Love & War 3
Chapter 11: Unleash Hell
Cassie's team are on route to Raiden's Sky Temple via plane. Jacqui and Takeda are on the pilot's seats, with Cassie and Kung Jin at the computer screens behind them.
"We land in 15 minutes. We'll enter the Sky Temple from the terrestrial entrance," said Cassie.
"Why not go straight there?" Takeda asked.
Kung Jin explains, "It exists in a different quantum state, slightly out of phase from our reality. It can't be reach by conventional means."
Takeda sighs.
"What?" Jacqui notices.
"It's just us. No one coming to help. We either pull this off, or..."
"We will get it done." Cassie assured.
Warning buzzers sounded. The team sees a looming red cloud caused by the corrupted Jinsei.
"What is that? Jin asks.
"Dunno," Takeda Replied. "But It's heading towards us!"
"Elder Gods have mercy."
"Buckle up, guys. Gotta put this bird down!"
Jacqui landed the plane safely in a forest, known in the game as Deadwoods, but the corrupted Jinsei gave the forest a reddish hue.
"Looks like the temple entrance is 15 clicks that way," said Jacqui.
"A moonlight walk in the woods. Another time." said Takeda.
"I wouldn't have pegged you for outdoorsy."
"My mother and I lived near a forest much like this. Really takes me back."
"After we wrap this up, we should go."
Takeda and Jacqui had developed a love interest, but I'm not so sure if Jax would approve. Anyway, Cassie and Jin tried to fix the motor on one of the plane wings.
"Fuck me! We're grounded. That shockwave fried the leads!"
"Then we better get going. We're running out of time." said Jacqui.
Suddenly a portal opens. Kotal Kahn emerges along with Erron Black, Ermac, Ferra/Torr, Reptile and the Osh-Tekk army. Aw, shit!
"What are they doing here?" asked Jin.
"They must be here for the amulet, no doubt," Jacqui replied.
"We need to tell them about Shinnok. Call a truce."
"THERE!" Kotal spots Team S-F and he doesn't look happy at all. Maybe he didn't have it his way at Burger King. Wait, does Outworld have Burger King?
"Bring them to me."
"Or not," said Cassie.
The soldiers charge toward them.
"The woods. ."
"They quiet. Sneaky," said Ferra as they search for their prey.
"Ermac?" Kotal asks.
"We sense them. But the forest teems with souls," Ermac replied.
""Yes. So close," said Reptile.
Explosions are heard around Kotal's forces. Two trees fall down, crushing several soldiers underneath.
Cassie was chucking grenades, while Kung Jin was shooting arrow and Jacqui was shooting plasma at the trees.
One of Cassie's grenades were at Reptile's feet. He notices and leaps just in time before it exploded. Falling trees were catching fire.
"Divine fire and earth."
Eventually, Team S-F were battling Kotal's followers and the Osh-Tekk soldiers.
"We know D'Vorah is here. Where is the amulet?" asked Kotal.
"Kotal Kahn, the situation has changed," said Takeda.
"Do not fling your spittle at me."
Kotal and Takeda fight. They block each other's attacks.
"Did you tell him?" Jacqui asked.
"Not yet."
"He needs to..."
"Busy!"
"I will kill you both!"
"Shinnok's been freed. He's at Raiden's Sky Temple. We're here to rescue Chris from captivity, but he could be dead by now. Shinnok infected Earthrealm's life force already.
Kotal look into the red sky, seeing the truth in Jacqui's words.
"The heavens boil... Eathrealm is lost!"
"Not if we hang together!"
"I will appease Shinnok. Bring him your head. gain time to bolster Outworld's defenses.
Kotal takes out his war club and swing it at Takeda who barely misses.
The fight continues, until Jacqui confronted the emperor.
"You need to help us, Kotal Kahn."
"It is too late for Earthream. Shinnok is now its new master."
"That's enough!" said Erron Black.
Team S-F are now surrounded. Impending death is approaching.
"I don't know about you guys, but I'm livin' a dream."
"You have odd dreams," said Takeda.
"Chattel! You die tonight!"
The soldiers are closing in... until they were... frozen solid!
"It was Sub-Zero, Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei and his disciples with him. Not only that, they are joined by the Shirai Ryu, led by Scorpion. For the first time in centuries, ancient enemies are now new alliances.
"You stood together against formidable odds. Lesser warriors would not fare so well," said Sub-Zero.
"Thanks, Grandmaster."
"Sub-Zero and I will remain here to push Kotal's forces back to Outworld. Proceed to the Sky Temple. Earthrealm's fate lies with you," said Scorpion.
Team S-F head off to the Sky Temple. Scorpion and Sub-Zero ready their clans moments before the clash with the Osh-Tekk soldiers.
"UNLEASH HELL!"
This is it! All out war! Moments later, heads were rolling, blood filled the forest, ice and fire shot everywhere. Scorpion burned most of the soldiers with his hellfire while Sub-Zero breaks and shatter on his side. Kotal Kahn charges Sub-Zero. Fierce kombat ensued. Kotal took out his dagger while Sub-Zero makes his ice sword. Exchanges of attacks between them both. Scorpion fight Reptile.
"Are you afraid, Hasashi?"
"What have I to fear?"
"Reptiles eat scorpions!"
Another classic ninja battle. Speed and skill are demonstrated yet again but Reptile was defeated after a long battle.
"You now defend Earthrealm?" Kotal asks.
"A more noble way to live."
"A sure way to die."
Sub-Zero and Kotal continue fighting.
"I will crush the Lin Kuei!"
"You will have to kill me first."
"As you wish!"
As the war rages on, we now come to the Sky Temple. Team S-F are behind the shadows as D'Vorah speaks to Liu Kang and Kitana.
"Lord Shinnok is almost complete. Soon the Jinsei's corruption will be irreversable."
"The invasion can then proceed. Raiden and his allies will be unable to call in resistance." said Kitana
"Once the realm falls, our path to victory will be clear. Advise Lord Shinnok that the Oni and Orochi are ready. At his command, we will unleash them on Earthrealm."
On the other side, Chris and Jade are listening to their conversations as well.
Kung Lao walks up to the revenants.
"Have you found Raiden's portal to the Heavens?"
"Yes," Kung Lao answered. "But his wards protect it. We can't break through."
"And Chris?"
"He escaped, but he's here somewhere."
"That is unacceptable," said Kitana. "After Earthrealm is destroyed, we must complete Shinnok's vengeance; invade the Heavens and destroy the Elder Gods.
"Come."
Kitana was left behind.
Takeda suddenly almost lost his footing, which caught Kitana's attention.
They rush up to fight her.
"Back off, princess."
"You think mere words can stop me?"
"But I can."
Jade comes out of hiding.
"Jade?"
"Yes, my dear friend. This is not who you are."
Chris came out as well.
"Chris! Thank god, you're ok."
"What is this?"
"Kitana, this evil within you. Allow me to help you..."
"I don't think so!" Liu Kang and Kung Lao run up to Chris.
"You! You stole my title as champion of Mortal Kombat!"
"I told you before, titles mean nothing to me. And you, Kung Lao, you were killed by Shao Kahn."
"Raiden allowed it."
"No. He allowed you to fight Shang Tsung, Quan Chi and Kintaro in one stroke. Liu Kang, Shang Tsung killed you because he wanted revenge for his defeat at your hands. Kitana, you and them have perished to the Tarkatans. Then you were controlled by the Dragon King. Even after his defeat, you remain as revenants. There is a way I can help you. Return with me to..."
"Never!"
Liu Kang, Kung Lao and Kitana attack Chris.
Jade assisted. in a 2-on-3 battle.
After a while, all three have been defeated.
"Jade, we need to get them to Sonya. Quan Chi is still in custody... I hope.
"We need to hurry. Shinnok's corruption is almost complete."
Chirs and Jade took the revenants back to the Refugee Camp. Sonya sees them both with the revenants, "Sonya, is Quan Chi still here?'
"He's in the cell block. You brought them here?"
"Yes, take them to the cellblock. We must hurry. Jade, I need you to stay here."
"What are you gonna do?"
"Cassie's team is at the Sky Temple now. I'must go, alone."
"Chris, we can't thank you enough for all you've done."
"Thank me later, Sonya. I must go!"
"Chris, be careful, my love," said Jade.
"I have to do this, Jade. I need to stop Shinnok. If I don't make it, it was a honor serving you (Kisses Jade) I love you."
Jade is crying. "I love you too..."
He looks at Sonya one last time with these words: "Semper Fi!"
He takes the portal to the Sky Temple. Cassie's team was captured by D'Vorah.
"This One greets you again, Chris."
"D'Vorah."
"If you are searching for your friends, they are inside the chamber where they will be facing their death, as will you!"
They fight. Chris demonstrates his superior military skills to D'Vorah, who wasn't able to fend off and get any offense going. D'Vorah was defeated.
"I should have bought some bug repellent."
Chris rushes to the chamber. His eyes widened. That cannot be Shinnok, he thought. His heart is racing. As he enters the chamber, he sees Cassie's team in shackles.
"Chris!"
"My god..."
The corrupted form of Shinnok faces him.
"Chris! You have arrived just in time to witness your friends' deaths."
"I don't think so. Look what you've done! You think destroying Earthrealm is gonna make a fucking difference?"
"It will to me!"
"And for what? Punishing the Elder Gods? You were a Elder God as well, before your obsession to destroy Earthrealm came to light. We defeated you before, we'll do it again."
"Fool! Earthrealm is mine! It will fall as they!"
"Not before you, Shinnok! FIGHT!"
Here we go! The final battle! It looks as if Chris is at a complete disadvantage, but with a little luck, he can win.
The fight starts with Shinnok blocking most of Chris' attacks. He grabbed Chris by the throat and blasted him away. Chris landed a superman punch that knocked Shinnok down. Shinnok launched a laser-like fire projectile at Chris who barely misses as he took the heavy blast. Chris slowly got up.
"(Evil Laugh) You are weak! YOU WILL DIE!"
Shinnok launches another fire beam but Chris jumped and punished Shinnok with a jump kick. Stunned, Chris tries a missile dropkick. Shinnok is brought down. Another superman punch landed, blasting Shinnok in the face, followed by a knee to the jaw, a half-spin kick to the stomach, a left hook to the face, a left elbow, and a uppercut. Again, Shinnok is brought down. It had been quite a while since the fight started. Shinnok keeps missing attacks.
"How is this possible? I am IMMORTAL!"
"Immortal or not, you will suffer!"
Shinnok looks clearly at Chris. His eyes transformed to pure white. His body covered with a blue aura, increasing his strength and healing his wounds.
"Oh, shit!" Cassie said, surprised at what she is seeing.
"What is he doing?" asked Jacqui.
"I don't know, but..."
"Shinnok, your time is over! Earthrealm will not fall to you!"
"It has already fallen!"
"And you will as well!"
Shinnok, furious, tried one last attempt at taking Chris down. What a mistake! Chris stunned him with a high kick. He sends out a war cry and begins his assault, starting with a one-two punch, followed by a series of Tae Kwon Do-style kicks at lightning speed and adding faster punches, knees, roundhouse, sweeps, and hooks all in random order. He launches a uppercut, sending Shinnok into the air. Chris jumps and performs a series of hurricane kicks, ending it with a overhead flip kick, slamming Shinnok back down. Chris came back down and stomps on Shinnok's head, crushing his skull. Shinnok slowly rose.
"No!"
Too late, Shinnok, you're fucked!
Chris laid the finishing touches with his x-ray, starting with a kick in the nuts. He then uses a jumping uppercut, breaking his jaw and sends him flying. Chris slides before Shinnok could land. Chris turns his body around in a bend over position and launches a powerful scorpion kick to Shinnok's face. The kick causes Shinnok's jaw to be torn away from his mouth, barely hanging on. Finally, Chris thrusts his right hand into Shinnok's stomach and pulls out the amulet.
"IT"S OVER, SHINNOK!"
Shinnok screams in extreme agony. He falls to the ground. Magic sprawling everywhere from his broken body. He made one last scream before he explodes. Shinnok...is dead.
"Death comes to all..." he looks at his blood-soaked hand and squeezes it, splashing the blood on his face. "...except me!'
