Chapter 9: The New Plan

After their own invasion had failed the five warriors returned to Outworld, entering in a similar manner to their predecessors. At first sight everyone was relieved to see them but upon further examination something else was clearly up.

The five appeared in the middle of the courtyard, when everyone looked they noticed how beat up they looked. People immediately flocked to their side.

They were more beaten up from their fights than they thought. Scorpion fought with all his rage, Sub-Zero with all his malice, even Reptile who held back against someone nearly as strong as himself had taken some damage. But none were more injured than Hydro.

Reptile Hag held his lifeless body since the left but now that they had returned handed him off to Sub-Zero. The Lin Kuei warrior took him but didn't hold him as precious as Reptile had. He gripped Hydro by his arm and dragged his body behind him.

"What will we do now?" asked Reptile. Ermac the least injured and self-promoted leader of the group step up.

"We will go to the Emperor, and tell him of our failure." This was another moment where Ermac's manner of speech confused those around him. But he didn't mean for all of them to go before Shao Khan, no only he himself would.

Sub-Zero walked off dragging Hydro, a trail of red left behind them.

"Is he dead?" called up a voice. Sub-Zero turned over to see Eggman standing in the entrance to the flesh-pits standing nearby." Is he dead?" He asked again. Sub-Zero said nothing." I only ask because your other friends have passed away as well." Eggman expected Sub-Zero to be heartbroken but he showed no sign of it." Shang Tsung and I have used them to create some new soldiers. I hope you don't mind." Sub-Zero's eyes looked at the scientist fully now."

"Here have another." He said tossing Hydro's bloody body at Eggman. The scientist was so shocked at the body being flung at him that he couldn't catch him. Sub-Zero paid him no more attention as he walked away.

"Forgive us Emperor." Said Ermac bent down on both knees before the Emperor." We have faced these warriors on the field of battle and we were defeated." Shao Khan grumbled in his chair. It was a spur of the moment thing to make the force Ermac was part of and the same when Shang Tsung was not reprimanded for the recent failure. But the Emperor had very little to do with all his time now. Nothing to do but sit around and pity himself. Now an opportunity to let out some stress revealed itself, in the form of Ermac.

"I see it fit to see you punished." Said Shao Khan as he raised his hand and prepared to hit Ermac with his magic.

"One moment Emperor." Called a voice. Shao Khan and Ermac looked up to see Shang Tsung walked into the room." I view it as unwise to destroy such a vital asset so early in the game."

"You dare to lecture me?!" roared Shao Khan.

"No Emperor." Said Shang Tsung shaking his head." I do not. Not when you yourself see a much bigger picture in this.

"Hmh?" Shang Tsung made his way across the room, passing Ermac and standing before Shao Khan.

"Tell me Emperor what was it that allowed Earthrealm to finally become your's."

"War!" he bellowed.

"Indeed." Shang Tsung." But what kind of war?" Shao Khan looked puzzled for a moment and even Ermac was confused. But soon enough he had the answer.

"Mortal Kombat!"

"Yes." The Sorcerer hissed." So as I am sure you know" Said Shang Tsung stepping out of Shao Khan's way to view Ermac." It would be foolish to destroy such a vital asset such as Ermac. Especially now when victory is almost our's." Shao Khan must have not heard the Sorceror's last word but he did hear him overall.

"Yes." He hissed." Ermac!" The man of a thousand souls jumped to his feet." You will partake in the upcoming Mortal Kombat tournament. And you will not fail me again."

"Yes Emperor." He said. With a wave Shao Khan dismissed Ermac and he left." Sorceror!" He yelled before Shang Tsung could do the same." You shall command my forces, preparing them for the tournament."

"Of course Emperor." He said. Then Shang Tsung turned and left, preparing to go back down to the flesh pits. However he came across some company. As he rounded the corner he came across none other than James McCloud.

"Good Afternoon James." Hissed Shang Tsung." So nice to see you again."

"What's going on here Tsung?" asked James crossing his arms.

"Oh nothing out of the ordinary." He replied patting James on the head." I've just commanded the Emperor to-"

"I don't care about that." James grunted." What are you doing about my son?!" Shang Tsung was flustered for a moment but regained himself.

"My dear friend. I will do so just now. I shall write to him informing him of the upcoming tournament. It is here that he will meet you."

"Tournament?! What?"

"He calm my friend. You'll get what's coming to you. "Then without another word Shang Tsung left a confused James behind as he headed back down to the flesh pits.

Meanwhile Ermac had returned to the rest of his group, only to find Reptile and Scorpion in attendance. Sub-Zero had disappeared and Hydro was most likely dead.

"What happened?" asked Reptile to his fellow enforcer.

"The emperor has spared our lives." Ermac said almost in disbelief." And he..he"

"He what?" Reptile asked.

"He has started a Mortal Kombat tournament again." Scorpion clued into the conversation now for the first time.

"Will those ninja be there?" He asked.

"Most likely." Ermac answered.

"Good." Scorpion said. Ever since they left that realhm all he could think about was the ninja he fought, Neji. And thinking about him just filled him with uncontrollable rage. But this was music to his ears, to hear that he would be able to fight his enemy again.

Meanwhile Shang Tsung made his way down to the lab where he found Doctor Eggman working. He stood before a large case filled with water, and something the size of a pea was inside.

"What is it you have there doctor?" asked Shang Tsung as he walked in.

"This is the DNA splicing experiment I told you about." Said Eggman as he turned back to look at the sorcerer for only a moment before turning back to his work." I took the DNA you man gave me," Which was the DNA of Shadow the hedgehog, Fox McCloud, and Banjo." And added some other DNA your men had on them from their battles with these ninja." He'd taken blood and skin cells that Shao Khan had from battling those leaf ninja. He had the DNA of Kiba, Neji, and Choji." I say this could be my greatest invention." He said as he looked up into the tank.

"Fascinating." Said Shang Tsung. He then turned around and looked on the experiment table. There he saw the makings of two robots but they weren't complete yet. They missed certain parts, but one was equipped with a chainsaw and the other seemed to have a flamethrower." And what are these."

"Don't touch those!" Said Eggman as he shot up to stop Shang Tsung which he did." Those are two highly advanced combat robots I've created." Shang Tsung looked them over again.

"You've been busy haven't you doctor." He said with a smile. Shan Tsung turned from him and began looking for a paper and pen to write down his letter. But then there was a knock at the door behind them getting both their attentions.

"Yes, yes." Answered Shang Tsung curiously. "Who is it?"

The door opened up and Orochimaru walked in.

"It's me." He hissed walking into the room." I'd like a word if you don't mind. I heard that you're the man to speak to around here." Flattered Shang Tsung appeased him.

"Enter please." Shang Tsung said waving him closer.

"I've heard that your men had some trouble in the leaf village today." Said Orochimaru. Shang Tsung gave the snake man a suspicious look as he eyed him up and down.

"And where would you have heard that?" he asked.

"Little rumors." He hissed back.

"Is there something you want?" shot up Eggman suddenly." Or are you just here to waste our time? We have work to do."

" Indeed what is it you want?" agreed Shang Tsung.

"Well I might have a way for you to beat them." Said Orochimaru. Shag Tsung raised an eyebrow." My pupil used to be one of them and he's beaten the five ninja before." Shang Tsung gave a skeptical look.

"A generous offer." He said." And what would you want in return?"

"If I help you defeat them." Said Orochimaru." I want to destroy the leaf village and build my own village over it." This was the leg he needed over the Akastski who wanted the same thing.

"I'm sure we can reach an agreement Mr.-"

"I'm called Orochimaru."