for you all…I have yet to taste your blood!" he yelled teleporting away to his master.

Midnight ran over to Jared and began to heal him. "Don't go making a habit of this; I don't have enough Chi to keep this up. You may be a god, but I could still spank you or something humiliating like that." She said.

Jared gave a small laugh and a grin. "This is good;" she thought "He's forgetting about Chelsea's betrayal."

Once Jared was fully healed, he put Longinus back in its box, and turned to Ermac. "Ok Ermac, lets hear what you know about Shi Akuma."

Ermac nodded and gestured for them all to sit. "We shall tell you what we know. Shi Akuma was born into a family of wealthy farmers, in the feudal era under the third Daimyo. At the age of ten his skill with a blade was obvious, so his father bought him a sturdy katana, told him to enlist in the army, and to go through training in bushido. When Shi tried to enlist, they said he was too young to enlist, which made his father send a letter to the Daimyo. The Daimyo agreed to see Shi's skill with the blade personally, much to the joy of his family.

When he and his father arrived at the capital, they both stared in wonder at the hustle and bustle of the city, rickshaws hurtled passed, carrying nobles and high ranking military officials, shopkeepers haggling with customers on prices, and streetwalkers giving offers of pleasure, for a price and possibly a few insects. Inside the palace, there was a great difference…it was calm, quiet and serene, which made Shi relax a little. A bushi greeted and took them to a room, where they could wait for the Daimyo to finish his current meeting. Shi began to practice in the room, to further calm his nerves. After a few hours, there was a knock on the door. "Shi Akuma, the Daimyo will see you now." said a bushi.

Gathering his courage, Shi followed the bushi to the room of the Daimyo. Shi paid his respects to the Daimyo and his daughter, and was greeted kindly, with some comments. The head of the army had shown up to spar with Shi, to allow Shi to demonstrate his skills with a blade. The commander unleashed a quick succession of slashes and thrusts which Shi evaded and then countered, scoring the commander across his torso, winning the match, as it was to first blood. The commander was impressed, and said that Shi was always welcome in the army, and sat down at the side of the hall. Shi quickly turned around and blocked a slash.

The Daimyo laughed "You sensed me coming? Excellent, let us see if you can keep up with me." The Daimyo quickly rolled foreword and thrust with his katana. Shi dodged it, and tried to retaliate, but the Daimyo let loose a flurry of attacks, which Shi barely blocked, each hit rattling his arm. Shi was tired and sore, but felt some new energy awaken in him…could this be the power his father talked about? His father spoke of his ancestors, how they were blessed with the gods, with a sacred power, known as the Shunpo. It allowed a person to travel at great speeds, making it seem like they disappeared. Invisible to the human eye, the person could wreak havoc to their foes.

"Shunpo!" Shi cried as his father gasped in surprise, seeing his son disappear, and saw a single cut appear on the Daimyos side. Shi appeared in front of the Daimyo, shocked at what he had done.

"Well done, Shi Akuma… I must speak with your father in private…Miko, would you play with the child while I talk to his father?"

"Yes father, follow me Shi." said princess Miko, leading him into the palace gardens. Together they played for hours, screaming and laughing with glee. Shi found out the princess was the same age as him, when they began to talk after playing, both of them panting and exhausted.

"Miko, bring the boy back now, there is some good news."

Together they walked to the throne room, seeing both the Daimyo and Shi's father grinning.

"Shi Akuma," the Daimyo began. "I make you an offer that may be hard for you to decide…I offer you the position of personal bodyguard of my daughter Miko, but you shall never see your family for a long time. I understand if you are reluctant to accept this offer, but should you do, your family will be well compensated, and you shall be given the title of Shogun."

Shi turned to his father, who mouthed "Accept the deal." and gave Shi a goofy look which made him grin. Kneeling on the ground Shi said "I humbly accept your offer, Daimyo."

"Then arise Shogun Akuma. You have training to go through."

Shi began his training in bushido, proving an apt student, and a fearsome warrior. He graduated with top marks in his class in only a few months, and he began his job of bodyguard for the princess, escorting her everywhere, and protecting her from any harm when they went for walks in the woods. He had fought off bandits, animals, and even rival army squadrons single handedly. After 10 years Shi had become greatly smitten with the princess, and he slowly worked up his courage.

"Princess Miko…I-I-I…"

"Hehe, what is it Shi?"

"I…I'm in love with you"

"I knew that long ago," Miko said rolling her eyes "But I cannot marry you…I can only marry the strongest…The Silver wind" She said sadly.

"I…understand" Shi said walking off, his head hanging low.

"Shi…I'm sorry, please don't go."

"I need some time alone, please allow me it."

"Ok…" The princess said

Shi ran from the palace. "I'm such a fool, how could a noble like her ever end up with the son of a farmer." He thought, running through town, tears streaming down his face. He slammed open the doors to an arcane library of summoners he had discovered with Miko long ago. He slowly looked over the tomes there, and picked up the one that looked most promising and looked through it, looking at the creatures contained inside and stopped at a page. A summon that would grant the summoner supreme strength…A demon called the Seijin No Teishu. Shi was not in control of himself, and summoned the demon.

"What do you want mortal?"

"I want power…"

"Power comes at a price…your soul…do you accept?"

Shi hesitate only for a second before answering. "Yes."

Shi screamed in pain as his soul was ripped from his body, and the demon took him over. "Heh fool, you are mine now!" the demon said inside his head. Using Shi's body, the demon went through the town, slaying everyone, and broke through the palace walls. He slew everyone, including the Daimyo, and stopped at the door to the princess's room. He sneered and opened it. "Shi…what have you done?" She cried in fear.

"Shi Akuma…is this the name of the man I possess…Foolish girl, I am the Seijin No Teishu. Shi made a pact with me for supreme power, to win your heart…he was a fool!." The demon sneered as he licked the blood from his blade.

"Nooooooo!" Shi cried in his head, attempting to fight the demons control on his body, as the demon moved to kill Miko. But he failed, the demon stabbed princess through the torso.

"Shi…," The princess said dying "I love you."

"Foolish human, it is of no use to resist me." The demon said angered.

Shi had lost everything he had loved in an instant…he had nothing to live for, and let the demon take full control of his body, beginning the long and bloody history of the Sword Demon."

Everyone sat in silence, except for the sounds of a few of the members crying. Midnight sat stoned faced as she listened.

"That is an interesting story Ermac…how did you learn this?" Jared asked.

"A few of my souls had contact with Shi Akuma, including a Shaman, who heard the demons words." Ermac rubbed the back of his head. "He has a fearsome reputation."

Jared gestured for them to stand. "We have to head to Bo Rai Cho's with utmost haste now, for we know we have enemies in Outworld, plus we have no idea when Shi may come back…Uncle, do you know where Bo Rai Cho lives?"

"Yes I do, I shall lead you all there." Shao Kahn said, leading them to the only peaceful, forested part of Outworld. Bo Rai Cho lived in a large house, built in an Asian style. Jared walked up and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" asked a voice from inside, it obviously didn't sound like Bo Rai Cho's.

"It is the new god of thunder, Jared, and my champions."

The door opened to reveal a young face with blue eyes and blond hair which was kept back by a baseball cap.

"The old man ain't here, he went to Earthrealm to get some more sake. He left about a week ago, so he should be back later on today, he's never gone for more then a week, come in all of you…wait…What the hell! Shao Kahn?" The man went in a defensive stance.

"Calm down Mr.Stryker, I'm a different person now…I no longer seek to conquer and destroy, I merely seek redemption." Shao Kahn said

"I don't trust you, but you are traveling with a god, so you won't be too hard to handle should you get rowdy." Stryker glared at Shao Kahn suspiciously.

"Wait…do I know you from somewhere?" Spider asked giving him a puzzled look.

"I'm Kurtis Stryker, former N.Y.P.D. Riot squad."

"Oh crap…"

"What is it Vadia?" Rei asked

"Nothing that concerns you…so why are you here, in Outworld, training with Bo Rai Cho?" Spider said, changing the subject abruptly.

"I'm training to take down the gang "Thugs 4 lyfe" and their boss Jerome."

"That silly bunch of fools? I took them out last month, it was nothing to a great mercenary like me." Spider said before she paused. "Oh crap I just said I was a mercenary didn't I…"

"VADIA! YOU'RE A MERCINARY? YOU DISHONOR OUR FAMILY EVEN MORE! MOTHER WOULD DIE OF SHAME IF SHE KNEW!" Midnight yelled.

"Speaking of mother, she gave me letters for you both." Rei said, handing them each a letter as they sat down in Bo Rai Cho's house. They poured over the contents of the letter, and at the end of it Spider blushed and hid her letter.

"Something wrong Spider?" Jared asked.

"No…HEY GIVE THAT BACK!" Spider yelled as Midnight grabbed her letter and read it aloud, then burst into laughter at one part, which she took extreme joy in reading "And don't forget that your mommy always loves you, my snooky-wookums-poo."

"I'm going to kill you in your sleep…" Spider muttered angered, while they all shared a laugh.

The door opened up and Bo Rai Cho walked in carrying numerous barrels of sake in a cart behind him. "Jared…you are early, I did not expect you till the evening." Bo Rai Cho's rumbling voice said.

"We rushed ahead, we have people after us already."

"In any case you and your champions will always be welcome in my home."

"Master Bo Rai Cho, could I please come in?" Said a voice from outside.

"Oh yes, I'm sorry Kung Lao." He said moving to let Kung Lao slip inside.

"Master Lao!" Rei yelled, jumping at him and giving him a hug, much to his surprise and embarrassment.

"Rei…please detach from me." He said awkwardly.

"Oh sorry." She said letting him go blushing.

"This is a joyous occasion," Bo Rai Cho said "Come let us drink!" he yelled pouring sake for everyone. Midnight gave the sake a suspicious glance, but decided to try some anyway, only Jared and Ermac declined and watched as the others began to party. Several hours later, Spider was in the corner necking with Stryker, Midnight was passed out on the floor, Nico and Shiva were dancing, Rei seemed unaffected, Kung Lao was talking with Bo Rai Cho, and Shao Kahn and Goro were singing drunkenly to the lyrics of "Henry the VIII I am." Jared finally decided things had gotten way out of hand and suggested that they all get some sleep, and Bo Rai Cho, showed them the guest rooms, Spider and Stryker went into one, Rei and Kung Lao took another, Ermac picked up Midnight and carried her into one, Nico and Shiva shared a room, Shao Kahn and Goro, each took their own room, and Jared had fallen asleep out in the living room, and no one bothered to wake him.

Jared awoke at 8 am, and began to sing to some songs he had stuck in his head, as he cleaned up the mess. Everyone woke up with a pounding headache except for Ermac and Rei, who didn't drink and Rei seemed immune to the affects of alcohol.

"Ok everyone, I got a phone call earlier today, we're to head to New York and rendezvous with Sonya Blade and some members of the O.I.A"

"Not so loud," Spider said. "I'm hung over." Midnight groaned and rubbed her eyes as she struggled to fight off the affects of the hangover. Not to mention she had a shock when she woke up to find Ermac in the same room with her.

Jared only grinned as he continued to sing, much to the great annoyance of his comrades.


Shunpo means warp step, and a Shogun is like a general...Daimyo is a ruler of a large peice of land.

Tempo90: Please R&R