Welcome Home?
Two nights later Samantha is practicing her swordsmanship with Shujinko attentively watching her practice, she slices a wooden practice dummy in half and stands over it. Shujinko walks up to her and straightens her shoulders as well as changes her footing by nudging her left leg a little closer inward.
Shujinko: You have great power Samantha Maxis but you lack finesse. Your powers will mean nothing if your are unable to control your body.
Samantha: I have the power the control many bodies at once.
Shujinko: You have as much finesse as the mindless corpses you had control over. Go again but maintain the posture I taught you.
From the rooftop of the temple Raiden and Rip Hunter watch over Samantha as she trains with Shujinko with great interest.
Raiden: Any news on Nekron's undead army?
Rip Hunter: Based off satellite footage, their number is almost a million. Samantha will certainly have her work cut out for her but she I have faith in your teachings and those you have selected to tutor her.
Raiden: I hear from Arkantos and Chiron that you have found the temple from your visions in South America, is this true?
Rip Hunter: It is, I currently have Gideon doing the bulk of the construction. Once Gandalf returns to Earth he will help with the rest.
Raiden: What's going on with the wizard?
Rip Hunter: A situation has arisen on Middle Earth nothing he and his peers cannot handle. An Uruk necromancer has reared his face and wants to lead the remnants of Sauron's forces out of Mordor and into Gondor. I should know more soon.
Raiden: What of Johnny Cage?
Rip Hunter: Only that he is still being held captive by Ming off the coast of Medici. Your comrade and his ex-wife Sonya Blade is one of the main names leading the search publicly.
Raiden: A public search implies there is a private one time master.
Rip Hunter: Indeed there is, Gideon has been able to tap into Justice League systems while I'm away "looking for Mr. Cage". Batman has been searching relentlessly for Mr. Cage.
Raiden: Despite being extremely different they are brothers in arms. Your information on the list you provided told us they both trained under a "Master Boyd" around the same time. They no doubt built quite the friendship.
Rip Hunter: Yes, well once Samantha does her part and Johnny is rescued. We can begin the next step in the operation. More and more people on the list from alternate timelines are appearing in our timeline or are remembering experiences from one.
Raiden: Excellent news indeed Rip Hunter, soon we shall of the heroes of this universe united to fight this evil.
Rip Hunter: Yes indeed, I will be in touch Raiden.
Rip Hunter begins to walk back to his Time Sphere and jets off unnoticed by those below. Raiden begins to slowly descend downward to watch over Samantha's training. Samantha cuts down three more wooden dummies as the thunder god lands.
Shujinko: Excellent! You even kept proper form!
Raiden: Excellent work, I saw everything from above. You are progressing quickly Samantha Maxis. You will be ready soon for the task at hand.
Samantha: You have yet to tell me what that task is.
A creepy but familiar voice from above responds "That task your god speaks of is already here!". Samantha, Raiden, and Fujin turn to see a figure up in the sky throw down Fujin and Bo Rai Cho at their feet. Samantha quickly checks their pulse to see that they are still alive, she looks up to see who the figure is and her eyes go and wide and she mutters "No it can't be". She sees the Black Lantern Ultimus Edward Richtofen.
Samantha: How is this possible?
Richtofen: Did you really think you were the that you were only one that found their way into this new reality? Once again I yield powers beyond your comprehension, I have the power to finally wash your stain out!
Raiden: You would trade one undead god for another?
Richtofen: Do you think I would allow myself to truly be a slave of Nekron thunderer? It does not matter if it's Nekron, The Shadow Man, or even Shinnok. All that matters to me is power!
Richtofen uses his power ring to blast the group of heroes only for Raiden to create a force field out of lightning to protect them. Richtofen then descends with both his arms wide open and big decaying smile on his face.
Richtofen: I hope you don't mind but I brought a few friends with me!
Richtofen's power ring glows and then hard light versions of Ultimus, and Dr. Ludvig Maxis surround them in a circle. Fujin and Bo Rai Cho slowly come to and realize what's going on and promptly get up. Raiden's arms begin pulse with electricity, Shujinko and Bo Rai Cho get into defensive stances, Fujin draws his sword, and Samantha's eyes begin to glow white.
Samantha: Eddie, please stop this.
Richtofen: Hahahaha I am not that little boy Samantha, I'm the one who gladly ruined your life and would not hesitate to do it again!
Richtofen's ring glows again and hard light Hellhounds charge the group, Raiden quickly blasts two of the hellhounds and they fade away but one jumps on Samantha and is actively trying to bite her throat. Fujin begins to duel Takeo both testing the might of their swords, Bo Rai Cho body slams into Nikolai cracking the wall and begins to wail on the hard light construct, Shujinko fights with Dr. Maxis but is eventually thrown to the side into a pillar, and finally Raiden begins to grapple with Dempsey black energy and lightning generating everywhere. Samantha using her abilities disintegrates the apparition of Fluffy and then gets right up only to be smacked down by a hard light construct of her father. Richtofen and Dr. Maxis stand over her both smirking, Dr. Maxis grabs his daughter by the throat and holds her up in the air.
Dr. Maxis: Such wasted potential! I should've let that dog maul you!
Dr. Maxis grip gets tighter and tighter and Samantha struggles to breathe. Due to the powers of Black Lantern ring Richtofen sees that she is down the middle Yellow for Fear and Green for Will.
Samantha: I-know-that's not y-you!
Richtofen: Eh it was worth a shot!
Richtofen then quickly dashes over and starts choking her and the hologram of Maxis vanishes. Shujinko sees this and tries run over only to be shot in the chest by a black energy blast from Richtofen's rings. Samantha sees this and cries out "NOOOO!". She angrily turns to see Richtofen and his decaying smile fades into a dropped jaw as he sees her eyes turn white and energy pulse all around her. Richtofen let's go of Samantha because the energy causes his rotting flesh to burn, he grabs his hand as this is the first time he has felt pain. The hard light illusions of Ultimus fade away and the group looks to see Samantha levitating over the scared zombified mad scientist. Samantha remembers a time the time when Richtofen had her father killed on Group 935's Moon Station but she remembers him hugging her and the telling her "Kill them all" but she then hears the voice of Shujinko say "It takes a great deal of strength, both physical and emotional to overcome not only the great darkness you have dealt with but also the doubts from within and the pressure of those around you. I understand you and I want you to know that you are not alone in this battle" and she then hears the voice of Bo Rai Cho say "You must remember that you AND ONLY YOU, control YOU". Samantha angrily yells and bombards Richtofen with energy. It's blurry to Raiden, Fujin, and Bo Rai Cho but Richtofen's ring fades away and his skin no longer looks decayed but instead alive and healed. The energy fades away and a seemingly resurrected Richtofen is standing there looking around and checking his own pulse.
Richtofen: Oh... mein... god. How did you?
Fujin then hits Richtofen with a powerful gust of wind which causes the nazi scientist to slam into a wall knocking him unconscious. Raiden kneels down to look at Shujinko, he sticks out hand which is glowing blue trying to see if there is any hope for the redeemed Shaolin master. Raiden senses that Shujinko is alive but doesn't have much longer so he teleports the two of them into the Jinsei chamber and quickly submerges him in Jinsei. Bo Rai Cho walks up to Samantha who is on her knees panting because she just exerted so much of her power. Bo Rai Cho sticks his hand out to help her up.
Bo Rai Cho: Brave Warrior, are you alright?
Samantha looks up at Bo Rai Cho and takes his hand to get up.
Samantha: I'll be better if you have anymore of that Saki from the other night.
Bo Rai Cho let's out a loud belly laugh and responds smiling "I know where I can get more". The pair looks to see Fujin sternly grab Richtofen by the arms.
Samantha: Where are you taking him?
Fujin: I am taking him to the temple's dungeon. He will sit there until we decide what to do with him. His power ring has been destroyed thanks to you Samantha.
Fujin walks off with Richtofen into the lower levels of the temple into the dungeon. A week has now gone by Samantha now meditates while levitating in the court yard with Bo Rai Cho and a handful of Shaolin Monks. Meanwhile in Raiden's shrine, Fujin, Raiden, and magical projection of Rip Hunter are having a tense conversation.
Fujin: You can't be serious! You would not only send that monster back into the world but you would send him out there with Samantha? Has he not traumatized her enough?!
Rip Hunter: I understand where you are coming from truly, but we have a plan to follow and unfortunately Dr. Richtofen is apart of that plan.
Fujin: You have yet to tell me this full plan time traveler! Raiden has only given me sparse details... An invasion from the Apathocans but that looked to me much more like the return of Nekron then the Shadow Man.
Raiden: Brother, I understand your grievances, but this all apart of Rip Hunter's grand plan.
Fujin: Have we not argued about Agarthan scrolls before this? I have done my research on all those involved in the Dark Aether, that "doctor" would give Shang Tsung nightmares. He must be tried if not by the Elder Gods or The Guardians of Oa, then by the governments of Earthrealm!
Rip Hunter: With all due respect Fujin, need I remind you that you are not apart of this council?
Fujin: Need I remind you time traveler that you are trying to manipulate forces that even the Elder Gods fear?
Rip Hunter: She must go to Ryut with Dr. Richtofen. It's the only way she can free those under Nekron's thumb and she can't do it alone.
Fujin: How do you know this? Do you have visions of the future?
Rip Hunter: I do...
Fujin looks confused at first thinking he's lying but then realizes Rip Hunter is telling the truth.
Fujin: You're telling the truth? I thought you only traveled too and from points in time?
Rip Hunter: It's complicated, I won't bore you with the details. The main reason you are here Fujin is because Raiden trusts you with our secrets. I need you to trust us for the time being.
Raiden: He was a Black Lantern, he should have memory of Nekron's plan. You know this is the only way.
Fujin looks down at his boots and pauses to think about it. He knows that Nekron poses a threat to all life in the universe but he also knows that Samantha and Richtofen on their own are just as dangerous, he realizes however that Samantha is the key to defeating Nekron.
Fujin: Very well then. I will tell Richtofen he will accompany Samantha on her quest to Ryut to stop the Black Lantern Core. But who will tell Samantha?
Rip Hunter looks at Raiden knowing full that he must be the one to talk to her if Fujin won't.
Raiden: I will speak with her, she visits Shujinko in the Jinsei Chamber often. I shall meet with her there.
Later that night Raiden walks into the Jinsei Chamber, he sees Samantha looking on into the orb of Jinsei that holds Shujinko who is shirtless with his chest wrapped in bandages. Her posture seemingly indicating to Raiden that she zoned out but in reality it's quite the opposite.
Raiden: He will make it. The only reason why it is taking this long is because he needs sometime to recover. The old warrior has had no rest in his many decades of combat.
Samantha turns her head to see Raiden walking up to her on her left.
Samantha: I know that, I am able to speak with him telepathically. I try to come down here every night to make sure he doesn't have nightmares.
Raiden: You have a great deal of respect for Master Shujinko.
Samantha: Of course I do, he told me a story from his youth that was very similar to mine. He told me the story of the Dragon King who manipulated him into gaining unimaginable power in exchange for power and knowledge that lead the undoing of the Dragon King.
Raiden: Yes of course, No doubt you and Shujinko have both walked a mile in each other shoes.
Samantha: Yes, yes we have.
Raiden: Samantha... with the return of the Black Lanterns and the many heroes of this universe scattered you must go forth and defeat Nekron.
Samantha then turns her body all the way around looks at the Thunder God confused. She of course will do the task but she wonders if she will do it by herself so she asks.
Samantha: Alone?
Raiden: No not alone. I have spoken with allies who have helped wage a war in secret against the Apathocans. It will be difficult but you must work alongside Edward Richtofen.
Samantha face goes from confused to angry very quickly and her eyes return to their normal color.
Samantha: What do you mean?
Raiden: It's the only way to stop Nekron and to free those under his control. You know this.
Samantha: (sighs) Very well, when do we leave?
Raiden: Tonight. Fujin is speaking with him now. The two of you will leave for Ryut and defeat Nekron and his undead legions.
Samantha: What if we fail?
Raiden: You won't.
Raiden then teleports out of the room leaving Samantha alone with Shujinko. The next morning Samantha in a ceremonial robe stands before Raiden, Fujin, and Bo Rai Cho behind her are many Shaolin monks all siting on the ground in the courtyard. Samantha bows to Raiden and the others and they do the same. Samantha kneels and her three mentors look at each other and nod. Fujin and Raiden both look to the sky and make it rain.
Raiden: Let the rain wash away the darkness and corruption that plagued you before you came here.
Fujin: And let the wind guide you on your travels.
Bo Rai Cho flicks some wine from a small bowl and says "And may you always be merry in your righteous quest and be gracious to those are in need!".
Raiden: Rise, Samantha Maxis of the White Lotus.
Samantha stands up and is handed her sword by Fujin. She unsheathes it and turns to the crowd of Shaolin monks to raise it. The monks all kneel in respect for the new champion of the White Lotus, she turns to see three of her four mentors happy to see a newly trained hero. She bows to Fujin and Raiden respectively both of them bowing to her as well but when she goes to bow to Bo Rai Cho he signals with his hands not to bow and instead gives her a big bear hug, the Shaolin monks all applauding the success of Samantha. A few hours later in Raiden's shrine Samantha, Raiden, and Bo Rai Cho are standing silently waiting for Fujin to come back with Richtofen.
Raiden: Shujinko would be proud.
Samantha: I know, he told me he is.
Samantha's eyes quickly flutter with white energy as a subtle reminder to the Thunder God she had been speaking with him telepathically. Fujin then walks into the shrine with a handcuffed Richtofen and muzzled Richtofen. Raiden then quickly zaps the restraints off of the mad scientist.
Richtofen: Thank you mein Freund, it feels good to even momentarily not be shackled by the demands of Gods.
Raiden: Your work is not finished yet Edward Richtofen. I trust Fujin told you what you are doing in exchange for your freedom?
Richtofen: Indeed he did! I travel with Maxis to the planet of death and somehow help defeat the many undying. What could possibly go wrong?! HAHAHA
Bo Rai Cho: Surely we could ask our allies to pause the search for Johnny Cage. Perhaps even gather heroes and warriors from Earth and beyond. Surely we would not leave Samantha with this cretin?
Raiden: I'm afraid this is the only way Bo Rai Cho. Samantha, you know what to do from here.
Samantha's eyes begin to glow white and as she moves her hands they begin to glow purple and a portal opens. Samantha grabs Richtofen by the arm.
Samantha: If you even think about straying away from the mission, I will throw you into a black hole.
Richtofen: Wunderbar!
The two walk into the portal and dissipates as they walk deeper in it. Raiden, Fujin, and Bo Rai Cho all look at each other with concern not sure if they truly are doing the right thing.
Bo Rai Cho: May the Elder Gods have mercy on us all.
Samantha Maxis and Edward Richtofen will return in Schwärzeste Nacht Erneuert!